Hand to God
This month at Bethany, our theme is "Hand to God: making commitments, keeping promises, renewing vows." The philosopher, Hannah Arendt, said, "Promises are the uniquely human way of ordering the future." Our lives are constructed from the commitments we make and the ways we keep them. We exchange vows when we get married. We sign contracts when we start a new job. We shake hands to make a deal. Or we pinky swear to keep a confidence.
And then we're true to our word, or we renegotiate the terms of our agreement, or we break our promises. And it shapes the people we become.
The God of the bible relates to their people primarily through promises. Through a covenant. And it structures their life together. Both sides wrestle with and haggle over the terms. Both sides fail to live up to the bargain. And both sides find ways, ultimately, to keep that covenant generation by generation.
Faithfulness, treachery, wrestling, and renewal. We're getting into all of it. As we order our future together and with the God who has promised to love us and keep's their promise. Join us in May!
Find us Sundays mornings at 10:30am in the sanctuary or online!
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Two Ways To Support Black, Queer Equity
Saturday May 11th
Lighthouse Foundation (of which Bethany is a member congregation) is hosting its second annual Black Queer Equity Index (BQEI) Soul Food Brunch, a free gathering at Wilson Abbey (935 W Wilson) featuring live music, free soul food, and two lively panel discussions about the importance of Black Queer Equity.
Help out in one of two ways:
Option 1: support the work by attending, learning, and celebrating. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Option 2: support the work by volunteering! Rebecca is planning on it, so you'll know at least one person. Slots start at 9:30 a.m.
Register to attend (free!) here. Volunteer by emailing Marcus at mpayne@lightfoundchi.org. Hope to see you there!
Chamber Music @ Bethany Presents: George Crumb’s Black Angels
Sunday May 5th at 2pm
Violinists MingHuan Xu (Roosevelt University) and Emily Boone (Present Music), violist Doyle Armbrust (founding violist of Spektral) and cellist Nick Photinos present Black Angels, featuring George Crumb’s iconic and eponymous work, among the 20th century’s most famous chamber works. Mark your calendars for the chance to hear this unique and striking piece written for an "electric string quartet".
This will be our last Chamber Music At Bethany concert, and we hope to go out with a bang! Please come out and celebrate this amazing series we've been able to enjoy for the past several years. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.
Congregational Retreat
Saturday May 18th 9am-1pm
You’re invited to a half-day, all-congregation retreat on Saturday May 18th, from 9am-1pm. We’ll provide childcare and lunch from Potbellies, and we’ll have a morning full of activities and conversation about what God is calling us to as a community. Mark your calendars and please sign up here if you’re able to attend!