Pastor Brad's Class

Tuesdays, thru April 3, 6pm - 7:30pm

Starting January 17th, and continuing through April 3rd, Pastor Brad's Tuesday Evening Class will explore "The Lives of Great Christians" based on a video series taught by Professor William R. Cook from Cornell University. We will explore a cross-section of great Christians including St. Patrick, Martin Luther, Thomas More and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Why not start the year off by learning about the faith of Christian luminaries and in the process learn more about your faith as well. As always the class will meet every Tuesday from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm. Come as you are able. No registration is necessary.

February Forum Series

Sundays, Feb. 5, 19 and 26, 10am - 11am

The February forums will focus on the theme of "Urban Gardening and Growing Local."  Forums in the series will include discussion of:

  • Madison Area Food Pantry Gardens presented by Phil Cox
  • Flower Gardening presented by Ann Sowaske and Vaughan James
  • Troy Gardens and the Troy Community Supported Agriculture Farm presented by Kate Nardi Sullivan

Click here for more information.

Ash Wednesday Service

Wednesday, Feb 22, 7pm

Join us here at Bethany UMC for a special Ash Wednesday service to be celebrated together with Trinity United Methodist Church.

Irish Dance

Sunday, Feb 26, 9am

Join us at the 9am Contemporary Worship service when children who have been learning Irish Dancing will perform selected dances.

Class for Parents of Preschoolers

Sunday, Feb 26, 10am-11am

Remember the parable of the wise man, who built his house upon the rock? If you are the parent of a baby or young child, you have the joyful and daunting task of creating the foundation of your relationship with your child. Join Becky Mather for a discussion of the book For Heaven's Sake: Parenting Preschoolers Faithfully. (Little known fact, Becky is a Certified Family Life Educator.) This book is tailored for anyone who has a child from infancy through age six, though it contains lots of ideas that are helpful to parents of children of any age. This quick and easy to read book contains tips and reminders of all the little parenting tasks and efforts that contribute to strong relationship building. Discussion will take place on Sunday February 26 during the 10:00 am Adult Enrichment Hour in Room 220.

Please email Becky to reserve your book at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Books will be available for purchase in the church office at the end of January.

March Forums

Sundays, March 4, 11, 18, and 25, 10am - 11am

Scheduled forums for March include:

  • March 4:  "General Conference 2012: The Basics and Beyond"
  • March 11:  "Forgivenss and Reconciliation"
  • March 18: "Bread for the World"
  • March 25: "United Methodist Camps"

Click here for more information about each forum.

New Members Class

Sunday March 18 and March 25, 10am-11am

If you are not a member of Bethany United Methodist Church but are interested in becoming a part of our membership family, a New Members Class will be held on Sunday, March 18 and Sunday March 25, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am in Pastor Brad's office (Room 112C). We welcome you! The class will explore spiritual growth here at Bethany, the ministries and programs of our church, our United Methodist beliefs, and the opportunities and responsibilities of membership. Interested? Contact the Church Office to sign up.

For more information email Tom Popp, the Director of Church Life at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Pastor Brad Mather at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or call the church office (238-6381). We would love to hear what you value in a church, and to share why we love Bethany.

"Parents Matter" - Class for Parents of Youth ages 10 to 14

Sundays March 18 through April 22, 10am-12pm

As your children begin to enter adolescence, they will be faced with a whole host of interesting new thoughts, choices and problems. When social scientists surveyed youth from all over the country, who did they say that they relied on most to guide them through these challenges? Not their friends, not the media and not their teachers. Overwhelming the individuals they look to, listen to and emulate the most are YOU – their parents. Parents matter. Learn more about how you can support and strengthen your child during their adjustment to adolescence by joining in the class aptly named Parents Matter. Particular attention will be placed on communication related to emerging sexuality.

This class will be taught by Becky Mather, Certified Family Life Educator and Cynthia DiCamelli, Family Resource Director for the Oregon School District from 10 –Noon on Sundays March 18, 25 and April 1, 15, 22. (This is an excellent curriculum where information builds from week to week, so it is encouraged that participants try to commit to all five weeks. Please note: This class will run through both the Enrichment hour and the third service. ) Please email Becky Mather at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to indicate your interest so that we will have enough materials available.

Youth Sunday

Sunday, March 25

On this Sunday our worship services will be conducted by our talented and eager high school youth who are working diligently to earn their way to Hamilton, Ohio this summer to participate in a work camp with Group Cares mission trips. These mission trips have youth from all over the United States that participate together in repairing homes for senior citizens and other community members who would not otherwise be able to do the repairs to their homes themselves. Congregational members will have the opportunity to give donations toward the youth mission fund that will help pay for their mission trip fees or gas and food costs there and back. Please show your support for our youth and come to worship with them on March 25th!

Holy Week at Bethany

Week of April 1 - 8

  • April 1 - Palm Sunday
  • April 5 - Maundy Thursday
  • April 6 - Good Friday
  • April 7 - Easter Cantata ("Hallelujah, Praise The Lamb") performed by the Praise Song Choir
  • April 8 - Easter

For the full schedule, please click here.

Rummage Sale

Saturday, April 21

Cleaning out your closet and finding lots of things you don't need anymore?  Those striped socks you received as a gift don't quite fit into your wardrobe?  Clothes, furniture, kitchen utensils, you name it — save it for the All Church Rummage Sale!  Put the date on your calendar and start looking for things you would like to donate.  Proceeds will go towards the youth mission trip to the Cincinnati area next summer.

Brewers Baseball Outings

Fridays, June 29 and August 10, 4:00 pm

Again this year join a group from Bethany on either or both outings to see the Brewers play in Milwaukee.  Much more detail can be found here.