A Message from Pastor Summer -- September 2017

As we enter the fall, it’s easy to recall the excitement we felt as children when we began a new school year.  There were notebooks, pencils, pens, calculators, bags and clothes to buy.  For some of us, there was the joy of a new box of crayons.  As summer ended, we found ourselves both excited and scared.  We could hardly wait to see old friends and wondered what future assignments awaited us.  The slow days of summer began to pick up speed.  There was something in the air.  The first day of school was just around the corner.  We could hardly wait. 

As we enter the fall at Zion, there is that same sense of excitement as we begin a number of new ventures in ministry.  It’s both exciting and scary, and it’s filled with God’s possibilities.  Here are some of those new ventures:

Director of Youth and Family Ministries

Courtney Rzeplinski has joined us as the new Director of Youth and Family Ministry.  She has already made an impact as she brings her energy and vision to this position.  She brings a rich background of experience and education.  She’s excited about the challenge, has begun to get to know our congregation, and has already shared many of her ideas, including the possibility of a rotational Sunday School. 

Second Sunday Single Service

This marks a real change in our worship life.  On the second Sunday of every month, we will gather as the whole family of Zion at the church at 10:00 for worship.  Each month, one of the Sunday School classes will assist. We will be looking for ways to make the service both engaging and meaningful for all ages.  In addition, I will be providing a Bible study called Second Sunday Sermon Secrets, prior to worship at 9:00, at the General Store. 

New Design for Confirmation

We are making changes to the confirmation program.  We will be adapting Luther’s Small Catechism.  We will be including retreat events starting with Among the Wolves through the Synod.  We will be using social media to report out every week what we are doing in class.  We will be working more closely with Social Ministry.

National Youth Gathering

Once again, we will be attending the National Youth Gathering which will be held in Houston this year.  Preparations will begin in September as we hope to register on the 15^th.  This event has been life changing for many of our young people in the past.

This is a partial list.  The descriptions of these four adventures only scratches the surface of their possibilities.  As I said, it’s an exciting time for us at Zion.  I can hardly wait to see where God takes us.

Council Highlights -- July & August 2017

· September 2nd will be the ‘Sometimes’ Annual Steak and Lobster Party hosted at the    Rupps’ home.

· Church renovations will be complete at the beginning of September.  Look for new crown molding and a refinished choir railing.

· September 10th will be Zion’s first Second Sunday Single Service at 10 a.m., which also includes the Second Sunday Sermon Secrets meeting with Pastor Summer prior to worship at 9 a.m. at the General Store (see article below).  Following worship, the congregation will take part in assembling 500 School Kits for Lutheran World Relief as part of God’s Work Our Hands.  A congregational potluck luncheon will be held after the work is done.

· Collection of used sports equipment will be done throughout October.

· Octoberfest celebration will be held on October 21st.

· Sunday School will host a Reformation Fair on October 29th. 

· A Reformation concert will be held on October 29th.

· Halloween Happenings at Zion - October 31st for local trick-or-treaters as we will open the CEB for restrooms and snacks. 

· Social Ministry is hosting a Suicide Prevention Awareness program at the CEB on November 8th.  More details to come.

· The Confirmation Class will attend the NJ Synod retreat “Among the Wolves” November 17th to the 19th.

· Our Director of Youth and Family Ministries, Courtney Rzeplinski, has begun a program called ‘church buddies’ for members who will be paired with new college freshmen.  She is also researching a Child Safety Policy. 

· The Property Committee reported on repairs done and planned, including issues with bats.

· Social Ministry reported that Zion will host Family Promise for an extra week next year for a total of 5 weeks.

· Council directed $3,000 of Endowment funds to Hunterdon Youth Services in Flemington. 

· A Motions Registry has been created that outlines all the motions made at Council meetings for the past 5 years.

Thank you to:

· Stacey Rothermel for creating the Motions Registry.

· Todd Rothermel for getting the internet connection set up for Courtney.

· Judy Formalarie, Joanne Rupp and Sandy Matsen for cleaning out and setting up the office for Courtney.

