Pastor’sNote
WhenIwasafirst-yearseminarystudentin2019,PastorSkitch,thecurrentAdultFormationpastor, invited me to intern at PUMC, focusing on connecting our members to small groups It was importanttobothofustoaskpeopletolearnmoreabouttheirspiritualtypes,connectwithothers intheirfaith,andbecomemoreawareofGod’sgraceintheirlives.
Little did any of us know that just before my internship began, the COVID-19 pandemic would completely alter our lives. Instead of gathering in person with a church community, we worshipped online for over a year. Small groups could no longer be held in person, and many of us,includingmyself,hadtolearnhowtocreateconnectionswitheachotheroverZoomandother internet outlets. We still maintained our commitment to discipleship, but it looked much different thananyofushadimagined.
When we came back in person, I felt a renewed sense of need among the congregation to be together,butweneededtorelearnhowtobelongwithoneanotheragainafterbeingisolatedfor so long We faced a new reality: that even after the ‘online year’, many of us (for a variety of reasons) would stay partly or fully online, and our small groups needed to adapt to a hybrid model
Notonlydidwelaunchhybridsmallgroups,butwealsodiscernedthatGodwascallingusintoa deeperconnectionwiththeSpirit,eachother,andourselves.Wedecidedthatyear-longgroups–called Growth Groups – would give people the opportunity to journey with the same group of disciplesforalongperiodoftime.
The fruit of these Growth Groups has been plentiful! Not only do we have more disciples connectedingroups,butIhearalmostweeklyfromaGrowthGroupleaderormemberabouthow theirfaithhasgrown.Many,whowereinitiallyworriedabouttheyear-longcommitment,cameto metosayitwasthebestthingtheycouldhavedonefortheirfaithbecauseeachweektheygrow closerwiththeirfellowmembersandwithGod.
Mypersonalfaithhasgrownbecauseofthewitnessandgraceshowninmyowngroup.Wehave shown up for each other week after week, wrestled with the Good News and current events, and continuedtoseekGod’spresenceinallmoments
I will miss both my small group and the PUMC congregation, but I am filled with joy knowing that GodwillcontinuerevealingGod’sgraceinyourlivesafterIamgone,especiallywithintheGrowth Groupministriessomanyofyouhavesaidyesto.
TheAldersgateExperience
byEricGillette
Thebeginningof1738wasadark time for John Wesley He and his brotherCharleshadjustreturned to London from a mission to the colonies in America that had not been as successful as they had hoped. Each brother had his position fall through due to personal conflicts or being illsuited for the roles Their lofty expectations about their time in America quickly turned to bitter disappointment
Both John and Charles returned to London feeling lost and questioning their faith To add to this misery, Charles fell ill and was kept home, bed-bound, in hopes of recovery. Charles took this time to reflect on his personal faith and beliefs, eventually feeling he had regained his faith in a new and exciting way He prayed to God that John would find something similar. Charles enlisted some of their friends to convince John to attend a gathering on Aldersgate Street in London, hopingthatarevelationmightbemadeforJohnthere.
This day, May 24, 1738 is celebrated by Wesleyans around the world and is known as John Wesley’s “Aldersgate Experience”. On a plaque in London, near the site of theevent,isaquotefromWesley’sjournaltocommemoratewhatoccurred
This was a turning point not just in the life and mission of John, but also for the movement that has become the United Methodist Church. For many Christians at thetime,andevenJohnandCharles,thepredominantbeliefwasthattobesaved in Christ one must first be deemed “worthy” in the eyes of God. John now understood that the gift of salvation was freely given by God through Christ, and nothingweashumansdocouldchangethat.
John Wesley’s Salvation Testimony at Aldersgate Street in London-ArtistUnknown
IntheeveningIwentveryunwillinglytoasocietyinAldersgateStreet, whereonewasreadingLuther'sprefacetotheEpistletotheRomans. Aboutaquarterbeforenine,whilehewasdescribingthechangewhich God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation;andanassurancewasgivenmethatHehadtakenawaymy sins,evenmine,andsavedmefromthelawofsinanddeath.
This shifting of belief formed the basis of what we as United Methodists believe today. We focus on justice for all, caring for the needs of others, and making the church a safe space for anyone regardless of who they are or what they have done WebelievethatwearethehandsandfeetofChrist:thatwearecalledtodo good wherever we can to as many people as we can We know and believe that we are saved by the crucifixion, and no longer are doing good deeds for our own salvationbutforthebettermentofthosearoundus.
This is a beautiful aspect of our faith in today’s tumultuous world, where many are living in fear or desperation. As believers of Jesus Christ we are called to be the embodimentofGod’scomfortandlovetothosearoundus.
