Serve in Our Community

Bethany Disaster Response
Local & Regional

Bethany is part of the Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN) which is comprised of church, ministry and business leaders within the Christian community of Greater Austin.

United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)
U.S. & International

UMCOR is consistently among the first teams on the ground providing aide when disasters occur around the world. 100% of designated relief donations go directly to the specific relief effort. Administrative costs are covered through UMCOR Sunday, an annual special offering taken in United Methodist Churches around the world.

Bags of Hope

Formerly, Backpack Food Ministry, we are in partnership with Hope Austin to provide food for students to eat on weekends.

Bethany Foster/Adopt Support

Foster parents provide loving homes for children who have come into the state’s care due to abuse and neglect. Foster parents are licensed by Child Protective Services (CPS). BFASG also aids groups that support foster parents.

Care Wear for Infants

Care Wear is a nationwide group of volunteers who knit, crochet, and/or sew, providing handmade baby items directly to hospitals.

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Travis Co.

CASA volunteers are advocates for children in foster care. They are a voice for abused and neglected children through the power of volunteer advocacy and change in the child protection system.

Easter Baskets (seasonal)

Share the gift of Easter with children in foster care and transitional housing.

Mentoring Elementary School Children

Mentoring elementary school children during the school year who have a parent in prison. Mentor and have lunch one day a week with an elementary school child.
Contact: Mike Metschan

Quest Academy

Providing high quality education to children with learning disabilities or special needs through a positive learning environment.
Contact: Church Office for information

Christian Resource Center

Christian Resource Center is a network of area churches, including Bethany United Methodist Church, member ministries, and referral partners which serve Central Texas residents by providing programs and services that address job readiness, language and life skills, food and clothing, counseling, infant and youth services, trades training, transitional housing, addiction recovery, and healthcare and pregnancy services.
Bethany Contact: James Rank

Faith Home Restoration

“The mission of Faith Home Restoration is to see women walk through the restoration process with God and share our experience, strength, and hope to encourage every woman each step of the way. Giving them a safe place to call home.”
Contact: Faith Home Restoration Administrator, Amy Crawford, 512-552-3259

Hill Country Community Ministries - Client Services

Hill Country Community Ministries is a coalition of churches assisted by area businesses, civic organizations, service clubs and concerned individuals that provides food, clothing and other assistance for people in crisis and those living in poverty in southwest Williamson and northwest Travis counties. Our goal is to serve our clients with dignity and compassion in an atmosphere of neighbor helping neighbor. Learn more about services offered and how you can help HERE.

House of Friends

A community outreach adult ministry of Bethany United Methodist Church. The program provides a therapeutic social day out for individuals with early to mid-stage dementia who are cared for at home and gives a welcome respite or “time away” to the family caregiver.

Support a Local Survivor of Trafficking

Provide support through Women of Vision Austin and Refugee Services of TX’s Survivor of Trafficking Empowerment Program (STEP). We help supply emergency items for case managers to use in their crisis response calls.

Drive a Senior - Northwest

Offers services to help older adults in maintaining and improving their quality of life. Volunteers provide personal transportation to medical appointments, personal business and shopping, among other services.

Hands on Housing - Austin

Hands on Housing is one program of iACT (Interfaith Action of Central Texas-formerly AIM). Hands-on-Housing utilizes volunteers and skilled professionals to repair and revitalize the homes of senior citizens and disabled homeowners who are living in deep poverty.

House of Friends

A community outreach adult ministry of Bethany United Methodist Church. The program provides a therapeutic social day out for individuals with early to mid-stage dementia who are cared for at home and gives a welcome respite or “time away” to the family caregiver.

Hunger & Food:

Bags of Hope

Formerly, Backpack Food Ministry, we are in partnership with Hope Austin to provide food for students to eat on weekends.

Fresh Food for All

Distribution of healthy fresh produce to all (no qualification needed). This ministry is in conjunction with HCCM. Bethany host distribution on 1st Fridays each month from 9:00 - 11:00 AM

Hill Country Community Ministries (HCCM)

For the time being HCCM is suspending food donations from churches and the public at their Leander location.  However, HCCM needs donations of Mac & Cheese, breakfast food and pasta. 

Mobile Loaves and Fishes

This mission focuses on going into poor, working class neighborhoods to hand out sandwiches, fruit, chips, cookies, boiled eggs, milk and juice boxes to families.  We prepare and deliver meals using MLF food trucks on our assigned dates.

Reveal Resource Center

Reveal Resource Center is a faith-based nonprofit food pantry and clothes closet weekly serving those in need. Each week RRC distributes 15,000 to 20,000 pounds of food with the help of 80 to 150 volunteer ‘servants’.
Bethany Contact: Jo Nell Norris, 512-914-2273

Homeless:

Bags of Grace

All of us want to help when we know there is a need, but many people are reluctant to hand money to someone with a sign on a street corner. A Bag of Grace provides basic but valuable items to those on the street, who are truly in need, without the risk of being abused. We know it won't solve homelessness but it is a tangible way we can make a small difference.

Church Under the Bridge (Mission Possible Austin)

Church Under the Bridge (CUB) is a combined effort of churches from all over the Austin area serving the homeless. Volunteers at CUB tangibly demonstrate the love of God to the people living on our streets through the provision of hot meals, clothing, blankets and sleeping bags. CUB now meets every Sunday morning at 7th Street and IH-35 across from the police station. The service starts at 10:00 AM.

Feed My People

Bethany sponsors one breakfast a month on 2nd Tuesdays to feed the homeless (300-400 people) at First United Methodist Church downtown. This program is sponsored by the Foundation for the Homeless, and different churches host each meal by financing it and providing volunteers.

