On November 5, Pledge Sunday, we will be asked to faithfully support the ministries of the church with our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness.
Sandra Vasquez-Richardson: I enjoy giving because the grace of God provides everything that I am and everything that I have -- and I am genuinely grateful for that every day.
In worship, Helen Curtis offered her witness, how she and her husband joyfully responded to God’s love by putting God first: “I take joy in putting my gift at the top of our budget, because my husband Larry and I knew that we were saying — to ourselves
In This Issue Notes from the Pastor
2
Jiseob Yoon: Wisdom
Through Service
3
all our lives. “
Budget at a Glance
4
...“Put something FIRST, whether it’s 10 percent or 5 or
Joyfully Responding
5
Contagious Joy
6
Engaged Growth
7
and to God, — that this was the most valued thing in
1 or 15 -- to show that it’s most important. Put whatever percent you choose at the TOP and find joy when you
Compassionate
bring that as an offering in
Servanthood
8
your worship. If you set this
Deepening Diversity
9
aside first, I promise you that
Creative Innovation
10
Reaching Out
11
Stay Connected
12
you will discover that the ‘rest’ is enough.”
The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world and those who live in it ~Psalm 24:1 “You can’t outgive God, though I challenge you to try!” a colleague and mentor used to say. God is indeed the giver behind everything we have, of course, and as much as we know this to be true, it’s far harder to live and behave as if it were true. It’s so easy, prompted by the culture in which we are immersed, to live and behave as if the time, the finances, the skills, the resources, the world we enjoy are self-made, self-earned, self-owned. Perhaps even more, we tend to tune out challenges such as trying to outgive God or even “joyfully responding” to God’s love through our giving and serving. We get weary of people, including the church, but also every advertiser and organization around, telling us what to do with what we have, what feels like ours to do with as we please. But Sondra Ely Wheeler reminds us there’s a whole lot more going on than a competition for resources! She says that when scripture counsels us to examine how we relate to and put to use the resources and possessions we have at our disposal, “it is in order that we may do something else: find eternal life, have treasure in heaven, be the children of God, or enter the kingdom.” See, it’s not about the church’s need to receive. It’s not about budgets or shortfalls or balancing the books. Rather, It’s about the kin-dom of God. It’s about following Jesus into the fullness of life that God offers. It’s about putting our whole selves under the Lordship of Jesus. It’s about putting our full trust in God’s grace. It’s about not holding anything back from God’s loving care. As the church invites you once again to prayerfully pledge your prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness to uphold the people and ministry of Princeton UMC, please hear this as an invitation to reaffirm your faith, to claim the eternal life already available to you, to be children of God, to be more fully part of God’s kingdom! And yes, may all of our responses to God’s enormous, abundant outpouring of gifts be joyful. And may we never cease in our attempts to outgive God! Peace and love,
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in Korea, she volunteered her technology skills at services, helping with sound and projection. Growing up, Jiseob recalls religion as being an important part of family life, but it wasn't until she was 11 that her faith grew tremendously, and her relationship with God deepened. "In 2002, my dad moved us to Athens GA where he was a visiting professor of ethics for a year," she shares. The family started going to a Korean church and "found a beautiful community," she
Jiseob Yoon first visited PUMC in 2019 with her
sister Hyelim who, at the time, was pursuing her remembers, adding, "There I really got MDiv at Princeton Theological Seminary and immersed in Christian life." interning at the church. While pursuing her Ph.D in political theory at Princeton University, Jiseob At some point in Jiseob's own faith journey, her was asked to serve by Pastor Jenny twice: first mother, also an ethicist, observed that "People on SPRC and, most recently, on the Discipleship really don't know of God's Kingdom. If we give, Board. Initially hesitant because of time God gives back to us nine times," she constraints, Jiseob eventually said yes to both recalls. Jiseob struggled for some time with requests, a decision influenced by her parents' that concept. "To me, that's selfish: giving to get commitment to serve. more. As I got older and gathered more experiences, I started thinking there is truth in what my mother said. When I give, I'm not losing anything."
