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Fellowship is an important part of the life of the parish at Bethesda. We schedule at least one parish wide fellowship event every month. For October, the event is
Wine and Fellowship under the Star
s on Friday, October 13. This is an informal opportunity to gather for some light hors d'oeuvres and a glass of wine in the Cluett Garden and fellowship with other parishioners and guests. It is a come and go event from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. which still leaves time for dinner out. A perfect start to a weekend in Palm Beach.
One of the initiatives of the Fellowship and Hospitality committee this year is to allow various ministries within the church to act as host of our fellowship events. This gives ministries an opportunity to be of service to the greater parish in a new way and also get a little publicity for their work. Our
Wine and Fellowship under the Stars is being hosted by the
Young Women's Bible Study Group. This group is geared towards women ages 25-55 with all levels of experience in studying scripture. This fall the group will study the life of Joseph through a video series called "Restless" by Jennie Allen. For more information e-mail Susan Beebe or Rachel Supple at
womenatthewell@bbts.org.
If you are part of a ministry that would like to host an upcoming event, e-mail April Lawrence at
april@bbts.org. And while we are talking about fellowship, don't forget to come and take part in our new
Sunday Morning Fellowship with breakfast from 8:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. (if you fill your plate at 9:30 a.m. you still have time to eat before Sunday School and Adult Forum which start at 9:50 a.m.), and lighter fare from 9:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. In addition to the food, one of our priests will be hosting the fellowship each week giving us all another opportunity to build a closer relationship with them. I look forward to seeing you at these events.
Fred Staley,
Associate for Administration
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A Message from the Senior Warden
Dear Bethesda Friends,
The Vestry reconvened last week after its summer break and it was with great joy that we welcomed Father Thomas Morris to his first Vestry meeting at Bethesda. If you have not yet welcomed him personally, please introduce yourself, start getting to know him and offer him your support in his role as Associate for Outreach and Development.
Please also join the Vestry in congratulating Father Burl Salmon on his well-deserved elevation to Associate for Christian Education and Pastoral Care, and offer him your blessings and support in his ministry here.
There have been many other positive transitions this summer and, in the interest of covering a lot of ground in this first message of the new season, I will give short summaries in bullet form:
- New Sunday morning format: Over the summer, the Worship Committee continued working to develop a new format which brings to reality many of the "longings" articulated in our Town Hall meetings this spring. The new Sunday morning format, including hot breakfast for a nominal fee from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., is designed to welcome many more people in Sunday morning fellowship--parishioners staying after the 8:00 a.m. service, parishioners coming early before the 9:00 a.m. service, and even parishioners arriving in time for breakfast, joining the Adult Forum, and then attending the 11:00 a.m. service. The 9:00 a.m. service is intentionally formed to deepen our understanding of our Episcopal worship tradition, increase the involvement of children and youth, and allow more time for Christian education. The new Sunday morning format was initiated on Sunday, September 24, and we look forward to hearing your responses as you experience it.
- Hurricane Irma: I know we are all thankful that Bethesda was spared the full fury of Irma. Even so, our grounds and buildings did suffer significant damage, creating a huge amount of vegetation debris among other challenges. Our sexton team Bob Mancuso, Keith Risley, and JR Thompson have been working tirelessly to create order out of the chaos and get our beloved church back to working order. Thank you to our Sexton team for their extraordinary work! Building repairs, professional tree work and so on have created non-budgeted expenses which are still being tallied. Many thanks to all the parishioners who answered the call to contribute towards hurricane expenses. These funds will be allocated by the Vestry towards Bethesda expenses and towards hurricane relief efforts outside our congregation as well.
- Building Transitions: Production is underway on the stackable dividing wall for the Parish Hall, which will create more flexibility for the times when we have multiple events happening, such as the Middle Way and Sunday mornings. It is expected to be completed in the next 4-6 weeks. The Building and Grounds Committee also oversaw renovation of hardwood floors in the upstairs offices and choir room and replacement of carpeting in hallways and other areas, and they came out beautifully. How resourceful the Committee was to recognize the potential of those historic floors.
