Denominational Update / Pastor Dan Baumgartner
One defining characteristic of the city of Seattle is our collective inability to make a decision. Let me just say three words: “Alaskan Way Viaduct.” But Seattle is not alone in its indecisiveness. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), Bethany’s denomination, is vying for equal billing. ...

Beneath the Surface
Associate Pastor Todd Holdridge
Many of you know that I enjoy building furniture. For the last five years or so, I’ve been fascinated by hand tools. Now, don’t get me wrong. I regularly use power drills, saws, etc. But I love the “old world feel” and precision that can be accomplished with a sharp chisel, a hand plane, a hand saw, and a good bench.

Urban Impact
by Lynne Faris Blessing, Assoc. Pastor for Outreach
and Mike Davis, Urban Impact
Once again, our friends at Urban Impact provided a life-transforming summer camp for the youth of Rainier Valley. We/Bethany had the joy of participating through preparing and delivering lunches for one of the weeks (many many thanks to LauraLeigh Young who organized that effort). ...

Baumgartner Celebration
Dan's last Sunday at Bethany will be on October 10th. Come help give Dan and Anne a wonderful Bethany sendoff as they embark on their new adventure in Hollywood! We will have a short congregational meeting after the 5pm service that day to dissolve the pastoral relationship and them we will move to a celebration in the Fellowship Hall. Save the date and come and join!

Deeper Intimacy in Prayer
If you have an interest, desire or longing to enter into a deeper intimacy with the Lord, come join us on October 24 & 31 after the second service in the Parlor from 12:15-2:15 pm. Cathy Hayasthi will share insights regarding the preparation, discernment and confidence available to us for hearing God speak toour spirits. The first week's teaching is strongly encouraged as a foundation prior to the second week's more interactive experience. Refreshments will be served.

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 or Janette Plunkett, Stewardship elder.

Through August 31

• YTD income : $891,000
• YTD expenses: $946,000
• Deficit: ($55,000)

YTD income was higher than last year at this time, and YTD expenses were lower. Bethany is still running a deficit, but it is lower than at this time last year.

Session Notes

Once per month Session meets in the Parlor for spiritual growth, fellowship and to discuss and vote on the business matters of the church. Our September meeting was held on the 14th and started with Janette Plunkett serving dinner and then leading the group in a “whole body” devotional time. If anyone was walking through the Fellowship Hall at about 6:15 pm on the
14 th they would have seen a group of people stretching and moving in coordination with scripture reading from Ephesians 6.

As a group we said goodbye to our Arts Elder, Anthony Trujillo, who is moving, with his wife Vita to New York. The Transition team updated Session, sought guidance and was given encouragement for their hard work done so far on our Senior Pastor Transition.

Aside from a few brief business items and budget updates the remainder of our Session meeting was spent with Dan and Anne telling them the ways that they have blessed us over the years. The focus wasn’t on saying good-bye as everyone will have a chance to do this after the 5pm service on October 10th. Rather, it was a time to say thank you, as it was the last Session meeting that Dan would be participating in.

Children's Ministries

Orchard Adventure for the Family
All families with children in first grade and older  are invited to a day at Jane and Gil’s Apple Orchard near Port Townsend! We will pick apples, press cider, make applesauce and have lots of fun enjoying God’s beautiful creation. We’ll also make “build your own burritos” and eat apple crisp. This event will take place on Saturday, October 23, from 10:00-4:00 pm at 411 W. Uncas Rod, Port Townsend WA. A van will be leaving from the church. For directions and to RSVP please contact Grayce Mitchell by Wednesday October 13. Questions? Call Grayce or Jane Donald.
(Note: Younger siblings may attend with their families.)

Sabbatical: Julia Sensenbrenner
Since the fall of 2001, Julia Sensenbrenner has been involved in leading our Godly Play ministries. She has been a worship leader, doorkeeper, Department Coordinator for both the 9:00 am kindergarten and 10:45 am Children and Worship ministry for 4-7 year olds. In the past five years, Julia has also written 12 new stories: including three from the book of Revelation, one on the Apostles Creed, three from the life of Elijah, and one on prayer. She has helped  train more than 35 Godly Play leaders, hosted Advent Gatherings for the leaders, and helped plan Godly Play leader retreats. To keep Julia  fresh and give her some well deserved rest, we are giving her a three month “sabbatical” from this ministry from October 1 to December 31. We are extremely grateful for her generosity in sharing her many gifts with the children and Godly Play leaders over these past nine years. It is our prayer and hope that she will return to us in January refreshed (and maybe with more ideas for stories?!) from this time of rest and renewal.

Baptism Information
We have baptisms on the 2nd Sundays of every month, at both morning services and the 5:00 pm service. In order to have your young child baptized, you need to attend our “one time” baptism class. The next of these classes will be in early December. If you would like to schedule a baptism, please contact our Children’s Ministry Assistant Holly Royston.

Thank you, Leaders!
We are so grateful to God for the 118 people that have come forward to teach our children in Sunday School, Children’s Church and Godly Play; and  as buddies for our children with special needs, and as strolling musicians. Please continue to pray for these people as they get to know our children, and share God’s love with them through  their loving relationships and teaching! If you would like to learn more about our 18 teaching/ministry teams in Children’s Ministry, pelase contact Dianne Ross.

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

Women's Bible Study
1st & 3rd Tuesdays, offered at 9:30 am & 7:00 pm in the Parlor
Studying 2 Corinthians. Childcare is available in the morning.

Youth and College Leaders' Retreat
Fri-Sun, October 1-3

Mission Trip
October 2-13, Honduras

Congregational Meeting, Pastor Dan & Anne's reception
Sunday, October 10, 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall

Session Retreat
October 15-16

Deeper Intimacy in Prayer
Sundays, October 24 & 31 from 12:15-2:15 pm in the Parlor

News & Notes

Baptisms

• Daniel John Allen
• Danica Elise Barwell
• Nathan Henry Campbell
• Andrew Vincenzo Castaneda
• Reese Arville Edwards
• Jacinda Elouise Jeide
• Barbara Leen
• Turner James Malatos
• Ettalyn Rose Marston
• Adeline Noelle Marston
• Harrison Robert Nagel
• Peter Allen Windus
• Daniel Alexander Windus

Births

• Mirabelle Pearl Pulver
• Quinn Alexander Huizenga