Bethel UCC established a Respond to Racism (R2R) committee, January 2021. A series of violence against people of color that occurred in the summer of 2020 (precipitated by the murder of George Floyd) demanded that we take action to confront systemic racism. Last fall, the R2R team members offered a six week class using the UCC curriculum called “White Privilege: Let’s Talk”. We also sponsored a day-long DEI Retreat for church leadership led by Carla D. Gary, JD. This column in the Highlights is provided by the R2R committee.
FROM OUR LEXICON FOR EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AND ACCESSIBILITY
Inclusion: Authentically bringing traditionally excluded individuals and/or groups into processes, activities and decision/policy making in a way that shares power. Inclusion promotes broad engagement, shared participation, and advances authentic sense of belonging through safe, positive, and nurturing environments. Inclusion is key to eliminating systemic inequality.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
An Evening with Slam Poet Alex Dang
Thursday, May 11 | 6:30-8 PM
Beaverton Main Library, Meeting Rooms A & B
Alex Dang is a poet from Portland. A former TEDx speaker, Dang competed at the National Poetry Slam, was a Portland and Eugene Poetry Slam grand slam champion, and has performed in seven countries. He has strong opinions about burgers and wants to know what your favorite song is. His performance - followed by a writing workshop for attendees - will focus on his identity, the different ways he sees himself, and how that may or may not align with the way the world perceives him. No advanced sign-up is necessary.
Voices from the Our City, Our Stories Project
Thursday, May 25 | 6:30-8 PM
Beaverton Main Library, Auditorium
Our City, Our Stories: An Expanded History of Beaverton focuses on how Beaverton has been
shaped by the experiences and stories of those who have lived, worked, or passed through this city. Hear the voices of some of the current-day individuals featured in the project during this interactive panel discussion with the researchers. Learn about how the city and Five Oaks Museum are working together to expand Beaverton’s narrative, why it matters, and how we’re redefining whose stories are considered history. No advanced sign-up is necessary.
Monday, May 22, 6:30pm
Save the date! Lake Oswego Respond to Racism, Lake Oswego Public Library, and
Lakewood Center for the Arts present a free showing of Vanport Mosaic’s “Walking through Portland with a Panther: The Life of Mr. Kent Ford. All Power!” – a solo play by Don Wilson Glenn, directed by Damaris Webb, and featuring La’Tevin Alexander. The play celebrates the life of Mr. Kent Ford, co-founder of Portland’s chapter of the ’60s-era black empowerment organization, and it incorporates archival footage and storytelling to understand the legacy of local resistance, rediscover lost neighborhoods where the Panthers used to patrol, and learn the intimate makings of unsung leaders of protest andrevolution.
This play is offered free of charge, but ticket reservations are required CLICK HERE to reserve your tickets.
RESOURCES FOR EXPLORING THE TOPIC OF RACISM
Bethel staff and the R2R committee, with the help of folks who attended our DEI retreat, have put together listings of resources for those who are interested in exploring the topic of racism. This week we are sharing the listing of Books and Articles.
The link is:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qJucuat1Vr9ODV07q8RBLP9EbBwC1U715WOPVDsPZOk
Bethel Scholarship Program Now Accepting Applications
Each year Bethel grants scholarships to students of higher education. The purpose of this annual scholarship is to provide one-time financial assistance to people who are active in the life of the Church to use for post-secondary education, including but not limited to: College, Graduate School, and Seminary. There are no age limitations. To apply, fill out this form and email it to Erin Barber (eb@bethelbeaverton.org). The due date is May 14, 2023.
"Youngish" Adults Board and Game Night, Saturday April 29th
The Youngish Adults Group is hosting a fun Board Games and Brunch time together on Saturday April 29th, from 10 AM to noon in the Fellowship Hall. Kids will be welcome--we will have a movie and activities set up for them in the Kids Corner.
This will be a great time to get to know each other better over coffee and bagels, and of course games! We'll have One Night Werewolf (think Mafia, but better), Settlers of Cataan, Apples to Apples, and more! Please feel free to bring your favorite game to share with a group!
RSVP with Erin Barber (eb@bethelbeaverton.org) by Wednesday April 26th. You're welcome to bring other game-loving friends too!
