June 19, 2022
Summer Sundays
Commemoration of the Emanuel (Charleston) Nine and Juneteenth
Farewell and Godspeed Wendy Mallette and Natalie Benson
Worship at 9:30 am
Fellowship Following Worship

Presiding Minister: Pastor Tim Keyl
Preacher: Natalie Benson
Assisting Minister: Blair Goodlin
Music Director: Stephen Gamboa-Díaz
Lectors: Richard Ford and Dianne Witte
Altar Guild: Nora Lee
Ushers: John Aden and Miles Kirschner
Tellers: Rachelle Goto and Dianne Witte
Bread Baker: Chris Wigren
Coffee Hour: Richard Ford

From the Vicar

Bethesda’s Youth are Taking Flight!

Bon Voyage! After much ado, we are finally off! This evening, 5 youth and 3 adults will be taking the new Avelo Airlines flight from Tweed to Chicago-Midway for our long-awaited and twice re-designed youth trip. It has been quite the ride over the past year preparing for the ELCA National Youth Gathering in Minneapolis, MN, finding out it would be canceled on February 1, holding that grief with you all, pivoting to a service-oriented trip with Serve Boldly in Milwaukee, WI, learning that was canceled on May 1, and finally to making our own 6-day-long trip in Chicago, IL. The dedication of you, this congregation, to these youth, supporting them at every turn has been truly something remarkable and beautiful to witness and to help steward.

As for this Chicago trip, some of the highlights are as follows:

We will be staying at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago where Pastor Tim, Pastor Kari, and our former vicar, Maeve, all attended for their theological education! We are so grateful for the hospitality LSTC has shown us already and we are excited to meet them next week! They will be hosting us for lunch during our time there where we will have an opportunity to talk with some students who are around for the summer about life, Seminary, and everything in between.

We will be volunteering with the following organizations on this trip:

- Working Bikes - We will be helping to clean and fix donated bikes which are resold to help support the mission and also donated to those in need, also preventing bikes from ending up in landfills.

- PAWS Chicago - We will be volunteering in the Medical Clinic, helping them clean and care for the animals in the shelter.

- Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago - We will be helping clean up and beautify gardens and green spaces on the campus, giving back to the place we will stay for our time in Chicago.

- Chicago Furniture Bank - We will be sorting and organizing the donated furniture so that it can be redistributed out to those in need.

- ELCA World Hunger - We will be visiting the ELCA Churchwide Headquarters and learning about issues of hunger around the world, and also learning more in depth about the work that ELCA World Hunger does to address these issues.

- Share our Space - We will be volunteering to help sort donations of clothes and goods for children ages 0-5 and get them ready for distribution to those in need.

- Greater Chicago Food Depository - We will be helping to sort and repack the food donations that come in to Chicago’s main food bank so that they are ready for distribution back out to the agencies who distribute it to those in need.

Other highlights include:

- We will be taking in the sights and sounds of a Chicago Fire FC (soccer) game at Soldier Field! This will include education on the game of soccer by our very own Jack and Clara, each of whom are excellent players themselves.

- We have a long list of sightseeing opportunities that we are considering as well, including many museums, the Lake Michigan waterfront, biking, observation decks, Pride Fest, and just walking through the city.

- We will be taking public transit most places, fully immersing ourselves into the urban context that is Chicagoland!

Once again I find myself grateful to you, this congregation, for the ways that you have supported me as I have led this group, but most of all how you have rallied around these youth and showed them how much you love and care for them as siblings in Christ.

Keep tabs on the Bethesda Facebook Page as we will be posting updates all along our journey!

Coming up at Bethesda

Commemoration of the Emanuel (Charleston) Nine and Juneteenth

On June 17, 2015, Clementa C. Pinckney, Cynthia Marie Graham Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lee Lance, DePayne Middleton-Doctor, Tywanza Sanders, Daniel Lee Simmons, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, and Myra Thompson were murdered by a self-professed white supremacist while they were gathered for Bible study and prayer at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church (often referred to as Mother Emanuel) in Charleston, South Carolina. Pastors Pinckney and Simmons were both graduates of the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. A resolution to commemorate June 17 as a day of repentance for the martyrdom of the Emanuel Nine was adopted by the Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on August 8, 2019. Congregations of the ELCA are encouraged reaffirm their commitment to repenting of the sins of racism and white supremacy which continue to plague this church, to venerate the martyrdom of the Emanuel Nine, and to mark this day of penitence with study and prayer.

