The Respond to Racism committee will host an all-day retreat in the Bethel Fellowship Hall. The purpose of the retreat is to grow in our understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). And to explore together how we might live more fully into our identity as a church where “whoever you are or wherever you are, you are welcome here.”
Our retreat leader will be Carla Gary. Ms. Gary is a consultant who specializes in diversity and inclusion. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon and a J.D. from the Iowa School of Law. She is currently serving as the consultant for our Central Pacific Conference.
Five years ago the CPC passed a resolution to become an anti-racist conference. Ms. Gary is assisting the conference in their goal to live into the vision of the resolution.
The retreat is designed to educate and equip Bethel’s staff and lay leadership: Board members, committee chairs and members of committees. However, if you would like to attend this learning opportunity and are not currently in a leadership position, please contact the Bethel church office (503-646-1191) or Office Administrator and share your desire to participate. Everyone who wants to benefit from this retreat will be welcomed to attend.
All-Church Rummage Sale
Every year Bethel has a HUGE rummage sale that is our biggest fundraising event for the year. One year our proceeds paid off the AC/Heat system in the Fellowship Hall. This year the proceeds will be going to make some badly needed repairs to Bethel’s roof. The sale is an opportunity to clean out your drawers, closets, and garage. It is a place where our Bethel neighbors come to buy affordable clothing and household items. Our leftovers go to many different non-profits. Please join us on Oct. 7th & 8th, 9 AM – 3 PM. It’s great fun, and you might find things for yourself.
ALL- CHURCH RUMMAGE SALE
What can you donate?
Every Sunday, you can pick up a sturdy box at the Rummage Sale display in the Narthex. Please take it home and fill it up with “treasures” you no longer need or want. If something isn’t useful or bringing you joy, do you really need it taking up space in your home?
SOME of what we can take:
Clean, with no holes, clothing and accessories/shoes...kids, women’s, and men’s. We don’t have the manpower to clean clothing and shoes, so cleaning them before you put them in a donation box is very helpful.
Jewelry
Collectibles... if you are donating collectibles and have some idea of your items value, please let us know. It could save someone hours of research.
Books
Toys and kids’ gear
Household items...kitchen items, dinnerware, cutlery, bathroom items, tools, holiday decor, linens, pictures/frames/mirrors, luggage, etc.
Working electronics/ small appliances (Please attach any power cords to your item. They tend to get easily separated.)
Sports Equipment
Garden items
Items for pets
Furniture...if it can be moved by two strong adults. If you have bigger, bulkier, or heavier items you could sell them on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or any other site, so the buyer comes to you and carts it away. Then you just donate the proceeds to Bethel. You are apt to make more money doing it that way.
WHAT WE CANNOT TAKE:
-Mattresses (including crib mattresses)
-Big boxy TVs
-Car seats
-Tires
-Open toiletries
-Used underwear
-Any item too large to be moved by two strong people
The Rummage Sale display on Sundays has pictures of past Rummage Sales in case pictures “speak to you” more than lists. Those dates and times to bring your boxes and other items are printed for you to pick up at the Rummage Sale table.
What are the plans to keep everyone safe?
Right now:
- We will be limiting the number of shoppers into the building. Then, as one shopper leaves, another may enter.
- Everyone will be required to use hand sanitizer as they enter. – As of now, everyone will be required to wear a mask. Linda Timmel
Back to Sunday School and Youth Group- Register Today!
Bethel Congregational UCC is "gearing up" for in- person Sunday School and Youth Group in September! We are even kicking off with a Taco Bar during Fellowship time on September 18.
For Sunday Schoolers, we are also continuing our "Monumental" theme from Vacation Bible School this fall so kids can collect “Bible Buddies!”
Our Youth will have the opportunity to attend the Central Pacific Conference Annual Meeting in Eugene September 23-25, where there is a special youth program planned. It is a wonderful time for the youth to connect with one another. You'll be hearing from Ken Ruse with additional details.
All of our Nursery, Sunday school and Youth Group registration is happening online.
Click here to register for Nursery, and Sunday school: https://forms.gle/4Y2qYRRSJg9q7PLZ6
Click here to register for Youth Group: https://forms.gle/4p3DTxGsUwCJv24A9
Please contact our new Program Coordinator, Rebekah Albert at ra@bethelbeaverton.org if you have any questions.
Owen Hofmann-Smith Last Sunday
Back in February 2014, Bethel UCC hired a new music director, Owen Hofmann-Smith. Little did we know that the next 8 years would be filled with so much talent from leading the choir to solos to handbell choir, to the Hot Shots youth worship band to the adult worship band to cello and guitar playing to talent shows to writing original music for one of our Christmas Pageants. Owen’s talents continued to shine during the pandemic when he kept our choir going by putting together a virtual choir. Owen has supported many nervous singers/musicians and allowed many people to bring their musical talents to Bethel!
