Category: Missions

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Caroling on December 11

2016-december-umm-preferred-karen-zumbrunnChristians sing more than any other religion, especially at Christmas time when carols tell the joy of Christ’s birth. And on Sunday, December 11, our carols will ring out throughout the day.

In the morning Dr. Karen Fanta Zumbrunn will give the background of some carols from England, France, and America — and we will sing them at the breakfast served by the United Methodist Men. Learn about the band of English singers called “waits” and the surprising background of O, Holy Night. We’ll conclude with a spirited Afro American favorite, “Go Tell it on the Mountain.”

Everyone is welcome to enjoy the hot and tasty breakfast at 8 a.m., and Karen’s program is at 8;30 a.m. A $5 donation is requested.

In the evening, following the children’s musical and dinner, she will lead our traditional carol sing. It will include the always uproarious “The 12 Days of Christmas” as well as Silent Night and other favorites.

“When we sing carols we are remembering about a life of faith that began in a crib,” says Karen. “These little gems of music paint word pictures that tell of the birth of Jesus.” Let us join in song during this festive season!

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Ringing for the Red Kettle

All hands are needed to ring the Salvation Army bells in the week before Christmas! Choose your location — Palmer Square, Hinds Plaza, or in front of the church — and sign up early to get the time slot you want. Days: Tuesday to Saturday, December 19 to 24.

These 2013 photos by photographer Edem Timpo show how much fun it is to help people donate to the Salvation Army. Fun — but dress warmly!  Ding aling aling aling!

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Eileen and Michael Francisco Cabus in 2013, photo by Edem Timpo

These 2013 photos by photographer Edem Timpo show how much fun it is to help people donate to the Salvation Army. Fun — but dress warmly!  Ding aling aling aling!

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Tim Ewer and Iona Harding ring the bell in Palmer Square

 

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Edem Timpo, the photographer, captures her mom taking a donation to the Red Kettle in Palmer Square
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Lula Crawford greets passersby in front of ‘the friendly church on the corner.’ Photo by Edem Timpo
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Singing Joy and Ringing Faith

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Today, to illustrate “giving thanks” for 9:30 service at Children’s Time,  Tom Shelton presented five of the youngest choristers singing folk favorites like  “Kumbayah,” “I’ve Got the Joy in My Heart” and “This Little Light.” It was such a blessing to hear them. Here is the video — see and hear for yourself!

This choir rehearses on Wednesdays at 4:30 and is open to all at no cost. It will join the older children to sing at the 9:30 service on December 4 and to present “Twas the Light Before Christmas,” an Advent musical, on Sunday, December 11, at 5 p.m.

Even the very youngest children, the three-and-four-year-olds, can enjoy singing. Shelton visits their class on some Sunday mornings.

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Duo Grazioso: Hyosang Park, left, solo handbell artist, with pianist Akiko Hosaki

At both the 9:30 and 11 a.m. services, the congregation was blessed by hearing the handbell choir play two spirituals. Enjoy video,  taken from the balcony. Hyosang Park directs the ringers in arrangements by B,  Ingram of “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen” and “Swing Low.”

The next opportunity to hear handbells ring will be Sunday, December 4, at 5 p.m., when Park directs the Handbell Choir and the Handbell Ensemble. As a special delight, Park will play solo handbells, along with Akiko Hosaki, as part of Duo Grazioso.

It was a joyful time of giving thanks.

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Some come for the food, some for the fellowship

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This week a dozen children learned about dental health at Cornerstone Community Kitchen

Cornerstone Community Kitchen served 130 meals on china plates this week; founded in 2012, it is in it’s fifth year. In addition to nutritious meals CCK now offers a clothing closet, art classes, and English as a Second Language lessons.

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Larry Apperson, who had b the vision and has the energy to lead the CCK mission.

Just announced: Princeton Mayor Liz Lempert and the Princeton Council will present an award to our Princeton Cornerstone Community Kitchen for the work it is doing in doing in Princeton. 

The presentation will take place on Monday, November 28th, during the Princeton Council meeting. The meeting starts at 7 PM, Municipal Building, 400 Witherspoon Street.

Says Larry Apperson, founder of CCK: “It will be my pleasure and honor to attend and accept the award on behalf of all volunteers that have worked with tireless love to make Cornerstone successful, and on behalf of our financial donors who support our expanding programs so generously.”

Some come for the food, some for the fellowship, all are served on china plates with table decor and live music.  In it’s fifth year it’s fulfilling a real need.

 

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Brown Bag It on November 20

2016-november-cropped-brown-bagOnce again the children of our Sunday School will decorate shopping bags for the church family to fill, with gratitude, for those who are insecure in providing food for themselves and their families.

On November 20 our sanctuary will be filled with Brown Bags to care for the families and individuals served through Arm in Arm (formerly Crisis Ministry).
Through its three Client Choice Food Pantries, and delivery to the elderly and homebound, Arm in Arm has served more than 4,000 households with high-quality food, nutrition education, and health screening during the last year. More than 40% of its clients are below the age of 17, and 25% are 55 and above. These house-holds have intermittent food insecurity and can “slip between the cracks” of government supports.

