Bethel Baptist Church

1919 N. 1000 E. Road

Please continue praying for the Mayes and Bowers families who lost their grandfather/great grandfather, William Schroyer, on April 16^th.

We are thankful that Park Glen’s quarantine is over and Clara Athey, along with others that live there, are healthy.

Virginia Funderburk is doing a little better, but still has lots of pain in her right arm. She is receiving physical and occupational therapy. She would enjoy receiving cards. Her Address: c/o Taylorville Care Center, 600 South Houston Street, Taylorville, IL 62568

We are thankful that Alex Ramsoondar’s shoulder surgery went well.

Shelly Beaty has eye doctor appointments scheduled for May. Meanwhile, she is enjoying visits from her children.

Bethel May Birthdays

5/1 Jayna Marrinan………………….5/14 Holden Smith

5/5 Tammy Bowers………………………5/20 Chloe Mayes

5/13 Eric Bertoldo…………………..5/31 Beverly Hooper

Anniversaries

5/25 Jerry & Beth Sutton

5/31 Ted & Jayna Marrinan

Confession; I have never enjoyed the breakneck pace of our world’s lifestyles. I have often said, “I wish God would stop the merry-go-round we live on and let us get off for a short time.” I think He has now answered that prayer. I did not know the respite would come with so much pain, suffering, and death. Morals of this story: “God does answer prayer, but beware of what you pray for!” ASpears

Blast from Bethel’s Past

Wheeler, Rachel (Greffe)

Rachel is the last sibling of the Dean and Abbie Greffe family. She turned 99 in March and is still doing well. She got a new red car two years ago. She still lives alone in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, but her large family comes and goes often.

Utes, Alan & Karen (Younker)

Karen reports that she and her family are doing fine. They live in Winamac, Indiana. Alan retired as a physician on December 20, 2019. Because they live in a rural area, Karen says they have seen very little Covid-19. Their county is actually reopening offices on Tuesday.

Karen and Alan have three daughters. Two live in Indiana and one lives in South Carolina. They have 4 grandchildren.

Younker, Bill & Sharon

Bill and Sharon live in Iowa City. Bill is retired. They have a son, Joe, who is an attorney, and a daughter, Sarah.

McGee, Kathy (Greffe)

Kathy still lives in Aurora, Colorado. She retired a couple of years ago from her job as a medical transcriptionist. Her son, Tony, and daughter, Mehgan, both live in Aurora with their families.

LeVault, Garrett & Emily

Garrett has been a youth pastor at Hope Church in Springfield since September of 2019. He, Emily, and daughter, Austen, are living in the “barn” right next door to Mark & Debbie because they are selling their house in Mt. Pulaski. Emily is fortunate enough to stay home with Austen who is now a very active 13-month-old.

Elliott, Addison & Audrey (LeVault)

Audrey and her husband, Addison, live in St. Louis (near the Hill). She is a school Social Worker for the Columbia (Illinois) School District. He works for a company in St. Louis called Bec’s. They recently added to their family… Archie is an adorable Cavapoo puppy and is keeping Audrey busy while she “shelters in place” during this crazy time.

Francis, Jayme & Ashley (Linton)

Jayme and I have lived in Edinburg for almost 3 years. We welcomed Faye into the world on April 6, 2019. I can’t believe she is already over a year old. She is an absolute blessing and just loves life! We also have 3 dogs that give Faye lots of giggles.

This is my 14th year teaching PE at Mt. Zion High School and 6th year teaching Health with Illinois Virtual School. It has definitely been an adjustment as a teacher this year, and I really miss my students and coworkers. I am almost finished with my administrative internship and

will be searching for administrator jobs in the future. My husband

works full-time with the Illinois National Guard as a training NCO in a medical unit. He is currently working from home for half the week and the other half at Camp Lincoln. He is actually running a medical team that was sent to the Stateville Correctional Center recently, and we continue to pray for them.

I hope everyone is staying healthy in body and mind!

Linton, Dylan & Tiffany

Dylan Linton, wife Tiffany, and daughter, Lillian, live in Ludlow, IL about 20 minutes north of Champaign. Dylan is a journeyman lineman for Ameren, and Tiffany is a 3rd grade teacher. Lillian is 2 1/2 years old and is more fun than we could have ever imagined! Hope everyone is doing well at Bethel and hope to see you all soon in the near future!

