Call Us : 540-828-0890                Mail Us : adminasst@bridgewaterumc.com

You will be enriched in every way

so that you can be generous on every occasion,

and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

~ 2 Corinthians 9:11

A Thank You Note from Pastor Mary

Something really, really good just happened!  God was a huge part of it.  And YOU were, too.  Bridgewater UMC, our church, changed the world.  We did!  For some people "out there", our time, talents, prayers, work, and giving made a BIG difference. 

It was putting a check in the offering plate or the basket at the fund-raiser dinner.  It was sharing the clothes your children had outgrown or buying that extra package of underwear and socks.  It was grocery shopping and packing backpacks.  It was sharing with others the stories of why you do what you do and how Jesus Christ inspires you.  

It changed lives locally and went all the way around the world--to places like Cuba, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and Cambodia--so that someone could hear that Jesus loves them for the first time.  (Locally, too!)  

I wanted to take just a moment, like seeing a sunset, to see what God and Jesus have done through the power of the Holy Spirit.  And, us...together.

Thank you.

Hey!  Did you know...? 

In 2023, Bridgewater UMC sent more children & youth to Camp Overlook than any other church!  We were awarded one 100% scholarship for a child to go to summer camp in 2024!  Wow!

Camp Overlook also used our church bus several weeks this summer for Day Camp!

Sunday School Classes Give in Addition!

GIFT Class

Habitat for Humanity - $100

Backpack Ministry - $150

Camp Overlook - $150

Society of St. Andrew - $150

Faith Class

Christmas gifts for 4 families at Pence Middle School - $400

Backpack Ministry

1,806 total kids served

1,806 total backpacks prepared

$5001.26 (+ those who shop & donate the goods)

41 backpacks/week

             Turner Ashby High School 9

             John Wayland Elementary 12

             Mountain View Elementary 20

Bridgewater Interfaith Food Pantry

343 lbs of food through the Reverse Advent Calendar

Just Neighbors Havana Nights, July 28, 2023

We donated cakes, attended & supported

Kingsway Prison Ministry

75 Apple Tree Gifts

Wrapping Paper and Tape

Mission Central Children's Clothes Closet

44 winter coats (new/gently used), 2 thermal vests

33 pairs of gloves

10 pairs of pants/jeans

4 backpacks

5 fleece blankets, 3 pks. of diapers, 5 pks. of wipes

250 treat bags for children

200 new books (through the Green Valley Book Fair)

From Cracked Pillar -- inspired by BUMC

61 new winter coats

50 pks. of socks, 37 pks. of underwear

Diapers & wipes - multiple cases

25 sweatshirt/sweatpants outfits

Pajamas, Shoes

22 toys

Operation Christmas Child

100 boxes estimated at $20 - $25/box = $2,000 - $2,500 total

$10 / box for shipping = $1,000

Sew Caring Stitchers -- Tabitha Quilts 127 Total

17 to Abuse Shelter

15 to Project Healing Waters

15 to Valley Program for Aging Services

15 to Bridgewater Retirement Community

25 to Kingsway Prison Ministry

15 to Harrisonburg Health & Rehab

20 to Salvation Army Christmas Closet

Care Bags for Open Doors ($200)
Toiletry items to share at Open Doors

Compassion International
Sponsorship of a child from 

Dayton Days Fundraiser
Out & about with soup for the fall

Lunch at Harrisonburg Baptist Church ($600)
Providing and serving lunch (spring & fall)

Operation Blossom for BRC ($50)
Painting flower pots & potting daffodils to share

Operation Christmas Child Packing Party
Choosing and packing OCC gifts

Pop-Up VBS at Mission Central
Sharing Jesus & fun with children

SPCA Pet Party ($50)
Prayer blankets for our furry friends

Sponsoring a Family for Christmas ($450)
Helping a family with Christmas gifts

Vespers at Bridgewater Retirement Community
Helping residents to & from worship

Conference Apportionments Paid - Total $57,540

$4,496 Conference Mission & Ministries

$3,208 Conference Services

$1,760 District Superintendents Fund

$504  Equitable Compensation

$1,448 Church Extension & Development

$544  Virginia Education Fund

$24,024 Active Clergy Health

$14,484 Retired Clergy Health

$1,392 Episcopal Fund

$3,456 World Service

$520 General & Jurisdictional Connectional Fund

$1,088 Ministerial Education Fund

$504 Black College Fund

$112 Africa University Fund

District Apportionments Paid - Total $8,748

From Artie Frederick, Mission Central - Thank you so much for your wonderful support of the shared ministry of the Children's Clothes Closet. With your help, we have served 1,415 children, they have received items 4,714 times.  Our diaper need has reached 121,202.  None of this could have been accomplished without each of you.  God is using you and this ministry in mighty ways.  I'm looking forward to serving with you in 2024.  I'm praying that all we do will bring honor and glory to our Lord and and will be a blessing to those he sends to us.

From Dawn Kern, in the Bulletin & E-blast ~ We have such a generous congregation!  Throughout the year you all have been amazing in your support of the Childrens Clothes Closet.  Bags of clothing appear in the red hamper in the stairway almost weekly in addition to many wonderful donations of socks & underwear in the pink tub in the main hallway. 

This years Christmas Coat Drive was another way that demonstrated that BUMC has a real heart for mission outreach.  During the month of December, the following items were donated for the Closet: 44 new or gently used coats, 2 thermal vests, 33 pairs of gloves, 10 pairs of pants/jeans, 4 backpacks, 5 fleece blankets, 3 pks. of diapers, 5 pks. of wipes, 250 treat bags for the children at the Closet & 200 new books (through the Green Valley Book Fair) Wow!! Thank you for your tremendous generosity, because with your help many children received much needed clothing and coats and a Christmas treat.

I also want to give a big thank you to The Cracked Pillar (owners Patti and Tim Landes) as they facilitated a Giving Tree during the holiday season that resulted in an overwhelming response. Their patrons donated 61 new coats, 50 pks. of socks,37 pks. of underwear, multiple cases of diapers and wipes, 25 sweatshirt/sweatpants outfits, pajamas, shoes, & 22 toys.  The generosity of our community really warms your heart.

Printed / Paper Copies of this report are available at BUMC and upon request.  

Please share the good news!

Bridgewater UMC is making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world!  

219 N Main Street

Bridgewater, VA 22812

Call Us : 540-828-0890

Email Us : adminasst@bridgewaterumc.com

Copyright 2024. Bridgewater United Methodist Church, All Rights Reserved.