tiny seeds, Gre
Harvest
notefromthepastor|1 pumcataglance|2
growthinnumbers|3
stateofthechurch|4
ayearinworship|5
contagiousjoy|6
compassionateservanthood|7
laityspotlight|8
engagedgrowth|9
communityspotlight|10
creativeinnovation|11
staffspotlight|13
deepeningdiversity|14
NOTEFROMTHEPASTOR
“[ThekingdomofGod]islikeamustardseedthatsomeonetookand sowedinthegarden;itgrewandbecameatree,andthebirdsofthe airmadenestsinitsbranches.”-Luke13:19
“ThekingdomofGodislikeamustardseedinthegarden,right outsideourwindows,growingfromittsy-bittsy,teensy-weensyto colossal,fromimpossibletoseetounabletomiss.”-fromThe MarvelousMustardSeedbyAmy-JillLevine&SandyEisenbergSasso
Haveyoueverinvestedinsomethinganddiscoveredthatthereturnwas somuchgreaterthanyoueverexpected?Perhapsyou’vediscoveredit intherealmofstocksorbusinessandfoundtangiblebenefits Perhaps it’sbeenaninvestmentoftimeandenergyintoarelationshiporlearning somethingnew.Perhapsit’sbeenintheformofagarden,bearingan abundantharvest
Oneofthesurprisesinthisparableofthemustardseed,though,isthatthe returnontheinvestmentfarexceededanythingthatcouldhavebeenimagined
It’salreadyamiraclethatamustardplantgrowsfromamustardseed,butit’samiraclewe’vecometo expectwhenweplantseeds Thismustardseed,however,doesn’tjustproducesomeniceleafygreensand
somebrightyellowmustardflowers Thismustardseeddoesn’tstopgrowinguntilit’satree,unabletobemissed It’sbig enough,unlikethemustardplantsweexpect,forbirdstonestthere Howstrange!Howsurprising!HowliketheKingdomof God!
OurgenerosityislikeplantingthismustardseedthatJesustalksabout Ourinvestmentinourchurch,aspartofour discipleship,islikethistoo.Whenwegive,weknowmanyofthethingsthatthismoneydoes.Forexample,weexpectthat ourstaffwillbepaid,ourlightsandheatwillwork,andcurriculumwillbethereforourvariousgroups.Butwealsogive, trustingthatwhenourgiftscometogetherunderthepoweroftheHolySpirit,somethingsurprisinghappens!Wegive,as disciplesofJesus,trustingthatourcontribution,nomatterthesize,isgrowingGod’skingdominsuchawaythatitbrings lifeandcareandnourishmentbeyondanythingwecouldimagine
Onthefollowingpages,wesharesomeofthekingdom-bearingfruitofyourfinancialinvestmentsinPrincetonUMCover thispastyear.Wehopethatyou’llcelebratetheworkoftheHolySpiritasyoulookthroughthenewsletter.Wehopethat you’llbeinspiredbywhatGodisdoinginandthroughushereatPUMC Wealsohopethatyou’llprayerfullyconsideryour contributionfor2025,asanactofyourdiscipleshipofJesusChrist
OurthemethisyearisTinySeeds,GreatHarvest Wealsohaveahuge,kingdom-sizedgoal Wehavebeenoperatingwitha budgeteddeficitsinceCOVID,andwesimplycan’tdothisanylonger Ourgoalistoclosethedeficitgapandkeepitclosed goingforward.Thatmeansthattokeepourcurrentlevelofprogrammingandstaffing,weneedanadditional$45,000each yeargoingforward.
Everygiftcounts Everygiftmatters Thisiswhatitistobeacommunityoffaith:allareneeded,allgiveastheycan,allgifts cometogetherandgrowagreatharvest Thiskingdom-buildingworkcan’tbedonewithoutyouandyourfinancial contributions ThanksbetoGodforyouandforthewaysGodisgrowingGod’skingdominandthroughPUMC Peaceandlove,
This share of our budget goes toworship,whichinspiresusto practicejoy,delightinginGod’s presence and grace in every aspect of our lives. Our joyful responses to God’s grace sparkjoyinthosearoundus.
