Dave Ingalls, Lead Pastor
I grew up in North Wilmington (Claymont to be exact). I felt my call to ministry early in life and went to Messiah University in Christian Ministries with a dual concentration in youth and pastoral ministries. Along the way, I also dabbled in deeper thinking and minored in Philosophy. After school, I began working as a youth pastor. For 15 years I worked with teenagers and learned the holiness of play, the joy of a good laugh, and the strength of a community during trials.
In May of 2014, I graduated from Palmer Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree. Though I interned at a Presbyterian (PCUSA) church and worked at a Lutheran (ELCA) church, my home is in the United Methodist Church. Our holy mix of social justice, piety, and tradition continually draws me in.
I am supported by my wonderful wife, Megan. I am father to a rambunctious eldest son (2014) named Benjamin, and a goofball youngest named Jamison (2019). I could not do this without them. They are my home.
My ministry has always centered on relationships and people. Whether that relationship is with each other, communally with God, or individually with God: relationships matter. Growing up, my father used to watch a show on PBS called “The Red Green Show.” It was a Canadian show about a man who loved working on things and fixing them with duct tape. It was cute. Red Green, the main character, would always end the show with “We’re all in this together, and I’m pulling for ya…” In a sentence, this is the Christian life to me. I’m pulling for ya. God is pulling for ya. We’re pulling for each other. Then we get the opportunity to go out to pull for the poor, right injustice, and lift up the downtrodden. I can’t wait to learn about your story, and journey together.
Email: dave@gracechurchum.org
Gabriel Benton, Director of Music Ministries
Gabriel Benton enjoys a multifaceted career in music as an early music specialist, accompanist, and church musician. Deeply passionate about music of the baroque and earlier eras, he studied harpsichord performance at Oberlin Conservatory and The Juilliard School. As a harpsichordist, he frequently performs with his group Corda Nova Baroque as well as with ensembles across the country, including American Baroque Orchestra (New England) and American Bach Soloists (San Francisco.) With the latter, he has recorded two CD’s. Past performances include concerts with Venice Opera Project, Juilliard415, Yale Baroque Opera Project, York Symphony Orchestra, and New World Symphony. Gabe has been accompanying worship services since he was a teenager, but after a life-changing experience working as director of music at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Yonkers, NY, he felt called to devote his time more deeply to church music. He went on to study organ performance at Yale University’s Institute of Sacred Music, where he served as organist at the University Church and received the Charles Ives Award for outstanding work as an organ major.
Email: gabe@gracechurchum.org
Rich Parson, Community Outreach Director
rich@gracechurchum.org
Karen Miller, Deaf Community
Karen Miller, a Middletown Resident, a wife and a mother with two daughters, started in Deaf Ministry at Bethesda United Methodist Church in a sign-language play depicting the story of the sheep and the goats from Matthew 25:31, honoring Bishop Johnson in 2007. Karen has been doing Deaf Ministry at Grace since 2009. In 2013, she became a Certified Lay Minister. The Deaf Ministry at Grace has been expanding and growing to reach the Deaf Community. One large ministry Karen leads is Free Deaf Tax Day with volunteers from AARP, certified interpreters and students from Interpreter training programs at Community College of Baltimore College and Philadelphia Community College for 6 years. A recent group for the Deaf which is every Thursday at 6 30 PM at Grace Methodist Church runs by Daymon Warren and Carol Stevens interpreting. Every Third Friday Senior citizens group for anyone in the deaf community is held at Grace and during the evening a movie night for the Deaf Community. We also have fantastic Deaf speakers come twice a year. I provide Doula services to those who reside in Delaware Area. My ultimate goal is to provide birthing service to those who are in need of it and to give them one on one attention and offer a birthing that is comfortable for my clients. As a Deaf ministry, I offer pro bono for the young Deaf parents who need assistance during pregnancy, birthing and afterward. Counselor mentoring young couples. I am much involved advocating in the Deaf Community! As right now, we are fighting to have group homes for Deaf and Deaf plus people in Delaware. I am president of Northeast Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Deaf ministries serving the region from West VA to Maine. I preach once a month on the third Sunday and joined with the ''hearing church" for communion. I believe that we should partner with the hearing people. I work with Deaf and hard of hearing individuals with additional disabilities, from different races, and people who would never dream of going to church. Jesus didn't sit there and say you are not one of mine and go away. We are here to love everybody and pray for each of them. I just love helping others and serving them what would Jesus do? I have also traveled to mission trips to Jamaica Christian School for the Deaf, African schools for the Deaf, and to Red Bird, at KY helped fixed things. I also went to the Holy Land. With this Deaf ministry, I want to thank Grace Church, Rev Edwin, Carol Stevens, Bishop Johnson, and my husband George.
Email: watunya@verizon.net
Jerry Buckworth, Church Administrator
Jerry earned his B.S. from Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. His area of concentration was in hospitality management. As a long time member of Grace church, Jerry is thrilled to be on staff as we enter this very exciting time of growth. He has spent the last 15 years as the food service director at Tower Hill School. He also coaches the boys tennis team. During his free time Jerry loves to travel, play golf, work in the yard, cook and spend time in the mountains of West Virginia.
Email: Gracechurchum@gmail.com
Diane Rubolino, Reception
Diane spent 25 years as a manager in the restaurant industry. After meeting her husband she changed careers and worked as an admin assistant at West Side Health, Caldwell Staffing and the Rodney Square Club. In 2010, Diane accepted a position at Tower Hill school working in the dining hall. She put her love of food to use there creating daily specialty salads and also helped with preparation of special events at the school. Looking for a career change, Diane accepted the receptionist position at Grace when it became available. As a member of Grace, she loves the daily interaction with staff, members and the local community. Her many interests include gardening, sewing, crocheting and baking.
Email: reception@gracechurchum.org