Bethel United Church of Christ Blog
272 episodes - English - Latest episode: 18 days ago -A progressive church with a modern mindset. Our Christian faith is 2000 years old, but our thinking is not.
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Habitat for Humanity
April 12, 2024 18:59In April, on Wednesday, April 24th, the Portland Region will hold their annual one-hour program and free lunch. Bethel will host two/three tables and the keynote speaker will be award winning Majora Carter, an urban revitalization strategist, author, and Peabody Award-winning broadcaster. Look for more information in future announcements in April. Contact Paul Griffo ([email protected]) and/or Leon Taylor ([email protected]) for more information. Paul and Leon serve ...
Eastertide - Resurrection Stories - Unlock Yours
April 05, 2024 23:14Resurrection Stories: Our Eastertide series dives deep into the inspiration of Jesus conquering the grave and invites us to examine the resurrection stories within our own lives. Each of us experiences death in our lifetime, be it the physical death of a person, or the metaphorical death of an idea or relationship or goal that we then have to carry on without. And therefore, each of us carries a story of hope within us too. We all have another day to try again, to let go and start anew, or ...
All Church Talent Show - Saturday April 20th
March 29, 2024 17:20Bethel is planning a talent to showcase all the amazing talents and passions here at our church on Saturday, April 20th! And when we say All Talent, we mean it! Our show will begin at 2 pm with our performers showing off their skills, from singing to playing a variety of instruments, to stand up and arts entertainment. After this we will showcase the visual arts and crafts of more talented folks at Bethel, from quilting to baking, to knitting to painting, and much more! This will be a ...
Habitat for Humanity - Save the Date! April 7th
March 22, 2024 18:09On Sunday, April 7th following church service our partners at the Habitat for Humanity Portland Region will present an update to the congregation about progress towards affordable home ownership program and Habitat for Humanity local regional efforts. At the presentation you will learn about: · Current building underway across the Portland Metro, including an update on the 18-home construction in the Reedville neighborhood in Hillsboro. · The Habitat for Humanity ReStore...
Holy Week
March 15, 2024 17:29Bethel Congregational United Church of Christ begins the celebration of Holy Week with a very special Palm Sunday service culminating in a beautiful celebration of Easter and the risen Christ followed by a fun Easter egg hunt for all ages. You and your family are invited to join us for any and all of the Holy Week activities. Palm/Passion Sunday | March 24 at 10 am Multigenerational Worship Holy Week begins with worship on Palm Sunday. The children and choir members will gather at the Fr...
BHS Food Delivery - City of Beaverton Honors Bethel
March 08, 2024 19:08At the Beaverton State of the City Program held at the Reser on Monday, March 4, 2024, Bethel was one of a number of organizations and individuals that received a “Best of Beaverton” award for our annual project of providing food for the homeless students at Beaverton High School for winter and spring breaks. What an honor! Read all of this week's HIghlights here.
Baked Potato Bar Fundraiser - Sunday March 17th after service
March 01, 2024 18:52For a St. Patrick's Day treat, we will be holding our annual Baked Potato Fundraiser. Kids and youth are encouraged to participate to help fund youth activities and outings. Parents are asked to volunteer to bring ten prebaked, foil wrapped potatoes before service to help support this fundraiser. At the end of Sunday School, we will escort kids to the Fellowship Hall to finish setting up. Youth are invited to come join us at the start of Prayers of the People if they are in the main servic...
Israel/Palestine Learning and Discussion Session - March 10th
February 23, 2024 18:37On Sunday, March 10th we will be offering a special class after service to learn more about the historical context of the Israel/Palestine conflict. We encourage anyone seeking understanding about the recent and ongoing tragedies to attend. This session will be led by Marcia Gilliland. Marcia has been a member of the Central Pacific Conference Palestine Israel Network (PIN) for ten years. She has been to Palestine/Israel six times working with the Palestine YWCA teaching sewing in a refuge...
