Welcome!
 
Whether you are brand new to the church or you’ve been around church for a while; we want to say welcome! Our goal at Zion is to create environments and experiences where you can encounter God in the midst of your life. When you come to Zion, our aim is that you would be inspired by the music, encouraged by the message, welcomed by our amazing community of people & be reminded that God’s grace is here!
 
 
Gathering Times 
 
Sunday: 10:00 am
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
T H E   C H U R C H

We are a Church that believes in Jesus & loves God & people

We are a church that believes in Jesus, a church that loves God and people. Overwhelmed by the gift of salvation we have found in Jesus, we have a heart for authentic worship, are passionate about the local church, and are on a mission to see God’s kingdom established across the earth.
 
 
 MORE INFO  
 
 
 
 
                     Pastor David Magruder              
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
T H E   C H U R C H

Our History

 
Zion has a long history of being a community of people who love God, love their community and desire to be a church that is relevant with an outward focus where all are welcomed.
 
 
Zion United Methodist Church was founded in 1822 in the village of Crab Neck, Virginia. In 1846, Zion was listed as part of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South and remained a member for the next 93 years. In May 1939, the Methodist Church was created, and Zion became part of this new Protestant union. The Methodist Church became the United Methodist Church in 1968 when the Methodist Church merged with the Evangelical United  Brethren.
During the Civil War, Zion was used to house Confederate prisoners and also as a horse stable. When the Federal Army left, they dismantled the shell of the church building and used the lumber to build a hospital in Yorktown. The church was rebuilt in 1866.
Crab Neck was renamed Seaford in 1919. The town and the church continued to grow. Zion Church was once again remodeled and enlarged. It was still a one-room building with ten Sunday school classes all in one room, but the main body of the church was extended and both wings were also enlarged. The furniture that was purchased for the pulpit is still used today as are the chancel chairs and communion table. Zion’s new cast iron bell hung proudly in the belfry.
At the 1951 Annual Conference, Zion requested to become a station church and have a full-time pastor. Zion’s membership had grown to 480 by 1952. The current parsonage was completed in early 1954. With Zion’s membership increasing, a committee met to discuss plans for building a new education annex on the half acre of land adjoining the church. The new building provided ten classrooms, a large social hall and kitchen, storage, restrooms, and a stage.
In 1979, Zion’s congregation was enthusiastic at the prospect of a new organ and began to raise funds. By the end of the project, $68,000 had been raised to purchase the new organ, renovate the sanctuary, and redecorate the choir room to make it into a chapel. The organ was installed in April 1985 and was first played on Easter Sunday.
As the size of the congregation continued to grow, Zion felt the need to expand once more. After many years of praying and planning, construction began in 2005. With the enthusiastic support of church members, a commons area was added, the church offices and Sunday school rooms were renovated, and an elevator was installed making the entire church building accessible to all members. This project was joyfully completed in October of 2006.
A history of Zion, Zion United Methodist Church 175th Anniversary Edition, was published in 1997 by Zion’s Historical Committee.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
L E A D E R S H I P

Our Team

 
 
David Magruder
Pastor
 
Exuberant and dedicated, Pastor David Magruder truly exemplifies 1 Thessalonians 2:20 “God is my glory and joy.” Before receiving God’s call, he was active in the United Methodist Church, but after graduating from Virginia Tech followed a career in TV broadcasting, first in Lynchburg and then for WVEC-TV in Norfolk. Reared in Williamsburg, David lived in various cities after he left broadcasting and worked in healthcare marketing and public relations. Completing his Master’s of Divinity at Duke Divinity School in Durham, NC, he served three other churches before being appointed to Zion UMC in Seaford.
 
 
 
 
Sherry Wornom
Administrative Assistant
 
Sherry was born and raised in Seaford and is a life-long member of Zion. After graduating from York High School she earned an Associates Degree in Information Technologies from Thomas Nelson Community College.
She loves playing handbells with Zion’s bell choir at Zion and beyond. Sherry also directs Vacation Bible School and leads other activities.
In her spare time she enjoys playing bunco and cards, hanging out with friends, going to the movies, and attending live concerts.
 
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Tara Thomas
Accompanist
 

Tara has been the Accompanist at Zion since February 2016.  She is a life-long member of the church, and she was born and raised in Seaford.  

Outside of Zion, you can find Tara in the Gloucester County Courthouse.  She has served as the elected Treasurer of Gloucester County since 2000.  Tara has her Bachelors’ Degree in Finance from William and Mary, but music has always been her love!

Tara and her family have lived in Gloucester since 1993.  Her husband, Brook, is a retired firefighter and co-owns a fire equipment business with his brother.  Her daughter, Haley, is in the 8th grade.  Tara and Haley are active members of Zion’s handbell choir.
 
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