A Learning Edge / Dan Baumgartner
"Heh, heh, heh." Dolphus Weary's wide smile softened his ironic chuckle that meant "I know I'm pushing you here." He saved it for those statements he knew were provocative and challenging. "You will not change your racial attitudes unless you do something different...intentially. (pause) Heh, heh, heh."

WND: Breathing in God's Presence / Grace McCarthy
It's a Wednesday night and driving down Queen Anne Avenue i tighten my grip on the stirring wheel as I realize it's already 6:00. As I drive past the front doors of Bethany I see the familiar banner saying "Community Dinner, All are Welcome" and a few familiar faces in the long line of people waiting to be let in...

Middle School Youth Group Retreat / Scott Gronholz
Weekend retreats with Middle School students tend to get a little out of hand and this year's Middle School spring retreat to Black Lake Bible Camp was no exception...

Thoughts & Scenes from the NARNIA Performance
/articles by Josh Barwell & Samara Barwell
I played Edmund during the two performances of the musical Narnia (based on C.S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.)...

Being Good News in the World / Scott & Connie Anderson
John Piper has said that the work of missions is proclaiming the gospel - in word and deed, to every people, and in each generation. But, he goes on to way, the power that wields the weapon" is prayer...

A Welcoming Resting Place / Marie Frederickson
In mid-May six Bethany members journeyed from their lives in Seattle to rural Idaho. We set aside a couple of days to enter the monastic life of st. Gertrude's. For some it was their first experience at a monastery. For others it was a long anticipated return to a sacred space. For all it was a time of rest, reflection, prayer and rejuvenation.

Marit Newton shares her personal reflection: "Almost as soon as we arrived at St. Gertrude's, I was wondering how I would come again. I felt I had been welcomed into a place set apart, someplace out of the ordinary where I could just take what God might offer in the open space. With the beautiful drive to Cottonwood in my memory, I read, journaled, prayed, too a long nap, went walking, and enjoyed good meals and conversations with the sisters and others from Bethany.

In 2008 the Bethany monastery retreat will be May 7-11. St. Gertrude's also offers private retreats year round. For more information, contact Marie Frederickson (myrrh.fred@gmail.com).

Families in Service Kick-off/ Dianne Ross
The whole church is invited to the "FIS Kick-Off" after both morning services on Sun, June 3. Come explore 23 different ways you, as a member of the church family, can join the children of Bethany in serving/learning from our many outreach partners this summer - both locally and beyond! There will be a card-making center where we'll create encouraging cards to send to all our outreach partners, as well as a place to put together health care kits for AIDS caregivers. Most of the events will host a table, which will include more details about the activities as well as a sign up sheet.

To help behind the scenes with set up or refreshments, contact Stephanie Jones at jonesii@att.net. To help with the card making table, contact Kate Ballbach at kate.ballbach@cingular.com.

On the Calendar
see interactive calendar for complete listing

Deacons Retreat
Sat, June 2 at the Leonard's home

Families in Service Kick-Off
Sun, June 3, after AM services in the Fellowship Hall

Healing Prayer
Sundays, June 3 & 17, 5:00 pm at Bethany
To make an appointment, call 284-2222, ext. 35.

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

College Age Fellowship
Sundays in June, 6:30 pm in 7 Howe

Prayer for Honduras
Sun, June 10, 12:15 pm in the Library

Seniors Gathering
Wed, June 13, 2:00 pm at Taproot Theater

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

Last day of Children & Families
School Year Sunday School
Sun, June 17

Mission Trip to Hong Kong
Wed, June 20 - Sun, July 1

First day of Children & Families
Summer Sunday School
Sun, June 24

• 9:00 am (June 24-July 29)
  Children ages 2-5 years meet in their regular rooms.
  The 2 and 3-year-olds will meet all summer. Kids ages 4 & 5 will meet through July 29.
  
  Children in grades K-4 will meet in Room 202 for Exploring our World: Meeting our Outreach Partners.
  
• 10:45 am (Children's Church)
  Children ages 2-4 meet in the Cherub Room. We'll have a Bible story, craft, snack and playground time.

Youth Mission Trip to Pasadena
July 6-16

Children & Families' Outreach Activities
June 23-Nov 5

Gold Basin Camping Trip
July 13-15

Mariner's Game
Tues, Aug 28, 7:00 pm at Safeco Field

Alpha Course
Begins Thurs, Sept 6, 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall

Missisippi Trip
Oct 20-27 in Bay St. Louis

News & Notes

Births

• Marcus Graham Icasiano May 14
• Emma Tjelle Layton May 17

Baptisms

• Annabelle Claire Frijlink May 13
• Samuel Gregory Singleton May 13
• Noah Alan Singleton May 13

Session

Briefly: Session's normal May meeting was a short one. Kelly Pearson pointed the group to the Lord with 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, and showed a Nooma video to reflect on. That was followed by our second conversation on "Where is God Taking Us?" The final part of the time was spent affirming, thanking and praying over four elders going off Session: Jim Brown, Glyn Devereaux, Kelly Pearson and Jeff Van Duzer.

Again: With warm welcomes (some real, some virtual!) to four new elders (Larry Chen, Matt Eyler, Marie Fritzberg, Steven Judd) as well as two returning (Dave Andersen, Brian Beaumont), Session gathered for its Annual Retreat May 18-19. Small groups met for meals together on Friday, and then everyone spent the next day together at the home of John and Nanci Leonard.

The Retreat was marked by a significant 2-hour quiet time, small group conversation over a Eugene Peterson reading, more conversation around a Statement of Direction, bocci ball and beach walks, worship time and an amazing meal from our hosts. The evening closed with an extended time of prayer over Bethany people and ministries.