Beverley Hills Community United Methodist Church Needs Your Help

The new coronavirus has changed life for all of us. Local businesses have taken a huge economic hit, but communities are finding creative ways to support the establishments they know and love.

In an effort to help local businesses in our communities stay connected and succeed, Patch will be shining a light on some of them through a series of Q&A articles during this time.

Beverley Hills Community United Methodist Church is one of the businesses in town facing struggles during the coronavirus. You can lend your support by reading more about the company, below, and by contacting them here.

Tell us about your business and its history in your town.

Beverley Hills Church and Beverley Hills Church Preschool have been a gathering place and center of the Beverley Hills neighborhood in Alexandria for over 80 years. We are a small congregation with a large reach. While we are only recently growing into our new virtual space, we have partnered with local organizations and charities for our entire existence. In an era when megachurches seem to be a magnet drawing people away from the smaller, traditional congregations, BHC has remained a pillar of the community with strong roots to hold onto.

As the first Reconciling Congregation in Northern Virginia, we seek to welcome and include ALL people in our church body. By this we mean that people of any race, ethnicity, national origin, age, religious background, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, physical or mental ability, economic status, or educational background are welcome and celebrated at Beverley Hills Church. We affirm that all people are created in the image of God and all are worthy of God's love and grace. We fully include all people in the life and ministry of Beverley Hills Church. We recognize that there are differences among us, but believe we can love each other and work together even though we may not think alike.

To all who have known the pain of exclusion or discrimination in the church or in society we proclaim this statement of welcome. We invite all people to join us in our faith journey toward greater love, understanding and mutual respect as we seek to follow in the way of Jesus Christ.

How has the new coronavirus impacted your business and its employees?

Our church building is closed, but our staff (paid and volunteer) have doubled down on their workload to ensure we can find ways to engage and reach everyone in our congregation. As we have a wide range of generations, this can be challenging to accomplish. We are mobilizing those less affected to call those who are alone or disconnected, deliver groceries and supplies as needed, and share our digital offerings in accessible ways like DVD or over the phone.

We are also finding new ways daily to connect our congregation online via Zoom, Facebook, YouTube, and a plethora of other activities. We are able to continue to pay all staff even though we have seen a drop in giving, due to some of our congregation being unfamiliar with online giving.

How can local customers support you now and in the future?

Other than online giving through our website, our biggest need is help reaching others through sharing and liking our digital content, engaging with us online, and letting others know the options we have for them.

Do you have any words of encouragement for your community?

The building is closed, but the church is alive! We just want to promote a message of hope that although so many are struggling to get through these trying times, God is with us each step of the way. We are here and available to meet any need we possibly can. We've been able to assist seven families with rent, in addition to providing social interaction, deliveries, and prayer to those who need it most.

Are you offering any special services, promotions or hours during this time?

Our weekly worship services as well as children's worship are available on all of our platforms as well as Zoom fellowship hours and Zoom for children on Thursdays.

Are there any other outstanding businesses in town you think deserve some community support?

ALIVE! in Alexandria is a great organization providing food to those in our city.

Do you own a local business in need of a feature on Patch? Fill out the questions in this form for consideration. Or, check out Patch's full list of resources for small businesses during the coronavirus crisis.

Thank you, and stay safe!