If the words “stewardship” or “budget” make you a little uneasy—don’t worry!! You’re only normal. Most people do not like to talk about money. As a matter of fact, many of us were raised to never talk about it. It was considered rude. I agree that discussing how much people make is none of my business—but never discuss-ing how that money is spent, saved, or given is not a good habit for anyone. We should desire to hold each other accountable to how we manage God’s money. We are all capable of creating a financial mess—fast!! Many of us have done just that. Many of

us are in a mess right now. Did you know that God desires that we be completely free of finan-cial burdens? This allows us to serve Him more willingly when He calls us. Think about it. Have you ever not participated in something that you thought God wanted you to do, but you were too stressed financially? Do you really want to tithe (give 10% of your income to your church), but can’t seem to make that fit the monthly budget? Would you like to sponsor a youth on a mission trip, or help a loving family adopt a child? There are endless opportunities we can prayerfully say “yes” to when we experience financial freedom.

Do You Have Financial Peace?

continued on pg. 12

The monthly newsletter of Bethany United Methodist Church, Summerville, South Carolina

BethanyBeacon

Bethany UMC is a Safe Sanctuary

facility, creating a safe environment for children and youth.

Vol. XIII, Issue 1January 2016

Bethany CDC................................5Bethany Now .............................8-9Birthdays & Sympathies ........... ..13Happy Hearts ............................... 7Grace Notes ................................. 4Notes & Reminders ...................... 6Outreach........................................3Parable of Life Saving Station......10Sermon Topics ............................ .2Stephen Ministry..........................11Technical Ministries.......................7Trustees........................................ 8UMW Circles................................. 8

Inside:

An Official Welcoming

Congregation of the United

Methodist Church

Kick off your New Year with an inspiring six-week sermon series on twelve fascinating women who were turning points in God’s plan revealed in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. Both men and women today can identify with their courage, vision, temptations and struggles. Learn more about Eve, Sarah, Ruth, Hannah, Rahab, the Samaritan Woman, Mary-mother of Jesus, Anna, Mary and Martha, Mary Magdalene, and Lydia. Together, we will reflect on God’s redemptive work through their lives—and our own lives—for the transformation of the world right now.

The series begins on Jan. 3 and will run through Feb. 7 in the Word and Table, Contemporary service at 8:45 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

By Rev. Adriane Burgess Special to the Bethany Beacon

By Will Thompson Director of Student MInistries Special to the Bethany Beacon

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Upcoming SermonsJan. 3Epiphany Sunday Holy Communion John Wesley Covenant Service

8 a.m., Spell ChapelDr. Jo Locklair

8:45 a.m. Word & Table,Fellowship HallSermon Series: Twelve WomenRev. Adriane Burgess

8:45 & 11:15 a.m.,Sanctuary “Christlikeness”Philippians 2: 5-11Dr. Bob Howell

Jan. 10Baptism of the Lord; 8 a.m., Spell Chapel

Dr. Mark FentressSermon Series: Twelve WomenRev. Adriane Burges

8:45 & 11:15 a.m.,Sanctuary“Baptism & the Spirit”Luke 3: 15-117, 21-22Dr. Bob Howell

Jan. 17Camp Meeting

8 a.m., Spell ChapelDr. Mark FentressSermon Series: Twelve WomenRev. Adriane Burges

8:45 & 11:15 a.m.,Sanctuary “Distant Country”Luke 15:1&2, 11-24Dr. Bob Howell

Jan. 24Camp Meeting

8 a.m., Spell ChapelDr. Mark Fentress

Sermon Series: Twelve WomenRev. Adriane Burges

8:45 and 11:15 a.m., Sanctuary “When He Came to Himself”Luke 15:11-17Dr. Bob Howell

Jan. 31 Camp Meeting

8 a.m., Spell ChapelRev, Mark FentressSermon Series: Twelve WomenRev. Adriane Burges

8:45 & 11:15 a.m.,Sanctuary “A Searching Moral Inventory”Luke 12: 1-3Rev. Bob Howell

Feb. 7Holy Communion

8 a.m., Spell ChapelDr. Jo LocklairSermon Series: Twelve WomenRev. Adriane Burges

8:45 & 11:15 a.m.,Sanctuary“The Blame Game”Genesis 4: 1-8 Rev. Bob Howell

Feb. 10 Ash Wednesday

7 a.m. Spell Chapel Rev. Adriane Burgess

6:15 p.m.Sanctuary “Public Piety”Matthew 6:1-6,16-21Rev. Bob Howell

January 2016

Thank you to those who assist-ed in the celebration of Holy Communion in the Sanctuary during 2015:

Dave and Sandy MillsRich & Cindylee Thorington

David and Becky PowellLloyd and RuthAnn IveySonny and Linda GrantJay and Christy Buddin

Paula ConnellyTom and Pam Jeffries

Skip and Jan HullFaye Raisley

Jason and Christy BaucomLuke Biggs & Katrina Patton

Trish BurtonLiz Williams

Wilhemina HearnMary Alice O’ConnorRick and Teri Reule

Will and Cathy Wilber

In addition, thank you to those who have ushered for memorial or funeral services of those who have moved their memberships to the Church Triumphant:

Laurence ClairBill Jones

Danny TrumpSam Brock

Kevin SlackWilliam McLamb

Marion ThompsonJack Mobley

If you would like to add your name to assist with Holy Com-munion, to usher at a funeral/memorial service or for more information, please contact Elizabeth Brown at ebrown@bethany-umc.com.

The office will close on Dec. 31 at 2 p.m.

and remain closed on Jan. 1.

The office will reopen on Jan. 4 at 8:30 a.m.

The women of the Pijal have given Bethany team members 80 scarfs in a variety of colors and patterns again this year. This is a gift that gives twice: a beautifully made scarf for someone to wear here with all financial proceeds going back to the Pijal community. The cost is $15 per scarf. Please contact Roanna Payne at 843-847-1542 or email at roanna.payne@hcahealthcare.com to purchase a scarf.

