Zion Life Newsletter – June 2009
Pastoral Reflections
Becoming a Church On Purpose
“It isn’t our job to create the purposes of the church,
but to discover them” (p.98)
Did you read Rick Warren’s book “The Purpose-Driven Life” a few years ago? Did you know that before he wrote that best-selling book, he also wrote “The Purpose Driven Church: Growth without compromising your message and mission”? Throughout these pages, he offers insight into the process of starting a new church as he was called by God to do in California.
Yet his words (as well as our call to transformation) is not just for starting a new church, but of being called back to our foundations of what it means to be the Church today, now, in this time and place. We each have our own experiences and expectations of what a church is and isn’t. And they may agree with the person next to you, but they also may not.
In this time of transformation, we are afforded the opportunity to renew our faith and commitment to what it means to be the Church-not just based on what I think, a certain group thinks or what our neighbor thinks-but what God says about our life and mission together (”Remember, it’s Christ’s church, not ours”, p. 98).
Rick Warren offers four questions to reflect upon:
1) Why does the church exist?
2) What are we to be as a church (who and what we are?)
3) What are we to do as a church (What does God want done in the World?)
4) How are we to do it?
While we can answer each in our own ways, we are called to look to the Bible for guidance, for God’s Word and answers on these questions. Rick Warren used the following passages, praying and studying them for guidance, will you?
Begin to pray through these passages, reflecting on the questions listed here. Take one a day (like you would a vitamin), most of them are short. Share your reflections with others. Summarize them in one sentence, “this church’s purpose is”; then send them to me and we will share everyone’s thoughts together:
Matthew 5:13-16; 9:35, 11:28-30; 17:15-19; 18:19-20; 22:36-40; 24:14; 25:43-40; 28:18-20
Mark 10:43-45
Luke 4:18-19; 4:43-45
John 4:23; 10:14-18; 13:34-35; 20:21
Acts 1:8; 2:41-47; 4:32-35; 5:42; 6:1-7
Romans 12:1-8; 15:1-7
I Corinthians 12:12-31
II Corinthians 5:17-6:1
Galatians 5:13-15; 6:1-2
Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:6; 3:14-21; 4:11-16; 5:23-24
Colossians 1:24-28; 3:15-16
I Thessalonians 1:3; 5:11
Hebrews 10:24-25; 13: 7; 13:17
I Peter 2:9-10
I John 1:5-7; 4:7-21
In addition to the questions above, ask these questions of the passage:
What did Jesus do while he was here?
What would he do if he were here today?
What image or analogy of “church” is presented in the passage?
What did the first churches do?
What did Jesus tell us to do?
Peace in Christ, Pastor Jen
Council Highlights for May 14, 2009
Present: Don Alkinburg, Dan Bates, Tom Collins, Nancy DeSando, Dave Hayner, John Jarvis, Jeanne Mau, Andre Nadeau, Chris Thaxter, Sandy Thorington, Ron Trask, Judy Warner, Karen Wilson, and Pastor Jennifer Boyd.
The meeting was called to order by President Don Alkinburg at 7:08pm. John Jarvis had devotions, he read from John 3:22 – 36 and from The Daily Bread devotional, titled “Check Your Attitude.”
Pastor Boyd gave a report on members and family members who have had recent surgery, and prayers for other friends and members.
Report of Upstate Synod & Foothills Conference: Handed out minutes of the Foothills Conference last meeting and reported that Rev. Elaine Berg is the new Dean of the conference. Jean Bakkom and Karl Schwarzenegger will be attending the Spring Assembly at the end of May 2009.
Correspondence: All organizations that use this facility have their certificate of insurance filed in the office. A Thank you note from the Spirit of Hope Homeless Shelter for the donation from Zion. Zion is in need of Financial Secretary, we also need others to help with the weekly counting of money. Thank You note from the Crop Walk committee thanking us for the use of our facility as a rest stop for walk. An invitation from Fenimore Assests about their shareholders meeting at the Glen Sanders Inn, Tom Collins will represent Zion. We received a dividend check from SEFCU for $1,070.15. Received a letter from a member with their concerns at Zion, will send to Finance Committee. Received word from ELCA that Zion was one of the top churches in country for giving to World Hunger last year.
Current Mission Projects: Accepted a letter from Michael Boyd withdrawing his request for a business in parsonage. A motion was made and accepted, for all future use, to not allow a store-front (no traffic) type business in the parsonage due to reasons of tax exempt status, liability insurance and over all congregational responses. A report was given on our insurance for all three buildings for damage and liability insurance and it was found that we were under insured. We had $100,000 for coverage of contents, it was raised to $350,000. After increasing the coverage of Blanket Building and Contents from $2,642,403 to $4,159,837, total premium will go from $8,598. to $10,085. Motion carried.
Leadership Planning Team: This is a new sub-committee of council that will discuss and define issues that arise and will also review the Constitution and by-laws to get a better understanding of what each article means and is expected of Council and Committees, etc. and bring this information to council meetings. The committee consist of : Chairperson Tom Collins, Dan Bates, Nancy DeSando, John Jarvis, Jeanne Mau, Judy Warner, and Pastor Boyd. It was decided to stay with only council members serving on this committee, after discussion if we should ask other church members to serve. It was decided that the council will hold a special meeting every six months to discuss any concerns, duties at any given time in the life of the congregation.
