THE BETHANY LETTERSeptember 11, 2007 Volume 2007, Issue No. 28 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A Retreat Memory It was Friday and I had spent the day in Rocky River at a Parish Nurse Class. The class was on Thursdays and Fridays, so my workdays at the hospital and as a bookkeeper for my husband had to be all crammed into Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Coming home from Rocky River at rush hour with the thought ahead of having to pack for the retreat, because I am a procrastinator, and then drive another hour and a half to the retreat was starting to get to me. I had major road rage. People seem to just whip in and out of traffic. I think every car should be equipped with, like, 3 missiles . . . or at least a few signs. Just pop a button and a sign pops up telling that dummy off! So anyway, back to the story. Here I am, on my cell phone (I know, that's bad too) and yelling at Amanda who is at home, calmly and excitedly getting ready for the retreat. She is wondering, "What's wrong with Mom?" And frankly I don't know . . . I'm just mad as a hornet . . . Poor Amanda! So I get home, and she hugs me. She has managed to even get most of my things together. We leave for the retreat just about an hour later. On the drive there, I am still going over all the thoughts from the week. I have my homework with me and I am thinking, "I'll just sit and do the homework; I can still get some things done, even though I'm out in the middle of nowhere!" We stop on the way and get some fast food because I'm thinking that it's the last decent meal I will have till Sunday! We finally arrived at the Retreat. We are greeted with smiles and Mr. Bill offering to carry all my stuff to our room! Of course, he is wondering why I need so much stuff for just a weekend! Our Bethany Family is so kind and loving. It was like coming home to a peaceful family retreat! (Oh yeah, that's what it's called, isn't it!) I had a wonderful weekend. My mood changed on a dime, and I was so very glad that I had taken the effort to be there. I got to know several Bethany members a little better, the food was just fine, and the beds were just as comfortable as home. I didn't hear a single person snoring, and it's all good! I never did get to that homework! I am very much looking forward to another weekend. The theme this year is 'Shalom' Take the time to nurture your mind, body and spirit. Tell us that we are important enough and share this time with us. I hope that you will. Love, Holly Keenan ************** Sunday ~ September 16, 2007 Scripture: Luke 15:1-10 Sunday Morning Opportunities . . . 8:30 a.m. Worship (Healing & Reconciliation)/ Special Music 9:15 a.m. Church School for Children & Adults 10:30 a.m. Worship/ Chancel Choir/ Children's Sunday School 11:30 a.m. Social Hour Host: Consistory Adult Classes at 9:15a.m: Bible Discoveries; Lounge Class ~ Video, Thomas Moore Story, Part 1; Seasons of the Spirit; Seekers; Senior High; Upper Room; Perspectives Confirmation Schedule
Youth Fellowship Schedule Thanks to the parents who came to the first part of Youth Fellowship last Sunday, the 9th. It was helpful to be able to share and receive information. For those who weren't there, we're still hoping to get the "E-mail, Volunteer, and Transportation/Liability" forms back from you as soon as possible. No one will be able to ride to any YF event away from Bethany unless they've turned in a Transportation/Liability form. Here's a schedule for the coming weeks:
The scientific evidence is overwhelming, government and people around the world are beginning to take action, and leaders of both major American political parties have recognized the crisis – Global Climate Change is real and it is being accelerated by human activity, the creation of greenhouse gases. That's why we're offering a chance for our congregation to see the Academy Award winning film an Inconvenient Truth, Sunday evening, September 16th. We want to make attending as easy as possible, so we'll offer a simple supper of pizza and other goodies at 5:30 p.m. and show the film at 6:30 p.m. Please put this on your calendar and plan to attend! Women's Fellowship Monday September 17th 7:00 PMProgram – Sylvia Hines, Executive Director ACCESSAccess is a safe shelter for more than 700 homeless women and children yearly in the Summit County Area. Donations would greatly be appreciated. Needed supplies (bring to the meeting): deodorant, conditioner, washcloths women's socks, diapers, baby wipes, and umbrellas. Men's Volunteer Breakfast It is a great time for men of the church to get together to share faith, food, and fellowship together; as well as a few chores with which the custodians could use some help. The men gather the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 8:00 a.m. (Next breakfast September 19th). You can help make this time possible by providing breakfast for 8-10 men once during the year. If you'd like to help in this way call Nancy Read at 330-928-3002. NOTE DATE CHANGE: The Christian Education Committee will meet Wednesday, September 19th at 7:00 p.m. Bethany Buckeyes "Where were you? We missed you if you did not attend the first dinner meeting of the Bethany Buckeyes this past Friday night! Good food, (thanks to Dale and Maureen Renner, Frank and Nancy Read) lively table talk and some serious to not so serious games were enjoyed by those who did attend the meeting. But not to worry! We are meeting again on Friday, October 5th. We hope to see you then!"
Adult Class Opportunities Bethany offers lots of ways for adults to learn and grow in faith on Sunday mornings. They include: All of these classes gather between 9:15 and 9:30 and end by 10:20 in time for the 2nd worship service at 10:30. They would love to have you join them.
