Bethany Lutheran Church The BeaconThe BeaconThe Beacon Cherry Hills Village, Colorado 80113 303-758-2820 www.bethany-denver.org Volume 29, Issue 2 February/March 2015

Things just aren’t the same. Are we OK? Is there something wrong with us? It doesn’t feel like home anymore. How long is it going to take to get back to normal!?

These statements could be made at

many different junctures in life:

adjusting to a new baby, when the

nest is empty, after a death, at re-

tirement, even in response to win-

ning the lottery! This time it was

Bethany members trying to de-

scribe for me how they’ve been

feeling on Sunday morning.

Things just aren’t the same. It’s

true: there are new people with

unfamiliar ways of doing things

and empty spaces once filled by

Pastor Ron, Pastor Ruth Ann,

Kevin and others.

My heart ached for the people tell-

ing me of their pain…I know the

feeling! It’s been a year like that

for me, too. My brother died sud-

denly and tragically in March, I

retired from my beloved congre-

gation in Boulder, I began a 2 year

program in contemplative spiritu-

ality, for six months I purposely

worshiped in a new place every

Sunday, and then, in Advent I ac-

cepted this interim position at

Bethany.

Don’t get me wrong…I am eager

and thankful to serve as an interim

pastor here at Bethany. Yet re-

searchers remind us that too many

changes happening too fast can

leave us reeling. Even changes we

welcome (like being at Bethany!)

can affect our levels of stress and

grief.

One of the complicating aspects of

grief in a large system is that not

everyone experiences it in the

same way or at the same time. For

some people grief shows up as

apathy. For others, anger. Or de-

pression. Or manic busyness. Or

(Continued on page 7)

Bethany Lutheran Church

4500 E. Hampden Avenue

Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113

Periodical

Business Leaders Forum

Friday, February 6, 7:30-9:00 a.m. in the Great Hall This is a great opportunity to meet new people and learn more about the business of Bethany.

A light breakfast will be served. Please RSVP to Joel Halvorson at joel@bethany-denver.org or

303-639-4348 before February 6. Please join us!

Healthy Marriage Workshop Saturday, February 14 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

W ould you like to enrich your marriage as a gift

to each other for Valentine’s Day? The

Healthy Marriage Seminar could be that opportunity.

It will be presented in the Great Hall at Bethany on

Saturday, February 14 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. We

are fortunate to have Larry and Vicky Daub, Bethany

members, facilitating the seminar again. Here are

some of the comments that participants have shared in

the past: “I liked the personal references the facilita-

tors shared.” “I liked the knee to knee activities.”

“I liked the hands-on opportunities to try some of the techniques we

learned.” We hope you can join us.

This seminar is provided by federal funds from the Colorado Healthy

Marriage Project. As such, there is no fee for the seminar, lunch is

provided and childcare will be available (also at no charge). We hope

you will give your relationship the opportunity to grow and become

closer. Sign up at www.marry-well.org or call 720-488-8888. Please

contact Janet Mortinsen at janet@bethany-denver.org or call 303-300-

3317 if you have questions.

Sunday, February 1

Souper Bowl of Caring began

more than a decade ago and

takes place annually on Super

Bowl Sunday. It is a great

opportunity to help hungry

people in the Denver-metro area.

Come to church on February 1

with your dollars. We’ll have

pots for each team and you can

“vote” for your favorite with

your money!

All money and food collected

will go to Metro CareRing,

Denver’s largest hunger-relief

program serving families. Since

it’s Super Bowl XLIX (49) our

goals are $4,900 and 4,900 lbs.

of food. Let’s make it happen!

From Pastor Debra...

Bethany Chapel Consecration Services Coming February 1 – 13

Construction of Bethany’s newest sacred space is nearing completion! As such,

the Ministry Council, along with the Pastoral and Music Staff, have been hard at

work planning a series of special services to consecrate our new Chapel. In order

to provide everyone with ample opportunities to experience this beautiful space,

16 worship services have been scheduled throughout the two week period begin-

ning with the official consecration on Sunday, February 1 through Friday, February 13. The schedule below,

which can also be found on the Bethany website and in the bulletin, shows the specific times and service for-

mats. Please mark your calendars and join us for one (or many!) to worship our God in this new holy space!

In gratitude for God's bounty in providing this new holy space we call the Bethany Chapel, please bring a

donation of canned goods for Metro CareRing when attending any of the special worship services.

Also, make sure to look for special announcements in the Sunday bulletin and future editions of the Beacon

for continued opportunities to worship in this space throughout the upcoming season of Lent.

Sunday 2/1 Monday 2/2 Tuesday 2/3 Wednesday 2/4 Thursday 2/5 Friday 2/6 Saturday 2/7

10:00am - Consecration of

the Chapel

9:00am –

Morning Prayer 5:30pm –

Evening Prayer

7:00pm – Service of Holy

Communion

with Favorite

Hymns

7:00am –

Morning Prayer 6:30pm –

Evening Prayer

12:00pm – Responsive

Prayer

8:00am –

Prayer Service

Sunday 2/8 Monday 2/9 Tuesday 2/10 Wednesday 2/11 Thursday 2/12 Friday 2/13 Saturday 2/14

7:00pm – Holden Evening

Prayer

6:30pm –

Evening Prayer 7:00am –

Morning Prayer 11:30am –

Prayer Service

w/ Holy Com-

munion 9:30pm –

Night Prayer

6:30pm –

Prayer Service 5:30pm –

Evening Prayer 1:00pm –

Prayer Service

w/ Holy Com-

munion

2 The Beacon

February/March

www.facebook.com/BethanyLutheranChurch

Jason’s Journal

The Extravaganza of Detroit

I love going on trips! Don’t you? I mean, whether

it’s business or pleasure, there is a thrill of packing

the suitcase, heading to the airport, and being whisked

away to a brand new part of the world. Trips provide

a new experience, give us something to look forward

to, and break up the everyday routine. They make us stretch ourselves

and grow. They spice up our existence and allow us to get out there and

see the world. That’s why I am so thrilled to say that this January/

February members of your Faith Formation Team are going to…(wait

for it…) Detroit, Michigan!

Detroit? (yes.) Michigan? (YES!) In the middle of… (YOU BETCHA!)

Yes, this year the ELCA’s Youth Ministry Network cornerstone event,

Extravaganza, will be taking place in the Motor City from January 28th

through February 2nd and we get to go!

For those of you who aren’t familiar with this event, the Extravaganza

is an annual 4-day conference that draws together anywhere from 500-

750 adults who work with youth in congregations of the Evangelical

Lutheran Church in America for the premier renewal, education and

networking event of our church. It is for the professional and the volun-

teer. It is for the old and the young. It is for the urban, the suburban

and the rural. It is for pastors, it is for laypeople. It is for all who share

in the adventure we call youth and family ministry.

So as you can see, Bethany Lutheran Church’s Faith Formation Team

will truly get to have an amazing opportunity filled with learning, joy

and collaboration. I think I speak for all of us, by saying we greatly ap-

preciate this chance to grow as a team, to be filled-up as individuals and

to be energized by the Holy Spirit.

