|
 From 2011...to 2012...
Interim Pastor Heidi Husted Armstrong
I have a number of things I want to share with you, so once again I will take the potpourri approach for this column…
Finding a Grace-Filled Community
Vicki Paulus
Last summer, after relocating to Seattle, we visited Bethany and began the process of settling into a new church community...
'what if He is' Project
Abbie B Berry
My name is Abbie. And I am a junkie. A mission junkie. I become easily bored, and need something creative to keep me... Last year, my older brother and I were talking about different ways to use our art to get the Word out and have an affect on a hurting world...
When I Keeled Over Dead...
Dave "Lazarus" Carlstrom
…I flatlined for two minutes, I’m told, I saw only darkness: no beckoning light, tunnel, etc. Later I asked Pastor Heidi, “Should I be concerned?” Her rejoinder: “What was the temperature?” Hmm, no recollection of flames at my feet, so the matter was deemed theologically inconclusive: could be going either way...
Going Strong After the Storm
Caroline Plummer
All of us have endured storms in our lives, like Job. Mine struck in 2003. I guess you could call it a “double whammy,” or in Pacific Northwest terms, a “10” on the Richter scale, followed by a “10” aftershock...
Parenteen: An Evening with Chap Clark
Scott Gronholz, Director of Youth Ministries
Last year I had the privilege of taking two classes at Fuller Seminary with Chap Clark. I had known about Chap for a while, simply because I’m a youth director and he’s super well-known in youth ministry circles for being an academic youth ministry guru. There are few people like Chap in our field, who is down to earth and practical, but also rigorous and scholarly in the way that he writes and thinks about today’s teenagers...
Playing the Organ on Christmas Eve
Daniel Windus, 5th Grader
When I was in 2nd grade, my big brother, Peter, was in 5th grade. Christmas was exciting that year. We had tons of snow, so we missed school, and some friends got trapped at our house…and Peter got to play drums at the Christmas Eve services. Bethany has a tradition that the 5th graders get to lead the family Christmas Eve services. It was great watching Peter drum, but it was even more exciting, because I knew that I’d get to help lead in a couple years...
Finding Our Next Pastor
Brian Ives, Pastoral Nominating Committee Chair
The Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) has begun its next phase of work: receiving and evaluating Personal Information Forms (PIFs) from candidates. Our Church Information Form (CIF) has been completed, approved by Session and Presbytery, and posted online for view by any potential candidate. You can see our CIF at this website under “PNC" (sidebar)...
Stewardship Update
Janette Plunkett, Stewardship Elder
After a rollercoaster year, we are thrileld to end without a deficit! We especially want to thank the staff for their great attitudes and cooperation through all the changes. Given the budget cuts, we didn't expect under-spending, but our creative, frugal staff exceeded expectations and found ways to conserve around $33,000! We are also grateful that your giving exceeded the revised budget by around $17,000. Session approved restorations to some of the areas that were cut such as pensions/education ($2100), Manse fund ($10,000), we are setting aside $15,000 for a cash reserve as we head into another year with construction. The rest will restore Outreach funds. Thank you for your faithful pledges and giving to the work God is doing at Bethany. The 2012 Budget may be found on Bethany Online.
On the Calendar
see interactive calendar for complete listing
Wednesday Night Dinner
Wednesdays, 5:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
Healing Prayer
1st Sunday of the month after the 10:45 am service in the Prayer Room
3rd Sunday of the month after the 9 am service in the Prayer Room
Women's AM Bible Study
1st & 3rd Mondays at 7:00 pm at the home of Missy Lein
Women's PM Bible Study
1st & 3rd Tuesdays of the month at 9:30 am in the Parlor
2012 Budget Q & A
Sunday, February 5, 10:30 am in the Fellowship Hall
Annual Meeting: Worship, Celebration & Supper
Sunday, February 12, 5:00 pm in the Sanctuary/Fellowship Hall
Session
Tuesday, February 14, 6:00 pm in the Parlor
Mastering Your Money
Saturday, February 18, 9:00 am in the Parlor
Ash Wednesday Service
Wednesday, February 22, 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary
Allen Belton Concert
Sunday, February 26, 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary
News & Notes
Children & Family Ministries
Dianne Ross, Director of Children's Ministries
Annual Meeting: Back to the Farm
Due to the very important nature and content of Annual Meetings on February 12, the Children’s Ministry team goes to great lengths to provide quality childcare during this one congregational meeting of the year. This year our theme is “Back to the Farm”, and children will enjoy many fun activities around that theme. Parents must sign their child(ren) on the CM bulletin board up by February 5. We have limited signups for our infant and toddler rooms, so first come, first served.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
To mark Ash Wednesday (February 22, and the beginning of Lent), we host a pancake supper for infants through seniors in
a relaxed, “come when you can, leave when you must” fashion. Come and enjoy this low-key, fun, and kid-friendly time of fellowship while having some delicious pancakes. The “price of admission” is the donation of a canned or dry good for a local
food bank. The dinner will be held on Tuesday, February 21, from 5:00-6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall.
Lenten resources will be
available for children and their families to take home to use during the 6 weeks of Lent.
Session Notes
Craig Barwell, Clerk of Session
After the opening prayer by Pastor Heidi and the approval of December’s minutes, Steven Judd pointed Session towards Christ by reading a moving memoir from his mother. Dan Wickline presented the great news that Bethany ended the year with a small surplus, and noted that last year’s tough budget cuts made a surplus possible.
Session took a brief moment to rejoice and dance in celebration. Janette Plunkett then presented the Stewardship report, which detailed budget restorations once the final 2011 surplus is known.
Priorities are staff pension payments and education funds, the manse fund, and a cash flow reserve fund, with the remainder split between Local and Global Outreach. Greg Nelson presented a 2012 outline for the asset management team as they investigate development options for Bethany’s properties. Session then walked through the proposed 2012 budget, and passed it for presentation to the congregation at the Annual Meeting.
Session also passed a minor revision to the Bylaws in order to reflect both current practice and conform to Washington state law.
Community life
Amelia Gilmour Barry
Everett Lincoln Ulrickson
Jacob Sunho Pak Kim - January 22
|
BETHANY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH