continued on pg. 10

This article is the first in a series from Bridges Ministry on the Fruits of the Spirit in relation to serving those with special needs. In Galatians 5:22-23 (NASB), Paul states “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Recently, I heard an inter-view with Jean Vanier, a Catholic theologian and author who founded L’Arche in 1964. L’Arche is an international federation of communities for people with developmental disabilities and those who serve them. In 1971, he cofounded Faith and Light, another organization for people with de-velopmental disabilities, their friends and family.

Lenten OfferingThe Lenten Season is one of the most important seasons in the Christian faith. It is a period of 40 Days, beginning Ash Wednesday and ending at Easter. During this period, Christians around the world participate in a season of penitence, prayers, fasting and self-denial, just as Jesus did when he spent 40 days in the wilderness. (Mat-thew 4:1-25 and Luke 4:1-13) A part of Bethany’s participation in the Lenten season is the giving of a special offering as a church that is above and beyond our regular tithes and offerings. This year’s Lenten offering will benefit Bethany’s Global Missions ministry.Global Missions is planning a trip to Ecuador this summer as part of our long-term covenant relation with the Methodist Church of Ecuador in conjunction with the Charleston District. The trip

continued on pg. 10

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

BethanyBeacon

Bethany UMC is a Safe Sanctuary

facility, creating a safe environment for children and youth.

Vol. XIII, Issue 2February 2016

Bethany CDC................................4Bethany Now ................................ 8Birthdays & Sympathies ........... ..11Bridges..........................................1Children’s Ministry.........................5Happy Hearts ............................... 7Grace Notes ................................. 4Lenten Offering..............................1Living Water Ministry.....................3Notes & Reminders ...................... 6Outreach........................................3Parable of Life Saving Station......10Sermon Topics ............................ .2Stephen Ministry............................9Technical Ministries.......................7Trustees........................................ 7UMW Circles................................. 8Bethany Vision...............................2Your Words....................................7

Inside:

An Official Welcoming

Congregation of the United

Methodist Church

By Lisa Jolly Special to the Bethany Beacon

Have you seen the emails from Bethany inviting you to join RightNow Media? A few of you have called wondering if this was real or not… It is a real and not spam! RightNow Media is a resource for you to use in your Sunday school classes, Bible studies and individual time with God. RightNow Media is like “Netflix for the church” because they have a huge library with thousands of video sessions that people can access anytime, anywhere. Their creative team films and produces RightNow Media Originals featuring teaching from respected teachers and pastors and distribute video resources produced by over 100 other major Christian publishers and ministries. RightNow Media, firmly believes The Mission of the Church Matters. Everything they do is rooted in the belief that the church (people not buildings) can have a powerful impact on this world.

Bridges Ministry

2

Upcoming SermonsFeb. 7Holy Communion

8 a.m., Spell ChapelDr. Jo LocklairSermon Series: Twelve WomenRev. Adriane Burgess

8:45 & 11:15 a.m.,Sanctuary“The Blame Game”Genesis 4: 1-8 Rev. Bob Howell

Feb. 10 Ash Wednesday

7 a.m. Spell Chapel Rev. Adriane Burgess

6:15 p.m.Sanctuary “Public Piety”Matthew 6:1-6,16-21Rev. Bob Howell

Feb. 148 a.m., Spell ChapelRev. Mark Fentress

8:45 a.m.Word and TableRev. Adriane Burgess

8:45 & 11:15 a.m.,Sanctuary Rev. Richard Hogue

Feb. 17 Wednesday Night Lenten Service

6:15 p.m., Spell Chapel

Rev. Ray Litts, Hibben UMC

Feb. 218 a.m., Spell ChapelRev. Mark Fentress

8:45 a.m.Word and TableRev. Adriane Burgess

8:45 and 11:15 a.m., Sanctuary “Time to Get Up”Matthew 7:24-29

Rev. Bob Howell

Feb. 24 Wednesday Night Lenten Service

6:15 p.m., Spell Chapel Rev. Patricia Parrish, Charleston Dist. Superintendent

Feb. 288 a.m., Spell ChapelRev. Mark Fentress

8:45 a.m.Word and TableRev. Adriane Burgess

8:45 & 11:15 a.m.,Sanctuary “A Round Tuit”LUke 9:57-62Rev. Bob Howell

March 2 Wednesday Night Lenten Service

6:15 p.m., Spell Chapel Rev. Aaron Meadows, Director of the Charleston Wesley Foundation

