Practical Expressions of the Vision

Lively, Diverse Worship Celebrations
Worship includes a rich variety of music, the arts, prayer, leadership, and creative liturgy. Sunday morning worship begins at 10:45 in the sanctuary. During the summer, an additional service is held at 8:30 a.m.  Open Table – an inclusive communion service is held on Wednesdays from 6:00-6:30 p.m. On Fridays during Lent, noon services precede a shared light lunch for a $5.00 donation. The sanctuary is open for prayer and meditation upon request. All are welcome.

Diversity
As a diverse congregation, the members of Broad Street work diligently to build their competency to celebrate the diverse gifts of its many members.  It is an on-going effort to examine privilege, racism, classism, sexism, and heterosexism.

Inn at Broad
Families who are moving from housing crisis to more stable housing situations live in the transitional supportive housing community called The Inn at Broad, located on the lower level of Broad Street UMC, for twelve to eighteen months. This ministry is a cooperative venture between the church, the Inn at Broad Board of Directors, other churches, organizations, and faith communities. Families are supported with mentor-companions, case management, and the spiritual care of the Resident Innkeeper.  Volunteers and donations are welcomed.

Service Learning for College Students
Young adults from neighborhood colleges, especially Columbus College of Art and Design, put their faith into action through hands-on projects at Broad Street and in the wider community.

Diverse Youth & Children’s Ministry
Children and youth of the church play, study, and serve. The group includes youth & children from all races, family configurations, and incomes.  Special programs include SpiritSparks on Sunday mornings, joint youth fellowship with Maple Grove UMC on Sunday evenings, overnight service retreats, summer mission trips, summer church camps, & Campfire Kids Downtown MegaClub.

Community of Artists
Artists find a home and place of service at Broad Street.  Visual arts, dramatic arts, and a wide variety of musical arts enhance worship and meditation. The Liturgical Arts Guild, Chancel Choir, Handbell Choir, The Broad Street Players, Altar team, and Columbus College of Art and Design student projects develop the creative side of faith.  Special events include large-scale musical and dramatic works, concerts, and programs.

Bethlehem on Broad Street
Holiday assistance (a hot Christmas meal, food baskets, toys, and clothing) is provided to 2,500 individuals with limited resources during the Christmas season. Broad Street UMC hosts the family assistance program. The project is a combined effort of many churches, faith communities, and organizations. Volunteer groups, individual volunteers, supporting churches/organizations, and contributions are needed.

“I was hungry and you gave me food!”
Manna Café and Open Shelter
100-200 meals are served for dinner every Monday through Thursday.  All are welcome.  On Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday the Open Shelter (an organization serving homeless men and women) works with other churches and organizations to provide a hot meal and short respite for all guests.  On Wednesday evening the Manna Café (a mission group formed through the Central Ohio School of Servant Leadership) does the same.  Volunteer groups and donations are needed and welcomed.

Holistic Health Ministry
The Broad Street Health Ministry team is assisting persons in reducing stress, controlling blood pressure, losing weight, increasing exercise, cooking healthy, and dealing with difficult issues and disease. An HIV/AIDS ministry team provides buddies for persons living with AIDS, education and awareness programs, healing retreats, and advocacy to end AIDS. The gymnasium at the church is used for volleyball, basketball, and aerobics. Local students and employees of neighboring businesses keep it busy. Healing services are available periodically and healing prayers are available upon request.

Central Ohio School of Servant Leadership
The school offers a community through which persons can grow toward a mature Christian faith. It offers three 8-week sessions each year. Courses develop inward spiritual growth through prayer & worship as well as outward spiritual expression through service and justice. Issue related studies, arts groups, and Bible studies are also available. Mission groups are formed for shared outreach and ministry.

Bible Study
Bible studies to help persons grow in their discipleship are offered weekly throughout the year.  Study groups meet on Sunday morning at 9:30, Sunday evenings, Thursday mornings, and at other mutually agreed on times.

Prayer and Support
Recovery groups, grief support groups, prayer fellowships, and share groups provide comfort and counsel. Broad Street’s Prayer Ministers offer prayer support and training for the congregation and its partner ministries. The Shawl Ministry meets on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month at 9:30 am in the Library. Some of us knit and crochet together and others on their own. We bless the shawls and present them to our Pastor and Compassionate Care Ministry to be given to those in need of them: to celebrate, to console and to love. We welcome all who have an interest. We have knitting needles, crochet hooks and lots of donated yarn to help you learn if you are a novice. 

Spiritual Growth
The church sponsors spiritual growth retreat weekends called “The Walk to Emmaus.”  In addition, weekly “Companions in Christ” groups form caring covenants with one another as they share a variety of spiritual disciplines, especially study and prayer.  The Retreat Ministry team also provides leadership for groups who desire servant leadership retreats at the church. Interested persons should call the church.

Inclusion Ministry
Persons who are mentally retarded, developmentally disabled, mentally ill, addicted, and others who are struggling to avoid homelessness are included in the life of the Broad Street community and supported by it.  Their many gifts are included in the life of the congregation as they access the supportive care the community provides.

Social Justice Ministries
A variety of ministry teams lead the congregation’s actions to bring God’s love and justice into reality in contemporary society. They include Environmental Justice, United Methodists Against the Death Penalty, Racial Unity activities, Homeless Advocates, Reconciling Ministries (full-inclusion of glbt persons and glbt UM Christians) and more.

Emergency Assistance

 Broad Street offers weekly emergency help by responding to at least 10 persons each week through the "Serving One" food pantry, a listening ear, funds to acquire photo id's, an advocate, and other direct aid.