December 2022

Jesus. We are also using this time to consider the time in the future when Christ will come again. The early church used the time before Easter to prepare new converts for their baptism which would occur on Easter Sunday. During that time the color purple was used to mark suffering, prayer and repentance to represent the ultimate gift Christ gave to us. Once the birth of Christ was assigned to the day in December, a similar amount of time before Christmas was also given to prepare new converts for their baptism on Christmas Day. In the same way we use purple, and use the time to remind us of the gifts that Christ brought to us, like light, hope, peace, joy, love, and faith. All of the symbols we use are human made symbols to represent this ancient story that we are all a part of in real time.

What other words might we use if we could each choose our own four words to celebrate this time of readiness, preparedness, and waiting? What about candle colors? In some traditions there are 24 red candles. Or one red candle with 24 marks and the candle is lit every day for 24 days, and allowed to melt down to the next mark each day.

No matter the outward symbols and colors, all who have ever marked this season of Advent have one thing in common. Advent is always celebrated in community.

I hope you join in partaking in any of our Advent community events this year. We will decorate the sanctuary on December 3rd during our Harvest Festival. We will celebrate communion on Sunday, December 4th. We will have an adult education opportunity weekly. And of course we will have our Christmas Eve service, as well as a short worship service on Sunday, December 25th. Mark your calendars for these experiences of joy together!

Blessings, Pastor Deb

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing

so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

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October 2022

major storms and the climate related poverty and social struggles reminding us that climate isn’t just about the air around us.

There is movement of time also as we celebrate 35 years of marriage (Craig and Eddy) and 40 years of marriage (Pam and Fred) this year! And let’s not forget the 68th birthday of Bethany itself, on Friday.

Sadly, there is also the movement of people. Our dear Ken and Roberta Henry will be moving to Marysville, WA at the end of October. We will miss so much about them! This month will bring us all chances to say goodbye in our own way, including a party on October 15th.

What we can always count on in the movement of the holy spirit in our midst. As we move through the seasons of all kinds all around us may we remember that promise.

Blessings, Pastor Deb

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September 2022

What comes to mind for you at this time of year? What creative endeavor might you be a part of these days?

Bethany is full of activities this month. Here are just a few that you will see more about in this newsletter.

●  September 4th – we will be starting the Season of Peace, which will be the launch of the Peace Making

     and Global Witness offering for this year.

●  September 12th – the Ruth Covenant Group will meet.

●  September 16th – movie night!

●  September 18th – Welcome to Fall celebration! (We could wear our Opening Day t- shirts!)

Also, the Committee on Ministry work is continuing, with our next steps being assisted by our liaison from the Presbytery, Jenny Warner, whom some of you may have met at our first workshop. The trustees and buildings and grounds continue to keep up with the property and lease items and more. Look for activities also, from Outreach and Community Life.

“When [Frederick] Buechner gave the Noble Lectures at Harvard in the winter of 1969, he articulated what became the hallmark of his life work — the conviction that if God speaks to us at all, it is in the everyday events of an ordinary life.” (Debie Thomas)

Come, enjoy some grace filled ordinary life with us!

Blessings, Pastor Deb

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August 2022

I don’t normally eat ladybugs, but these sweet things were made by our friend Judi, a few weeks ago for a little picnic. Just a little bit of this kind of fun goes a long way to boost one’s mood and morale.

I don’t know about you, but I am finding it hard to avoid large scale worrisome world events. I’m not even going to list them. I’m sure you can think of ten things to worry about before your morning coffee or tea. If that’s you, and that’s how your day starts, what do you do to get through your day? Here are a few choices:

Which are the best choices?  I know you can make good decisions for yourselves, surely more than that are on my list.  Here are some things that our faith has to say to us:

Fear not, for I am with you;

be not dismayed, for I am your God;

I will strengthen you, I will help you,

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,

so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Romans 15:13

Our service of worship on Sundays is where we put this love and trust that we have for God into practice. In the summer when so many are traveling or taking a break, I give thanks for the gatherings that we have. I look forward to seeing you at Bethany whenever you are in town!

Blessings, Pastor Deb

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July 2022

I am writing this on June 21st, the summer solstice. There were over 14 hours of daylight today. My idea of heaven! I am trying not to worry about the long slide to darkness that our rotating planet has in store for us next. For now we have the opportunity to enjoy the light, and let it lift us up each day. As we struggle with the larger issues in society I hope we can remember with each sunrise, that God who created you and me, who brings up the sun and the moon, and who created watermelon knows us and loves us. God cares how we feel, what brings us joy, what hurts us, and what inspires us.

