Rev. Mary Haggard

As Campus Pastor, I want to welcome you to the Wesley Foundation of the University of Delaware. I have had the pleasure of serving as Campus Pastor for the past 4 years. I am proud to say that we have great ministries in place for college students. There are many ways to be in fellowship, to learn and grow, to worship, and to serve. Our goal is to share in each other’s faith journey, as we grow in our understanding of God’s love and how we are called to respond to that love.

My History:

I was baptized in the United Methodist Church when I was just 7 weeks old, so I’m pretty much a lifelong Methodist. I graduated from Towson University with a BS in History and Social Studies with a Secondary Education track. I taught school in Baltimore City at West Baltimore Middle School for 3 years before figuring out that I wanted my students to know they were loved by God more than I cared if they knew all 6 wives of Henry VIII. I attended Princeton Theological Seminary where I earned an M.Div. and an M.A. in Youth Ministry. Since then I have served in a couple churches in New Jersey, Maryland, and now Delaware. Before taking on the Campus Ministry, I was first the Director of Youth Ministry and Christian Education at Newark U.M.C. Then I was commissioned as a Provisional Elder and became the Pastor of Youth Ministry and Christian Education. Now, I’m doing both Youth and Campus Ministry. So, pretty much if you’re between the ages of 12 and 25, you’re under my jurisdiction.

What I Believe:

I believe that we were created by God, and therefore are children of God. I believe in the Trinitarian God and know that there are many ways to express the Trinity, whether it be the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; or Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and also fully human. He is my Lord and my Savior, and He is the Savior of the Earth regardless of someone’s personal beliefs to the contrary. I believe that He died on the Cross for the world’s sins, and that He rose on the third day. I believe that the Holy Spirit is an active representation of God’s will in our lives. I believe that we are saved by grace alone and that baptism is a sign of that saving grace. I believe that we are a “work in progress” in that we are always striving for perfection. I believe in the importance of Scripture; that the Bible is the story of God’s love and grace brought to fruition in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I do know that God is a pardoning God. There are times that I am not the believer that I would like to be, in faith or in practice. With this, I know that God still loves me. I am a sinner that strives to be holy and desire nothing but God. I also know that I do all short, and that God loves me in my striving to do better.

Some FAQ’s:

1. What’s up with the flamingos? I love them, I can’t help it. Maybe it’s because they’re pink, maybe it’s because their knees bend backwards, and/or maybe it’s because they’re just a little tacky. It’s hard to explain. They make me smile.

2. When are you normally in the office? Pretty much any time after 10 am-ish, Mon – Thurs, and all day Sunday (go figure).

3. Is it true that you “have people” everywhere and anywhere? Not a scary sense, but yeah, pretty much.

4. “Has Mary told you the one about…?” Don’t ask any upperclassmen about my stories. They’re all very entertaining, and of course profound.

5. Favorite authors? Robert Fulghum, Mike Yaconelli, and Diana Gabaldon.

6. Shoe size? 7 1/2 or 8.

7. What are the occasions which may cause you to lie? April Fools Day, and a particular student’s birthday…don’t worry, it’s not you.