In September the Franconia Conference Ministerial Committee welcomed their newest member, Sherri Binder from Ripple. Sherri brings vast experience of working with communities in crisis, strategic planning, evaluation, and community development.
Three years ago, Sherri moved to Allentown, Pennsylvania with her husband Jeremy from Honolulu, Hawaii. She states, “at the time we were very sad to leave our church (and, yes, the beach). Our church in Honolulu is a unique community that brings together people from all walks of life, including many people who would not be comfortable walking into a traditional church. We doubted we would be able to find a similar church community here, but then someone suggested that we visit Ripple. As soon as we walked through the door, we knew we had found our new church home.”
Sherri holds a B.A. in Political Science and International Affairs from Kennesaw State University (Georgia), graduating in 2001. She obtained her Master’s in Sustainable International Development from The Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University (Waltham, MA). She also holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Community & Cultural Psychology from the University of Hawaii (Manoa).
Currently, Sherri is the President, BrokoppBinder Research & Consulting where she conducts research on how communities recover from natural disasters, along with conducting program evaluation. She is also the Director of Ripple Community Inc., the non-profit that formed out of Ripple church, which was formed to take the community building work of Ripple Church out into the neighborhoods of Allentown. Their program –the Community [Building] Center — creates opportunities to strengthen relationships and build community with residents of the city who are traditionally marginalized, and to develop connections across social boundaries with people who live and work in Allentown.
In regards to coming on board with the ministerial committee, Sherri said, “I am looking forward to learning about the Conference and working more closely with the people who are at its heart. I’m excited to contribute to the work on the Ministerial Committee in supporting the member churches, so that the member churches can better support their local communities.”
Steve Kriss, Director of Leadership Cultivation and Congregational Resourcing, says, “Sherri brings important skills from her area of study and work with trauma and recovery. She’s a bridge-builder, someone who seeks to understand diverse communities. In her work with Ripple Community Inc. she has exposure to the broader issues of urban life possibilities and challenges. She will contribute value as a professional and a person committed to faith, hope and justice in the way of Jesus.”
For fun Sherri enjoys reading, playing the guitar, and doing “as much yoga as I can manage.” She also enjoys spending time with her husband and their dog, Jojo.
Welcome, Sherri Binder, to the Franconia Conference Ministerial Committee.