Newsletter - February 2024

Missy's Message

Greetings,

You may have noticed from our recents social media posts... Bethesda House is bursting with life! We have been FULL since December with a waiting list. To God be ALL the glory. Even more exciting, God is doing a mighty work here inside these beautiful young Moms. It is such a privilege and honor to see God's work and get to be a part of it! It's easy to get caught up in all that we have to do but I was recently reminded that the fact is WE GET TO!

There is so much that the Bethesda House team pours into our moms and babies and we don't always see the fruit (although we trust it will come later in God's perfect timing). I just thank God right now for this season where we are seeing HIS WORK in hearts and trust that will result in changed futures for the babies. Thank you for your part in this!! Hope you can join us at the Gala to meet our lovely moms and also our staff team as well.

For HIS Glory,

Missy

Upcoming Events

** VOLUNTEER TRAINING SESSIONS

First Baptist Duxbury

2 Tremont St., Duxbury

-- May 2024 - More Specifics to be announced in April

** SAVE THE DATE: SPRING GALA & SILENT AUCTION

Sponsored by Junk Busters/The Ladd Family

-- Sat. April 6, 2024

Christmas at Bethesda House

Thank you to the 40+ businesses who hosted Christmas Giving Trees!

Snapshots From Our Home

SPRING GALA 2024

Please join us on April 6th for the Bethesda House Spring Gala sponsored by Junk Busters/The Ladd Family. Again this year, our Gala will be held at Hotel 1620 Plymouth Harbor. There will be a silent auction, raffle, and a plated dinner. We are pleased to have this opportunity to share with you the AMAZING growth Bethesda House has experienced this past year. As this is our only fundraising event of 2024, we hope to raise all the necessary funds needed to come alongside, help and support many more young women and their children.

DONATE TO SILENT AUCTION OR RAFFLE

Do you, or someone you know, have a donation for our auction or raffle? Popular items in the past have included sports tickets, getaways, gift certificates, artwork, themed gift baskets, or other goods or services. The donation deadline is 3/22!

Donate today!

NEW FOR 2024! BUY RAFFLE TICKETS ONLINE!

Starting March 22nd through April 4th, raffle tickets sales will be available online! This is a great option for those supporters who cannot attend the Gala but still want to support the mothers and babies in our care and-- of course-- take chances to win some great prizes! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to get notified when sales open! You do not have to be present to win.

Making Mother's Day Cards

MOTHER'S DAY FUNDRAISER

Be on the lookout for a Mother's Day mailing announcing a new giving campaign for Bethesda House. Our staggering growth over the past year is due to the ever-rising living expenses that are a real strain on new mothers either pregnant or newly parenting.

This Mother's Day, make a donation in the name of a special "mother" in your life. Your loved one will be notified of your gift with a handmade Mother's Day card crafted by one of the moms living here. The residents here are so grateful for the opportunity to thank you for the support that makes Bethesda House possible!

Donate Today!

The Bethesda House Boutique is a resale boutique where 100% of the profits from sales are used to support the boutique and our home.

76 Rockland St. in Hanover

SHOP:

Just because you have the means to pay full price, doesn't mean you have to!

Get beautiful items for a great price. Visit the Bethesda House Resale Boutique for baby, children's (through size 6), and maternity clothing as well as baby equipment, children's toys, and books.

Find us at 76 Rockland Street in Hanover!

Most items are now sold for just $3 unless otherwise marked!

** NEWLY EXPANDED HOURS **:

Monday - Friday: 9:00am – 5:00pm

Saturday: 9:00am – 2:00pm (no donations please)

Sunday CLOSED

Phone: 781-776-3073

Website: www.BethesdaHouseMA.org/Boutique

DONATE TO BOUTIQUE:

Donations of new to like-new items are welcome for drop-off at the store. For items that we accept, donation guidelines or more information, visit The Bethesda House Boutique. Donations accepted Monday through Friday only.

VOLUNTEER AT BOUTIQUE:

To join our team, please email boutique@bethesdahousema.org or call/text 781-776-3073!

Donations were made in the last several weeks in the names of the following:

-- Elaine Cleveland

-- Ryan and Bethany Piesco

-- Jean Byrne

-- Maureen Smith

-- Samantha Grace Baker

-- Hughie Gavin

Thank you for honoring or remembering your loved ones with a donation to Bethesda House. God Bless.

