Feb17 Beacon

Bethany Beacon The monthly newsletter of Bethany United Methodist Church, Summerville, South Carolina A monthly newsletter of Bethany United Methodist Church

February 2017

An Official Welcoming Congregation of the United Methodist Church

In this issue:

Altar Guild ........................7 Bethany NOW...................3 Birthdays & Sympathies.11 Child Development Center 4 Children’s Ministry..........6 Global Impact....................2 Happy Hearts..................10 KidsCare ............................4 LCS......................................8 Memorials....................... 10 Missionary Info.................7 New Staff Member...........6 Notes & Reminders...........8 Offering Envelopes...........8 Respite................................4 Sermon Topics...................2 Stephen Ministers..............9 Technical Ministries..........7 UMW Circles & Trustees.8

Bethany UMC is a Safe Sanctuary facility, creating a safe environment for children and youth.

A note from the pastor...

I want to thank you for all the gracious and wonderful Christmas gifts you shared with Martha and me. It is a joy and blessing to be in ministry among you.

Here are a few updates on what is going on in our church regarding staff changes and development.

Dr. Mark Fentress retired after ten fruitful years as our Pastor of Congregational Care. Mark lived and exemplified Christ every day as he ministered to members of Bethany and the Summerville community.

We wish Mark and Becky God’s blessings on this transition. On January 1, 2017 the Reverend Scott Adams assumed Mark’s position in ministry at Bethany. We introduced Scott in last month’s Bethany Beacon. Scott is a minister with varied gifts and is committed to God’s ministry. We are thankful to have him in our midst.

The Music Search Committee continues their search for a full-time Director of Music. The committee has been diligent in it’s task. We hope to have someone in place by the first Sunday after Easter, if not sooner. Please keep the committee members in your prayers. We are fortunate to have Dr. Valerie Bullock as our Interim Music Director. The music ministry of Bethany is a blessing to our church and community.

We are sad to announce that the Rev. Adriane Burgess will be leaving us in July. Adriane, Zach and Zander will be relocating to Columbus, Georgia. Adriane’s husband Craig has taken a job in Columbus and Adriane will seek a leave of absence from the South Carolina United Methodist Conference in order to join him. Adriane is a dedicated, talented and unique individual. She has been a blessing to us for eight years. The Staff Parish Relations Committee will work with the District Superintendent to find someone who will be appointed to this position at Annual Conference in June.

Thank you for all you do for the ministry of the Gospel through Bethany United Methodist Church.

Blessings, Mitch

Save the Date- Hero Central

Vacation Bible School 2017: Hero Central- Discover Your Strength in God! Mark your calendars for June 12-16! Kids will go on an awesome adventure alongside some of their favorite Bible heroes and discover the qualities that make us truly heroic in God. VBS Hero Central uses epic music, spectacular science, crafty crafts, heroic recreation, and fantastic Bible stories to help kids (and leaders) discover their strength in God! Hero verse of the week – Do Good! Seek peace and go after it! Psalm 34:14b VBS Continue, page 6

Feb. 2017

Upcoming Sermons

Bethany’s Global Impact Celebration Planning

Feb. 2017

By David Powell Special to the Bethany Beacon

Feb. 5

Holy Communion

8 a.m., Spell Chapel Rev. Jo Locklair 8:45 & 11:15 a.m.

Word & Table, Fellowship Hall Sermon Series: Super Kids of the Bible “Samuel” 1 Samuel 3:1-10 Rev. Adriane Burgess 8:45 & 11:15 a.m., Sanctuary “Salty People” I Corinthians 2:1-12 Rev. Mitch Houston

Feb. 12 8 a.m., Spell Chapel Mr. Will Thompson 8:45 & 11:15 a.m.

Word & Table, Fellowship Hall Sermon Series: Super Kids of the Bible “David” 1 Samuel 17: 32-40 Rev. Scott Adams 8:45 & 11:15 a.m.

Sanctuary Rev. Adriane Burgess

Feb. 19 8 a.m., Spell Chapel Rev. Scott Adams 8:45 a.m. & 11:15 a.m.

Word & Table, Fellowship Hall Sermon Series: Super Kids of the Bible “Rhoda” Acts 12:12-16 Rev. Adriane Burgess

8:45 & 11:15 a.m., Sanctuary “Second Mile Living” Psalm 119:33-40 Matthew 5:38-48 Rev. Mitch Houston

Feb .26 8 a.m., Spell Chapel Rev. Scott Adams 8:45 & 11:15 a.m.

Word & Table, Fellowship Hall Sermon Series: Super Kids of the Bible “Jesus” Luke 2:41-52 Rev. Adriane Burgess 8:45 & 11:15 a.m., Sanctuary “Holy Living” Leviticus 19:1-2, Matthew 17:1-9 Rev. Mitch Houston

In May 2016 Bethany hosted the GO (Global Outreach) Weekend where members of the congregation led by Dr. Duane Brown, Director of the Mission Society, discussed discipleship and the importance missional outreach plays in making disciples.

In August 2016 Dr. Brown made a presentation to Church Council where he outlined a proposed partnership between Bethany and the Mission Society over a 3-year period to increase missional outreach support and engagement within Bethany’s congregation. A vote by Church Council approved the partnership. At the core of the partnership is the Mission Society’s support and mentorship of Bethany’s upcoming Global Impact Celebration (GIC).

