Examples of Our Ministry Involvements

Ministries in Our Congregation:

The Bethany Beacons visit or take Holy Communion or send cards to Bethany members who are shut-ins, hospitalized, or in a nursing home.  They meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the church lounge.

Sunday school is in session every Sunday between Labor Day and Memorial Day weekends at 9:15 a.m. with classes for children from age 3 through grade 6.

re:Form (confirmation classes) are held for students in seventh and eighth grades.  We are revamping our confirmation program! We have new curriculum and a new layout. No more just sitting around and listening!  Confirmation will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 - 8 p.m. for class during the school calendar year. 

re:New (High School Youth Group) New to Bethany is our Wednesday night get together.  High school age students (9th - 12th grades) are invited to gather with us beginning at 7:30 - 9 p.m. weekly.  We will be watching the NOOMA video series this year.

Fo.Ga.Mo. Short for food, games, and movies is our new monthly Family Time.  We will meet the third Sunday of every month from 5 - 7 p.m. for various family activities and random fun! 

Women's ministry opportunities:  Bethany has 3 circle groups that meet monthly for prayer and Bible study. Faith Circle meets the second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at members' homes.  Grace Circle meets the second Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at members' homes.  Rachel Circle meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. at the church for a potluck meal and Bible Study.  Other areas of service include the altar guild, the prayer chain, and funeral and reception assistance.

Men's Breakfast Fellowship:  The Men's Breakfast Fellowship is a one-hour gathering of men on the third Thursday of each month at 7:30 a.m., currently meeting at the Mauston Park Oasis.  The purpose of the breakfast meeting is to promote fellowship among the men of Bethany, along with a brief Bible study before the work of the day begins.

Camping ministry:  We support and encourage Bible camping ministry by providing camp scholarships to our members who attend Sugar Creek Bible Camp in Ferryville, WI.

Parish Nurse ministry:  Our congregation's parish nurse, Mary Pirwitz, assists in the wellness of Bethany members by offering monthly blood pressure and consultation clinics on Sunday mornings.  She also writes monthly newsletter articles and sets up bulletin board displays -- and she makes hospital, home, and nursing home visits. 

                                       
                                               Mary takes a blood pressure reading on Wilma Miller.

Pre-marriage counseling:  We're available for member and non-member weddings.  Please contact the church for wedding date availability.

Music ministry:  The Bethany Festival Choir is made up of high school students through adults who enjoy singing.  Rehearsals are held Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. from September through May.  Kathleen Marose directs this choir. -- The Sunday school children's choir sings on the second Sunday of each month at the 10:30 a.m. service.  They rehearse during the Sunday school hour.  Their directors are Kathy Green and Diane Huebner.  The Bethany Band is made up of high school students through adults who enjoy playing an instrument in a band.  The rehearsals are usually Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. from September through May.  Sheri Benson directs the Bethany Band.  The Bethany Praise Team meets the second Wednesday of each month to practice at 7:30 p.m.  The Praise Team season is September through May.  Kathy Paul directs the Praise Team.  

Outside the church....                                                        

Ministries  in Our Community:

On the Food Pantry board; on the Juneau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Lutheran Social Services (counseling services); Mauston Area Ministerial Association, the Summer Food Program

Ministries In the World:
                                                                                                                          
Lutheran World Relief;  the mission work of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; the Soderling Weaving Hope mission in Guatemala

Support for our Ministries:

Each person at Bethany has many gifts. It is our prayer that we can share these gifts with others in our church, in our community, and throughout the world.