Pondering Peace — “The Peoples’ Movement”

Monthly Newsletter for Bethany United Methodist Church • Madison, WI • Vol. 53, No. 8 • August 2020

By Faith Bauman for The Peace Fellowship

For the past several months we have lived with the pandemic, a health crisis that affects all of our

lives. Today we are observing and experiencing another

crisis — this one dealing with the result of and response

to racial discrimination.

This crisis is like a pot of fluid that has simmered inside

the depths of humanity since it’s beginning… caused by

the experiences of being rejected and repressed due to

racial and cultural discrimination. The turbulence in the

pot has now come to the surface from out of it’s silent

depth and it is boiling!

Boiling is often used in food preparation to produce a good tasty meal. I believe that the boiling

sensation caused by the consuming anger and frustration of so many people is going to result in

drastic changes and that we shall have changed relationships and a transformed society. This boiling

is called a peoples’ movement.

When masses of people, counted in the millions, continue to boil, shouting “We Can’t Breathe,”

there is no stopping them. They make demands that can no longer be ignored. Peoples’ move-

ments are very strong…strong enough to force a country to change!

The funeral service for George Floyd was attended by senators and top political leaders. One speaker

said “What happened to George Floyd won’t happen again.”

Another said “We’ll never sit down ‘til justice comes!”

Of course we cannot predict the future, but we hope and even feel confident that this peoples’ move-

ment will result in changes that enhance freedom, good will and real justice…in the justice system as

well as in personal relationships.

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Thanks for spending time on our recent survey on Bethany’s response to the pandemic. More than 100 members responded! This is

double the number normally completing a survey, demonstrating that you are very engaged in how we move forward.

Since this crisis began, our Bethany Board members and I have faced difficult new decisions nearly every week. Your

input is very valuable as we continue to respond.

I am sharing here several of the analysis charts from the survey. I thought you might find these interesting. Clearly

most of you are uncomfortable returning to the building until a successful vaccine or treatment has been developed. In

your written comments, many of you expressed sadness about this – we all miss being with each other physically. But

you also expressed a great deal of satisfaction about how we are meeting online for worship, studies, and fellowship.

This would have been so much harder 20 years ago, when these online options weren’t available!

Many of you provided detailed written suggestions about how we can best carry out our ministries as we move forward. Our Bethany

Board members and I will be carefully reviewing everything you have shared in the coming weeks. Thanks for your help!

Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Greg

PASTOR’S PAGE

Thanks for Responding to Our Pandemic Survey

Additional charts can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/stories/SM-HDDVKP3D/

(If the link doesn’t work, copy and paste it into your browser.)

Simple Gifts for August — The Road Home Dane County

During the month of August, simple gift offerings are going to support The Road Home Dane County, which provides opportunities for home-

less children and their families to achieve self-determined goals and affordable, stable housing.

While it might sometimes be hidden from sight, homelessness exists in our community. During the previous academic year, 1,865 school chil-

dren were identified as homeless in Dane County. On a single night in July of 2019, over 600 people in our community didn’t have a place to

sleep.

And today — during the COVID-19 pandemic — The Road Home’s efforts are more important than ever.

The Road Home’s efforts are centered on developing long-term relationships that change the lives of families with children experiencing home-

lessness. The organization works with families not only to relieve the immediate crisis of homelessness, but also to build skills, resources and

relationships that set the stage for long-term success. To accomplish this mission, The Road Home relies on the help and support of individuals,

congregations and businesses throughout Dane County.

There's no limit to what your help can do for vulnerable families, especially during the COVID-19 crisis. Your support can have immediate im-

pact by helping families cover rent or buy groceries, and can also be used where needed for ongoing support services.

The Road Home also works closely with the Madison Urban Ministry's Healing House, an eight-bed recuperative care facility. The Healing House

provides a safe place for homeless families when someone needs to prepare for or recover from a medical procedure, childbirth, hospitalization

or something similar. In addition to donations, another way for congregations to make a difference for families who have experienced homeless-

ness in our community is by providing meals at Healing House.

During more typical times, simple gifts are made by placing loose coins in the offering plates, or by putting cash or a check in mission enve-

lopes. But you may also give online at BethanyMadison.org (click on We Serve and, from the drop-down menu, select Giving Financially).

To learn more about The Road Home, visit: http://trhome.org/

Up next: Simple gifts in September go to support Harvest of Hope

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OUTREACH NEWS

Special Sunday Offering

Also this month, there will be a Special Sunday Offering on Aug. 16 to

support Golden Cross Sunday. This collection provides support for health

and welfare ministries in the Wisconsin Annual Conference.

Please give generously, as your support will make a difference in real and

relevant ways.

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THE PLAYING FIELD

The Playing Field opened again on June 29th with about 30 kids

and expanded staff. Most of the day’s activities are outside in ex-

panded playground areas. The shouts and screams of the kiddos

playing is always a delight to hear.

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BETHANY NEWS

With summer in full swing, our “grounds crew” (Judy & Ralph Franks, Karen Sadler, Marge Lyford, Bethany Wright, Jim Carterr,

Vaughan James and Rod McKenzie) are hard at work keeping Bethany looking bright and cheerful.

