Tagged: christianity

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Francisco Vera Manzanares visiting Trinity

God is creating something deep in the midst of us. That is why, on Sunday, September 29th, 2024, we will have the special opportunity to welcome Francisco Vera to our morning worship service at Trinity UMC. Francisco is a young Christian and ecological activist with an inspiring story to tell. He’s been making waves around the world as UNICEF’s First Climate Action Advocate and as a Children’s Advisor to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child. His work is not only vital for the future of our planet, but it also carries a deep spiritual message of stewardship, faith, and responsibility that resonates with our Christian values.

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A new leadership

In the passage of John 6:24-35, we find a story that is rich in meaning and open to many interpretations. It is a pericope, a self-contained story, that can be understood in different ways depending on the perspective we bring to it. One of the most fascinating aspects of Jesus’ teachings is how he used stories and metaphors to convey deeper values and principles. Through these narratives, he invited people to think beyond the immediate and the obvious, to consider the more profound needs of the human spirit.

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Unknown…

In the Gospel of John, chapter 6, verses 1-21, we encounter two remarkable events: the feeding of the five thousand and Jesus walking on water. These stories are often seen as miraculous demonstrations of Jesus’ divine power. However, if we look closer, there is an even deeper miracle hidden within these narratives—the miracle behind the miracle, a testament to the power of generosity and joy.

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Keeping promises…

In Mark 6:14-29, the author tells a story about a powerful king, who decides to keep a promise, even against his will. We often read the story from the perspective of John the Baptist, the prophet who was killed. But what if we shift our focus to King Herod’s family dynamics?

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Prophets without honor

In Mark 6:1-13, Jesus says, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” This statement is not a rule, but a description of reality. It reflects the difficulty a prophet...

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Embracing Change: Relevance for New Generations

During the 2024 Annual Conference of the Greater New Jersey, held at the Wildwood Convention Center from May 19 to 21, clergy, laity, and leaders gathered to discuss the future of the church. One of the central themes was how to remain relevant and appealing to younger generations. The statistics are clear: the average age of clergy within the UMC is 57 years old, and the laity follows a similar trend. As we look toward the future, it’s essential to recognize that younger generations have different expectations, preferences, and needs.

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Let us not leave the Earth to the cockroaches

In a world where the resistance of cockroaches is ironically heralded, humanity stands at a crossroads. These creatures, often despised, have become a symbol of survival in the face of our own destructive tendencies. It’s a stark reminder that our actions have consequences far beyond our immediate perception.

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Lunch Boxes and Love: Trinity UMC’s Campus Connection

On this past Monday and Tuesday, May 6th and 7th, something truly heartwarming took place with our beloved Trinity United Methodist Church. Over those two days, our congregation banded together in a beautiful act of community service, distributing a total of 80 lunch boxes to the hardworking students of The College of New Jersey. It was a gesture that spoke volumes about the compassion and generosity that defines our church family.

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A beam of hope…

As you already may know, I am attending the 2020 United Methodist Church General Conference as a guest observer during these days. As we gather in Charlotte, North Carolina, the air buzzes with excitement. 

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We haven’t reached the end of the world (yet)

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.

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Let us serve the table for our young neighbors!

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. 

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Don’t call us, we will call you

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. 

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Are We Spiritually Mature?

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.