As a Church, God calls each of us to go out into the world and make disciples (Matthew 28:19).

One of the ways we do that at Bethany is through our many outreach ministries. The Mission Society describes a Global Impact Celebration (GIC) as an opportunity for the Church to invite the “world” into the church to celebrate all that we do. This year Bethany will host a Global Impact Celebration on August 23rd-27th.

The theme for Bethany’s Global Impact Celebration this year is “We Are the Hands and Feet of Christ”. A GIC team was assembled in November 2016 and continues meeting regularly to plan this year’s Global Impact Celebration. Key note speakers are planned along with representatives from many of the missionaries and non-profit organizations Bethany supports locally, nationally and internationally to provide insight and testimony on the impact our congregation has on the lives of others.

Over the following months leading up to Bethany’s Global Impact Celebration, GIC team members will be seeking the support and assistance of members of the congregation in the hope of making this year’s Global Impact Celebration a huge success. The GIC team especially asks for everyone’s prayers as we continue to seeks God’s guidance and blessings as the team continues the planning process.

Yours in Christ, The GIC Team

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What’s Happening now in NOW?

The NOW program on Wednesday nights is currently involved in classes focusing on the 5 Practices of Fruitful Congregations. Each week adults and youth and children focus on the 5 practices which are: Radical Hospitality taught by Will and Diana Thompson Passionate Worship taught by Linda Carter and Linda and Richard Spencer Intentional Faith Development taught by DeAnn Avant and Dale Duncan Risk-Taking Mission and Servicer taught by John Lyons, Troy Thomas and Casey Canonge Extravagant Generosity taught by Judy Jacobs and Joan Naugle If you have not participated yet, you still have time to attend a couple of the classes. The classes are discussion formats.

You may select a different class each week. Adults and youth are involved in classes together.

On Feb. 15, Rev. Mitch Houston will summarize what we have learned and ideas we have discussed during these classes. Our ideas will be studied by the Christian Formation Team and new programs and classes may be developed based on participants’ recommendations. The final meeting of this series, Feb. 22, will give everyone the opportunity to learn more about working with children, youth, and adults. There will also be a session where participants can provide feedback on NOW programs which they have enjoyed and recommend the direction the NOW program should take.

We encourage all Bethany members to participate and help us develop the programs we need to make Bethany an even more Fruitful Congregation.

The following week, March 1, is Ash Wednesday which will begin our weekly Lenten worship services. All are invited to come for dinner. Then youth and adults will attend worship while children continue in their study of the 5 Practices of Fruitful Congregations. Classes for the spring, following Easter, will be published in the March Beacon.

Bethany NOW Meals

Bethany NOW Schedule

5-6:15 P.M. ��������Supper in the Fellowship Hall 5:45-6:15 P.M. ���Prayer Call in Spell Chapel 6-7:30 P.M. ��������Children’s Programs 6:15-7:30 P.M. ���Youth Programs & Adult Classes A nursery is available during all programs.

NOW begins with a meal in the Fellowship Hall at 5 P.M. Menus are posted in the Bethany Beacon, worship bulletins and our email news (Bethany Links). Meals cost: Adults......................................$7 Children under 12...................$4 Family Maximum...................$20 (Immediate family consists of parents and children only.)

February 1: Pork Tenderloin, Succotash, Roasted PotatoesSam Woods February 8: Spaghetti, Mixed veggie/Salad, Garlic Toast- Spiritual Growth February 15: Roasted Chicken, Green beans ‘n’ Carrots, Wild rice Charles Peace / FNF February 22: Crab Bisque or Chicken Noodle soup, Salad Bar, Trukey Sandwich- Daily Bread

Meal Reservations

Reservations are due by 12 P.M. each Monday. To make reservations:  Call the church at 843.873.1230; or  Complete the reservation form in the worship bulletin; or  Complete the online reservation form at www.bethany-umc.com.  Cancellations should be made by 12 P.M. on Mondays by calling the church office at 843.873.1230.

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Feb. 2017

Bethany’s Child Development Center News

By Vicki Englert Director of Child Development Center Special to the Bethany Beacon

Registration for the 2017-2018 school year is complete. If you are still interested in having your child attend next fall, but have not yet registered, please call us at 843.821.1946 to find out what may still be available.

February is a perfect opportunity to talk about love and friendship and, of course, about God’s great love for us. It will be a great time to discuss how we can show our love by caring for others. February also brings Valentine’s Day. We’ll celebrate love and friendship with the exchange of valentines and a class party!

You are always welcome to join us for our Chapel (February 13th and 14th at 9:30A.M.) in the Sanctuary or visit any morning between 9A.M. – 12P.M. We’d love to show you what we do!

Charleston Wesley Foundation

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The Charleston Wesley Foundation is our local college campus ministry serving The Citadel, College of Charleston, Charleston Southern, Trident Community College and MUSC. Programming costs are funded by our local churches and church members. The third annual fundraising dinner will be held at Hibben United Methodist Church, 690 Coleman Blvd. in Mt. Pleasant on Saturday, February 18 at 6 P.M. The wonderful Wesley Praise Band will entertain, dinner will be provided at no cost, and presentations will be made about what the students are learning, their mission activities, the numbers of college students being brought to Christ, and the monetary needs of the ministry.

