T H E V I S I O N

September / October, 2008

Recently, Pat and I made our first visit to the Civil War battleground at Antietam, near Sharpsburg, Maryland. It was a sobering experience. As you may already know, the fighting that took place there resulted in a combined total of more than 23,000 casualties (deaths and wounded) from both sides. Historians tell us that this total is the highest for one day of battle during the whole war. Both the films and the guides provided by the National Park Service described intense fighting with some areas of this beautiful farmland being taken, lost and retaken many times.

Something we didn’t know was that during that September day in 1862, after fighting had ceased, soldiers from both sides put down their weapons and came together in one of those hotly disputed areas. For at least several hours, anger and hatred were set aside. Conversation was civil, if not friendly. The focus became the wounded, dying and dead scattered all over the ground, rather than winning the fight. The casualties made it impossible to ignore the vulnerability and mortality that all human beings have in common.

Common humanity is something we lose sight of all too often, frequently with tragic results. Those soldiers who fought each other along the banks of Antietam Creek discovered it once again as they cared for the fallen. In this border area between North and South it is likely that some family members (cousins, uncles, if not brothers) were on opposite sides. During this interlude some soldiers may have come across their own kin.

How sad Pat and I felt as we contemplated what happened that day. How evident it was that the Christian Gospel known to both North and South was lost in the upheavals and power struggles of that war, as it has been before and since. What Jesus lived and taught was the love of God for all of God’s children. He challenged the teachings of his own childhood that separated Samaritans from Jews; that disparaged the humanity of some segments of society (tax collectors for example); that created barriers of mistrust and even hatred among people.

It is one thing to have disagreements, even very serious ones. It is another to lose sight of what we hold in common: our membership in God’s family. The only side to be found there is God’s side.

Grace and Peace,

WORSHIP— Special Sundays in September and October

All Sundays are “special” at Bethany, but in September and October there are two services that deserve our “special” attention. The first one is the SERVICE OF HEALING that comes on September 14^th this year. Because the date is close to 9/11, this service encompasses the healing of our nation as well as our personal illnesses and hurts. The liturgy is based on the “Service of Healing” found in our Book of Worship, with prayers, hymns and other music that are appropriate for the day. We will remember and honor the God whose desire is for all of us to be well, and whose Holy Spirit works in us to bring wholeness of body, mind, and spirit.

WORLD WIDE COMMUNION SUNDAY will be celebrated on October 5^th. It is the Sunday when Christians all over the world share in the Sacrament of Holy Communion. The elements of bread and wine, and even the communion ware will differ greatly in different lands, but the celebration of Christ’s body and blood will be the same. These symbols of God’s grace are common to us all, no matter where we live or what we look or sound like. Truly this is a day when Christians can sing, “We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord!”

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER “Upper Room” devotional booklets, including several large print versions, are available in the foyer of the church. These are free for anyone who would like one.

IT’S TIME TO MAKE MUSIC

The sound of music is filling the air at Bethany once again with the JOYFUL NOISE CHOIR. Rehearsals began on September 3^rd. The choir meets each Wednesday from 5:15 pm to 6:00 pm and is open to all the young people in the church. Rehearsals include a time for singing, playing instruments, learning the music of the church, and fellowship. The choir is a wonderful way for our young people to actively participate in the life of the church. Bring a friend!

The annual Christmas musical production will be held December 14^th; children and youth of all ages are needed. Once Upon a Christmas Light will retell the Christmas story, and the Joyful Noise Choir will begin learning the music in October for that production. Adult help will be needed with costumes, set building, and other “behind the scenes” activities.

Make a Joyful Noise unto the Lord! Bethany’s young people raise their voices in song! For more information, call Jane at 877-5534.

The United Methodist Men

MEN’S BARBECUE IS SEPTEMBER 6^TH

The United Methodist Men’s annual Barbecue will kick off at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 6^th. Plates with chicken quarters, baked beans, coleslaw, roles, drinks and desserts will be sold for $7.00 (adults), and $5.00 (children under 12). Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy a good meal and fellowship while supporting the UMM’s fund-raising efforts. (Take-outs will be available.)

