The goals of the Church and Society Committee of the United Methodist Church are to strive for peace and justice and to promote the church’s responsibility to become stewards of a “greener” church and community.

In keeping with these goals Bethany’s Church and Society Committee strives to:

Make Bethany a “Greener” Church by:

• Encouraging members to receive our monthly newsletter, Bethany Banner, via email, creating a reduction of paper use and savings in postage expense.
• Joining with the UMYF (youth group) to pick up litter on the roadside surrounding the church.
• Publishing in our newsletter articles on the environment and global warming.

Strive for Peace and Justice by:

• Regularly appealing to the congregation to provide non-perishable foods, over-the-counter medicines, household supplies, and personal hygiene items to the Salvation Army and the Laurel Shelter, a safe-house for victims of domestic abuse.
• Appealing to the congregation to assist other organizations as needs are made known.
• Offering a study of the book Religion and the Founding Fathers of the American Republic, which offers insight on how the early leaders viewed the church’s relationship with society.
• Hosting events which allow the congregation to discuss the church’s stand on homosexuality.
• Participating in the G.U.E.S.T. (Gloucester United Emergency Shelter Team) program, a homeless winter sheltering program that was begun by several churches and civic organizations in Gloucester County.