The Bethel Methodist Church is one of the six churches in the Bethel Circuit. The Church was established in 1844. The Superintendent Minister is Rev. Adrian S. Odle and our membership comprises 88 males, 320 females. 
**Location**
The Bethel Methodist Church is situated on Bay Street, St. Michael. 
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 55, Bridgetown
Phone Number: 246-426-2223
The email address of the Church is [bethelcongregationalstewards@gmail.com](mailto:bethelcongregationalstewards@gmail.com). 
**Hours of worship**
The Church meets for worship every Sunday morning at 9:00, with the exception of the second Sunday in every month when there are two services; there is a 6:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Worship Services. 
**Congregational Stewards**
The Congregational Stewards of the Bethel Methodist Church for the Church year 2020-2021 are:
- Bro. Robert McDonald, Sisters Angela Clarke, Allison Mottley and Natalie Phillips. 
They may be contacted via email at [bethelcongregationalstewards@gmail.com](mailto:bethelcongregationalstewards@gmail.com).

**Church Organizations**
The organizations of the Church are the Women’s League, Men’s Fellowship, Dorcas Society, Marlene’s United Environmental Group, Wesley Guild, the Church School and the Youth Fellowship.
Events
The events for the Bethel Congregation are as follows:-
Bethel Congregation’s Events for the Church year September 2020 - August 2021


## Our History
This fine Gothic chapel was opened for public worship on March 28, 1844.  The name "Bay Street Chapel" was used in reports concerning the Church up until 1848, although it appears to have been named Bethel (“The House of God”) from the beginning.  The Bethel Church became the main Church of the Bethel Circuit.

### Tracing the Development of the Church
The Bethel Methodist Church also served at least one special group in the community.  It became the Church at which some of the soldiers of St. Anne's Fort, the Garrison - Methodists, adherents and others worshipped. They had formerly worshipped at Dalkeith Church, but the number of soldiers attending increased and reduced the seating accommodation available to the members of the Church.  Consequently, the soldiers were marched all the way to the Bethel Chapel.  The association of the members of the Regiment at St. Ann's with the Methodists Church in Barbados dates to the very introduction of Methodism in Barbados in 1788.  The Church had accepted responsibility for the spiritual welfare of the Methodists and Methodist adherents among the armed forces, who numbered 160 in 1817.  So seriously was that responsibility held, that the Ministers appointed to the city Churches were required to visit the military hospital as well.  Some of those ministers appointed were the Reverends A.S. Williams, A.F. Cocks, James Payne and Charles G. Errey. When members of the army left Barbados in 1905, the number of Methodists and adherents were reduced to 126. 

 The Chapel and School, although housed in separate buildings, were by no means separate in function, as the school work was an integral part of the Bethel Methodist Chapel witness.  The wooden school house was erected on a site adjacent to that of the new Chapel and the teacher was Mr. W. Huskisson.  By 1849, Mr. Huskisson was succeeded by Mr. R. Alkins. Four years subsequently, two additional teachers were recruited, Messrs. Durant and Gill. However, the school closed its doors in 1854 due to a cholera epidemic.  At the time, the Superintendent of the Circuit felt that the school could not be reopened because, in addition to its poor financial state, the building was poorly situated.  Nevertheless, this view did not prohibit the school's revival, for in 1867, it was still functioning under the leadership of Mr. John W. O'Neal with a school roll of 78 students. Later, as the Government of Barbados gradually accepted responsibility for education, the Bethel school became defunct.
 The memory of the Quarterly meetings of April 17 and July 17, 1931, for those who attended them, must have been poignant.  The Circuit Stewards at the April meeting were Messrs Crichlow and Blades; at the July meeting O.R Grannum was elected to succeed Blades, who had died.  Grannum also became a worthy successor to Blades as Superintendent of the Sunday School and proceeded to make a contribution to the District Property and Finance Committee.  The July meeting was also the last for Rev. G.B. Byer and his wife Eileen.  Rev. Byer had the duty of paying tribute to the late Bro. Blades who had served for many years in every section of the Church.  Rev. Byer spent the last eight years of service to the Methodist Church in St. Lucia. 


