Wassail and Fruit Breads

Sunday, December 18th, after worship service, we have a tradition hosted by the past and current members of the choir, to serve Wassail and fruit breads.
We do this in the old style, beautiful settings, glass punch bowls, and a masterful centerpiece. Wassail is an Old English spiced, warm apple drink (made by Diana Marsden). Traditionally, first cup is served by the Lord of the Manor.  Our current Lord of the Manor is David Thoma. He was taught by our longstanding Lord of the Manor (the late George Russell)
He brings out of the kitchen a bowl of wassail and sings (a cappella) 'Wassail, Wassail" and invites everyone to the table for refreshments. Please join us on December 18th, to celebrate the good harvest and the coming new year.  

Peace & Blessings

Blue Christmas 2023 Service, Dec. 3 rd, 2:00pm

Each year during Advent, Bethel offers a quieter, more meditative worship service. The holidays can be a difficult time for those who are coping with illness, grief, loss, other difficulties and challenges of life.

This time of year, the culture around us seems to demand hearty good cheer at all times. When we are grieving, in pain, trying to make ends meet, and dealing with the continued uncertainty of the pandemic and how to have a safe holiday celebration, we may feel out of step and off balance.

The Blue Christmas Worship Service gives us an opportunity to give voice to our pain and frustration, and the opportunity to allow the Holy Spirit to minister to us through candlelight, music, and, if desired, the ancient practice of anointing with oil. The Blue Christmas Worship Service will take place Sunday, December 3rd at 2 pm as a hybrid service.

For further information, please contact Pastor David at drb@bethelbeaverton.org.

Annual Bethel Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

Join us Friday, December 2, 2022, 7PM for our annual Christmas tree decorating. Bring weather resistant ornaments to decorate the tree. We will also sing some fun and familiar Christmas Carols, close with prayer. Then enjoy Christmas cookies, cocoa /coffee in the Fellowship Hall.

"The Gingerbread Bash" Family Advent Activity

Dear Bethel Families,

We hope you and your kids will come celebrate Advent with the “The Gingerbread Bash” Friday, December 2, 5:30 -7:00 pm. This is a Bethel family activity (including kids "of all ages") building “gingerbread house style” nativity scenes! The Faith Development Committee will provide all supplies including graham crackers, candies, cookies and frosting. Busy builders will also enjoy pizza for dinner in the Fellowship Hall at 5:30 PM and share in the story of Advent, get sticky and share the fun!
Please RSVP for us to buy the right amount of pizza and supplies to: Jan Hodge.

After “The Gingerbread Bash” will be the Bethel’s Annual Christmas Tree - Lighting Ceremony at 7:00 PM – with Christmas cookies, cocoa /coffee to follow!

"The Gingerbread Bash" Family Advent Activity

Dear Bethel Families,
We hope you and your kids will come celebrate Advent with the “The Gingerbread Bash” Friday, December 2, 5:30 -7:00 pm. This is a family activity for kids of all ages and parents; building “gingerbread house style” nativity scenes! The Faith Development Committee will provide all supplies including graham crackers, candies, cookies and frosting. Busy builders will also enjoy pizza for dinner in the Fellowship Hall at 5:30 PM and share in the story of Advent, get sticky and share the fun!
Please RSVP for us to buy the right amount of pizza and supplies to: Jan Hodge.

After “The Gingerbread Bash” will be the Bethel’s Annual Christmas Tree - Lighting Ceremony at 7:00 PM – with Christmas cookies, cocoa /coffee to follow!

BHS Homeless Teens!

In a few weeks, we will deliver over 4 tons of food to teens at Beaverton High School experiencing homelessness. We need canned soup that can function as a meal with a protein and vegetables. We have 343 and need 497 more. Please put them in the racks outside of the Chapel.

And please get ready to volunteer the week of Dec. 11. Many hands make light work!

Stewardship 2022 - Rooted in Love

They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season.

This Sunday we will begin our Stewardship Worship Series - Rooted in Love. During this time we will look at the unique contributions Bethel UCC and the wider church make to our community, our country and the world. You'll have the opportunity to explore what "roots" you in our congregation as well as how the "roots" of Bethel make you stronger. You'll have the opportunity to hear testimonials from members of Bethel of how the roots of love that are a part of our community spread seeds of justice and joy. Our hope is that your "roots" will be nourished as you discern what is yours to give to Bethel in the coming year. Stewardship Sunday will be November 13th. We will also have a place available to leave pledges on November 20th as well. Stewardship packets will be mailed the week of October 30th.

Peace & Blessings

Welcome Melanie Madigan our New Music Director

Melanie grew up in Denver and started singing in choirs at her large Lutheran church when she was five. She continued to have a passion for choral music and chose to attend Concordia College, Moorhead, MN. She received a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance, and had the privilege of singing under and studying choral conducting with Paul J Christiansen, son to the renowned F. Melius Christiansen who founded the St. Olaf Choir.

Melanie has conducted choirs since graduating from college and has held full time Director of Worship positions at St. John’s Lutheran, Denver and Victory Lutheran, Mesa, AZ. As the Choral Conductor for West Hills Universalist Unitarian from 2014 to 2019 she grew the choir membership from 14 to 33 members. She comes to us from First Christan Church where she has been the Director of Worship since 2019. Melanie has been vocal staff for the Portland Symphonic Choir and toured Europe several times as a paid soloist. Her claim to fame as a choral singer is that she performed in the Sistine Chapel–surreal!