All are welcomed to attend. If you are interested in attending, please make a reservation by calling Joan Naugle at 843.875.2850 or emailing her at joannaugle3@gmail.com.

Kids’ Care News

By Wilhemina Hearne Special to the Bethany Beacon

Of all the blessings KidsCare received in 2016, our Volunteers are at the very top of the list. We thank God and praise Him that the volunteers have agreed to be a part of our plans for 2017.

Our volunteers are: Gary Griffin – 4 year veteran of our program, retired from broadcasting Trish Burton—retired English teacher Linda Kaphul – retired reading specialist John Lyons, Sr – retired engineer Jim McElheny – retired sales manager Marcia McElheny – retired teacher Gail Overcash – published author and retired teacher Each of these wonderful people are sharing and making a difference in the lives of our future generation. The benefits these people are making in the lives of the children they are mentoring are beginning to show up in report cards.

If you have a spare 45 minutes to one hour a week and would like to use your talents in mentoring a student or two please contact our office.

So please join us in praying for each of these wonderful volunteers and remember to thank them for the blessing they are giving to our future leaders.

Spring Fling Camp April 10 - April 13 (April 14 is Good Friday) Camp hours are 7:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. Must have reservations in by April 3, 2017 This year’s camp will include: Marine Education at Kids Care, a lesson on the secrets of the sand at Isle of Palms County Park, a visit to the SC Aquarium, and to close out the week North Charleston Water Park.

Don’t miss out on the fun!!!

Cost: $140.00 for all four days or a daily rate of $40.00. Registration forms will be on line or you can get one from the KidsCare office just outside Spell Chapel.

Respite-Piece It Together!

PIT will be at Respite on March 24 from 6-7:30 P.M. PIT is geared towards teens and young adults on the autism spectrum.

Come ready to exercise, learn about eating healthy food, talk about ways to relax, and live a healthy lifestyle. Remember to bring a water bottle with you. Contact Lisa Jolly with any questions or for more information at jollytimes04@yahoo.com

To Know Me is to Love Me

Feb. 2017

By Victoria Stewart Malone Worship Leader Special to the Bethany Beacon

I had a conversation with someone the other day at the gym who had a bad experience with religion that made him become an “agnostic/atheist” (in his words.) His view of who God is was distorted by experiences that had happened to him in two different religious environments: a church and a Christian college. From the outside looking in, I could see that he didn’t understand who God is and how much He loves him, because if he did, he would fall totally in love with Him! There is a huge difference between knowing about God and knowing God. This person had experienced religion without a relationship. In his case, God was seen as a demanding taskmaster who sets up a maze of rules that we have to decipher and remember so that we may live up to the high standard of perfection that will win our way into Heaven. His answer was to live the best he could, and hope that was good enough to earn his way into heaven.

Having a personal relationship with God is essential in truly worshipping Him. Our focus must be God-centered and not me-centered. When we truly know the object of our worship, it becomes a joy to sing praise to Him and serve Him, because we understand the love and the grace that He lavishes on us. We begin to see God, not as a cruel boss who taunts us with a carrot that he continually moves farther away from us, but as a loving Father, who is our Savior, our cheerleader, our encourager, our friend. We begin to see ourselves as imperfect creatures who are made perfect through the blood of Jesus. We understand that we can never be good enough or pleasing enough to win God’s affection. He freely offers it to us because that’s who He is…God is love!

To KNOW God is to LOVE God! When we come face to face with our shortcomings and failures, and understand that even when we feel so miserable and unworthy that we cannot even love ourselves, God loves us! One of my former pastors used to always say, “There is nothing you have ever done, or nothing you could ever do, to make God love you any more or any less than He does right at this moment.” It is such a hard concept in the performance-driven world that we live in, that requires us to work hard for that job promotion, or study harder to make the grades, to understand that God…loves…us. He loves us…period. When this becomes our Truth and reality, our lives change!

Instead of running away from Him, we run to Him. Instead of filling our lives with the busyness of the 21st-century rat race, we carve out moments throughout our day because we long to be with Him, to receive strength, hope, a holy hug. We find ourselves looking differently at the people around us and listening to His voice teaching us how to love others the way that He loves us.

So when we come to worship on Sundays, we aren’t just hearing a motivating word or singing songs that stir our emotions. We are able to relate what we’re hearing and experiencing to someone who is a real person in our lives; a person that we trust, that knows us inside and out, and loves us with an unwavering, unfailing love. Our worship experience begins to become centered on Him not ourselves, and we sing, give, listen and serve with a new motivation: returning to Him the love that He has poured out on us.

John Wesley provided directions for congregational singing, which read, in part: “Sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing him more than yourself. . . . Attend strictly to the sense of what you sing, and see that your heart is not carried away with the sound, but offered to God continually.” Many times I look off the stage where I am the lead worshipper and see people singing songs of praise with blank faces. As Wesley says, we need to pay attention to every word that we sing, and see it as a proclamation of what we feel in our hearts towards our gracious and loving Father.

People often think that praise and worship is just singing songs of praise at church, but it is so much more! It is also a condition of your heart -- a willingness to exalt God and submit our will to His. Worship becomes our expression of love and awe to the God who gives us more than we could ever deserve or even imagine. Whether you express your worship by singing, playing music, painting, writing, acting, building or serving in some other way, remember that we are called to worship God with our every action, every day of our lives.

