What a wonderful day we shared as we celebrated Bethany Sunday: Welcome Home! Thank you to everyone who brought delicious dishes, shared stories, helped decorate, volunteered, and joined us for a morning filled with friendship, laughter, and hospitality.
One of the highlights of the celebration was our Bethany Story Timeline, where members were invited to write what makes Bethany feel like home on house-shaped sticky notes and place them on the timeline at the year they first became part of our congregation. Reading through the responses revealed a beautiful pattern. Again and again, people shared that they first came to Bethany because someone invited them. Others wrote about being welcomed by a specific member, finding acceptance here, or discovering a sense of belonging through the choir, Hooks & Sticks, Senior Group and other ministry groups.
It was a powerful reminder that the church is much more than a building. It is the people who worship here, serve together, and continue to welcome others each time someone walks through our doors. Thank you for being the reason so many people have found a home at Bethany.
We were also blessed to hear stories from members who have helped shape Bethany's history. A special thank you to Jim Heisler, whose family was one of Bethany Lutheran Church's charter families, for sharing memories from the congregation's earliest days. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Clara Solak, Nikki Nordschow, Catherine Peterson, Jen Martinez, Annika Martinez, Susan Gavle, and Judy Hollister for sharing their stories and helping bring Bethany's history to life.
If you couldn’t participate on Sunday, there's still time! The Bethany Story Timeline will remain on display, and we invite you to add your name and answer the prompt:
"What makes Bethany feel like home?"
Our Welcome Home Photo Booth will also remain set up for a while longer. If we missed getting your picture during the celebration, stop by and capture a memory with your Bethany family.
Thank you to everyone who helped make our first Bethany Sunday: Welcome Home such a meaningful celebration. Together, we celebrated not just our history, but the friendships, hospitality, and love that continue to make Bethany a place where everyone can find a home.
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