About Us

No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you'll find a welcoming spiritual home at Bethany Church, Montpelier.

Bethany Church, founded in 1808, has been a vital part of the Montpelier community for over 200 years. Our members are extremely active in pursuit of peace and justice on the local, regional and international levels. Reverend Amy Pitton serves as our pastor and facilitates the many missions of the congregation.

Commitment to Justice
We are an Open and Affirming Congregation, we have publicly stated that LGBTQ people are welcome and affirm that they are fully a part of our life and leadership. Our members are extremely active in pursuit of peace and justice on the local, regional and international levels.

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Missons of bethany church

Pastoral Care and Worship

We like each other. We try and show that care in our prayers and visits. The minister likes visiting with those in a Hospital or Nursing Home and anyone who would like a visit.

Our worship is a come as you are event with prayers, scripture, music, sermons, laughter, and care.

If you would like to join us for worship on Sundays, a prelude starts about 5 minutes before 10:00. Usually worship is done in 60-70 minutes. The first Sunday of the month is communion and is always a bit unique and might take a bit more time. We understand that everyone is called to this table.

There are also special times of worship: Christmas, Easter, Evensong, weddings, and funerals happen at other times than Sunday morning. Sometimes Sunday morning worship is made special.

If you would like a visit with a minister, call the office at 223-2424. If you want to worship, just come on by Sunday morning. Children worship with us for a bit and then they can go to Sunday School.

Bethany Bowl
Free Community Meal

Our congregation serves a free meal to all members of the community every Tuesday. The meal is typically served between 11:30 am - Noon and everyone is welcome to attend. This is an expression of God's continuing work in this world through the expression of believers. As the kitchen volunteers say: God is still feeding,

San Antonio Grande

During a 1991 visit to El Salvador with a group of the Vermont Conference United Church of Christ, a Bethany Church member visited San Antonio Grande at the invitation of the Lutheran Synod, one of the United Church of Christ's global mission partners. At its next annual meeting Bethany Church voted to become a sister parish to San Antonio Grande.

There have been thirteen visits to San Antonio Grande by Bethany members. Twice we have hosted representatives of the Sister Parish Program, and in August of 2008 Roberto, Oden and Pastor Maura visited for ten days.

We learned many things during our time together and were awed by the students' commitment to their education and betterment of their community. In the early 1990s, Bethany Church helped compensate the teachers placed by the Lutheran Church. When the 12-year civil war ended, the government gradually took on more responsibility for education. Now most San Antonio Grande children finish school through at least the 7th grade. Currently, Bethany Church funds are used to help some students attend high school and even college. As a result, the community now boasts several college graduates, including one young woman who is a doctor of medicine! Before Bethany's partnership, most San Antonio Grande residents had little or no schooling.

In San Antonio Grande, families struggle because of the lack of employment opportunities. Except for the seasonal cutting of sugar cane, work is scarce. In 2013, for the first time, Bethany funds are enabling women in San Antonio Grande to participate in a sewing workshop that may eventually help increase family income. And while they come together to learn and sew, they enjoy the camaraderie and the prospect of a brighter future.

The education scholarships and sewing workshop funds that Bethany provides give hope to the community as it struggles to overcome the effects of systemic poverty. But our ministry with San Antonio Grande is more than this; it is one of companionship, fellowship, and love for our brothers and sisters. In a Christmas letter to Bethany Church, the students and other community members wrote,

"What we want you to know is that we never forget you. You have won our hearts with your love, friendship and understanding. God will reward you. We wish you good health, happiness and many blessings.

Muchas gracias!"

‘El comité de jóvenes colaboramos en pintar la escuela de nuestra comunidad san antonio grande.’