A Message from Pastor Summer -- July 2017

At Synod Assembly this year, I noted that there was a gold seal on my name tag with the number 40.  I racked my brain to think of what we could be celebrating that was 40 years old.  It certainly wasn’t the ELCA.  I could think of no synodical ministry.  Maybe, it was a national program.  In any event, I decided I would discover the secret during the assembly.  Later that morning, I was stopped by a colleague who looked at my name tag and offered his congratulations on my 40 years in ministry.  How could I forget?  I was ordained on June 26, 1977.  While I was embarrassed on the inside, I was grateful for his congratulations.  Anniversaries can steak up like birthdays. 

That encounter gave me pause.  Reflecting on 40 years, I can compare my experience of ministry to a great TV series.  The story is still unfolding.  There are always turns and surprises.  There are celebrations and losses along the way.  You never know what’s going to happen next, or better, what God has in store.  Through it all, you are grateful for every episode and can hardly wait for the next season.  For me, it feels as though a new season is just about to begin.  On August 6, we will be welcoming our new Director of Youth and Family Ministry.  Her name is Courtney Rzeplinski.  You will discover more about her in this newsletter.  I’m excited about the ministry we can do together.  It will be another chapter in the story that is Zion.  What a wonderful way to begin my 41^st year. 

As with all new adventures, there are opportunities and challenges.  The opportunities we are just beginning to explore.  The challenges are much clearer.  The first challenge is financial.  The yearly cost is $25,000.  We said as a congregation that we wanted this position, but we did not build her salary into the budget.  People said they would step up to the challenge once the challenge arrived.  Well, the time has arrived.  The good news is that we already have a commitment from one family for $7,500 and another for $2,500.  This is a great beginning.  We plan to build on those commitments and will be making an appeal to the rest of the congregation. 

The second challenge is equally important.  We will need to support Courtney is her ministry with us.  What are the talents and time that we can offer?  How do we help to make this ministry successful?  On August 6, a partnership begins.  I believe that God has great things planned for us.  I’m looking for another exciting episode of Zion and I am grateful to be a part of that episode even if I can’t remember my anniversary.

Peace,

Pastor Summer

June Council Highlights

· Courtney Rzeplinski, the new candidate for the position of Youth & Family Ministries, was introduced to the Council.  The Council voted to hire Courtney for the position with a start date of August 2017.

· Pastor Summer highlighted the plans for Second Sunday Single Service and explained a new program called “Sermon Secrets” for people who may arrive at 8:30 a.m.

· The Council approved a motion to allocate $3,000 of this year’s Endowment Fund earnings to Heart for Africa.  These funds will be used for  a new water pumper to put out brush fires that are occurring on Project Canaan due to the ongoing drought is Swaziland.  There is also a continuing need for diapers and wipes. 

· God’s Work/Our Hands event will be held on September 10th following 9:30 a.m. worship.  Please see the article in this month’s newsletter for details.

· This month’s thanks go to:

* Sandy Matsen, Ron Rupp, and Jenny Gelson for all of their work on administration of church finances.

* Sandy Matsen for serving faithfully as Sunday School Superintendent.

* All of the Sunday School Teachers for a great year – Laura Bredeson, Sandy Matsen, Rebecca Melick, Brooke  Schumann, Amanda Smith, Linda Smith, Courtney Ronaldo.

The next meeting of the Church Council will be on July 27th.  Meetings are open for all to attend.

Zion welcomes Courtney Rzeplinski, Director of Youth & Family Ministries

At the June 2017 Council meeting, the Council, on behalf of the congregation, approved the hiring of Courtney Rzeplinski as our Director of Youth and Family Ministries.  Courtney resides in Brick Township with her husband, John, and 18-month-old daughter, Lillian.  Courtney has a degree in Criminal Justice and is certified in Youth and Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary, currently working at her home church with their youth program.  She comes to us with excitement and enthusiasm in helping our congregation grow and looks forward to meeting our members.  We are anticipating an early August start date in preparation for our upcoming fall church season.  A task force has been established to work with Courtney and help with support in making her transition here at Zion a smooth one.  If anyone is interested in joining this task force, please feel free to contact Todd Rothermel or Judy Formalarie. Look for more information to come regarding her start date and a possible welcome reception.  Congregational support, both financially and emotionally, will be key in our success with this ministry.  As a whole church, we are making this commitment to Courtney to move forward in our desire to be the disciples Christ calls us to be.  Thank you to all who have given their time to making this happen and getting to this point in Zion's future growth and outreach.  We look forward to an exciting year ahead!