Pastor David Takes Summer Sabbatical
February 16, 2024 18:35This summer, Pastor David will take a 3-month sabbatical. His proposal was approved by the Personnel committee and supported by the Board. David followed the prompt from the Clergy Renewal Grant he received in 2018, which was: “what makes your heart sing?” Here is a link to David’s proposal: 2024 Sabbatical The Board has been setting aside funds to cover the expenses of providing pastoral leadership with a sabbatical minister during David’s absence. His sabbatical will run from mid-June...
Lenten Bible Study Beginning Sunday, Feb 18th at 9 AM
February 09, 2024 22:17For this season of Lent, we will be offering a bible study led by some of our new members and friends: Anderson Campbell, Victory Nichols, and Deb Stewart. This bible study will take place on Sunday mornings before service at 9 AM and will serve as a companion to our sermons each week, delving deeper into the scripture supporting our Wandering Heart series (scroll up for series info). This study will be held from February 18th to March 24th, and attendees are welcome to join for as many ses...
Volunteer Appreciation Sunday - February 11th
February 02, 2024 19:24Save the date for Sunday February 11th when we will honor and celebrate the many amazing people who devote their hearts to serving Bethel in so many ways. As a multi-faceted church we rely so much on the variety of talents and skills that these volunteers bring to bless our church and community. We look forward to celebrating all of you! Please email Erin at [email protected] with any questions! Read all of this week's Highlights here.
Ash Wednesday, February 14th
January 26, 2024 18:09Ash Wednesday – Simple Supper and Worship – Wednesday, February 14th – 6:30pm. We will gather in the Fellowship Hall for a light supper of soup and bread to launch our Lenten theme: Wandering Heart. There will be the opportunity to receive ashes for those who find the ritual meaningful. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent. Lent is the season of preparation for Easter in a similar way in which Advent prepares us for Christmas. The ancient practice of Lent wa...
Israel/Palestine Learning and Discussion Session - Feb 18th
January 19, 2024 18:05On Sunday, February 18th we will be offering a special class after service to learn more about the historical context of the Israel/Palestine conflict. We encourage anyone seeking understanding about the recent and ongoing tragedies to attend. This session will be led by Marcia Gilliland. Marcia has been a member of the Central Pacific Conference Palestine Israel Network (PIN) for ten years. She has been to Palestine/Israel six times working with the Palestine YWCA teaching sewing in a ref...
Support Emma Stewart's Book Drive Jan 14th - Feb 14th
January 12, 2024 22:02One of our youth group members, Emma Stewart will be hosting a special book drive here at Bethel for the next month. The book drive is to support kids with a lack of access to books through the Beaverton book bank and mini libraries she's building. Bethel can contribute by donating used and new books for kids and young adults ages 0-20. A designated box will be available in the narthex on Sundays starting on 1/14. Thank you for sharing the love of reading with our community! Please direct ...
Youngish Adults Lasagna and Trivia Night - Jan 19th
January 05, 2024 19:49Dust off your brains and your spatulas, because the Youngish Adult's Group will be having their first event of 2024: A Lasagna and Trivia Night on Friday, January 19th in the Fellowship Hall from 6:30-8:00 pm. You can expect to enjoy some delicious food and a fun "pub-style" trivia quiz you can do with a team of as many as six people. Please sign up to bring a dessert, salad, or beverages, OR plan on coming a little early or stay a little late to help with set up/clean up! Currently, we do...
Upcoming Epiphany Series starting Sunday, January 7th
January 02, 2024 03:30In the liturgical life of the church, the season of Epiphany falls between Christmas and Lent. Epiphany means, “a moment when you suddenly feel that you understand, or suddenly become conscious of, something that is very important to you.” We have many different kinds of epiphany moments. For example, if you are working on a crossword puzzle and you all of a sudden realize what word “fits” – that’s an epiphany moment. In the life of the church, Epiphany focuses on the various ways the real...
