Spiritual Services

Spiritual Services at Bethany Children’s Home 

At Bethany, we believe that spiritual wellness is a cornerstone of healing and growth for all youth. Bethany’s spiritual services are founded on a holistic understanding of each youth’s well-being. Here, every young person is honored, seen, and supported on their journey toward healing and self-discovery. 

Bethany’s Psychospiritual Program provides culturally and spiritually relevant resources and support for youth of diverse faiths, beliefs, and backgrounds. Recognizing that each young person’s spiritual journey is unique, our program offers: 

• Spiritual Assessments, designed to understand and respect each youth’s background, beliefs, and preferences. This includes the Shepley Religious Trauma Screening Tool, a specialized assessment tool to help us recognize and address experiences of religious harm, ensuring we foster safe, affirming spaces for all. 

• A Multifaith/No Faith-Inclusive Chapel: Our historic chapel is being reimagined as an inclusive center for spiritual wellness, welcoming all faiths, as well as those who do not identify with a particular faith tradition. Through thoughtful updates, including flexible, adjustable spaces and multifaith symbols, the chapel offers a sacred environment that is truly inclusive. 

• Culturally Sensitive Programs and Partnerships: Our Chaplain, alongside local spiritual leaders, offer resources, services, and gatherings that support youth from all spiritual backgrounds. From faith-based literature and spiritual materials to rituals and observances of significant holidays, Bethany is dedicated to respecting and celebrating diversity in all its forms. 

According to Bethany’s History, written by the Reverend Ray S. Vandevere, in 1869 Reverend Albright petitioned the Lebanon Classis of the Reformed Church for permission to organize a formal congregation within the Home. Permission was granted, and on July 21, 1870, he confirmed a class of seventeen orphans and celebrated the first Communion Service with around thirty guests. After maintaining congregational standing in the local association of the United Church of Christ for 145 years, in 2015, Bethany transitioned away from formal church standing and affiliation.  

Today, we align our standards of care with Pennsylvania’s child welfare standards to honor each youth’s right to spiritual agency and personal beliefs. Bethany proudly partners with the United Church of Christ as a justice and advocacy focused organization, maintaining close ties with local congregations in the Keystone Conference to ensure that all youth in our care are supported with compassion and respect for their diverse spiritual journeys.  

UCC Conferences

Bethany Children’s Home is supported by the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference of the UCC, in addition to the Penn Northeast and Penn Central Conferences.