Seattle Summers, Creation and Creator

by Pastor Doug Kelly, Head of Sta

Seattle Summers,

Creation and Creator

Praise God, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars! Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Wild

animals and all cattle, creeping things and ying birds! Let them praise the name of the Lord! –Psalm 148:3, 10, 13

Nature has a way of elevating the horizon of my

soul. I remember this past February, during a wet

neighborhood walk in the early morning hours,

how touched I was by the dark beauty around me.

There were no bright colors, only shadows and

shades of grey, charcoal, and black. This does not

happen often for me in winter but as I took the

time to look there seemed to be so much life even

in that quiet hour.

Summer is a completely dierent animal in the

Northwest. We inhabit Psalm 148 in full, where all

of creation joins in one hymn of praise to our Cre-

ator. Nature in the Puget Sound region seems to

shout out every day, “God is so Great!”

There are two things I want to encourage you to

do this summer.

GET OUTSIDE. Of course, one hardly has to say

this at Bethany because you are so good at appre-

ciating God’s creativity in nature. It is not surpris-

ing that a lot of our "Fellowship Small" events are

outside. Part of my rule of life is to get ten nights

on the ground (car camping and backpacking)

which is just another way of saying “Get outside

with the creation, Doug.”

Right now, I am trying to get my feet in shape for

a ve day, thirty-ve mile hike in July in Yosemite.

I received a new backpack under the Christmas

tree, so I am looking forward to trying it out.

But hitting the trail isn’t for all of us. Get out on a

boat or kayak. When was the last time you trav-

eled on a ferry? Take a nice evening stroll in the

neighborhood. Sit outside in the evening and

gaze at a fading sky. Look, listen, see, smell, feel

the earth (okay pavement) under your feet.

I nd it curious that in Genesis 1 and 9 we learn

that God has a relationship with non-human

creatures. God talks to them and makes covenant

with them! Summer is the best time for me to

get pulled out of my anthropocentric world and

mindset and join in the whole earth chorus. So,

get outside. Join in with creation in a Psalm 148

chorus.

Secondly, I want to say join us outside on Sun-

days. June 23 begins our summer schedule with

worship at 10:00am and then Fellowship on the

Lawn at 11:15am. I love this time of year at Beth-

any. Hanging together and connecting, and new-

comers blending right in. And we open our fel-

lowship to our Queen Anne neighbors passing by.

Also, mark your calendar for our All-Church Pic-

nic on Sunday, August 25th. See the details inside

this newsletter and in the weekly E-News.

In all this, don’t forget to Praise the Lord.

Bethany BriefsBethany Briefs

SUMMER EDITION 2024SUMMER EDITION 2024

Bethany Presbyterian Church 1818 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle WA 98109 206.284.2222 www.bethanypc.org

Reﬂections on Juneteenth 2024

by Kevin McMahan, Wednesday Night Dinner Elder

Today we remember news of freedom nally reach-

ing a long-enslaved people on the margins of an em-

pire emerging from the re of a bitterly lethal conict

fought over ownership of their very bodies, their la-

bor, their dreams. Could it be that what they privately

knew to be their own could be publicly acknowledged

in this land they’d built in chains? The white man’s

law had changed (2½ years earlier, costing so many

lives). They were no longer considered his “property.”

Yet a law unannounced, unknown, unclaimed has no

eect at all . . . unless it is revealed. Lived.

A century and a half later we still struggle to know,

and live into, the freedom and responsibility pro-

claimed by law, and more importantly established by

faith in one God and Father of all whose loving reach

unites us all in Christ’s body & blood, no longer Jew

or Greek, slave or free, male or female. Right? Maybe

in our creed, but in our church, in our society, in our

world? Hardly. There remains news to proclaim and

much work to do.