March 6Holy Communion

8 a.m., Spell ChapelDr. Jo Locklair

8:45 a.m.Word and TableRev. Adriane Burgess

8:45 & 11:15 a.m.,Sanctuary“The Thief on the Cross”Luke 23:32-43Rev. Bob Howell

March 9 Wednesday Night Lenten Service

6:15 p.m., Spell ChapelRev. Erik Grayson, Aldersgate UMC

February 2016

We see WORSHIP as the first priority of the church. Gathering to offer corporate thanks to God is foundational for the ministry of disciple-ship. We are in the business of growing disciples of Jesus Christ. Over the coming months, we will aggressively focus our worship efforts on enhancing our worship op-portunities and the quality of the worship experiences offered by Bethany. We will look strategi-cally at our worship offerings to determine their effectiveness and how each of them may be enhanced. We will find ways to encourage our members and others in the community. We will also look at the expansion of worship opportunities to other possible venues that meet the needs of an expanding community. OUTREACH is about taking the church to the community; being the church in the world. Whether it is next door or overseas, we will reach out with the love of Christ to minister. We envision a church so committed to missions that every member is engaged in assisting our ministry of missions. We envision a missions coordinating team that plans strategically for missions, receives mission suggestions from the congregation, then manages the development of our mission ministry over the next five years. They will look strategically at our mission work and assign new mission endeavors to our Local, Global and Evangelistic Outreach teams. We will develop the funding of world class mission engagement through a separate stewardship campaign focused on missions and centered around the Easter season. Bethany is good at the NURTURE of our flock. Care teams, Ste-phen Ministry, a Nurture Pastor, Sunday Schools, hospital ministry, counseling and countless other ministries happen every day through Bethany. We envision the creation of new nurture ministries, built on small group models, to foster the development of small groups for growing disciples through prayer, devotion, bible study, witness and fellowship. Patterned after the Wesley Class Meeting, these groups will grow into accountability groups that encourage the development of every member of Bethany’s discipleship. There is no more important nurture ministry than our work with children and youth. They have always been of critical importance to the people of Bethany. We have always believed that we are called to care for them and their Christian development. In the coming years we will look closely at our ministries with these critical parts of our family and make both staffing and funding of this work a higher priority. Over the next five years, we will employ additional staff in Christian Discipleship ministries for adults, youth and children. Our vision is to become a congregation that, in every aspect of our life, is developing Christian disciples of Jesus Christ who desire to be instruments of God’s love and power. Through prayer, worship, learning, service and fellowship we will reflect faithfully what it means to be the Body of Christ in the world.

Vision Statement For Bethany United Methodist

Church

The Flowertown Festival is fast approaching and so too is the Living Water Ministry. This outreach ministry is Bethany’s gift to the Summerville Community during the annual festival. We convert the gravel parking lot on the East side of the church to a Picnic Area/Oasis as a venue for giving away our Living Water. We use a 12 oz bottle of water and a complimentary koozie to symbolize God’s love and promise for eternal life as written according to scripture in John 4: 13, 14 and 1John 4:8. The Bethany family has been very loyal supporters of this outreach ministry in many ways as outlined below.

• A campaign for donations within the church begins in mid January through March. This outreach ministry receives no funding within the church budget and donations are appreciated.

• Volunteers, who help plan the event, pick up the water, help set up the tents and chairs, hand out the water during the festival and tear down the Picnic Area late Sunday afternoon ranges from 100 to 125.

• Two tents are dedicated to displaying posters of Bethany’s many ministries, with brochures available for our visitors.

• Live Christian music is provided through out the three day event with many musical groups from Bethany.

• During the 2015 festival we gave away 3000 koozies and more than 5,000 bottles of water, thus our volunteers from Bethany shared the love of Jesus Christ with over 5,000 people during this three day event.

You can help us make this possible again by making a “Living Water “donation to your Sunday school class leader or in the church office. You may also put a donation in the offering plate or in the container on the Flowertown Festival display table near the entrance to the Fellowship Hall. Please include your name and clearly mark your check for the “Living Water Ministry.”

Being a team member and part of this important community outreach program requires a commitment of only two to three hours, either prior to or during the three day festival. Signup sheets are located at the Flowertown Festival display table near the Fellowship Hall.

2016 Living Water Ministry April 1-3

3

Feb.2016

By David Powell Special to the Bethany Beacon

R e g i s t r a -tion for the 2016-2017 school year continues. If you are still interested in having your child attend next fall, but have not yet registered, please call us at 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 discuss how we can show our love by caring for others. To reinforce this we will be having a food drive for the Gregg Middle School Food Pantry. There is a collection bin in the Welcome Center if you’d like to contribute as well! Valentine’s Day is a fun holiday that will be celebrated with the exchange of valentines and a class party! You are always welcome to join us for our Chapel time (February 8th and 9th at 9:30 a.m.) in the sanctuary or visit any morning between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. We’d love to show you what we do!

