I am pleased to share the following summary of discussions and decisions from the April Vestry meeting. We will meet one more time in May before the summer break.
Finance
Finance Sub-committee Chair Peggy Johnson reported that income and expenses for the year are basically tracking the budget, with some variances relating to Easter falling on April 1 this year. First quarter net income from Church Mouse operations was very strong at $217K.
Stewardship
Stewardship Chair Paul Coombs reported that 363 pledges totaling $1.577 M have been recorded towards the 2018 goal of $2.2M. Seventy-one of these are first time pledges, from parishioners who have made gifts in past years but not pledged before, and from new parishioners. Thank you all!
This is excellent progress. However, we do still have a ways to go to meet the goal and fund this year's budgeted expenses. And more than half of our members have not yet pledged. If you are in this group, please consider making a pledge that says you believe in the mission of this church and desire to enter into deeper involvement and commitment in support of that mission.
Buildings and Grounds
Junior Warden Connie Purcell outlined the elements of our Music and Lights project:
* implement a lighting control system which uses current technology for which replacement parts are available and which has improved control features
* redesign lighting locations and upgrade fixtures to improve quality of live-streaming from the church, visibility for congregants, and readability of music for musicians
* replace incandescent and halogen bulbs and fixtures where necessary to transition to LED sources to save money on bulbs and electricity and reduce heat buildup in certain areas
* replace the organ control system with fiber optic hardware to improve reliability and repairability, as we begin to run out of spare parts for the aging solid state system we have now
* replace the control for the tower bells, which has been out of service for more than two years because of lightning strikes, with a fiber optic system less susceptible to static surges
To get started, the Vestry approved a motion to invest up to $60,000, from the Capital Repairs and Improvements Reserve Fund, for designs to be prepared. This work is expected to take several months. The vestry intends to secure funding for this project prior to executing the multi-year implementation.
In addition, Buildings and Grounds requested and received approval of up to $10,000 from the Unrestricted Account to repair and enhance the security of the rectory. This will include reinforcing the doorframe and front door of the Rectory and to install security locks.
Outreach Grant Requests
The Vestry reviewed the Outreach Committee's Grant Recommendations and approved the disbursement of $296,100 as follows:
Education: Six grants totaling $70,000, including one first-time recipient organization
Food: 5 grants totaling $121,100
Shelter: 5 grants totaling $105,000, including one first-time recipient organization.
Evangelism
I reported that a committee is being formed to lead the congregation in our evangelism initiative which has started with dialogue and discernment. Canon Elizabeth Geitz, who preached this past Sunday on Christian hospitality, is leading a workshop this coming Saturday, May 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. titled "Welcoming the Stranger." Everyone is invited! Please come to this interactive session to hear new ideas and share yours about welcoming others into the Body of Christ known as Bethesda-by-the-Sea. More information is available on bbts.org; select the Upcoming Events page of the Connect section or click here.
Staff Transitions
Fr. James updated us on staffing issues. The staff is preparing for the transition to the summer schedule and the departure of Fr. James on his sabbatical. Bishop Eaton will be with us at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 20 to confirm our youth confirmands and bless Fr. James on his journey. Please come and wish Fr. James bon voyage. May 20 is also Pentecost so remember to wear red and plan to stay for the reception after the service and the annual church picnic. See you there!
Yours in Christ,
Beth Cole
Senior Warden
SUNDAY, MAY 6, 2018
Preacher (8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.): The Rector
*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. Adult Forum, Parish Hall East
9:50 a.m. Sunday School Cupcake Party, Garth
*#11:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist - PP Parking Permitted from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.-
3:30 p.m. Recital
4:00 p.m.
Evensong 5:00 p.m. Reception
Fellowship Breakfast | 8:15 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. | Parish Hall West
We will have a full breakfast, with rotating menu, for $5 per person. After 10:00 a.m., a simpler fare, fellowship finger foods, will be provided until 1:00 p.m. with no cost to our parishioners.
This week's menu: scrambled eggs, sausages, hashbrowns, croissants, muffins, and fruit & cheese platters.
Adult Forum: Legal Preparedness | Sunday, May 6 | 9:50 a.m. | Parish Hall East
Join us as attorney Aaron Millman discusses long-range decisions and practical matters that everyone should consider, no matter where we are in our earthly journey.
