My Name is Mission
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Did You Know…Water is a Women’s Issue?
According to Living Water International, “Women in developing countries commonly spend 15-20 hours per week collecting water, often walking up to 7 miles in the dry season. It is the women of a community who have to buy, scrounge, or beg for water, getting up early or going out late at night to carry heavy … Continue reading
Mission News
The Local Care Team at FPC is sponsoring two screenings of the new document “A Place at the Table” in April. Directed by Kristi Jacobson and Lori Silverbush, with appearances by Jeff Bridges, Raj Patel, and chef Tom Colicchio, the film, concerning hunger in the United States, was released theatrically in the United States on … Continue reading
The great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord — the King of Israel!” (John 12:12-13) Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem, accented … Continue reading
I’ve been thinking a lot about the kingdom of God as a growing, living body of justice and peace lately. A mustard tree, Jesus said. This meal seemed fitting today: – Christopher Cocca, Associate for Urban Ministry Related articles Jesus, Seeds, and Subversion? (mynameismission.org)
URGENT MINISTRY NEED: Towels and Toiletries New toiletries and new or gently used (clean) towels are needed for a group of 20 people moving from emergency sheltering into more stable housing in downtown Allentown. Please bring items to the church office between now and Sunday, or call 484-891-0814 for more information and an expanded list … Continue reading
I’m reading a book called “The Urban Face of Mission” and came across this quote, one of many, many gems in this collection of essays. I wanted to share. Let it be said: I believe in activism and the work of activists. In many ways, I am an activist and so are you. But it … Continue reading
Yesterday, we thought a bit about the idea of sharing our first and second harvest with our neighbors. We compared the stories of the fish and the loaves with the idea of an ongoing harvest for our communities here in the Lehigh Valley and in Northeast Pennsylvania. The day before, we reflected on the idea … Continue reading
Second Harvest Food Bank, with the support of donors from across Pennsylvania and beyond, has a network of over 200 agencies and is able to distribute food to more than 66,000 people each month across the greater NE PA region. I hope this is shocking for two reasons: 1) It’s nothing short of amazing (maybe … Continue reading
This evening I was going over some notes from last year and came across thoughts from a devotion one of our leaders gave at the first Mission Leadership Team I ever went to. The devotion was taken in part from the April 2011 issue of Sojourners. I’ve transcribed my scribbly notes below: Some ancients called … Continue reading
Last night, First Presbyterian Church of Allentown’s associate for urban mission, Christopher Cocca, joined John Hardt, Darrin Duncan, Alfonso Todd III and host Treymane Tatem on The Virtual Roundtable, broadcast worldwide and live from Hamilton Street via Prolifick Radio. In a wide-ranging discussion about faith, power, access, and justice in the urban context, Chris asked … Continue reading
World Vision president Richard Stearns recently shared the following thoughts on the Huffington Post’s religion page: “The kind of Christianity the world responds to is the authentic “love your neighbor” kind. Its appeal can’t be legislated through court battles and neither can courts stop its spread. Dean Curry, senior pastor of Life Center Church in … Continue reading
Our mission leaders are excited to offer these compelling connections to our Advent course of worship and small group studies! Advent 2012 (opens as a Word document) Advent 2012 (opens as a PDF) Full text below: ADVENT 2012: WELCOMING THE CHILD This Advent, in worship, spiritual formation, and mission, we’re exploring the meaning of journeying toward … Continue reading
From friends at Muhlenberg College: Items needed: Canned goods, Toiletries, Batteries, New Clothing (Especially coats, hats, gloves, etc.), Blankets, Tools, Water, Toys, Kitchen Trash Bags, Pet Food. $$$ Cash donations will be used to purchase goods such as coats and blankets Donations benefit the Church of Grace and Peace Shelter in Toms River, NJ Mon, … Continue reading
The Moravian College Center for Leadership and Service have started a blog to post opportunities for the Moravian campus community and others to help with Sandy relief efforts. Here. First Presbyterian’s own 1010 Band will offer a relief concert for Sandy victims this coming Sunday at 6:30 PM. All proceeds raised will go to the … Continue reading
Note: This is general community resource. Items subject to change. THANKSGIVING FOOD BASKETS City Limits Assembly of God 302 Ridge Avenue Allentown, PA (610) 776-8656 •Turkey and food bag distribution •November 20, 2012, Time TBA Northern Lehigh Food Bank (610) 767-9525 •Holiday food distribution •November 17, 2012, 9-11 am •For those residing within the Northern … Continue reading
A heartfelt THANK YOU to all that joined us for the Summer Knitting Program. This year we were able to knit and crochet with new friends, and each week there was a lesson about a different technique or skill. Now is the time to help our small group to grow a bit more. Beginning this … Continue reading
From the awesomely talented and committed leaders in our Knitting Ministry: “This represents the hats for Turning Point (25) Roosevelt School (225) and a second batch to the Ukraine (15). We will be hanging the Turning Point hats, and some scarves, as part of the Turning Point display in our atrium during the second half … Continue reading
(Allentown, Pennsylvania—Sept. 28, 2012)—International Peacemaker Andrey Beskorovainiy (pictured, sitting) from Russia, and Alan Smith, a mission co-worker for the Roma people of Europe, will be speaking in the Lehigh Valley at local colleges, churches, and schools from Sept. 30 through Oct. 4. They will be speaking about peace and justice issues from the perspective of the Roma … Continue reading
Fall is in full swing, and so are various missional journeys of which we’re blessed to be a part! The Mission Calendar captures upcoming opportunities and gatherings at a glance, and the document below provides more information and includes ministries led by missional partners like the Conference of Churches, Zion’s Reformed UCC, St. Paul’s Lutheran … Continue reading
More information here. At FPCA, we’ll be taking the Offering alongside partner congregations across the country on October 7, World Communion Sunday. Opportunities to contribute to this important mission will remain through the month of October.