New Year's Eve Day Service - The John Nilsen Trio
December 22, 2023 18:18For many years the John Nilsen Trio has been performing at the Bethel Congregational United Church of Christ. This is a wonderful opportunity for the entire family to enjoy some great music and worship together. Join us at Bethel Sunday, December 31, 2023 at 10:00 AM! Read all of this week's Highlight here.
UCC Christmas Fund Offering - Dec 24th
December 15, 2023 21:19Christmas Eve,10 am service is our time to receive our Christmas Fund offering. This ministry cares for the active and retired clergy and lay employees of the United Church of Christ. Your gift to the Christmas Fund will not only assist pastors but also provide for the Supplementation of Small Annuities, Supplementation of Health Premiums, Emergency Grants, and Christmas “Thank You” Gift Checks next December to lower-income retirees. Your gifts are needed more than ever to help the growing...
Join us for our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service - Dec 24, 10 PM
December 08, 2023 18:07The fourth Sunday of Advent is December 24. Since it is also Christmas eve we will have two services: the usual Sunday worship at 10am and a Candlelight service at 10PM. The Christmas Eve candlelight service at 10pm will celebrate the “aliveness” of God and the leadership of God: “Living One, How Will You Lead Us?” A number of lessons and carols will be shared at this service as well as special music from our chancel choir. We hope you will join us for this special evening! Read all...
Gifts that Build
December 01, 2023 18:22The Perfect Gift for the person who has everything! This year, consider a unique gift for your friends and family as part of the Habitat for Humanity Portland Region Gifts that Build program. These gifts of kindness will help build a Habitat for Humanity home for a local family. We will provide you a specially designed greeting card, an commemorative ornament, and the joy of knowing that a hardworking family will soon have a decent home of their own. Give a gift of any amount. How Gif...
Blue Christmas Service, Dec. 3rd, 2:00 pm
November 24, 2023 22:25Each year during Advent, Bethel offers a quieter, more meditative worship service. The holidays can be a difficult time for those who are coping with illness, grief, loss, other difficulties and challenges of life. This time of year, the culture around us seems to demand hearty good cheer at all times. When we are grieving, in pain, trying to make ends meet, and dealing with the continued uncertainty of the pandemic and how to have a safe holiday celebration, we may feel out of step and o...
The ESL Giving Tree is Back!
November 17, 2023 18:24For the first time since the start of the pandemic, Bethel will be hosting a Christmas party for our ESL students. This year’s party will be Thursday evening, December 14. As is our tradition, we’ll be providing a gift or gift card for each child who attends. The ESL Giving Tree is going up after Thanksgiving, but gift tags will be available starting this Sunday, November 19. Shop for a gift for a younger child, or buy a gift card for a teenager. We’ll wrap gifts after the December 10 servi...
Beaverton High School, Homeless Teens Food Drive
November 10, 2023 20:06BHS Soup Current Count: 748 Goal: 1008 cans of soup NOTE: Please be aware that light or diet soups and chili will be given to the food cupboard. Teenagers need more calories than adults and we have chili from the Oregon Food Bank. We appreciate your donations wherever they are used. The food for BHS teens experiencing houselessness will be packed and delivered on Tuesday Dec. 12. Start time is TBD. On Monday Dec. 11, the tables of food will be set up in the Fellowship Hall at 1:3...
Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser - Sunday, November 12th
November 03, 2023 17:05Fire up the griddles because we're planning our annual Pumpkin Pancake Fundraiser! In the Fellowship Hall after service, our kids and youth will get to help make and serve pancakes to the congregation to help raise money to go to Camp Adams next summer. Our kids will begin preparations during service and then serve during Fellowship Time. Families note: a few kids/youth will still be able to sell wreaths during this time and are welcome to rotate if they want to take part in both fundraisin...
Stewardship Campaign Theme for 2023 “Because of You, Our Church Changes Lives!”
October 27, 2023 17:08Like many UCC congregations, Bethel asks members and friends to make a financial pledge in the fall. Our financial pledges form a significant component of our budget (mission giving and spending plan) for the upcoming year. We call this campaign “stewardship” because we believe that all that we have flows from God’s abundance. We are called to be good stewards of the gifts God has provided to all of us. Our gifts include our financial resources, our talents or skills, and our willingness t...
