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The Lord’s Prayer: Ana Cabus

Confirmands wrote their versions of Jesus’s prayer:  Ana Cabus offers these words.

My holy parent, my creator, precious is your name. You have created this beautiful Earth and its residents. The animals, plants and humans. May we honor your name by bringing heaven to Earth.

May we do so by doing your will above our Earthly ambitions. May I take better care of the Earth, water, the skies, all of its inhabitants and each other. Contribute our time to bring justice; give people equity; love people; forgive others; and accept people for who they truly are. I want to be able to contribute to bringing heaven to earth. May we be able to do this together.

Thank you for the ability to take care of the blessings I have. Thank you for the love, food, happiness and forgiveness I have experienced. Thank you for watching over my family and healing them repeatedly. Please continue to guide me as I grow and try to bring your will to Earth. Please guide us from being tempted by Earthly ambitions.

  Please forgive me for the things I have done wrong, holy parent. Thank you for continually blessing me, even when I fall to my negative thoughts and desires. Desires and thoughts that might hurt others, are unnecessary, and selfish. Regardless, you continue to love and forgive me. Because you continue to bless me with your light and forgive me, I will strive to reflect your light by loving, try to find justice; give people equity; accept people for who they truly are and forgive others who have hurt me. I hope to share your light.

 Please guide me to refrain from sinning against others and you. Please continue to show me your way so that I can spread your light.

Thank you for blessing the world in your light. You are my holy parent, my creator, my Lord forever, Amen

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#praywithusPUMC to End Racism Continues

On June 9 Princeton UMC closed its five-day Prayer Vigil to End Racism with a service on the church lawn, archived on our Facebook page. Here is the complete program.   Here are some of the prayers we lifted up:

  • We pray for an end of systemic racism that perpetuates cycles of poverty and violence.
  • We name our own need on our anti-racism journey.
  • We pray for the formation of new relationships that we need to desegregate our lives.
  • We pray for courage to become your instrument of change to end racism.

Our prayers and our work to end racism can and must continue.

Here are some ways to help…..

  • To begin your own end racism prayer vigil, here is a five day prayer guide.
  • To see the end racism resources we are compiling, link here.
  • To contribute end racism resources, post them on social media with the hashtag#PraywithusPUMC and send an email to communications@PrincetonUMC.org

Let’s end racism, once and for all.

One human family, in God.

 

 

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END Racism Prayer Resources

As a church, we are compiling “end racism” resources. Have you found a book, an article, or a video helpful? Please send it to Office@PrincetonUMC.org and we’ll try to include it here as soon as we can.

A.  BOOKS
 
B  Articles and blog posts
C.  Films, Videos and TV shows
D. Speeches and Courses 

A three-session racial literacy program by Ruha Benjamin, sponsored by Not in Our Town Princeton.

E.  Songs; Poems

A. Songs

‘In the Ghetto’ by Elvis Presley

‘Dear Mama’ by Tupak

B. Poems by Maya Angelou; others

“Give me liberty or give me death …”

 F. United Methodist Church resources

Princeton UMC’s Guide for five day prayer vigil to end racism

  • Self directed courses on Implicit Bias, Antiracism 101, and First Steps for White Christians These are resources from the United Methodist General Commission on Religion and Race
    • F. Organizations 

    Resources studying systemic bias compiled by Not in Our Town Princeton.

     

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    Recommended Reading: Braving the Wilderness

    On Communion Sunday, June 7, 2020, Pastor Jenny Smith Walz preached the second sermon titled “Move-In,” based on John 1: 1-18, in the “Longing to Belong” Worship series. As her message was about belonging, for this week’s reading she recommended:

    “Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone” by Brené Brown 

     The book published by Random House Publishing Group, 2017, deals with how to build and maintain connections and a sense of belonging amid the anger and unrest linked with feelings of unbelonging.  

    In “Braving the Wilderness,” Brené Brown redefines what truly belonging means to most people, especially in this age of increased polarization. She says, “True belonging does not require you to change who you are. It requires you to be who you are.”  

    The book also deals with those struggling with loneliness, isolation, and disconnection while longing to belong. Because loneliness is dangerous and can contribute to early death, Pastor Jenny calls on us to “find ways to reconnect with other people, overcome our fear and grow in our compassion and love for one another.” 

