February 2025

that so many people can get left out.

Here's a love idea that doesn't leave anyone out: God.

1 John 4:16 and following says in part, “God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; We love because he first loved us. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.”

John 13:34 says, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”

Romans 8:38 says, “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God

in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

At Bethany, we know what love is. God is love, and God is for all, forever.

Blessings,

Pastor Deb

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When I go to baseball games with my brother, I have often thought that I should bring a big sign with me that says “BROTHER!” just in case the kiss cam focuses on us during the game. I feel the same way about going out to dinner with a friend on Valentine's Day. It's kind of sweet the way we want to help people celebrate their romantic relationships, but love is a little more nuanced than that.

There's the Hallmark and candy and jewelry and flowers commercialization of it that might be kind of fun to get caught up in if one is in sweet circumstances. There are so many awkward moments that come to mind though. There are folks who are recently bereaved, recently divorced, happily single, or unhappily single, or just plain private about it all. The trouble with a holiday like Valentine's Day is

March 2025

For some, the month of March means the end of

Winter and joy and freshness of Spring! So why does

the Church bring us down from that freshness and joy

and enter a season talking about dust and ashes and

repentance and temptation? I want to be upbeat and

hopeful with the coming of warmer weather and longer

days.

Do you feel the same way? Well, my message to all of

us is that we really can have it all. We can experience

the joy and freshness of Spring budding all around us

that is real, and live with full acceptance that worry and

fear and suffering are also an integral though less

pleasant part of life.

And. That tiny but mighty word. In my letter for our 2024 Annual Report I said that my wish for Bethany for 2025

is that we would become Messengers of Hope. The more complex our world becomes and the more our default

ways of seeing the world are called into question, the more important it becomes to slow down and re-discover

what matters the most to us. What our values are; what we love; what we hold dear. In his book “Aflame: Learning from Silence,” Pico Iyer writes about the clarity and calm that comes from a time of quiet retreat. Paradoxically, the inner reflection that happens during a time of isolation is actually an invitation to greater connection. The point of the isolation of quiet retreat is not to remain in isolation. In the same paradoxical way, Lent is a chance to be honest about our inner darkness and struggles so that the renewal and rebirth that arrives with Easter can be celebrated with a new sense of clarity and yes, hope.

I hope you will join me for this Lenten season on a journey through the lengthening days of Spring, by joining in the two activities shown here. Let us discover the renewal that is possible as we look toward the coming joy of Easter Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Deb

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April 2025

weather among the tall redwoods and enjoy the beginning of the buds on these plum trees, standing tall all in a row.  Lingering is a special spiritual exercise that we can enjoy any time.  Lingering involves leaving our impatient feelings behind, forgetting the next thing on our list for just a moment, and holding on to the beauty we see, the thought we have, the presence of the person we are with and really enjoying the moment we are in.  These anxious days we are experiencing will not get the best of us if we learn to linger long enough to enjoy all that is around us that is not part of the global anxiety.

As Easter approaches, we are reminded with every passing day of the love and life of Jesus Christ as we read about his ministry and path to Jerusalem.  We stare at death with Christ on Good Friday, lingering there too, knowing that that Friday is not the final word.  May we finish this journey together, lingering for the beauty that is around even during the darkness.  Knowing that we will soon say Alleluia! He is Risen!  

Blessings,

Pastor Deb

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Hello friends,

Here we are in April already!  This month of Sundays will be one more week of Lent, then Palm Sunday, Good Friday and then the third Sunday is Easter Sunday already.  It feels like it would be easy to rush right through the final weeks of Lent.

With this photo, I invite you to say hello to the beauty that is Westminster Woods in the springtime! Those of us who were able to attend the Women's Weekend this year were able to linger there in the beautiful

May 2025

Many of the gospel writers end their writing with accounts of Jesus' resurrection and maybe advice to their disciples.  But it is the Book of Acts that recounts some of the Church's early history.  The Book of Acts is not a history book, but it is an account, written in a certain style, that was written after the first generation of believers.  “A passing remark from the German New Testament scholar Ernst Kasemann…'You do not write the history of the Church, if you are expecting the end of the world to come any day.'”  (Skinner, Matthew, Interpretation Bible Commentary series, Acts, 2025, p.8)

The author of the book of Acts seeks to help the Church come to terms with the fact that if the end times are not imminent, the Church will need to know where it has come from and what some of the early events were.  Having just been astounded by the reality of Jesus' death and resurrection, what did those early believers do next?  We have just finished celebrating the resurrection of Jesus and may be asking “what next?”  We will be looking at the book of Acts for the month of May in order to explore along with the early believers what it means to live in a time of not yet.  Where is the kingdom of God?  What will the kingdom of God look like?  Are there piece of the kingdom of God all around us?  What do you think?