A Letter from Courtney Rzeplinski, Zion's new Director of Youth & Family Ministries

Dear Members and Friends of Zion Lutheran Church of Oldwick,

It is with a joyous heart that I write to you. I am excited to be working with you as your Director of Youth and Family Ministries.

I am a born, baptized, and confirmed Presbyterian, but don't let that concern you. Presbyterians and Lutherans share a very similar history. I grew up in Point Pleasant, New Jersey and currently live in Brick with my husband John and our 18month old daughter, Lillian.

I grew up roaming the halls of the Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ. It was there that my mother, a 10 year Sunday School Coordinator, taught me the ins and outs of providing a Sunday School 'experience', not just a standard lectionary class. My love for youth ministry formed as I continued to participate in the various programs my church had to offer during my youth. I was in bell choir (I can sight read both treble and bass clef!), youth choir (soprano), youth connection member, Sunday School teacher, mission trip member and advisor, youth advisor, and was the youngest Elder on my churches Session (similar to your council). I have most recently been the Youth Connection Coordinator at my church for the last 5 years. There, I exclusively worked with our 6-12th graders.

It is my sincerest hope that with my experience and passion, and your enthusiasm and commitment, that we can work together to breathe new life into Zion. I am looking forward to the opportunity to grow and challenge your church to try different things and see things in a new light. It is my belief that with the right foundation, Zion can reach more people in your community then ever before. I look forward to meeting with you all very soon!

Blessings,

Courtney

P.S. - remember Mark 18:20 - "for where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them."

REFLECTIONS ... by Joanne Rupp

I have been a member of Zion for 38 years and I have been to too many funeral or memorial services of fellow members.  Some people lived long lives and some much too short.  I don’t need “things” for me to remember these people, but Memorial Funds give us the opportunity to add something to the life of Zion.

A few months ago our Music Director, Rod Briscoe, casually mentioned at a Worship and Music meeting that it would be nice to have a clavinova (a WHAT?) for the CEB. Turns out a clavinova is a computerized, electric piano that sounds awesome and never needs to be tuned. Anyone who has ever looked at the old piano would see that it is in bad shape. The question then became, how could we pay for this. And then it became clear.  Louise Brokaw’s Memorial Fund could be a perfect way to pay for the clavinova and honor Louise.  Her children, Colin and Kaitlin, agreed.  Louise loved music.  She WAS Vacation Bible School music!  She was an integral part of the choir.  She was a piano teacher who taught many of the children of Zion.  I don’t need a clavinova to remember Louise, but I won’t look at it without thinking of her.

Meet Our Members

The Council is asking members to give a short snapshot of themselves and their relationship with our congregation, as a way of helping us connect.  This month, we’re presenting two families who have been members of Zion for over 35 years.

Ron & Joanne Rupp

Ron and Joanne joined Zion in 1979.  Two of their three children were baptized at Zion, all three were confirmed here and two were married here. They have since flown the coop and are living in Denver and Wisconsin with five grandchildren.

Ron is a graduate of Rutgers College and the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.  He practiced General Dentistry for 20 years at Walnut Pond in Clinton.  A broken right thumb from a ski accident ended that career (note his bumthum email address). While he decided what to do with the rest of his life, a position with no salary presented itself.  The planning of the addition to the CEB was beginning and Ron took on the position of General Chairman and was responsible for the fundraising for the building project.  

Ron went on to work for Block Drug which later became GlaxoSmithKline. After 10 years he retired and took a position with the American Dental Education Association in Washington DC where he used his skills in fundraising and relationship-building with great success.  He retired at the end of 2015, but after one year he was called back into action in a consulting role.

Joanne is a graduate of Wagner College.  She worked for Aetna until the birth of their first child. Raising children, volunteering, gardening, entertaining and shopping occupied her time. She was a Girl Scout leader for 12 years and a Cub Scout Den Mother for three years.

At Zion, Ron has held the position of President and Vice President of the church council a number of times.  When he retired he took over the position as Zion’s treasurer.  Over the years Joanne has served on the council many times and has been the chairperson of Worship and Music, Property, Christian Ed, Shepherding, Stewardship, Evangelism, Parish Life and Long Range Planning. She also pulls weeds. 

