Princeton UMC Fall Kick-off Newsletter 2024 by Princeton UMC

SmallGroupOfferingsfor 2024-25

SpiritualTypeInventory

byRev.JennySmithWalz

‘”Youarethesaltoftheearth,butifsalthaslostitstaste,how canitssaltinessberestored?Itisnolongergoodforanything butisthrownoutandtrampledunderfoot.

“Youarethelightoftheworld Acitybuiltonahillcannotbe hid Peopledonotlightalampandputitunderthebushel basket;rather,theyputitonthelampstand,anditgiveslight toallinthehouse.Inthesameway,letyourlightshinebefore others,sothattheymayseeyourgoodworksandgiveglory toyourFatherinheaven.”

-Matthew5:13-16

Jesussaidwearethelightoftheworldandthesaltof theearth!God’sHolySpiritsparkdwellsineachofus, “strangelywarming”ourhearts,settingusonfiretolove andtoserve AndGodhascreatedeachofusjustas weare:unique,gifted,calledinparticularways God gathersustogether,eachofoursparks,eachofour uniquenesses,combiningtoenliven,toflavorthisworld, andtobuildGod’skingdomoflove,joy,andbelonging Let’sfanthespark,awakentoourgifts,ourstyles,our passions,andourcallings,andletGod’slightshine bright

Weareadiversefaithcommunity, engagedinenliveningspirituallythirstypeople tojoyfullyrespondtoGod’slove andgrowasdisciplesofChrist, sothattogetherwemayexperiencethefullnessoflife

When Sunda Overco Tayler loveof we’dp remini

ofherchildhoodwasn’tapartofherfamily’sroutine,butherextendedfamilyhadadeepconnectiontothe Pentecostalchurch “IremembertaggingalongwithmygrandparentstoweeknightBiblestudyandchurch dinners Iwasevenbaptizedasakidbymyownrequest,”sheshares

Whenitcametimeforcollege,TaylerchoseAzusaPacificUniversityinLosAngeles,whereshedouble majoredinTheologyandBiblicalStudieswithanemphasisonHermeneutics(theartandhistoryofBiblical interpretation),herfavoritesubject “Iwassoempoweredbymystudies,especiallysinceIhadverylittle backgroundinit,thatIcouldn’tgetenough,”sheshares Throughoutcollege,Taylerwasinvolvedinthe department’sDiscipleshipProgram,wheresheledsmallgroups,servedasmentorand,inhersenioryear, servedastheDiscipleshipIntern.Itwastherethatherloveofscriptureandherfearofpublicspeaking squaredoff.Asanintern,andforthefirsttimeever,shewasaskedtopreach-twice.“Thefirsttimewasfora modestgroupofsmall-groupleadersandthesecond,formycollegechapelservice,“sherecalls.Forthe latter,allthestudentswererequiredtoattend,sotheaudiencewassizable.“Iwassonervous,butthat experiencehelpedmerealizeIwascalledtopreach,”sheadds.ThatepiphanyclarifiedforTaylerherfuture. “Formostofcollege,IpretendedIdidnotwanttogotoseminary,butafterpreaching,therewasnodoubtin mymindthataMaster’sofDivinitywasthenextstep.”

Aspartofherundergraduatecurriculum,TaylerstudiedWesleyantheologywhileatthesametimeworking foraprominentmegachurchinL.A.Knowingshewantedtopreachandlead,andknowingtherearenot manyspacesforwomentodoso,she“spenttimeindifferentmainlinechurches,butnothingfeltquiteright untilIlandedintheMethodisttradition AtthetimeIcouldn’texplainthisfeeling,butlookingback,Iknow Godwasgivingmeasenseofpeacethatthiswouldbetherightspaceformeandmycalling,”Tayler shares “Godwasright!”

