THE BETHANY LETTERMay 15, 2007 Volume 2007, Issue No. 18 | ||||||||||||
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TALK BACK Much of who we are as Christians and the witness we make to the world is expressed, not when things are going well, but when they go badly, when we are unfairly treated, hurt, or misused. This article from a recent issue of Christian Century gives us all something to think about in that regard. It has become common in political circles of late to refuse even to talk with one's enemies. President Bush refuses to talk with Syria's president Bashir Assad. Tom DeLay, back on the political scene as a blogger, scoffed when asked to explain why he wouldn't speak with House Democrats: "Why would I speak with the enemy?" In this Manichaean universe, one keeps one's hands unsullied and avoids contact with one's vile antagonist. A different attitude toward the enemy was evident after radio commentator Don Imus described the Rutgers women's basketball team as so many "nappy-headed hos." The outcry eventually led CBS and MSNBC to fire him. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton led the public hue and cry. Advertisers pulled their support from Imus in the Morning. Suddenly a man who had gotten away with calling Colin Powell a "sniffling weasel" and New Mexico governor Bill Richardson a "fat sissy," and who had said U.S. diplomats talking to Saudi Arabian diplomats should "take those towels around their heads and wipe their noses with them," was out of a job. Given Americans' taste for shock jocks, it's likely he'll be back on the air—or someone like him will fill his spot. But it was the Rutgers players themselves who made the most impressive response. They demanded more than Imus's punishment. They wanted to engage him and tell him how his comments made them feel. They wanted to say how it felt to have their moment of glory—reaching the women's national title game—stolen from them. They wanted to tell him why racist and misogynist language is so painful to hear. The Rutgers women wanted to introduce themselves to Imus, and in the process they introduced themselves to the world—not just as successful athletes, but as people: Essence Carson is an accomplished musician; Katie Adams was her high school's valedictorian; Epiphanny Prince's accomplishments inspired her mother and grandmother to enroll in college; Matee Ajavon scored 20 points against Duke even though she has a titanium rod inserted in her leg. In the much-circulated photo of the Rutgers team gathered at their press conference, the women looked pained, but dignified. That spoke volumes about the maturity of this group of college women compared to the juvenile antics of a media star. The Rutgers women named the wrong, and then engaged their enemy face to face. They worked toward a difficult reconciliation, the kind in which hearts and minds can actually be changed. The team said of the Imus controversy: "We hope that this will serve as a catalyst for change." They did their part, and also showed the rest of us how it can be done. When we've been hurt or angered, the 1st reaction for many of us is to lash out or to go away, Jesus calls us to another way. The Rutgers women show us it can be done. May we learn from their witness. Grace and Peace, Steve ******************************************* Sunday, May 20, 2007 Scripture: John 17:20-26 Sunday Morning Opportunities Special Music Sunday 8:30 a.m. Worship (Healing & Reconciliation)/ Motet Choir 9:15 a.m. Church School for Children 9:15 a.m. Combined Adult Class in Social Hall; Don Evans, speaker 10:30 a.m. Worship/ Special Music with the Chancel Choir and Memory Bell Choir Children's Sunday School/ Baptism 11:30 a.m. Social Hour: OPEN
Spring Clean Up May 19th 9:00 to 12:00 Bethany members are invited to help with spring clean up on Saturday. As in the past, the majority of the work will be outdoors. Please plan on helping! The more volunteers the better! Property Committee.
An Invitation to Adult Sunday SchoolThis Sunday, May 20th during the regular Sunday school time 9:30-10:20, I will be meeting with all of the adult classes in the Social Hall and anyone else who's interested. I will share some of my experiences in the Partner-in-Ministry program, what it has to offer, and to encourage some to try it themselves. I feel it is a program that has something to offer any church member regardless of their age. You do not need to be in a Sunday school class to participate, so I hope to see many of you there on May 20th. - Don Evans, Partner-in-Ministry Intern
We hope to see you on Special Music Sunday! The Bethany Chancel Choir and Memory Bell Choir wish to invite you to join us for this year's Special Music service on May 20th. The Memory Bells and Chancel Choir will be sharing special music during the May 20th, 10:30 service, to include selections from the Haydn Missa Brevis for choir, organ and string trio; anthems played by the Memory Bells; and an a cappella vocal trio. We're excited about sharing this music with our Bethany family and friends! We hope you will join us for this special day of music, praise and fellowship.
Come, Help Plan Another Great Retreat! We had a great Retreat at Templed Hills last fall - a time to be together as a church family and share the blessings of the life God's given us to share. We now have a place and date for 2007 – Templed Hills, September 28-30. So it's time to get started with the planning for this year. Our first meeting, Tuesday, May 22, at 7:30 p.m. in the Lounge, if you want to help but can't come contact Beth Lees or church office at 330-923-5277.
Holiday! Bethany's office will be CLOSED Monday, May 28th (Memorial Day). Therefore, the deadline for news articles for the May 29th publication will be Friday, May 25th, 10:00 a.m. Please plan accordingly.
