Portland Pride Festival, Bethel's new members, and more inside!

Weekly Highlights
Caring Conversation
Who are you remembering this Memorial Day weekend?
   Week of May 29


Sunday

Scrip Sales


8:00 am
Handbell Rehearsal
Chapel

9:00 am
Adult Conversations
Conference  Room

10:00 am
Worship
Sanctuary

11:15 am
Fellowship Time
Fellowship Hall
Monday
Memorial Day
Office Closed
Tuesday
5:30 pm
Hot Shots Rehearsal
Music Office
Wednesday
6:30 pm
Family Promise Informational Meeting
Ananda Center
Thursday
7:30 am
Men's Breakfast
Tom's Pancake House

11:00 am
Staff Meeting
Conference Room
Saturday
2:30 pm
Chancel Choir Rehearsal
Sanctuary

New Member Biographies

Kaitlyn Etter 
I was born in Claremont, CA. I have a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Cal State Fullerton. I worked professionally as an actress for seven years doing various musicals and onboard Holland America's ms Zaandaam as a singer/dancer. I lived in New York briefly and most recently got off the national/international tour of the musical Sister Act where I played a nun for 194 performances across the U.S., Canada and Japan. I also met my amazing boyfriend, Tyler, on this tour. 

I am beginning a new chapter in Oregon as I will be beginning the Master of Arts in Teaching 5th year program at Pacific University in Forest Grove this June. My endorsements will be in Music and Drama for Middle School/High School aged kids.

Rod Etter 
I was born in Santa Monica, CA where I lived for 28 years. I was married for 38 years to Kathy, who passed away last October. We met in marching band while marching in the Macy's Day Parade. We lived in Claremont, CA for 35 years where we attended UCC. I have a daughter Kaitlyn who is 30. I am a retired music teacher of 36 years, a piano tuner, and I now volunteer at the Oregon Food Bank.



Amy Mitchell 
My name is Amy Mitchell, and I am thrilled to be joining Bethel. When I found Bethel seven months ago, I was looking for something that connected me to the larger world and purpose. Religion has never been a foundation in my life and to be completely honest, I'm still grappling with it all. However, when looking for a church, I was searching for a warm, welcoming, inclusive environment. Bethel has been all of those things! It has allowed me to grow my faith at my own pace and in my own way.

I am married with two boys, ages eight and five. We have lived in Nevada and Oregon, as well as a two year stint in Singapore! Traveling to nine countries in two years was an incredible experience that our family will always remember. I work in education as a curriculum coordinator, with my first nine years being spent as a classroom teacher of 6th, 3rd and 2nd graders.

In my spare time, my passion is running. I have run one marathon, nine half marathons, and am currently training for my next one on July 4th. Additionally, I LOVE spending time with my family. We have siblings and parents who live close by, and anytime we can all be together is a blessing.

I look forward to getting to know you better and growing my faith here at Bethel!

Lisa Monie 
I'm so excited to be a part of this wonderful community at Bethel! I was born and raised in Roseburg, OR and went to college at the University of Oregon. Currently I own and operate a Subway restaurant in Hillsboro. I'm the lucky aunt to my niece and 5 nephews. Traveling the world and exploring my surroundings is something that is extremely important in my life. I also love reading, painting, and working on a new-found commitment to health. I can't wait to get to know the great members of this congregation!

Ann Tlustos 
Ann is a native of Portland and graduated from Franklin High School and Lewis and Clark College. She divided a career between business and classical singing. She has also sung in church choirs from an early age. Ann recently returned to Portland after living for 14 years in Bellingham, WA. She began a search for a church in Beaverton and gratefully found Bethel.
Family Promise

A Family Promise informational meeting will be held on June 1 at the Ananda Center on SW Watson (just across from Bethel) at 6:30 PM. For more info, contact Fran Jensen or Carolyn Rundorff.
Multi-Generational Activities This Summer

Are you aware of all the fun activities planned for the youth this summer? Well guess what? Many of the activities that are planned are multi-generational!!! That means you can grab your kids, your parents, your grandparents, the neighbor down the street and bring them along. It's a great way to introduce friends to the people of Bethel. In fact, we're having a Bethel camping trip to Timothy Lake August 1-3. Ken Ruse is coordinating the trip and 18 sites have been reserved! You won't want to miss this fun in the sun!

So mark your calendars for all the summer fun that is just around the corner! 
  • June 23rd - Day at the Beach and Trip to Hatfield Marine Science Center 
  • July 7th - Day Hike to Mirror Lake on Mt Hood 
  • July 14th - Hillsboro Hops Baseball Game (organized by Jim Butler) 
  • August 1-3 - Timothy Lake Campout
Contact Ken Ruse if you have questions or want to join in the fun!
Scrip

We carry Oswego Grill/Copper River scrip. Stop by the scrip table this Sunday!
Sanctuary Saints

Looking for a volunteer opportunity at Bethel but don't have the time on Sunday morning? Then come and join our newly-revived Sanctuary Saints. This group of dedicated individuals choose a week a month to come and go through our sanctuary making sure the pencils are sharpened, pew pads in place, hymnals distributed, flyers and envelopes in each pew and generally make sure our sanctuary looks nice and is ready for Sunday morning.  If this behind-the-scenes ministry calls to you, please contact Beth Astarte in the church office.
Faith Cafe

Please hold off donating plastic containers for Faith Cafe. We are running out of places to store them.
Tell Congress: Support Palestinian Children's Rights 

Palestinian children living under occupation face crippling daily realities as well as dim prospects for their future - a situation that has fueled an escalation in violence in recent months. Urge your representative to sign the McCollum letter asking President Obama to appoint a Special Envoy for Palestinian children. To find out more, CLICK HERE.
Mental Health Sunday And NAMI 

What in the world is NAMI? NAMI (pronounced NAH-MI) is the National Alliance on Mental Health. NAMI is a nonprofit organization with 1100 affiliates providing support, education, resources, and advocacy for people experiencing mental illness and their families  Jane Zilk and Jean Doane recently visited NAMI of Washington County, located at 18680 SW Shaw Street in Aloha, near 185th St. and TV Hwy. There they learned that one in five adults experiences a mental health condition every year. This could be you or someone you love.  Multnomah County also has a NAMI affiliate, located at 524 NE 52nd Ave. in Portland. You can reach Washington County NAMI at 503-356-6835 and Multnomah County NAMI at 503-228-5692. For more information please see Jane or Jean or visit nami.orgnamiwashco.org, and namimultnomah.org.
Portland Pride Parade

Come one, come all! The Portland Pride Parade (the second largest parade in Portland!) is happening on Sunday June 19, 2016 at 11:00 am Bethel will be marching along with the Central Pacific Conference. If you are interested in joining us, please RSVP the church office .

"Each year, thousands line the streets of Downtown Portland to watch up to 150 groups march the course from Burnside to the Waterfront. Don't miss your chance to celebrate so many colors of the rainbow as we all come together as one to celebrate, inspire, educate, and support."
Mark Your Calendars

Youth Sunday and Volunteer Recognition - June 5
Portland Pride Festival - June 18-19
Ice Cream Social - July 3
Worship in Schiffler Park/Church Picnic - August 28
Bethel Congregational United Church of Christ | (503) 646-1191 | Email | Website