Juneteenth is a holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It recalls how the states of Louisiana and Texas heard the news that President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. Slavery continued in those two states for more than two years after the proclamation was signed because the word had yet to travel there. Texas and Louisiana finally got the good news on June 19, 1865. Former slaves broke out in spontaneous celebration. These were dangerous times. Even in the face of resistance and threat, the formerly enslaved Africans found ways to give voice to the wide range of thoughts and emotions at the announcement of the end of legalized slavery in the United States of America.

Bible Study on Zoom

Bethesda's Bible Study meets every other Wednesday at 8:00 am on Zoom. The series on Women in the Bible continues with the following topics:

- June 22: Abigail - 1 Samuel 25

- July 6: Rahab - Joshua

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)

Bethesda at the Yard Goats

Bethesda folks! Let’s take in a minor league baseball game this summer! On Sunday, July 3 at 6:05 pm in Dunkin Donuts Park, our own Hartford Yard Goats will be taking on the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. We are looking at tickets that are $21 per seat for this family-friendly outing. Please email Nora ([email protected]) by Wednesday, June 22 if you are interested. We will order a group of seats all together and you can reimburse Bethesda. Even if you can’t swing the ticket price, please consider joining us for some summer fun at the old ball game!

Save the Dates!

Hamburgers & Hymns Wednesday, July 13 at 6 pm outdoors in the Rose Garden sing and eat, what could be better!

Vicar Kurt’s last Sunday, July 17 Farewell and Godspeed

Vicar Gabrielle Brown begins Monday, August 1 look for ways to welcome 

Ice Cream Social Sunday, August 28 at 4 pm Do you want to be the lead coordinator? Contact Pastor Keyl

Bethesda’s voting members share highlights of the New England Synod Assembly June 9-11 in Worcester

John Aden: I am grateful for the opportunity to represent Bethesda as a voting member at Synod Assembly. It became clear to me during the process of debating and voting on resolutions that members of our synod are passionate about racial and ecological justice, yet we are only in the early stages of a long process of education, repentance, and action. One of my favorite workshops was titled "Collaborative Worship," where I heard how other congregations have navigated worship leadership throughout the pandemic. It was a good reminder that liturgy is at its best when people of all ages and abilities have the opportunity to exercise their creativity and agency during worship.

Rachelle Goto: My first time attending Synod Assembly as a voting member of Bethesda was also the first time members had gathered in person in three years and the energy was palpable. The overall theme of Collaboration and the discussions and workshops focusing on that were timely especially in today’s environment at Bethesda. The extent of serious and passionate debate surrounding the resolution on anti-racism was remarkable. I found one workshop titled “Forward Leadership Community – Leading Change for Mission Renewal” very enlightening and thought-provoking. The Assembly was a great experience and it was an opportunity to see how other churches are navigating issues we share. 

Pastor Tim Keyl: It was a joy to be with John, Rachelle, and Vicar Kurt, along with the 350+ others from all over New England. Returning to in-person meant I could set-up and staff a Global Mission display table and invite people to the next Companion Synod Trip. Our Global Mission Team presented a memorial to the ELCA to advocate for the right to boycott products made in Israeli settlements, which passed. We also presented a workshop on the topics of boycotting, Christian Zionism, and the value of trips. With the theme of collaboration, I also benefited from Bishop Hazelwood’s “talk show” format conversations with those engaged in collaboration, like congregation to congregation partnerships, congregation to school programs, and campus ministry.

Vicar Kurt Saenger-Heyl: What a joy and privilege it was to attend Synod Assembly this past week with Pastor Tim, John, and Rachelle! I am grateful that I had the chance to worship, learn, discuss, debate, meet, and greet with new and existing colleagues and friends in the synod. It was a joy to reconnect with former parishioners and pastors in my life, and to feel the excitement and energy that exists in this synod, even in the midst of incredibly challenging and divisive times. I appreciate the prominence and passion with which the assembly discussed and debated how we, as individual churches, the New England Synod, and ELCA Churchwide body, can and should address the issues of systemic racism within our communities. This synod’s commitment to this work, and to helping me with my own work, is something that I found very helpful. Additionally, under the theme of collaboration, it was such a joy to see all of the creative ways that ministry is happening all across this synod. It has given me new energy and permission to think creatively and completely outside of the box! The Holy Spirit surely is moving in our midst!