Glomski, Dave & Lin (Hooper)

Dave and I are ready to be finished with our "Granny Flat" remodel here in Paragould, AR. Just finishing trim. As of late, there has been more sun and not as much rain, thankfully.

We look forward to our church service and our small group Bible study, both using online connections. It is a tiny bit disconcerting to be the next-to-oldest couple in the group.

As I contemplate the rhythm of my life, I realize that my activity has turned more toward reading while sitting in my chair with a few cookies. I do fear the result may be akin to the dreaded “freshman 15” (extra pounds) which were warned about when folks went to college. I'm not sure the fix will be quite as rapid or easy this time!

Goodin, Brian & Jenna (Clayton)

Jenna is married to Brian Goodin and lives in Taylorville. They have two children, Chase 11 and Charli 6. Jenna is between jobs but had been in insurance until recently, and Brian works for R P Lumber and is a regional manager. They are currently riding bikes as a family and making it through home school lessons, sometimes painfully. One child is great about it and the other not so much. Jenna is very crafty as she made our Bethel shirts, and she has redone a lot of furniture with Brian’s help. Brian is crafty, also, as he made Charli’s headboard for her bed and has made other pieces as well as helping Jenna with other projects. Jenna will be looking for a new job later this summer but has certainly enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom.

Spears, Meredith

Meredith is 12 years old and is a sixth grader. Of course, she is learning via Chromebooks right now. As a teacher, I cannot imagine trying to get my math lessons across on any type of technology. It’s a new world for everyone. Meredith plays clarinet in band and participated in basketball and volleyball this past year.

Dixon, Vickie & Ian

Hello everyone. Annette is so kind to keep me informed of what is happening with the Bethel family. I really appreciate her and all she does with the prayer chain, and I am so happy she includes me on the prayer chain notices.

She asked me to write what's up with Ian and I. Actually, it is now Ian, Jackson, and I. I have the sheer pleasure of babysitting my

4-year-old grandson while his mommy works. He is quite the blessing in our lives. He is healthy, funny, sweet and bright… thanks be to God.

These times are really trying for all, but I am quite content watching this little guy and staying home. Children are such a blessing. Some days I feel too old for this, but then other days I say, “He is keeping me young.”

Ian is working at Ahlstrom, and they have cut hours just this week. But they do make the paper for the hospital gowns, so they are an essential business in that respect.

We are grateful to God that my older boys and their families are all doing ok.

We will all be praying for each other to stay well and for this virus to be eradicated in God's time.

God bless you all. You are all never far from my thoughts and prayers.

Olivio, Ken & Holly (Black)

Holly works at Decatur Memorial Hospital, and Ken works at Caterpillar. They have moved and are very excited. They have purchased a home in Moweaqua. They finished moving all their things last week. Their new address is: 339 North Hanover, Moweaqua, IL 62550

Black, Sarah

Sarah still lives in Taylorville and is taking online courses from Lincoln Land Community College.

Dewhirst, Ned & Renee (Patton)

All in our family are doing well. Darcy, Trent & children still live in Columbia, SC. They have been following the “stay-at-home” guidelines and adjusting their lives somewhat. In a way, it has been a more relaxed time and a lot of bonding....not a bad thing. Ila Ray turned six last summer (June 27) and the boys turned 3 (June 10). But this is another time. And it’s not going to be as much fun. We probably won’t be able to visit with the kids and grandkids the way we would like. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that maybe this summer the virus will quiet down, and we’ll feel safe to travel.

Our son, Matthew, is working on a farm in California hoping to eventually come back to Ft. Myers and start his own farm. His daughter lives with her mother in Olympia, WA. They are all staying healthy and happy. Matt gets to see his daughter every few months, but now it’s pretty much on FaceTime. All are anxious to get back to normal while at the same time realizing that we’re all OK.

Ned has been able to keep up his work by working out of the house like so many other folks. We feel so happy that at least we are isolated in a place that has sunny days and warm weather. Getting a little hotter now though. I am enjoying reading whenever I feel like it without feeling guilty. Lots of free time. Luckily we have a wonderful couple that lives next door. They have been staying at home, too, so we feel comfortable visiting with them. Human beings need a little social contact.

We have been enjoying reading the Bethel newsletters and hearing about all the Bethel families. Bethel will always have a special place in our hearts. So thank you for keeping us posted.

