Souper Service


Weekend 2020 FPCA members and friends take action throughout the community


BY DONNA BARNWELL


For the past four years, our church family has participated in Souper Service Weekend. Tis weekend begins with a Soup and Chili Cook-Off on Friday evening (see opposite page). In 2017, 2018, and 2019, we added a Souper Service Day on Saturday. Souper Service Day is a time for members and friends to spend time serving in our community or at the church. Tis year, 100-plus adults, youth, and children spent the morning of Saturday, February 1, involved in the following service projects:


• Making snack bags and organizing donations at Parkland CARES Food Bank


• Knitting prayer squares • Cooking and serving breakfast at Jubilee Breakfast at Zion UCC • Doing a deep clean at Jubilee Breakfast kitchen • Hosting a party for families at the Sixth Street Shelter • Cleaning and stocking three apartments at the Sixth Street Shelter • Putting up a mission bulletin board • Making lunches for those experiencing homelessness • Making bed packs, doing laundry, and sorting donations at the YMCA Warming Station


• Stuffing Easter eggs for the children’s Easter activity at FPCA • Putting together bags of food at Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank


• Filling folders for Diakon Adoption and Foster Care training sessions


• Making friendship bracelets for the Honduras Medical Mission in June 2020


• Making friendship cards for the Honduras Medical Mission • Visiting, eating lunch, and playing games at Ripple Community Building Center


• Organizing the events and clothing closets at Roosevelt Elementary School


• Signing letters for Bread for the World


Each group had devotions centering around the mosaic theme described at the Soup and Chili Cook-Off. Tis theme highlights that we each are like a precious stone that is brilliant with color and, when placed beside another, becomes part of a beautiful mosaic.


Many thanks to all who contributed to Souper Service Day in myriad ways, including those who served, led projects and devotions, shopped for supplies, brought in donations, and (in the case of Pam Weiss) wrote the devotions.


NEXT HONDURAS MEDICAL MISSION PLANNED


Twenty individuals have committed to be living witnesses to the Gospel in Honduras as they provide medical care for our Honduran brothers and sisters who are sick and injured. The team will serve from June 20 to 27 at the Manos Amigas Clinic through the mission organization Serving at the Crossroads.


The congregation is welcome to be involved in preparations for the Honduras Medical Mission by donating to the upcoming clothing drive March 22 to 29, contributing to other fundraisers, and praying for those who will be a part of this mission. Information: donna.barnwell@ fpcallentown.org.


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INTERGENERATIONAL WORK CAMP COMING


This summer, up to 40 youth and adults of all ages will serve together in Buffalo, New York, from June 27 to July 2. This life-changing experience has space for you, too, if you register before we reach our quota. As of mid-February, more than two dozen people were already signed up. Cost is $200 for youth and $300 for adults.


To register online, go to the church’s website at fpcallentown.org, click the button reading “News, Forms & Events,” and on the Form & Events page, click the big blue button reading “Register for Events Here.” Then find the entry for “Intergenerational Work Camp 2020,” and follow the directions. Information: kathy.schmied@fpcallentown.org.


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