Monthly Newsletter - Bethany Covenant Church

NEWS
20
15
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ON THE WEB: For a calendar of church events, go to www.bccmv.org and click on “calendar.”
Looking forward
to joining you in
our work together
A Pastoral Perspective
By Pastor Ryan Eikenbary-Barber
Bethany’s Conformation class of 2015 was honored at the April 12 worship service.
Confirmands a reminder of the joy
it is to walk this journey of faith
By Pastor Britta Burger
On April 12, Bethany Covenant had
the privilege of confirming 18 young
people in their faith. As they stood up
front, robed in white, we witnessed a step
on the journey of faith for these growing
men and women.
In addition to coming to class for two
years, memorizing Catechisms, taking
sermon notes, and attending a retreat,
these students wrote an essay about their
faith journey. I spent time in my office
reading through these essays when they
were compiled. My eyes sweat a little
– ok, I was teary – for these kids can
INSIDE
Constitution and bylaws
A necessary revision to
reflect the needs of a
growing church > Page 3
articulate their faith with such simple
profundity. I cried a little more when these
kids authentically admitted that they don’t
have all the answers, but they are willing
to continue following Jesus. I want to
have faith like those 18 kids. Visit the
church office if you missed a copy of their
essays.
Confirmation Sunday does more than
honor junior-highers in their faith. We
are reminded again of the gift, challenge,
and joy of following Jesus and the task
of being people (both readers and doers)
of the Bible. I bet Jesus’ eyes got a little
sweaty, too.
My 365 Project
Associate Pastor Randall
Wilkens writes about
the daily exercise of
expressing his faith in
photos and poems > Page 4
I just spent the day in Mount
Vernon. I wanted to be around when
the housing inspector examined our
new home. The inspector declared
that our house is “boring.” He meant
that as the highest compliment. His
point was that there was nothing
troubling about the condition of the
house. That’s one more item to cross
off my checklist.
Now, there is a plumber working
in my basement. I always thought
the low-water pressure added to the
rustic charm of our Minneapolis
home. The buyers of our house
disagreed. It’s one more essential
task to do before we close on the
house and move to Washington.
The big things have already been
worked out, but there are still so
many lingering details to resolve.
We need to hire a moving company,
figure out where our kids are going
to school, and decide where we are
going to stay until August when we
close on the house. In other words,
we still have a lot of work to get
ready for what’s next.
John the Baptist told the people,
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven
has come near” (Matthew 3:2). In
the words of Isaiah, John’s purpose
was to “Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight” (Matthew
See PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE, Page 2
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FYI: In May 1920, 14 women met in Seattle to form the PacNWC’s version of “Covenant Women”
SUNDAY
SERVICES
First service
8:30 a.m.
Second service
11 a.m.
May and June
sermons
May 3
Luke 24:13-35
Embracing Resurrection:
The Journey to Embracing
Resurrection
PASTOR CHAD McDANIEL
May 10
Matthew 28:16-20
Embracing Resurrection:
Jesus’ Last Words
PASTOR BRITTA BURGER
May 17
Ascension Sunday
Matthew 28:16-20
Embracing Resurrection:
Alone Again
PASTOR RANDALL WILKENS
May 24
Pentecost Sunday
Acts 9:1-19
Embracing Resurrection: An
Encounter with the Spirit
PASTOR CHAD McDANIEL
May 31
Trinity Sunday
Numbers 6:24-26
At the Center of the Universe
There is Blessing
REV. DEANA STROM
WOMEN’SMINISTRIES
Amy Johnson steps down after serving for
seven years as Women’s Ministries director
By Pastor Vicki Lund
After seven years of strong
leadership, Amy Johnson
is completing her time as
Women’s Ministries director
at Bethany Covenant. Please
join me in thanking her for
all the ways she has led this
multifaceted ministry through a
season of growth and change.
Amy’s desire to help
women learn and grow through
God’s Word has been constant
throughout these seven years.
Besides being the coordinator
for Heart to Heart on Friday
mornings, Amy has led a team
of women every year to provide
a winter retreat.
