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“Race: the power of an illusion”

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A Healing-Racism Initiative of Westminster Presbyterian Church

Sundays, February 4, 11, 18, 12:00-2:30 p.m.

Pat Deeney and Jim Weber, Westminster Presbyterian Church, leaders

Is your heart calling you to:

  • Explore the concept of biological race?
  • Uncover the roots of the race concept?
  • Understand how institutions shape and create race?
  • Ground your conversation in scripture and the Confession of Belhar?

This three-week gathering will explore the material from the PBS series “Race: the power of an illusion”. Each week will begin with a reading from scripture and the Confession of Belhar before the episode is viewed.  Conversations will utilize the PBS study guide for each episode. Participants are asked to maintain confidentiality and to be a nonjudgmental, compassionate, listening presence for others.

Free, bring your own lunch

Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542

For additional information or to RSVP, contact Pat Deeny () or Lauren Yeh at Nassau Church (609-924-0103 x106, ). You may also sign-up online by following this link.

Nassau joins community-wide investigation of migration

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In advance of author Sonia Nazario’s February 1st appearance in Princeton to discuss her best-selling book, about a 17-year-old boy from Honduras who travels to the United States in search of his mother, we invite you to join Pam & Bill Wakefield on Sunday, January 28, at 4 pm in the Conference Room for a discussion of her book Enrique’s Journey. Books are available for purchase in the Church Office for $15, exact change or check would be appreciated. The Princeton Public Library has ordered some extra copies for circulation.

Sonia Nazario won the Pulitzer Prize for her series about Latin American children and the dangers they face while journeying across Mexico to reunite with parents living in the United States. Nazario’s talk will be accompanied by powerful photographs and will cover reasons children migrate from Central America and how those reasons have changed radically in recent years.

Sonai Nazario’s appearance will be the start of the Princeton Migrations series, a community-wide investigation of the theme of migration taking place throughout the region from February through May. Spearheaded by Princeton University Art Museum, the project includes exhibitions, readings, lectures, film screens and performances by more than 20 community partners and a host of campus organizations and departments.

2018 Mission Trips to Malawi with VIP

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Make 2018 the year you choose adventure!

Come work, learn, and serve in the remote villages of Malawi, experiencing what life is like in the villages while making a difference in the life of some of the world’s most vulnerable people. While you pour into the lives of our brothers and sisters see what God pours back into you. The Mission & Outreach Committee of Nassau will pay half the cost of the trip for someone who will then serve on the Villages in Partnership Coordinating Team.

2018 Friendship Trip Dates

  • March 2-10 Beekeepers and Arborists (and anyone else who is interested)
  • July 10-18 Friendship Trip (All are welcome)
  • July 22- Aug. 1 Medical Mission Trip (Medical personnel welcome)
  • Aug. 3-11 Friendship Trip (All are welcome)

For more information:

Ways to help those displaced by the Griggs Farm fire.

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Dear Princeton Community Housing Friends and Neighbors:

We are writing here with an update and ways you can help the displaced residents from the Griggs Farm fire. Please donate securely here to Princeton Community Housing and designate your gift for the “Griggs Farm Fire Relief Fund.” Thank you very much!

UPDATE

Our community suffered a terrible tragedy on Wednesday night, December 27, when a fire ravaged a 24 unit apartment building we own at Griggs Farm. We mourn the loss of one life.

We are immensely grateful to all the first responders, including Princeton fire and rescue personnel, for preventing further tragedy and helping people to safety. We also gratefully acknowledge the municipality of Princeton for its ongoing support and for providing immediate transport and shelter for the victims at the Nassau Inn on Wednesday night.

We have been working closely with the 34 displaced residents to help address their needs. Thank you to Bob Gregory, Director of Emergency Management, and Elisa Neira, Director of Human Services, and others for their assistance and support.

As of Friday, December 29, PCH is providing temporary housing and some meals at a local extended stay hotel for the 24 displaced residents who could not secure temporary housing with friends or relatives. A daily breakfast is provided at the hotel, along with three light dinners per week. In addition, kitchens are available in the suites there, so residents will be able to cook meals.

WAYS TO HELP

The Princeton community has already rallied to our displaced residents’ support in a variety of sincere and spontaneous ways. We are coordinating with community organizations in several efforts for household donations and other fundraising. These include the donation site at Trinity Church (33 Mercer Street in Princeton) for blankets, clothing, shoes, new toiletries, universal gift cards and non-perishable food.