Bethany’s Child Development Center News

Dec. 2015

4

Sunday, Jan. 31• 8 a.m. Spell Chapel; 8:45 a.m. Sanctuary; Michael Lopez, organist Chancel Choir• 8:45 a.m. Fellowship Hall; Word & Table worship band• 11:15 a.m. Sanctuary; Michael Lopez, organist Chancel Choir

Sunday, Feb. 7• 8 a.m. Spell Chapel; Jessica White, organist• 8:45 a.m. Sanctuary; Michael Lopez, organist Chamber Singers• 8:45 a.m. Fellowship Hall; Word & Table worship band• 11:15 a.m. Sanctuary; Michael Lopez, organist Chancel Choir

Ash Wedesday Wednesday, Feb. 10• 6:15 p.m. Sanctuary; Chancel Choir

Sunday, Feb. 14• 8 a.m. Spell Chapel; Jessica White, organist• 8:45 a.m. Sanctuary; Michael Lopez, organist Wesley Singers• 8:45 a.m. Fellowship Hall; Word & Table worship band• 11:15 a.m. Sanctuary; Michael Lopez, organist Chancel Choir

Lenten Service Wednesday, Feb. 17 • 6:15 p.m. Spell Chapel

Sunday, Feb. 21• 8 a.m. Spell Chapel 8:45 a.m. Sanctuary; Michael Lopez, organist Chamber Singers Peachtree UMC Youth Choir

• 8:45 a.m. Fellowship Hall; Word & Table worship band• 11:15 a.m. Sanctuary; Michael Lopez, organist Chancel Choir

Lenten Service Wednesday, Feb. 24 • 6:15 p.m. Spell Chapel

Sunday, Feb. 28• 8 a.m. Spell Chapel; 8:45 a.m. Sanctuary; Michael Lopez, organist Chamber Singers• 8:45 a.m. Fellowship Hall; Word & Table worship band• 11:15 a.m. Sanctuary; Michael Lopez, organist Chancel Choir

Grace Notes: Music MinistryFeb.2016

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

continued on pg. 10

Feb.2016

5

By Stephanie MitchumSpecial to the Bethany Beacon

February will hold Special Children’s Sunday School Lessons On Sunday, Feb. 7, Bridges Ministry will lead the children in a special Sunday school lesson. This lesson will focus on inclusion and accep-tance of all. On Sunday, Feb. 14, the BUMC Youth will host a fun game day for our elementary kids during this Sunday School hour. All kids first through fourth grades will meet in the gym for an hour of fun and fel-lowship. The kids will rotate through the stations, and get to play a variety of bible-based games. Our Kindergar-teners will meet in their regular room for their own day of fun. The Fifth grade Sunday School class will host game day for the preschoolers. All Kindergarteners, Fifth graders, 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!Sunday, Feb. 21, Children’s Ministry staff is writing a special lesson on “What is Prayer?” As part of this special lesson we have interviewed about 30 people to ask them about what prayer means to them. We have interviewed kids to some of our pas-tors. We will put together about a 15 minutes video to open our large group Sunday school assembly. We will then break into our small groups to further our discussion. Sunday, Feb. 28, we will delve even further into the topic of prayer with a lesson called “Praying in Color” Children will learn tangible ways to pray and further their relationship with God.

Souper Bowl of CaringThe Fifth grade Sunday School class will be participating in the Souper Bowl of Caring on Sunday, Feb. 7. This is a big day for football fans, and our fifth graders are taking this day to make a difference. 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.

Vacation Bible School 2016 Surf Shack – Catch the Wave of God’s Amazing LoveMark your calendars for June 6 – 10! Surf’s up and the wave of God’s love is coming in! Our surfers will dis-cover how to shine bright and show God’s amazing love to others. They will meet people from the Bible who shared God’s good news through their amazing love. They will discover that God Creates, God Helps, God Loves, God Calms and God Sends. “Remember that the Lord is great and

Children’s Ministries Updateawesome!” Nehemiah 4:14b 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! If you would like to volunteer during the fun-filled week please let us know. We need over 100 volunteers to make the week a success. Adair Roark and Shelby Sieg have agreed to stay on as our directors this year. They did such a fabulous job last year, we can’t wait to see what they have in store for this year. Thank you ladies! For more information about Vacation

Charleston Wesley Foundation

Charleston Wesley Foundation, the campus ministry arm of the SC Unit-ed Methodist Church, serves students at The Citadel, College of Charles-ton, Trident, Charleston Southern and MUSC. CWF funding comes from our conference plus donations from churches and individuals. A dinner will be held at our church on Feb. 20 with entertainment by the Wesley Foundation Praise Band and a presentation by Rev. Aaron Mead-ows, the Wesley Foundation Director. The dinner is free but, donations are expected. We hope you will come to learn more about CWF and consider donating and becoming a supporter of this important ministry to the local area college students. For quest ions and to RSVP p lease con tac t Joan Naug le (843-875-2850, joannaugle3@gmail.com) or Liz Arnold (843-572-8783, liz.arnold@citadel.edu )

6

Dec.2015

Prayer Shawl Committee2015 was a wonderful year, we gifted 100 prayer shawls to those who were in need of comfort. Since our ministry began in 2012 we have gifted 294 prayer shawls. This is not only open to Bethany members, but families, neighbors and friends. If you would like to join us in this ministry please contact Marge Veneziano at mveneziano58@gmail .com or 843-851-5343.

The next meeting will take place on Feb. 1 in Room 119 at 7 p. m. Anyone currently working on shawls, please bring all finished shawls with you.

Name Tags Thank you to all who ordered name tags. Bethany appreciates your help and support. You can pick your name tag from Jerry Wallace Mon-day thru Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday 8:30 a.m. to noon and on Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. If Jerry is not available the name tags will be at the Welcome Desk. If you would still like to order a name tag, call Jerry at 873-1230.

Brooks-Swicegood Circle will meet at 10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 15, in the Charles Peace Sunday school classroom. Visitors are always welcome. Contact Betsy Myers at 843-871-2442 for more information.

Hazel Melia-Carter-Dunbar Circle will meet on Feb. 16 at 10:30 a.m. in Room 125. If you have additional questions please call or email Amy Locklair with questions at 843-873-4738 or alocklair4@sc.rr.com.

New Hope Circle will meet on Feb. 16 at 7 p.m at Gay Hartman’s house. We would love to have you visit our circle. Please call Brenda Wylie, 843-873-4448 or email at bkwylie@gmail.com for more information.

Spell Dennis Circle will meet on Monday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. at the home of Gayle Courtney, 205 Hampton Dr Ashborough. Please call 843-873-7860 for more information. Visitors are always welcome.

Herbert McAlhaney Circle will meet on Thursday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. at the home of Liz Williams, 1600 Yellow Hawthorne Cir. Call 843-875-0192 for more information.

UMW Circles

continued on pg. 10

Baptism QuestionsSenior Pastor Bob Howell will lead a baptism class on Feb. 20 at 10 a.m. in the Conference Room.

This class is for parents wishing to have their children baptized. Parents must attend a baptism class before their child is baptized. The only excep-tion is for parents who have previously attended a class for another child bap-tized at Bethany.

To attend, you must RSVP by reg-istering online at www.bethany-umc.com. Look for the link under the worship tab.

Do both parents need to attend the baptism class?

A Yes, if possible. However, we understand work schedules

sometimes interfere with this. If one parent is not able to attend and he/she has some questions, please call to speak with Dr. Howell.

Where do most baptism classes meet?

A They almost always meet in the conference room in the upstairs

Welcome Center at 10 a.m.

Does the class really last an hour?

A Yes, it does. The class is short, but full of information.

We have small children, can we bring them with us to the class?

By Joan Naugle Special to the Bethany Beacon

Bethany Quilters Make a MoveBethany Quilters have been busy boxing up and moving to the blue house across the street from the Wel-come Center. The move from the Old Parsonage is to make room for our church youth. We continue to meet each Tuesday at 10 a.m. We encourage anyone who quilts or those interested in tying quilts to join us. We bring a bag lunch and quilt as long as you desire, ending at 3 p.m. Should you like to drop by and see the beautiful Irish Celtic quilt we are currently quilt ing, we would love to share. A t o u r luncheon our quilters pre-sented twenty baby quilts made for our local Salva-tion Army. Many of the quilts were made from fabrics donated by mem-bers of our congregation. Thank you.

Bethany Quil-te rs a t tending our Chris tmas luncheon are left to right, Wilma Franks, Sue Hig-g i n s , S a n d r a Shelton, Donna R i d e r , B e t s y G r u b b , J a n e Ludlum, Sherry Edwards, Margie

Porter, Cathy Handzo, Pat Hartman, seated Yvonne Stimpson and grand-daughter Leila Miller, and Shirley Scully.

Feb.2016

7

The next luncheon meeting of Bethany Happy Hearts will be on Friday, Feb. 26 at 12 p.m.. Our guests will be Dan and Isabelle Oswald and their ministry musical group “Just-Good-Enough”. All Bethany members are invited to attend and bring a guest with you. Our menu for this meeting includes Meat Loaf, Mashed Potatoes, Garden Peas, Tossed Salad, Cherry Pie, Rolls/Butter, and Tea/Water, with Lemon. The cost of the meal is $6 per person. Please make a reservation no later than Wednesday, February 24th. Call Linda Field at 843-832-9925 or email her at fieldmw@hotmail.com.

