Being Church / Pastor Dan Baumgartner
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away a small group of a few dozen people gathered together. It included men, women and undoubtedly some families. They had been through a major tragedy - the loss of a friend and leader - so part of their gathering was simply the comfort of not being alone...

God Moments
Janet Moore, Director of Wednesday Night Dinner
Regarding my work with the Wednesday Night Community, there have been several small, amazingly powerful, God moments I want to share with you...

Nuevo Amanacer, Honduras
Frank Holman
This coming October Bethany will commission our seventh service team (including high school trips in 2004 and 2006) to Honduras and the community of Nuevo Amanacer (New Dawn)....

Welcoming New Stephen Ministers
Linda Cutshall, Director of Congregational Care
On June 27 during worship four newly trained Stephen Ministers were commissioned. We've spent the last 5 months reading and learning about topics around providing Christian care for individuals who are facing transitions in their lives...

Stewardship Notes
In the interest of avoiding major financial need at year end and knowing we will soon be fundraising for the seismic retrofit, Session wants to keep you informed of Bethany's finances. While deficits are common early in the year, our decrease in overall giving from a year ago is a concern. Questions? Contact Dan Wickline, Treasurer (dan.a.wickline@gmail.com), or Janette Plunkett, Stewardship elder (janplu@comcast.net).

Through May 31

• Year-to-date income: $520,000...[2009: $544,000]
• Year-to-date expenses: $626,000...[2009: $635,000]
• Deficit: ($106,000)...[2009: ($91,000)]

Seismic Project Update

• Our Bethany team: John Battle, David Yuan, Mike Christensen, Janette Plunkett, Dan Wickline, Chuck McFarland, Greg Nelson, Dave Westburg and Dan Baumgartner; added a key member: Mary Bess Kelly as lead prayer person for the entire project. Jay Derr has also given invaluable service and hours.
• After a rigorous vetting process, we recently selected two many partners: SMR Architects and IL Gross Structural Engineers.
• The preliminary meeting with the City of Seattle (pre-permit) went well and no major unanticipated concerns were raised.
• As the Briefs goes to press, interviews are being held with potential construction contractors.
• Greg Nelson and Dave Westburg, our fundraising co-chairs, met with Session on June 8. They presented a draft informational booklet, and tentative philosophy and timeline for starting fundraising in Summer/Fall 2010. Session was very pleased with the approach and progress.

Please keep the project and those devoting many, many hours of time in your prayers.

Children's Ministries

Rainforest VBC is almost here!
A wild and wonderful week is in store for 100+ children who have registered for Rainforest VBC July 19-23. The Planning team is very grateful to God for the 90 adult and senior high volunteers, and 18 middle schoolers, who have signed up to teach, lead games, help with crafts, hold babies, make tasty snacks, act in the daily skit, sing, be youth helpers, etc. Please pray for a meaningful week of learning (we're studying the Parables), fun, fellowship making and joy!

All in the congregation are invited to come to the Jungle Palooza on Thursday at noon. We'll begin that day in the Fellowship Hall (Rainforest Canopy) with a brief program, followed by lunch and wildly fun activities on the lawn (the toucan ring toss, Monkey mayhem, Parrot Parlor - think colored hair) to name just a few! There will also be real live tropical animals.

The Rainforest begins for children each day at 9:30 am. Children going into 1st-5th grades in the fall will meet their "guides" at the EQUATOR (lobby of Fellowship Hall). Preschoolers meet their guides at 9:30 am in their rooms (upstairs in the Education wing).

Want to help but can't come? Every day we need grains, fruits/veggies and proteins to "re-fuel" the many (around 70 a day) volunteers who will visit the "Watering Hole" every morning during their 30 minute "break." Please contact Mihkai Wickline (mihkai@u.washington.edu) and indicate what you'd like to bring, which day(s) and your phone number. If you don't use a computer, please call her at 216-7080.

Connecting in Fun Ways over Summer
The Children/Family Ministries team is offering 9 fabulous ways for children and their parents to meet and get to know other familiessome fun and meaningful summertime ways. An afternoon at Golden Gardens, a hike to Lake Talapus, a day working at a farm, and making lunches for children at Urban Impact are just a few ways we’ll connect in July and August. Grandparents and grandchildren are welcome too! (See the bright orange flyer on the welcome table which has been mailed to all families.) Questions? Contact the “contact person” for each activity, noted on the orange flyer.

Coming Quickly in August
Each summer Children’s Ministry coordinates a fabulous opportunity for children of all ages to serve our neighbors in the Rainier Valley. This year from August 1-5, we’ll make about 400 lunches. On Sun, August 1, during 9:00 am August Adventure, children ages 4-10 will meet Urban Impact leaders to learn more about their summer Academy and make bag lunches for children attending the Academy. Then on Mon-Thurs, August 2-5, parents and children are invited to come to the kitchen to prepare lunches between 8:00-10:00 am.also need people to come at 10:00 am to load up their cars and deliver the lunches to Urban Impact by 11:00 am. To help one of those week days, please contact LauraLeigh Young at penneyyoung@comcast.net.

BOOKFEST featuring Nancy Carlstrom
This July during 9:00 am worship, 4 & 5 year olds enjoy a “Bookfest,” listening to books written by Nancy Carlstrom each week. Then on July 25, they will host a part to meet Nancy, who will read them one or two of her favorites from her collection of children's books. Nancy is a long-time Bethany member and a 10:45 am Godly Play leaders. Parents of this age, watch for more details about the July 25 party! Coordinating this exciting local curriculum is our new Children’s Ministry elder, Laurie Nelson.

Children going into 1st-5th grade
Children going into 1st-5th grade this fall are enjoying Voyage of the Dawn Treader this July during 9:00 am summer Sunday School. Under the direction of Captain Whitney B, the children are sailing to 5 islands in this CS Lewis book and are memorizing 1 Corinthians 1:8-9 (in The Message). On their adventure they are learning important spiritual truths from Reepicheek, Prince Caspian, Eustace, Lucy and Edmund. Check out the map on the stairway bulletin board or come on up the stairs and see the Dawn Treader (and sea gulls) in room 202.

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 on the Sanctuary balcony
3rd Sunday of the month after the 5 pm service on the Sanctuary balcony

High School Mission Trip
July 2-11 Pasadena

Gold Basin Camping Trip
July 9-11 Gold Basin

Rainforest Camp
July 19-23 Bethany

Chase Ordination, Reception & Farewell
Sunday, July 25 at 5 pm. Reception follows the 5 pm service.

News & Notes

Baptisms

• Rachel Kathyrn MacLean
• Hannah Burke Royston
• Nathaniel Stuart Singleton

Births

• Rebecca Isadora Van Eaton - May 14