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Princeton UMC has been walking alongside Arm in Arm since it was formed more than 30 years ago. In addi-tion to providing healthy food to our neighbors in Mercer County, Arm in Arm has stabilized the housing of nearly 700 struggling families by helping with back rent or mortgage, rapid rehousing, security deposit help, utilities back payment, and case management. It also provides job skills and employment readiness
So, be part of the hope and join with your congregation in walking “Arm in Arm” with your community. Pack up your bag, fill it with love, gratitude and non-perishable food (especially heart-healthy, low-fat and sugar free varieties). Bring your Brown Bags of Gratitude to the Sanctuary on November 20 and celebrate the grace of God and the generosity of our church family.
Would your committee or small group like to sponsor its own “Brown Bag” meeting? Great idea! For more information and encouragement, contact LaVerna Albury at 609-658-3830.

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November 13: Nancy Duff, welcome back!

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Nancy J. Duff

We are so glad to welcome Nancy J. Duff back to PUMC! Nancy will speak at the UMM breakfast in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, November 13, at 8 a.m. Nancy visited us regularly when her husband, David C. Mertz, served here as Associate Pastor. He is now the pastor of First United Methodist Church in Westfield.

Based on her class at the Princeton Theological Seminary on the doctrine of vocation, her topic will be Called by God, exploring four aspects of God’s call in our lives.

  • We are called into being for a divinely appointed purpose.
  • We are called to glorify God in all that we do.
  • We are called to make a space where others can glorify God.
  • We affirm the freedom of God to call individuals to different tasks.

Nancy Duff grew up in Texas and attended Union Presbyterian Seminary in Virginia for her M.Div. and Union Theological Seminary in New York for her Ph.D. Ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) she has taught Christian Ethics at Princeton Theological Seminary since 1990. Her courses include “The Ethics of Resisting and Accepting Death,” “The Theology and Ethics of Dietrich Bonhoeffer,” and “The Ethics of the Ten Commandments.” One of her intriguing publications is “Praising God Online”

A hot breakfast is served at 8 am, and the program starts at 8:30. Everyone is invited; a $5 donation is requested.

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Sing Once, Pray Twice says Dr. Z

2013-dec-zumbrunn-photo“St. Augustine says that to sing once is to pray twice,” says Dr. Karen Fanta Zumbrunn. On Tuesday, November 8 at 10:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall she will share stories about familiar hymns — including special days and childhood favorites — and we will sing our way through the church liturgical year. All women are welcome; bring your own lunch and dessert and beverages will be provided.
Known for her swinging foot-tapping jazz piano style, “Dr. Z” has degrees from Ohio State and Harvard and a Ph.D. from the University of California at Bezumbrunn-cdrkeley. Combining college teaching with performance, she played at the Blue Note in Paris with well-known European and American musicians. A sought-after performer in the area, she has recorded two CDs — Twilight World and  Snowfall with her trio.
As a Christian and a longtime member and Sunday School teacher at PUMC, Karen regularly tutors reading at TASK in Trenton. She shares her enthusiastic music at PUMC’s Advent family celebrations, and for two years directed the musical program at Kingston UMC. She and husband John have two grown children, Sterling & V, and three grandchildren.

Says Karen: “If technology disconnects us from basic human interaction – ALL generations can sing. We unite with those around us and share in faith with those who have gone before us.”

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Halloween Fun for Monday Morning Group

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Undaunted by the spectre of the trick or treaters on Halloween Night, the Monday Morning Group invites everyone to wear costumes to its regular Bible study from 10 to 11:30 on Halloween morning in the library at PUMC.

Afterwards they will troupe down Nassau Street, stopping at Panera for lunch. Who knows, maybe they will even score some candy, suggests Nancy Beatty, Chief Instigator of this caper. Whatever happens they’ll be having fun.

Anyone is welcome to join this group. It’s mostly women, but men are welcome.

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When people hurt, United Methodists help

When people hurt, United Methodists help.

Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

We know what it feels like – fear, disorientation, grief. Because of Sandy we know what those who were in the path of Hurricane Matthew in the United States are going through.

We can only imagine the pain and fear the people of Haiti are facing after experiencing the brunt of the storm. The immense loss and mass devastation needs the full commitment of all our efforts to reach the hurting, the hungry, the frightened and the hopeless.

We also know what the United Methodist family is like. We are family, there for one another during our greatest challenges. It is God’s love in action.

I have been in communication with our bishops in the affected areas and this past Sunday I worshiped with our Haitian congregation, First United Methodist Church of Asbury Park. All are grateful to know that the United Methodists of GNJ are praying for them and will be sharing gifts of volunteers and money to assist with recovery from Hurricane Matthew.

I call all of our congregations to pray and to receive offerings for Hurricane Matthew relief and recovery over the next two weeks. You may send your gifts marked Hurricane Matthew made out to the United Methodist Church of Greater New Jersey to the Mission and Resource Center 205 Jumping Brook Road, Neptune, New Jersey 07753.

We will send the money to the impacted areas through UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief), and your church will be credited with the donation. Through UMCOR 100% of your gift will be sent to the impacted areas. None will be kept for administrative purposes.

United Methodists from across our connection have assisted us in our recovery from Sandy. In fact, they have sent more than 11,000 volunteers and millions of dollars that helped us to rebuild 247 homes and assist 450 families in their recovery. When people hurt, United Methodists help. I hope your congregation will be a part of helping our sisters and brothers in their relief and recovery so that all of us can have a future with hope.

Keep the faith!

John Schol, Bishop
The United Methodist Church
of Greater New Jersey