Emily Rena Williams

Brenda Dear Bethlehem Family and Friends, I write to you full of grief, as I pass along the news that one of Bethlehem's beloved, Brenda Thomas, passed away this weekend suddenly and unexpectedly. A member of Bethlehem for decades, Brenda made an impact on everyone at Bethlehem through her smile, her dedication to the congregation, and her care for those around her. In the past day I've thought a great deal about several of the kindesses she showed me that I will never forget. In my first year at Bethlehem, I started a Bible study that often only had three participants - including myself - but Brenda was almost always one of them. For the last two years she has been unfailingly kind to my children, even when they've made shocking amounts of noise in church. Brenda was deeply devoted to her faith and her relationship with God. As someone without a lot of family around, Brenda invested deeply in friendships, treating her friends as her family, and was a Godmother to many in our community.  We have not been able to contact any of Brenda's family, and for this reason, there are not yet any arrangements to announce. I will keep you posted as soon as I know more. Without a doubt, coronavirus makes grieving and gathering more complex, but in many ways Bethlehem was Brenda's family, and so we will absolutely find a way to both mark her death and celebrate God's love, a love from which we cannot be separated.  As we grieve, mourn, and process another bitter loss for Bethlehem this year, let us continue love and comfort one another as a chosen family that cannot be broken. In Psalm 27, the Psalmist writes these beautiful words:  13 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord     in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the Lord;     be strong, and let your heart take courage;     wait for the Lord! Reading these words, we can be heartened knowing that Brenda was a part of the joy and goodness in this world, a beautiful and beloved person who treated us as her family. Sincerely, Pastor Ben

Jocelyn What are three words that describe you? Passionate, Giving, and I always try to see the good in people What's a favorite memory from Bethlehem? When I came back after I had been gone for a long time I was just accepted without any questions or anything.  One of the first persons I had contact with when I returned was Mr. Lawson, and he made a big difference in helping me come back. How did you get connected to Bethlehem? Born and raised. We lived right across the street and my grandmother, father, and aunt all went there.  Why is this church important to you? It's been there a long time, and it's been a comforting spot for me. I've always felt like you were home, all the time, at Bethlehem. What are your dreams for Bethlehem? Keep improving with the community meals, have the community more involved with Bethlehem, and for Bethlehem to keep growing.  We've made a big change from wanting to grow, to wanting to keep growing. I want to see [community] volunteers keep coming because they like and support what we're doing. Anything else: I miss going to church on Sundays. I miss the familiarity with people I saw every Sunday. At first during quarantine I would get up every Sunday like I was still going to church. Now I'm starting sleeping late, but I don't want to get into that rut. I miss playing the piano and I miss being around everyone. 

Jimmie Bobb and his granddaughter, Demi Rose What are three words that describe you?  Patient, (I wasn't at one time), Considerate (for the most part), Kind and Loving. What's a favorite memory from Bethlehem? The teachers from when I was in school were great. My favorite teacher was my first and second grade teacher, Lois Horn. I loved coming to school. I was so sorry we didn't have a middle or high school.  How did you get connected to Bethlehem? My sister was a student at Bethlehem, and then I started after her. Why is this church important to you? It is because it was a great experience, I enjoyed the [school] facility, the teachers, my education was phenomenal to me, and I really learned a lot. The school was really great. I just wish it had gone through 12th grade. I really enjoeyd not just the teachers but the students too. I have great, not good memories.  Leona and I were classmates, Betty was a couple of grades ahead of us. Most of us at the school lived in the neighborhood.  The history of Bethlehem, the people at the church, even the new members, I feel like I've taken a liking to them. Sometimes I get disappointed in things, but that's human nature. Anything is not going to always go right for everyone.  What are your dreams for Bethlehem? If I really really get rich, I'd redo Bethlehem and start a new school. I remember the principle, Ms. Bernice Wiley. Her husband, Aaron Wiley Jr. passed away and she took over.  She told me one time, Jimmie Bobb, I want you to do something for me, and she gave me money to go pay some bills for me. It was a lot of responsibility, and I felt proud.

Audrey What are three words that describe you?  Friendly, Slightly Aggressive, Assertive What's a favorite memory from Bethlehem? My favorite memory is when my husband and I were married at Bethlehem in 1966. We were young, 20 years old, and all we knew was that we were in love. We didn't have a penny, we didn't have a plan, but the good Lord led us and guided us and we grew into the relationship.  How did you get connected to Bethlehem? Through my (late) husband, Sylvester. his great uncles were a part of the congregation and it was a family thing.  Why is this church important to you? I have a connection there. I've thought about leaving at various times but there's always been something that brings me back. I believe there is only one God, church is church, and that a church doesn't have to be perfect as long as you can hear the Word.  Especially since my husband was a member, I can't leave his spirit. What are your dreams for Bethlehem? For us to grow more and for our community to be up for changes. To continue supporting our pastor [I didn't pay her to say that]. My dream is for us to all get on the same bandwagon. I want  our learning process to never stop. Anything else: If I was a person that was stagnated, I would not have made it when my husband passed away. With those conditions, and with that storm, if I was stagnant, I would have perished. It was a bad situation. I am a strong black woman, and I had to say "you are God, so you lead me and guide me through this." I had to change to survive. God has really blessed me. I pray everyday for the kids, your kids, my kids, all the kids.

