Our blog

June 25 Bethany Blog

 The Bethany library is getting an upgrade!
Please consider supporting our efforts to update our checkout system by donating using one of the envelopes on the table in the narthex. Our goal is to purchase a custom Bethany Lutheran Church library stamp and custom cards to track all our books. Please reach out to Hazel Hamilton with questions (and book recommendations). Her email is Thank you!       

Louise Urness Funeral Service this Saturday June 27 at 4pm
In place of a traditional reception, Louise's family has requested a potluck gathering following the service. As we prepare to come together to celebrate her life and support her family during this time we need your help.
Setup will start at 2:00 PM
Volunteers are needed for the following:
- Setting up tables and preparing the space (Please arrive by 2)
- Serving and helping during the day 
- Clean up after
If you can help with any of these tasks, please call or text Carol Fenner at (206) 724-8534 or email Carol at
Thank you all!!

Seattle PRIDE Parade
Members of the NWW Synod will be marching in the Seattle PRIDE parade on Sunday, June 28. We are limited to 200 people. Let Bethany office know if interested.

Get Ready for the Annual Bethany Pie Sunday!  
July 5 is this year's date to taste everyone's favorite, during coffee hour after worship.  Please bring a pie, cobbler, crisp or any variation—homemade or purchased. We will provide the ice cream if you want to go "a la mode".  Leftovers will be sent home for you to share with others.  Let's celebrate 250 years of the most American of desserts!  

Helpline House Food Donations
The Little Red Wagon near the entrance is there to highlight our ministry to our neighbors living with food scarcity.

Bethany Preschool is Hiring!
There are two openings at the preschool. Bumblebee Class Assistant – Tues & Thurs, 8:30am-11:30am and Firefly Class Assistant – Mon, Weds, & Fri. 8:30am-12:30pm

Bethany Facebook and Instagram
Bethany Lutheran Church - ELCA Facebook 
BethanyLutheranELCA Instagram

Want to Join the Bethany Community?
If you would like information about Bethany Lutheran, please talk to Pastor Martin or contact the office during the week. Kelsey, our office administrator’s contact information is below.

This Sunday’s Worship Assistants:
        Altar Duty: Gail Christensen
Greeter: Megan Kennedy & Jonathan Tiller; Ushers: Alice & Bruce McCain Lay Reader: Gail Christensen; Communion Assistants: Megan Kennedy & Jonathan Tiller; Hospitality Hosts: Kathy & Doug Dudgeon

Next Sunday’s Worship Assistants: Pie Sunday!
        Altar Duty:
Greeter: Kathy Dudgeon; Ushers: Nancy & Harry Wetzler; Lay Reader: Claire Dasler; Communion Assistants: Rachel Pritchett & Doug Dudgeon; Hospitality Hosts: Fellowship Team Pie Sunday!

 Additions to Announcements, Prayer Chain requests, and questions can be directed to Kelsey, Bethany’s Office Administrator: Email or Call 206.842.4241.

June 18 Bethany Blog

Passing of Peter Bang-Knudsen Sr,
Long-time Bethany member Peter Bang-Knudsen Sr. passed away recently. The family held a small, private ceremony in his memory.

Bainbridge Pride Festival
Bethany has signed up for a booth at Bainbridge Pride on Saturday, June 20 Noon-8pm at Waterfront Park, 301 Shannon Dr. SE.
We are still awaiting final details from the organizers, but a few things are needed: 
Volunteers - If you would like to join Pastor Martin and others to represent Bethany, please sign up on the bulletin board. 
Awning- If you have a pop-up awning that we could borrow for the day, please let Pastor Martin know.
This is an important way to witness to our community our intentional inclusive welcome to all of God's children in Jesus' name.

Vespers with Schola Nova
St. Barnabas' Schola Nova will chant vespers this Sunday, June 21, at 6 PM. Please join us for this contemplative, half-hour  service.

Louise Urness Funeral Service
A funeral for Louise Urness will be held at Bethany Saturday, June 27 at 4pm. All who knew and loved her are welcome.

