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Tuesday, July 4th, Volunteers Needed

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Join us on July 4th at Bethel! 
Besides Bethel serving free ice cream and coffee for the July 4th event in the park ,THPRD will have live entertainment in the park. The band is Americana/Country... Chris Carpenter & The Collective. The will have at least one inflatable on our back grass area, but also a few new kids activities - like a bubble station and balloon artist, in addition to the face painting and yard games in the park.


They will again block off 7th and have a pickle ball area set-up and the rest of 7th for people to move back and forth between the church and the park. Last year, our ice cream line was in the street and even back into the park at our busiest time.

It’s bound to be lots of fun. 😀

On Tuesday, July 4th, the event runs from 11:00am-2:00pm. We will start serving coffee at 10:00am and ice cream cones starting at 11:00am until 2:00pm (possibly earlier if we run out of ice cream again)

JOBS:
Ice Cream Scooping or running ice cream from the indoor freezers to outside (choose one or the other)
11am-12 Noon (3 people to scoop and one to run)
12pm-1pm (3 people to scoop and one to run)
1pm-2pm (3 people to scoop and one to run)

Coffee making or running coffee pots and supplies out to our booth (choose one or the other)
9:30am-10:30am (one coffee maker and one runner)
10:30am-11:30am (one coffee maker and one runner)
11:30am-12:30pm (one coffee maker and one runner)
12:30-1:30pm  (one coffee maker and one runner)

A couple people to sit inside in the Food Cupboard area and have eyes on people coming in to use our restrooms.
10-11am (need 2 people)
11am-12 Noon (need 2 people)
12 Noon-1pm (need 2 people)
1pm-2:00pm-ish  (need 2 people)

9:30am…Set up canopy, tables, and chairs (need 4-5 people)
Starting around 1:45pm…Clean up (5-6 people)p. Her email is timmelin@comcast.net or sign up before church in the Narthex or after the service in the Fellowship Hall.  

Let Linda Timmel know how you can help. Her email is timmelin@comcast.net or sign up before church in the Narthex or after the service in the Fellowship Hall.

Lynne Marie Elbert, Office Administrator.
M-F, 9am-3pm Office 503-646-1191r

office@bethelbeaverton.org or www.BethelBeaverton.org

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Join us for "Pint with the Pastor!"

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The sun is shining, the days are getting longer, and it's time for our first “pint with the pastor” of the Summer on Thursday, June 29th from 7-8:30pm. We're excited for everyone to join us for good drinks and better company.

Pastor David will provide the “pint” – of beer or lemonade. (We want everyone to feel comfortable). If these beverages don’t fit your taste, feel free to bring your own. If you’d like to bring a snack to share that would be great.
 
We’ll gather outside at Bethel around the tables with purple umbrellas and enjoy conversation and fellowship together.
 
If this appeals to you, please RSVP to David drb@bethelbeaverton.org.

Nikki and Monique Manley-Smith and Jean Avison attend UCC General Synod 34

Every two years’ delegates from local UCC congregations and conferences gather for a national meeting – called a synod (from Greek synodos, “assembly”). This year General Synod will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana from June 30 – July 4. “Making All Things New” serves as the theme.

Nikki is officially representing the Central Pacific Conference as a delegate. Mo will be attending as a visitor and as moderator of Bethel, she will be representing Bethel UCC.

Jean Avison has been nominated to serve as moderator elect for the next General Synod.

The 34th General Synod will be especially significant on a number of levels. First, if elected, Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson will become the first African American woman to serve as President and General Minister for the UCC. Second, Ibram X. Kendi, author of “How to Become Anti-Racist” will be a guest speaker. Third, Bryan Stevenson, Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative, and the attorney on which the book and movie, “Just Mercy” was based will also be a guest speaker.

This is an amazing opportunity for Nikki, Mo and Jean and for Bethel! We will celebrate and commission these three women, Sunday, June 25th at our 10am worship service. 

Congratulations!

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Bethel Participates in Beaverton Pride – Sunday, June 25th

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Once again this year, Bethel UCC will support and participate in Beaverton Pride!  We will have a hospitality booth for the Festival to be held after the parade in the Farmer’s Market Parking lot.
Neomie Lemke has offered to coordinate this event. This event requires at least 8-10 volunteers. If you would like to participate, please be in touch with Neomie or contact the church office or 503-646-1191.

