SOCIAL JUSTICE
Bethel responds to Christ's call for wholeness of Creation, society and all of God's children. We are strongly committed to justice in our community and in the world. Bethel lives out our response to the Gospel through action in the following four Mission Initiatives.
CREATION CARE
As members of God’s Creation we are committed to our stewardship of Earth and the celebration of all that God has made! We are living into our calling to Creation Care by involving our whole community in tending to God’s living world. Bethel has a robust Creation Care Program. Please join us in our initiative!
RACIAL JUSTICE
Our objectives are to help educate ourselves & each other to recognize and understand the complexity and implications of racism and racial justice; build relationships in the greater community that cross race, ethnicity, class, gender, age and sexual orientation to break through barriers of racism and oppression; work to advance public witness, programs and policies that advance racial justice — locally and globally.
MENTAL HEALTH
We lend support and encouragement to each other regarding mental illness & mental wellness. We work to promote understanding and reduce stigma of mental health issues, and actively advance wellness. We explore topics such as grief, caregiver support, adolescent drug use, senior depression, support to veterans and more. We encourage wellness practices including mindfulness, gratitude, yoga, and art and music therapy.
GUN VIOLENCE
We wish to explore the recent power of student protest & advocacy. We ask, why is it so difficult to talk about gun violence? What can we do – education & advocacy. We seek to promote possible partnerships with advocacy groups, elected officials, schools, children, youth, families, public safety and public health officials, and inter-faith leaders. This program is currently under development
MISSION PROJECTS
& PARTNERS
The Sheridan Story focuses on the food gaps when children aren’t able to receive free and reduced meal programs. Volunteers from Bethel help deliver food to students at neighboring El Colegio to help supplement weekend meals. Currently El Coleqio serves as a food distribution site for the entire neighborhood.
Refugee Services resettles persons and families fleeing persecution from around the world to new homes in MN. During Advent, Bethel's "Mitten Tree" is filled with mittens, hats, scarves & coats. This year they were donated to Refugee Services
During the summer members of Bethel collect school supplies for Lutheran World Relief. These supplies are then shipped across the world to schools without basic supplies for children & adults to help continue learning.
