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.
Help Teach ESL via Zoom!
Due to COVID-19 concerns, several local ESL (English as a Second Language) programs have shut down, and the Beaverton Literacy Council (the parent organization for Bethel’s ESL program) has inherited many of their teachers and students. This fall, BLC volunteers will be teaching online via Zoom. Because we have more students, and online classes need to be smaller (typically 8 students or fewer), there’s a great need for new volunteer teachers and teaching assistants. Excellent training is available during the next two weeks to help you learn how to teach ESL on Zoom using our Intercambio curriculum. If you’re interested, please contact Jim Keniston (503-415-1961) or visit www.beavertonliteracy.org.
"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,
HVAC Project and Fundraising Match Challenge!
Bethel is in need of a new HVAC system. Yeah, but how much does it cost and how will we pay for it? The cost of heating and cooling for the Sanctuary Building is $133,000. The cost for heating the Education Building with electric heat is $33,000. To complete both buildings it will be $166,000.
The good news is that we have already received $86,945 in donations. All of Bethel’s Board members have committed to making a personal financial contribution as a sign of support for this effort. We appeal to you, the members and friends of Bethel, to help us raise the $79,055 to complete this essential upgrade to our campus.
As of this week, we are thrilled to announce a fundraising match for our HVAC system! The next $33,000 raised will be matched, dollar for dollar, by a generous team of donors from the congregation. Gifts must be made by August 31 to be matched. Please consider making a contribution this summer so your gift will be doubled!
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.
Racial Justice Resources
White privilege, white fragility, intersectionality, systemic racism and Black Lives Matter are just a few of the terms we're hearing more and more of. What do they all mean? Pastor David talked in his sermon about doing something. One thing we can do is to educate ourselves about the history of racism in our country and how it is continuing today. To that end, here's a link to a resource list of books, movies, podcasts and TedTalks - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1k9IJACwPFg9tG_AuvS62qXZ5bpVN7VUYUk5PBW_UuRs/edit?usp=sharing
This list will be continually updated so if you run across a good resource, please email Beth Astarte with the information. Together, we can learn and have conversations to gain understanding to be better allies and advocates for people of color and all those who are marginalized in our society.
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 Received a Social Services Grant Award!
Bethel Received a Social Services Grant Award! Outreach Committee is happy to announce that Bethel was chosen as one of the recipients of the 2020-2021 Social Services Grant. Not only were we awarded an initial $5,000, which was what we applied for, but we were later notified that an additional $15,000 would be awarded to Bethel - available funds were remaining after all of the initial awards were given out, and food programs were prioritized for the additional available funds. Amazing news.
We will be using the $5,000 original grant funds to purchase additional foods to boost the nutritional value of the Winter and Spring Break food bags for Beaverton High School Homeless students. Congratulations and special thanks to those who worked so hard on this grant: Fran Jensen, the grant's author, as well as Jim Keniston, Kelsey Brielle Rundorff, Nancy Winston, Megan Cohen from the City of Beaverton, and the Outreach Committee. Fantastic job.
Moment for Mission: Strengthen the Church
Please join us in common mission, vision, and purpose by taking up the Strengthen the Church offering this Sunday, May 31! The Strengthen the Church Offering reflects the shared commitment of all settings of the United Church of Christ to cooperatively build up the UCC. Conferences and the national setting equally share the gifts given by members and friends through their local congregations. The funds raised support leadership development, new churches, youth ministry, and innovation in existing congregations. This offering embodies the wisdom, “together we grow stronger.” This offering provides the financial resources for the United Church of Christ to be a Spirit-inspired and world-changing Christian movement. STC funds ministry that allows us to benefit from best practices, insights, and innovations across the life of the UCC. Because of your support, new church starts have emerged, congregations have been revitalized, and leadership skills have been enhanced. Please continue to help the UCC expand its light by taking up the Strengthen the Church offering on May 31! If you would like to contribute to this offering, please indicate "Strengthen the Church" in your check memo line or while donating online. Thank you!
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
Food Cupboard
Thank you for coming in to pack boxes Allison and Fred Krueger, Jim Heider, Julie and Kay Fairman, and Fran Jensen. Thank you for taking extra shifts Elizabeth and Christian Heinlein, Jim Keniston, Phyllis Hancock, Karen Strickland, and Sue Butler. Thank you for making and donating masks Nancy Winston, Jim and JoeLynn Keniston, and Lynne Elbert. Thank you for donating your personal supply of hand sanitizer and wipes Nancy Winston, Susan Hanson, and Fran Jensen. Thank you for gloves and one-time use masks Steve Thomas and Lynne Elbert. And thank you Jose Alviar, now volunteering every Thursday! We are staying busy but are overwhelmed thanks to the extra help from Bethel folks. You are a blessing to Bethel and to the food cupboard clients, and your time and efforts are greatly appreciated.
For the food cupboard, we now need bars of soap, any size. We are putting one bar in each family box, and are nearly out. If you have supplies to donate, there are volunteers there Monday and Thursday mid-day, between 11:30 and 12:30, and Wednesday evenings between 6:30 and 7:30 PM. Please don't leave things at the door. And remember, you can always make a $$ donation marked for "food ministries". Thank you!
Bethel Continues to Support Beaverton High School
Beaverton High School Community Partners will be packing and delivering hygiene and paper goods to Beaverton High School for families to choose at the daily nutrition pick up. These products will support families affected by the school closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Items to be collected are: deodorant, razors, shaving cream, laundry pods, dental supplies, soap, toilet paper, paper towels, facial tissues, hair care and feminine hygiene products. Bethel has been assigned the paper products but all donations are welcome. If you would like to drop any of these items off, pull into the Parkside Fellowship parking lot at 5755 SW Erickson, Beaverton, OR 97005. Drop off will be Thursdays from 10 AM to 1 PM into June. Volunteers receiving these donated items will be practicing safe handling and distancing to keep everyone healthy. Volunteers will also package these items into bags and deliver them to Beaverton High School. Families who are in need will be able to choose items at the normal nutrition food pick up time. Traffic Note: Allen north on Erickson turning left into church lot works better than taking Farmington south on Erickson because of the long meal pick up lines.
Thanks for all you do as a caring, vibrant congregation!
-Nancy Winston