Volume 2014 Issue 1 January, 2014 FACING OUR FAITH The theme for the 2014 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, January 18 -25, is based on the provocative question posed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:13; “Has Christ been divided?” Writing to a church that was divided both by social status and argu- ments over doctrine and authority, Paul calls followers of Christ to be members of a community that is marked by equality and mutual love. Christian love knows no bounds. In a Christian community, believ- ers share with Christ all that Christ is and has, and Christ shares with us all that we are and have. The medieval teacher Ber- nard of Clair Vaux described this as a “happy exchange,” a term that Martin Lu- ther also used to describe the relationship between Christ and those who believe in him. One of the great joys of being in min- istry in Cromwell for me is the close rela- tionship enjoyed by the clergy and member congregations of the Christian Clergy Council of Cromwell (CCCC). We will have an opportunity to celebrate our unity in Christ with a Community Prayer Service on Thursday, January 23 at Hilltop Cove- nant Church at 7:00 p.m. On Sunday, February 9, CCCC clergy will participate in a “Pulpit Exchange.” Each visiting preach- er will preach on “The Body of Christ,” drawing again on Paul’s 1 st epistle to the church in Corinth. As important as such visible signs of Christian unity and ecumenism are, I be- lieve that Christ is calling Christians to an even deeper unity with our wider communi- ty. Scripture reminds us that God’s love is not reserved for a chosen few, or even for people of a particular religious tradition. As John’s gospel reminds us, “For God so love the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) With this in mind, it is good that also on February 9 (time and location to be an- nounced), we will have the opportunity to come together to live our Christian unity in a different way. On this day will be inviting all members of Cromwell congregations to learn more about our wider community, particularly about the needs of those whom God has placed near us. Our learning will draw us beyond ourselves and we will ben- efit from the expertise of other community leaders in this process. Understanding our community’s needs will be the first step in our work together. We will also need to dis- cern the gifts already present among us and begin to imagine how we might grow in our ability to follow Jesus’ command to love our neighbors as ourselves. I’m excited about this newly strengthened partnership between church leaders and public officials, faithful parish- ioners and others who live or work in our wider community. Coming together in this (Continued on page 3) The Bethany Messenger
Transcript
Volume 2014 Issue 1 January, 2014
FACING OUR FAITH The theme for the 2014 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, January 18 -25, is based on the provocative question posed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:13; “Has Christ been divided?” Writing to a church that was divided both by social status and argu-ments over doctrine and authority, Paul calls followers of Christ to be members of a community that is marked by equality and mutual love. Christian love knows no bounds. In a Christian community, believ-ers share with Christ all that Christ is and has, and Christ shares with us all that we are and have. The medieval teacher Ber-nard of Clair Vaux described this as a “happy exchange,” a term that Martin Lu-ther also used to describe the relationship between Christ and those who believe in him. One of the great joys of being in min-istry in Cromwell for me is the close rela-tionship enjoyed by the clergy and member congregations of the Christian Clergy Council of Cromwell (CCCC). We will have an opportunity to celebrate our unity in Christ with a Community Prayer Service on Thursday, January 23 at Hilltop Cove-nant Church at 7:00 p.m. On Sunday, February 9, CCCC clergy will participate in a “Pulpit Exchange.” Each visiting preach-er will preach on “The Body of Christ,” drawing again on Paul’s 1
st epistle to the
church in Corinth. As important as such visible signs of Christian unity and ecumenism are, I be-lieve that Christ is calling Christians to an even deeper unity with our wider communi-ty. Scripture reminds us that God’s love is not reserved for a chosen few, or even for people of a particular religious tradition. As John’s gospel reminds us, “For God so love the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) With this in mind, it is good that also on February 9 (time and location to be an-nounced), we will have the opportunity to come together to live our Christian unity in a different way. On this day will be inviting all members of Cromwell congregations to learn more about our wider community, particularly about the needs of those whom God has placed near us. Our learning will draw us beyond ourselves and we will ben-efit from the expertise of other community leaders in this process. Understanding our community’s needs will be the first step in our work together. We will also need to dis-cern the gifts already present among us and begin to imagine how we might grow in our ability to follow Jesus’ command to love our neighbors as ourselves. I’m excited about this newly strengthened partnership between church leaders and public officials, faithful parish-ioners and others who live or work in our wider community. Coming together in this
(Continued on page 3)
The Bethany Messenger
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Empty Spaces Indicate that Volunteers are Needed—Please see the sign up sheets
VOLUNTEERS: These assignments are arbitrari-
ly made based on past willingness to serve. If you
find that you cannot serve on a Sunday when you
have been scheduled, please try to find a replace-
ment. Also, it is important that you call Robin in
the office (860-635-4618) by Thursday, when oth-
er arrangements have been made, so the changes
can be put into the Sunday bulletin.