Now it is time for others to enjoy Owen’s musical talents as he joins a professional choir. We are fortunate that his wife, Mandy Hofmann-Smith, has agreed to be our interim Music Director as the Personnel Committee looks for a permanent part-time one.
We will have a farewell service and luncheon for Owen on Sunday, September 4th. We wish Owen all the best in his new endeavor and know that he will shine his gifts wherever he goes.
Flicks By The Fountain
The City of Beaverton will be showing a movie (tentatively Encanto) in the park at SW 5th and Hall Blvd, August 26th. The Faith Development Committee will be reserving an area and supplying drinks and ice cream, just bring your own picnic dinner! The movie starts at dusk (between 8:10 PM and 8:40 PM). Look forward to seeing you there!
For more information (including some road closures) check the City of Beaverton's official page:
https://www.beavertonoregon.gov/505/Flick-by-the-Fountain
Peace & Blessings
80+ Honored Elders Celebration
On Sunday, August 14 at 10 am, we will be honoring all of those special sages at Bethel who are 80 years and older! If you fit this category, please contact Beth Astarte at ba@bethelbeaverton.org with your favorite hymn and favorite Bible verse, and one Fun Fact about you that no one at Bethel knows, by July 31st. It is our desire to make this worship service about you! If you'd like to participate in the worship service by reading scripture, saying a prayer, leading the call to worship or any other part of the service, please reach out to Beth. Whether you can attend the service or not, please email Beth one "fun fact" that nobody at Bethel may know about you. This gives everyone a chance to get to know you better. Afterwards, we'll have a special fellowship time complete with cake! Please join us!
Starfire Singers
Starfire is a High School Youth Choir from Los Altos United Methodist Church. They will be performing a Concert, Sunday, July 24th, 7:30pm, here at Bethel. They will also be singing in our 10am Worship Service on the 24th. Their music director is Carol Demonte, Cathy Thoma's sister.
Concert Details:
Weave, an original musical by Dirk and Carol Damonte, celebrates the stories that make us who we are, and the ways the strands of our individual stories weave together with the stories of others we encounter to create a beautiful tapestry. Created around the life experiences of the singers and actors on stage, Weave, through story-telling and music, invites all of us to embrace the creative story that God continues to weave in and through us every day.
July 10 – Bethel Serves Faith Café – In Person
Bethel will take its first turn since February 2020 to serve Faith Café guests in the Fellowship Hall. This is a BIG shift from the way Faith Café meals have been prepared and served since the pandemic began.
We will need a full contingent of volunteers July 10th. We will need a contingent of 10 volunteers, including 4 cooks, for July 10th.
In full transparency, the decision to begin serving meals inside has some important aspects to consider. The Faith Café board decided that guests would not be required to wear masks upon entering the building, nor will they be asked to show proof of vaccination. Many of the guests do not enjoy adequate health care. As a result, there will be, most likely, a higher unvaccinated percentage of persons gathering in the Fellowship Hall.
Faith Café has taken precautions to limit this potential additional risk. There will be fewer tables and chairs set up thus creating more distance between guests and a room that is not crammed with people. Additionally, Faith Café is requiring that all volunteers be fully vaccinated and masked during their volunteer shifts.
Remember, too that our new HVAC system provides enhanced ventilation including filters that help with the spread of any air born disease.
We want to support Faith Café’s decision to serve meals inside. However, we believe it is important to inform our volunteers of the policies in place to make assessments based on their own risk tolerance. Please consider donating a couple hours of your Sunday afternoon to serve this critical need. Contact Susan (SusanBauer@comcast.net) or Peter Bauer (PeterWBaueriii@comcast.net) for more specifics or to volunteer.
Christian Identity New Worship Series
Join us as we begin a 6-week worship series on Brian McLaren's book, "Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammed Cross the Road?: Christian Identity in a Multi-Faith World." This series helps to answer the questions, Can you be a committed Christian without having to condemn or convert people of other faiths? Is it possible to affirm other religious traditions without watering down your own? How can we stand in solidarity with "the other" as Jesus did and cultivate empathy and humility?
To help us focus on peace, our visuals will include peace cranes. The peace cranes you see were made by Darren Damonte's art students in Japan who created them as a gift to Los Altos United Methodist Church - LAUMC (Cathy Thoma's sister's church.) They are on loan from LAUMC to further peace and good will around our country and the world.
