A regular update for people and congregations who support Bethany College and its students.

Special Ticket Rates Available for Messiah Festival

Bethany College Messiah Manager Dick Monson invites members of the Bethany community to coordinate ticket purchases for groups from their churches, and receive special ticket rates for this year's performances of Handel's "Messiah" and Bach's "St. Matthew Passion."

            Bethany offers the lowest ticket price and best seats available for members of churches who purchase tickets as a group. Special rates also are available for students, seniors and tour groups. Contact Dick Monson at (785) 227-3380 ext. 8132 or monsonr@bethanylb.edu for more information.

In addition to performances of Handel’s Messiah and Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, this year the festival will include a number of special events, such as a narrative theater workshop, organ demonstration and lecture on oratorio. For a full schedule of the week’s events, visit www.bethanylb.edu/messiah.

            Bethany College also invites singers to participate as Bethany Oratorio Society members in the performances. To join the chorus, simply attend the first rehearsal on Sunday, January 27 at 3 p.m. in Presser Hall. To receive a full rehearsal and performance schedule, or for more information about how to participate, contact the Bethany College Department of Music at (785) 227-3380 ext. 8235.

Bethany Group Completes Spiritual Retreat, Service in Kansas City

Six Bethany College students, staffers and faculty members traveled to Hollis Renewal Center Jan. 11-13 for a spiritual retreat. The retreat included a day of service at Metropolitan Lutheran Ministry (MLM) at St. Luke's Church in Kansas City, where the group painted and cleaned.

            Jenny Hinman, a junior Christian Ministry major, reflects on the experience in "Kindling Community: My Weekend of Spiritual Retreat and Service." Read her article online . 

Bethany Hires Vice President for Advancement

Bethany College has appointed the Reverend Marwood “Woody” Meredith, an ordained Presbyterian minister with 14 years of experience in development and a successful track record in securing major gifts, as vice president for advancement at Bethany College.

Beginning March 1, Meredith will provide leadership and supervision in the areas of advancement, special events and communications at Bethany. He will provide oversight for all college fundraising campaigns, including the current annual-fund campaign and $1 million Pearson Challenge campaign.

Meredith formerly served as vice president of development for Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries, Inc., a Louisiana not-for-profit that provides services to nearly 900 individuals with disabilities in five states. He oversaw the Evergreen Foundation, which is responsible for the ministry’s fundraising, public relations, spiritual care and church relations.

Meredith has a strong background in strategic thinking and planning. From 2003 to 2004, he was vice president for advancement at Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University. An ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., Meredith was head of staff at Ridley Park Presbyterian Church, Ridley Park, Penn., from 1980 to 1994.

He then accepted a position as director of planned giving and church relations at Tusculum College, Greeneville, Tenn., his alma mater. Meredith holds a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and religion from the private, church-affiliated college.

Meredith earned a Master of Divinity from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, where he served as vice president for development from 1998 to 2002. During that time, he managed a successful $30 million capital campaign plan for the seminary.

Advocacy Group Plans to Meet at Bethany

Bethany College Campus Ministry will host an informational presentation about RESULTS, a non-partisan citizen advocacy organization creating the political will to end hunger and poverty, on Saturday, January 26, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., at Chi Rho House, 413 N. Second St.

            RESULTS equips everyday citizens with the knowledge and training to effectively engage Congress, the media and local communities on issues like health care, hunger and economic opportunity. By being informed, active citizens, RESULTS volunteers create the political will for change.

            Members of the Bethany community are invited to attend the Jan. 26 event to learn about how to be effective citizen advocates for eliminating hunger and poverty. Lunch will be provided. For more information, please contact Pastor Noni Strand at (785) 227-3380, ext. 8340. To learn more about RESULTS, visit www.results.org. 

Presidential Tour in Progress

Bethany College President Edward F. Leonard III will meet with Bethany constituents across the country during his President’s Tour in 2008.

President Leonard and Bethany College will host a series of Future Forums in 20 locations. For a full schedule, visit www.bethanylb.edu > Alumni & Friends > President’s Tour 2008.

Future Forums are an opportunity to meet President Leonard and become part of his vision of One Body, One Bethany. Individuals who attend can expect to hear, share and dream about Bethany’s bright future.

Bethany College alumni and friends are invited to attend, as well as interested prospective students and parents of students. For more information, contact Jane Asche at (785) 227-3311 ext. 8286. 

~Dates to Remember~

Christian Youth Day

March 8, 2008 

Messiah Festival of Music and Art

March 16 – 23, 2008

Inauguration of President Edward F. Leonard III

April 12, 2008