Our blog

June 5 Announcements

Change in Communion Practice at Bethany
Beginning Sunday, June 8, Bethany will offer a choice in how you receive Communion. We are resuming the previous practice of offering Communion by Intinction – in which we receive the Communion wafer, then dip it gently into wine in the chalice, or grape juice in the rose-colored glass, before eating. If you prefer, the option of receiving the wafer, and taking wine or grape juice separately from individual cups, is also available. A tray containing these cups will be placed on a table near the Communion Assistant.

Congregational Meeting Update
Thanks to all who attended the special Congregational Meeting last Sunday. At least 50 members were present to receive information and participate in an animated discussion of our opportunity to install a solar system with battery backup at Bethany. Your enthusiastic vote to go forward affirmed our desire to bring green energy to our church buildings. Stay tuned for updates as the process moves forward in the coming weeks. The installation will tentatively take place in late August/early September. 

Call Committee Update
In case you missed their announcement last Sunday, the Call Committee has received five applications for the role of Bethany’s next pastor. The applications were forwarded by Rev. Andrew Yee, assistant to the bishop for the Northwest Synod. Rev. Yee has spoken extensively with each candidate. The Call Committee has reviewed and discussed all the applications and plans to start the interviewing process on June 10th. They will be interviewing all five candidates this month. They are looking forward to getting to know each of them beyond their written applications. All of the candidates have great backgrounds!  The Call Committee will be updating the congregation regularly over the summer as the interview process progresses.   

Interfaith Council – Bainbridge North Kitsap (IFC-BINK) Scholarship Award
Our own Bainbridge High School graduating senior, Shawna Smith is a winner of a 2025 IFC-BINK Bob Satterwhite Memorial Scholarship. Shawna was nominated for the scholarship by Pr. Erin Grayson based on her academic dedication, her commitment to community service and her natural gift for working with children. Shawna plans to study elementary education at the University of Washington after graduation. Congratulations, Shawna!

June Bible Study
The Women’s Book and Bible Study group will have a Potluck lunch on Monday, June 9 at 11:00am. The potluck will take place at the home of Helen Stoll. Please bring a dish to share and any books or suggestions you think the group would enjoy reading over the summer or studying next fall. For more information on the potluck contact Alice McCain at . The Men’s Bible Study group will meet on Tuesday, June 10 at 8:30am in the fellowship hall.

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.

Martha & Mary Auction
There is still one more day to join in the Auction fun! Log on to marthaandmary.org to view items and register to bid. The auction began on May 30 and ends tomorrow, June 6 at 8:00 pm. Proceeds from the 2025 Generations of Care fundraiser, Supporting Life’s Simple Pleasures for Children and Seniors, will help update kitchen equipment that serves 2-3 meals a day to over 300 residents and children. Martha and Mary: Caring for Children and Seniors Since 1891!  

Eagle Scout Project
Allie Paulson-Houser is a candidate for Eagle Scout and she needs your help! Allie's Eagle Scout Project is building a Little Free Library for children at Helpline House and she is looking for children's books. If you'd like to donate it would be greatly appreciated and donating used books is not only okay but encouraged. The age range of books could be anything from board books through middle grade reader books. Let’s all help Allie make this a successful Eagle Scout Project and a wonderful resource for children.

Altar Flowers: The altar flowers for this Sunday are provided by the Altar Guild in celebration of Pentecost.

Thank You to this weekend’s Worship Assistants:
          Altar Duty: Kathy Dudgeon
          Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Barbara & David Swartling; Lay Reader: Claire Dasler; Communion Assistant: Rachel Pritchett; Hospitality Hosts: Cake and Coffee to celebrate Pentecost and the Birth of the Church, hosted by the Worship and Music Team               

Next Weekend’s Worship Assistants:
          Altar Duty: Kathy Dudgeon
          Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Luanne & Tom Croker; Lay Reader: Benay Nordby; Communion Assistant: Linnea Chu; Hospitality: Linnea Chu & Nancy Wetzler

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.

May 29 Announcements

Congregational Meeting on June 1
The Bethany Council has scheduled a special congregational meeting to be held following worship this Sunday, June 1. The purpose of the meeting is to learn about and authorize moving forward with a Clean Energy Grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce to install solar panels on the Bethany buildings, along with batteries to provide electrical backup in an emergency. The grant will fund a project proposed by Cascadia Solar in Port Townsend, which will both save Bethany thousands of dollars each year on utility costs and enhance the level of service that Bethany can provide as a Community Resilience Hub in the event of an emergency. Because the grant is awarded on a reimbursement basis, moving forward requires obtaining a line of credit for interim financing purposes. A congregational meeting is being held because the Bethany constitution requires the congregation’s approval whenever unbudgeted expenses of more than $5,000 will be incurred. Barbara Swartling will be presenting the main agenda item and available to answer questions during the meeting. Please click HERE to view the meeting agenda. Click HERE to view background material for the project and HERE to view the project budget and schedule. Paper copies of the meeting materials will also be available.

