Rev. John Boonstra lives in Hood River. He is a UCC minister and worked six years as Pastor of Bethel UCC White Salmon until 2012. Since then John has worked on climate justice and environmental sustainability ministries. He represents the CPC on the UCC National Council for Climate Justice. He currently is a member of the CPC Justice and Witness Team and is devoting energy to rebuilding our CPC Climate Action Network. His daily work includes facilitation of programs related to the Columbia Gorge Climate Action Network. John has served as Executive Minister for the Washington State Association of Churches and prior to that worked in Geneva, Switzerland coordinating an internship program in conjunction with the World Council of Churches.
Order Your Christmas Wreath from the Bethel Youth
We may be in the midst of a pandemic, but through November 13, you'll have the opportunity to order your Christmas Wreath from the Bethel Youth.
There are wreaths and swags for sale. All proceeds will go to fund Youth Trips which we believe will happen again.
All wreaths and swags are made with fresh, local noble fir boughs and decorated with pine cones, cedar, juniper, and a choice of a red, weatherproof bow or a fabric bow.
20” wreath……………………………….. $25
28” wreath……………………………….. $35
30” swag…………………………………… $25
Click here to order: https://forms.gle/W9kmZ7ow8DE8S2WZ8
You can pay online, send a check to the church or pay when you pick up your wreath.
Wreaths will be available for pickup at the church on November 29 from noon to 3 pm. There's also an option for delivery by our Bethel Youth. Contact Pam Schlueter to arrange delivery at soletsgofishin@frontier.com.
Pandemic or no pandemic - Christmas is coming so take this opportunity to make your house even more beautiful AND support the Bethel Youth!
Plan to Vote!
BALLOTS are ARRIVING in your mailboxes this week. They are DUE at elections on Nov. 3 by 8 PM PST.
You already received your Voter Pamphlets. While waiting for your ballot, go through your pamphlets and mark your selections. When your ballot arrives, carefully transfer your selections onto your ballot, sign it and get ready to return it to elections. You can send it free of charge in the mail, you can place it in a ballot drop box or you can place it in your County’s drop box. If you’d like safe pick up and delivery of your ballot, please contact Nancy Winston and she’ll make sure one of our Bethel voting helpers gets your ballot into the County Elections drop box.
Washington County Election Office has moved. The new address is 2925 NE Aloclek Dr, Suite 170, Hillsboro, OR 97124.
Here are the locations of the other Washington County drop boxes. https://www.co.washington.or.us/AssessmentTaxation/Elections/CurrentElection/current-ballot-drop-sites.cfm?mc_cid=43e349ef26&mc_eid=0a37230d8b
If you are in a different county, please contact Nancy Winston at winstonj@comcast.net or (503) 544-3323, or Ken Ruse at zken@tongaken.org if you need help with your drop box location.
Installation of Rev. Tyler Connoley as Conference Minister
We are very happy to announce that at this year's CPC UCC Annual Gathering, Reverend Tyler Connoley was installed as this year's conference minister! Congratulations Rev. Connoley! If you would like to view this special event, please visit the video link below or click https://youtu.be/3orccHqsJ0o
Movie Discussion - If Beale Street Could Talk
Our next film discussion will take place October 1 from 7:00 - 8:30 PM, and we will be discussing the film If Beale Street Could Talk on Zoom.
The film is currently available on DVD through the Beaverton library, as well as on Hulu, in addition to other online rental services. In our Zoom discussion, we will discuss the movie, share what feelings it brought up, what it made us think about, and what insights we may have gained. This will be a safe place for all of us, including staff, to continue to educate ourselves on the complex issues surrounding racial injustice.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86401912246?pwd=eTZxNVpxR2ZDbGlkY2RQWW5scWxPdz09.
The password is 760759.
Outdoor Prayer Gathering on September 30
On September 30 at 5:00 PM, we are offering the opportunity to gather for an outdoor prayer service at Bethel on the south lawn. There is so much that has weighed heavy on our collective hearts as of late, from COVID fatigue to the wildfires to continued unrest in our streets. We wanted to provide an opportunity to support one another while honoring social distancing and our church's phasing-forward plan. Masks will be required and we ask individuals and/or households to maintain six feet from one another. If you are feeling unwell and experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, we ask you to please stay home for this one.
