{"id":22228,"date":"2019-10-12T14:46:21","date_gmt":"2019-10-12T18:46:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=22228"},"modified":"2019-12-11T15:58:01","modified_gmt":"2019-12-11T19:58:01","slug":"pumc-celebrating-134-years-of-gods-grace-11-10-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=22228","title":{"rendered":"PUMC Celebrating 134 Years of God&#8217;s Grace! (11\/10\/19)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">On November 10, 1885, the Presiding Elder of the Bridgeton District (the Rev. William Walton), called a meeting of the Pitman Grove society and organized the &#8220;Pitman Grove Methodist Episcopal Church.&#8221;\u00a0 The root of what eventually became Pitman United Methodist Church was born.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Our church family initially consisted of 43 members, and they met at a chapel on the Northeast corner of Laurel and Cedar Aves.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">In the following 134 years, we have re-located to several buildings, but along each step Pitman UMC has built a tradition of mission.\u00a0 Part of our DNA is to reach out to the needy in our back yard and around the globe.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">&#8220;<em><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind&#8230;love your neighbor as yourself<\/span><\/em>&#8220;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\">\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Matthew: 22 37-39<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Heritage&#8230;.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Thanksgiving season highlights the blessings in our lives, and also shines a light on those in need of our help.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Missions and ministry are an inherent part of our Methodist faith; and of our rich heritage here at Pitman UMC. For 134 years members of this church, led by the divine wisdom and guidance of our Lord, have reached beyond our doors to help our neighbors and support missions and ministries close to home, and around the world.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">We thank God for the Methodists who preceded us; for their faith, and for their example. We praise God for His divine wisdom and grace that led them, and us to this place. We pray that we too, with God&#8217;s strength and guidance will continue and expand our paths of ministry and discipleship.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Today, with our prayers, benevolent offerings, volunteer time and talent, we continue to support missionaries and ministry projects in our town, in our state, in our country, and around the world. With our support of Shared Ministries the United Methodist Church funds thousands of ministries globally.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class='et-box et-info'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et-box-content'><em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> The following text is &#8220;peppered&#8221; with links to articles on this website. Click on these links to learn more about the ministry that&#8217;s mentioned in the text.<\/span><\/em><\/div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Today&#8230;<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Here at PUMC we open our doors to 23 <a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=21668\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">community\u00a0groups<\/span><\/a> who need a comfortable, safe place in which to hold their meetings.\u00a0 <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright  wp-image-18325\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/OFH18-Class-_IMG_0399-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/OFH18-Class-_IMG_0399-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/OFH18-Class-_IMG_0399.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">There are a myriad of opportunities in all areas of PUMC for those with servants hearts of all ages. The children who attend &#8220;<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=117\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Our Father&#8217;s\u00a0House<\/a><\/span>&#8221; (our preschool) are actively involved in missions projects, as are our senior brothers and sisters who reside in the Methodist Community at Pitman.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">PUMC <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?cat=31\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Christian\u00a0Education<\/a><\/span> opens our doors and invites hundreds of children and their parents to an Easter Egg Hunt; VBS, and Trunk or Treat (<span style=\"background-color: #ffff99;\">the 2019 <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a style=\"background-color: #ffff99;\" href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=22159\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trunk or Treat<\/a><\/span> is <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-20120\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/TrunkTreat18-_PA276023-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/TrunkTreat18-_PA276023-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/TrunkTreat18-_PA276023.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/>scheduled for 10\/26\/19<\/span>).<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">PUMC congregants speak and listen, teach and preach, share their <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?cat=28\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">musical<\/a><\/span> and artistic talents, and their homes. They cook and bake, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=7372\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">knit and\u00a0sew<\/a><\/span>, walk and drive, care for children, and <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=177\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">visit the home\u00a0bound\u00a0elderly<\/a><\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">They deliver prayer shawls to those who need comfort, and <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=10269\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">fill\u00a0shoeboxes<\/a><\/span> with gifts for children. Locally, PUMC volunteers spend countless hours at the UMC Community at Pitman, the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=771\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pitman\u00a0Pantry<\/a><\/span>, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=537\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ranch\u00a0Hope<\/a><\/span>, and the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=545\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Neighborhood\u00a0Center<\/a><\/span>, to name just a few. They do whatever they can to serve the least, the last, the lost, and the lonely in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-19662\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/MarketPlace-Knitters-02-_SnotesCapture-_400x300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/MarketPlace-Knitters-02-_SnotesCapture-_400x300-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/MarketPlace-Knitters-02-_SnotesCapture-_400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Nationally we help to support the work of the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=541\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Redbird Missionary\u00a0Conference<\/a><\/span> in Kentucky; and the work of <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?cat=35\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">UMCOR<\/a><\/span>, whose volunteers are still helping to rebuild here in New Jersey, and in Haiti, years after hurricanes devastated and disrupted lives.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">UMCOR volunteers are also working in Puerto Rico; and in the Bahamas; helping those hurricane survivors rebuild.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Internationally, our prayers and benevolent offerings help to support missionaries who have followed God&#8217;s footsteps to <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/\/?s=Tanzania\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tanzania<\/a><\/span> and Zambia in Africa; to <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=551\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Poland<\/a><\/span> and Eastern Europe, and to <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=4694\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mexico<\/a><\/span>. We are blessed that our brothers and sisters in Christ are taking our love and prayers, and the Good News of Jesus Christ so far from PUMC.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-19360\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Chris-V-Mexico-Sponsorship-2018-08-01-_fbCV-400x300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Chris-V-Mexico-Sponsorship-2018-08-01-_fbCV-400x300-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Chris-V-Mexico-Sponsorship-2018-08-01-_fbCV-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Each of us and all of us guided by the will of God and with the power of the Holy Spirit can use our gifts, our time, and our talents in the ministries of this church where we worship joyfully, pray earnestly, and reach out lovingly. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\t\t<div class='author-shortcodes'>\n\t\t\t<div class='author-inner'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='author-image'>\n\t\t\t<img src='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/et_temp\/hands-43485_60x60.jpg' alt='' \/>\n\t\t\t<div class='author-overlay'><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- .author-image --> \n\t\t<div class='author-info'>\n\t\t\t<span style=\"color: #000000;\">In our church history we read:<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em><span style=\"color: #008000;\">&#8220;As our church continues to serve our Lord Jesus Christ, may it be in commitment to His will, in prayer for His guidance and power, and in praise for His love and grace&#8221;<\/span> <\/em>\n<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- .author-info -->\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .author-inner -->\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- .author-shortcodes -->\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;\">+\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +<\/span><\/p>\n<p>For more about Missions, click this button:\u00a0\u00a0 <a href='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=33' class='big-button bigpurple'><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Missions<\/span><\/a> \u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On 11\/10\/19 we will celebrate our 134th anniversary.  Not only is it an opportunity to look back at our heritage, but it&#8217;s also a good time to look ahead to how we can continue to make a difference in the world.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":9996,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10,16],"tags":[98,106,67],"class_list":["post-22228","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-evrpt","category-go-beyond","tag-churchfamily","tag-history","tag-missions"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22228","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=22228"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22228\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22237,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22228\/revisions\/22237"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9996"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=22228"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=22228"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=22228"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}