July/August 2015 - Bethesda-by-the-Sea

Ms. Ann Adrian | Mr. Richard R. Alford | Mrs. T.A. Aliapoulios | Ms. Nadine Allen |
Mr. and Mrs. William Allen | Mrs. Elaine Webb Alvarez | Mrs. Bjorn Alvern | Mr. and
Mrs. Richard Anderson, Jr. | Mr. Thomas B. Anderson | Mrs. Varya V. Anderson | Ms.
Susan Andreasen | Mr. and Mrs. John Andrica | Ms. Zulay Punzone and Mr. Gary
Annino | Mr. and Mrs. Rand V. Araskog | Mr. and Mrs. John Archer | Mrs. Elizabeth
Armour | Dr. Mark Ashley | Mr. Harris Ashton | Mrs. William B. Astrop, Sr. | Mr.
William Atterbury III | Mrs. Warren Avis, Jr. | Mr. Mark Baccash | The Hon. Maria
Bacinich | Mr. Harry Bader | Ms. A. Chapman Bailey | Mr. and Mrs. John C. Baity | Mr.
Bernard Baker III | Mrs. Laurel Baker | Mr. John McGreevy and Ms. Lavinia K. Baker
| Mr. Eugene Barbato | Mr. and Mrs. F. Gregory Barnhart | Mr. and Mrs. Jack Bass, Jr.
| Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Beall, Jr. | Mr. and Mrs. James Beasley, Jr. | The Rev. Jeffrey and The Rev. Susan
Beebe | Mr. and Mrs. John Benisch | Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Reynolds | Mr. and Mrs. James Bertles | Mr.
and Mrs. Vince Bianco | Ms. Vicky Bidwell | Mr. and Mrs. W. Richard Bingham | Mr. George Capen
Bitting | Mr. and Mrs. Michael Blackman | Mrs. Claude M. Blair | Ms. Jayne Blankenship | Miss
Deborah Blankman | Mr. William C. Blind | Drs. Arthur and Maria Elisa Block | Mr. William Blundin
| Mr. and Mrs. G. Ronald Bodell, Jr. | Mr. Benton P. Bohannon, Jr. | Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Bowen | Mr.
Geoffrey Bradfield | Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Brauer | Mr. and Mrs. M.V. Breckenridge, Jr. | Mrs. Holly Breeden | Mr. and Mrs. John G. Brim | Mr. and
Mrs. James Brinkley | Mr. and Mrs. Peter Broberg | Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Broda | Mr. T. Kimball Brooker | The Rev. and Mrs. Voris G. Brookshire | Mrs. Donald A.K. Brown | Mr. Alfred Browne,
Jr. | Dr. and Mrs. Arthur Burdett | Mr. and Mrs. Scott Blaine Burdette | Mr. and Mrs. John Buxton | Mrs. Philip Caddoo | Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Cain | Mr. and Mrs. Edward Callahan | Mr. and
Mrs. Vaughn Callow | Dr. and Mrs. Robert Carolla | Mr. and Mrs. Charles P. Carroll | Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius X. Carroll | Mrs. Enrico Caruso | Mrs. William B. Cary | Mr. and Mrs. John E. Cay III
| Mr. and Mrs. John Cecil | Ms. Helena M. Champion | Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Chan | Mr. and Mrs. Walton Childs | Mr. and Mrs. John Christlieb | Mr. and Mrs. William L. Cini | Mr. and Mrs.
William Claggett | Ms. April F. Clark | Mr. and Mrs. Raphael Clemente | Mr. and Mrs. Stewart Clifford | Mrs. Edward H. Cochrane | The Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Timothy B. Cogan | Mr. and Mrs. Howard
Cohen | Mr. and Mrs. Loren Cole, Jr. | Mr. and Mrs. Peyton Cole | Mr. David and Dr. Linda Collier | Mrs. Kevin J. Collins | Mrs. Cristina Condon | Dr. and Mrs. Francis P. Conroy | Ms. Mariela
Conway | Mr. and Mrs. Kevit Cook | Mr. and Mrs. Paul Cook | Mr. and Mrs. Paul W. Coombs | Mrs. Ann Copeland | Mr. and Mrs. J. Barry Coughlin | Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Crampton | Mrs. William
C. Crane | Mrs. Sandra Kay Crawford | Ms. Sarah Crawford | Mrs. Suzanne Crawford | Mr. and Mrs. Bryan C. Cressey | Mr.and Mrs. Robert A. Croes | Mr. Richard D. Crone | Mrs. Nancy W.
Cushing | Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Daft | Mr. and Mrs. E.T. Daisley, Jr. | Mrs. David Daisley | Mr. and Mrs. Henry Darlington, Jr. | Mr. Richard Day III and Mrs. Lisa Swift | Mr. and Mrs. Peter de Beer
| Miss Diane De La Begassier | Ms. Anne De Lisle | Mrs. J. Simpson Dean, Jr. | Mr. and Mrs. David S. Dickenson II | Mrs. Elizabeth Dickerhoof | Mr. and Mrs. Robert Diffenderfer | Mrs. Peggy
Dillard | Mr. Renwick Dimond | Mrs. F. Eugene Dixon | Mr. and Mrs. Robert Donnelley | Mr. and Mrs. W. Anthony Dowell | Mrs. Cecile Draime | Mrs. Gardiner Drake | Ms. Lindsay CF Du Gan |
Mr. James T. Dyke | Mr. and Mrs. William Eckberg | Mr. James B. Edwards | Ms. Edith B. Eglin | Mrs. J. Paul Ekberg, Jr. | Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Englander | Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Eva | Dr. and
Mrs. Edward Fletcher Eyster | Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Failing | Mr. and Mrs. Donald Farry | Ms. Elizabeth W. Feagans | Mr. and Mrs. J. Ernesto Fernandez | Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fernsell IV | Mr. and
Mrs. Edwin A. Ferree | Mr. and Mrs. J. Matthew Fifield | Mr. John Firestone | Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Fisher | Mr. and Mrs. Michael Fleming | Mrs. Carolyn Flower | Mr. Michael J. Flynn | Mr. Kim
Fonseca | Mr. and Mrs. Robert J.H. Forbes | Mr. and Mrs. Michael Ford | The Hon. Rex J. Ford | Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Elden Foster | Mr. Karl D. Francetic | Mr. John V. Frank | Mr. and Mrs. Charles
James Frankel III | The Rev. and Mrs. John Frerking | Mrs. Sandra Fricker | Ms. Sara R. Gadd | Ms. Pamela Gambardella | Mr. and Mrs. Adolfo Garcia | Mr. and Mrs. Vere Gaynor | Mr. and Mrs.
Gerald K. Geddes | The Hon. and Mrs. William Gee | Mrs. Mireille Gerard | Mrs. Sally M. Gibson | Mrs. Edward Gillespie | Mrs. Edward Gillespie | Mr. and Mrs. E. Dillon Gillies | Mr. and Mrs.
Timothy Givens | Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Glanfield, Jr. | Dr. Jerri Goffe | Mrs. Robert Goldhammer | Mr. and Mrs. Robert Goldhammer | Mr. and Mrs. James Goodner | Mr. Robert Goodnough, Jr. |
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gordon III | Mr. and Mrs. James Gore, Jr. | Mr. W. Ted Gossett | Mr. and Mrs. Peter Gough | Ms. Darcy Gould | Ms. Paula S. Graham | Ms. Mary Thomas Gray | Mrs. Ann
Green | Mrs. Linda Allen Greenberg | Ms. Ruth Greenhalgh | Ms. Gay Gregory | Ms. La Neil Gregory | Mr. George J. Griffin | Mrs. Robert B. Gronlund | Mr. and Mrs. Robert Guempel | Mr. and
Mrs. Heinz Gundlach | Mr. and Mrs. John Gustafson, Sr. | Mr. Frank Habicht | Mrs. Allison Rogers Haft | Mr. C. Hagy | Jr. and Mrs. D. Hale-Hagy | Mr. Hudson A. Hale | The Rev. and Mrs. James
Harlan | Mrs. Donald L. Harlan | Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Harris | Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Hazelwood | Mr. Robert Hebble and Mr. Chester Zettler | Ms. Linda A. Heicher | Mr. and Mrs. N. Patrick Hely
| Dr. and Mrs. R. Alan Henseler | Mr. and Mrs. Michael A. Hertzberg | Mr. Thomas Hildreth | Col. and Mrs. Harold Hill | Mr. and Mrs. Peter H. Hill | Ms. Judith Hobson-Mitchell | Ms. Alice
Hockenbury | Mr. and Mrs. Lindley Hoffman | Mr. and Mrs. John Hokanson | Mr. Earl Hollis | Dr. Karin Holstein | Ms. Prudence D. Hostetter | Mr. and Mrs. Barry Hoyt | Mrs. Page Lee Hufty |
Mrs. Philip Hulitar | Mr. R. Hull and Mrs. S. Sadler-Hull | Mr. Jethro Hurt III | Mr. Frank W. Young and Mrs. Joyce Hutton-Young | Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Innocenzi | Mr. John N. Jameson | Mr. and
Mrs. Joseph Janssen III | Mr. and Mrs. Charles Johnson | Ms. Marianne O. Johnson | Mrs. Richard Johnson | Mr. R. Johnson III and Mrs. M. Watkins | Mr. and Mrs. Scott Johnson | Col. (Ret.) Dr.
and Mrs. William Johnson | Mr. and Mrs. R. Stuart Johnston | Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Jones | Mrs. Gus W. Jones | Mr. Dana P. Jordan | Mrs. Sharon Kahle | Mrs. Norman Kapner | Mr. and Mrs. George
Kasprzyk | Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kassatly | Mr. John R. Kausal | Marcia Chellis Kay | Mr. and Mrs. James Keenan | Mr. Theodoor and The Rev. Kate Kelderman | Mr. and Mrs. David Kelly | Mrs.
William L. Kemp | Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Kendrick | Mr. E. Hewlett Kent | Mrs. Jorie Butler Kent | Dr. and Mrs. Sebastian Kent | Mrs. Thomas M. Keresey | Mr. Charles A. Kibort, Jr. | Mr. John
M. Kindred | Ms. Anne Kirchhoff | Mr. Stephen Kirmse | Dr. Christian Kling | Mrs. Gail Knisely | Mr. and Mrs. Peter Knowles II | Dr. and Mrs. Clarence W. Koch, Jr. | Mr. M. Kovner and Mr. J.D.
de Montaillou | Ms. Judith LaFeir | Mr. and Mrs. Douglas T. Lake | Mr. and Mrs. Dennison Lanier | Mr. Malcolm Lax | Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Lazzara | Dr. and Mrs. Robert E. Lee | Ms. Tanya
Lee | Mr. and Mrs. Stephen B. Leek | Mr. and Mrs. Carter Leidy III | Mr. Richard C. Leitch | Ms. Amanda A. Lepich | Mrs. Gavin G. K. Letts | Ms. Sophia McG. K. Letts | Dr. and Mrs. Leon
Lewandowski | Ms. Carolyn Lindsay | Dr. Danette Littleton | Ms. LaVerne Littleton | Mr. and Mrs. James Litzler | The Hon. and Mrs. Robert Lloyd George | Mr. and Mrs. John Long | Mrs. Louise
Collins Lord | Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Lorentzen | Mr. Donald Lovejoy | Mr. and Mrs. Edward E. Madden | Mr. and Mrs. Lance Mahaney | Mr. Pitt T. Maner III | Mr. Andre E. Manzi | Mrs. A. Jeanne
Marks | Mrs. Marilyn Marshall | Mr. Anthony Martin III | Ms. Bobbie Martin | Mr. Mike Mason | The Hon. Randolph Mason | Mr. and Mrs. William M. Matthews | Ms. Carol Matwiczyk | Mr.