In response to the Black Lives Matter protests, and the murder of George Floyd, Bethel offered a bi-monthly Zoom program that met Thursday evenings beginning June 25. The purpose was three-fold: to better understand what the protests were about; to educate ourselves about the history of racial injustice; and to provide support for those who were deeply troubled by the protests. This forum was shared in the Weekly Highlights and during Sunday morning spoken announcements and it was open to all members of Bethel. That group viewed a number of films (Just Mercy, The Hate You Give, 13th and Good Trouble). Two sessions focused on Congressman John Lewis’ dedication to voter rights. Mr. Lewis championed the truth that “the right to vote is the most powerful non-violent tool we have.”
Inspired by John Lewis’ tenacity to defend the right to vote, the Bethel group that met over the summer felt that it was important to provide essential information to our congregation that would help all of us vote. Make a plan to vote with the resources gathered below.
Oregonians should have their ballot in their mailbox the week of Oct. 14. Oregon will let you mail your ballot in for free. You may prefer to drop it at your county election office as mail service may be delayed. Washington County Election Office has moved. The new address is 2925 NE Aloclek Dr, Suite 170, Hillsboro, OR 97124. There will be far fewer ballot drop boxes due to COVID -19. For example, Washington County public libraries are temporarily closed and will NOT offer drop boxes. Click link for more information: https://www.co.washington.or.us/AssessmentTaxation/Elections/CurrentElection/current-ballot-drop-sites.cfm
Ballot Delivery help needed? Call, text or email Nancy Winston if you want a Bethel Voting Team member to pick up your ballot. It will be done safely, then dropped at the county election office. winstonj@comcast.net, (503) 544-3323.
Ballots are due NOVEMBER 3, 8PM PST. Voting SOONER is better! Ensure your voice is heard.
Have you moved? Not registered?
OREGON REGISTER https://secure.sos.state.or.us/orestar/vr/register.do?lang=eng by Oct. 13.
WASHINGTON REGISTER https://voter.votewa.gov/WhereToVote.aspx by Oct. 26.
ASK your friends and relatives to vote. North Carolina residents already have their ballots.
Other questions? Send them in. Ken Ruse has volunteered to find someone to answer them from our Bethel Voting Team. zken@tongaken.org
Phasing Forward Update
Worship as is for another 90 days! Join us via Facebook live or Zoom.
The Phasing forward team has outlined a four part plan for moving forward with the ultimate goal of returning to worship in the sanctuary. We had set moving into phase two with having up to 50 participants in the sanctuary when the governor announced Washington County was in Oregon’s Phase Two. We are still in Phase One of the State’s plan even though the governor changed restrictions and added churches with up to 50 persons in attendance.
The board wrestled with and thoroughly discussed the pro’s and con’s of opening with up to 50 participants, but ultimately decided to go with the Phasing Forward team recommendation that we continue as is for another 90 days. Many of the newest hot spots of COVID-19 breakouts have been from church gatherings, weddings, and birthday parties. Your board chose caution for the safety, health, and well-being of staff and congregation even though we all would love to gather.
Upcoming Sermon Series: Braving the Wilderness
“You are only free when you realize you belong no place – you belong every place – no place at all. The price is high. The reward is great.” – Maya Angelou
This fall, starting on September 13, we will begin a sermon series called “Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging.” It is based on the book by Brené Brown. We will explore what it means to truly belong versus “fitting in,” what it means to risk speaking and acting with personal authenticity and integrity, and how Jesus demonstrated true belonging because he was grounded in his relationship and dedication to God.
With the upcoming election, the pandemic and the unrest of racial injustice, this sermon series will give you spiritual practices to help and support you in your quest for true belonging while standing in your truth. Along with Sunday mornings, Pastor David will offer a book study via Zoom every Tuesday evening, September 19 – October 27 from 7-8:30 pm. Please purchase a copy of the book “Braving the Wilderness” to participate in the book study and to accompany the sermon series. If you want to participate and cannot afford a book, please contact Beth Astarte at ba@bethelbeaverton.org and a book will be provided for you.
"Stump the Pastor" - August 30
Your questions wanted! 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? August 30 is your chance! Pastor David will offer impromptu answers to your questions. For the rest of the month, you can email your "Stump the Pastor" questions to us. Write out your question and email to the church office at: office@bethelbeaverton.org.
