Love All. Serve All. Follow One.
Staff
Friendship United Methodist Church is truly blessed to have strong leadership and a caring and loving pastor and staff. We welcome you to come visit them and the rest of our congregation.
Rudolph “Rudy” White – Lead Pastor
Phone: (410) 257-7133
Email: pastor@friendshipmethodist.org
Pastor Rudy brings more than 21 years of pastoral ministry to Friendship. He previously served Centennial United Methodist Church in Smyrna, Delaware; the Wesley Foundation at Delaware State University; and St. Georges United Methodist Church in St. Georges, Delaware. He has also served in conference and district leadership. At Friendship, he works alongside lay leaders and the congregation to live out its mission: “Grow as Disciples, Serve as Friends. Love All; Serve All; Follow One!”
Pastor Rudy earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Delaware State University and a Master of Divinity from Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University. In May 2026, he graduated from Palmer with a Doctor of Ministry in Contextual Leadership.
Pastor Rudy believes that pastoral ministry calls for both faithful leadership and genuine presence. He values the opportunity to listen to people’s stories, walk with them through life’s joys and hardships, and help them discover where God is calling them to grow and serve. His preaching and leadership reflect a commitment to grace, reconciliation, justice, and a church where all people can find welcome and belonging.
Pastor Rudy is married to the Rev. Vernette Dow White, a Provisional Elder in the Peninsula-Delaware Conference. They are the proud parents of their adult son, Gavin. One of his favorite passages is Micah 6:8, with its call to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.
Renee Knopp – Administrative Assistant
Phone: (410) 257-7133
Email: office@friendshipmethodist.org
I retired from the Federal Government, in April 2025, after 36 years, of service, most of which I have spent at the US Census Bureau. For the past 10 years I have also served as Secretary of the Deale Elks Lodge. I have been a member of Friendship United Methodist Church since 2000, I have played in the handbell choir, served on SPPRC, the communications committee, and actively participatee in church services. My family has deep ties to this church, many of my family members were/are members and have served this church. My sons also attended Sunday School and were confirmed here. I reside in Deale, MD with my husband Rick Husk. Between the two of us we have three sons, Shane and Brendan Ronan and Ricky Husk. In my spare time I enjoy scrapbooking and spending time with family and friends, especially watching the Baltimore Orioles & Baltimore Ravens. I look forward to serving this church, the Lord, and this community.
-Renee
Darrell Rison – Organist and Choir Director, 11:00 am service
Darrell is a lifelong church musician, first falling in love with the music of the church as a youngster at his grandparents’ Baptist church in Charles County. He was baptized there as a teen. He studied pipe organ and sacred music at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond and began receiving professional church appointments shortly after graduation. Darrell particularly values diversity of musical expression and along the way has served in capacities including music minister, liturgist, choir director, and organist, as well as professional chorister, vocal section leader, and soloist. He has experienced loving and creative musicians and colleagues at parishes urban and suburban, large and small, and with all manner of musical preferences and styles. He was confirmed as an Episcopalian as a young adult and continues as an active communicant. Darrell is excited about the passion and energy at Friendship and is honored to be a part of the long legacy of quality music here. He is especially eager to get to know everyone, so please reach out and make yourselves known!
Sunday Worship Schedule
