Author: barbarafox

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Do you have an app for that?

Our world is dominated by electronic communications and devices, and now we have a way to make contributions to the church through direct electronic means.

Through our Princeton United Methodist website, those wishing to make a contribution may do so now. Just go to princetonumc.org/giving to begin. Through this page, donors may use direct withdrawal from their banking or saving account or from their credit/debit card of choice.  Donors have an option of making a onetime gift or have it withdrawn continuously on the schedule chosen.

Not only may gifts be made to our operating, capital or matching giving opportunities, but also funds may be designated to the Appalachia Service Project, our Cornerstone Community Kitchen, or other designated options.

You will find a QR code on that page, if that’s what you prefer. It’s a different kind of “selfie!”

 

 

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Bishop John Schol: Pray for Nepal and Baltimore

Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

I and United Methodists around the world grieve deeply about the impact of the earthquake in Nepal and the unrest in Baltimore. I call all of our congregations this weekend to pray for the people of Baltimore and Nepal. James 5:13-16 is a powerful scripture on prayer. It includes these lines: If any among us are suffering, pray… The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. The people of Nepal and Baltimore need the powerful and effective prayers of United Methodists.

In Nepal, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake has killed thousands and destroyed homes, buildings and communities. In Baltimore, Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old African-American male died while in police custody.

The earthquake in Nepal has shattered lives. We as United Methodists have already begun to mobilize relief and recovery efforts by raising money and supporting churches and local organizations in Nepal. The United Methodist Church began its work in Nepal 60 years ago when we partnered to open a clinic. Today we have five missionaries in Nepal and they and their families are all safe. Our recovery work for the people of Nepal will span many years and I invite you to be generous with your prayers and giving.

A string of deaths of African-American men by police officers has set many communities on edge. For eight years I was the bishop of the Baltimore-Washington Conference and I know the people and communities of Baltimore. It is a dynamic city with outstanding leaders and people. The violent protest in Baltimore is a struggle of larger issues of racism and poverty. There is fear that the system does not treat people equally. I call on United Methodists to pray for the family of Freddie Gray, the leaders and residents of Baltimore and for each of us to work toward healing the wounds of racism and poverty.

The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. Let us pray for the people of Nepal and Baltimore. Let us work in our own communities to address the injustices of poverty and racism and to be good stewards of God’s creation.

Keep the faith!

John Schol, Bishop
The United Methodist Church

Greater New Jersey
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Welcome to the Oasis!

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WELCOME TO THE OASIS! This Sunday, for Communiversity, Princeton United Methodist Church will show radical hospitality — opening its doors to foot-weary Princeton visitors. We will offer rest rooms, table seating, sunscreen, and a toddler area. This “Oasis” will even feature a sandbox for toddler play.

The teens will sell baked goods for the Appalachia Service Project and the handbell choir will play.

It’s all in PUMC’s mission statement —

To be a place where ALL are welcome. We embrace and celebrate the vast diversity of the people in our communities, our country and our world.

More than 40,000 people are expected to attend.

 

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To be a place where all are welcome

sar posterHave you noticed the Stand Against Racism poster in the downstairs hall and in storefronts around town? Merchants who support the Stand Against Racism campaign, by putting the signs in the window, are featured in a two-page color spread in Town Topics this week. The ad was sponsored by an anonymous donor to Not in Our Town, an interfaith, interracial group to which our church belongs. Special thanks to Joy Chen — a member of PUMC who is also vice president of the Princeton Merchants Association and proprietor of JoyCards — for designing the poster.

Princeton United Methodist Church and its members are committed to this cause. Our  vision statement says that we aim to be a place where ALL are welcome. “We embrace and celebrate the vast diversity of the people in our communities, our country, and our world.”

Consider following the Not in Our Town Princeton blog, a curated selection of media coverage and a calendar of pertinent events.

