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Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God - what is good and acceptable and perfect. |
Bethel U is our Sunday morning Christian education for 10-12th graders and adults. Every class is "joinable" at any time.
Bethel U will be online for Fall 2020. We hope to be back in person soon, but seeing your smiling and curious faces over Zoom will be good, too. If you are unable to join the discussion on Sunday mornings, each class will be recorded so that you may watch at a time convenient to you. |
OCTOBER 202 OFFERINGS
Mission & Justice Forum with Kathy Chatelaine, Sunday, October 25, 9:45 a.m.
We are pleased to have Kathy Chatelaine, the Director of Global Mission/Companion Synods for Southeastern Minnesota Synod of the ELCA for Bethel U. Kathy served during Bishop Steve Delzer’s term and presently serves with Bishop Regina Hassanally as Assistant to the Bishop. She brings rich experience from numerous Global Mission trips and will focus on the Border Immersion Ministry, Racism and Justice, and the ELCA Welcoming Congregations Network of AMMPARO (Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities.) Her work with our Synod, and well beyond will provide greater awareness of the opportunities for individuals and congregations to become more engaged in significant and timely service through the church. The Zoom link will be here soon.
Explore: The Life & Legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, with Rev. John Matthews, October 4, 11, 18, 25, at 9:45 a.m. Zoom here
We are fortunate this fall to welcome back Rev. John Matthews to offer four sessions on the life and legacy of the German pastor, theologian, conspirator and martyr, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Pastor Matthews, of Apple Valley, Minnesota, who is past-President of the International Bonhoeffer Society (English Language Section) and currently an adjunct instructor of religion at Augsburg University, will lead this very interesting class. John is the author of two books on Dietrich Bonhoeffer and was a personal friend of several family members and students of Bonhoeffer. The class will include presentations, videos and discussions on the biography, relationships, struggles, joys, difficulties and current challenges of this modern saint. Bonhoeffer’s life will, of course, be examined in the context of Hitler’s Germany and the Church Struggle during that time. (While all the sessions will include important materials, missing a session or two will present no problem.)
Reconciling in Christ, with the RIC Committee, October 7 and 18.
Wednesday, October 7, 7 p.m.: Join the RIC team for a lively conversation about the LGBTQ+ community and the wider church. We encourage folks who have a Netflix subscription to watch an episode of a show called Queer Eye (Season Five, Episode One) before our meeting. The episode follows a gay Lutheran pastor who steps into his identity and connects with his congregation more deeply as a result. Watching the episode is not necessary; we hope to show clips for those who aren’t able to view the show. Please join us! Zoom here.
Sunday, October 18, 9:45 a.m.: At the end of October, the RIC team hopes to do a final survey of the congregation to gauge congregational enthusiasm for adopting the Welcoming Statement (on the Bethel website) and thus becoming an official RIC congregation. We did a similar survey at the beginning of the process in October 2019; this final survey will help us make certain that we as a church are truly ready to take this exciting step. The results of the survey will then be given to the Church Council who will conduct an official vote. On Sunday, October 18, the RIC team will be on hand to answer questions about the survey and to offer a brief overview of where we’ve been and what we’ve learned over the last year. We would *love* to hear from all of you—What moment of programming moved you? What have you learned? How have you been changed? What story or truth would you like us to remember or uplift?
Mission & Justice Forum with Kathy Chatelaine, Sunday, October 25, 9:45 a.m.
We are pleased to have Kathy Chatelaine, the Director of Global Mission/Companion Synods for Southeastern Minnesota Synod of the ELCA for Bethel U. Kathy served during Bishop Steve Delzer’s term and presently serves with Bishop Regina Hassanally as Assistant to the Bishop. She brings rich experience from numerous Global Mission trips and will focus on the Border Immersion Ministry, Racism and Justice, and the ELCA Welcoming Congregations Network of AMMPARO (Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities.) Her work with our Synod, and well beyond will provide greater awareness of the opportunities for individuals and congregations to become more engaged in significant and timely service through the church. The Zoom link will be here soon.
Explore: The Life & Legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, with Rev. John Matthews, October 4, 11, 18, 25, at 9:45 a.m. Zoom here
We are fortunate this fall to welcome back Rev. John Matthews to offer four sessions on the life and legacy of the German pastor, theologian, conspirator and martyr, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Pastor Matthews, of Apple Valley, Minnesota, who is past-President of the International Bonhoeffer Society (English Language Section) and currently an adjunct instructor of religion at Augsburg University, will lead this very interesting class. John is the author of two books on Dietrich Bonhoeffer and was a personal friend of several family members and students of Bonhoeffer. The class will include presentations, videos and discussions on the biography, relationships, struggles, joys, difficulties and current challenges of this modern saint. Bonhoeffer’s life will, of course, be examined in the context of Hitler’s Germany and the Church Struggle during that time. (While all the sessions will include important materials, missing a session or two will present no problem.)
Reconciling in Christ, with the RIC Committee, October 7 and 18.
Wednesday, October 7, 7 p.m.: Join the RIC team for a lively conversation about the LGBTQ+ community and the wider church. We encourage folks who have a Netflix subscription to watch an episode of a show called Queer Eye (Season Five, Episode One) before our meeting. The episode follows a gay Lutheran pastor who steps into his identity and connects with his congregation more deeply as a result. Watching the episode is not necessary; we hope to show clips for those who aren’t able to view the show. Please join us! Zoom here.
Sunday, October 18, 9:45 a.m.: At the end of October, the RIC team hopes to do a final survey of the congregation to gauge congregational enthusiasm for adopting the Welcoming Statement (on the Bethel website) and thus becoming an official RIC congregation. We did a similar survey at the beginning of the process in October 2019; this final survey will help us make certain that we as a church are truly ready to take this exciting step. The results of the survey will then be given to the Church Council who will conduct an official vote. On Sunday, October 18, the RIC team will be on hand to answer questions about the survey and to offer a brief overview of where we’ve been and what we’ve learned over the last year. We would *love* to hear from all of you—What moment of programming moved you? What have you learned? How have you been changed? What story or truth would you like us to remember or uplift?