COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS For Eastertide, our sermon series focuses on community partnerships. In this issue, we profile several ways that PUMC partners with community organizations. Cornerstone Community Kitchen (CCK) was launched at PUMC and is our largest community effort. On page six, read how Cornerstone Community Kitchen (CCK) partners with a myriad of local groups. This summer we have a couple of opportunities to partner with Mt. Pisgah African Methodist Episcopal Church, including the Juneteenth celebration and VBS (in coordination with several other area churches). But PUMC has had many more partnership opportunities that involve both money and time. For one charity, United Front Against IN THIS ISSUE Riverblindness, founded by church member Daniel Shungu, Princeton UMC jumpstarted the fund-raising opportunities that continue Pastor’s Notes 2 today. For a local charity, Maker’s Place in Trenton, our volunteers provide weekly hands-on help. Until Covid, our teens and adults travChurch Calendar 3 eled yearly to help the Appalachia Service Project. Princeton Pilgrimage 4 In addition, PUMC has been able to offer monetary support to Art Gallery 5 such community groups as Not in Our Town, TASK (Trenton Area Soup Kitchen), Arm in Arm, Mercer Street Friends Food Bank, InterCCK Partners 6 faith Rise, and Housing Initiatives of Princeton. For some of the orBridge Builder 7 ganizations that the church supports, church members contribute Multi-Site Partners 8 time to serve on the board. See the article on Jeannette Klink’s work with Princeton Community Housing (see page seven). Is there a partHistorical Tidbits 9 nership that you are serving? One that you would like to forge? Birthdays 11 Where are we called to build bridges?
NOTES FROM THE PASTOR
Rev. Jenny Smith Walz
“As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” Jesus, John 20:21 Dear Beloved PUMC Community, Can you imagine yourself in the group of disciples those first weeks after Easter? Like them, Jesus is with us, like he was before his death and also not like that at all. Jesus shows up sometimes, some places, but we’re never sure when or where or how. And each time Jesus does appear, he gives us something of himself - his peace, his forgiveness, his comfort, his hospitality. He even gives us some directions, though they are a bit vague: “Go” “Feed” “Tend” “Follow” “Stay” “Teach”. Yet as we continue to see him, we understand just a little more about who he is and who we are because of him. And as we talk together about him and what our lives with him before his death were like, what a difference he made in each of us, in our little Jesus-community, and really everywhere he went, things slowly become more clear.
Eventually we fall into a rhythm again, much like we did when Jesus was with us before. We live life together. We share what we have and make sure everyone has what they need. We spend time in the temple, praying, studying, being in God’s presence. We eat together like Jesus taught us to - gladly, generously, joyfully - always with room for more to join us. We look out for each other, for the wellbeing, the shalom of us all. Over time we get more courageous, maybe even bold! We continue to tune into that Holy Spirit breath that Jesus gave us. And when we walk down the street to the temple or to the market we go as Jesus did, or at least we try. We see people more the way that Jesus saw people. And like Jesus, we don’t have a lot to give to those who are hurting, but we give what we have. We give healing through our presence, our care, our love. And we do this, even when it means the thing we were most afraid of at one point happens - we are noticed by the authorities, the same ones that got so ruffled by Jesus they sent him to his death. We can’t stop, though. We have to keep following Jesus, because to not do so would be its own sort of death. But here’s one of the most surprising things. Even though we were the ones who knew Jesus when he walked the earth, as we keep going, teaching, following, feeding, like Jesus told us to, like Jesus did, the more we learn about Jesus. Somehow we see Jesus more clearly when we meet the Ethiopian who wants to be baptized, witness the complete transformation of Paul, or dare to eat with Gentiles, as strange and uncomfortable as it is at first. Jesus doesn’t feel more distant the farther we get from Easter, the farther from Jerusalem. Jesus is closer than ever as we find him everywhere we go, already there ahead of us and also within us! continued on page ten.
