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#NextWeekatWitherspoon

Celebrating Black History Month

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at Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church

112 Witherspoon St.
Princeton, NJ 08540

(609) 924-1666

Sunday morning services at 10:00 a.m.

Sunday, February 4, 2024, Film Documentary, Acts of Faith, showcases the role of WSPC in the creation of a planned integrated community in Princeton during the 1950s. Immediately after church in the Fellowship Hall there will be a discussion and a Q&A with the filmmaker, Diane Ciccone, Esq.

Sunday, February 11, 2024, A Moment for Mission: A video montage of beloved members sharing in their own words, their hopes and love for WSPC. A presentation of the unique accomplishments of past WSPC members by Deacon Shirley Satterfield will follow.

Sunday, February 18, 2024, Black History Month presentation by the WSPC Verse Speaking Choir.

Sunday, February 25, 2024, Following worship, there will be a showing of the documentary, Telling Our Stories, an exploration of the complexity of the historical relationship between WSPC and Nassau PC. A panel discussion will follow in the Fellowship Hall.

Sponsored by:
WSPC Christian Education Committee
WSPC Church Life Committee

Contact: WSPC Office (email)

Robeson Birthday Celebration (April 4-9)

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Join us as we celebrate Paul Robeson Day in Princeton

After a year of confinement and cancellations because of the COVID 19 pandemic, the Paul Robeson House of Princeton will sponsor a series of activities to commemorate the 123 anniversary of Paul Robeson’s birth in Princeton. A combination of virtual and live events is scheduled for the week of April 4-9, including:

  • a “Football Toss and Hunt” in Palmer Square on Sunday, April 4, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
  • the Princeton Public Library will host a Robeson themed virtual “Storytime” on Tuesday, April 6
  • a short video featuring Robeson House Board members and friends will premiere on the Paul Robeson House of Princeton YouTube channel on Thursday, April 8.

The highlight of this year’s celebration will be the memorial wreath laying ceremony at the Robeson Bust in front of the Arts Council of Princeton on Friday, April 9, at 12:00 noon. Mayor Mark Freda will present a Proclamation designating April 9 as Paul Robeson Day in Princeton. The celebration will end with a tour of Robeson sites in the Witherspoon Jackson Neighborhood led by our historian Shirley Satterfield. We will wear masks and observe social distancing for all in-person events.

For more details visit the website: Paul Robeson House of Princeton.

Dr. Katie Cannon honored by WSPC on Saturday, March 27

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Nassau is invited to join our siblings at Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church (WSPC) for worship and study. Find information below for upcoming events, and contact Phyllis Rich for zoom links.

A Perspective on the Life of the Great Presbyterian “Womanist” Theologian, Saturday, March 27 at 1:00 p.m. on Zoom.

For Women’s History Month, Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church is honoring Katie Cannon (1950-2018), the first African American woman to be ordained in the United Presbyterian Church USA (now PCUSA) in 1974.

Dr. Cannon was a  leading author, pioneer and legend among theologians.  Her writing, research, and teaching were foundational in contributing to the shifting of Reform Christian­ity thought.  Her impeccable scholarship and rigorous study expanded new ways to include African-American religious identity and experience into what she termed “Womanist Theology,” which seeks to escape the male centered views of religion and ethics, and to value the experiences and insights of black women in those areas.  Sushama Austin-Connor, Founding Program Director of the Black Theology and Leadership Institute at Princeton Theological Seminary, will lead the discussion.

 

Opportunities at WSPC on Saturday, March 20

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Nassau is invited to join our siblings at Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church (WSPC) for worship and study. Find information below for upcoming events, and contact Phyllis Rich for zoom links.

“One Night in Miami” Discussion at 3:00 p.m.

This film is about a fictionalized meeting of Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, and Sam Cooke in a room at the Hampton House in February 1964, celebrating Ali’s surprise title win over Sonny Liston.

Please preview One Night in Miami prior to March 20 and join the discussion on Zoom.  The discussion will be led by a panel of our youth.

International Mission Outreach Committee at 5:00 p.m.

