Princeton UMC Newsletter May/June/July 2024 edition

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Doesinvitingsomeonetochurchputyourstomachinknots? Doesyourtonguegettiedwhenyouareaskedwhyyougoto churchorwhyyoufollowJesus?Doestheword“evangelism” feellikeabadwordthathasawholehostofnegative experiencesconnectedtoit?

QuietEvangelism

You’renotalone FormanyfolksinthemainlineChristian traditions,wedon’tquiteknowwhattodowithevangelism.We knowthatwearecalledtoshareourfaithwithothers,following Jesus’wordsintheGreatCommissioninMatthewto“make disciplesofallnations,”buttherealquestionwewonderis how?Formanyofus,standingonthestreetcorner,orasoap box,aren’toptionswebelievearefaithful So,whatoptionsdo wehaveleft?(Maybeyou’regettingtheheebie-jeebiesjust readingthis.That’snormal,too.)

Whatifwepausedforjustasecond

Whatifwetookadeepbreath,andheldit Whatifweslowlyexhaled (No,really,tryit.)

AttheheartofevangelismisaWitness Folkssharingastoryof owGodhasworkedintheworld Folkssharingastoryofhow Godhaschangedtheirlives Whetherit’sthefirstEvangelist, Mary,

(cont page7)

HowmanytimeshaveIsungthisbelovedChristmas carolwithoutrealizingitsbackground Beinganold mountaingirl,IguessIalwaysattributedittoa mountainfolksong Butthetruthisthatthehymn originatedinthesouthandwassungbythosewho sufferedunderslavery AlthoughGoTellItonthe Mountainwasorallypasseddownovertheyears,we areindebtedtoJohnWesleyWork,Jr,andtheFisk JubileeSingersforensuringthatthisspiritualand otherswouldbepreservedasanintegralpartof Americanmusic.

JohnWesleyWork,JrwasthefirstAfrican-American collectorof“Negrospirituals.”Hetranscribedand publishedmanyofthesespirituals.Hisfirstimportant contribution,“NewJubileeSongsasSungbytheFisk JubileeSingers”includedGoTellItontheMountain andwaspublishedin1907.Downthroughtheyears theWorkfamilypreservedthemelodiesandwordsof thespirituals.EarlyontheypresentedGoTellItonthe Mountainasa“ChristmasPlantationsong.”Thus, todaywesingitasaChristmascarol

TheFiskJubileeSingers,anacapellablackensemble, setoutonatourin1871tohelpFiskUniversityresolve theirfinancialdebt Theirperformancesacrossthe UnitedStatesandEuropeincludedmostlyAfricanAmericanspirituals Itwasthefirsttimeformany whiteaudiencestohear‘’blackmusicsungbyblack people’’TheSingers’performancesofthese inspirationalspiritualsnotonlysavedtheUniversity butearnedtheminternationalrecognition.

So,aswehonorTheFiskJubileeSingersandtheWork familyandallotherswhoovertheyears haveplayedaroleinpreservingGoTellitonthe Mountain,letusrememberthatitismore thanjustahymn.It’sa“reminderofthepoweroffaith andtheresilienceofthehuman spirit.”

(cont.page7)

Whileshepherdskepttheirwatching O'ersilentflocksbynight Beholdthroughouttheheavens ThereshoneaHolylight Go,tellitonthemountain Overthehillsandeverywhere Go,tellitonthemountain ThatJesusChristisborn Theshepherdsfearedandtrembled When,lo!AbovetheEarth Rangouttheangelchorus ThathailedourSavior'sbirth Go,tellitonthemountain Overthehillsandeverywhere Go,tellitonthemountain ThatJesusChristisborn Downinalowlymanger OurhumbleChristwasborn Andbroughtusallsalvation ThatblessedChristmasmorn Go,tellitonthemountain Overthehillsandeverywhere Go,tellitonthemountain ThatJesusChristisborn ThatJesusChristisborn publishedbyJohnWesleyWorkJr

