Pastor Lucy's Message
(May 2025)

---

Dear God's beloved,

Happy May! Hopefully Spring has finally turned the corner where it feels like it's inching its way to
Summer rather than feeling like Winter. I know I'm itching to go shopping for my annuals that I put in pots on my front steps. It feels good to get my hands in the dirt and add some color to the yard.

May can also be a very busy time of year full of celebrations and honors.

• Mother's Day is a day filled with joy but also pain. We feel joy as we give thanks for all who have been "mothers" in our lives—those who have supported and nurtured us as we grew: biological moms, foster moms, stepmoms, aunts, and friends. But we also feel pain—as so many no longer have moms in their lives. Whether by death or another means of separation, memories come with joy but also the pain of the inability to make new memories and hearts ache and anger may rise.
• In the church, Confirmation is traditionally held in either May or October. At Bethany we will celebrate on May 18th as we celebrate with Josye and Jude Keltner as the affirm their baptism and renew their promises to walk in faith. We will gather as a congregation to reaffirm our promises to walk with them in their faith end to help them to never forget the love and call they have as members of the body of Christ.
• May 24th is the graduation ceremony for New Lisbon High School. There are two graduates a part of Bethany that will be crossing the stage and getting their diploma. Josye Keltner and Abby Steele will both be attending Western Technical School to pursue a nursing degree. Abby has the specific goal of becoming an 0B RN or a Travel Nurse. Congratulations Josye and Abby for reaching this milestone in your education and we wish you many blessings as you wall< into your futures. Remember you are wrapped in God's love and the love of your community through Christ.
• Finally, May 26th is Memorial Day. We commemorate this day with a joint service on Sunday at East Lemonweir. We will give thanks for those who answered God's call to love their neighbor by serving their country and gave the ultimate sacrifice with their lives.

And those are just a few of the occasions for celebrating within our community. Of course, there are many anniversaries and birthdays that we can add to that list. All around the world communities will get together to celebrate and commemorate each other, their achievements, heritage, independence, and more.

But let us not forget to also celebrate our faith. Every day is a day to offer joyful thanksgiving and celebration to God for working in our lives and calling us to the holy work of loving God, ourselves, and all people. We celebrate because by the power of God through the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ is risen! —and is worl<ing in every life and every community. We celebrate because being called to be a part of that work is filled with awe and blessings beyond our understanding.

May you find something to celebrate every day this month.

--Pastor Lucy

BONUS SUNDAY SCHOOL
Our last Family Sunday School for the year will be May 18th at Bethany (3:00 PM start).
Any adult/child combinations are welcome.
You are invited to spend some time as families learning about God while we read, play, create, and fellowship.
Come join us!