BLC Weekly, June 17
Hello Bethlehem,
This Wednesday! June 19th, also known as Juneteenth, is a holiday to celebrate the emancipation of enslaved people in the US. The Mankato Juneteenth celebration will take place on Wednesday, June 19th from 2-7 pm. We are looking for volunteers to represent Bethlehem by marching in the Freedom Walk and/or working the booth during the event. Help us show our community that when we say ALL are welcome, we mean it! Look for the sign-up sheet in the narthex. -Welcome & Inclusion Board
Learn more about Juneteenth and Wednesday’s event by visiting the Greater Mankato Diversity Council website. Please note, the Bethlehem office will be closed on Wednesday in recognition of this holiday.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Happy Pride Month! Thank you for helping us build our ark where all are welcome! Stop by the narthex and see the Ark put together by your Welcome & Inclusion Committee. Bethlehem is an RIC Congregation. Learn more about what it means to be RIC on our website or by visiting Reconciling Works.
The 2nd Annual Women’s Event is scheduled for November 9th, and we want YOUR group to join in the fun at our tour of tables! This year’s theme is Warm your Heart with Plaid! Be creative and advertise your group.
Bring a plaid tablecloth
Decorate the table with a centerpiece celebrating your group
Plates/napkins are provided but optional to bring if your group has something in mind!
Interested? Contact Joy Dykema, dykemajoy@gmail.com
Family Faith Formation
Mark your calendar: we’re going to ValleyFair! BLC Youth are invited to join us at ValleyFair on August 21. Keep an eye out for more details!
Our VBS Registration is open! All youth ages 3 years to 6th grade are invited to join us July 22-25. Our theme this year is Wholly Holy and together we will remember Jesus’ words from John 10:10b, “I came so everyone would have life, and have it fully.” We will learn about wellness and our connection to God. If you’re interested in donating to VBS, check out the donation tree in the narthex or visit our Amazon wishlist!
We are looking for 24 summer trip prayer partners for our kids and youth attending camp and the ELCA Youth Gathering. You’d send them a postcard and pray for them during the summer, and receive a response from your prayer partner before the summer is over. Email our Family Faith Director Anna at annawencl@blcmankato.org if you’d like to be a partner!
Service and Sun is coming up! Registration is closed, please contact Anna Wencl if you have any questions or would still like to attend.
LEADERSHIP
Bethlehem Strategic Plan
Check out the Strategic Plan Status Update on our website to learn about all that we did as a congregation and staff this year to bring life to the 2022-26 BLC strategic plan. We made great progress in advancing our mission and ministry. Thank you!
We Want You!!
Bethlehem wants YOU to consider serving in one of several open positions for the next 3 years on our Council, boards and committees:
Vice-President/President-Elect/President
Stewardship Board (1 position)
Finance Committee (3 positions)
Check with Bob Ihrig (507-388-1953 robert.ihrig1@gmail.com) for more details about the responsibilities and time commitment expected for each position. This is YOUR opportunity to use your time and talents to serve the mission and ministry of Bethlehem. Thank you!
Monthly Mission
Monthly Mission Match! We are excited to share BLC Endowment will match your contributions $1 for $1 for the next four Monthly Mission Projects: May, House of Hope; June, Lutheran World Relief; July, Partners for Housing; and August, Crossroads Campus Ministry. Give to any or all of these missions and your donation will go twice as far!
Bethlehem’s June Monthly Mission Partner is Lutheran World Relief. Lutheran World Relief tackles global poverty by helping people adapt to the challenges that threaten their livelihoods and well-being. Werner Fick and Bethlehem members have donated over 100,000 school kits to this mission, as well as quilts and other donations. Our goal is to raise $7,000. You can give online or with a check.
This Week in our Prayers
Curt Halvorson Marian Mallory Pete Wachtel
Les Biesterfeld Anna Moses Jim Freyberg
Barb Girtz Mark Woelfel Tracy Carter
Amy Grams Haugesag Michael Buesing Shirley Davis
Mark Krieger Anne Ferris Matt Anderson
Grace Lutheran in Waseca First Lutheran in Albert Lea
Central Freeborn Lutheran in Albert Lea Mansfield Lutheran in Alden
Ngimu Lutheran in Tanzania Igengu Lutheran in Tanzania