News and Updates
The Water Wells of God
The Patriarch Isaac faced a forlorn period in which the Israelites had been through a tough journey. Isaac’s response was to “dig anew the water wells which had been dug in the days of his father, Abraham, and which the Philistines had impeded after Abraham’s death.”...
Worshipping in a Pandemic – July 2021 Update
Dear People of Bethesda-by-the-Sea, I write on behalf of the wonderful clergy and staff of Bethesda and the lay leadership who are looking after the safety of our congregation during and following the worst of the Covid pandemic. As I'm sure you have heard, the CDC...
A Season of Transitions
The Hebrew Scripture writer known as Ecclesiastes made memorable the ancient truth, “For everything there is a season and for every activity under heaven its time.” But he was singularly unsuccessful in suggesting why life must be riddled with so many beginnings and...
Glory Be to God
A ship plying the coastal waters off the Atlantic Seaboard picked up a seasoned pilot to guide the ship. The new captain in obvious pride exclaimed: “I know most of the shoals and reefs in these waters” — at which point there was a thud of hull hitting bottom — “and...
Relax
This summer, my daughter Savannah and I will go on a long-planned and long-delayed trip of a lifetime—what some refer to as an event from their bucket list. We will take a rafting trip on the Green River in Colorado and Utah, in the High Desert Canyons of Lodore. In...
Hello From Bob Dannals
Dear People of Bethesda-by-the-Sea, On behalf of my wife Valerie, I write with enthusiasm as we join you in Palm Beach for the interim period. Thanks to the hospitality of the wardens, the welcome and commitment of the vestry, and the care and guiding wisdom of the...
When a priest leaves a parish
Leaving is hard work. For me, it contains myriad feelings as memories stream through consciousness. Feelings of gratitude for having had the privilege of being present at im-portant turning points. Feelings of disappointment for those times when we were not at our...
With God’s help, grace, and mercy
As we come to our final days with Father James and Eli, we give thanks for their ten years of ministry at Bethesda. We celebrate the things we learned from them. With gratitude, we wish them well on their journey to a new ministry and life in Virginia. Life is...
Interim Rector Announcement
Dear Bethesda Community, As we all prepare for Father James’ departure after his final service on June 27th, your vestry is pleased to announce that the Rev. Dr. Robert S. Dannals has agreed to serve as Interim Rector starting on July 1st. We wish to thank Bishop...