The 2014 Coffee & Flower Sign-up Sheets are avail-able on the revolving ki-osk in the narthex. Please take a look at the
sign-up sheets to see if there is a convenient date for you to sign-up for.
Volunteers for February 3rd
Assisting Minister/Lector: 8:00 a.m.— Deb Gustafson 10:30 a.m.— Jerry Griscom & Joshua Sullivan
Acolyte: 8:00 a.m.— 10:30 a.m.—
Altar Guild: Barbara Spada
Ushers: Bruce & Christian Gustafson John Trousdale
Altar Flowers:
Coffee Hour:
Counters: Terri Clark & Ann Naughton
Assisting
Minister /
Lector:
8:00 a.m.— Ellen Arendt
10:30 a.m.—Lee Blaede
& Joshua Sullivan
Altar
Guild: Carol Frago
Ushers: Bob Veillette, Clark McAdams,
Joe Courchaine
Acolytes: 5 8– Jennifer Salce /
10:30–
12 8– Amanda Johnson
10:30– Adrien Ahrens
19 8– Amanda Johnson
10:30–
26 8– Brett Myskowski
10:30–
Coffee
Hour: 5 Chuck & Gail Balderston
8:00 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
12
MARC I Group Home
19
26
Altar
Flowers: 5
12
19
26
Counters: Russell Smith & Elaine Jarvis
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How about just a handy tidbit of information? Many of us are walking around carry-ing a key bit of Betha-ny knowledge that possibly no one else knows. Where is the black cloth that we drape over the cross on Good Friday? Who painted the ceramic nativity figures that show up at Christmas? What day do we usually do some-thing on? If you know the answers to these or any other similar types of questions, Danielle O’Linn is compiling a “Bethany Bits & Pieces” notebook so just in case the one person who knows where that important item is stored isn’t available the moment that item is needed, we might have a chance of finding it anyway. If you think you might have a “secret” to share, speak to Danielle!
ANNUAL MEETING We will be holding our Annual Congre-gational Meeting on Sunday, January 26th after
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WOMEN OF THE ELCA
Schedule for 2013—2014
Monday, February 10, 2014—Breakfast at “Spada’s”, Main Street, Cromwell
Monday, April 28, 2014—Planning Meeting
June—Picnic, date to be determined
DO YOU HAVE A KEY TO THE CHURCH?
We are trying to compile a list of the members who have keys to the church. Please call Robin in the church office at 860-635-4618 or send her an email at: [email protected] to let her know if you have a key. We appreciate your help!
CAN YOU HELP… This will be Diane McAdams & Missy Duteau’s last year running the Youth Group. We are looking for volunteers to take over this important ministry with our youth. If you can help, please speak to Pastor or Diane.
way, we answer Paul’s question about a divided Christ with a resounding, “No!” Even more, when we care for those in need we put a “face on our faith” and make Christ’s love known in a tangible way. That sounds pretty incarnational to me. Finally, thanks to all of the won-derful people of Bethany. My family and I are very grateful to be members of this community of faith. At our annual meet-ing on Sunday, January 26, we will both celebrate the ministries of the past year and look forward to the future that is un-folding before us. Thank you for your faithful support of our shared ministry and for all the ways that we are making Christ known in our community. Happy New Year!
Pastor’s Column (Continued from page 1)
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From The Organ Loft
THANKS TO ALL WHO MADE CHRISTMAS MUSIC SO SPECIAL ADVENT/CHRISTMAS CONCERT November and December were in-deed busy ones for the Music Department of Bethany. Preparations began early for the Advent/Christmas concert which was presented on December 1
st with close to
250 people in attendance, the largest at-tendance for this event in many years. The music was beautifully presented and the appreciation of the audience was evident in their enthusiasm at the event and also by the phone calls and notes which were re-ceived. Bethany is so blest to have so many talented and dedicated people who give so much of their time and energy to lead an enhance our worship experience. SPEICAL THANKS/NEW CD AVAILABLE Special thanks goes to Liz Fried-mann for her music, preparation of posters and the recording and preparation of a beautiful CD. which is now available for $10 in the narthex. Carole Frago, as usual, did a wonderful job in co-coordinating the re-ception which followed the concert. A spe-cial note of thanks to Ellen Arendt whose inspiration and writing and beautiful singing provided the focus of the message “All Chil-dren See Him”.
