Bethany Disciples Are Ready for Worship, Sunday, July 1

An old pulpit stored in the fellowhip hall, smoke-stained, a table and cross, charred, metal folding chairs - but Bethany Christian Church Disciples of Christ are ready to worship, Sunday morning, July 1, at 10:00 am.

Lea Banks, Walking to See the Light

Lea Banks drove from his Virginia Beach home Saturday morning to visit his boyhood church home, Bethany Christian Church. Annette Hardison Aldridge embraced him shortly after his arrival.

Lea Banks, born in 1923, grew up in the depression. He recalled walking the mile or so from his home north of the crossroads in Arapahoe (Bethany Crossing) to see the electric lights inside the church at night. His home had not yet connected with electric power and was still lighted by lamps.

He said, "Every time I come across that passage in the bible, 'I am the truth and the light,' I think about walking from the house to the church just to see the lights in the church. A church represents the worthwhileness of life."

He wiped away the sadness of the moment with a humorous recollection of communion being prepared using Nugrape soda back in those days. He said that it took two bottles of Nugrape to prepare communion. "I would slip into the church and drink those one or two swallows left over in those bottles after the communion was prepared."

Recalling the turbulent times of being on a ship in World War II, and then coming home, he said, "For soldiers, church represented some stability in life."

Members of Bethany Christian Church, after a long week, will maintain the stable tradition of Sunday worship on July 1. Worship will be under the pavilion an hour earlier than usual, but worship will carry on.

Camp Caroline CYF Camp Reaches Out to Bethany

A note from Gary Edge

This afternoon Richard Stevens came by the Church and presented a Love offering from the youth at the CYF (Christian Youth Fellowship) Summer Camp at Camp Caroline in the amount of $283.18. The youth also prayed with us while at camp this past Tuesday at the same hour we had our Prayer Meeting under the Pavilion.


God's love comes to us in countless ways . . . His wonders to behold!

Camp Seafarer Counselors Reach Out to Help

Camp Seafarer Directors,Sally Ransome, left, and Sarah Kronour, brought a contingent of Seafarer counselors to Bethany on Friday, June 29, to use Charlie Beard's power washer to clean folding chairs from the fellowship hall for Sunday's worship service under the pavilion.



Young people from all over the nation, in Arapahoe for a summer at camp, reaching out to help Bethany Christian Church recover.

Effort - Effort for the Common Good

Roger Surprenant captured a poignant moment.

Firemen, not members of Bethany Christian Church, at significant risk, taking non-paid leave from regular jobs, during the demolition of the remaining walls of the sanctuary, saved the stained glass window over the front door of Bethany Christian Church.

There is a lesson here about many values. Rebuilding of this historic structure - this historic church home to so many people - this part of the heritage of Bethany Crossing, now called Arapahoe - this rebuilding begins. It is more than a rebuilding of a church sanctuary; it is a rebuilding of the life of Bethany Christian Church.

Ice Cream Fundraiser Sunday, July 1, Sponsored by New Bern Christian Churches

Broad Street Christian Church and Highland Park Christian Church in New Bern are co-sponsoring an ice cream social Sunday, July 1, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at
Broad Street Christian Church, 802 Broad Street, New Bern.

The event is a fundraiser to help the rebuilding effort at Bethany Christian Church. Bethany Disciples are grateful to the outpouring of support from Disciples everywhere.

Congregational Meeting Reveals Overwhelming Task Ahead

The congregational meeting held Wednesday, 7:00 PM, in the cafeteria of the Arapahoe Charter School exposed the enormity of the task that lies ahead in the rebuilding of Bethany Christian Church. The group learned the sobering news of the facility being under insured, the condemnation of the John M. Waters Fellowship Hall by the Pamlico County Building Inspector, the necessity of shoring up roof beams in the fellowship hall to make it safe before retrieval of cherished items from that structure can begin, and most desperately, the need for clear communication and coordination of this multi-faceted effort to clean up and begin the rebuilding process.

Good news was in the form of a few donations already received and the offer of help from area churches and the regional office of the Christain Church (Disciples of Christ) in North Carolina.



Reverend Gary Edge opened the meeting reminding the 77 present that while rebuilding would require a major commitment, it would above all else require a "commitment to God."



Regional Minister, John Richardson, displaying a photo of a fire at a church he once served, using I Kings 19:11-14 as a text, said, "The circumstances were very different for Elijah, but there is also a common point in his story and the story of Bethany Christian Church. After a tragic moment in time, it was not in the raging wind; it was not in the earthquake; it was not in the fire that Elijah discovered God's presence. Elijah discovered God's presence in the silence that followed.