Fran Driesbach of the Lehigh Valley Quaker Meeting and Karen Berry of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bethlehem will share their faith and justice perspectives on this important issue. Chris Cocca, Urban Ministry Associate (FPCA) and member of the the Air Quality Partnership of Lehigh Valley – Berks leadership team, will moderate. A longtime supporter … Continue reading
From Villages In Partnership‘s newsletter: Naming’azi Farm will breed 10 imported dairy goats with the local Malawian goat through the support of First Presbyterian Church of Allentown, PA. The first offspring of the mixed breed does not produce milk. Yet their offspring, when bred again with the South African dairy goat, will be able to … Continue reading
“In this country of so much wealth, it is a sad fact that on any given night, nearly 650,000 people are homeless. But as CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker reports, there is an army of volunteers out there determined to change that.” View the inspiring video here. Here in Allentown and the greater Lehigh Valley, … Continue reading
THE ALLENTOWN/LEHIGH COUNTY COMMISSION TO END CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS THE LEHIGH COUNTY CONFERENCE OF CHURCHES FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ALLENTOWN Invite You To A COMMUNITY RESPONSE FOR ENDING HOMELESSNESS: HOW FAITH COMMUNITIES CAN HELP July 16, 2012 7pm HOSTED BY CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH 4601 TILGHMAN ST., ALLENTOWN (in front of K-Mart) We envision a city where there … Continue reading
From the Greening Creation team, some great ideas and resources for healthy, local, seasonal snacking this summer! This can be as simple as fresh peas to be eaten out of hand or as extravagant as strawberry-rhubarb pie: Tips for local, seasonal and nutritious snacks: Shop at a Farmer’s Market. For Times and Locations of area … Continue reading
On Monday, July 16, the Lehigh County Conference of Churches, the Allentown Commission to End Chronic Homelessness/The 10-Year Plan, and First Presbyterian Church will be presenting an important gathering hosted at Calvary Baptist Church, 4601 W. Tilghman Street (near Kmart) at 7 PM. Why? Allentown has a 10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness, and the … Continue reading
“We enjoy all the blessings of liberty and prosperity, and too easily forget the sacrifices others paid for our freedoms,” Stevens said as part of the Prayer of Confession. “…Reclaim us, gracious God, from our sinful ways; and recreate us that we may serve you more faithfully; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” Read the … Continue reading
In a word, yes! The Allentown/Lehigh County Commission to End Chronic Homelessness, The Lehigh County Conference of Churches, and many other stake-holders have a plan to end homelessness in Allentown, and we want to help them share it (and the role faith communities can play) with the entire faith-based community. The note below explains a … Continue reading
It strikes me that this now-famous piece by Andrew Sullivan and this piece by Sue Washburn have quite a bit to say to each other. As I’ve said here, I’m uncomfortable with thinking of my City as a laboratory for given ends, even if those ends are the peace and wholeness (the shalom) of the … Continue reading
Submitted by Kim Ceccatti on behalf of the Local Care Mission Team. From Kim: The following write- up is submitted by two children I met in the Shelter who wanted to share their experience in their own words: If you need a home, go down to the Sixth Street Shelter (SSS) where they have been … Continue reading
Came across this piece recently from Presbyterians Today. The question in my mind isn’t so much about how to build a laboratory for creative mission in Allentown, or how best to understand Allentown as a laboratory for creative mission. The reality we are called to reflect isn’t one of Allentown as lab or pilot program … Continue reading
Although our Bread for The World letter-writing campaign concluded a few weeks ago in various worship settings, the template forms for letters our elected officials are still available for your use at any time. Click the links below for the documents. SenatorRobertCaseyletters CongressmanCharlesDentletters SenatorPatrickToomeyletters
Cars are a rare sight in the villages of Malawi. It’s even rarer to see white people in the villages. So as we drove past villages, we created quite the thrill with two vehicles filled with a group of white people. As soon as the children in the villages saw us, they would run and … Continue reading
Reflecting upon helping to clean-up from a major flood in W. Pittston, PA, FPC’s Ed Noga said, “It was the first time I really saw the many years of Crop Walk support being used so close to home ! It really hits you when you see and meet the disaster victims and realize these things … Continue reading