Hear more from Bethesda's voting members at fellowship in the Campanius Room on Sunday.

Farewell and Godspeed to Wendy Mallette and Natalie Benson

Wendy Mallette: I will be moving to Oklahoma City to start a job at the University of Oklahoma this fall. I'm very excited to be joining the faculty of the Religious Studies Department where I’ll be teaching courses ranging from History of Christianity to Queer Religion. I’m going to miss the wonderful community of kind, curious, and committed people that I’ve gotten to know at Bethesda for the last 9 years that I’ve lived in New Haven. I am so grateful to have been able to spent so much time in this wonderful community, and I’d appreciate your prayers as I transition to OK.

Natalie Benson will be graduating with her Master of Divinity degree this spring. At the end of July, she will close out three years of living in Bethesda House and move out West for her vicar year at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Santa Monica. After the privilege of getting to know Vicar Kurt and Vicar Maeve, she is very excited for her opportunity to serve as a vicar! She is so grateful for all the ways that the Bethesda community has been “home” to her from the beginning to the end of her time in New Haven, even through a pandemic!

Eleanor Lee Attending Lutheran Summer Music Academy

Dear Bethesda,

My name is Eleanor and I am so excited to be attending Lutheran Summer Music Academy and Festival for the first time this summer. LSM is a faith-based camp where I will be able to further my knowledge, experience, and understanding of music with other high school aged musicians from around the country. This summer, LSM will commemorate its 40th season and will be hosted at Valparaiso University in Indiana. 

In addition to violin lessons and playing in the festival orchestra, I look forward to playing in a chamber ensemble, taking courses on music therapy and music theory, and singing in the chapel choir. I am incredibly grateful to Bethesda for their generous support.

Thank you, Bethesda, and see you in August!

CANning Hunger

We are so delighted and honored to receive the First Place & Best Hope For the World Award this past weekend at the International Festival of Arts & Ideas for our CANning Hunger entry, entitled Peace Meals! We had such a great time planning for, practicing, and building it! Thanks to Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen for hosting this friendly competition and for all of the work that you do in the community!

Thank You from Lutheran Disaster Response

The New England Synod World Hunger Team has recognized Bethesda for ranking #3 in congregational giving in the synod. Click here to view their thank you.

Wedding of Leah Snavely and Cameron Kritikos, June 11

Bethesda at the Concert on the Green

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.

Sermons online

View recorded sermons online at Bethesda New Haven’s YouTube Channel, by clicking the button at the bottom of the eNews, and posted on Bethesda New Haven’s Facebook Page.

Click here to view this Sunday's bulletin.

Upcoming Commemorations

Onesimos Nesib, translator, evangelist, died 1931

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Onesimos was born in Ethiopia. Captured, enslaved, and taken to Eritrea, he was there freed by Swedish missionaries. He translated the Bible into his native Oromo and returned to preach there.

John the Baptist

Friday, June 24, 2022

John said, "[Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease." And so his birth is celebrated half a year before Jesus', just as the daylight in the northern hemisphere begins to wane. Jesus honored John as being the greatest prophet.

Presentation of the Augsburg Confession, 1530

Saturday, June 25, 2022

On this day in 1530 the German and Latin editions of the Augsburg Confession were presented to the Emperor Charles of the Holy Roman Empire. The Augsburg Confession was written by Philipp Melanchthon and endorsed by Martin Luther, and consists of a brief summary of points in which the reformers saw their teaching as either agreeing with or differing from that of the Roman Catholic Church of the time.

Philipp Melanchthon, renewer of the church, died 1560

Saturday, June 25, 2022

Though he died on April 19, Philipp Melanchthon is commemorated today because of his connection with the Augsburg Confession. Colleague and co-reformer with Martin Luther, Melanchthon was a brilliant scholar, known as "the teacher of Germany."

Prayer Requests

For healing and strength: Gail Denardis; 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: Bethesda Youth and Adult Leaders on their Mission Trip in Chicago; Wendy Mallette leaving for Oklahoma; Pastor Kari Henkelmann Keyl to a regional LuMin Conference in Pennsylvania; Vicar Kurt Saenger-Heyl to Baltimore, MD; John Aden and Maissie Musick to Illinois; Eleanor Lee to Valparaiso, IN for the month-long Lutheran Summer Music Academy and Festival.