Shawn and Dr. Gloria McAllister | Mr. Richard E. McCready | Mr. and Mrs. Charles McGill III | Mr. and Mrs. Michael McGowan | Mrs. Donald C. McGraw, Jr. | Mr. and Mrs. Donald McKenna |
Mr. and Mrs. Charles McKenney | Mr. and Mrs. Joseph W. McLeary | Mrs. Barbara McMillin | Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Meek, Jr. | Mr. Frank Meeuwisse | Mr. and Mrs. S. Christopher Meigher | Mr.
C. Meline and Mrs. J. Carlough-Meline | Mrs. Nancy Wilson Mendel | Mr. and Mrs. J. William Metzger, Jr. | Mrs. Anita Michaels | Mr. and Mrs. Richard R. Miessau | Mr. and Mrs. Richard R.
Miessau II | Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Milchovich | Mr. Reid Miles | Mr. and Mrs. Bradford Miller | Mr. Wilfred Mills | Mrs. Michael J. Minahan | Mr. and Mrs. James V. Miragliotta | Mrs. Betsy
Mixon-Stemmler | Mr. Ambrose Monell | Mr. and Mrs. Reid Moore, Jr. | Mr. Robert Moore | Dr. Anne Moretta | Mr. and Mrs. John Morris, Jr. | Mr. and Mrs. David Morrish | Mr. and Mrs. Thomas
Moseley | Mr. Paul Muller | Mr. and Mrs. Bill Mulroy | Mr. James B. Murphy III | Mr. and Mrs. Harry Musikas | Mr. and Mrs. James L. Myers, Jr. | Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth G. Myers | Ms. Robin Neary
| Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Neri | Mr. Thomas A. Norris, Jr. | Mrs. R. Kendall Nottingham | Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. O’Brien III | Mr. and Mrs. Warren O’Brien | Ms. Ite O’Higgins-Young | Mr. and Mrs.
Dennis O’Kain | Miss Clare O’Keeffe | Mr. Robin Owens and Mrs. Anne Obolensky | Mr. and Mrs. Ernest C. Papas | Mr. and Mrs. Ellis J. Parker III | Mr. Richard Parks | Dr. and Mrs. David F. Paulson
| Mr. and Mrs. George J.H. Payne | Mr. and Mrs. Howard Perkins | Mr. Thomas Perry III | Mrs. Gayle Petersen | Mrs. Sally Petito | Mrs. Sallie Phillips | Mrs. Donald A. Pickering | Mr. and Mrs.
John Pickett, Jr. | Mrs. Hugh Pierce | Mr. and Mrs. Richard Plymel | The Rev. Robert Pollard III | Mr. Warren Ponvert | Mrs. Ailene Price | Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Prior | Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Prosser
| Mrs. Martin A. Purcell | Mr. and Mrs. Charles Purrington | Mr. Harold E. Pysher | Mrs. Robert Raymond | Miss Jessica Reed | Mr. and Mrs. Dietmar Reichenbacher | Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Reighard
| Lt. Col. and Mrs. Charles Reilly, Jr. | Mrs. Robert Rewey | Mr. and Mrs. Robert Reyers | Mrs. Carl H. Richter | Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Ritman | Mr. and Mrs. Charles Roberts | Mr. James Roberts and
Mrs. Sara Hornor | Mr. Paul M. Roediger | Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Rogers | Mr. and Mrs. John Rogers | Ms. M. Elizabeth Rogers | Mr. Robert and Dr. Pamela Rogers, Jr. | Mr. and Mrs. C. Tanner
Rose, Jr. | Mr. and Mrs. Walter M. Ross | Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Royal | Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Royce | Mr. Vincent Ruisi and Mr. Shawn Cherry | Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Rumbough, Jr. | Mrs. Graham
M. Russell | Mr. Maurizio C. Russo | Mr. and Mrs. Mark Salebra | Mr. and Mrs. John C. Sallee | Ms. Denise A. Sandell | Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Sargeant | Mrs. Frances Scaife | Mr. Marc P. Schappell
| Ms. Pamela Schneider | Dr. and Mrs. A. George Schram | Mr. and Mrs. John H. Schuler | Mr. and Mrs. Charles Schumacher | Mr. Donald Scott, Jr. | Mr. and Mrs. Donald Scott, Sr. | Mrs. Douglas
Seaman | Mr. and Mrs. Edward Sears | Mr. and Mrs. David K. Semadeni | Mr. and Mrs. Michael Sexton | Mrs. Jonathan Shafer | Miss Catherine Shaw | Mr. Bruce Shelton | Mrs. Francis A. Shields
| Mr. and Mrs. Zachary K. Shipley | Ms. Janice Shoobridge | Mr. and Mrs. Robert Silva | Mr. and Mrs. Ronald L. Skates | Mr. and Mrs. James F. Skeen | Ms. Georgiel Skover | Mrs. Frank H. Sleuman,
Jr. | Mr. and Mrs. Edward Smiley | Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Smith, Jr. | Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith | Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Smith, Jr. | Mr. Michael Smyser IV | Mr. and Mrs. Bailey Sory III | Mr. John
B. Sory | Mrs. Arlene Sparks | Mr. Dean and Miss Ellie Ana Sperantsas | Mrs. Peter B. Stachelberg | Mr. Charles Stack and Ms. Joyce Crum | Mr. and Mrs. Fred E. Staley, Jr. | Mr. and Mrs. William
R. Stamler | Mr. Michael C. Stanley | Mr. Michael Steetle | Mr. Murry Stegelmann | Mrs. John Stepan | Mrs. Sandra Stern | Ms. Carol Stewart | The Rev. Kimberly L. Still | Mr. and Mrs. Douglas
Stockham, Sr. | Mrs. Judy B. Stonehouse | Mr. and Mrs. William E. Stout | Ms. Marion H. Straton | Mrs. Brenda Neubauer Straus | Mrs. Christine S. P. Strawbridge | Mr. A. Michael Sullivan, Jr. |
Mr. and Mrs. Gary Sullivan | Mr. Matthew T. Sullivan | Mrs. John Syverson | Ms. Margaretta Taylor | Dr. and Mrs. Paul J. Taylor-Smith | Mrs. John Thomas | Mr. and Mrs. Joe B. Thompson | Mr.
