Hospitality towards All
Hospitality is one of the key elements of our mission at Bethany. Following the lead of Christ, we open ourselves and His church to all. Learn about Bethany's hospitality ministries.Altar Guild
The Altar Guild has the privilege of preparing for communion each week, and we have fun decorating the church for the different seasons of the year, including Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost. Fellowship and devotions are also part of our times together. We meet at noon on the second Wednesday of the month between September and May. Bring a sack lunch and join us. It's a great opportunity to get to know others in our congregation as we work side-by-side serving in this way.
Fellowship
Bethany is known as a "friendly" place. The opportunities for fellowship vary depending on your interest. Coffee & fellowship takes place between services each Sunday. We also have special events throughout the year for the whole congregation. Smaller groups meet weekly or monthly for fellowship as well.
FFF Seniors
Friends, Fun, and Fellowship (FFF) is a group of seniors who get together once a month. The gatherings are different each month and are always a lot of fun. In the past they have had travel presentations, potlucks, ice cream socials, watched videos, and enjoyed fellowship. Everyone is welcome to join this group, no matter what your age!
Retreats
The men and women of Bethany each take a retreat annually, the men in the spring and the women in the fall. The retreats provide in-depth study on particular topics, fellowship, and renewal, and are popular events for connecting with our brothers or sisters in the Bethany family and with our faith. The next Women's Retreat will take place March 9-11 at the Seabeck Conference Center. The next Men's Retreat will be held April 27-29 at Brunner's Lodge near Lake Wenatchee.
Building & Grounds
Atop a hill in the middle of the Island, the church is easily seen. The 1962 sanctuary, with a unique butterfly
roof and square shape, provides a variety of seating arrangements. Subsequent additions have added a kitchen,
fellowship hall, offices, classrooms, library, lounge and nursery. In 2004 an education building was completed
with flexible classrooms and a preschool. A yurt serves as a teen center. Most facilities are available to the
public and used by many non-church groups.
Blessed with an eight-acre campus, the site has been developed with an apple orchard of 50 trees, ball field,
picnic area, amphitheater, and a 150-space parking area used by the public as a park-and-ride lot during the
week with bus connections to the ferry terminal. There are extensive rhododendron plantings, many donated in
memory of loved ones. On the north side of the sanctuary is a tranquil memorial garden with a columbarium for
the final resting place of cremated remains. A Christmas tree plantation, although allowed to become overgrown,
still provides some Christmas trees. Next to the education building is a fenced playground.
Memorial Garden
Within steps of the sanctuary is a beautiful garden and memorial wall designed to provide tranquility and a consecrated resting place. The waterfall provides gentle sounds of a forest stream and the landscaping is designed to provide almost year-round bloom. The space is very peaceful and provides a contemplative place for renewal or meditation. The wall currently accommodates 72 niches with a personalized engraved stone cover for each niche. Persons wishing to reserve a niche may contact the church office.
Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts
Bethany supports scouting for boys and girls. Boy Scout Troop 1565 is chartered to Bethany and offers opportunities for boys ages 11-18. The troop meets Monday nights at 7:00 p.m. at the church. Learn more about Boy Scouts through the Chief Seattle Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
Four Girl Scout troops meet at Bethany with opportunities for girls of all ages. The leaders of Girl Scout Service Unit 311, who coordinate Girl Scout activities for all of Bainbridge Island, also meet at Bethany. Learn more about Girl Scouts through Girl Scouts of Western Washington.
Building Use
As a part of our hospitality mission, we open our building for many community non-profit events. Our Fellowship Hall can accommodate various sized groups up to 150 and may be rented for nominal fees. Other smaller conference rooms are also available for rental. More information can be obtained by contacting the church office.