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MAY EVENTS May 8
Worship - Children’s Musical Outreach Ministry Team Divorce Support Group
May 18
Love Lives On Cornerstone Community Meal
May 9
Monday Morning Bible Study AA Children & Youth Formation Team Membership & Growth Team
May 19
AA Nominations & Lay Leadership Team
May 22
Contemporary Issues Class Worship & Children’s Ministry Confirmation Class Newcomers Group Handbell Choir Witherspoon-Jackson Heritage Tour Youth Group
May 23
Monday Morning Bible Study AA
May 24
AA Godfulness Meditation Small Group
May 25
Love Lives On Cornerstone Community Meal
May 26
AA Staff Parish Team
May 29
Monday Morning Bible Study AA Stewardship & Finance Team Circle of Care
Worship & Children’s Ministry Confirmation Class Newcomers Group Handbell Choir Adult Formation Team Divorce Support Group Youth Group
May 30
AA Communications Team Godfulness Meditation Small Group
Memorial Day – Church Office Closed Monday Morning Bible Study AA
May 31
AA Technology Ministry Team
May 10
AA Worship Ministry Team Trustees Ministry Team Campus Ministry Godfulness Meditation Small Group
May 11
Love Lives On Children’s Choir End of Year Party Cornerstone Community Meal
May 12
AA
May 14
Albert Timpo Service
May 15
Contemporary Issues Class Worship - Youth Sunday Newcomers Group Handbell Choir Love Lives On Divorce Support Group Youth Group
May 16
May 17
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BUILD BRIDGES IN OUR COMMUNITY SUNDAY MAY 22 AT 12:30 PM Have you ever been a tourist in your own neighborhood? A pilgrim in your own community? As a step into Bridge Building, you are invited to hear the stories of the past and present, to connect with the pain and hope of people who have lived, worked, studied in and helped create the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood, just a few blocks away from the Princeton Campus. As disciples we follow Jesus to the margins of society and experience, and sometimes we don't have to go very far. Knowing the history, discovering the stories, and reflecting on the experiences of the people we meet along the way, as well as our own experiences, is the foundation of compassionate bridge building.
Baker’s Alley, the historic African-American neighborhood pictured above, was demolished to make way for Palmer Square.
As a first step, we are going to take the Witherspoon-Jackson Historical and Cultural Society (WJHCS) Heritage Tour. Our intern Emma Worrall has created prayers and reflection questions to correspond with each stop and marker along the way. All are welcome! There are three ways to participate: • • •
Plaques like the one above are placed throughout the historic Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood. This particular plaque offers history on Mt. Pisgah AME Church.
Come in person on May 22, and take the walking tour with a group. Take the walking tour on your own or with a group you gather, with the supplemental prayers and reflection questions. Take the virtual tour online through the WJHCS website, alongside the supplemental prayers and reflection questions.
* The top photo and left image of plaque are courtesy of Witherspoon-Jackson Historical and Cultural Society.
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NEW COMMUNITY ART GALLERY AT PRINCETON UMC The Fellowship Hall at Princeton UMC got a bit of a facelift this spring! Pieces of artwork are displayed on the wall, all provided by an organization called the Trenton Community A-Team (TCAT). The A-Team was started over 20 years ago by five selftaught visual artists who used the services of Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK). They worked with volunteer Susan Darley to create an artist cooperative. Ever since, the walls of TASK have hosted a year-round gallery to display their work. So many artists have contributed over the Framed art and canvases are mounted across all of the walls of the years that galleries have sprung up PUMC Fellowship Hall. There’s even a piece mounted from the ceiling! in corporate offices, non-profits, government offices, and churches. Love what you see on display in the PUMC Fellowship Hall? All of these pieces of art are for sale, with seventy percent of each purchase going to the individual artist, and the remaining thirty percent going to support the work of TCAT, including the cost of art supplies, space rental, and staff. To make a purchase, email Lori Pantaleo at loripantaleo@gmail.com or Jeanette Timmons at JeanetteTimmons@gmail.com.
