MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – On Sunday, Jan. 30, Linda Diehl-Darms will offer the message “God Love and Human Traits” with the Scripture focus Psalm 15 and Matthew 5:1-12 at the 10 a.m. New Life Service at the Middletown Community United Methodist Church.

“A gathering” of the members and friends of the Middletown Community United Methodist Church has also been called by Diehl-Darms, who also is the church staff parish relations chair, at 11:15 a.m. and 1 p.m. after the 10 a.m. and noon services, respectively, on Jan. 30.

“We want to hear from people who care about the worship service and programs at the Methodist Church of Middletown to make sure we are offering what people need,” Diehl-Darms stated.

 

Voris Brumfield announced to the SPRC Committee in mid January 2011 that her tenure as lay-pastor at Middletown will be completed on June 30, 2011, after two years pastoring the church.

“I will continue to be active in church programs, however, it is an overwhelming responsibility as pastor and my health has become a concern,” Brumfield said.

She first became associated with Middletown Methodist in 1976 when she taught preschool for two years in their social hall. Several church members, Charlotte Baker and Aileen Miller, encouraged her to bring her daughter Khristan to church, which she did.

Pastor David Pittman then involved Brumfield and other young adults in an Easter Sunrise Service on Rabbit Hill that overlooks Middletown.

Since that time Brumfield has led many church committees, been a representative to California Nevada Annual Conference, and been a lay speaker for Methodist churches.

In August of 2008, at the urging of church members Max Seabaugh and Laura Lamar and an invitation by then-District Superintendent Ben Silva-Netto, Brumfield agreed to take the Conference Lay Ministers Training which she completed in January of 2009.

She was appointed pastor at Middletown in July of that same year, replacing Pastor Wanda Celli, who was assigned to a Methodist Church in Fall River Mills, Calif.

For sixteen months Brumfield worked as the pastor and for the county. In December of 2010 Brumfield retired from the Lake County Community Development Department.

“One would think life would become easier with one less job. Not so for me, but with one less job, I had time to objectively look at how I was living. Though Middletown Methodist Church has brought me closer in relationship with our Creator and a clearer understanding of path that Christ Jesus offers, I realized even more that I must slow down, work on my health to be more effective," Brumfield said.

She added, “Based on my 35 year relationship with the church, I encourage everyone who cares about the opportunities that our community church offers for spiritual growth and community service to attend one of the two Jan. 30 gatherings. It is important that our church continues its 140 year history of service to our community and the world.”

 

Persons who cannot attend the Jan. 30 gatherings are encouraged to either write Linda Diehl-Darms at Drawer A Middletown, CA 95461, call 707-987-4747 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with comments and suggestions.

The church is located at the corner of Washington and Armstrong, one block off Calistoga Street east of the Middletown Post Office.