Faith in Action
Called to Love and Serve
Connie Gilbert, coordinator: Located in the undercroft of Nativity is the Better Buy Thrift Shop. This is an ecumenical ministry that sells used clothes, provides clothes at no cost to those in need, and uses earnings from this ministry to fund programs for the South Bethlehem community. Parishioners are very active as volunteers in this ministry. Donations are accepted whenever the Thrift Shop is open. Check our Calendar for shop hours.
Bethlehem Emergency Shelter
Dn. Rodney Conn, James Reader and Joe Tramontana, coordinators: For the coldest months of the year, this group prepares dinner and breakfast for those suffering from homelessness. The Cathedral has been an integral part of this ministry since its inception 13 years ago. What started as rotating churches offering a warm space and food moved to a single site location to better serve the needs of the community. Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering, Inc., (BES) incorporated as a 501(c)3 organization 7 years ago and their Board of Directors along with the Executive Director, Bob Rapp, operate the shelter from November to April. The shelter is located at Christ Church UCC (75 E. Market St., Bethlehem), which allows for partnering with various support agencies in the county.
For those interested in supporting this ministry, you may visit the shelter's website, and like the FaceBook page to keep up on news and needs of the ministry. The Cathedral participates by preparing a dinner meal, arranging a light breakfast, and helping with checking in guests. We serve on the odd-numbered Thursdays and use SignUpGenius to arrange for volunteers to plan, prepare, serve and clean up. Links for all are below.
BES Website | BES FaceBook Page | SignUpGenius Link for Volunteers
The Bethlehem Emergency Shelter starts in mid November on odd-numbered Thursdays until the beginning of April. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of the coordinators.
Deacon Rodney | James Reader | Joe Tramontana
Creation Care Ministry
Cathy Bailey, Coordinator: Mission statement: Nativity Creation Care ministry believes in the sacredness of our Earth and our environment given to us by God. As members of the larger Nativity community, we aspire to bring about change in how we approach consumption of resources both within the church and throughout our neighborhood. By educating ourselves and others, we want to inspire reverence for the Earth as God created it.
View the Season of Creation video series
Refugee Resettlement
This group helped to resettle a family and continues to guide them after they have gained independent living in the community.
New Bethany Ministries
Marc Rittle, Executive Director: A faith-based non-profit agency that provides services for homeless families, permanent housing for low-income individuals, and a daily soup kitchen for residents and anyone in need. New Bethany Ministries
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Soup Kitchen
Ray Vernon, coordinator: The first Tuesday of each month our volunteers cook noon dinner at the New Bethany Meal Center kitchen.
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New Hope/Kajo Keji Partnership
A partnership outreach ministry of the Diocese of Bethlehem with the Diocese of Kajo Keji, Sudan.
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Daughters of the King
Barbara Beal and Olivia Tramontana, co-leaders: An international episcopal order for women who adopt a rule of life of prayer and service in support of their parish priest, church, community and the world.
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Pastoral Care Team
Laura Drum, coordinator: This team visits elderly and shut-in parishioners sharing Christ’s joy.
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Yarns of Love
Sally Snyder, coordinator: Fellowship for those who wish to keep their hands busy and show their gifts through works of art with yarn. Yarns of Love is a ministry of Cathedral and community knitters, crocheters and sewers who provide handmade prayer shawls, baby blankets, hats, scarves, mittens, walker bags and other items to parishioners, family members, friends and organizations.Lessons and supplies are provided for beginners. Learn about our Flower Cascades.
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ShareCare Faith in Action
Carol Yale, coordinator: A non-profit network of trained volunteers who provide compassionate, practical services to enhance the dignity, independence and quality of life for elderly and those with special needs.
ShareCare Faith in Action