Sunday School Cupcake Party | Sunday, May 6 | 9:50 a.m. | Garth
To celebrate all of our programs from this past year we're bringing back one of our best events from last year, the ultimate cupcake coffee hour. We'll have games, prizes, and all the cupcakes you can eat. Bring your own baked goods to share. Also, this will be our awards event where we recognize every single child and youth who participated in all of our Sunday School classes, Pre-Confirmation and Confirmation classes, and our Mission Group. We have special gifts for EVERY child and youth!
Final Evensong & Recital of the Season Sunday, May 6 | 3:30 p.m. | Church Julia Gill, trumpeter, will play a recital at 3:30 p.m., An Evensong with The Bethesda Choir follows at 4:00 p.m. A free-will offering will be received, and a reception will follow in the Parish Hall. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
PARKING: Persons attending Sunday services will be allowed to park on
ALL of Barton Avenue and Pendleton Avenue
without receiving a ticket until 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.,
and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for the recital, Evensong and reception.
Click here to view the service leaflet for this Sunday.
Click here to view this week's Bethesda Happenings.
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: southern shrimp, cheesy grits with bacon, Arugula salad, mixed vegetables, baguettes, chocolate cream pie. 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. | The Enneagram in Life | Guild Room
In this dynamic five session workshop led by Certified Teacher Paul Van der Grift, we will explore each of the nine Enneagram types through the use of type specific panel discussions. As we hear the stories and anecdotes from each type, the fundamental similarities of their personality type structure will begin to emerge. What is the core motivation for their type? What causes them stress? What makes them angry? What are their strengths? What are their challenges? How does their faith help them deal with their personality? How can we support them in their personal and spiritual development? By hearing the testimony of others, and maybe sitting on a panel yourself, you will have the opportunity to learn how to be more compassionate and empathetic with yourself and others.
6:30 to 7:40 p.m. | The Divine Dance, a study of the Holy Trinity | Library Challenging the notion of an aloof and distant God, Franciscan brother Richard Rohr invites us into an intimate experience with the Trinity. During this four-week study of Rohr's most recent text,
The Divine Dance: The Trinity and Your Transformation, facilitators Kenlynne Mulroy and Tom O'Brien will lead a conversation about Rohr's beautiful ways of understanding the Trinity, using scripture, theology, and the insights of holy women and men throughout the history of the Church. Texts will be available in The Shop.
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).
CLOSING PRAYER
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.
Welcoming the Stranger Workshop
with The Rev. Canon Elizabeth R. Geitz
Saturday, May 5 | 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. | Parish Hall
"Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it." - Hebrews 13:1-2
We need your input! Join us for a workshop with Canon Geitz on welcoming the stranger to Bethesda. Seven aspects of Welcoming Ministry will be discussed: Praying, Attracting (Website, Social Media, Print Media), Greeting, Tracking, Contacting, Orienting, Incorporating. Come learn new ideas and share yours for welcoming others into the Body of Christ known as Bethesda-by-the-Sea. Your input is vital in shaping our program going forward!
Please Click Here to register or call (561) 655-4554. A light lunch will be served (donations gratefully accepted).
Mary Magdalene as Role Model for the Spiritual Journey
Join Heather Sisk in a one-day retreat exploring Mary Magdalene's transformative spiritual journey as an archetype for our individual path. This retreat is not designed to uncover Mary Magdalene's historical identity, but to explore her Spiritual identity. Mary Magdalene as disciple, witness, and prophet is one of our strongest role models for understanding the elements that emerge as one enters into a spiritual journey. These elements do not follow in a necessary order but cycle within us as we grow into deeper awareness of the movement of the divine encounter. Through lecture and reflection we will consider Healing & Forgiveness, Discernment, Witness, Abiding, and Transformation.
The day is accompanied by 3-D icons for contemplation, and includes a continental breakfast and lunch. The Retreat has traveled since 2012.
Click here for her page dedicated to this retreat.
Heather Sisk, is a spiritual director and retreat leader. She earned her MA in Theology and Spiritual Direction from The General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church, NYC in 2010.