Purchase a Scarf to Support the Pijal Community

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Jan.2016

While the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ is fresh in our hearts, some of us begin looking forward to the New Year with hope, excitement and yes maybe even a little bit of anticipation of what the Lord has planned for us. Some of us may look at the New Year as a time for making changes in our lives, for setting goals, planning how we are going to accomplish these goals, all in the hopes that these changes will help us improve ourselves person-ally, professionally or may be even improve our walk with Christ. For the Global Mission Committee and our sub-committees; Habitat for Humanity and the Emergency Re-sponse Team, this will be a defining year of changes and setting some high goals for our missions. The changes that Global Missions is making and the direction that God is leading our ministry has been described by some people as ‘Stepping Out and Taking a Leap of Faith’. Before we talk about the changes and goals that Global Missions has begun, let’s first define what FAITH is. The Merriam-Weber dictionary definition of FAITH is;(1) Belief in the existence of God or strong religious feelings. (2) Strong belief or trust in someone or something. Needless to say, the members of our Global mission team believe that

there is only one merciful, gracious and loving God and trust in him fully, but we also have a strong trust in someone else…and that someone is YOU, the members of Bethany United Methodist Church. The Global Missions Committee, in support of Bethany’s overall budget goals for 2016, has decided to remove Global Missions as a line item from Bethany’s operational budget. What does this mean? We are Stepping Out and Taking a Leap of FAITH that our Lord God and the mem-bers of this congregation will provide all of our financial needs for all missions that will be supported in 2016 and far into the future. This includes both national and international mission trips, Habitat-for-Humanity and the Emergency Response Team. What does 2016 have in store for the Bethany’s Global Mission teams? We are planning for a return trip to Ecuador to begin new projects in building churches, bringing clean water to the community of Pijal and spreading the Good News of our Lord and Savior to all who will listen. The members of the ERT team are still continuing to provide coordination and resources for the victims of the historic flooding in SC and are in constant readi-ness to help those who will suffer losses from future natural disasters. Habitat for Humanity is busy selecting the next site for building a home for another family. In the fall timeframe, we would like to send a team to Marion, VA in support of Project Crossroad and we are dedicated to continue our youth scholarship program which is available to defray the cost of

mission trips for any youth that meet the scholarship criteria. The Global Mission team mem-bers have FAITH that you will listen for God’s will, pray about your participation in our church’s missions; whether that is becom-ing a team member for one of our missions or providing financial support. Let’s all Step Out and Take this Leap of Faith together, as one body of Christ, to further His kingdom around the corner and around the world! I f you are interested in being part of this exciting min-istry, please contact either Greg Hallinan at ghallinan@sc.rr.com / 843-345-3747 or Roanna Payne at roanna1958@bellsouth.net / 843-875-1542. If you feel led to give to Global Missions, please designate the funds for Bethany Global Missions.Thank you and Have a Blessed Day!

Global Missions – Stepping out and Taking a Leap of Faith

By Greg Hallinan Special to the Bethany Beacon

If you have been on a domestic or international trip and are interested in becoming a team leader, Bethany is offering a Leadership Training Class on Jan. 9. You will need to meet the following requirements to be a certified UMVIM SC Team Leader: • You have been on a team and have received a recommendation from your team leader (Domestic trips re quire recommendation from domestic team leader and international trips require recommendation from an international team leader). • Successful completion of the Team Leader Training • Receive endorsement from UMVIM, SC committeeThe cost for team leader training is $45 which includes the latest team leader manual and lunch. If you are interested in leading mission trips please contact Roanna Payne at roanna.payne@hcahealthcare.com or Greg Hallinan at ghallinan@sc.rr.com.

Leadership Training Opportunities for Missions Team MembersBy Roanna Payne Special to the Bethany Beacon

Dec. 2015

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Sunday, Jan. 3• 8 a.m. Spell Chapel; Jessica White, organist• 8:45 a.m. Sanctuary; Michael Lopez, organist Chancel Choir 8:45 a.m. Fellowship Hall; Word & Table worship band,• 11:15 a.m. Sanctuary; Michael Lopez, organist Chancel Choir

Sunday, Jan. 10• 8 a.m. Spell Chapel; Jessica White, organist

• 8:45 a.m. Sanctuary; Michael Lopez, organist Chamber Singers• 8:45 a.m. Fellowship Hall; Word & Table worship band• 11:15 a.m. Sanctuary; Michael Lopez, organist Chancel Choir

Sunday, Jan. 17• 8 a.m. Spell Chapel; Jessica White, organist• 8:45 a.m. Sanctuary; Michael Lopez, organist Chancel Choir I.W. Handbell Ensemble

• 8:45 a.m. Fellowship Hall; Word & Table worship band• 11:15 a.m. Sanctuary; Michael Lopez, organist Chancel Choir I.W. Handbell Ensemble

Michael López has accepted the position of Primary Organist and Laura Beck is joining the staff as, Associate Director of Children’s Choirs. Michael López, who has been serving as our interim organist since August 2015 starts this January as Bethany’s pri-mary organist. Michael will remain the associate director of handbells while assuming the position of primary organist. Please continue to show Michael your love and support as he continues in his new role for Bethany’s music ministry.We thank the Primary Organist Search Team – Jason Baucom, Dr. Robert Howell, Larry Krueger, Diane Rodwell and Ed Schneider for their work. Laura Beck will be returning to Bethany UMC as our new Associate Director of Children’s Choirs starting January 2016. Laura is a returning and beloved member of the Bethany UMC music staff. She currently serves as amusic teacher at Flowertown Elementary School in Summerville. Those of us who have worked with Laura in the past are thrilled to see her return to Bethany! She is a blessing!