· Everyone who served as office substitutes in July and August while Jenny was on her summer schedule:  Judy Formalarie, Rich Hanft, Linda Held, Linda Lovas, Stacey Rothermel, and Joanne Rupp

The next meeting of the Church Council will be on September 14th.  Meetings are open for all to attend.

Second Sunday Sermon Secrets

Have you ever wanted to do Bible Study, but didn’t have the time?  Well, Second Sunday Sermon Secrets is for you.  In conjunction with Second Sunday Single Service, Pastor Summer is providing a Bible Study prior to 10 a.m. worship, starting at 9:00 a.m. at the General Store.  Grab a coffee or tea and pull up a chair.  He will be discussing the day’s lessons as they apply to life and the world.  Come join the conversation!

A Message from Zion's Director of Youth and Family Ministries

Dear Members and Friends of Zion,

It has been a very productive first few weeks for me here at Zion.  I have met with many members of the congregation and had a chance to get to know the staff as well.  My time has mostly been spent working closely with Sunday School and Confirmation. I have also started a new 'Church Buddy' program for our college youth who are away from church during the year. 

My office is located down the hallway of the main floor in the CEB.  If you ever want to stop by on a Sunday and chat, please don't hesitate.  I want to see all of you and hear about your joys and concerns.

I look forward to the start of our fall season and all of the exciting things we will be doing with our kids.  Please keep in mind that there is always room for more volunteers to be teachers, assistants, and help with other smaller tasks.  Please keep your heart open to ways you can serve our youth in the 2017-2018 school year!

Peace,

Courtney Rzeplinski

Need to contact me?  Please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Courtney Rzeplinski

5 White Pine Court

Brick, NJ  08724

732-552-6737 (cell)

908-439-2040, ext. 104 (office)

courtney@zionoldwick.com

Sunday School Update ... by Sandy Matsen

All are welcome!  Join us for a fun-filled fall season. 

We begin at the church with the Second Sunday Single Service on September 10^th at 10 a.m.  Everyone will then gather at the Christian Education Building to pack 500 Lutheran World Relief school kits for God’s Work Our Hands!  A potluck lunch will follow.  Many hands make for quick work—and an earlier lunch.  Please join for some or all of that day.

Regular classes begin on September 17.  There is an all-school opening at 9:45 a.m. and then it’s off to classes. 

Please save October 29th at 9:45 am for the Wittenberg Fair at the CEB.  Lots of games, prizes, birch beer and pretzels, and Martin Luther’s challenge to Tetzel. 

We are also planning a more traditional Christmas program based on Martin Luther’s hymn From Heaven Above.  It will be held at the church on December 10th.

TEACHERS NEEDED

The fall session consists of 10 classroom Sundays, beginning September 17 and ending December 17.  I am looking for one teacher for either the Pre-School/Kindergarten class or grade 3-4.  I have a volunteer who is willing do either, so you get to choose.  I also need someone to share grade 5-6, teaching half the Sundays.  Please give me a call if you can help.

Sandy Matsen, Sunday School Superintendent

908-236-6490

Meet Our Members

Einar & Laura Bredeson

Meet the Bredesons – Einar (pronounced I-nar, as the E is silent) Laura, Carol Anne, Kailey, Brooke and dog Rufus!

Einar and Laura were married at Zion by Pastor Summer in September of 1997. Daughters Carol Anne, (13) Kailey, (will be 11 on 9/21) and Brooke (7) were all baptized at Zion.  The Bredesons live in Alexandria Township (next to Pittstown). They are a busy family, with the girls very active in sports and music.

Carol Anne plays travel basketball with Hunterdon United in the fall and spring.  She plays basketball on her school team as well as DVBL, youth recreation basketball, during the winter.  She additionally runs cross country and is going into her 8th year of piano, taking Trinity piano exams annually in Princeton in May.  Kailey is going into the 6th grade, runs cross country and is a Varsity cheerleader for the Del Val Jr. Terriers.  Kailey loves to sing and is taking voice lessons, currently preparing to audition for Annie Jr. in October.  She will audition for her school play and is in her 4th year of piano.  She will also play basketball on the Alexandria Middle School Team as well as DVBL if time permits, given the demands of cheerleading this year.  Brooke, who is going into 2nd grade, is an excellent student and is quite the athlete.  Brooke loves to play soccer in the fall and spring.  She also plays basketball on DVBL during the winter and she plays lacrosse in the spring. In lacrosse she is playing “up” as she is on a team with 4^th and 5^th grade girls. Brooke will be starting piano next fall.  Additionally, all 3 girls play Tennis however, we have slowed that down due to all of the above.  The entire family skis every weekend possible throughout the winter in Killington, Vermont.  

