HIGHTLIGHTS FROM THE BETHANY BULLETIN NEWSLETTER

AUGUST 2006

          SHALL WE GATHER AT THE RIVER …

YES, WE SHALL …

SO JOIN US SUNDAY, AUGUST 20, 11:00 a.m.

For our Anniversary Worship and Celebration!

All Bethany families, friends and neighbors are invited

To join us in a special outdoor worship service,

Followed by lunch and fun together.

Come to Brunswick Campground,

The first pavilion on the left after entering.

Paper goods, plastic ware, and ice will be provided.

Bring a covered dish—meat, vegetable, salad, or dessert—to share, plus your own beverage. 

Don’t forget your lawn chairs and picnic games and invite everyone to join us!

Bethany is turning 114 and we’re having a picnic by the river – don’t miss it!

Questions? Call Mary Ann at 301-834-8690

SEPTEMBER 17!

What is Rally Day? Rally Day is when we kick off a new year of Sunday Church School and our fall programming. It will also be the day we officially install our new intern, Vicar Greg Durig (whom we will be getting to know and love by then!)

So mark the date –

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER, 17—

SUNDAY SCHOOL IS BACK AT 9:00 a.m.

With a special RALLY DAY PROGRAM,

Followed by WORSHIP at 10:15 (with Installation of the Vicar),

And Fellowship Time after Worship again

(Special Welcome celebration for Vicar Greg!)

So now are you ready to Rally? Be there! Invite others!

THIS SUMMER … 

We celebrate God’s gift of life as we rejoice in the births of:

Aiden Einar Hammer June 2 — Aiden is the son of Cheri and Kim Hammer, and the brother of Arkady, Thea, and Jeshua Daniel, and Eric Hammer; he is bringing great joy to his family.

Julian Calvin Lee Moss July 18— Julian is the son of Heather Johnson and Danny Moss; he is also the great-grandson of Dorothy Moss, and the great-nephew of Linda Moss. Julian was born more than ten weeks prematurely and remains in the hospital, so we ask your continued prayers as he grows in size and strength, that he may soon come home to his family.

We welcome these new members into Bethany through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, even as we pray for their lives of faith as they live with us in God’s grace:

Jennifer Charlene Runkles (granddaughter of Pauline Gosnell) and her son, Tyler Wayne Runkles (age 4) were both graced with Water and the Word June 10.

Camille Kathleen and Gabrielle Jean Donovan, twin baby daughters of Hilda and Tony (and granddaughters of Wendell Young) were sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever July 30.

 May God’s blessings be with Kelli (Cornelius) and Jared Allison, who were married June 24. Kelli and Jared live now in Buffalo, NY, but celebrated their wedding here in Brunswick, and we continue to pray for their life together in the love of the Lord.

Mary Virginia Cooper, long-time member of Bethany, died to this life June 8, and we offer thanks for the gift of her life in our midst. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

A LETTER FROM OUR PASTOR

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

              After months of planning, hoping, and fundraising, and with the unabashed generosity – spiritual, financial, and emotional – of the whole congregation of Bethany, July 12 five high school students and I climbed onto a plane headed for San Antonio, Texas. The time to go to the ELCA National Youth Gathering, Cruzando, had finally arrived, and our Bethany group of six became part of 25,000 Lutherans. Our group stayed right downtown, on the River Walk, so we could walk to the Convention Center and the Alamo Dome, where the activities were held. We immediately joined in the streams of Lutherans on the downtown sidewalks and crosswalks (I still wonder if San Antonio has recovered yet.) Our lines of Lutherans endlessly walking over the hot, sun-baked asphalt were likened to a certain movie’s march of the penguins – so we were the march of the Lutherans – and we were proud.

We listened to speakers from all over the world, as well as all sorts of rock bands and singers. The house band was the best, though, and our group was very into the dancing. We, at Bethany, do know how to move! And we were moved in every way possible, by the touching witnesses, by the fiery inspiration, and frequently to laughter. We walked to and toured the Alamo; we cruised on the River around San Antonio, and did a wee bit of shopping. And we ate (anyone want more Mexican food?) But most of our time was spent in Gathering events – in Bible studies and worship (with all 25,000), in a vast array of learning and interactive events, and in social events. We even had a blind date with another youth group; ours was from a tiny town on the Canadian border in North Dakota called Bottineau (go 1^st Lutheran!). They thought Brunswick was practically a city, and we were exciting because we were from the East and lived in such a metropolitan area (close to Washington, DC). We were impressed at the size of their group – 22 youth, and five adults (including the pastor, Glenn “Iceberg” Berge.)

We plan to have a social to share our pictures and stories (and maybe some songs) with the congregation, and we hope to share the inspiration we received in San Antonio in our lives always. I want to share that I expected our five kids to be terrific, but they far exceeded any expectation I ever had. Bethany should be beaming with pride, not only at how well our youth represented us at the National Gathering in their behavior and manners, but in their intelligence, eloquence, enthusiasm, and faith. When we were traveling, there were times people thought all five kids were mine, and we joked about how I was the Mom of all of them for the trip. I can honestly say I would be honored to have any of these as my own children (and at least I get to keep one of them!). My inspiration came not only from the incredible large experience of Cruzando, but from so many day-to-day small moments with our own five youth. (Note to kids: that doesn’t mean I don’t have a quote book!) They are extraordinary people. If you do not know them well, do yourself a great favor and get to know them better. I shall always treasure our time together, and I treasure the tremendous gift the congregation has given to the six of us, to the Church, and to the world, by keeping the fire of the Holy Spirit burning brightly in this special way.