Melanie is also Project Coordinator for the Department of Pediatrics at OHSU. She has 3 children, the youngest of whom will graduate from PSU spring of 2023l. They are her crowning joy and she loves spending time with them. Dancing, hiking and theater are her hobbies.

Melanie is so pleased to be joining the staff at Bethel! Building strong choirs and meaningful worship continues to be her passion and vocation.

A Great Learning Opportunity – Saturday, October 29: 9am-3pm

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.

Neighbors in Need Offering

One of the ways the United Church of Christ celebrates and honors World Communion Sunday is with one of our all church offerings called Neighbors in Need. Neighbors in Need (NIN) is a special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that supports ministries of justice and compassion in the United States.
Historically, one-third of the offering supports Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM). Two-thirds are used by Justice and Witness Ministries to provide grants to UCC churches and organizations as well as supporting a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects.
For example, a UCC congregation in South Carolina is building a tiny house for an LBGTQI+ person who finds themselves without a safe place to live because their families deny them their humanity and kick them out. https://www.ucc.org/a-tiny-house-aims-to-provide-big-solutions-for-south-carolina-lgbtq-community/
We will be receiving the Neighbors In Need offerings All of October. If you would like to help, please mail a check to Bethel UCC with NIN in the memo line or visit our website: https://giving.ncsservices.org/App/Giving/bethelucc

Bethel Changing to “Masks Optional”

The Phase Forward Committee has reviewed the survey results, accompanied by current Covid data. We have concluded that for now, masks will be optional for Bethel's Sunday Service Events. Concerns about interaction with the public, singing, and health are real for a number of Bethel people and we expect some will continue to wear masks. We honor and respect people’s decision to wear a mask or not, for whatever reason.
We will have a few rows of social distanced seating available, for those who would feel more comfortable with more space around them. Phase Forward will continue to monitor county Covid data and evaluate our “mask optional” stance, as cases may rise as winter approaches. Thank you for your understanding and support as we work through our options to keep Bethel safe and moving forward.
The Phase Forward Committee has reviewed the survey results, accompanied by current Covid data. We have concluded that for now, masks will be optional at Bethel events. Concerns about interaction with the public, singing, and health are real for a number of Bethel people and we expect some will continue to wear masks. We honor and respect people’s decision to wear a mask or not, for whatever reason.
We will have a few rows of social distanced seating available, for those who would feel more comfortable with more space around them. Phase Forward will continue to monitor county Covid data and evaluate our “mask optional” stance, as cases may rise as winter approaches. Thank you for your understanding and support as we work through our options to keep Bethel safe and moving forward.

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.

Bethel Welcomes Interim Director of Music Ministry

We are excited to welcome Amanda (Mandy) Hofmann-Smith as our interim Director of Music Ministry. Mandy is well known to our congregation as the wife of our former music director, and as a talented musician who has contributed to our music program over Owen’s tenure.
Mandy will be providing leadership with our chancel choir and our worship band. Also, she will encourage and support soloists or ensembles who may want to share their gifts with the congregation. Mandy and Pastor David will be collaborating to integrate music offerings that support the worship theme of the day.
Mandy’s first official Sunday was September 11th. We have a contract with her through the month of October. She has graciously agreed to extend her time with us through the Advent and Christmas season if we need additional time to search for a permanent Director of Music Ministry.
If you haven’t already, please share a warm welcome with Mandy.

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.

Fall Worship and Study Group Series: Confronting Systemic Racism

Beginning September 18 we will be offering a combined worship and study group opportunity to move us toward a deeper understanding of systemic racism. The series will run for six weeks, culminating with a retreat October 29th with consultant, Carla Gary, J.D.The Respond to Racism committee has been working for over two years. The fall series represents a concrete step toward educating and equipping Bethel members and friends. We want to discover what we need to do in order to resist the ways systemic racism affects all of us.
Rev. David R-B will be preaching on Sunday mornings following the United Church Christ curriculum: White Privilege: Let’s Talk – A Resource for Transformational Dialogue. The following Tuesday evening from 7-8:30pm, we will offer a Zoom study group. The study group will use the resources for small groups provided by the UCC curriculum.  There will be videos, readings, and opportunities to discuss and journal about our own unique experience of race.
Members of the Respond to Racism committee will serve as facilitators and guides Tuesday evenings. Team members include: Sia Lindstrom, Bob Abbey, Nancy Winston, Donna Fowler, Paul Griffo, Barbara Cormack, Mo and Nikki Manley-Smith, and Pastor David R-B.
If you would like to participate in the Tuesday evening study group, Register Here . We want to provide hard copies of the participant’s guide for those who prefer that to an electronic PDF. If you’d like to look at and download your own copy of the participant’s guide Click Here.  And if you would like to see an overview of the curriculum click here (http://privilege.uccpages.org/)

New Program Coordinator

The Personnel Committee is pleased to announce the hiring of Rebekah Albert for
our position as Bethel’s Program Coordinator. Rebekah comes to us with an extensive ministry in non-profit, community-centered, team-building environments. She was a Manager at Beaverton Loaves and Fishes and knows Bethel and many of our past Food Cupboard workers well. Her skills include program development, community outreach, recruiting and training volunteers
and she sees her job as one that supports, helps and champions youth and adults.
By her peers she’s been described as, “collaborative, humble, inclusive, trusted
partner, hands-on, humorous and compassionate”. Rebekah sees her personal mission to be in perfect alignment with Bethel’s values. We will welcome Rebekah in church on August 28 and she looks forward to meeting all of you.

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!