Near

Untrim-A-Tree

Untrim-A-Tree is a Christmas project coordinated with SERVE [Securing Emergency Resources Through Volunteer Efforts] to collect and deliver presents to designated area families. Names are provided to prevent duplication of services.

In early November the coordinator contacts SERVE for a list of names. Experience has shown us that we can handle 20 families but that 40 families are just a bit too much for our sized congregation.

Once we have a list, a master list is created; from that list we make 2 gift tags for each child (one for our records and one for the gift buyer). We then contact the congregation via a newsletter article or bulletin announcement and set up the Untrim-a-Tree. All of the gifts are due back about a week before Christmas.

About a week prior to the due date, the coordinator needs to contact people with a friendly reminder if they have not brought back an item. Finally, we either deliver the gifts to the home or to a central collection point.

Since this is basically a volunteer-run program, there are many different ways a Bethel member can get involved. Volunteers are needed to decorate the tree and create gift tags. They can also volunteer to purchase, wrap, and deliver gifts.

As a seasonal project, it takes approximately 8-10 hours of work in November and approximately 15-20 hours of time in December.

Contact: Mara Schleicher

Our Bethel family preparing food to bring to SERVE

THE MENU

Paper Pantry

Description

At Bethel, we don’t have a food pantry, so our collections for the needy are called the Paper Pantry. The Paper Pantry consists of money, food cards and gas cards that can be given out to those who come to the church seeking assistance.

Involvement

Minimal – this is primarily a financial ministry. For those seeking more hands-on involvement, look at the Near ministries, especially SERVE.

Time

Minimal

Contact Information

Church Office (703-368-3943) or Pastor Jeff

BEACON/ESL

Since 2005, Bethel has been in partnership with BEACON (Benedictine Educational Assistance Community Outreach to Neighbors), a ministry of the Benedictine sisters of Virginia, to provide English language classes in our neighborhood. This partnership is much more than sharing our building space – Bethel shares its time and talent and our belief that God is at work here to help those who want to improve their English skills so they can improve their lives and opportunities for themselves and their families.

Everyone at Bethel can be involved – as a tutor or assistant for English language, U.S. citizenship or GED preparation classes; as a messenger to tell others of Bethel’s work and of the availability of classes; and in prayerful support for tutors and learners. Training is provided; no foreign language skill is required. All that is needed is a wiliness to help those who want to learn.

The opportunities are endless:

Tutoring English language learners:

Evenings - Bethel, Thursday evenings from 7 – 9 pm

10-12 week sessions

September through June

Daytime - elsewhere in the Manassas area

GED and U.S. citizenship test preparation

One-on-one tutoring arranged individually to meet tutor

and learner schedules.

Assisting with administration or registration

Administering assessment tools to evaluate student

progress and needs

Teaching life skills or work force literacy workshops

Substituting or assisting with classes.

For more information contact:

Lianetta Ruettgers ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or Karen Shankles ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

the BEACON office (www.beaconliteracy.org, 703-368-7491)

Near Team Events

SERVE Liaison: Grace Shultz

- Donations to SERVE: Ongoing

- Back To School Drive: August and September

- Operation Turkey: November

- Untrim-A-Tree: December

- Souper Bowl: February

- Strikes for Serve: March

- United Lutheran Appeal: Spring

- School’s Out Food Drive: May and June