Unabashed Faith
by Pastor Dan Baumgartner
"If you don't believe in Easter," Owen Meany said, “don't kid yourself-don't call yourself a Christian.” So says the main character in John Irving’s magnificent novel, A Prayer for Owen Meany...

Whispers: Good Friday 2003
a poem by Pastor Dan Baumgartner

Wednesday Night Dinner Community Turns 10!
by Janet Moore, Social Services Coordinator and WND Director
The vision for a Wednesday Night Dinner (WND) formed out of a desire for a community potluck dinner within Bethany’s congregation....

WND's 10th Anniversary Celebration
Wed, April 26, 6 pm Fellowship Hall

The Resurrection and Chocolat:
sensuality as Jesus would have it
by Associate Pastor Steve Lympus
Sometimes sermons fall flat. But it’s a real bummer when that happens on Easter Sunday, like it did in the film Chocolat...

Staff interview: Director for Congregational Care
Linda Cutshall, “A Bethany Lifer”
Linda grew up at Bethany. Her father, Lawton Gowey, was Bethany’s organist, and her mother, Jean, sang in the choir. Linda remembers crawling on her belly under the church pews and trying to sneak up on her father as he practiced on Saturday mornings. She also recalls waiting year after year to finally play the coveted role of Mary in the children’s Christmas program.

In her teenage years, Bethany went through a “charismatic renewal,” and Linda joined with other youth for prayer before school. Her memories of those years were of a deep sense of belonging. Bethany felt like part of her extended family.

Linda left Bethany to major in English and elementary education at Whitworth College. In the summers she worked as a youth director. After graduating, she returned to work at Bethany’s bookstore, The Carpenter’s Bench, but was miserable in this job.

Desiring to be in ministry and aware of gifts for leadership, she nevertheless was confused about her role as a woman in the church, thinking that she needed to quietly serve behind the scenes. Linda spent time seriously studying the Scriptures concerning issues of women in ministry and spiritual gifts. This gave her the freedom to take a leap of faith and serve for two years as youth director at First Presbyterian Church in Ellensburg.

Linda was hired as Director of Christian Education (children, youth and adults) at Bethany from 1978-1987. Though she had previously met her husband, Mark, at Whitworth, their paths crossed again at Bethany. On a cross-country ski trip, they took notice of each other, and were married in less than two years. They now have two children, Ryan (9) and Sarah (7), whom they cherish.

Linda returned to Bethany staff in 1994 as Director of Adult Ministries, which later merged into her current position. She sums it up by saying,

“I guess you could call me a “Bethany lifer.”

Prayer Opportunities
Prayer for HIV/AIDS
Sun, April 9, 12:15 pm Parlor led by Jo Ronde

Prayer for Agros Uno
Sun, April 9, noon, Youth House (11 Howe)
We pray for the Agros Uno community in Honduras Every 2nd Sunday of the month.

Women’s Prayer Group
Every 2nd & 4th Wednesday, 10 am-noon at Agnes Coit’s apartment, Bayview Manor Retirement Home (bottom of Queen Anne Hill)
There are currently four women in the group and there is room for at least four more.  This opportunity is open to women of all ages — contact Agnes at 284-5539.  

Prayer for our Hurting World
Sun, April 16 (Easter Sunday),12:15 pm Library, led by Gil Ward
This is a monthly gathering for people concerned about the people of the 10/40 Window (Africa/Mideast/Asia) who are suffering from war, starvation, disease and natural disasters. We also pray for Bethany missionaries working in these areas. Contact Gil Ward 206-762-4376 or giroward@hotmail.com.

On the Calendar
see interactive calendar for complete listing

Music Class for Little Ones
11:20-noon Tuesdays in April and May, Parlor
Children 18 months through 3 years are invited to a “parent-child” Bethany music class/experience. These ”God's Children Sing” classes will be taught by certified Kindermusik/licensed Musikgarten instructor Trudy Shepard to bring the family into the music, movement and faith experience. Nature is part of the experience, teaching children to value and respect the gift of God’s creation. The class is limited to 12 parent-child groups. Cost of materials (which includes an instrument, parent booklet for music activities at home, and a 60-minute home CD) is $25 for the series.

St. Gertrude’s Monastery Retreat
May 31-June 4

Museum Without Walls Mission Trip to the South
June 16-25
Learn about the Civil Rights Movement and discuss a Christian response.    

Youth Mission Trip 1: Tylertown, Mississippi
July 5-July 11 (primarily freshmen/sophomores)
We'll help the Spencer Perkins Center in Jackson, repair damage done by Hurricane Katrina to houses, churches, and the community. We will stay at a church in Tylertown and work long days.  

Gold Basin Camping
July 7-9  at Gold Basin

VBS Son Treasure Island
9:30-noon July 17-21 for 3 year olds through 5th grade
Adults and teens: Please start praying about how you can use your gifts. We’ll need:

• teachers
  
• assistants
  
• recreation leaders
  
• snack coordinators
  
• artists
  
• craft prep people
  
• early drop off helpers
  
• lunch bunchers
  
• high school age actors/actresses
  
• musicians
  
• nursery workers

Watch for a bulletin insert in mid-April.

Youth Mission Trip 2: Agros Uno, Honduras
July 23-August 1 (primarily Juniors/Seniors)
We are going back to serve our friends at Agros Uno, our partner village through the Seattle-based Agros International (www.agros.org), which works with Central American farmers to end the cycle of poverty. Possible projects include planting crops, building houses, and spending time with the villagers and their families.

Let’s Go to Camp!
July 30-August 5 at Camp Firwood
Second through 5th graders can experience a great week of activities, fun, and Christian growth during a week at Camp Firwood. For further information and to register, check out Camp Firwood or pick up brochures/registration forms on the table in the lobby.

Mission Trip: Kenya
August 10-26 (tentative)
Responding to the AIDS crisis.

KOA Camping
August 11-13  Lynden
With option to stay for the NW Fair Aug 14.

Session Notes
by Chuck McFarland
In small groups we walked the streets surrounding Bethany praying for our neighbors, McClure Middle School, the people that crossed our path, the impending decisions on business development, whatever God brought to mind.

Jennifer Steenstra “pointed us to Christ” with the Godly Play version of the creation story. This was not only great imagery for Session but a first-hand view of the experience that our Bethany children get on Sunday mornings.

Session approved a long-term partnership with World Vision and the work they are doing in Soweto, Kenya.

Pastor Dan led us in discussion surrounding our denomination’s
grappling with the issue of sexuality, especially as it relates to ordaining pastors/elders/deacons. Our discussion was based on a report recently published by the Presbyterian Church (USA) Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity which will be addressed at the upcoming General Assembly this summer.

A congregational meeting was set for 12:15 pm Sun April 9, and we ended together in prayer.