Tidings from Bethlehem Oct 2026

                                                                             A word from our Associate Pastor

                                                                                             October 2026   

Dear friends in Christ,

October 3, 2026 will be a busy day at Bethlehem. It starts early in the morning. People bedecked in blue, white, and red will start to arrive in small groups. Then a shuttle from Kiwanis Park will start letting off busloads of merry celebrants. They’ll all line Mt. Royal Boulevard and anticipate the sounds of cheering and marching band that indicates the arrival of the annual Shaler Homecoming Parade.

Our location gives us a prime seat to the Homecoming festivities. A group of members greets the community on Campbell Place with handouts from our Health and Wellness and Evangelism committees. We greet strangers and folks connected to Bethlehem. Once the parade arrives it is a great joy to see our youth and adults march down the street in many and various organizations. I like it especially when they see our waves and hear a shout of their name and get a smile on their face. And of course, it’s not just the Shaler community. Various school districts and neighbors are blessed by many members of Bethlehem and will be celebrating Homecoming these weeks.

After the parade, all gathered anticipate the student booths and football game. It’s a lot of action and movement. We keep an eye on the clock as the game ends, alumni say their goodbyes, and the Bethlehem community readies for worship at 6 pm.

Homecoming is important. Since the early 1900s, schools have welcomed back alumni and celebrated the camaraderie and learning of their institutions. Alumni are able to celebrate their connections with each other and give thanks for their experience in the place that shaped them.

We’ve already celebrated Rally Day this year but some places of worship call it a homecoming weekend too. That is a great reminder that any day you come to church, I hope you feel a sense of homecoming. Rooted in the example of God, Bethlehem is a place of community, learning, and being formed for the sake of the world.

Thank you for being part of this great community of faith. Thank you for being great neighbors to our Shaler community. Thank you for being a light to the world in all the neighborhoods you reside.

Peace,

Pastor Ellen