February 8th, 2025

“Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world...would do this, it would change the earth.”


– William Faulkner

*Friendly Reminder*

Please have all information to be included in the Bethany Blast to Jennifer (bethanyucc@gmail.com) by Tuesday at noon

UCC Statement on Minneapolis Shooting

The UCC's General Minister and President, Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, has issued a special statement and prayer regarding the fatal shootings by ICE agents in Minneapolis. To read the statement and prayer, please click here.

Transition Team Formed for Interim Period

Many churches that are between settled ministers create “Transition Teams” to help during the transitional season, and Bethany Church is no exception. We now have a Transition Team that will help the congregation use this season productively: doing things we need to do, talking about things we need to talk about, etc., in anticipation of finding our next settled minister.

The members are: Randy Garner, Joy Kacik, Wendy Ross, Becky McMeekin, Vivian Fransen, and Bob Kubli. They are currently working with Pastor Amy to find ways to reach out to you. The team is very interested in your thoughts, your hopes, your fears, and your excitement about Bethany Church.  

You’ll be hearing more from the TT in the coming weeks and months. In the meantime, you can find a brief Q & A by following this link.

LENT MEETINGS - INTERESTED?

Jeanne Ward is calling on anyone interested in an in-person or zoom gathering during Lent to share thoughts around the readings in the UCC Lenten Booklet. (Booklets are going to be available at Bethany.) Friday morning or lunch time have been suggested but this is open to discussion.

Please call Jeanne at 802-565-8676 or email her to get in touch!

LET'S WEAR OUR NAME TAGS!


As an act of hospitality and fellowship, let's remember to wear our name tags in worship and during coffee hour. This is a wonderful way to make people feel welcome, and makes it less awkward for everyone if a name is forgotten -- it happens to the best of us!

If you don't have a name tag, please contact the church office and one will be made for you.

RANDOLPH REFUEL

Students in the Randolph School community are excited to partner with the RTCC Culinary Program and local community members to provide a free hot meal served out of a food truck for individuals and families in need. This initiative is rooted in community care, dignity, and access to nourishing food for all. Our goal is to create a consistent, stigma-free space where community members feel welcomed, supported, and respected.

Hot meals will be served on Tuesdays: at the Randolph Food Shelf from 12 to 1:30 Tuesdays. 

February 10

February 17

If you have any questions or would like to support this project you can contact Tevye Kelman or Beverly Taft: tkelman@orangesouthwest.org & btaft@orangesouthwest.org

DIRECTORY

In order to access the latest version of the Bethany directory, please save this link somewhere where you can go back and access it on your computer/device. This is the shared link on google drive which will always show the most recently updated version - if you cannot access it, please let Jenni know.

For those of you who prefer downloading it directly or need to print, please find the PDF version here (****PLEASE NOTE the last update has been made on 1/21/26 and since this is a PDF document, it will NOT show recent updates like the link above.)

KEEP YOUR PRAYER LIST VISIBLE

Here is a way to keep the folks who are on our prayer list in our hearts and minds: Cut the list out from the bulletin or write the names down on a piece of paper and post the list somewhere you will see it each day. Take a moment to think of or say a prayer for those on the list. Think of the cloud of prayers that will surround each recipient if we all do that!

IN OUR PRAYERS

Ruth Tucker, having back surgery.

Marge Cowles, struggling with pain.

George Phillips, recovering from a medical event.

Kit Hood's friend Phil Dunn.

All those experiencing cancer: Carolyn, Lee, Denise, Kathryn, Alice.

Continued prayers for Marty Strange, Carol Hodgdon, Ralph Ward, Pastor Kim's son Patrick, David Atkinson and our dear friends at Menig: Ruth, Grace, Marge, Ed, Mary, and Nancy.

We pray for the people of Minneapolis and all around our country who are experiencing the tactics and violence of ICE agents.

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Office hours for the church are:

Wednesdays: 9:30am-2pm

Fridays: 9:30am-2pm

During those hours, the side door (near the kitchen) will be unlocked, and one of the staff will be in the office. 


While our minister always welcomes a pop-in visit, to ensure she'll be there and available, it's always a good idea to call ahead or make an appointment by e-mailing her at bethanypastoramy@gmail.com.