From the President
Hello to everyone who is a supporter of Bethesda Lutheran Communities Auxiliary and/or Bethesda Lutheran Communities. As Paul writes in Philippians 1:3 “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you”, I am also thankful to God for all of you and your support and prayers in support of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
This will be my first article as President of the Bethesda Auxiliary so I will begin my article with some information about who I am. I have served as the Treasurer of the Auxiliary for six years and as the First Vice-President for four years before being elected President. I have also been active in the Colorado Unit for quite some time serving as President and Vice-President of the unit. I reside with my husband, Craig, in Julesburg, Colorado. We are active members of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Julesburg.
The Governing Board welcomes two new couples to our board. The first couple is Rev. Dr. Martin Koeller and his wife, Linda, from Robertsville, Missouri. Pastor Koeller is serving as the Pastoral Counselor for the Board and Linda serves as Vice-President and Assistant Editor of the Auxiliary’s newsletter “Shepherd’s News”. The couple recently retired after forty years in the pastoral ministry in the LCMS. They have three grown, married children and seven grandchildren including two granddaughters with developmental disabilities.
The second couple welcomed to the board is Rev. Dennis Voss and his wife, Joyce, from Mandan, North Dakota. Pastor Voss is serving as Corresponding Secretary for the Board and Joyce serves as the Treasurer/Budget Controller. This couple also recently retired from the pastoral ministry in the LCMS after serving twenty years in Wisconsin. Pastor Voss also served twenty-six years and retired from the US Air Force. Joyce is a retired nurse, among other things. The couple has three children and seven grandchildren. They are excited about the opportunity to serve an organization that serves individuals in need of assistance with many things we take for granted on a daily basis.
Bethesda Lutheran Communities and Bethesda Lutheran Communities Auxiliary are planning to have an information booth at the National LWML Convention in Lexington, Kentucky, on June 24-27, 2021. If you are planning to attend the LWML Convention, please stop by the booth and say “hello”. We look forward to meeting some of our supporters and sharing Bethesda’s awesome work with all the attendees at the convention.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” is my closing prayer for you. May God be with you and you with Him now and always.
Reaching forward in faith and serving in love,
Gail Nicolaus
President, Bethesda Auxiliary
From the Pastoral Counselor
“Nothing to Be Afraid Of”
“It is I; don’t be afraid” John 6:20
The disciples had all the reason in the world to be frightened. They were in the process of crossing the Sea of Galilee when suddenly a storm arose, the wind blew, and the waves tumbled. No wonder they were afraid. To make matters worse, they thought they saw someone walking toward them on the water. They thought it was a ghost. Now they were not just afraid, they were probably terrified. Then, suddenly, they heard the comforting voice of Jesus: “It is I; don’t be afraid.”
Many circumstances in our lives cause us to be afraid: health problems, the Covid-19 pandemic, money problems, natural disasters, wars, and terrorism. For many, the thought of death and what follows is terrifying.
Jesus says, “Don’t be afraid.” He conquered death when He died for us on the cross. If we believe in Him, death is the gateway to eternal life. No matter what our current circumstances are, our future is secure in the hands and care of God. We can say with the psalmist, “The Lord is my shepherd … Even thought I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:1,4).
The most frightening times in life seen to come when we face our fears alone: the person who walks alone at night; the patient who awaits surgery with no one by their side; the elderly who have no one to visit them as they lay dying in the nursing homes. In the Bethesda Communities and in our own homes we can, with confidence, remind ourselves and others that God is always with us.
We can be there for each other, too! We can encourage one another with our presence so no one needs to feel alone. We can also build each other up (because we need to be reminded of this often, even ourselves) with the reassurance that the Lord is always with us. He will never leave us nor forsake us. Nothing will ever separate us from His love. Even death has no power over Him. We have nothing to be afraid of! God is with us!
Dear Lord, I trust in You. I know that when I feel afraid, I can turn to You for comfort and strength. Amen.
Sincerely in Christ’s comfort,
Rev. Dr. Martin E. Koeller
Good Shepherd Lutheran Homes
Family!
Our heavenly Father is faithful and has certainly protected and provided for his six children that he has placed in our care. January 3, 2021 marked the 10th anniversary of our kids moving out of the government orphanage and into the loving home we had prepared for them. The Lord has heard your prayers on their behalf and has provided through all of you over the past 10 years too, so that His love in Christ Jesus might be known to them. This year in our newsletters we will be highlighting some of the foundational steps and events to show how the Lord has helped us to get to where we are today!