Jiseob's first memory of volunteering dates back to her childhood in South Korea. "Mom and dad took us (her and her sister) to visit an orphanage, where they arranged for us to volunteer. We spent the whole day washing
So when Jiseob grapples with the time commitment that comes with volunteering,
dishes," she recalls. Over the ensuing years, South Korea saw an influx of immigrants.
she recalls her mother's words and "reassures myself that if I give time to God, he will help give
Realizing how difficult their adjustment to Korean society would be, Jiseob wanted to do
me wisdom. Thinking like that gives me energy," she says, adding, "God is always giving."
something. " In 2012 I went to work for Multicultural Families. Our mission focused on
With her coursework complete and her dissertation on Plato's legal philosophy to be defended in spring of next year, Jiseob has hearing disabled. She learned sign language begun looking for a teaching position. While and helped organize events on campus that she cannot predict where she will end up, she promoted learning sign language. At her church will most certainly take her commitment to helping others with her. helping immigrants settle in." In college she joined a club that raised awareness of the
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28%
20%
Contagious Joy
Engaged Growth $140,174
$195,104 Contagious Joy - This share of our budget goes to worship, which inspires us to practice
Engaged Growth - Through our formation
joy, delighting in God’s presence and grace in every aspect of our lives. Our joyful responses
ministries, we actively further our journey of discipleship, immersing ourselves in the community, tools, and guidance that form us,
to God's grace spark joy in those around us.
free us, and perfect us in love.
14%
11%
Deepening Diversity $103,371
Creative Innovation - We embrace our Godgiven creativity to experiment, explore, try new things, embracing our failures and our discoveries. We are open to new ideas, expressions of faith, and ways of being a church, paving the way for others.
Deepening Diversity - We reflect God’s diverse creation and the fullness of God’s kin-dom as a fully inclusive, equitable, accessible, multicultural (intercultural), antiracist community in all aspects of our life together.
27%
Creative Innovation $76,821
100% Total 2024 $704,077
Compassionate Servanthood $188,607
Total - This page represents our operating budget for 2023. This breakdown distributes personnel and overall operating costs based on the proportions of budgeted expenses and staff time per area. While KUMC and PUMC share many resources as we share ministry, including staff, we have a financial agreement in which KUMC reimburses PUMC for its allocated share of staff, program, and administrative ministry. This budget represents
Compassionate Servanthood - Following Jesus to the margins of society and experience, we seek to see, know, love, and share with those who are outcast, overlooked, oppressed, forgotten. Together we work for justice, and restoration through our missions and outreach.
only PUMC’s share. Want to know more? Request a detailed budget from the church office. You can also request information about our investment accounts, endowment, or designated funds, none of which are available for general operating expenses. 4
28%
Contagious Joy $195,104
Compassionate Servanthood $188,607
27%
• Average worship attendance for the last year is 196, up 4% over last year
• over $11,500 to 18 local area community
• About 40% is in-person and 60% is on-
partners, such as UFAR and
line / on-demand
Womanspace
• Average in-person attendance is
• $4,050 to regional United Methodist
growing, up 30% over this time last year
community partners, such as Maker’s Place
• Over $2000 to United Methodist Special Sundays, such as World Communion
20%
and UMCOR
• Over $55,000 to our United Methodist
Engaged Growth $140,174
Shared Ministry Missions and Benevolences around the world
• See a list of our partners on page 12 • •
3rd annual ecumenical VBS 6 new small groups launched this year, in addition to the 4 we
11%
already had
•
40 people have enrolled in those 5 new small groups, between PUMC and KUMC
Creative Innovation $76,821
• Shifted to Simplified Accountable Board structure in January, creating the Leadership Board and Discipleship Board
• While the number of elected church leaders decreased from 70 to 27 people in
14%
our new model, overall leadership engagement went up, from 45 people in
Deepening Diversity $103,371
2022 to 69 people in 2023, so far
• Planning continues toward a fuller multisite partnership between PUMC and
• • •
Kingston UMC, ultimately aiming to create
18 participants in newcomers groups
one church with 2 campuses
12 new members 2 baptisms (ages <1 and 7)
5
28%
Contagious Joy $195,104
We joyfully respond to God’s love through worship: Helped by pastoral and music staff, we participate in “the work of the people” – the music, the prayers, the messages, the offering, the sacraments of communion and baptism.