### Sunday School
As Sunday School Superintendent, Mr. O.R. Grannum exercised that fairness, discipline and sense of humour which attracted boys.  He was a member of the District Synod and together with Mr. T.J. Sealy of James Street Society and Circuit made outstanding contributions to the decisions related to Property and Finance at District level.  In this, he was ably emulated by one of his Sunday School scholars, Bro. Victor Cooke.  Bro. Lloyd Mayers, Local Preacher, Leader and Sunday School Superintendent was a Christian whose service in the Church and in the community it would be difficult to overlook.  This gentleman was an inspiration to Rev. Edwin Taylor, among many others. The service of Cyril Brathwaite should not be dismissed.  This gentleman quietly projected Christianity as service to all.  The Church was his life.  His understanding of human nature, his appreciation of the activity and unpredictable behaviour of young males and his commitment, led him to be the kind of Scout Leader at Bethel which made scouting the activity of the week for several of our current community leaders.  Brathwaite, as a young man, had never been a Scout.  He had a small young people's group at Bethel and in his desire to commit the group to more purposeful endeavour, he invited Mr. Kenneth Pile to assist in establishing a Scout Troop at Bethel.  This, Mr. Pile willingly did, with that faithfulness demonstrated in his community work in scouting and other activities.  Brathwaite became a Scout Leader and together with Pile, made the Bethel Scout Troop special and more importantly, a genuine influence for good in the lives of many boys.  Among those who gratefully acknowledge their indebtedness to scouting at Bethel is Sir. Harcourt Lewis, King's Scout.  Lewis' self-assurance, skill and experience in financial matters, have caused others who are associated with him to have a feeling of trust which has made him a worthy successor of William Grannum, and Sir Archibald Cuke, Circuit Stewards of Bethel.  Lewis was the first lay treasurer of the District and a member of the Barbados Island Council.
 Bethel Sunday School was led by Lloyd Mayers as Superintendent in the 1940s serving 20 years with a roll of 400 children.  Some of the students of the Sunday School during that period were the Reverends. Leonard Rock and Keith Rae, Bro. Victor Cooke, Sir Harcourt Lewis and his son, Bro. John Mayers.  Other organizations in the Church included the Wesley Guild and the Girls League.  The Girls League was started by Sis. Marjorie Watson and they hosted an Easter Conference every year which was for a duration of four days. The ladies also attended a rally annually at a different Church.  The League also embarked on camps annually in Barbados and overseas and several other activities.  The benefit of the League ensured that there was good interaction and relationship between the Churches. 
 Within the Methodist Church, the Class system is the basis of our organization.  Each "confirmed" member is assigned to the care of a Class leader and members should attend Class meeting regularly.  The class meeting in Church is invaluable as a meeting for the group where experiences may be shared and new members introduced.  This is most needed in the Church where it is easy for persons to become lost and uncared for.  They may share their joy, burdens and also plan activities. Currently, the Bethel Methodist Church has 28 classes and the congregational roll is 431.
 
## Leadership of the Church 
The administrative and spiritual leadership of the ministers is largely responsible for the success of the work of the Church.  Reverends E. Johnson, W.B. Mattinson, B. Crosby, Crosse, E.S.M. Pilgrim and Francis Godson are among those who made Bethel the Beacon which it was during the first half of the century.  Among the lay people of the Church during the same period were Sisters Edith and Editha Inniss, Millington, Callender, Marshall, Valverdee, Hewitt, Griffith, Shepherd, Hazlewood, Hutchinson. More recently, the Bethel Congregation has been blessed with the following Superintendents and Ministers throughout the years, namely: Reverends Crosse, Crosby, W.B Mattinson, E. Johnson, Max Thomas, A. S Williams, A. J Cocks, James Payne, Charles Errey, G. B Byer, Edwin Taylor, E. S. M. Pilgrim, Francis Godson, Marshall, Derek M. Lyder, Furley, Donald Henry, Vivien Commissiong, Laurie Anne Hopkins,  Philip E. M. Saunders, T. Anne Daniel,  Leonard Rock, Cuthbert Edwards, Marlene  Britton-Walfall,  Paul Walfall, Solomon Odoom, Lesley Judd, Nola Gregg, Philbert Delaney, Swanson, Colton Bennett  Rosalind Harper-Johnson, Emasseau Pierre, J. Henry Bourne, Reverends Ampadu, Morris and currently, Reverend Adrian S. Odle, Reverend Dr. Marcelle Brathwaite, Reverend Carol-Jean Richardson and Rev. Pearson Blackman.
>  "WE THEREFORE WORSHIP THE LORD, IN THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS BECAUSE THE  BEST OF ALL IS GOD IS WITH  US"

