KUMC Joyfully Responding Newsletter October 2023

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KUMC Staff Rev. Jenny Smith Walz, Lead Pastor

Rev. Skitch Matson, Kingston Campus Pastor Rev. Tayler Necoechea, Associate Pastor Tom Shelton, Director of Youth Choirs Michael Wisnosky, Music Director Tyler Mathiasen, Office Manager

We are accepting Pledge Cards throughout the month of November. Pledge cards will be mailed home. If you need a replacement pledge card, contact Rev. Skitch. Thank you for your faithful support of the ministries of KUMC with your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness!

“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.” Sandra Vasquez-Richardson

In This Issue Pastor’s Pen

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Budget at a Glance

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Deepening Diversity

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Creative Innovation

5

“One thing I love about KUMC is the chance we get in sharing our joys and concerns with our church family because it gives us the opportunity to be humble and empathetic with each other. It also gives us the opportunity to demonstrate vulnerability before God and the church and to

Compassionate

have faith in the power of prayers.” Sasha Santiago

Servanthood

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Engaged Growth

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Contagious Joy

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Notes from the Pastor

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Joyfully Responding—could it really be true?

greater mission beyond himself is what brings him joy, driving him to give more away. As we’ve continued in our worship series Or on the opposite side of the spectrum, a during the month of October, we’ve tried to be professor from my undergrad tells the story honest that sometimes following Jesus isn’t all that of being in Kolkata, at the Home for Dying Destitutes joyful at all. Sometimes it’s frustrating. that Mother Theresa ran—a place where Sometimes it’s uncomfortable. people where brought in their last days, and for But then we hear those stories (over coffee those who had no one to care for them. While hour, or in books and articles) about people there, he cared for a man who was too weak to feed who just exude joy when they talk about their faith himself. So, this professor tried to give him journey, or even when they talk about little spoonfuls of rice, curry, and fish—but the man giving money away. became agitated and turned away, as if in It reminds us that we all have our own journey pain. It took a moment to realize that there was a fish with God and money, and that we all are bone caught in the back of his mouth, being invited to give something. and the man wasn’t able to get to it. Once We’re somewhere on the the bone was retrieved, this man, who was continuum with money, and even relieved of pain, was too agitated to want still, we all have something to any more. share. But dessert that night was half a Like the soccer player for tangerine, and when after pulling apart the Liverpool, Sadio Mane, who was pieces, and making 11.5 million euros a placing it near the man, it was easy to see year, and still walked around with that he gladly accepted it, joyfully receiving an iPhone that had a smashed it. While screen. “Why would I want 10 feeding him the last pieces of the Ferraris, 20 diamond watches tangerine—almost the only food he ate—the and 2 jet planes? What would professor that do for the world? I starved, I noticed another person down the way, on worked in the fields, I played barefoot, and I didn’t go another mat with little energy, was waving his hands. to school. Now I can help people… I He also had half a tangerine, and gestured to take it prefer to build schools and give poor people food or and feed it to the first man. clothing. I have built schools and a “If a dying man can offer a few sections of stadium. I give 70 euros per month to every person in fruit to relieve the suffering of another dying a very poor Senegalese region in order to man, then I will always have something to give.” contribute to the local economy. I do not need to We, each of us, have something to give. Open display luxury cars, luxury homes, trips and your hearts, open your dreams, open even planes. I prefer that my people receive a little of your finances to God, and in time, by following God’s what life has given me.” example, we may be able to join the With an 11.5 million euro paycheck a year, it’s professor in joyfully responding in word and deed obvious that he could have anything in that, “I will always have something to give.” the world—let alone, a new iPhone—but that’s not May it be so. what he cares about. Money isn’t the thing that brings him joy. Sharing, caring, and thinking of a

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24%

20%

Contagious Joy $26,361

Engaged Growth - Through our formation ministries, we actively further our journey of discipleship, immersing ourselves in the community, tools, and guidance that form us,

Contagious Joy - This share of our budget goes to worship, which inspires us to practice joy, delighting in God’s presence and grace in every aspect of our lives. Our joyful responses to God's grace spark joy in those around us.

18%

free us, and perfect us in love.

12%

Deepening Diversity $20,107

Creative Innovation $13,082

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.

26%

Engaged Growth $22,395

100% Total 2023 $110,410

Compassionate Servanthood

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

$28,465 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 KUMC’s share. Want to know more? Request a detailed budget from the church office. You can also request information about our designated funds, none of which are available for general operating expenses. 3


18%

CONTAGIOUS JOY

Deepening Diversity $20,107

We reflect God’s diverse creation and the $256,553 (31%) fullness of God’s kin-dom as a fully inclusive, equitable, accessible, multicultural (intercultural), antiracist community in all aspects of our life together.

