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August 29 Announcements

Faith Formation - Sunday School
Exciting news! Kathy Dudgeon is officially Bethany's new "Youth Coordinator!" What does that mean, you may be wondering? It means that Kathy will continue leading and teaching Sunday school as she has over the past two years, but she'll also organize our Sunday school and youth calendar, as well as design curriculum for our youngest church family members. Kathy will communicate regularly with families and volunteers about upcoming Sunday school happenings and general youth and family news. In the coming weeks, you may notice Kathy's creative touch in the church as she lends her artistic talents to decorate for the upcoming fall season. We are so fortunate to have someone as committed (and talented!) as Kathy to serve our youth. Families can expect to hear more from Kathy next week in advance of Rally Day, which is Sunday, September 8. Plan to attend for lots of fun, and information about the upcoming season.

 

Faith Formation - Youth Group
Pastor Erin is working with Kathy to create a calendar of Youth events which kick off in September after Rally Day. A newly formed Youth Group will begin meeting twice a month (every 2nd and 4th Sunday) from 3:00pm - 5:00pm in Fellowship Hall. The first meeting of the month will be mostly social and/or service oriented. The second meeting of the month will be dynamic and learning based to accommodate confirmation instruction and general faith formation. All youth ages 7-12th grades are welcome at both meetings - even if they've already been confirmed. More information is forthcoming next week as we roll out our new Sunday School and Youth programs at Bethany, so stay tuned!

September Bible Study
The Rachel Circle Bible Study group will meet on Tuesday, September 3, at 10:00am. The study materials are available on the small table in the library. The Women’s Book & Bible Study group will meet on Monday, September 9 at 9:30am to discuss Inspired by Rachel Held Evens. The Men’s Bible Study group will meet on Tuesday, September 10 at 8:30am. All Bible Study groups meet in the fellowship hall.

 

Rally Day!
Everyone is invited to come to worship next Sunday, September 8 when we celebrate Rally Day! Worship that morning will be followed by a picnic lunch. There will be entertainment, games and perhaps a surprise or two. Bethany will provide the main dishes and beverages. You bring a side dish/salad (last name beginning A-G), dessert (last name H-O), or fruit/veggie tray (last name P-Z). Can you help set up, serve food or clean up? See the sign-up sheets on the hallway bulletin board. Please note that there will be no 5pm service on Saturday, September 7 so we can all celebrate Rally Day and the beginning of a new program year together.

 

New Pictorial Directory Coming Soon
Have you thought how handy it would be to have an updated pictorial directory? We think so too! Becci Kerstetter has graciously volunteered to take the photos needed to make this a reality. She will be available to take your photo after worship on Rally Day, September 8, and on the last two Sundays in September. She will plan on being available after the 5pm service on Saturday, October 5 for the folks that find that time more convenient. Becci will set up in the office area just past the narthex. We will also take this opportunity to verify contact information and whether you want phone number and/or email address printed in the directory. Get ready to put on your Sunday, or Saturday, best and smile for the camera.

 

The LiVE Project
A number of you expressed interest in offerings through the LiVE Project. Bethany has purchased a subscription so that Bethanians can participate in any/all of the offerings at no cost. To register for an offering, use the promocode LIVEBUNDLE2024.  If you're interested in taking one of the classes, please let Pastor Erin know so that we can put together a roster of "Bethanians" participating in one (or more!) of the offerings. Although the courses are on Zoom, there are several options to explore for getting together for discussion in person. Once we have an idea of who is interested, we can begin to generate ideas for meetings.

 

LWR School Kit Update
Thanks to all the folks who’ve donated to our school supply drive for LWR, we are getting closer to our goal of filling book bags to send off this fall! The school kits will help children around the world be successful in school. School supply sales continue in August, and we have an ambitious goal of filling 102 bags which were sewn by Selina Johnson and Alice McCain. 102 filled bags would be an all-time record number!

Posted by the door in the Narthex, above the donation bin, is a “score card” to help you know which supplies are most needed (as of August 13). Biggest needs are: spiral notebooks, pencil sharpeners, pencils, and ink pens. We’ll do our best to keep the list updated as supplies come in, so keep checking back. 

Please take and use the supply list from the envelope on the bulletin board when shopping and donating; we can’t send school supplies that don’t follow the LWR guidelines. For more information about this project go to https://lwr.org/kits/school-kits/instructions .  Later this fall we will have a party filling the bags and sharing snacks-stay tuned for more information.

 

CROP HUNGER DANCE
This year we'll gather at Eagle Harbor Church on September 22, 2024, to participate in fun, easy-to-learn dances and songs led by the Universal Dances of Peace group. No special talent or ability is necessary--just a willingness to have some fun with your neighbors while raising money for a good cause. 