“Jesus in the Desert” by Emery Williams “Children’s Right” by Warcheerah Kilima
“Unity of Mother and Daughter” By Sharon Jackson
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A COMMUNITY OF LOCAL BUSINESSES SUPPORTS PRINCETON UMC’S CORNERSTONE COMMUNITY KITCHEN When most people think of “Princeton,” food insecurity is probably one of the last things that comes to people’s minds. And yet, it is very real and very prevalent - even in a town like Princeton. Cornerstone Community Kitchen (CCK) has been addressing the issue of food insecurity in Princeton for more than nine years. Housed in the Fellowship Hall of the Princeton United Methodist Church, it has been a reliable source of food and fellowship in the Princeton community with the goal of addressing hunger on a local level. Pre-pandemic, it served anywhere from 75-100 meals every Wednesday night, providing a welcoming and dignified environment for all who walked through its doors. But what about now? Because of the pandemic, Cornerstone’s dining room has been closed since March 2020. But that hasn’t stopped it from addressing the needs of the community. Thanks to its supporting partners, Cornerstone is still meeting the challenge of food insecurity in Princeton, albeit in a different way. Instead of patrons being able to sit down at tables with white linen tablecloths and getting served their meals while listening to a live pianist play Broadway show tunes (as was the case pre-pandemic), CCK was forced to pivot while still ensuring their mission statement was fulfilled: “To affirm the dignity of all who gather….” and “To share a free, nutritious meal in a hospitable and safe setting.” And so for nearly two years now, a small band of CCK’s volunteers have bagged up meals-to-go for its patrons. Ap-
proximately 20 are delivered straight to people’s homes each Wednesday while another 25-30 are handed out to people in person at CCK’s door. Each bag has at least three meals, fresh fruit & produce, dairy, bread, prepared foods and dessert. But where does all of this food come from? CCK is blessed with a variety of local partners who each contribute to keeping CCK’s bags full and its patrons happy. The primary contributor is Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK). As a “satellite” of TASK, CCK receives approximately 125 hot meals, delivered each Wednesday afternoon in sealed plastic containers, which provide the main entree for its patrons each week. A welcome compliment to these meals are the ones provided by Share My Meals, a nonprofit organization that aims to fight food insecurity and food waste in the Princeton area by distributing surplus meals from the cafeterias of local corporations, schools, universities, and restaurants to food-insecure members of the community. During the pandemic, Share My Meals has adapted its operations to launch the Share My Meals Covid-19 Program. By purchasing meals at cost from local restaurants, Share My Meals has been able to help the food insecure community while allowing the restaurants to stay active and paying part of their staff members. Through the efforts of Share My Meals, CCK receives 50 meals each week, prepared by The Meeting House Restaurant. Not surprisingly, these delicious meals have proven to be extremely popular with CCK patrons. continued on page ten.
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JEANNETTE KLINK: BRIDGE BUILDER
Jeannette Klink
Fifty years ago, Princeton UMC partnered with other religious and educational institutions to establish Princeton Community Housing (PCH). Forty years ago, Jeannette Klink joined PUMC, and while she has enjoyed serving on several ministry teams over the years, it is her decade-long work with PCH that brings her the greatest satisfaction. PCH provides and manages 466 rental units in the Princeton area and advocates for affordable, safe, and well-maintained homes for low income individuals, families, and disabled adults. Each founding sponsor makes an annual financial commitment to PCH, which is also supported by donations and subsidies from the federal government (HUD). As a founding sponsor, PUMC maintains a representative on PCH's Board of Trustees. Jeannette and her family moved to Princeton in the early seventies for her then-husband's job as a borough police officer. Since PUMC was only a block from their home, Jeannette started attending services, joining soon after. She had a new home, a new job teaching high-school English, young children, a new church and not a lot of free time, but when she was asked to serve, she said yes. "About two weeks after I joined,
then Assistant Pastor Carol Brandt asked me to teach Sunday School," which she did for about eight years. While teaching Sunday School, Jeannette was nominated to the Education Committee, where she served for 21 years. After leaving teaching, Jeannette worked as a paralegal at the law firm representing Princeton Community Housing in all their legal matters. As it happened, Pat Hatton, PUMC representative to the board, was moving into a rental property owned by PCH and had to resign her position for conflict of interest. Jeannette saw an opportunity to get involved in an issue she felt strongly about. "Over my years of living in Princeton, I saw senior citizens, longtime Princeton residents, and young families being priced out of decent, safe, affordable housing, as well as educational and cultural opportunities," she explains. When she read in the church bulletin about the board opening, she immediately volunteered. "Since I knew all of the staff at PCH and was familiar with its rental properties, I saw this as a perfect fit for me to serve my community." (Leases at a PCH property are for one year, and each tenant must be re-certified by PCH staff annually.) Jeannette is quick to point out that PCH does much more than provide housing. "We employ three full-time social workers whose services are free to all residents.” The past few years have added challenges to the PCH mission. With the pandemic bringing increased poverty and homelessness and the growing refugee crisis - how does one remain hopeful? "I stay focused on the fact that we are filling a great need in the community," she says. "During Covid, PCH offered rental assistance to tenants in need. We are currently working with the Jewish Center to resettle a Syrian refugee family, and we have plans in place to resettle a Ukrainian refugee family," she adds. "I get great satisfaction from being a part of PCH." continued on page ten.