- Stewardship: Our Stewardship results year-to-date are much closer to goal than at the same time in 2016, largely because the Stewardship campaign was accelerated in January and many parishioners made their pledges, and gifts, earlier in the year. At this time, we have $1.6M in pledges towards an annual budget of $2.0M. We count on a certain amount of funds coming in from plate collections and especially end-of-year gifts, but we will not make our budget balance without more pledged giving and early end-of-year gifts. The Vestry is committed to a balanced budget and so will need to cut spending if we do not meet our stewardship goal. If you are not among the pledged, please make your commitment to Bethesda now. You may call Felicia Katz at 655-4555, ext. 110 or pledge online HERE.
- Undergrounding Assessment: Bethesda has been assessed $230,000 for its portion of the costs to underground utilities on Palm Beach. The Vestry voted to pay this major expense from the Capital Repairs and Improvements Reserve fund over a period of 30 years.
- Columbarium: The Vestry considered and approved two columbarium requests which fall outside the established guidelines.
- Vestry Nominations: With the terms of six people ending and four new members beginning in January, the Vestry will reach its planned size of twelve lay members plus the Rector. As a smaller group, we are a more effective and focused deliberative body. Barbara Callahan will be chairing the Vestry Nominating Committee for 2018. She has been working to form her committee and update the nomination packet. This season the deadline for nominations from the congregation will be earlier than previous years, November 15. Watch for announcements opening the process in the next few weeks.
- Conclusion: The Vestry joins together for prayerful reflection this weekend at our annual Vestry Retreat led by Father Mark Brown. Watch the Bethesda Happenings and email blasts for details on upcoming retreat opportunities for the congregation: Celtic Retreat November 17-18 led by Father James Reho; Advent Retreat December 1-2 led by Joey Schewee.
Blessings,
Beth Cole,
Senior Warden
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2017
Preacher (8:00 & 11:00 a.m.): Mark Brown, SSJE
Preacher (9:00 a.m.): Jessica Hitchcock
*8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
8:30 a.m. Fellowship Breakfast, Parish Hall West
*9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
9:30 a.m. Fellowship Finger Food, Parish Hall West
9:50 a.m. Pray and Play Group (ages 3 & 4), Sunday School Hall
9:50 a.m. Story Group (K and 1st grade), Sunday School Hall
9:50 a.m. Arts Group (2nd to 5th grade), Sunday School Hall
9:50 a.m. Service Group (2nd to 5th grade), Sunday School Hall
9:50 a.m. Explorers Group (2nd to 5th grade), Sunday School Hall
9:50 a.m. Questions Group (6th & 7th grade), Library
9:50 a.m. Confirmation Group (8th Grade), ECW Room
9:50 a.m. Mission Group (9th-12th Grade), Youth Room
9:50 a.m. Adult Forum, Parish Hall East
*#11:00 a.m. Morning Prayer and
Holy Eucharist
12:15 p.m. Church Tour
PARKING: Persons attending Sunday services will be allowed to park on ALL of Barton Avenue and Pendleton Avenue
without receiving a ticket
until 1:30 p.m.
* nursery care for infants through age 3 is
available from 7:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
# service will be live-streamed
here
Click here to view the service leaflet for this Sunday.
Click here to view this week's Bethesda Happenings.
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5:45 to 6:30 p.m. | Community Supper | Parish Hall
The cost is $10 for adults; $5 for children under 12; $25 family max (payable at the door).
This week's menu: Chicken Panang Curry, fresh vegetables, Jasmine Rice, garden salad with ginger sesame dressing, sauteed vegetables, and white chocolate and macadamia nut cookies
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Kindly
RSVP HERE
* or call Ayana at (561) 655-4554.
*In order to properly plan and prepare the supper, we need your reservations by noon on Monday.
FEATURED CLASSES
6:30 to 7:40 p.m. | Active Parenting | Guild Room
Generously sponsored by a grant from the Hanley Foundation, the six
sessions of Active Parenting are specifically geared toward parents of
teens and pre-teens as their children face the challenges of a rapidly
changing world. In this class, parents will learn what goes on in their
teens' heads, which will help them figure out why they do the things
they do. Parents will learn how to open the lines of communication,
encourage cooperation and responsibility, and discipline effectively. They will also explore techniques for solving the inevitable problems that crop up and learn 10 strategies for preventing problems relating to drugs, alcohol, violence, and teen sexuality. Parent guides are $14.95 per parent.