And while Detroit in the dead of winter might not sound like an ideal

spot to visit, it will be just what the doctor ordered as we look forward

to all of the great things God will bring in 2015 to Bethany.

~Jason

Faith Formation Minister of Youth - Middle & High School

Confirmation Corner February 2015

Confirmation Students: Don’t forget to choose your

Lenten mentor! During Lent, you and your mentor

will explore faith through caring conversations, pray-

er and Bible study. You will also be able to observe

how an adult (your mentor) lives out their faith life.

You were all given a Confirmation Mentor Form in your original Con-

firmation packet for the year, but you can pick up an extra form outside

of Jason or Tory’s office. If you have any questions, please contact

Tory Plucheck (tory@bethany-denver.org).

Look for the Bethany Café! The Bethany Café coffee cart, run by the youth of

our congregation, helps offset the cost of mission

trips and supports the youth scholarship account.

You’ll find it outside the Great Hall on Sunday

mornings. Stop by and enjoy a cup of joe and share

in fellowship with your church family and friends.

Thank you for your support of Bethany Youth

Ministries!

Calling All Members of Bethany!

I ntern Stefanie is finally healed and ready to roll with

her internship project! She will be conducting a three

week session on Gallup StrengthsFinder® during

Adult Faith Formation – all are welcome to attend!

A small overview from Gallup about the

StrengthsFinder Assessment: “Strengths are the unique combination of talents, knowledge and skills that every person possesses. But most people don’t know what their strengths are or have the opportunity to use them to their advantage. People who do focus on their strengths every day are six times more likely to be engaged in their jobs, and they are more than three times as likely to say they have an excellent quality of life.”

The class will cost $15, which purchases a book and an access code to

take the assessment. Once it is completed, you will know your top 5

strength themes. Your book will help you learn a bit about those top

five themes you possess. During the class we will talk more about all

the strengths and how they fit together – and how we can use them to

better equip ourselves as the body of Christ.

Classes will be held at the 10:30 a.m. Adult Forum on April 26, May 3

and May 10. You are encouraged to attend all three sessions, as they

will each have a unique topic to discuss. However, if you can’t make

all three sessions, feel free to take the assessment and attend when you

can. If you are unable to make any sessions, Intern Stefanie would be

happy to go over the material with you any time.

Please contact Stefanie at stefanie@bethany-denver.org to reserve your

book/place in class. Payment must be received no later than April 13 to

reserve your spot!

Bethany’s day of service takes place on

Sunday, May 31 this year. Service sites

are currently being lined up. If there is a

service organization you have loved

working with but it wasn’t part of Be the

Blessing last year, please let us know

about it! Feel free to share that suggestion with Sarah Hulslander at

sarah@bethany-denver.org. There will also be a board in the Narthex

with pens and post-its. You are welcome to share your suggestions

there, as well! Watch for more information in the coming weeks!

Save the Date for Be The Blessing!

Join us for a Weekend Winter

Retreat in Winterpark!

We are going back to Winter

Park, CO for a little weekend

getaway at the Schopp's! This

will be a low key over-nighter

and a super fun time to be to-

gether. Trust me when I say, you want to be here…

Friday, February 20: We will meet at Bethany at 4:00 p.m. and

head up to Winter Park. The Schopp family has graciously opened

their place and offered to host our group. (Pretty sweet, right?)

When we get there we will settle in, eat dinner, roast s’mores, play

games and do a little worship.

Saturday, February 21: We will wake up, have breakfast and have

a killer time on their tremendous sledding hill and ample property

to goof around on. Then we will eat lunch, clean-up and leave by

3:00 p.m. to get us back to church around 5:00 p.m.

Bring overnight gear (sleeping bag), winter gear (sleds, snow-stuff)

and $20. This is going to be an amazing time. Let's do this!!!

PLEASE RSVP BY FEBRUARY 15TH to:

Jason (Jason@bethany-denver.org) or

Tory (tory@bethany-denver.org).

High School Students!

Day Camp - Save the Date! June 22-26

In partnership with Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp,

start looking forward to an awesome week of faith

formation as we look at Fruits of the Spirit. We will need lots of

volunteer faith formers of all ages to shepherd our youngest disciples

through the lessons, games, crafts, music, fun and fellowship. Look for

more details and registration information soon. Contact Gayle in the

church office with any questions or to volunteer, 303-758-2820 or

gayle@bethany-denver.org.

3 The Beacon

February/March

Pastorous Thoughts

Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Ecclesiastes 12:12

I often feel as though I do not have

the time to study what I wish to in

depth. Perhaps the truth is often I

do not feel like I have enough time

at all. The various stacks of books

testify to the aspiration of pages

and chapters before me. I would

guess many of you feel that way.

Even so, we do take time to pay

attention to those things that in-

trigue us.

An additional confession, I am

what I refer to as a “writer reader.”

While I do use the Kindle app on

both my Android and iPad, in gen-

eral E-readers preclude scribbling

and notation on the text you’re

reading and consequently this will

never be my preferred method of

engaging the written word. For me,

the feel of paper and the notation

of ink anchors the thoughts that

fruitful reading offers.

While the Bible is the primary

book as a preacher that I dwell in, I

have been reading a fair amount

lately on leadership, transitions

and the fruit of the Spirit (Gal.

5:22-23). But here’s where I look

forward to seeing things unfold:

opening up opportunities here at

Bethany for the interests and curi-

osities of others to be shared and

taught. Not yet scheduled classes

but certainly percolating, I know

these following interests I delight

to share with you have great fruit-

ful potential. Pastor Paul has

voiced an interest in

sharing about Die-

trich Bonhoeffer’s

Life Together. Pas-

tor Deb has an in-

terest in offering a

class that looks at

theories of atonement through the

writings of René Girard. Pastoral

Intern Stefanie will be offering

courses to look at stewardship of

our gifts and strengths through the

book StrengthsFinder 2.0. And

myself? Well, I intend to offer a

course looking at the Lutheran

Confessions, particularly the

Augsburg Confession. So keep on

the look out with a curious eye.

Here is my declaration. We are a

people whom God has made to

point our energies to life-long

learning and Bethany is a treasury

of good people ready to share en-

gaging conversation. Where you

find the right way to engage your

curiosity, I would wager that in

that day much study just might be

invigorating rather than wearying

to the flesh. May it be so!

Adult Faith Formation – February

2/1: 9:00 a.m. Animate: Practices

Food and Eating w/ Kevin Cho

When every activity can be sacred,

how do our dining practices testify

to our spirituality and faith?

2/8: 9:00 a.m What is a Pastor? w/

Pr. Russ. We’ll share some writ-

ings on the fundamental elements

of the pastoral office and hear your

thoughts about what IS a pastor?

10:30 a.m. Lutheranism 101 w/ (Continued on page 8)

First Communion Faith Milestone For students in 3rd grade or older.