As a privileged white male, even one whose career

has been in intercultural and anti-racism education, I

struggle to know my place, my charge. Just last night I

wondered what Juneteenth has to do with me. Isn’t it

more of a Black holiday? How does a white man honor

it accurately, respectfully? Two books I’m reading just

this morning remind me that our history is damning,

the work remains undone, and it calls for much more

than post-racial, free market “pulling up one’s own

bootstraps” proclamations.

Did you know that our neighbor, Oregon, was the rst

and only state admitted to the Union while it upheld a

law that excluded Black people from living there? Sar-

ah L. Sanderson (a former Bethany attendee!) tells the

story in The Place We Make: Breaking the Legacy of Legal-

ized Hate (Waterbrook, 2023). Her research and writing

seek to honestly consider the past, and to faithfully

wrestle with it as her own. This morning I read about

the white male (of course) judge in the case that ex-

iled, by law, Jacob Vanderpool, a free Black man seek-

ing to make his way as a hotel proprietor in frontier

Oregon City in 1851. And this not long after another

law (same judge), making Indian testimony inadmissi-

ble, excluded the testimony of women from the Clack-

amas Tribe who had been assaulted by white settlers

. . . on whose land? Case dismissed. Are our systems

and laws now colorblind? Should they be? I struggle

with this as we consider “owner”ship and stewardship

of our property in a neighborhood where yard signs

remind us that “Duwamish Rent Is Due.”

Some of us are participating in Bethany’s “All-Church

Read” of Rev. Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil’s new book,

Empowered to Repair: becoming people who mend broken

systems and heal our communities (Brazos, 2024). Timely

and challenging. In her Introduction, she recognizes

the complexity of our diverse post-colonial identities

and interpretations of Nehemiah, her primary text –

Nehemiah built a wall to rebuild a community. BIPOC

and white historical legacies and current experiences

give us very dierent lenses for how to read Nehemi-

ah, our own times, and our needs. Maybe that is not

so very dierent from those in Texas, Black & white,

Mexican & native, hearing the news of freedom (ac-

companied by 2,000 Union troops) on that rst June-

teenth in 1865.

I’m thankful to Dr. Brenda for helping us with the

heavy lifting (https://www.bethanypc.org/bethany-all-

church-read-2024/), but we’re just getting started. I’m

glad that we included “Lift Every Voice & Sing” in our

worship last Sunday, but am I, are we, listening?

Upcoming Congregational Life

Events - Summer 2024

Looking for ways to connect with fellow Bethany-ites? Come join in a smaller gath-

ering to get to know other folks – or consider serving, alongside your family, friends,

or small group, or get matched with other folks – to serve coee this summer on the

lawn, following our (single) 10:00am church service!

Summer Potluck (all ages)

Sunday, July 14th, 5:00-7:00pm, Ngongos' Home (North Beach)

Bring something to grill (for yourself) and a dish to share! We will eat, hang

out, and enjoy the gorgeous view of the Puget Sound from the Ngongos' North

Beach deck.

Mariners Game vs. Houston Astros (all ages)

Saturday, July 20th, 6:40pm, T-Mobile Park

Come cheer on the M’s together with people of all ages and stages from our

church family! Tickets are only $15.

Polar Plunge

Saturday, July 27th, 9:00-10:30am, Golden Gardens Park

Come do a mid-summer "polar plunge" at Golden Gardens Park (meet near

playground and walk together to the water). Wear your suit and water shoes

or ip-ops, and bring a towel, blanket, or cozy coat to wear after. If you want

to be a part of the (non-plunging) beach crew, bring a beach chair or blanket –

and help be ready with warm beverages.

Low-Tide Walk (all ages)

Sunday, August 4th, 1:00-3:00pm, Discovery Park Lighthouse

Join marine biologist Mark Plunkett on a low-tide walk around the Discovery

Park Lighthouse! All ages are welcome to explore and learn about the crea-

tures and features of this beautiful tidal zone. (NOTE: Dogs not encourages to

join for this walk.)

All-Church Picnic (all ages)

Sunday, August 25th, Woodland Park (timing TBD)

Come enjoy a picnic with your whole church family – in nearby Woodland

Park. Fun, food, fellowship, and fresh air are promised. More details about

start time and food will be communicated later this summer.