As we move into this season of Pentecost, may we too have our own “Aldersgate Experience.”MaywebemovedandchangedbytheHolySpiritandfindthewaysin whichwecandogoodinthisworld MaywefollowinthefootstepsofJohnWesley andseekoutthoseamongstuswhoareinneedandfindthewaysinwhichwecan helpthembest.Amen.
StaffSpotlight:HyosangPark
byKateLasko
SirIsaacNewton’sFirstLawofMotionstatesthatanobject in motion stays in motion. No better truth than this exists when describing PUMC’s Music Director Hyosang Park. Evenwhenshe“relaxes”sheismoving:whethercorralling Squirty, Lemon and ChiChi - her pet birds, knitting, crocheting or throwing pots (She is a potter) Such drive led Hyosang from Korea to Princeton United Methodist Churchbywayofanextraordinaryjourney,oneguidedby Godandbyherownintuition
The daughter of a pastor, Hyosang’s relationship with music began early, first through attending servicesandlaterbyplayingforworship.Becausemoneywastight,Hyosangstudiedpianoforonly two years before assuming the responsibility of playing at her church. “I was in sixth grade and pretty much self taught,” she recalls. Preparing to play for her first Vacation Bible School, Hyosang selected a few pieces which her piano teacher advised against playing because “they were too hard.”Thissixthgraderlistenedpolitelybutwouldnottaketheadvice.“Ipracticedformany,many hoursovermanydays”andprovedherteacherwrong.
Inhighschool,Hyosangfeltacallingtosacredmusic,sowhenthetimecameforcollegeshewent to a small seminary in Korea where she earned a bachelor of arts. While matriculating there, she knew she wanted to pursue a master’s in sacred music, but to do so, she had to leave Korea She dreamtofstudyingintheUSandhadheardofWestminsterChoirCollege(WCC),butforthedream tocometruetherewerehurdlestoovercome:Compilinganauditiontape,learningEnglishtopass the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language required for acceptance to a US school), and payingforschool Becauseofherchurch’smodestsizeitcouldnothelpHyosangfinancially,butshe gotascholarshipfromWCC.
AchanceencounterwithaNewBrunswickseminarystudentwhohadgonetothesameseminaryin KoreaasHyosanghelpedwithHurdleTwo:learningEnglish.HetoldheraboutRutgersESLProgram, conveniently located near WCC. “God led me to this man,” she believes, and subsequent to that, Godhasconstantlysupportedandguidedher.“Healwaysledmetowork,”sheadds.Shespentthe next year prepping for the audition and learning English and got accepted. In addition to her coursework, Hyosang supplemented her scholarship dollars with a number of jobs: Saturdays teaching at a Korean School in Staten Island; Sundays playing worship services at several churchesinMonmouthCounty,andinbetween,teachingprivatepianostudents.Overonesummer, sheevenworkedinafactory!
Although piano performance was one focus of her grad program, by chance Hyosang found her passion instrument - handbells. Grace Methodist Church in Eatontown where she played Sunday service, had a bell choir. “Of course I had heard the carillon, and my mother played those albums often,” but after that Sunday service, she knew the bells would be her instrument. She was able to take an elective in handbells at WCC, and after graduation, the administration let her continue taking handbell classes She has nurtured that passion into an impressive career: a thriving solo reputation, 2012 co-creator of Duo Grazioso and acceptance into the Handbell Musicians of America (HMA); 2017, directorship of the Philadelphia Bronze Handbell Group; 2018, membership in the Quadrants Quartet (The HMA and the Quadrants were featured at the Handbell National Seminarin2024and2019respectively.)
Hyosang Park conducting handbells outside for Communiversity
Playing Sunday services at First Presbyterian in Freehold opened a door Hyosang had never really considered entering before: teaching elementary school In the late 1990’s, by word of mouth, St Jerome Catholic School contacted Hyosang, hiring her for six weeks to prepare students to play at graduation. Shortly after that, the PTA asked if she wanted a part-time job teaching general music and bells to Pre-K through 8 grade students. She said yes and did so for the next 19 years while still teaching at the Korean school, playing Sundays,andkeepingherprivatepianostudents.Astheendofher19thyearapproached,Hyosang thought, “Why not do one more year [at St Jerome] and make it 20?” Her intuition said “No!’” and shelistened Ofcoursewhatwouldhavebeenher20thyearturnedintotheCovidYear
Facedwithallthisfreetime,whatdidHyosangdo?ShestartedaPhDinWorshipStudiesandbegan working for Malmark Bellcraftsmen. Initially she had planned a PhD in sacred music and had actuallybeenacceptedtoseveralprogramsonbothcoasts.Small,expensive,andofshakyquality theseprogramswere,sowhenherintuitionsaid“NO!”again,shelistened.(Thetwomusicprograms she had considered closed shortly after.) But why Worship Studies? Hyosang believes “studying scripture more in depth will influence music selections for Sunday and special services,” she explains. Her thesis, “Believers Remember God’s Acts” is three pronged: Biblically (Deut 6, Psalm 23, and Matthew’s great commissioning Gospel); Theologically (sacramental and liturgical theologies, andtheologyoffeasts),andHistorically(earlychurch,postVaticanII,andMethodistchurchesinthe US). In addition to the research, she is writing an eight movement handbell piece that moves from CreationtoAscension,acompositionshehopestoplayatPUMConceherthesisadvisorapproves.