Bethel's Women's Retreat
All those who identify as women are invited to come and enjoy a morning retreat. We will be exploring Friendship and Fellowship. Time to visit, enjoy lunch, and maybe even learn a little about yourself, others, and our relationships with each other and God. RSVP to Paige Unangst at either paige@unangst.net or 503-567-9946 by Saturday April 8th if you plan to come.
Habitat for Humanity Upcoming Event on April 26th!
Join the Portland Region Habitat for Humanity community at this year’s free HopeBuilder lunch on Wednesday, April 26th at the Oregon Convention Center from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Discover the work Habitat for Humanity is doing to address our local housing crisis. Help build a Portland region where everyone has an opportunity to have an affordable place to call home.
Learn more and RSVP today at https://habitatportlandregion.org/events/hopebuilder-lunch/.
The featured keynote speaker is Pulitzer Prize-winning author Mitchell S. Jackson. His memoir Survival Moth: Notes on an All-American Family examines the hardships that shaped his life in Oregon, his family, and his community.
Leon Taylor is hosting a Bethel UCC and friends table –reach out to Leon at mr.leon.taylor.new@gmail.com.
If you are unable to attend the event, and still want to support Habitat Portland Region, use this link, donate here.
Peace & Blessings
Holy Week and Easter
Please join us this year for Holy Week and Easter Sunday, beginning with Palm Sunday on April 2nd!
See a detailed schedule of our Holy Week and Easter opportunities.
Holy Week and Easter
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.
Welcome Erin Barber during and after Service this Sunday.
We are happy that Erin will join us this Sunday. Erin grew up in Lake Oswego, Oregon attending church with her family where she served in Sunday School as a teacher and sang on the worship team throughout high school. She went on to attend Seattle Pacific University where she met her husband Kyle, another Portland native. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Theatre, and then began using her "storytelling degree" at Westside Church in Ballard where she directed the children's ministry for four years. During that time, she and Kyle welcomed a baby girl, Georgia, and it wasn't long before they moved back to the Portland area to be closer to family. Erin loves putting her creativity to work behind the scenes, whether working in the theatre or church! In her spare time, Erin loves reading for her book club, playing Dungeons and Dragons with her husband and friends, and writing fiction.
ESL Teacher Needed
Bethel’s Andy and Victoria Hyett have stepped up to teach a much-needed “Intro to English” (level-0) class at Bethel. This Tuesday was their first day of class. Bethel now hosts three level-0 classes. Thanks, Andy and Victoria!
Bad news: While we were setting up the Hyetts’ class, the Thursday teacher for Bethel’s level-3 (intermediate) class had to resign due to a job move. We have tentative coverage for Thursdays starting in late April, but we need a fill-in teacher for 4 Thursdays in March and 3 in April. Classes are 7:00-8:30 pm in Bethel’s education building.
Curriculum, mentoring, and other support are available. For more information, contact Jim Keniston (503-415-1961, jakeniston@hotmail.com).
Lenten Worship Series - Wilderness
Lent is a six-week liturgical season in the life of the church. It begins on Ash Wednesday (February 22) and concludes with Palm Sunday/Passion Sunday (April 2). Lent is a season of preparation for the celebration of Easter.
This year we will be drawing from a worship resource called “A Sanctified Art”. This resource includes images, art work, devotional booklets and cards, and Sunday morning scripture readings and prayers.
The theme this year is simply “wilderness.” The theme comes directly from the 4th chapters of the gospels of Matthew and Luke, which describe Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness. During that time, Jesus wandered, fasted and resisted temptation. We know that Jesus journey through the wilderness equipped and prepared him. Wilderness provided a test, a spirit quest, that clarified his life mission to reveal the unconditional love of God.
Similarly, through the wilderness of Lent, we are invited to surrender to the wild leadings of the Spirit. We rarely enter the wilderness willingly, but hopefully through our wandering we remember who we are and whose we are. The wilderness can become sacred even if it remains dangerous. There is no wilderness space too harsh or threatening for God’s love. This Lent, we welcome you to the journey.
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday – Simple Supper and Worship – Wednesday, February 22 – 6:30pm
We will gather in the Fellowship Hall for a light supper of soup and bread to launch our Lenten theme: wilderness.
Our gathering will include an activity designed to draw us into the season of Lent. There will also be the opportunity to receive ashes for those who find the ritual meaningful.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent. Lent is the season of preparation for Easter in a similar way in which Advent prepares us for Christmas.