>> Click Here for Event Sign-Ups >>

Questions? Contact Michelle McFarland: [email protected]om or

206-954-5363.

Reach our Oce

bethany@bethanypc.org

206-284-2222

3 Howe St.

Seattle, WA 98109

Head of Sta

Rev. Dr. Doug Kelly

DougK@bethanypc.org

Associate Pastor of Youth

and Young Adults

Rev. Danielle Merseles

DanielleM@bethanypc.org

Director of Children and

Family Ministries

Rev. Bianca Quezada

BiancaQ@bethanypc.org

Director of Worship Ministries

Carlos Rangel

CarlosR@bethanypc.org

Director of Formation and

Outreach Ministries

Marisa Gronholz

MarisaG@bethanypc.org

Director of Wednesday

Night Dinner

Ken Jordan

KennethJ@bethanypc.org

Facilities Administrator

Aken Daniels

AkenD@bethanypc.org

Director of Communications

and Systems

Suzanne Mason

SuzanneM@bethanypc.org

Administrative Coordinator

Reid Cook

ReidC@bethanypc.org

Fellowship HALL and Fellowship SMALL

Fellowshipping in New Ways

by Michelle McFarland, Congregational Life Elder

As we collectively attempt to recover from the discon-

nectedness of the pandemic, in trying to nd “the new

normal,” many of us are looking for ways to reconnect

with other humans!

The Fellowship Hall is back open after both Sunday ser-

vices (however, moving to the lawn following the single

10:00am summer service, starting June 23rd), for coee,

tea, and fellowship. We also host Super Special Second

Sunday (SSSS) every month, where we serve fun food,

in addition to two large annual receptions for Easter

and Advent.

For many folks, the Fellowship Hall time provides a great

opportunity to see old friends and to welcome newcom-

ers. However, it can also be a hard place for some. If you

are more introverted, you come on your own to church,

or you are new and just trying to make smaller connec-

tions, it can be a bit overwhelming. Therefore, we have

started to provide some smaller-space gathering op-

portunities, outside of Sunday mornings, which we are

aectionately calling “Fellowship Small” (vs the larger

Fellowship HALL – get it?).

Here's a recap of some of the Fellowship Small activities

we have recently enjoyed, many of which have provided

a chance for people of all ages and stages to be together:

Bethany Barks – Magnuson Park Dog Walk – Some

of the Bethany pups brought their owners and other

friends to play. This one will denitely be back (Mary-

moor Dog Park next time?)!

Mox Boarding House Game Night – Apparently

WINGSPAN was the game of the night. It was a fun way

to welcome some newcomers, and to see who the true

board game-lovers are!

Discovery Park Walk – This walk was a multi-genera-

tional, international aair! Led by Caroline Plummer

and Delene DeForest-Dale, it was a gorgeous day to hike

through and “discover” more of this amazing park.

Clothing Swap – This inaugural event was a huge suc-

cess, thanks to the many of you who donated, helped

to sort and display, and who “shopped” for clothing

either during the event or on Sunday morning. The

remaining clothing items were enjoyed by Wednes-

day Night Dinner and New Horizons folks.

Pub Trivia Night – We elded two trivia teams, “The

Six-Sided Objects” and “Sitting on the Deck of the

Stoup.” The latter took second place over the whole

night, while a few of us were just happy to be able to

answer one question.

Kubota Gardens Spring Walk – Led by Dianne Ross,

the group got to explore the gorgeous foliage of this

pretty park in the south end. Hoping to plan another

one when the fall colors start to explode!

Laughter Yoga – Led by Iris Escobar, the group

jumped a bit out of their comfort zone to get the full

results of how great laughter (real or fake) is for your

overall physical and mental health.

