to Saturday. According to RCI director Sherri Binder, “Te Community Building Center provides opportunities that cross traditional social boundaries.” It is all about relationships and establishing a sense of community.


Te CBC offers a variety of activities, including games, quilting, painting, yoga, gardening, coloring, weaving, and community service projects. While no meals are officially served at the CBC, food is sometimes made available to those who spend time there. Interactions with each other and the activities affirm participants and build community.


So, as our pastors say in their sermons, what does all this have to do with us?


First Presbyterian Church of Allentown has a rich and active history with Ripple Church, RCI Village, and the CBC. We have been involved—and plan to continue being involved—in providing handyman/ woman skills, in building relationships, and in giving financially. Over the last year and a half, FPCA has given approximately $18,000 to Ripple and RCI. Most of these monies came from the Local Mission budget, sewing and craft sales, and alternative gift giving.


As RCI Village and the CBC began to become a reality, renovations were needed to make the apartments suitable for residents and to create a hospitable space for the CBC. Members and friends of First Presbyterian jumped in to build shelves, move doors, paint, and garden.


In addition, there have been opportunities for developing relationships and building community with those at Ripple Church and at the CBC through youth mission mornings, a summer ice cream party, a morning of games, and many meals. Te First Presbyterian Local Mission team serves dinner at Ripple Church four times a year.


Te work of building community is never done: Future plans for FPCA involvement include doing further renovations, joining in activities, and providing lunch at the CBC on October 19 (Service Day); making and serving Christmas Eve dinner at Ripple Church; and a summer ice cream party and games at the Community Building Center. Watch for details and ways to get involved in the Sunday Bulletin and weekly eBlast.


Ripple Community Inc. has worked to provide affordable apartments on


Linden Street, Allentown, at the site of the former Stephens Funeral Home.


RIPPLE OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULED


Ripple Community Inc.—the nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing Ripple Church ministries into the broader community—will hold an open house in Allentown on Thursday, September 5.


The event will take place at the newly opened site of affordable apartments that make up RCI Village along with the communal space known as the Community Building Center. All are invited to visit the new facility and make the Ripple community your community. The event begins at 5 p.m.


RCI Village is located at 1335 West Linden Street, Allentown, at the former site of Stephens Funeral Home.


ripplecommunityinc.org 7


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