Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to attend a free, private pre-release screening of Banned Together, a documentary that pulls back the curtain on two of the most controversial issues in America today: book bands and curriculum censorship in public schools – topics we’ve covered in previous mocktails sessions. This film screening is a one-time event, and registration is required, Register Here.

Our mocktail for this session is a Hocus Pocus Punch – a magical brew for a powerful evening.

Mark your calendars for September 19th at 6:30 PM in the Narthex as we explore the impact of the Independence Law Center on local school districts. We’ll hear insights from representatives from Hempfield and Elizabethtown, who will discuss the divisions caused in their school communities by ILC policies, including effects on LGBTQ+ students, library materials, and more.

🍏🥂 Our featured mocktail will be the refreshing Apple Ginger Fizz—perfect for sipping as we dive into this important conversation! Don’t miss out—click to register today! Register Here

Mocktails & Meaning returns on August 15th from 6-8 PM with a special presentation by Angela Strause, an FBI Agent with 14 years of experience, focusing on frauds against senior citizens and how to prevent them. Our featured mocktail will be a Blueberry Ginger Fizz. Please Register on Realm to ensure we have enough drinks for everyone.

Join us for our June Mocktails & Meaning session on June 20th, featuring Church World Services (CWS) Lancaster. This month’s presentation is titled “Immigration: Fact & Fiction,” offering valuable insights into the realities and misconceptions surrounding immigration. As we engage in this important discussion, enjoy our featured mocktail: Peaches & Cream Punch. Don’t miss this enlightening event—click here to register.

A Little About Our Presenter:

Griffin Durling (he/him/el)

Discover the pressing issue of Youth Homelessness at our May Mocktails & Meaning session on May 16th. We’re privileged to host a representative from the Lancaster County Housing & Redevelopment Authority. Be sure to Register Here. And while you’re engrossed in conversation, enjoy our featured mocktail: the delightful Pomegranate & Rosewater Spritzer. See you there!

A Little About Our Presenters:

We’re excited to announce our lineup of speakers for the upcoming Mocktails & Meaning session! Lisette Rivera, School District of Lancaster’s Site Coordinator for Families in Transition Program, and Fran Milano, District Office Director for Representative Mike Sturla’s Office, will be joining us. Additionally, we’re working on confirming a representative from The Workforce Development Board. Alongside these presenters, we’ll have one or two members from the Youth Action Board, a group of young individuals who have experienced or are experiencing homelessness. They play a crucial role in advocating for inclusive programs and policies that meet the specific needs of this vulnerable population. Stay tuned for more updates!

Join us for our April Mocktails & Meaning session on April 18th, where we’ll be delving into the important topic of affordable housing. We’re honored to have two representatives from Tenfold Lancaster, a trusted community partner with over 80 years of collective expertise, joining us to share insights and solutions. From overcoming homelessness to preparing for homeownership, Tenfold provides critical services to empower our neighbors and enhance community well-being. As we engage in this discussion, sip on our featured mocktail of the evening: the refreshing Blackberry Lemon Mocktail.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn, connect, and make a difference. Mark your calendars, Register Here, and join us on April 18th!

A Little About Our Presenters:

Wilfred Bentley earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Business Administration from Wayne State University. He has worked in the automotive, trucking, banking, and not-for-profit industries.

Bentley is a two term past national president of the Urban Financial Services Coalition. He also served on the Board of Directors of the National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association. Bentley is a life member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He is a Vietnam veteran.  

Bentley currently works as Tenfold’s Chief Community Investment Officer under Tenfold Community Lending. He is joined in holy matrimony to Rev. Dr. Vanessa Lovelace and has three adult children and one grandchild.

Randi Shober is the Director of the Financial Empowerment Center at Tenfold.  She has been employed by Tenfold formerly Tabor Community Services for 23 years.  She is a Certified HUD Housing Counselor, PHFA Housing Counseling Specialist, and NFCC Credit and Housing Counselor. 

Celebrate Women’s History Month with an enlightening discussion on women’s healthcare at our monthly Mocktails & Meaning session. We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Sharee Livingston, DO, a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Our featured mocktail will be the Green Appletini Mocktail. Save the date for Thursday, March 21st, and join us for this exciting meeting! Don’t forget to secure your spot by registering Here!

