COVID19 Update 
 
January 6, 2022
Dear Bethany Family,
Following our deacons’ meeting last night, the decision was made to continue with our regular service schedule throughout the month of January.
We will have Sunday school for all ages starting at 9:45AM; Morning Worship Service at 11AM and Wednesday night service at 7PM for adults, youth and children. Masks are recommended in the church buildings. If you are not feeling “100%”, display flu/cold like symptoms, or you have likely been exposed to Covid, please consider joining us online. Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we press on through these changing circumstances.
 
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Vince Garland (804-450-6354) or Charlie Overstreet (804-529-7676). 
 
COVID19 Church Announcement – May 15, 2021
Dear Bethany Family and Friends: as of yesterday (May 14), the Commonwealth of Virginia has lifted its universal mask mandate to follow the new guidance from the CDC. This means that fully vaccinated individuals are no longer required to wear masks in most indoor settings. Those, however, who are unvaccinated or not fully-vaccinated are still strongly encouraged to wear masks in all settings.
 
Therefore, starting tomorrow, May 16, we will continue with our past practices observed during Sunday School and Worship time EXCEPT we will no longer require face covering for those fully vaccinated. We will continue to observe physical distancing to the best of our abilities until May 28, when all distancing and capacity restrictions will be eased in our state. “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
 
 
May Changes, 2021
Following our recent Deacons’ meeting, there are two major changes that the leadership of Bethany Baptist church would like to implement starting on May 2, 2021. Worship Service Location Change The first change will come about in changing the LOCATION of our worship service. Beginning with the first Sunday of May, we will move back into the sanctuary as our primary place of worship on Sunday mornings and the fellowship hall will serve as our overflow space. The format and the length of our morning worship service will remain the same as is conducted presently. Sunday School Classes to Restart The second change will take place in regard to our Sunday School classes for all ages starting back on Sunday, May 2. Due to the mandatory COVID19 regulations which are still in place in the State of Virginia, each class will be assigned a meeting room which may or may not be their regular meeting place under normal circumstances. The goal is to be able to fellowship as a group while maintaining physical distancing which depends on the number of members in attendance. Classes will begin at 10:15AM and end at 10:45AM.

Throughout these changes, we will strive to observe the regulations for: 1) face covering for all in attendance above the age of 5 and over, 2) maintaining physical distancing between parties, and 3) cleaning of surfaces between gatherings. As these changes take place, we would welcome any questions or feedback as we will monitor these events and make needed adjustments from week to week throughout the month of May. We are grateful for your continued support, suggestions, and prayers for our leadership and church family here at Bethany Baptist Church.
 
January 3, 2021
Dear Bethany Family and Friends, 
We are currently back to in-person service on Sunday mornings starting at 11AM.  Any change to our worship schedule will be noted and updated here as well as on our church’s Facebook page.  As per regulations, we continue practicing physical distancing as well as wearing face covering during our gatherings.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Chris Jett (804-761-8489) or Richard Williams (703-966-2284). 
 
December 24, 2020
 

Dear Bethany Family and Friends,

Like so many difficult church decisions before, we had to make another one today.  It is with a saddened heart that we are cancelling our outdoor Christmas Eve gathering tonight, December 24 due to inclement weather forecast as we are expecting heavy rain and strong wind arrive late this afternoon.   We are going to be premiering on our church Facebook page at 6PM tonight a Christmas Eve celebration featuring music and the Christmas Story as told by our Bethany children.  May the Light of the World, Jesus Christ, continue lighting our path as we move into the new year of 2021.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!   