What’s This Comma Thing All About?
October 20, 2023 20:49Last Sunday at the Committee Fair, we gave out prizes if you visited all of the committee tables or signed up to serve. A number of folks relatively new to the UCC (less than 10 years) were not familiar with the comma symbol. So, a little history might be helpful to explain its significance. Back in the early 2000s the UCC decided to be very intentional about telling our story via a large-scale advertising campaign titled “God is Still Speaking”. There were several TV ads, plus many reso...
Bethel Women’s Retreat, November 4th, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
October 13, 2023 18:51Join us for our next Women's Retreat at Bethel. All who identify as women are welcome. Our theme is Fruits of the Spirit. Come to learn, visit and renew or make new friendships. Lunch will be provided. Email Paige Unangst at [email protected] or Erin Barber at [email protected] if you plan to attend by Friday October 27th. Read all of this week's Highlights here.
Bethel's All Committee Fair is Sunday, Oct. 15th!
October 06, 2023 17:12Have you ever wondered what goes into a Sunday morning here at Bethel? Or how we come up with all the different events we do? Or how YOU can be a part of it? Come to our All Committee Fair following service on October 15th in the Fellowship Hall to learn more! We have many committees to thank for the amazing things Bethel does from Growth to Faith Development to Communications and Facilities (just to name a few). All this work is run by people who understand "church" is a verb. The way we ...
Habitat for Humanity Portland Region Update
October 02, 2023 02:41Leon Taylor and Paul Griffo serve as Bethel’s representatives on the Habitat for Humanity Portland Metro Faith Committee. See below for the latest efforts to deliver affordable housing in the Portland area. Seven Regional Build Projects in Motion: • King City (SW) (In Development) 3 buildings/16 homes • Glison (NE) (In Development) 10 buildings/20 homes • Kenton (N) (In Process) 2 buildings/30 homes • Cherry Blossom (SE) (In Process) 8 buildings/31 homes) • Century Common...
Are You Saving Treasures for the Rummage Sale?
September 11, 2023 02:04Bethel's Rummage Sale is the first Friday and Saturday in October. Have you started boxing household items that you no longer need? We will continue to have a supply of boxes in the Narthex for you to take home and fill up. They are uniform in size, not huge, and will stack neatly until we start accepting donations on Monday, October 2nd. We sell lots of: (This is not all that we sell, so check out the pictures near the boxes in the Narthex.) Current, clean clothing-especially kids' cl...
Monthly Youth Group - Starting Sunday, October 1st
September 01, 2023 17:29We are gearing up for the new school year and with that, we'd like to revamp our Youth Group! We know that schedules get even more crazy as kids get older so we want to start by offering one Sunday a month to get together after service--enjoy some lunch, some fellowship, games, and a little study/discussion time. This group is available to both middle and high school ages (6th grade through 12th grade), with a chance to break out into smaller groups as numbers allow. We are meeting on t...
We're restarting Bethel Bookies - Tuesday, September 26th
August 25, 2023 17:07Are you a reader? On Tuesday, September 26th at 10 AM we are relaunching Bethel Bookies, our official church book club. This initial meeting will help us get started, and then we hope to meet once a month to discuss each book. We will meet in person in the conference room and also via zoom for others to join in remotely. If you're interested, please email Nancy Hillbrick at [email protected] and we will add you to the Bookies email list. Read all of this week's Highlights here.
Sunday School Homecoming and All Church Potluck - Sunday, September 10th
August 18, 2023 20:40On Sunday, September 10th we are relaunching Sunday School and we will be celebrating the new year with an all church potluck after service in the fellowship hall! The Faith Development Committee will be providing a hot entree item, but we would love to share a variety of dishes together--from hearty sides, salads and chips, to plant-based dishes, desserts, and more! If you have a potluck item to bring in mind, feel free to give Erin Barber a head's up at [email protected]. We are look...
