Outreach Ministries

Interfaith Hospitality Network (IFHN)

IFHN is Bethel's outreach to homeless families in Columbus in conjunction with the YWCA. Bethel provides dinners for homeless families staying at the YWCA Family Center downtown. Volunteers meet at the church to carpool to the center.

Near North Emergency Material Assistance Pantry (NNEMAP)

At Third Avenue Community Church, each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of the first three weeks and each day of the last week during the month, community volunteers gather and distribute food commodities to the needy people of the near north. Over the past years, the Bethel congregation has contributed financial aid, food items, and volunteers to this program on a weekly basis. Each Monday morning, the gathered food items from our grocery cart in the coat room are taken to the pantry by Bethel volunteers.

NNEMAP's current needs are:

FLOUR AND SUGAR

  • Salt/Pepper
  • Flour
  • Sugar
  • Tuna
  • Jell-O/Pudding
  • Soup (other than cream of  mushroom)
  • Vienna Sausages
  • Hand Soap
  • Canned ravioli (poptop cans)

Habitat for Humanity

Bethel UMC belongs to the Worthington Area Church Partnership and each year makes a commitment and a financial contribution to help build a home for a family that might not be able to afford the purchase of a home in the normal manner. Approved volunteers are used to construct the home from the foundation to the roof and approved companies used to do the electrical, plumbing, and gas line work that completes the home.

Armenia Mission

Armenia is a small country with severe poverty. In 2003 Armenia celebrated 1700 years of being a Christian nation. UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) has been working in Armenia for over 14 years with the mission to help Armenians to help themselves. Bethel Church along with other churches has supported two Volunteer in Missions (VIM) Teams in 2006 and 2007. We are now raising funds to return as a VIM Team in 2009.

Farm Science ReviewFarm Science Review

Designed for the farming community, Farm Science Review is sponsored by The Ohio State University.  Various types of farming technology and equipment are displayed for attendees, along with field demonstrations and sessions about home yards and gardens.  This year's displays focus on farm health and safety, cancer prevention, farm management programs, financial information, human and community development, and the environment.

Bethel UMC is the longest-running food vendor at FSR, serving several types of sandwiches, drinks and snacks for over 35 years.  The food service provided to FSR attendees is a large money-earner for Bethel.  Proceeds from FSR are divided among several missions, the new kitchen fund and the building fund.  In the past, proceeds have also purchased light-weight tables and the chairs used in the Family Life Center.

Farm Science Review is held at the OSU Molly Caren Agricultural Center 2 miles north of London on U.S. Route 40 (carpooling can be arranged).

  • Nurturing
  • Witness
  • Outreach