This Week In Common

It's about that time of the semester......time to relax and have a bit of fun! This is especially true if you are thinking that you don't have time to do either of those things (that's when we need it the most). :)

Program Common Meal this Wednesday (Feb 25) will focus on having fun with each other! It's Game Day!

Bring your favorite board/card game or join someone else for an afternoon

Bethany Worship
Wednesday, March 4 @ 11:20 am
Nicarry Chapel

The old has gone! The new has come! All this is from God!

The next in our series of Student Conversations will be happening on Monday, March 9 at 7:00 pm in the Gathering Area. Student Leadership Team has been very excited about the conversations we have had thus far and look forward to this and possibly one more yet to come!

For our conversation on March 9, SLT is bringing the following three topics for discussion:

Bethany Worship
Wednesday, March 25 @ 11:20 am
Nicarry Chapel

Join us for worship this week as we welcome guests from the White Oak COB to preach from the words of Hebrews 11:1-6, “Hearing from the Heroes.” Brothers Jim Myer, Ron Copenhaver and Dave Wenger will guide us through worship in song, prayer, and words.

Speaker on Israel and Palestine:
Come hear about "Jewish American Visions of Peace and Justice in Israel -
Palestine" as Sue Swartz, National Vice President of Brit Tzedek v'Shalom
offers her perspective on key issues in the region, in the Obama
presidency, and in U.S. Mid-East foreign policy. When: Wed., March 25, 4
p.m. Where: Loose Lecture Hall, Bolling Center. Contact: Campus Ministries

The Bethany Board of Trustees will be meeting March 27-29 at the Bethany Center. Please join in welcoming them to campus.

Don't forget to register for Bethany's Presidential Forum March 29-30! Titled "Weaving Wisdom's Tent: The Arts of Peace," the Forum will focus on spirituality, art, and peacemaking, and imagining biblical interpretation, conflict transformation, and care of creation as forms of art essential to peace and justice.

Don't forget to register for Bethany's Presidential Forum March 29-30! Titled "Weaving Wisdom's Tent: The Arts of Peace," the Forum will focus on spirituality, art, and peacemaking, and imagining biblical interpretation, conflict transformation, and care of creation as forms of art essential to peace and justice.

Presenting at Programmed Common Meal this week will be Val Friedell, Bethany Master of Arts student. Val will share with us her thesis work on the topic of "Preaching the Biblical Text: Saving the Bible from Obsolescence". This is Val's opportunity to share her work with our academic community and our opportunity to connect with the work of our MA students/classmates.

Musician & LGBT activist Roger Goodman will share about his experience at the Stonewall riots in New York City and his continuing political presence through his teaching and performing throughout the country.

Free admission, no tickets required.
Goddard Auditorium, Carpenter Hall

COLLEGE MEETING FOR WORSHIP:
Join us as Trish Eckert, Campus Ministries Intern and PAGS Associate,
speaks on "Story as Sanctuary: Sacred Opportunities." This is the eighth
in a series on “Sanctuary.” Childcare is provided. When: Sun., April 5, 11
a.m. Continental breakfast begins at 10:30 a.m. Where: Stout Meetinghouse.

Bethany Worship
Wednesday, April 8 @ 11:20 am
Nicarry Chapel

Join us for worship this week as we welcome Holly Hathaway to present her senior sermon! Holly will be bringing the message from the words of Genesis 6:14-16. Speaking on praise and adoration of the one true God, Holly’s message is entitled, “Master of Divinity.”

COLLEGE MEETING FOR WORSHIP:
Join us as Anna Margaret Birkel, Senior English & Music Major, speaks on "Beset by Bunnies and other Perils--my Journey toward Easter Joy". This is the ninth in a series on “Sanctuary.” Childcare is provided. When: Sun., April 12, 11 a.m. Continental breakfast begins at 10:30 a.m. Where: Stout Meetinghouse.

Bethany Worship
Wednesday, April 15 @ 11:20 am
Nicarry Chapel

For worship this week we welcome Travis Poling, who will be giving his senior sermon. Led by Anna Lisa Gross, worship will focus on on texts from Isaiah 58:1-14 and Matthew 6:1-18. Come, explore justice through worship, both of which are our calling and necessary to enrich each other as disciples.

Bethany Worship
Wednesday, April 22 @ 11:20 am
Nicarry Chapel

Join us for the final Wednesday Bethany Worship where Dava Hensley will present her senior sermon!

Coming from Roanoke, VA, Dava will bring her message, “Risky Business,” from the words of Mark 1:40-45 where Jesus tells the leper, “I do choose. Be made clean!”