Go,tellitonthemountain Overthehillsandeverywhere Go,tellitonthemountain ThatJesusChristisborn

byIonaHarding

WhenEmeliawasgrowingupinGhana,everybodywenttochurch Itwasexpected!Astimeshavechanged, somechurchesinGhanaareshiftingtheirfocustooutreachasawaytobringthoseinneedtoChristandto changetheirlives.ChristtheKinginAccra,oneofthelargestandmostaffluentinGhana,hassetup evangelismcommittees,expectingALLmembersto m committeesgointoareaswheretherearedrugdea tof drugdealing,intoseeingChristastheir Saviorandcomingtochurch Theseefforts extendbeyondthecentralareaofAccra, transportingpeoplefromareasbeyond intochurchwheretheyworship,havea mealandaregivenprovisionstakehome ThereisspacetotalkaboutChristand learnthattheycanhavenewlivesthrough Christ Thestyleofworshiphasalsoshifted toappealtotheyoungwithlotsofmusic anddancing Servicesmaylastuptothree hours!Eventraditionalchurches,likeUnited Methodist,seeiftheydon’tchangethestyle ofworship,noonewillcome Emeliaadmits thatwhenshegoeshome,shemayattend heroldtraditionalMethodistChurchonce, butthensheattendschurchwherethereis lotsofpraisemusic!Theemphasisofthis newformofevangelisminGhanaistohelp youngpeopleknowthattheyarevalued, thereissomethingbeyonddrugs,thatno matterwheretheycamefromthereis guidanceandopportunitiesforeducation todevelopatradeandliveameaningful life Thereisawaytoseebeyondthe emptinessofpoverty

OnSunday,April21,PrincetonUnitedMethodistChurchhostedtheofficial USlaunchofEmelia'sbook Over90membersofthechurchandgreater community,aswellasadditionalpeopleonline,attendedtocelebrate thelaunch,hearinspiringwordsfromEmeliaaboutherincrediblelife journey,andparticipateinaquestionandanswerperiod Weallwere treatedtohomemadeGhanaianpreparedbyEmelia'sfriends. OnMay 13,Emeliahadanotheropportunitytoinspirewhenshewastheinaugural speakerfortheCenterforModernAgingPrinceton'sserieson Empowerment,ResilienceandPerseverance

HereintheUS,EmeliaembodiesthisChristianupbringinginGhanabyseeingserviceanddoingthebestyou canatalltimesasameansofevangelism.Backathome,everyyearfortheannualMethodistSynod, ministersfromalloverGhanawouldcometoherhome.Emelia’smotherorganizedthewomeninthe communitytocleanandcookandserve Their’swastheonlyhouseinthevillagewithaTV,sowasa gatheringplaceforallofthechildren,andtheywouldalwaysbefed “Givinganddoingforotherpeopleis whatIknow,”saidEmelia Therewasayoungmanwhowasagardenerinhervillagewhowantedtobea nurse Emeliapaidforhisapplicationandschoolingandheisnowlikeherson OnourrecenttriptoSouthern Africa,Emelia,alongwithMarieGriffithsorganizedafundraiserforoneofourguidessothathecouldsinka wellandreturntofarming

ForEmelia,evangelismisaboutdoingGod’sworkandchanginglives Andshewantstokeepdoingmore

GoTellItontheMountain!That’sourEastertheme.Overthehillsandeverywhere!Gotellitonthe mountain–thatJesusChristisborn Inoursermonserieswe’llbetalkingaboutthe“Eword,” Evangelism

Forsomeofus,theE-wordevangelismmakesusnervous,becausewehavememoriesofgoodheartedChristiansconfrontingperfectstrangerstoask“Areyousaved!”Forothersofus,weareuneasy aboutthatopportunitybecausewelackpracticeinsharingourfaithwithour friends

Hopefully,duringthissermonseries,wewilllearnhowtoinviteourfriendstoconsidergoingwithuson ourdiscipleshipjourney.Butwealsohaveanotherway–aquietway–tobringoutsiderstoChrist.And that’sbysimplyopeningourdoorstoNassauStreet.

Yes,whenweopenourdoorstopassersby,weareinvitingthemtospeaktoGodandletGodspeakto them.Thecross,thevaultedceilings,thewoodcarvings,andespeciallythewindows–theywere designedandcraftedtocarrythemessageofJesus’slove.

Andyou–thepersonatthedoor–needsayonly,“Welcome,wehopeyoufindablessinghere.”You canofferQuietEvangelism.

