SEARCHING INWARD SERVING OUTWARD THROUGH CHRIST.
Journalist E. J. Dionne has noted that living traditions never fear adapting when change demands it. That aptly describes the ministry of the Asbury United Methodist Church from the laying of its cornerstone in 1888 to the present. In the early part of the twentieth century, Asbury was known as the missionary church because of the more than fifty missionaries who had gone forth from its membership to India, China, Korea, South America, Africa, and the Philippines. In the mid-twentieth century, some Asbury members were active in the Civil Rights Movement. As the Delaware community grew and changed, Asbury became involved in many local ministries. People-in-Need and Meals on Wheels were started by Asbury members and were originally housed in the church. A multigenerational congregation, Asbury continues to offer creative learning opportunities in response to the needs of young families, as well as intellectual engaged seniors. In 2017 Asbury became a Reconciling Congregation and joined the Reconciling Ministries Network. This was a public affirmation of the church’s ongoing commitment to welcome the LGBTQ+ community. Each Sunday as we gather for worship, we are reminded that “Whoever you are, whatever your circumstances, however you identify yourself, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, if you come here to find God, you are welcome."
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