Author: barbarafox

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Help at our Communiversity Oasis! 4/17/16

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9:30 a.m. ONE WORSHIP SERVICE, “It’s Cool in the Furnace” musical

10:30 -11 a.m. Coffee hour, Appalachia Service Project serving

10:30 to 11 a.m. Silent Auction for Appalachia Service Project

11:15-11:45 Lunch for those staying for Communiversity and musical

Noon to 6: On the lawn, Appalachia Service Project bake sale, PUMC “Prize Wheel,”  Woman Cradle of Abundance’s photo op bird, Womanspace table, Boy Scout tent

Noon to 6: In the Sanford Davis room, Oasis hosts welcome visitors to restrooms, tables for seating with ice water and coffee

1 p.m. Bell Choir on the lawn

2 to 2:30 p.m. “It’s Cool in the Furnace” in the sanctuary (cast at 1:15)

3 to 6 p.m. Toddler area in the Sanford Davis Room sponsored by Conquer Paralysis Now

I want to help PUMC make community friends at Communiversity: Comment on Facebook or email growth@princetonumc.org

Donate for ASP bake sale (individually wrapped, no nuts) _________ or https://www.volunteerspot.com/login/entry/366675246068

Help set up lunch 11-11:15 __________________________

Help clean up lunch11:45-noon ___Lorie and choir mothers________________

Bring chips, washed grapes, or washed strawberries _____

Bring makings for P&J sandwiches ____choir mothers_________________

Order and pick up deli tray of meats/cheeses/bread for 40 _________

Help drive “Shuttle” to and from Jana’s house_________________

Welcome visitors from lawn___________________________________

Welcome visitors in Sanford Davis Room__need 3 to 6 p.m.__________________

Be a docent for stained glass window tours ______________________

Supervise middle-schoolers on our Prize Wheel___have one, need two _______

Donate items for Silent Auction or Prize Wheel __________________

Donate a gift card for the Prize Wheel

Help clean up Sanford Davis Room 5:30-6:30 __________________

Another idea? __________________________________________

SIGN UP IN THE OFFICE OR SANFORD DAVIS ROOM! OR EMAIL GROWTH@PRINCETONUMC.ORG 

help for parking mid-afternoon is available !

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Be Prepared! Scout Sunday April 10

We’re looking forward to Sunday, April 10 –At both services, we observe “Scout Sunday.” Adults — wear your pin, or sash, hat, or scarf. Boys and girls — now’s your chance to wear your uniform! We will celdougebrate Scouting Ministries, and present a special award to our own Doug Fullman. He will be awarded the God and Service Award.Silver Beaver  silver antelopeDoug has also received two other prestigious awards, the Silver Beaver awarP1070652 fullman and kidsd and the Silver Antelope award. 
Rev. Jana will preach on How does God transform our lives? How has God transformed your life? – The Youth Choir  sings at the 9:30 service. “Be Prepared!”
On April 10, Boy Scout Sunday, Doug Fullman was honored
On April 10, Boy Scout Sunday, Doug Fullman was honored
with the help of Girl Scouts in the congregation
with the help of  Scouts in the congregation
with the God and Servicel award
with the God and Service award
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UrbanPromise Trenton – faith-based help for youth

urban promise logoEnjoy a hot breakfast and hear Carl L. Clark Jr tell about his career change from a banking career to founding of UrbanPromise Trenton – it offers tutoring, homework help, leadership training, and employment for teens, arts & recreation, and faith-based teaching.

At age seven he was a camper at UrbanPromise Camden and knows firsthand the life-changing impact of the UrbanPromise model. His title: “Love thy Brother as thine Own.” The United Methodist Men offer a very tasty hot breakfast and everyone is welcome, a $5 donation requested.

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African Soiree: March 19

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Geri LaPlaca (left), Anne Fikaris, and Vasanth Victor admire the delectable African dishes at the African Soiree

 

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Daniel Shungu, PUMC member and founder of United Front Against Riverblindness, updates the guests at the African Soiree on progress made — when $10 saves 7 people in the DNC from going blind.

Our church has been a long-time supporter of United Front Against Riverblindness, founded by our own Daniel Shungu, who has an amazing story — he took early retirement from Merck to “give back” to his home country, the Democratic Republic of Congo. One of the photos on this page shows our 2008 mission trip to the Congo. That was the year we had four (count ’em 4!) fundraisers including the African Soiree.

Above, a picture of the bountiful feast — the multi-course home-cooked African and American dinner prepared by volunteers — a major feature of the African Soirée.

This year it will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2016,  starting at 5  p.m.(doors open at 4:30 PM). As always, we are grateful to be able to stage the soiree at the Mackay Campus Center of Princeton Theological Seminary, 64 Mercer St. Princeton NJ. Tickets are $70 per adult and $35 per child atwww.riverblindness.org. For free parking, enter from College Road.

At the Soiree you can shop at our “African Market,” bid on exciting auction items, and get an update on the progress of the UFAR mission by Dr. Shungu.

To get support for the mission trip, adults and kids acted out what it means to be blind in the Congo — where riverblindness ruins two lives, the adult who is blind and the child who must leave school to lead the adult with a pole. The photo below shows how we marched through Communiversity with children leading adults to bring the message “$10 saves 7 people from going blind.”

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To get support for the mission trip adults and Sunday School students acted out Riverblindness at Communiversity. At left, Ian Griffith and in the center, the late Peter Meggitt.

