BETHESDA BUILDING:
In June 2001, the original Bethesda Manor that formerly served as a homeless shelter to men was completely renovated. The Bethesda Building It now houses many offices, choir and meeting rooms, a chapel, two kitchens, a Board Room, and 41 classrooms. These classrooms vary in size, accommodating from 12 to 100 students. Mt. Airy Bethesda Manor Inc. is the Community Development Corporation arm of the Mt. Airy Church of God in Christ which allows the church to operate non-profit entities such as the MACDS, Stenton Manor Family Shelter, after school programs, Welfare to Work, etc. The church’s history is storied with community development activities and successes.
THE SENIOR DAILY ACTIVITY PROGRAM (SEDAP)
The Senior Daily Activity Program serves over 80 seniors (age 65 and over), and meets three times a week: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Transportation is provided to and from their residence for those who need it by the Church.
Seniors are provided a nutritional breakfast and lunch and are kept busy with various activities, such as, senior aerobics, trips, shopping outings, arts and crafts, etc. Periodically, experts are invited to educate the seniors to the different opportunities available to them. Health screenings and computer classes are provided.
The SEDAP is operated by a Director, an Assistant Director, a Cook, and a volunteer worker.
THE MT. AIRY CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL (MACDS)
The Mt Airy Christian Day School provides private Christian education experience to over 50 children – ages 2 ½ to 5. The MACDS is housed on the second floor of the Bethesda Building. . This is a full-day program, with lunch, afternoon snacks, extracurricular activities, arts & crafts, etc. It also accommodates students in an after care program.
The School is run in conjunction with the Public School System, observing the same hours and holidays as the public school system. The MACDS is State certified and staffed with highly qualified personnel . The Director, as well as 6 (six) teachers and 4 (four) aides provide an educational opportunity that is compatible with other private schools and the Philadelphia Public School System as well.
The curriculum consists of the basic educational requirements. While tuition is very reasonable, a number of our students are subsidized by the State.
MT. AIRY RELIGIOUS TRAINING INSTITUTE (MARTI)
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Dr. Denise Mendez, Dean Mt. Airy Religious Training Institute began in 1968 when Bishop Ernest C. Morris, Sr. saw the need for a systematic study of the Bible among the saints and as preparation for Sunday School teachers. From small beginnings, our faculty, students and staff have increased. A variety of courses have been offered with additional subjects and topics added annually. M.A.R.T.I., as the school is affectionately termed, has enjoyed association with noted schools of theology; most recently, Bishop J. Louis Felton has facilitated partnership with the Apex School of Theology (North Carolina), which has allowed us to expand our course offerings and provide students with accredited certificates of study. Today, M.A.R.T.I. serves community members, laypersons, and those entering or already formally involved in ministry.
FOOD AND CLOTHING MINISTRY
The Food and Clothing Ministry provides food and clothing for all families of the church, and to others within the community. Each year Mt. Airy Church of God in Christ (COGIC) holds an annual “Christmas in November” dinner for the community in the Family Life Center facility at Mt. Airy COGIC located in the West Oak Lane section of Philadelphia. During the family style dinner for 300 people they have motivational and spirited discussions, music, dinner and Thanksgiving baskets to give away to the families. The dinner baskets come with Turkey and all the trimmings for a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner to be prepared in the home. It is one of the warmest heartfelt and well attended events held annually in the city for the community’s less fortunate. We ask our congregation for donations and to share this giving opportunity within their immediate home communities throughout the Philadelphia Metro area. The Food and CLothing Ministry ask on behalf of Mt. Airy Church of God in Christ for your sponsorship of food, especially turkeys, so that we can provide as many baskets as possible. This endeavor to feed, clothe and offer Thanksgiving to those who need it in our communities truly becomes memorable.
MT. AIRY CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST SPORTS
At Mount Airy Church of Christ, we have two major sports teams: Basketball and Track and Field. The Mt Airy Church of God in Christ Basketball Program is a year around endeavor to provide a structured, discipline-oriented approach to youth athletics in the Northwest section of Philadelphia. Mt Airy Travel teams play competitively in tournaments and leagues from October through April each year with teams for youth between the ages of 8 and 14. There is a team for most ages (8 yr old team, 10 yr old team, etc). Youth must be able to commit to extensive travel in the tri-state area and regularly scheduled practices to participate in this highly competitive program. Coaches in this segment of the Mt Airy basketball program are very experienced and have coached at high levels for numerous years.
MT. AIRY COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER
The CRC provides the community constituents with help acquiring much needed employment opportunities and social services. They have had 39 walk in clients and 40 client appointments, inquiries and phone calls. 4 ex-offenders were referred to specialized agencies and 8 of their clients informed them that they received a job offer. The CRC has also partnered with Immanuel Resource Center and Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia for the very first IRC & CRC Pop-Up on November 17, 2017. The event was a success and approximately 55 people received free clothing (a maximum of 5 items each) and honed their interviewing skills with mock interviews.