Blessing of the Artist

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Dear Bethel Community,

“The purpose of art is the lifelong construction of a state of wonder.” – Glenn Gould

Bethel Congregational UCC is interested in celebrating our human connectedness through the arts. We will be hosting a Blessing of the Artists worship service and artist reception on Sunday, August 11, 2019, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. We emphasize that this would be an inclusive blessing of all artists. This event is an opportunity for the Bethel congregation as well as community members to share and appreciate the creations of local artists and the many contributions art brings to all our living. The day will begin with a blessing ceremony for artists and will be followed by a showing of featured art work and refreshments.

This is an opportunity to offer something unique for the Bethel community to participate in. I and the members of Bethel encourage you to consider this collaboration and welcome you to submit your work. We would love to see your paintings and drawings, your musical and dance talents, your poetry and writing (fiction, poetry, nonfiction, blogs, journalism), your photography, graphic art, and carvings, your jewelry and your culinary gifts. If you have a form of personal creative expression, we encourage you to share your gifts with the congregation for the Blessing of the Artists.

The submission deadline to RSVP as a featured artist is August 2, 2019. Please reach out to Courtney Czarnecki, Office Administrator, by email at office@bethelbeaverton.org or by phone at (503)646-1191 to sign up to participate. If your creative gift is hospitality or the culinary arts, we would also appreciate volunteers to assist with set up and refreshments for our artist reception.

We encourage you to share this letter with the artists in your life, including friends and family, if you think they would enjoy participating in this event. Artists are welcome to sell their work if they choose. We are looking forward to celebrating art in its many forms with you on August 11th.

 

Sincerely,

Rev. Dianne Rodriguez

Sabbatical Supply Minister at Bethel Congregational UCC

Starfire Singers: CJ Cafe

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On July 24, Bethel will host the Starfire Singers as they perform their show CJ Cafe. We will be hosting a potluck dinner at 6 PM and the show will begin at 7:30 in the Sanctuary. CJ Cafe...Building on Our Dreams is an original musical by Dirk and Carol Damonte which is being premiered by the Starfire Singers on this 2019 Summer Tour. Set in a very special cafe, where people gather for much more than just coffee, CJ is about God’s call for each of us to be a part of changing the world. People from varying backgrounds and interests gather there, and through sharing their stories, listening to each other, and seeing things in new ways they realize that together they can do so much more to heal the hurts and bring the Good News than they could ever do alone. Through a wide variety of musical styles, lively dances, multi-media, and the voices of the choir youth, you will come to realize that you, too, are a part of this story. Come on down to the CJ Cafe!

We still need volunteers and we are in need of 1 more main dish, 3 salads and 3 desserts for the potluck. If interested, please contact Cathy Thoma by email or at (971) 226-6062.

Contemplative Summer Adventures

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Join us for Contemplative Summer Adventures in which we will engage our imagination to wander and wonder through guided imagery, engaging our senses, breath work, simple body movements, story telling, and mandala coloring. Together we will invite the Spirit to take us beyond all and any limitations where we can experience renewal of body mind and spirit.

Contemplative Summer Adventures will take place either at the Peace Pole or in the chapel, depending on weather, on the following dates:
Tuesday, July 16 at 11 am
Tuesday, July 30 at 11 am
Thursday, August 22 at 1 pm


Contact Courtney at the office to sign up

Contemplative Summer Adventures

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Join us for Contemplative Summer Adventures in which we will engage our imagination to wander and wonder through guided imagery, engaging our senses, breath work, simple body movements, story telling, and mandala coloring. Together we will invite the Spirit to take us beyond all and any limitations where we can experience renewal of body mind and spirit.

Contemplative Summer Adventures will take place either at the Peace Pole or in the chapel, depending on weather, on the following dates:
Tuesday, July 16 at 11 am
Tuesday, July 30 at 11 am
Thursday, August 22 at 1 pm


Contact Courtney at the office to sign up.

July 4th Concert and Fun

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On the Fourth of July, Bethel is partnering with the THPRD and the City of Beaverton to bring a concert, food, and family fun to our campus and the Veterans’ Memorial Park just across the street. Bring your family, grab lawn chairs or blankets, and meet your neighbors and friends for a summer day of fun and music. There will be family-friendly activities for all to enjoy, from inflatables to yard games to face painting and more! Our Rec Mobile will also be at the concert to engage kids with games, crafts and activities. The featured concert artist is Skybound Blue. The event runs from 11 AM to 2 PM.

Seating is on the grass. Beach/sand chairs or blankets for seating are recommended. Regular height lawn chairs will be permitted only at the side and rear of the seating area.

Additionally, there will be FREE hot dogs and ice cream, or you may bring your own picnic. No alcohol is allowed. Leashed dogs are welcome to attend with their owners.