Several other churches
have participated in these past
retreats, and we are excited to
share that even though Amy is
stepping down as the overall
ministry director, she wants to
help provide leadership for our
next retreat in February 2016.
I am happy to share that
Karen Cornish has accepted
the leadership role of Heart to
Heart coordinator. Karen has a
wealth of leadership experience
even through she has only been
Amy Johnson has served as
coordinator for the Heart to
Heart ministry on Fridays.
Karen Cornish will take Amy’s
place as leader of the Heart to
Heart program.
a member of our church for one
year. We are excited to see what
God will do as she prepares for
the task of leading the Heart
to Heart ministry team as they
prepare for the fall.
Please pray for Karen
and the team of small-group
leaders as they select a study
and engage women of every
background to join together by
one spirit.
As associate pastor of
adult ministries, I am actively
seeking to engage women
who would like be part of a
new thing. Many women are
unable to devote a day time or
evening time every week to a
women’s study, but they seek
accountability and community
while doing devotional reading.
If you have interest in a
study plan through the use of
social media, and if you want to
share your ideas and dreams for
something new, contact me at
[email protected].
June 7
2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1
We Do Not Lose Heart
PASTOR DWIGHT NELSON
June 14
Genesis 12:1-9
In the Beginning:
Leaving Home
PASTOR RYAN
EIKENBARY-BARBER
June 21
Genesis 15:1-6, 18-21
In the Beginning:
Let’s Make A Deal
PASTOR RYAN
EIKENBARY-BARBER
June 28
Genesis 16:1-16; 21:8-21
In the Beginning:
The God Who Sees Me
PASTOR RYAN
EIKENBARY-BARBER
PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE
Continued from cover
3:3).
I have a lot of details to
attend to before I join you in
June, but the work of preparation
never ends. We are always getting
ready for the coming of the Lord.
Personally, we are given the
task of repentance, which means
turning around and going a new
way. Together, we are given
the task of smoothing the way
forward so that others might
encounter Jesus.
I’ll be glad when the boxes
are finally unpacked, but I look
forward to joining you in the
daily work of preparation.
A Russian river cruise with the Eggings
Friends and supporters
of Russia missionaries
Kent and Rhonda Egging
are invited to join them for
a 13-night river cruise in
Russia in May 2016.
The cruise will take
place on rivers between St.
Petersburg and Moscow.
If you are interested, please contact Kent at kent.
[email protected] and Tom Moser at home@tomoser.
com. Your interest doesn’t obligate you at this time, but is
a way to gauge interest so arrangements can be completed
with a cruise line.
– Tom Moser
FYI: The last time Bethany Covenant revised its constitution and bylaws was 2005
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Revising our
constitution
and bylaws
By Brian Shannon
Executive Board Chair
Bethany Covenant is growing! It has
grown! Its organizational structure hasn’t
and can’t keep up with a worshipping
community of 600 and a constituency of
1,500-plus. Bethany revised its current
constitution and bylaws in 2005, and a lot
has changed in our church in the last 10
years.
Kent Egging had been here for about a
year, and Ken Wagner had just started with
us. Randall Wilkens and Chad McDaniel
had not yet been called. Children of the
Valley and the Community Garden hadn’t
been formed.
Attendance is up from an average of
541 to 603, and the last few months of
this year have seen Sundays above 650.
Membership has gone from 422 to 527.
In many ways, we are not adhering to our
current constitution and bylaws, since they
were created for a much smaller church.
In an effort to better serve our growing
congregation, the Executive Board
proposed revising our constitution and
bylaws at the December 2014 Annual
Meeting, for consideration and adoption at
the December 2015 Annual Meeting.
A review committee consisting of
Tricia Cisneros, Chad McDaniel, Cheryl
Vandermey, Fred Teijen, Brian Shannon
and Don Robinson has been meeting to
prepare a proposed constitution and bylaws,
and to recommend a transition plan for
implementing changes.
The goal of the proposed constitution
and bylaws is to simplify, strengthen and
clarify the church’s organizational structure
to both reflect the current needs of the
church and respond to the needs of our
growing community. One thing to note:
none of the changes will be theological.