Through our formation ministries, we actively further our journey of discipleship, immersing ourselves in the community, tools, and guidance that form us, free us, andperfectusinlove
Following Jesus to the margins of society and experience, we seek to see, know, love, and share with those who are outcast, overlooked, oppressed, and forgotten. Together we work for justice, and restoration through ourmissionsandoutreach.
We reflect God’s diverse creation and the fullness of God’s kingdom as a fully inclusive,equitable,accessible, multicultural (intercultural), antiracist community in all aspectsofourlivestogether.
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 a church, paving the way forothers
Wanttoknowmore?Ourdetailedbudgetsareavailablefor publicaccess.ScantheQRcodebelowforourlatestbudget report,orrequestonefromtheoffice (office@princetonumc.org).
Youcanalsorequestinformationaboutourinvestmentaccounts, endowment,ordesignatedfunds,noneofwhichareavailablefor generaloperatingexpenses
This page represents our operating budget for 2024 This breakdown distributes personnel and overall operating cost (such as utilities and maintenance) across these five categories on this page, based on the proportion of budgeted expenses and staff time per area.
GROWTHINNUMBERS
In-personaverageworshipattendance isup9%over2023
Virtualworshiphasdecreasedasinpersonhasincreased,however52%of worshipersareonlineeachweek, slightlyexceedinginpersonworshipers.
27peoplein4specialinterestsmall groups
40peoplein4year-longGrowth Groups
Over3000diaperscollectedand bundledforTheMaker’sPlace 500poundsoffoodcollectedforArm inArmonBrownBagSunday
1000Back-to-SchoolsuppliesforCCK $8750givento17localarea communitypartners,suchas WomanSpaceandTASK
$5250givento5UnitedMethodist communitypartners,suchasMaker’s PlaceandMethodistHomes $64,000giventoourUnitedMethodist SharedMinistryMissionsand Benevolencesaroundtheworld
17peopleparticipatedinourWelcome
100participantsinourLentLecture Series(weletgoofourTuesdayprayer servicestotryanewformofministry forLent)
NewformatforourLentenDevotional95paperbackandKindlebooks distributed,andmoredistributedatno costinPDFformat
18FocusGroupsandTaskForces commissionedbyourLeadershipand DiscipleshipBoardstoadaptcurrent ministriestonewsituationsortomeet ourStrategicVisionPriorities
STATEOFTHECHURCH
WebelievethatGod’svisionforPrincetonUMCincludesfourVisionImpactStatements:
PUMCpracticesjoy,celebration,abundance,forgiveness,freedom,sabbath,justice,andshalom, becomingaJubileeCommunity.
PUMCempowerspeopletoembracethefullnessoflifeofferedinthelife,death,andresurrectionofJesus Christ.