Summertime also means my patio is open and waiting! Let’s chat

Blessings, Pastor Deb

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June 2022

shooting at a grammar school and of the loss of 19 children and two teachers at the hands of an angry 18 year old. Our knee-jerk reactions run the gamut from a heavy sigh to rage, from turning away unable to take in any more to spewing fury wherever we can. These first reactions are what we do to protect ourselves from being overwhelmed by the depth of our own feelings. Psychologists and sociologists may be able to explain some of the complexities. For now I offer some thoughts from Anne Lamott and a pastor colleague.

From Anne Lamott: “Talking and sticking together was the answer. We were gentler, more patient and kind with each other, and that's a small miracle. It means something of the spirit is at work. For me, that is grace made visible. It doesn't come immediately, or by bumper sticker, and it doesn't come naturally. So now, after an appropriate time of being stunned and in despair, we sigh and help each other back to our feet. Maybe we ask God for help. We do the next right thing. We register voters and march. We buy or cook a bunch of food for the local homeless. We return phone calls, library books, smiles. We donate money. We practice radical self-care and say hello gently to everyone, even strange lonely people who scare us. We go to the market and flirt with old people who seem lonely. It can’t be enough but it will be.” (from writings after Sandy Hook, reposted today)

From a pastor colleague: “Reminding myself That rage is not a sustainable way to live And despair will only immobilize me.”

But most of all, I remind us of the words of Christ, as he comforted his disciples and promised the coming of the Advocate:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. (John 14:27)

I want to hear how you feel, about anything, any time. As always, let’s talk. The patio, and now sometimes my office at church are open.

Blessings, Pastor Deb

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April 2022

WOW! That’s what I have to say about everything happening at Bethany these days! People are returning, our Lenten classes are well attended, our first Workshop regarding the Committee on Ministry work was successful, and soon we will be welcoming another Easter on the hill. I am so proud of all of the energy and work and laughter that has marked this busy time. I hope you are all able to take good care of yourselves as we live with Covid in a new, perhaps more permanent way.

Lent is a time for all of us to look inward and listen for God’s voice to us. There are many spiritual disciplines that help us to create the space for God in our lives. The world is in crisis from climate change, the war in Ukraine is deeply unsettling for those of us who witness through photos and news reports and grasp for ways to have an impact, try to imagine an outcome that is not a disaster for the world. How do we maintain hope when life is so uncertain?

We keep trusting God and showing up. We put ourselves in places that give us hope and strength. We come to church where we have relationships that refresh us, where we sing together and pray together, and search for hope together.

As we move from Lent to Palm Sunday and Good Friday, and finally arrive at Easter, we are reminded that this pattern of life repeats itself in many ways throughout our lives. Come, and invite a friend, to share in the arrival of our Risen Lord.

Blessings, and, as always, Let’s talk.

Blessings, Pastor Deb

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March 2022

Dear friends,

I love tables.

Not multiplication tables.  Not periodic tables.  Not pool tables.   Well, sometimes, sure.  Ping pong too.  But I digress.

People tables.  Think of all the things that happen at tables.  We play games, study, learn, visit with friends, have meetings, break bread, we have picnics!  We are at tables with friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, strangers, classmates.

Tables are places where people relate to one another.  Think of it.  We comfort one another, have heart felt words with parents, children, laugh with grandkids, work out difficult problems, cry together, find honesty – sometimes for the first time.  There’s a sincerity that happens when we gather around a table.  True spit-soda-through-your-nose laughter, a guffaw from down deep in the belly, or tears that won’t stop.  Next time you’re at a table for any reason, see what you notice.

March is going to be a busy month at Bethany.  Our Lenten Study will begin on March 7th, and continue on March 14th, 21st and 28th and into April.  Also, the important deacon sponsored End of Life Planning workshop will happen on March 20th.  We will be at a lot of tables this month.

The most important table for us is the Lord’s Table.  The meal that Jesus gave us and taught us to remember is the reason we are able to sit at all of our other tables.  What’s your favorite table?

Blessings, and as always, let's talk.

Pastor Deb

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February 2022

Our liturgical calendar tells us that we remain in the season of Epiphany for three of the four weeks in February. The term epiphany means "to show" or "to make known" or even "to reveal."

