Alright, let’s break it down. We’ve had some pretty wild stuff happen lately—like that total eclipse that turned day into night across the US, and even an earthquake shaking things up in New Jersey, which, by the way, isn’t exactly a hotspot for earthquakes. Plus, all the usual scary news about wars and rumors of wars. But despite all that, we’re still here. The world hasn’t called it quits on us yet.
We are dreaming, praying, and working hard for our Trinity UMC, being all about spreading love, kindness, and including everyone, both in our church family and in the wider community to the family of God.
Our church, Trinity UMC, embodies a vibrant community deeply rooted in social justice and inclusivity. While possessing strong values, we want to keep establishing robust connections with The College of New Jersey’s (TCNJ) student body, recognizing this as an imperative opportunity to exemplify our values and cultivate an inclusive atmosphere.
Walking through this Women’s History Month and time of lent, we can explore our roots as Methodists and understand the beauty of the Grace God has given to our church, because we have a long history of including clergywomen in the UMC’s ranks. Let us delve into the reasons behind this practice and recognize the theological and historical context.
Trinity has great cause for rejoicing regarding our connections with students (and staff) at The College of New Jersey last Ash Wednesday
As we enter the period of Lent, a time of introspection and spiritual renewal, the historic meeting between St. George’s United Methodist Church and Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia resonates deeply within the Methodist community, offering a profound lesson in repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
I remember when I read these lines for the first time. My soul was filled with an emotion I cannot describe. It was a mix of feelings between sadness, disappointment, and also excitement because of the bravery of Jones and Allen (who was also part of the event), who had to leave the place moved by dignity. According to the completed story, this event began the Black Methodist movement in the United States, which started the African American Methodist Episcopal Church.
I recently came across a trend on social media in which content creators complain about the practice of some companies to use the sentence “don’t call us… We’ll call you,” as a euphemism for “you are not continuing the process,” when a job interview goes bad.
For some time now, sadly, spiritual maturity has been associated with important leadership positions in congregations or with great theological knowledge and eloquence by people in the church. This vision, without a doubt, is highly harmful to the proper development of life through the Gospel.
Let us start by stating that the Sacraments are the expression of God’s Grace and God’s unconditional love. Therefore, these are undeserved gifts from God to humankind. Sacraments differ from ordinances because Sacraments are God’s actions (gifts), but ordinances are humans’ actions (obedience). This aspect differentiates the Methodist understanding of baptism from other Christian beliefs, for example.
Nobody has made it yet! The Apostle Paul was aware of it and his decision was just to forget what was behind, and then, to move forward to the aim, the goal. A very executive decision.
Without any doubt, one of the most beautiful names of Jesus is ‘Immanuel’, God with us. I never cease to marvel at being able to come closer to understanding the scandalous nature of a God, who did not ask us to ‘divinize’ ourselves, because recognized our inability to do so; but rather, the Divine became human. That same God taught us in his life that the broad path is hatred and that excellence is in love.
Mary | Thanks be to God for fixing their eyes on that virtuous woman, who embraced the child in her womb and led him with love, dedication, and hope. Through her lineage, salvation came to the world, thus becoming an example to follow for thousands of generations; not only for being the bearer of good news in the fruit within her, but for her actions and faith in God which were magnified by the gracious Father in heaven.
In the beginning was the Word, who was not only with God, but was God; an eternal mystery that tells us about the most complete and beautiful relationship of all, love.
Welcome to Trinity...
Where the invisible throw shadows,
the weak lead, the silent are heard,
and the pushed aside
are called into the center
where they are listened to,
lifted up and loved.
Whoever you are, you are welcome here!
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