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, 1st grade and VBS; John taught 5th, 6th and 7th 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 2nd 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.
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