The ancient practice of Lent was intended to prepare people for baptism on Easter. Lent invites us into a time of introspection – a time to inventory what aspects of our lives may be obstacles to following the way of Jesus. Lent is modeled after the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness as it is recorded in the 4th chapter of both Matthew and Luke’s gospel.
Jesus’ time in the wilderness reveals the reality of temptations we all face as we strive to live with love as our primary purpose. The point of Lent isn’t to deny that we ever struggle to be faithful to the way God would have us live. Rather, Lent gives us the opportunity to be transparent – real with who we are – our strengths and our weaknesses. Acknowledging the ways we may feel hindered, or broken, or bound up can serve as first steps toward freedom and wholeness.
To help with the preparation of the meal, please RSVP to office@bethelbeaverton.org if you plan to attend the service.
Food Cupboard Needs
We continue to have many families who need food. We welcome donations of cereal and pasta- such as small bags of spaghetti or macaroni. Welcome onboard Sara Edmiston who will be taking over the liaison and reporting to Oregon Food Bank!
Thanks to all our volunteers! You are making a positive difference in someone’s life!
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We continue to need cans of hearty soup with pop tops for BHS homeless students. Please choose varieties that have meat and vegetable. Teenagers need calories more than any other time in their life!
BHS Soups this week, 330 and need 325 more. 131 students to be helped this Spring Break.
DEI Moment!
Diane Imel (Lady Di) is part of the City of Wilsonville's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee. As part of this committee, she has written a thought provoking article that we feel should be shared with as many people as possible. Thank you Lady Di for sharing. Please read and learn.
Do You Know What You Said?
Recently, I was “called out” by one of my dearest friends regarding a misspeak I had made. This misspeak was unintentional and completely without malice and, unfortunately, prior thought. To say I was stunned is an enormous understatement! However, this “blow” was like the key to a locked door…revealing my ignorance and lack of knowledge regarding the acceptable use of descriptors…. adjectives…words!
How can we know what the appropriate language should be? Where can we educate ourselves to the acceptable phraseology of today? This is the challenge that confronts us each day and one that begs to be addressed.
How often have we misused our adjectives and descriptors… “my Asian butcher, my black friend, my disabled neighbor, the gay librarian, my immigrant school mate”? It is important to recognize and correct these unacceptable and often derogatory phrases. And what about the usage of proper pronouns: he/him, she/her, they/them? These are more relevant now than we realize.
Information on this subject can be found through the internet. “Pronouns: A How-To-The Diversity Center”, Preferred Terms for Select Population Groups “and “A Guide to Race and Ethnicity Terminology and Language” are just three of the informational resource sites available.
It is imperative that we continue our efforts of abolishing all discrimination and the proper usage of our words, as well as the eliminations of other barriers, is a must! These goals of diversity, equity and inclusion may be novel to many…often generational in their nature. This stresses the need for introspection regarding our speech and the inherent strength of the words we use. It is human nature to speak in the moment without thoroughly analyzing what we’re saying but it would be to the benefit of all that we weigh the words we use before utterance. By Diane Imel
INVITATION TO AN INTERFAITH EVENT Jan. 29, 2023
You are invited to an Interfaith Event on Sunday, January 29, 3:00-5:00 PM hosted by Bilal Masjid, 4115 S.W. 160th Ave. Beaverton.
The goal of this event is to begin to build a diverse interfaith coalition to expand understanding of various traditions; build community and enjoy one another’s company; encourage respect and unity in the Beaverton area.
The afternoon will include: panelists from diverse faith traditions; small group conversations; choosing actions/activities to build the coalition.
Epiphany Season Worship Series – January 8 – February 19, 2023
The season of Epiphany follows the celebration of Christmas. This is the liturgical season when we celebrate the “manifestations” of the birth of the Messiah. In the baptism of Jesus, and the miracle stories of Jesus for example turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana. in other words, this is the season of “ah-ha” moments. The reality of God’s Incarnation in human form, keeps showing up. The Biblical examples of the season of Epiphany are the “wise men” who came from distant countries, the presentation of Jesus at the temple, the
Our creative and imaginative task during this season is to hear these ancient accounts of God’s Incarnation as invitations to see how and where Christ is showing up in our world today.
