Our blog

July 17 Announcements

Congregational Meeting on July 20
The Bethany Council has scheduled a special congregational meeting to be held following worship this Sunday, July 20. The purpose of the meeting is to authorize Finch Green’s architect, Jonathan Davis, to submit the preliminary plat application for the Finch Green affordable housing project to the City of Bainbridge Island for approval, and to ratify unbudgeted expenses associated with the septic system repair and water damage work. You can view the agenda by clicking here. A schematic design for the preliminary plat can be viewed by clicking here. There will also be a vote to approve the minutes from the June 1 congregational meeting and they can be viewed by clicking here. Please plan to come to worship and stay for the meeting so we have a quorum. The meeting will take place in the sanctuary and a light coffee hour will take place after the meeting.

2nd Quarter Giving Statements
The 2nd Quarter Giving Statements were mailed earlier this week. If you do not receive your statement by next Monday, please contact Debbie in the office and she will provide you with a copy. If you have questions about your Giving Statement, contact financial secretary Kristi Sutton at

Supporting Rachel Circle
Have scissors at home?  A bit of time?  Interested in helping Rachel Circle with their quilts?  After gleaning at the Rotary Auction, they have a lot of fitted sheets that simply need the elastic cut off.  Please contact Carol Fenner ( ) or Marlene Orwiler ( ) if you are interested.

Annual Bethany BBQ
Put August 6 at 6:00pm on your calendar for the annual Bethany BBQ. We will provide many delicious items for the grill:  hot dogs, hamburgers, turkey burgers and veggie burgers. Buns, condiments and desserts also provided. Please bring sides and salads to add to the feast. (This could include cheese, lettuce, tomatoes etc)  There will be a sing-a-long for fun between bites. If you are able to help set up or wield a spatula at the BBQ, please contact Mary Jensen at  .

Buildings and Grounds Work Party
All are invited to a 1-hour work party at 10:00am Saturday, August 16, at Bethany, hosted by the Buildings and Grounds team. A variety of tasks will be offered, as we work to keep our premises in good shape. One pickup needed. RSVP to Rachel Pritchett at rachelpritchett@com.

Debbie Out of the Office
Debbie will be taking a couple of days off next week. She will be out on Wednesday and Thursday. She will be in the office regular hours (9am-3pm) on Monday, Tuesday and Friday.

CROP Walk
The CROP Hunger Walk is a nationwide movement sponsored by Church World Service (CWS) to raise funds to end hunger and poverty in the U.S. and around the world. Hundreds of religious groups, businesses, schools and others organize local Walk events in their communities each year, while others join the National Walk and choose their own location and experience. With leadership from a committed group of Bainbridge Island-North Kitsap Interfaith Council (BINK IFC) folks over time, BINK IFC has participated for many years and raised a significant amount for hunger relief. CWS has received 75% of those funds, with the remaining 25% going locally to Helpline House and Fishline. This year the need is even greater, and BINK IFC is looking for new and better ways to address growing food insecurity. We need to get started planning and the first step is to identify team leaders who could help with planning and spreading the word in our congregations. Our local CROP Walk event will take place the last week in September culminating with the CROP/DANCE on Sunday, Sept. 28th. Are you ready to sign up, share the fun, and be a TEAM LEADER for our Week to Feed Our Neighbors? If so, contact Debbie in the office for more information:

Pastoral Care at Bethany
Pastor Kristy Daniels and Pastor Erin continue to be available for Pastoral Care for congregants during this transition period. If you have a pastoral care need, please email or call the church office and Debbie will assist you. If Debbie is not there to take your call, leave a message or call the number provided for emergencies. 

Altar Flowers: The altar flowers for this Sunday are given by Birgit and Norm Davis.

Thank You to this Sunday’s Worship Assistants:
          Altar Duty: Gail Christensen
          Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Eve & Mike Curtis; Lay Reader: Gail Christensen; Communion Assistants: Carol Fenner & Linnea Chu; Hospitality Hosts: No Host Light Refreshments after Special Congregational Meeting               

Next Sunday’s Worship Assistants:
          Altar Duty: Carol Fenner
          Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Jim Rohrscheib & Stephen Deines; Lay Reader: Barbara Deines; Communion Assistants: Barbara Deines & Linnea Chu; Hospitality: Kristi Sutton & Vicki Browning

Bethany is a Reconciling in Christ congregation, which is an affirmation of welcome that specifically names people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions, and also expresses a commitment to racial equity.