PUMCengagesCommunitypartnersandinvitesourneighborstojoinourvisionandeffortstocreatea moreliberatedandfreerGreaterPrincetoncommunitybyworkingtoeradicateracial,economic,and socialinjusticeforpeopleofallages
PUMCiscommittedtocreatingandmaintainingphysical,spiritual,andonlinespacethatisgracious, restorative,andhealingthroughtheimages,words,concepts,furnishings,andotherelementsfoundthere
TheLeadershipandDiscipleshipBoardsestablishedprioritiesforourStrategicVisionPlan
WeinviteYOUtohelpPUMC moveforwardintotheVisionthatGodhasgivenus
WeofferSmallDiscipleshipGroupsthatarefoundationaltoyourfaithformation.Bothshort-termSeasonalGroupsand year-longGrowthGroupsaresupportedbyacurriculathatinvitesparticipantsintoadeeperdiveofthethemesofthe worshipseries
Howyoucanhelp:
JoinaGrowthorSeasonalGroup/Invitesomeonetojoinagroupwithyou
OurJusticeandMercyFocusGroupstudied“whoGodcallsustobless,tobeinrelationshipwith,ortojourney alongside ”anddiscernedthatwearecalledtoofferministryattheintersectionofmentalhealthandeconomic justice
Howyoucanhelp:
VolunteertotalkwithJusticeandMinistryFocusGroupmembersaboutemergingideas Watchforopportunitiestoengageintheemergingministry
MembershipDiscovery:Byinvitingpeopleintoministrybasedontheirspiritualidentities,weareincreasing opportunitiesforeveryonetofeelliketheybelongandtodeepentheirdiscipleship
Howyoucanhelp:
FilloutanEngagementCardeachweekinworship,evenifit’sjusttorequestprayer
Discoveryourownspiritualidentity:yourspiritualtype,yourspiritualgifts,etc,andshareyourdiscoverywith yourpastorsandyoursmallgroup
Generosity:Ithelpsthatwegetfundsfromcommunitygroupsusingourbuilding,andthatwehavesomevery generousgivers,buttocontinueourprogramsandmaintainthishospitablespace,weneedmorepeoplewhodepend onPUMC’sministrytocontributeintentionally–andregularly
Howyoucanhelp:
Asanoutgrowthofyourdiscipleshipandacommitmenttoyourchurch,doyourparttoclosethebudgetgapon anongoingbasis:
Stepuptogiving$10perweek-or$100permonth
StepuptogivingthePUMCaverageannualgiftof$3000
Increaseyourgivingby10%
Automateyourgivingthroughourelectronicgivingportalorbycreatingarecurringpaymentthroughyour bank’sbillpayoption
AYEARIN WORSHIP
DivingintoEpiphany,we startedourseries “Rooted,”andlearned howtoreconnecttoour rootstofindlifeeven whenwefeellikewehave lostsomuchinour community
ByEaster,in“GoTellitonthe Mountain,”wewerecelebratingthe excitementaroundthegoodnews andstudiedwhatittrulymeansto evangelize
Forthe“SaltandLight”seriesinthefall,we studiedhowtoletGod’slightshine brightly.
Forourpathtodiscipleshipthis year,withtheoveralltheme “BlessedtobeaBlessing,”we learnedtonoticeGod’sblessings morereadily–andlearnedto blessoneanother.
InAdvent,westudiedhow tofindjoyandpeaceina worldthatmakesus wearywithourseries, “HowdoesaWearyWorld Rejoice?”
ChallengingusforLent,the “LearningtoDie”serieshelped uslearntolivewiththehope andpowerthatcomesfrom notbeingafraidtotalkabout death.
ForPentecost,wetalked aboutwhatitmeanstolive “ASanctifiedLife.”
27%
ContagiousJoy
$189,657
Weexperiencethejoyofcreation whenwemakeorcraftsomething thathelpsusinourfaithjourney.
“JohnPowellbroughtmetoPUMCmany yearsago,outofadesiretosharethejoy ofdiscipleshipandservice Iamforever grateful”-MicheleTuck-Ponder
TomSheltonworking withtheChildren’sChoir
“Musicbringsjoytome,andwhenwecandoit togetherit's"contagious."Whetheraquietcalmor alivelysound,whetherI'msingingahymnwith thosearoundmeorlisteningtoorgan,choirs, handbells,orotherinstruments--Ibelievemusic candrawustogetherinlovingjoy.”-HelenCurtis
“Whenweopenthedoorsforwindowtours –toseetheaweandwonderinothersas theytakeinthebeautyofoursanctuary givesmegreatjoy!”-KaraEscobar
Thegratitudecardshelpedus findjoyineachother’s contributions.
30%
Compassionate Servanthood
$210,730
AspartoftheGNJConference’s BridgesforCongregationsinitiative, ourJusticeFocusGrouphas createdactionableguidelinesfor workingtocreateamorejustworld throughGod’sgrace.
