Bethany United Methodist Church

Welcome! We're delighted you visited our website. I'm Sally
Oakes, the pastor at Bethany UMC (everyone calls me Sally). Let me tell you a
little bit about our church and God's ministry through us. May the peace of
Christ be yours today and every day.

The congregation of Bethany is 152 years old and the
sanctuary is 100 years old. When I enter the sanctuary for worship or for my
own prayer time, I know that I am among the communion of the saints who have
worshiped and made lifelong commitments in this building, whether they are now
living in glory or still living on earth - or even if they are among those yet
to discover God's grace at Bethany in the future!

We are a smaller-membership (there is no such thing as a
small church) neighborhood church and we seek ways to serve our neighbors. Last
September, we hosted a neighborhood picnic complete with a juggler and the
Chick Fil-A cow! Along with Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, who hosts a coat drive
every year, we distribute gently used coats to people in the neighborhood. We
sponsor families for Back-to-School supplies and for Christmas food. It's such
a blessing to us to be able to bless others with God's love in such concrete
ways.

God's ministry through us is not limited to the
neighborhood, however! We sponsor international missions, walk for Wesley's
Walk for Others, make blankets for a senior center, and bake cookies for our
troops!

One of the things we're most known for is "Perlieu Stew."
Don't worry; I'd never heard of it, either, when I first came here. This is a
benefit for the United Methodist Women missions and is held every November.
Many hands go into making the stew, from cutting up vegetables, to stirring the
four large cauldrons all day long, to serving it up with a smile! It's amazing
how many people look forward to stew day all year long - and we have been known
to sell completely out! You'll have to check it out for yourself.

Now that you've visited our website, join us for Sunday
morning worship at 11:00 (announcements usually start at 10:55). I'm certain that
you will be warmly welcomed and that you will experience the love of God in a
real way.

If there is anything we can do to help you in your spiritual
journey or in your life, please do not hesitate to call. May God bless you
richly.

- Sally


updated 4/3/08