Two part instruction:

Part 1 Sunday, March 1, 2-5:30 p.m.

Part 2 Sunday, March 8, 9-11:00 a.m.

Participation in the Lord’s Supper is an important

Faith Milestone. Instruction in the sacrament ensures

that young people have a basic understanding and

appreciation of the gifts God gives through Holy

Communion. First Communion instruction is a fami-

ly event. Parents are expected to attend the instruc-

tion with their child for an opportunity to share this

significant faith experience. At Bethany Lutheran Church, it is our

practice to celebrate this milestone in the 3rd grade. If your child is

older but has not yet taken their first communion, they are welcome to

participate. Registration forms can be found at the Welcome Center;

deadline to register is February 22. Please contact Janice in the church

office at 303-758-2820 or janice@bethany-denver.org if you have ad-

ditional questions or to register. Celebration of First Communion is at

the Maundy Thursday worship service at 7:00 p.m. on April 2nd.

Please join us for…

Journey to the Cross Story Walk

Sunday, March 8, 9 - 10:30 a.m.

Journey to the Cross is our annual dramatic telling of the Passion

Week story, in which groups of children (and adults) move through six

stations to hear parts of the story. Through scenery, props, lighting,

music and costumes, Journey to the Cross creates a sense of being in a

different time and place that allows the Passion story to come alive.

Each storyteller presents a brief, firsthand account of a person who en-

countered Jesus, demonstrating what that person may have been think-

ing and feeling as a witness of his life, death and resurrection.

The story walk takes about 30 minutes. Groups begin at 10 minute

intervals, beginning at 9:00 a.m. and concluding at 10:30 a.m.

President’s Perspective…

A s both the Congregation Council and Ministry

Council begin this year’s planning, we have

identified six focus areas for 2015, as shown on the

graphic to the right.

Over the course of the year, I plan to use this article

as a place for sharing with you all of the various ac-

tivities underway in support of each one of these pri-

orities. Despite this year of transition, there is much

to be done to prepare our congregation to call and

receive a new senior and associate pastor. I hope that

within this list of priorities you will see one or more

that resonates well with you as an area requiring spe-

cial attention, and more importantly, I hope you will

seek to partner with the Congregation Council and Ministry Council in

serving on various ministry teams involved with discerning a future vi-

sion for each. Together, we will use 2015 as the year in which the con-

versation begins and the seeds of change are planted – fully recognizing

that their sowing and germination may be realized in years to come.

We begin in this article with a look at the topical area noted above as the

“Sunday Morning Experience.” Over the latter half of 2014, there has

been an ongoing conversation regarding the implementation in 2013 of

Family Worship Day at Bethany. Is it meeting the needs of families and children? Is it meeting the needs of the congregation? Additionally, by

February of this year, we open a new worship space – the long-awaited

Bethany Chapel. How will this space be used to promote new worship expressions and opportunities? Then too, many of you have raised obser-

vations that Bethany’s faith formation programming on Sunday mornings

is wanting for increased pastoral leadership. What might a new “Sunday School expression” look like for youth and adults?

The Ministry Council has meet on two occasions

now regarding worship as a pivotal discernment area

for 2015. At its January meeting, it set in place a

three-pronged strategy to begin a congregation-wide

conversation.

Phase I involves bringing together a small group

of diverse stakeholders to discern and plan what the

Family Worship Day worship experience might look

like for the remainder of this program year – name-

ly, the months of February through May. Pastor

Deb Engquist is taking the lead for beginning this

conversation. This group is tasked with making im-

mediate decisions for each of the currently planned

Family Worship Day services.

Phase II examines the Family Worship Day concept from a broader

perspective and asks the question, How can Bethany best provide for family and intergenerational worship experiences going for-ward? Marie Friedemann and I are spearheading this effort with an

expectation that a new vision can be implemented by the fall of this

year. Here a larger, but again diverse group of stakeholders is being

invited to participate in shaping this vision and making recommen-

dations to the Ministry Council and the newly established Worship

& Music Ministry Team (see page 5).

The final phase, Phase III, seeks to institutionalize a more robust

worship planning process at Bethany with the formation of the

Worship & Music Ministry Team. The new Worship & Music

Ministry Team falls under the auspices of the elected Representa-

tives for Worship & Celebration on the Ministry Council, namely

Garth Englund III and Kara Heilman for 2015. The Worship &

(Continued on page 5)

4 The Beacon

February/March

An Update from Zimbabwe

Davison Zhou, who started God’s Garden in Ngundu,

Zimbabwe, has been sponsored by Bethany through the

Global Mission Ministry Team for nearly 10 years.

Here is the latest update from him.

Dear Friend,

Thank you for your continuous love and support for Yana, myself and

the children we serve. Below is a recent update of what has been going

on in Zimbabwe. Thank you for being a part of helping children live for

God and love others.

Family Update: We are so overjoyed by the blessings we received when we hosted the

Oasis Community Church group that visited our country and minis-

try. This amazing team, under the leadership of Pastor Doug Frueh, was

a great encouragement to us. They offered their time, talents, and fi-

nances to paint our home. Many of our friends and neighbors were sur-

prised to see so many white people working at our house leaving others

assuming that we had sold our home. The weather was so harsh during

this time that all our friends struggled with the flue bug. We thank God

that none of them fell off the ladders as they suffered for our Lord in

making the missionaries’ home habitable. Our family is healthy and hap-

py to work in the harvest field of the Lord. Thank you to all our friends

and partners who continue to make our work possible.

Ministry Update: With great excitement, the children in all our programs recently partici-

pated in our annual discipleship camp on August 1-3. There were many

teachings, seminars and presentations from our invited guests as well as

the children themselves.

The food distribution for all our centers has also been conducted with the

help of school authorities and their industrious children.

VisionTrust Zimbabwe has also sent 10 farmers to Foundations for

Farming (FF) in Harare in a bid to improve the household food security

status through conservation farming. The depressed household incomes

for the poor communal farmers continue to pose a threat to food security,

hence the health of people in the communities, especially the orphaned

and vulnerable children, widows and pregnant mothers. FF has vast ex-

perience in training farmers to implement conservation farming to im-

prove household food status for the rural poor. We are confident that

there will be a significant improvement in food production for the people

we serve upon the return of the trainees to their respective communities.

ZW001 – Zunga: It is reported that some of the children and their care-givers who had

moved to Chingwizi are coming back in a bid to attend school and the

adults looking for food. The enrollment at the two schools is likely to

rise. Our volunteers in the area will be monitoring the situation to see if

there is anything we can do to help our children. There has been a de-

crease in enrollment at project ZW001 because of the construction of the

dam being built. It’s been hard on the children, families and volunteers.

Total number of children fed at ZW001 is 894 (Orphaned children = 69,

Old site = 535, New site = 245)

ZW002 – Chasiyatende: The proposed construction of a health clinic in the area is now at an ad-

vanced stage. A total of 65,000 bricks have been molded so far. VTZ

continues to seek partnerships with other like-minded groups who are

willing to assist this desperate community and build the clinic for them.