“Asagiftgiver,Ilikegivingpeoplespecificgiftsthatwillmeet basicneedslikediapers,schoolsupplies,food Shoppingwith specialpeopleinmindgivesmegreatjoy ‘WhatwouldIliketo receiveifIwerethem?’Besides,shoppingeducatesmeasto howexpensivevariousitemsarethesedaysandhowdifficultit mustbeforfamiliestomakeendsmeet”-PatOstberg
“Weallarepassionateaboutsomething,but manytimesthatisselfserving.Singinginthe churchchoirformeallowsmetoexpandmy passionofsingingtocompassionserving others-providingjoyandGod’sglorythrough music"-JamesFrisbee
“Helpinginthenursery,keepingthe littleonessafeandhappy,ismy favoritewayofservingChristandadds realjoytomylife!”-CindyGessner
LaitySpotlight:EdSproles
byKateLasko
InthebasementofEdSproles’housesitsanengineeringmarvel: acomplextrainsetrepletewithstationsandcrossings,hillsand houses,bellsandwhistles.Thoseluckyenoughtohaveseenthis worldupcloseareamazedbyitsintricacy.Increatingthis magic,Edworksquietlyandsingularlybehindthescenesto greatresults.ThesamecanbesaidofhiseffortsatPrinceton UnitedMethodistChurch(PUMC).
EdgrewupinArlington,Virginia,andhisroutetoPUMCwas circuitous,tosaytheleast Afterearningadegreeinmetallurgy fromPennState,hewasdraftedintotheVietnamWar; fortunatelyhewasnotsenttothefrontlines Afterthemilitary,Ed studiedatMIT,whereheearnedhisdoctorate Upongraduating, Edbeganhisengineeringcareerworkingonconnectorsandcablesforthe telephonesystemsatAT&TBellLabs,whereheworkeduntilhisretirementin2001.
AlifelongMethodist,EdbeganlookingforachurchwhenhemovedtoLawrencevillein1996 “Itwasnaturalfor metovisitafewMethodistchurchesinthearea,”hesays,ultimatelypickingPUMCashischurchhome Over theyears,EdhasgivenhistimetomanyPUMCministriesandoutreaches “Becauseofmypersonality,”he shares,“ItendtovolunteerforthingswhereIaminthebackground Perhapsthemostsignificantarethe financialjobs,startingasmoneycounter,thenfinancialsecretary,andcurrently,churchtreasurer,”he continues IdaCahill,whotookontheresponsibilityformoneycountingafterEd,recallshispatienceinhelping her “ItwasatthebeginningofCOVIDandIhadtolearntheBreezesoftwareprogram Ed,alongwithAbu Ibrahim,wassosupportive.Evennow,wheneverheseesme,hethanksmeformywork.PUMCisvery fortunatetohaveEdastreasurer.”
EdalsovolunteersforinitiativesthathelptheGreaterPrincetonCommunityaswell.DuringtheyearsPUMCdid bellringingfortheSalvationArmy,“Ioftentooktheresponsibilityforrecruitingvolunteerstoringoutsidethe church,”heshares.Fromthefeedbackhegot,“Many,manyvolunteersfoundringingveryrewarding,”headds. HehashelpedatCornerstoneCommunityKitchenforseveralyears,thoughmanyoftheguestswouldnot recognizehim.Forafewoftheseyears,behindkitchendoors,Edrantheindustrial-sizedishwasher.After otherssteppedin,hemovedtovolunteeringinCCK’sgrocerystore.“Justasmostofusarerunningoutofgas towardtheendoftheevening,inwalksEdtohelpbreakdowncardboardcartons,helpputthingsaway,clean offthetables,foldthetablecloths,foldthetables.Healsohelpscreatethecartofleftoverfoodthatgets distributedtoanoff-sitelocation,yetheoftenleavesbeforeIgetachancetothankhim,”sharesLesSeifer, whorunsthegrocerystore,adding,“SothanksEd(Areyoucomingthisweek PLEASE?!?)”