6:30 to 7:40 p.m. | Bible Study | ECW Room
From Genesis to the Revelation, reading the bible together is a meaningful way for us to deepen our faith while strengthening our ties to one another and the church community. Each Wednesday, Father Thomas and other clergy will offer an informal and instructive opportunity to study the Bible with a focus on historical perspective and scripture's meaning for us in the daily living of our lives. We will begin with an exploration of the Gospel according to Mark. So, bring your bibles to the ECW Room--or use one of ours--for an ongoing opportunity to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest God's word.
6:30 to 7:40 p.m. | Bethesda at Its Best! | Library
Come one, come all for a behind-the-scenes look at what makes Bethesda the special place that it is. Over a series of four weeks, join the clergy and vestry as we discuss the history, mission, and organization of this remarkable parish and how each of these beautiful threads comes together into a diverse and spirit-filled tapestry. Whether you've been here for years or a couple of weeks, you're invited to join this great conversation.
RECURRING CLASSES
6:30 to 7:40 p.m. | Liturgy Group| Sunday School Hall
For all children in Kindergarten through 5th Grade who are interested in learning more about what we do on Sunday mornings in our worship services, the Wednesday Liturgy Class will teach them more about what we do and why. Over the course of the year we will explore elements of the Holy Eucharist more in-depth with our young people and also train them to become worship leaders for Sunday services. Topics will include communion, acolyting, music, the liturgical calendar, and saints. If you've ever wanted a class to teach your child about what we do in worship, don't miss this wonderful opportunity.
6:30 to 7:40 p.m. | Bethesda Youth Group | Youth Room
The Bethesda Youth Group will move from our traditional Thursday night meetings to Wednesday nights to join our Middle Way ministries. Come for dinner at 5:45 p.m. and stay for Youth Group until 7:40 p.m. The Bethesda Youth Group is a fellowship group open to all those in 6th through 12th grade. Members also participate in monthly special events including our annual lock-in, service day, and camping trip to Peanut Island.
6:30 to 7:40 p.m. | Yoga | Parish Hall West
Physical therapist and yoga therapist, Emily Large, invites all adults for an evening of holistic worship through Christian yoga practice. Physical postures, relaxation, breath techniques and mental focus create a holistic approach for worship as we will reflect on the themes associated with the liturgical calendar. A requested donation of $10 per class (payable at the door).
7:45 to 8:00 p.m. | Compline | Church
An ancient, brief, and contemplative liturgy of the Christian tradition, compline offers an opportunity to give God thanks for the day behind us and pray for rest and safety in the night ahead. A fitting end to the day, compline offers a peaceful and meditative sacred time in the middle of our often frenetic weeks, as well as a beautiful conclusion to our Wednesday evenings together.
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This Sunday's Readings in Context
Parishioner Tom O'Brien, a Canon and Examining Chaplain for Scripture of this diocese, writes brief background descriptions of the Sunday readings. We thank Tom for sharing his learning and love of Scripture with us in this way.
During the 2017 Pentecost Season, alternative readings from the Hebrew Bible are offered. Scripture in Context will discuss both readings and the reading from the Christian Scriptures.
Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20
Today's reading is set at Mount Sinai ("Horeb" in other parts of Exodus and in Deuteronomy) during the time in the Wilderness. In a theophany (appearance of the Divine) in thunder, lightning and smoke (v. 18), YHWH gave the Decalogue - the ten "words" (v.1) - often called the Ten Commandments. The structure of the Decalogue was a covenant: YHWH recounted what had been done for the Israelites (v.2) and then directed reciprocal obligations of the Israelites (v. 3-17). Because Ancient Israel was a patriarchal society, the words were addressed to men, and wives "belonged to" men, just as houses and other items did (v.17).
This version of the Decalogue is called the "Priestly Decalogue." Other versions of the Decalogue appear in Exodus 34:11-26 (the "Ritual Decalogue") and in Deuteronomy 5:6-21. In the Deuteronomic version, wives do not "belong" to men (Dt. 5:21), and the rationale for the Sabbath is the liberation from Egypt rather than YHWH's resting on the seventh day of creation.
Isaiah 5:1-7
The Book of Isaiah is a composite of writings from three distinct periods in Israel's history. Chapters 1-39 are called "First Isaiah" and were written by "Isaiah of Jerusalem" in the 20 years before Jerusalem was under direct siege by the Assyrians in 701 BCE. "Second Isaiah" is Chapters 40 to 55 and brings hope to the Judeans during the time of the Exile in Babylon (587 to 539 BCE) by telling them they have suffered enough and will return to Jerusalem. "Third Isaiah" is Chapters 56 to 66 and gives encouragement to the Judeans who returned to Jerusalem after the Exile.
