A More Light Congregation

Bethany Presbyterian Church

Memorial Wall Re-dedication

Due to the COVID-19 virus and efforts to contain it,

this event has been postponed until further notice.  


Palm Sunday ~ April 5, at 11:00 a.m.

In 2010, a terrible event ripped through San Bruno and hit the Bethany community particularly hard. The PG&E pipeline explosion changed everything. It was an unspeakable tragedy that still seems unbelievable. The trauma caused by that explosion ranged from lives lost, families lost, homes destroyed, and includes a range of experiences; the worry and anxiety felt before there was any news, the anxiety and courage of first responders, the great sadness at the breadth of tragedy. Trauma continues 10 years on in the form of worry about the future, and the forever-ness of so many kinds of losses.

The Bethany Presbyterian Church family lost dear members and still carries so much love and heartbreak even as we continue forward. What Bethany did then, for the larger San Bruno region community was perfect. They created a mural to remember the beauty of what was lost and a reminder of the beauty that would still be ours.

On Palm Sunday in 2013, the Memorial Wall was dedicated with everyone invited to witness the emergence of hope in the form of art. On Palm Sunday 2020, April 5th, we will re- dedicate the mural as a way to mark the 10th year of that major event in the lives of the community, and mark the living example of resilience that the community was able to demonstrate.

After our 10am Palm Sunday service, at 11:00 we will enjoy fellowship in the garden that has since been added to the area in front of the memorial wall. We hope to invite anyone involved in or affected by not just the tragedy but the healing work that this mural represents, to come and reflect on where they were and where they are now. We want everyone to feel united once again this time not by tragedy but by resilience, in the presence of this beacon of hope our Memorial Wall. Please mark your calendars for this celebration!

For more information about the Memorial Wall, please click here.  For photos of the creation and installation of the wall, please click here.

Postponed!