Mt. Bethel Blog

Rev. Diane Parrish wins 11Alive Community Service Award

Posted: March 19, 2008

Our own Diane Parrish has been announced a winner of this year’s 11Alive Community Service Award. Each year, 11Alive honors 11 outstanding local volunteers who have demonstrated selfless devotion for the betterment of the community. 11Alive News Anchors Brenda Wood and Ted Hall host the live, prime time telecast. Proceeds from the event go to charity.

Diane was selected for her involvement with Camp Hope, part of kidz2leaders, inc., which she started in 1999 as a separate 501(c)(3) organization. Camp Hope is for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade children whose parents are incarcerated in the state of Georgia. The purpose of Camp Hope is to help each child learn that they are precious in God’s eyes and to provide a positive, fun-filled week away from the worries of their world.

Teens from Mt. Bethel UMC and surrounding churches spend one week every summer in a one-to-one counselor/camper relationship with these children. Adults serve as cabin “moms” and “dads” as well as in director positions to help in all camp activities. The goal is to provide plenty of food, songs and FUN – but most of all, to help those campers understand that no matter what their circumstances are, no matter what paths others in their lives have taken, that they are precious children of God with a special future of their own — that there is HOPE!!

Congratulations on the award Diane!

Spring Sports at Mt. Bethel

Posted: March 18, 2008

Mt. Bethel Recreational Ministries began its 2008 Spring Season with 1,001 children participating, making up 17 leagues and 106 teams. This is a record breaking number for this ministry and we couldn’t be more excited. In addition to the 1,000+ players we have 210 amazing coaches who volunteer their time so that our program can thrive in the community. We also have 80 team coordinators who help keep their teams organized. The sports that these children are playing include baseball, softball, soccer, flag football and volleyball.

We never start a season without a mission’s project to help local children’s homes. Our theme is “Children Helping Children”. This season we are asking every child to bring a toothbrush and underwear or socks on Opening Day. The local homes that we support are Devereux, The Center for Children and Young Adults, Haven Hearts and Project Plus. These homes have expressed a need for the above items and with 1,001 children we are hoping for 100% participation.

Also, we don’t leave the adults out. Each spring we offer men’s softball and basketball leagues and a women’s basketball league.

Wonderful things are happening in the recreation department. We are continually making improvements to the fields and surrounding areas. With the generosity of some of our participants we added a beautiful playground to the soccer area. We will soon be starting a recreation program at St. Philip UMC, beginning with soccer and flag football hopefully growing from there. We look forward to even more great things happening at Mt. Bethel.

In Jesus’ Name We Play!

DNOW: Respond

Posted: March 5, 2008

What is going on when in less than 3 hours 3,290 PB&J sandwiches are made for the hungry and homeless of Atlanta; 500 Easter Eggs are filled for St Philip UMC to host a community Egg Hunt; one playground and fence are cleared so St Philip can have fields to use for recreation as a community outreach ministry; 500 salvation bracelets are created; over 41 blankets are made to give to poverty stricken children in Ecuador and over 250 letters are written to soldiers who are currently serving our country overseas?

DNOW ’08 that’s what!! DNOW was a weekend to RESPOND!!!!!!

We were given a chance to RESPOND to the love of Jesus through our worship experience lead by Kristian Stanfill and challenged by messages delivered by Travis Crim. We unpacked our theme scripture, Matthew 25:40. Our awareness about the needs of others was raised by information we listened to concerning Camp HOPE, 7 bridges ministry of Atlanta, DRY Tears in Africa, Any Soldier Ministry and the Mt. Bethel Student Ministries “325 Day Challenge.” We all had the opportunity to learn about the needs of others and were able to RESPOND with the love of Christ.

Seventy one college leaders, from 18 different universities, dedicated themselves to guide students through the weekend. Sixty four Mt. Bethel members opened their homes and hosted family groups and provided meals and transportation. A team of volunteers assisted in preparing and executing the Disciple Now go smoothly that included praying, pitching in with necessary office tasks, organizing materials, transporting, shopping, supervising mission projects, donating snacks, and helping transform the CAC – All this and then joining the 800-person packed DNOW celebration service on Sunday morning!

God blew us all away with HIS undeniable presence all weekend long. We thank God for everyone who was a part of the glorious weekend. The only way we want to RESPOND is by giving Him all the glory.

Here is more good news, our opportunity to RESPOND to the love of Christ continues. Disciple NOW was just the beginning. Every Sunday students study God’s word at 9:30 a.m., and on Sunday evenings we host day/one for students 6th through 12th grade. Please join us and RESPOND to the longing in your heart that only a relationship with Christ can fill.

For more specific information, please visit www.mtbethelstudents.org.

“I am the child” — From Randy’s sermon yesterday

Posted: March 3, 2008

Some of you have requested a copy of the “I am the child” message that Randy shared in his sermon yesterday.  Here it is:

I am the child.  All the world waits for my coming. All the earth watches with interest to see what I shall become.  Civilization hangs in the balance.  For what I am, the world of tomorrow will be.

I am the child.  I come into your world about which I know nothing.  Why I came, I know not.  How I came, I know not.  I am curious, I am interested.

I am the child.  you hold in your hand my destiny.  You determine whether I will succeed or fail.  Give me, I pray you, those thing that truly make for happiness.  Train me, I beg you, that I may be a blessing to the world.