In the fall, we hope to host a “Who’s Coming to Din-

ner?” event, where people can host or attend a small-

er dinner. Stay tuned for details! We are also excited

to welcome back the All-Bethany Church picnic this

summer. The game night and pub trivia night will

also be back, by popular demand.

Do YOU have an idea, or something that you want to

host? Let’s connect! Contact Michelle McFarland at

[email protected]om.

Fellowshipping in New Ways (cont.)

by Michelle McFarland, Congregational Life Elder

Grace Campbell

Grace moved to Seattle shortly after college and has been making things

work! Professionally, she is a Controller for her department within a Cell

Therapy Pharma company that brings life-saving treatments to patients

globally. In her personal life, she likes to spend time with her friends and

family, travel, collect art, and tries to keep her plants alive!

Julie Berger

Julie grew up in rural farming country in Wisconsin where the Presby-

terian Church was loved by her family. She has lived in the greater Seat-

tle area since 1987 attending the University of WA obtaining an MFA in

Art-Metal Design. Julie has done several public art commissions in the

area. She now teaches in the Advanced Manufacturing department at Ev-

erett Community College helping students on their path to success. She

loves the outdoors, hiking, and spending time in the wilderness. She also

enjoys meeting new people and looks forward to connecting with people

at Bethany.

Lisa Dunn

Seattle born and bred in the south end, Lisa completed college at SPU and

traveled in Europe o and on for a year and a-half. Finally settled in the

north end of the city, she married Michael Olmstead, had two great girls

who are now grown, and is an accountant with a bookkeeping business.

Lisa adores travel, learning, games, gardens, walking, and most of all com-

munity. :)

We look forward to welcoming these friends into membership during worship this Sunday,

June 23rd:

"You belong to Christ. You belong to us.

We belong to Christ together."

Welcome New Members

Welcome New Members (cont.)

Sinclair Ralston

Sinclair works as an ICU nurse at the University of Washington. She

moved up to Seattle from Los Angeles for Nursing school and fell in love

with the Pacic Northwest! She loves being outside, biking, gardening and

trying all of the coee shops in Seattle!

Carol Jackson

Carol was born and raised in Seattle. She has traveled extensively and

lived abroad. She returned to Seattle to marry, raised an amazing family,

and made fabulous friends. She's also loved past jobs. Her post-employ-

ment go-to is volunteering for Queen Anne non-prots and the Wednes-

day Night Dinner at Bethany.

Ken Jordan

Ken is the Director of Wednesday Night Dinner at Bethany. He is a faithful

servant, walking with God for over 20 years. He enjoys fellowship with

his brothers and sister. Ken worked in Human Services for 25 years. He

believes in loving all and caring for the needy, and helping around the

church as needed.

Jason Herman

Jason works in technology consulting and also teaches as an adjunct pro-

fessor in the SPU English department. In January, his wife (Gloria Sand-

ford) and he were married here at Bethany. Together, they have ve kids:

Adam (25); Victoria (22); Sophia (21, a junior at Arizona State); Izzy (19,

a freshman at UC Irvine); and Livi (15, a freshman at Shorewood High

School). Jason recently completed the Living School program at the Cen-

ter for Action and Contemplation, which is a two-year immersion in the

Christian mystical tradition. He loves writing, reading, discussing litera-

ture and theology, and spending time with his wife, kids, and friends!

While I have been around Bethany for 20 years now,

it has been four and a half years since I came on

sta. I can hardly believe it and do still consider it

an honor and a privilege and a deep joy to serve as

the Director of Formation and Outreach. One of my

greatest joys is to come alongside both our long-term

ministry partners and support the outreach passions

and eorts of congregants who are involved in other

organizations and ministries. Because of your gener-

ous giving, we are able to keep an undesignated line

item in the budget and respond to emergent needs

both locally and globally. We draw on the Outreach

Fund (a fund that houses designated gifts to out-

reach and rolls over from year to year) to respond

to requests for funding outside of partners listed as

line-items in our budget. I wanted to take a moment

to thank you for your generosity to Bethany and up-

date you on some decisions the outreach team has

made in recent months.

