Our secretary, Carole Humphrey, is retiring at the end of 2011, after serving faithfully for 17 years.  Plans to recognize her many years of service are in progress.

If you know anyone who would like a part-time job as Church Secretary, please refer them to Dr. Bob. 

The job entails answering the telephone, accepting deliveries, managing the office, and writing and copying the weekly Church service bulletins and the monthly newsletter.  Word processing skills are necessary. Candidates will work closely with Dr. Bob, the Board and committee chairmen, and many members of the Church.  For full details, see Dr. Bob.

In the meantime, if anyone can help Bob in the office in early January -- or with any of the jobs that are regularly carried out by the secretary until a new one is hired, please let Bob know as well.

Christmas poinsettias have been ordered and will be delivered for the Dec. 18th Choral Cantata Church service.  Please do not take them away after that service as we would like to use as many of them as possible for the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services as well.

Note that while marble poinsettias were offered, there were no marble poinsettias available at the time the order was placed.  Instead, your alternate choices were ordered.

Also -- if you have not yet paid for your poinsettias, please do so now.  Checks can be made to "Bethany Christian Church" with "Poinsettias" on the memo line.  The cost this year is $8 per pot.  If you have any questions, see Sarah Swett.

January 8th is Epiphany Sunday.  Traditionally, we bring white gifts this Sunday and bring them forward to the alter at an appointed time in the service.  White gifts are usually wrapped in white paper (or in white bags).  They are generally practical gifts for the Church itself.  Some examples are: stamps, envelopes, paper clips, staples, pens, pencils, scotch tape, copy paper, paper towels, tissues (Kleenex), grocery store gift cards ($10 increments), coffee, creamer, sugar and sugar substitutes, and light bulbs.  Use your imagination and have fun!

People of the Covenant will stand down until January 2012.  For details, see Wyn Swett.

Bethany Youth Fellowship is standing down for the remainder of 2011.  It will restart in 2012.  Contact Charlene McGinity with any questions.

Band of Brothers will stand down until January 2012.  For more information, see Warren Swaney.

Christian Action continues to collect nonperishable canned food for the Oxon Hill Food Pantry.  There is a special need for the following: peanut butter & jelly, soup, cereal, evaporated milk, tuna, and other canned meats and pasta.  A collection box is in the church lobby.  Please check the expiration dates. 

If you haven't already started, please collect winter coats, jackets, scarves, hats, sweatshirts, and sweaters that you no longer wear and that are in good condition and have all their snaps, buttons, and other closures.  Christian Action will be collecting these items on Sunday, January 15th.  Please DO NOT bring them in earlier than that Sunday as we do not have space to store them.

We have started an electronic supplement to the weekly Bethany Prayer Journal. Anyone who would like to be e-mailed prayer requests as we receive them midweek, can give their e-mail address to Frank Shirer.  When you notify the church office of prayer needs, please let them know if it is OK to put the request on the e-mail prayer chain as well as the Prayer Journal.  Also let us know if the request is confidential. If you have any questions, contact Frank Shirer or Becky Minetto.

Elders in December:  Wyn Swett, John Baker
Diaconate in December:  George DeMarr, Jeff Ita, Charlene McGinity, Russ Shettle
Preparation in December:  Elaine Emanuel, Ann Smith

Elders in January: 
Diaconate in January: 
Preparation in January: 

Flower Pickup:

Dec. 17: Adam and Adriene Dickerson
Dec. 24: Warren Swaney
Dec. 31: Joyce Caplinger
Jan. 7:
Jan. 14:
Jan. 21:
Jan. 28:

Greeters/Liturgists/Church Lockup Staff:

You can dedicate the flowers for a given Sunday service.  The cost is $15 for a standard arrangement.  Please call the office by Wednesday if you wish to dedicate flowers for a Sunday.

Please donate your old, deactivated cell phones to our cell phone recycling program.  These phones are used to purchase prepaid calling cards for our troops.  There is a collection basket on the table outside the church office.

We have formed a "Green Team" to increase recycling at Bethany.  If you would like to be on the team, please contact Darlene DeMarr or Charlene McGinity.

If you are interested in a Church Anniversary Book, compiled by Ben Swett, please contact the Church office.

The Church Anniversary Cookbook, "100 Years of Sharing Our Best," is available from the CWF.  It looks fabulous.  The cost is $15 per book.  See Ann Smith or Joyce Caplinger if you want a copy.  Make checks payable to BCC-CWF.  Remember, they make GREAT gifts.