Because the damage from the fire is significant, it is expected that the reconstruction of the building at Billie Ellis Lane may take several months. We are thus asking all our neighbors, friends and supporters to help us provide temporary housing for our renters during the reconstruction period and to assist the displaced residents with other immediate and ongoing needs.  (This includes those who have found temporary housing with friends or relatives but still need other support due to their displacement.)

To this end, Princeton Community Housing has created the “Griggs Farm Fire Relief Fund” to aid all those displaced. Donations may be sent to Princeton Community Housing, One Monument Drive, Lower Level, Princeton, NJ 08540. Please make your check payable to Princeton Community Housing and note “Griggs Farm Fire Relief Fund” on the memo line. You can also donate securely and immediately via credit card at https://www.princetoncommunityhousing.org/support-pch/donate or https://princetoncommunityhousing.networkforgood.com/ .

We are profoundly grateful for anything and all that you can do, above and beyond your much appreciated past support, to help our displaced residents, while we work as quickly and efficiently as possible to restore them to their homes.

Princeton has a big heart: we know we can get through this tragedy together, with your support.  Many thanks from all of us! – The Trustees and Staff of Princeton Community Housing

 

Concerts – January 2018

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Westminster Conservatory at Nassau
Thursday, January 18

Westminster Conservatory at Nassau recitals will resume on Thursday, January 18 at 12:15 p.m. with a presentation of “The House of Life,” by Ralph Vaughan-Williams, a song cycle on poetry of Dante Gabriel Rosetti.  The performers, Timothy Urban, baritone and Kathy Shanklin, piano, are members of the Westminster Conservatory teaching faculty.  The recital will take place in the Niles Chapel and is open to the public free of charge.

On Thursday, February 15 pianist Erik Allesee will present a solo recital.

Westminster Conservatory of Music

 

Our Offerings at Work (SDOP)

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SELF-DEVELOPMENT OF PEOPLE (SDOP)

The Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People continues to work with low-income communities across the United States to overcome oppression and injustice. In 2017, National SDOP entered into partnerships with the projects below. Projects focused on literacy, worker-owned cooperatives, advocacy, youth-led initiatives, skills development, farming, worker rights, immigration/refugee issues and capacity building. Through your gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing, over 5,000 projects in economically poor communities in the United States and around the world have had an opportunity to develop solutions to their own challenges since SDOP’s inception. Find an interactive world map with OGHS recipients at www.pcusa.org/oghsmap.

Highlighted Projects:

  • Barranco Fisher Folk Cooperative, Barranco Belize—This group of economically poor young adult villagers designed this project to increase their capacity to work together as fisher folks by cultivating a conservation.
  • Women in Agriculture Association, Atlanta, GA —A cooperative owned farmer’s association promoting their locally grown farm products within the community.
  • Youth on the Move, Pine Apple, AL— This youth-led after school project prepares low income youth in Wilcox County, AL to meet the challenges of living in a severely depressed county.
  • Tenant Coalition Training of Fargo-Moorhead Area, Moorhead, MN—This group of low-income refugees seeks to become economically self-sufficient  and to improve their financial skills.
  • The Genesis Youth Organizing Internship Project, Oakland, CA—This project is comprised primarily of low-income minority youth seeking to disrupt School-to-Prison Pipeline related problems in Oakland, CA.

National SDOP Projects:

  • Picture the Homeless, East Harlem, NYC, NY
  • Women in Agriculture Association, Atlanta, GA
  • Union Popular de Vendedores Ambulantes (UPVA), Popular Union of Street Vendors, Los Angeles, CA
  • Southside Worker Center, Tucson, AZ
  • Youth on the Move, Pine Apple, AL
  • Coalition for Police Accountability, Oakland, CA
  • Youth Rise Organizing Institute, Austin, TX
  • Rochester Refugee Resettlement Services, Inc., Rochester, NY
  • Brandworkers, Long Island City, NY

Our Offerings at Work (PHP)

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PRESBYTERIAN HUNGER PROGRAM (PHP)

PHP works to alleviate hunger and eliminate its root causes. As a part of this mission, PHP gave over 160 grants totaling more than $1.2 million, impacting communities across the United States and 37 other countries in 2016. You make this work possible through gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing! Find an interactive map with OGHS recipients at www.pcusa.org/oghsmap.

