October 26th, 2025

“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”

-Mother Teresa

*Friendly Reminder*

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

WISH LIST FOR RANDOLPH AREA FOOD SHELF​

The Food Shelf welcomes donations of bread, eggs, milk, butter, pasta, pasta sauces, canned vegetables, canned meats (chicken), beans rice, soups (Progresso brand most popular), tea, coffee, baking supplies. They also welcome personal care items ( tooth brushes, tooth paste, shampoo, and soap). Diapers of all sizes, pet foods and Feminine hygiene products.

For more information about where the food shelf is located, what items to donate, and their office hours please click here.

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.

MEET OUR INTERIM MINISTER!

Rev. Dr. Amy Lignitz Harken comes to Bethany Church, United Church of Christ, from rural Sabattus, Maine. 

Originally from Kansas, Amy spent much of her life in the Midwest before moving to New England in 2011. She earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University and enjoyed a 10-year career as a reporter and editor. In 2003, she received her Master of Divinity degree from The Divinity School at the University of Chicago. She was ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), a denomination prevalent in the Midwest, and very close in theology and practice to the United Church of Christ. She received standing with the UCC in 2010.

In 2020, she earned her Doctor of Ministry degree at Hartford Seminary (now Hartford International University for Religion and Peace), focusing on healthful and restorative communication in congregations, particularly Circles practices. She moved to Maine in 2021 to begin a new chapter in ministry, serving as the interim minister for churches searching for their next settled minister.  As either a settled or interim minister, she has served churches in Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, and, as a seminary student, in Illinois. 

Besides being a minister, Amy is a certified Spiritual Director and Circles practitioner. She has facilitated discussions through the Maine Humanities Council and volunteers through the Cumberland County court system’s restorative dialogues. 

Amy and her husband, Bruce, like to hike, explore New England’s many excellent craft breweries, and cheer on the Kansas City Chiefs. At their Maine home, they enjoy developing their ever-expanding backyard garden and work on household projects.

SUNRISE ROTARY FOOD & COAT DRIVE

Oct. 25 at Shaw’s Plaza 9am-3pm

Sunrise Rotary will be collecting food, cash donations, and winter gear to feed our neighbors and keep them warm this winter.  

All food and cash proceeds will go directly to the Randolph Area Food Shelf. Clothing (coats, hats, boots, gloves) will be distributed free to those in need.

MONTH OF OCTOBER

Bethany will be collecting the Neighbors in Need Offering during the month of October. This offering supports ministries of justice and compassion, with one-third of the offering given to the Council for American Indian Ministries and the remaining two-thirds supporting UCC justice ministries. This is one way we can expand our outreach to communities throughout the country.

APPLE PIES ARE READY!

We had another productive session on Tuesday and finished making Double Crust and Apple Crumb apple pies! They are now in the freezer and ready for sale. We will also be making freshly baked pumpkin pies closer to Thanksgiving.

We will be advertising the pie sale to the community in November, but Bethany folks are welcome to reserve or buy and take home pies any time. The frozen apple pies can be put right in the oven to bake (we provide directions). All pies are $20. See Terry to place your order now or wait for the online order form coming soon.

MISSING COAT

Bob Eddy is looking for a gold colored wool Ibex coat he left at Bethany on Tuesday. If you have seen it please email him here. Thank you!

CELEBRATIONS



We celebrate the birth of Christopher Randy Garner, born to Jake Garner and Nicole Campo. Randy and Pauline are the proud grandparents!

Happy Birthday to Judith’s great granddaughter Athena, Hannah’s sister Natalie, and Pastor Amy (who didn’t share that her birthday was last Friday!)

IN OUR PRAYERS

The family of John Lutz as they grieve his passing. Cards may be sent to Ruth Lutz at:

Valley Terrace, 2820 Christian St., Apt. 204, White River Junction, VT 05001

The families of Justin Silloway, Don Wakefield, and Allen Wright as they grieve the recent loss of their loved ones.

Mee Jin, daughter of Doug and Judy Moore, in a serious auto accident

Jane Terry, at home after a recent fall and hospitalization

David Atkinson- who has moved to a care facility. Cards may be sent to David at:

Blaire House Nursing Home

Room 135

1 Railroad St.

Milford, MA 01757

Ann Aikens- as her father enters hospice care

Sharon and Warren Needham’s granddaughter Violet- in hospital for care

We continue to pray for Dawn Chittenden, Rick Edwards, Marty Strange, and our friends at Menig: Ruth, Grace, Marge and Ed, Marge Johnson, Mary and Nancy 

We pray for the released hostages and prisoners in Israel and Gaza and hope for a real peace in that region

We pray for those impacted by the closing of the Pride Center in Burlington due to lack of state and federal funding

We pray for our Friends in Ukraine that they might soon find an end to the war

We pray for the immigrants in our country who are being targeted and deported without due process

We pray for our fragile planet and all the areas experiencing the impacts of climate change