Trustees’ CornerWork was recently done at 303 Central Avenue as part of Jusin Lawlor’s Eagle Scout project. Thank you to Justin and to all those listed below for all the work they were able to complete. It is much appreciated!

Joseph LawlorMatthew LawlorCarson Parrish Shaun SmileyPaul BeachyVernon BaerCharles Baer Richard Baer

Chandler WaeleyGarrett Wimpee

Tommy O’MalleyTristan BeachyAustin Ruple

Bethany Happy Hearts Luncheon

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:*Mildred BlantonFaye CampbellLaurence ClairRon ClaytonNorma CunninghamMary Dean Lynn HarrisonBob JohnsonChris KoenigSarah Temple LafondSuanne LafondPat Ledbetter

Gillis McAllisterTim McConnellMarcia McElhenyStephanie MitchumMargie Mucken fussSusan RicheterJohn RineyKathy Shabeldeen*Julie SharptonAshton ShirleyMichael ShirleyKevin Slack

* Mildred and Julie work throughout the year changing the Paraments to match the colors to the Christian calendar.

~ Donna ClairAltar Guild Chairman

YourWord: Letters

Dec.2015Feb.2016

Bethany NOWBethany NOW Schedule

5-6:15 p.m. ...........Supper in the Fellowship Hall

6-7:30 p.m. ...........Children’s Programs

6:15-7:30 p.m. ......Classes for adults and youth

A nursery is available during all programs.

Adult ActivitiesBethany’s Wednesday night adult activities will break on Feb. 3 for Lent. Adults are invited to worship in Wednesday night Lenten services that will begin at 6:15 p.m. in Spell Chapel. Classes resume April 3 with new adult classes. New classes will be announced in the March Bethany Beacon. Studies will focus on Nur-ture Outreach and Worship. Each Wednesday night during Bethany NOW the evening begins with dinner in the Fellowship Hall, where you can share a time of fellowship with family and friends. Dinner is followed by a selection of classes for adults as well as activities for youth and children of all ages. Come join us and make Wednesday night a time of fun for you all.

Bethany NOW MealsBethany 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:

8

Student Classes (Grades 6-12):Small group studies will be of-fered to middle school students and high school students during Bethany NOW.Visit www.bethany-studentministries.com for the most up-to-date information on small group topics. You may also contactWill Thompson at wthompson@bethany-umc.com or 843-873-1230 for additional information.

Preschool Activities6-6:40 p.m.................Cherub Choir6:45-7:30 p.m............Bible stories and crafts

Kindergarten – 2nd Grade:6-6:40 p.m.................Melody Choir or Bible Study 6:45-7:30 p.m............Art or Recreation

3rd – 5th Grade:6-6:40 p.m............... Art or Recreation6:45-7:30 p.m.......... Wesley Choir or Bible StudyA nursery is provided for children younger than age three.

Student Activities

Children’s ActivitiesChildren’s activities continue through Lent. Parents, please pick up your children by 7:40 p.m.

Feb.3 - Chicken Bog, Succotash Salad Bar Chicken Fingers for children

Feb. 10 - Breakfast for Dinner French Toast casserole, egg casserole, grits and fruit salad

Feb. 17 - Taco casserole, Mexican rice, corn and salad bar

Feb. 24- Italian Sausage with peppers and onions, vegetable medley and roasted potatoHotdogs for children

MENUS

Adults ..................................$7Children ...............................$4Family Maximum ...............$20(Immediate family consists of parents and children only.)

* Cash, checks and credit/debit cards are now accepted.

Meal ReservationsIt is very important that you make reservations by noon each Mon-day. To make reservations: Call the church at 873-1230; or Complete the reservation form in the worship bulletin; or

Complete the online reservation form at www.bethany-umc.com.

Bethany NOW kitchen supportSunday School classes provide sup-port during the Bethany NOW meal. On the date your Sunday School class is scheduled to help, please report to the kitchen no later than 5 p.m.