Bethel Movie Discussion on Race: John Lewis: Good Trouble
On Thursday, August 6 from 7:00 - 8:30 PM, we will be discussing the documentary film John Lewis: Good Trouble on Zoom. The film can be rented through online movie rental services such as RedBox, Amazon, YouTube, Apple, and Microsoft, etc. Please watch John Lewis: Good Trouble before August 6. In our Zoom discussion, we will discuss the movie, share what feelings it brought up, what it made us think about, and what insights we may have gained. This will be a safe place for all of us, including staff, to continue to educate ourselves on the complex issues surrounding white privilege and racial injustice. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86401912246?pwd=eTZxNVpxR2ZDbGlkY2RQWW5scWxPdz09. The password is 760759.
Thank you!
Grace and peace,
We Are Opening the Sanctuary for Quiet Prayer on Sunday Afternoons
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have missed being on the Bethel campus and in the sanctuary in particular. As you know, the Bethel Board decided to keep our building closed for Sunday morning worship during the summer months. However, we will be making the sanctuary available for quiet prayer and meditation once a week on Sundays from 12:30-1:30 pm.
To honor the COVID-19 safety protocols we will require you to:
Sign up in advance by clicking on this link: https://forms.gle/bnEr1PQc6LcJEvEo9. You can reserve your place for future Sundays and come back to the form as often as you want. The number of people is limited to 12 each Sunday. You will receive a confirmation email the Thursday before to let you know that you have a spot for the following Sunday. Please sign up by end of day on Wednesday for the following Sunday.
Wear a mask.
Use hand sanitizer when you arrive in the Narthex.
Follow instructions from the host (Pastor David, Beth or Paige) about where to sit.
Maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet.
Refrain from visiting with others before and after inside the building.
Refrain from hugs, handshakes and singing.
If you would like to come to the Sanctuary on an upcoming Sunday, please sign up today by clicking this link: https://forms.gle/bnEr1PQc6LcJEvEo9.
May this opportunity to be in the sanctuary bless you and feed your soul.
Movie Discussion - The Hate U Give
Although Bethel has discussed the concepts of white privilege and racial inequality in the past, it is more important than ever that we provide a place for conversation and dialogue. This will require us to draw on all of our compassionate listening skills as we listen to other's opinions that we might not agree with and humility as we say things that may not be politically correct.
So, with all that in mind, Bethel is going to jump in with both feet and provide a place for you to come and dialogue with each other. We have decided to center our discussions around the viewing of a film. On July 23 from 7:00 - 8:30 PM, we will be discussing the film The Hate U Give on Zoom. The film can be rented through online movie rental services such as RedBox, Amazon, YouTube, Apple, and Microsoft, and is currently included in the Hulu and HBO subscriber catalog. Please watch The Hate U Give before July 23. In our Zoom discussion, we will discuss the movie, share what feelings it brought up, what it made us think about, and what insights we may have gained. This will be a safe place for all of us, including staff, to continue to educate ourselves on the complex issues surrounding white privilege and racial injustice.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86401912246?pwd=eTZxNVpxR2ZDbGlkY2RQWW5scWxPdz09. The password is 760759.
Other movie discussion dates will be provided throughout the summer. In the meantime, Pastor David will be looking at materials for an in depth study of white privilege in the fall.
Congregational Meeting - July 19
We will be holding a congregational meeting on Sunday, July 19 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Zoom. Link: https://zoom.us/j/140844207. Note: this is the same link as Sunday worship, so if you are joining us for worship that morning, just stay logged into the same Zoom session and we'll reconvene for the congregational meeting after a quick pause following worship. In this meeting, we'll be discussing the upcoming HVAC replacement project and other congregational updates.
Movie Discussion - Just Mercy
Although Bethel has discussed the concepts of white privilege and racial inequality in the past, it is more important than ever that we provide a place for conversation and dialogue. This will require us to draw on all of our compassionate listening skills as we listen to other's opinions that we might not agree with and humility as we say things that may not be politically correct.
