80th Anniversary Committee 2014 Annual Report
To recap the year…
To kick off our 80th Anniversary, Reta & Alf Warias held a fundraising dinner; proceeds were given to the ‘Float Committee’ to offset the cost of entering a float in the November Christmas parade. They supplied the food and prepared the meal for all of us to enjoy. A heartfelt Thank You for their generosity.
ups for the monthly newsletters and the weekly announcements. Beginning in May, Doug delighted us with entertaining antidotes from the church archives. Highlights from each decade were reminisced over the course of the year. Our utmost appreciation for the hours spent on this project.
Mishaps.
For the ‘Retro Service the liturgy was read from the ‘red book’ and we sang nostalgic hymns. Ladies
and gentlemen dressed up from back in the 60’s in their ‘Sunday Finest’. The Social Tea brought back memories of a time when people leisurely chatted and took the opportunity to get to know one another.
Thanks to Shirley Hickey, Phyllis & Doug Allen for planning a fun out-door service in June. The weather was perfect. After the service, we enjoyed a BBQ lunch while Irene Tiegs had games for the children and all of us were entertained by Don Dunham – singer and jokester who delighted young and old.
…”It is fun to have fun but you have to know how”
What a terrific time we had with so many children joining in the service for Family Day. Thanks to Pastor Tanya for planning a truly interesting service of rhymes and fun. After the service there was a scavenger hunt where participants learned a bit about other members of the congregation, our church and the Bible. Once a healthy appetite was worked up, 65 people sat down to pulled pork and a great variety of potluck dishes.
and dancing to music provided by Jim Cochetto. Beer steins, with Bethany’s logo were sold full or empty.(There are steins still available for purchase at $7.00 each.)
Cantata Memories took us down memory lane with wonderful and inspiring music such as…
Come and Worship; Down to the River to Pray; A Thrill of Hope; Come Celebrate Jesus; Heart & Soul…
Words cannot express our gratitude to Irene Stickel (former organist) for her tireless commitment and boundless enthusiasm in organizing and directing this musical service.Thanks also to Bethany Choir for the many hours of practice and dedication in perfecting this wonderful performance.
The Anniversary Service was a moving tribute to Bethany pioneers, to our vibrant community and to our children who, God willing, will see Bethany far into the future. Bishop Michael shared the Good News and it was a pleasure to have him join in the celebrations. A catered dinner followed with fellowship, with a surprise visit from a town crier and we had the presentation of members artistic expressions.
Those people who shared their talents to commemorate Bethany’s 80 years in ministry were: Doug & Phyllis Allen, Marg Horman, Mary Moore, Esther Mueller, Lorraine Riffel, Barry Schneider, Helga Thompson, Reta and Alf Warias.
And finally, many thanks to:
Pastor Tanya for her extra effort and zeal when planning the special services.
Committee members: Doug and Phyllis Allen, Inga Hansen, Shirley Hickey, Barb Mason, Esther Mueller, Jean Sneyd, Gary Tubbe. These committed people worked diligently to provide a year of great memories.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Moore
Chairperson
And now we can declare these readings to be Ancient History and return again to the Modern Era of the year 2014. We have sailed an 80-year voyage and with God’s help, the voyage is only beginning. We have managed to overcome or outlast most difficulties. We had no congregation—and gathered one by 1934. We had no church and built one by 1952. We had a 20-year, 4 ½% interest mortgage and paid it off in less than 5 years. We had no room and expanded with a new building by 1965. We paid off a Second Mortgage and 150 people rejoiced in a Mortgage-Burning Celebration in 1975. We celebrated again in 1983 after paying off the final mortgage in the previous year. In spite of financial storms and personal tempests, Bethany has remained on an even keel through the billows and the calms of our 80-year voyage...and we conducted business as usual...
Doug Allen
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