We also introduced the Bethany Trio, Pas-tor Paul on the dums and a return visit from the Hymn Tunes and the Bethany Quartet. Who could not have enjoyed Julie Loesel’s work with the Folk Choir and her inspired rendering of Go Tell It On the Mountain. For all who contributed in any way — Thank You! ALUMANE BACK TO SING During the Christmas season we were so pleased to have two of our choir alumnae back singing special music for our Christmas services. Both McKenzie Fried-mann and Kendra Oates are pursing ca-reers in musical theatre and both have had starring roles in recent productions. We were so pleased hear Kendra’s beautiful interpretation of Mary Did You Know at the 5:00 o’clock service on Christ-mas Eve and Kenzie and Liz doing a mov-ing rendition of “Still, Still” at 11:15 wor-ship. We are grateful to both of these young women for being with us and for continuing their ministry through music at Bethany. PAGENT AND MUSIC OUTSTANDING As we look back over Christmas how can we not highlight the wonderful singing and music of Bethany’s “younger set” at the Christmas Pageant. The pro-gram opened with Chase, on the trumpet, with O, Come All Ye Faithful and Ryan with two beautiful offerings on the saxophone with O Little Town of Bethlehem and We Three Kings. What a great event that was on the Sunday preceding Christmas. The church was full and people began arriving a half hour early to get a seat. What a great way of preparing for Christmas Other highlights of the season in-
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Statistically
Speaking...
Attendance...
2012 2013
The
February
Messenger
Deadline is:
January 15th
Is Your Pledge Up to Date
Pledge activity thru December 31, 2013 —
Pledges needed over first 52 Sundays to reach our Budget: $174,000
Received over the first 52 Sundays: Pledges : $170,107
Deficit: $3,893
8 am / 10:30
am 8 am / 10:30
am
Dec. 1 35 / 92 18 / 75
Dec. 8 36 / 87 32 / 81
Dec. 15 28 / 116 Snow storm
Dec. 22 33 / 264 39 / 261
Dec. 24, 5 pm 136 125
Dec. 24, 11:15 47 20
Dec. 25 16 20
Dec. 29 44 24 / 83
cluded a return to Setting Four of the liturgy and Bethany’s hosting of the Community Thanksgiving Service, with a combined choir of approximately 30 voices raised in praise. HOOG CONCERT ON JANUARY 26
TH AT FOUR PM
Linda (Hoog) Hilliard will once again be presenting a concert in memory of Elaine Ruth Hoog. This is an annual event which the congregation always looks forward to sponsor-ing. Funds raised are used to provide a scholarship for worthy students at the Donohue School of Music in memory of Elaine a gifted young musi-cian, the daughter of Pastor and Ruth Hoog who tragically died as young girl in a tragic accident. Mr. Donohue and other members of the school faculty and students are represented on the pro-gram. LENT WILL SOON BE HERE Please come and join us in sing-ing! We are always looking for new choir members and now is the time to join us as we prepare for the music of Lent and Easter. Both the Bethany and Folk Choir welcome new singers to join us for not only music, but good fellow-ship and fun. With so much going on I hope I didn’t leave anything out Thanks again for all your support,
the 10:30 a.m. service. All church members are encouraged to attend. All committee leaders should hand in or email a report to Robin by January 12th. Please email your reports to Robin at: [email protected] Please speak to Pastor Paul or Robin with any questions.
BETHANY We have scheduled dated for our youth group events as follows: February 7th—Laser Tag
March 28th—Game Night or Movie Night
April 4th—TBD
April 13th—Palm Sunday and we would like to have our Annual Baked Potato Bar after the 10:30 a.m. service. We missed it last year.
