Welcome!

Here you will find additional information about Bethlehem Walk, including details about the 2010 event. Below are some frequently asked questions.

When is Bethlehem Walk in 2010?

It is anticipated that in 2010, Bethlehem Walk will take place Friday, December 10, through Sunday, December 12.  A definitive schedule will appear here later this year. 

How much does Bethlehem Walk cost?

Bethlehem Walk is offered free, as a gift to the community from our church with the assistance of other churches. Donations are gratefully accepted.

How can I make reservations to attend Bethlehem Walk?

Requests for reservations may be made via e-mail or by using a form on this web site.  Check here in mid-November, 2010 for detailed instructions.

Where is Bethlehem Walk located?

Bethlehem Walk is held at the First United Methodist Church of Escondido. Here’s our address:

341 S. Kalmia Street
(Corner of Kalmia & 4th)
Escondido, CA 92025                                           Click Here for Escondido Area Map
760-745-5100

How do I get to Bethlehem Walk?

From the North on I-15 go:
    - South on I-15 to Valley Pkwy.
    - East (Left) on Valley Pkwy, proceed to Broadway.
    - Right on Broadway to 4th (2 blocks).
    - Left on 4th.
    - Parking lot is on the right.

From the Northeast on Valley Center Road go:
    - Southwest on Valley Center Road (becomes Valley Parkway)
    - Proceed to Juniper.
    - Left on Juniper, proceed to 4th (4 blocks).
    - Right on 4th (1 block).
    - Parking lot is on the left.

From the East on Highway 78 (from Ramona) go:
    - West on 78, proceed to 17th.
    - Left on 17th, proceed to Juniper.
    - Right on Juniper, proceed to 4th.
    - Left on 4th (1 block).
    - Parking lot is on the left.

From South on I-15 go:
    - North on I-15 to Valley Pkwy. exit.
    - Exit East (Right) on Valley Pkwy, proceed to Broadway.
    - Right on Broadway, proceed to 4th (2 blocks).
    - Left on 4th (1 block).
    - Parking lot is on the right.

From the West on Del Dios Highway go:
    - East on Del Dios Highway (becomes Valley Pkwy), proceed to Broadway.
    - Right on Broadway, proceed to 4th (2 blocks).
    - Left on 4th (1 block).
    - Parking lot is on the right.

From the West on Highway 78 go:
    -East on 78, proceed to I-15.
    - Exit South (Right) on I-15, proceed to Valley Pkwy.
    - Exit East (Left) at Valley Pkwy, proceed to Broadway.
    - Right on Broadway, proceed to 4th (2 blocks).
    - Left on 4th (1 block).
    - Parking lot is on the right.

Tell me more about this wonderful mission.

The goal of Bethlehem Walk is to provide an idea of life at the time of Christ's birth and bring the true spirit of Christmas to the holiday season. Volunteers from this and other area churches act in roles as residents of Bethlehem and tell visitors of their work and experience living in Bethlehem and Roman-occupied Israel.

Bethlehem Walk is a concept brought to our church by a congregation member, Lola Brown, who had heard about a similar event at a church on the East Coast. Lola organized a Bethlehem Walk committee, and the First United Methodist Church of Escondido conducted its first Bethlehem Walk in December of 1988. The Walk is conducted as a Christmas gift to the community and has been well received from the beginning.

There is a committee that works year-round planning and preparing for Bethlehem Walk. The committee ensures that noted deficiencies are corrected and desired improvements are implemented. Over three hundred volunteers participate in making this event a reality, with over one hundred members participating as residents of Bethlehem.

Bethlehem is constructed over three days starting the Wednesday prior to Bethlehem Walk and continuing right up to the start of the first tour on Friday evening. More than two dozen people contribute all or part of these three days to complete construction and decorations. During the event, the cast is served by a comfort station, where they can obtain warm food and beverages to help them perform through what are frequently very chilly and sometimes very wet evenings.

We welcome you to return to Bethlehem Walk on a yearly basis. Your suggestions for improvements are eagerly accepted and if possible incorporated into Bethlehem Walk. If you would like to advance beyond a visitor to Bethlehem and become a part of the cast of Bethlehem Walk, we welcome your participation. You need not be a member of the First United Methodist Church to participate. If you wish to be a participant, please call our Church office (760-745-5100), and they will forward your contact information to the Bethlehem Walk coordinator.  You may also send an e-mail to bwchairman@fumcesc.com to contact the coordinator directly.