Rev. Leah DeLong is the pastor of Middleburg United Methodist Church.  Leah was raised on a dairy farm, first in Western Pennsylvania and then in Garrett County, Maryland.  She came to Virginia after earning a degree in Biology from Seton Hill University.  While working at Shenandoah National Park as a naturalist, she met her husband, Don, a visitor in the park.  Leah was active in her home church as she and her husband raised their two children, Rachel and Aaron.  While teaching an adult Sunday school class, Leah decided to take a class at Wesley Theological Seminary so that she could be best Sunday school teacher possible!  She quickly realized that God was not calling her to be a well-informed Sunday school teacher, but that God was calling her to a life of pastoral ministry as an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church. 

Pastor Leah comes to Middleburg UMC after serving for six years as a “circuit rider” for three churches on the Rappahannock Charge on the Charlottesville District.  She is convinced that we are all called to carry on the ministry that Jesus began nearly 2000 years ago.  Jesus was very clear that he came to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God.  An important part of that Good News was that the hungry will be fed, the naked will be clothed, the thirsty will drink from springs of living water.  As followers of Jesus Christ, as his modern-day disciples we are called, not only to proclaim the Good News, but to live it – to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and give drink to the thirsty.  Leah’s mission is the church’s mission:  to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. 

As the pastor, Leah leads worship, preaches, teaches, administers the sacraments and provides pastoral care as needed, especially in times of crisis or difficulty.  Her passion is to interpret scripture in such a way that the Bible comes alive and its power and relevance become crystal clear!  Her favorite story in the Bible is found in Acts 8 – Philip and the Ethiopian.  Read it and you will understand Leah’s passion for interpreting scripture.

Speaking of passions, the DeLong’s have two grandchildren – Trent, 6, and Olivia, 3.  They also have two labs, Grace and Sophie, and a persnickety tabby cat named Zoe.  They live on a few acres of God’s good earth near Markham in Fauquier County. 

Pastor Leah looks forward to getting to know everyone who comes through the doors of Middleburg UMC – by name and by story.  She is excited and privileged to serve God by serving others here in Middleburg, and wherever the journey leads!