PleaseconsiderjoiningPUMC’sQuietEvangelismTeam(QET).Formerly,whenitwasthe“TiffanyTeam,” teammembersgavetoursofthewindows.NowQETmembersneednothavethatknowledge,because thereisaself-guidedtour.QETmembersareresponsibleonlyforopeningandclosingthedoors, turningthelightsonandoff,andgreetingvisitors,saying,“Youarewelcometobeinprayeror meditation–ortotakethisselfguidedtour”

Godcanspeak ptoopen ourdoorsbyvo avea messageat609

JuliaHanna,itseems,canplayanything.AtPrincetonUMCsheplaysthreenewpiecesforeveryservice, accompaniesthechoirs,andplaysthehymns.AtWestminsterChoirCollegesheaccompanies20voice studentseveryweek,andinNewYorksheplaysfortheNewAmsterdamSingers.

InAprilJuliaandherclarinet-playinghusband,Steven,joinedPUMCmembersScottCollinsandPaulManulik topresentaBenefitConcertintheSanfordDavisRoom Paul,aviolist,directsthePrincetonStringAcademy ScottplaystheclarinetandisaconductorwiththeYouthOrchestraofCentralJerseyandthe8thgrade SymphonicOrchestraattheCommunityMiddleSchoolinPlainsboro Theconcertwasabigsuccess, musicallyandfinancially

BorninTaiwan,Juliacamewith herfamilytotheUnitedStates whenshewasinsixthgrade She’s beenplayinginUnitedMethodist churchessincehighschool She metStevenatRutgersMason GrossSchoolofthe Arts,whenshewasassignedto accompanyhisclarinetrecital. Stevennowteachesmusicata middleschoolin

Allentown

Shebelievestheredoesn’tneedto beadifferencebetween“sacred music”and“secularmusic,”and manytheologianswouldagree

AsJohnMarkComerwrites,intheHebrewworldview,alllifeisspiritual “Jesusdidn’tbuyintosacred/secular thinking ToHim,lifeisaseamless,integrated,holisticexperiencewherethesacredisallaroundus”

Withoutwordsthatservetodirectaworshipper’sthoughts,aninstrumentalpiece,withitsdifferentrhythms andharmonies,canelicitanintuitiveresponsetowhatwasjustsaidintheprayerorthesermon “Musicis music,”saysJulia “Itissomethingtolistentoandenjoy Itdoesn’tmatterwhereyouare”Shechooses somethingcalmingandmeditativeforthepreludeandoffertory,andsomethingupliftingforthepostlude, andherchoicesrangefromthe17thcenturytothe21stcentury

NokindofmusicseemstofazeJulia Onlyonetypedoessheavoid,andthat’sanythinginthekeyofEMajor That’sbecause,untilfifthgrade,shestudiedataverycompetitiveTaiwanmusicschoolthatrequiredpublic examinations “Infrontofeveryone,youplayyourpiecesanddosightreading,andthenyoudoyourscales” Thechoiceisbyrandomdraw.JuliadrewEMajorscalesanddidnotdowell.“ForthefollowingyearIwasn’t allowedtoplayanythingthatwasn’tinEMajor.”

Thebeginningandtheendofevangelism,andeverythingin between,isGod’slove.AndJesusisourmodelforhow God’sloveisproclaimed,shown,andspread.WithGod’s loveasourfoundation,engageintheseopportunities duringthegreat50daysofEaster.Seeifyoucan incorporatethese(andwhatflowsfromthem)intoyour faithpracticebeyondPentecosttoo.Rememberthatthese practicesarenevertobeforcedorcoerced,butalways groundedinlove Noticethatthereisverylittlehereabout talking,nothingaboutconvincing,yetmuchaboutbeing, reflecting,andlistening Goforthinhumilityandgrace!

Listentosomeoneyou haveahighlevelof trustwith,whodoesn’t gotochurch Ask,listen carefullytotheir experiencesoffaith andchurch Goonaprayerwalk ordrivearound yourneighborhood. Whodoyousee? Whatdoyounotice? Prayforthepeopleof yourneighborhood.

Reflectandjournal: Howhaveyoucome toknowthatyouare God’sbeloved?Who andwhatcontinuesto helpyouknowandlive yourbelovedness?

NoticehowGodisat workinyour communityasyougo aboutyourdayor week HowisGod invitingyouto participatewithGod?

Reflectandjournal: Whatdoyoulove aboutyourchurch andyourfaith? Whatdifferencedo theymakeinyourlife?

Listentosomeoneyou don’tknowwellyet. Ask,listencarefullyfor theirexperiencesofjoy andofpain,fortheir dreamsandlongings.