The preamble recognizes our history and
faith affirmations as part of the Evangelical
Covenant Church, but the constitution and
bylaws are organizational documents. Some
of the changes will be simple formatting
changes, moving similar sections together,
or updating wording. Some changes will
borrow wording from the Evangelical
Covenant Church that have been crafted by
pastors and theologians. Two larger changes
involve allowing new members to join more
than just twice a year, and restructuring
how committees are formed by allowing the
board to create ministry teams as the need
for them is recognized. This will allow
for response to ministry needs as the board
and congregation identify those needs. The
elected officers of the church, the Executive
Board and Diaconate will have very little
change.
The proposed constitution and bylaws
are based on the “Leadership Team Model
Constitution for Covenant Churches.” This
is the template that has been used in nearly
100 percent of the new churches in the ECC
in the last 15 years. Most of ECC churches
that are revising their constitutions are also
using this model. It is the preferred model
for the largest churches because of its
flexibility and ability to add new ministries
quickly.
The biggest difference will be in
our committee structure. Currently, the
constitution and bylaws designate all of our
administrative committees, stipulate who
serves on those committees, and provides
no method for the board to create new
committees. Several of our committees
have been very successful in their ministry
tasks. Several are doing wonderful work
and yet do not match the constitution and
bylaws, and several named committees
no longer exist. The new constitution and
bylaws will have appointed ministry teams
rather than standing committees and will
allow the board to appoint Ministry Teams
as needed for specified tasks and periods
of time. Current committees will meet with
the Board to evaluate their ministries and
to plan their transition to the Ministry Team
model.
The proposed constitution and bylaws
will maintain the “5 Minimal Marks of
Congregational Authority,” meaning the
congregation retains final authority in
adopting constitution and bylaws, calling
of pastors, election of officers and board
members, adoption of annual budget, and
approval of major indebtedness (property
acquisition, construction, securing loan, etc).
With a new senior pastor coming this
new constitution and bylaws will give us
all a chance at a fresh start of effectively
serving together.
Congregational meeting June 21
See you Sunday, June 21 between
services at our annual meeting. Childcare
will be provided. The main topic will
be acceptance of our annual budget. We
will also vote to accept new members
and discuss the progress on the proposed
constitution and bylaws.
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My 365 Project
By Pastor Randall Wilkens
Back in 2011, my friend and fellow
Bethany member Abel Gage challenged
his Facebook friends to do a “365
Project,” in which participants would
take a photograph every day and post it to
Facebook.
I took up the challenge, and throughout
the year had the rich experience of
capturing the sights, people, and events I
encountered each day. But when the year
was over I needed a break! So did Abel.
After three years of rest, both Abel and
I were ready to face the challenge again
in 2015. But we both also wanted to add
another dimension to the project.
Abel decided to listen to a new song
every day in addition to taking a photo,
but I was having trouble figuring out
what my extra dimension would be. Our
Christmas Musical provided my answer.
When I went to write the narration, I
discovered to my surprise that much of it
came out as poetry. I decided to write a
poem every day to go with my photos.
Though it’s been consuming at times,
it’s been a wonderful exercise. It has
almost been a spiritual practice, since
many of the poems express my faith in
Christ. Others are humorous, while still
others are quasi-philosophical. Some
celebrate God’s creation, some family
and friends, and others celebrate events
both in church and in other aspects of
life.
Some of the poems and photos
are better than others. But the entire
experience has been a gift from God, and
a unique way for this musician to express
creativity in two non-musical ways. I
also feel it has been a way to carry on
the legacy of my mother, who both was
a writer and loved to capture life in
snapshots.
If you are on Facebook or Instagram,
I welcome you to follow my daily posts.
Here are a few examples to get you
started.
Day 15 (January 15)
One keyboard to swell sweet tones
In colors bold and light,
One keyboard to fill the choir
With positive delight,
One keyboard built for praise
And great hymns to the Son,
One keyboard to dance and stomp
And have a lot of fun!
Day 68 (March 9)
Our lovely abundance of winter sun
Will give way to spring rain.
Clouds may come and hide the sun,
But its warmth and light remain.
There are those who worship the sun
But worship or not, it will rise
Because the Creator of the sun
Placed it in the skies.