More and Better Food

  • 23 Hunger Action Advocates served 1,600 congregations in presbyteries around the country.
  • 55,115 pounds of grain distributed through community food banks
  • 16 grain storage facilities built or repaired in Sierra Leone and Cameroon
  • 50 fuel efficient stoves constructed and installed in family homes in Guatemala
  • 500 chicks raised by families around the world

Solidarity with People

  • 2,600 people around the world regained access to their lands that had been forcefully taken from them.
  • 187 training sessions were held to build grassroots capacity in communities around the world.
  • Since the Fair Food Program was implemented in 2011, more than $25 million has been paid out to farmworkers in Fair Food Premiums; 135,000 farmworkers have received “Know Your Rights” materials; and 1,100 farmworker complaints have come in through the 24-hour complaint hotline,  100% of which have been resolved.
  • $9.1 million was compensated to hundreds of victims of sweatshop fires and their families in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Cincinnati became the first city in Ohio to pass a wage theft ordinance, which will provide additional protection for more than 33,000 low-wage workers.

More Livable Environment

  • 1,088 congregations ordered 192,560 Eco-Palms
  • More than 1,000 Presbyterians purchased at least 79,000 lbs of Fairly Traded coffee
  • 191 certified PC(USA) Earth Care Congregations worked holistically to care for God’s creation in their own communities
  • 93,020 planted trees, 128 nurseries and 40 family gardens in partner countries
  • 12 wells and hand pumps built or repaired in communities in Sierra Leone and Liberia with limited access to clean water

Our Offerings at Work (PDA)

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PRESBYTERIAN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (PDA)

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is the emergency and refugee program of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). It enables our congregations and mission partners to witness to the healing love of Christ through caring for communities adversely affected by crisis and catastrophic events. Find an interactive world map with OGHS recipients at www.pcusa.org/oghsmap.

National aid:

25 states received help following natural and human-caused disasters, including flooding in North and South Carolina, Texas, Missouri, Kansas, Indiana, Michigan and New York; wildfires in California, Tennessee, Texas and Kansas; ongoing response to Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane Matthew; and various public violence incidents.

Flint water crisis:

PDA is assisting in Flint by supporting the annual Fresh Flint Festival, a free event for the community to support city residents while promoting fitness, nutrition, and healthy living as a means to mitigate the effects of lead poisoning. The festival is designed to unite the community in compassion and renew commitment and hope for the future.

Fall 2017 Hurricanes:

Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria devastated islands in the Caribbean and communities in the U.S. PDA will be doing long-term recovery and is expected to assist the affected areas for at least 3-5 years, if not longer.

North and South Carolina flooding:

In October 2015, the South Carolina coastline was pummeled by heavy rains and flooding. A year later, Hurricane Matthew caused havoc in North Carolina damaging thousands of homes and businesses. There were flooded areas in both states that had never flooded before. PDA has 6 volunteer host sites that have hosted over 3,400 volunteers to assist with cleanup and rebuilding.

International aid:

In the first half of 2017, 11 countries received aid and support after catastrophic events, including the violence and famine in South Sudan, flooding in Peru and Colombia, cholera prevention and food security in Haiti, drought in Malawi and Kenya, and ongoing assistance for refugees and internally displaced persons related to Syria.

Syria:

With the support of PDA, the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon has opened five schools in Syrian refugee camps, which are hosting over 300 students. Homes in Homs are being rebuilt so that displaced families who fled their embattled city can return to begin the hard work of rebuilding their shattered city and broken neighborhoods.

South Sudan:

PDA is working with Presbyterian Relief and Development Agency, the humanitarian arm of the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan, to provide large-scale emergency relief projects for South Sudanese displaced persons and refugees, as well as supporting livelihood and food security, peace building, and education for civil society.

Mission Opportunity for Young Adults: 2018-19 YAV Application Dates

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The YAV program is a one-year service opportunity for young adults ages 19–30, offered through the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). For the YAVs, the benefits include a year of vocational discernment, the opportunity to live and work outside their comfort zone with the support of an intentional Christian community, time to explore their relationship with God and to live more simply in response to an unsustainable human demand for natural resources.

Application dates for 2018/2019 YAV year

  • Oct. 1, 2017 – Applications Open
  • Jan. 1, 2018 – Round 1 – (All sites available, early placement)
  • March 1, 2018 – Round 2 – (Most sites available, final date to apply to international sites)
  • June 1, 2018 – Round 3 – (National sites only, limited spots available)

 

For more information, contact Joyce MacKichan Walker (, 609-924-0103, x103) or visit the Presbyterian Mission Agency website: https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/yav/

Adult Education – January 2018

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The Worst Bible Stories
and What We Might Learn from Them

We all know the Bible is full of quiet love, knitting grandmas, good people, and a smiling Jesus. But this January we’re overlooking the Bible’s abundant tame stuff and digging into the difficult and troubling corners of our sacred scripture. What might we learn?