Reflectandjournal: Whatdotheactionsof Jesusshowyouabout howtolove,howtobe aguest,howtobea host,howtobe radicallyinclusive?

Reflectandjournal: HowisGodworkingin you?HowisGod’s gracebringingyouto lifeandhelpingyou loveothers,self,God andcreationwell? Invitesomeoneinto God’sbelovednessby showingortelling themtheyarebeloved, bylistening,byinviting themtochurchortoa churchactivity

byKathyRanta

ThehymnisinspiredbytheBiblicalstoryofthe shepherdsinLuke2:8-20whospreadthenewsof Jesus’birth(eventothemountains) AsanAfricanAmericanspiritual,itisknownaroundtheworldasa hymnofhopeandlove So,thisChristmasasIsing onceagainthislovelyChristmascarol,Iwillremember thepowerofitswordstogiveushope

WhenIwasaseeker Isoughtbothnightandday IaskdeLordtohelpme, An’Heshowmedeway (Earlyslaveversion)

Go,tellitonthemountain, Overthehillsandeverywhere; Go,tellitonthemountain ThatJesuslivesagain EasterVersion

runningtotellthedisciplesthe“Heisrisen!”Orit’sthecountlessstorieswehearandtelloffolksthatgo somethinglike,“Ioncewas butbecauseofGod’sworkinmylife,nowIam ”Thebestworkofevangelism startswithwitnessinghowGodhasworkedinourlives

That’swhatweseeintheGospelofJohn,too ThroughouttheGospelthewordforwitness(ortestify)isusedin almosteverychapter It’sallovertheplace Peoplewitnessingthis,andtestifyingtothat Peoplesharingstories thatwitnessandtestifytowhatGodisdoingintheirlives Offolksinthecommunityasking,“Whyareyoudoing this?!”Andtheresponsebeingatestimony awitness tohowtheyareactingdifferentlybecauseofwhat Jesusisdoing,orhasdone,intheirlives It’sevangelism It’sstoriesoftheGoodNewsbeinglivedoutinthis world

ThisEastertidewehopeyouwilljoinusaswedothisworktogetherinworshipandinsmallgroups Wehope youwillcommittobeingmoreattentivetothestoryofGod’sactioninyourlife,andthenwehopeyouwill spendtimepracticingtellingyourstorytoothers,andhearingtheirstories,too,afterworshipincoffeehour, duringtheweek,atchoirpractice,oronthestreet.You’vegotastorytotell,whetheryouknowitornot.Andwe believeit’sworthsharing.

Onthejourneytogether, Skitch

Rev.Erik“Skitch”Matson CampusPastorKUMC

PrincetonandKingstonUMCshavehadseveralnewmembersjoinourcongregationsover thecourseofthelastfewmonths,aswellasseveralmembersthatjoinedonPentecost,and ourconfirmationmember,thatwewouldliketohighlightandcelebrate

RenaiEllison

PearlAssan

AnyaObe

JuliannaLeeCollins

FrançoiseGrislineMaitre

PatrickMullin

MirceaConstantinePopescu

MicheleTuck-Ponder

IreneYu

ActJustly

LoveMercy

WalkHumbly

PearlAssancametoPrincetonUMCbywayofGhana.Bornthere,shemovedtotheUSasateenagerwhere shefinishedcollegeandgraduateschoolbeforestartingherimpressivecareerinthesciencesasajunior chemistatPrincetonPolymerLaboratorytotodaywheresheisDirectorofGenmab’sDevelopmentProgram Management

PearlfoundherwaytotheMethodistChurchthroughhergrandmother,whomshe livedwithforeightyearsaftercollegeandgraduateschool “Iwasconfirmedat CovenantMethodistUMCinPlainfield[NJ],andduringmyyearsthereItaught SundaySchool,servedasayouthgroupadvisorandchurchtreasurer.”In2020, PearlstartedlookingforanewchurchhomeandfoundPUMC.“Ilovehowopen andacceptingthischurchfamilyis,”sheshares,soshebecameamember.

Thoughhercareerkeepsherbusy,Pearllovinglyconsidershermostimportant andfulfillingjobbeingamother “Asasingleparent,myprimaryjobisraisingmy fiveyear-olddaughterHarper”ShelovesspendingtimewithHarperandsharing withhersomeofherownhobbies “Ilovetocookandgardenandreadbooks”and spendtimewithherfamily Asfarasvacations?“[Ourfamily]lovestotravel together,ourfavoritespotbeingAntigua,”shesays

Whilerecentlyconfirmedasanewmember,PearlhasalreadyinvolvedherselfinmultipleactivitiesatPUMC. “I'veservedasCompassionCampteacher,confirmationteacher,andamcurrentlyamemberofthe LeadershipBoard,”shesays.ItissafetosaythatPearlenjoysafulllife!

