Bethany is sharing the Gospel on the streets of our community through-out the Pioneer Valley. A dedicated group of individuals are committed to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and present the good news of sal-vation with men and women all over the greater Springfield area. This is a great opportunity for you to share your story and the difference Jesus Christ has made in your life. The Holy Spirit provides the power and Je-sus is your partner in ministry. In working together with other members of Bethany you will have a new appreciation for everything you have received in God through Jesus Christ your savior. (Philemon 1:6) For more information please contact Pastor Tim Reed or Charles Weidman.
There is an immediate opening for a mature Christian man to become part of the ministry team for the Friday night Bible Study at the Hampden County Correctional Facility in Ludlow. The role would be to assist the leader of the class. Experience in teaching and/or leading worship would be beneficial but is not required. Please contact Pastor Tim Reed if you feel a call to reach out to these souls in need. (Matthew 31-46)
On Sunday mornings we pick up residents from The Hampden County How-ard Street center to bring them to morning service. We pick up both male and female residents and bring them to church. If you would like to be a part of this outreach ministry please contact Pastor Tim Reed.
Each week Bethany holds a Sunday morning service for the residents of The Hampden County Howard Street center. If you are interested in joining the ministry team, please contact Pastor Tim Reed.
Brrrrr! It’s getting cold outside and there are people in need of warm clothes for the fall and winter months. Please dig through your closets, attics and basements and bring your gently-used winter clothes, that you don’t wear anymore, to the Love Center. There they will be given to families that will make good use of them.
| Bethany serves as a Service Church with Safe Families for Children (SFFC) in the Pioneer Valley. Safe Families for Children helps parents experiencing a temporary crisis arrange for their children to stay with a loving family until the crisis has passed.
Safe Family volunteers can have a powerful impact in the lives of others while being transformed themselves by practicing Biblical hospitality and extending the Love of Christ to people in need. There are a variety of ways to participate. The following are volunteer opportunities being established for individuals and families. This concept has worked best at other churches and is well received by its members as it creates community. No family serves alone. A team are families who host children (Host Families). B team is backup support for Host Families, which could be sitting for a few hours, respite care or running errands, and, Family Friends, who are mentors who come alongside parent/s in crisis to support them in making necessary changes to their lives. Placement for children is not needed for parent/s to be connected to a Family Friend. C team is Clinicians (doctors, counselors, dentists) OR those who provide resources to the Host Families (supplies they need), resources for the bio parents (resources they need to help find housing, employment, etc.) and youshare.org. Youshare.org is an online outlet for giving that builds transformational relationships between resource-differentiated families. It connects the specific needs of local families with the resources and talents of their neighbors. |
Families Helping Families
In a crisis, some families have no relatives or friends to rely on for support. Postpartum depression or unemployment can hit suddenly, leaving children at risk of neglect or abuse.
But now, parents experiencing a temporary crisis can arrange for their children to stay with a caring family while the parents find solutions.
Making a Difference
Safe Families volunteers make a positive difference in the lives of children while practicing hospitality by extending love to people in need, sharing their lives, and connecting with people.
Since 2002, Safe Families has helped people in a variety of situations, including:
*Parents facing eviction and homelessness.
*A single mom who suddenly requires surgery.
*A pregnant teenager who was thrown out of her father’s house.
How Does Safe Families Work?
Volunteers (singles, married couples, and empty nesters) agree to accept children at their own discretion and may limit the length of their involvement. The average child placement is 45 days.
Biological parents maintain full custody of their child and are encouraged to participate in decisions regarding their child’s care while they address the issues that led to the crisis.
Trained staff, stay in touch and work with the parents to determine when and if the family can be re-united. Currently, 85% of all families in the program re-unite, often in the most stable environment they have ever known.
Safe Families for Children is available in CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, IA, IN, MA, ME, MD, MI, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NV, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, WA, WI. There are currently 40 more sites in development including Toronto, Canada and London, England.
For More Information:
Visit, www.safe-families.org or email safefamilies@ma-fuse.org.
