Update from the Endowment Committee

Our final Endowment Sunday for 2016 will be All Saints Sunday, November 6^th.  

Thank you to everyone that donated on our first two Endowment Sundays of 2016 on       Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

There is a balance of $1,752 for Endowment Funds available in 2016 from the original $18,020 set aside for ministry opportunities.  Monies have been dedicated by the Church Council this year for supporting:

· $10,000 – Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia for scholarships.

· $6,000 – Feed My Starving Children.

· $268 – Camper Scholarships for Crossroads

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 each Sunday 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!

Shepherding Committee News

The Shepherding Committee is looking for ways that we can help serve and take care of our fellow parishioners. One idea that we had was an expansion of our provision of meals for people in need, such as those who are sick or homebound. Instead of reaching out to folks to provide meals on the spur of the moment, we now have a standing freezer located in the large storage closet in the CEB Great Room.  Thanks to Thrivent Financial, we were given $250 in seed money to purchase foil containers and lids so that anyone who would like to make a meal can put it in a container and place it in the freezer. In doing this, meals will be readily available for anyone who would like to take one to someone. We are in the process of buying the containers but hope to have them in the CEB near the freezer for all to utilize.  We will have some different sizes for larger and smaller meals, and also some that can contain soup.  We ask that anyone who cooks a meal please write out the following information on the lid of the container: the name of the meal, the ingredients, heating instructions, and the date.  We will keep meals for six months.  After that, meals will be used by some of our partners in ministry such as the Good News Home for Women or Family Promise.

Along with meals, we are also making prayer shawls available and easier to pick up anytime. We are putting the ones we currently have in a giant plastic tub next to the freezer.  This way, you can pick up a meal and a prayer shawl at the same time!  Right now, we have several prayer shawls available.  However, we hope more people will begin to give these away (it doesn’t have to be a congregation member) so, we do foresee a need for more volunteers to knit or crochet the prayer shawls.  There are written instructions that we can give you so you know how to make them. We will use some of the Thrivent Financial seed money to purchase yarn for that purpose, as well. 

If you are interested or have any questions on the meals or prayer shawls, please contact Judy Formalarie or Jackie Snyder.  In addition, we are always looking for other ways to connect and assist each other and we urge you to call us with any new ideas!

Thank You to Thrivent Financial!

Thrivent Financial has a program through which anyone who is a Thrivent Financial member is eligible to apply to the Thrivent Action Team for a Visa gift card in the amount of $250 to use as seed money for a project they would like to do.  Each member can receive two each year.  This month, a Zion member applied for and received two $250 Visa gift cards.  One is being used by the Shepherding Committee to purchase foil food containers and yarn (see article above), while the second one will help fund the Lutheran World Relief School Kits project that we will be completing on September 11^th.  

It is easy to apply for these funds at the Thrivent.com homepage under “MyThrivent”.  Just click on the Thrivent Action Team button and it will direct you through the process.  There is even a video to help you learn how to apply.  Along with the gift card, Thrivent will gladly send you invitations, nametags, thank you notes, stickers, a banner and T-shirts!  After a project is completed, the member reports back to Thrivent to share the story of success.  It’s that simple!  The project does not have to be tied to Zion either.  All the guidelines can be found at www.Thrivent.com.  Thrivent believes we are blessed to be a blessing and encourages its members to live generously.  If you have any questions about starting a project, contact Judy Formalarie or Scott Curtis, one of our local Thrivent Representatives. 

REFLECTIONS ... by Joanne Rupp

I first met Melanie Hodges in 2002, right after the twins, Kristen and Jennifer, were born.  I brought a dinner over to the family.  I couldn’t imagine that I would walk into a house with four kids, two infants and a husband who was traveling and find total order.  It seemed so extraordinary that this memory has stayed with me for 14 years.  Melanie was organized, she had expectations and she knew how to delegate (gently).