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Come Hiking with Us!

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Join us for a multigenerational Hike at Tualatin Hills Nature Park after service on Sunday June 11th. We will be doing a relatively flat trail ideal for all ages. In place of traditional Sunday school our kids will meet with Erin in the fellowship hall to prepare some simple lunches for the hike. Contact Erin Barber with any questions about the hike at eb@bethelbeaverton.org  and let her know if you plan on coming by June 7th. 

Click HERE to check out Tualatin hills Nature Park. 

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Board Games and Brunch, June 10th

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Back by popular demand, we will be holding another Board Games and Brunch gathering on Saturday June 10th, from 10 AM to noon in the Fellowship Hall.

This event will be a potluck and be open to the whole congregation. Kids will be welcome--we will have a movie and activities set up for them in the Kids Corner if they do not want to play games. 

Please bring a favorite brunch item for the group to enjoy and any games you'd like to share.

RSVP with Erin Barber (eb@bethelbeaverton.org) by Thursday, June 8th. You're welcome to bring other game-loving friends too!   

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To Mars and Beyond Vacation Bible School is coming to our Summer Sundays!

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This summer, prepare for fun as we explore where God's power can take you. We'll be offering six special Sundays throughout our Summer months where we will enjoy crafts, science experiments, games, and lessons in place of our normal Sunday School. 


Save the dates for: 
Sunday, July 2nd
                                   Sunday, July 9th
                                   Sunday, July 16th
                                   Sunday, August 13th 
                                   Sunday, August 20th 
                                   Sunday, August 27th

Email Erin for more information (eb@bethelbeaverton.org)  

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We're Celebrating Youth Sunday on June 4th

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Kids are invited to participate in Youth Sunday! This is a special service where our youth take on roles to help lead worship—from greeting to reading, from singing to speaking. We present bibles to students who have just completed third grade and we honor and bless our graduating seniors. It’s a Sunday you won’t want to miss!
Sign up with our program coordinator, Erin Barber at  eb@bethelbeaverton.org 

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Resources to Advance our Response to Racism:

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Bethel UCC established a Respond to Racism (R2R) committee, January 2021. A series of violence against people of color that occurred in the summer of 2020 (precipitated by the murder of George Floyd) demanded that we take action to confront systemic racism. Last fall, the R2R team members offered a six week class using the UCC curriculum called “White Privilege: Let’s Talk”. We also sponsored a day-long DEI Retreat for church leadership led by Carla D. Gary, JD. This column in the Highlights  is provided by the R2R committee.

FROM OUR LEXICON FOR EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AND ACCESSIBILITY
Inclusion: Authentically bringing traditionally excluded individuals and/or groups into processes, activities and decision/policy making in a way that shares power. Inclusion promotes broad engagement, shared participation, and advances authentic sense of belonging through safe, positive, and nurturing environments. Inclusion is key to eliminating systemic inequality.

COMMUNITY EVENTS
An Evening with Slam Poet Alex Dang
Thursday, May 11 | 6:30-8 PM
Beaverton Main Library, Meeting Rooms A & B
Alex Dang is a poet from Portland. A former TEDx speaker, Dang competed at the National Poetry Slam, was a Portland and Eugene Poetry Slam grand slam champion, and has performed in seven countries. He has strong opinions about burgers and wants to know what your favorite song is. His performance - followed by a writing workshop for attendees - will focus on his identity, the different ways he sees himself, and how that may or may not align with the way the world perceives him. No advanced sign-up is necessary.

Voices from the Our City, Our Stories Project
Thursday, May 25 | 6:30-8 PM
Beaverton Main Library, Auditorium
Our City, Our Stories: An Expanded History of Beaverton focuses on how Beaverton has been
shaped by the experiences and stories of those who have lived, worked, or passed through this city. Hear the voices of some of the current-day individuals featured in the project during this interactive panel discussion with the researchers. Learn about how the city and Five Oaks Museum are working together to expand Beaverton’s narrative, why it matters, and how we’re redefining whose stories are considered history. No advanced sign-up is necessary.