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MEMBER CARE

Our Prayers and Sympathies are with…

JoAn and Buz Brock on the death of their nephew in Arkansas

STATEMENTS AND ONLINE CONTRIBUTIONS

First quarter statements were sent out via email or regular mail on July 1st. Our old software attached a pdf file of the statement

to the email. Realm, our new church database system, sends a link which you need to click on in order to access your statement.

In making inquiries from Realm support I found out that both head of household and spouse will receive a link if both have

email addresses. I also found out that many of those receiving statement links have not accessed their statement.

If you think you have not received a statement please search your July 1st email or spam for one from Bethany United

Methodist Church with subject line “Your giving statement from Bethany United Methodist Church.”

This email has a link titled “view your giving statement.” Clicking on this link will download the statement to your com-

puter.

This is the first statement generated after converting to new record keeping software and conversions tend to open the door to

errors as we learn a new system. Please check your statement carefully for errors of any kind – fund distribution, omissions, ad-

ditions. Please contact me if either of the following is true:

You made a contribution to Bethany between January 1 and July 1, 2020 and did not receive a statement. I will send it

again.

The information on your statement is not correct. I can then make the necessary corrections.

All online contributions are now being processed by Realm. Contributions set up with the old authorization forms have been re-

entered in the new system and, after a couple of initial glitches, seem to be processing correctly. Some who had entered their

own continuing contributions online before conversion have re-entered them on the new online contribution screen. If they

have not been re-entered no further automatic contributions will be made, as the old account was canceled on June 30. Contact

me if you have questions.

Please note that your email address is used to locate your record in Realm when making an online contribution. If you wish to

make an online contribution using a different address than the one on this email, please contact me so I can make sure that the

email you plan to use is in the system. If a matching email is not found, Realm will create new record and your donation will

not be recorded correctly.

Sandra Arrington, Financial Secretary

FinancialSecretary@BethanyMadison.org

608-833-4567)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

A LOOK AT OUR FAITHFULNESS

Sunday, June 28th

Total .................. 163

Sunday, July 5th

Total .................. 146

Sunday, July 12th

Total ................... 173

Sunday, July 19th

Total .........................

Sunday, June 26th

Total .................. 154

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Children’s News For Children’s Ministry information, contact Lisa Weaver, Director of Children’s Ministries

Phone: (608) 238-6381 / Email: childrensministries@bethanymadison.org

Fabric Masks for Children and Youth

We are collecting fabric masks for children and youth for use when schools re-open. The

gathered masks will be available for Bethany children and youth, as well as given in donation

to local organizations and schools. If you would like to sew masks and need a child-sized

pattern or fabric, contact Lisa Weaver. Completed fabric masks can be dropped off in the

basket outside the church office; please contact the church office to arrange for a drop-off

time.

Zoom Sunday School

We are continuing with Zoom Sunday School on Friday mornings. Bible stories have included The Good Samaritan, the Parable of the Two

Houses, and the story of Joshua leading the Hebrew people across the Jordan River. A recent project involved creating a Sun-and-Storm

mobile, and talking about the Joys and Concerns we have.

His Eye is on the Sparrow

"Why should I feel discouraged?

Why should the shadows come?

Why should my heart be lonely and long for heaven and home?

When Jesus is my portion,

My constant Friend is He,

His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me." (lyrics by Civilla Martin, 1905)

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

MADISON, WISCONSIN

PERMIT 803

Bulletin Deadline : Tuesdays at Noon

E-Banner Deadline: Tuesdays at Noon

Banner Deadline for the September Issue: August 11

We are a Reconciling Congregation,

welcoming all people to be a part of

our church family.

Staff

Lead Pastor ......................................................................................... Greg Jewison Pastor of Visitation ............................................................................. Brad Mather Director of Children’s Ministries ......................................................... Lisa Weaver Director of Youth Ministries .............................................................. Brigit Parlow Global Mission Partners .............Ardell & Gordon Graner, Dominican Republic ........................................................... Temba Nkomozepi, Mujila Falls, Zambia Director of Music ........................................................................... Taras Nahirniak Organist .............................................................................................. Sue Poullette Director of Bell Choirs ..................................................................... Nick Bonaccio Director of Children & Youth Choirs ............................................. Lori Nahirniak Office Administrator ............................................................................... Carl White Membership Secretary ........................................................................ Betsy Dunne Financial Secretary ....................................................................... Sandra Arrington Treasurer ..........................................................................................Steven Webster Custodian ............................................................................................ Ron Rebholz

Banner Assembly Mary Blasdel . Gerry Cotter . Judy Cox . Betsy Dunne . Eileen Dunne

Sally Gaard . Vada Mayfield . Kathy Nelson

Gail Steinhorst . Donna Wold

Information Office Hours: 8 am - 2:30 pm

Church Office: (608) 238-6381

Email: bethanyoffice@bethanymadison.org

Website: www.bethanymadison.org

Sunday Morning Schedule Early Bird Coffee Chat (Zoom) 8:30 am

Faithlink Adult Discussion Class 9 am

Zoom Worship 10 am

After-Worship Fellowship (Zoom) 11 am