Einar is a Director of IT with Verizon Corp.  He spent his early years growing up in a suburb of Minneapolis. He graduated from Rutgers University and has his masters degree in IT from Stevens Institute.  Einar served as an Officer in the United States Army from 1992-1996, departing as a 1^st Lieutenant stationed in Baumholder, Germany.  Laura grew up in Holmdel, NJ.  She spent her career in Advertising working for her father’s advertising agency in Red Bank and for McCann Worldgroup / McCann New York, working on various consumer accounts.  She recently left the advertising business to invest her time with the family and 2-year-old Rufus the Samoyed! Now she is enjoying attending group fitness classes daily along with gardening and being the Chief Operating Officer of the Bredeson Household.

Colin & Kim Brokaw

Kim, Colin, Chloe and Nathan Brokaw live in Union Township.  Colin grew up at Zion, and Kim joined the church prior to their marriage in 2007.  Chloe is entering third grade and enjoys Girl Scouts and softball.  Nathan is excited to go to school with his sister this year when he begins Kindergarten.  Kim is an Associate Director of Project and Program Management at Merck in Branchburg.  Colin is a Commodity Manager and Logistics Manager at ASCO in Florham Park.

Colin has previously served on Council as Stewardship Chair and Youth Chair, and currently sings in the Parish Choir and contributes to Zion’s social media efforts with the Communications Committee.  Chloe and Nathan had a great time attending VBS this summer with their cousins Maisie and Natalie Ronaldo.  The Brokaws are looking forward to harvesting all sorts of organic veggies from their recently expanded garden.

Tom & Linda Held

Tom and Linda joined Zion in 1996.  They have two “children” — Ted, 25, and Kate, 22 — who were confirmed at Zion and enjoyed many trips to Rehoboth Beach with the youth group.

Both Tom and Linda are Western Pennsylvania natives; Tom from Erie and Linda from Pittsburgh.  Go Steelers.  Tom recently retired from Novartis after working there for 20 years.  He had two weeks of leisure time before starting a new position with the Japanese pharmaceutical company Daiichi–Sankyo.  Tom will once again rack up the frequent flier miles, which will help facilitate the Held family’s passion for travel.  When not exploring some far-off land, Tom and Linda enjoy playing a round of golf, although the concept of “lowest score wins” seems to elude Linda.   Tom is an avid runner who has competed in the Boston and New York City marathons.  Linda, who never runs, plays tennis.  

Zion has been very important to the Held family.  With no origins or family in New Jersey, the Church has helped the Held family plant some roots in Hunterdon County.  Tom has sat on the Pastor’s advisory board.   Linda taught 3^rd and 4^th grade Sunday School and was the Sunday School Superintendent for many years.   She has sat on Council as the Social Ministry Chairperson.  Linda continues to serve on both the Christian Education and Social Ministry committees.

Because Zion said "YES" to God's Ministries

As most of you may be aware, the Stewardship Committee has begun our annual campaign early this year.  We have much to celebrate because Zion has said YES to God’s Ministries this year.  We have turned on the faucet for several ministries:

Þ We have distributed over 66% of this year’s available Endowment funds to various missions.

Þ We have undertaken a significant sanctuary renovation project with some seed money from a directed fund.

Þ We have said YES to a new staff position and have provided enough directed funds to cover the 2017 portion of the salary.

But there is more we can do. In order to continue Zion’s mission into 2018, we need to turn the faucet on so we can return to raising enough money in the General Fund to resupply the Capital Reserve, replenish the Operating Reserve, increase our Mission Support, and fund the new staff position.

To accomplish this, the Stewardship Committee will be expressing proportional giving as part of the every member response for 2018. There are many references to proportional giving in the Bible. Most refer to it as “tithing”.