Meghan Cappella (Kane) and her husband Ray had their son, Kevin Cappella baptized here, believing this to be a loving community for Kevin to learn and experience the love God.

ENGAGED GROWTH $165,518 (20%)

Joey Hunt and Communion We believe all ages can be in leadership responding to God’s love, and we saw this as Joey Hunt, one of our children, led in Communion alongside Kenda Dean.

Juneteenth and K/PUMC Cookout and Potluck We are Deepening Diversity as we continue to deepen relationships with Princeton UMC and Mt Pisgah AME through the shared cookouts including a Juneteenth Celebration and our more recently Fall Church Cookout.

As the UMC continues to go through a messy separation over full inclusion of queer people, KUMC made a stand to clearly name it’s support of full inclusion as we prayed for, and installed, a rainbow banner on our outdoor church sign.

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12%

Creative Innovation $13,082

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.

Rachel Mertz (Herb’s Mother) shares faith story with youth Rachel, 101 years old, shared her faith story and spoke about her long life of faith with our youth group—how often do we get to hear someone’s

“Methodists were never intended to check their minds at the door, they were challenged to intellectually engage. I take joy in the weekly sermons where I often am presented

unfiltered life story, and how God has been active in and throughout it?

with new insights to familiar biblical passages.“ Kevin Dean

Sunday Worship – Constantly Editing the Worship Service Constantly editing the Liturgy for Sunday mornings so it is more dynamic, contextual to our lives, and faithful to what God is doing in and through us. New Calls to Worship, Prayers of Confession, and Assurances of Pardon Tweaking long held conventions of the pastor saying a prayer after the offering, and making it a communal prayer. Sermons that are intellectually stimulating, relevant for our lives, and deepening our faith.

Edits in Hymns to be more Inclusive It’s no surprise that old hymns have patriarchal language. Thanks to our staff’s commitment to inclusion, hymns received minor edits becoming more inclusive to non-binary people, and to cut out patriarchal-centric language.

“I take joy in our informal worship approach, and especially appreciate hearing people’s joys and concerns. I think it brings us closer as a community.” Leslie Dreibelbis

Worship In The Round (in process—not complete) Talk about creative innovation: We’re having conversations about how the Sanctuary is set up, with the possibility of having Worship in the Round, putting all of the pews on wheels, and centering ourselves around a central focal point to deepen love of God and love of neighbor in our physical space.

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26%

Compassionate Servanthood $28,465

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.

Church Work day: 9 folks, including 3 newer to KUMC Serving to brighten up the church inside and outside

“I take joy in the friendships I’ve made within KUMC and ample opportunities to celebrate them outside of our church walls: meeting up for coffee or lunch, going for a walk or just chatting over text!” Sonja Arevalo

Wrapped Up Work With St Barts We worked towards finalizing our service alongside St Bart’s, and are at the beginning stages of seeing how we can be more involved in hands on mission. Online Giving is over 90%  Shows commitment to regular giving, consistent giving  We are already sharing our gifts to God through the Church  And these amounts don’t just stay here in the local church, they go out! Shared Giving 10% of OUR budget ($14k)  Just as folks tithe to the local church, local churches “tithe” an amount to the greater denomination, increasing our service throughout the globe through:  Scholarships in the US for Black and underserved students  Setting up colleges in Africa  Continued education of Pastors throughout the world  Continued dialogue and partnerships with other Christian denominations Safe Sanctuary Training Making sure that all of our leaders who are working with children, youth, and vulnerable adults are trained to the best standards so that all people are safe and cared for. HiTOPS Training to be More Inclusive in Speech and Action Participated in a 2 session training by HiTOPS to be more inclusive in our language and action with the LGBTQIA+ Community.

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24%

20%

Contagious Joy $26,361

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.

“I take joy in giving because it goes outside the church, adds to the community ,and allows for more growth opportunities.” Jazlyn Cruz

Out of Coffee: A Great Social Hour Problem Coffee running out shows we’re slowing down & connecting with one another before & after service.

Engaged Growth $22,395

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.

“I take joy in the ways that Sunday mornings at KUMC are truly for communal wisdom andbonding.” Priya Sridhar

Christmas Pageant included 15 people Three Queens were a highlight!

“I take great joy in feasting at the potluck this past summer at KUMC. What a joyous day sharing fantastic food with wonderful people -A true blessing, and I am genuinely grateful for the invitation.” Sandra

“Thanks to the community and life of KUMC, I take joy in the relationships deepened and the insights gleaned through the Forgiveness and Inspired first hour small group book studies.” Fred Simmons

Richardson

1st Church Potluck in building in 3 +years.

Children’s Small Groups, too! Monthly Sunday School Summer VBS

Our dishwasher is now more Eco-Friendly

“I take joy in fellowship during our summer; indoor picnic/potluck’ and the small group last led by Fred.” Dana Dreibelbis

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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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