Hyosang's last Sunday at PUMC in her role as Music Director was on June 15, 2025. Watch for news aboutherthesispresentation,whichisstillexpectedtobeheldatPUMCinthefall
Pentecost-Joining Sunday
OnPentecostSunday,wecelebratetheHolySpiritcomingdownintotheroomwiththedisciplesin theformofagustingwindandtonguesoffire.Thefirereacheddowntoeachdiscipleandtouched them, causing them to speak in other languages, enabling them to go forth to the nations and spreadthegoodnewsofChrist.
Aspartofourhomagetothis,atPUMC,weliketocelebratepeoplejoiningourbelovedcommunity ThisyearonPentecostwewerethrilledtohaveasignificantnumberofpeoplejoiningorrenewing theirfaith,aswellasbaptismsintothefold
JoiningasMembers
The names of those joining the church as members include Momo, Vanilla, and daughter Xhiah Wolapaye. Lennie Del Duca, David Dreibelbis, Leigh-Anne Francis, Shawn Maxam, and Nkechi Mezazem.
WealsoweregladtowelcomeJazlynCruzasanAffiliateMember.
Top Photo: New members during PUMC joining ceremony
Bottom Left Photo: New membersduringworship
Bottom Right Photo: Wolapaye family (Momo, Xhiah, and Vanilla) and PastorJenny
This Pentecost we had eight baptisms. Shermel Morgan, Ryan Sun, and Tracy Cheng were all baptizedandjoinedthechurchasmembers.
We had several children who were baptized as well: Anita Dreibelbis, Harper Sam, Nigel Sun, Roy Sun,andSofiaWolf.
TopRightPhoto:PastorsJennyand
Bottom Right Photo: All members and baptized congregants after service
PentecostBookStudy
This season of Pentecost we will be looking at our roots and beliefs as Methodists. What inspired John Wesley in his faith? And how can we apply it to our current climatetoday?
To supplement our study of Wesleyan ways of living, we have chosen to encourage our congregants to read “Revival: Faith As Wesley Lived It,” by Adam Hamilton. A Methodist Pastor and renowned author andtheologian,AdamHamiltonexploresanddefines what makes a Wesleyan Christian and the markers of a faithful methodist in today’s challenging landscapeinthe21 century st
We hope you’ll join us in reading this 6-week study and challenge you to rediscover your spiritual passion Divedeeperwithus!
Top Left Photo: Shermel Morgan being baptized (from left: Pastor Jenny, Tracy Cheng, Shermel Morgan,JazlynCruz,PastorTayler)
Tayler baptizing children during Pentecost
Bottom Left Photo: Sun family with Pastor Jenny (from left: Tracy Cheng, Pastor Jenny, Ryan Sun, RoySun,andNigelSun)
YouthSunday
RecentlyonMay18,wecelebratedYouthSunday.Theyouthledworshipinliturgy,song,andprayer. They also gave us a lesson in which several youth from our church sat down to answer a few questions regarding their experiences with God and in the church. These are the responses of Juli Collins (freshman), Ethan Hamilton (seventh grade), Maggie Collins (junior), Shermel Morgan (senior),andJuliaPotts(junior).
Whatexperienceinchurch(Youthgroup,Ignite,Confirmation,Choir,etc.)helpedyou knowandloveGodbetter?
Juli:TheIgniteConference,whichwasaChristianconferenceinWildwood,helpedmeunderstand the meaning of certain passages in the Bible, and listening to Christian music helped me understandthemeaningofthesepassagesaswell,reallyhelpingmyunderstandingofGod.
Shermel: I also said Ignite, because this helped me understand and appreciate God’s love more deeply Theworshipexperiencebroughtmeclosertohim Myfavoriteworshipsongthatwesangat Ignitewas“Prodigal”byNorthPoint ThepowerfullyricsconveyafeelingofwhatIwanttoexpress:
This reminds me that no matter where you are on your faith journey, God is simply happy that you’rebringingyourlifetohim. Thisisthesoundofachildcominghome,Hallelujah Thisisthesongofwelcomeprodigal,Hallelujah
HowhaveyouexperiencedGod’scareandprotectioninyourlife?