"You too, Bethany Christian Church have the same opportunity - to discover anew the presence of God in these days following the fire of June 25, 2007."





Sara Spaulding, Music Director of Bethany, reported that her husband, Simon, is organizing a benefit music festival for the church that they hope will become an annual event. This was one of several initiatives discussed to rebuild the sanctuary and the life of this congregation.

The need to thank firemen who took time off from work without pay, the need to organize thank-you acknowledgements to all offers and gifts of help, and above all else, the need for clear communication and coordination of rebuilding efforts were discussed. John Beeman, Jr. plans to coordinate a shoring up of the beams in the fellowship hall before people enter to retrieve cherished items. Roger Bennett will coordinate the cleaning of the hand bells, Thursday, June 28, 7:00 PM in the church nursery.

All were reminded to contact Mac Harris, 252-249-9811, Communications Director, for information to distribute to the membership. The communications committee met prior to the congregational meeting and made plans to move forward with all deliberate speed to achieve the goals of the faithful planning process.

Church Services Set for Sunday, July 1

Services on Sunday, July 1, the first Sunday after the tragic fire that destroyed the sanctuary and fellowship hall of Bethany Christian Church will be held under the pavilion on the church grounds. If there are thunderstorms, services will be moved to Camp Caroline.

Bell choir members are asked to be at the church library, Thursday evening, June 28, 7:00 PM, to clean the bells. Stored in the fellowship hall, the bells appear to be wet and dirty, but with no apparent damage.

Seventy-seven people filled the cafeteria of the Arapahoe Charter School on Wednesday night, June 27, to begin the re-building effort. A detailed account of the proceedings will be posted on Thursday, June 28. Special guest was John Richardson, from Wilson, Regional Minister for the Disciples of Christ of North Carolina.

Gary Edge, Minister, Speaks to the Bethany Family

When Stephanie and I came home from our trip to Alabama where I performed a wedding we could hardly believe our eyes as we came around the curve in Arapahoe. It really breaks your heart to come to the crossroads at Arapahoe and see what’s left of Bethany Christian Church.

It saddens your heart to think that this building is now in ruins. It makes your heart sink to think that those charred pews are where our grandparents, parents, family and friends of yesteryear sat. Our hearts skip a beat when we think of all the sermons and prayers that came from the burned pulpit.

But we know that though our hearts are broken we serve a God who puts the broken pieces back together. God says to us in Isaiah 43:19: “Behold I am doing a new thing, now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” And in Isaiah 40:1:” Comfort, comfort, my people, says your God.”

It is the fire of God’s love that will lead us to the doorsteps of His new church at the crossroads at Bethany. To God be the glory!

Fire Marshall States Cause of Destructive Fire - No Arson, No Human Negligence

Mac Harris, left, and John Beeman, Jr. look at the site of the origin of the Bethany Christian Church fire, a hole burned all the way through the floor joists where a receptacle was located in Sunday School room #1.


Pamlico County Fire Marshall Ben Barnett said that he and investigators from the SBI Arson Investigation unit traced the source of the fire to an outside wall outlet in the rear Sunday School classroom in the Sanctuary building. They have ruled out arson or negligence as a cause of the fire. "That outlet could have been getting hot for days, and just got hot enough to set the paneling on fire, or it could have been a short circuit," Barnette stated.

Below is a closer look at the origin of the fire.

Congregation Gathers for First Time to Pray

The congregation of Bethany Christian Church gathered for the first time since fire destroyed the sanctuary, learning that the fellowship hall has also been declared a total loss. The first gathering took place under the pavilion, Tuesday, June 26, at 7:00 PM.



David Bailey, with a recovered church handbell, chimed the congregation to worship.



The church's pastor, Gary Edge, reminded parishioners that the last Sunday in the life of this sanctuary, the youth choir, One Voice, led the worship. He said the congregation would move forward now with one voice, one heart, and one faith. He then said, "Let us pray the Lord's Prayer with one voice."

As parishioners recalled personal experiences, Bossy Hardison confessed to a 41 year-old misdemeanor, gluing piano keys together. Others recalled participation in Christmas pageants. Several recalled exploits of Meredith Beeman. Russell Lee admonished the group to "use this disaster as a wake-up call to strengthen this congregation." Tammy Daw spoke of the church's love for her family during times of crisis. Rebbecca Cowell shared her joy that her husband really found the love of Jesus in this church. Susan Lee recalled the powerful prayers of her late father-in-law, Don Lee, Jr.