Earlyinherseminarystudies,Taylerbeganhersearchforachurch Aftertryingoutafewinthearea, includingacoupleofUMCchurches,shedecidedonanotherroute OneSunday,withagroupoffriends,she wasonherwaytoMt PisgahAME “Ontheway,werealizedtheyweren’tmeetingthatdayduetoachurch luncheon,sowestumbledintoPUMCjustintimeforworshiptobegin,”sherecalls Thatfirstvisitclarifiedfor Taylerthat“IwassupposedtobepartofthiscommunityandthatIbelongedhere,”sheadds Andbecome apartshedid:“Istarted[atPUMC]asaninternin2020and,aftergraduation,Ibecameafull-timeassociate pastor.”

AsPUMC’sAssociatePastorofAdultFormation andofChildrenandYouthMinistries,Tayler coordinatesandleadssmallgroupministry, writesandadaptscurriculaforgroups,and overseesmostofPUMC’sSpiritualFormation events,liketherecentthree-partseriesonDying andCaring.“IgetalotofjoyseeinghowGodis usingscriptures,themes,andpracticesIcan provideforyoualltodeepenyourdiscipleship growth,”shesays.Inworkingwithchildrenand youthsheviewsherroleinthesameway. Whetherteachingconfirmationclass(withPearl Assan)orleadingCompassionCamp(with greatvolunteers),“Iwantourchildrentoknow theybelonghereandthatthisistheirchurch”

“AtthetimeIcouldn’texplainthis

feeling,butlookingback,Iknow Godwasgivingmeasenseof peacethatthiswouldbetheright spaceformeandmycalling,”

Taylershare

“Godwasrig

TheenergyTaylerbringstochurchonSundaybegsthequestion,“Consideringher responsibilities,whyisn’tshedragging?”Asanyonewithsuchanimportantjob, rechargingisveryimportant.ForTayler,rechargingmeansunpluggingtechnology FridaysandSaturdaysandsettinghealthyboundarieswithhertime,whichisn’talways easy.Oncerested“Irechargebysewing,doingart,readingfiction,anddrinkingLondon FogwithoatmilkfromSmallWorld,”sheshares.

InadditiontosettlingintoherpositionatPUMC,TaylerisalsoplanningherweddingfornextMay.Herpartner, Andy,isapastorintheELCA.Thoughtheyarebothpastors,theybringseparatestrengthstotheir congregations.“HespendsalotofhistimeinJusticeandMercy,specificallyfoodinsecurityinTrentonand Camden,whileIhavethegiftofspendingalotofmytimeinSpiritualFormation,”sheshares.Taylerhas foundahomeatPUMC,aplacethathas“shapedmyministryandwillcontinuetotransformmeinthe future,”sheadds.

SmallgroupswillstartbackuponSeptember8,ourFallKick-offSunday.Thisyearwehaveaslightchange intheleadershipofthegroupswhilekeepingthesameformat.

OurSeasonalGroupwillresumemeetingintheLibraryat8:45amonSundays.Thisgroupisagreatchoice forthosewhoonlywanttomeetforashorttime,thoughyouarewelcometocomeeveryweekifyou wouldlike.Topicsinthisgroupoftenincludeabookstudyorthemethatcloselyalignswiththeworship seriesbeingstudied.

Wewillhave3growthgroupstochoosefromwhenlookingforanoptiontodeepenyourfaiththisyear: GrowthGroupwithHelenandReggie,GrowthGroupwithPastorJennyandAdeola,andGrowthGroupwith Donna Eachgroupisdesignedtotobeayearlongandspecificallymeetswiththesamegroupofpeople eachweekinhopesoflearningtorelyoneachotherasyourfaithdeepensandrelationshipsgrow

Wewillalsocontinuetoofferourothergroupsthatcarryamorespecializedinterestorareaofgrowth ThesegroupsincludeContemporaryIssues,LoveLivesOn,WeeklyBibleStudy,MorningPrayerGroup,and DivorceCare

Formoreinformation,logontoprincetonumcorg/adult-formation-groupsoremailPastorTayler

“ChristianitywithoutdiscipleshipisalwaysChristianitywithoutChrist,”saidDietrichBonhoeffer.Intoday’s brokenworld,theimportanceofbeingJesus’disciplecannotbeoverstated.DiscipleshipissomethingGod doesinusthroughgraceandsomethingweworkatourselves.God’sgrace,aconstantsourceofreassurance andsupport,alignsourhearts,minds,andliveswithGod.