‘ Women of Bethany’

A SAFE HOME FOR EVERYONE:

We continue our project with the families who come to A.S.H.E. A huge THANK YOU to Mary Lou Anderson. She not only made toiletry bags for women and children, but FILLED THEM as well. Thanks to Mary Lou, a delivery was made which will help the shelter with incoming clients. We are always in need of toiletry bags, either ones you’ve made or purchased. Sometimes, The Dollar Tree has large toiletry bags (for only $1.00!) that will hold all the items we try to place inside.

We need the following items for our next donation to A.S.H.E:

For the mothers:

Small travel-size deodorant, brushes, nail clippers, notepads

For the children:

Children’s shampoo, small combs/brushes, chapstick, small soft toys, activity books, word games, coloring books with puzzles, mazes, etc. Right now, we have plenty of crayons.

OUR NEW PROJECT!!!! PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY

Bethany is beginning a prayer shawl ministry which combines compassion and the love of knitting/crocheting/sewing/quilting in a way that reaches out to those in the community in need of comfort, solace, celebration, and joy. There will be many ways that members of Bethany can participate: by their labor of love, by donations for materials, or by their prayers and support. The official beginning of this ministry will take place at the Healing Service on September 14^th, but if you are interested in beginning now, no one will stop you! By this ministry, shawls are created which are then given to someone in our church family who is in special need of prayer and love. The shawls can be made by any creative method you might know. I have patterns for knitting, crocheting, quilting, and machine sewing which I am anxious to share. The shawls need not be elaborate—all that is required is that they be made in reverence and prayerful intent. Each shawl will be blessed by a circle of Bethany family and given when the need arises. If you would like to read more about the Shawl Ministry, go to www.shawlministry.com. There you will find a brief history as well as free patterns. Or feel free to contact Becky Marsten. The Women of Bethany will sponsor this new ministry, but everyone in the church is encouraged to participate. We won’t be able to do it alone, so if you know of someone who is not active in WOB but enjoys doing handwork, give Becky her/his name and she’ll be happy to do the contact, or YOU can do it for her!!

WOMEN OF BETHANY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Thursday, September 18^th - Dinner at Blue Ridge Cafe

Saturday, September 27^th - Church Fall Bazaar

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Many thanks to everyone for contributing food and funds to the Ashe County Sharing Center. Demands have increased tremendously this year and we anticipate meeting more needs in the winter months. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Saturday, September 27^th

8:00 a.m. – 2 p.m.

We will begin collecting items for the fall bazaar after church Sunday, September 21^st in the fellowship hall. We will also collect items on Friday, September 26^th from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. in the church fellowship hall. Please bring your items packaged, priced and ready to sell. If you need someone to pick up your donations, let someone with the Kitchen Guild know and we will be glad to make arrangements for pickup. Here are some suggestions for donations (although other items are acceptable):

Crafts, Yard Sale Items (NO clothing), Home baked cakes, pies, cookies, Home canned goods such as jams, jellies, beans, pickles, Plants (indoor and outdoor), Pumpkins, gourds, Soups, casseroles and other items for the freezer.

10% of our profits will be donated to the church’s stained glass repair project. The balance of the profits will be used to buy new furniture for the fellowship hall and continued improvements to the kitchen.

We look for to seeing everyone (and their friends and family) on the 27^th for good food, fellowship and fun!

THE WOMEN OF BETHANY will be selling their notecards, soup and sandwiches at the church bazaar. We’ll need a few volunteers to sell the cards and a couple of volunteers to prepare and/or serve soup and sandwiches. The Kitchen Guild has been gracious to allow us to keep the proceeds for these sales. Please let Becky Marsten know if you can help at anytime on the 27^th—no amount of time you can spare is too small.

