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Baptism & Confirmation

Here is a look at what is happening this weekend and beyond at Bethany.

Confirmation Exploration
A terrific group of 8th – 12th graders have been meeting with Pastor Erin to discuss BIG questions about faith and more as they prepared for baptism and confirmation. Please come this Sunday to witness confirmation and baptism! There will be NO Saturday worship service on June 1 so that we might all celebrate our confirmands together. We welcome the following young people into God’s family and our Bethany family through baptism and confirmation: Allie, Charlotte, Sam, and Stephanie. They are an amazing group of young people. Please celebrate with them after the service and get to know them!

Transition Team Seeks Your Comments
As we live in this time of change and growth, the Transition Team invites Bethanians to share comments about our current and future life together. While the Transition Team might share suggestions and comments received with the congregational council or the community, this will be done anonymously. Comments and suggestions can be emailed by clicking this email address: 

As we live in this time of change and growth, the Transition Team invites Bethanians to share comments about our current and future life as a faith community. After worship on Saturday, June 15, and Sunday, June 16, the Transition Team invites you to meet with members of the team to fill out a survey on the current state of Bethany and to ask questions about the transition process. Information tables will be set up in the Fellowship Hall. Two additional opportunities will occur after worship on Saturday, July 13, and Sunday, July 14. If you cannot attend any of these events, please get in touch with Debbie to get a copy of the survey.

Christian Nationalism: A Threat to the Gospel and Democracy
Plan now to come to worship on Sunday, June 9 when our guest pastor will be the Rev. Dr. Rick Rouse. In addition to preaching during the service, Rev. Rouse will lead an adult forum after the service. The forum will explore the phenomena that is sweeping the country known as White Christian Nationalism and discover why it threatens both our democracy and the future of the Christian Witness in the United States. We will also unpack the myth that America was founded as a Christian nation. Rev. Rouse is the author of The World is About to Turn: Mending a Nation’s Broken Faith (2020), and A Journey Called Hope: Today’s Immigrant Stories and the American Dream (August 2024 release date).

Altar Flowers: The altar flowers this weekend are provided by Alice and Bruce McCain in honor of Bruce's and Ian's birthdays.

Thank You to this weekend’s Worship Assistants:
          Altar Duty: Barbara Swartling
          Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Charlene Selvar; Lay Reader: Rachel Pritchett; Hospitality Host: Carol Fenner
          Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Barbara & David Swartling; Lay Reader: Doug Dudgeon; Communion Assistant: Doug Dudgeon; Hospitality Hosts:            Our Confirmands!              

Next Weekend’s Worship Assistants:
          Altar Duty: Kathy Dudgeon
          Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Dick Coar; Lay Reader: Gail Christensen; Hospitality Host: Marlene & Al Orwiler
          Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Alice & Bruce McCain; Lay Reader: Benay Nordby; Communion Assistant: Vicki Browning; Hospitality Hosts:                    Kristi Sutton & Vicki Browning

Trinity Sunday

Here is a look at what is happening this weekend and beyond at Bethany.

Transition Facilitator
We are blessed to welcome Pastor David Hahn, to Bethany as our Transition Facilitator. Pastor Hahn will be working with the Transition Team and also the Call Committee as we move forward in our discernment process to call a new pastor. Pastor Hahn is going to preach and lead worship for us on Saturday, May 25 at 5:00 pm. Please consider attending on Saturday night to meet Pastor Hahn and welcome him to Bethany!

Pastor Hahn has a ministry and academic background and currently serves the synod offices part-time. Here's a little snippet  from the synod website to help you know something about him: Pastor Hahn brings imagination, curiosity, playfulness and thoughtfulness to his position as the synod’s Director of Formation and Learning. His central focus can be said to be living at the intersection between the Holy Spirit’s leadership and listening practices.   

He is most excited about developing the LiVE Project alongside a faithful team of synod leaders. Living into Vocational Engagement, LiVE, is the synod’s newest initiative focused on partnering with lay leaders to deepen their own exploration and discovery of God’s passion for their lives and communities.

 

Sunday School Change Memorial Day Weekend
Sunday School will be held during Saturday evening's service in the Fellowship Hall. We will be learning about the Trinity and have a yummy way to explain the Three-in-One. Kathy Dudgeon will be leading the class.

Confirmation Exploration
A terrific group of 8th – 12th graders have been meeting with Pastor Erin to discuss BIG questions about faith and more as they prepared for baptism and confirmation. Please plan to come next Sunday to witness confirmation and baptism! There will be NO Saturday worship service on June 1 so that we might all celebrate our confirmands together.


Debbie Out of the Office
Debbie is taking a vacation and will be out of the office until June 3. Kathy Dudgeon is providing some limited office coverage during this time. Debbie will have limited or no email access during her vacation so a call to the office is best for any administrative questions or needs during this time.   

Transition Team Seeks Your Comments
As we live in this time of change and growth, the Transition Team invites Bethanians to share comments about our current and future life together. While the Transition Team might share suggestions and comments received with the congregational council or the community, this will be done anonymously. Comments and suggestions can be emailed by clicking this email address:   

Christian Nationalism: A Threat to the Gospel and Democracy
Plan now to come to worship on Sunday, June 9 when our guest pastor will be the Rev. Dr. Rick Rouse. In addition to preaching during the service, Rev. Rouse will lead an adult forum after the service. The forum will explore the phenomena that is sweeping the country known as White Christian Nationalism and discover why it threatens both our democracy and the future of the Christian Witness in the United States. We will also unpack the myth that America was founded as a Christian nation. Rev. Rouse is the author of The World is About to Turn: Mending a Nation’s Broken Faith (2020), and A Journey Called Hope: Today’s Immigrant Stories and the American Dream (August 2024 release date).

Supporting Martha & Mary
Giant bouquets of gratitude to you most generous Bethanians for your support of the annual Martha and Mary Generations of Care auction offerings!  A special thanks to the quilters and the altar guild for their stellar efforts. Bethany’s support of the mission of Martha and Mary serving seniors and children is well noted.  Thank you, thank you. From your delegates: Benay Nordby, Kristi Sutton and Noreen Sievertson, and Board members: Lynn Nordby and Linnea Chu.  

Registration is now open for the online auction. For more information visit the Martha and Mary website or click here to register. 

Altar Flowers: The altar flowers this weekend are provided by Jennie and Dennis Harris in celebration of family.

Thank You to this weekend’s Worship Assistants:
          Altar Duty: Kathy Dudgeon
          Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Charlene Selvar; Lay Reader: Rachel Pritchett; Hospitality Host: Carol Fenner
          Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Barbara & David Swartling; Lay Reader: Noreen Sievertson; Communion Assistant: Jeff Sievertson; Hospitality Hosts: Becci Kerstetter & Vicki Browning

Next Weekend’s Worship Assistants:
          Altar Duty: Barbara Swartling
          Saturday 5:00pm – No 5pm service
          Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Barbara & David Swartling; Lay Reader: Doug Dudgeon; Communion Assistant: Doug Dudgeon; Hospitality Hosts: Our Confirmands