Conference-Related Ministries Creating Community
by Charlene Smalls
The words of 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 came to life on a sunny Saturday afternoon in Franklin Park in Allentown, PA: “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.”
This spirit of unity was the heartbeat of Ripple Community Inc (RCI)’s annual Party in the Park, which kicked off RCI’s 10-year anniversary. It was both a celebration and a living testament to the power of community. The event brought staff, neighbors, and friends together outside the familiar walls of the community center, celebrating a decade of building relationships that change lives.
The atmosphere was filled with a sense of belonging and family. It was the essence of what founder and Executive Director Sherri Binder has worked to create. Binder, who is driven by the belief that everyone deserves long-term, affordable housing, has made connection the cornerstone of RCI’s mission. Together, she and her team address homelessness and the intertwined challenges of food insecurity and isolation. This day of laughter and music reflected their tireless dedication and deep compassion.
Children laughed as the fire department cooled them off with a refreshing spray, while a local ice cream vendor, drawn in by the energy, stayed until his truck was empty. Guests painted faces, played a lively game of Nine Square, and crafted colorful bouquets to gift to loved ones. At the craft station, anticipation was high for RCI’s upcoming art gallery, where attendees’ creations will soon adorn the community center walls.
Partner organizations, the mayor of Allentown, and state representatives also joined the celebration. Their presence affirmed that the impact of this gathering and RCI’s work goes far beyond the neighborhood. The recognition underscored what the day so beautifully demonstrated: Ripple Community Inc. is a vital, thriving community that unites many members into one caring body.
The celebration was a vivid reminder of what can be built when longing, belonging, and dedication form the foundation of community. Every smile, every song, every shared moment was a thread in the living tapestry of connection—one body, rejoicing together.
In November, a new art exhibition opened in the Center, titled “The Art of Neighboring,” which is also part of the 10-year anniversary celebration.
Charlene Smalls
Charlene Smalls is co-pastor of Ripple Church in Allentown, PA.
Mosaic values two-way communication and encourages our constituents to respond with feedback, questions, or encouragement. To share your thoughts or send a message to the author(s), contact us at communication@mosaicmennonites.org.
The opinions expressed in articles posted on Mosaic’s website are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy of Mosaic Conference. Mosaic is a large conference, crossing ethnicities, geographies, generations, theologies, and politics. Each person can only speak for themselves; no one can represent “the conference.” May God give us the grace to hear what the Spirit is speaking to us through people with whom we disagree and the humility and courage to love one another even when those disagreements can’t be bridged.