Grace Notes: Music Ministry

Welcome Two New Members to Bethany’s Music Ministry Staff

Sunday, Jan. 24• 8 a.m. Spell Chapel 8:45 a.m. Sanctuary; Michael Lopez, organist Chamber Singers• 8:45 a.m. Fellowship Hall; Word & Table worship band• 11:15 a.m. Sanctuary; Michael Lopez, organist Chancel Choir

Sunday, Jan. 31• 8 a.m. Spell Chapel; 8:45 a.m. Sanctuary; Michael Lopez, organist Chamber Singers• 8:45 a.m. Fellowship Hall; Word & Table worship band• 11:15 a.m. Sanctuary; Michael Lopez, organist Chancel Choir

Jan.2016

Our students have had a fantastic semester!! Starting in August, we added about 30 new 6th graders. We are now averaging 85 regular participants at ASCEND, our Sunday evening worship service!! In October, we partnered with Ash-ley Ridge Church, Trinity UMC of Fountain Inn, and St. George UMC for our fall retreat at Camp Bob Coo-per. Over 120 students learned how to “Break Free” from the troubles of this world, and seek to live with hope in God’s Kingdom on Earth. It was an incredible weekend!! In December, our students spent their normal Christmas party time with the wonderful people from the Miracle League. They shared a meal and danced the night away. It was a pleasure to see our students give their time and their hearts to those

less fortunate.We are seeing great things happen in the lives of young people at Bethany and in the community. Lives are be-ing changed because the Holy Spirit is moving. I would like to thank the many adults who faithfully serve these students and I invite all to prayerfully consider if God is calling you to join the movement. Please pray for continued spiritual growth in our students, both youth and adult male leadership to rise up, financial resources, and for God to be glorified in all we do.

An Update from Bethany Student Ministries…

YourWord: LettersAll,The food that you provided for us for lunch on the day of Mom’s funeral was delicious. Thank you all so much. We miss her and ask that you keep us in your prayers. She loved her church and Sunday School Class.

The Family of Helen Davis

Charleston Wesley Foundation, the campus ministry arm of the SC Unit-ed Methodist Church, serves students at The Citadel, College of Charles-ton, Trident, Charleston Southern and MUSC. CWF funding comes from our conference plus donations from churches and individuals. A dinner will be held at our church on Feb. 20 with entertainment by the Wesley Foundation Praise Band and a presentation by Rev. Aaron Mead-ows, the Wesley Foundation Director. The dinner is free but, donations are expected. We hope you will come to learn more about CWF and consider donating and becoming a supporter of this important ministry to the local area college students. For quest ions and to RSVP please contact either Joan Naugle (843-875-2850, joannaugle3@gmail.com) or Liz Arnold (843-572-8783, liz.arnold@citadel.edu )

Charleston Wesley Foundation

Jan.2016

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Bethany’s Child Development Center provides quality early childhood programs in a loving, nurturing, Christian en-vironment for Toddlers through Kindergarten. With small classes and two teachers in every classroom, your child is provided with everything he or she needs for the best in social, spiritual, intellectual, physical and emotional development. Preschool programs for toddlers through 4 year olds are two, three, and four or five days a week (depending on age) from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Kindergarten is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Lunch bunch is available until 2 p.m. for two’s through Kindergarten. Registration for the 2016-2017 school year will begin soon. Bethany uses a mail-in registration system in order to be as fair as possible. Registration forms will be available to first time Bethany families on January 14. They can not be postmarked before January 19. It is important to stay on top of the dates, as we have a waiting list every year with many classes filling up before we open to the public. For more information and registration forms please contact the CDC office at 821-1946.

Registration form availability dates and postmark dates are as follows:

Forms Available For Postmark DatesJanuary 7 In House Families January 14

January 14 Bethany Members January 19

January 21 Wait List January 27

January 27 General Public February 2

By Vicki EnglertChild Development Center Director Special to the Bethany Beacon

Bethany’s Child Development CenterRegistration for 2016-2017 School Year

By Will Thompson Director of Student MInistries Special to the Bethany Beacon

By Joan Naugle Special to the Bethany Beacon

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Dec.2015

Prayer Shawl Committee MeetsThe next monthly Prayer Shawl Team meeting will be on Jan. 4 in room 119 at 7 p.m. Please bring finished Prayer Shawls with you. For more information about our Prayer Shawl committee, contact Marge Veneziano at 843-851-5343.

Do You Know Someone Who Could Use a Prayer ShawlIs there someone in your life that could use a hug, or comforting, or perhaps Christmas is a difficult time of year for them, why not give them a Prayer Shawl. Shawls are waiting to be gifted, they are blessed, and ready to be sent out. Please see Marge Veneziano or Pastor Mark Fentress for further information.

Offering EnvelopesOffering envelopes are available for pick up in the hallway by the recep-tion desk in the Welcome Center. We are once again asking you to pick your envelopes up at the church. For every box we do not mail, it saves the church $2 on postage. That can really add up! If you do not receive envelopes and would like to or if you no longer use the envelopes because you are doing auto-draft or mailing a check directly from your bank, please notify Ann Gill at agill@bethany-umc.com.

Care TeamThe Bethany Care team will meet on Monday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. in Room 237.

Brooks-Swicegood Circle will meet at 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 18, in the Charles Peace Sunday school classroom. Visitors are always welcome. Contact Betsy Myers at 843-871-2442 for more information.Hazel Melia-Carter-Dunbar Circle will meet on Jan. 19 at 10:30 a.m. in Room 125. If you have additional questions please call or email Amy Locklair with questions at 843-873-4738 or alocklair4@sc.rr.com. Spell Dennis Circle The Spell Dennis Circle will meet on Monday, Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. at the home of Sandy Hager. 101 Windsor Ct, Ashborough East. Call 843-871-2144 for more information. Visitors are always welcome.

UMW Circles

Thanks to Coastline Construction for replacing damaged floor tile in room 118 from the October flood. Also thanks to Chris Koenig, John Riney, Kevin Slack, and Greg Smith for painting the hallway under Spell Chapel by rooms 117-119.

