The East Bethany Presbyterian Church has made the difficult decision to postpone the annual Holiday Happenings Vendor and Craft Show scheduled for November.
Please mark your calendars for next year -- Saturday, Nov. 6th, 2021 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.!
We pray for everyone’s good health and safety. Thank you for your continued support!
Thank you,
Sharon Smith
Press release:
East Bethany Presbyterian Church has been closely monitoring the potential impact of COVID-19 and is following current recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and New York State Health Department.
After days of prayer and discussion between the church’s governing board (the Session) and our pastor, Rev. Erin Schubmehl Jacobson, and following the recommendations of the Presbytery of Genesee Valley, we are canceling in-person worship services, including church school through March 27th.
We will continue to update the church community on our Facebook page and our website.
The East Bethany Presbyterian Church celebrated its 200th anniversary this weekend with a service of celebration at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, a catered dinner and memory hour.
On Sunday, past and present pastors led a 200th anniversary workshop service at 10:30 a.m. with a lunch and social hour.
Two centuries of history was displayed on tables and wall, showing news articles about the church, records of members and multiple pictures.
Norma Bower, a 75-year-member of the church, cut the cake for the 200th anniversary.
Rev. Bob Kaiser, the interm pastor from 2008 until 2009, visited to join the weekend festivities.
Members enjoyed a catered dinner after the Service of Celebration.
Members of the church spoke of the wonderful memories they had at Sunday School, church events and various services.
A video was put together filled with pictures of the church and its members, reflecting on how the church has changed.
Bower shares her memories of the church over the last 75 years.
The East Bethany Presbyterian Church is celebrating its 200th anniversary on June 3 and 4, inviting past and present church members, and the community to join the festivities.
In 1817, 11 members were a part of the congregational church society, but later voted to adopt the Presbyterian form of government in 1829. Robert Carlsen, a 55-year member, said there are 68 members now.
“We’re a small group but we have some of the most wonderful people you’ll want to meet,” Carlsen said. “We have been very lucky to have the younger ones, between the ages of 25 and 40, join our church.”
Carlsen said they have been preparing for the 200th anniversary for a few years by painting the outside of the church and touching up the inside.
Rev. Michael Stuart is the current part-time pastor and the spiritual care manager of HomeCare & Hospice, of Western New York.
According to a book of history compiled by Mary Jane Heywood, there have been 50 ministers of the congregation since 1817.
Carlsen said the biggest change he has seen for the church has been membership.
“We don’t have a men’s group or a ladies' group anymore,” Carlsen said. “There’s no choir anymore, only on special occasions. We are fortunate to have the younger ones in our church, but they’re busy.”
Carlsen said his wife was a Sunday School teacher for more than 20 years.
“I can remember when we had a Sunday School of 20,” Carlsen said, “now we have four.”
Carlsen said he hopes to have 80 members in the next 10 years.
“It’s a small amount, but at least it would be a step in the right direction,” Carlsen said. “I feel if we can keep doing what we’re doing and maintain the 68 members and add more to get up to 80, that would be wonderful.”
On June 3, there will be a meet and greet at 3 p.m. followed by a service of celebration at 4:30. A catered dinner will be held after the service and a memory hour will be held at 6:30.
On June 4, past and present East Bethany Presbyterian Church pastors will lead a workshop service at 10:30 a.m.
“People are leaving and moving away,” Carlsen said. “I’m hoping this celebration will bring them back.”
The church is located at 5735 Ellicott Street Road in East Bethany.
KIRKIN OF THE TARTANS & CHICKEN BBQ is Sunday May 7th at 10:30 a.m., East Bethany Presbyterian Church, 5735 Ellicott Street Road, in their 200th Anniversary Year (1817-2017). For tickets please call 356-4906.
You are invited to participate in this special worship service commemorating the Scottish heritage of the Presbyterian Church and the Scots and Scot-Irish who settled in Western New York. The worship is for Scots and non-Scots. Then join us for the chicken BBQ following.
The Presbyterian Church of Scotland, The Kirk, which was founded by John Knox in 1560, honors its Celtic spiritual heritage bright to this country by the Rev. Francis McKemie, a Scots-Irish immigrant in 1683, he was educated in Glasgow University and a member of the presbytery of Laggan, West Ulster, Northern Ireland. He established his first church in Maryland and Presbyterianism quickly spread throughout the colonies by missionaries.
In the 20th century a Scottish pastor, who became a U.S. citizen, Rev. Peter Marshall, introduced the "Kirkin" of the Tartans to this country in 1941 with a sermon. He served as a pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C., and as Chaplain to the U.S. Senate. Kirkin of the Tartans translated from Gaelic means, blessing of the tartans and blessing of the families. Clans are identified by their tartan plaid wool fabrics, symbols of love and togetherness. The tartans help us remember our anicient heritage, past and present kith and kin, and asking God to help us and bless our future.
If you have a favorite plaid, please wear it. For more information, visit online by clicking here
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