How Your Giving Changed Lives in 2025: BUMC’s Outreach Report

Wondering what your year-end gifts made possible? Here’s a clear look at how Bethesda UMC directed outreach dollars this year and the neighbors who benefited.

At a Glance: $18,000 to Community Partners

Guided by Christ’s call to love our neighbors and seek justice, BUMC invested $18,000 in nonprofits that fight hunger, expand housing, support families, and equip the next generation. These gifts extend our ministry beyond our walls and into everyday needs across our region and around the world.

Where the Funds Went

• $3,000 — Bethesda Cares: Housing-first support for neighbors moving from chronic homelessness to stability, with meals, clothing, and services.
• $3,000 — Bethesda Helps: Food assistance and limited prescription help for local households in crisis.
• $500 — B-WARM: Conference-wide network advocating full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ persons in church life.
• $1,000 — Comfort Cases: Backpacks with essentials for children entering foster care, offering dignity at a difficult moment.
• $500 — General Board of Church and Society (GBCS): Advocacy and education that help United Methodists live out our Social Principles.
• $500 — General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR): Training and resources to confront and dismantle racism in church and community.
• $1,000 — Habitat for Humanity: Safe, affordable housing through local builds and repairs that strengthen families.
• $500 — Huree University (Mongolia): Christian higher education that forms service-minded leaders.
• $3,000 — Interfaith Works: County-wide emergency shelter, supportive housing, essentials, and employment services.
• $1,000 — Jubilee Jobs-DC: Job readiness and placement for neighbors seeking stable employment.
• $1,000 — Manna Food Center: Nutritious food distribution, education, and advocacy to end hunger in Montgomery County.
• $1,000 — Project Transformation DC: Literacy-focused summer programs linking children, college interns, and congregations.
• $500 — UMCOR: Disaster relief and long-term recovery that put donations to work quickly and effectively.
• $500 — Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN): Advocacy for the full participation of LGBTQ+ people across the UMC.
• $500 — St. Jude School (Tanzania): Primary education rooted in Gospel values, opening doors for children and families.
• $500 — TraRon Center: Food distribution, case management, and youth services that help neighbors move from crisis to stability.

More Ways We Served

Beyond budgeted grants, hands-on efforts continued through Manna packing, Mission Mondays, and other special offerings. These regular rhythms keep our church engaged with neighbors facing hunger and hardship.

What Comes Next

If you want your generosity to go even farther next year, consider three simple steps: pray for these partners by name, volunteer once each quarter, and invite a friend to join you. Small, steady commitments add up to real change. Thank you for giving with open hands and open hearts—this is how a congregation quietly reshapes its community, one faithful choice at a time.