Pleasesharealittlebackgroundonyourselfandyourfamily:IwasbornattheheightoftheCivilRights Movement Mymomwasasingleparent,andImetmydadwhenIwasfourandnotagainuntilIwas26 Papawasabitofa“rollinstone,”astheysay I’msinglewithnochildrenandinarelationshipwithan incredibleguy,Michael:anansweredprayer

Mycareershavebeenexcitingandvaried:aFordmodelintheirplus-sizedivision; ahostonQVC,HGTV,andPBS IevenproducedmyownTVshow After9/11,Igot mymaster’sandcultivatedacareerinhighereducation LaterIearnedacouple ofLifeandLeadershipCoachingCertificatesandworkedatafewcoachingand consultingfirms,includingBMW BeforeIliterallyburnedout,IservedasInterim ExecutiveDirectorforanorganizationthatprovidedstate-wideadvocacyand trainingto21county-basedsexualviolenceprogramsinNJ

Doyouhaveanyhobbies?I’veneverbeenatypical“hobbygirl”Imostenjoyart, music,reading;IlovebiographiesandBlackliterature,especiallyworksbyBlack womenlikeZoraNealeHurston,ToniMorrison,MayaAngelou-theclassics Fashionisahugepassionalso;color,style,accessories,thatonespecialpiecetheytellthestoryofwhoIam Plusit’ssomuchfunandbringsmejoy! (cont page12)

SusanDavelmanknowsbetterthanmanyhowharditwastosaynotoLarryApperson,founderof CornerstoneCommunityKitchen(CCK) Davelmanjoinedtheboardin2012,shortlyafteritsfounding In2020, Larrybeganaskinghertoconsidertakingoverforhim Repeatedly,shesaidNO,NO,NO,andhekeptasking Herhard“NO”eventuallysoftenedto“WhenIretire”Sensingweakness,Larryasked“Whenareyouretiring? Whatday?”Withoutthinking,Susanblurtedout,“Ayearfromnow”Andso,forthepastyear,Susanhas headedCCK

AsSusanrecallsLarry'srecruitmentefforts,sheshares,“Ihadn'texpectedtosaythat,butinthefollowing monthsitstartedtomakesensetomethatIshouldretirein2023 Iwasreadyforachangeandforthenext stepinmylife.Iprayedaboutit,talkedtopeopleIrespect,andneverlookedbackfromthatdecision.”

SusanandhusbandLouhavebeenmembersofPUMCformorethan30years.In1989,therecently-engaged couplewereinthearealookingforachurchtogetmarriedin.TheyhadoriginallyplannedtoattendSunday serviceatPrincetonPresbyterianChurch.RunninglateandstoppedatthelightinfrontofPUMC,Lousaid “Let'sgohereinstead.”Therest,asthesayinggoes,ishistory.

BetweenhercareerasatechnologistatMerrillLynchWealthManagement/BankofAmerica,caringfor daughterHannah,andservingwithCCK,Susan'sdayswereveryfull However,sinceHannahgrewupinthe church,muchofSusan’ssparetimewasspentatchurch “ItaughtherSundayschoolclassforabout10 years IalsoparticipatedinAppalachianServiceProjectwithherforfouryears,helpedwithfundraising,and traveledtoAppalachiawiththegroup,”sheshares

In2012,LarryaskedSusantoserveonthenewly-createdCCKBoardandtovolunteerservingonWednesday evenings Bythattime,“HannahwasawayatcollegeandIwasinterestedingettinginvolvedinsomenew activities,”shesays,adding,“Atthatfirstdinner,weservedsixpeopleintheSanfordDavidRoom”Through wordofmouth,CCKnowservesupwardsof100mealsaweekinFellowshipHall