In their free time Joanne and Ron like to visit their children and grandchildren. They also enjoy entertaining and hosting some of Zion’s social events. Truly, some of their best friends have been members of Zion.

John & Kathy Rustwick

Kathy and John joined Zion in 1982.  Both have served on council.  Kathy was chair of the Shepherding committee.  John has been the chair of Finance, Long Range Planning and Stewardship committees and has served as President.  Kathy is currently on Worship and Music, Shepherding, Evangelism and the Communications committee.  She has also led Stephen Ministries, Women of Zion, Prayer Shawls and helps with the Prayer Chain.  John is currently on Finance, Stewardship and is serving as Financial Secretary.  Both have taught Sunday School:  Kathy taught Preschool, Kindergarten, 1^st grade and VBS; John taught 5^th, 6^th and 7^th grades.  Kathy is in the Bell Choir and John is a member of the Parish Choir.  Both participate in Book of Faith, Discipleship, Vespers and Soup Suppers.

Both John and Kathy are retired.  John was an engineer with AT&T and Kathy was an elementary school teacher as 2^nd grade, pre-school or school librarian.  Kathy’s activities include classes at RVCC or the fitness center, reading, retreats at Crossroads, traveling and volunteering.  John’s activities include golf, cards, a men’s lunch group and traveling.  The Rustwicks have had several small dogs (miniature Schnauzers or Shih Tzus) throughout their entire 40 years of marriage.  They are looking forward to their family expanding when their son, James marries his fiancée, Jennifer, in August.

They are native midwesterners:  Kathy from Illinois and John from South Dakota.  They met when they both lived in the same apartment complex in Lisle, IL.  Zion became very important to their spiritual and social lives as soon as they joined after John was transferred from Kansas City, MO…and remains so today.

Part Two: Commemorating Martin Luther and 500 years of Reformation

Part Two:  Commemorating Martin Luther and 500 years of Reformation

Martin Luther was born during a time of great tension and conflict, now recognized as the transitional period between the Middle Ages and the Modern Ages. During this old habits were dying hard while innovations continually pushed into daily life.

This time of upheaval is characterized by new discoveries and the emergence of a new view of the world.

In order to better understand the Reformation and its leaders, Luther and Melanchthon, it is important to know about the influence of humanism. Humanism is an attitude of thought which gives primary importance to human beings. Its outstanding historical example was Renaissance humanism from the fourteenth to sixteenth centuries, which developed from the rediscovery by European scholars of classical Latin and Greek texts. As a reaction against the religious authoritarianism of Medieval Catholicism, it emphasized human dignity, beauty, and potential, and affected every aspect of culture in Europe, including philosophy, music, and the arts. This humanist emphasis on the value and importance of the individual influenced the Protestant Reformation, and brought about social and political change in Europe.

The reformation would never have become an important movement if it weren't for the political climate of the time.

The Estrangement of Eastern and Western Christendom

The Reformation was not the first division in the Church.  One of the earlier and largest was the schism between East and West.

One summer afternoon in the year 1054, as worship was about to begin in the Church of the Holy Wisdom' (Hagia Sophia) in Constantinople, Cardinal Humbert and two other legates of the Pope entered the building and made their way up to the sanctuary. They had not come to pray. Based on Liturgical, linguistic, and political divisions, they placed a Bull of Excommunication against the Patriarch Michael I. Cerularius, upon the altar, turned and marched out. As he passed through the western door, the Cardinal shook the dust from his feet with the words: 'Let God look and judge.' A deacon ran out after him in great distress and begged him to take back the Bull.  Humbert refused; and it was literally dropped in the street.  The legates left for Rome two days later, leaving behind a city near riots.

This incident has been conventionally taken to mark the beginning of the great schism between the Orthodox east and the Latin (Roman) west. It was a schism that came about gradually, as the result of a long and complicated process, starting well before the eleventh century and not completed until some time after.

As with the Reformation, in this long and complicated process, many different influences were at work. The schism was conditioned by cultural, political, and economic factors; yet its fundamental cause was not secular but theological. In the last resort it was over matters of doctrine that east and west quarreled - two matters in particular: the Papal claims and the Filioque. But before we look more closely at these two major differences, and before we consider the actual course of the schism, something must be said about the wider background. Long before there was an open and formal schism between east and west, the two sides had become strangers to one another.