Feb. 3 - Charles Peace and Friends in Faith

Feb. 10 - Daily Bread and Providence

Feb. 17 - Connections

Feb. 24 - Friends in Faith

Feb.2016

9

Jesus was the model of a good listener. Much of his ministry was listening to people. By listening to what people had to say he demonstrated how much he really cared about them. Remember the stories of the woman at the well, Nicode-mus, or the disciples on the road to Emmaus. All were times when Jesus showed his care and concern by first listening to people and then giving them what they needed. Think of a time when you really felt cared for. Chances are someone focused on what you had to say, was attentive to your needs, and listened to how you felt instead of telling you how you should feel or what you should do. In Stephen Ministry, a great deal of time is spent in teaching and practicing listening skills because of its importance as a care giving tool. If you would like to speak with a Stephen Minister, please call one of the following telephone numbers, the church office, or contact a pastor. Stephen Leaders and Ministers wear blue badges so that you can recognize them in the con-gregation. (If you know someone else that is in need of care please obtain their permission first, or encourage them to make that important first contact for help.) For Stephen Ministry Care please call: Denis Tsukalas 843 871-0381; Paula Connelly 843 821-0884; or Annette Goins 843 863-1868

1. Listening is active. It takes energy and commitment to listen really well. Our Stephen Ministers are well trained and ready to listen.

2. Listening takes patience. Constant, patient listening is a key to building trust. Our Stephen Ministers can be trusted.

3. Listening involves more than just words. It is paying attention not only to what is said, but to what is not said-or to what is said with a smile or a sigh. Our Stephen Ministers know how to listen.

4. Good listeners aren’t completely silent. They restate key thoughts or ideas to be sure they understood correctly. Our Stephen Ministers are here to listen and to pray with you and for you.

5. Listening happens over time. One conversation might build upon an earlier one. Our Stephen Ministers want to build a relationship with you.

6. Listening is confidential. We do not share with others what was told to us in a private conversation. Confidentiality is our highest priority.

Check our bulletin board, and go to www.StephenMinistries.com for more information about Stephen Ministry.

Stephen Ministry belongs to the Congregation, Community, and our Family of Faith

His mission is all about diminishing walls and barriers around people with intellectual disabilities. He questions why we place people with disabilities behind walls. Here is a paraphrased excerpt from On Being with Krista Tippett. A pod-cast interview with Jean Vanier: “The deepest desire for us all is to be loved. When you love people, you want to be together. What’s touched me about people with disabilities is their cry for relationship. All have lived the pain of rejection. In the Gospel of John, Jesus asks Peter, ‘Do you love me?’ There is the cry of God, ‘Do you love me?’ This is a cry of people with disabilities. These people who have been wounded, put aside, lost trust in themselves, and considered ‘mad’ by society are crying, ‘Do you love me?’. I see these two cries come together.” ~ Jean Vanier And so, we begin with love. Serving in a ministry such as Bridges is love in action. It’s tangible and so much more than that sweet warm feeling inside. We show love to children and youth with special needs by making time to join and build a relationship with them. Bridges Ministry offers an opportunity for this during monthly respite, Sunday School and worship. Our youth are serving as peer tutors and peer companions through Friends Ascend. Showing love means taking the time to learn about a person’s special needs. Bridges Ministry is offering classes each month to help you learn more about this population and how you can serve and build a relationship with them. So, how do we answer the cry “do you love me”? We obey God’s com-mandments. We study His Word and we allow the Holy Spirit to lead our actions. We not only use loving words, we actively live them even when it’s inconvenient, annoying or scary. Stop, pray and trust that the Holy Spirit is in you and provides you the tools you need to put love into action. We invite you to review our calendar and prayerfully consider if God is calling you to serve and love these children and youth.

Bridges Ministrycontinued from pg 1

Children’s Ministrycontinued from pg 5

2016 Calendar

Respite Night5:30 to 9 p.m.Feb. 26, March 18, April 22, May 20 , Aug. 26, Sept. 23, Oct. 28 and Nov. 18

Lessons on Special NeedsSunday School Hour - 10 a.m. Jan. 24, Feb. 28, March 20, April 24 and May 22

Easter Egg Hunt 10 a.m.March 19

VBS9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.June 6 - 10

Friend’s Ascend Luau 4 to 6 p.m.June 4

ASCEND5:30-7:30 p.m.Sundays throughout the school year

Lenten Offeringcontinued from pg 1

will provide opportunities for Bible school for the youth, fellowship with the women of church, construction and whatever other talents we have that can be used. The Lenten offering will assist with supplies needed for the team to com-plete their work in Ecuador.

Please notate “Lenten” on your check or on an envelope for all dona-tions made to the Lenten offering.

Dec.2015

10

Baptismcontinued from pg. 6

A Bethany offers a nursery for children ages five and under

so that parents can fully participate in the class. Parents must RSVP to Elizabeth Brown to use the nursery, so ensure we have enough staff.

Q If I have another child who was baptized at a different United

Methodist church, do I still need to attend the class?

A Yes, unless a Bethany pastor has baptized your first child you will

need to come to the class.

Q Can we designate godparents for our child?

A Absolutely. Godparents are invited to come up to the altar

area with the family at the time of the baptism.

Q Do baptisms take place at all of the services?