Seattle PRIDE Parade
Members of the NWW Synod will be marching in the Seattle PRIDE parade Sunday, June 28. We are limited to 200 people. If you are interested in taking part in this, please let Bethany’s office know.

Get Ready for the Annual Bethany Pie Sunday!  
July 5 is this year's date to taste everyone's favorite, during coffee hour after worship.  Please bring a pie, cobbler, crisp or any variation—homemade or purchased. We will provide the ice cream if you want to go "a la mode".  Leftovers will be sent home for you to share with others.  Let's celebrate 250 years of the most American of desserts!  

Tim & Talent Surveys!
If you did not already send in your Time and Talent Survey or did not get one, they can be found outside of the sanctuary.

ENDOWMENT FUND COMMITTEE UPDATE
The 2026 Bethany Mission Endowment Fund season is winding up! A total of 17 grant requests were submitted amounting to $25,044. On recommendation from the Endowment Fund Committee, the Congregation Council approved all the requests.  Thank you notes have been sent to all recipients, and – sound the trumpets – the checks were mailed this week!!
Here’s a list of the Endowment Fund grant recipients and the amount of their grants: 

• Lutheran World Relief (Girls in School): $1044
• Immanuel Community Services: $1000
• North Kitsap Fishline $1000
• Church of Steadfast Love: $1000
• Helpline House; $2000
• Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia: $600
• Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia (Bishop Kheibeb): $200
• United Lutheran Theological Seminary – Paulinum (Namibia): $200
• YWCA A.L.I.V.E. emergency shelter program: $1000
• Operation Bootstrap Africa (MaaSAE Girls School): $5000
• Nyer Urness Home (Compass Housing Alliance): $2000
• Young Life (Bainbridge Island/North Kitsap): $1500
• Holden Village: $2000
• Habitat for Humanity of Kitsap County: $1000
• Kitsap Immigrant Assistance Center: $500
• Kitsap Homes of Compassion: $1500
• Camp Beausite Northwest: $3500

If you are interested in providing additional support to any of these organizations, let someone on the Endowment Committee know! Stay tuned for follow-up reports about how these funds are used! And remember what we’re all about: “Passion for God, Compassion for Others!”

Note from Bethany Office
Don’t forget to let the Bethany Office know when fall programs resume for updates on the Bethany calendar, announcements, etc. Thank you!

Helpline House Food Donations
The Little Red Wagon near the entrance is there to highlight our ministry to our neighbors living with food scarcity. 

Bethany Preschool is Hiring!
There are two openings at the preschool. Bumblebee Class Assistant – Tues & Thurs, 8:30am-11:30am and Firefly Class Assistant – Mon, Weds, & Fri. 8:30am-12:30pm

Lay Eucharist Ministry
We are looking for volunteers who would like to serve communion to at-home members as well as suggestions for at-home members who would like to be served. If interested, please contact the church office.  

Bethany Facebook and Instagram
Bethany Lutheran Church - ELCA Facebook 
BethanyLutheranELCA Instagram

Want to Join the Bethany Community?
If you would like information about Bethany Lutheran, please talk to Pastor Martin or contact the office during the week. Kelsey, our office administrator’s contact information is below.

This Sunday’s Altar Flowers are provided by Nancy & Harry Wetzler!  Thank you!

This Sunday’s Worship Assistants:
Altar Duty: Kathy Dudgeon; Greeter: Kathy Dudgeon; Ushers: Jim Rohrscheib & Steve Christensen; Lay Reader: Mike Curtis; Communion Assistants: Vicki Browning & Jeff Sievertson; Hospitality Hosts: Benay & Lynn Nordby

Next Sunday’s Worship Assistants:
Altar Duty: Gail Christensen; Greeter: Megan Kennedy & Jonathan Tiller; Ushers: Alice & Bruce McCain Lay Reader: Gail Christensen; Communion Assistants: Megan Kennedy & Jonathan Tiller; Hospitality Hosts: Kathy & Doug Dudgeon

 Additions to Announcements, Prayer Chain requests, and questions can be directed to Kelsey, Bethany’s Office Administrator: Email or Call 206.842.4241.