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June 27 Announcements

Faith Formation
Sunday school is paused for the summer and will resume in September. This Sunday, June 30 we will have our first "Playground and Popsicle Sunday" when children are invited down to the playground to enjoy fellowship and a cool summer treat! Kids will be escorted to the playground after the Children's Message in worship and supervised by an adult and teen volunteer at the playground. You may pick up your child directly after worship. Please note that a Sunday school registration form is required. 

 

We are pleased to welcome Eve Palay and Anne Lovejoy this Sunday, June 30 for a special Adult Forum in honor of Pride month. Anne and Eve will share important information about services in our community for LGBTQ+ people and their families, and how people of faith can support them. We'll talk about a number of issues in an "interview" format, leaving plenty of time for your questions. Please join us after worship in Fellowship Hall for what promises to be an informative and enjoyable learning experience. 

 

Summer Sermon Series
Throughout July, we'll Dine with Jesus...or at least we'll reflect on Jesus' mealtime ministry in our worship. We have much to learn from the radical and often scandalous hospitality Jesus offered to his guests–most of whom were marginalized by society. We are called to offer the same kind of hospitality–but do we really offer the same welcome God offers us? Join us throughout July as we learn together what it means to be a disciple of Christ around the table–maybe you'll be inspired to practice by hosting a dinner party yourself!

Transition Surveys
The Transition Team is thankful for the eleven responses they received as of June 24. They ask that completed surveys be returned to the box on the table in the narthex by this Sunday, June 30. It is important that the Transition Team have your ideas and suggestions so that they can move ahead and complete the Ministry Site Profile and begin the Call Process. Copies of the survey are available on the nametag table in the narthex or from the manila pocket attached to the Transition Bulletin Board in the fellowship hall. You can also view one to print at home by clicking here. The Transition Team will be offering an opportunity to discuss the survey questions, results and the transition process later in July. Watch for the date and details in a future announcement.

Cleaning up the Basement!
A dedicated group of people have been hard at work cleaning up the lower level in anticipation of Stephens House relocating their program to Bethany. There are a number of items that are still serviceable but will no longer be needed by Bethany or Stephens House. These have been moved upstairs and are “free to a good home”. Any items left after the weekend will be donated to the Rotary auction. Are you able to help transport items to Rotary on Monday? If so, contact Debbie at

 

A Painting Party!!
Once the clean-out of the lower level has been completed, it will be time to paint. Andy Rimkus has generously offered to spearhead this effort. We are planning on July 19-22 as painting party days. And while Andy is a multi-talented guy, he won’t be able to tackle this project all on his own. He will need volunteers to help prep and/or paint. If you have a few hours – or even a couple of days – you can help, contact Debbie at  

July Bible Study
The Rachel Circle Bible Study group will meet at 10:00am on Tuesday, July 2. The Women’s Bible Study and Book Group takes time off for the summer and will meet again in September. The Men’s Bible Study group will meet at 8:30am on Tuesday, July 9. 

 

Pie Weekend
Due to popular demand—it's back.  Plan now to bake (or buy!) for Pie Weekend at Bethany on July 6 & 7 after the services.  Treat your friends and family to your favorite pie (or pie-related) dessert.  Fruits, nuts, meringues, chiffons, crisps, crusts, crumbs, we will love it all.  No problem if there are left-overs as people can take some home for even more enjoyment.  Nothing says Happy Independence Day more than home-made pie!

 

Housing Resources Bainbridge (HRB) Forum
HRB is pleased to offer “Good for Everybody. Accessible Spaces, Inclusive Communities, and Beautiful Design.” Architect and accessibility consultant Karen Braitmayer will present a brief history of the disability civil rights movement, the creation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and its impact on building design today. Braitmayer will also share projects that exceed the minimum compliance, elevating our expectations of good design, and helping to build inclusive communities. The forum takes place on Thursday, July 11, 7:00pm at the Bainbridge Public Library. For more information, or to register for free tickets, see the flyer on the hallway bulletin board or visit https://www.housingresourcesbi.org/events/

Altar Flowers: The altar flowers this weekend are given by the Deines family. 

Thank You to this weekend’s Worship Assistants:
          Altar Duty: Barbara Swartling
          Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Charlene Selvar; Lay Reader: Carol Fenner; Hospitality Hosts: Veronika & Jim Rohrscheib
          Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Debbie & Andy Rimkus; Lay Reader: Andy Rimkus; Communion Assistant: Lynn Nordby; Hospitality Hosts: Benay & Lynn Nordby               

Next Weekend’s Worship Assistants:
          Altar Duty: Alice McCain & Nancy Wetzler
          Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Dick Coar; Lay Reader: Gail Christensen; Hospitality Host: Jennie Harris
          Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Stephen Deines & Andy Rimkus; Lay Reader: Barbara Deines; Communion Assistant: Barbara Deines; Hospitality Hosts: Debbie & Andy Rimkus

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June 20 Announcements

Faith Formation
Sunday school is pausing for the summer and will resume in September. Over the summer months, we'll have several "Playground and Popsicle Sundays" when children are invited down to the playground to enjoy fellowship and a cool summer treat! Our first Playground and Popsicle Sunday will be Sunday, June 30. Kids will be escorted to the playground after the Children's Message in worship and supervised by an adult and teen volunteer at the playground. You may pick up your child directly after worship. Please note that a Sunday school registration form is required. 

