BETHEL AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Pretoria, South Africa NPO # 008-616 

AME Church Community Outreach Program

Seven Tables Ministry

Our History Our Name South African HistoryBethel AME ChurchAME Outreach 
Seven Tables Ministries		Home Page

ACTS 6:2-7


2.  Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
3.  Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4.  But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
5.  And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
6.  Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
7.  And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

This ministry focuses around the following areas within the communities surrounding the church
 

  • CHRISTIAN COMMUNION AND FELLOWSHIP
  • SOCIAL SERVICES
  • HEALTH
  • SENIORS/PENSIONERS AND DISABLES PERSONS
  • STREET KIDS
  • EDUCATION
  • EMERGENCY AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT

ACHIEVEMENTS

     

  • CHRISTIAN COMMUNION AND FELLOWSHIP

This is done under the banner of Bethel AME Church, a new congregation within the Pretoria District, in the North Transvaal Annual conference of the Nineteenth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The Rev. Dr. Frederick C. Harrison, former Secretary of Missions of the AME church (1984-1992) is the Pastor. The Rev. Pretty Harrison, Overseas Coordinator (Women in Ministry) is the Assistant Pastor. For more information see the Bethel AME Church Page.
 

  • SOCIAL SERVICES

BANQUET

BISHOP A. J. RICHARDSON GUEST PREACHER AND RECIPIENT OF GOOD SAMARITAN AWARD

During our thank you awards banquet in November 2001 certificates were issued to Volunteers and members of the community in recognition for their support and service to this project.

Due to the scourge of HIV/AIDS we have seen a lot of deaths in our communities. Most of those who die are the working class, who in most cases are the bread winners within they families. This leaves the families with no source of income and living below the poverty line. This Ministry has tried to meet the needs of such families through;

  • HELPING IN FUNERAL EXPENSES AND ARRANGEMENTS
  • BUYING GROCERIES FOR THE FAMILIES
  • PAYING SCHOOL FEES AND BUYING SCHOOL UNIFORMS AND OTHER SCHOOL MATERIAL
  • PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION FOR THE SICK TO THE HOSPITAL
  • PROVIDING CLOTHING TO THOSE IN NEED

Most of the clothing is a donation from friends and other Churches in the USA. We kindly solicit your help and assistance in contributing to our clothes, shoes and blankets drive for the help of those less fortunate than we are.

SPECIAL REQUEST You can buy a warm blanket for the aged and the needy for only $25 or up.


Blankets and clothing donated by
Allen AME Church and other Churches
in Jamaica, NY and surrounding areas.
Presented by Caroline Scarvella and Lorraine Dickerson
  • HEALTH

FEEDING OF HIV/AIDS AND PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS AT GA-RANKUWA HOSPITAL

Some time in 1997 we received a call from the Ga-Rankuwa Hospital, from a nurse who sounded very much worried and disturbed. Her worry was because of some of her patients who would come to the hospital with no food and requested us to come and feed them while their are awaiting their turn to be seen by a doctor. This was at the out patients side of the HIV/AIDS patients. We have been feeding them from then. They were latter joined by the Psychiatric patients in the same building. It would have been unethical for us to feed one group while the other as hungry as they were was left out, so we feed both groups. We feed every Tuesday however the numbers of patients are increasing drastically. HELP! For more information on the statistics and developments go to http://www.hsrcpublishers.co.za/hiv.html

Ga-Rankuwa Hospital Direction Board. Our Ministry is offered at the Tuesday Clinic


                                                                               Bread and Mealie-meal to be shared by the patients
Rev. Pretty Harrison Preparing for the Braai at
the Tuesday Clinic

                                                                                            Cleaning the dishes after serving the patients
Fixing the food to feed the Patients at the 
Tuesday Clinic

  • A.M.E. COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM
This is a support service for HIV/AIDS suffers. The training service is rendered in partnership with the United Nations. A volunteer person Living with HIV (P.W.A) has been was employed for this service. However because of the lack of funds, we are using him on part time basics. HELP! This service is given at the local Tlamelong Clinic in Block B. Mabopane.