So, with all that in mind, Bethel is going to jump in with both feet and provide a place for you to come and dialogue with each other. We have decided to center our discussion around the viewing of a film. There are many great movie choices available to stream online. The staff has chosen the 2019 film Just Mercy as the first movie for us to discuss. This is free to view on Amazon, even without a Prime video subscription. You can located the movie here: https://www.amazon.com/Just-Mercy-Michael-B-Jordan/dp/B082YJ8THX. Please watch Just Mercy before June 25. We will be hosting a Zoom meeting on June 25 from 7-8:30 pm for us to discuss the movie, share what feelings it brought up, what it made us think about, and what insights we may have gained. This will be a safe place for all of us, including staff, to continue to educate ourselves on the complex issues surrounding white privilege and racial injustice.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86401912246?pwd=eTZxNVpxR2ZDbGlkY2RQWW5scWxPdz09
Other movie discussion dates will be provided throughout the summer. In the meantime, Pastor David will be looking at materials for an in depth study of white privilege in the fall. Staff is putting together a resource list of movies, books and podcasts about white privilege. If you have some favorites, please email them to ba@bethelbeaverton.org so we can add them to the list. We'll post the list next week.
Bethel's Response to Racial Injustice
Bethel’s Senior Pastor Rev. David Randall-Bodman shares this pastoral response:
I have given considerable thought and prayer to a pastoral response to the murder of George Floyd and the resulting expression of public protest. The situation we find ourselves in has a long history. The outrage being expressed across the country is a symptom of a very complex system of institutional racism that has plagued our country since 1619 when the first African Americans were brought to this country and forced to serve as slaves. Everything from economic disparity, home ownership, opportunity to vote, mass incarceration, and access to quality education and healthcare, and disproportionate representation in traditional positions of power and authority have contributed to where we find ourselves today.
Here’s what I believe:
Racism is real.
Current and past claims of injustice are legitimate.
Injustice against African Americans and other people of color will stop when whites see it, own it and make “justice for all” a priority not just an empty phrase.
Baby steps toward stemming the tide of racial injustice demand spiritual and emotional strength:
To acknowledge our own (white) privilege;
To stop dismissing and taking offense when African Americans speak their truth;
To listen with open minds and hearts.
In his sermon “The Cross and the Lynching Tree: A Requiem for Ahmaud Arbery” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6985UG0Z3k), The Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III observed that over the course of American history, every time black resistance to racial injustice has been expressed, it was met with white resentment laced with violence. (A visit to the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture drove that point home to me last August.) He also made the brilliant connection: we are suffering from two viruses – COVID-19 and COVID-1619 (the virus of racism that has continued to morph over hundreds of years).
I want to share a personal example. When I attended Union Theological Seminary, I was deeply influenced by African American professors, Rev. Dr. James Cone and Rev. James Forbes. Even more so, I was shaped by the friendships I had with fellow African American students: Robina Winbush, Gary Simpson, Greg Groover, Mark Chapman, and Kelly Brown-Douglas (my Systematic theology tutor). I would never have begun the hard work of acknowledging my white privilege had I not been loved enough by my professors and colleagues to show me.
It is easy to dismiss racial injustice until you witness it. In seminary, I confessed to an African American friend that I just really didn’t get why black folk believed they had it so much harder than white folk. He suggested we go to a nearby grocery store to buy groceries.
As we approached the store, he told me that we’d go in together and then split up to do our own shopping. He suggested we meet in about 10 minutes toward the back of the store. When we found each other, he faced me and asked, “Is there a guy about 15 feet behind me?” “Yeah” I said. “Well he’s been following me around ever since I entered the store. Anyone following you?” “No”…it hadn’t even occurred to me that someone would be following me. My friend said, “He’s a plain clothed store security officer.” “Keep shopping,” my friend said, “let’s meet up at the cash registers in a few minutes.” We met at the check-out line. “You go ahead of me” my friend said. I unloaded my groceries and paid for them by personal check. “Thank you” the clerk smiled at me as she gave me my receipt. My friend then unloaded his groceries and prepared to pay by check (By the way – we both had checking accounts from the same bank). The clerk glared at him and said “I’ll need to see three forms of ID and two of them have to be photo ID’s.” He looked at me and said, “Are you starting to get it?”
My friend and I had both graduated from prestigious liberal arts colleges. Both students at the seminary a few blocks away. Both from middle class, professional families. We were dressed and groomed almost identically. The only difference was the color of our skin. He was tailed by a security officer and forced to prove his identity, while I experienced neither.
If you are a black person, you’d know that this sort of thing happens all the time. If you are a white person, you’d be inclined to think this was an isolated incident. Surely my friend wouldn’t experience this every time he shopped? This is an example of the blindness of white privilege. Because we take so much for granted, we are stunned when we discover that not everyone enjoys the same privileges; and what’s worse, rather than being given the benefit of the doubt, they are considered guilty until proven innocent.