The Worship Ministry at Word and Table has many ways in which one can serve and worship God. As we build the Word and Table ministry this year, pray about where God would have you serve — Worship Band, Worship Choir, greeters, servers, tech (sound and slides), communion. Let us love and worship Him with all our heart, mind, soul and strength!

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Feb. 2017

Children’s Ministries

Souper Bowl of Caring – February 5th

Technical Ministries Team (TMT)

VBS Continued from page 1

VBS Registration

Registration will open March 1 for Bethany families only. On March 15, registration will open to the public. Register early, as we fill up fast! The $15.00 per participant collected will go to help offset the cost of a program of this size and scope.

If you would like to volunteer during this fun-filled week, please let us know. Look for details to follow soon on how to register to help online. We need over 150 volunteers to make the week a success. Our volunteer training will be May 6th 9 - 11 A.M. Child care will be available. This one-time training will equip you with all necessary tools for a fun and successful week.

Caroline McInnis is our Director this year. Caroline also serves on our Children’s Ministry Team and teaches 8:45 Children’s Church every Sunday. Caroline is creative, organized and talented! Her love of Jesus will shine through, making this year’s VBS super fun! For more information about Vacation Bible School, contact the Children’s Ministries department at 843.873.1230 or evick@bethanyumc.com, smitchum@bethanyumc.com or carolinejmcinnis@ hotmail.com.

The Fifth grade Sunday School class will be participating in the Souper Bowl of Caring. They will be outside at the end of each worship service with large soup pots for you to drop your change in. All money collected will be donated to the Gregg Middle School Food Pantry.

Sunday, February 12th Jesus Loves Me Game Day for Elementary Students

On Sunday, February 12, the Middle School Girls Sunday School will host a fun game day for our kids during the Sunday School hour. All kids first through fifth grades will meet in the gym for an hour of fun and fellowship.

The kids will rotate through stations, and get to play a variety of Biblebased games. The Middle School Girls will also host game day for the preschoolers. Our Kindergarteners will meet in their regular room for their own day of fun. All Kindergarteners and preschoolers should sign in in their regular classrooms. All other kids will sign in in the gym. This will be a fun and action-packed day for our kids!

Easter Egg Hunt

Our annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held on April 8th , starting promptly at 10 A.M. We will have a scavenger hunt for children in third to fifth grades. Children up to second grade will hunt Easter eggs. The Easter Bunny will be visiting us for photographs too. For more information, please call 843.873.1230.

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Feb. 2017

By Danny Trump Special to the Bethany Beacon

Victoria Stewart Malone:

Originally from the mountains of Western North Carolina, Victoria has an impressive array of singing, acting, and performance experience. Her background includes country as well as sacred music, and musical theatre. She has also been active in the ministry since an early age, helping with everything from playing piano and singing, to serving as the Minister of Music at several churches.

After college, Victoria left the Tar Heel State for Nashville, Tennessee where she began pursuing a career in music. As a former public school music teacher, Victoria opened her own creative arts studio and found success instructing students in voice, piano, and acting, while pursuing her dream of singing and writing country and contemporary Christian music. As a songwriter, Victoria wrote and performed her original songs in churches of various denominations nationwide.

Victoria now resides in Mount Pleasant, and teaches piano, voice, and toddler music for the Town of Mount Pleasant Recreation Dept.

She served on the Word and Table Worship Team as a singer and pianist from 2013 - 2014. She is excited to return to Bethany in a leadership role, and use her gifts and talents to glorify God and edify the church. Victoria’s heart is to lead others into the intimate presence of God through worship.

Happy New Year to everyone, and I hope that you are prepared for the blessings God has for each of us. As we start this New Year, I ask that each of you prepare for the future and commit to pray for our team, the leaders of the church, the church staff, and this nation.Our team has finished 2016 with some milestones and we are not stopping there. As the New Year has begun, the TMT has also hit the ground running.

A chapter in the Bible gives us some instruction as to how we are to do the best to serve God; that chapter is 1 Corinthians 12. It is specifically about each of our spiritual gifts and the unity and diversity of “the body.” If you’re not sure what your spiritual gifts are, I would encourage you to explore where God wants you to be and to serve Him through volunteering. It is said within that chapter that the eyes cannot do what the hands can do. This means that we have to work where God wants us, but also with the other parts of the body of Christ to achieve the mission of the church and God’s purpose for us to be disciples and spread the word. Find out where God wants you and help that ministry in further spreading the word of Jesus Christ The following is the accomplishments of the TMT in 2016: * Purchased and installed 8 new wireless microphones for the Fellowship Hall * Purchased and installed 6 new wireless microphones for the Sanctuary * Purchased 2 higher quality microphones for soloist, small groups or ensembles and the children’s’ choirs so they can be heard and broadcast over the church’s internal channel for the televisions located throughout the church * Provided more training on the sound board and will be doing another training session probably this summer * A lot of time in 2016 was spent upgrading the infrastructure of the network cabling for the church. Over 7 miles of Cat5 (network cable) and about 1½ miles of coaxial cable was run, and we are now about halfway finished.

Most classrooms have the wires run to them and will be connected this year to the network. * Installed more Wi-Fi access points and plan to have more installed this year, along with more security cameras.

