From the Vicar

With Immense Gratitude

Where to begin? The age-old question…

What a year it has been! Remember back to August of last year? Back to my first Sunday with you all as we worshiped outdoors in the paved circle? That feels like much more than a year ago.

And I think that is because this year has been filled with so many amazing things. It has certainly been a rich year of life together in community.

Thank you for all of the ways that you have welcomed me into your lives and homes.

Thank you for supporting the intern program here at Bethesda and recognizing the gift that this community is for future leaders in the Church.

Thank you for your commitment to being Christ in the world in new, exciting, and engaging ways.

Thank you for your dedication to the children, youth, and young adults among us, especially through all of the twists and turns this year has brought.

There is so much more that I want to say but space is short here so I will simply reiterate my gratitude for you this year. This is a special place and you will forever hold a special place in my heart. I hope to see you on Sunday for my final sermon and the reception following worship where we can reminisce and share in the joys of this year together.

In closing, I leave you with one of my favorite prayers, which I refer to as the Prayer of Good Courage:

O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Until we meet again.

In Christ +

Vicar Kurt

Bible Study on Zoom

Bethesda's Bible Study meets every other Wednesday at 8:00 am on Zoom. A series on the Book of Acts begins this Wednesday, July 20.

When? Every other Wednesday at 8:00 am

Where? On Zoom, click here to join (or join by telephone: 203-432-9666; Meeting ID: 961 0888 6279)

Sunday Worship Livestream

We are now streaming Sunday worship services live on Bethesda’s YouTube Channel. Join us live at 9:30 am every Sunday or watch the recording afterward.

Click here to view this Sunday's bulletin.

Farewell and Godspeed, Vicar Kurt

This Sunday, July 17, we will offer Farewell and Godspeed to Vicar Kurt with the usual thanks and blessing. While Vicar Kurt will preach during worship, afterwards there will be a reception in the Campanius Room with presentations and cake. Also, some words and a slide show will be offered from the recent Youth Mission Trip to Chicago with Vicar Kurt as a key leader.

Vicar Kurt Saenger-Heyl's address in North Carolina

1136 Erins Way Lane

Raleigh, NC 27614

In September, Vicar Kurt will relocate to Wartburg Seminary for his final year of study. Look for that address nearer to September.

Welcoming Vicar Gabrielle Brown

Vicar Gabrielle Brown will move in Tuesday, July 26. If you can be part of a crew to carry her things from her car to the vicar apartment, please let Pastor Tim know. He will let you know her ETA. If you have welcome gifts to offer, like gift cards to coffee shops, Arethusa Creamery, Stop & Shop, also please give them to Pastor Tim. We will be offering get togethers Sundays after worship in August and on a weeknight to informally meet and greet Vicar Gabrielle.

Please continue to pray for Student Ministry at Bethesda.

Ice Cream Social Sunday, August 28

Bethesda will host the neighborhood, new students, and all comers for Ice Cream from 4 pm to 6 pm on Sunday, August 28. Vicar Gabrielle and the new Bethesda House community. There will be musical entertainment throughout. This has been a longstanding Bethesda event bridging summer’s end to fall’s beginning.

Plan to wear your Bethesda t-shirt. If you need one, please see the display in the narthex and help yourselves.

Ann Onton Tag Sale

Ann Onton is holding a tag sale at her home, Saturday, July 30, 50 Old Dairy Land in Shelton. Proceeds go to St. Vincent’s Foundation Swim Across the Sound. 

DESK Volunteer Picnic

Calling all DESK Volunteers, Family, & Friends!

Join us for DESK's Annual Volunteer Appreciation Picnic on Saturday, July 30, 2022 from 2:00-5:00 pm at the Edgewood Park Pavilion (near the corner of Whalley Ave & West Rock Ave).

RSVP Here

Bethesda House News

Jake Jeong arrives Saturday, July 23 to live at Bethesda House for the 2022-2023 year.

Lisa Woudstra has been hired as Bethesda House liaison/House Manager for the 2022-2023 year.

Look for bios and photos in the next months. Bethesda House is an intentional student residential community on the top two floors of the Parish House, bridging Bethesda’s ministry with Yale Divinity School. Bethesda House is in its eighth year.