Letters written by the District Administrator have been submitted to the

ZNA (Zimbabwe National Army)’s building unit to see if they can help

with builders and engineers for this noble cause. The community contin-

ues with the work of molding bricks. Discipleship classes continue. The

total number of children fed at ZW002 is 1033.

ZW003 – Mavende: The school and community leaders have been busy preparing for the an-

nual camp that took place from the August 1-3. Mavende hosted this

prestigious event as they are the central location for all our programs.

The staff and volunteers did a splendid job as usual! Total number of

children fed at ZW003 is 692.

Plans and Ideas for the Future

The Chasiyatende clinic will continue with the help of our communi-

ty partners and other like-minded organizations that share the same pas-

sion with us.

The 10 farmers from Chasiya and Mavende have left for training at FF in Harare. We still plan on building a learning center at Mavende.

(Continued on page 7)

Kim’s Korner Lenten journey begins!

As we head into the Lenten season with Ash Wednesday on February 18th, we will begin to

contemplate on the suffering and passion of our Lord, Jesus Christ. It is one of the high, if

not the highest, seasons for us Lutherans. The Bethany Chancel Choir continues our jour-

ney with the St. John Passion to be presented on Palm Sunday, March 29th at 4:00 p.m.

The Passio secundum Johannem or St. John Passion, BWV 245, is a Passion or oratorio

by Johann Sebastian Bach, the older of two surviving Passions by Bach. It was written during Bach's first

year as director of church music in Leipzig and was first performed on April 7, 1724 at Good Friday Ves-

pers. The structure of the work falls in two halves, intended to flank a sermon. The anonymous libretto

draws on existing works and is compiled from recitatives and choruses narrating the Passion of Christ as

told in the Gospel of John (chapters 18-19), ariosos and arias reflecting on the action, and chorales using the

hymns familiar to the audience and their tunes. The Chancel Choir will replicate this on Palm Sunday,

March 29th. There are 11 chorales total. Although we will be singing the rest of the work in the original

German language, these 11 chorales will be sung in English - inviting the congregation to actively partici-

pate in worship by singing these chorale tunes during the service.

On Saturday, February 21st, we will be hosting a special rehearsal dedicated to the chorales, to which I’m

inviting you to come to sing and learn about the work. We will be providing the music for everyone. Be-

ginning Ash Wednesday, there will be texts/translations available for everyone to receive so that you can

meditate and use the booklet to pray throughout this season as Bach did. You can also download these via

http://emmanuelmusic.org/notes_translations/translations_cantata/t_bwv245.htm.

The music is beyond words, and its spiritual/theological content is beyond the intellectual capacity of human

beings. There is a saying that Mozart’s music is from Heaven, but Bach’s takes us to Heaven.

“Lord, our ruler, whose fame in every land is glorious! Show us, through Your passion, that You, the true

Son of God, through all time, even in the greatest humiliation, have become transfigured!”

Sunday, February 1, 10:30 a.m.: Festival Te Deum, Britten

Sunday, February 8, 9:00 a.m.: How lovely are the messengers, Mendelssohn

Sunday, February 15, 9:00 a.m.: Beautiful Saviour, Melius Christiansen

Ash Wednesday, February 18, 7:00 p.m.: Create in Me, O God, Brahms

Saturday, February 21, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. ST. JOHN REHEARSAL; CHORALES; EVERYONE

IS WELCOME!

Sunday, February 22, 9:00 a.m.: Since by Man Came Death, from Messiah, Handel;

Take Me to the Water, Alice Parker

Facing the

Mourning

For many people experiencing

grief, spring is a difficult time.

Around you, people feel refreshed

and renewed with a sense of joy,

hope and new life following win-

ter. When you are grieving, this

can be especially difficult. Alan

Wolfelt, a grief counselor and

author, defines grief as those feel-

ings you have on the inside after

someone you love dies. Mourning

is the outward expression of those

feelings and infers an active pro-

cess. Mourning is essential to

healing our grief.

An interactive grief support

group, Facing the Mourning, will

be offered on these Sundays: Feb-

ruary 22, March 1, 8 and 15 from

10:30-11:30 a.m. in the main of-

fice conference room (Room

224). It will also be offered on

these Wednesday evenings: Feb-

ruary 25, March 4, 18 and 25

from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the same

location. Please plan on attending

the same group for the 4 week

session (either Wednesdays or

Sundays) in order to promote

group cohesiveness. If you are

interested, please contact Janet

Mortinsen at 303-300-3317 or

janet@bethany-denver.org.

5 The Beacon

February/March

Sunday Lunch Bunch Our Sunday Lunch Bunch is a small group for singles -

anyone of any age who normally eats by themselves on

Sunday. On the fourth Sunday of the month we gather at the Welcome

Center at about 11:40 a.m. From there we journey to a nearby restau-

rant for food and fellowship. Watch the bulletin for details. Join us!

Good Coffee for a Good Cause

Bethany’s Global Mission Ministry Team partners

with Lutheran World Relief and Equal Exchange to

support Fair Trade coffee, tea and chocolate. Find us

in the Narthex on February 1 and March 1 with a

variety of coffees, teas and chocolates for sale. Your

support helps provide sustainability and eco friendly practices for our

brothers and sisters in Central and South America, Africa and Asia.

Men,

Who are you? (John 1:19)

But who do you say that I am?

(Matthew 16:15)

Remember who you are and whose

you are. (Ron Glusenkamp)

We’re in the dull days of winter,

post-Christmas and pre-Lent – and

I’m not sure I’m looking forward

to Lent. The post-holiday blues

and these gray days sometimes hit

me hard. It’s a time when I ques-

tion myself – who am I? Am I on

the right track? Am I doing the

things I’m supposed to be doing? I

sometimes feel like I felt before the

junior high dance, when my dad

told me to just be myself – what if

I don’t know how to be myself?

Where is God in this, when I’ve

somehow lost my sense of self?

It feels like I’ve somehow lost faith

and I don’t know where to find it.

I guess I should re-frame that and

say ‘my faith is being tested’;

that’s a more helpful way to put it.

So what to do when my faith is be-

ing tested and I don’t have that

‘joyful in God’s presence’ feeling?

How do you manufacture joy?

As I work through it, I sometimes

return to a simplistic remedy. I’m

not sure if women’s brains are

wired this way, but in relationship

studies I’ve seen, men need to do

something before they feel it – or

in order to feel it. Sort of like,

‘Fake it ‘til you make it’. (An

aside, but a cool experiment: try

physically smiling more, and see if

it improves your mood. I think

there’s some scientifically-proven

benefit.) In other words, doing

things by rote, practicing certain

habits can actually improve how

we feel about them. Thanking

your wife can make you feel more

grateful for all she does. (…which

makes your wife happy – now isn’t

that a mood lifter in itself?)

Another take on this identity theft

problem comes to mind when I

think of how first-responders or

military personnel react in a crisis.

