Our Ministry
Assistance to Asylum-Seekers
In collaboration with our neighbor The Church of the Good Shepherd and other community organizations, Bay Ridge United Methodist Church provides resources and care to those who come seeking asylum and a new life in the United States. We assist our new neighbors materially by offering food and meals, Metro cards, cell phones, clothes, and basic hygiene items. We also offer them legal counseling, job training, ESL classes, and spiritual care. We hold worship services in Spanish on Sundays at 1 p.m. If you would like to help provide hygiene items to our new neighbors, we have a Gift Registry through Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/3F4V9RMPI5H3Q).
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Every Wednesday at 10 a.m. our Prayer Shawl Ministry team meets in the church to knit shawls which are delivered to people around the world who need some encouragement and prayer. Over the years hundreds of shawls (and thousands of prayers) have helped people weather the storms of life.
Equal Rights Group
There is so much inequity and discrimination in the world today. The Equal Rights Committee is dedicated to studying issues of inequality and educating the community about the issues. We attempt to effect change individually, as a group, as a congregation and, whenever possible, in the community. Our past studies have included advocating for equal rights for all members of our church community, a study of the First Amendment, a book study of "Love Your Enemies" about having difficult conversations and, most recently, issues concerning the transgender community.
Peace Action Bay Ridge (PABR):
An affiliate of Peace Action New York, PABR holds vigils and demonstrations throughout Bay Ridge to educate and motivate the community to affect change by reaching out to our elected officials to advance policies and laws that promote peace through dialogue and diplomacy. PABR holds monthly meetings at our church, usually on Saturday mornings.
Tuesday Devotional Group
Members and friends gather in person on Tuesday (alternating morning and evening) to pray, share, and encourage one another in faith.
Taizé Worship
Every Wednesday evening at 7:30, Rev. Kathryn Dickinson leads a contemplative worship service designed to help us experience God's love through song, silence, and prayer. It’s a perfect way to find some added peace in the middle of your week.
Bible Study
On Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. Pastor Matt Schaeffer leads the group into deep discussion on scripture, dealing with difficult and complex passages that are often neglected. The study is not designed to answer all our questions but rather to provide us with new insights into intention of the authors given the context of the writing.
Sunday Discussion Group
The Discussion Group meets at 9:45 a.m. weekly and explores books and articles that are inspiring and thought-provoking. Participants are encouraged to share their own experiences and insights for the benefit of the entire group.
Monthly Pot Luck and Movie
Each month members and guests are invited to vote on a popular movie that is shown usually on the last Sunday of each month after the worship service. Before the movie is presented, the audience enjoys fellowship and lunch together.