Update from Pr.
How can you help?
1) The congregation asks for continued prayers. Pr. Christenson reminds us that the task today is the same as a week before the fire: to build up the body of Christ – the Church – and if we do that, then God will see that the church, the building, gets built. Please ask God to help them focus on ministry and not be tempted to concentrate instead on the building.
2) At this time, congregation leaders are still in an assessment mode regarding repair to the sanctuary and other heavily damaged parts of the building. Actual work projects they will undertake will not be determined until later this winter. They are accepting offers of work parties with construction type abilities. Please contact Pr. Christenson by email kurt.christenson@verizon.net or call the church office and leave a message for their “gift coordinator” Laurie Burnes at 413-733-4494.
3) For those who are not construction oriented, help with future programming to extend the church’s ministry into the neighborhood is most welcome. Remember that the need to lift up the gospel will be there long after the re-construction process. If you have special talents to offer, please contact Pr. Christenson so that possibilities and plans may be considered for 2007.
4) Your cash donations are deeply appreciated. Please continue to send financial gifts through your own congregations.
Thank you for your partnership.
Further information will be posted as available. Please continue to check this site.
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will supplement any monies offered to the Bethesda Fire Recovery Fund through their Care in Regions program, $1 to $3, up to $5,000, through Dec. 22. That means that $15,000 in donations would be supplemented with an additional $5,000. Checks should be made out to Southwestern MA Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, with the notation "Bethesda Fire Recovery Fund" written on the memo line, and sent to the chapter’s financial director: Al Canary,