Maggie: Personally for me, I have experienced God’s care and protection through people close to me-myparents,myfamily,someofmyfriends Onepersonthatsticksouttomespecificallyinthis church community was my confirmation mentor My confirmation mentor, Ms Sylvia Couvertier, wasjustsosupportiveofmyfaithjourney.Ireallylovedtalkingtoher;shewassuchagoodfriend.I thinkshereallycaredaboutme,shewasareallygoodmentor.AndIreallycaredaboutheraswell. AndalthoughIhaven’ttalkedtoherinawhile,Istillwillrememberher.
Shermel: I experience God’s love, care, and protection throughout his teaching on love and kindnesstothedisciples.ThelovehehasinstilledinmeissomethingIcarryandsharewithanyone who needs it. Whenever one of my peers is going through a difficult time, I am able to share his love,remindingthemthatGod’sloveiswiththematalltimesandinallforms.
Whatistheonethingyouhopethekidswillexperiencewhentheyareteenagersinthe church?
Shermel:Ihopekidswillexperiencetherolethatadultsoftenplayinthechurchwhentheybecome teenagers. By following or creating a new path, we allow ourselves to be involved and carry those teachings with us into adulthood. It takes a village to ensure that everything works well together, andwitheveryone’scontributionwecaneffectivelycarryoutGod’sword.
Juli: One thing I hope teens can experience in the church is connection, where they can feel recognized,listenedto,andaccepted.It’snotjustaboutgoingthroughroutines.It’saboutexploring how faith fits into their everyday lives in a secure environment where they can develop spiritually intothemselves.
Maggie:Ireallyhopethatwhenkidsbecometeenagers,theywillexperienceloveandcompassion in this church. I truly mean love and compassion, regardless of age, regardless of anything, because love is such a crucial part of our lives. I think the love that I’ve experienced in this church communityisreallymeaningfultomeandIhopethattheywillalsoexperiencethat.
Whatarethe‘justiceandmercy’opportunitiesyouwouldliketoseethe(global)Church focuson?Whatmightyoudotohelp?
Shermel:Ibelievethechurchshouldfocusonassistingunderrepresentedcommunities,particularly families who cannot afford a proper education. It is important to find ways to uplift these communitiesandreassurethemthatthey’renotalonethroughouttheirjourney.Thechurchshould pavethewayforthosewhoarestrugglingtomakeendsmeetandguidetheminplanningfortheir future.IwanttobeapartofthehealthcarecommunitybecauseIhaveadesiretohelpthosewho cannot help themselves I want to provide compassionate and attentive support that ensures patients’comfortandwell-beingasahealthcareprovider
Maggie: When we were in youth group discussing this question, one thing that stood out to me is somethingthatIwishtheglobalchurchwouldstopdoing:thatisjustifyingyourhatetowardsother people.Inmyopinion,hatecanbetaught,whetherit’sfromacommunity,afriend,orfamily.It’snot uncommon in this day and age, especially in the U.S. When Bible verses are cherry-picked with malicious intent, it’s harder to see the bigger context or overall message of the passage. I think a solutiontothisproblemisto(1)understandtherootsofhate,(2)modelinclusivebehavior,and(3) commit to unlearning hate. This is such a long process. It takes so many years, and even generations.Thefirstthingwecandoisstartwithouryoungestgeneration-ourkids.
Whatdoyouwishadultsknewaboutouryouthgroup?
Ethan:TheBiblecanbehardtounderstand,andsometimesitcanalmostbelikeariddle.Inyouth groupwehelpdecodethatriddlesowecanreallyunderstandwhatthatmeans.Wealsohavefun games that we play. But there actually aren’t that many people in the youth group - only around five Soifyouhaveanykidsorknowanyonewhomightwanttocomewhoaresixthgradeorolder theyarealwayswelcome
Julia: Something I wish adults knew about youth group is that it is not just a Bible study for teenagers.Youcanwalkinfeelinganysortofway;youcanwalkinandhavehadtheworstdayof yourlife,andyouwillstillfindareasontosmile.Youthgroupbringsthebestkindoflonglastingjoy thatreallycarriesmethroughoutmydayandthroughoutmyweek.
Maggie: I want adults to know that we are growing up in a different world. Things have changed and will continue to change. Our youth group talks about real world things: things you would call “adulttopics.”Idon’treallythink“adulttopics”isreallyathinganymorebecauseweallendupso attunedtoit.Ithinkit’sjustforeveryone.
Shermel: I wish adults would know that our youth group is very open-minded We allow each person to share what a bible verse means to us and how we see that being incorporated into the world.It’saspacewhereideascometogetheronhowweenvisionthechurch-presentandfuture -toattractmoreyoungpeople.
Juli:Iwishthattheadultsknewthatyouthgroupisnotonlyfortheyouth,butit’sveryopen,inthat anyone can participate. It’s not all just fun and games. We participate in deep learning and incorporatefunwithin.