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PUMC AND KUMC PARTNER FOR LENT The 2022 Lenten season brought with it new and exciting opportunities for the partnership between Princeton UMC and Kingston UMC. The Lenten services and small groups created opportunities for congregants of both churches to worship and fellowship with one another. "On Easter morning, at 6:30 am, we gathered at the angelic Lake Carnegie in Princeton,” says PUMC member Isabella Dougan. “We watched the daybreak and the sunrise amid the melodious sounds of the brass band leading the singing. We glorified the resurrected Christ and celebrated his new life, making it a ‘Hallelujah' moment for us. What a memorable worship experience reminding us of the beauty of God's creation and resurrection! How wonderful that Jesus should love us enough to die for us and save us from sin. Christ our Redeemer, lives in our hearts!" KUMC member and Princeton Theological Seminary Professor Fred Simmons led a book study of Forgiveness, the Passionate Journey by Flora Slosson Wuellner for members of both churches. For Carter Cunningham, the experience was priceless. “The book and discussion helped me identify where I was stuck in the forgiveness, reconciliation cycle in some of my relationships,” she says. “It helped me remember to pray for protection. It helped me look again at the other. It helped me remember that God is always present in our lives.”
Top Left: The sun rises above Carnegie Lake as a brass band plays some Easter morning melodies. Top Right: Pastor Jenny helped to lead the Easter sunrise service, along with Pastor Skitch (Kingston UMC) and Pastor Sharyl (Kingston Presbyterian). Bottom (from left): Isabella Dougan, Michele Tuck Ponder, and Carter Cunningham posed for a picture after the service. Several other Princeton UMC members were in attendance, alongside Kingston Presbyterian and Kingston UMC folks. (Photos courtesy of Iona Harding.)
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Bill Gardner (left) accompanies the chancel choir Easter morning. This was the first time the choir sang live in church since March 2020.
It was so wonderful to fellowship after the service with returning members of the PUMC church family and first-time visitors.
Antonio Merolli plays bells with the handbell choir.
Stephen Offer (pictured) and Jenni Collins sang solos throughout the Easter service from Handel’s Messiah.
HISTORICAL TIDBITS Most Princeton Methodist church members in the 1840s were small businessmen and artisans. While building plans were being drawn up and funds secured to construct the new building, Pastor Ashbrook dedicated himself to building a congregation. Until the new church went up, Ashbrook rented a tent, which would be put up in the lot for services. The new brick building had two floors. The gallery could seat 600. The basement lecture room seated 225. There were two large classrooms & a library. The total construction cost was $6,000. The building was dedicated on October 17, 1849, and it served the congregation for over 50 years. Horse and carriage sheds were constructed along the back and part of the east side of the church lot, and there was a privy at the back of the lot. Sadly, Pastor Ashbrook was reassigned before the building was completed. (At that time, pastors could not remain for more than two years with the same congregation.)
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CCK Partners continued from page six.
No less significant are the contributions made by long-time partners Bentley Community Services and Cherry Grove Organic Farm. Bentley is a remarkable local non-profit that serves the needs of “the working poor”; those that are unable to receive traditional government assistance who, though employed, are struggling daily to make ends meet. For years, Bentley has provided Cornerstone with a weekly mother lode of fresh fruit, produce, dairy products and other welcome pantry items. Cherry Grove Organic Farm is another vital partner of CCK’s. Farmer Matt Conver graciously supplies organically grown fruits, vegetables and herbs (and sometimes even flowers!) to CCK every week from March through November. The ability to offer fresh, healthy and nutritious food that its patrons can take home with them is another welcome addition to CCK’s weekly offering. Similarly, CCK is the grateful beneficiary of the Jewish Family and Children’s Service (JFCS) of Princeton. JFCS is yet another vital partner that offers “help, hope, and healing” through a wide range of high quality social services and programs. Each week, JFCS delivers several boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables to CCK which are used to augment the to-go bags that patrons receive each week. Additionally, several local stores also generously donate a wide selection of prepared foods. Lucy’s Kitchen and Market prepares 25 servings of their delicious pasta salads each week, LiLLiPIES Bakery contributes dozens of loaves of its artisan bread and WaWa in Kendall Park donates a generous supply of its breakfast sandwiches. Last but certainly not least, the trio of Martha Friend, Alan Gelperin and Sarah Schwimmer make 50 PB&J sandwiches every week, much to the delight and appreciation of all of CCK’s patrons. “It takes a village” is perhaps a bit overused these days, but it certainly reflects the generosity and compassion of many of our local businesses and individuals, working in conjunction with Cornerstone Community Kitchen, to address the issue of food insecurity in Princeton.