Click on this link for details.

http://www.thprd.org/events/detail/skybound-blue/07-04-2019?mc_cid=21b4cb085d&mc_eid=ed822fc0e1

Fierce Love: Interrupting Hate in Public Spaces

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People of faith agree that we are responsible for creating beloved community. As incidents of public hate skyrocket, come explore the theological and spiritual foundations of this call to fierce love. Join Lake Oswego UCC for a special workshop on Monday, May 20 from 4:30 to 9 PM that will focus on tools, skills, and methodologies for building a culture of peace and engaging in active nonviolence. Workshop participants will leave confident of their ability to support and empower targets by:

  • Identifying and tapping into the skills, experiences, and values they already have to support their neighbors more effectively.

  • Learning and practicing specific tactics to interrupt verbal hate in public, centering the experience of the target, and empowering the target to create safety for themselves.

  • Learning specific tactics for protecting themselves from verbal abuse.

  • Understanding the risks inherent in any hostile situation and discerning what not to do to escalate a situation.

  • And more.

Workshop presenters are Rabbi Debra Kolodny and Reverend Linda Jaramillo. Cost to attend is sliding scale $50-$75 with some scholarships available. Register at www.loucc.org or LakeOswegoUCC on Facebook.

Summer of Adventure Sabbatical

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As most of you are aware, our pastor and congregation received a clergy renewal Lilly grant. In a few weeks, David will be departing for his sabbatical and will be gone until September. Derived from the same Hebrew root word for Shabbat or Sabbath, a sabbatical is a time for renewal, as well as physical and spiritual delight. It allows a pastor the chance to reflect deeply on their faith, returning to the congregation renewed, refreshed, and ready for what God is calling them to do next in their ministry. 

David will be not keeping in direct touch with us over the summer sabbatical term. He may choose to post on Facebook from time to time or send an email. This summer, rather than trying to contact David directly, we can pray for him, care for one another in his absence, and welcome our sabbatical pastor while she holds space and walks with us until his return. We will have a big welcome back party after worship on September 8. Please plan to join in the fun!

There are a LOT of activities planned during our Summer of Adventure! The bulletin board in the hallway is just starting to take shape and you'll be able to find information about upcoming activities, ways you can plug in, connect with others, or perhaps find new things to try. 

We have Adventures in Personal Growth for the young with VBS-inspired Sunday Funday classroom activities. For adults, we're reading and reflecting on our book selection, "Renewal in the Wilderness" by John Lionberger, the same book David will be adventuring with. We'll have Adventures in Worship with the possibility of learning a danced benediction or worship while visiting Camp Adams. Our Adventures in Service will include the opportunity to restore the labyrinth at Camp Adams, helping with meals for Family Promise, and/or donating to Motorcycles for Pastors, a mission project of the Global Ministries. You are all invited to go on a guided hike or explore on your own with our Bethel Summer of Adventure passport. We'll be hosting a movie night featuring Wild (for adults), as well as a family-friendly film option and games, in the Fellowship Hall. 

Look out for the article in next week's Highlights for more details and dates. We're so excited to spend this Summer of Adventure with you.

Building Resilient Families Workshop

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On May 15 from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM, Beaverton High School will be hosting a "Building Resilient Families Workshop" in the auditorium. 

5:00 – Screening of Resilience documentary
6:00 – Break and snacks
6:30 – 8:30 – Presenter, Amy Stoeber, PhD LLC

You are invited to attend an evening of learning about how to support youth and families in fostering resiliency in their home, school, and community. Dr. Amy Stoeber is a local psychologist whose passion is to provide the tools that families and systems need to optimize their resilience and overcome adversity through their life. 

Habitat for Humanity Fundraiser

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Bethel’s long-standing dedication and support of Willamette West Habitat for Humanity continues in 2019.  We hold up Habitat throughout April and celebrate our partnership at the annual Willamette West Habitat Fundraiser Breakfast and Lunch on May 10. This year’s theme is Build a Home, Frame a Future. Hear inspirational first-hand accounts from Habitat families, how gifts of time and treasure from the local community helps them achieve stability, self-reliance, and a future of hope.

Members of Bethel will host three breakfast tables and two lunch tables. Click on the link to the attached flyer for time and location details. Reach out to Paul Griffo with any questions.

Faith Cafe

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It's almost that time again! Bethel's next opportunity to provide volunteers for Faith Cafe will be Sunday, April 21, which is Easter Sunday.

We naturally expect that there will be conflicts that day with family dinners and we could face a short-staffing situation. If you can let Susan or Peter Bauer know as soon as possible if you are or are not able to volunteer, it would be greatly appreciated because it will help us anticipate needs. As before, if you would like to help out with cooking (2 pm arrival) or set-up (3 pm arrival), please indicate that in your response.

After April 21st, our next Faith Cafe volunteer opportunity will be Sunday, June 9th.

Walk of the Cross for Peace and Justice

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On Good Friday, April 19, 10:00 AM to noon, Christians from all denominations are invited to join together for a short pilgrimage through downtown Beaverton, beginning at Bethel Congregational UCC and ending at St. Cecilia Catholic Church (5th and Franklin Ave). Carrying a large cross to remind us of the cross Christ carried 2000 years ago, participants stop at several "stations." At each station we reflect, pray, and share stories of injustice in our world and witness Christ's power for transformation and resurrection. Together we can better understand our role in carrying out Christ's mission of Peace and Justice in our day. All are welcome!