Day 77 (March 18)
Stepping into God’s creation
Brings a wondrous transformation.
Though I am broken, I suddenly see
It’s all about him and not about me.
At once I’m a brushstroke in God’s
gracious canvas,
His imaginative presence a salve to
my sadness.
Creation, like me, is broken too,
Yet we shine with God’s artistry,
through and through.
Day 79 (March 20)
Jesus said to shine;
He didn’t say how bright.
Some are a huge beacon,
Some just “this little light.”
What lumens we are granted
Should glow without a doubt.
Take heart! Even a smoldering wick
Our Lord will not snuff out.
FYI: VBS is June 22-26 for kids entering 1st-6th grade in the fall. Registration opens June 1.
BETHANYPRESCHOOL
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CHILDREN’SMINISTRIES
Summer means going
to camp and VBS
The Boon
family at the
Shamrock
Shuffle Fun
Run. Curt and
Jodi Boon,
their daughter
Madison and
grandmothers
Jeannie Boon
and Patti
VanWieringen.
Shamrock Shuffle Run raises
$1,500 for scholarships
By Susan Whidden
Bethany Preschool Director
We’re drawing to the end of
another busy year at Bethany
Christian Preschool. It’s
shocking how fast the time goes
by...
In March we hosted our
second annual Shamrock Shuffle
Fun Run and raised $1,500 for
preschool scholarships. We are
thankful to God for His provision
(and for holding off the rain until
after the race). We had more
than 120 participants join us,
and congratulations go to “The
Lincolnators” for bringing the
largest group!!
In April, our 4-year-old class
had talent shows, and we were
treated to a delightful variety
of talents – bike riding, piano
playing, gymnastics routines,
dancing, singing and shooting
hoops – to name a few.
Kristin Mowat, our Mommy
& Me teacher and former
assistant teacher in the 4-yearold class, will be leaving us this
year. She has been a wonderful
addition to our staff with her
gentle spirit and sense of humor.
She has provided a warm,
welcoming space for parents and
their 2-year-olds for nine years.
We will truly miss her,
and we wish her blessings as
she begins working with her
husband, Steve, in their business,
FieldSweet.
There are still opportunities
for children to sign up at the
preschool (2 to 5-year-olds) for
next year and for the summer
program (4 to 6-year-olds).
If you know anyone who
might be interested, please have
them contact Susan Whidden at
[email protected] or 360941-2755.
By Eric Krumland
What are we doing this summer? I imagine that if your
kids have not started asking you this yet, they soon will.
When I was a kid my summers were mostly spent riding my
bike, playing in the woods and going on a few camping trips
with my family. Some of these big family trips were really
fun. But for me the highlight of my summer was always
going to camp and Vacation Bible School.
Heading off to camp for a week was one of the only times
a child could feel independent. I was allowed to be goofy,
wild, and as loud as I wanted. This was even encouraged!
Some of my greatest childhood memories are from my time
spent at camp.
But that is
only part of the
story. Camp is
where my faith
really started to
develop. Each
year I would
go to camp and
spend a week
reading the
Bible, learning
the joy of
worship, and
seeing God in
Kids show their enthusiasm at last year’s
the beauty of
Bethany VBS.
creation. Not
only that, but
the counselors
watched over us and showed us what it looks like to live as
a disciple of Christ. They encouraged me to be like them.
These are the memories from camp that I am left with. As a
kid having fun, I did not realize the work God was doing in
my life, and I want that for all your children as well.
In a similar way, VBS was foundational for me. I learned
how to be a witness for my faith. VBS was also one of the
times when I was able to bring my friends to church. It was
through VBS that some of my good friends and their families
started coming to church. VBS is a friendly and loving
environment to bring your friends and neighbors. Invite them
to join us this year. VBS will be June 22-26, and we will
begin registration June 1.
There are many camps your kids can go to, but I love
Cascades Camp in Yelm. They have one of the biggest
programs around, the best facilities, and hands down THE
BEST views of Mount Rainier in the state (this is not an
exaggeration). It’s really not as far away as you may think
and if a few families carpool it can be very easy. I also know
that camp is not cheap, but this should not keep kids from the
great things God can do there. If you would like your child
to go to camp but need financial assistance, let me know and
God will provide.
