It's Fall and time for our trip to the pumpkin patch. We would like to carpool to Plumper Pumpkin Patch and Tree Farm after service on Sunday October 8th! Plan on bringing lunch from home or purchasing food from the farm. There will be plenty to do from wagon rides, to playgrounds and mazes, to pig-racing, and more! Click HERE to see the farm's fall activities.
Tickets are $14.50 in advance and $16 at the door. Our Faith Development Committee will cover the cost of kids tickets, but parents will need to purchase separately. There will be a basket during fellowship time for donations for those who wish to help send families to the pumpkin patch.
Please let Erin Barber know if you plan to attend by Thursday, Sept 28th, and reach out if you have any questions: eb@bethelbeaverton.org.
Are You Saving Treasures for the Rummage Sale?
Bethel's Rummage Sale is the first Friday and Saturday in October. Have you started boxing household items that you no longer need? We will continue to have a supply of boxes in the Narthex for you to take home and fill up. They are uniform in size, not huge, and will stack neatly until we start accepting donations on Monday, October 2nd.
We sell lots of: (This is not all that we sell, so check out the pictures near the boxes in the Narthex.)
Current, clean clothing-especially kids' clothing and jeans;
Kitchen items...serving pieces, dinnerware, silverware;
Table linens, bed linens, towels, throw rugs;
Tools;
Toys;
Sports equipment;
Furniture;
Garden items;
Books;
Jewelry;
Holiday décor;
Art supplies;
Purses/bags;
Working small appliances and electronics; and
Home décor/frames/art.
No mattresses, big boxy TVs, tires, opened toiletries, car seats, or clothing that is ripped or stained. Future Highlights' articles will have a complete list.
**PLEASE CLEAN ITEMS (THE BEST YOU CAN) BEFORE PUTTING THEM IN A BOX**
Monthly Youth Group - Starting Sunday, October 1st
We are gearing up for the new school year and with that, we'd like to revamp our Youth Group! We know that schedules get even more crazy as kids get older so we want to start by offering one Sunday a month to get together after service--enjoy some lunch, some fellowship, games, and a little study/discussion time.
This group is available to both middle and high school ages (6th grade through 12th grade), with a chance to break out into smaller groups as numbers allow.
We are meeting on the first Sunday of the month beginning on October 1st.
If this seems like something you or your teen would be interested in, please let us know! We'll be sending out more details for our October meeting as we get closer.
Please reach out to Erin with any questions! eb@bethelbeaverton.org.
We're restarting Bethel Bookies - Tuesday, September 26th
Are you a reader? On Tuesday, September 26th at 10 AM we are relaunching Bethel Bookies, our official church book club. This initial meeting will help us get started, and then we hope to meet once a month to discuss each book. We will meet in person in the conference room and also via zoom for others to join in remotely. If you're interested, please email Nancy Hillbrick at hilbricknancy@gmail.com and we will add you to the Bookies email list.
Sunday School Homecoming and All Church Potluck - Sunday, September 10th
On Sunday, September 10th we are relaunching Sunday School and we will be celebrating the new year with an all church potluck after service in the fellowship hall! The Faith Development Committee will be providing a hot entree item, but we would love to share a variety of dishes together--from hearty sides, salads and chips, to plant-based dishes, desserts, and more! If you have a potluck item to bring in mind, feel free to give Erin Barber a head's up at eb@bethelbeaverton.org. We are looking forward to this time to celebrate together!
"Stump the Pastor" - Sunday, September 3rd
We need your questions! Do you have a theological question, or a question about the life of faith or the way the church works that you’ve always wanted to ask but were afraid to ask it? September 3rd is your chance! Pastor David will offer an instant sermon with impromptu answers to your questions. For the rest of the month, we will have a submission box and paper slips for questions out front in the Narthex on Sundays, or you may submit your questions via email to Erin (eb@bethelbeaverton.org)
Free Mental Health, First Aid, and Suicide Prevention Classes
Follow the link, and you will find registration information for classes scheduled for August 2023 and beyond, and a summary of each opportunity. If you are interested in any of these online classes, we encourage you to participate as these opportunities further empower our collective work. Please register soon, as classes fill quickly!
https://www.gettrainedtohelp.com/en/
Lisa Mentesana, Co-Founder
ESL: 1-1 Tutor and Other Opportunities
The Beaverton Literacy Council is looking for volunteer teachers and teaching assistants for beginning, intermediate, and advanced adult English classes. In-person classes at Bethel are Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:00-8:30 pm. Or you can teach a Zoom class from you home. Zoom classes are 75 minutes in the morning, afternoon, or evening. You can volunteer for one class period a week or more. Classes start September 11. Training is available. Interested? Visit www.beavertonliteracy.org/volunteer or contact Jim Keniston.