We were able to:

• Provide $2,000 to Greg Nelson and $2,000 to Kay

Westburg from the Outreach Fund, which will

support the Opportunity International Rise Proj-

ect in Malawi. This funds two women who live well

below the global poverty line of $2.00/day to par-

ticipate in the Rise Project and get the training and

nancing necessary to provide for their families.

Greg and Kay will be climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro

to raise funds and awareness for this project. For

more information, visit: www.opportunity.org

• Provide $2,500 to Mature Christian Ministries /

Pastor Hermon in Bukavu, Democratic Republic

of the Congo. Pastor Herman visited Bethany in

May and shared with a group about his ministry in

the DRC. His work is focused on supporting trau-

matized and frequently displaced rural and urban

populations to nd ways of healing, stabilizing and

developing their own food security and economic

autonomy through Christ-based, practical disci-

pleship. He is a dear friend of Jane Gunningham

and Ruth Silue. For more information, contact

Jane Gunningham: [email protected]om.

• Provide $2,500 to Bizra / Benjamin Selle in Somalil-

and. Bizra is a social enterprise that partners with

local landowners to improve their farms through

regenerative agriculture design and management,

in order to ght desertication and contribute to-

ward resilient landscapes and communities. Ben-

jamin is a family member of Bethany member, Jay

Derr, and his family has had a long relationship

with several people in our congregation. For more

information, visit: https://www.bizra.biz/

• Provide $1,500 to ECOS Church in Nairobi, Kenya

led by Pastor Prince Amani Drake. ECOS church

seeks to engage the next generation of Kenyan pas-

tors and leaders. Prince is Pastor Harvey Drake’s son

and has been doing some work with long-time part-

ner and friend of Bethany, Marta Bennett. For more

information visit https://www.instagram.com/ecos.

church.kenya/?locale=bz-hans&hl=am-et

Surplus Funding for Ecclesiastical Reparations

Last year it came to my attention that Bethany had

been blessed with some surplus funding from the

2020-2021 scal year totaling $65,352.42. A few elders

proposed that, in the spirit of our Roadmap to Recon-

ciliation work and our ongoing commitment to racial

justice and reconciliation, that we use those funds to-

wards ecclesiastical reparations. Ecclesiastical repa-

rations are repair attempts by the church to address

the systemic inequity that racism has caused. In his

book, The Color of Compromise, Jemar Tisby has a ro-

bust denition of Ecclesiastical reparations on pages

197-200 that Session, the global and local outreach

committees, and the Race and Justice liaisons used

to explore and discern where those nds might be

used. While ecclesiastical reparations can take many

shapes and forms, the team decided to focus on in-

dividuals and organizations with limited nancial

networks. Thank you so much for helping to make

this possible! Those funds went to the following indi-

viduals and organizations:

• $15,000/year for three years to King County Youth

Chaplaincy to help fund Durrell Green’s position

(total $45,000) For more information, visit: www.

youthchaplaincy.org

(continued on next page)

Outreach Ministry Updates

by Marisa Gronholz, Director of Formation & Outreach Ministries

Surplus Funding for Ecclesiastical Reparations

(continued from previous page)

• $5,000/year for three years to Chris Thurton with

the Unity Collective – a BIPOC-led organization

committed to Transforming individuals, relation-

ships, and communities through embodied inter-

sectional, integrative, and holistic care. They pro-

vide low to no cost care for BIPOC individuals and

families.

• $5,000 to Acts on Stage – Acts On Stage is a prod-

uct of the collaborative imaginations and eorts

of its founders, Michelle Lang-Raymond and Isi-

ah Anderson, Jr. Combined, they have dedicated

40+ years to serving various artistic communities

in the Pacic Northwest while remaining laser-fo-

cused on increasing access and opportunity to art-

ists of color and activists of faith. Acts on Stage is

committed to respecting the arts as method and

equipping the artists as messengers who generate

thought and action on matters of social justice and

reform.