As you all plan for your summers I really hope that you
make VBS and camp a priority for your kids.
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NEWS&NOTES
Small-group ministry
opportunities at
Life Care Center
There is a ministry opportunity for a
small group to provide a simple church
service once or twice a month on a Sunday
afternoon for the residents at Life Care
Center of Mount Vernon.
Life Care is a skilled nursing facility,
and most of the residents are not able to
leave the building for long periods of time
to attend church. It could be as simple as
someone coming in and doing a devotion
with the residents or some special sacred
music. They will take whatever willing
hearts will bring to their residents!
If you’re interested, contact the activities
director, Christine Cricchio of Life Care
Center of Mount Vernon. They are located
at 2120 E. Division St.
Her email is Christine_Cricchio@lcca.
com
All-church family campout, picnic
An all-church family campout and
picnic will be held July 9-12 at the BensonBakke Saxon campground near Acme on
the south fork of the Nooksack River.
There is room for campers and tents.
Water and sanicans are provided. A cabin is
also available for rent.
If you don’t camp, come join us on
Saturday, July 11 for a potluck picnic at 1
p.m.
Call Sharon Benson at 360-941-6376 for
information and to register campers.
Junior-high trip to Leavenworth
Every year we take a group of Jr.
Highers on an adventure that stretches
their faith, challenges their norms, and gets
them out of their comfort zone in order to
experience Jesus.
This year we travel to Leavenworth,
Wash. on an action-packed three-day
trip that includes low-ropes course, rock
climbing, and river rafting. Thank you for
being in prayer for the students who are
going, as well as the faithful leaders who
will guide them.
Bikers wanted for summer rides
A group of Bethany women bicycle riders
would like to invite anyone who might be
interested, to join them on a leisurely ride
sometime this summer.
If you’re interested, please email Molly
Mowat at [email protected] or Mary
Epps at [email protected]
DEWEYDECIMALMOMENT
For mothers, for
women and for men
The 5 Love
Languages for Men
Gary Chapman and Randy
Southern (CL)
set-apart motherhood
Leslie Ludy (CL)
Being a mother is tough,
and sometimes life can be
hectic and disorganized.
The truth is, moms don’t
have to accept the chaos
or resign themselves to the
attitude of “this is just the
way it is.” By God’s grace,
every mother can purpose
not to settle for anything
less than His pattern for
motherhood, and His
pattern is victorious,
triumphant, and glorious.
You’re Loved No
Matter What
Holley Gerth (CL)
Fed up with the pressure
to be perfect? How would
your life be different if you
truly believed you were
loved just as you are? In
this encouraging book,
Gerth exposes the dangers
of becoming trapped by
impossible standards of
beauty, achievement, and
spirituality. Learn to reject
our culture’s lies---and
accept God’s scandalous
grace instead!
At the heart of a man is a
desire to master what matters.
Getting a complement at work or
on the court is nice, but nothing
beats hearing your spouse say,
“You make me feel loved.” If you
haven’t heard that in a while, or
you feel like you’re not bringing
you’re A-game in your relationship, this book is for you. The
“5 Love Languages” has sold
10 million copies because it is
simple, practical, and effective.
In this edition, Gary Chapman
speaks straight to men about
the rewards of speaking their
wife’s love language. You’ll learn
each language, how to identify
your wife’s, and how to speak it
clearly.
The Love Letters
Beverly Lewis (F)
Though from the Beachy
Amish herself, Marlena meets
Ellie Bitner, an Old Order Amish
mother who offers quilting and
needlepoint classes. They soon
form a bond, and Marlena is
drawn into the circle of Ellie’s
family. Ellie’s handsome cousin
seems rather taken with Marlena,
but after her recent breakup, she
is cautious where her feelings
are concerned. But things begin
to change when Ellie’s young
son Jacob discovers an older
homeless man camped out in the
nearby abandoned mill. Suffering
from some cognitive disorder, the
man has few prospects and fewer
possessions--among them a small
clutch of letters apparently from
his own courting days. Could
these letters be the key to the old
man’s identity?