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Bethel Shows Pride 

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Bethel Shows Pride 

The annual Portland Pride Parade will happen Sunday, June 17 in downtown Portland. We would like a robust presence from Bethel to join with our sister UCC congregations. Pastor David will march again this year. If you would like to walk in our Bethel group, please RSVP to the office. Plan on meeting at the Millikan Way MAX station at 8:45 AM to ride the MAX downtown. Additional details will be provided to all those who RSVP. Click on the link to read about our participation last year: http://pamplinmedia.com/pt/9-news/362840-242869-lgbtq-friendly-church-to-march-in-pride-parade

What is PFLAG?

What is PFLAG?

Founded in 1973 after the simple act of a mother publicly supporting her gay son, PFLAG is the nation's largest family and ally organization. Originally the letters of PFLAG stood for Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Now PFLAG encompasses those two groups and  also serves as a source for information and support for our LGBTQ community. 

Uniting people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) with families, friends, and allies, PFLAG is committed to

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THIS Sunday! Justice for Palestinian Children

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THIS Sunday! Justice for Palestinian Children

THIS Sunday, April 29, at 11:30 AM, Bethel Congregational United Church of Christ will host a social justice forum on the military detention of Palestinian children. Thomas Beilman, a Central Pacific Conference member who has recently returned from a fact-finding delegation focused on Palestinian children in Israeli military detention, will provide basic facts about Israel's system of military detention, including a short documentary film, "Detaining Dreams," featuring the stories of four Palestinian children and their families undergoing the ordeal of Israeli military detention. We'll learn all about the UCC Resolution which advocates for these children, as well as other steps already under way and gaining traction to help bring peace and justice to families who have lived their entire lives knowing nothing but the hardship of occupation.

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Military Detention of Palestinian Children

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Military Detention of Palestinian Children

Social Justice Forum
Military Detention of Palestinian Children
Sunday, April 29, 11:30 AM.

At General Synod 31 in Baltimore last summer, UCC President John Dorhauer proclaimed the UCC vision of a just world for all - a vision which includes Love of Neighbor, Love of Children, and Love of Creation. Dorhauer's prophetic voice challenged us to work together to address inequities in our world. Delegates at that Synod reflected this love of children and love of justice when they approved overwhelmingly a resolution advocating for the rights of Palestinian children living under Israeli military occupation. The main author of this UCC resolution is Thomas Beilman, a member of our Central Pacific Conference. Beilman returned recently from a fact-finding delegation focused on Palestinian children in Israeli military detention. He will provide basic facts about Israel's system of military detention, including a short documentary film, "Detaining Dreams," featuring the stories of four Palestinian children and their families undergoing the ordeal of Israeli military detention. We'll learn all about the UCC Resolution which advocates for these children, as well as other steps already under way and gaining traction to help bring peace and justice to families who have lived their entire lives knowing nothing but the hardship of occupation.

What R U Up 2? - Holy Week Schedule

What R U Up 2? - Holy Week Schedule

This Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. Bethel begins the celebration with a very special Palm Sunday service, March 25 as well as our regular Adult Discussion Group at 9 am; a Maundy Thursday service, March 29; Ecumenical Walk of the Cross, March 30 and culminating in a beautiful celebration of Easter and the risen Christ followed by a fun Easter egg hunt for all ages, April 1. You and your family are invited to join us for any and all of the Holy Week activities. Click here to download our Holy Week flyer or pick up a pew card this Sunday.

What is a Sabbatical?

What is a Sabbatical?

A sabbatical is a designated “time away” from regular work responsibilities. A sabbatical requires a specific plan of study, rest, discernment, skill building, reading, prayer and play.

A sabbatical for UCC pastors is a customary benefit; grounded in Christian scripture and practice. The word sabbatical, comes from the Greek word sabatikos, which means “of the Sabbath,” the day of rest that happens every seventh day. Regular worship on Sundays is one way of keeping the Sabbath.

The book of Genesis makes clear that God values rest – not just inactivity, but special set aside time intended for spiritual, emotional, and physical renewal. Jesus frequently took time away to rest, and invited his disciples to join him.

Sabbatical leave time is often confused with vacation leave.

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Churches To Feed 110 Homeless Beaverton High School Students Over Spring Break

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Churches To Feed 110 Homeless Beaverton High School Students Over Spring Break

Matthew 25:35-36 guides our behavior toward others:  "...for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me."  Recognizing our common humanity and desiring a fair allocation of community resources is a golden thread running through the Bible.

Beaverton High Principal Anne Erwin challenged the Community Team to find a way to support homeless teens during Spring and Winter Breaks when school district food programs are closed. Bethel chose to take this project on. Many other Churches and groups help us. Holy Trinity Church, Jesuit High School Alumni, St. Cecelia School, Safeway, New Seasons and other groups have teamed up with Bethel to let these students know we care about them. We also have a dedicated group of seamstresses who make a canvas sling bag for each student.

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Single Payer Healthcare Forum - What Now?

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Single Payer Healthcare Forum - What Now?

Last Sunday's Social Justice Forum on single-payer healthcare was a rousing success! We learned about the significant administrative and economic problems caused by the current private health insurance system and how a single-payer system could improve efficiency and reduce waste while providing quality healthcare for every American. Equally important, we learned what each one of us can do to help make single-payer healthcare a reality.

Tell our story.

Many of us have professional experience in the healthcare and insurance industries. Many of us have had problems with our personal health insurance (or lack thereof) or know someone who has. Legislators who are advocating for single-payer healthcare need to know we support this issue. And those who aren't need to know it too. It’s a tough battle in Salem and Washington D.C.!

Here are some convenient links for contacting your representatives. Do it now!