Today, Isaiah spoke for YHWH and expressed love for the vineyard (Israel - the northern 10 tribes) and its plantings (Judea/Judah). Verse 7 contains a double word play in Hebrew: YHWH expected justice (mishpat) but saw bloodshed (mishpah), expected righteousness (tsedaqah) but heard a cry (tse'aqah). As a result, the vineyard will be destroyed (v. 5-6). The Assyrians conquered Israel in 722 BCE, and the Babylonians conquered Judea in 597 and 587 BCE.
Philippians 3:4b-14
Philippi was a major city in Macedonia (northern Greece) on the Roman road to Byzantium (Istanbul). Most of its inhabitants were Roman citizens. He wrote this letter from prison, but it is not clear if he was in Rome, Caesarea or Ephesus.
Today's reading follows verses (2-4a) in which Paul opposed "Judaisers" - Jesus Followers who claimed that a person needed to be circumcised to be a Jesus Follower. (This was a major issue in the early Jesus Follower Movement.) In later epistles, Paul used "flesh" to mean human weakness. Here, however, he used it to mean an emphasis on physical rituals. Paul spoke of his own Jewish credentials (v.4-6) but rejected them as "rubbish" (his actual word in Greek is much stronger) because he is now in "righteousness" (a right relationship) with God through his faith in the resurrection of Jesus the Christ (v.9-10).
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141 South County Road · Palm Beach, FL 33480
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Bethesda's Mission is to experience the clear and strong presence of God and to understand and spread Christ's teachings through collective worship, learning, and service.
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From the Rector: An Appeal to Support Irma Recovery
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Wine and Fellowship Under the Stars
hosted by
Young Women's Bible Study Group
Friday, October 13
5:30 p.m. | Cluett Garden
Join us for a special cocktail party of fellowship, wine, and appetizers. All are
invited! A contribution of $10 per person is suggested. You can RSVP in the
Cloister on Sundays in October or by sending an e-mail to ayana@bbts.org
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Trivia Night
Friday, October 20
7:00 p.m. | Parish Hall
The Bethesda Mission Group will be hosting a Trivia Night fundraiser. Get a team of eight people together or come on your own and we'll pair you up with a team. It's going to be a night of fun trivia! All profits from the event will go to help the Bethesda Mission Group with costs for their summer trip. For more information, contact Greg Knight at (561) 655-4555 x114 or e-mail him at
knight@bbts.org.
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Silver Sneakers
Tuesdays and Thursdays
9:00 a.m. | Parish Hall West
This program promotes a healthy, active lifestyle, and it's free for SilverSneakers members. The classes combine cardio, strength, and balance. Experience is not at all necessary. These classes are for beginners as well as more experienced exercisers. We will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall West. Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
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Young Women's Bible Study
Wednesdays
10:30 a.m. | Guild Room
Young Women's Bible Study is geared towards women ages 25-55 with all levels of experience in studying Scripture. This fall the group will study the life of Joseph through a video series called "Restless" by Jennie Allen. This will be an eight-week series that meets on Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. For more information please e-mail Susan Beebe or Rachel Supple at
womenatthewell@bbts.org.
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Save Your Samples
As you travel, remember to save the small soaps, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, etc. found in your hotel room. Every year Bethesda's Port Ministry arranges 200+ gift bags for sailors who are at sea on Christmas Day. We will be collecting your items in fall.
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We pray for...
Allen Family, Alyssa, Angela, Anne, Anthony, Ben, Bob, Conway Family, Dayton Family, Diana, Don, Elisa, Ellen, Garcia Family, Gary, Gordon Family, Hill Family, Hollas, Holly, Jack, Jane, Jenna, Jim, John, Johnston Family, Katie, Kimberly, Lesley, Lev, Lila Ann, Mariette, Marjorie, Mary, Mary Kay, Matthew, Michael, Michelle, Norma, Pam, Pat, Paul, Peggy, Rebecca, Renée, Richard, Ricky, Stanley, Stephen, Suzanne, Sylvia, Taryn, Theresa, Thomas, Ward and Wendy,
and those serving our country...
Benjamin, Christian, Clara, Eric, Erik, Harold, Herbert, John, Lorne, Michael, Sean, and Tommy.
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The Bethesda Fall Catalog is now available...
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