May 29, 2022

Seventh Sunday of Easter

Worship at 9:30 am

Fellowship Following Worship

Presiding Minister: Rev. Paul Stuehrenberg

Preacher: Elaine Ramshaw

Assisting Minister: Elaine Ramshaw

Music Director: Stephen Gamboa-Díaz

Lectors: Martin Gehner and Liz Harnett

Altar Guild: John Aden

Ushers: John Aden and Miles Kirschner

Tellers: Rachelle Goto and Becky Lerud

Bread Baker: Becky Lerud

Coffee Hour: Michaela Natal

As you may have heard, Bethesda recently had an assessment done of our buildings which indicated that repairs and upkeep in the coming years could amount to a very hefty sum. In view of this, Council recently gathered for a mini retreat to contemplate Bethesda’s sustainability, particularly in regards to the ministry of our building. We debated the questions of who Bethesda might be without the building and how important the physical building actually is to our ministry. The overall tone of the retreat was positive and hopeful about Bethesda’s future, whether in the current locale or beyond

Focusing on the option of maintaining our current situation, we have begun imagining all sorts of possibilities for stewardship of the building with the resources we have. We are seeking feedback broadly about the value of Bethesda’s building for those who participate in its ministry and use and for the neighborhood and the city of New Haven generally. We are exploring potential grants, a capital campaign, out-of-the-box rethinking of current building use, and the use of Partners for Sacred Places as a consultant to conduct a feasibility study.

It is important to engage the congregation in the conversation along the way toward additional resourcing and decision-making. Come to a forum on Sunday, June 12 following worship, and an outdoor gathering on Wednesday, June 15th, at 6:30 pm in the lower garden. Council members and Pastor Keyl will be on hand to guide and contribute to the conversation. Bring your thoughts, questions, and suggestions. If you cannot make either of these in-person gatherings, look for information about a virtual Zoom gathering which we plan to set up. We want to hear from as many of you as possible!

Rachelle Goto, Council President

Sunday, June 5, 2022 is a BIG Sunday for Bethesda

-We will celebrate the fiftieth day of Easter, Pentecost at worship at 9:30 am. The color of the day is red, so you are invited to wear something red, or a Bethesda t-shirt (even though it’s blue)

-Wendy Mallette, completing her PhD in religion at Yale and affiliated with Bethesda throughout her studies, is preaching

-We will offer recognition for Learning Ministries and Music Ministries

-It will be Music Sunday, with an opportunity to give toward Bethesda’s Music Series

-We will hold a cookout outdoors (weather permitting), with food that you bring (otherwise known as a potluck) to round out the luncheon following worship at the paved circle

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 8: Anna - Luke 2

-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)

Introducing Vicar Gabrielle Brown

Hello Bethesda, from Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa

I am grateful for the opportunity to join Bethesda’s journey of proclaiming the grace of God through word and deed this coming year. I am so excited to meet you all later this summer? I was born on the west coast, grew up all over the country, and these days home is in Colorado with my husband, Dave. Our daughter, Christina, lives in Philadelphia where she is working on graduate studies. Before seminary, I was an engineer, website developer, and most recently, a marketing project manager.

I understood a call to serve years ago, and I began discerning my call to ELCA rostered ministry in 2018. I am drawn to further explore intergenerational faith formation, ecumenical and interfaith engagement and chaplaincy. My lifelong interest in care of our planet and sustainable raised wholesome food for everyone has evolved into my commitment to creation care and ecojustice. I’ve been named a foodie, a crafter, a hiker, and just a little bit crunchy. Psalm 119:105 has been formative for me since I first learned of our loving God: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path”. I look forward to when our paths converge this summer, and in the meantime, Shalom

In Christ,

Gabrielle

You can support Bethesda's student ministries by donating online and selecting "Student Ministry Fund" in the Give To line.