Toprepareforhernewrole,SusanmetwithLarrymanytimesovertheyearprecedinghertenure Heoriented hertothevariousresponsibilitiesofthejob:workingwithboardmembersandvolunteersandday-to-day tasks Asanemeritusboardmember,Larryhandledvolunteersignupsandthankyounotes,whichhadbeen veryhelpful,”statesSusan Sheandotherboardmembershaveworkedthisyearonafewspecialprojects, expandingCCK'sfootprintinthecommunity.“JeanetteTimmonsandIimplementedtheBreezeplatformto recordvolunteeranddonorinformation.SheandIalsoupdatedourwebpagewithvolunteerColePacini.I organizedCCK'sfirstfundraiserwithhelpfromotherBoardmembersandworkedwithDougFullmanonthe CCKCodeofConduct.”Ifthatisnotenough,shehasalsotakenoverresponsibilityforPrincetonPeriod Project,foundedbyGilGorden,aCCKboardmemberwhopassedawayin2021.Forthisactivity,feminine hygieneproductsarepurchasedanddistributedtolocalnonprofitsandindividualswhodistributethemto schools

(cont page12)

quotesgatheredbyKateLasko

ThisyearwelostLarryApperson,thefounderofCCK.Hewasan incredibleforceofgoodforourcommunity,anddeeplycaredabout andinvestedinpeople,especiallythosefallenonhardtimes Beloware quotesfromsomefellowCCKpeoplewhoworkedcloselywithhim

Larrywasaninspirationtome Larrythoughtfeedingthehungrywasthemostimportantthing wecoulddoandhislegacywillcontinuehiswork -ChristineKaputa

AsperhapsoneofthenewermembersofthevolunteerregularsworkingatCCKeveryweekIwillremember LarryassomeonewhonotonlyestablishedandnurturedCCKintothesuccessitistoday,butalsorecognized inpeopletheselflessness,generosityandbrainsrequiredtokeepCCKgoingafterhisdeparture

EveryWednesdayabout100volunteersandguestsgathertosharemuchmorethanameal,someclothing andgroceriesandsomemusic Rather,weallpartakeinanowtwelve-year-longritualwhich,inthesecrazy anddivisivetimes,reinforcesforbothvolunteersandguestsalikeafeelingofcommunityandcommonality -LesSeifer

LarryknewinhisbonesthatpeoplewerefoodinsecureinPrincetonandhisfaithdrovehimwithafierce tenacitytodosomethingaboutit Hefoundfolkswhosharedhisvisionandworkedtirelesslywiththemto createthisuniquecommunityorganization Hewasindefatigableand,yes,stubborn,andwelovedhimforitKarenLongo-Baldwin

Thissoupkitchenbecamemorethanjustaplaceforameal;itwasasymbolofLarry’sunwaveringbeliefinthe powerofkindnessandcommunity.Hiscommitmenttohelpingotherstouchedcountlesslives,andhislegacy willcontinuetoinspireusall.I’msogratefulthatmychildrenwereabletovolunteerhereunderLarry’s guidance.-RameshJayaram

Attheageof80,hegotthiswildideatoaddresstheneedsofthehungryandfoodinsecureinPrinceton...and thenthroughsheerforceofwill,builtitintowhatitistoday:notjustaplacetogetameal,butalsoclothing, groceries,medicalscreenings,etc CCKhasservedhundreds,ifnotthousandsofdifferentpeopleoverthe years-whatalegacy!-RickKelley

Hiswasalifedevotedtoservicetoothers -LoriPantaleo

Larrywasdriventomakeadifference Hetook seriouslythecommandmentto“LoveOneAnother”,andto“FeedMy People” -DougFullman

Larryhastouchedthelivesofbothdinnerguestsandvolunteersalike Hislegacyofcommunity,service,and dignityforeveryonereachespeoplefromallwalksoflife -JeanetteTimmons

Susanstressesthatwithallthevolunteerhelp,“beingheadofCCKismorelikebeinganoverallcoordinator,” andthereismuchtocoordinate:“Tuesdays,Jeanetteorganizestheclothingstore;onWednesdaysLes Seifertstartsorganizingthegroceries;ChristineKaputaandLoriRothandtheirvolunteersmakefruitsalad andvegetabledishestoservetoguests,andsoon,”sheexplains.“Itisreallyincredible,sheadds.Withso manyvolunteers,“Weareabletoputonaqualitydinnerwithafreegroceryandclothingstoreevery Wednesdayevening”

