Lookin' Back / Pastor Dan Baumgartner
Baseball great Satchel Paige once said rather famously "Don't look back, something might be gaining on you." At the risk of rejecting his sage wisdom, I confess I've recently spent a fair amount of time looking back...

Youth Experiences in Mississippi
Youth leader Jessica Elliott and youth member Zach Christensen share some of their experiences on the first mission trip to Tylertown/Jackson, Mississippi.

We'll Remember This History
Joleen Burgess
Growing up in the '50s and '60s, I have faint recollections of the news images: a gaping hole in the side of a church, chaos on a bridge with state and local police closing in from both ends, vicious dogs and fire hoses in the park. Aimed at children, no less. It was a tumultuous time. If you're under, say 50, this is the ancient history of textbooks and TV documentaries. And that's the whole point of Museum Without Walls - to make that history come alive, to get behind-the-scenes stories from eye witnesses...

Find out more: What We Learned

So You've Seen PC(USA) in the News / Pastor Dan Baumgartner
You can't say I didn't warn you! In the June Briefs I wrote a long article about issues facing the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). I mentioned that when our national governing body (General Assembly) met in Birmingham, AL on June 15-22, there could be some wild decision-making along with some inaccurate reporting in the news media. Sure enough, both happened...

VBS Finds Treasure: God's Love / Julia Sensenbrenner
For five mornings from July 17-21, every space in the church overflowed with the sounds of children as Bethany was transformed into a tropical island filled with God's love. Vacation Bible School (VBS) took 130 children, 45 youth helpers and over 100 adult volunteers on a journey to Son Treasure Island, where the 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 themes of love were evident in many ways...

Global Outreach: Departures and Arrivals
A number of Bethany members are venturing into places around the world to learn about and share God's love and compassion. Several members have also recently returned. Please keep these people in your prayers - and ask to hear their stories...

Meet the Staff: John Chase / Joleen Burgess
Bethany’s newest staff member, John Chase, is actually a familiar face around church. He first attended Bethany during his college days at SPU. ...

On the Calendar
see interactive calendar for complete listing

Car-Free Sunday
August 6 and every first Sunday of the month through October
Leave your cares and your cars behind and take the slow route to church. Carpool, bus, bike, walk – your choice—but make it a celebration, not a chore. Meet friends for lunch, make it a family-and-friends outing to Seattle Center, the zoo, your favorite urban destination. And know you’re doing something good for God’s Earth.

August Sunday mornings for Children & Families
During August we encourage families to worship together. At 9 am, children ages 2 and 3 may go to Sunday School as usual in the cherub room. Children ages 4-8 stay in the service longer so they can participate in prayer, special music, offering, and leave just before the sermon for "Sermon Release Time" in the parlor.

There they will debrief what the've experienced in worship, sing, hear a great book, and then end their morning on the playground, where they will be picked up.

At 10:45 am, children ages 2-4 attend Children's Church as normal; children 5 and above attend worship with their parents. At 5:00 pm, children through age 5 may attend "Kids Time" in the cherub room.

Some families enjoy the quieter, less crowded evening service during the summer; where communion is served each week.

Opportunities to Serve
The Children's Ministry Team is praying for about 16 more people to help with children ages 2 through 5th grade at either 9 or 10:45 am services for the 2006-7 school year. Positions include:

• special needs buddies
• musicians
• teachers
• hepers
• Godly Play storytellers or doorkeepers

Most of our leaders and assistants serve two times a month on a team. For further information and application, contact Dianne Ross at dianner@bethanypc.org.

Sundays in August
9 am: Family Worship and Release Time
10:45 am: Children's Church for 2 to 4-year-olds

Camp Firwood
July 30-August 5 in Bellingham
For older elementary children.

Baptism Class
5 pm Wed, Aug 2 in the Parlor

Mission Trip: Kenya
August 10-26

KOA Camping
August 11-13 in Lynden

Hike with Sara!
10 am Fri, Aug 18

Swim with your Bethany Family
7:30-9 pm Fri, August 18 at Pop Mounger Pool in Magnolia

Godly Play Orientations
10-noon Sat, August 26 or September 9 in Room 202

Bethany 101
Dates include Sept 22-24 and October 1, 8 and 15.
Pick up a Becoming a Member brochure at the welcome table for more information.

Men’s Retreat
September 29-October 1 at Warm Beach

Alpha
6 pm, Mondays beginning October 2 in the Fellowship Hall

Hurricane Relief in Mississippi
October 14-21

Mission Trip: Agros Uno in Honduras
October 27-November 5

News & Notes
A note from West Yellowstone
A big thanks to the Bethany community for our wonderful goodbye reception in June! We have loved reading your notes, and so appreciate the gifts (thanks personnel team, for picking them out). We felt "sent out" as much as "sent off," and that means a great deal as we begin ministry here in Montana. We sure do miss you...Steve and Laura Lympus

Births

• Benjamin James Van Eaton July 22 to parents Keith and Mary Van Eaton

Baptisms

• Grayson Ryan Peyovich July 9 to parents Ryan and Erin Peyovich
• Chase Robert Edwards July 9 to parents Scott and Cher Edwards

Session Notes / by Pastor Dan Baumgartner
Bethany's Session (elders and pastoral staff) met on July 11th in a different format. The evening started with elders and staff going in pairs to visit some of our "senior" members around the city. When we re-congregated in Bethany's parlor, it was clear that God had been powerfully at work.

Matt Royston led a sharing time where stories of long-term journeys with Jesus, friendships and marriages with long histories and gratitude for the Bethany community poured out. It was truly a delight.

During the remainder of the evening, session received an update on the financial picture (not rosy) and agreed that the stewardship team should begin to communicate with our congregation to encourage catching up and avoid a year-end crunch. Children's Ministry (missions ideas) and Worlship (small changes to services) elders shared some envisioning work their teams are doing. Membership changes were voted on, and we prayed together for needs in the Bethany community.