A Story That Reaches Back to 1772
Morrisville United Methodist Church (MUMC) stands on West Maple Avenue in the heart of Morrisville Borough, just across the Delaware River from Trenton. The congregation's roots reach back to 1772, and in 2016 members marked 175 years of organized Methodist witness in the community. The church has been at its present location since 1963. Today MUMC is known around the borough for a food pantry that opens its doors to anyone in need, a free English-language program for adult immigrants, and a worship life that ranges from classic hymns to a contemporary praise band on the third Sunday of each month.
Sundays at MUMC
Worship centers on a single 10:00 AM service held in person and streamed live on YouTube. Most weeks feature the Chancel Choir and a traditional liturgy; on the third Sunday of each month the Praise Band leads a Celebration service with contemporary songs, spirituals and hymns. Nursery care is available throughout worship. Masks are encouraged for those at risk or recovering from a respiratory infection, and anyone who is sick is asked to stay home and join via the live stream. Church office hours run Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
A Thriving Music Ministry
Music has long been central to life here. The Chancel Choir rehearses Thursday evenings from mid-September through June and offers an anthem at nearly every Sunday worship, directed by Dr. Thomas Ridgway. Vaa Brewer Thomson leads the Praise Band that takes over on the third Sunday. A Bell Choir performs roughly once a month, with Thursday rehearsals at 8:00 PM. Anyone interested in joining any of the groups can simply show up at a rehearsal or contact the directors; beginners and seasoned singers alike are welcome.
Food for the Neighborhood
Outreach through food is one of the most visible ministries of the church. The on-site food pantry is open Monday through Thursday from 10:30 AM to 2:00 PM, stocked with non-perishable items, household cleaning supplies and personal hygiene products for anyone in the Morrisville community. The pantry is closed Fridays and holidays. On the third Tuesday of each month the church hosts a sit-down community dinner with doors opening at 5:30 PM and the meal served from 6:00 to 7:00 PM, free and with no registration. Hot meals are also distributed in the parking lot at 12:45 PM on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, supplied by the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen and the Muslim Center of Greater Princeton.
Fellowship ESL: A Classroom for Newcomers
Fellowship ESL is a free English-language program for adult immigrants and refugees, with classes for beginning, intermediate and advanced students. Classes meet Monday and Wednesday mornings from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM and Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. There are no classes in the summer; the fall semester starts September 7, 2026. The program actively recruits volunteer tutors, and the program motto sums up the spirit of the work: "We start as classmates, we leave as friends."
Children and Sunday School
Children's Ministry serves from birth through elementary school. Sunday School meets from 10:00 to 11:00 AM (except during summer months), and age-appropriate Bibles are presented to students. The program organizes youth and children's retreats, game nights, a Trunk or Treat, Christmas plays and parties, an Easter egg hunt, and mission projects that teach children to serve others in Christ's name. Nursery care is provided during worship services for the youngest children.
Bible Study, Men's Group and Prayer Shawls
Adult discipleship takes several shapes during the week. A Tuesday morning Bible study meets at 10:00 AM in the Lounge, and a Sunday morning Bible study gathers at 9:00 AM in the Youth Room. A men's group meets on the second Saturday of the month at 8:00 AM. The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets on the first and third Thursday at 6:30 PM in the Lounge, where knitters and crocheters create shawls prayed over for those who are ill, grieving or walking through difficult seasons. Anyone interested in taking part, or in learning to knit or crochet, is welcome. Shawls themselves are available by request for loved ones in need.
United Women in Faith
United Women in Faith invites women of any age to join at any time. The local unit supports global missions through the United Methodist Church's connectional system, hears the call to "feed my sheep," and gathers for fellowship, study and service. Membership is multiracial, multilingual and intergenerational, and women do not need to be United Methodists to participate.
Reaching Out Near and Far
Missions stretch from the borough to other parts of the world. Locally MUMC partners with Advocates for the Homeless and Those in Need, hosts the Interfaith Food Alliance backpack program that supplies families with children in the Morrisville school district, and administers a pastor's discretionary fund for people in crisis. Financial support flows to organizations including Livengrin (addiction recovery), Ivins Outreach Center, A Woman's Place, Family Service of Bucks County and the Salvation Army. The church contributes to UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, and supports missionaries on every continent through the General Board of Global Ministries. From time to time, youth and adult ministries take week-long summer mission trips to help with cleanup and rebuilding after storm devastation.
A Building Shared with the Borough
The church building is also home to several community groups. Alcoholics Anonymous meets Sunday evenings at 7:00 PM, Narcotics Anonymous gathers in three weekly formats (Monday, Friday and Saturday nights), and Nar-Anon meets Monday evenings. Boy Scouts meet in Fellowship Hall on Mondays, and Girl Scout troops 2129 and 2692 gather on Tuesdays. The Interfaith Food Alliance backpack program operates from the main entrance on the second and fourth Saturday mornings and the preceding Tuesday evenings, putting weekend food into the backpacks of children in the Morrisville school district. A Montessori school uses rooms in the building on weekdays, and outside groups can apply to use the facility as well.
The People Who Lead
The Reverend Raphael Koikoi serves as pastor. Beditza Cadillo serves as a Certified Lay Minister. Dr. Thomas Ridgway is Director of Music, with Vaa Brewer Thomson as Assistant Director of Music. Deborah Chapman directs Fellowship ESL, and Craig Jackson serves as nursery caregiver. Carolyn Di Pietro-Arias is the church office administrator. The congregation's purpose, in the words of its own mission statement, is to seek, serve and share Jesus Christ through worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and mission.