The Net

a weekly eNewsletter, published each Wednesday

September 23, 2026

A WEEKLY eNEWSLETTER AND OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN DELAWARE

Opening Hearts, Building Belonging: The Rev. Mitchell Felton’s First Chapel Services at St. Anne’s Episcopal School

The Rev. Mitchell Felton is settling into his new ministry as chaplain at St. Anne’s Episcopal School in Middletown — and his first chapel services offered students of all ages messages of prayer, belonging, and God’s abiding love.

For students in preschool through second grade, Mitchell introduced the practice of prayer, showing them that speaking with God can be as simple as closing their eyes, folding their hands, and opening their hearts. Together, they gave thanks for everyday blessings, lifted their worries and concerns for others, and discovered what it means to pray together as a community.

Older students in grades three through eight gathered in St. Anne’s outdoor chapel, where Mitchell left them with a message to carry throughout the year: “No matter who you are or what you’ve done, no matter what you’ve lost, no matter where you’ve gone or the places you’ve stayed, you are always a beloved child of God.”

He reminded the students that their worth is inherent and priceless, concluding: “Beloved, you belong.”

The Episcopal Church in Delaware celebrates this joyful beginning at St. Anne’s. Bishop Kevin S. Brown, who serves on the school’s Board of Trustees, joins the diocesan community in welcoming the Mitchell as he begins this important ministry.

PEACE Center:

Presbyterian Episcopal Alliance for Campus Engagement

In the summer of 2021, an ecumenical gathering of University of Delaware campus ministers and supporters met to discuss the “why” of campus ministry, especially in post-COVID times. The central answer this community returned to was “Jesus,” with layers of hospitality, beloved community, connection, advocacy, health and wholeness, and more. One of the supporters shared, “Campus ministry felt more important than ever, and yet, as we named that day, many of our denominations were struggling to fund and equip our ministries to live out this calling.” The Holy Spirit continued to move through this group of Presbyterian, Episcopal, and Methodist ministries who held conversations over Zoom to pray, converse, and dream of different collaborative models of ministry over the next few years. Mission and Vision statements were crafted, and by the start of 2024, it was clear that the group needed to legally organize its collaboration in order to hire a leader to carry out its mission. The Methodists discerned a call in a different direction, but encouraged the group to continue forward with their blessing.

In November 2024, the PEACE Center (Presbyterian Episcopal Alliance for Campus Engagement) at the University of Delaware was established as an initiative of the Episcopal Church in Delaware and the Presbytery of New Castle. The PEACE Center was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in early 2025, a job description drafted, a search committee formed, and the job posted through both Episcopal and Presbyterian outlets.

Read more about the PEACE Center in the article by the Rev. Dr. Rachel Hebert, director and campus minister.

Founding PEACE Center Board Members: Teri Valente (ECUSA), Secretary, 2028; Rev. Dr. Howell Sasser (ECUSA), Treasurer, 2027; Rev. Shannon Hanson(PCUSA), Board President, 2027; Pastor Rachel Hebert, Campus Minister; Rev. Julia Burkley (PCUSA), 2029; Sally Price (ECUSA), Vice-President, 2029; Rev. Rick Upchurch (PCUSA), 2028

Celebrate the Pastoral Call

The Rev. Dr. Rachel Hebert

Friday, October 9, 3:00 p.m.

St. Thomas’s Episcopal Church, Newark

The New Castle Presbytery in partnership with the Episcopal Church in Delaware and The PEACE Center of the University of Delaware invite you to celebrate the pastoral call of the Rev. Dr. Rachel Hebert. Reception to follow service.