Women's Recovery Home Prepares for Opening

We are pleased to announce that Bethany Lutheran Church has entered into an agreement with Catholic Social Services of the Upper Peninsula to lease the parsonage as a Women’s Recovery Home, effective February 1st, 2022! Currently, final clean-up and repair work on the parsonage is being completed in preparation for client arrival, and we thank all those who are helping with this work. We have embarked upon a wonderful ecumenical mission opportunity for this community!

From CSSUP:

“Our program provides a safe loving home environment to decrease addiction behaviors and reduce mental health issues in order to empower women to become self-sufficient, improve well-being, and encourage positive loving relationships. We offer both substance use disorder or mental illness treatment and recovery support services. This includes peer recovery and treatment professional-led support groups and individual counseling options to help stay in recovery. The program also integrates treatment and recovery with medical and behavioral health professionals, the criminal justice system, and other social services.

“Our emphasis is to provide support for pregnant women, mothers and their children, and other at-risk families using approaches that minimize stigma and reduce other barriers to care.”

To learn more about the recovery home or CSSUP, visit their website here.

The Ark Preschool Closes Its Doors

After 45 years of service to community families, The Ark Preschool will be officially shutting down on January 31st, 2022. Declining enrollment and the loss of staff due to the COVID-19 pandemic ultimately led to the difficult decision to close.

In a letter to the State of Michigan, longtime Ark director Jeanne Sauter wrote, “Since opening in 1977 we have had many wonderful experiences, met some phenomenal families, had the opportunity to serve families of two generations and teach two generations of wonderful children. It has truly been a blessing to have been a part of something this special for so long.

“In a Christian atmosphere, provided by Christian teachers, God was associated with all that contributed to the child’s happiness and well-being and for that we thank God and our committed staff. Thanks to all of you who have supported our ‘little’ school and staff, we appreciate all you have done for us and our children.”

Bethany extends our sincere gratitude to all those who have been a part of this momentous chapter in our church’s history.

Updated COVID Transmission Precautions

As of January 12th, 2022, the 7-day average for COVID cases in Delta County has risen to 70 cases per day - the highest it’s been at any point during the pandemic thus far. Given this sharp increase in COVID cases locally and in an effort to be cautious, Pr. Terry has made the following changes to the worship services through the month of January: 

  • Pews have once again been blocked off to facilitate social distancing.

  • The number of hymn verses sung will be reduced.

  • The liturgy will be spoken rather than sung.

  • The Children’s Sermon will be suspended to reduce movement within the sanctuary.

  • Holy Communion will be served using the individual communion wafer and juice sets.

  • Pr. Terry will be unmasked but stay behind the altar plexiglass.

  • The strong recommendation for all within the sanctuary to wear a mask remains.

Please note that these changes will result in a shortened worship service. Should you have any questions about these changes, please share them with Pr. Terry.

Thank you for helping to keep our congregation safe!