Memories, fire of the Spirit, and hope

Memories, fire of the Spirit, and hope

On Memorial Weekend's Sunday, our two communities, Groveville UMC and Crosswicks UMC, shared together a beautiful and meaningful Joint Memorial & Pentecost Sunday Service. It is difficult to fully describe everything we experienced together, because every part of the morning carried its own spirit of reverence, honor, beauty, and hope.
The conversation has begun!

The conversation has begun!

It is hard to believe that we are already in June and that the retreat we have been talking about and preparing for over the last several months is now behind us! This past Saturday, June 13th, members of Groveville and Crosswicks gathered at St. Mark UMC to begin an important conversation about what the future of our ministries might look like over the next seven years.
Elizabeth Vaneekhoven

Elizabeth Vaneekhoven

In loving memory of our lovingly known to many as “Betty, Mrs. Van or Oma”, a mother, grandmother, pastor, and mentor to countless people in the Bordentown area, who died Saturday, June 13, 2026 surrounded by her family and close friends, much too soon | Obituary: https://www.pepplerfh.com/obituaries/elizabeth-vaneekhoven
What future is possible for our churches?

What future is possible for our churches?

...The future of Groveville and Crosswicks may very well depend on our willingness to learn how to “speak the languages” of the people around us, not merely linguistically, but spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. We are surrounded by people speaking the languages of loneliness, grief, anxiety, exhaustion, economic uncertainty, spiritual hurt, isolation, and longing for meaning
156 years of memory and community

156 years of memory and community

Despite the rain, gray skies, and even the threat of thunderstorms, this past Monday, May 245th, 2026, the Groveville-Yardville Memorial Day Parade continued once again with strength, dignity, love, and deep community spirit. For long times, this beloved tradition has carried on, becoming the oldest Memorial Day Parade in the State of New Jersey, and this year was no exception.
We remember

We remember

On this Memorial Day, we come together carrying memories of sacrifice, service, courage, and love. We remember women and men who gave their lives believing that future generations might continue living in freedom and peace.
Love is calling out

Love is calling out

Our Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi reminded us of something deeply Wesleyan and deeply biblical: God can be found everywhere and in everyone. God can be found among those who are struggling and among those who seem to have everything together. God can be found in the housed and unhoused, in the documented and undocumented, in the learned and unlearned, in those who sing beautifully and in those who cannot carry a tune at all.
Let’s plan… And have fun!

Let’s plan… And have fun!

Sometimes when we hear the word “planning,” we immediately think about meetings, papers, difficult decisions, or long conversations. And yes, planning can certainly include all of those things. But planning can also be something beautiful, hopeful, and creative… It can even be fun!
Another fruitful Craft Fair!

Another fruitful Craft Fair!

This past weekend, we were blessed once again to celebrate our wonderful Spring Craft Fair, and as always, it brought so much joy, fellowship, and support for the mission and ministry of the Women’s Group.
Mom

Mom

...However, this is not the only way the Bible speaks about motherhood. I find it very interesting that the Scriptures do not idealize it. At all.

Actually, the Bible holds space for a wide range of experiences, including those that are difficult to name.
Poor Methodist Church…

Poor Methodist Church…

Yesterday, I learned something during a Stewardship and Finance gathering in our Annual Conference connection that has stayed with me and I would love to share with you. We were reflecting on how, historically, different churches have often been associated with different social contexts.
We are learning

We are learning

This past Tuesday, April 21, we -photo- had the opportunity to participate in the Stewardship Gathering of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference, where we learned and received practical tools for stewardship, responsible resource management, and fundraising.
The new that resurrection brings

The new that resurrection brings

I have been wondering lately if we are ready for what is coming. And please, don't get me wrong, I do not ask this in a fearful way, but in an honest one. Because the truth is, something new is unfolding before us. Easter happened Resurrection was proclaimed But, Monday still came