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.