## Church Organizations

### Women’s League
The Bethel Women’s League currently has a membership of 34 persons with 21 persons active and of the remainder 6 are shut-ins and 7 participate irregularly. The motto of the Bethel Women’s League is “Sincerity in Service”.

**Day and time of Meeting**
1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 5.30 pm for approximately one to one and a half hour

**Programmes and Activities **

- Devotions, Bible trivia, prayer fellowship, faith sharing and favourite hymns.
- Visit shut-in members and attend fellowship gatherings with other leagues and churches
- Guest speakers invited to speak on various topics 
- Donated to Missionary Fund
- Members lead devotions and prayers at meetings
- Members lead morning worship on fifth Sundays
- Participate in the World Day of Prayer Service
- Approximately 14 persons completed the Bridgetown Emmaus Walk and attend gatherings on 3rd Saturday of each month
- Bible Study
- Social evenings where we have refreshments and impromptu performances
- Annual Women’s League Christmas Social
- Birthday and Anniversary celebrations

### Bethel Worship Team

Through song/voice, the worship Team, comprising 6 females and two males, has embarked on a mission to assist in enhancing the worship experience, and aid in the introduction of new worship songs to the congregation.  The Team is always willing to participate in any of the Worship Services at the Bethel chapel as requested. The Worship Team welcomes any member of the Bethel congregation.
The future aim of the Worship Team is to continue to grow in Christ and lead the congregation into new and improved worship experiences. 

**Meeting Times **

2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at 5.30pm in the Bethel chapel.

**Worship Team Leaders**
- Bro Richard White and Sis Gailene Brathwaite.  

![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/LdBopRWD1rGDSZwCHz4h7M30U-L_qMpGIFGrnB1t2z4cVtk7Zj9Lv-tJgrFvtAa8pwACffSLrLItxBq2ZVOcxFTvSHqoK4KYbBq558jl8wvKzRN5o4lWKTIPdwAgdYur_PtE2MzGdvcwVZRcFw=s0)

#### Bethel Senior Choir

The Bethel Senior Choir at present has 22 members (females 17/ males 5); comprising 11 Sopranos, 6 Altos, 2 Tenors and 3 Basses. Despite its small membership, the choir still accomplishes its mandate to minister in song during services. The Choir continue to perform at regular services on Sundays, funerals and Special services when requested.
The Choir is currently in an attrition phase and is actively seeking recruitment of new members.  The Choir meets every Thursday evening at 7:00. The Leader of the Choir is Bro. Richard Hope. The Choir engages in Outreach Ministry through acquiring items for homebound members and they sponsor a student from the Church School annually.

**Dorcas Society**

The role of the Dorcas Society is to outreach to vulnerable members of the Church and community, through assisting with toiletries, food items and other supplies as requested.
- The Society has 20 members with 15 being active.
- They meet on the 2nd Tuesday of the month there is an activity planned.

The Society contributed Christmas gifts to some of the seniors in the church and made deliveries of fruit baskets to some of the church home-bound members. Flowers, fruits and ground provisions were donated to decorate the church for the harvest festival.
No fund raisers were held during the year, but plans are being made to hold one in the upcoming church year.


**Men’s Fellowship **

There are 15 members in the Fellowship with 13 of them being active.
They meet on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month.

**Objectives and Achievements**

The Fellowship established the broad objective to *support the work of the Church and the personal development of the Church's male members by maintaining a spirit of camaraderie among men through regular scheduled fellowship*. 
This objective entailed:
- Meetings focus on spiritual growth, personal growth and advancing the work of the Church;
- Exchange and prioritization of project ideas to enhance or maintain the aesthetics of the Church;
- Ensuring full completion of projects works agreed by the Fellowship for the benefit of the Church;
- Fulfilling the role of men as leaders, contributors, mentors and protectors within the Church;
- Ensuring permanent effectiveness of the Men's Fellowship.

