God has a plan for Blue Church. Follow this page as we move forward in faith with the help of the Holy Spirit. We are being transformed to be the people of God in new ways and with new partnerships.

St Paul’s council appointed an Exploration Team to learn more about the needs of our congregation and the opportunities for ministry that God is showing us through a possible alignment with the 6261 NEPA (synod) program. The Exploration Team met with small focus groups to identify the gifts and resources we offer and needs that could help us do ministry more effectively. The two central questions were what resources do we have available that we could share with other congregations, and what ministries could we expand or start if we can work together with other congregations in our area.

Members felt that one of our greatest resources is a large sanctuary and pipe organ. This was important because members also valued an opportunity for non-Sunday services and contemporary worship that could be facilitated in collaboration with other churches in our area. Members value our social ministry programs such as Betty Lou’s Pantry, the Ingathering and Samaritan Fund. Bible Study led by our members is a valuable resource we have to offer to other churches. A hope for the future is a vibrant youth/young adult program.

Our council is prayerfully exploring our future together with resources from the NEPA synod.

6261

6261 is one option that our council is considering as part of our ministry program. 6261 is a program of the Northeast Synod of the ELCA that was prayerfully entered into to support God’s work in our communities. This program enables up to six churches to work together on a shared ministry project that benefits our community. These are projects that all six church feel drawn to work on but may not have the full resources needed within their own congregation to be successful. The churches may share two pastors and one deacon to lead the ministry team. Each church has a Licensed Lay Minister (LLM) to support the congregation. Licensed Lay Ministers are trained and authorized by the bishop to serve a specific congregation. Pastor Marlene Werkheiser was our Interim LLM for 18 months. We now welcome Pastor Mike Button to continue with us on our journey into our future service to our Lord.

6261 communities are individual churches working together to carry out portions of their ministry calling. Churches that work together may not all be Lutheran churches. 6261 welcomes congregations from the UCC, Episcopal, Moravian, Methodist and Presbyterian churches to work with us as a community of faith serving our community. 6261 relies on the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the congregations that elect to join together to serve God through shared faith, shared ideas, a shared project and shared leadership resources. The exploration process takes time as congregations meet, spend time together and determine if and how they may work together. Discerning Congregations are about 15-20 minutes apart to facilitate working together. After substantial discernment by each congregation, the congregation member of the 6261″bundle” makes a 2-year covenant to work together to bring God’s blessings to those around us. 6261 is an exciting opportunity for churches to find new ways to be the hands of Christ and to share the Good News of God’s grace for all people.

There are currently several 6261 communities at various stages of collaborative ministry. The Reading Pretzel Church was an early adopter and has identified its shared ministry project. The Lightning Church is in the Scranton area. Several other groups are in the process of forming in Coopersburg, Schuylkill, Easton, Reading West and Womelsdorf. Schuylkill has identified a food ministry project. These churches are welcoming additional ministry partners to join their journey.

6261 : A ministry community working together in common life, ministry and mission