A Yes, they do. You can have your child baptized at any of our four

Sunday services: 8 a.m. in Spell Chapel, 8:45 and 11:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary or 8:45 a.m. Word and Table in Fellowship Hall.

Q When can we pick a date for our child’s baptism?

A As soon as you know of a date that works well with your family

or if there is a special date, then you should contact Elizabeth in the church office to check availability.

Q Can we have our child baptized in a private service?

A Baptism is a part of our worship services and, therefore, public.

It is important that the congregation “meet” the newest member of our church family as we come together in the body of Christ.

Q Do we have to be members of Bethany to have our child baptized

at Bethany?

A Yes, you or the grandparents must be members at Bethany. There

are many opportunities to join Bethany UMC and you will need to contact our Membership Director, at jwallace@bethany-umc.com) for more information about the Bethany Basics class.

Feb.2016

Bible School, contact the Children’s Ministries department at 873-1230 or at vbs@bethany-umc.com.

Easter Egg HuntOur annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held on March 19, starting promptly at 10 am. 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.

11

Feb.2016

Sympathies• to extend our Christian sympa-thies to Casey Canonge and family upon the passing of his father, Ken Canonge, on Dec. 17.

• to Russell Woodall and family upon the passing of his mother, Peggy Woodall, on Dec. 27 in N. Charleston.

• to Jean and Tim Huber upon the passing of their son, Jared Huber, on Dec. 15 in Louisiana.

FEB. 1Mike BrownEmory FerrattNancy HarrisNathan LoveTommie Sizemore

FEB. 2Carl BallietRobin HallKeenan MillerRashell PipkinBilly RobinsonEllie Rodgers

FEB. 3Riley AbernethyAnne BaggettConnie BatySkip BurnJayce CaldwellRoland FulcherJenny KosteraScott MuckenfussKelsey SheplerSandra Hayes Wansley

FEB. 4Ben BrownSam DorrMary GriffinJudy HagenLaney HaiglerJohn HumesJamie LucarelliAl LymanJake O’DonnalZachary O’DonnalCathy QuinnJanet RogersBill SimmonsScott Swartzwelter

FEB. 5Miriam AltmanJoe ChristieKit GravesJoseph HufhamLiz MacAdam-KingVicki McCartneyCas SellersCharlotte TrollingerJohn Wilkinson

FEB. 6Barbara BassettBill BoxElizabeth CutshallNettie FinleyJohn GriffithSanders PadgettEmily PurcellChristopher RogersRon Smith

FEB. 7DeAnn AvantDiana BrownTammy Davis

Braden DukesCarol FouldsJack FrostLilly GrantHerman KoesterKeith RodwellWill RogersKatie SmithBarry Keith StrangeKathy TatumPage Vick

FEB. 8Matthew BarwickAl BradhamBret GillisLindsay LaneskyTiffany MillerTaylor MitchumZoe ParhamBlake SimokatRich ThoringtonLinda Turoski

FEB. 9Julie AndersonCecil BatyMeagan ChinnisWilliam Andrew EllisTammie GoldenJ. D. HammondJanice HarpVirgie HorneJayna RayA. J. RombergJoel RoumillatLee SmithRoy StockmanBob TryonTravis Wheeler

FEB. 10Jerry CohenJeff FioritoCaitlyn FortnerTait GastonLindsay GilmerEvan GriekspoorBob JohnsonKarlie McElfreshDrew McPhailEvelyn OwensConnor ParrishDeborah RyanCaleb SheffieldLayla SwindleIris Wilkins

FEB. 11Thomas BadgettMandy CaceresKathy CaldwellTanner CullipherSkip DarleyScott DrummondTyler GoodTJ HatchettTrey HowellMatthew Kajdasz

Elizabeth MoodyBilly PhillipsSal RigorosoMichael RunyonElizabeth SoykaPeggy Trimnal

FEB. 12Betty BeebeBetty BrandhorstBrownie CalvertSusan DawsonRebecca DunlapLauren JacksonMegan JonesPaula ListBenjamin McMeansGeorgia MurrieAddison RushBrantley Strickland

FEB. 13Jennifer BeebeChristy CardenLynda ChildsDan DixonTony FryeJoshua HallinanJordan HardyRodney Scott HewittJames McLendonEmma SandersBill SchmitzKeelan Young

FEB. 14Maria AgustinKrista BarrierKim ClineRoAnn CookCameron CranfordAmanda FosterBrenda FryeScott JonasSally JurkowskiFinley O’DonnellGreg PipkinLe PopeTom RyanLaura ShepherdHunter Taylor

FEB. 15Mike BecwarRon GivensJon Eric GreenJulia Carroll GreenEmily JacksonPeter Michael MillerOmar ShabeldeenWhitney SlackClinton SuttonStewart WilsonAshley Yeomans