Robert C. Thompson | Mr. and Mrs. Richard Thornburgh | Mr. E. Rodman and The Rev. Dr. Cecily J. Titcomb | Mr. and Mrs. William H. Told, Jr. | Mr. and Mrs. John Trent | Mr. and Mrs. Robert
Treuhold | Dr. and Mrs. Raymond Tronzo | Mrs. Louis J. Trunk | Mrs. Richard B. Turner | Mr. and Mrs. Robert Turner, Jr. | Mr. and Mrs. Wallace R. Turner | Mr. and Mrs. William Tylander, Jr. |
Mr. and Mrs. Michael E. Tyler | Mr. and Mrs. Cornelis van Hoek | Ms. Susan Van Pelt | Ms. Jessica Varnum | Mr. John Veasy | Mr. and Mrs. Royall Victor III | Mr. Edwin Vinson | Mrs. Harvey O.
Vogel | Mr. and Mrs. John Volk | Mr. Peter E. Voss | The Rev. and Mrs. Clayton Waddell | Mrs. Harriette B. Waddell | Mr. and
Mrs. Laszlo Wagner | Mr. and Mrs. William Walde | Ms. Cissy Walker | Mrs. Nancy Walker | Mr. and Mrs. Richard Wandoff,
Jr. | Mr. and Mrs. James Ward | Mr. and Mrs. Lysle Waterman | Mrs. Raymond J. Wean, Jr. | Mr. and Mrs. R. John Wean III |
Mrs. Emalyn Webber | Mr. David A. Webster | Ms. Mary Weinberger | Mr. and Mrs. M. Heyward Whetsell, Jr. | Dr. Graham
Whitfield | Mr. and Mrs. Allen Whittemore | Mrs. John Wilbur, Jr. | Mr. Lloyd Terry and Mr. Benjamin Williams | Mrs.
Elizabeth L. Williams | Mr. and Mrs. Owen Williams | Mr. and Mrs. George Williamson | Mr. James Wilson | Mr. and Mrs.
Frederick Winseck | The Rev. and Mrs. David F. With | Mr. Peter Wolfe | Capt. David L. Wood | Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wood
| Mrs. Charles Woodall, Jr. | Mr. and Mrs. James C. Wynns | Ms. Katherine W. H. Yaw | Ms. Diane Yost | Ms. Sara YounceBoyd | Mr. Frank W. Young and Mrs. Joyce Hutton-Young | Ms. Judy N. Young | Mr. Mark Young | Mr. and Mrs. Ronald
Young | Mr. and Mrs. John Zenko | Mrs. Jacob Zimmerer | Mr. Fred Zrinscak, Jr. |
One body,
Many Parts
From the Rector
Having now been in Palm Beach for four years, I have been taking some time here and there
to get to know some of the other congregations and ministries in our diocese. I have had
the chance to visit and have lunch with colleagues in Coral Springs, Plantation, Stuart, and
Clewiston, for example, and will continue to get out and about when other obligations take
me away from here during the week.
We are gifted with living and serving in such a rich and varied context in the Diocese of
Southeast Florida. I find myself simply filled with joy when I get to see and hear about all
the tremendous ministry happening throughout the diocese. Having these opportunities to
get to know fellow clergy and some widely different contexts for ministry, I have re-learned
some important truths about life in the Church.
First, there is no formula. Small and large congregations, high-church, low-church, and broad church congregations,
urban and rural congregations, long-tenured clergy and brand-new clergy are all doing great things to share the love
of God and care for God’s people. The lively churches are not wasting energy comparing themselves to the church
next door or down the street, nor simply importing some program that worked elsewhere. Rather these are the
congregations who are really paying attention to the world in which they live, right here and now.
Second, God blesses and uses faithful people. God doesn’t demand perfection; God calls out joyful service. It seems
that churches doing the most effective work are the ones willing to adapt, to try something new, to risk failure, all
while honoring their history. The leaders who are finding the profound joy of serving God are the ones who are not
dwelling on past failures and obsessed with recreating past successes but are being prayerfully open to God’s calling
and leading, right here and now.
Third, the sand is shifting everywhere. Every colleague I talk with shares the challenges of leading the Church in
entirely new contexts. Everywhere I have gone, leaders recognize that demographics, culture, economics, politics,
and many other dynamics are shifting in ways the Church has not had to wrestle with in our lifetimes in this country.
Most clergy share a mixture of nostalgia for our past and openness to a new future of ministry, usually sprinkled with
a bit of trepidation. I find it heartening, though, to know that the discomfort with which we wrestle at Bethesda with
all the shifting sand around us is not unique. I find it encouraging to know that fellow priests are ready, by God’s grace,
to move with the movement of God’s Holy Spirit in this rapidlychanging world, right here and now.
Indeed, the world around us needs a Church that is deeply formed in
Jesus’ grace and love, a Church ready to get out of ourselves and care
for the hurts and injustices around us. The world needs us to have a
mission that propels us from rich worship, education, and fellowship
to compassionate service—to make our parish life not just about
serving ourselves but primarily about serving others. We can and will
continue to experience God’s transforming grace as we live out this
kind of faith-in-service to the world, without fear, and through all the
changes and chances of our ever-changing world. Right here and now.