Community Services Reimagined (formerly Movin' & Groovin')

A ministry that helps individuals/families moving out of Homelessness as they “graduate” from an Outreach program (ex. Drug/Alcohol Addiction, Family Abuse/Mental Health issues, loss of a Job, Death in a family, etc.) We collect furniture & smaller household items to support clients in their efforts to regain their independence. We serve Veterans, Refugee Services, SafePlace, Caritas, Epiphany and other homeless/indigent programs.

Drive a Senior - Northwest

Offers services to help older adults in maintaining and improving their quality of life. Volunteers provide personal transportation to medical appointments, personal business and shopping, among other services.

Brookwood in Georgetown (BiG)

Brookwood in Georgetown, Texas is a four day vocational program for adults with disabilities who are unable to work by themselves in the community.

Special Needs Ministries at Bethany

At Bethany, our doors and hearts are open for special needs children, youth, and adults to participate in any of our Sunday School classes, worship services, or other activities.  Whatever your age or disability, we want to assist you in finding your place within the Bethany family. We offer both spiritual and social opportunities to grow and to serve.

Care Wear for Infants

Care Wear is a nationwide group of volunteers who knit, crochet, and/or sew, providing handmade baby items directly to hospitals.

Easter Butterflies

We hand-crochet 2000 butterfly pins to everyone who attends worship on Easter Sunday!

Faith in Action Crafters

Craft projects, mostly crocheting, for clients of Faith in Action Caregivers, but we put our Faith in action through our crochet and needlework. Contact Carla for patterns and information about current projects. Anyone is welcome to help! We meet on an occasional Sunday (about quarterly) to see past projects, discuss new patterns for current and upcoming projects, etc. and fellowship.
Contact:  Carla Young, 512-506-9150

Prayer Shawls

We knit or crochet shawls which are given out upon request to those who need a Spiritual up lift. We make the shawls that go in the "Grief Baskets" and to Annual Conference. If you don't know how to knit or crochet we will teach you!  Join us Tuesdays 7:00 -8:30 PM or Thursdays 1:00-2:30 PM in the Prayer Room (D-307)
Contact:  Sylvia Morrison, 512-250-2450

Blood Drive

We coordinate 5 blood drives yearly at Bethany UMC. We hope you can participate and help us beat this goal. Someone’s Life is In Your Hands!

Drive a Senior - Northwest

Offers services to help older adults in maintaining and improving their quality of life. Volunteers provide personal transportation to medical appointments, personal business and shopping, among other services.

House of Friends

A community outreach adult ministry of Bethany United Methodist Church. The program provides a therapeutic social day out for individuals with early to mid-stage dementia who are cared for at home and gives a welcome respite or “time away” to the family caregiver.

Samaritan Health Ministries

Samaritan Health Ministries is a faith-based, non-denominational, not-for-profit organization that provides high quality, affordable health and wellness services that support healthy living among uninsured families in Williamson and Travis counties.

Habitat for Humanity - Austin

Faith Build each year with other churches through Austin Habitat for Humanity. A team of volunteers from each church helps the owners build a house. Volunteer opportunities for fundraising, hands-on helpers (skilled and non-skilled) at the site, and food preparers for lunch.  Learn more about Habitat for Humanity.
Bethany Contact:  Ginny Conklin, 512-799-4848

Hands on Housing - Austin

Hands on Housing is one program of iACT (Interfaith Action of Central Texas-formerly AIM). Hands-on-Housing utilizes volunteers and skilled professionals to repair and revitalize the homes of senior citizens and disabled homeowners who are living in deep poverty. Volunteers range from un-skilled to professionals and of all ages (upper elementary-aged with parent to 85+). All skill levels are needed and valued.

Epiphany - for Youth Offenders at Giddings State School

Similar to KAIROS, this is a weekend experience for incarcerated juveniles held at Giddings State School in March and October. You can witness the power of this transformative event!
Bethany Contact:  Pat Doughty or Art Cruser

KAIROS Prison Ministry at Ferguson Unit

KAIROS-Ferguson is part of Kairos Prison Ministry, International which sponsors a 4-day weekend experience with a short course in Christianity to incarcerated individuals, as well as a separate experience for the families of inmates. Click the link above to find out how you can be part of this.

KAIROS Prison Ministry for Incarcerated Women

If you are female and interested in being on an inside team, consider joining a weekend at one of these units in the Austin area:

• Lockhart Correctional Facility, Lockhart TX, about a half hour south of Austin
• Mountain View Unit, Gatesville TX, about an hour north of Austin
• Hobby Unit, Marlin TX, about an hour northeast of Austin

Back to School Supplies (seasonal)

Working with Travis Co. to collect backpacks and school supplies for children in need.

List of Items Needed: HERE

Easter Baskets 

Share the gift of Easter with children in foster care and transitional housing.

Easter Butterflies

We hand-crochet 2000 butterfly pins to everyone who attends worship on Easter Sunday!

Thanksgiving Meal Delivery

Our annual project to bring Thanksgiving food to 200 families in need who have students in local schools.

Sponsor a Local Survivor of Trafficking

Every holiday season generous Bethany small groups & members work with Women of Vison Austin and RST’s Survivor of Trafficking Empowerment Program (STEP) to send local adults and minors of sex and labor trafficking gift cards along with notes of encouragement.

Hill Country Christmas Bureau (HCCB)

HCCB is a non-profit that helps make Christmas merrier for those in need who are living in our own back yard. Through donations, we gather new clothes, shoes, heaters, blankets, funds for bills and medical needs as well as toys for the children, families and elderly who live in our area.
Bethany Contact:  Rita Auerbach, 512-577-7001 or 512-250-3455