Please join us for our final programmed common meal of the semester on Wednesday, April 29th at 11:20 a.m. in the ESR Dining Room. Karen Garrett will share with us the fruits of her thesis labor on the topic of "Brethren Spirituality: A Study of Brethren Hymn Texts and Poems - 1850 to 1880". This is a wonderful opportunity to learn from and celebrate with Karen!

The Bethany Board of Trustees, Faculty and Candidates for Graduation wish to invite the community to attend a service of worship to celebrate the 104th Annual Commencement on Saturday, May 9, at 2:30 p.m. at the Richmond Church of the Brethren, One Southwest 17th Street. No tickets are needed. A reception will be held following the service at the Church.

COLLEGE MEETING FOR WORSHIP: All are invited as Jay Roberts, assistant professor of Education and Environmental Studies, speaks on The Beautiful Foolishness of Things at the first in a semester-long worship series on "Faith and Reason." When: Sun., Aug. 23, 1 p.m.
Notice the new meeting time this year. Where: Stout Meetinghouse.
Contact: Campus Ministries at burkke@earlham.edu or call x1386.

Bethany Common Meal

Bethany Programmed Common Meal. Meal at 12:10

Join the Bethany community in Nicarry Chapel, Wednesday September 16, 11:20am-12 noon.

Tracy Stoddart will lead worship and Scott Holland (Bethany Professor of Theology & Culture) will preach, opening the Fall 2009 Faculty Preaching Series, "Fertile Ground" with the theme "Beauty & Abundance Without Worry" (Matthew 6:25-34).

Scott's sermon is entitled "Consider the Birds: On Beauty's Fearful Symmetry".

The service will move through the celebration of nature's beauty and complexity; to the other side of beauty: the aggression and terror of nature.... the ragged side of nature; and finally into the symmetry that beauty itself has in our lives and our role as we find our place in that rhythm.

All are welcome to attend.

Join the Bethany community in Nicarry Chapel, Wednesday September 23, 11:20am-12 noon.

Anna Lisa Gross will lead worship and Elizabeth Keller (Director of Admissions) will preach, continuing the Fall 2009 Faculty Preaching Series, "Fertile Ground," with the theme "Fallow or Fertile Future (Genesis 38:1-30)."

All are welcome to attend.

Bethany Common Meal

Join the Bethany community for worship Wednesday, September 30, as Amy Gall Ritchie, Director of Student Development, continues the Fall Faculty Preaching Series, "Fertile Ground," as she preaches about "Trust Beyond Ourselves (Exodus 16:1-36)." Lindsey Frye will lead worship.

Bethany Common Meal

Bethany Common Meal

Bethany Common Meal

Bethany hosts Joint Common Meal-CPE day

Join the Bethany community for worship Wednesday, October 28, as Ruthann Knechel Johansen, President of Bethany Theological Seminary, completes the Fall Faculty Preaching Series, "Fertile Ground," as she preaches on the theme "It Shall Not Return To Me Empty (Isaiah 55:10-13)." Parker Thompson will lead worship.

Bethany Common Meal

Bethany Program Common Meal-Matt Boersma. Meal at 12:10.

This Wednesday, November 11, David Radcliff, director of New Community Project (http://newcommunityproject.org/), will preach in Bethany Chapel at 11:20am. The title of David's sermon is "It's the End of the World as We Know It (and we feel fine...?)" on Revelation 12:1-6, 13-17. Chris Fretz will lead worship.

Bethany Common Meal

Progressive members of the Church of the Brethren have found ourselves at a threshold. Whether we will continue standing in the doorway, go through it, or slam the door shut, the time has come to explore our place, and decide next steps.

The second annual Progressive Brethren Summit will take place November 13-15, 2009 (Friday-Sunday) at Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren in Pennsylvania.

Keynote speaker: Gordon Kaufman, Professor of Divinity Emeritus at Harvard Divinity School.

Dont miss engaging workshops, empowering worship, and wonderful fellowship.

The summit is cosponsored by the Church of the Brethren Womaen's Caucus, Voices for an Open Spirit, and Brethren-Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests.

More info, with registrations info and tentative schedule here.

Progressive members of the Church of the Brethren have found ourselves at a threshold. Whether we will continue standing in the doorway, go through it, or slam the door shut, the time has come to explore our place, and decide next steps.

The second annual Progressive Brethren Summit will take place November 13-15, 2009 (Friday-Sunday) at Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren in Pennsylvania.