 
 
December 16, 2020 
 

Dear Bethany Family and Friends,

Yesterday (December 15) we became aware of new COVID cases in our church family and, as a result, the following decisions have been made in order to safeguard the well-being of both our church family as well as our community.   1)  Our monthly community food pantry event has been postponed to Tuesday, December 29, 9 AM.   The food pantry truck will arrive on Monday, December 28, at 12:30 PM.   2) Our Friday evening event of Meet Us at the Manger for children and youths has been moved to December 24. Please see information below.  3) The remainder two Sunday worship services for 2020 (December 20 and 27) have been moved from in-person gathering to online service only.   4) We are planning on holding a short, church-wide outdoor Candlelight Christmas Service on Thursday, December 24 at 6 PM at the manger in front of Bethany Baptist Church.   5) Following our practice of past closings, we will have someone present at the church from 10:00 to 11:15AM each Sunday to receive offerings for anyone who wishes to drop theirs off.   6)  We are planning on returning to in-person worship service on Communion Sunday, January 3, 2021.   As always, thank you for your understanding and your continued prayers for our leadership in making the right decisions and, more significantly, for all of those who have been affected by the virus in our church family, community and beyond.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Chris Jett (804-761-8489) or Richard Williams (703-966-2284). 

 
December 4, 2020 
 

Dear Bethany Family and Friends,
It has come to our attention today that one of the members of our church family was tested positive with COVID19. Therefore, the decision was made for this upcoming Sunday, December 6, 2020, to return to online service ONLY for the safety of our congregation. The service will be posted at 10:00 AM on the church’s Facebook page and website. Also, following our practice of past closings, we will have someone present at the church from 10:00 to 11:15AM to receive offerings for anyone who wishes to drop theirs off. Following the current CDC guidelines, we are planning on returning to in-person service on Sunday, December 13. Thank you for your understanding and your continued prayers for our leadership in making the right decisions and, more significantly, for all of those who have been affected by the virus in our church family, community and beyond. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Chris Jett (804-761-8489) or Richard Williams (703-966-2284). 

 
 
 November 20, 2020 
 

Following the worship service on Sunday, November 15, the Bethany Deacons met to discuss the recent amendments to the governor’s Executive Orders regarding face coverings and public and private in-person gatherings.   While these amended Executive Orders do not prevent the continued holding of religious services as long as certain health and safety measures are in place, they do make face covering mandatory for everyone aged five (5) and over “when entering, exiting, traveling through, and spending time inside” of the church.   As a result, in order to be in compliance with these amended executive orders, face coverings will be required for everyone aged five (5) and over at all Bethany in-person services beginning this coming Sunday, November 22.  We thank everyone for your understanding and help in complying with this requirement.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Chris Jett (804-761-8489) or Richard Williams (703-966-2284). 

 
 
COVID19 Update 
 July 7, 2020 
“I Was Glad”
 
“I Was Glad,” wrote the psalmist, “when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’” As Virginia has now entered into Phase Three, the deacons of Bethany Baptist Church met on Monday, July 6 and following decisions were made regarding in-person church services in the months of July and August.
 
Sunday morning in-person services will be held in our fellowship hall starting at 11 AM. The worship service will be approximately 30 minutes long and, in order to stay within compliance with the current state regulations and best practice outlines, we will observe physical distancing, no congregational singing, and encourage voluntary use of face covering, if so desired. We are delighted to be able to make good use of our fellowship hall and thank you, Bethany family, for being an example of desiring to fulfill the call of the Scriptures to maintain the fellowship with one another while, at the same time, respecting the guidelines issued by our governing authorities.
 
We will continue to stream mid-week devotionals online with a target posting time of 5 PM each Wednesday evening. We are also going to hold a shortened monthly business meeting on July 22 and August 19.
 
Thank you, Bethany Family, for your ongoing prayers, ministry, and continued financial support to our congregation. Your faithfulness makes it possible to carry on the ministry and the mission of the church in our community, nation, and – through your mission giving – in the world.
 
Deacons of Bethany Baptist Church
 
 
COVID19 Update
June 22, 2020 
Dear Bethany Family,
After our first in-person meeting in our fellowship hall last Wednesday night, we are going to offer in-person services on Wednesday, June 24 and July 1 at 7 PM. We felt comfortable with the room arrangement and were blessed by the gathering, Miss Sandy’s music and God’s Word.
 