A bit of history
Danelle first visited two government orphanages in 2007. That same year, church members started visiting the kids on a weekly basis to hold the kids, sing to them, share with them that Jesus loves them, and of course, play with them. Over time, a relationship was built not only with the kids, but also with the government. We were able to create a relationship of trust. We all looked forward to the visits to the orphanage. Our church members, who were new Christians, were putting their faith in action. At the time, some of our members still did not have running water in their homes, yet they understood that a greater poverty existed in the orphanages. They joyfully gave of their time, things, and offerings to help provide things for the kids that the orphanage did not. Yet, it was never enough. Time and again our members lamented, “They do not have a family.” Over time, visiting on a weekly basis also wasn’t enough. Next month we will share with you what we did about this!
Birthday Gift
On January 5, Estefani turned 22 years old! She is no longer a “kid” by a long shot. To help her with her independence goals Andrea and Gabriela also turned an office/storage room into her own bedroom. Getting her own room has been a huge encouragement for her and helped motivate her during this difficult time of the pandemic. Randy happily stepped in to help her paint her new room!
Prayers
Join us in thanking God for having the kids with us for 10 years. Please pray to help us implement new in-home educational, recreational, and therapeutic activities for the kids. We will also remember you in our prayers as the Lord provides for us through you! Thank you so much!
Love: Estefani, Francis, Junior, Moises, Ramona, Randy
Support Us
If you would like to help us purchase items we need for the group home and the kids, we have made a wish list on Amazon. There are items we need to start new in-home therapy activities, recreational and educational activities, basic clothing, and some things we need to implement our home calendar and individual daily activity boards. Just click the “Wish List” button below. Items will be sent to Danelle’s courier service in Florida and then down to the DR.
Auxiliary Projects
What We’ve Been Up To
Bethesda Auxiliary Responds to Covid-19 Restrictions with Christmas 2020 “Party-in-a-Bag” Celebrations
The Bethesda Auxiliary Governing Board has usually chosen the projects for the year at the September meeting. The September, 2020, meeting was held via zoom so the Board members were not able to have a lot of discussion on projects for the year 2020-2021. However, two projects were selected. The first project chosen was $15,000.00 in scholarship money for college juniors and seniors and post-graduate students and seminarians who are planning to work with people who have developmental and intellectual disabilities.
The second project chosen was the group home in the Dominican Republic that was started by Danelle Putnam (with the help of many people) ten years ago for six children from an orphanage who had developmental and intellectual disabilities. This project received $5,000.00 for the 2020-2021 year.
In November, the Auxiliary Governing Board voted to help sponsor a special Christmas concert and Christmas message that was shared virtually in all the homes a couple of weeks before Christmas. This project cost $5,000.00.
Oregon Unit
Bethesda Auxiliary Responds to Covid-19 Restrictions with Christmas 2020 “Party-in-a-Bag” Celebrations
For the past five years, Trinity Lutheran Church in Hillsboro, Oregon, has held a Christmas Celebration for the Bethesda Lutheran Communities’ residents and staff in the program sites from Forest Grove to Beaverton (the westside area of BLC’s Northwest Region). When Covid-19 restrictions were imposed, a reimagined Christmas became necessary for the 250 residents and staff. So… Lindy and John Tysor, gathered a team, and the Trinity event became Christmas Party-in-a-Bag events for each individual program!
Thank you to everyone from Trinity members, Kiwanis and LWML groups from Tillamook, Sheridan, Aloha, Bend, and Corvallis for making Bethesda Auxiliary a testament to Jesus’ love for ALL people, always. Thanks also to Bethesda Auxiliary’s Oregon Unit president, Terry Putnam and Rev. George Putnam who came from Tillamook once again to help with this outreach. Terry also coordinated the cookie donations.
We visited all 22 local programs on November 30th to deliver their large bags full of games and gifts for an “in home” celebration for the residents and staff. A CD with instrumental Christmas music was also included along with Advent calendars to track their daily journey to Christ’s birthday. Several Thrivent Action Team grants helped with the purchase of gifts and supplies.
