Babysitting Swap Between Methodist Church, Reform Congregation

October 12, 2000

Source: The Washington Post

On October 12, 2000, The Washington Post reported that "members of Evergreen Church, a new United Methodist congregation in Leesburg, helped out the Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation during the recent Jewish High Holy Days, watching young members while their parents worshiped at the Ruritan Club in Sterling. The Rev. Chip Giessler, Evergreen's pastor, said he proposed the swap last year when his church was about to celebrate its first Easter service. 'We didn't want to have to pull anyone out of services to care for the children,' he said. Beth Chaverim members came to Evergreen to play with the congregation's children during Easter services, and Evergreen adults returned the favor last month for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and on Sunday evening for the beginning of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement...Members of both congregations said they plan to continue the tradition. 'It has worked out real nicely,' Betsy Smith said. 'I sent the Giesslers a note saying it would be nice if our congregations can do something social, too.'"