Trustees’ Corner

Baptism Questions and AnswersBy Elizabeth BrownSr. Pastor’s Assistant

Senior Pastor Bob Howell will lead a baptism class on Feb. 20 at 10 a.m. in the Conference Room.

This class is for parents wishing to have their children baptized. Parents must attend a baptism class before their child is baptized. The only exception is for parents who have previously attended a class for another child baptized at Bethany.

To attend, you must RSVP by reg-istering online at www.bethany-umc.com. Look for the link under the worship tab.

Do both parents need to attend the baptism class?

A Yes, if possible. However, we understand work schedules

sometimes interfere with this. If one parent is not able to attend and he/she has some questions, please call to speak with Dr. Howell.

continued on pg. 12

Name Tags Thank you to all who ordered name tags. Bethany appreciates your help and support. A total of 465 name tags were ordered and the first round of tags are in. You can pick your name tag from Jerry Wallace Monday thru Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. , Friday 8:30 a.m. to noon and on Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. If Jerry is not available the name tags will be at the Welcome Desk. If you would still like to order a name tag, call Jerry at 873-1230. Bethany Basics Class, Jan. 23The next Bethany Basics class will be offered on Saturday, Jan. 23, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Fellow-ship Hall. This class is for anyone interested in finding out more about Bethany or anyone wishing to join the church. You do not have to join the church to attend this class. Child care will be provided. If you are interested in taking this class, you must register by contacting Jerry Wallace at 873-1230 or jwallace@bethany-umc.com.

Where do most baptism classes meet?

A They almost always meet in the conference room in the upstairs

Welcome Center at 10 a.m.

Does the class really last an hour?

A Yes, it does. The class is short, but full of information.

We have small children, can we bring them with us to the class?

A Bethany offers a nursery for children ages five and under

so that parents can fully participate in the class. Parents must RSVP to Elizabeth Brown to use the nursery, so ensure we have enough staff.

Q If I have another child who was baptized at a different United

Methodist church, do I still need to attend the class?

A Yes, unless a Bethany pastor has baptized your first child you will

need to come to the class.

United Methodist Mission

StatementTo make

Disciples of Jesus Christ for the

Transformation of the World.

Jan.2016

7facebook.com/bethanysummer-

The next luncheon meeting of Beth-any Happy Hearts will be on Friday, Jan. 22 at 12 p.m.. Our program will be “The Amazing Magic Show,” ap-proximately 40 minutes of comedy and magic fun presented by a Magi-cian with Philip & Henry U.S.A. Inc.Bethany Happy Hearts Luncheon is always open to all Bethany Members and their guests that would like to at-tend, but reservations are required by Wednesday, Jan. 20.Our menu for the January meeting includes Ham, Mac & Cheese, Green Beans, Fruit Salad, Peach Cobbler, Rolls/Butter, and Tea/Water, with Lemon. The cost of the meal is $6 per person. Everyone must call Linda Field at 843-832-9925, or email her at fieldmw@hotmail.com to make reservations by Wednesday, Jan. 20.

Happy Hearts Luncheon

I know many of you visit our website and are probably wondering where are the videos of Sunday sermons and so many other things are that you hoped to find. Our site is going through some changes and growth just as the church is, in our mission to make everything convey Nurture, Outreach and Wor-ship. The current site doesn’t reflect the wonderful people and ministries of Bethany. In 2016 Technical Minis-tries’ goal is to improve the church’s web presence and content and to integrate our social media platforms. This includes a more unified presence and access with the main website as well as, KidsCare, Student Ministries, Bethany’s Gym and the Child Devel-opment Center. These currently all function independently and we want to ensure the ministries are well rep-resented as part of Bethany. The largest improvement will be the increased information that will be available on the sites and the cross posting of events so you can get infor-mation and do the things you need to do 24/7 whether someone is available to answer the phone at the church or not. Our website will show all the awesome activities, and wonderful outreach, and mission programs we have going on. We also hope to tie in our digital advertising on all the TVs, some of the Roku programming and last but not least it will also inter-face with our future Bethany United Methodist mobile app that we are developing. Technical Ministries has a lot of great things happening and we haven’t even mentioned all of them! We have to save a few things for surprises. Our overall goal is to enhance your experi-ence and interaction with your church as well as provide potential visitors and members everything they need, to be excited about visiting Bethany!

Exciting Things are Happening in Technical Ministries

By Chris HamptonDirector of Technical Ministries Special to the Bethany BeaconBethany is a great church family and it is a pleasure to serve you. I would like to take a moment to reflect on a few things from the last two years, and highlight Technical ministries. I was hired in February 2014 and joined a team of individuals with the one goal of furthering technology to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ. Cliff Hunt and Dave Stamps took the responsi-bility of chairing our committee and leading our efforts. I cannot express how much I have appreciated their efforts, energy, time, and talents in getting us to the level we are now. Thank you! I also want to thank Jay Humphries for his endless work around the church helping me with countless projects, and changes to improve our systems and to his wife, Marsha, for allowing me to take up so much of his time. I could go on all day about the amazing contributions of the men and women that make up technical ministries and look forward to the coming years working with these wonderful individuals. We are doing great things for Bethany and expanding our reach into the world around us. Thank you all. In the last year we have added TVs and Blu-ray players to most class-rooms in the building. We hope to complete this project in early 2016. These upgrades are just the beginning as we try to improve the features and functionality of our classrooms. One of the future upgrades is a device called a Roku, similar to Apple tv, Chromecast, etc. This device will be added to all classrooms. It will allow classes to access alternate forms of media for lessons and visit the future Bethany United Methodist Roku chan-nel. It will enable you and others to attend service at home when are un-able to make it to church. The sky is the limit when it comes to things we can share and accomplish using this platform! The goal is to make Bethany available to you when and where you need it! I am extremely excited about this opportunity.

