A MESSAGE FROM REV. LINDSEY ALTVATER CLIFTON: LET’S CONNECT
Greetings, dear ones,
This Sunday, we continue with the second in a pair of sermons inspired by Priya Parker’s book, The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters. As our faith tradition calls us to fellowship and hospitality, what does it mean to do that work well? How can we slow down to reflect on the purpose for gathering and plan with greater intentionality?
We are looking to John 6:5-14 and Luke 14:12-24 
for more insight on how expansive welcome and transformation are integral to our gathering practices and true hospitality.
Given our congregation’s hopes for becoming more relational, mission-active, and community-integrated (the three themes which emerged from our Mission Study), I can think of no stronger skills to build than these!
Speaking of gatherings… For those who were interested in updates and next steps following the last Metro-IAF leaders lunch about relational community organizing and opportunities to build a broad-based power coalition in the Lehigh Valley, there are two more upcoming chances to connect and be part of the early stages of this important work—
- Metro-IAF Community Leaders Lunch – Tuesday, Aug. 11, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem
This is an opportunity for local community and faith leaders to explore relational organizing. We are working toward a community listening and voter engagement campaign as a first step in building a broad-based power coalition with Metro-IAF. Clergy and/or lay leaders interested in community engagement and justice-seeking who might be willing to build a small team from their faith community or organization are invited! (If you might be interested in joining the FPCB team, this is for you!)
- Metro-IAF Training for Listening/Voter Campaign – Tuesday, Aug. 25, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Lehigh Conference of Churches, 457 W. Allen St., Allentown
This is the team training to help us facilitate the community listening and voter engagement campaign. The hope is that local faith communities and other organizations will bring their core group of volunteers to this for skill-building before launching the relational organizing efforts. (You don’t have to come to the Leaders Lunch to attend the Training with our group.)
These are great opportunities for connection and learning that will help us lean more fully into all three of those Mission Study commitments! If you’re interested in attending one or both of these, please let me know via email (lclifton@fpc-bethlehem.org).
Forward together, friends!
Lindsey