Along with generous donations, we get some beautiful messages of support:

“I saw the Christmas tree display with all the beautiful children ornaments at my beauty salon, Rachael's in Middleboro, MA. I would like to help with the enclosed gift."

"Please accept this ongoing donation towards your mission to assist young women and their babies. I only wish there were many more places such as yours so that women have better reproductive choices than they now have. All of this would not be possible without all of you. May God continue to bless you and all that you help."

DONATE TO BETHESDA HOUSE

Donate online through our secure payment form: Donate Now

MAIL A DONATION

Mail a check made out to Bethesda House and send to P.O. Box 227, N. Pembroke, MA 02358.

IN MEMORIUM

All of us at Bethesda House mourn the loss of long-time supporter, volunteer, and friend Hughie Gavin. Described by his family as "having a servant’s heart and loved to work with his hands", this was no more evident than right here at Bethesda House. Hughie served as our General Contractor and was an integral part of the remodel our home underwent in 2018. Hughie was a constant here during that time and his whole heart went into every project he undertook -- and there were many! His spirit will forever be remembered. Please pray for his beloved wife Sandy whose kindness shines upon all of the mothers and babies in our care.

Read the full obituary.

VOLUNTEER TRAINING SESSIONS

There are numerous ways you can use your God-given talents to support Bethesda House. To provide direct care to our moms and babies, we require that you attend one of our three-hour training sessions. Come familiarize yourself with our organization, our mission, and the various ways you can support Bethesda House. Feel free to arrive 15 minutes before the start of the session for registration and coffee.

Upcoming 2024 Sessions

-- A May session will be announced in April!

All sessions take place at First Baptist Duxbury, 2 Tremont St., Duxbury. Space is limited. Please be sure to register ahead of time. We look forward to you joining us!

Complete the registration form today to be notified of an upcoming session!

VOLUNTEER ANNIVERSARIES

God's greatest gift to the women and babies in our care are the volunteers called to serve them. From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU for you for answering His call. We would like to recognize the following volunteers who have reached these important milestones in 2023 since the inception of Bethesda House:

ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Sheila Amiss

Anne DelSanto

Christine Lindgren

Laura Barron-Weiss

Margaret Norberg

Robyn O'Connell

TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Eileen Dillon

Norman Shacochis

Eileen Shacochis

Kimberly Sousa

Linda Quinlan

Rosemary Cullivan

THREE YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Nathalie Vining

Cathy Loughlin

Susan Tyler

Jean Pollock

Julianne Tilden

FOUR YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Karen North

Terri Gordon

FIVE YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Donald Anderson

Laurel Anderson

Joanne Lopez

SIX YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Gail Fabri-Schwartz

Erin Spencer

Sandy Gavin

Chad Johnson

SEVEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Patricia Roberson

Mary Spaulding

Sandra Bradley-Palavanchi

Rose Griffin

Carolyn Atanian

Helen Porter

Maureen Smith

HIRING PART-TIME/RELIEF HOUSE MOM

Bethesda House is looking to hire a part-time/relief House Mom here at our home. If your passion is to support pregnant and new mothers and their babies and have a strong Christian faith, we want to hear from you!

The basis of the home is built on God’s love and how life can be transformed through a relationship with Jesus. Therefore, it is crucial that all employees not only agree with our statement of faith, but be comfortable teaching it.

Housemoms on Duty!

Household Donation Needs

Bethesda House is in need of expendable items on a regular basis. Here is a list of our current needs:

Toothpaste
Aquaphor
Paper Towels
Laundry Detergent
Dreft
Dryer Sheets
Napkins
Paper Plates
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Accordion Files
Mouthwash
Saline Nasal Spray
Q-tips
Dr. Brown's Bottle Nipples (levels 1-3)
Deodorant
Conditioner

Bethesda House Amazon Wishlist

As with any home, we have a constant need of various household items. We have updated our Amazon Wishlist for supporters to help make the house a comfortable and nurturing home for our young moms and their babies. Check back frequently as we will be updating the list regularly!

Shop our Wishlist Today!

And, as always, thank you for your continued generosity.

Yours sincerely,

Missy Porter, RN

Co-Founder/Director of Bethesda House

mp@bethesdahousema.org

Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Jeremiah 1:5

Our mission is to provide a temporary home that is safe and nurturing for young mothers (either pregnant or parenting their child). The basis of our home is built on God's love and how life can be transformed through a relationship with Jesus.

Bethesda House | www.BethesdaHouseMA.org

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