Keynote speaker: Gordon Kaufman, Professor of Divinity Emeritus at Harvard Divinity School.

Dont miss engaging workshops, empowering worship, and wonderful fellowship.

The summit is cosponsored by the Church of the Brethren Womaen's Caucus, Voices for an Open Spirit, and Brethren-Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests.

More info, with registrations info and tentative schedule here.

Progressive members of the Church of the Brethren have found ourselves at a threshold. Whether we will continue standing in the doorway, go through it, or slam the door shut, the time has come to explore our place, and decide next steps.

The second annual Progressive Brethren Summit will take place November 13-15, 2009 (Friday-Sunday) at Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren in Pennsylvania.

Keynote speaker: Gordon Kaufman, Professor of Divinity Emeritus at Harvard Divinity School.

Dont miss engaging workshops, empowering worship, and wonderful fellowship.

The summit is cosponsored by the Church of the Brethren Womaen's Caucus, Voices for an Open Spirit, and Brethren-Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests.

More info, with registrations info and tentative schedule here.

Enter God's gates with thanksgiving!
Come into God's courts with praise!

You are invited to join the Bethany community for worship and prayers of thanksgiving this Wednesday (November 18) at 11:20am in Nicarry Chapel.

This service will include time for celebration and quiet reflection, focusing on the much beloved 100th Psalm, as we worship in a spirit of gratitude. Kelly Burk, Director of Campus Ministries at Earlham College, will bring the message, and Carrie Fry-Miller will lead worship.

Come, let us make a joyful noise to God, and worship with gladness!

All are invited to the final Bethany chapel for the semester this Wednesday (December 2, 11:20am) for "Hope Foretold: Bethany Lessons and Carols."

This will be a time of special music, carols, and advent lessons prepared by the current Ministry of Worship class. Come with a spirit of anticipation and hope as together we await the coming of the Christ child!

Bethany Common Meal

Soon our second semester will begin! The Community Life Team invites everyone to a time of Drumming and Prayer at 8:00am on January 26 in Nicarry Chapel. In this 25 minutes of prayer, to seek the Heartbeat of God, we will experience:

a gathered silence
Drum Circle
Words of Blessing
Reading from the poetic lineage of Celtic Christianity
Spoken corporate prayer
Blessing
Drum Circle

26-Jan Emilie Towns
2-Feb New student intros and SMB intro
9-Feb Supervised Ministry
17-Feb JOINT-BTS Ash Wednesday
23-Feb Betsy Meyers, Friend In Residence
2-Mar Julia Pantoga's Liturgical Meal
9-Mar unprogrammed
16-Mar SPRING BREAK - NO COMMON MEAL
23-Mar JOINT-ESR Jesse Paledofsky
30-Mar unprogrammed 6-Apr Willson Lectures: Tom Hamm - "The Long Road to ESR"

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea.
(Psalm 46)

As we struggle to help heal our earth for the sake of God and neighbor, let us gather for worship and face the many questions that global climate change asks of our faith.

All are invited to Bethany Chapel this Wednesday, January 27, at 11:20am. The service will include voices from Psalm 46, Saint Francis, various theologians from throughout church history, and poet George Watsky, all witnesses on behalf of God's good creation.

Travis Poling will preach the sermon, entitled "Warming Globes, Melting Worlds." Parker Thompson and Katie Shaw Thompson will provide worship leadership.

Bethany Common Meal Schedule

Wed. 1/27: Worship 11:20/Meal 12:10
Wed. 2/3: Worship 11:20/Meal 12:10
Wed. 2/10: Program 11:20-Potluck
Wed. 2/17: Joint Meal with ESR-Ash Wednesday 11:20
Wed. 2/24: Worship 11:20/Meal 12:10
Wed. 3/3: Program 11:20/Meal 12:10
Wed. 3/10: Worship 11:20/Meal 12:10
Tue 3/23: Joint Meal with ESR 11:20
Wed. 3/31: Worship 11:20/Meal 12:10

Please join us for this spring's Peace Forum!

When possible, please come early to PF - even 11:45am. We've had such a fantastically long line of participants this year that we've had trouble starting the presentation on time. This spring we'll have food ready by 11:45 and would be delighted if you could come in early to share in the free, delicious bounty of shared food and fellowship.

Seth Hendricks and Jenny Stover-Brown will provide the live tunes for this coffee house style event. Come, relax, listen to great music, and catch-up with friends old and new. Drinks will be provided. Folks are invited to bring snacks to share.