July 10 Announcements

Septic System Update
The additional water damage mitigation work is done and dry standard in the Women’s and Men’s restrooms has been met. The next step is restoration of the upstairs restrooms, and the flooring and ceiling in the choir room. Due to the cost of the water damage mitigation and restoration work, we will be submitting an insurance claim. The restoration work cannot start until our insurance claims representative receives a report from the insurance adjuster. The report will detail the scope of work and estimated cost. It may take a few weeks to receive the go ahead from the insurance company and have the restoration work done. During this time, the upstairs restrooms will not be available. On Sundays, the lower level restroom and the restroom in the Education Building will be available for use. We will continue to have Sunday morning worship and fellowship after the service although the fellowship hour may be a little more limited in scope and take place in the breezeway between the buildings (and between the two available restrooms!) weather permitting.

A Note from Sonja Selboe
My dear Bethanians, A belated thank you for the loving support during my hospitalization and time at Martha and Mary. It was my first extended experience being in the hands of the medical world. You brought sunshine, lovely flowers, and cards to lift my spirits. Gratefully yours, Sonja Selboe

Congregational Meeting on July 20
The Bethany Council has scheduled a special congregational meeting to be held following worship on Sunday, July 20. The purpose of the meeting is to authorize Finch Green’s architect, Jonathan Davis, to submit the preliminary plat for the Finch Green affordable housing project to the City of Bainbridge Island for approval, and to ratify unbudgeted expenses associated with the septic system repair and water damage work. Barbara Swartling will be available after worship this Sunday to answer questions about the septic repair expenses, and David Swartling will be available to answer questions about the preliminary plat application. Materials for the meeting are available on the table in narthex.

Call Committee Update
The Zoom interview process has been completed and the Call Committee is now identifying the candidate(s) they would like to interview in person. They hope to complete the interview process in the next few weeks. If you have airline miles that you would be willing to donate towards the in-person interview process, please contact Tim Carlsen at . The Call Committee is grateful for the trust and faith the Bethany community has shown during the search process and looks forward to sharing exciting updates soon.

CROP Walk
The CROP Hunger Walk is a nationwide movement sponsored by Church World Service (CWS) to raise funds to end hunger and poverty in the U.S. and around the world. Hundreds of religious groups, businesses, schools and others organize local Walk events in their communities each year, while others join the National Walk and choose their own location and experience. With leadership from a committed group of Bainbridge Island-North Kitsap Interfaith Council (BINK IFC) folks over time, BINK IFC has participated for many years and raised a significant amount for hunger relief. CWS has received 75% of those funds, with the remaining 25% going locally to Helpline House and Fishline. This year the need is even greater, and BINK IFC is looking for new and better ways to address growing food insecurity. We need to get started planning and the first step is to identify team leaders who could help with planning and spreading the word in our congregations. Our local CROP Walk event will take place the last week in September culminating with the CROP/DANCE on Sunday, Sept. 28th. Are you ready to sign up, share the fun, and be a TEAM LEADER for our Week to Feed Our Neighbors? If so, contact Debbie in the office for more information:

Pastoral Care at Bethany
Pastor Kristy Daniels and Pastor Erin continue to be available for Pastoral Care for congregants during this transition period. If you have a pastoral care need, please email or call the church office and Debbie will assist you. If Debbie is not there to take your call, leave a message or call the number provided for emergencies.

Altar Flowers: The altar flowers for this Sunday are given by Rev. Marty and Claire Dasler in celebration of their wedding anniversary.

Thank You to this Sunday’s Worship Assistants:
          Altar Duty: Barbara Swartling
          Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Barbara & David Swartling; Lay Reader: Claire Dasler; Communion Assistants: Lynn Nordby & Tim Carlsen; Hospitality Hosts: Benay & Lynn Nordby               

Next Sunday’s Worship Assistants:
          Altar Duty: Gail Christensen
          Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Eve & Mike Curtis; Lay Reader: Gail Christensen; Communion Assistants: Carol Fenner & Linnea Chu; Hospitality: Becci Kerstetter & Andy Rimkus

Bethany is a Reconciling in Christ congregation, which is an affirmation of welcome that specifically names people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions, and also expresses a commitment to racial equity.