Click here to watch the story of the peace cranes: https://youtu.be/5wRabZXQ-hQ. Beginning this Sunday and every Sunday throughout the series, you'll have the opportunity to make peace cranes to add to the communion table during the song after the sermon. Packets with paper and instructions will be available in the narthex before service.
Here's a YouTube video that will show you how to make the cranes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfnyopxdJXQ. Here are the instructions for those that prefer written instructions: https://www.instructables.com/How-to-make-a-Paper-Crane-1/
Questions? Contact Beth Astarte at ba@bethelbeaverton.org.
Pride Beaverton
Pride Beaverton’s GAY Celebration will be SunGAY June 26, 2022 at City Park and the Beaverton Farmer’s Market Parking Lot. Link to Pride Beaverton 2022
Neomie Lemke has agreed to coordinate the Bethel Booth.
If you are able to help with setup/cleanup, or sitting at the booth for 1-2 hour shifts, please contact Neomie.Lemke@gmail.com
VBS is MONUMENTAL!
It's time to register for this Monumental Vacation Bible School happening July 25-29, 2022 from 9 am - 11:30 am outside at Bethel. This program is free for all children who have finished Kindergarten through 5th grades.
Click here to register: https://forms.gle/RumFmvFjZf7bxxEx7
If you are part of the youth group (6th-12th grades) or an adult and would like to help (we need about 2-4 helpers) then please contact Beth Astarte at ba@bethelbeaverton.org. If you're not available that week, you can still help out by participating in our work days scheduled after service on Sunday, July 10th and the morning of Wednesday, July 13th.
Take Me Out to the Ballgame
That's right! It's time for Bethel to head back out to a Hillsboro Hops baseball game. Join us on Friday, July 8 at 7 PM when the Hillsboro Hops take on the Eugene Emeralds. Friday nights are fireworks nights so it will be a blast! Kathy McCullough will be our fearless leader! In order to have an idea of how many tickets to purchase, please sign up in the Narthex on Sunday or email Beth: ba@bethelbeaverton.org. Tickets are $17 for adults and kids are free. You may pay by check(put into envelope and put Hops and ticket quantity on check or envelope) Drop envelope in offering plate, in the mail, or the Bethel mailbox on Watson St. or by cash to Kathy or church office. Handicap seating is available. The deadline for sign-up is May 15. Tickets will be distributed on July 1. Don't strike out! Hit a home run and have some fun with your friends from Bethel!
Freeing Jesus
The liturgical season of Eastertide marks the 50 days between Easter and Pentecost. This year, Pastor David will be offering a worship series based on Diana Butler Bass’ book – Freeing Jesus: Rediscovering Jesus as Friend, Teacher, Savior, Lord, Way and Presence.
Ms. Butler Bass relies on experiences from her own life to share how her understanding of Jesus has changed over time. Story-telling is at the heart of this book. Diana Butler Bass’ models the way listening to our own stories can uncover new insights and experiences of Jesus. She invites us to look in the mirror to see how and when Jesus showed up or didn’t show up.
Freeing Jesus serves as an excellent sequel to Richard Rohr’s, The Universal Christ. The shift toward a more narrative approach to spiritual growth and faith formation will help root the alternative orthodoxy that God is in everyone and in everything.
The series will begin May 1st. There will not be a formal, structured study group for this series; but, you are encouraged to get a copy of the book and follow along with Rev. David’s sermon series.
May 1 – Liberating Jesus
May 8 – Jesus as Friend and Teacher
May 15 – Guest Preacher – Rev. Jennifer Brownell (series interrupted)
May 24 – Jesus as Savior and Lord
May 29 – Jesus as Way and Presence
Habitat for Humanity: HopeBuilder Lunch with Soledad O'Brien
Bethel’s long standing dedication and support of Portland Region Habitat for Humanity continues in 2022.
Mark your calendars for the annual Habitat's HopeBuilder Virtual Lunch next Wednesday, April 27th at noon. Join virtually for a powerful and inspiring event which will raise funds to build and repair homes for families and individuals across the Portland region. Award-winning journalist and extraordinary thought leader Soledad O’Brien is the guest speaker. Learn more about the importance of affordable homeownership, especially at this time of housing crises in our nation, and how systemic racism continues to impact access to homeownership.
During the live program, there will be an update on Habitat Portland Region's plan to scale its impact, what the future holds for our mission, and more.
How do I participate in the virtual event?
Click on the livestream link here before the event goes live on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at 12PM (PT).
If you need any technical assistance during the event, you can call or text our tech support line at 503-564-3044 on April 27 from 11AM–1:30PM (PT)
How can I donate to Habitat for Humanity Portland Region?