A Little About Our Presenter:

Dr Sharee Livingston is a physician who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology. She chairs the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UPMC Lititz and is a member of the UPMC Lititz Board of Trustees. Dr Livingston is also the foremost female robotic surgeon in Lancaster County.

Dr Livingston is a founding member of Patients R Waiting, an organization dedicated to eliminating health disparities by increasing diversity in medicine, and co-founder of the Diversifying Doulas Initiative, which addresses maternal mortality crisis by providing Lancaster Black and Latinx expectant mothers with help from a doula, a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to help the mother experience a positive and safe birth.

In 2023, Dr Livingston was appointed to a two-year term on the Pennsylvania Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women. 

Join Church of the Apostles UCC for our next Mocktails & Meaning session on February 15th from 6:30-8:30 PM. This time, we’re exploring Artificial Intelligence with three expert presenters sharing insights on its utilizations and legal considerations. Steve Brown will discuss AI in the medical field, Jim Stoltzfus will focus on business applications, and Brandon Harter will explore legal issues. As a special treat, our featured Mocktail for the evening will be a delightful Valentines Mocktail made with fruit punch, sprite, and grenadine. To secure your spot, email office@apostlesucc.org or Click Here!

A Little About Our Presenters:

Jim Stoltzfus has spent a decade administering business applications, mainly focused on sales and marketing aspects of CRM. Before that he spent some time in Business Analysis, Sales Operations, and Market Research. Jim spends a lot of time in project management and requirements gathering, looking for ways to gain efficiency through automation and process streamlining. Jim works from home on the east side of Lancaster, a house packed with family, pets, and students of his wife Elizabeth’s Music Studio. He has been a member of Church of Apostles UCC since 2017.

Brandon Harter’s passion is finding efficient, tech-savvy solutions to problems at the intersection of law and technology. With the goal of providing expert legal counsel alongside cutting-edge technology under one roof he founded Lancaster Tech Law in 2022. Representing clients throughout Pennsylvania, Lancaster Tech Law focuses on core values that emphasize vanguard thinking, legal innovation, technological know-how, and exceptional personal service

Steve Brown has over 15 years in Healthcare IT with Penn Medicine leading strategic initiatives at the intersection of healthcare and technology. Steve oversees a diverse portfolio of technologies and projects aimed at optimizing clinical workflows, enhancing patient engagement, and improving healthcare outcomes through the seamless integration of technology.  Steve has worked across multiple domains during his tenure including but not limited to areas such as electronic health records (EHR), telemedicine, clinical imaging, patient facing technologies and cybersecurity.  Steve is driven by how technology serves as a catalyst for improving patient outcomes, enhancing operational efficiency, and harnessing innovation to address the most pressing challenges facing healthcare systems today.

Join us for the first session of 2024 at Mocktails & Meaning, where we’ll delve into the crucial topic of Bail Reform. Often overlooked in our daily lives, this issue plays a significant role in the lives of those with limited means. While individuals of higher income can pay bail and resume their lives swiftly, those less fortunate may languish in Lancaster County Prison for months before their cases even reach trial. This stark contrast can lead to job loss and strained relationships, showcasing the disparities in our legal system.

Don’t miss the opportunity to gain insights into this pressing issue and understand its detrimental impact on the lower-income population. Register for Mocktails & Meaning in January Here, and enjoy our featured Mocktail, the Orange Cranberry Spritzer

A Little About Our Presenter:

Our presenter for this enlightening session is The Rev. Jason Perkowski, Pastor of Faith & Oregon Community United Methodist Churches in Lititz, PA. With a diverse background as a public school teacher at Conestoga Valley HS/MS, a Millersville University professor of Gifted Education, and a youth pastor, Pastor Jason has actively engaged in anti-racism work and advocated for equitable school funding with Lancaster County POWER Interfaith.

Recommended Book Titles:

• “The Bail Book: A Comprehensive Look at Bail in America’s Criminal Justice System” By: Shima Baradaran Baughman
• “Racial Acts of Justice: How Ordinary People are Dismantling Mass Incarceration” By: Jocelyn Simonson

Join us for our third Mocktails & Meaning event on December 21st, taking place from 6:30 to 8:30 PM in our sanctuary. We are excited to announce that our featured December mocktail will be the White Grape Punch with Cranberry Ice and our focal point of this gathering will be an insightful exploration of Christian Nationalism.

