Local

We are not a large congregation but we want to fully participate in what God is doing all around us. Here are some of the local missions

Hana Mission Soup Kitchen

Paterson is one of the poorest cities in New Jersey and it is located 15 minutes from our church. And so every third Saturday, we go over to Hana Mission in Paterson to bring and serve hot homemade soup to the homeless and the needy. We arrive at 6:30 a.m. with two huge pots of soup and big smiles (different members volunteer to brew their favorite soup). (Hana Mission video)

Christmas Tree Lighting & Bake Sale Fundraiser

Every first Saturday of December, we host a Bethany Christmas Tree Lighting Event with our neighbors and our scouts. We set up a table for children’s crafts, a picture with Santa in our sanctuary, warm soup and chili, and a bake sale to raise funds for local missions. Last several years, we have been sending the funds to Hana Mission in support of their ministry to the needy and their children.

“Alice Coats” Coat, Scarf, Mitten Drive

Our Dianna Fuller began this project in 2011 as she remembered the love of her mother, Alice. Dianna recounts that her mother would always buy new coats for her children twice a year, for Easter Sunday and Christmas, even as her mother bought nothing for herself. Alice always believed that those two special Christian occasions called for new coats for her loved ones.

And so in honor of her mother, Dianna contacted a local elementary to connect needy children with donors who purchase new coats, mittens and hats for their designated children. Our Ginny Schenke always knits all the scarves. This ministry continues to grow and expand into more schools. We are so blessed to be a part of this!

Scouts & Gamblers Anonymous

From the early days of our church, we have sponsored the local scouts and welcomed their programs to be run in our church. At the present, the boys, girls & cubs meet at our church weekly.

We also provide a meeting place for two Gamblers Anonymous groups each week as well as Gam-Anon for the spouses, family or close friends of compulsive gamblers. We support and value their work.