When not organizing mission-related education, I also taught Bible Discovery classes. And now there were two choirs to sing in—Chancel and Cantate Domino. Ron also joined Cantate Domino and began singing in other local choruses and the church’s musical productions.


In 1996, Ron was asked to be part of a four-teacher team for third-grade Church School. Tey were already doing a through-the-Bible type of approach, which he and his teammates enjoyed developing further over the years. As his children got older, he also helped out on the Youth Fellowship Committee.


First Presbyterian Church members and friends are living God’s love in all kinds of ways. Two of them are Sheila and Ron Clever, who have been leaders in many church ministries, including Peace and Justice efforts. Here’s their story, in their own words.


I moved to the Lehigh Valley in 1990 with my three sons because of a transfer, and we began attending First Presbyterian. Ron, his wife Margie, and their four children began attending in 1993. When Margie passed away from breast cancer in 2000, this congregation was very supportive.


Ron and I started dating in 2002. We knew each other from our kids’ activities, and in Sunday school I taught his kids and he taught mine. We were married at First Presbyterian in 2003. Our current family consists of seven children: Joshua, Matthew, Marcus, Adam, Casey, Sarabeth, and Caleb; three daughters-in-law (Jessica, Caitlin, and Jennifer); and three grandsons (Trey, Kellen, and Walker).


At other churches, I had been teaching Sunday school since 1986, singing in the choir, playing handbells, and helping out with Bible School. At FPCA, I volunteered in the toddler room, joined the choir, started teaching at Vacation Bible School, and was a parent volunteer at Youth Club.


I read in the Bulletin one day about a meeting of the Peace and Justice Committee. As a lifelong pacifist, I was overjoyed to discover that I could be at church and be involved with peace activities. After a few meetings, I agreed to temporarily lead the committee, but “temporary” became permanent. I began working with the Mission Committee and leading adult Church School with various Peace and Justice presentations and dinners.


He began serving as a deacon in 2003 and became increasingly interested in the things I was doing on the Mission Committee, including the Peace and Justice Committee. I stepped down as chair in 2008, and in 2011 Ron started chairing Peace and Justice, which is now called the Peace and Justice and Missionaries Mission Team. Ron and I co-chair the team. Some of its top goals are educating, providing enlightenment, advocating, and providing information on issues that are important to God’s people.


In 2016, Ron completed 20 years of teaching third-grade Church School.


Occasionally we worship at other churches, connecting with other good folks who are God’s hands and feet in different ways. As Ron said, “Our penchant for visiting other churches does not mean we are looking for a church family elsewhere—it means that we are finding our church family everywhere!”


I think I’ve always felt it is a Christian duty to live God’s love—before that became a motto for our church. I believe that loving one another is the best way we can show God we love Him. In Matthew 25, we’re told to feed the hungry, care for the sick, and tend to those in prison; these are ways in which we can show our love for God.


Ron points out that God’s call is to love all other people. Other mission teams do this in their own ways, and other church activities, projects, and groups do this, too—each as a different part of the church’s body. If we are to live together in this world, the Gospel-given ministries of peace and of reconciliation are essential ingredients in God’s plan for us.


I feel so blessed to be part of this church. I’ve learned to love God better here and feel safe in exploring who God created me to be. I’ve had so many wonderful teachers. In gratitude, I pray daily that I am able to show others the same gift that was given to me. Sometimes my prayers are answered.


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