KITCHEN GUILD CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

Monday, September 8^th – 9:30 a.m. Kitchen Guild Workday

Monday, September 15^th – 9:30 a.m. Kitchen Guild Workday

Sunday, September 21^st–12:00 p.m. Collect bazaar items-Fellowship Hall

Friday, September 26^th –1:00-7:00 p.m. Collect bazaar items-Fellowship Hall

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The Fellowship Committee has had a busy summertime, with a successful “Pig Pickin’” in July and a cool “Ice Cream Sundae/Bingo Night” in August. Now comes the Fall and what better outing than a trip to the riverside at Elk Shoals for an old fashioned “Cook Out” on Sunday afternoon, October 5^th. There will be plenty of grilled hot dogs and burgers on hand, along with the regular fixin’s and drinks to go around. Some folks will try their luck at fishing in the New River. Others will enjoy games of Bocce or throwing frisbies or just sitting around soaking in the beauty of Elk Shoals and having conversations with friends. Bring your family and friends for an afternoon of food and fellowship in the great outdoors. We will gather at Shelter “B” at 4:00 p.m., and eat at 5:00 p.m. You can come earlier or stay later if it suits you.

SERVICES FOR GREETING THE GOODPASTER’S

On September 1, Bishop Larry Goodpaster officially took office as the Bishop of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. He joins our Conference after having served as the Bishop of the Alabama-West Florida Conference from 2000-2008. Before his election to the Episcopacy in 2000, Bishop Goodpaster served as a district superintendent and as a pastor in the Mississippi Conference. He is married to the former Deborah Cox. They have two daughters and two grandchildren. Three special services have been scheduled to give us the opportunity to welcome the Goodpaster’s to our Conference. Each of them begins at 3:00 p.m.

Sunday, September 21 – Providence, UMC, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte

Sunday, September 28 - First UMC, 566 Haywood St., Waynesville

Sunday, October 5 – St. Matthews UMC, 600 E. Florida St., Greensboro

For more information on Bishop Larry Goodpaster you may look online: www.wnccumc.org/bsh/bishop.htm

OUR ANNUAL CHARGE CONFERENCE is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon, October 26^th, at the West Jefferson UMC Fellowship Hall. Reports for the Conference are due two weeks ahead of that date.

The Health and Wellness Committee

“Where Are My Car Keys? -- Is it age or Alzheimer’s?” was presented at BUMC on July 15^th by Nicole Rieger Thomas of the Western Carolina Chapter Alzheimer’s Association. This informational session on age related memory problems as well as Alzheimer’s and other dementias was well received by our church and community audience. We learned that although we have a 50/50 chance of developing Alzheimer’s by age 80, living a healthy lifestyle may offer some protection -- what’s good for the body is also good for the brain!

THE VIAL OF LIFE program was presented during the morning worship service on August 10^th. Response to the program was so great that we ran out of kits! If you did not get a Vial of Life kit in August, we will be providing additional ones in the near future.

In an emergency, the Vial of Life will speak for you when you can’t. It will tell emergency responders what illnesses you have, what medications you are taking, and what allergies or drug reactions you may suffer from. Other important documentation should be included in the baggie, such as a copy of your most recent EKG, your Living Will, DNR orders, or even a recent photo of yourself.

A completed Vial of Life form goes in a plastic baggie which is then placed on the front of your refrigerator door. A special Vial of Life decal is placed on the baggie and a second decal is placed on the door of entry to the house so that emergency personnel will know that pertinent medical information is available to them.

This program is especially useful for anyone with multiple medical problems or medications, anyone living alone, seniors, or children with special medical needs. Even if someone else is available to give up-to-date medical information in an emergency, panic may interfere with one’s memory and it’s always a good idea to have written records as a back-up. The Vial of Life information can also be used during doctor visits so that current medications and illness documentation may be made easier.

Next Health and Wellness meeting is set for Tuesday, September 23^rd at 5:00 p.m.

Edwin and Juanita Houck

60^th Anniversary

George Edwin Houck and Anna Juanita Cook

were married on September 4, 1948 in West Jefferson, NC.

Their children and grandchildren request that you join them for a celebration reception on

Sunday, September 7, 2008 from 2:00-4:00 pm

Bethany United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall.

They respectfully request NO Gifts

Happy Birthday!

