"Discovering God's Hope" was the theme for the Administrative Board and Council on Ministries of the church when we gathered on Friday night , January 13, and Saturday, January 14, for a Church Leadership Planning Retreat.  Our COM Chair, Kathy Weaver, guided us through the weekend as we met at the church for sessions focusing on our faith in Jesus Christ, and then continued with discussions about "Discovering God's Hope," and ways to minister in hope-giving ways to our church and community.  The results of our retreat will set our agenda for the remainder of the year. 

For all you romantics, the Fun & Fellowship Committee is sponsoring a Valentine Dinner on February 4th beginning at 5:30 pm in the multi purpose room.  The dinner is being catered by Chef Ann Biery from Cleveland, Ohio (Guy Marquette’s sister).  The cost for this delightful evening is $25 per couple or $12 for singles.  Seating is limited to one hundred seventy-five, so make sure you sign up early to see Elvis! Reservations will be taken on Sunday January 22nd and Sunday January 29th.  We ask that you prepay when you make the reservation.  Child care will be provided along with drinks and snacks for the tikes.  Please feed your children dinner before bringing them.  If you have any questions, please ask Guy and Linda Marquette or Steve and Brenda Morehouse.

 This “Come-And-Go-As-You-Will” service will be held in the Bethel UMC Chapel between 7:00 and 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, February 22.  Come anytime during that hour, and stay as briefly as you wish, or for the full hour, for meditation, prayer, quiet communion, and marking of the forehead or hand with the sign of the cross of ashes.

 On Sunday night, March 18, at 6:00 pm, the widely traveled "Soul’d Out Quartet" will present an evening of Christian music in our Sanctuary.  You, your family and friends are invited to join us!  Among the 2011 bookings listed on their web site, they appeared in OH, MO, SC, NC, IN, IA, PA, NJ, VA, KY, NY, MD, MI, FL, OK, AR, Tn, and GA. In 2012, they're adding a Caribbean cruise to their listings. A voluntary love offering will be taken, and there will be an opportunity to secure CD’s of the group’s music.  Use this event as an opportunity to Bring a Friend!!

If you’re worshiping regularly here at Bethel United Methodist Church, and are interested in making this your church home, now may be the time for you to participate in a New Members Class,   You are invited to meet with Pastor Bowdle for a series of two class sessions to prepare you for membership.   Our classes will meet on Wednesday nights, February 29 and again March 7, from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. each evening.  You’ll meet in the pastor’s office.  Leave a message for Pastor Bowdle at 734-6786 or at RevBowdle@fuse.net to register for the two classes, or raise questions you may need answered.  New members will be received into membership in any of our Sunday morning worship services on March 18.  If you must miss these classes, they will be offered again on May 30 and June 6, with membership reception on June 24th at an evening service.  The third and final set of classes in 2012 will be on October 10 and October 24 with membership reception on Sunday evening, November 4.