The Rev. James R. Harlan, Rector
On the Cover: This month’s cover recognizes those members of our
parish who joyfully return to God a portion of the bounty which God has
bestowed upon them by making an annual financial commitment to this
Church. Every contribution to Bethesda is appreciated and goes to build the
mission and ministries here; however, these annual commitments, pledged
or recurring on a regular basis, are what make it possible for us to plan the
full year of support for the operations of this congregation, thus realizing
our goals for our collective work and worship here.
Transitions
WEDDINGS
Wallis Wyckoff McMillin
& Brent Christian Meshier—4/25/2015
Lloyd Henry Terry
& Benjamin Edward Williams—5/2/2015
BAPTISMS
Elizabeth Ramona Fitzmaurice Acevedo—5/24/2015
Ashley Nicole Foster—5/24/2015
J. Branson Winfield—5/24/2015
CONFIRMATIONS
Grant Burnett Braden—5/17/2015
Kaylee Valdes Dominguez—5/17/2015
Ashley Brinton Kent—5/17/2015
Lilias Antoinette Madden—5/17/2015
Lance Adrian Prosser—5/17/2015
Robert John Reyers —5/17/2015
Wade Burbank Waddell—5/17/2015
Abigail Grace Wandoff—5/17/2015
DEATHS
Barbara Wells Turner—4/25/2015
Lois Isabel Amundgaard—5/29/15
Education
Creating Creations
Our annual Vacation Bible School at Bethesda this year will be
August 3–7. Our theme is Creating Creations. Each day of the week,
children ages 3–9, will explore different stories of creating and
building including the creation of the world, the Tower of Babel,
Solomon’s Temple, the feeding of the 5,000, and the creation of the
Church at Pentecost. After an engaging opening time with skits,
music, and stories, children will explore each of the daily themes
through various workshops that will allow them to use their
imaginations to create their own projects, games, and even snacks.
This is a bit of a change from previous years where we have used
pre-made Vacation Bible School curricula. One of the things
Vacation B
ible Schoo
we learned last year during the process is that we have some
l 2014
extremely creative teachers and volunteers, but we also have highly creative
young people as well. So, we have developed our own program that has a little more flexibility for
learning built into the program.
As always, Vacation Bible School is not just offered for children that are members of the parish—although
we love to have as many of them with us as possible. It is also open to young people from and around our
Palm Beach community as well. Every year we welcome several young boys and girls that are seeing Bethesda
for the very first time and we are so excited to bear witness to what a loving and welcoming environment
we offer them. In fact, we have had children who have started their educational journey at a Vacation Bible
School before moving on to become regular members of our weekly Sunday School program.
Speaking of helping kids outside of our walls, the outreach project for VBS this year will be packing book
bags with school supplies to share with the children who are a part of the St. George’s after school program.
These are children that need access to basic school supplies and we hope to pack 50 bags to help them as the
school year begins.
To register or to find out more about our Vacation Bible School program, call Greg Knight at (561) 655-4555
x114 or e-mail him at [email protected]. There will be a $45 registration fee for the week.
For More Information
The Rev. Kimberly Still, Associate for Ministry Development | (561) 655-4555 x104 | [email protected]
Greg Knight, Director of Children and Youth Ministries | (561) 655-4555 x114 | [email protected]
2
Stewardship
Ask & Inform Update
We announced in the May Bethesda Bulletin as part of the 2015 Ask & Inform feedback that we would
provide regular updates on major decisions, staff changes, planned improvements, and the financial
position of our parish. This is the first update for 2015 (the next will be in November).
Finances:
• Costs are running under budget (as at April 30) by $91,000.
• Revenue is less than we need to complete all our 2015 plans as illustrated in the two charts. We need an
additional $53,000 in 2015 pledges; without these funds we will need to cut back in important ministry
areas such as improvements to Adult Education.
• Our planned revenue also includes investment income which is reasonably secure, as well as unpledged
gifts based on actual results in previous years that is less certain (though this amount is in line with
what we have historically received); we need a further $226,000 in unpledged (or preferably pledged)
gifts to ensure that we do not need to cut expenses by restructuring staff, deferring building repairs and
maintenance, and/or altering plans for Christmas and Advent.
• Many of the improvements identified during the 2015 Ask & Inform initiative will need additional
funds, and we will undertake those as giving increases.
Sources of Budgeted Revenue $3,031,326
Budget $1,944,370
Plate Offerings ,
$82,419
Annual Budget Unrestricted ,
$1,944,370
Retail Operations (Net) ,
$451,828
2015 pledges,
$1,591,075
YTD Non pledged
gifts , $73,797
Anticipated future
non pledged gifts,
$226,203
Endowment Draws ,
$328,000
Additional pledges
needed, $53,295
Other Revenue ,
$224,708
Operating revenue and expenses
$4,000,000
$3,500,000
$3,000,000
$2,500,000
$2,000,000
$1,500,000
$1,000,000
$500,000
$-
Total Revenue
3
Total Expenses
For More Information
Fred Staley, Associate for Administration | (561) 655-4555 x102 | [email protected]
Leadership
Leadership Changes: the only change to our leadership team since May is that Carol Stewart, Chair
of Fellowship & Hospitality, and Amy McGowan, Chair of Education, have stepped down from their
committees for personal reasons. The Rector will announce appointments shortly.
Vestry decisions:
• The Church Mouse and The Shoppe at Bethesda enjoyed a record year so we can continue to distribute
100% of the net earnings. Our Vestry approved an increase in Outreach spending to $451,000; this
includes $264,000 in grants to local agencies and $184,000 for our education and feeding initiatives, as
well as our annual support for St. George’s and the TRUE Fund.
• All work on the ongoing façade restoration has been funded in full to date, although we need a further
$200,000 to complete the project this year.
Additional capital projects that have been approved by our Vestry include:
• Upgrading to the main electrical panel; this includes configuring it to accept power from a generator
that is to be acquired to produce sufficient power in an emergency.
