EDUCATION
Weekly Zoom Classes
All classes are accessible on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86058259817.
We will continue to add classes throughout the fall and will update regularly as well as include offerings in the email blast.
ADULTS
Virtual Yoga—Thursdays @ 10:00 a.m., recurring beginning 1 October
Join physical therapist and yoga therapist Emily Large every Thursday morning for a truly unique experience of holistic worship by integrating the body, mind and spirit. In each class, Emily guides participants through appropriate movements, breathing techniques, use of sound, mental focus, reflection and prayer with intention to commune with God at every dimension of our human experience. Everybody and every body is welcome. Bring the kids and the grandparents! Emily skillfully offers appropriate modifications to those in need. Email Emily at livinglargetherapy@gmail.com with any questions.
Previewing the Lectionary—Fridays @ 1:00 p.m., recurring, beginning 18 September
Join Canon Tom O’Brien for a one-hour, open-ended, interactive and freewheeling discussion of the Bible readings for next Sunday. No Bible expertise is needed, just a willingness to discuss and learn. Each session is a “stand alone” session, so you can join any week. Having a Bible at hand to follow the readings is a plus, but not essential. For more information contact Canon O’Brien at tgobrien@comcast.net.
CHILDREN & YOUTH
Sunday School (Kindergarten-5th Grade; 10:00 a.m. Sunday mornings)
Our Zoom Sunday School is open to all children from Kindergarten through 5th Grade. Each month we discuss a different theme from the bible, do a fun, engaging craft, and pray for everyone we love. Our Zoom Sunday School has been meeting every week since the suspension of our usual format in March and it’s a great way to check in with other children and families that call Bethesda home. Teachers: Greg Knight & Johanna Reyers
Confirmation Class (8th Grade; 7:00 p.m. Sunday evenings)
Our Confirmation Class is available to all youth entering 8th Grade who are interested in possibly receiving the sacrament of Confirmation at our next bishop’s visitation. It should be noted that Confirmation is not required of all participants, however. Each week we talk through different aspects of what it means to be Episcopalian including the sacraments of the Church, the bible, Church history, and even the top ten reasons to be Episcopalian. You don’t want to listen to me talk for an hour, though, so we mix things up with games and activities as well. It’s a great way for our newly-minted teenagers to learn more about what we believe and why. Teachers: Beth Cole & Greg Knight
Pilgrimage Group (9th-12th Grade; 8:00 p.m. Monday evenings)
The most difficult part of planning a program year in the midst of a pandemic is not knowing what the future holds with any kind of certainty. How do you find the balance between being cautious and living without fear? 2021 was always slated as a pilgrimage year for our high school students at Bethesda, and we’re going to proceed with that guiding vision. This year our 9th-12th graders will, hopefully, work towards a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain walking the Camino Ingles in June 2021. Over the course of the year we’re going to be learning more about the twelve disciples and how they followed Jesus even though they didn’t know what the future held for them either. Teachers: Madie Anderson, Ashley Fogwell, Cody Fogwell, & Greg Knight
Youth Group (6th-12th Grade; 6:30 p.m. Wednesday evenings)
Our Youth Group continues to meet on Wednesday nights during the program year. This is less a class and more a chance for our young people to check in with each other, play games, and relax from all the typical online school atmosphere. The Bethesda Youth Group is a stress-free, judgment-free place for teenagers to hang out. Teacher: Greg Knight
Parents Group (0-5 years old; Monthly on Thursday @ 10:00 a.m.)
Unfortunately, our meetup group for pre-K children that we had been offering each month doesn’t necessarily work during a pandemic. However, we feel it’s important (especially for parents of young children) to have a spiritual support system. Beginning on Thursday, September 24 at 10:00 a.m. we will offer a monthly Parents Group meeting focusing on issues like being perfect, judgment, balancing work and family, etc. This meeting is open to all parents with children ages 5 and under. Hopefully, later in the year we will also be able to add distanced meetups with children at local playgrounds as well. Teachers: Greg Knight & Gretchen Matthews
For more information about our weekly children & youth activities visit the Youth and Families page.
SUNDAY MORNING FELLOWSHIP
Virtual Coffee Hour
Sunday after the 11:00 a.m. livestream service, we’ll gather in a Zoom meeting for a virtual coffee hour. Bring your coffee and questions. It will be an unstructured time for us to talk as a community. Click here to join us on Zoom Sunday’s at 11:45 a.m.
Virtual Sunday School
For all children ages 10 and under, we offer a Zoom Sunday School with Greg Knight & Johanna Reyers on Sunday mornings. We will have a story and short children’s homily, songs, and interactive crafts from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. on Sunday mornings. Click here to join us on Zoom Sunday’s at 10:00 a.m.