A MESSAGE FROM REV. LINDSEY ALTVATER CLIFTON: LIVING ‘EXPANSIVELY WELCOMING’
Greetings friends,
This Sunday we celebrate our second summer baptism and join with friends and neighbors from all over the region to celebrate Lehigh Valley Pride, as well! Really, I can think of no better pair of joys to lift up together.
In the nearly 4.5 years that I’ve served here, each 
time we hold an Inquirers Seminar for newcomers and folks who want to know more about FPCB, we spend time together hearing about their faith journeys and sharing our congregation’s mission and values.
Inevitably, our commitment to being Expansively Welcoming comes up as a key reason that some people find their way to us. Alongside our other three Core Values – Christ-Centered; Active Faith; Inquiring Faith – being clear and steadfast in our affirmation and celebration of LGBTQ+ folks sets us apart from many other communities of faith.
Parents of little ones in our Inquirers Seminar are often quick to make that observation and connection, offering gratitude for the fact that they know we’ll love their children no matter who they grow up to be or who they grow up to love. And if that isn’t a reflection of God’s expansive baptismal love and welcome for all of us, I don’t know what is!
Looking forward to splashing in the font again, and you can bet I’ll be wearing my church T-shirt and rainbow stole – I am so very proud of this community and our shared faith.
Blessings and gratitude,
Lindsey