Community Corner

Bethel United Church of Christ to Celebrate 60th Anniversary June 30

Former Bethel minister, the Rev. Dr. David Wheeler, will give the Founders Day sermon.

Bethel United Church of Christ, at 315 E. St. Charles Road in Elmhurst, was founded in 1953, and in 1957 erected the congregation’s permanent home on the east side of town, part of the rapidly developing area of Brynhaven.

On June 30, Bethel UCC will begin the celebration of its 60th year of being a “Christian congregation of neighborly love” during a festive Founders' Day worship service at 10 a.m. 

Giving the morning’s sermon will be the Rev. Dr. David Wheeler, senior pastor of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Rochester HillsMI.  Rev. Wheeler, whose message is entitled “God’s Unfinished Dream,” was Bethel’s minister from 1984-91, one of the six pastors who have served the church through its six decades of worship, Christian education, outreach and service. 

The adult voice choir will sing for the service, during which long-time members and special guests will be recognized.  Worship will be followed by a luncheon in the church’s gathering space. 

Nine years ago, needing more space to house its many programs, including Christian education, the nationally-accredited Bethel Learning Center, voice and bell choirs, the Music at Bethel concert series, and groups that plan and carry out Bethel’s missions and outreach, the church undertook a major fundraising campaign, The Journey Forward, which has thus far made possible major upgrades to the church, including extensive remodeling to create new gathering space.  In addition, a residence adjacent to church property was purchased and has been completely remodeled for use as the Bethel Administration Center, freeing up space in the church for other uses.

Planning for a new structure, which will connect the church and the Administration Center and provide space for large gatherings is well underway, with groundbreaking anticipated sometime next year. 

A recent milestone in Bethel’s history is its decision to declare itself an Open and Affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ.  The church eagerly looks forward to another milestone, the beginning of the ministry of Rev. Gretchen Sylvester as Bethel’s senior minister on August 1. 

Bethel is delighted that Rev. Sylvester will be a participant in the Founders' Day observance.  Everyone is invited to celebrate with Bethel members and friends at 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 30, with luncheon and a time of fellowship and sharing of memories from the past 60 years following the worship service.  For more information, please call the church at 630-279-4040.


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