 

We are pleased to welcome Eve Palay and Anne Lovejoy on Sunday, June 30 for a special Adult Forum in honor of Pride month. Anne and Eve will share important information about services in our community for LGBTQ+ people and their families, and how people of faith can support them. We'll talk about a number of issues in an "interview" format, leaving plenty of time for your questions. Please join us after worship in Fellowship Hall for what promises to be an informative and enjoyable learning experience. 

 

Bethany's new Youth Group will meet for a "School's Out!" BBQ on Sunday, June 23, from 3-5 pm at the church (outdoors, weather permitting). We'll celebrate the end of the school year, and our recently baptized and confirmed students - and welcome new students to our group. Rising 7-12th graders are welcome to join us and to bring a friend. We'll have hot dogs, chips and dip, watermelon, and a group favorite, brownies! There will be plenty of time to hang-out and socialize, but we'll also reserve some time to plan for the rest of summer and into the fall - including activities and confirmation preparation. Come for fun and to meet new friends! Questions? Be in touch with Pastor Erin at 

 

Transition Surveys
Last weekend the Transition Team provided a survey on the State of the Bethany Congregation. They encourage everyone to complete the survey and return it to the box marked “Transition Survey” on the nametag table in the narthex. Our transition facilitator, Pr. Hahn will be with us again on Saturday, July 13 and members of your Transition Team will be available that Saturday and Sunday to offer you the opportunity to ask questions and respond to the survey. The opinions, comments, ideas and suggestions that you offer will be part of the report that the Call Committee will use to call a pastor to Bethany. Copies of the survey are available on the nametag table in the narthex or from the manila pocket attached to the Transition Bulletin Board in the fellowship hall. You can also view one to print at home by clicking here. If you would like the survey to be mailed to you, contact Debbie at info@bethanyofbainbridge or 206-842-4241. The Transition Team hopes everyone will complete and return the survey by mid-July. There will be an opportunity to discuss and amend the snapshot of Bethany later this summer after the results of the survey have been tabulated and summarized. 

Bethany Cares
Thanks to everyone who filled out a Bethany Cares survey over the past weeks. Linda Knudson has used your responses to form a new "Bethany Cares" team (similar to the Caring Hearts group in years past). The team will provide care and outreach to members of the congregation who may enjoy a visit or a meal, need a ride, or various other tasks done. Pastor Erin works closely with this team and is available for all pastoral needs, including emergencies. If you have a need, or know of someone who may, please contact the church office or Pastor Erin who will assess the situation and, when appropriate, pass along the request to the team. Bethany Cares! What a great name for a congregation who takes good care of each other.  

Pie Weekend
Due to popular demand—it's back. Pie Weekend at Bethany on July 6 & 7 after the services. Treat your friends and family to your favorite pie (or pie-related) dessert. Fruits, nuts, meringues, chiffons, crisps, crusts, crumbs, we will love it all. No problem if there are left-overs as people can take some home for even more enjoyment. Nothing says Happy Independence Day more than home-made pie! 

Stephen's House
We are pleased to welcome Stephen's House, also known as Bainbridge Island Special Needs Foundation, to the Bethany basement space in August! (To learn more, please click here to read the letter sent to the congregation which explains the rental agreement between the church and Stephen's house in detail.) The move-in will involve a serious clean-up of the basement. We're fortunate to have a generous Building and Grounds committee who have helped develop a plan for the clean-up and volunteered to organize work parties to get the job done! Some of the items that are no longer needed by the church and cannot be used by Stephen's House will be offered to members of the congregation on a first-come, first-serve basis. Whatever isn't claimed will be donated to Rotary Auction and other charitable organizations. Stay tuned for more details!

Altar Flowers: The altar flowers this weekend are given by Kathy and Doug Dudgeon in celebration of Kathy’s and Doug’s 29th wedding anniversary and Grace’s and Brett’s birthdays. 

Thank You to this weekend’s Worship Assistants:
          Altar Duty: Gail Christensen
          Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Joe Sommerseth; Lay Reader: Jennie Harris; Hospitality Host: Jennie Harris
          Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: TBD; Lay Reader: Claire Dasler; Communion Assistant: Vicki Browning; Hospitality Hosts: Claire & Marty Dasler               

Next Weekend’s Worship Assistants:
          Altar Duty: Barbara Swartling
          Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Charlene Selvar; Lay Reader: Carol Fenner; Hospitality Hosts: Veronika & Jim Rohrscheib
          Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Debbie & Andy Rimkus; Lay Reader: Andy Rimkus; Communion Assistant: Lynn Nordby; Hospitality Hosts: Benay & Lynn Nordby

 

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