Dec.2015Jan.2016

Bethany NOWBethany NOW Schedule

5-6:15 p.m. ...........Supper in the Fellowship Hall

6-7:30 p.m. ...........Children’s Programs

6:15-7:30 p.m. ......Classes for adults and youth

A nursery is available during all programs.

Adult ActivitiesBethany’s Wednesday night activities resume on Jan. 6 with new classes for all. Studies will focus on Nurture Outreach and Worship. All classes in this session will conclude on Feb. 3 with the exception of Financial Peace, which will run through March 2. Each Wednesday night during Bethany NOW the evening begins with dinner in the Fellowship Hall, where you can share a time of fellow-ship with family and friends. Dinner is followed by a selection of classes for adults as well as activities for youth and children of all ages. Come join us and make Wednesday night a time of fun for you all.

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Adult ClassesThere are six class options for adults beginningJan. 6. Preregistration is not necessary. Any books or mate-rials needed will be discussed on Jan. 6 during the first class.

Faith and Science and the Issue of OriginsJan. 6 to Feb. 3Dr. Richard HogueHow do we know what we know? What is truth and how do we find it? The structure, sequence and methodof creation according to Biblical faith. Scientific evidence for God as Creator. What is science? scientism?naturalism? reductionism? The theory of evolution and its critique; a spectrum of views regarding ori-gins. How shall Christians respond to the on-going issue/debate?

Crocheting 101Jan. 6 to Feb. 3Marge VenezianoJoin us for a crochet class! Begin-ners or those needing a refresher are both invited! If you would like to learn to crochet, or need some help picking up the skill, please join us. The repetitive motion will offer time to pray, meditate, and praise out Lord.

Financial Peace UniversityJan. 6 to Mar. 2Will ThompsonWe all need a plan for our money. Financial Peace University (FPU) is that plan! It teaches God’s ways of handling money. Through video teaching, class discussions and in-teractive small group activities, FPU presents biblical, practical steps to get from where you are to where you’ve dreamed you could be. This plan will show you how to get rid of debt, manage your money, spend and save wisely, and much more! FPU classes meet for around an hour and a half each week for nine weeks. The average family pays off $5,300 in debt and saves $2,700 in thefirst 90 days!!

LimitlessJan. 6 to Feb. 3Elizabeth Waters“Limitless” is a program which in-volves young women ages 14 to 30, in service with the same goals as United Methodist Women: “to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fel-lowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.”

Bethany NOW MealsBethany NOW begins with a meal in the Fellowship Hall at 5 p.m. Menus are posted in the Bethany Beacon, worship bulletins and our email news (Bethany Links). Meals cost:

Adults ..................................$7Children ...............................$4Family Maximum ...............$20(Immediate family consists of parents and children only.)

* Cash, checks and credit/debit cards are now accepted.

Jan. 6 - Philly Cheese Steak, Potato Wedges, Salad Bar, Hot Dogs for children

Jan 13 - Roasted Chicken, Scalloped Potato and Streamed Broccoli

Jan. 20 - Spaghetti with meat sauce, Tossed Salad, Garlic Bread and Cobbler

MENUS

Jan.2016

9

The goal is to gather young women together and have them become in-volved in general areas of interest. They will be encouraged to become involved together to select one mis-sion activity and work together. Lim-itless will be considered a divisionor subgroup of UMW, but not be limited to their by laws and standing rules regarding meetings, programs, etc. It will become a social/service group giving women an opportunity to know other young women their age through meaningful Christian service.

The Monday SwitchJan. 6 to Feb. 3John LyonsMaking Mondays the most inspired workday for every worker. No Sur-prise here! For most of us, Monday is our least favorite day of the week. Research shows 50% of employees are late to work on Mondays, pro-ductivity is around 30% on Mon-days, and most of us don’t even smileuntil 11:16 a.m. on this dreaded day. Worse yet, more heart attacks and suicides happen on Mondays than any other work day. Yet, millions of Christians look great on Sunday then switch God OFF by Monday morn-ing – a distinct switch to a form of practical atheism. No God on Mon-day! This reality is undermining God’s purposes for our work and our lives. Monday’s are hurting workers,families, churches and busi-ness alike. It’s time for a Monday Switch—a switch to God’s way of working. Imagine yourself, your church, your business switching God ON at work in ways you have never imagined! More purpose, peace, and power. Join millions doing just that!Take the Monday Challenge!

Upcycling NOWJan. 6 to Feb. 3Clara StonnerDuring the Upcycling NOW class participants will make items to bene-fit area homeless veterans. Everyday plastic shopping bags can be broken down

and made into a type of yarn. The yarn is then woven into sleeping mats, pillows, vests and water bottleholders. These items go a long way in benefiting the homeless and as a bonus the plastic bags are kept out of landfills.

Student Classes (Grades 6-12):Small group studies will be of-fered to middle school students and high school students during Bethany NOW.Visit www.bethany-studentministries.com for the most up-to-date information on small group topics. You may also contactWill Thompson at wthompson@bethany-umc.com or 843-873-1230 for additional information.

Children’s Activities Preschool Activities6-6:40 p.m.................Cherub Choir6:45-7:30 p.m............Bible stories and crafts

Kindergarten – 2nd Grade:6-6:40 p.m.................Melody Choir or Bible Study 6:45-7:30 p.m............Art or Recreation

3rd – 5th Grade:6-6:40 p.m............... Art or Recreation6:45-7:30 p.m.......... Wesley Choir or Bible StudyA nursery is provided for children younger than age three.

Student Activities

Meal ReservationsIt is very important that you make reservations by noon each Mon-day. To make reservations: Call the church at 873-1230; or Complete the reservation form

in the worship bulletin; or Complete the online reservation

form at www.bethany-umc.com.

Cancellations should be made by 12 p.m. on Mondays by calling the church office at 873-1230.