ACTIVITIES
 

  • Networking with other Care groups in the community e.g. the Department of Health, Social welfare, and Department of Education.
  • Local City Council and Youth Groups.
  • AIDS Awareness Campaign are held at Central City shopping center.
  • A volunteer living with HIV/AIDS (PWA) is the Local Director and distributor of educational material for the communities and schools. The program supports the position of abstinence. HELP!
  • HIV/AIDS AND DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR
This seminar was planned and held in conjunction with the United Nations for the basic training of the W. M. S. members so that as missionaries they can assist those affected and infected in their homes, local churches, and community.
  • MABOPANE DISASTER:
There was a rainstorm that resulted in a crisis situation in Mabopane, especially in the area of E.W., Block N, Central View, and other surrounding area. Rev. Dr. Fred C. Harrison was delegated by the Mayor to spearhead this activity, assisted by Rev. Pretty Harrison and other community leaders. The following was done:
  • Food donations, feeding, and housing for the affected Families.
  • Received and distributed clothes donated by church members.
  • Distributed essential material e.g. building material and distribution of blankets to the needy families.
  • Arranging health care for those affected.
  • HOMELESS CHILDREN
We support Lotus home, a home for street kids; we give physical and spiritual help. We also help raise funds for the home through friends and associates who are interested in the project.
 
  • PRINTING
We have helped with the production of educational material and other school needs for schools in our area. And for the assistant of the local City Council from time to time.
 
  • SENIOR CITIZENS AND THE DISABLED
The AME Outreach Team of  Volunteers  at some Pay Points Feeding Seniors and some Disabled persons

Every month seniors gather at special pay points to receive their pension. Their pension pay amounts to R 700.00, which is equivalent to $100.00 a month. We are feeding around 3,700 pensioners at the beginning of each month. This is only five out of sixteen pay points. This is only the beginning and we will continue to feed them at all five pay points on monthly basis as long as the funds are made available. Pray that God will enable us to reach them all. HELP!
 

  • FUTURE PLANS
After the successful HIV/AIDS Training of the W.M.S officials and other mothers at Morula Sun Hotel in Mabopane, a follow up session is in planned to include other members of the church and Community. The training of trainers for home based care is a major need in South Africa. We are looking for a sponsor for our HIV/AIDS TB program, training session for "Case work Management" to be held in Washington D.C. USA in the near future. HELP!
 
  • CONCLUSION
It is apparent that the challenges facing the church in the new millennium and the year 2004 are various and complex, therefore it is necessary that we join hands and continue to labor in the vineyard of our Master. We have received clothing from the South African Red Cross; friends in the USA, bread is being supplied by Rumolope Bakery for the feeding of the HIV, Psychiatric and TB patients. We are however in need of bread donation for the Seniors and the pensioners.
 
  • STATISTICS
HIV/AIDS Patients, Psychiatric: Patients and TB Patients            R 4,300.00 monthly        $ 619.00
Pensioners and Disabled
7 Tables Ministry Feeds 3700           Annual Cost-R 144,000 = $ 24,000

SPECIAL REQUEST FOR THIS FEEDING PROGRAM
OUR NEEDS: DISTRICTS � CHURCHES - ORGANIZATIONS TO PARTNER WITH US
$2000.00 IS NEEDED TO FEED PER MONTH. THIS IS CALCULATED AT THE PRESENT EXCHANGE OF 1:6

For more information contact

Rev. Dr. Frederick C. Harrison/ Rev. Pretty Harrison
P. O. Box # 44 Mabopane 0190 South Africa
Calling from the USA: 011-27 �11 �314-4326
Tel/Fax * (011) 314-4326 * Cell 082 256 1174

Information on how to contribute from the United States and anywhere else can be accessed by Emailling to harrison@global.co.za

Page maintained by: Rev. Pretty Harrison
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