John Kuhlthau: Faith and Works

The Honorable John S. Kuhlthau, a PUMC member, will speak at the breakfast sponsored by the United Methodist Men on Sunday, April 9, at 8 a.m. He will give a talk titled “Faith and Works — as Judge and Layman.“  All are welcome, a $5 donation is encouraged.

John and Carol Kuhlthau

John is a Methodist through and through. A graduate of Princeton University (Class of 1958) he went to Wesley Foundation meetings at Princeton UMC, and later served as Trustee Chair. He and Carol Collier Kuhlthau were married here. He attended Drew Theological Seminary, earned his J.D. at Rutgers University Law School, and served as Public Defender and as Middlesex County Prosecutor. But he felt called to resign and devote full-time, on behalf of the Methodist Church, to the bipartisan ‘Casinos – No Dice’ campaign, working closely with Rev. Jack Johnson in church meetings and shopping malls with youth volunteers.”Casino gambling was defeated on its first referendum, but of course, it was re-designed and the voters approved,” says John.

Meanwhile his law firm helped shepherd the union of three UMC churches in New Brunswick. Returning to public service, he sat as a Judge for 22 years, most recently in Superior Court. He and Carol moved to Princeton and joined PrincetonUMC. when he retired. Among his current projects is the annual John Suydam Kuhlthau Bioethics Conference at New Brunswick Theological Seminary. His most recent honor is the Order of the Tower at The Pennington School. 

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!

For Women in the Congo: October 1 and 9

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In this disturbing time of unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo, woman leaders who empower women in the Congo are visiting Princeton. Princeton United Methodist Church traditionally supports two charities based in the Congo, the United Front Against Riverblindness, founded by our own Daniel Shungu, and Woman, Cradle of Abundance.  a non-profit organization that empowers women in the Congo, founded by Professor Elsie McKee of Witherspoon Presbyterian Church and Princeton Theological Seminary.

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MISENGA MONIQUE Ngoie MUKUNA

So we are especially glad to welcome two leaders of Woman, Cradle of Abundance on their visit to the United States this fall. Their visit begins with “Pour Femme,” an all-French concert performed by local singers and pianists on Saturday, October 1, 2 p.m. in Miller Chapel at Princeton Theological Seminary. Tickets at the door or online are $35 for adults and $15 for students. Free offstreet parking is available across Mercer Street (in the library lot) and an anonymous donor will match each donation up to $2,500.

At Princeton United Methodist Church, we have a special welcome for Maman Monique, who will speak at a PUMC breakfast on Sunday, October 9, at 8 a.m. She will be accompanied by Maman Antoinette.

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MULEKA ANTOINETTE Mukanya TSHISUAKA

The United Methodist Men serve up a hearty meal, and everyone is welcome. A $5 donation is requested.

Other speaking dates: Sunday, October 2, at 10 a.m. at Witherspoon Presbyterian Church, followed by conversation with church members after worship. Wednesday, Oct. 5, 7 p.m. at Haddonfield Friends’ Meeting, Haddonfield, NJFriday, October 7,  noon, Princeton Theological Seminary, Main Lounge of Mackay Campus Center, sponsored by the Center for Theology, Women and Gender.Sunday, Oct. 16, noon, Nassau Presbyterian Church, Princeton

Vive les femmes!

 

 

 

 

 

UMM: Chaplain on September 11

photo by Michael Mancuso, Times of Trenton
CHAPLAIN TED TAYLOR photo by Michael Mancuso, Times of Trenton

The date of September 11 lives large in all our memories. This year, for the United Methodist Men’s breakfast, Chaplain Tedford J. Taylor’s topic will be “Thinking about end of life decisions — how to plan for the future.” Ted will discuss this difficult subject in the context of our faith, having peace rather than denial. By coming to terms with it– spiritually, psychologically, and rationally — and thinking it through, families won’t have to scramble with not knowing what Mom or Dad would wish.

Ted joined Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton in 2007 as the Director of Pastoral Care & Training where he supervises more than 20 volunteer and intern chaplains in providing the spiritual and emotional care to patients. Ted is a diplomate in pastoral supervision through the College of Pastoral Supervision & Psychotherapy (CPSP) and is board certified as a clinical chaplain with a fellowship in palliative care and hospice through CPSP. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Baptist Theological Seminary.  Ted resides with his husband Kevin in Ewing Township and is a Recorded Minister in the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) and is active in the Yardley Monthly Meeting.

When Chaplain Taylor spoke at the UMM breakfast in January 2015, the discussion on patient centered care was so lively that time ran out, and we welcome his return. The delicious hot breakfast begins at 8 AM, followed by the program  at 8:30. A $5 donation for the meal is requested. Everyone is welcome!

Breakfast June 12: Joanna’s story

breakfast plateJoanna, a client of Womanspace, will tell her story on Sunday, June 12, at 8 a.m. at the UMM breakfast. All are invited to hear her speak on ‘How Faith Commnities Can Help Heal — or Hurt — Victims of Domestic Violence.” Until September, this is the last breakfast provided by the United Methodist Men, so make every effort to enjoy their delicious cooking and hear about this important subject. Photo at right shows the actual yummy breakfast! 

PUMC’s Jim Looney: Teacher of the Year

looney londonFor the second year in a row, PUMC member Dr. Jim Looney will take the Science Olympiad team at West Windsor-Plainsboro North High School to represent New Jersey at the National Science Olympiad, May 19-21 in Wisconsin. Currently president of United Methodist Men, and a leader for several Appalachia Service Project teams, he was recently named Teacher of the Year by his colleagues at WW-P North. Congratulations, Jim! For more details… 

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.

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.

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.

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A heart-y breakfast on 2/14

2016 1 31 2015 3 8 UMM breakfast viewPolio was a dreaded disease for those who grew up in the ’40s and ’50s, and even in the 1980s the world saw about 1,000 cases a day. Join us for breakfast on Sunday, February 14, at 8 am, when Dr. Julie Ann Juliano speaks how Rotary clubs around the world are fighting to eradicate polio. Sponsored by the United Methodist Men but open to all, the tasty hot breakfast, with all the trimmings, will be in Fellowship Hall. A $5 donation is requested.
A native of Queens, Dr. Juliano graduated from New York University and Albert Einstein College of Medicine and did her internship at the RWJ University Hospital (Somerset). Since 1992 she has been active in the Rotary Club of Branchburg and she served as district governor. She and her husband have three daughters, and she was active in Girl Scouts for 13 years . Board certified in family medicine, she has a private practice in Branchburg, New Jersey.
The Rotary Club of Princeton meets on Tuesdays at 12:15 at the Nassau Club; it is part of an interfaith and international organization that has helped immunize more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries. In 1988 Rotary joined three organizations (WHO, UNICEF, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Now, every dollar is being matched by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. A member of Princeton Rotary, architect and Rotarian Ahmed Azmy went with his wife Nadia to work as part of a vaccination team in Pakistan. The disease is still alive in Pakistan and Afghanistan.