AsChristians,weareallcalledtobedisciplesforthetransformationof theworld Thisway,wecanbecomeclosertoGodandothersinour Churchfamilyandthecommunity Asweembarkonthisspiritual journeytowardsadeeperrelationshipwithGod,theSpiritualType Inventory(onlineatprincetonumcorg/tools/)becomesavaluabletool forself-discovery Ithelpsusunderstandwherewestandspirituallywith Christ

Thepurposeofthis12-questionexerciseistouncoverourunique spiritualitytype AreweaHead,Heart,Soul,orHands-and-Feet spiritualitytype?It'sajourneyofself-discoverythatweallmusttake.Whatisourprimaryspiritualitytype? Oncewehaveaclearpictureofourspiritualitytype(s),wecanalignourstrengthswithourspirituality, fosteringamoreharmoniousrelationshipwithGod.

“Everyone'sparticipationinthisexercise iscrucial.Givenitswidespreadinfluence, itisimportanttoexaminetheimpactof thisSpiritualityTypeInventoryonour congregants ThatiswhyPUMCleaders requestthatallshouldtakethisSpiritual TypeInventory Yourparticipationis valuedandintegraltoourchurch community.Thesoonerwedoso,the better.” -IsabellaDougan

AnswerthequestionsA-Landmaptheanswerswiththe correspondingquadrantonthecirclebelow Inthis“map”of spiritualitytypes,eachofthefourtypeshasitsowncolorand symbol Fromthetopright:Headisblue,Heartisred,Soulis yellow,Hands-and-Feetisgreen Eachquadranthasthree rings,indicatingthecontinuinginvitationsthatJesusoffersas wemovefartheralongourdiscipleshipjourney

A Whenitcomestotheorderandelementsof worship,Ibelieve:

1 Adeeplymovingandspontaneousmeetingis aglorytoGod

Acarefullyplanned,orderlyworshipprogram isaglorytoGod.

2. Simplicityandsilenceareimportantelements forworship 3 Worshipisprimarilyaboutpreparingforand beingsentouttoGod’sserviceintheworld.

4. 4|5

B Whenitcomestothetimewespendinworship,I prefer:

Precisebeginningandendingtimesofworship services. 1

2Extendingthemeetingtimeifonefeelslettodoso. . Experiencingasenseoftimelessnessinworship, becausealltimeisGod’stime 3

Gatheringwheneverandaslongasweneedinorder toaccomplishthetask. 4

C Whenitcomestoprayer,themostimportantthings tomeare:

UsingwordstocommunicatewithGod,askingfor knowledgeandguidance 1

Lettingwords,feelings,andrelationshipsevokeGod’s presenceinthismoment. 2.

Empytingthemindofthedistractionsandsimply beinginthepresenceoftheHoly 3

4Lettingmylifeandmyworkbymyprayer

D Whenitcomestoworshipmusic,Ibelieve:

MusicandlyricsexpresspraisetoGodandbelief aboutGod 1

Singingwarmsandunitesusandexpressesthat whichdwellsdeepintheheart. 2

Chantandtonebringthesoultoquietnessandunion withGod 3.

Songsmobilize,unify,andinspiregreatereffortand dedication 4

E WhenconsideringourcentralpurposeasChristians,I believe:

Acentralpurposeisthatwefulfillourvocationor calling. 1

Acentralpurposeisthatwewalkinholinesswiththe Lord 2.

Acentralpurposeisthatwebecomeonewiththe Creator 3

AcentralpurposeisthatweobeyGod’swill completely. 4.

F.Whenitcomestopreaching,myunderstandingis:

TheWordofGod,rightlyproclaimed,isthepinnacleof worship 1.

Thegospel,movinglypreached,isGod’spowerto changelives 2

ProclamationiswhentheSpiritofGodspeakstothe innersoul. 3.

