Homeless Ministry

 

Spiritual Support Group & Lunch

10:30 am every Tuesday

Support Center

10:00 am—4:00 pm every Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday

Book Club

8:30 am every Tuesday

 

OUR MISSION

Bethel’s Homeless Ministries share the love of Christ with our poor and homeless neighbors

by creating a community that is supporting, loving, and respectful.

 

ABOUT US

Support Services

Homeless Ministry Support Services are overseen by volunteer Director, Mark Wilson, and several other volunteers from Bethel and the community who are interested in helping those who suffer poverty. Using the computer lab off the Pentecost room, volunteers help participants who want to find employment or housing by filling out applications and writing résumés. Additional services include: applications for eye glasses, medical assistance through local professionals, GED information, extra clothing, hot coffee, and snacks.

Spiritual Support Group

The Spiritual Support Group meets each Tuesday at 10:30 am in the Pentecost room. A large group gathers to share their stories in a unique support system and time of fellowship. Pastor Alison closes the group time with a prayer for all and then everyone enjoys lunch together. On the first Tuesday of the month, we celebrate the month’s birthdays with cake!

Book Club

Suzanne Alexander, a caring volunteer, has been leading our Book Club every Tuesday morning since November 2009. Books provided by Bethel are discussed each week in dialogue. On several occasions, best selling authors have been with us in person or connected with the group over SKYPE. For more info on the Book Club, go to: http://www.streetsofmadison.com/.

Special Events

Every year, we enjoy a three day outing to Bethel Horizons. We have enjoyed crafting pottery at Art Ventures, hiking around the property, scaling the ropes course, stargazing, wonderful meals, and a service of communion! It is a wonderful time to get out of the city and enjoy nature and some time with God and one another.

We also take an annual trip to Devil’s Lake State Park for a picnic where we swim, hike, play chess, cribbage, and the bean bag toss. Mark Wilson fires up a large grill and serves up delicious brats and hamburgers alongside potato salad, cole slaw, chips, veggies, lemonade and chocolate cookies.

HOW EVERYONE CAN GET INVOLVED

Join Us

Donate your time. Respect is key in this community and can often be gained in one conversation. Stop by during the week to say hello and enjoy the community. Sit down on any Sunday morning for coffee and donuts with those who gather in the Fireside room. You can also help prepare food, serve a meal, or join us whenever we gather together to eat.

Pray

Pray for the community here at Bethel, all who are homeless in Madison, and those who are homeless throughout the world.

Give Generously

Monetary support is always appreciated in funding Tuesday lunches, the annual Horizon retreat, and Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. We also lend support with bus passes, eye glasses, medical care, and books for our book club.

Distribute Cards

Homeless Ministry business cards are available from Pastor Alison and the volunteers with information about our support services. Keep a few with you and start a conversation with someone you meet who is struggling with housing and work. Invite them into the Bethel family.