Sharing Life

Sharing Life was created to offer community opportunities to individuals who had been discharged from Allentown State Hospital due to its closure. St.

The idea came from Sue Krasley a Nurse who had worked at ASH and a parishioner at St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Allentown. Connie Hammann, who had been providing advocacy services at ASH, has been supporting these individuals since their discharged and had identified a real need for reconnection back to their community. The plan was to offer a lunch and an activity so that individuals

would have an opportunity to meet with peers who many haven’t seen for a while, make new friends as well as reconnect with faith based communities. Our first event was held in September 2011. The turn out was disappointing, to say the least, with only 12 individuals attending, that number included staff that assisted with transportation. Over the next few months we experienced an increase in numbers and in December, for our Christmas event, complete with an adopt-a stocking campaign, served in excess of over 100 individuals. In 2013 we began offering weekly activities on the off weeks of our luncheon events. Currently we offer on-going knitting and crocheting classes held on the 2nd Wednesday of every month as well as crafts such as candy making, herb gardening, etc. held on the 1st Wednesday. Also in 2013 we reached out to Wernersville State Hospital so as to include those individuals who had been transferred after the closure keeping them connected to their home community. Since then WeSH has been attending regularly. We recently hosted our second annual Summer Carnival and served over 140 individuals. Mark’s has graciously opened their doors to these events as well and continue to offer their support. Their parishioners offer help during the events, providing wonderful desserts, assisting in guided crafts and most importantly offering acceptance to all. The beauty of this all is that not only are the individuals benefiting from these monthly events but our committee members, parishioners and our community are as well.

05/14/2026

Thanks to all who came out last week to learn how to make these incredibly cute can windchimes! Thanks to Ashley for the pics and for all of your help with our craft!!!

05/13/2026

Just a reminder to RSVP by Friday for our Cinco de Mayo event next week! Gracias a todos!

05/06/2026

💜

04/29/2026

Thanks to all who reached out to RSVP for next week's Craft. Seating is filled!

04/21/2026

Hey Sharing Life Family...here's what's happening next month! Plus the Lehigh Valley Mental Health Walk is on Friday May 1st!!!!

https://www.lehighvalleymhwalk.org/

04/17/2026

Thanks to all who came out this past week for our Easter luncheon! We had a Hoppin" good time! Thanks also to Lehigh Carbon Community College students, Jo and Nicole for volunteering...you were a huge help! See you all next month!!!

04/10/2026

Reservations for next week’s luncheon are now closed. Thanks to all who RSVPd

04/02/2026

Thank you to all who came out to one of our largest Craft days... A huge thank you to our facilitators, Sue, Ashley, Rene and Susie!!!

03/26/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1URHs26MA3/

03/25/2026

Happy Spring Sharing Life Family! Hoping to see you all next month at our events. Please remember to RSVP.

03/19/2026

Thanks to all who came out yesterday to help us celebrate St. Paddy's day🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

Address

St Mark’s Lutheran Church 201 E Juniata Street
Allentown, PA
18103

Website

http://stmarkallentown.org/sharinglife.html

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Sharing Life posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Allentown?