In the year since Hurricane Maria swept across Puerto Rico on Sept. 20, 2017, The United Methodist Church has been sending prayers and support. The United Methodist Committee on Relief has contributed more than $20 million, allowing the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico to establish the Renew, Rebuild and Reconstruct (Rehace) program.
From October 6 to October 13 a small band of enthusiastic Christians from Princeton UMC, and some from other United Methodist churches in New Jersey, will travel to Puerto Rico. “The reason we are going is to help people feel a little more love and more restored in terms of their homes and their lives, through the various kinds of work we will do,” says Rev. Ginny Cetuk. She and her husband, Norman, and Rev. Skitch Matson, are leading the team.
Princeton UMC’s Outreach committee is partnering with the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference, which is connected to the United Methodist Church of Puerto Rico and Bishop Ortiz. “He will essentially be our leader and director – to tell us where the need is, and that’s where will go,” says Pastor Ginny. “We will do everything we can from helping build a roof to having conversations with people to let them know we love them.”
Princeton UMC people making the trip along with the Cetuks and Skitch Matson are Susan Davelman, Lori Pantaleo, Timothy Ewer, Jennifer Hartigan, and TJ Lee. From other churches: Jesse Bickford, Jennifer O’Donnell, Paul Elyseev, and Eunice Vega-Perez.
Says Pastor Ginny: “We are eager to do this work and ask everyone’s prayers that we will be maximally helpful and return home safe and sound.”
In this video we learn how United Methodists (UMCOR) provide both physical and emotional support
“I am humbled and delighted to be joining the Princeton United Methodist Church on what I think is the most exciting journey in life, namely, being ever growing disciples of Jesus Christ,” says Virginia (Ginny) Samuel Cetuk. She will preach on Sunday, July 2, at 10 a.m., and the service will include Holy Communion.
Trey Wince
Ginny has been appointed as Interim Administrative Pastor for 2017-2018, along with Trey Wince, who was appointed as Interim Worship Pastor. Essentially they are splitting the job of our former Senior Pastor, Jana Purkis-Brash.
“My favorite things in life include asking questions, exploring big ideas, reading books about things I know nothing about, gardening, and getting to meet and work with others,” says Ginny. “All of these things happen in church!”
Norman and Ginny Cetuk
Born and raised in northeastern Pennsylvania, Ginny has a BA from Lycoming College and a Masters in Divinity from Drew Theological Seminary. She was Associate Pastor of the Martinsville United Methodist Church and then staff chaplain at Overlook Hospital for two years followed by an additional three years as Hospice Chaplain.
Returning to Drew in 1981, she served as Associate Dean for 32 of her 35 years at the school. She also served as Dean of Students for two years and interim Dean of the Theological School for one year. She met her husband, Norman Cetuk, in college; they live in Bridgewater and have two sons, Russell and Mitchell.
Debbie and Trey Wince with Liam
During his years of church leading, planting, consulting and pastoring, Trey earned a reputation as a vibrant, fun-loving leader. He knows the area well because he served as pastor of Kingston UMC.
He majored in English at Baylor University and has a master’s degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. He has served as College Director (serving students at Vanderbilt, Belmont and Lipscomb Universities), Director of Young Adult Ministries at First Presbyterian Church in Nashville, and international missions coordinator with Joshua Expeditions.
Currently Trey is Director of New Disciples at the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference and he will continue part-time in that position. Trey and his wife, Debbie, live in Kingston with their son, Liam. Trey’s first sermon will be July 16 at 10 a.m.
Retired N. J. Supreme Court Justice Gary Stein talked about integrating the public schools in New Jersey. Included in this video about inclusiveness (welcoming immigrants) is the talk that Judge Stein gave (starts at minute 11).
Watch these videos — especially Bishop John Schol’s major address — if you want to know what the future holds for United Methodists in Greater New Jersey.
One of the principles of the United Methodist Church is our Connectionalism; we do not stand alone as a congregation but are part of a network of congregations that all work together to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Connectionalism has always been a part of my DNA as a UM and so to serve in the wider church of the Annual Conference it will allow me to fully live out one of the values that has been so important to me as a UM pastor.
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