The month of May comes with more Springtime beauty, flowers, sunshine, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, weddings and anniversaries, new birth – all that the resurrection means to us in all aspects of our lives.  May you be astounded.

Blessings,

Pastor Deb

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Hello Friends,

As we continue to celebrate Eastertide in the month of May, we enjoy the glory of all of the Alleluia's, and imagine the hope of the world resting on the new believers in those days.  Or should I call them the newly astonished.  I wonder if they were sure what it was they believed, or if they just knew that they were astonished.  

There's a difference between knowing something will happen, describing it, and actually witnessing it.  Think of the waves that crash on the shore during the King Tides we experience here on the coast.  We understand the science, how water moves, and why the crash of waves along the rocky coast happens.  We know that it will be amazing.  We believe that it will happen.  But to actually experience the power of water and the beauty and force of the giant splash is astounding.

June & July 2025

the flowers I was keeping in pots were really the kind of plants that wanted to be in the dirt in the ground.  

The gospels tell us a parable of Jesus about a sower who went out to sow.  Mark 4:4-8 says, “And as he sowed, some seed fell on a path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and it sprang up quickly, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root it withered away.  Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain.  Other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.”

Sometimes when things seem wrong I work so hard to figure out what I can change

to put things right.  I think about facts, feelings, etc.  But maybe sometimes, I'm just

out of place.  I'm not built to thrive in the soil I'm in.  For all of us, that soil might be a

relationship, a job, a city, a home, or a community.  It's not easy to think about a

change of place.  And then, there's the other side.  Have you ever had that wonderful

feeling that you are exactly where you belong?  You are planted in the right soil!  

This June/July issue of our Bethany Newsletter and our coming issues of Wednesday@Bethany, will have many opportunities for us to be community.  I hope that this summer provides you with many opportunities here and in your own communities, to find yourself in just the right place!

Blessings, and as always, let's talk.

Pastor Deb

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Hello friends,

Here on the left is the garden I wish I could grow.  When I first moved to my current apartment I was so excited that I have this nice patio space.  It's all concrete so no plants in the ground, but I put potted plants everywhere I could find.  I love the colors of so many flowers!  I went a little crazy at first and for a few years I purchased new flowers every season.  But soon the plants would live their short lives and die and I kind of gave up on having a colorful patio.

Of all of the things that can go wrong with a plant, watering too much or not enough, too much sun or shade, trimming, dead heading, etc. the biggest problem for me was that

August 2025

Hello friends,

Welcome to August!  I always feel surprised by where we are in the year.  In all of my XX years on earth, you'd think I would have a better sense of seasonal timing.  

It seems as though so much of our lives when we are younger, revolves around an academic schedule.  When events occur in our lives or the world, such as celebrations, the birth of a child or the death of a loved one, an illness, world events, a new job – time revolves around before and after that event.  

Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us of God's timing:

“For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die;

a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted

a time to kill and a time to heal;

a time to break down and a time to build up;

a time to weep and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn and a time to dance;

a time to throw away stones and a time to gather stones together;

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing;

a time to seek and a time to lose;

a time to keep and a time to throw away;

a time to tear and a time to sew;

a time to keep silent and a time to speak;

a time to love and a time to hate;

       a time for war and a time for peace.”

August is often the time when we get one last glimpse of summer before our thoughts turn to autumn – a season of change.  What season are you experiencing at the moment?  What season is on the horizon for you?  I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Blessings, and as always, let's talk.

Pastor Deb

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September 2025

Hello friends,

I hope you enjoy this beautiful sunrise from the front patio of the Mercy

Center in Burlingame.  I consider the photo to be proof that the retreat

time I enjoyed while I was there did indeed work it's magic.  How else

can I explain myself awake and up early enough to catch a sunrise?

There are so many ways that we might choose to renew ourselves. For

some it is simply in the stillness of sitting in a comfortable chair and

gaze at a beautiful sight out the window, or a sight from a rocking chair

on a wide front porch, or maybe from the top of a rock looking out over

a vast expanse.

For others renewal happens in the midst of the chaos of a family

reunion playing board games, running on the beach, or perhaps sharing

in a wild new adventure together.

One thing we know for sure is that time marches on.  Without a period

of renewal, the relentless marching of time eventually flows over us, not

with the softness of a bubbling creek, but batters us around like the

raging of white water rafting.

September often seems to me to be a time of almost, and not yet.   It's almost fall, but not quite yet.  As we finish off our summer with a Season of Peace through the month of September, we end the month with the beginning of our Chancel Choir rehearsals, and our fall Bible Study studying the Book of Esther.  

I hope you enjoy these last few weeks of summer-into-fall, and plan to join in on any of our activities coming up.  

Blessings, and as always, let's talk.

