Bethesda was the name chosen by the first members of our church when it was formed in 1821. We find it encouraging that the words given to us for our future resonate with what happened at the Pool of Bethesda 2000 years ago.
Bethesda Pool was a place where the sick gathered, believing that when the waters in the pool stirred, that the first person in would be healed. Here Jesus met with a man who had been unable to walk for 38 years. He was frustrated because he had never been able to get to the waters first, everything changed when Jesus healed him. Find out more in John Chapter 5.
These events remind us that Jesus is present in the reality of our lives, and he connects with us in our everyday circumstances offering healing, hope and restoration.
At Bethesda, we recognise that we all have scars and hurts, but we want to grow into a community where people can be honest about the realities of life, what we have faced and are facing. We believe that this is the first step towards finding healing. The image at the top of this page is an example of the art of Kintsugi. In this art form, broken pottery is repaired using gold. Rather than trying to hide and be ashamed of the brokenness, the damage is highlighted and makes the result even more beautiful.
Our prayer is that God will continue to restore each of us and make us into something more beautiful as we support, love and grow as a community of people who encounter Jesus together.
Bethesda means ‘House of Grace’ and as a church, we are grateful to God for the gracious love he offers to us all.