Obviously,becauseofhispersonality,Eddoesnotvolunteerhistimeinordertoearntheaffirmationofothers Hisefforts,unseenbymany,benefitthepeopleheservesandthechurchheloves “IthelpstoknowIcan makeacontribution That’swhyIvolunteer,”hesays,endingwith,“Noonecandoeverything,buteveryonecan dosomething(MaxLucado,author)”
EngagedGrowth $133,463
Inadditiontotheongoing smallgroups(suchasLove LivesOnandHealingHearts), welaunchedsixnewseasonal smallgroupsinvolving20 peopleandfourlong-term growthgroups. 19%
“TheLoveLivesOnsmallgroup(forwidowsandwidowers) providesaplaceforpeoplewhohavesufferedasimilar losstotalkabouttheircommonexperienceand,thus,grow intheirunderstandingofhowtheycancontinuetodeal withlifeastheymoveonfromthatloss"-RichardEngel
“SmallGroupsofferanopportunitytobeopenand honest–togatherandfindcommongroundwithother believers.”-MarvOstberg StonebridgeSmall Group
“Smallgroupsareawaytobondandknowpeople atadepthbeyond‘Hello,Howareyou?’Inachurch setting,smallgroupscanfacilitatepersonalspiritual growthwithotherpeoplewiththesimilargoal towardspiritualgrowth”-KatherineBurt
“MondayMorningGrouphelpsmedigdeeperinto Scripture,understandhowweasagroup,and individually,applyScripturetooureverydaylives,and helpsmestayconnectedwiththechurch Iamdeeply gratefulforthisopportunity,andespeciallyappreciate thiszoomopportunity”-CarterCunningham
CommunitySpotlight:UFAR
Twentyyearsago,whenhissecondsonNicklandedafullscholarshipto DukeUniversity,Dr.DanielShungu,anativeoftheDemocraticRepublicof CongoandamemberofPrincetonUMC,knewwhatGodwantedhimto do Motivatedbyadeepsenseofcompassionandthedesiretomakea difference,helefthisjobatMerck,usedthecollegefundasseedmoney, andestablishedUnitedFrontAgainstRiverblindness(UFAR)intheDRC It’s oneofthefewNon-GovernmentalOrganizations(NGOs)establishedby someoneinadevelopingcountryinthespecificareaofneglectedtropical diseases(NTDs)controlandelimination.
UFAR’sinitialaim:toeradicateriverblindness(Onchocerciasis)aparasitic diseasetransmittedthroughthebitesofblackflies,causingsevereitching, skinlesions,andeventuallyleadingtoblindnessifleftuntreated The medicine,donatedbyMerck,iseffectiveonlywheneveryoneinthevillage takesiteveryyearfor10years.DanielinstigatedapowerfulstrategyrecommendedbytheWorldHealthOrganization(WHO): andkeepcarefulrecords
solicitfullimplementationandcollaborationofvillagechiefstoappointcommunity drugdistributorstogiveoutthemedicationsprovidedfreebytheirmanufacturers
Daniel’sinitialimpressiveresultsinimplementingWHO’sinnovativesystemattractedattentionandinterestofadeeppocketedlargeinternationalNGOforcollaborativesupport NowUFARissupportedbyfourNGOs(Sightsavers,ENDFund, GiveWell,UnlimitHealth)andhasexpandedtotreatfouradditionalNTDs:LymphaticFilariasis,Schistosomiasis,SoilTransmittedHelminthiases,andTrachoma.Thesediseasesaffectmanyofthepoorestofthepoorandmostvulnerable childrenandadultsintheDRC:
In2022,UFARanditsfundingpartnerssupported15provincialprojects,trained9,670medicalpersonneland187,773 teachersandcommunitydrugdistributors,anddistributedthreedrugsto319millionpeoplelivingin54,506villages
In2010,membersofPrincetonUMCraisedmoneyforamissiontriptotheDRC Thebevyoffundraisersincludedatea,a solohandbellconcert,a5krace,andan“AfricanSoiree”featuringAfricanfood,music,anddancing.Fundsraisedbylater AfricanSoireeshelpedgetthemedicinetotheremotevillagesbypayingformotorcycles,bicycles,canoes,andeven chainsaws Thelatterareneededwhenvillagerswithmachetesarenomatchforalargefallentree!