• Fumigating the church and other buildings for termites.
• Replacing the cooling tower component of our cooling system.
• Executing previously-approved projects which had been put on hold because of a shortage of funds;
including renovation of the men’s restroom in the breezeway and replacement of the carpet in the
Parish Hall.
• Accounting firm Holyfield and Thomas was appointed by our Vestry to complete an audit of our 2014
finances. We received an unqualified opinion.
Staff changes:
• Denny Lanier retired in January, and we restructured the sexton staff. J. R. Thompson is taking the lead
role in a more team-oriented structure. Victor Maisonet has been hired to work evenings and Saturdays
and handle hospitality functions for the church.
• Amie Casamassina is now working part-time handling special projects.
• Regine Reimann is now supporting worship and pastoral care ministries.
• Ayana Pineiro was hired to take the reception duties and to assist the Rector.
• Jessica Reed’s role has been expanded; we have added the Youth Ministries Coordinator role, assisting
Greg Knight, to her responsibilities as Youth Choir Director.
The Rev. James R. Harlan
Rector
The Rev. Jeffrey S. Beebe
Assisting Priest
Rector and Associates
Harold E. Pysher
Associate for Music & Liturgy
Non-Stipendiary Assisting Clergy & Staff
The Rev. Susan R. Beebe
Assisting Priest
Greg Knight, Director of Children & Youth Ministries
Jessica Reed, Youth Choir Director
& Youth Ministries Coordinator
Renée Boger-Cheifet, Communications Coordinator
Amie Casamassina, Part-Time Project Coordinator
April Lawrence, Stewardship & Membership Coordinator
Barbara Leek, Senior Warden
Frederick Broda
Barbara Callahan
Frances Fisher
Fred E. Staley
Associate for Administration
The Rev. Dr. Cecily J. Titcomb
Deacon for Spiritual Direction & Pastoral
Care (Nov–May)
Sharon Lawrence McGee, Financial Coordinator
Regine Reimann, Worship & Pastoral Care Coordinator
Ayana Pineiro, Assistant to the Rector
Victor Maisonet, Sexton for Hospitality
Robert Mancuso, Sexton
Wardens, Officers, and Vestry
Wendy Victor, Junior Warden
William Gee
Susan Keenan
Matthew Lorentzen
Gail Knisely, Clerk
Donald McKenna
David Paulson
Patricia Reichenbacher
The Rev. Kimberly L. Still
Associate for Ministry Development
The Rev. Clayton B. Waddell
Deacon for Port Ministry
Keith Risley, Grounds Supervisor
William Thompson III, Building Preservation
Daisy Alvarez, General Manager for Retail Operations
Evaristo Riestra, General Manager of The Church Mouse
Jonathan Goodine, Employee of The Church Mouse
Ricky Manuel, Employee of The Church Mouse
William Atterbury III, Chancellor
C. Tanner Rose, Jr.
Zachary Shipley
Bailey B. Sory III
James Myers, Jr., Treasurer
Sandra Stern
Frank Young
Chuck Zettler
141 South County Road, Palm Beach, FL 33480 | (561) 655-4554 | www.bbts.org
4
Fellowship & Hospitality
United Thank Offering
What are you thankful for? Are you thankful for the opportunity to worship in a beautiful church
supported by magnificent music every Sunday? Are you are thankful for a recent job offer, a new home, or
the arrival of a new member to your family? Maybe you are thankful that the summer has arrived, and for a
chance to relax, or for the chance to visit with a longtime friend and share some smiles.
The United Thank Offering (UTO) embodies a theology of thankfulness. Traditionally, this is practiced
by individuals, through the daily gathering of coins (placed in the blue envelope) in acknowledgement of
blessings received. UTO is neither a fundraiser nor a stewardship campaign, but a discipline to be sensitive
to giving thanks with small tokens of gratitude. UTO is a ministry of the Episcopal Church Women
(ECW), for the mission of the whole church. It is a commitment to “Expand the circle of thankful people,”
through the funding of grant requests to create and support new ministries of the Episcopal church
throughout the world. Twice a year, the ECW faithfully collects monies through Ingatherings. Bethesda’s
next Ingathering is on Sunday, August 23.
Through UTO, we learn that thankfulness leads to generosity and with UTO 100% of the money donated
is given away through grants. The ECW carry all administrative costs. The 2014 United Thank Offering
awarded more than $1,300,000 through 36 grants for projects that address human needs and help alleviate
poverty, both domestically and internationally. In general, as a result of those grants, kitchens will be
renovated and appliances will be purchased to better provide hot meals to homeless, migrant, immigrant,
and indigent persons; new spaces will be built and many old ones renovated, to provide safe and secure
areas to spread the Gospel and provide education on a variety of topics; and research and training will
occur to enhance mental and physical health initiatives in multiple communities. A complete list of 2014
grants can be found at www.episcopalchurch.org.
What are you thankful for? How do you acknowledge your blessings? Please consider acknowledging
your blessings by placing ‘coins’ in the blue envelope (found in the pews) during the next United Thank
Offering Ingathering on August 23. For more information, e-mail Amy McGowan, UTO Representative, at
[email protected].
For More Information
5
The Rev. Kimberly Still, Associate for Ministry Development | (561) 655-4555 x104 | [email protected]
Outreach
Port Ministry
Bethesda’s Port Ministry provides a
special outreach to seafarers and maritime
workers while visiting our Palm Beach
ports. Many of the ships visiting the port
are ships which often stay in port for 12 to
24 hours. The Port of Palm Beach is the
18th busiest container port in the United
States and sees thousands of seafarers
Harbor of Hope’s Blessing of the Fleet 2015
every year. These seafarers and maritime
workers are responsible for transporting 80% of all the products used within the United States; and they
spend months and sometimes years, away from home. Our Port Ministry lead by Deacon Clay Waddell
is dedicated to greeting and caring for these seafarers coming from countries all over the world. This
ministry to seafarers is one of hospitality, and though we do not seek to convert seafarers, we do attend
to their spiritual needs which often, by request, include services with Holy Communion on the ships.