How we're doing . . . General Budget
Window Fund
PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS . . . Dorothy Draper, Rockynol Albert Jensen, Manor Care Geraldine Hunter, Briarwood Ellen Limbach, Briarwood Margaret Martin, Western Res. Asst'd. Living Happy Birthday to Harriett Weber who will celebrate on September 14th!Congratulations to Mary Seymour , whom did the Church and Ministry Division of the Eastern Ohio Association of the United Church of Christ approve for "In Care" status on August 30th. Being taken "In Care" by an Association is part of the process toward ordination in the United Church of Christ. Mary completed her seminary education at Methodist Theological School of Ohio some years ago and has been working at the Cornerstone Fund, a financial and stewardship ministry of the United Church of Christ for many years. Now, through "In Care" status, she will begin working with an advisor, share discussions and reflections with an "In Care Working Group," and receive further guidance on her path toward ordination. Ordination will enhance Mary's ability to minister in her present situation and enable her to serve in a variety of other settings as well. We rejoice with Mary on this milestone on her journey of discipleship and ministry and offer her our prayers and support as she continues. We also look forward to learning about just what kind of support we can offer as she begins her work as a person "in care." We'll keep you updated as the process continues.Rally Sunday Thanks to all the groups and committees that organized displays for Rally Sunday to offer people a chance to become involved in Bethany's ministry and mission. They were great! Thanks also, to those who took advantage of this opportunity to share in the work of our church and signed up to do something new. Finally, thanks as well to Holly Keenan for organizing the social hour for the second week in a row so that those who shared in the after worship time would have refreshments.Thanks to all the Property Committee members and the other volunteers who dug the hole and poured the concrete for a pad for the trash dumpster and Abitibi container last Saturday. It will be a helpful addition to our church school parking area.
Calendar for September 12th to September 23rd 9/12 7:30p Consistory (Lounge) 9/13 7:30p Choir Practice (Choir Room) 9/14 9/15 11:30a Bethany Kitchen (Social Hall) Confirmands Help Sunday ~ September 16, 2007 Nursery Available ~ 9:15 – 11:30 a.m. 8:30a Worship (Healing & Reconciliation) 9:15a Church School for Children and Adults 10:30a Worship/ Children's Sunday School 11:30a Social Hour 11:45a 7th Day Rehearsal 11:45a 1st yr. Conf. Only /Mentor Meal (Lounge) 6:30p MOVIE: An Inconvenient Truth (Social Hall) 9/17 9:00a Quilters 9:30a Shawl Ministry (Lounge) 10:00a Newsletter Deadline 7:00p Boy Scouts (Gym) 7:00p WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP 7:30p Kerygma 9/18 8:15p Staff Meeting (Lounge) 9/19 8:00a Men's Fellowship Breakfast (Lounge) 7:00p C.E. Committee Meeting 9/20 6:15p Confirmation Meal/Music/Class 7:30p Choir Practice Family Sunday September 23, 2007 Nursery Available ~ 9:15 – 11:30 a.m. Children remain in worship 8:30a Worship (Story and Song) 9:15a Church School for Children and Adults 10:30a Worship/ 3rd Grade Bibles given/ Baptism 11:30a Social Hour 11:45a 7th Day Rehearsal
Sunday 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: find someone to take your place and then call the church office so we may make necessary changes. Volunteers for September 16th Esperanza Cup Washing: A. Wachovec, A. Zeller Greeters: Bruce and Shelley Alexander, Bruce and Kim Wurgler Lay Reader: J. Roach Music: Special Music, Chancel Choir Nursery: P. Cochran, J. Dugan, K. Dugan, M. Tasker Social Hour Host: Consistory Ushers: R. & S. Holle, H. Walker, S. Truby, S. Ward, K. Mellott, S. Mellott, N. Buck Van Driver: E. Frederick Visitor Outlook: O. Devine Volunteers for September 23rd Esperanza Cup Washing: C. Zeller, T. Giffen Greeters: The Bedillion Family, B&M Peyak Music: Donna and Tim/ Son Singers/Young Shepherds Nursery: J. France, M. Ferda, S. Ferda, C. Zeller Social Hour Host: Seasons of the Spirit Class Ushers: C. Hofmann, B. Charton, R&M Bowmaster, A. McVan, H. Bowman, S&R Alberson Van Driver: L. Goodwin Visitor Outlook: L. Goodwin
Christian Education News W ere you at Church School last Sunday? If not, you missed the beginning of our fall schedule that will go through to June of 2008! What a great beginning! The children were so excited to be back and see all their friends and meet their new teachers.We do wish you would join us every Sunday for our programs we offer to children and adults: classes start at 9:15 a.m. We offer a variety of adult classes that are planned in-between the 8:30 and 10:30 worship service ~ making it easy for you to attend both!Not to worry though . . . ALL are invited to join us any and every Sunday! You, your family, your neighbors and friends are always welcome at Bethany! Join us! Every Sunday: 9:15 am – 11:30 am Nursery available 9:15 am . . . . . . C hristian Education for Children & Adults (adult classes end at 10:15a) and . . .. . . children start Sunday School Class then leave at 10:30 a.m. to attend worship service, returning to their class after the children's message to finish their lessons ending 11:30 a.m. We would appreciate the children attending our full two-hour Sunday School Program offered at Bethany.Each month the Children's offering will be designated to a special mission: For September and October the offering will go toward honoring our homebound members with a special social hour and gift on Sunday, October 14th. When space permits we will include the following reading at home for children for the upcoming Sunday.
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