Pastor Betsy Williams Marks Ministry Milestones

Jim and (Pastor) Betsy Williams have been active members of Bethesda long-distance from Ohio during our all-virtual time. You may remember the fabulous Playmobil Red Sea video they produced for Easter Vigil 2021, with the rubber duckie pharoah! Now that things are gradually opening up again, they will be finding a church in Ohio to attend. This week we’re celebrating anniversaries with Betsy. She was ordained as a pastor in the ELCA on January 16, 1997, 25 years ago, and was consecrated as a deaconess (the real beginning of her full-time ministry) on May 28, 1982, 40 years ago. Pastor Tim knew her back in the day; they shared some classes at Valpo, and Betsy remembers him singing in the Valpo choirs! 

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.

Funeral Planning Document

Planning ahead for your own funeral or memorial services is a form of witness and can be a gift to your loved ones. Following last Sunday's forum on this topic, we want to share this planning document (linked here) so you can make clear the location, readings, songs, and other elements you would want at your own funeral. Paper copies will also be available in the Narthex. The form may be returned to Pastor Tim or Leigh in the office.

Congratulations to Jeanne (Ciravolo) Bjorkman!

Jeanne has accepted a full-time position at UConn as an Assistant Professor in Residence and Director of the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery at UConn's Avery Point campus in Groton, and is now a member of UConn's Department of Art and Art History.

Family of Four Seeks Housing

An immigrant family from Haiti seeks housing in New Haven. A mother and two sons ages 5 and 3 are looking for housing in New Haven, such as a mother-in-law apartment, while the father remains in Haiti. Pastor Keyl is looking on behalf of a colleague and friend in Stratford. Any leads can be referred to Pastor Keyl at [email protected].

In the wake of mass shootings in Buffalo, NY and Uvalde, TX.

A prayer in times of violence

God of all humanity,

in times of violence

we see how inhuman we can be.

We pray for those who, today, are weighed down by grief.

We pray for those who, yesterday, were weighed down by grief.

And the day before,

and all the days before the day before.

We pray, too, for those who help us turn towards justice

and peace,

Turn us all towards justice and peace

because we need it.

Amen

--Pádraig ? Tuama

Canning Hunger – Bethesda’s Can Sculpture

Bethesda is participating in a canning fundraiser and competition to benefit DESK. A dedicated and talented team from Bethesda has begun planning a can sculpture on this year’s theme of “Connect.” The team decided that a sculpture of a table with bread and cup would represent Bethesda’s commitment to fostering connection in terms of sharing in meals (potlucks!) and communion. Martin Gehner has drawn up a detailed and impressive design that will involve 940 cans! The sculpture will be constructed on the New Haven Green on Saturday, June 11, 11a-2p, and all cans will be donated to DESK after the exhibit.

To ensure structural integrity, we are asking for donations of specific brands and sizes of cans. There will be a sign-up sheet available at church this Sunday, May 18, and we are also accepting monetary donations which will enable us to purchase cans in bulk. These 940 cans could cost up to $3,000 (though less if bought in bulk), so we’re grateful for Bethesda’s generosity in helping us make this sculpture possible. Please consider making a donation of cans or money to help Bethesda participate in this exciting fundraiser and community event. We will need these donations by June 1 at the latest.

Anyone who wants to get involved with this team to help with planning, logistics, and sculpture construction can reach out to Wendy Mallette at [email protected]. Thanks for your generosity!

2023 Companion Synod Trip

Join pastors Tim Keyl, Wendy Anderson, and Scott Howard on a life-transforming New England Synod Companion Trip to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) 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.

Ask Becky Lerud, Richard, Ford, Dianne Witte, Blair Goodlin, Carole DeVore, Paul Stuehrenberg, or Marietta Meyer about their experience on trips with Pastor Tim. Sign-ups will be provided soon, but look for this initial flyer to tease your interest in seeing the living stones of the Holy Land.

The ELCJHL video here will be shown at the New England Synod Assembly June 9-11 in Worcester, Massachusetts. You are the first to see it as a sneak preview!

Save the Date!