Because of the structure of these classes we do not record them. Please see the links below each description to read the relevant Bible passage.

The classes at 9:15 in the Assembly Room (and Niles Chapel) are part of our continuing January “All-Ages” series: join the Middle School and High School students for bagels & hot chocolate before class begins!

Sundays, 9:15 a.m, in the Assembly Room unless otherwise noted.

For a look at Adult Education offerings in January, download the brochure: AE Jan 2018

Murder in the Royal Loo

Jacq Laplsey

January 7

You can’t make this stuff up: While on the toilet, an obese king is killed by a disabled assassin, and there’s a mighty mess to clean up afterwards. What does this smelly, violent murder in the bathroom have to do with God? Come find out as we look together at this scatological story in Judges 3!

Jacq Lapsley wears many hats, including being mom to Emma and Sam Bezilla. She has loved traveling with the church youth on their adventures. By day, she teaches Old Testament at Princeton Seminary.

Read the text here: Judges 3:12-30

Ongoing through May 13

In-Depth Bible Study: First Corinthians

George Hunsinger

9:15 AM
Maclean House

Class will not meet on January 14.

George Hunsinger returns for the 21st year to lead this verse-by-verse examination of the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians. Bibles are available for use during the class. Find them on the Deacon Desk by the church kitchen. Class meets next door in Maclean House (Garden Entrance).

God Made Me Do It

Shane Berg

January 14, 9:15 a.m., Niles Chapel

King Herod, in a fit of murderous rage, orders the execution of all infants in the town of Bethlehem. Matthew tells us that this barbaric act fulfills a prophecy from the book of Jeremiah. Does this mean that God uses evil to accomplish divine purposes? Come and explore the question of the relationship between God’s will and human evil.

Shane Berg is best known around Nassau as Corrie Berg’s husband and the father of Anders, Mathias, and Soren. But his other hats include former NT professor and current Executive Vice President at PTS.

Read the text here: Matthew 2:16-18

Special Noon Event

The Lady, the General, and the Rohingya

Lex Rieffel

January 14, 12:15 p.m., Assembly Room

What has happened to democratic reform in Myanmar? In light of what the United Nations has called ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya population in Rakhine state, many are asking what kind of democracy perpetuates violence against its own people. Why does Aung San Suu Kyi seem unwilling, or unable, to oppose the military  campaign against the Rohingya? Is it time for the international community to abandon her government, or is there a constructive role we can continue to play?

Lex Rieffel is a nonresident senior fellow in global economy and development at the Brookings Institution. His recent work has focused on the economy of Myanmar during the period of democratic transition. Rieffel has held positions at the Institute of International Finance, the U.S. Treasury Department, and USAID. He served in the  Peace Corps and as an officer in the U.S. Navy. Mr. Rieffel is a graduate of Princeton University and the Fletcher School, Tufts University.

RESOURCES:

For the past twelve months, he has been working with a Burmese scholar at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore on a study of options for ASEAN in promoting peace and development in Rakhine State, as ASEAN’s contribution to resolving the Rohingya crisis. The 10-page policy brief can be downloaded here (PDF): Rieffel-Thuzar-ISEAS Perspective2018-3

Recently published blog post on the Myanmar economy published by Nikkei Asian Review (PDF): Rieffel-LifeGoesOn for NAR 12Jan2018
Or on line: Myanmar economy grows despite refugee crisis

Bashing Babylonians

Nancy Lammers Gross

January 21

Perhaps the most avoided verse in the entire Psalter: “Happy shall they be who take your little ones and dash them against the rock!” (Psalm 137:9) What’s the story here? And what is it doing in our Bible?

Nancy Lammers Gross teaches Speech Communication in Ministry at Princeton Seminary and last year was promoted to the two-year-old Sunday School class here at Nassau.

Read the entire Psalm here: Psalm 137

Pay Up or Die!

Eric Barreto

January 28

It’s hard enough to imagine that we would, like the earliest believers in Acts, choose to sell our possessions and trust the church to take care of our every need. Harder still is making sense of the strange story of Ananias and Sapphira whose deceptions and deaths don’t exactly seem to function as a lesson for us today. Join Eric as we read these puzzling texts together.

Eric Barreto is Weyerhaeuser Associate Professor of New Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary, an ordained Baptist minister, and a Nassau parent.

Read the text here: Acts 4:32-5:11

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