Recognizing PRIDE month
June is PRIDE month and Bethany will recognize this by celebrating PRIDE Sunday on June 1. As a Reconciling in Christ congregation, Bethany members are encouraged to participate in PRIDE events throughout the month in the Kitsap and Seattle area. There are a number of PRIDE events happening throughout the summer across the Northwest Synod. You can find a list of events on the PRIDE page of the synod website: https://www.lutheransnw.org/pages/pride 

Save the Date
Members of Bethany will join Pastor Kristy and members of the Church of Steadfast Love for a work party and lunch on Friday, June 6, at Bethany. Work will include shoveling gravel in the columbarium. We'll start in the morning, have lunch and do a little work in the afternoon. The goal is to build relationship with our friends and celebrate the long history our two congregations have enjoyed. Sign up on the bulletin board if you can come or bring a lunch item. See Rachel Pritchett for more information,   and (206) 498-0920.

June Bible Study
The Rachel Circle Bible study group will meet on Tuesday, June 3 at 10:00am in the fellowship hall. The Women’s Book and Bible Study group will have a potluck lunch on Monday, June 9 at 11:00am. The potluck will take place at the home of Helen Stoll. Please bring a dish to share and any books or suggestions you think the group would enjoy reading over the summer or studying next fall. For more information on the potluck contact Alice McCain at . The Men’s Bible Study group will meet on Tuesday, June 10 at 8:30am in the fellowship hall.

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.

Women’s Retreat
Bethany women, mark your calendars for September 21-23 for a women's retreat at Pilgrim Firs near Port Orchard.  We need 16 to reserve our spot. There are very few venues for overnight stays for groups that are nearby so we are hoping to capture this one. Meals will be provided and there is hiking, kayaking, and paddleboard. We will carpool and accommodations can be made for those with limited mobility. Cost for the retreat is $190 which includes five meals. Financial assistance is available if needed. Please sign up on the bulletin board or call the office to save a spot! Check it out at https://pilgrim-firs.org/. Questions? Call Mary Jensen (206 913 3236) or Colleen Chupik (206 300 4382)

Martha & Mary Auction
The Auction fun has begun! Log on to marthaandmary.org to view items and register to bid. The auction began on May 30 and ends June 6 at 8:00 pm. Proceeds from the 2025 Generations of Care fundraiser, Supporting Life’s Simple Pleasures for Children and Seniors, will help update kitchen equipment that serves 2-3 meals a day to over 300 residents and children. Martha and Mary: Caring for Children and Seniors Since 1891!  

Eagle Scout Project
Allie Paulson-Houser is a candidate for Eagle Scout and she needs your help! Allie's Eagle Scout Project is building a Little Free Library for children at Helpline House and she is looking for children's books. If you'd like to donate it would be greatly appreciated and donating used books is not only okay but encouraged. The age range of books could be anything from board books through middle grade reader books. Let’s all help Allie make this a successful Eagle Scout Project and a wonderful resource for children.

A Pea Patch Garden Party
Stephen’s House plans to add gardening to the list of activities their members enjoy here at Bethany during the week. They have received a lovely donation of 170 seed packets from Bay, Hay and Feed and will be planting them in the Bethany Pea Patch Garden area at the end of the parking lot. If you have looked at it recently, you know it needs a little work before planting can take place. Stephen’s House invites anyone who loves the smell of soil, the thrill of sprouting seeds, or just wants to enjoy good company in the garden to help. Whether you're a seasoned grower or a curious beginner, they would love your help on May 31st when they will have a garden work party between 9 am 12:00 pm! Please let Debbie in the office know if you can come help them with reinforcing the garden structure and some bed-cleaning.

Altar Flowers: The altar flowers for this Sunday are given by Whitney Lane in honor of her mom Joan's 97th birthday! 

Thank You to this weekend’s Worship Assistants:
          Altar Duty: Alice McCain
          Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Alice & Bruce McCain; Lay Reader: Gail Christensen; Communion Assistant: Carol Fenner; Hospitality Hosts: Vicki Browning & Kristi Sutton               

Next Weekend’s Worship Assistants:
          Altar Duty: Kathy Dudgeon
          Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Barbara & David Swartling; Lay Reader: Claire Dasler; Communion Assistant: Rachel Pritchett; Hospitality: Cake and Coffee to celebrate Pentecost and the Birth of the Church, hosted by the Worship and Music Team

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.