Join us for an evening of food, music, and fellowship!
This is a community potluck, so bring food and a poem, a song, or a story to share. Invite a friend and spread the word! Please RSVP by calling 215-438-3677. We hope to see you there.
Sunday, March 17, 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
First United Methodist Church Germantown
6001 Germantown Avenue, 19144
This past Fall was extremely challenging in the United States. There were two shootings that made national headlines (and several others that didn’t), several wildfires and partisan bickering that continues to increase. But in the aftermath of the Pittsburgh shooting – where Jews and refugees and immigrants were targeted – Philadelphia’s welcoming and diverse city of brother love and sisterly affection came together to re-affirm our values and our love for one another.
A service at center city’s Temple Rodeph Sholom on the Sunday evening after the Saturday shooting counted more than 1400 attendees. The attendees were from every race, religion and culture. They were young and elderly and middle aged. They came and they listened and they embraced one another and the love in that room, the affirmation of our shared humanity, was so strong, so moving, so palpable.
In reflecting afterwards, HIAS Pennsylvania and Reverend Bob Coombe of FUMCOG were simultaneously uplifted by the event and saddened that, as often happens, it took a tragedy to bring people together. We thought, why not replicate this event without a tragedy? Why not bring people together in fellowship just because who doesn’t need a celebration of life and love, light and joy?
Reverend Coombe’s church is both large and home to three immigrant families living in sanctuary. Since they would not be able to leave the church to attend a celebration, we thought it best to bring the celebration to them. And since a celebration should be happy and not burdensome, or exclusive, we invite the whole community and we ask that you bring some food to share –because really, what’s a celebration without breaking bread together?
So bring some shareable food. Bring a poem, a song or a story to share as well. Invite a friend, take some flyers, spread the word. It’ll be lots of fun! Everyone is welcome but you will need to RSVP! We have room for 200 guests so don’t wait! RSVP by calling 215 438-3677.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1572829889516313/