Monday, May 22, 6:30pm
Save the date!  Lake Oswego Respond to Racism, Lake Oswego Public Library, and
Lakewood Center for the Arts present a free showing of Vanport Mosaic’s “Walking through Portland with a Panther:  The Life of Mr. Kent Ford.  All Power!” – a solo play by Don Wilson Glenn, directed by Damaris Webb, and featuring La’Tevin Alexander.  The play celebrates the life of Mr. Kent Ford, co-founder of Portland’s chapter of the ’60s-era black empowerment organization, and it incorporates archival footage and storytelling to understand the legacy of local resistance, rediscover lost neighborhoods where the Panthers used to patrol, and learn the intimate makings of unsung leaders of protest andrevolution.
This play is offered free of charge, but ticket reservations are required CLICK HERE to reserve your tickets.

RESOURCES FOR EXPLORING THE TOPIC OF RACISM
Bethel staff and the R2R committee, with the help of folks who attended our DEI retreat, have put together listings of resources for those who are interested in exploring the topic of racism. This week we are sharing the listing of Books and Articles.
The link is:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qJucuat1Vr9ODV07q8RBLP9EbBwC1U715WOPVDsPZOk

Bethel Scholarship Program Now Accepting Applications

Each year Bethel grants scholarships to students of higher education. The purpose of this annual scholarship is to provide one-time financial assistance to people who are active in the life of the Church to use for post-secondary education, including but not limited to: College, Graduate School, and Seminary. There are no age limitations. To apply, fill out this form and email it to Erin Barber (eb@bethelbeaverton.org). The due date is May 14, 2023.

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"Youngish" Adults Board and Game Night, Saturday April 29th

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The Youngish Adults Group is hosting a fun Board Games and Brunch time together on Saturday April 29th, from 10 AM to noon in the Fellowship Hall. Kids will be welcome--we will have a movie and activities set up for them in the Kids Corner. 

This will be a great time to get to know each other better over coffee and bagels, and of course games! We'll have One Night Werewolf (think Mafia, but better), Settlers of Cataan, Apples to Apples, and more! Please feel free to bring your favorite game to share with a group!

RSVP with Erin Barber (eb@bethelbeaverton.org) by Wednesday April 26th. You're welcome to bring other game-loving friends too!   

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Bethel's Women's Retreat

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All those who identify as women are invited to come and enjoy a morning retreat. We will be exploring Friendship and Fellowship. Time to visit, enjoy lunch, and maybe even learn a little about yourself, others, and our relationships with each other and God. RSVP to Paige Unangst at either paige@unangst.net or 503-567-9946 by Saturday April 8th if you plan to come.  

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Habitat for Humanity Upcoming Event on April 26th!

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Join the Portland Region Habitat for Humanity community at this year’s free HopeBuilder lunch on Wednesday, April 26th at the Oregon Convention Center from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm.  Discover the work Habitat for Humanity is doing to address our local housing crisis.  Help build a Portland region where everyone has an opportunity to have an affordable place to call home.

Learn more and RSVP today at https://habitatportlandregion.org/events/hopebuilder-lunch/. 

The featured keynote speaker is Pulitzer Prize-winning author Mitchell S. Jackson.   His memoir Survival Moth: Notes on an All-American Family examines the hardships that shaped his life in Oregon, his family, and his community.

Leon Taylor is hosting a Bethel UCC and friends table –reach out to Leon at mr.leon.taylor.new@gmail.com.

If you are unable to attend the event, and still want to support Habitat Portland Region, use this link, donate here.  

Peace & Blessings

Welcome Erin Barber during and after Service this Sunday.

We are happy that Erin will join us this Sunday. Erin grew up in Lake Oswego, Oregon attending church with her family where she served in Sunday School as a teacher and sang on the worship team throughout high school. She went on to attend Seattle Pacific University where she met her husband Kyle, another Portland native. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Theatre, and then began using her "storytelling degree" at Westside Church in Ballard where she directed the children's ministry for four years. During that time, she and Kyle welcomed a baby girl, Georgia, and it wasn't long before they moved back to the Portland area to be closer to family. Erin loves putting her creativity to work behind the scenes, whether working in the theatre or church! In her spare time, Erin loves reading for her book club, playing Dungeons and Dragons with her husband and friends, and writing fiction.   

