When Bob and I moved to Denver from Greeley, Colorado 20 years ago, we visited a couple of Lutheran churches for several months. My goal was to find a church that had a vibrant youth program and an adult handbell choir. We found those traits here at Bethany.

I joined the handbell choir and felt right at home. In fact, today the choir members are my Bethany family - so caring and fun to be with!! The following year I joined the “Disciple” class. The class members soon formed a bond that was a community for the two years we were studying the Bible together. We learned, discussed, had great potlucks, and shared many laughs and cries as a Bethany family. Over the years, I have been a part of two book clubs, served on the Executive and Ministry councils, and currently participate in the afternoon Centering Prayer group. When my husband passed away last year, I felt the loving arms of my caring Bethany family around me and am so appreciative of their generosity in their thoughts and prayers given to me and our family.

I so appreciate the mission of Bethany - justice, righteousness, and the message that everyone is welcome. When I think about generosity, I believe that giving back is not optional - it is a responsibility. It is about caring for your neighbors, contributing to the community, and realizing that time and talents matter. To take a quote from a book we are reading in the Centering Prayer group “It is in the giving that we receive. Helping and being generous is not a burden, it is a joy”