Lianette Pappaterra
Congregations and Communities Initiative
Esperanza Health Center (EHC) is a Christian federally-qualified health center providing primary health and wellness services in North Philadelphia. Through this Congregations and Communities Initiative, EHC seeks to engage with and expand its mission, context, and programmatic offerings in three ways: 1) Build EHC’s internal capacity as a diverse faith-based ministry by strengthening the activities of its Beloved Community, EHC’s diversity, equity, belonging, and inclusion committee, as well as developing and offering training, workshops, retreat offerings, and staff development; 2) Increase EHC’s involvement with faith partners to strengthen congregational and community life in Philadelphia, through rich connections and offerings with and for Philadelphia-area congregations and faith- based ministries. This includes offering faith-based health education curriculums and providing quarterly appreciation breakfasts, events, and retreats for area ministry leaders; 3) Engage with the larger national network of Christian health clinics across the country through continued engagement with the Christian Community Health Fellowship (CCHF). This work will include building practices and rhythms of welcome for all Christian denominations through an ecumenism-focused affinity group and ecumenical practices incorporated into the CCHF conference. Additionally, EHC will support CCHF’s creation of their Member Care program, which will provide practical support to Christian clinicians and healthcare ministry practitioners. Altogether, this Congregations and Communities Initiative will support faith formation, restoration, and belonging for the EHC community, its North Philadelphia neighborhood, and Christian healthcare nationwide.
One Body Philly: Ecumenical Work in North Philadelphia
2025-26: Over the last two years, Esperanza Health Center (EHC), a Christian health clinic in North Philadelphia, has served as a convener and coordinator for a variety of ecumenical efforts in North Philadelphia through our One Body Philly project and our Kensington Ecumenical Community of Practice. Through this CSNY Ministry in the City Hub Local Gatherings grant, EHC seeks to continue these efforts by offering two local gatherings to strengthen ecumenical ties for Christian leaders from diverse denominations doing ministry in the city in North Philadelphia. The first gathering would be a convening and learning opportunity for ministry leaders to develop tools and skills related to ecumenical work through speakers and workshops. The projected outcomes of this gathering include building a greater understanding of ecumenism as well as gaining practical tools and skills to effectively engage and collaborate with others across differences. The second gathering would be a one-day retreat that would allow participants to fellowship together while engaging with and practicing rhythms of prayer, worship, and reflection across different Christian traditions. Projected outcomes for this gathering include a time of rest and renewal for North Philadelphia ministry leaders, as well as continued relationship and community building across denominational lines. Together, the goal is that these gatherings will better equip ministry leaders to engage with other churches and faith-based organizations and will build or strengthen relationships between these leaders, resulting in increased dialogue and collaboration.
2022-23: One Body Philly aims to leverage Esperanza Health Center (EHC)’s unique position as a diverse Christian organization to encourage ecumenical partnerships and faith-based efforts in their North Philadelphia neighborhoods. Over the past few months, EHC has hosted and attended numerous ecumenical conversations around the future of justice work in the city. In early 2023, EHC will open a new building dedicated to community health and wellness in the heart of North Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhood, complete with event and classroom spaces. This space, in combination with the cross-denominational partnerships our team has nurtured, uniquely positions us to serve as a convener for ecumenical efforts.
One Body Philly will have three components: 1) creating a central platform to share existing initiatives; 2) convening a diverse design team to curate and develop experiences centered on being and doing (prayer and action); and 3) developing EHC’s organizational capacity for ecumenical work through staff training and professional development.
Lianette is the Director of Community Health and Wellness at Esperanza Health Center. She holds an MPh, and lives in Philadelphia with her husband.
Congregations and Communities grants provide support for urban pastors, churches, faith-based community organizations, and theological institutions to share resources, ideas, and practices for life-giving ministry in cities across North America. Typically, we invite those who have not previously had access to resources or grant funding.
The new HUB Local Gatherings initiative supports the coordination of neighborhood or citywide gatherings by a network member to connect with other Christian leaders around a topic of inquiry, encouragement, and support related to ministry in the city. The gatherings are topical, contextual, and consider sustained engagement between or beyond the meetings themselves.
Congregations and Communities grants provide support for urban pastors, churches, faith-based community organizations, and theological institutions to share resources, ideas, and practices for life-giving ministry in cities across North America. We are truly inspired by the commitment of these churches, educational institutions, and community organizations.