Please note that the retreat date has changed to Saturday, May 19.
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.
The reading discusses
some of the "precedents" for the so-called Council of Jerusalem at which James decided that Gentiles did not have to convert to Judaism to become Jesus Followers, and also considers some of the themes from the Fourth Gospel that are found in 1 John.
Acts 10:44-48
The book called "The Acts of the Apostles" was written around 85 to 90 CE by the anonymous author of the Gospel According to Luke. The first 15 chapters of Acts are a didactic "history" of the early Jesus Follower Movement starting with the Ascension. The last 13 chapters describe Paul's Missionary Journeys - not always consistently with Paul's letters.
The Gospel According to Luke and Acts of the Apostles see the Holy Spirit as the driving force for all that happens. The events surrounding today's reading exemplify this.
As background to today's reading in Chapter 10, Peter fell into a trance (v.10) and saw a sheet filled with foods regarded by Jews as profane or unclean. A voice admonished him that what God made clean shall not be called profane (v. 15). Soon after, Peter converted a Gentile, Cornelius the Centurion, at the behest of the Spirit (v.19). Peter then gave a speech that was a synopsis of the major themes in the Gospel According to Luke (vv. 34-43).
In today's reading, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard Peter's speech. The "circumcised believers" (v. 45) were Jewish Jesus Followers. They were astounded that the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon Gentiles (v. 47). Peter baptized these Gentile Jesus Followers.
These three events - the sheet of "unclean foods," the conversion of Cornelius, and the baptism of the Gentiles upon whom the Holy Spirit was poured - are presented in Acts as critical "precedents" to the spread of the Jesus Follower Movement to Gentiles. This expansion was "ratified" at the so-called Council of Jerusalem in 49 CE (Acts 15). At this "Council," Peter and Paul testified about the Spirit's coming upon Gentiles. James (the brother of Jesus and head of the Jerusalem Jesus Follower Community) made the decision that Gentiles did not have to convert to Judaism (by observing a strict kosher diet and by being circumcised) to become Jesus Followers.
Following the Council, Acts of the Apostles turned its focus to Paul's missions to the Gentiles.
1 John 5:1-6
Today's reading is from the first of three letters attributed to "John" - an attribution that was given to these letters in the late 2nd Century about the same time the four canonical Gospels were attributed to Mark, Matthew, Luke and John. (We do not know the actual authors of any of the Gospels.) The author of 1 John was likely an individual speaking on behalf of a community of followers of the author of the Fourth Gospel.
Today's reading emphasizes themes in the Fourth Gospel - belief in Jesus as The Messiah accompanied by love of others is the hallmark of a Jesus Follower. This belief and action allow one to "conquer the world" (v.4). As used in the Fourth Gospel and in this letter, the "world" is better understood as "the System" - the systems of human power, ego and self-interest.
The Fourth Gospel is the only gospel in which a soldier lanced Jesus' side with a spear, producing blood and water (Jn. 19:34). Today's reading repeats this unique theme (v.6).
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.
Music at Bethesda
This Sunday, May 6 | 3:30 p.m. | Church
Julia Gill, trumpeter, will play a recital at 3:30 p.m. Evensong with The Bethesda Choir follows at 4:00 p.m. A free-will offering will be received, and a reception will follow in the Parish Hall. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Sunday School Cupcake Party
This Sunday, May 6 | 9:50 a.m. | Garth
To celebrate all of our programs from this past year we're bringing back one of our best events, the ultimate cupcake coffee hour. We'll have games, prizes, and all the cupcakes you can eat. Bring your own baked goods to share. Also, this will be our awards event where we recognize every single child and youth who participated in all of our Sunday School classes, Pre-Confirmation and Confirmation classes, and our Mission Group. We have special gifts for EVERY child and youth! This is the one day not to sleep in!
The Rector's Forum
Sunday, May 13 | 9:50 a.m. | Parish Hall
Grab breakfast and come into the forum this morning for a year-end conversation with Fr. James Harlan, Rector of Bethesda-by-the-Sea, and final forum of the year. Father James will share his sabbatical plans and itinerary with us as he makes final arrangements for his departure. He will also be ready to answer questions about parish programs and activities during those months.