Susanishappyinhernewposition,sotherearenoconcernsabouthereyeingareplacementanytimesoon “IenjoyworkingwiththeBoardandthevolunteersandgettingtoknowourCCKguestsbetter PUMCstaff havebeenagreathelpaswell,includingPastorJennyandTyler,whoprovidetremendoussupporttous” Mostofall,“I'dliketothinkallofusatCCKaremakingapositivedifferenceinourcommunity,”she concludes

Doyouhaveafavoritefamilytradition?Favoritevacationspot?Christmaswasalwaysafuntime,growingup withmygrandparents.MymomandIcouldhavehadourfamilyreunioninacloset.It’sjustsheandIinterms ofbloodrelatives.Foryears,weusedtohavewhatIcalledour“JewishChristmas”:Chinesefoodanda movieThatwasawesome Vacationspots?!Now,that’shilarious Wewerefarfromimpoverished,butasmy motherwouldsay,“Vacationsandvolunteeringareforrichpeople,andweain’trich”Asanadult,I’vetraveleda ton,tojustabouteverystateandallovertheworldbutIhaveyettochooseafavorite

Whatbroughtyoutothearea?AlthoughIgrewupinSouthJersey,IamanewresidentofPrinceton Ilivein campushousingatPrincetonTheologicalSeminarywhereIamfull-timestudentintheMasterofDivinity Program(three-year)hopefullytransitioningtotheMasterofTheologicalStudiesProgram(twoyears)next semester I’mreadytospreadmywings TheLordisnudgingmetoexploredifferentoptionsinmycareer,this timewithamoreJesus-centricfocus

HowdidyoufindPUMC?Whydidyoudecidetojoin?Beingpartofachurchcommunityhasbeenanintegral partofmylife Forover30years,Iservedasalayleaderinministryatvariouschurches,everythingfrom children;sministrytowomen’sministry,taughtBiblestudies,andsoon I’mabitofachurchgeek Atseminary,I simplyaskedaboutMethodistchurchesinthearea Atthetime,fellowseminarianShannonKatz-Deantoldme aboutPUMC WhenIsawthequalityoftheworshipandthatPastorsJennyandTaylerweresuchdedicated andChrist-centeredleaders,Iwasdrawninimmediately Thepeopleweresohelpful,warmandfriendly,thatI literallyfeltChrist'scharacterinthecongregation.

WhatactivitieswouldyouliketogetinvolvedwithatPUMC?I'vebeensohonoredtobeinvitedasaLay Liturgist.PastorJennyhasinvitedmetoperformmyFieldEducationatPUMCstartingFall2024.Also,Iwantto learntobecourageousenoughtopreachwithoutnotes.Thatisahugegoalformyinternship.I’mveryblessed tohavetheopportunity.

VERSE1

“Here’sataleofasmallchurch(withglitches) Andayoungmanwithpastoralitches WhocamefromoutWest

ToattendPTS

AweeklaterthissmallchurchwasSkitch’s

VERSE9

Sowithoutgettingoutallofthetissues We’resogratefulGodsentyou,andwishyou Loadsofgoodluck

Asyoufeedyournewflock

Keepyoursunnysideup,Skitch-We’llmissyou!

”Thankyouforeightyearstrustingme,forentrustingyourselvestomeandfortrustingyourfaithinme We’vebeenthroughalotofchangetogether We’vebeenthroughcovidtogether We'vebeenthrough changeattheGeneralConferenceofUMC,wherewecannowsayourchurchisinclusive We’vebeen throughalot

We’veraisedmoneyforASPhere,we’vemetwithyouthhere,andwe’vebeeninsmallgroups hereThere’salotofchurchlifehere,aswellasalotoflifethat’sbeenlivedhere,sothankyoufor entrustingyourselftome

I’llneverforgetyoubecauseI’vebeenformedbyyou Therearethingsthatyou’vesaid,andwaysyou havelivedoutyourfaiththatIamtakingwithmetosharewithothers SomayGod’sgracecontinueto leadyouforward.God’sgraceledmetoyouandGod’sgracewillcontinuetotakecareofyou,no matterwhat.”

Duetounforeseencircumstances,thiscombinedEaster/Pentecostpublicationhasbeendelayed

However,theeditorialteamandIhopethatthearticlesyoureadnowwillreinforcewhatwelearnedearlier--at Easterforthe"GoTellItOntheMountain"series,andatPentecostforthe"ASanctifiedLife"series We'reworking nowonthefallissue Ifyouwouldliketoparticipateinanyway,pleaseemailabby@princetonumcorg

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