Bethany Night at Donato's The Youth Fellowship will be hosting Bethany Night at Donato's, Wednesday, May 30th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Ten percent of the receipts and tips are tithed to Bethany, 10% goes to the youth account, and 80% goes to support the youth mission trip. Hope to see you there for some great food and fellowship. Graduation Accolades! We will be recognizing Bethany's 2007 graduates during the 10:30 worship service on June 3rd. If there is someone in your family you want recognized, please call the office by May 30th. How we're doing …
Mission Work at Bethany What do these numbers mean? 63 - 4 - 290 - 3 - 9? It's the combination that meant IHN guests were provided with hospitality, shelter, food, transportation and shown compassion for seven days at Bethany. It took 63 volunteers from 4 congregations (Bethany, Pilgrim, Silver Lake and New Trinity) to provide 290 hours of hands on mission work for our two families of 3 adults and 9 children. The cost to Bethany to provide this mission was $178.21 for food and $54.87 for Target Gift Certificates and cards for the two moms for Mother's Day. Thanks to our team leaders, van drivers, overnight hosts, those who prepared meals and laundry crew. Thanks also to Carol and Bart Clemente and Sue Jensen for the taking care of all the extras that need to be done when we host for the week. - Bob and Carolyn Thanks to Kim Wurgler for her dedication and hard work in organizing the Treasures Sale and for her gift to our Mission projects IHN and Esperanza. This event happens on one day but takes days and months to prepare and many volunteers to make happen. - Thanks from the Mission Committee!
Y ou won't want to missVacation Bible School this year! So mark your calendar! July 9th to July 13th
Please remember in your prayers. . . Calendar for May 16th to May 27th 5/16 8:00a Men's Breakfast (L)10:00a Bible Study (CE) 11:30a Women's Fellowship Salad Luncheon 5/17 7:30p Motet Choir 7:45p Choir Practice 5/18 5/19 9:00a Spring cleaning 9:30a Chancel Choir Practice in Sanctuary 11:30a Bethany Kitchen (SH) 5:30p CE Appreciation Dinner (SH)
Sunday - May 20, 2007 Nursery Available 9:15 - 11:30 a.m. Special Music Sunday
8:30a Worship 9:15a Church School Children 9:15a Adult Classes to meet in Social Hall - Don Evans, speaker 10:30a Worship/ Children's Sunday School 11:30a Social Hour 4:30p Camp Planning 5:30p Yth Mission Trip Planning
5/21 9:00a Quilters9:30a Shawl Ministry (L) 10:00a Newsletter Deadline 6:15p New Horizons Band Concert (SH) 5/22 8:15a Staff Meeting (L)
5/23 10:00a Bible Study (CE) 7:00p COMMITTEE NIGHT 7:30p Music Committee 5/24 5:30p Wedding Rehrsl7:30p Choir Practice 5/26 WeddingPentecost Family Sunday - May 27, 2007 Nursery Available 9:15 - 11:30 a.m. 8:30a Worship (Story & Song)9:15a Church School for ALL Ages 10:30a Worship/ Communion/Children's Sunday School 11:30a Social Hour ****** Volunteers Names of Sunday Volunteers are published AHEAD of the scheduled Sunday as a kindly reminder & an early thank you! If you are unable to volunteer the day you are scheduled, please remember to 1) find someone to take your place and then 2) call the church office so we may make necessary revisions. Volunteers for May 20th Esperanza Cup Washing: Taylor G., Emma J. Greeters: Margaret Martin and Margaret Deacon, Dale and Betty Pickard Lay Reader: Harry Cool Music: Motet Choir/ Chancel Choir, Bells Nursery: Arlene Thompson, Ed Zeller, Nancy Zeller, Keith McDevitt Social Hour: Open Ushers: Richard Holle, Mark Jensen, Sue Truby, Sharon Ward, Sharon Holle, Henry Nagel, Shawn F. O'Malley, Shawn P. O'Malley Van Driver: Linda Goodwin Visitor Outlook: Ruth Schreiber Volunteers for May 27th Esperanza Cup Washing: Keith M./ Ariel M. Greeters: John and Rebecca Wachovec, George, Sue and Emma Jensen Music: Bells/ Bells, Son Singers, Young Shepherds Nursery: Hilda Bowman, Heather Bedillion, Pat Cochran, Ariel Myers Social Hour: OPEN Ushers: T. Hermann, F. Read, J. Grazulis, J. Seymour, K. Mellott, S. Mellott, K. Fratz, R. Read, C. & B. Pletzer, J. Williams, L. Short Van Driver: Bob Read Visitor Outlook: Mission Trip Preparation In order to assure that we do a thorough job planning for the all day Bible School and show the attitudes and behaviors that truly represent Christ and our church, we have begun our planning process for the mission trip. At the first session on April 22, we reviewed a covenant regarding our purpose and expected attitudes and behaviors, and began studying the scriptures for our Bible School lessons. Last Sunday we continued to plan our daily worship, craft and recreation times. Here are the important dates for the future:
Camp Bethany Dates Our Camp staff has covenanted to uphold the attitudes, behaviors, and responsibilities needed to faithfully serve our campers, and have begun the planning process. Here's a reminder of important dates and deadlines.
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