Lindsey Diehl: Because it is a warm and friendly community and because I enjoy singing in the choir under Hyosang, the director. She selects beautiful music for us to sing, is very encouraging and fun
Emelia Timpo: I take joy in giving because I
have been blessed in so many
to work with, plus she often makes it a
ways .
family affair by inviting my husband, Paul, to perform with the choir on violin or viola . Medina Arthur: because it is a way to thank God for all the blessings He continues to give me. Christine Shungu: because I feel very blessed and want others to feel the same way.
6
20%
Engaged Growth $140,174
Through our formation ministries we actively further our journey of discipleship, immersing ourselves in the community, tools, and guidance that form us, free us, and perfect us in love.
Jonathan Seltzer: I take joy in giving because I love being here at the picnic.
Pearl Assan: I take joy in giving because much has been given to me.
7
27%
Compassionate Servanthood $188,607
We joyfully respond to God’s love by serving others: With our hands-on work and our outreach offerings, we share with those who are outcast and oppressed. Together we work for justice and restoration.
Jazlyn Cruz: I take joy in giving because it goes outside the church, adds to the community ,and allows for more growth opportunities.”
Pam Ewer at Cornerstone Community Kitchen: I take joy in giving because time is never better spent than in doing things for others.
Carol Kuhlthau: I take joy in giving because it's a way to respond to God’s graciousness.
8
14%
CONTAGIOUS JOY We reflect God’s diverse creation and the $256,553 (31%) fullness of God’s kin-dom as a fully
Deepening Diversity $103,371
inclusive, equitable, accessible, multicultural (intercultural), antiracist community in all aspects of our life together.
ENGAGED GROWTH Pat Ostberg: I take joy$165,518 in giving (20%) because it enriches me to worship and engage with people younger -- and older -- than I.
Vinette Jones, left, with Edris Anderson and Kamie Jones. Vinette: I take joy in giving because it shows love to others, as Christ gave himself for us Edris: I take joy in giving because it makes me feel comfortable, I feel really good when I do it.
Lori Pantaleo (on right, with Susan Victor): I take joy in giving because it keeps our doors open, so we can help people who need the space.
9
11%
Creative Innovation $76,821
We embrace our God-given creativity to experiment, explore, try new things, embracing our failures and our discoveries. We are open to new ideas, expressions of faith, and ways of being church, paving the way for others.
Doug Fullman: I take joy in giving — because it makes a difference. We have a unique ministry, through a two campus model between Kingston and Princeton, which has become possible because of giving –- my contributions and the giving of others.
Ian Griffiths : I take joy in giving — because it makes me happy.
Bill Gardner: I take joy in giving because I recognize the need for people to stay connected, and providing the PUMC experience to people -who cannot be present due to time or distance -makes us all feel a part of the greater community .
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George Bernard Shaw once said, "Youth is wasted on the young." Had he known Shermel
shares, adding, " That's why I wanted to go back [this summer]." Lori Pantaleo, PUMC Trustee and
Morgan, he might have changed his mind. The Jamaican native, who lives with her aunt and
Maker's Place Board member, worked with Shermel occasionally and remembers that "She
uncle in Yardley, came to the U.S. two years ago and promptly settled into a life filled with family,
always had a smile on her face and seemed to truly enjoy helping out."