    If you feel like you do not fit in and have feelings of anger, or suffer from loneliness, read “Braving the Wilderness.” Also, watch this video

    Written by Isabella Dougan

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    Prayer Vigil to End Racism: #praywithusPUMC

    Today at 5 p.m. Princeton UMC’s concludes its five-day, 24-hour-a-day prayer vigil to end racism. The closing event will be held, physically distanced with masks, on the church lawn, plus Live-Streamed and archived on Facebook and this website (click on ‘Worship.’) As a church community, we have been praying without ceasing, wherever we are. To begin your own vigil now, access the prayer guide here. #PrayWithUs 

    On June 2 during the Princeton rally for justice for George Floyd, members of our congregation prayed with members of the community in socially distanced “prayer pods.”

     

     

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    GNJ-CAPITAL:  Silence is NOT an Option – Prayer Vigil INVITATION! June 7, 2020, 4:00 PM

     

     

     

     

    Dear Clergy and Congregational Leaders of the Capital District,

    This week, we have another destructive virus that has painfully reminded us that, for way too many years, it had inflicted undue pain and death on our Black siblings and other siblings of color. Racism requires our attention! Our hearts are breaking for the growing number of Black men and women killed by police, most recently, George Floyd, and, for the inequities against people of color that plague our nation. 

    As Christ’s followers, and United Methodists, we believe that racism is a distorted value system that assumes that one race is innately superior to the others that translates into wrong mindsets, behaviors, policies, and systems.

    SILENCE IS NOT AN OPTION; IT’S TIME FOR ACTION 

    I invite all Capital clergy and laity to join our resident Bishop, Rev. Dr. John Schol, and I, this coming Sunday, June 7, 2020, at 4:00 PM for a special peaceful public witness of our faith and prayer vigil in solidarity with the African American community and other people of color. This public witness will be a statement of presence, prayer, and reflection in the community. We will practice responsible physical distancing measures and will model the highest standards of Christian love.

    Our special guest and speaker will be Rev. Gil Caldwell, a United Methodist, and renowned Civil Rights Activist. Other guest speakers include Bishop John R. Schol, Willingboro Mayor Hon. Tiffany Worthy, Charlene Walker from Faith in NJ, Rev. Geralda Aldajuste, Rev. Vanessa Wilson, Rev. Rupert Hall & Rev. Laura Steele.

    JOIN US.

    If you feel comfortable, bring a poster that expresses the Christian values of Peace with Justice, and invite a friend. We welcome children and youth. The new generations need more than ever, positive spaces to express their hopes and aspiration for a better society and world. 

    In consideration for others – we request that all persons participating from United Methodist congregations wear a face mask.

     We’re together on the journey.

    Paz, Héctor

    Rev. Héctor A. Burgos | Capital District Superintendent

    O: 732.359.1085 | C: 609.661.1768 | E: hburgos@gnjumc.org

     

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    Music Appreciation!

     

    SPOTLIGHT

     

     

    Chancel Choir Director, Hyosang Park, Accompanist, Yang-Hee Park, and Sound & Video Producer, Stephen Offer

    Hyosang and Yang-Hee have continued to rehearse virtually every week via Zoom. Stephen communicates with the team each step of the way. Great musicianship!

    If you weren’t able to worship with us on Sunday, 24 May 2020, you’d want to go back to the archive on our website or Facebook to do so. Here’s the link. 

    Our Chancel Choir’s Music Ministry was a beautiful tribute to Bill and Donna Suits. It was such a joy to hear their voices and see their faces! Here’s what Pastor Jenny Smith Walz says of them:

    • “Hyosang does a masterful job of choosing the perfect music and bringing in a superb mix of vocals and instruments every week.”
    • “Yang-Hee consistently brings us such beautiful music – before, during, after each service. It’s a gift to be able to listen.”
    • “Stephen Offer painlessly puts the virtual choir video together.”

    We enjoy your music every week. Thank you!!

     

    Written by Isabella Dougan

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    Tribute to Bill and Donna Suits

    On May 24, 2020, when the world celebrated Memorial Day weekend, the Chancel Choir and Handbell Choir presented the Babylon Canon in tribute to Bill and Donna Suits, church members pictured here, who died of Covid-19 in April.  Bill  had been an loyal  member of the choir. Thanks to Hyosang Park, music director, and Stephen Offer, who produced the sound and video. Listen to it here. 

    A celebration of life will be held here at Princeton United Methodist Church once travel restrictions are lifted and it is safe for family and friends to gather. It will be a joint celebration to honor both Donna and Bill for their love, lives and faith. Here is a place to register, to be notified when a memorial service can be held.