Bethesda’s parishioners participate in this ministry by knitting
caps, collecting toiletries during the summer (known as Save
Our Samples or S.O.S), writing and sending the seafarers cards,
donating funds to pay for calling cards, collecting magazines and
other reading material, purchasing white socks, and sending care
packages while they are away during holidays. These gifts are not
only powerful reminders that the community cares for them, but
are also important necessities while at sea.
Every year Bethesda participates in the Harbor of Hope’s
Blessing of the Fleet—a celebration of the maritime industry
and the local community surrounding the Port. 2015 marked a
special year for the seventh annual event because it represented
the 100 Year Anniversary of the Port of Palm Beach. It also
celebrated a 100 year old tradition, the blessing of seafaring
vessels, and that aimed to raise awareness and funds for a
Seafarers’ House—an establishment that will support Port visitors for the next
100 years. It was an amazing event and was a
success because of Bethesda’s parishioners!
Would you like to help with Bethesda’s
Port Ministry this summer? As you travel,
remember to save the small soaps, shampoos,
conditioners, lotions, etc. found in your hotel
room. We will be collecting your items this
fall and will use them to arrange 100+ gift
bags for sailors who are at sea on Christmas
Day. If you would like more information,
please contact Deacon Clay.
For More Information
The Rev. Kimberly Still, Associate for Ministry Development | (561) 655-4555 x104 | [email protected]
The Rev. Clayton B. Waddell, Deacon of Port Ministry | (561) 655-4555 x130 | [email protected]
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Worship
Bethesda Youth Choir
The Bethesda Youth Choir joins in making music, sharing in
fellowship, and serving the Church in worship. We all serve
Bethesda in our own unique way and the Youth Choir gives our
young parishioners a place to let their voice be heard, literally! A
joyful noise indeed.
Apart from healthy singing and breathing technique, our choristers
boast a wealth of musical knowledge that comes with the territory
of singing new hymns and anthems each week: sight-singing, eartraining, music history, notation, musical symbols, and general
musicianship. Being part of the Youth Choir also offers a solid
foundation in the rich tradition of the Episcopal Church and Bethesdaby-the-Sea, with all of its charm and beauty. Our parents are amazed
at the way our Youth Choir can act as mini church docents, sharing
their knowledge of the parts of the church and architecture, the
importance of the church year, the symbolism of historical hymn texts,
and famous composers hidden away in our own hymnal. Wow! Bach,
Beethoven, Handel, Haydn, Holst, Schubert, and Mendelssohn wrote
hymn tunes too? Who knew?
Jessica Reed, our Youth Choir Director & Youth Ministries
Coordinator, always smiles when thinking about her young memories
in the Youth Choir. Her colorful hair and make-up choices were
accepted with love and laughter. Jessica’s thirst for musical expression
was quenched with Bethesda’s vibrant acoustics and awe-inspiring
organ. The depth at which she was able to explore and engage in
musical experiences was quite profound even then—as a know-itall teenager! Jessica says she has Bethesda to thank for being a part of
her musical upbringing, which has since transformed into
a Bachelor and Master in Music Education and a nineyear career teaching music. To Jessica, the Bethesda Youth
Choir was more than singing notes on a page—it was the
dedication to grow, the unending compassion, and the
generous spirit for which Bethesda has come to be known.
The bright young singers of the Bethesda Youth Choir
make all of their hard work look easy. Their dedication is
truly astounding and they look forward to recruiting more
voices for Bethesda’s upcoming season. They resume regular
rehearsals beginning Wednesday, September 9; meeting each
Wednesday 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sundays at 8:00 a.m.
for the 9:00 a.m. service. For more information and/or to add
your name to our roster, contact Jessica Reed at any time by
e-mailing her at [email protected] or by calling (561) 655-4555 x131.
For More Information
7
Harold Pysher, Associate for Music and Liturgy | (561) 655-4555 x103 | [email protected]
Daniel Koinis, Chair | [email protected]
Retail
Volunteer Opportunities
The Church Mouse Summer Hours
(located at 378 South County Road, Palm Beach, FL 33480)
Our Resale Shop is closed for the Summer.
We are open only for donations from
Monday—Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Shoppe at Bethesda Summer Hours
(located at the Church)
Wednesday & Thursday: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
The proceeds from sales at The Church Mouse and The Shoppe fund Bethesda’s Outreach
programs. In 2014-2015, we provided $452,000 to our community through direct grants to local
non-profits, sponsored events, and program support. This much-needed funding would not be
possible without our donors and volunteers. Through our retail ministries, we have raised more
than $10 million to serve people in need over the past 45 years.
Volunteer opportunities include processing and pricing donations, stocking and merchandising,
closings sales, cashiering, and other administrative tasks. While our need for volunteers is greatest
when the resale shop is open during the season, we also need volunteers to help process and price
donations during the off-season as The Mouse accepts donations year round. The Church Mouse
especially needs knowledgeable and passionate volunteers to help research and price specialty
donations including art, antiquities, collectables, and more.
Nancy Sleuman, who volunteers at The Church Mouse and serves on our Outreach grants team,
shares her perspective on donating her time at The Mouse, “Volunteering at The Church Mouse has
been a wonderful experience. Not only do we serve Bethesda and the community, but we get to meet
many interesting people. Our managers Coy and Daisy and the staff and other volunteers are always
pleasant and helpful with any small problems.”
“It makes you smile when you can help customers find bargains among the many treasures at The
Mouse. We get many compliments about the attractive shop and the way everything is displayed so
neatly. Customers come from all over and mention how clean and refreshing the shop is—not musty.