How do they maintain composure

when facing new or dangerous cir-

cumstances? They fall back on

their training. They say, “we train

for this every day – I just followed

procedure.” Do we as Christians

have ‘procedures’ to follow in case

of emergency? What training have

we had that is supposed to carry us

through the challenges we face?

Since I can’t will myself to rejoice

and be joyful, I’ve got to go back

to basics – praying more and trying

to be mindful of all the things I am

grateful for. I’ve been on a kick

over the past few years of trying to

memorize prayers that I like. (Have

you ever found the list of prayers

in the hymnal? They have all the

prayers of the day through the

whole year, plus ones for different

occasions!) I have started to be

more disciplined in praying in the

morning and praying in the even-

ing and praying before meals. Lu-

ther’s Morning Prayer has been

especially powerful in my life.

Here it is:

I give thanks to you, heavenly Fa-ther, through Jesus Christ your dear Son, that you have protected me through the night from all harm and danger. I ask that you would also protect me today from sin and all evil, so that my life and actions may please you. Into your hands I commend myself: my body, my soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me so that the wicked foe may have no power over me.

I hear some of Luther’s medieval

concerns in it, and just when I

think it sounds quaint, I hear how

true it is for me today. It speaks to

my need to be grateful even for my

safety, and it reminds me to be

humble because all that I have and

all that I am is God’s. I can feel it

helping my identity crisis already!

Before I close, let me also leave

you with this – if you are not feel-

ing yourself, and wish that you

knew someone who has been

through what you’re going

through, we Men of Bethany are

here for each other. Belonging to a

group helps define us, and I want

you to know that you belong –

you’re already a member. I’ve met

some remarkable men at this com-

munity we call Bethany. Get in

touch at my email address below

and I’d be glad to introduce you to

some of them.

Peace,

Scott Zimmerman

Men’s Ministry Leadership Team

scottpzimmerman@comcast.net

Find us on the website:

http://bit.ly/BLCMOB

Welcome to the Red Cherry Challenge Our coffee farmer partners in Central America

are struggling with the effects of climate

change, including devastating agricultural dis-

eases, natural disasters and shrinking harvests.

You can help! Take action by supporting Bethany’s Fair Trade Coffee

project. The first Sunday of each month the Global Mission Task

Force sells Fair Trade products. Our partner and coffee supplier Equal

Exchange will donate 10 cents per pound of coffee you buy through

May 31, 2015 to the Red Cherry Fund, which will improve lives and

farms in El Salvador and Guatemala.

The Red Cherry Fund supports innovative, farmer-led projects to con-

front issues such as coffee rust, unpredictable weather and low coffee

productivity. Coffee rust is a plant-choking fungus which has affected

Central America, withering trees and slashing production everywhere.

The economic ramifications are significant. In Central America and

southern Mexico four million people rely on coffee for their living. A

lower harvest means fewer workers have jobs. Farmers have less mon-

ey to invest in replacing older or diseased coffee plants and it takes 3

years for the seedlings to start producing.

Climate change has advanced the rust outbreak. The industry is work-

ing to breed varieties of coffee plants that are resistant to the stresses of

rust and heat and still produce quality beans but it may take 25 to 30

years before resistant hybrids reach farmers according to Leonardo

Lombardini, the deputy director of World Coffee Research at Texas

A&M University.

Our partner Equal Exchange is working hand in hand with small farm-

ers to survive this crisis. Our community is joining the effort to support

small-scale farmers as well. If you are a coffee drinker, check out the

table in the Narthex on the first Sunday of each month. If not, perhaps

you have a friend or coworker who is a coffee aficionado and would

appreciate “a gift that gives twice”.

Music Ministry Team invites participation from all of the various

ministries that support the totality of the worship experience at

Bethany – from Ushers to Sacristans, from Music to Lectors, from

Communion Assistants to Altar Guild, and all others. Working in

collaboration by seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, this new

ministry team is empowered to begin the process of setting forth a

new worship vision for Bethany Lutheran Church. As part of its

early deliberations, the Worship & Music Ministry Team will ex-

plore new options for summer worship beginning this June.

In addition, with the recent creation of the Faith Formation Advisory

Ministry Team in late 2014, faith formation advocates have begun the

process of exploring opportunities for rebuilding and enhancing faith

forming experiences for all ages – another of Council’s priorities. The

Faith Formation Advisory Ministry Team falls under the umbrella for

Teaching & Learning on the Ministry Council, led by Representatives

Laura Weber-Meyers and Judi Burchfield. Working collaboratively

these two new ministry teams – the Worship & Music Ministry Team

and the Faith Formation Advisory Ministry Team – are seeking to co-

ordinate Bethany’s Sunday worship and faith formation programming

in the hopes of creating a new Sunday Morning Experience.

As you can see, the vision is far reaching and the work involved exten-

sive. My hope is you will feel called to participate on one or more of

these ministry teams and, when asked, will follow the example set by

Isaiah [6:8] in responding, Here am I, send me.

Glenn Truglio

Congregation Council President

(President’s Perspective continued from page 3)

6 The Beacon

February/March

The Festival of Faith and the Arts See the full schedule of Festival events online at

www.bethany-arts.org.

Wednesday, February 11, 10:00 a.m.

Rikki Klieman, television anchor, legal analyst, trial

attorney, actor and author presents “The Media: Re-porting News or Creating It?” Rikki has earned a ster-

ling reputation as one of the nation’s most celebrated

lawyers and legal authorities. She will trace the history

of broadcasting from three networks to the modern

“reporting” of today and how we now view the news. For tickets call 303-

698-0230 or visit www.townhallofdenver.com.

Saturday, February 14, 9:00 a.m. Denver Lyric Opera Guild, “Opera Master Class”. DLOG’s mission is to support and encourage young singers

pursuing a career in opera. This open master class is for competition hope-

fuls and the public. Free event.

February 18 - March 29 Visual Art Display “And God Created”. Festival

Director Forrest Guittar offers a display of exceptional photographs display-

ing the ongoing touch of the Creator’s hand.

Saturday, February 21, 7:30 p.m. Voices of Light Chamber Orchestra,

Dr. Keith Arnold, Director. “Bridges of Dreams” is a concert centered

around the transfixing 1975 work of Anne Boyd, “As I Crossed a Bridge of Dreams”, which harks back to 11th century Japan. For tickets call 303-504-

2665 or visit www.voiceschamberchoir.org.

Saturday, February 28, 9:00 a.m. Denver Lyric Opera Guild, “Opera Competition Preliminaries” , featuring the finest young opera singers in

national competition preliminaries. Free event.

Friday, March 6 & Saturday, March 7, 7:30 p.m. Colorado Choir, Kelly

Parmenter, Conductor; “Bach, Brahms and Beyond”. Among the works pre-

sented will be Bach's motet The Spirit Also Helpeth Us, Brahms' motet Oh Savior Throw the Heavens Wide and some lighter literature. For ticket in-

formation, visit or www.coloradochoir.com or call 303-892-5922.

