A Month of Mission and Music
Come learn about Missional Living. What is it? How do you do it? During the first three weeks of the month we will hear how Nassau members respond to God’s call in their lives. For some, this call directly affects their career choice while others seek to give time and talents through avocational opportunities. As God’s people, we all strive for faithfulness in our respective lives. Come and hear as members of our community reflect on the meaning of this practice in their own lives.
The month wraps up with a special session from Ingrid Ladendorf, Associate Director of Choirs for Children and Youth, who will provide us a preview of John Rutter’s Mass of the Children which will be sung by members of Nassau’s choirs (Adult, Middle School, and Choir 3-4-5) on Saturday, March 2 at 5:00 pm. Mark your calendars.
February Classes
Missional Living
Music and Arts
Download the full brochure: February 2019 (pdf)
Missional Living
February 3
Living as God’s “Sent-Ones”
Darrell Guder, moderator
Polly Griffen, Shana Lindsey-Morgan, Ron Zink
9:15 a.m.
Assembly Room
God’s mission is the purpose and action that informs who we are as a Christian community and as individual followers of Jesus Christ. To use language that Pastor Dave has often used, we are “sent-ones,” and God is doing the sending. Come explore this understanding of our Christian vocation; how does our life as a gathered community support and inform our missional living seven days a week?
Darrell Guder, member of Nassau’s Mission and Outreach Committee and an ordained Presbyterian minister, is the Professor of Missional and Ecumenical Theology Emeritus at Princeton Theological Seminary. Guder has a life-long commitment to forming faith in congregations, faith that reflects one’s understanding of being sent by Christ, as Christ was sent by God, to serve the world God loves. Guder continues to teach all over the world, including regularly at Vancouver Theological Seminary. He is the author of many books, most recently Called to Witness: Doing Missional Theology.
February 10
Christianity and Taiwanese Religions
Jonathan & Emily Seitz
9:15 a.m.
Niles Chapel
Jonathan and Emily will share briefly about their work in Taiwan. Jonathan will also report on the recent 7th Parliament of the World’s Religions, which includes several missionary Buddhist groups from Taiwan. What does it mean to be Christian in a pluralistic world? How do Christians as minorities relate to the other religions?
Jonathan Seitz was a Nassau member during college and seminary and now lives and works in Taiwan with his family. He serves in Taiwan through PCUSA World Mission, teaching at Taiwan Theological Seminary.
Emily Seitz is a librarian by training and serves part-time at the Presbyterian college outside of Taipei. They have three children: Samuel (fifth grade) and Eva and Eli (second grade).
February 17
Villages in Partnership: Journey to Malawi
Karen Brown and Kim Kleasen
9:15 a.m.
Assembly Room
Villages in Partnership (VIP), one of Nassau’s major mission partners, has created an enduring collaborative partnership with the people of Sakata, Malawi – one of the poorest regions in one of the poorest countries of the world. VIP focuses on six key development needs: water, food security, education, health care, infrastructure, and economic development. Last year Kim and Karen joined VIP in Malawi on a friendship trip – today they will will share their experiences from Malawi and the impact VIP is having in this developing country. Those who are considering joining a trip this year from Nassau are encouraged to attend!
Karen Brown is a consulting clinical pharmacologist by day, and, after an amazing trip to Malawi this summer, a dedicated supporter of Villages in Partnership in her off time. Karen and her husband, James Takasugi, are long-time members of Nassau, and raised their two now-adult sons (Alan and Andrew Takasugi) in the church. She and James live in Lawrenceville.
Kim Kleasen is currently a ruling Elder, member of the Adult Choir and flautist with the Princeton Presbyterian Quintet. Kim made her first Friendship trip to Malawi in August 2018, filling a long-held desire to spend a week in village life in the developing world. During that trip, Kim was inspired by the partnership model of VIP and its powerful possibilities to continue to improve the lives of villagers in Malawi.
Karen will be returning to Malawi on a medical mission trip with VIP in March. Specific needs include batteries (AAA and D cell), tylenol (acetaminophen) and advil (ibuprofen) for adults and children, iron tablets, and disposable gloves (eg latex). If you would like to help support VIP, she will have a collection box at the class.
Download the presentation: VIP Adult Ed-1 (pdf)
Music and Arts
February 24
It’s So Much More Than Just the Notes!
Ingrid Ladendorf
9:15 a.m.
Assembly Room
All children can improve their ability to sing and benefit from their participation in music, especially by leading worship in church. Come hear how Ingrid prepares the children’s choir for John Rutter’s Mass of the Children, to be presented in an evening choral service with our Adult Choir on March 2. We’ll consider what is actually learned in an ensemble, how singing serves all ages, and hear directly from Nassau’s own children and youth!
Ingrid Ladendorf thoroughly enjoys her work as Nassau’s Associate Director of Choirs for Children and Youth. She thrives off the endless energy, joy and perspective that is shared at each rehearsal. She also teaches music education students at The College of New Jersey, at The Diller-Quaile School of Music in NYC, and is often seen running around Pennington, literally. She is Mom to Nassau teenagers, Camille and Duncan.