While this year it is a dance rather than a walk, we're still working with Church World Services (CWS) to raise funds to provide meals, clean water, and safe homes for those who need them. A portion of the funds we raise will go to CWS and another to our local social service agencies. This year's community goal is to raise $15,000, which a generous community member has offered to match!

The dance will begin at 2:00 pm, with the registration table open at 1:30pm. You can also register now for team "Bethany Lutheran of Bainbridge" on the CWS website by clicking here and then selecting "Join or Start a Team." Under Find an Existing Team, type "Bethany Lutheran of Bainbridge" and click on it. The resources on the website are helpful and easy-to-use. Feel free to reach out to Pastor Erin for assistance. Let's set a goal to raise $5000. Can we do it? Yes we can! GO TEAM BETHANY LUTHERAN OF BAINBRIDGE!

 

Prayers Are Requested: for Angela Lucioni’s father Hans Asmus who died recently and for the Lucioni family as they grieve; Veronika Rohrscheib and her family as they face important medical decisions; for Ralph Schulz who has entered hospice care and for Gladys Schulz as she supports her husband. Please pray also for the students, teachers and staff who are preparing to return to school next week. God, in your compassion, hear our prayers.

Altar Flowers: The altar flowers this weekend are given by Marlene & Al Orwiler in celebration of their wedding anniversary.

Thank You to this weekend’s Worship Assistants:
          Altar Duty: Kathy Dudgeon
          Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Jim Rohrscheib; Lay Reader: Gail Christensen; Hospitality Host: Jennie Harris
          Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Barbara & David Swartling; Lay Reader: Andy Rimkus; Communion Assistant: Barbara Swartling; Hospitality Hosts: Kristi Sutton & Andy Rimkus                

Next Weekend’s Worship Assistants:
          Altar Duty: Gail Christensen
          Saturday 5:00pm – No Service
          Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Debbie & Andy Rimkus; Lay Reader: Linnea Chu; Communion Assistant: Linnea Chu; Hospitality Hosts: Rally Day Picnic!

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August 22 Announcements

Transition Discernment Circles
Thank you to everyone who signed up to attend one of the listening circles this weekend, August 24 & 25. The Saturday, August 24 circle will begin at 3:00pm and end at 4:50pm. The Sunday, August 25 circle will begin at 8:30am and end at 9:50am. Those who typically attend Sunday morning worship are welcome to attend the Saturday afternoon circle. The Transition Team hopes everyone will attend one of the circles. This is an opportunity for the Transition Team and the congregation to listen to each other’s views on the State of the Congregation before the Transition Team completes the Bethany Ministry Site Profile. And if you didn’t get a chance to sign up but are able to attend, come to listen and let your voice be heard. Please plan to arrive on time so that we can make the most of this time together.

Guest Pastor
Our transition facilitator, Pr. David Hahn, will be presiding and preaching at both the Saturday and Sunday services this weekend.

Mark Your Calendars
Mark your calendars and plan now to attend worship on Sunday, September 8 when we celebrate Rally Day! Worship that morning will be followed by a picnic lunch. There will be entertainment, games and perhaps a surprise or two. Bethany will provide the main dishes and beverages. You bring a side dish/salad (last name beginning A-G), dessert (last name H-O), or fruit/veggie tray (last name P-Z). Can you help set up, serve food or clean up? See the sign-up sheets on the hallway bulletin board. Please note that there will be no 5pm service on Saturday, September 7 so we can all celebrate Rally Day and the beginning of a new program year together.

September Worship Assistants
With Labor Day around the corner, it is time to set up the September Worship Assistants Schedule for the Sunday morning services. (The Saturday schedule is all set.) The September schedule will be available on the black table in the narthex along with descriptions of the various roles. We have a wonderful core group of volunteers and they are hoping some new faces join them. Please consider reading the descriptions and signing up for a role that works for you.

New Pictorial Directory Coming Soon
Have you thought how handy it would be to have an updated pictorial directory? We think so too! Becci Kerstetter has graciously volunteered to take the photos needed to make this a reality. She will be available to take your photo after worship on Rally Day, September 8, and for the next few Sundays. She will plan on being available after the 5pm service on Saturday, October 5 for the folks that find that time more convenient. Becci will set up in the office area just past the narthex. We will also take this opportunity to verify contact information and whether you want your phone number and/or email address printed in the directory. Get ready to put on your Sunday, or Saturday, best and smile for the camera.

 

Welcome to Women’s Book & Bible Study Group
Are you a woman who is curious about matters of Christian faith? Would you enjoy meeting monthly with a diverse group of women to discuss books related to theology, often written by contemporary authors? Maybe the Women’s Book and Bible Study/WBBS group is for you! “WBBS” meets monthly during the school year, usually at Bethany at 9:30 a.m., on the second Monday of the month.  In this group faith and friendships flourish, conversations abound, and newcomers are always welcome. Coffee, tea and treats are shared at each meeting.