Friday, March 13 & Saturday, March 14, 7:30 p.m. Cherry Creek

Chorale, Brian Patrick Leatherman, Director; “Exploring the American Songbook: Standards & Spirituals”. Along with special guests, the Univer-

sity of Denver’s Lamont Jazz Orchestra, a new concert series is inaugurated

highlighting the most influential and enduringly popular American songs

and spirituals of the 20th century. For ticket information call 303-789-5920

or visit www.cherrycreekchorale.org.

Sunday, March 15, 7:30 p.m. Kantorei presents Echoes: Chant and Beyond. For centuries, chant has been a central compositional style used

for meditation and spiritual gatherings. Kantorei explores this age‐old art

form performing early renditions of solo line melodies as well as newer

compositions that are chant‐based or chant‐infused. Visit www.kantorei.org

or call 303-316-0356 for ticket information.

Friday, March 20, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 22, 4:00 p.m. Colorado Chorale presents “Liebeslieder Waltzes”. This Brahms work is the

centerpiece of a love-themed concert. Visit www.coloradochorale.org or

call 800-414-2251 for ticket information.

Saturday, March 21, 11:30 a.m. Denver Lyric Opera Guild presents

“Competition Finals”, featuring the finest young opera singers in the finals

of national auditions. Free event.

Saturday, March 21, 7:30 p.m. Festival of Faith and the Arts American

Premiere Performance, Forrest Guittar, Conductor; “St. John Passion” –

Bob Chilcott. The Passion of Christ is a powerful story. Bob Chilcott, com-

poser and former member of the world‐renowned ensemble, Kings Singers,

has composed a new work bringing new light and engagement, including

texts never before utilized. Also included are other newly composed works,

including Ubi Caritas by Colorado composer, Ruth Coberly. Performers

include The Lutheran Chorale, St. Andrews Lutheran Church Choir, guest

choristers from the Colorado Symphony Orchestra Chorus, Cherry Creek

Chorale, Canto Deo and more, with organ and chamber ensemble. Free

event; attendees are asked to help support Metro CareRing by bringing non-

perishable food and/or monetary donations.

Monday, March 23, 7:00 p.m. The Smoky Hill High School Choirs pre-

sent their “Masterworks Concert”. Call 720-886-5300 for tickets.

Thursday, March 26, 7:00 p.m. The Grandview High School Choirs pre-

sent their spring concert “In Concert”

Sunday, March 29, 3:00 p.m. The Bethany Chancel Choir presents J.S.

Bach’s masterpiece, “St. John Passion” with soloists and chamber orchestra.

Free event.

Caring Visitors

Caring Visitors are Bethany volunteers who visit

homebound members to share the sacrament of Holy

Communion, prayer and scripture on a monthly basis.

The volunteers receive instruction on this important sacrament prior to

their visits. Matthew 18:20 says, “For where two or three have gath-

ered together in my name, I am there in their midst.” This opportunity

“brings” Bethany to members who are unable to physically get to

Bethany. If you are interested in participating by receiving a caring

visitor or being a caring visitor, please contact Janet Mortinsen at the

main church office number, 303-758-2820.

Gift Cards on Sale

BECC Board members will have gift cards

available in the Narthex on February 1 & 15

and March 1 & 15. Your purchase helps to

support our own Bethany Early Childhood

Center! You receive the dollar value of the

gift card and BECC receives 5%.

Thanks for your support!

In columns written the

past two years, I have

indicated that giving is

easy, or at least easier,

when individuals take

advantage of our in-

come tax laws.

Many individuals can

recognize Federal and

State tax savings by

donating long-term ap-

preciated assets to a charity, in-

cluding Bethany. Because of a

strong stock market the past few

years, individuals who invested in

individual stocks, bonds or mutual

funds have a greater opportunity

for tax savings. In many cases,

certain stocks or mutual funds

have doubled in value during this

"Bull" market. For investors who

want to cash in on some of their

good fortune, they are now faced

with the decision of whether or not

to sell any of their investments and

realize capital gains. Unfortunate-

ly, if they sell, they could pay sig-

nificant taxes.

Let's assume someone bought a

mutual fund in 2010 for $6,000

and the current value is $12,000.

If they sell these shares, they will

have a long-term gain of $6,000

that could be taxed at rates as high

as 23.8%. Most individuals will

pay a lesser tax rate but even at a

15% rate this is an additional $900

of Federal taxes. State taxes are

on top of this. Alternatively, these

shares could be donated to Betha-

ny and these additional taxes could

be avoided. At the same time,

there is a tax benefit from deduct-

ing the full $12,000 from taxable

income, assuming that such deduc-

tions are itemized on their tax re-

turn. Visit the Bethany website

(www.dethany-denver.org) and go

to the "Pass the Plate" sidebar (just

below "Donate") for a

stock donation form to

use in transferring

shares of a stock or mu-

tual fund to Bethany.

There are gifting oppor-

tunities other than

stocks, bonds or mutual

funds. You may have a

life insurance policy

that no longer serves

your need or intent. While less

common, property is often donated

to charities, including land, homes

and automobiles. Gifting is partic-

ularly useful for an asset for which

you have lost the original paper-

work and can't determine the "cost

basis" or the amount paid for the

investment.

Retired individuals, age 70 1/2 or

older, can sometimes contribute

money directly from their Individ-

ual Retirement Account (IRA) to

charities, including Bethany. The

advantage here is that these mon-

ies do not have to be included in

taxable income, keeping the indi-

vidual in a lower tax bracket. This

benefit is somewhat "clouded",

however, as the Government often

makes this provision available on-

ly late in the year. In all probabil-

ity, you will have to wait until De-

cember to see if this is approved

for the current year.

As always, donating appreciated

assets impacts each individual dif-

ferently, depending on their level

of income, whether or not they

itemize their deductions, etc.

Therefore, be sure to discuss these

types of contributions with your

tax advisor.

Denny Ahlman for the Steward-

ship Ministry Team

Giving is Easy

You wipe runny noses and take care of everyone… So who’s taking care of you?

Join us at MOPS! Just for moms of children from birth through kindergarten.

We meet at Bethany on the first and third Wednesdays of the

month, September through May.

For more information contact Stephanie Davy at 303-324-5120 or

bethanylutheranmops@gmail.com.

MOMSNext at Bethany!

MOMSNext is a group for mothers of

school-age kids, created by MOPS (Mothers

of Preschoolers) which has a 40-year history

of ministering to moms. As mothers enter

the school years, new challenges and issues arise, but the need for com-

munity and hope remains. Join us on the second Wednesday of each

month in the Bethany Library from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. for a speaker

and lively discussion. Bring a brown bag lunch. Every fourth Thursday

we will meet in a different location in the evening for a mom's night out

of fun and fellowship. For more information contact Courtney Henry at

courtney_cate@yahoo.com.

7 The Beacon

February/March

Prayer Requests:

Our ministry is still contem-

plating starting a new program at

Chingwizi where most of our

children from program ZW001

were resettled. Pray for wisdom

and diligence in making such a

decision.