Bethany NOW kitchen supportSunday School classes provide support during the Bethany NOW meal. On the date your Sunday School class is scheduled to help, please report to the kitchen no later than 5 p.m.

Jan. 6- Charles Peace and Friends in Faith

Jan 13 - Daily Bread and Providence

Jan. 20 - Connections

Psalm 55-22 tells us, “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you: He will never let the righteous be shaken.” Those words have comforted many Christians who have lost loved ones and others being in difficult situations. Sue Knight Sunday School class members and many church and other organizational members lost a dear friend of long standing on November 12, 2015. She was Barbara Mae Ack-erman Crump and she has taken her place in Heaven to be with her God whose direction and guidance she has followed for many years. Many local people were recipients of the Christian work that she followed as her commit-ment to a sacrificial life – it was most important to her. The funeral service was conducted in Spell Chapel and was led by The Rev. Dr. Robert J. Howell, Jr. The Organist providing the introductory prelude and other music was Mr. Michael Lopez. The processional hymn was “In the Sweet By and By.”

The service was begun by Dr. Howell announcing the purpose for the gather-ing was to celebrate the life of Barbara Crump. He knew her well and de-scribed her as a Christian woman dedicated to her sacrificial purpose of life and being deeply involved and dedicated to Christianity, Charity, Selflessness, and service to the needy and dedication to work for her God. She was deeply involved to selfless pursuits in fulfilling her calling for her family, her community, and the unfortunate needy. The basis of her belief was the need to be sacrificial in devoting her interest and energy to the work which was her self- made responsibility to the Lord. Despite her confinement in the later years she maintained a close relationship with the Bethany Church and her friends in the Sue Knight Sunday school class, and other friends of Summerville. She was a happy Christian woman who was married to her husband,

Sue Knight Sunday School Class

Parable of The Life Saving Station

On a dangerous seacoast where ship-wrecks often occur there was a once a crude little life-saving station. The building was just a hut, and there was only one boat, but the few devoted members kept a constant watch over the sea, and with no thought for them-selves, they went out day or night tirelessly searching for the lost. Many lives were saved by this wonderful little station, so that it became famous. Some of those who were saved, and various others in the surrounding areas, wanted to become associated with the station and give of their time and money and effort for the support of its work. New boats were bought and new crews were trained. The little life-saving station grew. Some of the new members of the life-saving station were unhappy

that the building was so crude and so poorly equipped. They felt that a more comfortable place should be provided as the first refuge of those saved from the sea. So they replaced the emergency cots with beds and put better furniture in an enlarged building. Now the life-saving station became a popular gathering place for its members, and they re-decorated it beautifully and furnished it as a sort of club. Less of the members were now in-terested in going to sea on life-saving missions, so they hired life boat crews to do this work. The mission of life-saving was still given lip-service but most were too busy or lacked the necessary com-mitment to take part in the life-saving activities personally. About this time a large ship was wrecked off the coast, and the hired crews brought in boat loads of cold,

continued on pg. 12

continued on pg. 12

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Jan.2016

Author Anonymous Submitted by Jerry WallaceMembership DirectorSpecial to the Bethany Beacon

Slate of officers and leaders for 2015Chairperson, Laura Jones Vice Chairperson, Brian CollierRecording Secretary, Becky Powell

Committee Chairpersons• Staff/Parish, Jason Baucom• Finance, Tom Jeffries • Board of Trustees, TBD• Long Range Planning, Art Brown• Technical Ministry, Dave Stamps• Preschool Board, Susan Gaston • Kids Care, Marti Johnson• Scouting Representative, Tom Jeffries

Ministry Leaders• Lay Leader, Dave Braddon• Church Historian Team, Majorie Muckenfuss, Jane Langston and Joan McKissick• Sunday School Superintendent Adrian Wood• Church Treasurer, Karen Eubanks • UMYF President: TBD• UMM President: Rodney McKanna• UMW President: Betsy Myers

Council Chairpersons• Worship, Linda Huffman• Membership, Evyonne Thurman• Outreach, David Powell• Christian Formation Team, Joan Naugle • Student Ministry Team, Jordan Bryngelson and Ted Varner• Recreational Ministries, Steve Patterson• Communications, Trish Freshwater

Jan.2016

11

Compassionate Father, there are those among us whose hearts are heavy and who are facing their struggles alone. Yet you have called us, saying, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I willgive you rest,” and you have promised us “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding.” Help those among us who are hurting recognize they need not struggle alone, that you created us to be in community, to bear one another’s burdens. Give the silent sufferers among us the courage to seek the help they need, whether from a pastor, Stephen Leader, Stephen Minister, friend, or someone else, so that we can make your promises real to them and bring comfort and healing to their hearts. Amen. If you would like to speak with a Stephen Minister please call one of the following telephone numbers, the church of-fice 843 873-1230, or contact a pastor. Stephen Leaders and Ministers wear blue badges so that you can recognize them in the congregation. If you know someone else that is in need of care please obtain their permission first, or encourage them to make that important first contact for help. Check our bulletin board, and go to www.StephenMinistries.com for more information about Stephen Ministry. For Stephen Ministry Care please call: Denis Tsukalas at 843-871-0381, Paula Connelly at 843-821-0884 or Annette Goins at 843-863-1868.

Stephen Ministry Prayer for Finding Care ReceiversSubmitted by Linda CarterSpecial to the Bethany Beacon

Bethany UMC

Mission Statement

Love and

FollowJesus

Invite Otherson

the Journey

Joyfully Servein Jesus’ Name

wet, and half-drowned people. They were dirty and sick, and some of them had black skin, and some spoke a strange language, and the beautiful new club was considerably messed up. So the property commit-tee immediately had a shower house built outside the club where victims of shipwreck could be cleaned up before coming inside. At the next meeting, there was a split in the club membership. Most of the members wanted to stop the club's life-saving activities as being unpleas-ant and a hindrance to the normal life pattern of the club. But some members insisted that life-saving was their primary purpose and pointed out that they were still called a life-saving station. But they were finally voted down and told that if they wanted to save the life of all the various kinds of people who were shipwrecked in those waters, they could begin their own life-saving sta-tion down the coast. They did.As the years went by, the new station experienced the same changes that had occurred in the old. They evolved into a club and yet another life-saving station was founded.If you visit the seacoast today you will find a number of exclusive clubs along that shore. Shipwrecks are still frequent in those waters, only now most of the people drown.

