Social Concerns
Bagging Grocerie
Service and outreach to our community and the world are central to who Bethel is as a community of Christians.
We live out our faith by service to others. We partner with other organizations locally and internationally to be effective in our mission and advocacy.
Here are some of the ongoing opportunities to serve
the wider community at Bethel:
|
FIRST FRIDAY PROGRAM Bethel members and friends gather on the first Friday of each month for a quick shared dinner and then to serve those in need in our wider community.
|
|
|
Odd Numbered Months: Jan., March, May, July, Sept., Nov.
|
Even Numbered Months: Feb., April, June, Aug., Oct., Dec. |
The RPC event begins at 7:30 p.m. …RPC is located at: 1554 Columbia Pike (right at S. Glebe Road) Arlington, Virginia 22204
Residential Program Center (RPC) provides temporary shelter for homeless men and women, and runs a 12-bed detoxification program for those seeking help with addiction. Our members and friends gather to stage a “Game Night” at the RPC in the odd-numbered months.
|
The AFAC event begins at 7:00 p.m. …AFAC is located at: 2708 South Nelson Street Arlington, Virginia 22206 AFAC (Arlington Food Assistance Center) provides supplemental groceries to Arlingtonians who cannot afford to purchase all the food that they need. AFAC helps solve this problem by distributing groceries – milk, eggs, bread, canned goods, produce and other foods – to Arlington families and individuals in need.
|
|
The RPC Pre-event Dinner is at 6:30 PM at a location to be determined
|
The AFAC Pre-event Dinner is at 6 PM at Boston Market on Columbia Pike, at S. Glebe Road
|
Other ways to help AFAC:
Suggested items to drop off include:
- Mesa (corn flour)
- Powdered Milk
- Oatmeal (canister)
- Cooking Oil
- Rice
- Canned Tuna, Chicken or Salmon
- Breakfast Cereal (low-sugar)
- Pasta
- Dried Beans
Participate or Support Bethel Walkers in CROP WALK
2011 Bethel Walkers |
Bethel has a long history of participation in the annual that takes place in the third Saturday each October. Bethel’s coordinator is member Art Lipman, the Church World Service recruiter. In October 2011, Bethel with the Children’s International School (that meets in our building during business hours), raised $6,250 for Crop Walk. One fourth of the donations made stay in Arlington – given to AFAC, while the balance travels around the world to reach the hungriest and the most in need through the Church World service programs. Watch this space for information about the 2012 CROP Walk staring in late summer. |
 |
In September 2011, Bethel joined Arlington Church of the Brethren, and Saint Hildegard’s Old Catholic to create a monthly community-wide direct service project. Together with civic associations, citizens, and the members of each church, we have made health kits for the Vision of God Clinic, collected a truckload of cereal for AFAC, made winter scarves for ASPAN, and helped prepare residents to serve their neighborhoods via emergency response training. We meet on the 4th Sat. of each month, so on March 24, we will gather at the Brethren Church to make seed packets (morning) that will be distributed throughout Arlington in the afternoon, to invite people to “Plant-a-Row” for AFAC’s effort to help get fresh local produce to its clients. |
The BETHEL – CARLIN CONNECTION
Bethel has a history of activities shared with the Carlin, a nearby apartment community rented to active persons over age 55 with limited income.
Most recently Bethelites, especially children, have created greeting cards to be given to the residents. Residents are invited to the annual spring Strawberry Festival and other Bethel events.
VISION OF GOD CLINIC
Clinic services are expanded as more volunteers are involved in Virginia.
In early December each year, Bethel offers an alternative gift market. Gifts are selected from the Heifer International, and the Vision of God Clinic, and the Rappaport Memorial Scholarship.
RAPPAPORT MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
In memory of Bethel’s long-time close friend, Norman Rappaport, who had a lifelong dedication to education and community service, Bethel established a scholarship fund which is funded via donations from Bethel members and others in the community who value Norman’s contributions during his life.
The current recipient, Jairo Bustamante, son of the pastor of Nueva Amenecer Church in San Luis Talpa, El Salvador – the church that is also the site of our Vision of God clinic.
Jairo attends school part-time while working full-time at the International Airport in a nearby town. He is scheduled to complete his engineering degree in information technology degree in November 2014. The Rappaport Fund covers the cost of tuition, books, supplies, and assists with transportation costs for Jairo’s daily travel to San Salvador (approximately 35 miles each way) for evening classes.
