Friends in Faith,
Jesse and Tim.
I am back from my 2-week jaunt to the desert Southwest. It was a joy to visit so many spectacular national parks with my cousin Tim. I thank you all for the gift of allowing me to take the time to rest and recreate. It was quite strange encountering so many businesses that were shuttered, but we were also encouraged by the fact that almost everyone was wearing a mask wherever we went.
As the COVID-19 virus rages along, I pray that you, too, are all able to find small joys and bits of hope on a regular basis. I also encourage us all to continue to reach out to one another and other loved ones; these days have a way of overwhelming us, and so it's nice to know that we aren't alone even though we might be socially distanced.
We actually have a few special ways of connecting with one another over the coming weeks. Tonight (Tuesday, October 20) at 7 p.m, our study of the book How to Be an Antiracist will begin. A small group of Bethany members have spent a lot of time planning these four sessions so that we can have honest and safe conversations about race in America. Here are all the details.
Also, next Tuesday (October 27) our Tuesday Zoom Bible study group is beginning a 9-week series on "lamentations" throughout scripture. We will meet at 11 a.m. via Zoom and everyone is welcome to attend whenever they can. We believe the topic is quite relevant for all that is happening in 2020. Click here for the information.
The links for all of these Zoom meetings, including Zoom worship on Sunday mornings (which begins at 11:10 a.m.) can always be found here on the website. And don't forget to join us for our "Facebook Live" service which begins streaming via our Facebook page at 10:20 a.m. on Sundays. Clicking on this link will bring you to Bethany's Facebook page, but do note that you need to have a Facebook account to participate. Remember: all of our Facebook services are recorded, and you can view them at any time on our multi-media page!
Don't forget about our weekly Wednesday Zoom check-ins which begin at 11 a.m. It's just an informal time to chat and see how one another is doing. Click here for the log-in details.
Our interim office manager, Maria Mar, has warned me to be on the lookout for a recent scam that has affected some pastors. Hackers take over a pastor's e-mail address and make requests for money (or gift cards) for members in need. I just wanted to let you all know that I'll never request money from any of you via e-mail. Never hesitate to contact me directly (or other church members) if you have questions about a strange request or communication.
The SSIP Food Closet will hold its 1st annual virtual fundraiser, an online pledge-a-thon and silent auction, in March 2021. The theme is "Full Plates, Full Hearts." SSIP is putting together a committee to organize this event, which will be the Food Closet’s main fundraiser of the year. They are seeking volunteers to be on the event committee! Among the tasks are writing (true) stories about volunteers, clients and the Food Closet which the videographer will turn into videos/slide shows; assisting with the sponsorship drive; creating materials for outreach and media communications; and helping solicit donations of items and services for a silent auction. Want to help? Contact Jan Neeley, SSIP Fund Development Chair; phone messages for Jan can be left at (916) 747-4131.
Finally, on World Communion Sunday, on October 4, Lily Young and Ben Baird shared a beautiful song with us during our Zoom worship service. "Crack the Case" is a song by the indie band Dawes, and you can read the lyrics below. In addition, you can watch an acoustic version of the video.
I will do your interview
Try to explain what I'm going through
Give you something to read into
In a million different ways
A sick version of telephone starts at the clip of the microphone
A game we thought we had all outgrown, but still everybody playsIgnoring all of the remedies, believing all of the rumors
With their endless database
I wanna sit with my enemies and say
We should have done this sooner
While I look them in the face
Maybe that would crack the caseI got a friend who's been thinking
About finally kicking her husband out
His second life as a talent scout, finally got him caught
While she was throwing out all his clothes
She heard a voice from beyond the throes
Punish him for the life he chose
But forgive the past that he did not!It's really hard to hate anyone
When you know what they've lived through
And once they've given you a taste
She said
This is for you to overcome
But I will always love you
In her perfect state of grace
Maybe that would crack the caseNow that we're through with formalities
What is it you wanna ask of me?
I'll answer open and honestly
Whatever that means
Findin' out that we occupy
Somebody else's opposin' side
On the banks of some great divide
Two versions of a dreamCountless revisions of history
Tryin' to tell us the future
Between each commercial break
I wanna call off the cavalry
Declare no winners or losers
And forgive our shared mistakes
You can pick the time and placeMaybe that would crack the case
With love,
Jesse