“Thecontributionshavemadeabigdifference,”saysDaniel PrincetonUMCdonationssupplied“powdermills”tothosethat werealreadyblind,sothattheycanmakealivingbyprocessingriceandcassavarootsintoapowdertomakefufu,a foodstaple
ThetraditionofraisingfundswiththeAfricanSoireecontinuedwithacelebrationonSaturday,October5atTrinity EpiscopalChurch Thehonoreewasnoneotherthanthefounder,DanielShungu “Danielembodieswhatitmeanstobea‘servantleader,“saysSusanVictor ”TolistentohimtalkabouttheworkofUFAR, youwouldneverknowtheamountofhands-onworkhedoes,becauseheliftsothersupandcelebratesalltheydo However,itishisleadership,visionandknowledge,thathavebeenexcellentlytransformedintolife-givingservicethat drawsothersintothiswork.Wearethankfulforhisexampleofloving,selflessservice.”
“Thetestimonytheygivebringstearstoyoureyes,”saysDaniel “Wewentbackwithajournalistandacameratointerview peopleinthevillages,askingwhatitmeanttothemen,theirwives,andthechildren Itmakesmeforgetallofthe headachesIhavehadforthepast20years Iwouldn’tthinktwiceaboutgettinginvolved IamsurethegoodLordledme tothis”
10%
CreativeInnovation
$70,243
“Acorepartofinnovationiscreatingnewvalue.Throughthe LearningtoDieseries,PUMCenabledadiscussionplaceand learningenvironmentaboutasubject dying thatmanyofus wouldrathernottalkabout‘upcloseandpersonal’Thesermons andmeetingsaddedvaluetoourfellowshipandworship experienceinawholenewway Iamsogladtohaveparticipated inthiscreativeinnovation”-ChrisCox
Dr.Barilespokeabout end-of-lifeplanningfor theLearningtoDieseries
“IbelievethenewSimplifiedLeadershipModel allowstheDiscipleshipBoardtodelvedeeperinto planningadynamicDiscipleshipJourneyfor everyoneinourcongregation.”-LaVernaAlbury
“Atitsheart,creativeinnovationisabouttakingthegiftswehave beenblessedwithandusingtheminfreshwaysandimpactful waystoglorifyGod.Justassaltlosesitspurposeifitremainsina shaker,andlightiswastedifkeptunderabasket,ourfaithandgifts becomestagnantifnotshared Creativeinnovationempowersus tostepoutboldly,usingourgiftstomakeadifference-enhancing theenvironmentaroundusandbringinghopetoourcommunities, muchlikesaltandlight”-RaphaelAryeetey
Makingthings-craftingsomethingcanenhanceourspiritualjourneys
Eightcontributors(clergyand laity)authoredthedevotional guidethatisavailableonAmazon
“I’vebeenactiveinchurchesallmylife,butI’veneverbeen offeredawaytodoa‘deepdive’intoapathtodiscipleship.I lookforwardtopursuingthis.”-NkechiMezazem
byAbbyGillette
Manyofyouprobablyalreadyknowme,butmanyofyoudonot. Sowiththatinmind,mynameisAbbyGillette.Iamthe CommunicationsDirectorhereatPrincetonUMC,andthisfall marksayearofmytenurehere.
