Slideshow image

MISSION STATEMENT:
Bethany Lutheran Church’s Thoughts, Prayers and Action (TPA) committee is an alignment with the ELCA vision of GOD’S LOVE MADE REAL and the ELCA’s commitment to reflecting God’s love with action.  

The TPA mission is to defend and support the members of our community who need us most, not just with thoughts and prayers, but with deliberate action.  We believe we are called by God to serve our community and support and welcome all of God’s children.  We stand against bigotry and injustice.  We oppose attempts to marginalize or harm vulnerable groups within our community.   In the congregation, we educate members about issues, build awareness of community needs, and invite all to join in meeting these needs.   In the community we work for social justice by advocating, walking with, and financially supporting our most vulnerable neighbors, so that our community reflects the kingdom of God.  

Members: Peggy Lemond, Pam Shearman, Erin Smith, John Cunnigham, Lanet Cunningham, Sue Schunter, Deb Berdis, Marianne Anderson, Jaime Roncal, Cheryl Reimer, Hector Mendoza (via zoom), Matt DeBall, Heidi Hohman, Liz Quinn, Abbey Nicholas, Sadie Hennen, Pastor Katie Mueller  

Reconciling In Christ 

January 2025 - At Bethany’s Annual Meeting a resolution was passed calling for Bethany to become a Reconciling in Christ church, which adopted the following BLC Welcoming Statement found on BLC’s website 

https://bethanylc.com/welcome-to-bethany/pages/our-inclusive-church--48 

We now join 49 other ELCA congregations from a 38-mile radius (which includes 14 Northern Synod churches), who are now Reconciling in Christ. 

https://www.reconcilingworks.org/ric/findric/  

TPA again participated in local Pride Events (6/1/25 Crystal Lake Pride Walk and 6/15/25 Woodstock Pride Parade and Festival).  We joined local ELCA (Grace Lutheran, St. Barnabas, Living Waters, Nativity), and a growing number of other local denominations in these events (First Presbyterian of Woodstock, Tree of Life Unitarian, Ridgefield Presbyterian, St. Paul UCC Barrington, First Congregational C L, McHenry First United Methodist, St. Trinity Episcopal).   

Northern Illinois Synod RIC Update: 

At the June 2025 Northern Illinois Synod Assembly, a resolution was passed calling for the Northern Illinois Synod to become a Reconciling in Christ Synod. 

https://nisynod.org/programs/reconciling-in-christ  

Local Immigrants 

  • Bethany hosted a second annual event Dec 2024 which Celebrated Las Posadas with the local community and San Andres Lutheran Church of West Chicago. 
  • TPA members attended Know Your Rights presentations to learn more how to support our immigrant neighbors, and we have worked to network with local churches and community programs who are dedicated to supporting our immigrant communities. 
  • Some TPA members are also involved with the McHenry County Rapid Response Team to support immigrant community members’ rights.  

Families: 

Through the TPA committee Bethany continues to support and advocate for two families who are legally seeking asylum in McHenry County.  BLC continues to work with St. Ann’s Episcopal and St. Mary’s Episcopal churches (now Trinity Episcopal Parish) and some members of Resurrection Catholic Church in mission called Neighbors McHenry County to support one of these families.   In addition, TPA members have provided advocacy and financial support to a second family legally seeking asylum.  

Examples of how Bethany has supported these families: 

  • Financial assistance for basic needs, car and rent 
  • Help with navigating legal, medical and other community services.   
  • Transportation to work and appointments 
  • ESL supports 
  • BLC hosted a very successful silent auction for Neighbors of McHenry County on April 26, 2025, which raised $6,248. 

If you want to help invoke and create real change on a local level, participate in actual productive programs or support growth in your community, Thoughts Prayers and Action would love to have you join our team. 

These are the upcoming activities we will be taking on: 

  • Savers fundraiser for the families legally seeking asylum on Sept 27, 2025 
  • Letter writing campaigns to support immigrant rights in McHenry County 
  • Continuing our commitment to our families who are legally seeking asylum  
  • Developing more networking with other McHenry County churches and denominations to support the mission of TPA – including the McHenry County Rapid Response Team  
  • Exploring more ways to demonstrate our welcoming statement with LGBTQ+ community who may be looking for a church 
  • Pursuing our mission in finding ways to spread God’s love to persons from diverse backgrounds such as people with disabilities and persons from different cultures, races, and backgrounds 
  • Continuing all other advocacy efforts in our vulnerable community members 

Our next meeting is on Sunday 24th following 10:30 service.  Light lunch will be provided.  All are welcome.   

Please contact Peggy Lemond with any questions or input.  (815)878-1699  pegg_1@sbcglobal.net