Arts & Ideas on Saturday, June 11

Join Bethesda friends on the New Haven Green for a free concert of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, with special guests Harolyn Blackwell, Albert R. Lee, and Brian Stokes Mitchell as part of the International Festival of Arts & Ideas. The concert begins at 7 and you may look for the Lee family (who may have procured some helium balloons to be found more easily) after 6:30pm. Bring chairs, blankets, food, beverages, and know there are often food trucks along Temple Street. Most of all, bring yourselves to this very family-friendly event in the heart of our Elm City!

Updated Recommendations from the COVID Task Force

Based on our meeting on 20 Apr 2022, the COVID Task Force makes the following amendments to our Mar 2022 guidance:

-Masks should be worn during worship services or large public gatherings until May 31

-Effective Jun 1-Sept 15, 2022, masks are recommended, but optional for all indoor activities.

-Recommend that Council recruit new members to serve on the Task Force to replace those members who are unable or unwilling to serve in time for our next meeting Wed, 7 Sept 2022

Thanksgiving for Baptism at Easter

Use this prayer throughout the Fifty Days of Easter

We give you praise, O God,

that in baptism you have led us from the night of sin

to the dawning of a new day.

We give you praise that, buried with Christ in baptism,

we too shall rise with Christ and walk in the light as your children.

Receive our praise through Jesus Christ,

the resurrection and the life,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever. Amen.

-from Welcome Home: Scripture, Prayers, and Blessings for the Household: Year of Luke

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

John Calvin, renewer of the church, died 1564

Friday, May 27, 2022

Gifted both as a systematic theologian and as an interpreter of scriptures, Calvin embraced the Reformation, and as a preacher in Geneva, Switzerland, brought a theocratic government to it. He is regarded as the father of the Reformed churches.

Jiri Tranovský, hymnwriter, died 1637

Sunday, May 29, 2022

Tranovský is considered to be the father of Slovak hymnody as well as an important reformer of the Slavic church. He translated the Augsburg Confession (the basis of Lutheran teachings) and published a collection of Slovak hymns.

Visit of Mary to Elizabeth

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

This festival marks the occasion when Mary, pregnant with Jesus, visited her cousin Elizabeth who was herself pregnant with John. Elizabeth pronounced Mary "blessed among women," and Mary responded with the song called the Magnificat.

Justin, martyr at Rome, died around 165

Wednesday, June 1, 2022

Born of pagan parents, Justin was influenced by an elderly Christian in Ephesus. He became a teacher of philosophy and the Christian faith. Jailed for practicing an unauthorized religion, he refused to renounce his faith and was beheaded.

The Martyrs of Uganda, died 1886

Friday, June 3, 2022

On June 3, 1886, thirty-two young men were burned to death for refusing to renounce Christianity. The confident manner in which these Christians went to their deaths contributed to a much stronger Christian presence in Uganda.

John XXIII, Bishop of Rome, died 1963

Friday, June 3, 2022

When elected pope, the former Angelo Roncalli was expected to be a short-term caretaker. He showed great spirit, though, and convened the Second Vatican Council which helped bring great changes to Roman Catholic and other churches.

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 peace in Ukraine.

For Logan McLean and Paul Strike on the occasion of their “second wedding” in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Saturday, May 28. Logan and Paul were married “first” one year ago in Billings, Montana

For Maeve Schurz (Bethesda’s Vicar 2021-2022), in a first call process in the Southeast Pennsylvania Synod.

For Pastor Betsy Williams, celebrating the 25th anniversary of her ordination as an ELCA pastor and the 40th anniversary of her consecration as a deaconess (the beginning of her full-time ministry).

For those traveling this week: Christina Castañeda to Texas; John Aden, Maissie Musick, and John's parents visiting Connecticut from Illinois; Pastor Tim and Pastor Kari to Iowa for Logan McLean and Paul Strike’s (2nd) wedding; Vicar Kurt to North Carolina for a wedding.