Come learn about Jamaican cuisine at the IMOC meeting.  Topic:  “Jamaican Cuisine” with Victoria Meisel.  Bring a recipe and learn how to put recipes into the online Diaspora Cookbook!

 

2/20/21: Patriotism in Black and White: What does it Mean to be An American?

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WSPC Christian Education and Church Life Present a Black History Month Program

Saturday, Feb. 20, 2020 from 1–2 p.m.

Patriotism in Black and White: What does it Mean to be An American?
Dr. Mary McGriff, Professor and WSPC Member, Discussion leader

Racism and Patriotism appear at odds in the United States! The central lesson of the African-American political/social history is that the ideals and  promises of American democracy have not been fully realized for them, and there is cynicism and ambivalence about the meanings and practices of authentic patriotism. How can Black people assume the role of patriots (with pride in their country) while experiencing ongoing systemic racism?  What can we learn from the differing perspectives of historical and contemporary Black leaders?

Pre-Reading (optional)

Black Patriotism: When Love of Country Means Holding It Accountable (5 minute read): https://www.npr.org/2020/07/03/886535795/for-some-black-americans-love-of-country-means-holding-it-accountable.

Please join us for this timely and important discussion! Contact Phyllis Rich (email) for the Zoom link.

Not In Our Town Princeton (Feb 1 meeting recap)

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Thanks to everyone who attended the Not in Our Town Princeton Continuing Conversation on Monday, February 1. As always, Rev. Mjumbe’s talk was richly informative and inspiring. We in Princeton are fortunate to have a prophet in Princeton. Below are links to Rev. Mjumbe’s presentation, including the Q&A, and to the resources he mentioned. I’ve also included the discussion questions. We encourage you to share the video with others and to use the questions to begin or continue learning and talking about the history we weren’t taught, the African American history of Princeton, of the town where you live and of our country. I hope we will see you at our March 1 Continuing Conversation. Linda Oppenheim

For more information, visit the website:

Not in Our Town Princeton

Discussion questions

  1. Are there any “Black history mysteries” that you learned about Princeton and/or New Jersey late in life? What is the African American history of your town? What surprised you about the presentation tonight?
  2. Are you aware of any “lies agreed upon” that seem to exist about the history and reality of race and racism in Princeton? How do you intend to challenge the lies? How should “our town” challenge the lies?
  3. Have you ever had a difficult conversation about Black history with a person of a different racial group? Your same racial group?

Links and Resources

 

Until the killing of black men, black mothers’ sons, becomes as important to the rest of the country as the killing of a white mother’s son, we who believe in freedom cannot rest. Ella Baker

“Hidden Christmas” – Advent Book Discussion

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Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church invites Nassau members and friends to an Advent Book Discussion (contact Phyllis Rich for zoom links).

Join us for a two-part discussion about the book Hidden Christmas: The Surprising Truth Behind the Birth of Christ.  Pastor Mjumbe, Elder Michele Minter, and other guest leaders will discuss how this book by author Timothy Keller can add a sense of purpose to our Christmas celebrations.

Wednesday, December 23

12:30 pm (Chapters 1-4)

Join us online:

7:00 pm (Chapters 5-8)

Join us online:

International Mission Outreach with WSPC – Thu. Dec. 17

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Zoom Meeting on Thursday, December 17, 3:00PM

The International Mission Outreach Committee (IMOC) of Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church invites new members to work actively with us in realizing our outreach goals in other countries. The Ghana Mission Network is expanding into West Africa, including Liberia. Learn about the our African Diaspora Cookbook. It will contain recipes and remedies passed down from our ancestors across oceans and continents. The theme of our book is from Revelation 22:2 – The leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nation. Sales will help fund a trip to Africa for our youth. RSVP to ">Joan Tomlin or Isa Blyden.

 

Ornament Decoration on Zoom – Sat. Dec. 5, 3:30 pm

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In honor of Witherspoon’s 180th Anniversary, Church Life is planning a Year-Long Calendar of Events. On Saturday, December 5, at 3:30 p.m., WSPC will host a Zoom event to make Christmas ornaments. Monica Burch and Shirley Satterfield will teach us how to make two ornaments.

Contact Lauren Yeh for the Zoom link.

Download Instructions & Supply Lists: