2018 Fall Newsletter and Letter from the Board President

We are grateful for all who give generously, whatever the amount, to support the ministry of Princeton Presbyterians of the Westminster Foundation. It is with much joy we share reflections of gratitude in the 2018 Fall Newsletter and in the following letter from David Redman, the current Board President.

Dear Friends of Princeton Presbyterians of The Westminster Foundation,

Len and Andrew Scales have been wonderfully successful in building the ministry of Princeton Presbyterians over the last two years. Not only have they reached out to and brought in a larger number of Princeton University undergraduates—our “target audience,”  after all—but also have built and maintained strong relations with Princeton graduate students, Princeton Seminary and Westminster Choir college students, and members of the greater Princeton community. Their ministries are of many kinds, as they should be in order to serve a diverse community that varies in age, interests, goals, and life situations. These ministries include meals, study groups, individual listening and counseling, field trips (including one this summer that took a group of five students to the Taize community in France), and the ever-growing worship experience that is Breaking Bread. But above all, they have shown that they deeply care about the people they serve.

We cannot overestimate the importance of this loving care. The university experience at a place like Princeton is very often stressful, and on some occasions baffling, dispiriting, or crushing. It is a time, in short, when young people are called upon to marshal all their resources of confidence and resilience. But is also a time for expressions of God’s love and care, for being able to love and be loved, and to participate in a community of caring people. Princeton Presbyterians provides this sort of community. 

From a personal point of view, I am very glad to have rejoined the Westminster Foundation Board for the next three years and am truly honored to be serving as its president for 2018-19. I consider this as a gift—of service (though my colleagues on the Board should be the judges of that!)—to Princeton Presbyterians. But in addition I plan to support the ministry generously with a financial gift. I hope that you will too!

In Christ,

David Redman

President, The Westminster Foundation Board of Trustees

Your prayers and your monetary donations are much appreciated. Online giving may be made here, or checks may be made payable to the “Westminster Foundation” and mailed to 61 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542.

Let's Give Thanks Together

As we reflect on Princeton Presbyterians annual Thanksgiving Feast, we wanted to share five highlights from this season of gratitude:

  1. Breaking Bread Worship

    This fall, by moving the time of worship up to 6:30PM, we have been able to continue to cultivate community over monthly meals.

  2. Ecumenical Partnerships

    We enjoyed celebrating the first day of fall classes at the University by serving over 300 ice cream cones with our ecumenical partners.

  3. Interfaith Friendships

    In October, the Muslim Student Associate and Princeton Presbyterians shared in our respective worship services and got to know one another more over a meal. 

  4. Generous & Growing Support

    We are grateful for the prayers and financial gifts from individuals, congregations, and the Synod of the Northeast.

  5. Taizé Trip

    Students have continued to reflect on their time of worship, work, and sabbath in France this summer. Read Emmie Arnold’s reflection here.

Princeton University Reunions Events

Princeton University Reunions Events

Students, alums, and friends of Princeton Presbyterians are invited to join for an open house on Saturday, June 2, 9:30AM–11:30AM, in the Conference Room at Nassau Presbyterian. A labyrinth will also be available at select times on Friday and Saturday if you would like a respite from the exciting hubbub of Reunions to reflect on your Princeton journey.

Upcoming Travel to Taizé Community

Working Itinerary

Saturday, June 9

  • Arrive in Paris by 3PM, check-in at hotel or airbnb with group
  • Group dinner at L’AOC in the Latin Quarter

Sunday, June 10—Sunday, June 17

  • June 10—travel by train from Paris to Mâcon-Loché TGV, bus to Taizé
  • Stay with the Taizé Community
  • June 17—travel by bus to Mâcon-Loché, train from Mâcon-Loché TGV to Paris

Sunday, June 17

  • Return to Paris, check-in at hotel or airbnb with group
  • Group dinner

Participants will be expected to read “A Community Called Taizé” by Jason Santos and attend a group dinner in the Spring of 2018 and in the Fall of 2019.

Estimated cost is $1000 plus airfare per person. We want to make this trip affordable for students interested in participating, both undergraduate students and graduate students. Email Len if interested. We will release an online reservation form at the beginning of 2018. There students will be invited to share a confidential and honest estimate of what they are able to contribute to the cost. We do ask $250 be turned in by February 6, 2018 as a deposit for the trip. The group will be capped at 10 students.

For more information about the Taizé Community, click here.

 

 

Working Together

do justice, love kindness, walk humbly with your God

I don't think this charge from Micah 6:8 can be accomplished alone. That is why as I reflect on the fall semester, I am grateful for the spontaneous opportunity to host a small gathering to learn about the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and the Sri Lankan Fisher People's movement.

Rev. Noelle Damico serves alongside the Coalition of Immokalee workers to promote the Fair Food Program, and Herman Kumara is the convener of the Sri Lankan Fisher People's movement. They were in Princeton for meetings at Princeton Theological Seminary, and Noelle reached out to Princeton Presbyterians as a former seminary intern for the once Wesley-Westminster Foundation (now Princeton Presbyterians of the Westminster Foundation and the Wesley Foundation).

It was an honor to invite the leadership of the student group Progressive Christians at Princeton (PCAP) and the Erik Matson, the Wesley Foundation Chaplain, to join the conversation.

We learned so much about the resilience of people to work for the betterment of their communities. Especially the current organizing by women for women. This is a deeply held value of Princeton Presbyterians as we work to support the flourishing of people of all genders, particularly when it comes to women and LGBTQ+ persons in church leadership.

I encourage you to check out the informative links above and discover the empowering work that has earned Greg Asbed of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers a recent MacAurthur Genius Grant.

If you are looking for some small way to uphold the dignity of farm workers, consider participating in the Wendy's boycott until they join the many peer corporations in the Fair Food Program.

May we continue to give thanks for sustained and spontaneous partnerships in this season of gratitude.


—Len

Noelle, Len, and Herman following the meeting with PCAP leader and Wesley Foundation Chaplain.

Noelle, Len, and Herman following the meeting with PCAP leader and Wesley Foundation Chaplain.