Bethany Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Merritt Watson tends to the chickens.

Photo by Tommy Banks

The barbecued chicken dinner Sept. 22 netted over $3,600 that will benefit Bethany’s rebuilding fund.

Organized by Bethany’s fundraising committee, the event had a great turnout of volunteers, all of whom had a good time working for a new church building.

The fundraising committee and the Bethany church family wish to thank the following people, businesses and organizations for their help, without which the church could not have been so successful: Merrit Watson for serving as our chief chicken cook; all the men who helped cook chickens and/or provided cookers; Eastern Propane for donating the gas for the cookers; Belangia’s for ordering the chickens and rolls and giving us a good deal; all the women of Bethany who provided cakes and tea; Roland humphrey for donating the coleslaw; the Arapahoe Volunteer Fire Department for allowing us to use their facilities; Armstrong’s Grocery in New Bern for donating some paper goods; everyone who helped prepare and serve; all who helped clean up; members of the fundraising committee for planning and organizing; and everyone in the community who supported the event.

The Stewardship Committee, Ben Casey, Johnny Cahoon, Jenny Kennel Adams, and Rex Horne, have talked informally about plans for a Commitment Sunday to conclude this year’s campaign to establish the level of giving that will sustain the church for the coming fiscal year. While Homecoming Sunday is Giving Sunday for the rebuilding of the sanctuary, Ben Casey noted, “We must not forget that we have to keep thriving as a church as we strive to build a new sanctuary and education building. We face challenges, great challenges, on two major fronts, maintaining church operations and building a new building. As Gary has said so many times in sermons, we are doing all of this because we are God’s children, we love God and God loves us. This is a generation in the life of Bethany Christian Church that I know is ready to step up to the plate and hit home runs. This generation in the life of Bethany will be remembered for its commitment to God and to its commitment to the sustained bright future of this church.”

Members of the Stewardship Committee will meet briefly after Sunday School, September 23, just prior to the Arapahoe FWB Church Homecoming.

There is still time to fill a shoe box for Operation Christmas Child! For more information, please call Barbara James, 249-0051.

Ben Casey, stewardship committee chair, requests that committee members join him for a meeting immediately following the worship service Sunday, Sept. 16.

Sep. 22 Barbecue Chicken Dinner, 11:00 am, Arapahoe Volunteer Fire Dept. 35 pound cakes needed, cut into 16 slices, wrapped and bagged; 40 gal. sweet tea needed; cookers and cooks and volunteers needed.

Oct. 6 Bethany Music Benefit, 5:00 pm, Pavilion. First annual Arapahoe Music Festival planned by Sara & Simon Spalding; variety of musical performers; hot dog plates, $5.00 per plate; Love offering donations; cupcakes needed for desserts; bring your own lawn chairs or blankets; invite everyone!

Oct. 13-14 MumFest, 9:30 am to 6:30 pm Saturday, 10:30 am to 5:00 pm Sunday, New Bern. Bethany will host a booth and raffle a gift basket; handcrafted items or other donations needed prior to Oct. 11; volunteers needed to staff the booth both days, 2 to 3 per 2-hour shift; 80,000 are expected to attend.

Oct. 21 Giving Sunday, Homecoming. Special envelopes will be available for giving to Bethany’s rebuilding fund.

Oct. 21 Bethany Bricks on hand for Homecoming. $50.00 per brick with engraved brass plaque attached. Purchase a momento from the burned church building.