PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany United Methodist Church held a successful all-you-can-eat Ham Dinner fundraiser. The dinner included Ham, Corn, Marconi and Cheese, String Beans, Baked Beans, and Rolls. Also, members of the church cooked homemade desserts.

The Parsippany United Methodist Church (PUMC) is located at 903 South Beverwyck Road. You can reach them by calling (973) 887-4657, or click here to visit their website.

The Parsippany United Methodist Church congregation was founded in 1830. In 1962, the century-old original church building was torn down to make room for an interstate highway. An education building and fellowship hall were built on a new location, but for years the congregation dreamed of a new, dedicated sanctuary. An identity was shaped over the course of the forty years between the evacuation of the original church building and the completion of the new sanctuary.

The PUMC congregation worshipped together in a fellowship hall that was also used for church dinners and play productions. People were drawn to the congregation not for the edifice — the school-like building wasn’t much to look at — but by qualities they experienced in the fellowship and worship. Together we shaped a congregational life characterized by unusual warmth, inclusion, artistic creativity, humor and prayerfulness.

Following Pastor Jeff Edwards arrival in 1989, PUMC congregational growth made it possible for the church to actively plan for the construction of a new worship space. Together they engaged in a long process of envisioning, fundraising, and planning for a new sanctuary that, with its simple and open design, was in keeping with the spirit of our congregation.

Construction began in November of 2001, in the midst of the national grief of 9/11. As they witnessed people spontaneously flock to communal holy spaces seeking contact with the Eternal, there seemed a rightness to building the sanctuary as an expression of hope in unsettling times.

Six months into construction, amid the typical frustrations and setbacks that are a part of this process, the chairperson of the building committee suddenly died. Shortly thereafter his wife also died. When finally the new sanctuary was dedicated six months later in December of 2002, the joy they felt was mixed with sadness that this much beloved couple who had been so instrumental in sustaining our dream of the new sanctuary for forty years was not with us to share in the celebration.

Services are held on Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

The PUMC Youth Group meets approximately every other Sunday evening from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. All 8th through 12th graders are invited.

Breakfast for Men is held Tuesday mornings at 7:15 a.m. at the Empire Diner, 1315 Route 46 East. Free form discussion is concluded with a prayer.  All men are welcome.

PARSIPPANY — Kristen Leigh Ritter (Taylor) passed away unexpectedly on October 14, 2015 at the age of 38.

From the day she was born she touched this world and everyone in and around her. Kristen’s love and energy was so infectious that she elevated people to raise their game and strive to do more. She loved to travel, and with her husband T.J. they visited over 53 countries. She also loved music, cars and especially the NY Jets.

Kristen was born in Manhattan, NY and has lived in Parsippany for the last nine years.

She received her Bachelor’s degree from American Military University and her Master’s degree in Science from College of St. Elizabeth. Kristen was very influential at Newscorp where she worked for many years before becoming the head of internal communications at Aetna a year ago. She was on the board of directors for the Special Olympics where she helped to raise over 20 million dollars.

Kristen is survived by her beloved husband and best friend of 17 years, Thomas “T.J.” Ritter of Parsippany. She is also survived by her mother Celia Thompson and her father Peter Taylor, as well as her siblings Samantha Taylor of Los Angeles, CA, Heather and her husband Thomas Kelly of Staten Island, Nicole Thompson of Staten Island, and Anthony and his wife Kristyn Thompson Allentown, PA. Also surviving her are her nephews Thomas, Michael and Nicholas Kelly, and her nieces Alexis and Amelia Thompson, as well as her brother in law Timmy Ritter and her mother in law Judith Ritter, both of FL. She was predeceased by her father in law John Ritter and her beloved grandparents Nanny & Popoo, Frank and Margaret Laricchia.

Funeral services will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday October 20, 2015 at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville, and then going to St. Christopher’s Church in Parsippany for a 10:00 a.m. Liturgy of Christian Burial Mass. Friends may visit at the funeral home on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Monday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her memory to: Special Olympics of NJ, One Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648.