Episcopal Churches in the Lehigh Valley are banding together to offer more adult education programs to their members. The goal of Lehigh Valley Episcopal Adult Formation, or LEAF, is to pool resources and create opportunities for learning and fellowship among different Episcopal Churches.
The Rev. Maria Tjeltveit, rector of Church of the Mediator in Allentown and the driving force behind LEAF, is looking forward to the churches in the Lehigh Valley working together more. “We had people from Trinity, Easton, the Cathedral, and Mediator at the class I taught at the Cathedral this fall. EfM [Education for Ministry] has people from a variety of congregations,” said Tjeltveit. “We met as clergy a few times and hope to start developing some classes or programs together.”
The programs LEAF offers include lectionary bible studies, the Way of Love small group sessions, EfM, and Zumba. Tjeltveit is hopeful that this coalition will take off. “I would say, right now we are in the phase of fits and starts, but I hope that over the long run we can build this into a real cooperation among parishes, so that we can break down our silos, build community, and serve our people better.”