SEPTEMBER OCTOBER

1 Alda Perkins McKinney 1 Mike Burgess

Melba Miller 3 Hannah Abee, Tammy Edwards

2 Cathy Everhart 4 Don Sloan, Andrew Wright

3 Zac Lemly 6 Joyce Kilby

4 Dean Eldreth 8 Gil Brock

8 Kathy Barlow, Kenneth Greer, 11 Kati Morrison

Vicki Sansbury 16 Eddie Miller, Kera Rumfelt

10 Jerry Denny 18 John Harms

13 Pearl Hagel 19 Craig Jackson

15 Barbara Barkley, Janice Cox, 21 Julie Greene, Emerson Rumfelt

Lindsey Hagel, Mark Wright 22 Edie Miller

17 Maureena Denny 24 W. Lynn Hunt, Don Church, David Lemly

19 Natalie Kilby 25 Katherine Hanes

20 Chance Lucas, Danielle Vitale 26 Cokey Hudler

21 John Chapman 27 Sereita Powers 22 Bob Page 28 Suzy Lewis

25 Bryce Lewis, Becky Marsten 30 Ethan Bare, Pat Hopkins

26 George Baker

28 Carol Dodson

29 Kena Sloop

Happy Anniversary!

SEPTEMBER OCTOBER

4 Edwin & Juanita Houck 15 Jerry & Maureena Denny

Art & Kay Ness 21 Keith & Beverly Shaver

6 Jim & Kathy Barlow 24 Alice Atwood & Pat Considine

7 Monty & Suzie Matthews 25 Timothy & Aimee Marshall

9 Al & Barbara Barkley

12 Grady & Jane Lonon

Catherine and Peter Finch

15 Mike & Mary Burgess

18 Bill & Jerrie Francis

20 D.J. & Betty Jo Hart

W. Lynn & Susan Hunt

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER VOLUNTEERS

CHILDREN’S CHURCH

September 7 - Pam Payne

14 - Jeanie Hanes and Lizzie

21 - Carol Ann Baker

28 - John and Tammy Edwards

October 5 - Mary Own

12 - Stephanie Dollar

19 - Sandra Prange

26 - Dean and Eleanor Eldreth

ACOLYTES

September 7 - Ashley Jarrett

14 - Zara Worley

21 - Evan Owen

28 - Sierra Lucas

October 5 - Erin Griffin

12 - Bailey Little

19 - Ashley Jarrett

26 - Thomas Griffin

ALTAR GUILD

September - Pat Poag and Sereita Powers

October - Elaine Graybeal and Lib Lemly

GREETERS

September 7, 14—Jack and Pat Moncrief, September 21, 28— Jerrie Francis

October— Earlene Barker

OUR NEWEST MEMBERS

On August 24^th three new members joined the Bethany fellowship. Lynn and Susan Hunt transferred their memberships from Grace UMC in Douglas, AZ and Wesley UMC in Sterling, IL, respectively. They are the parents of four adult children and grandparents of four grandchildren. Also joining Bethany was Catherine Finch, who transferred her membership from the Sierra Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Vista Arizona. She and her husband, Peter, are the parents of two adult children and the grandparents of five grandchildren. We welcome Lynn, Susan and Catherine and renew our pledge to surround them and all our fellow members with steadfast love.

Mary Catherine Finch William Lynn and Susan Hunt

184 Quiet Place 143 Quiet Place

Todd, NC 28684 Todd, NC 28684

Bethany on the Web – The word is starting to get out about our web-site. It’s a great place to catch up with church events, calendar dates, the weekly worship bulletin, the latest “Vision” and some special features like the Upper Room’s Daily Devotional. Just type in www.gbgm-umc.org/bethany-wjefferson and you’re there! Updates are made every Friday afternoon.

THE VISION

“And he led them out as far as Bethany . . .

and he blessed them.” Luke 24:50

Email: bethanyumcwj@skybest.com Website: www.gbgm-umc.org/bethany-wjefferson

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September/October

Bethany United Methodist Church

495 Highway 194 South

West Jefferson, NC 28694