Pray for the ongoing con-

struction of Chasiyatende clin-

ic. We are currently looking for

tenders from construction firms,

for the brickwork to start.

Praise God for the 16 college

students who visited our program

from July 31 - August 6.

We praise God for mission ac-

complished for the Oasis commu-

nity Church who visited from Ju-

ly 10 - 18.

God Bless,

Davison Mzezewa-Zhou

(Continued from page 4)

XYZ (Xtra Years of Zip) Are you looking for a fun way to meet new friends and

connect with old ones? We are an informal group that

meets each Tuesday in the Fellowship Hall for socializing,

fun and food. Come by any time after 9:30 a.m. for coffee

and snacks, to play games or to visit with other folks. At

11:30 a.m. we have a brief worship service followed by a

hot lunch (suggested donation is $5). Here is our menu for

the month of February. We would love to have you join us!

2/3: Pork ribs, baked beans, vegetable, salad, rolls, dessert

2/10: Fajitas, rice, refried beans, salsa, dessert

2/17: Beef medallions in mushroom sauce, rice, vegetable,

rolls, dessert

2/24: Shrimp scampi, pasta, garlic bread, salad, dessert

Young at Heart Want to meet new

friends or catch up with

old ones? Join us on the

second Friday of each month from Sep-

tember - June. We start around 11:00

a.m. in the Fellowship Hall to socialize

before enjoying a delicious lunch, some-

times catered, sometimes potluck, fol-

lowed by a program. On February 13, we

will enjoy the talents of bagpiper Michael

Lancaster. Lunch will be a potluck so

please bring a dish to share.

Please join us - all are welcome!

Do you know what a Food Desert

is? Join Metro CareRing on Febru-

ary 7th from 10:30 a.m.- noon at

Jake’s (3800 Walnut Street) for

their quarterly Catalyst gathering.

During this town hall meeting,

there will be discussion about how

to eliminate Denver’s 113 food

deserts and how House Majority

Leader, Crisanta Duran, plans to

champion this cause through legis-

lative action. According to the

USDA, an urban food desert is de-

fined as a low-income area in

which the majority of residents live

more than a mile from the nearest

grocery store, making food shop-

ping difficult without a vehicle.

Come learn what we can do about

food deserts locally.

*Catalyst [‘kætəlist]: A person or thing that causes change.

Catalyst’s quarterly forums are

designed to inform the public about

hunger issues, facilitate cross-

agency delivery and service im-

provements, and build a network

of advocates to take action.

criticism of everything that is. Or

denial. Sometimes grief is imme-

diate and over. Other times it’s

more like a slow burn. The ques-

tion is, how do we help each other navigate through the grief and un-knowns during a time of transi-tion?

I’d love to hear your response to

that question. I would say that at

the very least it takes some pa-

tience with ourselves, compassion

for one another and commitment

to continue moving forward. It

helps to know and own our

strengths as individuals and as a

community. Already I have seen

that Bethany has many resources

for resiliency including talented

and faithful lay leadership, vibrant

small groups dedicated to disci-

pleship, a rich history of overcom-

ing adversity, and caring and

competent staff members.

It may also help to recognize that

some things haven’t changed.

Prayer groups are still praying.

Study groups are still studying.

Worshipers gather and worship

and sing. Youth continue to bond

and witness and grow in faith. Ad-

ministrators are administrating.

Meals are being shared. Friend-

ships are developing. The Word is

enacted and spoken. Day by day

faith is being formed and exer-

cised.

Above all, God is faithful. Christ

continues to lead and work

through his body, the church; we

are merely his hands and feet. To

paraphrase St. Paul, “we can do

all things through him who

strengthens us.”

Are we OK? Yes!

Is there something wrong with us?

No, other than we’re just like eve-

ryone else: human and sinners.

Yet Christ has come with healing

and forgiveness for such as us!

For that we can give thanks to

God!

How long is it going to take to get back to normal? Who said God

wants normal?!

In peace and love,

Pastor Debra

P.S. I’m not sure what ‘normal’

means. But I can assure you that

as humans we’re nowhere close to

the normal God has in store for

us!

(From Pastor Debra continued from page 1)

*

T he Global Mission Ministry Team

has received letters of thanks for

the help and support Bethany has pro-

vided for some of the young students

in Kenya, South Africa. Two of the

three students whom we have funded

have written letters to us.

Jafrid Maghagha, a talented young

man, fell behind in school due to lack

of finances but Bethany's funding

allowed him to go back to school this year. He is getting ready to

move to the next level of education.

Purity Mwandango writes about the hardships of her family including

buying and growing enough food. She and most young women seek to

get ahead by earning a diploma and going on to a university. She and

her family live close to wildlife as do all the students we help. These

roaming wild elephants come at a very high cost, raiding the maize

fields and covering many kilometers in the course of one night. This,

of course, creates conflict with the locals and is a contributing factor to

the blind eye approach toward catching poachers.

This is only a little information about the young people we help. To

learn more stop by the Welcome Center and take a look at the bright

green notebook to see the letters these young students have written.

See what an impact we have had in their lives and learn about the con-

ditions under which they live.

8 The Beacon

February/March

Staff & Leadership Pastors

Paul Svingen

Interim Senior Pastor

Russ Britton

Associate Pastor of Teaching and Learning

Debra Engquist

Interim Associate Pastor

Stefanie Fauth-Lemke

Pastoral Intern

Administrative Staff

Joel Halvorson

Director of Finance & Administration

Shelley Hook

Accounting Supervisor

Lil Filegar

Accounting Assistant

Sarah Hulslander

Executive Assistant/Hospitality/Missional Minister

Rhonda Merritt

Office Manager/Communications

Janice Lyon

Program Assistant

Gayle Newell

Office Assistant

Amy Janssen

Office Assistant

Janet Mortinsen

Director of Health & Wellness

Laura Romig

AV Coordinator

Brenda Greenwald

Website Editor

Mike Johnson

Technology Supervisor

Art Brien

Building Supervisor

Tom Maes, Josh Patillo, Rhonda Myers

Custodians

Stacie Schubert

Wedding Consultant

Kathy Shearer

Senior Center Coordinator

Chris Charron

Kitchen Supervisor

Programmatic Staff

Natalie Dailey

Faith Formation Minister of Children’s Education

Jason Davis

Faith Formation Minister of Youth - Middle & High School

Tory Plucheck

Faith Formation Minister of Youth - Confirmation

Music Staff

Rick Seaton

Director of Music and Organist

James Kim

Chancel Choir Director

Pat Guittar

Children’s Music Director

Jeffrey Harms

Handbell Choir Director

Alex Rodasti

Cherub Choir Director

Paula Wills

WOW Coordinator

Forrest Guittar, Jr.