Greene, Terry & Patricia (Reed)

Terry and I now live on Lookout Mountain, Georgia, enjoying beautiful views most days. We stay busy working part time at See Rock City. We are not too far over the state line from Chattanooga, TN, and our church home is there, about a 45-minute drive. Dogwood and Redbud trees lined the drive to church before Covid-19 stopped on-location services. Our church has been live-streaming services since before Palm Sunday including Praise & Worship time. It does present challenges, but we are grateful for technology.

We miss Bethel, and we miss not being able to see our family more often. But we do love this region of the country and have had fun exploring the beauty here. We are two to five hours from many tourist spots. Though we have been home bound, it is a beautiful time of year to do so and have taken advantage of the time to do yardwork and long walks.

Our oldest son, Patrick, and his wife, Mary Carol, live in Wichita, KS, where she is from and has family. They are very happy there, and we hope to visit again soon. We enjoy a nearby botanical garden while there.

Son #2: Brady, and wife, Sonnet, live in Moline, IL, where she is from and has family. They are still braving the IL weather. We enjoy visiting them and going across the river to LeClaire, IA, to drop in on Mike Wolfe & Frank Fritz, the American Pickers, as well as many fun shops and great restaurants.

Son #3: Doug has been teaching in Colombia, South America, for the last four years and is coming home to stay at the end of May,

depending on when they open the border due to Covid-19. They currently have armed guards patrolling the streets to enforce shelter-in-place. Prayers are appreciated.

Son #4: Ted, and our grandsons, Braylen & Memphis, live in Evergreen, CO and enjoy elk and wildlife roaming in their backyard.

We have not all been under one roof for a few years, but enjoy individual visits and sometimes, we catch two boys at a time!

Dad (Paul Reed) is quarantined at Brookridge, but is tolerating it fairly well so far, thanks to a wonderful library and staff there. He is able to do "window visits" with Steve and family and receive packages including more books from Steve. Dad misses everyone at Bethel and appreciates your cards and letters so much.

(Brother) Steve and Mary Beth have been in Marquette, MI for around 40 years and love the snow country. Their son, Kelly, wife, and four children also live in Marquette and keep Steve and Mary Beth busy! Daughter Betsy, husband, and three children live in Rochester, MI.

(Brother) Greg and wife, Susan, are snowbirds in Boynton Beach, FL, thoroughly enjoying sunny weather and beach time when it is not closed. Greg enjoys Bethel news.

It seems we have all escaped the virus thus far, and we are thankful. Our Georgia Governor is leading us out of the lockdown, so we will let you know how that goes!

Love to all at Bethel!

Perry, Gordon

I really miss all of our church people. I am so happy that the First Baptist Church came to Bethel, and it worked out for Pastor Steve to become our minister.

Our golf buddies used to meet at the gas station every day for coffee and conversation. Then Pastor Steve started coming to Edinburg for coffee at about 8:30 every Tuesday and Thursday, and he sat with the golfers. We had Biblical conversations and gossiped a lot. I miss those conversations and Pastor’s Sunday messages at Bethel.

I sometimes walk around the block for exercise. Otherwise, the only exercise I get is walking from my living room to fix food in the kitchen! I just got back from a walk yesterday, and as I went up the steps to my house, I opened the door and tripped on the door sill falling face down on the living room floor. I just knocked the wind out of me as I folded my arms across my stomach when I fell. Once I am down, it is hard for me to get up on my own. I was lucky because my daughter, Deborah, was still in town so she came over and helped me up.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Just got this message from Martha (Cowell) Evans:

Rod had a very serious heart attack on Tuesday. He was able to tell me that he needed to go to the hospital. Fortunately I called the paramedics. The drugs that the paramedics gave him saved his life. The cardiologist said it was the widow maker type: blockage in the LAD near the heart. He said that if we had not acted when we did, it would have been a different outcome. They cleaned out the blockage and put in two stents. He is doing quite well and is due to come home today. At this point, the doctor thinks there was very little damage to the heart, but we don't know yet. Sounds like going forward we will have to aggressively treat. Apparently, they now know that he is susceptible and at high risk. His cholesterol numbers had been good, but that didn't seem to matter.

We are grateful for each day. We’ve received a lot of thoughts and prayers. I am sure that is what pulled him through.

God is Good……All the Time!