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ESL Teacher Needed

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  Bethel’s Andy and Victoria Hyett have stepped up to teach a much-needed “Intro to English” (level-0) class at Bethel. This Tuesday was their first day of class. Bethel now hosts three level-0 classes. Thanks, Andy and Victoria!
Bad news: While we were setting up the Hyetts’ class, the Thursday teacher for Bethel’s level-3 (intermediate) class had to resign due to a job move. We have tentative coverage for Thursdays starting in late April, but we need a fill-in teacher for 4 Thursdays in March and 3 in April. Classes are 7:00-8:30 pm in Bethel’s education building.
Curriculum, mentoring, and other support are available. For more information, contact Jim Keniston (503-415-1961, jakeniston@hotmail.com). 

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Ash Wednesday

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Ash Wednesday – Simple Supper and Worship – Wednesday, February 22 – 6:30pm
We will gather in the Fellowship Hall for a light supper of soup and bread to launch our Lenten theme: wilderness.

Our gathering will include an activity designed to draw us into the season of Lent. There will also be the opportunity to receive ashes for those who find the ritual meaningful.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent. Lent is the season of preparation for Easter in a similar way in which Advent prepares us for Christmas.

The ancient practice of Lent was intended to prepare people for baptism on Easter. Lent invites us into a time of introspection – a time to inventory what aspects of our lives may be obstacles to following the way of Jesus. Lent is modeled after the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness as it is recorded in the 4th chapter of both Matthew and Luke’s gospel.

Jesus’ time in the wilderness reveals the reality of temptations we all face as we strive to live with love as our primary purpose. The point of Lent isn’t to deny that we ever struggle to be faithful to the way God would have us live. Rather, Lent gives us the opportunity to be transparent – real with who we are – our strengths and our weaknesses. Acknowledging the ways we may feel hindered, or broken, or bound up can serve as first steps toward freedom and wholeness.

To help with the preparation of the meal, please RSVP to office@bethelbeaverton.org if you plan to attend the service.

Food Cupboard Needs

We continue to have many families who need food. We welcome donations of cereal and pasta- such as small bags of spaghetti or macaroni. Welcome onboard Sara Edmiston who will be taking over the liaison and reporting to Oregon Food Bank! 

Thanks to all our volunteers! You are making a positive difference in someone’s life!
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We continue to need cans of hearty soup with pop tops for BHS homeless students. Please choose varieties that have meat and vegetable. Teenagers need calories more than any other time in their life!
BHS Soups this week, 330 and need 325 more. 131 students to be helped this Spring Break.

DEI Moment!

Diane Imel (Lady Di) is part of the City of Wilsonville's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee. As part of this committee, she has written a thought provoking article that we feel should be shared with as many people as possible. Thank you Lady Di for sharing.  Please read and learn.

Do You Know What You Said?

Recently, I was “called out” by one of my dearest friends regarding a misspeak I had made.  This misspeak was unintentional and completely without malice and, unfortunately, prior thought.  To say I was stunned is an enormous understatement!  However, this “blow” was like the key to a locked door…revealing my ignorance and lack of knowledge regarding the acceptable use of descriptors…. adjectives…words!

How can we know what the appropriate language should be?  Where can we educate ourselves to the acceptable phraseology of today? This is the challenge that confronts us each day and one that begs to be addressed.

How often have we misused our adjectives and descriptors… “my Asian butcher, my black friend, my disabled neighbor, the gay librarian, my immigrant school mate”?  It is important to recognize and correct   these unacceptable and often derogatory phrases.  And what about the usage of proper pronouns: he/him, she/her, they/them?  These are more relevant now than we realize.

Information on this subject can be found through the internet.  “Pronouns:  A How-To-The Diversity Center”, Preferred Terms for Select Population Groups “and “A Guide to Race and Ethnicity Terminology and Language” are just three of the informational resource sites available. 

It is imperative that we continue our efforts of abolishing all discrimination and the proper usage of our words, as well as the eliminations of other barriers, is a must!  These goals of diversity, equity and inclusion may be novel to many…often generational in their nature.  This stresses the need for introspection regarding our speech and the inherent strength of the words we use. It is human nature to speak in the moment without thoroughly analyzing what we’re saying but it would be to the benefit of all that we weigh the words we use before utterance.  By Diane Imel