What Does This Mean?
Interim Pastor Heidi Husted Armstrong
In light of the recent changes in the ordination standards of the Presbyterian Church (USA) some 40-50 folks gathered after the second service on Sunday, May 15, to learn more about it. Since not everyone could make it, I want to fill you in as well...

H.S. Mission Trip: Keepin' It Local
Scott Gronholz, Director of Youth Ministries
Probably the thing I look forward to most all year in youth ministry is the summer mission trip… and this year is no exception. Not only is the mission trip an awesome way to put into practice everything we’ve been learning all year about serving and loving the world, it is also an excellent opportunity for our group to bond together...

Off to a Good, Strong Start
John Battle, Project Chairperson
On Sunday, June 5, after the second service, our congregation will be invited to take a peek inside Bethany’s now-barren sanctuary. You might be shocked at what you see...

"Just Get Out There and Love Everybody"
Spencer Wagner
John Perkins is a modern-day civil rights leader (and I would venture to say a humanitarian) who, instead of just speaking the gospel, actually goes out and helps those in need!...

Muse: God's Work Among Us Is Beautiful
Anonymous (a mother of a Bethany girl)
My dear middle school daughter, if you’re reading this, sorry to embarrass you (it’s probably not your mother who wrote this). But I have to tell a little bit about what God’s doing in my own heart with Muse...

Missing My Dad
Melissa Hertel
I grew up in a very “huggy” family. My dad was a romantic— the love-you-forever, happily-ever-after kind...

Women's Bible Study
Women’s Bible Study is back again for the summer! We will be meeting on the first and third Tuesdays of June, July and August. We are going to be using the study guide, “Prayers of the New Testament” by former Bethany associate pastor, Lynne Baab.
If you are interested in a time of study, prayer and fellowship, please join us this summer, beginning June 7th. We will meet from 9:00-11:00 in the morning, and childcare is available. An evening session may also be available. Please contact Lynn Beaumont at newhatdsl@msn.com or by phone at 206.283.7909 to RSVP, or for more information. New women are always welcome!

Esperanza Mission Trip: August 7-13
In the late 1930’s, a Christian doctor started his practice on the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island. Eventually a mission work began, and the now 75-year history of Esperanza Ministry’s work on the coast is rich in a variety of ways. Relationships of trust between the mission and native coast people, a strong witness to the love of Jesus, and many examples of ministry fill the pages of this history. We join other supporters of the ministry in repairing and building housing which is vital to the work with coast people and the staff. A Bethany group will spend a week at the mission in August. If you are interested or have questions, contact Mike Christensen: mikec@bethanypc.org.
Cost is $100 per adult, plus travel expenses, with cost for children negotiable. Deadline for applications is July 1st.

Children's Ministries

Summer Joy!
During the summer, we’ll take advantage of “outdoor time” (maybe it will get above 70 by then?!) and enjoy camping at Gold Basin, a Mariners game, an August hike, an evening at a farm near Issaquah, a low-tide walk, and opportunities on Wednesday nights (or other opportunities later in the summer) to serve the poor. It’s a great time to get to know a newer-to-Bethany family (invite them over for a BBQ!) or to go deeper in an existing friendship. This is a summer for our roots to go deeper in Christ and with one another…”being rooted and established in love”….

Summer Sundays: June 26-September 4
Our last day of the “school year” ministry is Sunday, June 19. On June 26, we begin our parent-led summer Sunday School series at 9:00, and at 10:45, Children’s Church (for 2-4 year olds). We provide curriculum, plans, and lots of support. All parents not regularly volunteering with Children's Ministries take one turn in our “summer co-op system”.

Summer Playground Fellowship
Since we don’t have a “fellowship hall” area due to the retrofit, our Children’s Ministries team has decided to pull together “coffee and juice time” on the playground from June 26-September 4, in-between the two morning services. Come enjoy coffee and juice and get time/space to talk with other parents while your children joyfully play on the playground or do chalk drawings on the playground wall.

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 Library
3rd Sunday of the month after the 5 pm service in the Library

Seismic Retrofit Sanctuary Tour
Sun, June 5 after both morning services

Session Meeting
Tues, June 14 at 6:00 pm in the Parlor

Washington Global Health
Doing Good & Faithful Work Locally & Globally
Mon, June 20, 5:30 pm (reception) and 7:00 pm (program) at 415 Westlake
Bethany is spearheading this program, in association with 10 other large churches in our region, to explore how individual congregations can do effective, sustainable work to improve the health of poor people locally and globally.

Seattle Mission Trip (BPYG)
June 24-July 4, 8 ministries and organizations in Seattle

Mission Trip to Kenya
July 4-20, visiting Soweto and Mbita.

News & Notes

Session Notes
Chuck McFarland
The monthly session meeting took place on May 10th in the Parlor. Dave Campbell pointed the group toward Christ with a devotional time. The seismic retrofit project, “Strengthening Bethany,” was discussed, and updates were provided by John Battle and Mike Christensen. Membership rosters were reviewed, youth ministry updates were given by Scott Gronholz and Matt Eyler, and finances were discussed with updates coming from Dan Wickline and Janette Plunkett.

Madeline Brenner and Kevin Nollette from Seattle Presbytery joined our group to help Bethany take the next steps in finding the next senior pastor.

Births

Josephine Gweneth Glessner - May 1

Baptisms

Caleb Michael Judd - May 8
Nathan Andrew Judd - May 8
Natalie Dianne Struthers - May 8