From the Pastor

Sitting under the Vine and Fig Tree

The heading above is the theme for our companion synod trip to Israel, Palestine, and Jordan I am leading February 3-15, taken from Micah chapter 4.  There is a folk song that may have emerged from the peace movement that paints the picture that Micah portrays, where implements of destruction (weapons–swords) are turned into farm tools (plowshares and pruning hooks). And the ability to simply sit under one’s own grapevine and fig tree can be happy with no fear.

A key goal for the trips that I lead (and take) is to humanize the stories we hear and read in American media. We go there to get “facts on the ground.” We go there to listen and accompany. We go there to learn that Palestinians are our friends and are giving witness to Christ in the land from which he came. We go there so that we can advocate for a just peace between those that live in a place where God has met the earth.

As the representative of our synod for Global Mission, I will bring greetings from you and other Lutherans in New England. Inevitably, I will ask my friend Bishop Azar what we can do to support that ministry there. Without fail, the first response is always, “pray for us.”

When leading one group six years ago, we were hosted by a woman and her child for lunch in Hebron, where the ratio of Israeli soldiers is about ten to one Israeli settlers and the majority of people there are Palestinian who cannot live in peace and cannot live unafraid (see the song). My colleague Pastor Lauren asked her favorite question: “what brings you hope?” To which our generous host replied: “You are our hope. You need to bring our stories back with you so people can know and understand.”

So pray for the ELCJHL and our travels. Learn and act to bring hope by visiting the ELCA Peace Not Walls site. I will be posting some stories for you along the way (with photos), and come back ready to share.

Peace!

Shalom!

Salaam!

Pastor Tim

Worship Livestream

We stream 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 access this Sunday's bulletin.

Pastoral Care While Pastor Tim is Away

Pastor Tim and Pastor Kari left Thursday, January 19 to attend the ordination of Sally Azar as pastor in our companion synod the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. Pastor Kari returns February 1st. Pastor Tim will then lead a group of 29 on a companion synod trip (including Vicar Gabrielle and return on February 15. Vicar Gabrielle (719 352-8918) will be available for pastoral care until February 1. Pastor Kari (603) 533-5274 will be available from February 2-15. Pastor Josh Sullivan from Christ the Good Shepherd in Hamden (860) 748-3837 will be available throughout.

Facilities Work Day This Saturday

The next Facilities work day is scheduled for this Saturday, January 21 at 9am. We will plan to meet in the Parish House. Please note that the weather on Saturday looks clear as of now, but our inclement weather dates for this work day will be January 28 and February 4 if needed. 

Anticipated projects:

-Clean gutters

-Clear fallen tree(s) by the Whitney Ave lot

-Trim Boston ivy off trees in the Whitney lot

-Look at parking lot lighting and security and brainstorm solutions

Please dress for the weather and bring any tools that you can provide. All are welcome to help out!

Dinner Church

Every Wednesday at 6:00 pm on Zoom

Zoom in from your kitchen or dinner table for conversation, prayer, and reflection. We will be reading the upcoming Sunday morning Bible texts as our scripture. Have a Bible on hand. Look for the texts each week in the enews.

First Reading: Micah 6:1-8

Psalm: Psalm 15

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12

Click here to join on Zoom

Upcoming Forum Schedule

This Sunday, January 22 at 11:00 am, Chris Wigren will lead a forum in the Parish House Living Room. He will talk about the life of the landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted and lead a discussion about how we live in creation. 

Other upcoming forum topics include:

-January 29: Reconciling in Christ with Vicar Gabrielle Brown

-February 5: Bethesda Caretakers Leah Snavely and Cameron Kritikos

-February 12: Finances and Budget with Linda Cortright (important annual meeting info!)

-February 19: Annual Meeting, no learning hour

-February 26: Report from Vicar Gabrielle, Kari, and Pr. Tim about their trip to the Holy Land

Bible Study on Zoom

Bethesda's Bible Study continues to discuss NT Wright's Acts. The next gathering will be Wednesday, February 1 at 8:00 am.

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)

Updates to Bethesda's Constitution

Bethesda's constitution conforms to the ELCA Model Constitution for Congregations. The model constitution is amended at the ELCA's triennial Churchwide Assembly. Amendments approved at the 2022 Churchwide Assembly will be brought forth for approval for our constitution at our February 19 annual meeting. You can see the changes HERE. Once approved, they will go into effect immediately. The Council is considering further amendments to areas where the model constitution allows congregations to fit the document to their circumstances. Stay tuned!

Annual Meeting Scheduled for February 19

Bethesda’s Annual Congregational Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, February 19, 2023. The meeting will be held in the Campanius Room following the worship service. The agenda for this meeting will include reports of ministry in 2022, adoption of the 2023 budget, elections for new members of Council and the Nominating Committee, and adoption of changes to Bethesda’s Constitution based on updates to the ELCA Model Constitution. As always, there will be a potluck meal and lots of coffee to keep everyone sustained through the meeting.

Ordination of Claire Repsholdt

All are invited to attend the ordination of Claire Repsholdt, YDS MDiv ’21 and Bethesda House Ministry Liaison 2019-2021. The service will be held on January 28, 2023 at 11:00 am at The Interchurch Center (61 Claremont Ave, New York City). A reception will follow. The color of the day is red.

Blessings for Pastor Claire!

Upcoming Commemorations

Conversion of Paul

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

The week of prayer begun by the remembrance of Peter's confession now comes to an end as we recall the pivotal moment in the life of the other pillar of the early church, the apostle Paul. His encounter with the risen Christ turned him from persecutor of the followers of Christ to one of their leaders.

Timothy, Titus, and Silas, missionaries

Thursday, January 26, 2023

These three early Christian men were missionary companions of the apostle Paul. Timothy became bishop of Ephesus, Titus bishop of Crete, and Silas was imprisoned with Paul at Philippi until they were delivered by an earthquake.

Lydia, Dorcas, and Phoebe, witnesses to the faith

Friday, January 27, 2023

Women as well as men were important Christian leaders from the beginning, as demonstrated by these coworkers of the apostle Paul. Lydia, a seller of purple goods, lent her home for a church; Dorcas was known for charitable works; and Phoebe was a deacon in the church at Cenchrae.

Thomas Aquinas, teacher, died 1274

Saturday, January 28, 2023

One of the most brilliant and creative theologians in the church's history, Aquinas worked to bring together scripture and the philosophy of Aristotle. A member of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), Aquinas was also a hymnwriter.

Prayer Requests

For healing and strength: Pastor Ruth Drews; John Ferreira, nephew of Chris Couture; Mary Ricketts, friend of Chris Wigren; Kathryn and Karolyn Lee, aunts of Chris Lee; George Arndt, father of Lynn Arezzini; Michelle Lee, friend of Christina Castañeda; Mark Barnett, nephew of Becky Lerud; Marie Gray; Sonja Krummrey; Maureen Anderson; Natalie Denardis, granddaughter of Gail Denardis; Shirley Farm; 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 House and Yale Divinity School students.

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, Calli Micale, Vicar Gabrielle Brown, and Jeff Hazewinkel (in formation for consecration as deacon).

For Sally Azar at her ordination into the ELCJHL on Sunday, January 22, and Pastor Tim and Pastor Kari Henkelmann Keyl on their travels to the Middle East. [Sally Azar’s ordination will be livestreamed at 8:00 am our time on YouTube (and presumably recorded for later viewing) using this link.]

For Claire Repsholdt at her ordination on Saturday, January 28.

For those who mourn: Paul Stuehrenberg and family at the death of his sister-in-law Judith Stuehrenberg (wife of Paul’s brother Daniel) on January 12.