Already in 2017, the stage in the Sanctuary has been rewired and the number of monitors increased to enable the choir to be able to hear the service better. Many other projects are planned to be completed this year, and updates throughout the year will be provided.

One of the main things the Technical Ministries Team is going to work on, and I ask each of you to make the same commitment, is to communicate and plan better. For us to do our job effectively and have the best results for you, we need your input and notice in advance. I have developed a Technical Ministries Team Request form to help this process and request your cooperation in completing it when our assistance is needed at your function. While there will be a grace period, eventually if the form has not been completed and submitted in a timely fashion, we may not be able to meet your needs in the manner that you expect. The form has been sent to all church staff, team leads and chairpersons. While there will be a learning curve to this change, it will start the communication to determine the needs for your function and staff assigned as needed. Of course, please contact me with any questions.

One of the biggest things I would like to leave you with is that our Team covers many areas. If you have an interest in photography, video filming, editing either one of those, website design, presentation design and operation, or audio – just to name a few - we would love to have you join our team.

Training will be provided. We hope that through our ministry you will be blessed and encouraged to serve God in a mighty way.

By Donna Clair Altar Guild Chairman Special to the Bethany Beacon

I would like to thank all the people who helped adorn the Sanctuary, Spell Chapel, and the Word and Table worship space for the Advent Season. Those who deserve a big thank you are: Mildren Blanton Faye Campbell Laurence Clair Brian Collier Norma Cunningham Mary Dean Sandy Hager Lynn Harrison Martha Houston Bill Jones Lex King Stokes King Chris Koenig Sarah Temple Lafond Suzanne Lafond Pat Ledbetter Margaret Martin David McConnell Marcia McElheny Stephanie Mitchum Margie Muckenfuss Susan Richter John Riney Julie Sharpton Ashton Shirley Michael Shirley Greg Smith Claudia Wheeler Cathy Wilber

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Notes & reminders...

Dec. 2013

U M WCircles Brooks Swicegood Circle: Brooks Swicegood Circle will meet Monday, February 20th at 10 am in the Charles Peace Classroom.

Program for the day – Call to Prayer and Self Denial, Betsy Myers.

The Spell Dennis Circle: The Spell Dennis Circle will meet on Monday, February 20 at 7pm at the home of Gayle Courtney, 205 Hampton Dr, Ashborough. Call 843-873-7860 for more information. Visitors are always welcome

Bethany Quilters

Every Tuesday from 10 A.M. to 3 P.M. in the Blue House. We welcome the experienced and the inexperienced to join us for fellowship and quilting for an hour or for five hours! If you would like to speak with someone about the Bethany Quilters, please call Margie Porter at 843.821.8547, Betsy Grubb at 843.875.1690, or Sue Higgins at 843.832.0637

Bethany Prayer Chain Bethany’s prayer chain ministry is coordinated by Linda Korytko.

To become a member of the prayer chain, just write to prayerchain@ bethany-umc.com. To make a prayer request, simply send it to the same email address. Should you have a prayer request for someone other than yourself, please first obtain the permission of that person before emailing the prayer chain.

End of Year Statements

End of the year statements have been sent out. Please check them to make sure they are accurate. Those that we do not have an email address for and those that are returned as undeliverable will receive a paper copy in the mail.

Offering Envelopes

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There are 196 boxes of offering envelopes left to be picked up.

It costs $3.03 for each box to be mailed. Please help us as we try to be good stewards of God’s money. If you haven’t done so, please pick up your offering envelopes today!

Prayer Shawl Committee

Did you know that you can bring hope, comfort, and peace to an individual by gifting them with a Prayer Shawl? The Prayer Shawl Committee has shawls that have been blessed by our pastors ready to be picked up. If you would like to pick one up, please contact Pastor Scott Adams or Marge Veneziano.

The Prayer Shawl Committee meets the first Monday of the month in Room 119 at 7:00 P.M. For further information please contact Marge Veneziano at 843.607.4519.

Home Communion available

Home Communion is an important ministry in our church. It enables those who cannot attend church to receive Communion in their homes.

If you would like to receive home communion or know of someone who would welcome this ministry, please contact Martin Korytko at 843.871.3920.

Have a life emergency?

A minister is on call for pastoral emergencies after normal business hours and on weekends and holidays. If you have an emergency for which you need pastoral care, call 843.425.1069.

Wanted: Living Christmas Story Pictures!

A project is underway to collect and organize pictures from the past 22 years of The Living Christmas Story. We would like to include your pictures, too!

Please submit your pictures via: email, thumbdrive, or scanned hard copies to BUMC.LCS.PIX@ gmail.com. Stop by the Welcome Center and take a look to see if you can help identify any of the people in the pictures.

A special section will be dedicated to those who have played the part of Baby Jesus over the last 20 years.

If you would like to help with this project, please email Donna Brasher at bodog85@aol.com.

Address or phone # change?

In an effort to be good stewards of God’s money, please let the church office know about changes in your contact information, so we can serve you better. To update your contact information, contact Dana Wells at 843.873.1230.

Bethany Links Email Newsletter Subscribe to our weekly email newsletter, Bethany Links, by signing up at www.bethany-umc.com.

Bethany Beacon Deadline The deadline to submit information for the March Bethany Beacon is Wednesday, Feb. 15. Please send articles to the Bethany Beacon by emailing the Communications Team at communications@bethany-umc.com.