This Epiphany, Rev. David R-B will offer lectionary preaching from the book of Matthew. David will build the worship series from The Working Preacher online resource. Working preacher is an on-line community of Biblical scholars from seminaries around the U.S. and other clergy who want to hone their preaching skills thus bringing the Good News of God’s love alive TODAY!
New Fellowship Group at Bethel
Interested in being part of a “youngish” fellowship group? If so the first meeting will be hosted by the Macpherson’s on Saturday January 14 at 7:00PM. Contact Macmacpherson@hotmail.com or 503-641-6598, if interested. You are probably wondering what “youngish” means. So are we, but so far the people signed up have children in school or are in that age group. No experience required.
Epiphany Season Worship Series – January 8 – February 19, 2023
See last week’s blog post about the John Nilsen Trio performing this Sunday, Jan. 1st.
The season of Epiphany follows the celebration of Christmas. This is the liturgical season when we celebrate the “manifestations” of the birth of the Messiah. In the baptism of Jesus, and the miracle stories of Jesus for example turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana. in other words, this is the season of “ah-ha” moments. The reality of God’s Incarnation in human form, keeps showing up. The Biblical examples of the season of Epiphany are the “wise men” who came from distant countries, the presentation of Jesus at the temple, the
Our creative and imaginative task during this season is to hear these ancient accounts of God’s Incarnation as invitations to see how and where Christ is showing up in our world today.
This Epiphany, Rev. David R-B will offer lectionary preaching from the book of Matthew. David will build the worship series from The Working Preacher online resource. Working preacher is an on-line community of Biblical scholars from seminaries around the U.S. and other clergy who want to hone their preaching skills thus bringing the Good News of God’s love alive TODAY!
John Nilsen Trio
For many years the John Nilsen Trio has been performing at Bethel Congregational United Church of Christ. The John Nilsen Trio is based out of the Portland area and consists of John Nilsen, Jason Moore, percussionist and Jeff Leonard, bass player.
This is a wonderful opportunity for the entire family to enjoy some great music and worship together.
Join us for this year's worship service featuring the music of the John Nilsen Trio on Sunday, January 1st, at 10:00 AM!
Christmas Services
Christmas Eve Worship Service 10PM
It is not difficult to imagine this night as “reflecting the sacred.” We gather and sing and light candles and dare to believe that love truly enters the world time and again and anything is possible. What may be more difficult to understand, however, is that this love is ours, not because we’ve been “good” (as if God is Santa Claus), but simply because we are beloved–the firstborn of God. Our very being reflects the sacred. The incarnation of God in human flesh is proof.
We will gather on Christmas eve for a hybrid service of lessons, carols and candle-lighting at 10pm in the sanctuary. There will be special music from the chancel choir. We hope you’ll join us for this beautiful tradition filled with light, love and mystery.
(https://www.facebook.com/BethelBeaverton/) and (https://zoom.us/j/140844207 or by phone at 1-253-215 8782 Meeting ID: 140 844 207)
Christmas Day Service 2022, Dec. 25th - Pre-recorded
We wanted our staff and volunteers to enjoy the Christmas day activities and traditions they value. So we have created a very special Christmas Day service, Christmas Day – Surprisingly Sacred. You can watch any time online either on YouTube, Facebook or on the website. Remember to celebrate the birth of Jesus in the midst of your holiday activities.
In the early church, Sunday was known as the “day of light.” And so it is special when Christmas falls on a Sunday, as it does in 2022. As light dawns on this morning, as the children scramble to the tree to see what has appeared, we remember that the sacred comes in the form of surprise sometimes, just as it did when light and life was known anew in the form of a baby in a humble stable. Can we dare to believe that we can know a surprising calm even in the midst of anxiety because of the in-breaking of this Prince of Peace upon our lives each and every day?
Our Christmas Day 2022 Worship service will become available on Facebook 10:00 AM Christmas Day. View, worship, and share comments with each other as usual. There will be no Zoom meeting. (https://www.facebook.com/BethelBeaverton/) and YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/0A9eFDbNfes
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Dec. 24th, 10:00pm
We will gather on Christmas eve for a hybrid service of lessons, carols and candle-lighting at 10pm in the sanctuary. There will be special music from the chancel choir. We hope you’ll join us for this beautiful tradition filled with light, love and mystery.
(https://www.facebook.com/BethelBeaverton/) and Zoom (https://zoom.us/j/140844207 or by phone at 1-253-215 8782 Meeting ID: 140 844 207)