There is also an opportunity to tutor a Mexican college student in English, one-on-one via Zoom. Some high-school Spanish would be a plus. Contact Jim for more information.
Happy Hour with The Young-ish Adults - Friday July 28th
Everyone post-grad and pre-retirement is invited to join us for some community, drinks and bites on Friday July 28th from 7 PM to 8:30 PM in our church courtyard. Please feel free to bring your favorite appetizer to share with the group. Childcare will be provided for parents of kids age 3-12.
Please RSVP with Erin Barber by Wednesday July 26th!
Sunday School Summer Field Day - July 30th
On Sunday July 30th, our preschool and elementary kids can participate in a day of summer games on our lawn during service in place of traditional Sunday School. Please dress kids in clothes that are easy to move in and can get wet and a little messy. We hope you will join us on this day of fun! Please reach out to Erin Barber with any questions!
Habitat For Humanity Volunteer Opportunity
Folks who would like a volunteer opportunity for Habitat that is a bit less arduous than working on a construction site and help assemble Simpli Home Furniture for resale at the Habitat Restore at the Restore Development Office at 12413 NE Marx St, Portland, OR 97230. This is an ongoing project so you and a group of friends can schedule times on a regular basis. If interested you can contact TC Schumacher at tc.schumacher@habitatportlandregion.org to schedule a time.
The Beaverton Habitat Restore on Millikan way in Beaverton can always use volunteers. It's open from 10am to 6pm every day except Tuesday. If interested you can find more information here: Volunteer - Portland Region ReStores (pdxrestore.org)
We are working towards setting a build day for our congregation, but it may be aways out.
If you have further questions you can email Leon at mr.leon.taylor.new@gmail.com
RESISTING CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM: FAQ + RESOURCES
With hundreds of far-right politicians using Christ's name to deny election results, demonize their opponents, enact a theocratic agenda, and spread dangerous conspiracy theories -- all with the blessing of pastors and televangelists -- Christian nationalism is the single biggest threat to both democracy and the church today.
To assist Christians in recognizing and responding to Christian nationalism when we see it, Faithful America has put together this short FAQ and the following list of helpful resources.
See this link for these articles.
https://act.faithfulamerica.org/signup/christian-nationalism-resources/#sites
• What is Christian nationalism?
• Is Christian nationalism Christian?
• If Christian nationalism is a political ideology, not a religion, why call it "Christian?"
• Why should Christians oppose Christian nationalism?
• Resources to resist Christian nationalism
o Videos and webinars
o Discussion guides and trainings
o Websites and articles
o Books
Tuesday, July 4th, Volunteers Needed
Join us on July 4th at Bethel!
Besides Bethel serving free ice cream and coffee for the July 4th event in the park ,THPRD will have live entertainment in the park. The band is Americana/Country... Chris Carpenter & The Collective. The will have at least one inflatable on our back grass area, but also a few new kids activities - like a bubble station and balloon artist, in addition to the face painting and yard games in the park.
They will again block off 7th and have a pickle ball area set-up and the rest of 7th for people to move back and forth between the church and the park. Last year, our ice cream line was in the street and even back into the park at our busiest time.
It’s bound to be lots of fun. 😀
On Tuesday, July 4th, the event runs from 11:00am-2:00pm. We will start serving coffee at 10:00am and ice cream cones starting at 11:00am until 2:00pm (possibly earlier if we run out of ice cream again)
JOBS:
Ice Cream Scooping or running ice cream from the indoor freezers to outside (choose one or the other)
11am-12 Noon (3 people to scoop and one to run)
12pm-1pm (3 people to scoop and one to run)
1pm-2pm (3 people to scoop and one to run)
Coffee making or running coffee pots and supplies out to our booth (choose one or the other)
9:30am-10:30am (one coffee maker and one runner)
10:30am-11:30am (one coffee maker and one runner)
11:30am-12:30pm (one coffee maker and one runner)
12:30-1:30pm (one coffee maker and one runner)
A couple people to sit inside in the Food Cupboard area and have eyes on people coming in to use our restrooms.