Bridge Builder continued from page seven.
Typically, PCH receives over 200 applications a year for housing and currently has a two-year waiting list. Yes, that imbalance of supply and demand is "frustrating, but I remain optimistic," Jeannette shares, adding "PCH staff and board are always working to expand its inventory. There are an additional 25 units currently under construction. We also work closely with housing representatives of the town of Princeton and Princeton University to find opportunities and financing to purchase vacant land to construct new units and rehabilitate existing ones," Jeannette explains. Volunteering for a position that connects you with people struggling with accessing a basic need can take an emotional toll on anyone, especially when the scope of the problem is so vast. Despite that toll, Jeannette is “proud of the relationship between PUMC and PCH and hopes it continues for many more years.” Pastor’s Notes continued from page two.
Beloved PUMC friends, over these next weeks, let’s go on the same sort of journey. Let’s bring the love and shalom of Jesus with us everywhere we go. Let’s look out for one another. With the holy boldness we can only find in Jesus, let’s move through the world with the eyes of Christ. And let’s be surprised at the ways that Jesus is already there in all the places we go in our lives, revealing more about himself in the people we encounter there. Maybe, we’ll even find ourselves in different places than normal as we look for the Jesus that goes before us, following Jesus to the margins, the overlooked and forgotten places. I’m always grateful to be on this Jesusfollowing adventure with you! Peace and love,
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MAY 2022 Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2 Caroline Birkel Thomas Gardner
3
4 Harper Sam
5 Elliot Walz
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7 Prafull Shiromani
8 Ethan Febinger
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10 Charlotte Oesterle
11 Arnold Chen
12 Elizabeth Wong
13 Jill Hendershott Charlie Roth Tamika Wallace
14 Leanne Griffiths
15 Paul Manley Judy Miller
16 Craig Manley
17 Cindy Gessner
18 Max Gessner
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20 Samantha Gilmore
21 Rachael Dewey Larry Gordinier
22 Bhanu Prakash
23 Elise Gardner
24 Gigi Burton Roy Thomas
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26 Jie Hayes
27 Edris Anderson Bernhard Brouwer
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29 Christian Sandford
30
31 Barbara Sageser
Raphael Aryeetey, Jr.
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7 Vandeventer Avenue Princeton, NJ 08542 609-924-2613 princetonumc.mn.co
Princeton United Methodist Church is
Rev. Jenny Smith Walz, Lead Pastor Rev. Skitch Matson, Kingston Campus Pastor Ashley Gonzalez, Pastor of Adult Formation Jae Hong, Pastor of Pastoral Care Hyosang Park, Director of Music Tom Shelton, Director of Youth Choirs Julia Hanna, Accompanist Tyler Mathiasen, Office Manager Evangeline Burgers, Dir. of Comm. & Kid’s Ministry Gilmar Enamorado, Custodial Ministry Lawanda Coney, Custodial Ministry Santos Gonzales, Custodial Ministry Mikaela Langdon, Nursery Care Lead Tayler Necoechea, Intern Hyelim Yoon, Intern
a Stephen Ministry Congregation
THANK YOU TO OUR MAY NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTORS Rev. Jenny Smith Walz Kate Lasko Barbara Fox Mikaela Langdon
Rick Kelly Lori Pantaleo Evangeline Burgers, Editor
Do you have something you’d like to see in the newsletter? Ministry Team news, or something to feed our congregation on our discipleship journey? Email news@princetonumc.org The deadline for the June issue is May 15th.