BETHANY COMMITTEES
Bethany Committees help to carry out the work of the congregation. Anyone may participate in the work of a committee and can contact the Pastor or Council President to find out more. To contact the committee chair via email, write to bethany1706@gmail.com and include the committee name or chair in the subject line.
Christian Education Chair/Contact person: Frann Wilson
The Christian Education Committee, in association with the pastor, oversees the conduct and promotion of the schools and the activites of all organizations within the congregation. It encourages the use of teaching and worship materials seeks to introduce books of family devotion into the homes of the congregation.
Programs of the Christian Education Committee include: Sunday School, Adult Forum, Congregational Leadership Institute, Adult Bible Studies, Women’s Retreat, Summer Retreat and Vacation Bible School.
Worship & Music Chair/Contact person: Ray Sprout / Louise Koenig
The Worship & Music Committee, oversees the worship life of the congregation, including the usher staff, the alter guild, and the choir of the congregation. The committee provides for and properly care for hymnals and other devotional materials and cares for paraments, vestments and musical instruments. In consultation with the pastor, the organist, and the choir director, it provides for worship music.
The Worship and Music Committee is responsible for oversight of the Gathering Service, Spoken Word Service and Traditional Worship Service, Church Music, Concerts, Joint Services, Special Advent and Christmas programs
Property Chair/Contact person: Cathleen Todd / Ron Aaron
The role of the Property Committee is to learn God’s work using his knowledge to listen for direction in all aspects of the church property to properly maintain and expand upon all property and related gifts entrusted to us by God.
The Property Committee is responsible for the church building and church grounds as well as coordination with the Olean Food Pantry and African American Cultural Museum organizations.
Social Ministry Chair/Contact person: Tammy Aaron
The Social Ministry Committee is committed to assuring that Bethany is an experience of God’s hospitality for all. They are committed to developing service outreach opportunities, and to fostering conversations based upon ELCA social ministry statements. Programs of the Social Ministry Committee Include: Sunday Fellowship Hour, Pot Luck Lunches, Lenten Bread and Soup Lunches, Movie Nights, Game Nights, Charitable Initiatives with local non-profit organizations.
Evangelism Chair/Contact person: Bob Skudlarek
The Evangelism Committee invites people into a relationship with Christ. They welcome visitors and encourage participation by church members in congregation activities.
Committee activities include: welcoming visitors, publicizing Bethany activities, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with the congregation and the public.
Stewardship Chair/Contact person: Chris Brainard
The Stewardship Committee works to promote the expression of Christian faith in daily living; teach the Christian use of money and lead individuals to give to and serve the Lord. The committee addresses use of individuals time and talents to serve the Lord as well as the obligation of the congregation to be good stewards of the earth.
Stewardship programs include: annual Stewardship awareness efforts, Commitment Sunday, Ministry Fair, and efforts to protect the earth through leading an effort to recycle and reuse where we can.