How many people are we letting

John Crump, for 62 years. They are the parents of two children, Robert A. Crump (who preceded her in death) and a daughter, Mrs. Janet E. Crain. They are the grandparents of four chil-dren - Robert A. Crump, Jr., Patrick J. Crump, Colleen Engbrock and Mandy Rogers. Mandy sang two beautiful hymns at the service, Amazing Grace, and My Chains Are Broken. Barbara was committed to actively and consistently meeting the rigorous goals that she had established for her-self. She was a graduate of Ridgefield High School and Winthrop College. Each year she would assist in arrang-ing the annual reunion of the high school. She was an active volunteer for the “Meals on Wheels.” She served in most of the Sunday school class activities, those of the church and was active in the Brooks-Swicegood Circle regularly, and many others activities until the advent of her extended ill-ness. She was laid to rest in the Summer-ville Cemetery - and is loved by all who knew her. There will be another day.

A few weeks back, I made a commit-ment at Word & Table to teach 100 people, through Financial Peace Uni-versity, how to handle money the way God intended. I firmly believe that having the members of Bethany better

understand these principles will allow us individually, and as a congregation, to do more for the transformation of the world than we could ever imagine.

Whether you are financially well off, or barely scraping by, Financial Peace University is a life-changing curriculum that will benefit you in many ways. I hope you will join the many that have already signed up. If you miss the first session, don’t worry! There will be more offerings of FPU throughout the year.

For more information, call Will Thompson at the church, or visit www.daveramsey.com and search under “find a class.” I hope you will prayerfully consider joining us on this journey to become financially free!!

drown? Do we belong to a club or a church that worships God? How many lives have you tried to save? Do we have an association with drowning people?

Dec.2015

12

Baptismcontinued from pg. 6

Financial Peacecontinued from pg. 1

Lighthousecontinued from pg. 10

Sue Knightcontinued from pg. 10

Q Can we designate godparents for our child?

A Absolutely. Godparents are invited to come up to the altar

area with the family at the time of the baptism.

Q Do baptisms take place at all of the services?

A Yes, they do. You can have your child baptized at any of our four

Sunday services: 8 a.m. in Spell Chapel, 8:45 and 11:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary or 8:45 a.m. Word and Table in Fellowship Hall.

Q When can we pick a date for our child’s baptism?

A As soon as you know of a date that works out well with your

family or if there is a special date, then you should contact Elizabeth in the church office to check on the availability of that date.

Q Can we have our child baptized in a private service?

A Baptism is a part of our worship services and, therefore, public.

It is important that the congregation “meet” the newest member of our church family as we come together in the body of Christ.

Q Do we have to be members of Bethany to have our child baptized

at Bethany?

A Yes, you or the grandparents must be members at Bethany. There

are many opportunities to join Bethany UMC and you will need to contact our Membership Director, Jerry Wallace, (jwallace@bethany-umc.com) for more information about the Bethany Basics class. Once you have completed the Bethany Basics class Elizabeth Brown can reserve a date for the baptism to take place.

Jan.2016

13

Jan.2016

JAN. 1Lynn BrownCecil BuddinAnna CrosbyCarrie DukesGene GabrielliKeith GriffinJeff HavensAbby McPhailBerlin MyersMiki SchmidtMatthew Threatt

JAN. 2Dennis BradshawKenneth BuchananBrian ByrdDeborah HuntTrey OdomJohn RunyonKathy SmithAnna Walsh

JAN. 3Randy AckermanKen CanongeDavid FrishkornJonathan PattersonChristi SmoakRoss West

JAN. 4Ashley ClaytonLucas DunlapChrissy FortnerDot FreeParker GriffithKara GuertinKay PhillipsNina SpellEarline Thompson

JAN. 5Jimmy BusseBenjamin FowlerDaniel Whitfiel KingStephanie LaneskyEdith McCownKatie McCrackenSutton PhelpsBrent RushWill RussellEd Ryan

JAN. 6Dennis BaxterMatti EasterdayStephanie FalterPaul FishNick HoltAshley PadgettCaitlin WeathersCade Wheeler

JAN. 7Joyce BecwarShawn BergeronTim BilbrayLinda BrownLinda CarterSallie Mae LimehouseEllison MitchumLeonard PezzaAngie ReaumeSuzanne SchillerAlan ScullyBruce StufflebeamRachel Van Damme

JAN. 8Robert AllWanda BarwickSandy FiedlerHayden FulcherTripp GilbertRowan HardeeGene HorlbeckKody LogginsPaul OrvinJung Paxton

JAN. 9Casey BrabhamLogan GuyerKyle HardeeAmanda JarvisSuzanne LafondGlendis LoftusDavid McConnellJudith PezzaTatum RowlandElisabeth SpicherRobert Watkins

JAN. 10Kristen BaggettStephen DankoEthan LuciusGrayson PottsJacob. RobersonEllis RogersWhitney Ann Williams

JAN. 11Michael AgustinKatie BattenDonna BrasherBill BurkeBurt CauseyGretchen CharpiaJennifer ClarkScott CoffeyPatsy DouglasMary FarmerJenna GillisNancy HartmannJamie Lopez

Herb MallardJimmy MobleyDrew PassarelloRichard TurpinJudy WattsDave WilliamsBob Young

JAN. 12Caitlin BellEileen D’AddezioGenia EnglishKristy FowlerMichelle HeltonJon HoopsDave MillsMartha MinsonTony OfferleLeslie RogersMary-Kate SpillaneAllen TraylorLaurel WhaleyRyan Wilson

