Let Me Tell You a Story...

As Zion’s 300^th anniversary approached, we looked at some special works we could do to mark this event.  Beginning in mid-2011, members were asked to make a three-year pledge on top of their annual pledge to the general fund.  This was our Mission 300 (M300) campaign.  The request to the members was to give first, give intentionally, give proportionately and give generously.  By doing this they would also be giving cheerfully.  The campaign raised over $510 K over the three-year period.  This was on top of annual budgets ranging from $468-480 K.

The proceeds were allocated into three main areas:  Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.  The focus of the Yesterday area was restoration work at the church and the parsonage.  The funds in the Today category were used for debt reduction on the mortgage and some special functions.  The funds in the Tomorrow category were used primarily to begin Edna’s Haven, a new ministry to help the homeless.  This service is located at Faith Lutheran in Dover, NJ. 

Many members had a personal favorite among these areas and there was lively discussion on how the money would be divided.  Reasons to direct funds into the various categories were listed and the council and congregation listened to each group and addressed the suggestions.  The final allocation was a compromise that gave each area some, but not all, of what was requested.  It was:

Restoration:                       $300,000

Special functions/Debt    $102,600

Edna’s Haven                      $100,000

Campaign costs                 $    9,000

Total                                       $511,600

The overhead costs were less that 2%.  Again, like with the CEB mortgage, Zion had show that it had the heart and the resources to take on a 3-year project equal in scope to its annual budget.  Looking back, I think we can agree it was a good decision.  As the oldest Lutheran congregation in New Jersey, we made out 300^th anniversary a noteworthy time in our history.

Why am I telling this story?  Council will be asking the congregation to consider a similar move of some of our outreach ministries which are currently being supported outside the GF into the budget for 2019.  There are several parallels to the M300 campaign we made after much discussion in 2011.  Zion will have to decide how to respond to this idea.

Look for additional stories in the newsletter on this concept.

Peace,

John Rustwick

March for Our Lives -- March 24

The Lutheran Episcopal Advocacy Ministry NJ is organizing buses to join the March For Our Lives – DC Official in Washington, DC on March 24.   The march begins at 10 am in DC, so the group will meet at 5:30am and the busses will pull out at 6:00am.  The ratio of youth (13-18) to adult is required to be 5:1.  LEAMNJ will offer pre-march on-line training, and educational and worship opportunities on the ride down.

Registration and additional information about this event can be found at www.leamnj.org.

Women of Zion -- Bollywood Dance Fitness Class

All Women of Zion are invited to the Bollywood Dance Fitness Class on Thursday, March 8th, at 7 p.m. at the Christian Education Building.  We can all be Bollywood Dancing Stars for a night!  And it doesn’t matter how well we do because we’re all beginners.  Mostly, this is a chance to have a fun experience!  Our instructor is Shalini, who led our chair exercise class last year.  She asks that we be prepared as follows:  Wear sneakers and loose clothes, and drink at least 8 oz. of water before class.  Friends are welcome – just be sure everyone is signed up on the sheet in the narthex.  Please contact Anita Zarate with any questions.

Book of Faith -- Noon on Wednesdays

The Book of Faith will continue to explore the Acts of the Apostles this month.  Come join the conversation.  You won’t be disappointed.  We are on chapter 16.  The adventure continues! 

Vespers -- March 1 and 15

This month, Vespers will meet on March 1st and 15th.  There is a Soup 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!

Lunch Bunch -- March 8

The Lunch Bunch will be going to Dora  Restaurant on Main Street in Clinton on March 8.  The phone number is 735-4171.  Join the fun.  We’ll be looking for you!

Discipleship -- March 22

Discipleship will be meeting on March 22.  It will begin with a potluck supper at 6:30 p.m. and move to discussion at 7:30.  The theme will be interpreting scripture.  All are invited.  We would love to see you there!

A Message from Pastor Summer -- February 2018

On February 14, Ash Wednesday, we begin our Lenten journey once again.  Prayer is one of the great spiritual disciplines of the season.  In Confirmation Class, we explore prayer as we look at the Lord’s Prayer.  That discussion leads to many questions.  When do we pray?  What do we pray for?   Do we fall asleep when we pray at night?  The list goes on.  Of course, the central question is why pray.  What do we believe happens in prayer?

The Confirmation Class always wrestles with these issues.  On the surface, prayer seems to be our requesting God to act.  Does that mean that God would not act unless we pray?  Does that mean that God is unaware of what is happening in the lives of people?  If we prayer more often or have more people pray is God more likely to do something?   Most classes do not like where these questions lead and so they open themselves to interpretation.