• Remaining $353.42 to Roadmap to Reconciliation

Fund.

Contact Marisa Gronholz with any questions at:

marisag@bethanypc.org.

Outreach Ministry Updates (cont.)

In her book Liturgy of the Ordinary, Tish Harrison

Warren remarks,

“We are shaped every day, whether we know it or

not, by practices—rituals and liturgies that make us

who we are. We receive these practices—which are

often rote—not only from the church or the Scrip-

tures but from the culture, from the “air around us.”

The air around us, today, forms us into little self-suf-

cient silos. Individuals: separate and disconnected.

Countless tiny rituals and liturgies do this, from the

way we’re shown to Google for information instead

of seeking others’ wisdom to the way we’re implic-

itly told that fears & anxieties should be held inside

lest we reveal weakness to another. This deformation

away from community and towards individualism is

powerful and consistent…what can we do about it?

We can, it seems, become liturgists. Become ritualists,

planning “ceremonies” to form each other towards

community and interconnectedness.

On June 5th, Bethany’s young adults had the privilege

of hosting our 2nd annual High School Graduate

Night—a small liturgy celebrating our community’s

newly-minted young adults, welcoming them into

this new stage of life. Six graduates joined more than

a dozen of our YA community, and what followed was

several hours of counter-cultural connectedness.

Everyone vulnerably shared answers to a connec-

tion-question of their choice. I wonder which ques-

tion you’d pick to answer in front of others, and from

which questions you’d shy away?

Then, Steven Westburg continued a new YA tradition

by giving a PowerPoint presentation (yes, you read that

correctly) about what he does for work. This new tra-

dition is a way we, as a community, are developing cu-

riosity about each other’s lives. I wonder who in your

church community you’re curious about? I wonder

whose work life you really know, and whose work life

you simply assume to be a certain way?

Next, graduates gamely shared—with a room full of

older strangers—an anxiety and an anticipation for

this next season they’re entering. What anxieties and

anticipations do you hold in your own season of life,

and how might it feel to voice them as courageously

as the graduates did?

(continued on next page)

by Matt Miller, Associate Director of Young Adults

Young Adults Ministry Reﬂections & Update

Young Adults Group Kayaking on Lake Union

by Matt Miller, Associate Director of Young Adults

Young Adults Ministry Reﬂections (cont.)

Finally, our young adult community responded to

and expanded on questions asked by the graduates.

Some shared advice, some shared stories. Memo-

ries were refreshed on how scary it is to go away to

college; young adults remembered dicult seasons

through which they’d grown. I wonder what wisdom

you might have to share with those you’ve preceded

in life? And what wisdom you might hope to hear

from those who have preceded you?

Our time concluded with a blessing from Kate Bowl-

er and a reminder that—even though our graduates

are leaving, we are their home as part of Bethany—

and that our doors are always ready to welcome them

home.

To be a counter-cultural liturgist can be as simple as

what happened on June 5th. Invite someone or many

someones in. Host: with food, with conversation, with

curiosity, and with intention. Bring your vulnerabil-

ity as a bridge across whatever gap may exist: a dif-

ference in age, state, or political aliation. Lead with

new practices, like remarking on how huge someone’s

recent life transition is, instead of giving into our cul-

ture’s constant hustle & churn. And, if you’re into this

kind of thing…borrow Kate Bowler’s words and send

your guests with a blessing.

God, challenge us to be bright lights, illuminating each

other’s faces against the dark disconnection so thick &

present in our world. Challenge us to reach out as Christ’s

hands and feet, risking rejection & awkwardness in an in-

ward-retreating world. Remind us that it is our mission to

love one another as you have loved us—boldly, danger-

ously, and sacricially. Amen.

Youth Ministries Summer Events - Mark Your Calendars!

Wednesday, June 26th - Sunday, June 30: MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMP!