Pastor Deb

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October 2025

As a church, we are in a position to give voice to important concerns. Whether we care about the environment, social justice, immigration policies, world peace, or less global concerns like getting along with people you meet on the street or on the bus or in the shops; or individual concerns within our families – the church has an opportunity to be a beacon for peace.

In order to be that beacon, we must not fall into the pit of doom and gloom that can be so infectious these days. Some of us get inspired to action when our emotions are high, and we are able to be infectious in positive ways. Others do not do so well when our emotions are high. As we find ourselves surrounded by stressful words of others, we might want to consider this verse from Ephesians 4:29:

“Let no evil talk come out of your mouths but only what is good for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.”

Our faith has shown us again and again what a beautiful and grace filled life is possible because of the love God has shown us. So many of you are my constant reminders to remember those things of beauty that still exist, that still happen, and have not been destroyed by darkness. I thank God for each of you.

Blessings, and as always, let's talk.

Pastor Deb

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Hello friends,

As I left breakfast with friends this morning at a nearby diner, another customer greeted us, commenting on what a beautiful day it was.  "Our summer has arrived!" he said.

That is so true.  I love October in the Bay Area.  I also love Bethany in October.  Be sure to check out our News page, with your calendar in hand.   You don’t want to miss the Pizza and Puzzles night, the ongoing Bible Study, and a chance to mark your calendars ahead for our special events coming up in November as well. Every month when the Newsletter comes out, I am reminded of what a beautiful community this is. We have continued to be a bright light for the San Bruno Shelter, and for our own community.

November 2025

the Book of Esther today. One of the most popular quotes from all of the book of Esther comes from chapter 4 of Esther. She finds herself in a tough spot with some hard and dangerous decisions ahead of her. Her uncle appreciates what she is up against and offers her encouragement in verse 14.

“Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.”

As I try to imagine what that might feel like, I’m reminded of so many families I met in hospitals during my time as a chaplain. None of those families knew what was ahead of them and yet they met the moment. Whether it was devastating or joyous, families often found themselves in such chaos with no chance of avoiding it. And yet they moved forward. I think of all of the first responders, medical personnel, and scientists during the time of COVID and how many of them faced the unknown, perhaps thinking something like, “Perhaps I have come this far for just such a time as this.” I think of 8.2 million people taking part in events of October 18th with peace in their hearts, and maybe a little fear, meeting the moment and joining in because they have come this far for just such a time as this. Then there’s the joy and overwhelm of becoming new parents. New parents certainly know the feeling of hoping they have been prepared for what’s to come!

What does “such a time as this” mean? The direction of the country? The health crisis of a family member? An epidemic that calls for more courage and risk than we’ve ever known? Maybe it’s the startling new life that happens when a family begins.

Life, by definition, is about change, transformation, growth, and meeting the moment. Thanks be to God that God’s love and grace prepare us for whatever “a time as this” comes our way.

Blessings,                                                            and as always, let's talk.

Pastor Deb

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Hello friends,

I love the fact that leaves become their brightest when they lose the beautiful green that covers the original glorious yellows, reds, and oranges that live on these leaves. What we consider to be the beautiful, breezy, healthy green leaves of summer, really is covering up the greatest beauty. Instead of thinking of the fall colors and dropping of leaves as leading to the silence and darkness of winter, now when I see and feel the fall arriving, I think of them as becoming their best, truest, most beautiful selves later in their life! The older I get, the more I like that thought!

We just finished the fourth afternoon of our Bible study about  

December 2025

It must be winter. The bad news about that is, I’m cold. The good news is, hot chocolate is always “in.” Even saying “hot chocolate” brings to mind great memories. I think of the years when my dad would build a huge super thick ice skating rink in the back yard where our friends would come hang out for a while. After being out in the snow and ice for a while kids would come into the attached garage where we had huge bean bags and large pillows and blankets all around the edges and mom made huge coffee urns full of hot chocolate for anyone who wanted it. You probably have a fun hot chocolate memory too. Hot chocolate makes me think of warmth, relief from the cold, and general comfort.

The word comfort means to strengthen or console. Early meanings of the word focused on spiritual strengthening and well-being Our hymn, “Comfort, Comfort ye my people” begins this way:

This month we celebrate the bringer of God’s comfort into the world. The light that will not dim. The warmth that will not cool. The grace that will never judge. The peace beyond all understanding. Our Emmanuel, God with us, will be born in our hearts again in these days!

Christmas blessings to each and every one of you this season!!

and as always, let's talk.

Blessings, Pastor Deb

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Comfort, comfort ye my people,

Speak ye peace, thus saith our God.

Comfort those who sit in darkness,

Mourning neath their sorrows' load.

Speak ye to Jerusalem

Of the peace that waits for them,

Tell her that her sins I cover,

And her warfare now is over.