To make a donation before or during the livestream event, click here or text HABITATPDX to 44-321. Reference ‘Bethel Beaverton’ as enter your information in the Name field to cross reference your support as part of the Bethel community.
Reach out to Paul Griffo (paul.griffo@msn.com) with any questions.
Grief Recovery Group
These last couple of years have been filled with grief for all of us. Not only may some of us have lost loved ones, but the pandemic itself has brought varying levels of grief at different times. Trish Schuetz and the Called to Care Group is offering an online Grief Recovery Group that will meet for 6 weeks on Sunday afternoons from 1:30-3:30 pm beginning May 1st.
This group will allow us to connect together online to discuss loss in all its forms and provide support as well as encourage healing. We will process thoughts around moving beyond death, divorce, loss of health, career or faith. We will assign and discuss homework designed to inspire inner search for personal meaning after loss. We will discuss common myths around grief and loss in our society. We will discuss a Loss History Graph, and the concept of an “incomplete loss”. We will discuss a Relationship Graph and convert that into recovery components. And lastly we will discuss guidelines for dealing with specific losses.
The group will use "The Grief Recovery Handbook" by John W. James and Russell Friedman as a guide. However, you do not need the book to participate. To sign up for this class, please email Beth Astarte at ba@bethelbeaverton.org.
ISing Chorus Performing at the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts on Saturday, April 30th, and Sunday, May 1st
The ISing Community Chorus will perform at the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts on Saturday, April 30th, at 7:30 pm; and Sunday, May 1st, at 3:00 pm. The mission of the Beaverton-based chorus is "to share innovative and exceptional choral music while supporting nonprofit organizations." The diverse music of ISing has given them with opportunities to perform internationally. These performances will include music from South and North America, including an arrangement of "La Llorona" featuring Mercedes Estevez of Los Gallos Rumba. Music from northwest composer, Morten Lauridsen will also be featured.
This concerts will benefit HomePlate Youth Services, Washington County's only nonprofit provider of drop-in centers and street youth outreach for young people who experience homelessness. The link below will provide more information regarding the concert and how to purchase tickets.
https://www.isingchoir.org/events.
Click here to download the Press Release.
If you have questions, please contact Sue Pike at swpike@frontier.com.
Holy Week and Easter Sunday Guide / Clean up for Palm Sunday
Please join us this year for Holy Week and Easter Sunday! Click here to download this year's schedule of Holy Week and Easter offerings. This helpful guide includes a detailed schedule of our Holy Week and Easter opportunities.
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During the Pandemic we tried to have organized Grubby Saturdays or Sundays, but we never had many people show up. The Facilities Team (and a few others) tried to keep the campus cleaned up. Now we need lots of members to give a little time to help us on Saturday and/ or Sunday, April 2nd and 3rd. We are concentrating on outside weeding, trimming, and edging. Can you help us…just a little bit?
Saturday, April 2…1:30 pm-3:30 pm drop in any time (this gives the market goers time to vacate parking around the church)
Sunday, April 3rd…immediately following church until 2:00 pm.
On Sunday, wear your gardening clothes to church. Stay for 30 minutes, if that’s all you can do. Every minute is appreciated. If you have your own tools, please bring them. We also have some that you can use.
The jobs we will try to cross off the list are:
-EDGING We have an electric edger we’ll need someone to run and another person (or two) to follow scooping up the mess. If you have your own edger you’d rather use, you’ll hear no objections from us.
-FERN TRIMMING Before the new shoots get any higher, now is the time to cut off the old fronds.
-WEEDING Easy weeding in front of the church, along Watson, and near the outside tables. If we finish these areas, we can move to the circle areas around the trees and signs along 7th. You can do it from the ground, either kneeling or sitting. If you have a folding garden bench, those are very helpful used upside down for kneeling, or as a seat, to weed from that position.
If you aren’t available this weekend, but have other times you are available to help, please contact Linda Timmel at timmelin@comcast.net to see what’s left to do next wee
Holy Week and Easter Sunday Guide
Please join us this year for Holy Week and Easter Sunday! Click here to download this year's schedule of Holy Week and Easter offerings. This helpful guide includes a detailed schedule and description of each of our Holy Week and Easter opportunities.
One Great Hour of Sharing
One Great Hour of Sharing is one of the United Church of Christ's four special offerings. We will receive this offering on March 27, 2022. You can also give online.
This Lenten offering supports the disaster, refugee, and development ministries of the United Church of Christ within the Wider Church Ministries. For more information, please click on the following video link. https://www.ucc.org/giving/ways-to-give/our-churchs-wider-mission/one-great-hour-of-sharing/.