Whatwedoisour‘preaching’anditspeakslouder thananythingthatcouldbesaid 4

G WhenconsideringvariouscausesIprefertosupport throughthechurch,themostimportanttomeare:

(ifit’shelpful,circlethewordsthatapplyandselectcategorieswiththe mostcircles)

Christianschools,publishers,seminaries,scholarship, preaching 1 Evangelism,missions,spreadingthewordon TV/radio/media. 2.

3Retreatcenters,spiritualdirection,spiritualformation Politicalactiontoestablishjusticeinsocietyandits institutions 4

H Whensomeoneelsecritiquesmypreferred expressionoffaith:

SometimestheysayI’mtoointellectual,dogmatic, and“dry.” 1

SometimestheysayI’mtooemotionalandantiintellectual 2.

SometimestheysayI’mescapingfromtheworldand unrealistic 3

SometimestheysayIhavetunnelvisionandamtoo moralistic. 4.

I WhenitcomestotheprimarythemesIprefertofocus oninmyfaithjourney,themostimportanttomeare:

4 (ifit’shelpful,circlethewordsthatapplyandselectcategorieswiththe mostcircles)

Discernment,discipline,knowledge,order,grace, justification 1.

Conversion,witness,spontaneity,sanctification, connection 2

Poverty,humility,wisdom,lettinggo,transcendence, mystery. 3.

Simplicity,activism,action,obedience,martyrdom, servanthood

J.Whenitcomestorequirementsformembershipin theBodyofChrist,Ibelievethenecessarythingsare: 1Assenttodoctrine,baptism,rightbelief. . ApersonalinwardexperienceofGod,baptism,public declarationoffaith

AllwhofaceGod-wardandincorporatedintothe Holy.

SolidaritywithhumankindtomembershipinGod’s kingdom 4.

K.Whenitcomestoritualandliturgy(formalpatterns andtraditionsinworship,suchasholycommunion, baptism,passingthepeace,sayingthecreeds,etc.),I believe:

Ritualandliturgyevokememory,presence,and traditions 1

Ritualceremoniesandliturgyarenotofgreat importance. 2

RitualandliturgyarewaysinwhichGodbecomes presenttous 3.

Ritualandliturgyareonewaywemakestatements aboutinnerconviction 4

L Whenitcomestomyconceptandexperienceof God,Ibelieve:

Godisrevealedinscripture,sacrament,Jesus,and hiscross 1 IcanfindthatGodisrealandthatChristlivesinmy heart. 2

Godismysteryandgraspedforbynotcompletely known 3

WeparticipateinthemysteryofGodwhenwe becomeco-creatorswithGodintheworld 4

TheDiscipleshipBook(onthewebsiteandalsoavailableinhardcopy)offerscompletedescriptionsofall thespiritualitytypesandtoolsforinterpretingthem.Inpages13to22,it’sintriguingtoreadwhoarethe famouspeoplewhoshareyourtype.Forinstance,ifyouareaHEADtype,otherHEADtypesareYoda(from StarWars),Mr.Spock(fromStarTrek),Moses,andMatthew(whowrotethebookofMatthew).Ifyouare mostlyHEART,youcanidentifywithBillyGraham,MaryMagdalene,andtheDalaiLama.

Youwillrecognizeyourselfinthedescription TheSOULpersonmight“seethepresenceofGod,thespiritual natureinallthingsandexperiences”Youwilllearnpotentialstrengthsandweaknesses TheHANDSANDFEET person“isneededfortheabilitytoleadusthroughthedifficultissuesofourtime yourabilitytoeffectreal changeintheworld Topeopleofotherspiritualtypes,youmightseemoverlymoralistic,havetunnelvision, dismissiveofthosewhodonotsupportthesamecausesasyou ”

Onceweknowourspiritualtype,wecanusetheActivitySurvey(pages23-27)tomaphowreadyweareto acceptinvitationsfromJesus Inthemapillustrationbelow,youcanseethattheouterring,wherewemight begin,isComeandSee Themiddlering,ComeandFollow Theinnermostring,ComeandAbide

Forinstance,intheDiscernmentcategory,theouterComeandSeering wouldsuggestthatyouhavea“DesiretoknowGod’spurposeandwill formylifeandtheworld”

IntheComeandFollowstage,yourprogressontheDiscernmentpath mightmeanyouare“attentivetoGod’spresenceindailylife.Youstart toseeasGodsees.”

