On Sunday, Sept. 29, Gary Melville, the United Methodist Foundation of New England’s director of development will preach at East Boothbay UMC’s 9 a.m. service. The Rev. David Abbott, director of stewardship, will preach at Southport UMC’s 9 a.m. service. At 10:30 a.m., both gentlemen will preach at the First UMC in Boothbay Harbor (81 Townsend Avenue), followed at 11:45 a.m. with a luncheon and workshop on the life and heart of stewardship and planned giving that lives into today and provides for future.

Melville, besides being the Foundation’s director of development, is a chartered financial consultant, and a chartered advisor in philanthropy. He is a financial planner with over 26 years of experience and has worked with the Foundation for 19 years. He lives in Methuen, Massachusetts with his wife Carol. Melville is a member of the Planned Giving Group of New England. He is active in the Cursillo community and prison ministry.

Rev. Dr. Abbott is a graduate of the University of Maine, Duke Divinity School and Wesley Theological Seminary. His ministerial service includes 18 years as the pastor of two local churches (Bynum, North Carolina and Belfast, Maine), six years as the district superintendent in New Hampshire, and his current appointment at the Foundation. His ministry passions are stewardship, congregational transformation, and leadership development. Preaching and teaching the Good News of Christ brings great joy and a deepening relationship with Christ. David and his wife Lisa have two boys with families which include the blessings of three grandsons and a granddaughter.