Bethlehem on Broad Street
Written: 11/1/2009
By: Arlene Reynolds
There are lots of different ways to mark the holiday season. But for many of those who have participated on our yearly ecumenical fellowship, there is no better way to celebrate the birth of Christ than through Bethlehem on Board Street. Started twenty-five years ago in response to a single request for dinner on Christmas Day at the St. Lawrence Haven, BOBS has expanded to several thousand guests each year through the efforts of churches of different denominations, different faiths, and organizations on and off Broad Street.
As we move into the coldest part of the year, there are many families and individuals with deep and immediate needs for food and clothing. This is particularly true in today’s troubled economy. We address the need for food through our Food Box Giveaway at Broad Street United Methodist Church and the Christmas Dinner Party and Gift Celebration at the First Congregational Church. We address the clothing through our partnerships with the United Methodist Free Store and the Project Help Program. Here’s the schedule:
On Saturday, December 19, 2009 over 1200 food boxes with gift certificates for perishable foods will be given out from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Broad Street United Methodist Church, 501 E. Broad Street. Trinity, King Avenue, Maple Grove, Asbury North, Broad Street and Church of the Messiah, Westerville United Methodist Churches gather and assemble the boxes at their own churches and then deliver them to Broad Street UM on Saturday, December 12. On Saturday, December 19 they will need volunteers in the sanctuary. Call 614-228-4571.
On Saturday, December 12, 2009 food, gently used clothes and school supplies will be distributed by Project Hope from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call (614) 475-9615 to donate or to volunteer. The United Methodist Free Store is located at 941 Parsons Avenue. It is open on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Call (614) 443-1713 to donate or to volunteer.
On Sunday, December 25, 2009,Christmas Day the Christmas Celebration of Jesus’ birthday will be celebrated at the First Congregational Church, 444 E. Broad Street (next to the Art Museum); The doors will open at 9 a.m. Dinner will be served from 11:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (There will be no carry-out meals). There will be entertainment, caroling, gifts, toiletries, free phone calls, and children activities. Please call 614-228-7338 beginning December 1, 2009 to donate or to volunteer.