Taking Inventory / Pastor Dan Baumgartner
There is a lot of unsettling news close at hand. Hurricanes ravage the Caribbean and the Gulf. A New York Times Magazine article navigates the layered complexities of hostile situations in Pakistan and Afghanistan. An increasingly nasty and polarizing presidential campaign is in process.

How, Then, Shall We Vote? / Tim Burgess
In a couple of weeks we will vote, taking part in an American ritual that is the bedrock of our democracy. I suspect many of us don’t feel comfortable discussing religion and politics in the same breath. Or we may buy into the belief, common around here, that these topics don’t mix; that matters of faith are strictly private and shouldn’t intrude on the public square...

Unhinging the Power of Remembrance / Mark Cutshall
It was a simple question I had asked numerous friends over the years, one that almost always ignited worthwhile conversation. This past summer, Steve Hayner, a pastor-leader I had admired from afar for years, stood a few feet away from me, leading a workshop on church evangelism at Whitworth University’s Institute of Ministry, which my family and I attended in July. Early in his talk, Steve paused and raised the same question I had grown so used to asking others...

Meet the Interns
Bethany has three new interns this year, helping with Middle School, High School, and College Ministries. Take a moment to learn more about them and greet welcome them to Bethany...

Esperanza Mission Trip / Mike Christensen
What comes to mind when I say Mission Trip? Kenya, China or perhaps Honduras? In this case, I'm thinking of Vancouver Island where a group from Bethany visited the mission base of Esperanza ministries this past August...

Pull Out the Coats and Toiletries / by Mary Cropp
At our house , one of the traditions of the fall season is to shuffle our stuff about: wool sweaters are moved out of the cedar chest, while shorts and t-shirts go back into hiding. Flip-flops are placed in boxes; rubber boots are pulled out. You get the picture.

Calling Special Buddies / Joy Daniel
Many of us have little direct experience of day-to-day life in a family with a child with special needs, and may not realize how critical the buddy program here at Bethany is...

Children's Ministries

Baptism Class for Parents
All parents who are interested in learning about baptism for their young child, and/or who are wanting to have their child baptized are invited to a class with Pastor Dan on Tuesday, October 7. Come to the Parlor at 5:00 pm. Please RSVP to Holly Royston (sulajune@yahoo.com) and let her know if you’ll need childcare. Those who have attended this class once do not need to attend it for their second child.

Family Day at the Farm
Saturday, October 4 Sequim/Port Townsend
All 4th and 5th graders (and their families) are invited to a fun day at Gil Ward and Jane Donald’s farm near Sequim/Port Townsend! The date is Saturday, October 4. By now you should have received information via email. Please be sure to RSVP to Grayce Mitchell (rob_grayce@msn.com; 782-6781) by October 1st!

Thanks to our Creation Care team for another fun and educational event for families. Please pray for these extraordinarily gifted young women as they continue to pursue God's call on their lives. Sarah completed her internship on August 15 and will be heading to Europe in early September, while Whitney will be with us a few more Sunday mornings before going back to complete her senior year at SPU, including Student Body Vice President responsibilities.

Parenting Class: "Bringing the Church Year Home"
Thursday, November 13, 7:00-8:00 pm
On Saturdays, Sept. 6 and 13, all 9:00 am kindergarteners and 10:45 am 4-year-olds are asked to bring their parent along for a one hour orientation to Godly Play. These orientations will take place in our worship center in room 202 from 10:00-11:00 am and are required for all children who will be participating in Godly Play for the first time. Please RSVP to Holly Royston at sulajune@yahoo.com and let her know which one of these two dates you and your child will be attending.

On the Calendar
see interactive calendar for complete listing

Wednesday Night Dinner
Wednesdays in October, 5:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
The meal begins at 6:00 pm.

Young Adults (Post-College) Gathering
Sat, October 3, 7:00 pm at 7 Howe
Dinner & Games

Healing Prayer
Sundays, October 5 & 19, 5:00 pm in the Parlor

Alpha
Mondays, October 1 - December 1, 6:45 pm in the Fellowship Hall

Bethany 101 Luncheon
Sunday, October 12, 12:15 pm in the Parlor

Session Meeting
Tues, October 14, 6:00 pm in the Parlor

Session Notes

On Tuesday, September 9, 2008 the Elders gathered in the Parlor for the monthly Session meeting. It was a great time to get back together after taking the month of August off.

• After opening in prayer we were honored to have Bobby Harding come and share with us on his progress through seminary.
• Steven Judd pointed us toward Christ with stories of the ministry that he and his family were a part of during their travels to Kenya this summer.
• Gary and Maxine Talbert spent some time sharing with the session about their medical struggles and their heart to minister to others through the vehicle of Maxine’s cancer treatment. We gathered in prayer for their family.
• Steve Jones provided an update on the finances. We are currently running at a deficit, which is predicted at this time of year.

We shared in small groups and prayed for each other.

Pastor Dan continued the discussion on “Honest Answers – An Exploration of Tough Questions”. In small groups and general discussion we looked at how to respond to someone saying, “Why should I go to church?” using a variety of scriptures.

Individuals /Elders updated the group on their particular areas of ministry. Session closed with thanks and prayer.

News & Notes

Births

• Tarran David Pearson June 9
• Reed Calahan Benoit August 16
• Elijah Benjamin Lucero August 19

Baptisms

• Maggie Grace Chin September 14
• Scout DeJong Harding September 14
• August Benjamin Carmer McMahon September 14