We will continue to observe social distancing as closely as we can. Please remember that for some of us, going back to a gathering is a big step due to health reasons and personal experiences with COVID19.
For our first in -person Sunday morning worship, July 5, has been set as a tentative date to gather for Communion Service as regulations will allow.
 
If you feel more comfortable watching it from home, we will continue to upload the services on our Facebook and Church website as well.
 
May you have a blessed week as we continue to be the light of Christ.
Pastor Kori
 
 
 
COVID19 Update 
 June 6, 2020 
“The Mission Goes On”
 
    Before, during, and after the pandemic, and throughout all the turmoil of our world, the fundamental mission of the church was, is, and will be the same. Get up and get going, preach Christ crucified and resurrected, and teach believers to practice the same authentic truths Jesus delivered to His first disciples. Our mission has not changed, Bethany Baptist Church – we have simply adjusted the methods in which we carry out our mission in response to the unprecedented circumstances in our world.

   On Friday night (June 5), our deacons met to make decisions about what methods to use to move forward with our mission during the month of June as we have now entered into Phase Two of opening up our Commonwealth. At this time, the rules and regulations put forth by the governor regarding religious gatherings for Phase Two (Executive Order 65) have remained virtually the same as during Phase One. We continue striving to balance the call of the Bible and our deep desire to meet together for worship while, at the same time, adhering to the state regulations currently in place and maintaining the safety and wellbeing of our members and visitors. A limited survey of church members has also been conducted and evaluated.
 
    After prayerful consideration, the unanimous decision of the Deacon Body was 1) to plan on holding an in-person prayer service in the fellowship hall of Bethany Baptist Church on Wednesday, June 17, at 7 PM while maintaining social distancing and observing all other regulations and best practices. 2) In the meantime, we will continue offering Wednesday and Sunday services online and through social media until 3) Sunday, July 5, which has been set as a tentative date to gather for an in-person Communion Service as regulations will allow.

    A health coordinator will also be designated who will be responsible for planning and overseeing all preparations for our place of worship to be able to safely meet for the in-person services. Although face coverings and gloves are not required, if you feel safer with those items, please bring your own. Also, by all means, keep others safe by staying home if you feel ill.

   We want you to know, Bethany Family, how grateful we are for your ongoing prayers, ministry, and financial support to our congregation. May the Lord’s goodness and mercy follow us in the days ahead as we go, share, and build up one another.

Deacons of Bethany Baptist Church
 
 
 
 
 
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Please invite friends and family to like and join our Bethany Baptist Church Facebook page for daily musical encouragement and devotionals which will be posted each Wednesday and Sunday. Please feel free to share any of the posts with others.

Even as we are not meeting physically in the church building, we continue to live out our calling as people of God in our Northern Neck community and beyond. Please consider donating to help us continue bringing the Kingdom of Heaven to our church family and neighbors in some creative ways we never really considered before. At this time, if you desire to give your tithes and offerings, you may do so by:

1.)
Mail to:
BETHANY BAPTIST CHURCH
P.O. BOX 641
CALLAO, VA 22435

2.)
Come by the church between 10–11 AM on Sunday morning where two individuals will receive them. Thank you for helping us carry on our mission.

3,)
Click on ‘Giving’ in the menu and give online through Tithe.ly, or download the app on your phone.


To communicate new information or any updates concerning our church family, we will use the following methods: 1. You may call the church office at 804..529.6890 and listen to the voice mail message. 2. All church cancellations will be announced on the local radio stations. 3. Weekly email messages and updates will be sent to everyone on our email list. If you would like to be added to the list, please send an email to kisshun@yahoo.com. 4. You may also check out our Bethany website at www.bethanycallao.org. 5. All pertinent information will be posted on Bethany’s FaceBook page.

Continue to be Light and Salt (Matthew 5:13-16).
Pastor Kori