A History of Unity: From Bedford to Hope United Methodist Church
Hope United Methodist Church was built almost 100 years ago, but it was first established as Bedford United Methodist Church. It was 11 years ago that Bedford merged with two other United Methodist Churches – Hathaway and Maple Heights – to become the Hope that we know today.
Faith in Action: Meeting Community Needs Through Service
One of the staple ministries of Hope is our weekly “Soup’s On” hot meal every Wednesday from 4:30-5:30. We expanded this ministry by partnering with “Fr. Dan’s Helping Hands” to host their food pantry, which distributes food three times a month as well as serving one of the weekly hot meals. It takes a lot for a church to continue to be vital to the community after 100 years, and Hope’s continued emphasis on serving the community and meeting needs shows why we have that staying power.
Looking Ahead: Expanding the Mission with Education and Support
We have expanded our mission to the community starting last year by offering “Esperanza” classes. These are ELL courses for adults for whom English is not their primary language, as well as homework help for students in the local schools. One of the reasons for this focus on service comes from the Wesleyan heritage of the Methodists. We do not do acts of service because we are striving to earn admission into heaven. We serve because we want others to experience the same love of God that we have found in our own lives.
It’s been 100 years since the church started here, and things have changed, but we continue to look ahead while living in the now.