• Genesis 14:19-20; 28:20-22
• Leviticus 27:30-34
• Numbers 18:21 and 26
• Deuteronomy 12:5-6; 14:22-29, 16:17
• Malachi 3: 8-9; 10-12
• Nehemiah 10:35-37
• Amos 4:4-5
• 2 Chronicles 31:4-5

“Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God that He has given you.”    Deuteronomy 16:17

Think of your checkbook as a theological document.  It shows who and what you worship.

In September, the Stewardship Committee will continue to provide Temple Talks and start the annual pledging campaign. You will be receiving a reminder letter from the Stewardship Committee with a pledge card included (example below). Commitment Sunday will be early this year, September 24th as the need to support current and future mission needs are being considered seriously. Please consider providing your pledge to the General Fund for 2018, and completing a pledge card for the Stewardship Committee. This process supports the 2018 budgeting process as well as mission planning for the coming year.  Let us continue to say YES to God’s Ministries in 2018!

REFLECTIONS ... by Joanne Rupp

It’s hard for me to believe, but it has been 20 years since the addition and renovation of the new CEB was completed.  I remember the fundraising dinner.  I remember community members outside of our congregation who helped us finance this project.  I remember the decision to sell the “513 property” where Melick’s Town Farm now resides. I remember Ernie Stellke being upset by the sale of our nest egg, but then agreeing to start an Endowment Fund. I remember Kay Beagle insisting there be a shower and laundry in the new CEB so our IHN guests could take a shower and wash their clothes. I remember emptying stuff from the old CEB into a storage trailer. I can’t remember how we functioned for that period of time when we had no CEB. 

It makes me sad to think about the people who were so involved in the process who are no longer with us (Dave Conklin and Staats Brokaw),  and the CEB czars who watched over the new building (Glenn Beagle and Ernie Stellke).

 I am still overwhelmed with the technology that was added with the new building -  security and fire alarm systems, water conditioning, an elevator, ground water and a pump (a few years later), air conditioning, low-flush toilets that didn’t work well and fancy phones. 

I am glad that after 20 years we finally figured out how to deal with “the hill”.  In the beginning it was covered in grass so we could get a CO, then it was planted with cotoneaster, and then it was covered in river rock.  And then it was terraced.

I am happy to see people use and enjoy the CEB. That was the hope.

Endowment Fund News

Our final Endowment Sunday for 2017 will be All Saints Sunday November 5^th.  

Thank you to everyone that donated on our first two Endowment Sundays of 2017, on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

We started the year with $19,554 in Endowment Fund earnings available for ministry opportunities in 2017.  Council has since voted to commit to the following ministries with some of those funds:

· $3,813 – (This is an approximate amount) to boost our commitment to the Synod by 1% enabling our Synod commitment to go from 10% to 11%.

· $3,000 – Heart for Africa

· $4,000 – Youth Scholarships for Synod events

So, there is a balance of approximately $8,700 from Endowment funds available in 2017 for additional ministry opportunities. 

Always keep in mind that the Endowment Fund only grows with contributions from members and friends of Zion. Those who share the vision of not only a living memorial for loved ones, but also recognize that upon maturity, the Fund will provide significant monetary grants for many new mission oriented programs, forever.

Envelopes marked “Endowment Fund” are always in the back of the church on Sundays for anyone wishing to contribute.

Please contact any member of the Endowment Committee (Geof Close, Ted Jermansen and Rick Schroeder) if you have any questions.

Family Promise Update

Thank you to everyone who volunteered to make our two weeks of hosting Family Promise possible.  We were glad to welcome three families including three women , six children and two service dogs.  One of our guests was a Hunterdon-raised Iraqi war veteran who had been homeless and living in her car for a year.  We are finished for 2017 and have signed up for an extra fifth week in 2018 to help make up for a partner church leaving the network.  Thank you, everyone!

Social Ministry Update -- Hunterdon Youth Services

Raising teenage boys can be difficult, so imagine the challenges of housing, serving and caring for boys 13-18 years old who are not able to live in their own homes and have been

abandoned, abused or neglected by their family of origin...