Tuesday, July 9th, 6:15 - 8:00pm: Scavenger Hunt and Menchie's; meet at Youth House (11 Howe)

Wednesday, July 17th, 5:00 - 8:00pm: Wednesday Night Dinner + Games Night; meet in Fellowship

Hall to serve at WND (and eat!) followed by games in the Youth House

Saturday, July 20th, 6:40pm at the Mariner's! This has been a fun youth event in summers past and we

are now turning this into an all church event! Bring your family and friends! Sign up for tickets here.

July 22-26: Volunteer at Vacation Bible Camp; to sign up, click here

Tuesday, July 30th, 7:00 - 9:00pm: You're invited to THE birthday party of 2024! We are celebrating

everyone with summer birthdays with a big party in the Youth House!

Tuesday, August 6th: Mini Golf night at Interbay, time TBD. All incoming 6th graders - graduating

seniors are welcome. (Parents, we will also need 3 people to help out this night!)

Sunday, August 11- Friday, August 16: High School Summer trip to learn and serve alongside our

friends at Mending Wings, Yakama Reservation

by Danielle Merseles

Assoc. Pastor of Youth & Young Adults

Summer Camps & Trips at Bethany

Summer. It is nally arriving in Seattle meaning parades around town, tending gardens, and the best sunsets.

We are all so busy during the year – especially our students ! Summer oers space to get away to play, encounter

Jesus, make new friends, serve, and grow as a community. While you might not see us in the pew on a Sunday,

know that we are worshiping under the trees that day. This year, I’d like to invite you to pray for us. Pray for the

best weather possible, safety, patience for our volunteers, all the details, packing mercies, the anxiety of stu-

dents at drop o, good rest, and simply for each person to meet Jesus in our journey.

Trips and Dates:

June 26 - 30: Middle School Summer Camp (open to all 6th-8th graders) to Port Orchard, WA

July 12 - 14: Young Adult + College Student Kayaking trip to Blake Island

July 22 - 26: Vacation Bible Camp at Bethany for Pre-K - 5th grade students

August 11 - 16: High School Service Trip to Mending Wings ministries, Yakama Reservation

We’re heading into the homestretch of our regular season Sunday program and preparing for a wonderful

summer! One thing I have learned in 18 years of church work is when it comes to volunteers, provide extended

on-ramps and easy o-ramps. This season we are saying goodbye to a few volunteers as many more are con-

sidering joining this amazing team by assessing their God-given gifts and capacity. If volunteering in Children

& Family Ministries is a way you’d like to participate in God’s kingdom, please reach out!

Sunday Classes. Every spring we see a jump in kid attendance, and this year is no dierent. It has been a joy

to see the kids’ smiling faces as they learn, play, and explore together. Elder extraordinaire, Meghan Waddle

and I are examining the many lessons and

milestones a child experiences from birth

through 5th grade graduation. We are ask-

ing, what do we want the kids to know

after each year of Sunday classes, how

do subsequent classes build on each oth-

er, and what are children learning about

God’s diverse and beloved creation? Stay

tuned for exciting outcomes!

Milestones. Since January, the 1st-5th

graders have completed their church mile-

stones including learning the Lord’s Prayer,

participating in Communion, receiving

their Bibles, and exploring Creation Care.

Last weekend, Janette and Mark Plunkett

hosted 8 families on a Discovery Park na-

ture walk where we slowed down, listened

to God’s voice in nature, and considered

God’s beautiful handiwork throughout creation. Congratulations to all classes for diving deep into dense but

essential topics of faith!

Vacation Bible Camp (VBC) registra-

tion deadline July 8! The dates are set

and plans are in motion for this summer’s

main event, Space: God’s Love is Every-

where, July 22-26, 9am-12pm on campus!

All kids near and far, from Bethany regu-

lars to friends, family, and neighbors are

invited to join the fun this summer. Regis-

tration and information can be found on

our website, www.bethanypc.org/children.

If you have any time that week or prior to

help make this the best VBC ever, please

by Bianca Quezada, Director of Children & Family Ministries