Social Justice Forum: Oregon LNG Terminal and Pipeline

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On March 31, 2019 at 11:30 am in the Fellowship Hall, we will be tackling our first environmental justice topic. The Justice and Peace Ministry Team of Medford UCC is asking for support to stop the building of a proposed fracked gas pipeline and liquified natural gas (LNG) terminal that would cross the length and breadth of Southern Oregon.

* Pembina Corporation, a Canadian company, proposes to build a 3” wide natural gas pipeline from Canada and the Rockies to Coos Bay. It would add a processing terminal and shipping facility at Jordan Cove to export the LNG to Asia.

* The terminal would become the largest source of climate pollution in the state. The pipeline and terminal affect 400 waterways (including the Rogue River and 12 public drinking water sources); disturb tribal territories and burial grounds; invoke eminent domain and affect land use and rights; threaten the fishing industry, including salmon runs; and affect jobs in tourism and other sectors.

* Kate Brown and the State of Oregon can deny the Pacific Connector fracked gas pipeline and the Jordan Cove LGN export terminal

* Supporters claim creation of 6000 construction jobs and an estimated $10 billion in private capital. However, environmental damages could be incalculable and are fraught with job loss and loss of revenue as well.

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BHS Homeless Spring Food Bags 

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Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the BHS Homeless Teen food project. Donations of food, money and time are so appreciated.

We want to tell you about one family you are helping. Three siblings attending Beaverton High are living together with no adults. The oldest, a senior boy, is working 2 jobs and getting good grades. He supports his younger sisters. They are renting an uninsulated garage for $600 per month because they don’t want to be separated into different homes. These are just 3 of the 143 students you are supporting.

Principal Anne Erwin says students who receive support because they are food and housing insecure graduate at a higher percentage rate than their peers who do have secure food and housing. You all are part of the reason these students are graduating! Please join us Sunday evening after Faith Café (6:15-ish PM). We need movers and counters. On Monday morning please come a few minutes before 9 AM to help us get the spring break food to the school. We need packers and drivers. And sincere thanks to Sara Edmiston and Mac McPherson for getting us organized and food moved.

"Summer of Adventures" Planning and Don't Forget to Spring Ahead

Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead 1 hour on Saturday or you will be late.

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Come help us plan for a fabulous “Summer of Adventure.”  Join the Lilly Grant sabbatical team to discuss and fine tune some ideas for adventures in worship, service & mission, fellowship and personal growth. We will gather this Sunday, March 10, from 11:30 am - 12:15 pm in the Fellowship Hall.

BHS Homeless Spring Food Bags

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CAN YOU HELP? Jesuit has donated 124 Fred Meyer cards for the food drive, however, we still need 25 more. We can also use donations of cash. Checks can be made out to Bethel with BHS homeless in memo line. We will lay out food after Faith Cafe on Sunday, March 17 and assemble and deliver bags on Monday, March 18th starting at 9:00. There are already 143 students that qualify as homeless, so we are again collecting chunky/hearty soup. The donation site is the wooden box outside the chapel. Thanks for your help!!

Ash Wednesday Service

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Join us Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall for a special Ash Wednesday service to mark the beginning of the season of Lent (See above "Special Lenten Opportunities - Love Wins.) A light soup supper will be provided followed by a time of worship and reflection and the traditional imposition of ashes. This is a family-friendly service so you are encouraged to attend with your entire family. The Diaconate needs 2-3 people to bring rolls. If you are willing to help in this way, please contact Monique Manley-Smith at memoney@comcast.net

Women's Spring Gathering

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Women's Retreat March 16, God's Extravagant Love! based on Ephesians 5:2 Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant.
Join us from 9:00-1:00. RSVP to Paige. If you'd like to help plan, fix lunch, or need child care let us know. 

Grubby Sunday And Potato Bar Fundraiser  

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On Sunday, March 17, the Faith Development Committee will host a Baked Potato and Salad Bar after church. This is our fundraiser for Camperships. A donation basket will be available. Each week at Camp Adams costs $420. This is a great bargain, and our Bethel kids LOVE camp. Camperships make sure all kids can attend. Each year we have more and more youth who would like to attend. Plan to join us after church and support the kids at camp.

This is also GRUBBY SUNDAY. What is Grubby Sunday? Every Spring and Fall we set aside a Sunday afternoon and come to church in our work/grubby clothes and stay after church and spruce things up. We will have a wall full of job cards for you to choose. There will be many inside and outside jobs; jobs that might take a partner, and many that you can do alone. Some jobs take a bit of thought, but most are fairly mindless and just require a little "elbow grease."  Faith Development will provide the food to fortify you for this fun, community building activity. Come and help make Bethel sparkle for Easter.

Habitat for Humanity Build Day

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There will be a Habitat morning work day on Saturday, February 16 at the Denney Road site from 8 to noon. This is a chance to show your skills working to build homes for families who otherwise couldn’t afford a home of their own. The site is well-marked and on the Scholls Ferry end of Denney. Steve Thomas will be signing up a work crew on the next several Sundays after church or contact him at caroleth@aol.com or (503) 645-1997.