That's precisely what Hunterdon Youth Services/Binnacle House does … and right here in Hunterdon County.  The organization has been safeguarding children, strengthening families, and building responsible citizens since 1979.  What began as an emergency shelter for local children has expanded into a continuum of care--providing residential care, individual and group counseling, life-skills training, vocational rehabilitation, academic excellence, and family-of-origin engagement with the primary goal that the youth will be able to leave the program and be reunited safely with their families.

Zion member, Kristina Maiwaldt, has been involved with the organization for several years and has seen first-hand how $3,000 of Zion's Endowment Fund earnings (see “Endowment Fund News”) can help improve the lives of these thoughtful, thankful, and determined boys, many of whom come to the home with only the clothes on their backs. Best of all, many leave the home successfully rehabilitated and confident to begin new lives. Some even come back as volunteer mentors/role models to help the younger boys.

Currently, there is a practical need to renovate and improve the home's outdated kitchen, where the boys need the nourishment to begin and end their days, share meals, and do meal prep and cleanup. The kitchen is the heart of the home and the place where the most good can be done with the help of Zion. Truly, this is money will be put to a very needed cause for a local group of kids that attend area schools, primarily Hunterdon Central.

Located on Sandhill Road in Raritan Township, Hunterdon residents drive by this home regularly without knowing the personal struggles that go on inside--and the important service that is creating brighter futures for youth and families.

For more information about Hunterdon Youth Services, see www.hunterdonyouthservices.org and stay tuned for updates from the boys who are very gracious about follow up and staying in touch.

Volunteers Needed

Archivist

Do you have good organizational skills?  Do you like history? Zion is looking for someone who would like to become our Archivist who will sort through and file documents and preserve some our history.  We have been receiving lots of information from some of our older members who are now downsizing and we think it should be kept in some orderly fashion!  If you are interested in taking on this bite-size ministry, please contact the office or Pastor Summer. 

Publicist

Do you like to write?  Market events??  Zion is looking for someone who would like to take on the role of Publicist for our church.  This would include getting our events and news out to local and regional newspapers and newsletters and possibly our social media.  If you are interested in this bite-size ministry, please contact the office or Pastor Summer. 

Women of Zion -- September 17

All Women of Zion are invited to our September event – “Stretch and Breathe with Chair Yoga”.  Come join us for this fun exercise class!  Our instructor, Shalini Rajamani, Fitness and Wellness Consultant, gives this and other classes at the Senior Center in Flemington.  All you'll need to do is show up at the CEB at 7:00 p.m. on September 19th wearing comfortable clothes.  Please sign up in the narthex by September 17th.  As always, friends are welcome!

With God all things are possible! Even air conditioning in the church!?

After an unexpectedly hot and humid Sunday morning earlier this summer, the Council decided to move Sunday services to the air-conditioned CEB for the month of August.  Of course, since God has a sense of humor, subsequent Sundays have been nice and cool.  As we contemplated that move, some members questioned what it would take to provide air conditioning in the sanctuary.  I must confess that my immediate reaction was “What?  Impossible!”  Given the historic nature of the building and its construction it would seem to be a completely unreasonable request.  So, in an effort to work with facts instead of assumptions, the Property Committee obtained a budgetary estimate. The answer is YES, it is possible; there are even options.  A high-velocity flow system is typically used in historic structures as the visible vents are unobtrusive. Such a system with 72 small flush-mounted nozzles installed in the ceiling would cost approximately $210,000  plus perhaps $10,000 in electrical upgrades.  A second option would be a more conventional system with larger registers in the ceiling for perhaps half the cost of high-velocity.  After considering the expense, the Council decided to table any action and I was asked to report these results in this months’ newsletter.  Pastor Summer subsequently challenged our thinking in his sermon “With God All Things Are Possible!” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7KlacOIBfE  Hmmmm?  Food for thought.

John McAleer

Chair – Property Committee

Second Sunday Single Service -- September 10

Sunday, September 10th is our first Second Sunday Single Service.  You have been hearing about this change in Zion’s Sunday worship schedule for a few months and it is finally here.  We will all gather at 10:00 a.m. and the Sunday School children will be assisting in worship.

Please mark your calendar, put a reminder on your cell phone, or do whatever you need to do to remember!