Festival of Faith and the Arts Director

Zach Rodasti

Youth Praise Band Director

Kathy Eggleston

Minister of Music Emerita

Congregation Council

Glenn Truglio (President)

Marie Friedemann (President Elect)

Koren Holden (Immediate Past President)

Gwen Grace (Vice President)

Dan Cable (Treasurer)

Peg Kirchner (Secretary)

Ministry Council

Gwen Galyath, Diane Herrmann (Community & Care)

Judi Burchfield, Laura Weber-Meyers (Teaching & Learning)

Justin March, Dave Nesslage (Witness & Service)

Garth Englund III, Kara Heilman (Worship & Celebration)

TBD (Youth & Youth Ministries)

Bethany Early Childhood Center

Carrie Lapham

BECC Director

Bethany Early Childhood Center Board

Joyce Beabout

Janet Pote

Jill Schladetzky

Michelle Stone Kraus

Natalie Talley

Betty Ziemann

Bethany Foundation

Don Abram

Ron Gusé

David Laverty

Paula Nelson-Marten

Beth Nixon

Wes Pomeroy

Barbara Seaton

Susan Squyer

Tia Whitaker

Securing Bethany’s Future

The mission of the Foundation of Bethany Lutheran

Church is to provide a permanent financial resource

for the future enrichment of our congregation. Through this

mission, we are challenged to provide additional stewardship

opportunities for members, friends of Bethany and our greater

community for the purpose of God’s work. For more infor-

mation, direct your inquiries to the church.

The Beacon

(USPS001-513) is published monthly by Bethany Lutheran

Church, 4500 E. Hampden Ave., Cherry Hills Village, CO

80113. (303) 758-2820; FAX (303) 758-1980; Rhonda

Merritt, Editor. Periodicals postage paid at Englewood, CO.

Postmaster:

Send address changes to:

The Beacon, Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 E. Hampden

Ave., Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113.

Mission Statement: The Bethany Lutheran Health

and Wellness Cabinet works

to share God’s grace and love

in Jesus Christ with all people

by promoting health, whole-

ness and healing of body,

mind and spirit.

Health and Wellness

“A good name is rather to be cho-sen than great riches, And loving favor rather than silver and gold.” Proverbs 22:1

Names

Hi, my name is Jack, what’s your

name? In terms of things that we

truly possess as our own from

birth to death, our name is a big

one. Dale Carnegie, the famous

author of How to Win Friends and

Influence People, is quoted as

having said “There is no sweeter

sound to any person’s ear than the

sound of their own name.” Our

new pastor, Deb, recently made

this point to me as she talked

about how much more meaningful

it will be when she knows our

congregation better and is able

hand a communion wafer to

someone and say, “The body and

blood of Christ given for you,

Sarah.” We sometimes take names

for granted, but what is it about

our names that make them so im-

portant to us?

New parents often spend months

of discussion and research over

the choice of a new baby’s name.

And some realize the degree to

which their child’s name is sacred.

I recently met some parents who

were days away from their antici-

pated date of delivery, and I asked

what they were going to name

their baby. I loved their answer.

They told me they had decided on

what they thought was a very

strong name, but that they were

going to give it to their newly

born son before sharing it with

anyone else.

And you can sure hurt some feel-

ings, or prompt a battle with

some, by misusing their names.

One of the favorite games when I

was in elementary school was

making some kind of insult out of

a variant on a kid’s name. I read

advice recently that prompted new

parents, when they pick a name

for their child, to think about all

the words that might rhyme with

that name. So I guess the game is

still going on, alas.

There is good reason to use care

when naming a child, as names

have meanings that stretch back in

some cases to other, ancient, lan-

guages. The name Jack, for exam-

ple, was very common during the

middle ages, and in fact became a

slang word meaning "man". Thus

it was frequently used in fairy ta-

les and nursery rhymes, such as

'Jack and the Beanstalk’ (most

times to denote the hero of the

story, mind you.) The name David

in Hebrew means “beloved,” and

even the name Waldo comes from

ancient Germanic, meaning ruler.

And the focus on names, their

meaning, and how they reflect our

heritage through them extends to

other cultures as well. I found a

blog entry by a young woman

named Clio whose Chinese name

is Wang Run. She thought it

sounded like a boy’s name, and

she had heard that her grandpa,

who wanted her to be as brave as

boys, gave it to her. But in the end

it sounds like his wishes for her

life went much deeper than just

being like boys, because her name

in their ancestral language means,

“be excellent.”

So our names are kind of a big

deal. Sometimes you carry a name

that honors an ancestor, even in

western culture. And if your name

is Mary, Patricia, James, or John,

the most popular U.S. names on

many lists, it is your unique iden-

tifier in the world. It is how you

can be found, how you can be

called, and how you can be

known. It is the name by which

God knows you, out of all of the

7,287,663,481 people in the world

(as of 8:12 pm MST on January

12th, 2015). And that’s pretty im-

portant.

I think that sometimes we believe

we are not that special. But if you

think about the process that went

into giving you a name, even if it

was something of an impulse by

your parents, it created your iden-

tity. As unique as fingerprints,

our identity is what we uniquely

own. It is also the vehicle by

which we are identified to God

during baptism. We are held up

(literally), bathed in the water of

life and named to God. So the

next time you use someone’s

name, understand the honor that

you are giving him or her. That

may just be your friend Ron that

you called out to, but God knows

who he is also.

– Peace and Health, Jack Lindsey

If you have ideas to share with us

or are interested in the work of the

Health and Wellness Cabinet at

Bethany, contact Janet Mortinsen:

janet@bethany-denver.org.

Intern Stefanie. Pastoral Intern Stef will offer a single sitting summary of the key theological understand-

ings of Lutheranism and entertain conversation throughout.

2/15: 9:00 & 10:30 a.m. “We are Church: Better Together” w/ Pr. Kent Mueller of the Rocky Mountain

Synod. Come and discover what it means for Bethany Lutheran Church to be one of 165 congregations in

the Rocky Mountain Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Pastor Kent Mueller, one of

the Assistants to the Bishop in the RMS, will be present to share the stories and highlight the important

work we do together, that extends far beyond the walls here at Bethany.

Also at 10:30 a.m. join the Faith Formation Team to hear highlights about what they learned at the recent

ELCA Youth Extravaganza in Detroit. (See Jason’s Journal article on page 2.)

Lent beginning 2/22: The Gospel of John This Lent we look forward to dwelling in

themes drawn from the Gospel of John. Particularly our overarching theme will be Wine, Water Jars, and Witness: Being a Disciple According to the Gospel of John, compiled by

Rev. Dr. Karoline Lewis, Associate Professor of Preaching and Alvin N. Rogness Chair of

Homiletics at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. A graduate of Northwestern University,

Evanston, Ill., Lewis received the M.Div. degree from Luther Seminary and the Ph.D. de-

gree in New Testament Studies from Emory University, Atlanta. She has led conferences,

workshops, and retreats throughout the country and Canada and is a regularly featured preacher and pre-

senter at the Festival of Homiletics.

Additionally, during these coming weeks expect opportunities to attend full readings of the Gospel and a

chance to view the movie the Gospel of John.

(Pastorous Thoughts continued from page 3)

Dr. Karoline Lewis