With love, Pastor Andrea

OFFER WORDS TO THE CONGREGATION ON THE RIDE HOME…

Arkady Daniel: It was an eye-opening, scream and shout, wonderful experience that I will take with me and remember the rest of my life; thank you for your support and prayers!

Katie Tregoe: My thanks to everyone who helped us get to Texas! I’m glad I got to experience this week that wouldn’t have been possible without the love and support of everyone.

David Lehman: I will cherish this experience forever. I have heard some speakers and had some experiences I never would have gotten otherwise. Thanks to everyone for their prayers and support!

Thea Daniel: It was an experience of a lifetime that I will hold on to forever. Everyone laughed, sang, shouted and had an absolute ball. I thank everyone for their support and enthusiasm in sending us to San Antonio!

Sarah Tregoe: Thank all of you for providing me with this amazing opportunity! I’ll never forget the singing and praising God with 25,000 other Lutherans. The love was endless.

WE HAD ANOTHER BIG YEAR OF VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

AS THE GOSPEL EXPRESS ROARED THROUGH BETHANY!

The sound of train whistles sounded from inside of Bethany, joining the voices of children singing, cheering, talking, and laughing, as we learned about God’s love as riders on board the Gospel Express. We made crafts to go with our Bible stories, learned wonderful songs (with a bit of dancing), played games, praised God together, and collected money for Lutheran Disaster Relief to help people rebuild their homes after Hurricane Katrina. We celebrated God’s love in our lives and helped to share that love with others, helping all of the Lord’s children to have a home. It was a lively, love-filled week, June 19-23, and we thank all our Bible School kids, and all the leaders who made the Gospel Express run. Special Thanks and Bethany Bravos to these leaders:

Bernie Tregoe, Ritchie Ververka, Kevin Kenny, Ann Smallwood, Vicar Lou Florio, Linda Moss, Amy Dinges, Diane Wenner, Linda Henson, Trish Crum, Jamie Gosnell, Lisa Heath, Jennifer Burgard, Bonnie Wenner, Donna Getzandanner, Mary Ann Mauzy, Tammy Payton, Sue Anderson, Nick Gosnell, Scott Kenny, Mike Veverka, Thea Daniel, Bethany Graves, Jeshua Daniel, David Lehman, and Pastor Andrea.

See you next year!

GOODBYE  AND THANK YOU FROM VICAR FLORIO

Have you ever had a memorable teacher? I remember fondly a number of my own. I had Miss Ray for second grade. She was very intimidating with her gray hair in a tight bun and sometimes stern looks. Boy, could she keep us in line! Yet, you always knew she loved you, and we learned much. I remember Owen Graff from Junior High. He had a way of getting you to be creative and try new things. At Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School (Go Dolphins!) on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, I remember how Peter Morgan made you want to learn. He treated you with respect, and he took all your questions and insights seriously. These teachers had a gift for helping you to look at life through new eyes. These are only three of many teachers who have touched my life very deeply. As I leave you, I am thankful for how you have helped teach and guide me over the last year. No matter where I go, or what I do, a little bit of you all will go with me. Bethany Lutheran is truly a place of God’s love, and I am blessed to have found a place in your family of faith if only for a brief time. Kristine and I will always be in communion with you through the love that is Christ Jesus; the love that has worked in and through you to touch our lives. If you ever wish to update us on how you are or just wish to say hello, our contact information is:  Lou and Kristine Florio,  433 Malvern Lakes Circle, Apt. 201,  Fredericksburg, VA 22406,  Tel: 540-286-3692  Email: louwho63@yahoo.com

I pray for you that the God who gives endurance and encouragement continues to give Bethany Lutheran a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may always glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 15: 5-6). Please pray for us as well. Thank you for a great year!

Peace and love always,

Vicar Lou

HELLO AND THANKS FROM THE NEW VICAR GREG

Dear Friends at Bethany Lutheran Church:

              This is just a quick note of thanks for the warm welcome that you extended to me and my family at your Sunday service on June 26.  That weekend in late June was as cloudy and rainy as I can remember, but your smiles and kind words brightened our day and warmed each one of our hearts.  As your soon-to-be vicar, I couldn’t have asked for a more encouraging introduction to your community of faith, and I’m eagerly looking forward to the day when I’ll become a “full-time” participant.

For those of you whom I wasn’t able to meet on that Sunday, my name is Greg Durig and I live with my wife of twenty-seven years (Jo Ann) and my three teen-aged kids (Sara, Amanda and Garrett) in Great Falls, Virginia.  I am currently enrolled in the Masters of Divinity program at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC and I am meeting my ELCA training requirements at the Lutheran Seminary in Gettysburg.  Prior to my call to prepare for the ministry, I spent twenty-six years in corporate finance – the last sixteen of which were as the Chief Financial Officer at Discovery Communications (the company that brings you Discovery Channel and several other cable networks).

I feel truly blessed to have been assigned to Bethany for my internship year.  When I spoke with Pastor Andrea back in March, she indicated that your church participates in the internship program out of a sense of mission to teach and prepare future church leaders.  I hope to take advantage of the calling that your church has responded to by asking for God’s help, your help, and learning as much as I can – for I have much to learn.  After having had a chance to meet several of you and experiencing the Spirit-filled enthusiasm of Bethany, I feel certain that my year in your community will be an exciting learning experience and a wonderful blessing for me and my family.

I’m writing this on July 10 and summertime has definitely arrived.  Please know that my family and I are praying that all of you will have a safe and enjoyable summer – filled with God’s blessings.  We look forward to seeing you again in late August and joining you in our work to make Christ known in the community and beyond.

Peace to you - Greg