The Rev. Thomas G. Tipton was welcomed as the new pastor of Susanna Wesley United Methodist Church, Ordinary, on Sunday, July 5, by the leadership of the church, as the church remains closed to in-service worship. He preached from the sanctuary, via Facebook Live, for the first time since the COVID-19 crisis began in March.

Mr. Tipton and his wife Kim come to Susanna Wesley from Newport News where he served Christ UMC for the past eight years. He previously served Tabernacle and Pamunkey UMC in New Kent County. Following the CDC and the Virginia Conference guidelines, Rev. Tipton will be working with the leadership to reopen Susanna Wesley for in-service worship and to expand the online presence of the church as the ministries of the church resume.

Plans for the Food Pantry to reopen to serve families in need resumed this week along with steps to resume the Fishes and Loaves meal program.

The Tiptons come with connections to the Gloucester community through Kim. She is the da...