For the Cancer Community
The Hunterdon Mercer Chronic Disease Coalition offers a free six-week virtual workshop for adults and caregivers titled “Cancer: Surviving & Thriving.” The program takes place via Zoom on Thursdays, October 3, 10, 17, and 24, and November 7 and 14 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Developed by Stanford University, this licensed program in self-management is proven to help cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers learn to better manage the challenges of thriving. The curriculum covers issues experienced by many such as managing fatigue; pain and sleep; dealing with difficult emotions and relationships; staying active and communicating with providers, family and friends.
Registration is required at www.elixirfund.org/events/cts_registration/
Calls for Singers
Singers of all ages have a chance to join choirs directed by Tom Shelton, the nationally known composer and director who is an associate professor at Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Lawrence Township. Shelton has conducted festival and honor choirs in 20 states and abroad, most recently for a Treble Choir Festival in Carnegie Hall.
The Rider University Chorale welcomes singers in the greater Princeton area. It meets Tuesdays, 7 to 9 p.m., September 10 to November 12 in Gill Chapel. Two concerts will be presented during the semester. On Friday, October 18, at 7:30 p.m., the Chorale will be part of a Faculty Recital — “Behind the Music…Stories and Songs” — featuring compositions by Shelton. This recital will also feature voice faculty from the university as well as the Princeton Girlchoir Semi-Tones.
The second concert — “You Do Not Walk Alone” — will be presented on Sunday, November 17, at 4 p.m. This concert will feature compositions by female composers, with special guest choir Princeton Girlchoir Concert Choir. For students, faculty, and staff, chorale participation is free. For alumni and community members, the cost is $180 per semester. Rider alumni receive a discount. For details, contact Tom Shelton at tshelton@rider.edu.
All children and youth — of any faith — are invited to join the choirs directed by Shelton at Princeton United Methodist Church, located at the corner of Nassau Street and Vandeventer Avenue in Princeton. While children and youth are learning techniques and music theory, they sing in worship monthly, present a musical in the spring, and sing at special services throughout the year. Says Shelton: “I want young singers to love music their whole life, not just for the time they are with me.” For schedules and details email Tom@PrincetonUMC.org or go to www.PrincetonUMC.org.
The Central Jersey Choral Society (CJCS) invites singers of all ability levels who are seeking a creative and joyful outlet to join its community chorus. The organization begins the season with a New Member Welcome Night on Monday, September 9, at 7 p.m. at Ewing Presbyterian Church, 100 Scotch Road, Ewing.
CJCS members enjoy learning about music, composers, and their own abilities as they prepare and perform classical choral works under the direction of artistic director Christopher Loeffler. In January 2025, CJCS looks back at the early days of choral music with a program of Renaissance selections from Italy, England, France, and more. In June of 2025, CJCS celebrates its 75th year with a performance of Felix Mendelssohn’s oratorio “Elijah.”
Loeffler encourages adult singers of all ages and experience levels to join — while some in CJCS are professionally trained, most are not. Choir members enjoy the chance to improve their skills and each other’s company. No formal auditions are required; tenor voices are particularly needed but all voice parts are welcome.
Regular CJCS rehearsals are on Monday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. at Ewing Presbyterian Church. In addition to New Member Welcome Night, CJCS invites all interested singers to join any rehearsal to learn about CJCS, meet current members, and demonstrate their voices and talents.
More information is available at www.cjchoralsociety.org.
Jersey Harmony Chorus invites people of all ages, backgrounds, and careers who love to sing to come and experience the joy of being part of an a cappella choral group, singing in the soprano/alto vocal ranges.
“Sing with Success” is an open house event with the opportunity to hear and join along with the chorus singing music from past to present, and to learn about four-part harmony. Jersey Harmony Chorus is a member of the Sweet Adelines International organization, which has more than 30,000 members worldwide.
Sing with Success takes place Monday, September 9, at 7:30 p.m. at Griggstown Reformed Church, Recreation Hall, 1065 Canal Road, Princeton.
Find new ways to use your vocal talents with other music lovers, and learn how you can become a member of this competitive women’s chorus. To register for this event contact: Carole, membership coordinator, at jhc.membership@gmail.com or 732-236-6803.
For more information, visit www.jerseyharmonychorus.org.
For Intellectuals
Princeton Theological Seminary offers two fall seminar series focused on ecotheology and Augustine studies.
Designed for spiritual seekers, church leaders, and humanities enthusiasts alike, these seminars offer a unique combination of theological depth and ethical engagement. The first seminar explores Augustine’s City of God in the context of today’s world, and the second seminar delves into ecotheology to understand how we can responsibly steward our plane
“Thinking Politically with Augustine: Faithful Political Engagement in Difficult Times” explores Augustine’s (354 – 430 C.E.) perspectives on citizenship, political humility, and the Christian journey as a pilgrimage. Dr. Heather C. Ohaneson, a passionate advocate of the Great Books tradition, leads this seminar, diving into City of God, Augustine’s sermons, and contemporary scholarship. This series offers a unique lens to understand political engagement through historical and theological insights.
The seminar’s four live virtual sessions take place Mondays, September 16 through October 7, from 7 to 9 p.m. Cost: $399.
“Christ, Creation, and the Church: Explorations in Ecotheology: Humanity’s Relationship to Other-than-Human Creatures” explores the intersections of Christology, creation, and ecclesiology in today’s ecological crises with Dr. Samuel Davidson. This seminar bridges contemporary science and the church’s mission, focusing on how the Christian understanding of God’s incarnation impacts our ecological responsibilities. Engage with key ecotheological thinkers and consider the church’s role in addressing ecological challenges.
The seminar’s four live virtual sessions take place Tuesdays, October 1 through 22, from 7 to 9 p.m. Cost: $399.
Call for Volunteers
Delaware River Greenway Partnership, NJ Clean Communities Programs, and NJ State Park Service seek volunteers for the seventh annual Delaware River Cleanup on Saturday, September 21, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at various locations in New Jersey. Volunteers work to help tackle the litter along the banks of the Delaware River. This year’s cleanup has expanded to include areas from the Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Area in Sussex County to the southern Abbott Marshlands in Mercer County. All cleanup locations will be by land, except for on-boat cleanup option hosted by PA Delaware Canal State Park.
Groups, individuals, and families are encouraged to volunteer. Visit delawarerivergreenwaypartnership.org to register for a specific location. Volunteers receive a thank-you t-shirt.
