Meet the StAFF

  • Rev. Jake Macklin email facebook twitterbird@jakemacklin

    Pastor

    Jake is a native of Sussex County and has been serving as pastor of Gethsemane since September 2017. He is a 2004 graduate of Sussex Central High School; he received his degree in Elementary Education from Appalachian State University in 2009, and earned a Master of Divinity from Palmer Theological Seminary in 2016. Jake is an Ordained Elder in the Peninsula-Delaware Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. 


    Some of his passions include intentional faith development and serving in the community while developing relationships with others. Jake has been married to Emily since 2014 and they have five wonderful children. 

  • Jordan Forston email facebook twitterbird  @forstonj 

    Youth Pastor

    Jordan does an amazing job leading the youth ministry here at GUMC! Jordan and his wife Amanda have three children named Gia, Gabe, and Luke. They have been a part of Gethsemane for 9 years. Jordan is also a school counselor at West Seaford Elementary and has been in education for 13 years. 


    If you have any questions or would like to talk with Jordan, he would be happy to do so! 




  • Jane Wright email 

    Administrative Assistant

    Jane has been at Gethsemane for 38 years! She always greets those entering the church with a smile. Jane enjoys NASCAR racing and reading.

  • Beverly Wheatley

    Custodian


Lay Leadership Positions

The laity (or lay persons) in the local church are those persons who are not clergy (pastors). The vast majority of people in the local church are obviously lay people. It's not just the pastors that are called to be ministers of the good news; we are all called to use our gifts to be a part of God's work in the world. We are grateful for the laity in our church that serve in a variety of roles. Some of those roles include:


Lay Leader: Donna Cranston


Church Council Chair: Karen Dodd


Committee on Finance Chair: Kathy Davis


Staff-Parish Relations Chair: Valerie O'Day


Trustees Chair: Tracey Wootten


Worship Design: Sheila Fooks


Youth Ministry: Jordan Forston