This fall when Sunday School begins there will be someone missing.  Melanie was dedicated to all things Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.  She served on Council for a term or two, but that was not her cup of tea.  Melanie liked to work quietly behind the scenes, never drawing attention to herself.  She put the super in Sunday School Superintendent.  And then the Hodges moved to Dallas this summer.  We will miss Melanie and Steve and all of the kids.

Women of Zion -- September event

The Women of Zion have been invited to attend the New Jersey Women of the ELCA 29th Annual Convention Saturday, September 24, 2016, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Christian Education Building.  The event includes a keynote speaker, a choice of workshops and continental breakfast, plus lunch.  It's a wonderful opportunity to learn about the NJ Women of the ELCA.

To attend, please complete the registration form that can be found in the narthex and return it with a $15 check, payable to NJ Women of the ELCA, in an envelope with Anita Zarate’s name written on it, to the office by September 8th.  

Lunch Bunch -- September 8

The Lunch Bunch will be meeting on September 8 at noon.  We will be going to Dora Restaurant in Clinton, 17 Main St.  The phone number is 735-4171.  Join the fun.  We’re looking for you!

Vespers -- September 8

Vespers will be starting September 8.  There is a Soup Supper  at the CEB at 6:00 p.m. followed by Vespers at 7:00 p.m.  This worship experience has been deeply meaningful to many people.  Please join us!

Book of Faith -- September 14

Noon on Wednesdays at the CEB starting Sept. 14

The Book of Faith is continuing to explore the Gospel of Matthew.  We are discovering how Matthew tells the story of Jesus.  How is the same as the other gospel writers?  How is it different?  What is Matthew’s witness?  Come join the conversation.  You won’t be disappointed.  The adventure continues!

Discipleship -- September 22

Discipleship will be on September 22 at 7:30 following Vespers at the Christian Education Building.  People will gather for a soup supper at 6:00.  Vespers will be at 7:00.   The subject will be “What’s Happening in the ELCA”.  You don’t want to miss it.  Everyone is invited to come.  We always enjoy new people.  Remember, you do not have to commit to the whole year.  You can drop in any time and find a warm welcome, delicious food, and great discussion.  We hope to see you the next time we meet,  September 22. 

A message from Pastor Summer -- July 2016

 If you want to do your heart some good, you should come to Vacation Bible School.  Amidst the heartache of this world and the divisiveness that surrounds us, Vacation Bible School is a welcome celebration.  There is no greater joy than spending time with the children of our church and our community.  This year, we were on a “Cave Quest.”  We spent a week telling the stories from the Bible that lifted up the gifts Jesus has given us.  We celebrated the gifts of hope, courage, direction, love, and power.  We learned new songs like “He is the Light of the World” and sang old favorites like “All God’s Critters Got a Place in the Choir.”  We had the chance to make butterflies, salamanders, and cave goo.  We learned about the creatures who make caves their homes and had their own lessons to teach.  We ran and played outdoors and enjoyed refreshments to cool us down.  We laughed, prayed, learned, sang, and built friendships old and new.  For everyone, from 3 to 90, the week was a special time together.

What is the magic of Vacation Bible School?  We are certainly blessed with a wonderful, creative, and caring staff, but it’s more than the program we run.  In this crazy world of ours, an intentional faith community is a gift, even if it’s only for a week.  We need to come together.  The church has always recognized this fact.  God built us for community.  “Where two or more are gathered in my name” that is where God is made known.  Vacation Bible School simply gives us the opportunity.  Certainly, we all felt God’s presence as we gathered together.  I was so taken with each thank you offered by the children as they left on Friday.  The staff shared the same gratitude.  Everyone is planning to come again next year.  The good news is that Vacation Bible School need not be an end.  We have many more opportunities to gather as an intentional faith community.  Every Sunday, we have the chance to come together for worship, learning, and fellowship.  With every one of those experiences, we have the opportunity to be in community.  We have the chance of God being with us.  Every Sunday is an occasion for healing, renewal, and joy.  It’s the same joy we experienced at Vacation Bible School.  Do your heart some good.  Join us this Sunday.

Peace,

Pastor Summer