May 9th—TBD
June ?? - Pool party at my house. Date to be decided and may be last minute due to the weather. Bethany Lutheran Youth Group is an opportunity for all to gather to have fun. Our goal is to foster Christian relationships that may carry over for a lifetime. The youth group is a place where all are accepted and free from any type of bullying or harassing. Please take note of our calendar of events and make it you goal to attend all of them. Diane McAdams
G R O U P
BETHANY RETREAT AT CALUMET January 17—20, 2014 for the Annual Bethany Retreat at Calumet. The form is
included with this Messenger on page 7. It has also been emailed to our members and can be filled out and emailed back to Mike Balinskas at [email protected]. He'll speak to you about the payment later. See Mike or Pastor Paul with any questions.
We received a couple of Thank You letters… 1. “Thank you so much for providing such a
wonderful Sunday evening meal for our guests on November 10th. They enjoyed the delicious meal of Lasagna, baked ziti, salad, rolls, fruit cocktail desserts, soda, lem-onade, bananas, and candy. What a great meal you provided for our guests. They thoroughly enjoyed it! You will be happy to know that you served 110 meals. We also appreciate the 12 volunteers who did a won-derful job serving and cleaning up afterward. You are all to be commended for a job well done. Sincerely and gratefully, Ronald Krom, Executive Director and Tracy Thomp-son, Administrative Assistant/Program Direc-tor”
2. “Thank you for your recent gift of $100 to ELCA World Hunger. Your faithful generosi-ty makes a life-changing difference for the people in need around the corner and around the world. Your gift is greatly appre-ciated. The vision of ELCA World Hunger is to end hunger in our world. One community at a time, one program at a time, that vision is coming ever closer to reality, thanks to gifts like yours. In Namibia, neighbors help neighbors get through the drought, thanks to your support and the expertise of our local
Bethany Bits ‘n Pieces (Continued from page 6)
partner. In Nepal, our trusted partner helps farmers get started with beekeeping so that they can supplement their income by selling honey. An in Iowa, neighbors gather on the last weekend of every month for a communi-ty lunch served by a congregation that un-derstands how that last weekend can be a hungry one. To neighbors near and far, gifts like yours bring not only help, but hope. Thank you! In Christ’s service, The Rev. Daniel Rift, Director, ELCA World Hunger”
Jerry Griscom (Kristopher) to visit Saint’s Alive On the 16th of January our own Jerry Griscom will be a special guest of Saint’s Alive, telling us of his life and a career as a well-known radio personali-ty. He will bring us up to date on his ca-reer, it highlights, opportunity and chal-lenges as well as his new role WJMJ. Last year Saint’s Alive hosted an afternoon with Angel Carlin who told of us her work as an artist and teacher and in keeping with our goal of highlighting people within our congregation and their work we are now pleased to offer this “Afternoon with Jerry” Everyone is invited to our pro-grams and events—bring yourself, your family and friends. We always have good fellowship and refreshments too!!
2013 – 2014 Schedule
We extend an invitation to the en-tire congregation to join us for any or all of our activities.
February 20th Mardi Gras (all to provide refreshments)
March 20th St. Patrick’s Day Celebration (Gus and Janice – refreshments)
April 10th Visit to Recycling Plant
May 15th Birthday Party
June 19th Florence Griswold Museum Lunch at Flanders Fish House or at the Museum
July 17th Picnic at Chafinch Island (Jack to provide potato salad) Bring a box lunch
August Baseball Game – Gus in charge
September 18th Planning Session (Ellen and Allan to pro-vide refreshments) At the All Committee Night, mem-bers of Saints Alive agreed to act as greeters at special events such as funer-als, community concerts etc.
An
swers to
Kid
’s Pu
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pag
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You are cordially invited to B3S-"Brown Bag Bible Study." This is an opportunity to explore the lectionary read-ings for the upcoming Sunday in a deeper way than is possi-ble in a sermon. No past bible study is needed. Come as you are and let's take a look at the texts over lunch. Join us every Wednesday, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The coffee pot will be on!
SIMPLY GIVING Would you find it helpful to have your offerings debited directly from your bank account as you proba-bly do with other obligations? Betha-ny offers electronic giving for those of you who wish to have your contribu-tions transferred electronically to the church’s account. If you travel, this is particularly helpful in keeping up with your intended offerings. One simple, easy to use authorization form can begin or change your electronic contri-bution amount. Contact Robin in the church office Monday thru Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., 635-4618, for more de-tails.
