“The old world is dying, and the new world struggles to be born: now is the time of monsters.”
That’s Antonio Gramsci, writing from prison. A writer, journalist, parliamentarian, and anti-fascist, he was arrested when Mussolini stopped pretending Italy was still a democracy. It was 1926 and Gramsci was 35 years old.
Now a new generation, living in what we might call a time of monsters, is learning his name. A thinker for our time, with a ringing quote that fits on an Instagram slide.
One clarification, though: Gramsci didn’t say that.
The quote is a mash-up from thinkers and politicians across time and space, trying to name what it feels like to be alive right now, whenever that is.
Here’s what Gramsci actually wrote, in the middle of thousands of pages of philosophy he wrote from prison, and then under guard on his death bed: “The crisis consists precisely in the fact that the old is dying and the new cannot be born; in this interregnum a great variety of morbid symptoms appear.”
Not as pithy.
But what’s a philosopher, living and writing during an interregnum, supposed to say?? It’s not a simple thing.
Interregnum: the time between two powers. Between one sovereign and the next. After one world order has ended, or been put to death, and before the next has emerged. When you don’t yet know what’s coming. A time of uncertainty, instability, and many kinds of monsters.
Relatable. What’s a church supposed to do?
Join us this October at Bethany as we shine a light under the bed of the world, turning out the monsters from their hiding places and, together, find the courage we need to be alive right now.
Sunday school is now back in session!
We are so excited to continue our year diving into the Fruits of the Spirit from now through May.
We can’t wait to sing worship songs, explore Biblical stories, and engage activities together in our k-2nd and 3rd-6th grade classes.
You can sign the Sunday School check in form when you join for worship. The kids will go to their classes after passing of the peace and you can pick them up downstairs after worship. If you want to learn more about what we talked about in Sunday School, check out the “This Week in Sunday School” flier outside the Fellowship Hall!
Sundays at 10:30 am in-person or online.
Sign up for the weekly email to stay in touch, for links, and the latest on everything we’re up to.
And, new!, subscribe to our calendar (a work in progress!) or view it here.
2027 STEWARDSHIP
Find yourself at Bethany
There’s a lot going on at Bethany these days. More than any one person is called to. More than any one household can do.
You’ve got a standing invitation to find yourself in the mix.
You’ve got a standing invitation to allow yourself to be found. By the community, by God, and by God’s particular call on your particular life.
This stewardship season, find yourself at Bethany. Look around at what’s on offer, dream together of what more God is calling us to, and then let us know you’re…
Make your pledge at the link above or return the pledge card (from your mail or in the bulletin) to the church. Thank you for all the ways you give!
Haunted House
Oct 31st, 5 - 8 pm
Bethany is hosting a Haunted House this Halloween from 5 - 8 pm! Come prepared for a haunted library, an otherworldly portal, ghosts, and… candy!
We hope you can stop by and get some tricks and treats while seeing Bethany’s building like it’s never been before!
Martinmas Lantern Parade
Nov 11th, 5:30 pm
Come celebrate Martinmas, an old Christian holiday named for St. Martin. Hundreds of years ago, it marked the beginning of a longer Advent season, and for hundreds of years before that, the beginning of winter and the feast season. We’re marking the day with lanterns, fire, gluhwein, and music from Full Spectrum Bluegrass!
The parade is BYO lantern but if you want support, come to a workshop on Tues evening, Nov 3rd at 7 pm or stay after church on Sun, Nov 8th (during coffee hour or the sew-in).
Come kick off the cozy season and be home in time for school night dinner and bed.
