Upcoming Events


Forum:  Antisemitism

March 24, 11:15 am

Rabbi Bonnie Margulis from Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice will present a forum in the Chapel following the 10:00 am worship service.  She will talk about the rise in Antisemitism occurring now.


Holy Week and Easter

March 24: Palm Sunday

Worship at 10am: We celebrate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem with a Palm Parade. We will hear the story of the crowds celebrating Jesus with palm branches. Everyone will be invited to join the parade as we wave our palm branches in joyous celebration. There will be a special appearance by a donkey as we learn about their participation in this special parade.

March 28: Maundy Thursday

Our 7pm Worship Service will recall the last meal of Jesus with his disciples and his command that we love one another. This service will include a renewal of baptism and Holy Communion. As we ponder God’s amazing love for us we will be invited to share an act of love through art, words or prayer for our neighbor.

March 29:  Good Friday

Our 7pm Worship Service will center around Peter’s role in the crucifixion narrative. We will explore the last hours of Jesus through the eyes and experiences of his closest disciple. By focusing on Peter, we imagine how we might have acted and behaved had we been there as followers and friends of Jesus. The service will include stations that we participate in  together seated in our pews. Each station features scripture readings, as well as some special readings, and ways for each of us to respond. This special service will help prepare your heart for the joy of Easter morning.

March 31:  Easter

Worship at 8:30 am and 10:00 am: We will offer two worship services on Easter morning. These will be joyous celebrations of new life and the hope we have because of the resurrection. Our Easter morning worship will include music from our choir, handbells, and a special brass ensemble.

  • Easter Egg Hunt 9:30 to 10:00 for children of all ages on the front lawn.  There will be no separate Sunday School classes but the nursery will be open during both services for children ages 5 and younger.

General Conference Information and Q&A

Tuesday, April 2nd, 7:00 pm

General Conference is a 10-day meeting of The United Methodist Church that takes place four years. The next session will take place in Charlotte, NC at the end of April, 2024. General Conference is composed of United Methodist clergy and lay leaders who are elected from annual, missionary and provisional conferences around the world. This representative body is the only one that can set official policy and speak for the denomination.

On Tuesday, April 2 at 7pm Bethany and First UMC will co-host an information session with three of our Wisconsin delegation. Rev. Allie Scott, Rev. Krysta Dedee and Jessica Goebel will join us via zoom to share some information about General Conference. They will answer questions and have some questions for us as well. The meeting will take place at Bethany and First simultaneously. Bethany’s meeting will take place in room 228.


Men’s Retreat to Pine Lake

April 26-28, 2024

The annual Men’s Retreat is returning the weekend of April 26-28 at Pine Lake United Methodist Camp.  All men, and their sons, are invited — whether a Bethany member or not.  The general theme for the weekend will be Social Justice with four talks/discussions scheduled including a look at the proposed changed to the United Methodist Social Principles, Housing Affordability, Japanese Internment, and Faith Journey.  There will be plenty of time for games and exploring the variety of activities that Pine Lake offers.

We will prepare our own meals in the Oakwood Center (across from the Rader Center lodging).  This option will provide more opportunities for a flexible schedule.  Meals will include lunch on Saturday and Sunday, dinner Saturday evening and breakfast Sunday morning.  Costs for meals are still being worked out but should not exceed $40 per person for the four meals.

Lodging will be at the Rader Center (think motel-like accommodations).  The cost for a shared room will be $45 per person per night.  A private room will be $90 per person per night.  You are welcome to come up Friday evening to enjoy an evening of games and Saturday morning exploration.  Or, come up Saturday morning in time for the first session at 10:30 am.  The retreat will formally end after Sunday’s lunch.  

Reservations should be made to the Church Office no later than Friday, April 19th.   Reservations may be made by calling (608.238.6381) or emailing the church office or filling out the online registration form.


Interfaith Intersections

Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice is excited to announce our 2024 Interfaith Intersections events.  This program brings people together to hold intentional conversations on a variety of topics related to faith. 

An important aspect of this program is that our panelists are lay people, not clergy or academics.  Therefore, panelists will address the topics speaking from their own understanding of their faith but not speaking for their faith. 

Please join us: (all events are Thursday nights, 7:00 to 8:30 in person and on Zoom)

  • April 11 –  fasting/self-denial;  Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 5701 Raymond Rd, Madison
  • May 9 – forgiveness – person to person; person to God; at the Bahai Center, 324 W Lakeside St, Madison
  • Sept. 12 – what is your faith’s “high holy day” – location TBD
  • Oct. 17 – cycle of times/seasons in different traditions; location TBD
  • Nov. 14 – giving thanks; Sugar River United Methodist Church, 415 W Verona Ave, Verona

RSVP by emailing Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice.


Classes & Groups – in person and via Zoom

To join a class or event via Zoom, click on the title of the event

Sunday

Faithlink Class  (8:45 am-9:45 am – in person and on Zoom)Each week the class studies a current issue in our society and world.

Children’s Sunday School (10:15-11:00 am, in person) — For children from preschool through 5th grade.  Children begin in worship with their families and are dismissed from the sanctuary at the designated point in the bulletin.

WORSHIP  (10:00 am) — Worship is provided via YouTube Live for those who are unable to join us in person.

Monday

Lydia Fellowship (1:00 pm, 2nd Monday in person) — The Lydia Fellowship meets the 2nd Monday of the month to work on projects such as knit caps, baptism blankets and prayer shawls or knit caps, neck warmers, leg warmers, etc. for The Playing Field kids.

Agape (6:30 pm, 2nd Monday) — The women of Bethany are invited to the monthly gathering of Agape from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm. 

Book Browsers (1:00 pm, 3rd Monday via Zoom)

Reflections Book Group (1:00 pm, 4th Monday in person) — Meets monthly to discuss a book chosen by the group.  Book selections are announced in the monthly Banner newsletter.

Tuesday

Back to School with Pastor Brad (10:00 – 11:30 am via Zoom) — For details on the current class, see our Adult Ministries page.

Wednesday

Wednesday Morning Coffee Chat (10:00 am via Zoom) — Join others for a regular weekly morning coffee chat.

UWF Susanna Circle (1:00 pm, 1st Wednesday in person, September through May)

Tea Time Fellowship  (3:30-4:30 pm via Zoom) — Prepare yourself a cup of tea or a soft drink and join us for informal conversation.

Saturday

Saturday Coffee Chat (10:00 am via Zoom)