To attend, kindly register by emailing office@apostlesucc.org or through Realm. We anticipate an engaging evening and look forward to seeing you there.

A Little About Our Presenter:

Greg Carey is Professor of New Testament at Lancaster Theological Seminary, where he has served since 1999. An active UCC layperson, he holds a PhD from Vanderbilt University and has served in national and international leadership roles in the Society of Biblical Literature. Greg is the author or co-editor of 11 academic books devoted to New Testament studies, most recently Death, the End of History, and Beyond: Eschatology in the Bible. He frequently regularly publishes in venues such as The Christian Century and Religion Dispatches.

Recommended Book Titles:

• “Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation” by Kristin Kobez Du Mez
• “Preparing for War: The Extremist History of White Christian Nationalism and What Comes Next.” by Bradley B. Onishi

The second edition of Mocktails & Meaning, scheduled for November 16th at 6:30 PM will explore the controversial topic of banned books. Our featured presenter, Matthew Good, a former librarian in the Donegal School district and a dedicated Human Rights Educator, will deliver an enlightening presentation titled “Silencing Stories: Censorship in School and Public Libraries.” Matthew will delve into the world of book banning, discuss significant court cases, and shed light on the various advocacy groups both supporting and opposing these literary decisions. To elevate your experience, we are thrilled to introduce the tantalizing November Seabreeze mocktail, skillfully crafted with a harmonious blend of Cranberry, Apple, and Lime flavors. Don’t miss this thought-provoking evening!

A Little About Our Presenter:

Based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Matthew is an academic librarian. Additionally, he is the librarian for the Educators’ Institute for Human Rights (EIHR) where he evaluates and curates resources on genocide and mass atrocities. In this role, he also wrote a report that supported the development of the Right to Learn Coalition which is dedicated to ensuring access to safe, inclusive, and high-quality public education that prepares students to succeed and thrive. Matthew’s essay, When Schools Ban Books, They Silence Diverse Voices, will be published as part of Equity Planning for School Leaders Approaches to Student Diversity, Access and Opportunity by McFarland in November 2023. Previously, he worked as a school librarian for over thirteen years. He is an alum of the Holocaust and Jewish Resistance Teachers’ Program, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) Teacher Fellowship (2014-2015), and The Olga Lengyel Institute for Holocaust Studies and Human Rights (TOLI). In 2018, he received a National Education Association Learning and Leadership Grant to travel to study in Rwanda. He is a member of Pennsylvania School Library Association (PSLA), and the American Library Association (ALA).

Recommended Book Titles:

• Dangerous Ideas: A Brief History of Censorship in the West, from the Ancients to Fake News by Eric Berkowitz
• Book Banning in 21st-Century America by Emily J. M. Knox
• Was the Cat in the Hat Black? The Hidden Racism of Children’s Literature, and the Need for Diverse Books by Philip Nel

Join us at Church of the Apostles for our inaugural discussion on October 19th at 6:30 PM. We are delighted to have Beth Reeves from POWER Interfaith Lancaster County as our esteemed host, leading the conversation on the pressing topic of Education Funding in Pennsylvania. Our mocktail will be a Sparkling Spiced Apple Cider!

A Little About Our Presenter:

Beth Reeves is the Chair of POWER Interfaith Lancaster County’s Education Justice Team and co-chair of POWER Interfaith’s statewide Education Justice Team. POWER Interfaith is a grassroots organization uniting over 250 faith congregations and individuals in Pennsylvania, all dedicated to advancing racial and economic justice while promoting sustainability.

With a background as a school-based occupational therapist in Lancaster County and as a mother to two graduates from the School District of Lancaster, Beth is passionately committed to addressing systemic racism and advocating for equitable resources in underfunded Pennsylvania school districts. Over the past seven years, she has played a pivotal role in the fight for education funding reform.

For those wishing to connect with Beth or explore the topic further, you can reach her at marthareeves6464@gmail.com. She also recommends two enlightening books, both available for purchase through Read Rose Books on October 19th:

• “The Color of Law” by Richard Rothstein
• “Children of the Dream” by Rucker Johnson and Alexander Nazaryan

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights from Beth Reeves as we delve into the crucial issue of public education funding in Pennsylvania.