Bethany Youth Journey Back to Honduras
This summer, Bethany youth and leaders once again visited and worked alongside the villagers of Agros Uno, a farming community in Honduras. Life there is filled with hard work, and sometimes discouragement. Three students tell what they learned...

I am an Alpha Dropout...
Matt MacLean
I came to Bethany about three years ago as a seeker. I noticed the announcement in the bulletin about Alpha, and with my wife's loving nudge I decided to give it a go. I made it for the first few weeks, but my weekly basketball league felt a bit more compelling...

Making a Difference in South Seattle / Gail Beran Neils
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." These words by Martin Luther King Jr. were quoted by Bethany member Kim Burgess as she sought to explain the motivation behind her call to work with Community for Youth (CFY)...

Sing a Joyful Song Unto the Lord / Kimberlee Conway Ireton
In April and May, 11 Bethany moms and 12 young children met weekly for a music class led by Trudy Shephard. Each week, Trudy led us in playing rhythm instruments, dancing, singing, and play-acting...

A Menu of Teachers for Small Groups
A number of Bethany "experts" bring good, biblical, godly content right to your home group's door...

Meet the Staff: Dianne Ross / Gail Beran Neils
This year marks Dianne's 30th year of ministry to young people and families in the Presbyterian Church. Though one would wonder if she might be tired of the position, that is definitely not the case. Dianne loves her work at Bethany and sees her calling to Christian ministry as exactly that -- a lifetime calling.

On the Calendar
see interactive calendar for complete listing

Car-Free Sunday
Sundays, September 3 and October 1

A New Sunday School Year Kicks Off
Over 130 teachers, assistants, musicians, buddies, doorkeepers and worship leaders are creatively preparing for a new year of Sunday School and worship education opportunities at both morning services, beginning September 10.

Families will receive a packet of information in the mail in early September, listing your child’s teachers and assistants, and stating room numbers. Parents are encouraged to read this information carefully to know exactly where to take their children on Sunday morning.

Also included in the mailing will be a registration card. Please bring this back on Sun, Sept 10, and put it on the special Children’s Ministry table in the lobby (please do not give to their teachers).

Ministry Opportunities
Children's Ministry is looking for just a few more faithful people to round out each of our 13 teaching teams. We need people to work as:

• assistants (helpers)
• special needs buddies (working one-on-one)
• lead teachers (2x/month at 9 am or 10:45 am)

We like to have several men on each teaching team and are looking specifically for men for our 4th and 5th grade class and our 9 am kindergarten Godly Play group. Please contact Dianne Ross for information and application at 284-2222, ext 14 or dianner@bethanypc.org.

Worship Education Milestones
For several years, we have been adding month-long “milestone” units to help our elementary age children grow in their understanding of and appreciation of worship.

Our Third Grade Milestone- The Bible-will take place on Sundays, Jan 21-Feb 11. Children lead worship and receive Bibles on
Feb 11.

We are also adding a First Grade milestone- The Lord’s Prayer– to be taught in March. If you would like to assist 1-2 weeks with your child’s milestone unit, contact Christy Mansfield, (Children’s Elder & Milestone Coordinator) at christymansfield@hotmail.com.

Children's Worship: September 3
9 am: Sunday School for 2's & 3's; Sermon Release Time for 4-8 year olds
10:45 am: Children's Church for 2-4 year olds; Worship for older children/youth

Godly Play Orientation
10 am Sat, Sept 9 in Room 202
For 9 am kindergarten and 10:45 am 4-year-olds (and parent). This is for those who did not attend on August 26.

Choir Resumes Rehearsals
7 pm Wed, Sept 6 in the Sanctuary

Youth Activities Begin September 10
Middle School Sunday School
9 am Sun, Sept 10 in the Youth House
Middle School Youth Group
6:30 pm Tues, Sept 12 in the Youth House
High School Sunday School
5 pm Sun, Sept 10 in the Youth House
High School Youth Group
6:30 pm Thurs, Sept 14 in the Youth House

Soup & Bread
12:15 pm Sun, Sept 10 in the Fellowship Hall

Prayer Healing Training
8 am Sat, Sept 16 in the Parlor

Prayer for the Hurting World
12:30 pm Sun, Sept 17 in the Library

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 Shifts to Warm Beach/ by Pastor Dan Baumgartner
September 29-October 1 at Warm Beach
Bethany men and guests will gather again this fall for a Men’s Retreat Sept 29-30 & Oct 1. This year we will try a new facility, Warm Beach Camp near Stanwood, WA. While still in a beautiful surrounding, Warm Beach allows us to avoid the ferry lines and have meals prepared for us.

For many years now, Bethany men have gathered in the fall for fun and mutual encouragement in life and faith. New friendships, good conversation, humor, outdoor activities and worship time together are always rich and long lasting. This year, Pastor Dan Baumgartner will speak and facilitate conversation on the theme Taking Every Thought Captive...for Christ: the struggles and rewards of pursuing sexual purity.

We live in a sexually charged culture, there’s no doubt about that. In an age of disappearing standards and ready access to internet pornography, men who desire to pursue sexual integrity in their thought life and actions need to work hard and receive encouragement along the way.

The weekend will begin at 8:00 pm on Friday night, and end by noon on Sunday. Costs for food and lodging are $110 per person. There are scholarships available. Sign up at Bethany during September, or contact Mike Christensen at 355-7808, mikechristensen47@gmail.com.

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

Hurricane Relief in Mississippi
October 14-21

Read Good Books Discussion
12:15 pm Sun, Oct 15 in the Parlor
Blood Done Sign My Name (2004) by Timothy B. Tyson is a true story, beautifully written, portraying a racially-charged episode in our nation's history and the author's own boyhood.

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

News & Notes
Births

• Sophia Mary Newton April 23 to parents Marit and Ben Newton

Baptisms

• Catherine Virginia Craig August 13 to parents Jim and Christine Craig