We have been asking the question each week, “What does the revelation of Christ’s full divinity “show” to you in this particular season of Epiphany? In this way, we hope to discover the deeper meaning of not just Christmas, but the deeper meaning of the whole of the Christian story, through each season of the liturgical year.

The secular calendar helps bring parts of our cultural life to mind in different ways. Did you know that February is a month full of a national holiday or two every single day?

Some of them are funny (International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day, Canned Food Month, National Get Up Day, National Tater Tot Day, Elmo’s Birthday), some of them are from other cultures (Lunar New Year, Kashmir Solidarity Day, Waitangi Day), some are from Hallmark or popular culture (Valentine’s Day, Groundhog Day), and some are special reminders of events we like to remember in order to honor or celebrate or reflect upon. One of those is Black History Month.

The story of Black History Month goes back to 1915 when a prominent historian and a minister founded Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. In 1926 the association sponsored Negro History Week in February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Since 1976 every American President has designated February as Black History Month and endorsed a specific theme.

Whatever February means to you culturally – Valentine’s Day, Groundhog Day, Elmo’s birthday, or Lunar New Year or Black History Month – may this month be one in which the Christian message of the glory of Christ is the ultimate meaning.

As always, let's talk.

Blessings,

Pastor Deb

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January 2022

which they do for warmth and protection.  What is almost impossible to see is that they are all butterflies, wings closed, hanging onto each other.  They look like large pinecones, old birds' nests or dead leaves.

The first picture is full of color, suggests movement, fills us with anticipation, and makes us smile.  The second picture is not as colorful, suggests stillness, and might make us ask what's wrong, or what happened?  The excitement to me though is that both pictures are full of life.  The butterflies in both of these pictures are full of life.  I'm reminded that not all of life is vibrant, moving forward, and bright.  Some of life, that is just as exciting, is the coming together, acting for the common good, ready for the next step.  While the old life as a caterpillar is gone, the new life as a butterfly has begun.  Changing from one stage to another doesn't mean the earlier stage is any less than.  Surely Eric Carle taught us that!

As always, let's talk.

Blessings, Pastor Deb

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Dear Friends,

Movement.

That’s the feeling I’ve been trying to describe. Do you feel it too? I can feel a little shift in the air as fall approaches; the glee at that downpouring of rain for just a minute; the Mission Study work is moving along; the Thanksgiving Dinner is back; preparations for Advent are in the works; choir is back; even the lectionary switches its focus.

The movement of political forces as countries struggle for peace and power, choose sides in major conflicts, elections around the corner here in the US; climate change movements of

I only wish this was the kind of painting I was able to do.  This is called The Heather Blowing in the September Breeze (High Moor, North Yorkshire), by Oona Campbell.

George Arnold, a 19th century essayist, journalist and poet, died young (just 33) but not before he wrote several poems about nature.  Here's what he said about September:

O sweet September, thy first breezes bring

the dry leaf's rustle and the squirrel's laughter.  

The cool fresh air whence health and vigor spring

and promise of exceeding joy hereafter.

- Go back to bed

- Double your coffee

- Plan one thing that makes you happy

- Watch more news

- Make a grateful list

- Call a friend

- Yell at your loved ones

- Spend some time in prayer

- Eat bad food all day

- Take a walk in nature

- Hang out on Facebook

- Call your pastor

- Read a good book

- Ignore your feelings

You know how a smell can bring you back to a particular place and time, including all the feels that came with that time?  Sometimes it’s a sight or touch or sound that sends us back to a specific time.  For me, the taste of watermelon brings me back to every summer in the heat of the Midwest.  

Even just imagining taking a bite of watermelon makes me imagine that I can smell the summer air from Chicago. It’s a combination smell of temperature, industry, lakes, farmland, and the variety of floral aromas.  

Dear friends,

What an odd juxtaposition it is to be writing this with the sun and breeze and birds outside bringing the summer warmth to my mood, at the same time as I feel so heartbroken.

I don’t know how they do it – those writers and artists who know exactly how to express the convoluted emotions of what it is like to be human. We hear again, of a

As we look to a new year to fill us with new life, energy and hope, I invite us to re-

think how we identify life.  Maybe there is life all around us but it looks unlike the life we are used to seeing.  Jeremiah 29:11 says, “'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. '”  I hope that 2022 brings us much to sustain us and little to discourage us.  Like this lone butterfly that we were able to see in the sanctuary today, just showing up is an encouraging sign.