Free For All
November’s theme at Bethany is Free for All, and we mean it in every direction. We’re centering kids in worship for the next three weeks, which is always a little bit chaotic. (OK, even our adult-centered worship is a little chaotic.) We’re also talking about the God who gives themself away, who showers all of us with love and grace for free. We’re talking about the gift of free will, to choose how we spend the life that has been given to us. And we’re remembering the truth - in this moment especially - that none of us is free until all of us are free. Join us this November. It’s going to be a free-for-all.
Join us Sundays mornings at 10:30 am in the sanctuary or online!
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Welcome to Bethany in 2026
Dream of the future & help make it a reality.
This fall our stewardship campaign has gone Free for All. God’s love is free for all. The good news of unconditional love for you and your neighbor will never have a price; there is no ticket for admission. This core tenet underlies all that we do and the place we are building at Bethany UCC. Our foundation is strong. Our leadership top-flight. Our community bustling, varied, and engaged. The work is as important as ever.
So we’re approaching 2026 with an abundance of chaos and joy. In that spirit, our pledge campaign has been a bit out of the box, to respond to the opportunity of this moment.
Catch up on or revisit what Bethany leaders shared about why they give and what they hope:
Charlie Wysong on the story we’re telling together;
Paul Monzella on dreaming big; and
Hannah Rumsey on giving our time and energy freely.
You can share your dream(s) for Bethany here and/or return an online pledge card as we close in on the end of this stewardship season.
Service and Justice Pilot Year 2026
Bethany is a different church now than it was five years ago. We’re bigger, more active, with shifting energies and passions in the face of the current climate in our city, our country, and our world. What hasn't changed: our core commitments to serving others and pursuing justice.
As we move into 2026, we’re embarking on a pilot year for the Service and Justice arm of Bethany UCC. We want to hear from YOU about where we should be directing our energy as a church. And, we want to strengthen relationships as we serve others, both within our Bethany community and with our neighbors.
Our goal: a 2026 calendar full of diverse, sustainable, opportunities to serve and seek justice alongside each other. Pastor Fredrick Buechner said that the place God calls us to is "where our deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” What needs are we called to meet now, and what joyful gifts do we have to offer?
So, here’s our ask: If you have a topic on your heart (homelessness, food insecurity, refugee resettlement, earth care, police reform, mental health, suicide-prevention, prison-abolition…), submit a proposal for Bethany’s consideration.
Sunday School In Session
Returns November 30th
We’re excited to offering Sunday School again this year! At Bethany, we have 3 week Sunday School sessions, and our next session runs October 19th thru November 2nd! Kids 4 and up are invited to attend on those Sundays.
Click here to see the Sunday School calendar for the year! For more info, reach out to info@bethanychicago.com