I find racial injustice deeply troubling. If you are like most kind-hearted people, you want to be a positive force for justice, but you may not know what to do or what to say. That isn’t a good enough excuse to do nothing or to stay silent.
My African American friends and colleagues would rather I/we try to be a force for good….to support the hard fight for racial justice in America, than to be paralyzed by our own fear that we’ll say or do the wrong thing.
With God’s help, we’ll be a force for good.
Guest Worship Leaders - May 24!
Several weeks ago the Council of Conference Ministers UCC sent a “gift” to all local church pastors. The gift was a complete worship service for “weary local church pastors and staff members”. You’ll have a chance to see and hear UCC clergy from around the country lead worship. Our Moderator Paige Unangst and Personnel chair Heather Griffo agreed to accept the gift on Bethel’s behalf. As a result, Pastor David, Beth, Owen and Chad are getting a break from preparing and presenting worship this holiday weekend. Monique Manley-Smith also gets a break from her work to sync Facebook Live with Zoom. Paige Unangst has graciously offered to host the Zoom worship presentation at 10am. (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/140844207)
If you join Sunday worship on Facebook, the service will be posted. Liz Patch will schedule a “watch party”. If you join via Zoom, Paige will serve as your “live” host. We hope you appreciate the opportunity to see other clergy from around the country lead worship. Pray for David, Beth, Owen and Chad to enjoy Sabbath and rest and relaxation this weekend.
Bethel's Got Talent
Bethel is having a virtual talent show this Saturday, May 16 at 6 pm! The deadline for submissions is TODAY, Friday, May 15 at midnight, so you have until the end of the day today to send us a video of your amazing talent.
The Bethel Talent Show will be held on Zoom using the following link (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89756592556). If you have a talent to share we want to hear from you! Whether it's a musical talent, a poetic talent, a talent for physical movement, photography or any other type of talent, please join in the fun!
This talent show will consist of pre-recorded clips. You'll submit your clips ahead of time. It's easy to submit. You can submit a video (preferred) or audio file. It's easy to record an audio file in your Voice Memos app on your smartphone or tablet. To submit material contact music director, Owen (ohs@bethelbeaverton.org). Audio files can be emailed, video files can be easily uploaded to Dropbox. Email Owen for easy-to-follow instructions for the Dropbox upload.
Staying Connected during COVID-19 via Zoom and Facebook Live
We will be broadcasting Sunday worship live on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/BethelBeaverton/) and Zoom (https://zoom.us/j/140844207, or by phone at 1-301-715-8592 Meeting ID: 140 844 207) on Sunday mornings at 10:00 AM. We will be mailing Sunday School materials to our Bethel families with children enrolled in Sunday School. If you are having trouble accessing worship or other programs online on Facebook or Zoom, please contact Nancy Winston at winstonj@comcast.net or (503) 544-3323 for assistance.
Young Adults are meeting Mondays at 4:30 PM via Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/593887934
Mid-Week Prayer Service at 6 pm on Wednesday via Zoom. The Zoom link is: https://zoom.us/j/287178245, or by phone at +1 253 215 8782 US, Meeting ID: 287 178 245.
Pastor David will be hosting an open drop in session for checking in on Zoom each Friday from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM here: https://zoom.us/j/8946314945
Beth will be hosting an open drop in session for checking in on Zoom each Monday from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM here: https://zoom.us/j/8946314945
Bookies will meet next on May 26 at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/764394963
Check back with Highlights each week for links to other special events and programs going on that we
Easter Service and Hallelujah Chorus Music
We will celebrate Easter and the risen Christ this Sunday, April 12 at 10:00 AM. Join us on Facebook Live (https://www.facebook.com/BethelBeaverton/) or on Zoom (https://zoom.us/j/140844207 or by telephone at +1 301 715 8592, Meeting ID: 140 844 207). This all-generational virtual worship will celebrate Christ’s resurrection with special music, prayers and liturgy. An invitation to sing Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus will conclude worship.
Hallelujah Chorus Music
On Easter Sunday our service will conclude with the singing of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah. If you'd like to sing along the sheet music can be downloaded in pdf form here (http://music.untraveledroad.com/Handel/Hallelujah.pdf). You will be singing along with a recording from Bethel's performance of Handel's Messiah with Mt Hood Community College Orchestra in 2015.