FPCA workers put together lunches to be shared at a ministry coordinated by Ripple Church in Allentown.


Ripple Effect How FPCA supports Ripple Church ministries in Center City Allentown


BY DONNA BARNWELL


How do you establish or feel a sense of community? Is it through your neighborhood, your place of employment, your church, the place where you enjoy your hobbies?


For those who are homeless or unemployed, finding a sense of community is difficult if not impossible. Feelings of loneliness coupled with feelings of despair can be overwhelming. Tis is a reality for some of our neighbors in Allentown. Tey don’t have a safe, secure neighborhood; a place of employment; or resources to pursue their interests. Many do not feel welcome at church.


Tere is good news in this story! In 2011, Ripple Church was begun in Allentown by the Mennonite denomination. Te mission of Ripple Church is to connect with people on the fringes of society by building community and addressing material needs. Ripple Church worships at 4 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church on West Turner Street. Several times a month and on special days, the congregation shares a meal together following worship. Tese meals are provided by local churches. Trough worship, meals, fellowship, and pastoral care, Ripple church members and their pastors provide a sense of community for each other.


6


As Ripple Church became established in Allentown, the needs of the community and church members became more apparent. Te most pressing need was (and still is) safe and affordable housing. Ripple Community Inc. (RCI) was founded in 2015 for the purpose of taking the work of Ripple Church into the broader community. Tis goal is being accomplished through several avenues including housing at Ripple Community Inc. Village (RCI Village) and by offering a place for those looking for community to gather—the Community Building Center (CBC).


Currently, RCI Village is comprised of 13 apartments at 1335 West Linden Street (where Stephens Funeral Home was previously located). Residents pay a reasonable monthly amount to cover rent and utilities. Te goal is to expand RCI Village to 50 apartments as additional properties become available. Residents at RCI Village also participate in social services, allowing them to further their self-sufficiency and maintain healthy community relationships.


At 1335 West Linden Street, the apartments of RCI Village surround a large living room space—and this is the Community Building Center. Everyone in the community is invited and welcome at the CBC, which has hours Tuesday


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