 

 

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Debby Irving: book discussions

irving book cover“Waking Up White,” a book by Debby Irving, will be the focus for a series of free events arranged by Not in Our Town (NIOT) Princeton starting on March 22.

Irving will share her adventure of going from “well meaning” to “well doing” on Monday, April 18, at 4 p.m. at the Princeton Public Library and at 7 p.m. at the Hun School, 176 Edgerstoune Road.

Facilitators from NIOT will hold conversations about the book on consecutive Tuesdays (March 22, 29, and April 5) at 7 p.m. at the Princeton Municipal Building, 400 Witherspoon Street. Two copies of the book are available in the library (they have not yet been officially added, just leave a note if you take one) and are also available from the Princeton Public Library and Labyrinth Bookstore. www.NIOTPrinceton.org.

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On the road to Jerusalem — for all ages

2016 3 palms 1a P1010850 mccartin blurred goodAs Palm Sunday and Easter approach, here are some family friendly suggestions for how to teach your children about Jesus’ path in Holy Week. The ‘Resurrection cookies” and the “Empty Tomb” biscuits look interesting. They both involve marshmellows that melt.

For adults and teens, here is a “Lent Quiz.”  For instance, one question asks whether, at the Last Supper, the disciples would have been standing, sitting, kneeling, or reclining. Click here for the answer. 

We look forward to beautiful music during Holy Week. The Children’s Choir will sing on Palm Sunday at 9:30 and the Bell Choir plays both services. The Youth Choir sings for Maundy Thursday Communion on Easter. Good Friday brings the Michael Haydn Requiem. And for Easter Sunday — Hallelujahs!

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UMM Breakfast: Prison Ministries: The Petey Green Program

 

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United Methodist Men’s Breakfast

Speaker: Walter Fortson, The Petey Greene Program
Date: March 13, 8 am

Walter Fortson is the public relations and special projects manager of the Petey Greene Prison Assistance Program, which has its national headquarters here in Princeton. It aims to be the largest volunteer program behind bars in the country that offers in-class high-quality tutoring and resources for all incarcerated students working toward their GED or high school diploma.

 

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An inmate at Albert Wagner Correctional Facility in Bordentown works towards his GED in weekly sessions under the guidance of a Princeton University student tutor as part of the Petey Greene Prison Assistance Program.

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Upon his own release from prison in 2010, and through the Mountainview Project – a special program geared toward helping formerly incarcerated students go to college – Walter Fortson was admitted to Rutgers University. In June of 2013, he completed his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology with minors in Biology and Psychology – graduating magna cum laude. In 2012, Fortson was the recipient of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship – a national award that recognizes the country’s student-leaders in public service. In 2013, he worked as a research associate with the Justice Policy Institute in Washington, D.C, evaluating alternatives to parole revocations in Maryland. He recently earned a Master of Philosophy from the University of Cambridge.
Everyone is invited to enjoy a hot and tasty breakfast. A $5 donation is requested. Next month, April 10, Carl Clark will talk about Urban Promise Trenton.

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Represent Christ in the Marketplace

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Karen Longo-Baldwin, left, with Dr. Patty Fagin at a recent chamber breakfast

Because PUMC belongs to the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce, church members get discounts on events like those held by the Young Professionals Group, Women in Business Alliance, Technology Business Alliance, and Independent Business Alliance.

This month Debra Vizzi speaks about the Community Foodbank of New Jersey at a breakfast at the Nassau Club on Wednesday, February 17, at 8 am (come earlier for networking). She is CEO of the state’s largest anti-hunger and anti-poverty organization, which employs some 200 people. Register as a member of PUMC for $25 at www.princetonchamber.org. You can bring your own business cards as well as brochures from the church and Cornerstone Community Kitchen 

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Valentine Treats: yummy breakfast, young voices

breakfast plate betterThis is the Sunday for another yummy breakfast, prepared by the United Methodist Men. We’ll hear how polio has almost been stamped out around the world. Another treat: the children’s choir will sing, directed by Tom Shelton. (Yes, these pictures were taken in warmer weather! (Also mark your calendars for February 28, Youth Sunday, when the kids join the Youth Choir to sing at both services.)

Our sermon series for Lent: “I AM”. Each Sunday in Lent, we will examine who Jesus is (the Light of the World, the True Vine, the Good Shepherd, the Way the Truth the Life, and more). As we examine who Jesus is we will reflect on how that informs we who are as Christians.

Children's Choir1 Children's Choir2 Children's Choir3

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Thursdays: Journaling through Lent

image by Marc Romanelli via Getty Images, from Huffington Post
Photo by Marc Romanelli via Getty Images, from Huffington Post

Betsy Arnold will lead a “Journaling through Lent” group on Thursdays, 11:30 to 12:30, in the conference room of the church. “Journaling is a very personal process and we will be exploring different ways to enjoy this spiritual practice,” she says.  “Please bring any thoughts, ideas, books, and techniques to share with the group. You will also need some type of journal or tablet of paper and your favorite pen. We will be doing some writing during our hour together.”

Intrigued? Check out this Huffington Post article about journaling as a tool for changing one’s life.
Betsy and her husband Bill moved to West Windsor last year; they have three children, one still in high school. Betsy graduated from Emory University and, earlier in her career, was a social worker. Now a published author, she is hard at work on Book III in the Tapestry series, a series of young adult historical fantasy novels set in medieval times.
 To join the journaling group, or for more information, call 609-924-2613 or email office@PrincetonUMC.org.