See, the home of God is among mortals.
God will dwell with them;...
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.

Visions of the future have often been grim, especially in these times. God's vision, however, tells us that there will be healing in the times to come.

All are welcome to join Bethany in worship this Wednesday February 3 at 11:20am as Dan Ulrich, Professor of New Testament Studies, brings the message, "A Vision for Healing," based on Revelation 21:1-5 and 21:22-22:6. Laura Arendt will lead worship.

The Financial Aid Committee will be interpreting the new Financial Aid Plan for Bethany Seminary that will go into effect for the next academic year. Come learn about the new plan. There will also be time to ask your questions about the plan.

On February 10th (Wednesday) at 4:30 p.m., come to the ESR Dining
Room and hear about Dancing Bird's Apprentice, the project that was
chosen for the Tom Mullen Ministry of Writing Fellowship. To
introduce her work in progress, Patty Willis will take on the
characters of her industrious Mormon ancestor and a Native American

Tom Benevento is leading an effort to create a sustainable living homestead in the heart of Harrisonburg, Virginia.

This initiative seeks to integrate agroforestry, fish farming, solar applications, an organic garden, transitional housing for the homeless, and other sustainable living features into a community urban homestead.

Come as early as 11:45 to help the lunch line go quickly.

Join with us on Friday February 12th to celebrate Valentine’s Day with stories, songs and an interpretive reading of the “Song of Songs.” Come and remember the deep down joy of that crack of lightning that is love! Meet in Quigg.

This Friday, February 12th is our next scheduled Contra Dance! Join us from 7:00 to 10:00 with caller Jim Sizelove and great music by the 10th Street Regulars!

Join Bekah Houffe and other students at a Lock-In in the Bethany building on February 12 from 7pm to 1am. Come learn new and traditional youth games. Come to eat good food. Come to socialize. Just come! It will be Lock-In style fun but you will by no means be actually be locked-in. Come and go as you like!

Sponsored by BTS Community Life Comm.

Join Bekah Houffe and other students at a Lock-In in the Bethany building on February 12 from 7pm to 1am. Come learn new and traditional youth games. Come to eat good food. Come to socialize. Just come! It will be Lock-In style fun but you will by no means be actually be locked-in. Come and go as you like!

Sponsored by BTS Community Life Comm.

Since Bethany is hosting today's joint common meal, our program for both ESR & Bethany communities will be a chapel service commemorating Ash Wednesday.

Below is the information for the chapel service, which will start at 11:20am in Bethany's Nicarry chapel. Lunch will then be provided in the ESR dining room at noon.

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All are invited to gather for worship in Bethany's Nicarry Chapel this Wednesday, February 17, at 11:20am. We will explore themes and rituals surrounding Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the Lenten season.

Nancy Faus-Mullen will preach a sermon entitled, "Returning and Turning," and Lindsey Frye will lead worship around the text of Psalm 103. Ashes will be available for those who wish to receive them and remember our creation by God from dust.

All are invited to gather for worship in Bethany's Nicarry Chapel this Wednesday, February 17, at 11:20am. We will explore themes and rituals surrounding Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the Lenten season.

Nancy Faus-Mullen will preach a sermon entitled, "Returning and Turning," and Lindsey Frye will lead worship around the text of Psalm 103. Ashes will be available for those who wish to receive them and remember our creation by God from dust.

Joint Common Meal will follow in the ESR Dining Room at 12:00.

Take a break from studying, every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. and come over to the ESR Dining Room and watch French Chef episodes, starring Julia Child. Due to personal conflicts, this event will not be held on 2/17 or 3/24. It will also not be held on 2/24, when dinner with Betsy Meyer will occur. March dates are: 3/3 and 3/10.

Take a break from studying, every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. and come over to the ESR Dining Room and watch French Chef episodes, starring Julia Child. Due to personal conflicts, this event will not be held on 2/17 or 3/24. It will also not be held on 2/24, when dinner with Betsy Meyer will occur. March dates are: 3/3 and 3/10.

Join us for Peace Forum on Thursday, Feb 18, when David Johns will share about the "theology of otherness." He will continue our spring series on otherness.
If you can arrive around 11:45am, it will help the lunch line go more quickly. But come when you can, and leave when you must!

Take a break from studying, every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. and come over to the ESR Dining Room and watch French Chef episodes, starring Julia Child. Due to personal conflicts, this event will not be held on 2/17 or 3/24. It will also not be held on 2/24, when dinner with Betsy Meyer will occur. March dates are: 3/3 and 3/10.