JAN. 13John C. DuBoseAl ForsytheJordi Graffis

Jessica KingAdelaide PendletonMark PhillipsSharon SmithBeverly VerbleCarol Young

JAN. 14Carol Ann BartonKendall HauckMike HavensDebbie JohnsonColleen LogginsNeal LoweKristina Riley

JAN. 15Ceil FedolJoe FurseLauren FurseCatty MooreChyrl OenbrinkAndy SmithwickWill ThompsonElla Watson

JAN. 16Isabelle BiblerAllysa BrowningCharlie CalcuttRobert DerrRyan DrosteMadison HarrisonShelly HoffmanMax JollyRuby KnopfMary MorrisonYates RobinsonChris SompayracLisa WestMargaret Wheat

JAN. 17Samuel ClaytonFoster ColemanBobbie HennetSusan HillElise KammererCarol LeeTemoteo ObinaJennifer Santmyer

JAN. 18Blake BadgettGarrett BurdetteChristie DrummondMattie FloydEmma FrankeJohn GrantAvery GreenleeJennifer HillCaroline HusseySandie Mallard

Jamie Stufflebeam

JAN. 19Jack BradshawMadison ByarsLynn DanielJoe FullerCarol L. GivlerBecky GlazeJean HarterKathy HopkinsMeghan LindsayGail LitchfieldAverey MorrisThomas MyersBenji PopeSonny Way

JAN. 20Mike AvantCaden BrownJack CordnerMark DiazBethann ErwinGwen GuinnAnna HarpKatie HickokSarah HollingsworthDwayne HudsonHolly HusseyBob JordanSarah RockwellBruce WeberJacob Will

JAN. 21Heather BakerAmy BowerJan BryantZoey EtheredgeGreg HorresJoshua HyattTim LuciusJohn MaesKen MessickRoanna PayneTanis PowersCharlie RoarkHayleigh SuttonDebbie Williamson

JAN. 22Donna AlexanderStephen ChellisPamela ClowerNorma CunninghamBill GambleBeth GreenleeAnn LyonsWalker MurrayJoshua OrvinMike OwenBrian OwensRyan TraylorPeyton WoodsRobert Young

JAN. 23Lindsay BarnesCarol BuddinMark ConeBurt ConnellyNikki DeiningerBen HamMike KeelsJim MuscottJack RadcliffeMary Salmon

JAN. 24Christopher AcordBrandon CookHeyward G. HutsonCaroline RobinsonLarry Wells

JAN. 25Tim HavensTeresa HensleyLaney LeSchackOwen Leslie

Seth LoganClint ParksJerry RogersonShelby SiegGerard SilvernaleRobert Somerville

JAN. 26Melissa CrawleyBrian DoucetKercher HerringDebra HumesJimmy KnoxMaddox McDonaldElizabeth MinsonJeff SelfSimon StasiukaitisJames WillisJoe Willson

JAN. 27Clark CharpiaTucker ColeSusan DankoAnn EverettJack JollyAnnie Jane LangstonKatrina MeekinsJenny MurrieMatthew PantoneBetty Thornburg

JAN. 28Cecil BeckmannHenry ButterworthJack DiMuzioWill HolmesDrayton MaloneyLou MinusRandall MyersSims Sullivan

JAN. 29Liz ArnoldBillie Jean CodySonja GlockDanette GuertinJessie HalajcsikElizabeth HogueGeorge HowardMarshall HudsonKenny LimehouseMichael Charles OrmerodMillie SmithEmily Vick

JAN. 30John AckermanCaroline BaileyRobbie BrownCaroline ChesterJim CrawfordJim GrantSandy HickeyRachel McCoyAlicia McKeownEd MuckenfussTom OenbrinkAshley RogersJackson SpaffordJeff SparrowSamuel Vaughan

SympathiesWe would like to extend our Christian sympathies to Troy Swick and family upon the passing of his wife, Tonia, on Dec.2.

Barbara WalshEarl WescoatLeah WillisonJan. 31Shirlee BentleyLouis DiMuzioRobert GarrisonDenise HurdPenny LimehouseMichael PereiraCampbell RossPaula SnellDavid StasiukaitisAlan TanouyeJack TitusCorey W. UlmerKenneth Weisenberger

FEB. 1Mike BrownEmory FerrattNancy HarrisNathan LoveTommie Sizemore

FEB. 2Carl BallietRobin HallKeenan MillerRashell PipkinBilly RobinsonEllie Rodgers

FEB. 3Riley AbernethyAnne BaggettConnie BatySkip BurnJayce CaldwellRoland FulcherJenny KosteraScott MuckenfussKelsey SheplerSandra Hayes Wansley

FEB. 4Ben BrownSam DorrMary GriffinJudy HagenLaney HaiglerJamie LucarelliAl LymanJake O’DonnalZachary O’DonnalCathy QuinnJanet RogersBill SimmonsScott Swartzwelter

FEB. 5Miriam AltmanJoe ChristieKit GravesJoseph HufhamLiz MacAdam-KingVicki McCartneyCas SellersCharlotte TrollingerJohn Wilkinson

www.bethany-umc.com www.bethanygym.com

facebook.com/BethanySummevilletwitter.com/BethanyUMC

Office and Kitchen Hours:8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon.-Thurs.

8:30 a.m. to noon, FridayChurch Office: (843) 873-1230

Office Fax: (843) 873-1937Gym Office: (843) 873-7261

Child Dev. Center: (843) 821-1946

Emergency Number: If you have an emergency for which you need pastoral care at night or on week-

ends or holidays, call (843) 425-1069.

Bethany Beacon is published monthly

by Bethany United Methodist Church. Send questions, comments, news or

photos to jmurrie@bethany-umc.com or to Jenny Murrie in the church office. The deadline for the January issue is

Monday, Jan. 18.

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