The New Testament tells us a parable of Jesus feeding 5000 people. In this parable Jesus is quick to see the spiritual hunger of the throng of people before him. Viewing the people "as sheep having no shepherd", Jesus spends the day teaching them about God's way. Later, when Jesus realizes the physical hunger of the people before him, he takes the disciples' five loaves and two fishes to feed all 5000 people.

In a similar way Berwyn United Methodist Church has continually met the spiritual and physical needs of the people in our community. FEED THE 5000 invites you to provide a full bag of groceries for a family.

Each bag will feed a family of four, three meals for three days. The bags will be distributed by United Methodist Neighborhood Services in Philadelphia. The filled bags should be returned to the church on or before Palm Sunday.

Please put the groceries below in the paper bag we have provided and supply an outer plastic bag to add strength and to aid in carrying. Please do not add extra items to the bags. Please call Betsy Newman at (610) 647-0643 for more information. Receipts for tax purposes are available.

Each Advent, we collect unwrapped Christmas gifts for 2,500 children and their mothers as part of a large group of Methodist churches. Many of these children live in one-parent families with limited income. These may be the only gifts they receive. The Christmas Giving Tree is located in the church lobby. A suggested gift list is beside the tree. Please take an ornament from the tree as a thank-you for your gift.

We also collect hats and mittens for United Methodist Neighborhood Services. These may be hung on the Giving Tree in the church lobby. Please take an ornament from the tree as a thank-you for your gift.