The month of April has arrived. Spring rains. High water. Fiddleheads. Sap Season. Spring perennial flowers will be popping through the ground. April is a time of new birth. Mother Nature is waking up from her winter’s nap.
Today’s column comes out on Thursday, April 2, which is Maundy Thursday. The West Parish Congregational Church UCC in Bethel will be having a Maundy Thursday Communion and Tenebrae Service starting at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend.
“Maundy” comes from a word meaning “commandment,” recalling Jesus’s words to his disciples at the Last Supper; that they love one another as he has loved them. “Tenebrae” is a Latin word meaning “darkness” or “shadows.” In this powerful service, all gather at the table to share Communion and remember Jesus’ last night with his disciples. Then the story turns toward Good Friday as the portions of the Bible story reflect on Jesus in the garden while the disciples cannot stay awake, his violent arrest, his trial, his carrying of the cross, and the events of his crucifixion.
The joyous celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ will take place on Sunday, April 5th. In our towns there will be many Easter Services available for folks to attend. The Methodist Church and the West Bethel Union Church have a Sunday morning 9 a.m. Service. Locke Mills Union Church offers a 9:30 a.m. service. At 10 a.m. the Congregational UCC Church, Bethel Alliance Church, and the Pleasant Valley Bible Church will hold Church services. The Bethel Church of the Nazarene holds a 10:30 a.m. service. The Catholic Church offers a Saturday 6:00 p.m. Mass for folks to attend. Many different denominations celebrating the risen Christ!
These next 3 events coming up involve food and are held in the dining room of the Methodist Church located at 79 Main Street.
On Wednesday, April 8th, the Bethel Seniors will be meeting from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with Region 9 technical students providing the meal. Guest speaker will be Lyndsey Smith from the North Star Program.
On Tuesday, April 14th, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. is Neighbors Feeding Neighbors. This month’s meal will be chicken, stuffing and vegetables with folks bringing salad, bread and desserts. The focus for Neighbors Feeding Neighbors is to support our local Food Pantry. Non-perishable items may be brought to the Church which will be delivered to the Food Pantry. Some folks also like to make a monetary donation to help feed others in our Community. This free meal is open to everyone in our Community.
On Wednesday, April 15th, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. is Soup’s On! There are always new cooks coming on board so it makes for a variety and a delicious meal.
On Saturday, April 25th, starting at 6:30 p.m. there will be a guest speaker at the Methodist Church. “My Story,” by Alexander U. Falster. Al is an American citizen but was an immigrant. The story he is going to share is his story of how he became a citizen which was not easy but it was made easier by many people, some he only met for a minute before, others he knew longer but they all had something to offer. Advice, a handshake, a kind word during the difficult years. Al was sworn in as a citizen and gave a speech for the assembled 63 other new citizens. Al will share some of those heartwarming stories, only the good and positive aspects, lest they are forgotten. He does not want to go into current situations. His story will be told without politics. His story will give hope and show others what it takes to immigrate and especially why.
Even though we live in a small town there are many among us who have a story to be told. “My Story” with Alexander is just one of many stories that folks living in our town can share that may have an impact on our lives.
There is a free year-long program starting up on April 21 at the Bethel United Methodist Church. Called “Food Is Medicine,” it is designed for people who are at risk for Type 2 diabetes, and who have limited access to affordable, healthy foods. See details in the flyer below.
This column welcomes news and local events that can be sent to lhowe7273@gmail.com