"Stump the Pastor" - Sunday, September 3rd
August 11, 2023 20:48We need your questions! Do you have a theological question, or a question about the life of faith or the way the church works that you’ve always wanted to ask but were afraid to ask it? September 3rd is your chance! Pastor David will offer an instant sermon with impromptu answers to your questions. For the rest of the month, we will have a submission box and paper slips for questions out front in the Narthex on Sundays, or you may submit your questions via email to Erin (eb@bethelbeaverton...
Free Mental Health, First Aid, and Suicide Prevention Classes
August 04, 2023 19:40Follow the link, and you will find registration information for classes scheduled for August 2023 and beyond, and a summary of each opportunity. If you are interested in any of these online classes, we encourage you to participate as these opportunities further empower our collective work. Please register soon, as classes fill quickly! https://www.gettrainedtohelp.com/en/ Lisa Mentesana, Co-Founder Read all of this week's Highlights here.
ESL: 1-1 Tutor and Other Opportunities
July 28, 2023 18:08The Beaverton Literacy Council is looking for volunteer teachers and teaching assistants for beginning, intermediate, and advanced adult English classes. In-person classes at Bethel are Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:00-8:30 pm. Or you can teach a Zoom class from you home. Zoom classes are 75 minutes in the morning, afternoon, or evening. You can volunteer for one class period a week or more. Classes start September 11. Training is available. Interested? Visit www.beavertonliteracy.org/volunt...
Happy Hour with The Young-ish Adults - Friday July 28th
July 21, 2023 17:32Everyone post-grad and pre-retirement is invited to join us for some community, drinks and bites on Friday July 28th from 7 PM to 8:30 PM in our church courtyard. Please feel free to bring your favorite appetizer to share with the group. Childcare will be provided for parents of kids age 3-12. Please RSVP with Erin Barber by Wednesday July 26th! Read all the Highlights here.
Sunday School Summer Field Day - July 30th
July 14, 2023 20:00On Sunday July 30th, our preschool and elementary kids can participate in a day of summer games on our lawn during service in place of traditional Sunday School. Please dress kids in clothes that are easy to move in and can get wet and a little messy. We hope you will join us on this day of fun! Please reach out to Erin Barber with any questions! Read all of this week's Highlights here.
Habitat For Humanity Volunteer Opportunity
July 07, 2023 18:04Folks who would like a volunteer opportunity for Habitat that is a bit less arduous than working on a construction site and help assemble Simpli Home Furniture for resale at the Habitat Restore at the Restore Development Office at 12413 NE Marx St, Portland, OR 97230. This is an ongoing project so you and a group of friends can schedule times on a regular basis. If interested you can contact TC Schumacher at [email protected] to schedule a time. The Beaverton Habitat...
RESISTING CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM: FAQ + RESOURCES
June 30, 2023 17:37With hundreds of far-right politicians using Christ's name to deny election results, demonize their opponents, enact a theocratic agenda, and spread dangerous conspiracy theories -- all with the blessing of pastors and televangelists -- Christian nationalism is the single biggest threat to both democracy and the church today. To assist Christians in recognizing and responding to Christian nationalism when we see it, Faithful America has put together this short FAQ and the following list of ...
Tuesday, July 4th, Volunteers Needed
June 23, 2023 21:13Join us on July 4th at Bethel! Besides Bethel serving free ice cream and coffee for the July 4th event in the park ,THPRD will have live entertainment in the park. The band is Americana/Country... Chris Carpenter & The Collective. The will have at least one inflatable on our back grass area, but also a few new kids activities - like a bubble station and balloon artist, in addition to the face painting and yard games in the park. They will again block off 7th and have a pickle ball area se...
Join us for "Pint with the Pastor!"
June 16, 2023 21:56The sun is shining, the days are getting longer, and it's time for our first “pint with the pastor” of the Summer on Thursday, June 29th from 7-8:30pm. We're excited for everyone to join us for good drinks and better company. Pastor David will provide the “pint” – of beer or lemonade. (We want everyone to feel comfortable). If these beverages don’t fit your taste, feel free to bring your own. If you’d like to bring a snack to share that would be great. We’ll gather outside at Bethel arou...