Take a break from studying, every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. and come over to the ESR Dining Room and watch French Chef episodes, starring Julia Child. Due to personal conflicts, this event will not be held on 2/17 or 3/24. It will also not be held on 2/24, when dinner with Betsy Meyer will occur. March dates are: 3/3 and 3/10.

Take a break from studying, every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. and come over to the ESR Dining Room and watch French Chef episodes, starring Julia Child. Due to personal conflicts, this event will not be held on 2/17 or 3/24. It will also not be held on 2/24, when dinner with Betsy Meyer will occur. March dates are: 3/3 and 3/10.

ESR will be hosting Elizabeth "Betsy" Meyer as Friend in Residence the week of February 21st, 2010.

Betsy will be the speaker for ESR's Common Meal on February Tuesday, 23rd. She will share some of her spiritual journey; how God has worked in her life to form her through daily living. She also will tell us the stories of when she heard the voice of the Devil and when she saw the face of God.

Take a break from studying, every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. and come over to the ESR Dining Room and watch French Chef episodes, starring Julia Child. Due to personal conflicts, this event will not be held on 2/17 or 3/24. It will also not be held on 2/24, when dinner with Betsy Meyer will occur. March dates are: 3/3 and 3/10.

ESR will be hosting Elizabeth "Betsy" Meyer as Friend in Residence the week of February 21st, 2010.

Betsy will be the speaker for ESR's Common Meal on February Tuesday, 23rd. She will share some of her spiritual journey; how God has worked in her life to form her through daily living. She also will tell us the stories of when she heard the voice of the Devil and when she saw the face of God.

The annual clergy tax seminar has been scheduled. It will be held on Monday, February 22, 2010 in Bethany Center classroom 20 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon and from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. The presenter will be Rev. Deb Oskin, a member at the Living Peace Church of the Brethren in Columbus, Ohio.

Take a break from studying, every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. and come over to the ESR Dining Room and watch French Chef episodes, starring Julia Child. Due to personal conflicts, this event will not be held on 2/17 or 3/24. It will also not be held on 2/24, when dinner with Betsy Meyer will occur. March dates are: 3/3 and 3/10.

ESR will be hosting Elizabeth "Betsy" Meyer as Friend in Residence the week of February 21st, 2010.

Betsy will be the speaker for ESR's Common Meal on February Tuesday, 23rd. She will share some of her spiritual journey; how God has worked in her life to form her through daily living. She also will tell us the stories of when she heard the voice of the Devil and when she saw the face of God.

All ESR students and faculty are invited to a Pastoral Care Open Discussion/Threshing Meeting on Tuesday, February 23 at 5:00 pm in the ESR Dining Room. Please come and offer your ideas, solutions, input with regards to our Pastoral Care as an abundant, spiritual community.

SUBSTANTIVE SNACKS WILL BE PROVIDED!

Take a break from studying, every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. and come over to the ESR Dining Room and watch French Chef episodes, starring Julia Child. Due to personal conflicts, this event will not be held on 2/17 or 3/24. It will also not be held on 2/24, when dinner with Betsy Meyer will occur. March dates are: 3/3 and 3/10.

ESR will be hosting Elizabeth "Betsy" Meyer as Friend in Residence the week of February 21st, 2010.

Betsy will be the speaker for ESR's Common Meal on February Tuesday, 23rd. She will share some of her spiritual journey; how God has worked in her life to form her through daily living. She also will tell us the stories of when she heard the voice of the Devil and when she saw the face of God.

Take a break from studying, every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. and come over to the ESR Dining Room and watch French Chef episodes, starring Julia Child. Due to personal conflicts, this event will not be held on 2/17 or 3/24. It will also not be held on 2/24, when dinner with Betsy Meyer will occur. March dates are: 3/3 and 3/10.

ESR will be hosting Elizabeth "Betsy" Meyer as Friend in Residence the week of February 21st, 2010.

Betsy will be the speaker for ESR's Common Meal on February Tuesday, 23rd. She will share some of her spiritual journey; how God has worked in her life to form her through daily living. She also will tell us the stories of when she heard the voice of the Devil and when she saw the face of God.

The United States is currently home to the largest population of immigrants in the world. Since the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, the United States has become the most religiously diverse country in the world. This dramatic shift in the cultural, ethnic, and religious identity of America has been met with both significant welcome, and strong, sometimes violent resistance. Rev.

The United States is currently home to the largest population of immigrants in the world. Since the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, the US has become the most religiously diverse country in the world. This diversity presents both opportunities and challenges to established communities across the US.