IfyouhaveachievedDiscernmentintheinnermostComeandAbide Ring,youareableto“FullysurrenderanddesireGod’swilloveryourwill. YoutrustGodwillredeemallthings.”

RenaiEllisonwroteabouthowshereflectedonwaystodeepenherspiritualjourney.Whenshetookthe spiritualtypeinventory,sheconfirmedthatherprimarytypeisHEAD.Hereisthespiritualtypemapthat helpedherdecide.

Afterdoingthesecondpart,theActivitySurvey,Renairespondedtothethirdchallenge,pondering“Where DoIGoFromHere?DeepenandBroadenYourJourney.”Thischallengecanbefoundonpages28-33.It offerswaysforeachspiritualtypetodeepentheirindividualspiritualjourney(growingclosertoGod)and strengthenourfaithcommunity.RenaiisastudentatPrincetonTheologicalSeminaryandwewelcomedher asanewmemberlastfall.Herconclusionscanbefoundonthenextpage.

MythirstforBiblicalknowledge,adeepertheologicalunderstanding,andmyobsessionwithallthings relatedtoChristandHisChurchledmetoexploreandattendseminary.Thispastyear,Irecognizedmy needtobelongtoachurchandcommunitythatallowsmetoexploremycuriosityaboutChristianlife withoutthedistractionofemotionalismandoverlycharismaticelementsthathaveoftendistortedmyfocus andconfusedmyintentions.MyHEADspiritualitytypeleadsmetoaneed(notjustwant)forstructureand order,sothatIcantrulyknowtheLordbetter.

Findingandutilizingresourcesthathavehelpedtoshapemydiscipleshipjourneyhasbeenalifelongpursuit sinceIwasconvertedat23yearsold.Sincethen,Ihavereadmanybooks,listenedtoaudios,andviewed videos,televisionprograms,onlineministries,podcasts,etc.thathavestrengthenedmyunderstandingof howtowalkwiththeLord Asaseminarian,IhavebeenabletogleanadeeperunderstandingoftheBible andhowtoseetheworldthroughGod’seyes

Thisisanareathathasmuchroomforgrowth,development,andimprovement Irarelyjust“DONOTHING” withGod AlthoughIamslowlyovercomingmyneedto“alwaysbeserving”(inlife,notjustinchurch)to demonstratemyloveandappreciationforGod,IhavegenerallyleanedtowardWORKSasmyexpressionof devotiontoGod Feelingtheneedtopeelthatbackabitoverthepastcoupleyears,Ihaveamuchmore pacedandlessobsessivedrivetodemonstratemyfaithinactions However,thereisstillopportunityto explorelesstacticalwaystoexpressmyabidinggratitudefortheLord

WeaskedsomePUMCmemberstomaptheirspiritualtypeasawayof“checkingin”withhowtheyare,with God.Herearesomeoftheirresults:

IammostlyaHEADperson,withastrongshowingintheHANDSandFEET category.

ThemainreasonIamaHeadpersonisthatIlovehearingthesermon,which tomeincludeschildren’stime.Ilearnthings,andtheymakemethink.ButIam aHandsandFeetpersonbecauseIalsoliketodothingsforourchurchand otherpeopleinthecommunity.

I'mmostlyaHEADandSOULperson.Ireallylikeengagingwiththeology,the Bible,andhistory,butIalsoneedsilence,prayer,andmeditationforthe meaningtoreallysinkin.

IammostlyHANDSandFEETwithabitofHEART IseekandfindtheHolySpiritin routinesofdailylifewithmyfamily,friends,andcommunity Ifindnogreater joythanhelpingthepeopleinmycommunitylivetheirbestlives Ioftenrepeat theoldsayinginmyhead:whatwouldJesusdo?

