At a particularly busy time in their work together, Jesus tells the disciples, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest awhile." That's where we got our theme for Lent at Bethany this year, "Come Away with Me." Jesus invites the disciples to retreat, an important spiritual practice, getting away for some quiet and solitude. We hope that's what church can be for you in this next season, and we're going to offer some additional opportunities to do just that.
But retreat is hard. The demands of our lives make the idea of getting away or resting unlikely at best. And in this moment, when there is so much urgent work to be done, we may not even be sure we should retreat, that we're allowed to. And yet, Jesus, in the midst of urgent work, is always wandering off by himself to pray, or taking a nap on a boat in the middle of a storm.
What does it mean to retreat, to withdraw, to absent ourselves even and especially when there is so much to do? Come away with us for the next 40 days, and spend some time in away from the urgency of your life. Rest, reflect, and be renewed this Lent.
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Chili Cook-Off
& Bake-Off
March 14th
It’s chili cookoff time again! This is how we raise money to support refugees and immigrants in our area. So dust off your crockpots, fine tune your best chili recipe and get ready for some good belly-filling competition. Our annual cookoff and bake-off (yummy desserts of all kinds) is scheduled for Saturday, March 14. Sign up here if you want to cook a chili, make a dessert or help out with the event!
Kid’s Sunday School Is Back!
March 1st- 15th
Sunday school resumes for Bethany kids on March 1st! During worship, kids 4 & up are invited to go to Sunday school after we pass the peace. Our teachers are professional educators and parents, creating an inclusive experiential learning environment. On non-Sunday School weeks, there’s (often) Children’s Time and a kids’ bulletin — plus regular nursery care every week.
Our remaining Sunday School sessions for this school year will be:
Unit 5 with Kezia and Tristan (March 1st, 8th and 15th)
Unit 6 with Erin and Charlie (April 12th and 19th)
Unit 7 with Jen and Rachelle (May 3rd, May 10th and our year-end celebration on May 17th)
Faith & Politics Small Group
April 12th
Join Dublin-based Susan Burgess on-line for the second round of “Faith and Politics,” a small group that addresses injustice in relation to our concepts of faith (broadly understood). Bond with other Bethany members as we try to make sense of the current state of the world and our place in it. We’ll explore how others such as Harvey Milk (LGBT activist), Fred Hampton (Black Panther activist), and Judi Bari (environmental activist) have tried to make political change in a way that aligns with their visions of a just world. Group members will view documentaries on their own, which we will then discuss together as a group in weekly meetings on Zoom on Sunday, April 12, 19, and 26 from 2-3 pm central time. Sign up here!