We will begin the year on September 9 discussing Inspired by Rachel Held Evans“If the Bible isn’t a science book or an instruction manual, then what is it? What do people mean when they say the Bible is inspired? When Rachel Held Evans found herself asking these questions, she began a quest to better understand what the Bible is and how it is meant to be read. What she discovered changed her-and it will change you too.”

If you think you might enjoy WBBS, come and check us out.  Meeting announcements are in the weekly church news. Or you can contact Helen Stoll (360.620.2170), Sonja Selboe (360.979.7985) or Alice McCain (360.328.0920) for more information.

 

LWR School Kit Update
Thanks to all the folks who’ve donated to our school supply drive for LWR, we are getting closer to our goal of filling book bags to send off this fall! The school kits will help children around the world be successful in school. School supply sales continue in August, and we have an ambitious goal of filling 102 bags which were sewn by Selina Johnson and Alice McCain. 102 filled bags would be an all-time record number!

Posted by the door in the Narthex, above the donation bin, is a “score card” to help you know which supplies are most needed (as of August 13). Biggest needs are: spiral notebooks, pencil sharpeners, pencils, and ink pens. We’ll do our best to keep the list updated as supplies come in, so keep checking back. Please take and use the supply list from the envelope on the bulletin board when shopping and donating; we can’t send school supplies that don’t follow the LWR guidelines. For more information about this project go to https://lwr.org/kits/school-kits/instructions .  Later this fall we will have a party filling the bags and sharing snacks-stay tuned for more information.

Check Out Living Lutheran
Did you know that the ELCA magazine Living Lutheran is now published only electronically?! And here’s some news that deserves notice! Our congregation’s own Rachel Pritchet has contributed a wonderful article to the current issue addressing the unique and moving history of three pastors at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Olympia! (Spoiler alert – two became successful synodical bishops in the ELCA!) Not only will you read a wonderful article by our own retired journalist, but you can also see a number of other thoughtful and inspiring articles about what’s happening in the ELCA! Here’s the link:  Home - Living Lutheran. Enjoy, and thanks to Rachel for sharing her skills!

CROP HUNGER DANCE
This year we'll gather at Eagle Harbor Church on September 22, 2024, to participate in fun, easy-to-learn dances and songs led by the Universal Dances of Peace group. No special talent or ability is necessary--just a willingness to have some fun with your neighbors while raising money for a good cause.  

While it is a dance instead of a walk this year, we're still working with Church World Services (CWS) to raise funds to provide meals, clean water, and safe homes for those who need them. A portion of the funds we raise will go to CWS and another to our local social service agencies. This year's community goal is to raise $15,000, which a generous community member has offered to match!

The dance will begin at 2:00 pm, with the registration table open at 1:30pm. Register now for team "Bethany Lutheran of Bainbridge" on the CWS website by clicking here and then selecting "Join or Start a Team." Under Find an Existing Team, type "Bethany Lutheran of Bainbridge" and click on it. The resources on the website are helpful and easy-to-use. Feel free to reach out to Pastor Erin for assistance. Let's set a goal to raise $5000. Can we do it? Yes we can! GO TEAM BETHANY LUTHERAN OF BAINBRIDGE! 

Prayers Are Requested: for Veronika Rohrscheib as she undergoes testing for some health concerns and for Jim as he supports her; for Vickie and Gary Bech’ daughter-in-law’s sister, Tricia who recently received difficult news about her cancer diagnosis; for Vicki Browning’s sister Jerrilynn who is undergoing chemotherapy. Please pray also for our Bethany members who are homebound and unable to make it to worship services. God, in your compassion, hear our prayers.

 

Altar Flowers: The altar flowers this weekend are given by Kristi & Jim Sutton in celebration of their wedding anniversary.

 Thank You to this weekend’s Worship Assistants:
          Altar Duty: Gail Christensen
          Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Lloyd Pritchett; Lay Reader: Rachel Pritchett; Hospitality Host: Christine Lovely
          Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Tim Carlsen & Lynn Nordby; Lay Reader: Linnea Chu; Communion Assistant: Linnea Chu; Hospitality Hosts: Benay & Lynn Nordby                

Next Weekend’s Worship Assistants:
          Altar Duty: Kathy Dudgeon
          Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Jim Rohrscheib; Lay Reader: Gail Christensen; Hospitality Hosts: Jennie Harris
          Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Barbara & David Swartling; Lay Reader: Andy Rimkus; Communion Assistant: Barbara Swartling; Hospitality Hosts: Kristi Sutton & Andy Rimkus

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