When Paul and the other Apostles travelled around the Mediterranean world, they moved within a close knit political and cultural unity: the Roman Empire. This Empire embraced many different national groups, often with languages and dialects of their own, but all groups were governed by the same Emperor. There was a broad Greco-Roman civilization which educated people throughout the Empire shared. Either Greek or Latin was understood almost everywhere in the Empire, and many could speak both languages. These facts greatly assisted the early Church in its missionary work.

Years later Charles I united much of Europe in a similar way after he was crowned Emperor of the Romans by Pope Leo III on Christmas Day at Old St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. His goal was a unified culture, thus he campaigned against rivals, including the Saxons to his east (loosely, Germany), Christianizing them under penalty of death.

It was an ominous but significant precedent that the cultural renaissance in Charlemagne's Court should have been marked at its outset by a strong anti-Greek prejudice. In fourth-century Europe there had been one Christian civilization, in thirteenth century Europe there were two. Perhaps it is in the reign of Charlemagne that the schism of civilizations first becomes clearly apparent. The Byzantines for their part remained enclosed in their own world of ideas, and did little to meet the west half way. Alike in the ninth and in later centuries they usually failed to take western learning as seriously as it deserved. They dismissed all Franks (nominally, both Germans and French) as barbarians and nothing more.

The division between Eastern and Western Christianity is still suffered today but the excommunications that initiated the theological part of the rift were not lifted until 1965, when Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras, following their historic meeting in Jerusalem in 1964, presided over simultaneous ceremonies that revoked the excommunication decrees.

Social Ministry update

Family Promise will be staying at Zion from August 30th through September 3rd.  Please watch your email for an upcoming electronic sign-up sheet to volunteer to help.

Volunteer Needed

Are you a good writer? Can you help spread the word of what we do at Zion?  We are looking for someone to become our  Publicity Coordinator.  This person would write articles and send them to all local newspapers to help publicize news and events of the church.  He or she may also post pictures and updates from these events to our social media sites.  Most of the work can be done online or by phone. Please contact Pastor Summer or Judy Formalarie if you can volunteer for this bite-size ministry!

God's Work Our Hands

On September 10th, Zion will once again be participating in the nationwide ELCA event, God’s Work. Our Hands. Last year we filled 302 backpacks (in honor of Zion’s 302nd Anniversary) that were distributed throughout the world through Lutheran World Relief.  This year our goal is 500 backpacks in honor of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. We have learned a little bit about how to accumulate all the items that go in the backpack. Last year members donated items and cash to help fund this endeavor. It’s not easy to keep track of the number of items donated along with what is purchased, and this year with a goal of 500 it will be especially tricky. And so, we are asking for financial support for this project. It will cost approximately $6.25 for each backpack. We will need 500 backpacks, crayons, rulers, pencil sharpeners, and scissors and 2,500 notebooks, pens and pencils. That’s a lot of stuff. We have found that buying in bulk for certain items is more cost effective. We are searching for the best deals. We will be using coupons from Staples and also the rewards we receive from recycling ink cartridges.

If you would like to help support this project financially, please mark your check God’s Work. Our Hands. And mark your calendar for the Second Sunday (Single Service 10:00 am) in September.  Following worship we will gather in the CEB to work on an assembly line to fill the backpacks and pack them into cartons. We will be doing God’s Work with Our Hands.

Second Sunday Single Service

Starting in September - Second Sunday Single Service at 10:00am.  We will all worship together once a month, alternating organ and piano, parish choir and bell choir.  The children’s choir will be singing on this Sunday.  Mark your calendars and don’t worry - there will be plenty of reminders.

Women of Zion

September Preview:  Our next program is Stretch and Breathe with Chair Yoga.  This class is offered at the Senior Center in Flemington and is both fun and healthy!  So hold September 19th, at 7:00 p.m., at the CEB.  More information will be forthcoming.

Salad Supper and Vespers

This summer, we gather on July 27, August 3, and August 17.  There is a Salad Supper at the CEB at 6 p.m. followed by   Vespers at 7 p.m.  This worship experience has been deeply meaningful to many people.  Please join us!