Strategies and specific initiatives to advance the objectives were identified. Following are those strategies, initiatives and a brief status report on each initiative:
- Consistent reminders to men of the Church about the existence of regular meetings on topics of interest, personal and spiritual development and work projects undertaken by the Fellowship.
- An array of topics chosen for meeting discussions that must be of real interest to men, address challenges that men must deal with, provide real workable solutions to such challenges and include topics chosen by the Fellowship to encourage attendance.
	- Opportunities for each member, or interested male member of the Church, to lead or present a devotion or other topic for personal development 
		> Status: This was partially achieved via eight (8) out of the fifteen {15} members of the Fellowship leading invocations by rotating turns, and three (3) members leading the four (4) Church services allotted to the Fellowship during the year.

	- Thorough completion of at least three projects to improve or maintain the aesthetics of the Church
		> Status: This was achieved as three painting projects were completed: the choir stalls, the wooden columns of the sanctuary and the northern border/guard wall.
		- Maintain a high standard for all worship activities to which the men are assigned. Status: This was achieved and evidenced by accolades from members of the church.
		- Continuation of the vigilance initiative to safeguard worshippers and property during worship. 


### Marlene’s United Environmental Group

Marlene’s United Environmental Group was formed in November 2004.  Marlene’s United Environmental Group functions under the theme - 
> “Unity Is Strength and Strength is Accomplishment”.  

A Challenge by the late Basil Forbes (Circuit Steward) in July 2004 was answered by a group of members from the church. The challenge was to prepare the grounds in time for the Church’s dedication on Sunday, October 24, 2004 since no funds were available to have the work done by professionals. Both men and women from Bethel came together every Saturday and sometimes on weekdays and laboured vigorously to accomplish the task. 

It was such a successful venture and the workers were so ecstatic about their accomplishment that they decided to establish a group with the hope of assisting the church in reducing expenses in various areas. The group was then formed in November 2004 with 16 founding members. 

The membership was not at full strength since it did not comprise all of the persons who had volunteered for the challenge.  

At present there is a membership of twenty-two persons but due to health challenges, there are 17 active members who specialise in many areas, giving of their time and talents as the need arises. 

Membership is opened to anyone interested in being a member of our work force and you will be welcomed with open arms. Our hope is to continue with the upkeep of the grounds and to assist our elderly members where possible.


### Wesley Guild
The Wesley Guild at Bethel Methodist Church is the only existing one on the island. It is an accessible, open and welcoming fellowship and meetings are held on the second and fourth Thursday monthly. Membership is open to both male and female and any person can become a member. Only persons who are Methodists can hold office within the Organisation. The age range varies from children to adults.

**Aims and Objectives**
- The Guild is God-centred where it seeks to stimulate the worship of God as known in and through Jesus Christ and to enable members to develop patterns of personal and corporate devotion.
- The Guild is a meeting place seeking to promote open and honest discussion of the meaning of Christian faith in today’s world.
- The Guild is a training ground. It seeks to broaden the cultural horizons of its members for the enrichment of human life. It also provides opportunities for leadership, public speaking, planning worship and developing gifts of administration.
- The Guild is an arm of the social and caring life of the Church. It seeks to be a caring fellowship for its members and it encourages interest in the affairs of the local community.
- The Guild is a means of outreach and evangelism where it provides for many, a first point of contact with the Church and becomes a pathway to faith.

**Activities**
- Three members are involved in the St Ambrose Primary School Breakfast Programme
- Two members are involved in conducting morning devotions at St Giles Primary School
- One person is a member of the Cancer Support Services and visits patients in hospital regularly
- Members continue to visit individually and collectively during which time, bible reading, devotions and hymn sharing are done
- Assisted with school supplies for one 11 year old boy adopted from within the Church School
- The League continues to provide 39 pupils of the Charles F. Broomes, Special Education Unit with Christmas gifts, refreshments and educational supplies.
- Some members attend weekly Bible Study/Prayer Fellowship in the Church while others seek to do so at other churches within their district.