IampredominantlyaSOULperson.Ienjoyspendingtimealone,walkingin natureandcreatingcraftsthatIcansharewithothers.Ialsoenjoyinspiring andaffirmingpeopletobethebestversionofthemselves.

Overtheyears,myspiritualitytypehaschanged.Icanrememberatimewhen IwasallHead,asIlearnedaboutthemeaningofmyfaithtraditions,the historyofreligionanditsintersectionwithcultureandasIquestionedthe expectationsandpracticesofbeingachurch.Currently,Imorecloselyidentify asaHEARTtypeasIhavecometoexperiencemyfaithinth bi i f spiritualdevelopmentandconnectionwiththelivingGoda community.

Myspiritualgiftshaveevolved.Severalyearsago,whenIto TypeInventory,theresultswereevenlybalancedbetweena Head,Heart,Soul,andHands&Feet.NowIamdefinitelyHEA bySOUL.Ithinkthat’sbecauseI’vebeentakingadvantage discipleshiptoolsandnowammorelikelytosharemyfaith Heartcharacteristic AndI’vealsobeguntoembracesome spirituality,aswiththesoultype

IamequallyHANDS&FEETandHEAD Ideeplyenjoythecerebralsideof studyingscriptureandthecontextsaroundit,butmycupisfilledwhencoming alongsideotherstohelpandseeingpeopleprovidesupportforoneanother I believethisisthewaytobringtheKingdomofHeaventoearth

TheDiscipleshipBookletconcludesbyaskingusto“recognizethatothersareinadifferentplacethanyou, bothintermsofspiritualtypeandmovementalongthepath Recognizethatweneedoneanotherto achieveabalancedwhole–todrawus,teachus,andchallengeusalongourdiscipleshipjourney”

PastorTaylerandIareworkingonasecondvolumeoftheDiscipleshipBooklet,whichwillincludean invitationtofurtherdiscoveryourSpiritualIdentityProfile Inadditiontoyourspiritualtypeandmappingout whereyouare(andwhereyouaregoing)onthe"Come&See","Come&Follow",and"Come&Abide"rings, yourSpiritualIdentityProfilealsoincludesyourspiritualgifts,yourministrypassions,yourleadershipstyle, andyourtasktypepreference.ThereissomuchmoretodiscoverabouthowGodmadeyou!

Itcanbeeasytomixup"spiritualitytype"and"spiritualgifts".BotharepartofyourSpiritualIdentityProfile. Thispublicationhasencouragedyoutodiscoveryourspiritualitytype:doyouconnectwithGodprimarily withyourHead,Heart,Soul,orHands&Feet?SpiritualGiftsareabitmorecomplexandtakealittlemore exploringtodiscover.OurspiritualgiftsarethewaysthatwehavebeenparticularlygiftedbytheHolySpirit todoGod'sworkintheworld,whatpartweplayintheBodyofChrist.

Godhasmadeyouuniquelyyou!Andthatuniquenesstakesonparticularbeautyandpowerwhenitcomes alongsideandworksinharmonywithalloftheotheruniquesoulsinourcommunity.Ican'twaittoseehow Godcontinuestobringourcommunitytolifethroughyouandyouruniquenessandallofouruniqueness together!

byTylerMathiasen,AdministrativeDirector

I’llbehonestwithyou,beforeIbeganmytimeatPUMC,Ithoughtworkplaceretreats weresilly Heavyonplatitude,lightonsubstanceandprofessionaldevelopment Iwas indeedskepticalofretreatsasapractice,untilIcametoPUMC,and,really,wellintomy timehere

Overthepasttwoyears,though,thespirithastakenholdofme,andI’vecometoanewperspective Thisis partlybecauseofmyowngrowingappreciationforcontemplativepractices(somethingweengagein routinelyduringretreat),butit’salsobecausethisstafffamilyisoneofthehealthiestandmostsymbioticI’ve hadthepleasureofworkingwith.I’vebeguntointerpretthislessformaltimewithcolleaguesasanessential partofourstafffamilycohesion.It’sawayforustoreflect,practicevulnerability,dorigorous planning/calendaring,allwhileultimatelyplacingourjourneyinthehandsofthedivineandoneanother.