FEB. 16Gabriel CookNoah CosbyJeanne GierkeMargaret MartinAllison MillerJack ShepherdMelissa SheplerSkip TraylorBet WilleyAnsley WilsonSteve Yeomans

FEB. 17Jim BarrierMark FiedlerJessica FordSherri HancockMatthew HuffRobert Graham JordanKim NoviskiWalker RichardsonRoan RossStacy RossJohnson Tapp

FEB. 18Dorian BakerTravis BradshawRaymond BuppKinsley ChellisLaurie CookJane HattabaughEva HeatherlyJeanette OsbornSpicer PaganTribble PhillipsSarah RobertsLauren WeatherfordDan WestoverMarion Woodbury

FEB. 19Nita AckermanKaitlyn CaseJack ChildsJoey CurrentMary Beth GonzalesJim HunterCarson LattimoreStephen McCrackenCaroline McCurryRandall MorganEthan Russell MurrayTravis PierceJosh RodriguezLillianna ThompsonDebbie WeathersCarol Wilkerson

FEB. 20Brian CollierClaire DoucetAshlie Caroline HewittHundley McCurryRachel MorganJacques RoumillatDean SearsAbby TaylorCarmie WagamanMegan Williams

FEB. 21Brendan BennettJoshua KernsJudy LesleyReeves McMillanAustin PezzaAngie PolkLynne Skelton

FEB. 22Gayle CourtneyGayla CurrentCivanna GibbyTed GivlerBrandy GrahamDarrell HintonMatthew HorvathLiliann KarpVirginia LeeIan MooreJames MyersMarv RajtBrooke RobinsonWilliam SchroderKennedy Waring

FEB. 23Don BausAubrey CarterTrisha DavisAmy DiazThomas HullLynne LovettTiffany McClanahanMike RileyJonathan SircyRichard SpencerJanet Stallsmith

FEB. 24Justin BrownMichelle BrownChris ByarsAllen Goettee

Mikael HessJeff HudsonKent LesleyWilliam McMeansLarry PitarraSarah Smith

FEB. 25Susan AndersonRhea BoydRandall CharpiaKelsie FilesWesley FoldenGene KurtzBeverly MeadowsMary Reilly MillsDaniel NimmoJackson RadcliffeCaitlyn RaineyMolly ReevesRobert StasiukaitisJesse ThomersonPaul Williams

FEB. 26Elisabeth BeebeJacob EddyKevin HeltonBill JonesCampbell McCurryGrant McPhailWarren PhillipsAshlyn SimokatHarrison Snell

FEB. 27Joe BasnightChristopher BerryHannah BerryAllen BiltonCaroline BrownJohnny CrawfordKegan DantzlerMatthew FranchiRobert Haywood

FurmanBetty GoreeAnsley HopeLily JeterRay JohnsonBrian KeelsJust LimehouseRobin LopezAnn VaughanJim Vaughan

FEB. 28Olla BuieBryant EiserLauren JonasJoe KennedyBrooks RupleAlexa RyanDebbie Wilkinson

FEB. 29Allison Renee HallWilliam Howard

1-MARSherry EnsleyBob IannaceGraham LovettBlair MallardTrae McElhenyPhaedra McMillianEmily Stefan

2-MARTradd AndersonJamie HallLynne HarleyLuke HartigJay HumphreysOllie LeschTrevor Walden

3-MARDonna ClairPatricia Ann EllisPaul Henry HillDean KohlheppVernon MechtensimerEnglish MyersTeri ReuleBecky SutuskyRichard Toy

4-MARJeffrey BahrEdwin FisherMellie HambrightMichelle KieblerRoxane LaneLynda MannJamey MeekinsChris Rogers-Berry

5-MARJames AlewineSusan BeemerHoney BurrellCorey CarterAlyssa EiserLiza GilmerLisa KoehleMerrell MannCassie MillsJames Richardson

www.bethany-umc.com www.bethanygym.com

facebook.com/BethanySummevilletwitter.com/BethanyUMC

Office and Kitchen Hours:8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon.-Thurs.

8:30 a.m. to noon, FridayChurch Office: (843) 873-1230

Office Fax: (843) 873-1937Gym Office: (843) 873-7261

Child Dev. Center: (843) 821-1946

Emergency Number: If you have an emergency for which you need pastoral care at night or on week-

ends or holidays, call (843) 425-1069.

Bethany Beacon is published monthly

by Bethany United Methodist Church. Send questions, comments, news or

photos to jmurrie@bethany-umc.com or to Jenny Murrie in the church office. The deadline for the March issue is

Thursday, Feb. 18

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