Nikki and Monique Manley-Smith and Jean Avison attend UCC General Synod 34
June 09, 2023 19:19Every two years’ delegates from local UCC congregations and conferences gather for a national meeting – called a synod (from Greek synodos, “assembly”). This year General Synod will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana from June 30 – July 4. “Making All Things New” serves as the theme. Nikki is officially representing the Central Pacific Conference as a delegate. Mo will be attending as a visitor and as moderator of Bethel, she will be representing Bethel UCC. Jean Avison has been nominated t...
Bethel Participates in Beaverton Pride – Sunday, June 25th
June 02, 2023 23:06Once again this year, Bethel UCC will support and participate in Beaverton Pride! We will have a hospitality booth for the Festival to be held after the parade in the Farmer’s Market Parking lot. Neomie Lemke has offered to coordinate this event. This event requires at least 8-10 volunteers. If you would like to participate, please be in touch with Neomie or contact the church office or 503-646-1191. Read all of this week's Highlights here.
Come Hiking with Us!
May 26, 2023 17:25Join us for a multigenerational Hike at Tualatin Hills Nature Park after service on Sunday June 11th. We will be doing a relatively flat trail ideal for all ages. In place of traditional Sunday school our kids will meet with Erin in the fellowship hall to prepare some simple lunches for the hike. Contact Erin Barber with any questions about the hike at [email protected] and let her know if you plan on coming by June 7th. Click HERE to check out Tualatin hills Nature Park. Read...
Board Games and Brunch, June 10th
May 19, 2023 22:20Back by popular demand, we will be holding another Board Games and Brunch gathering on Saturday June 10th, from 10 AM to noon in the Fellowship Hall. This event will be a potluck and be open to the whole congregation. Kids will be welcome--we will have a movie and activities set up for them in the Kids Corner if they do not want to play games. Please bring a favorite brunch item for the group to enjoy and any games you'd like to share. RSVP with Erin Barber ([email protected]) by T...
To Mars and Beyond Vacation Bible School is coming to our Summer Sundays!
May 12, 2023 17:10This summer, prepare for fun as we explore where God's power can take you. We'll be offering six special Sundays throughout our Summer months where we will enjoy crafts, science experiments, games, and lessons in place of our normal Sunday School. Save the dates for: Sunday, July 2nd Sunday, July 9th Sunday, July 16th Sunday, August 13th Sunday, Aug...
We're Celebrating Youth Sunday on June 4th
May 05, 2023 17:05Kids are invited to participate in Youth Sunday! This is a special service where our youth take on roles to help lead worship—from greeting to reading, from singing to speaking. We present bibles to students who have just completed third grade and we honor and bless our graduating seniors. It’s a Sunday you won’t want to miss! Sign up with our program coordinator, Erin Barber at [email protected] Read all of this week's Highlights here.
Resources to Advance our Response to Racism:
April 28, 2023 21:39Bethel UCC established a Respond to Racism (R2R) committee, January 2021. A series of violence against people of color that occurred in the summer of 2020 (precipitated by the murder of George Floyd) demanded that we take action to confront systemic racism. Last fall, the R2R team members offered a six week class using the UCC curriculum called “White Privilege: Let’s Talk”. We also sponsored a day-long DEI Retreat for church leadership led by Carla D. Gary, JD. This column in the Highlight...
Bethel Scholarship Program Now Accepting Applications
April 21, 2023 23:07Each year Bethel grants scholarships to students of higher education. The purpose of this annual scholarship is to provide one-time financial assistance to people who are active in the life of the Church to use for post-secondary education, including but not limited to: College, Graduate School, and Seminary. There are no age limitations. To apply, fill out this form and email it to Erin Barber ([email protected]). The due date is May 14, 2023. Read all of this week's Highlights h...