On December 21st-22nd we made a return visit to all programs to deliver “Happy Birthday Jesus” cakes along with Christmas cards for each staff and resident. Thank you, Trinity members, for baking and decorating the cakes. The staff and residents loved the cakes. The residents were given a coloring sheet of a birthday cake for Jesus, which they were able to decorate.
Bethesda Auxiliary is thankful to the Lord for the numerous opportunities He gives us to share the love of Jesus with Bethesda Lutheran Communities people and staff.
Cards of Encouragement
What can you do as an Auxiliary member during the pandemic and looking forward to the future? You can send cards of encouragement to people served by Bethesda and the Direct Support Professionals (DSP) who care for the people served (information in newsletter). You can pray for the Board of Directors of Bethesda Lutheran Communities as they make decisions on how to proceed with the care of intellectual and developmentally disabled persons. You can pray for the work of the Auxiliary as our mission statement says “reaching forward in faith, word and deed by sharing the love of Jesus with people who have developmental disabilities in partnership with Bethesda Lutheran Communities”. You can send a donation to your unit or to our Auxiliary Financial Secretary Barb Schneidenbach, P. O. Box 1036, Manhattan, MT 59741.
Please consider sending written notes and cards of encouragement to a person supported by Bethesda or a Bethesda Direct Support Professional (DSP) to provide them with a Bible verse and encouraging words. You can send your cards to our corporate office located at:
600 Hoffmann Drive
Watertown, WI 53094
LWML Convention: Lexington, KY
Bethesda Lutheran Communities and Bethesda Lutheran Communities Auxiliary are planning to have an information booth at the National LWML Convention in Lexington, Kentucky, on June 24-27, 2021. If you are planning to attend the LWML Convention, please stop by the booth and say “hello”. We look forward to meeting some of our supporters and sharing Bethesda’s awesome work with all the attendees at the convention.
The Latest from Bethesda
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, a special recognition first proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1987. The proclamation called upon all Americans to provide support and opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities to reach their potential.
Many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities experience challenges – everything from a shortage of suitable housing options and unemployment to poor health and a lack of connection to their community. COVID-19 has made things much worse, which is why raising awareness now is so important. Throughout March, Bethesda will be advancing issues as well as innovations that can change lives.
Also, during the month, Bethesda will raise spirits virtually through our Better Together Concert Series. The month kicks off with former American Idol finalist and friend of Bethesda Jessica Meuse (March 1); Cindy Cash and Mark Alan, family members of country legend Johnny Cash (March 16); and Grammy-nominated and Dove-winning Contemporary Christian artist Crowder (March 25). All are free to attend!
Faith outreach will be an important part of the month. There will be a special edition of “Faith in Action” for churches and clergy asking them for their prayers and support; weekly Better Together devotions at AbleLight.org; and outreach to Christian media outlets.
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month reminds us that we can all do more to include all abilities and provides an opportunity to share what Bethesda is doing every day to help. Please learn more about the month and everything planned at IncludeAllAbilities.com.
Bethesda Cornerstone Village – Experiencing Joyful Living
Bethesda’s innovative residential community concept, Cornerstone Village, is taking shape! Cornerstone Village is a residential community designed to unite people with developmental disabilities with other members of the community in a loving, Christian environment.
Last September, the first development opened in Victoria, Minnesota, bringing together independent people with I/DD with people of all abilities ages 55 and up. A grand opening celebration was held, with most people attending virtually, and since then many more people have moved in and have begun to experience joyful living.
There are many benefits to Cornerstone Village including:
- Advancing the cause of inclusion by creating an opportunity for people with I/DD to live in an integrated community.
- Offering a safe home for people with I/DD gives parents peace of mind knowing their child is safe.
- Living in a Christian environment strengthens the spiritual lives of all residents.
- Providing community programming and activities that will bring people together, fostering deep friendships and lifelong learning.
While Victoria was the first, it will not be the last. Bethesda is moving ahead with a plan to open multiple Cornerstone Villages in several states, including Wisconsin and California in addition to Minnesota. Each development will be tailored to the unique needs of its community, and in each case, Bethesda will take great care to listen to the voices of those who could benefit most – people with disabilities and their families.
Besides providing truly inclusive living for people with disabilities, Cornerstone Village is important in that it will provide much-needed revenue to help Bethesda be able to continue delivering quality services for adults with disabilities across the country.
For more information about Bethesda Cornerstone Village, visit AbleLightVillage.org.