If you would like to receive a paper copy of the Bethany Beacon in the mail, you may opt-in to our mailing list by contacting the church office at 843.873.1230.

Trustees’ Corner Thanks to Alan Darby and Mr.D’s Tree Service for removing a large dead pine tree on church property.

Thank you from Pastor Mark Dear Bethany Family, For over a decade you have blessed Becky and me with your strong encouraging prayers, inspiring faith and your warm supportive friendships. And now, once again, you have both humbled and inspired us by giving us a beautiful Retirement Celebration and many unspeakable kindnesses and gifts. We shall never forget you!

Our Love, Mark and Becky Fentress

WELCOME BACK, STEPHEN LEADERS!

A hearty welcome back for our Stephen Leaders, Rev. Scott Adams and Cam Hembree, who just returned from an exciting seven days of training at Stephen Series Leader’s Training Course in Orlando. Be sure to give them a warm greeting and a chance to tell you about the experience. Please also be in prayer for our newest Stephen Minister Training Class which started in January, here at Bethany.

Balance: Stability produced by even distribution of weight and forces. Our lives are delicately balanced. A small shift in one area of life can set us off balance. A major change can send us spinning out of control. Stephen Ministers can help when life gets out of balance. They listen and care, and most importantly, bring the stability of Jesus’ love and grace into people’s lives. If you would like to know more about Stephen Ministry, please see one of our Stephen Ministers or Stephen Leaders. You will recognize them from their Blue Name Tags. You can also visit www.StephenMinistries. org for more information.

Praying Together- UMC USA - IEMUE ECUADOR

Feb. 2017

By Roanna Payne Special to the Bethany Beacon

We thank God for all the United Methodist churches in the USA that are in partnership with the Church in Ecuador. We give thanks for your prayers, offerings and your presence in Ecuador in God’s mission in Ecuador. Our Church is a young Methodist Church very passionate in carrying the mission to new places, new lives and new communities. It is a growing Church with 20 congregations and 7 new mission initiatives.

From the warmth of fellowship between sisters, brothers and friends from Ecuador and the USA, an initiative has begun to pray for each other on the last Sunday of every third month. We started Sunday, January 29th, with the prayer request of our Bishop, Rev. Silvio Cevallos: Starting a new year of work, pray for the pastors in Ecuador and the USA, putting their lives, ministry and families in the hands of our Lord. “Please God, help our pastors with the needs in their lives, ministries and families, fill them with your love and peace and with your power, because you are our Lord and your mercies never come to an end”.

We give thanks to God for the pastors, lay pastors and leaders, women and men who give their lives to share and proclaim the transforming love of God. We ask prayers for the pastoral corps, the bishop and the superintendents.

Currently we have 19 pastors (3 women pastors, 16 men pastors; 11 are fully ordained pastors, and 8 are lay pastors). (photo pg.2) Note: Please send us your prayer requests so that we can pray for your churches in our congregations this Sunday.

Sara Flores UMC Missionary in Ecuador

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Feb. 2017

Memorials and Honorariums4th Quarter Miscellaneous

In memory of Ray Swartz

By Charles and Catherine Watkin

By J.D. and Penny Metts

By Anthony and Barbara Silvia

By Susanne and David Banks In memory of John Stoioff

By Raymond and Annette Goins

By Tracy Friedrichs

By Joe and Sara Stasiukaitis

By Jack and Jean Olson In honor of Mark Fentress

By Gary and Linda Carter In honor of Richard Hogue’s birthday

By Gary and Linda Carter In memory of Bill Sheppard, Sr

By Dine Sheppard In memory of Scott Stevens

By Collins Machine Works In memory of Randy Busse

By Melba Busse

Youth Endowment

In honor of Aubrey and Lola Carter

By Kevin and Leigh-Ann Carter

Spell Chapel

In memory of John Stoioff

By Claire Palmer In memory of Martha Bouknight

By Louis and Penny Limehouse

Youth Designated

In memory of Rose McCurry

By Louis and Penny Limehouse, Kevin and Kenny

Music Needs

In memory of John Stoioff

By Anne Rogers

By Mona Gilbert

By Joe and Sara Stasiukaitis In honor of Melissa Sutton

By Annette and Joe Meachum

10

FEB. 11

Endowment

In memory of Harry Locklair

By Michael and Laura Knotts

By Judy and Bo Gordon

By David and Shirley LeBleu In memory of Dona Williams

By Michael and Laura Knotts In memory of Martha Jo Roumillat

By Michael and Laura Knotts In memory of Debbie Moser

By Bonnie and Dan Sweat

By Greg and Susan Anvick In memory of Lloyd and June Eppersimons

By Mr. and Mrs. Henry L. Wilson Jr In memory of Dr. James E. Wynn

By Joyce Wynn In memory of John Stoioff

By Bob and Ollie Lesch

By Doug Crutchfield

By David and Linda Cohen

By Berlin and Betsy Myers

By Phyllis Laferte

By Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Powell

By Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Anderson, Jr

By Skip and Jan Hull

By Byron Miller

By Mark and Elizabeth Pearsall

By Piedmont Stone Center, PLLC

By Tony and Brenda Frye

By Dan and Bonnie Sweat

By David and Shirley LeBleu

By Hilda and David Stoioff

By Port City Warehouse Co.

