After a fruitful summer of working out in the community as a Youth ministry, a new fall has meant a new start for Youth at Bethel! The Friday night Youth program this year is structured the same as it has been in the past:

Outlet is our ministry designed to build relationships with youth through fun activities. Just this last Friday we had 80 students show up for the Cornmaze (many of them discovering Bethel through youth and children’s camps).

Additionally we have Catalyst,  our Bible Study with Worship and “Tribe Time.”

In an exciting development this year, our new Worship Director Kevin will be working with our students in creating a youth worship team to play at Catalyst!

This year the theme for Catalyst is “Wrestling with God.” Some of the Bible studies we will have include questions like “Can we learn anything from other religions?” and “If God already knows what we are going to pray, why do we do it?.” It will be exciting to see what comes out of these learning times. In addition to teaching, every Jr and Sr High student is placed into a “Tribe” with adult leaders who commit to be an older brother/sister for them in Jr/Sr high.

Another development in the Youth Ministries this year is the creation of the “Youth Executive Team.” This is a team made up of parents, youth, youth volunteers and youth staff who are committed to see the youth of Bethel, and our surrounding community, grow in their love for Jesus. Their most important mandate is to pray for our young people and all of the ministries they are connected to. They will also review the vision, programming, and intergenerational elements of Bethel Youth on a regular basis. We pray these conversations will lead to fruit in the ministry.

Over the next year as a congregation we will see youth increasingly more involved during Sunday Morning Services and the life of the greater congregation, and also in connecting with Bethelites of all generations through “Prayer Partners”!

Please keep the young people of Bethel in your prayers over this next year J

- Pastor Ryan

Recently I have heard many encouraging reports about life in the Bethel community.  Let me share them with you:

• Many who hosted summer picnics with their Bethel neighbours told wonderful stories of their time together and of relationships started or strengthened.
• Nearly 300 people—about 100 more than last year—attended our recent church picnic.
• 10 new small groups (with over 70 people who are just joining small groups) have embarked on the 40-day, Growing in Community, journey.
• The Over 50’s Group had a tremendous turn out last Sunday—the “full house” was indicative of how attendees look forward to being together.
• New people have joined the Taekwondo and ESL ministries.
• The Oasis women’s ministry has gotten off to a good start.  There were several new faces in attendance, and everyone has been very supportive of the ministry. The nursery is well staffed, and new people have stepped forward offering to lead groups.  
• The Bannerman Afterschool Soccer Program received great support from the local public school with the result that 25 children came on the first day.  This is more than usual for the start of a new season.
  

No doubt there are many other wonderful things happening in and around Bethel Church, but these few reports have caused me to feel great joy.  I have no doubt they are the result of God answering our prayers. As we embark on the journey of Growing in Community over the next weeks, I hope and pray that our community life will grow broader and richer still. –Pastor Tom

With the kick-off potluck supper of Saturday evening, this weekend marks the beginning of the Growing in Community journey.  Messages and small group discussions are set to start on September 21.

We have hardly begun the adventure and we already have a couple of reasons for excitement:

·         Participation is extraordinary.  Virtually all of the existing small groups are involved, and we are launching the equivalent of seven brand new small groups, as well.  Well over twenty groups in total will be taking part.

·         The young adults taking the journey have opted to join new or existing small groups for the 40 days, rather than be separated into a group just for people their age.  This is a wonderful development.  This means our young adults will be truly integrated into the life of the church.  It takes us one step closer to our dream of being a fully intergenerational church where people of all age groups are connected and benefiting from one another.

We have called this thrust Growing in Community.  This articulates our hope that each participant will experience personal growth within the context of a supportive small group.  At the same time it expresses our hope that we will grow together to become the kind of church God wants us to be.      –Pastor Tom

How did you spend your summer?  You may have had a vacation or a stay-cation or perhaps these past few months have been the busiest of your year.  However that may be, the summer months tend to scatter Bethelites in different directions.  We lose some of the connection we enjoy during the regular church year.  But that is all changing now.  Kids are back in school, families are returning to familiar patterns, and the church year is getting underway again. 

So, I’m glad you're back.  Or maybe I was gone when you were still here. Then, I’m glad I’m back.  Whatever the case may be, I am glad the family is together again.  I believe a lot of good things are in store for us, and I am looking forward to this new year with you.  –Pastor Tom