Our Story

The Bethany Center for Nonviolent Theology and Spirituality comes out of a long journey, its first steps going back with Tony and Linda Bartlett to Italy and England. The Bartletts had several experiences of Christian community including with the Little Brothers of Jesus (Carlo Carretto) in Spello, Italy. They also participated in a Catholic-Worker-based nonviolent peace activist group in London, and headed up an ecumenical group serving a mission for homeless people in East London. Prior to this Tony was a priest in a Roman Catholic Order and developed a youth retreat center and innovated a small group faith development program (RCIA) in the UK. In 1993 the Bartletts came to Syracuse, New York where Tony gained a Ph.D. in Religion and Linda developed her career as a nurse and later a nurse practitioner. The couple have always sought to create small-group Christian community experience and in 1999 founded an intentional study and prayer community called Wood Hath Hope. This community went through numerous changes and mutations but has existed continuously from then to the present. In 2015 the community gained a permanent home at Bethany House on South Salina Street in Syracuse. In 2019 we changed our name to one that more clearly expressed our character and mission – Bethany Center for Nonviolent Theology and Spirituality.

The heart and soul of Wood Hath Hope and now Bethany Center has always been Bible Study and Prayer. Anyone is welcome, at any stage of their spiritual journey and Biblical knowledge. People come from all sorts of denominational and church backgrounds, low and high, liberal and evangelical. What we share is a thirst for a new understanding of God free of the violence of past theologies and yet with a strong confessional content. Many hundreds have attended out meetings over the years. Some moved on quickly, many have stayed for years. All have grown in knowledge and faith and in return have always helped the community grow and progress. Our growth together has brought us to the physical space of Bethany Center as a sign and expression of peace. Our logo encompasses several images – a cross, a flower, a butterfly, a transformation. Together they demonstrate our experience where each person has been fed by our studies and spirituality, but in turn have helped propagate the life of Bethany Center.

Some people and names indelible to our present experience and story are first and foremost Heather Scanlon, prayer leader, healer and teacher of Jesus yoga; Dana, sister of Heather, massage therapist, overflowing with spirit, faith and joy; Kat Korba, inspirational guide behind the Bethany Garden projects, disciple of faith and nonviolence. Maggie and Jerry, (and Carola fondly remembered), constant presence of faith, love and support; Cathy Morton, long time Valley resident and spiritual seeker with a soul for social justice and the cosmic Christ; Tom Law, life long student of theology and spirituality, always at the service of others; Others who currently claim local Bethany Community membership are Anna, Chris, Zab, Luke, Marylyn, Maureen, Jude, Bobbi, Bryson and Stephanie. We also have now a growing number of on-line members - including Reuben, Mack, Gail & Dan, Elli, Ellen, Dixie, Marci, Adrienne, Gena, John K, Julia S, Patty, Laura, Clare & Sheelagh.

As well as those who identify as community members we have others who attend our meetings either via Zoom or in-person, follow us on You Tube or regularly receive our recorded Bible Studies or online monthly newsletter. In addition we have developed strong relationships with other faith communities, including an especially strong link with the local RISE Center - a Muslim community also embracing nonviolent theology and spirituality.

We are grateful to some key individuals who helped us to grow at pivotal moments, but have since moved away - especially Susan Wright, Georgina Hegney, Cynthia Tarbell, Virginia Rodhe, Brad Starring and Melanie Becker, Bill Sachok, Saorsa Wissman, Jessamyn, & Al Magri.

Bethany Board

We are a non-profit 501.C.3 organization with a Board that, along with the community, helps guide and develop our work and oversee our finances. Board members are legally essential to a nonprofit but we are with particularly supportive individuals who embrace the goals and vision of the community, at the same time offering an objective view and voice. Photos of present members are on the homepage.

Our current Bethany Board: Kat Korba, Mack Stirling, Heather Scanlon, Tony Bartlett, Reuben Rios, Dana Gibbs-Griffiths, John Kubat, & Maggie Carter.