By Rick,Cinci & Beau Stoioff These are all the memorials through December 31, 2016

A Note from the Axt Family Dear Lloyd and Ruth AnnI am sorry to have to share our sad news with you both. Kitty Axt joined Colonel Axt in heaven December 30, 2016. She fought a long, hard battle with many health issues but on Friday, Dec. 30 Jesus came and took her to heaven! Rick and Linda asked me to share this news with you. I understand that Col. and Kitty enjoyed a “family of faith believers” with the Summerville church. Will you please let the church family know? Thank you for keeping in touch with the Axt’s. Best Regards, Jackie Axt (daughter-in-law)

Thomas Badgett Mandy Caceres Kathy Caldwell Tanner Cullipher Skip Darley Scott Drummond Tyler Good TJ Hatchett Matthew Kajdasz Elizabeth Moody Billy Phillips Sal Rigoroso Michael Runyon Elizabeth Soyka Peggy Trimnal

Bethany Happy Hearts Luncheon- Feb. 24

The next luncheon meeting of Bethany Happy Hearts will be on Friday, February 24th at 12:00 noon in the Robert J. Howell Fellowship Hall.

Our guests will be Dan and Isabelle Oswald and their ministry musical group “Just-Good-Enough”.

The menu will be Fried Pork Chops, Mac & Cheese, Squash, Tossed Salad, Pecan Pie, Rolls/Butter, Iced Tea with Lemon & Water.

Bethany Happy Hearts Luncheon is open to any adult regardless of age that would like to attend, but reservations are required. To make reservations for the February 24th luncheon, please call Linda Field (843-832-9925) or email her at fieldmw@hotmail.com by Wednesday, February 22nd.

Bethany Happy Hear t s Games Day- Feb. 10

“Bethany Happy Hearts Games Day” has been a success. We meet on the 2nd Friday of each month at the church in Room 118 from 11:30 a.m. until …. Bring a lunch and beverage, so we can eat together before we begin playing games.

We play several different games “Hand and Foot”, “RummyCube”, “Mexican Train”, “Pegs and Jokers”, “Skip-Bo”, and we have other games available, but if you have a special game you would like to play, bring it with you. Don’t worry if you don’t know how to play these games, someone will teach you.

The object is to have fun. Everyone that enjoys playing card or board games is welcome to join us. If you have questions, call, please call Bob or Bethann Erwin at 843-2912892/843-291-1666.

FEB. 12

FEB. 1

Mike Brown Nancy Harris Nathan Love Tommie Sizemore

FEB. 7

FEB. 3

DeAnn Avant Diana Brown Tammy Davis Braden Dukes Carol Foulds Jack Frost Lilly Grant Herman Koester Keith Rodwell Will Rogers Katie Smith Barry Keith Strange Kathy Tatum Page Vick

FEB. 4

Leslie Agnew Matthew Barwick Al Bradham Bret Gillis Lindsay Lanesky Tiffany Miller Taylor Mitchum Zoe Parham Blake Simokat Rich Thorington Linda Turoski

FEB. 2

Robin Hall Rashell Pipkin Billy Robinson Ellie Rodgers

Riley Abernethy Anne Baggett Connie Baty Skip Burn Jayce Caldwell Roland Fulcher Jenny Kostera Scott Muckenfuss Kelsey Shepler Sandra Hayes Wansley

Ben Brown Sam Dorr Mary Griffin Judy Hagen Laney Haigler John Humes Jamie Lucarelli Al Lyman Jake O’Donnal Zachary O’Donnal Cathy Quinn Janet Rogers Bill Simmons Scott Swartzwelter

FEB. 5

Joe Christie Kit Graves Joseph Hufham Liz MacAdam-King Vicki McCartney Cas Sellers Charlotte Trollinger John Wilkinson

FEB. 6

Barbara Bassett Bill Box Elizabeth Cutshall Nettie Finley John Griffith Sanders Padgett Emily Purcell Christopher Rogers Ron Smith

FEB. 8

FEB. 9

Julie Anderson Cecil Baty Meagan Chinnis William Andrew Ellis Tammie Golden J. D. Hammond Janice Harp Virgie Horne Jayna Ray A. J. Romberg Joel Roumillat Lee Smith Roy Stockman Bob Tryon Travis Wheeler Brady Yosinski

FEB. 10

Jerry Cohen Jeff Fiorito Caitlyn Fortner Tait Gaston Lindsay Gilmer Evan Griekspoor Bob Johnson Karlie McElfresh Drew McPhail Evelyn Owens Connor Parrish Deborah Ryan Layla Swindle Iris Wilkins

Betty Beebe Betty Brandhorst Brownie Calvert Susan Dawson Rebecca Dunlap Lauren Jackson Megan Jones Paula List Benjamin McMeans Georgia Murrie Addison Rush Brantley Strickland

FEB. 13

Jennifer Beebe Christy Carden Lynda Childs Dan Dixon Tony Frye Joshua Hallinan Jordan Hardy Rodney Scott Hewitt James McLendon Emma Sanders Bill Schmitz Keelan Young

FEB. 14

Maria Agustin Krista Barrier Kim Cline RoAnn Cook Cameron Cranford Amanda Foster Brenda Frye Scott Jonas Sally Jurkowski Finley O’Donnell Greg Pipkin Le Pope Tom Ryan Laura Shepherd Hunter Taylor