Hamburgers & Hymns, July 13

Forty-five humans and one dog made sweet sounds and ate a variety of foods at the annual Hamburgers & Hymns. Thanks go to musical leadership from Stephen Gamboa-Díaz and Laura Wright, grillers Bryan Leone and Miles Kirschner, and set-up crew Ray Bussolini, Cameron Kritikos, and John Aden. We really tried to sing all twenty hymns on Bryan Leone’s list!

Double Your Impact for Student Ministry

The Mission Endowment Fund committee unanimously approved a $2500 match grant for Bethesda's Student Ministry Fund. Starting this week, all gifts designated for Student Ministry will be matched dollar for dollar. This match grant reflects MEF's commitment to distribute funds for ministry initiatives within the congregation that exceed the operational budget.  

Traveling this summer?

We would like to pray for you during your time away. Please look for the white binder in the Narthex and add your travel plans to it.

2023 Companion Synod Trip

Join pastors Tim Keyl, Wendy Anderson, and Scott Howard on a life-transforming New England Synod Companion Trip to the 2023 Companion Synod Trip on February 2-17, 2023. Our theme is Sitting Under the Vine and Fig Tree, an image of peace and unity among nations found in Micah 4.

Upcoming Commemorations

Bartolomé de Las Casas, missionary to the Indies, died 1566

Sunday, July 17, 2022

A native of Spain, Las Casas first came to the Western hemisphere while serving in the military. Upon arriving in the West, Las Casas was granted a large estate with Indigenous enslaved people whom he freed after he was ordained a priest. He worked in the Caribbean and Central America to improve the lives of the native peoples.

Mary Magdalene, Apostle

Friday, July 22, 2022

Sometimes called "the apostle to the apostles" because she told them of her encounter with the risen Lord, Mary was a woman of Galilee who followed Jesus throughout his ministry. She was present at Jesus' crucifixion and his burial.

Birgitta of Sweden, renewer of the church, died 1373

Saturday, July 23, 2022

Birgitta married at age thirteen and had four daughters. Widowed at age thirty-eight, she gave all that she owned to the poor, and founded a community of monks and nuns led by a woman. Her work is continued today by the Society of St. Birgitta.

Prayer Requests

For healing and strength: Michelle Lee, friend of Christina Castañeda; Rachel Ronnevik, Maggie Astrup’s sister; Wayne Wright, father of Laura Wright’s; John Hively; Mark Barnett, nephew of Becky Lerud; Marie Gray; Sonja Krummrey; Maureen Anderson; Natalie Denardis, granddaughter of Gail Denardis; Shirley Farm; Linda Johnson; Anne and Lee Keck; Kay Leone; Molly Dinneen; Karen (Starbranch) Blitch, daughter of Chuck Starbranch.

For those serving in the military.

For our partners in the Gospel: the congregations and schools of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) and LuMin Campus Ministry.

For Bethesda New Haven: that God continues to guide us into the future with ministries of witness, service, hospitality, and care while building up our community in all its diversity.

For those in candidacy for rostered leadership in the ELCA: Natalie Benson and Calli Micale.

For those traveling this week: Michaela Natal to Portugal, Spain, France, and Italy; Richard Ford and Dianne Witte to Iowa; and Lily Micale, starting two weeks of resident camp at Calumet on July 24, with scholarship monies from Bethesda’s Campership Fund through the Swedish Aid Society.

For Elijah Wogman at the anniversary of Baptism on July 20th.

For those who mourn:

Peter Wogman and family, at the death of his mother Nancy Wogman on July 9. See Nancy Wogman obituary. Notes of condolences may be sent to 300 Ashmun Street, New Haven CT 06511.

Bethany Canver and Jeff Deeney, at the death of their four-month old son, Xavier, also on July 9. A Memorial Service will be held at Bethesda on Saturday, August 6 at 4:00 pm, with a reception following. All are invited. If you can assist Pastor Keyl with the service or reception, please contact him at [email protected]. Notes of condolences may be sent to 37 Woodstock Street, Hamden CT 06517.