World of Mission

Everyone should have a mission

Serving God is one of the most important principles of the Christian faith, with the Bible frequently praising the virtuous nature of helping people in need. But United Methodists, in particular, believe that each of us is called to participate in the outreaching ministry of Jesus Christ.

As a community of servants, we are able to amplify our efforts to improve the lives of all of God’s people.

Below are a few examples of ways in which members of our Bethany Church Family are serving. By showcasing these efforts, our hope is this makes everyone aware – or helps reinforce ­– that as United Methodists, a big part of what we do is make the time to volunteer, to become the hands and feet of Christ.

Making a difference, getting out and volunteering, often requires no special talent – but it does require a willing heart. The Outreach Team is asking you to search your hearts for ways in which you can make a difference in real and relevant ways.

To volunteer for any of these options, please contact the church office.

Sample of Outreach Volunteer Opportunities

MissionWhat is it?OpportunitiesContact Person
Service Opportunities
The Playing FieldThe Playing Field is an early childhood education center located at Bethany, partnering with Early Head Start with a unique model that educates children experiencing homelessness alongside children from more advantaged backgrounds.1. Participate in all-church Rummage Sale by donating items, organizing and pricing items prior to the sale and working the day of the sale. 2. Volunteer in the office. 3. Attend Family Fun Night/Breakfast and get to know parents. 4. Donate money using the Mission envelopes. 5. Periodic building and cleaning opportunities.Linda Holthaus
Allied PartnersAllied Partners is an interfaith coalition of congregations working together to assist residents in the Allied-Dunn’s Marsh neighborhood.1. Provide representation on the Allied Partners Board. 2. Contribute food (in the bins near the elevators), financial donations, and volunteer for the Food Pantry. 3. Provide funds for the Eviction Prevention Fund and the Wellness Center. 4. Serve at periodic community dinners at Boys & Girls Club. Marge Lyford
Madison Area Food Pantry GardensMadison Area Food Pantry Gardens grows fresh, nutritious vegetables for local food pantries, raising approximately 150,000 servings of vegetables for the needy of our community each year.1. Participate in gleaning at Madison Saturday morning Farmers' Market. 2. Work in the Food Pantry Gardens. Work begins with planting in April - June and harvesting early in July and continues until the first killing frost, usually in October. You can work once during the season, once a month or once a week. Phil Cox
Habitat for Humanity (HFH)HFH of Dane County has been an outreach activity of Bethany for over 20 years. HFH's mission is “to build affordable housing for God’s people in need.”1. Bethany engages in at least two volunteer weekend workdays per year. Rod McKenzie
Luke HouseBethany provides lunch at Luke House the 4th Tuesday of the month and provides dinner on the 5th Tuesday or 5th Thursday of each month.1. Provide cooked food 2. Transport the food. 3. Help serve the meal. 4. Eat and visit with the clients.Lunch: Mary Kay Battaglia Dinner: Tom Popp
PorchlightPorchlight operates an emergency shelter for men at Grace Episcopal Church. Bethany volunteers serve the evening meal on the first Sunday of the month.1. Help serve the meal at Grace Episcopal Church. 2. Each volunteer is also asked to provide 1 gallon of milk. 3. Donate money during the Simple Gifts month.Carl White
Youth Mission TripThe High School Youth take an annual week-long summer mission trip to a community in need where they do home repairs, yard work and child care.1. Participate in fund-raising efforts sponsored by the Youth. 2. Donate to Simple Gifts during the month assigned to Youth mission trip. 3. Act as chaperone for the trip.Brigit Parlow
UMCOR Health KitsUMCOR distributes UMCOR relief supply kits, including health/hygiene kits which are assembled in the United States, to places in the United States and its territories where these items are most needed.1. Donations in the Mission Envelopes indicating UMCOR health kits. 2. Be available to help assemble the health kits if needed.Matt Mayeshiba
Global Mission PartnersOur global mission partners are Gordon and Ardell Graner, who are in the Dominican Republic, and Paul Webster who is in northwest Zambia. 1. Donations in the offering basket on Christmas Eve are designated for our global mission partners. 2. Donate to Simple Gifts in the Mission envelopes when our partners are listed as the Simple Gifts recipients or any time by indicating you want your gift to go to "global mission partners." 3. Help with hosting and supporting missionaries who are visiting the Madison area.Marge Lyford
The Road HomeThe Road Home helps families experiencing homelessness find and maintain stable, affordable housing. The Road Home follows the Housing First approach which prioritizes providing people experiencing homelessness with permanent housing as quickly as possible – and then providing voluntary supportive services as needed.1. Volunteer to be part of the Violet team, which is made up of members from Temple Beth El, Blessed Sacrament, Bethany United Methodist and Shraarei Shamayim. Teams are each assigned a month where they will do a variety of activities needed to help the families experiencing homelessness.Lynne Keppler
Social Justice Opportunities
MOSESMOSES (Madison Organizing in Strength, Equality and Solidarity) focuses on prison reform at the county and state level and reintegration.1. Bethany provides funds to the MOSES organization. 2. Bethany members attends monthly and special meetings of the group.
Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN)RMN mobilizes United Methodists of all sexual orientations and gender identities to transform our Church and world into the full expression of Christ's inclusive love.1. Bethany is an RMN congregation, welcoming all to worship with us. Our members also participate in activities sponsored by RMN. 2. Bethany participates in Madison PRIDE march.
Bethany Peace FellowshipBethany members working together to learn more about peace issues and to find ways to promote peace in our lives, our country and our world.The group meets periodically to focus on positive action for the advancement of peace.