Bethel Weekly Highlights

Discussion of “The New Jim Crow” by Michelle Alexander is underway now at 9:00 AM on Sundays, and it's not too late to join in. Books are available in the church office for $12.00.

February 12, 2017 Chapters 4 & 5

These chapters illustrate that overt racial hostility is not the most insidious attribute of this process of otherization.

Dehumanization: What happens when we begin to view people as less than human, as shameful or characterless? What parallels between the “get tough” movement aimed at immigrants and the “get tough” laws aimed at African Americans?

Human Rights: Laws that discriminate in employment, housing, education, and public benefits make it difficult if not impossible, for people to find work in the legal economy, and greatly increase the likelihood of repeated offence. Are these laws necessary? Under what circumstances? In certain professions? For how long?

Shame, White Privilege and Human Failings: What can we do to address the shame and self-hatred that keeps communities impacted by mass incarceration divided? What can be done to cultivate more concern, understanding, and cooperation across racial lines? As we are all sinners and have failings, do you agree that in order to end mass incarceration, a cultural shift is needed? Do you agree that mass incarceration is rooted in racial indifference – a lack of care and concern across lines of race and class?

Bethel Weekly Highlights

How are you doing using your non-violent communication skills as you talk to people about the current state of the nation? If you are feeling challenged in listening with a compassionate heart, then join us the 2nd and 4th Mondays from 7-8:30 pm for a Compassionate Communication Practice Group. We'll review the concepts and then work as a group to support each other in practicing and using the skills. Beth Astarte, Jean Doane and Patti Matson will take turns facilitating. The first group will meet on Monday, February 13 at 7 pm in the Narthex Conference Room.

Bethel Weekly Highlights

Headline's from this week's Highlights email newsletter:

New Member Classes
Landscaping Cleanup Jobs: A Plea for HELP!
Pancake Breakfast Youth Fundraiser
Ladies' Lunch
Thanksgiving Concert At Bethel
PFLAG
2016 Children's Christmas Pageant
Scrip News
Imbrie Farewell
Amazon Smile
UCC Hurricane Matthew Relief
BHS Winter Break Food Assembly
LGBTQ Veterans Day
MET's 2016 Online Auction
Bethel Financial Update

Mark Your Calendars

New Members Received/Pancake Brunch - November 13
Thanksgiving Concert - November 17
Stewardship Dedication - November 20
Beaverton Community Band Concert  - November 20
ISing Concert - December 2-4
Cinderella - A British Panto - December 9-10
Children's Christmas Pageant - December 11

Oh, Those Ballot Measures…Do They Really Matter?

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Hold Your Ballot Until October 23

4th Sunday Social Justice Forum
11:30 a.m., October 23, 2016
Bethel Congregational United Church of Christ

Before you complete your ballot for the November 8 election, join others at Bethel to review the 6 ballot measures that are included in this year’s ballot and discuss the ethical issues reflected in those measures.  We will use the League of Women Voters’ study guide and the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon recommendations as the basis for our discussion.  

Can't come on the 23rd? Join the Adult Conversations Group as they explore the ballot measures in a more informal setting Sunday mornings at 9 am beginning October 2nd.  

October 2 -    Measure 94, Repeals the judicial retirement age, which is 75 years old; Measure 95, Allows public state universities to invest in equities; Measure 100, Prohibits the sale of products from and parts of endangered animals.

October 9 -     Measure 97, Increases corporate taxes on businesses with annual incomes that exceed $25 million.

October 16 -     Measure 96, Devotes 1.5 percent of state lottery net proceeds toward veterans’ services; Measure 98, Requires state funding for dropout-prevention and career and college readiness programs in Oregon high schools; Measure 99, Creates ‘Outdoor School Education Fund,’ continuously funded through the Lottery, to provide outdoor school programs statewide.