What if we begin with the understanding that prayer doesn’t really change God, prayer changes us.  We don’t convince God to act, but in praying, we open ourselves to the grace of God that is already in action.  For the person for whom we pray, we don’t convince God to do something, but we pray for that person to become more open to a loving God who is already at work. 

I believe this is the power of prayer and why we need to be continually in prayer.  As I look at my own life of prayer, I am amazed at the number of times I have prayed to God to be with me only to discover that, once again, God is already there.  Or I have prayed for forgiveness only to discover that, once again, I’ve already been forgiven.  I have prayed about situations only to have my prayer change me within those situations.  On the other side, when others have prayed for me, like when I was in the hospital.  Those prayers had the power to help open me to a gracious God who already held me in his hands.  And for that reason, those prayers meant the world to me.  There is power in prayer.  It is the grace of God that changes us.  My prayer is that we continue to pray through this Lenten season and beyond and allow ourselves to be open to a gracious God who is already at work in our lives and the lives of others.

Peace,

Pastor Summer

January Council Highlights

The Church Council met on January 18th.  Highlights include:

· The balance of $8,916 that was carried over from the 2017 General Fund will be applied to our 2018 Capital Reserve budget line so it is accessible for needed work on the church properties.

· The proposed budget for 2018 was reviewed and accepted, to be passed along for the congregation’s vote at the Annual Congregational Meeting on February 11.

· The 3-part Synod-sponsored seminar, Cultivating Congregational Cultures of Generosity, has concluded.  One of the biggest conclusions was the importance of being completely transparent with the congregation in telling the full story of all that we are doing.  The President’s Report, as part of the upcoming 2017 Annual Report, goes into that detail.

· Four new families were approved to be accepted as members.

· A new Sexton is being sought for the church and CEB.

· There was a great response of people interested in learning to make Chrismons.

· Council approved the Boy Scouts request to use the back lawn of the CEB for a game area with a portable Gaga Pit.

· During the congregational meeting, children will be invited to make Valentine’s Day cards to send to our sick and shut-ins.

· After reaching out to the ELCA Disaster Relief Director, we were instructed that Puerto Rico no longer needs supplies like batteries and flashlights, but needs cash and workers to rebuild.  The Caribbean Synod is fixing up a camp they have to house mission workers.

· On February 23^rd, there will be an Olympic Lock-In for grades 7-12.

Thank you to:

* Joanne Rupp for painting all of the Sunday School rooms and hallways in preparation for the new Sunday School Workshop Rotational Model (WoRM) program.

* Peter Melick for removing the Christmas tree (and thanks to all who helped decorate and undecorated the church for the holidays).

* John McAleer for fixing the heating elements at the CEB.

* Harold Wrede for oversight of the CEB septic repair needed over the holidays.

* All of the crafters who made Alternative Giving gifts.  (This year, they raised the most money ever--$1,760!)

The next meeting of the Church Council will be on Thursday, February 15th.  Meetings are open for all to attend.

Church Council Retreat

It doesn’t seem possible that January is over already! However, our Church Council took this month to review all of the accomplishments of Zion last year. We did a lot and we were excited about the resurgence of energy that grew last year. Looking towards 2018, we came up with another set of even higher goals. You will hear more about this in the months to come, but here are a few things you will be hearing about:

· Live streaming of the church service

· Better explanations in the bulletin of our church practices

· Mission trips to Puerto Rico

· New and improved website

· More options for giving besides just in the offering plate

· More activities for youth, and the start of a group for younger aged kids

· More outreach with email and Facebook newsletters describing all calendar events

· Renewed maintenance of membership reaching out to all

· The creation of a Job/Talent Directory

· More fellowship for all, while also adding targeted events such as things for moms or men

· The creation of a long-term spending plan

It was good to dream and think about all that Zion can do to impact our members, friends, community and the world. Feel free to reach out to any council member with your ideas or suggestions!

Committee assignments for 2018 were also made. We welcome your participation and involvement in any of these committees.

Christian Education- Meghan Stanski

Evangelism- Zaida Durham (liaison is Judy Formalarie)

Finance- Rick Schroeder (liaison is Todd Rothermel)

Parish Life- Bob Durham

Property- John McAleer

Shepherding- Rich Schumann

Social Ministry- Rebecca Melick

Stewardship- Todd Rothermel

Worship and Music- Joanne Rupp (liaison is Janet Hornich)