FEB. 15

Mike Becwar Ron Givens Bob Green Jon Eric Green Julia Carroll Green Emily Jackson Peter Michael Miller Omar Shabeldeen Whitney Slack Clinton Sutton Stewart Wilson Ashley Yeomans

FEB. 16

Ian Bondurant Gabriel Cook Noah Cosby Jeanne Gierke Margaret Martin Allison Miller

Jack Shepherd Melissa Shepler Skip Traylor Bet Willey Ansley Wilson Steve Yeomans

FEB. 17

Jim Barrier Mark Fiedler Jessica Ford Sherri Hancock Matthew Huff Robert Graham Jordan Kim Noviski Walker Richardson Roan Ross Stacy Ross Johnson Tapp Donna Waite

FEB. 18

Dorian Baker Travis Bradshaw Raymond Bupp Kinsley Chellis Laurie Cook Jane Hattabaugh Eva Heatherly Jeanette Osborn Spicer Pagan Tribble Phillips Sarah Roberts Lauren Weatherford Dan Westover Marion Woodbury

FEB. 19

Nita Ackerman Kaitlyn Case Jack Childs Joey Current Mary Beth Gonzales Jim Hunter Carson Lattimore Stephen McCracken Caroline McCurry Randall Morgan Ethan Russell Murray Travis Pierce Josh Rodriguez Lillianna Thompson Debbie Weathers Carol Wilkerson

FEB. 20

Brian Collier Claire Doucet Ashlie Caroline Hewitt Hundley McCurry Rachel Morgan Jacques Roumillat Dean Sears Abby Taylor Carmie Wagaman Megan Williams

FEB. 21

Brendan Bennett Amanda Brazelton Joshua Kerns Judy Lesley Reeves McMillan Austin Pezza Angie Polk Lynne Skelton

FEB. 22

Gayle Courtney Gayla Current Civanna Gibby Ted Givler Brandy Graham Darrell Hinton Matthew Horvath Liliann Karp Virginia Lee Ian Moore James Myers Marv Rajt Brooke Robinson William Schroder Kennedy Waring

FEB. 23

Don Baus Aubrey Carter Trisha Davis Amy Diaz Thomas Hull Lynne Lovett Tiffany McClanahan Mike Riley Jonathan Sircy Richard Spencer Janet Stallsmith

FEB. 24

Justin Brown Michelle Brown Chris Byars Allen Goettee Mikael Hess Jeff Hudson Kent Lesley William McMeans Larry Pitarra Chandler Putney Sarah Smith

FEB. 25

Susan Anderson Rhea Boyd Hayes Bradfield Randall Charpia Kelsie Files Wesley Folden Gene Kurtz Beverly Meadows Mary Reilly Mills Daniel Nimmo Jackson Radcliffe Caitlyn Rainey Molly Reeves Robert Stasiukaitis Jesse Thomerson Paul Williams

FEB. 26

Elisabeth Beebe Jacob Eddy Kevin Helton Bill Jones Campbell McCurry Grant McPhail Warren Phillips Ashlyn Simokat Harrison Snell

Feb. 2017

FEB. 27

Joe Basnight Christopher Berry Hannah Berry Allen Bilton Caroline Brown Johnny Crawford Kegan Dantzler Matthew Franchi Robert Haywood Furman Betty Goree Ansley Hope Lily Jeter Ray Johnson Brian Keels Just Limehouse Robin Lopez Ann Vaughan Jim Vaughan

FEB. 28

Olla Buie Bryant Eiser Lauren Jonas Joe Kennedy Brooks Ruple Alexa Ryan Debbie Wilkinson

FEB. 29

Allison Renee Hall William Howard

MAR. 1

Sherry Ensley Bert Griffith Bob Iannace Graham Lovett Blair Mallard Trae McElheny Phaedra McMillian Emily Stefan

We would like to extend our Christian sympathies to Ricky Sweat at the death of his mother, Arlene Rittenhouse on January 2, 2017.

Our Christian sympathies to Susie Anderson and family at the death of her husband, chuck Anderson on January 22.

Our Christian sympathies to Betty Leach and family at the recent death of her husband, Jim Leach on Jan. 23.

Our Christian sympathies to the Limehouse family at the recent death of Carey Limehouse on Jan. 26.

11

118 West 3rd South Street Summerville, SC 29483 Return service requested.

Emergency Number: If you have an emergency for which you need pastoral care at night or on weekends or holidays, call 843.425.1069

Child Dev. Center: 843.821.1946

Church Office: 843.873.1230 Office Fax: 843.873.1937 Gym Office: 843.873.7261,

Mon.-Thurs.

8:30 AM. to 5 P.M., Friday 8:30 A.M. to Noon,

Office and Kitchen Hours:

bethany-umc.com bethanygym.com facebook.com/BethanySummerville twitter.com/BethanyUMC

Please email your address changes or if you would like to be removed from the Bethany Beacon Newsletter mailing list.

The deadline for the March issue is Wednesday, Feb. 15

Articles ,story ideas, questions, comments, news or photos may be sent to the Communications Team at communications@bethany-umc.com

Bethany Beacon is published monthly by Bethany United Methodist Church.

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