Youmightrecognizemylastname.Mymother-in-law,Anna Gillette,internedherewhilestudyingatPTSandpastoredhere forawhileaswell Infact,myfather-in-law,Trey,internedhere whileatPTS,too Myhusband,Eric,spentmostofhishighschool yearscomingtoyouthgrouphereatPUMC Andduringvisitson collegebreaks,Iwouldevenonoccasionleadworshipwiththe youthhereatPUMC YoucouldsayIwasfamiliarwithPrinceton UMCbeforeIjoinedthestaff,tosaytheleast
Ihavebeeninvolvedinchurchmywholelife,andhavebeenmethodistsinceIwas10 Growingup,webouncedaroundtheU.S.alot,butmydadwasthemusicdirectorat whateverchurchwewereat Bythetimecollegerolledaround,IwasfirmlyMethodist Iendedupstudying PsychologyatMcMurryUniversity,aMethodistschoolinAbilene,Texas Asfatewouldhaveit,Iwouldevenend upmarryingaMethodistpastor’skid IwassteepedinMethodistculture,andWesleyantomycore
DuringandaftercollegeIspentsixyearsdoingyouthministryuntilwehadourson,Jacksonin2020 Afterhe wasborn,Ichosetotakeastepbackandstayhomewithhim.Today,Jacksonisfour.Hehasthemostenergy outofanyoneIhaveeverknown,andisamachineofperpetualmotion:atraitIoftenenvy.
Lastsummer,Ericfeltcalledtogotoseminary.SowepackedupourhomeinLubbock,Texas,andmovedout toPrinceton.Aftersettlinginforafewmonths,SkitchMatsonmentionedthecommunicationspositiontoEric. Wethoughtitmaybeaperfectmatch.
Ihadn’tintendedtocomebacktoministrylifeandchurchwork.Itwasn’tsomethingIhadreallythoughtmuch about.ButthemoreIsatonit,themoreIrealizedhowexcitedIwas,andhowreadyIwastodivebackin.God certainlyhasafunnywayofopeningdoorswhenyouleastexpectit.SoIthrewmynameinthehatjustin time,ontheoff-chancesomethingcouldcomefromit.I’mgladIdid,too.Sincejoiningstaff,Ihavecometo lovePUMC Ideeplyenjoyworkingwiththestaffandpastors Ihavecometolovethecommunitythathas beencarefullyandintentionallycultivatedhere Eachpersonherehashadahandinshapingitinsomeform Theresultisachurchthatlookslikeabeautifulstainedglasswindow;amenagerieofcolorfulandvibrant pieces,eachonedifferentthantheothers Eachpiecehasadifferentrolefromtheothersandwithoutit,the wholewouldnotbecomplete Eachpieceshimmersandisbeautifulinitsownright ButPrincetonUMChas allowedGodtosolderthepiecestogether,andjustlikeastainedglasswindow,whenyoulookatitinits entirety,itshinesthereflectionofGodtothechurch,thegreaterPrincetoncommunity,andtotheworld
Ihavetrulyenjoyedmytimehereandhavebeenthankfulforit Ilookforwardtothememories,lessons,and friendshipstocome
Deepening Diversity
$98,341
“Discoveringthisbeautifulchurchinthemiddle ofdowntownPrincetonislike‘cominghome’to joyouslycelebratetruecommunityanddiversity: peopleofallagesandnationalitieswhogather togetherasonebodytocelebrateGod.”MeadeAndrews 14%
“BecauseoftheContemporaryIssuesgroup onSundaymornings,Ihaveastrong friendship,bond,andlovewithagroupof peoplewhomypathmaynothavecrossed withotherwise Ireallyvaluetheirwise opinionsonhowtoliveaChristianlifeinthis challengingworld”-SusanDavelman
OnPentecost,aswerecalledhowthe disciplesgainedtheabilitytospeak manylanguages,wewelcomeda diverserangeofnationalitiesto membership
“Ittouchesmyheartwhenourchurchwelcomes peoplewithawiderangeofabilitiesandages toparticipateinworship.” -BarbaraFox
Allmemberswhowerewillingtosharetheir perspectivesandinsightswithus.
Weareadiversefaithcommunity, engagedinenliveningspirituallythirstypeople tojoyfullyrespondtoGod’slove andgrowasdisciplesofChrist, sothattogetherwemayexperiencethe fullnessoflife.