And, Annette Aldridge prayed, "As we sit among the ashes with the smell of smoke all around us, we hear birds singing, reminding us of God's eternal love."



Sara Spalding first led the congregation in singing Amazing Grace, a tune everyone knew since there were no hymnals. When the services concluded, she had everyone join hands in a circle. She then led the prayerful group in a rendition of "Will the circle be unbroken."

Rebuilding is Mandatory

The following photographs, taken at the Tuesday evening prayer service on June 26, explain in great, vivid detail, the absolute necessity to rebuild this church, no matter the cost.

Saving Bits and Pieces of the Past, Planning for the Future

Rene` Midyette, followed by John Beeman, Jr., makes her way from the rubble with the recovered cross from the Communion Table.





The bell that has tolled over Bethany Crossing for decades was recovered, though damaged.

Insurance will most liklely cover less than half the cost of building a new sanctuary, fellowship hall, and kitchen. A massive-fund-raising effort will be undertaken. The congregation will gather for a congregational meeting in the cafeteria at Arapahoe Charter School, Wednesday, 7:00 PM, to begin the process of building a new future for the church.

The Way to Communicate on BethanyArapahoe.org

To communicate notices of events and information of interest to the congregation and friends of Bethany Christian Church, please contact:

Mac Harris
Communications Director
Bethany Christian Church
252-249-9811

Important Meetings Scheduled

A Prayer Meeting will be held tonight, Tuesday, June 26, in the church library.

There will be a congregational meeting Wednesday, June 27, 7:00, at Arapahoe Charter School.

The church's Communications Committee will meet Wednesday, 6:00 pm in the church library.
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Participation in these meetings will be an opportunity for faith to work.

Messages of Hope Pouring In

Bill McDonald, roommate of Mac Harris at Transylvania, now senior minister at Crestwood Christian Church, Lexington, KY, writes:



"I am so sad for you and all who loved that church building. As you know,
the church itself, being the people, remains. But having pastored at Midway
[Christian Church, Midway, KY], I know the huge part that a historic
building plays in the life of a church. It stands as a symbol of past
witness and future hope. So I too mourn your loss. My prayer is for this
to be a uniting, energizing moment for the church. Sometimes tragedies move
us out of our complacency or apathy and propel us to new heights. That is
my hope for Bethany. Keep the faith, my friends."

Small Miracles Yield Great Faith

The portrait of Jesus Christ which once adorned the sanctuary, but in recent years has been exhibited on the south wall of the John M. Waters Fellowship Hall, is still hanging on that wall while the sanctuary still smolders. The fire did major damage to the east wall of the hall adjoining the sanctuary. Windows on both sides of the portrait were knocked out and the blinds melted, but the portrait remains, just as faith in the future remains in the hearts of the Bethany Christian church family and extended family. It is believed that the church handbells have also been spared. One stained glass window remains in tact.

The church family is thankful to exhausted firemen and to a community that has been overflowing with kindness.

An Incredibly Horrible Moment

A trained, veteran photo-journalist, a member of the church, made photographs, not crying, but shaking. The tears came when Carolyn Broughton arrived. His wedding to her in this sanctuary, their childhood church home, was only four weeks away.

The Aftermath

A prayer service is planned for Tuesday, June 26, 7:00 PM at the Banks Pavillion to pray for God's strength in this hour of need after the loss of the Bethany Christian Church Sanctuary. Sunday Services will most likely be held at Camp Caroline. Photos of the fire will be posted soon along with what will be many stories of rebuilding.

The Longest Day Draws to a Close

Fire Departments from West of New Bern, Township #7 in South New Bern, the City of New Bern Aerial Ladder Truck, Tri-Community (Fairfield Harbor Area), Aurora, and virtually every fire department in Pamlico County, responded.



The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Team responded to aid firemen fighting the massive blaze on a hot summer day.





Cousins and lifelong church members, Annette Hardison Aldridge and Bossey Hardison console one another.



A signal to the day's end came when firemen began loading the huge hose onto the New Bern aerial ladder truck which helped all afternoon contain the fire and prevent its spread to other church property.





The remains of the base of the church steeple are framed beneath the aerial ladder as a long sad day ended with church members vowing a new day tomorrow.