It is a privilege and a pleasure to volunteer at The Church Mouse and also to shop and get some
wonderful bargains.”
To find out more about available shifts—which average 3.5 hours—please contact Coy Riestra,
Manager, or Daisy Alvarez, General Manager for Retail Operations at [email protected] or
(561) 659-2154.
We are immensely grateful to all our volunteers, past and present, who enable our tremendous
outreach: around the corner and around the world.
For More Information
Coy Riestra, Manager of The Church Mouse and The Shoppe | (561) 659-2154 | [email protected]
Pat Reichenbacher, Chair | [email protected]
8
Bethesda Cares
The Life of Bethesda’s Flowers
Bethesda Cares’ Flower Ministry is really two ministries—Flower Guild and
Eucharistic Visitors—who join hands to spread the good news of Christ (and
flowers) past our church doors and into the hands of those in need. It is a process
that involves many people in the life cycle of the beautiful Bethesda’s flowers!
The first and most important part of this cycle begins with a generous
contribution. Bethesda is blessed to have such amazing flower arrangements
because people make a $100 contribution in memory of, in honor of, or in
thanksgiving for a loved one. By making this contribution, the name of a loved one is included in
the desired Sunday leaflet. These gifts help fund and provide for the flowers and altar adornments
throughout the year. The altar flowers not only enhance our worship, they are symbols of faith,
expressing joy and light, and especially beauty.
The next phase of this process is carried out by our
wonderful Flower Guild. These creative individuals select,
order, design, and create all the arrangements for the
church. You will find 4 to 6 volunteers every Wednesday
morning cutting and preparing the flowers so that Friday
another 10 volunteers are able to begin creating 5 large
arrangements needed Sunday—2 for the high altar, 2 for
the chapel altar, and 1 for the niche. Friday is also the day
that another set of volunteers re-use those flowers from
the previous Sunday to make 6 to 10 small arrangements
for our homebound and hospitalized parishioners.
The Eucharistic Visitors (EVs) complete the final step.
EVs are parishioners licensed by the bishop to share the sacrament with members of the
congregation who are unable to attend church because of illness or infirmity. They visit with members
in their home, nursing facility, or hospital to administer communion and deliver a
small flower arrangement. The arrangement comes with prayers and a card of
best wishes from the entire church family. Each year approximately 400 small
arrangements are delivered to those members, bringing smiles and some say
healing power.
How wonderful to know these flowers which have been touched by the many
hands of our volunteers, brought beauty to our weekly visitors, enhanced our
worship, and soaked in prayers during our services, are then being reused to
bring joy to others. Wouldn’t you like to be a part of the life cycle of Bethesda’s
flowers? Join the Flower Guild, train to be a Eucharistic Visitor, or simply
make a contribution for flowers. We hope you will consider making a special
contribution to celebrate the holidays, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries,
and graduations, or to remember/memorialize a loved one. You can go to our
website, bbts.org, and click the red “Give Now” sliding image to contribute today and be
a part of the life of Bethesda’s flowers!
For More Information
9
The Rev. Kimberly Still, Associate for Ministry Development | (561) 655-4555 x104 | [email protected]
Bobbie Leek, Chair | [email protected]
Evangelism & Communications
Make Bethesda “Your Church”
For Mary Allen, the president of the Episcopal Church
Women (ECW), Bethesda-by-the-Sea isn’t just a place
where she goes to worship on Sundays. It is so much more
than that—it is “Her Church.” What she means is that she
feels connected to it on a variety of levels. Bethesda is the
church where she “has an amazing sense of belonging.”
Church wasn’t always a place where she felt especially
connected. As a child she wondered why it was important
to attend when there was so much of God’s grace to be
found in nature. Surely it was just as worthwhile to worship
under the trees on one’s own. Her father wisely told her
that “(they) should support the people and places that
teach the things we believe in.”
Attending a weekly service was always part of her
family’s routine, whether they were in their hometown of
Georgetown, Texas, or traveling during summers as her
father lectured throughout Europe and Latin America.
While she enjoyed the beautiful worship services, she
never felt a strong sense of belonging in any of them.
While studying music at the University of Maryland,
Mary worked as a staff singer for St. Paul’s in Rock Creek
Park, D.C. After graduation, she sang professionally for the U.S. State Department, entertaining numerous
heads of state at diplomatic functions. She continued to share her musical talent by singing in church
choirs as well.
Her marriage to Coca-Cola executive Bill Allen took her to seven states and two foreign countries before
they settled in Palm Beach County where she joined Bethesda’s choir. At first Bethesda was just another
church to go to on Sundays.
When the older of her two sons was diagnosed with cancer, Mary reflected on her life and reevaluated
what was important to her. When John lost his battle in 2003, Mary made a conscious decision to get
involved as a volunteer at Bethesda—not just sing in the choir.
As she got more involved, she made friends with people who had always been there, but that she had
never really known. She experienced a wonderful feeling of belonging that she had never felt before in the
many churches where she had sung and been a member.
“Bethesda is a welcoming church,” explains Mary Allen. “I hear this all the time, but I had not opened
my heart to let this welcoming in (before then). Our choir family had always been close, but now I have
a feeling of total belonging and I am truly blessed. God’s grace is definitely at Bethesda, even under the
trees! It just takes an open heart and mind, and His Grace flows freely. Thanks be to God!”
For More Information
Renee Boger-Cheifet, Communications Coordinator | (561) 655-4555 x111 | [email protected]
Becky Myers, Chair | [email protected]
10
Non–Profit Organization
U.S. Postage
Paid
West Palm Beach, FL
Permit No. 1820
141 South County Road, Palm Beach, FL 33480
(561) 655-4554 | [email protected] | www.bbts.org
Pentecost Picnic 2015
The Bethesda Bulletin
Volume XLVI | Number 6
July/August 2015