Asasocialjusticeorientedchurch,weknowfullwellthatsomeofthesocietalchallengesweseektoalleviate arecomplexandwithoutstraightforwardsolutions,butwecommit,timeandagain,torollingupoursleeves andtryingtomakethisamorebelovedchurchcommunity–andPrincetoncommunity–anyway.

Understandingthatwearetaskedwithdoing thiswork–andthatGoddoesn’tprovide easyanswers– enablesustoseeourfaith asarealrelationshipwithGod:listening, beingfrustrated,listeningsomemore,asking questions,talkingbackatimeortwo,and chartingapathforward,onestepatatime.

WhenPUMCstaffheldaretreatinJuly,we plannedhowPUMCwilljourneytogetherand withourCreatorthroughseveralworship series.FortheSaltandLightseriesin Septemberourcongregationwillspenda greatdealoftimeondiscerningthedifferent giftsweareendowedwith.

“Thesegiftssometimestakeusby surprise.Theyoftenallowusto expandourunderstandingand assumptionsofpeople,whattheir roleis,andhowtheysteward God’sblessingsintoobjective deliverableswithmoresubjective meaning.”

Oneofthemostlife-giving,andspiritnourishing,aspectsoftheretreatwastalking aboutspiritualgiftswithmybelovedcolleagues Hereagain,weseethepowerofGodandtheworkthatthe Spiritisdoing Whileeachofmycolleaguesfillsaprofessionalrole:withobjectivetasks,deadlines,and metrics,theyeachalsobringgiftsthatarelesswelldefinedbyourmaterialunderstanding:thejoyand laughter,aswellasloveofmusic,thatTombringsoutofPUMC’svariouschildren,theheartfeltcarethat Hyosangusestocultivatecongregationalcare-oftenknowingwhoissickorinneedbeforetherestofus, thecalmandassureddemeanorthatPastorTaylerbringstoheroverflowinglistofresponsibilities,

theriotous,sidesplittinghumorthatAbbyemployseffortlessly,makingourofficeafunplacetowork,and thekaleidoscopicvisionofPastorJenny,andheruniqueabilitytodelvedeeperandlearnmoreand somehowchannelresourcesandknowledgeartfullyintoourdifferentprogramming.Thesegiftssometimes takeusbysurprise.Theyoftenallowustoexpandourunderstandingandassumptionsofpeople,whattheir roleis,andhowtheystewardGod’sblessingsintoobjectivedeliverableswithmoresubjectivemeaning.

I’mveryexcitedtoseehowthemanygiftsofourstaff,volunteers,congregants,andcommunitypartners mig spe atim

Thesedays,ArminArmisrunbytwentystaffmembersandhundredsofareavolunteerswhoservemore than4,000familieswiththefoodpantry,workwith600at-riskfamiliestopreventorendhomelessness,and offerjob-searchhelpandon-the-jobtraining Bybandingtogetherwithneighboringpartners,ArminArm hopestocreateastrongercommunitythathelpsupliftourneighborswhoarestruggling WorldCommunionSundayisacelebrationoftheUnitedMethodistChurcharoundtheworld Itemphasizes thevalueofeducationandtraining,givingfinancialaidtohelpsupportyoungadultscommittedtomaking animpactintheworldforChrist Fiftypercentoffinancialofferinggoestoundergraduateandgraduate studentsfromaroundtheworld,whiletheremainderfundssupporttrainingforworldwideinclusion,diversity, equity,andaccess Here’salookattheupcomingspecialofferingsforourCommunionSundays.Tofindoutmoreorgive, pleasevisitprincetonumc.org/give-pumc/orcontactTylerintheoffice.

ArminArmisalocalnon-profitthatworkstoengageourwholeMercerCountycommunityinhopesof makingsureeveryonehasthemostbasicneedsmet StartedbyNassauPresbyterianChurchandTrinity ChurchinPrincetonin1980,ArminArmprovidesfamiliesandcommunitymemberswithessentialresources likefoodandfinancialsupport