Barker Society


Celebrates Luncheon honors endowment donors whose funds support local mission


BY JOHN ROWLEY


Charley Underwood, along with Helen Underwood and Daybreak kitchen director Becky Latshaw, were among those making presentations about mission initiatives that FPCA’s endowment supports.


In the church’s mission statement, we make a commitment to service and relationships for the common good of our community and the world. One of the key elements to ensuring that our church continues this long tradition is the FPCA Endowment Fund. Te fund was established through the vision and generosity of former pastor Rev. Dr. William P. Barker and his wife, Jean.


Each year the endowment distributes funds for the church to use for its mission and ministerial services. As a result, any donors directing a current or planned gift to the endowment have the joy of knowing that they have made a “forever” gift that keeps on giving.


Highlighted this year was the work of our FPCA Local Mission team, co-chaired by Helen and Charley Underwood. Tey, along with 65 volunteers, are actively partnering with 11 organizations that have programs supporting the neediest in our community. Te team’s goal is to


8


On Saturday, June 3, the Barker Society, which honors donors who have directed or planned a gift to FPCA’s endowment, celebrated a season of good works made possible by their contributions to the FPCA Endowment Foundation. Following a delightful buffet luncheon served in Fellowship Hall, pastor Jack Haberer welcomed participants and thanked them for putting their faith into action.


develop strong relationships and provide physical, spiritual, financial, and other forms of support.


As part of the afternoon program, the Underwoods, along with Becky Latshaw, director of Daybreak’s kitchen, told moving stories about our church’s partnership with this Conference of Churches program. Daybreak is a weekday drop-in center in Allentown that provides loving friendship and support to people struggling with mental illness, physical disabilities, addiction, HIV/AIDS, age-related poverty, and homelessness. Tis year, in addition to providing personal services, Daybreak served over 36,000 meals and linked over 7,000 people in crisis to community resources. During the luncheon, presenters showed and described snapshots of Daybreak activities that flashed on the overhead screen.


Bob Livingston shared with the honored members of the Barker Society that the endowment fund had increased


significantly during the past year. New contributions amounted to $74,355, which, when added to investment growth of $163,666, totaled $238,021.


FPCA’s Local Mission efforts support a large number of community charitable organizations that help our neighbors in need. Tese groups include but are not limited to Daybreak; Jerusalem House Ministries; Ripple; Allentown Winter Warming Shelter; Roosevelt and Sheridan Elementary Schools; the Sixth Street Shelter; Zion UCC/Liberty Bell Church; Allentown Ecumenical Food Bank; FPCA’s Quilting, Craft, and Sewing Ministry; and Zion ECC Church.


For more information about the Barker Society, please email Planned Giving Team at plannedgiving@fpcallentown. org or contact Joyce Cerniglia at the church office at 610-395-3781.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12