Category: Letters
Giving Hope This Christmas
The Christmas season is upon us! Let’s rejoice because our Savior is born. “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to…
A Place of Refuge
When attending the groundbreaking ceremony in 2018 for the new federal courthouse at 611 Reily Street, entrance into the event required being frisked since this is a homeland security site (I was let in!). I couldn’t help but peer across Reily Street to Bethesda Mission’s iconic landmark Men’s Shelter as the celebration was taking place…
Breaking Strongholds
by Scott Dunwoody, Executive Director I find it interesting how those graduating from our recovery program at our Men’s Shelter often refer to something that most of us aren’t even aware of – the number of steps coming into Bethesda’s historic iconic landmark. Steps leading up underneath the Green Cross number 13, 14, 15, depending…
Restoring Broken Lives
As we approach the hottest days of summer, it’s easy to forget about the hurting and homeless. However, the need is still great! This month I’d like to share about some of the incredible people who manage and are involved with our Medical Clinic. While we have four wonderful nurses on staff to take care…
Pointing Kids to Jesus
With Father’s Day coming up, I’d like to share with you the story of a Bethesda staff member who is a father figure in the lives of many of our Community Center kids and teens. Andre Cooper has worked at the Community Center since 2009. Though he’s always loved working with kids, he felt called…
A Light in the City
Have you ever had a chance to meet Serina Brown, the Community Center’s current director? You can’t escape the feeling that she’s ready to take you under her wing at a moment’s notice. It’s clear that this sense of safety and nurturing that Serina has cultivated permeates throughout the Community Center and has been a…
An Update on the Blessings and Challenges at the Men’s Mission
By Scott Dunwoody, Executive Director John 1:16 says, “From His abundance, the fullness of His grace, we have all received one gracious blessing after another.” In the midst of those blessings, challenges emerge every day, which reminds me of a beloved hymn, written by Johnson Oatman. The opening stanza reads: When upon life’s billows you…
The View from Above
by Scott Dunwoody, Executive Director When you walk into the Men’s Mission, to your right next to the check-in window is a letter board that lists all of the staff at that facility. Right at the top in big white letters it reads, “HEAD OF HOUSE: JESUS.” We often talk about the day-to-day activities around…
Light Has Dawned!
by Scott Dunwoody, Executive Director I think C.S. Lewis had it right in his beloved The Chronicles of Narnia when he observed how truly depressing it would be to live in a world where it was “always winter, but never Christmas.” Winter can be bleak, cold, and dark, but Christmas breaks in to provide joy,…
Together We’ll Go Far
An ancient African proverb says, “if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Our guests at Bethesda Mission rely on support from others to go far in their recovery journey and so do we. Those struggling with drug/alcohol addiction find the holiday season to be particularly troubling…