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The Gospel According to Calypso

2015 apr catherine preaching

Many value the Calypso – the indigenous music of Trinidad and Tobago –  exclusively as tourist or Carnival entertainment, says  Catherine Williams, pastoral care assistant.

“However there is much that is akin to preaching in this genre, and the calypsonians themselves would be the first to admit it,” says Catherine. She returned to her home country of Trinidad & Tobago to research her doctoral thesis. “It was my delight to discover anew this cultural gem from my country of origin, and to use it as a lens through which to focus on local preaching.”

Catherine will speak at the Circle of Friends meeting on Tuesday, April 14, at 10:30 a.m. at Rocky Hill’s Trinity Church. The Circle of Friends, part of United Methodist Women, meets bimonthly. RSVP to 609-924-2613 and big a bag lunch; beverage and dessert will be provided. All women are welcome.

Catherine&HomileticsStudents
A January class of Homiletics students at the West Indies School of Theology in Trinidad and Tobago.
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“My help comes from the Lord”

P1010773 121 A sageserP1010774 121 b flowersP1010779 121 c table

Such a scurry, in the 4th/5th grade class, to cut out flowers, illustrating both the Garden of Gethsemane and this month’s memory verse. Now it hangs outside Room 204, and it reminds us that after the time of trial came joy, and the fulfillment of the promise, “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2).

psalm 121 poster

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UMW Bakes for Womanspace

7 P1010809Hundreds of cookies are on their way to Womanspace today, baked by United Methodist Women putting our new kitchen to great use! Here is the photo album.

Womanspace replies: Please know that your hard work and the time you put in will touch many…and often it is the little touches of comfort that carry us through difficult times.

 

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New small group: Dare to Dream

2015 3 25 dare to dream
What three people do you admire? What qualities do they have and what steps did they take to nurture those qualities? Do you see these qualities making a difference in their lives? If these questions intrigue you, you are invited to come to a “just forming” small group that meets on Sunday nights, starting March 29  (but you can join later). Bianca Baird will lead the study “Dare to Dream” on these Sundays at 7 to 8:30 p.m. Call Jeff Ransom for information on where the group meets or email anna@princetonumc.org.
March 29, 7 PM
April 19, 7 PM
May 3, 7 PM
May 31, 7PM
June 7, 7 PM’
You will see videos of the author, Mike Slaughter, who passionately wants everyone to have a  “God-Sized” Mission Statement for their Lives. Join us!

 

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Bach on Good Friday

REllis headshot

Rochelle Ellis will be the soprano soloist for the Good Friday concert on April 3, 7:30 p.m., Hyosang Park directs the Chancel Choir in Bach Cantata 21 “Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis” (I had much affliction in my heart). 

Solo oboe and violin open the cantata, picturing suffering and pain. “A  sighing motif, the picture of a storm of tears, and the flood image conjured by the upwelling music characterizes the dark and oppressive feeling,” according to a Wikipedia entry. But the  changes in the second part, which shows “the trust of sinners in the grace of God, the mood transforms into “curls” of joy, with the final movement forming a strong hymn of praise.”

Instrumentalists include Joshua Im and Ileana Ciumac, violin;  Paul Manulik, viola; Mimi Morris-Kim, cello;  Melissa Bohl, oboe; Loren Stata, bassoon; and Christopher Williams, continuo. The tenor role will be sung by Kyle Masson, and David Kellett will sing bass. This concert honors the late Sally Ross, a faithful choir member.

Also on Good Friday, at noon,  there will be a worship service in the sanctuary, Rev. Anna Gillette preaching.

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Learning Resilience

Feelings are like waves, says Karin Brouwer. You cannot stop them from 2015 mar umm karin preferred photocoming, but you can decide which ones to surf. Karin spoke at the March breakfast, served by the United Methodist Men, on Finding Inner Resilience to Meet Life’s Challenges.  2015 3 8 UMM breakfast viewKarin trained as a trauma, abuse, and grief recovery counselor, and her insights were so valuable that everyone asked for the power point notes. Here they are.