10-11am (need 2 people)
11am-12 Noon (need 2 people)
12 Noon-1pm (need 2 people)
1pm-2:00pm-ish (need 2 people)
9:30am…Set up canopy, tables, and chairs (need 4-5 people)
Starting around 1:45pm…Clean up (5-6 people)p. Her email is timmelin@comcast.net or sign up before church in the Narthex or after the service in the Fellowship Hall.
Let Linda Timmel know how you can help. Her email is timmelin@comcast.net or sign up before church in the Narthex or after the service in the Fellowship Hall.
Lynne Marie Elbert, Office Administrator.
M-F, 9am-3pm Office 503-646-1191r
Join us for "Pint with the Pastor!"
The sun is shining, the days are getting longer, and it's time for our first “pint with the pastor” of the Summer on Thursday, June 29th from 7-8:30pm. We're excited for everyone to join us for good drinks and better company.
Pastor David will provide the “pint” – of beer or lemonade. (We want everyone to feel comfortable). If these beverages don’t fit your taste, feel free to bring your own. If you’d like to bring a snack to share that would be great.
We’ll gather outside at Bethel around the tables with purple umbrellas and enjoy conversation and fellowship together.
If this appeals to you, please RSVP to David drb@bethelbeaverton.org.
Nikki and Monique Manley-Smith and Jean Avison attend UCC General Synod 34
Every two years’ delegates from local UCC congregations and conferences gather for a national meeting – called a synod (from Greek synodos, “assembly”). This year General Synod will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana from June 30 – July 4. “Making All Things New” serves as the theme.
Nikki is officially representing the Central Pacific Conference as a delegate. Mo will be attending as a visitor and as moderator of Bethel, she will be representing Bethel UCC.
Jean Avison has been nominated to serve as moderator elect for the next General Synod.
The 34th General Synod will be especially significant on a number of levels. First, if elected, Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson will become the first African American woman to serve as President and General Minister for the UCC. Second, Ibram X. Kendi, author of “How to Become Anti-Racist” will be a guest speaker. Third, Bryan Stevenson, Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative, and the attorney on which the book and movie, “Just Mercy” was based will also be a guest speaker.
This is an amazing opportunity for Nikki, Mo and Jean and for Bethel! We will celebrate and commission these three women, Sunday, June 25th at our 10am worship service.
Congratulations!
Bethel Participates in Beaverton Pride – Sunday, June 25th
Once again this year, Bethel UCC will support and participate in Beaverton Pride! We will have a hospitality booth for the Festival to be held after the parade in the Farmer’s Market Parking lot.
Neomie Lemke has offered to coordinate this event. This event requires at least 8-10 volunteers. If you would like to participate, please be in touch with Neomie or contact the church office or 503-646-1191.
Come Hiking with Us!
Join us for a multigenerational Hike at Tualatin Hills Nature Park after service on Sunday June 11th. We will be doing a relatively flat trail ideal for all ages. In place of traditional Sunday school our kids will meet with Erin in the fellowship hall to prepare some simple lunches for the hike. Contact Erin Barber with any questions about the hike at eb@bethelbeaverton.org and let her know if you plan on coming by June 7th.
Click HERE to check out Tualatin hills Nature Park.
Board Games and Brunch, June 10th
Back by popular demand, we will be holding another Board Games and Brunch gathering on Saturday June 10th, from 10 AM to noon in the Fellowship Hall.
This event will be a potluck and be open to the whole congregation. Kids will be welcome--we will have a movie and activities set up for them in the Kids Corner if they do not want to play games.
Please bring a favorite brunch item for the group to enjoy and any games you'd like to share.
RSVP with Erin Barber (eb@bethelbeaverton.org) by Thursday, June 8th. You're welcome to bring other game-loving friends too!
To Mars and Beyond Vacation Bible School is coming to our Summer Sundays!
This summer, prepare for fun as we explore where God's power can take you. We'll be offering six special Sundays throughout our Summer months where we will enjoy crafts, science experiments, games, and lessons in place of our normal Sunday School.
Save the dates for:
Sunday, July 2nd
Sunday, July 9th
Sunday, July 16th
Sunday, August 13th
Sunday, August 20th
Sunday, August 27th
Email Erin for more information (eb@bethelbeaverton.org)
We're Celebrating Youth Sunday on June 4th
Kids are invited to participate in Youth Sunday! This is a special service where our youth take on roles to help lead worship—from greeting to reading, from singing to speaking. We present bibles to students who have just completed third grade and we honor and bless our graduating seniors. It’s a Sunday you won’t want to miss!
Sign up with our program coordinator, Erin Barber at eb@bethelbeaverton.org