Have you witnessed a starling flock in flight? These flocks -- called murmurations -- move as one, turning, twisting, diving, and pulsing. Each starling is an individual, and yet they are connected together to form a larger and magnificent whole. Starling murmurations are a beautiful example of an interconnected community.
What if we, as UCC churches in the Central Pacific Conference, were connected like starlings?
What R U Up 2? Join us on for the beginning of Lent, Ash Wednesday, on February 14 at 6:30 PM for a light supper and a special service for the whole family. This will be a wonderful way to recognize God's love for us and the love we have for each other. This Lent we will look at what Jesus was "up to" in his ministry and what we are called to be "up to" in the name of Jesus - both individually and as a church community.
Hey Bethel families! Grab your galoshes, mittens, and warm coats and get ready to slide down the slippery slopes at Snow Bunny. It's a school holiday on Monday, February 19, President's Day, so let's take advantage of it and head up the highway to Mt. Hood. We'll meet at Bethel at 9:00 AM, carpool to the mountain. and spend the day snow tubing. All ages are welcome to participate.
This year's Christmas Pageant showcased the talents of all of our youth. As a result, Owen and I would like to start a Youth Choir as well as have more people join the Hot Shots Worship Band. If you are a youth and love to sing or you play an instrument, please contact Owen or Beth. Owen is offering a free lesson to any youth who would like to share their musical talents at Bethel.
Come meet with Bethel’s Social Justice Advocacy Team this Sunday, Jan. 14, 11:30-12:30, to help plan upcoming Social Justice Forums. The meeting will be in Education Hall, downstairs in room 13. Past forums have provided information on homelessness, affordable housing, Oregon ballot measures, The New Jim Crow, and immigration. Our Feb. 25 forum will be about health care. Suggested topics for future forums include sexual assault/harassment, disability justice, gun violence, and international issues such as Israel/Palestine and the Cuba embargo.
Bethel's Quarterly Women's Gathering is scheduled for Saturday, January 6, 2018, 9 am - 1 pm. Our Theme is “The Gifts We Give Ourselves” with a focus on the topic of self-care. The day will begin with scripture and meditation, followed by the making of either bath salts or sachets to take home and enjoy. We will end with fellowship and lunch.
Thanks to our awesome Bethel Family and our partners, we have enough food and bags for the Beaverton High School Homeless Teen food project. Now we are asking for bodies. On Sunday, Dec 17 around 7pm after Faith Café, we will move all the food into the fellowship hall. This is heavy work and a little chaotic. Join in if this appeals to you. On Monday, Dec. 18, we need food packers at Church by 9am. We also need drivers around 9:30 am to drive food to BHS. This is a fun community day so please join us if you are available.
Each year during Advent, Bethel offers a quieter, more meditative worship service for those who are coping with serious illness, grief, loss, or any of the other difficulties and challenges of life. The Blue Christmas Worship Service gives us an opportunity to give voice to our pain and frustration, and the opportunity to allow the Holy Spirit to minister to us through candle light, music, and, if desired, the ancient practice of anointing with oil. This year's Blue Christmas Worship will take place on Sunday, December 10 at 2 pm in Bethel's sanctuary.
THIS Sunday, December 3 you'll have an opportunity to "Live Abundantly in Uncertain Times" by dedicating your pledge of time, talent, and treasure. Please bring your pledge card with you THIS Sunday. Extra pledge cards and hard copies of the Time & Talent will be available at the church. Remember you can complete your Time and Talent form online by clicking on this link. If you are unable to attend, drop them in the offering plate the next Sunday you're with us or deliver to the office.
Every 2nd and 4th Mondays from 7-8:30 pm, a group of people meet in the Conference Room at Bethel to practice our compassionate communication (NVC) skills. Come and be a part of the fun as we practice and hone our compassionate listening ears. No matter your level of experience or whether you've attended a group in the past, you are welcome to join us.
THIS Sunday from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM the Beaverton Community Band will be performing a FREE public concert at Bethel UCC. An offering will be taken, and 100% of the proceeds will go to Bethel!
Invite a friend to attend THIS Sunday, and let's show the band how much Bethel appreciates them! If you've never seen the Beaverton Community Band before, here is a video from an earlier concert at Bethel. Click the link, you'll be impressed! https://youtu.be/4J-JIBjA1uk?t=131
Thursday, November 16, 2017, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Bethel Congregational United Church of Christ
Join us at PFLAG Portland Washington County for a discussion on all we learned at the PFLAG National Convention! If you weren't able to attend our Convention, please join us a lively discussion on the many workshops offered, the introduction of our new National Executive Director, Dr. Jaime Grant, and the future of PFLAG. Sharing circle to follow.
Join us THIS Sunday, October 15, 2017 after service in the Fellowship Hall for our very own "Mad Hatter Unbirthday Party" You are invited to wear your favorite hat, be it zany and fun or chic and sophisticated... Anything goes!!! Sombrero, Stetson, or beret, flowered swim cap, or your worn old lucky Cubs baseball cap. Wear it to Bethel and tip your hat to all the fun. We'll be decorating hat shaped cakes and eating them too. To help everyone decorate the cakes, please bring an edible cake decoration/candy for everyone to share to. You can bring your items and drop them off in one of the baskets either in the Narthex or the Fellowship Hall starting this Sunday.
Mission and Outreach is proud to announce that Paul Griffo will be taking over Bethel’s role on the Habitat for Humanity’s Faith Relations Board. Thanks to Paul! We also want to thank Bob Leitner who leaves this position after many years of dedicated service. Bob has made it possible for many of us to have the great experience of helping to build a house and for many deserving families to have decent housing!
Have you been curious about what we do in our Nursery, Sunday School and Youth Programs but have been unsure if or how to get involved? Are you someone who regularly volunteers? If you answered "yes" to either of those questions, then mark your calendars from 9 am - noon on Saturday, September 30th for Volunteer Training.