faith, friends, school, and service. Shermel admits that sometimes her smile Currently a junior at the Pennington School, Shermel's favorite classes are math and drama. To complement her studies, she is on the tennis team and in the Pennington Singers. (She also sings in the church choir.) Last year, she had a part in the school musical, an experience she hopes to repeat. But it is what she does outside of school that sets her apart. In 2021, Shermel, then a student at Notre Dame, was required to complete a day of service. One of the options was volunteering at Maker's Place Diaper Depot, a diaper bank and resource center in Trenton sponsored by the United Methodists of Greater New Jersey. So impactful was that experience, that Shermel spent this past summer volunteering there. Every Tuesday and Thursday, the days the Diaper Depot operates, Shermel bundled diapers, put together outfits for infants and toddlers from donated clothing, and delivered the bundled diapers to a central pickup location. While she enjoyed the prep work, what really fulfilled her was "seeing how happy the diapers and the outfits made the parents" she
wobbled. Callie Crowder, who runs the office for Diaper Depot, "told me that NJ has the greatest need for moms that need diapers," says Shermel, a fact which both surprised and saddened her.
Back in school, Shermel takes advantage of opportunities to help others. She belongs to the school's Community Service Club which, among other activities, organizes food drives for needy families. With a busy academic and extracurricular schedule, free time can be a luxury, but she is quick to point out that helping someone doesn't have to take a lot of time. "Plus, I'm really organized," she laughs. She recounts a recent experience with a friend who was very stressed, "always running around to study. I made a point to say hi whenever I saw her and sat with her at lunch." Simple actions can have a profound effect. When her friend came back to school after vacation, she gave Shermel a bracelet as a "thank you" for her kindness. "You might never know if someone is going through a hard time. Reaching out doesn't take a lot but it means a lot," she adds.
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November 5 is Pledge Sunday
Local Community Partners
Return your pledge card in worship, online, or to the office on November 5 or at your earliest convenience. Your pledge is a discipleship tool for you, as you discern how God is inviting you to joyfully respond this coming year. Your pledge also
helps church leadership plan as they seek to faithfully steward resources for the coming year. If you have questions or need to change your pledge after submitting it, contact Tyler in the church office. You can find our online pledge card at princetonumc.org/give-pumc.
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Altamura Legacy Concerts
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Arm in Arm
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Contact of Mercer County
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HiTops
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HomeFront
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Penn Medicine Hospital Chaplain
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Housing Initiatives of Princeton
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Interfaith Refugee Resettlement
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Mercer Street Friends/Food
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Mercer Street Friends/Program
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Not in Our Town
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Princeton Community Housing
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Princeton Senior Resource Center
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Princeton Young Achievers
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Rescue Mission of Trenton
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Trenton Area Soup Kitchen
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United Front Against River Blindness
(UFAR)
Thank you for your faithful support of the ministries of PUMC with your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness!
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Princeton University Wesley Foundation
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Womanspace
Regional United Methodist Community Partners
PUMC Staff Rev. Jenny Smith Walz, Lead Pastor Rev. Skitch Matson, Kingston Campus Pastor
Rev. Tayler Necoechea, Associate Pastor
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Camden Neighborhood
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Maker’s Place
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Methodist Homes
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The Pennington School
United Methodist Special Sundays
Hyosang Park, Director of Music
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Human Relations Day
Tom Shelton, Director of Youth Choirs
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One Great Hour of Sharing
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Native American Sunday
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Peace with Justice
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World Communion Sunday
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United Methodist Student Day
Julia Hanna, Accompanist Tyler Mathiasen, Office Manager Gilmar Enamorado, Princeton Campus Sexton
United Methodist Shared Ministry Missions and
Mario Villatoro , Custodial Ministry
Benevolences
Santos Gonzales, Custodial Ministry Brielle Easton, Nursery Care Lead Kaylen Parady, Nursery Care Lead Princeton United Methodist Church is a Stephen Ministry Congregation 12
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World Service Fund
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Africa University Fund
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Black College Fund
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Interdenominational Cooperation Fund