Clair, Maddie, and Sarah What are three words that describe you? Loyal, Funny, Friendly What's a favorite memory from Bethlehem? It would have to be Ms. Brenda and her basket of shakers. The kids loved them. Every week we came in, Madison looked forward to those shakers, and we knew we were there, and it was her way of engaging and being a part of the service. It was a really subtle way for kids to find their place. How did you get connected to Bethlehem? Through my pastor in Baltimore - I actually was going to a different church when I first came to New Orleans, I thought that's where I was supposed to me, but It became clear that wasn't the place. When I went back to Baltimore and to my Lutheran church there, I knew I wanted to find another Lutheran church. I asked Pastor Tillman if he knew of any Black Lutheran churches here, and he connected me to you. At the same I was reading Ruth, and it talked about them going back to Bethlehem, and I was like oh my goodness, this is where I am supposed to be. Why is this church important to you? First, I think Bethlehem, the name, reminds me of Christ. Two, it's a very inclusive place, you know, with my commitment to racial and social justice I feel like I can bring my full self to Bethlehem. Then, as I get to know more, I recognize the historical significance it has in New Orleans, and in the broader ELCA context, and it is important that it's a predominantly black congregation, and that the roots are of African descent, which again allows me to bring my full self. And the people, oh my goodness, the people are amazing. I think some of it is just New Orleans, but the folks here are so welcoming and loving and you feel it when you walk in Bethlehem. What are your dreams for Bethlehem? That it just continues to be around. This morning I was reflecting the city on the hill and what it means to be light. That Bethlehem can be light for the city and hope. That it can grow and expand and become a multigeneraltional multiethnic force and beacon in the community. Anything else: As much as I love being at home, I really miss the routine of coming to church and building community traditionally. I look forward to whenever the day comes for us to come back together.

Sawyer What are three words that describe you?  Honest, Stubborn, Compassionate What's a favorite memory from Bethlehem? The first time I visited the church so many people gave me hugs and explicitly told me they hoped I'd come back. I felt so welcome that it was a no brainer to keep coming back. How did you get connected to Bethlehem? Pastor Jess in Milwaukee recommended I check it out when I told her I was moving here and she was very much right. Why is this church important to you? Bethlehem is important to me because every week in some way everyone in church shows up for one another. Thats been made even more clear in the wake of not having services. Everyone is still checking in and taking care of one another whether its through the meal program or weekly texts or the zoom calls. I have still felt connected to Bethlehem even while everyone has to stay further apart.  What are your dreams for Bethlehem? My dream for Bethlehem is for the church to keep trusting the spirit and moving in the direction it calls. I hope for Bethlehem to continue to be a place of deep love and commitment to one another.

Janet Three Things That Describe You:  1. Child of God,  2. Loving and thankful mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother,  3.I love working with my Christian family at Bethlehem What's a favorite memory from Bethlehem? Going to school at Bethlehem I remember that the teachers were very caring for each student, were very hard working, and that they all went the extra mile. They are who inspired me to start thinking about and eventually become a teacher myself. How did you get connected to Bethlehem? My mother and grandmother were members, as well as most of my extended family. Why is this church important to you? It's where I was born and bred. It was our family background, and the whole church is like a big family where people care about each other. What are your dreams for Bethlehem? To see the community show their love to God through loving each other and working together to continue building the loving kingdom of God.

What are three words that describe you? Energetic, curious, committed What's a favorite memory from Bethlehem? I'm In awe of the passing of the peace every Sunday. I think it is so wonderful, especially the chaos that ensues where everyone embraces everyone else and it is hard to get back to the service. Maybe that's the wrong thing to talk about during coronavirus? How did you get connected to Bethlehem? We lived about two blocks away, and I just decided to walk over and check it out, and there it was. It seemed silly NOT to get engaged because it was in the neighborhood. Why is this church important to you? I'm impressed with the energy and the forward motion of the people. I think it was classical group decision making that we came to the feeding concept. I think it has been incredible how [Community Table] has grown, how there are new volunteers to maintain it, and I think it has become a major part of the community and neighborhood as well. I think it is a great success, and everyone deserves lots of credit. Especially because you imagined it one way, and then coronavirus hit, and you decided to change it, into something that I think became even better What are your dreams for Bethlehem? Maintain the good core that it has, and keep on a progressive growth trajectory in terms of membership and community service and engagement, which I think was already happening Anything else: I think community Table has been a huge success. My hats are off to you.