Finance Report: After reviewing and discussion of report, it was, accepted as reported.
Ministry Team Reports
St. Matthews’s: A profit of $979.18 was made from the barbecue held at St. Matthew’s. The proceeds will go to the expenses of the medical care/cost of Cody Van Buren of Cherry Valley.
F.R.O.G.: Youth will have a fundraiser in June.
Christian Education: Confirmation will be held May 31st.
Stewardship: There will be an Asset survey given out in June.
Transformation: Evaluation sheets will go out to congregation, looking for more members for this committee.
Worship: Have several issues that they are discussing and working on.
Social Ministry: Food pantry servicing was down in April. The Food Pantry received a large amount of food from the food drive that the Post Office had recently.
Health Cabinet: Zion won the Golden Sneaker award for most money raised at Crop Walk with a total of $1,070. Pastor Boyd raised the third highest amount at $555.
Property: Hot water heater replaced at St. Matthew’s, Ted Marks installed it at no cost to the church. Thanked the Bates and Thaxter families for mowing the lawn at Zion. Thanked the whole cleaning crew for a job well done, a great gift to Zion. Rebecca Bilby will be notified that we are terminating her employment as of May 14th. She did a good job for Zion and we appreciate her time she was with us. Andre reported that he has found someone to repair the stone and brick-work on the front of Zion at a cost of $4,700. He asked for approval to raise the amount to $9,000 so as they can repair other areas on the building while they are here. The company is “Olde Mohawk” from Amsterdam, NY. He was given approval. According to Olde Mohawk the four large bushes in front of the church are causing deterioration of the foundation so, we will be removing those bushes.
Motion was made at 10:16 pm to adjourn the meeting.
The Lord’s Prayer was said by all.
Respectfully Submitted,
Karen Wilson, Council Secretary
Community Breakfast at Zion
June 7, 2009 from 9:30am to 11am
This will be the last community breakfast of the 2008/2009 Sunday school year. We will be serving waffles with fruit, sausage and bacon between the Sunday morning services at Zion.
We hope to see you there!
Cleaning at Zion
Many Hands Make Light Work
We have had a volunteer cleaning crew for the past four weeks cleaning the inside and outside of Zion. Hopefully you have noticed!!
The first week was a major effort including many ‘Spring’ cleaning activities. Since that week, the number of workers has varied depending on schedules however the time it takes is approximately 90 minutes. Obviously many hands make light work and we are now prepared to open this up to anyone willing to help. There are jobs for all ability levels. Stay for as long or little as you can.
There will be a person/family assigned on a monthly basis to act as captain each week. The captain will ensure all activities are performed and provide guidance to new volunteers. Task lists will be posted in each room/area to follow.
At the Congregational meeting, we voted that, this could be done by all of us. A special THANKS to the Bates, Mau, Steingraber and Thaxter families for not only all the hard work over the past four weeks, but proving it can be done!
Come be a part of the fun … yes, FUN! Zion Cleaning will be every Saturday at 8am. All are welcome and the help appreciated to make this an on-going success.
Zion’s W.E.L.C.A. Circle News
Thanks to all who helped to make our Mother-Daughter Dinner a very pleasant evening. Special thanks to Karl Schwarzenegger for surprising us with three kinds of lasagna. (See poem on next page) we also appreciate Pastor Jen and Colleen Quirion for arranging for the ‘Kings Dancers’ to come to Zion for our program.
At our next meeting, June 13, 2009 from 10am to noon in Zion’s assembly hall, we will tie-off two more quilts for Lutheran World Relief. We will finish our Bible study of Esthter. Bring your Bible, Lutheran Woman Today (May issue), scissors and large-eyed needles.
When Karl Made Lasagna
By Kenn Nesbitt
When Karl made lasagna
All his neighbors stopped and stared
His lasagna was the largest
That had ever been made.
He used ninety yards of pasta
And half a ton of cheese
And the sauce, he spread with spatulas
That looked a lot like skis.
With a hundred pounds of vegetables
And wagon – loads of meat
Plus a tiney sprig of parsley
His lasagna was complete.
So he lifted that lasagna
With a forklift and a crane
And he place it in a oven
That was longer than a train.
For a week, while it was baking
Its aroma filled the town
Till he took it from the oven
Piping hot and golden brown.
All the neighbors came and tasted it
But frowned at him, and then
They complained, “It needs a bit more salt,
You’ll have to start again.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Prayer shawls are made with love and prayers to give to others who need to feel the warmth and comfort of God’s love wrapped around them. At Zion we have a box of prayer shawls just waiting to be given out. If you know of someone who would be uplifted by a prayer shawl you can take one from the box. There are prayer cards in a filebox on our WELCA table that can be given with the shawl. Even if you don’t knit or crochet you can be a part of this ministry by passing on God’s love to others.
Affirmation of Faith
We celebrate with five of our young people as they affirmed the promises made to them in their Baptisms through the Rite of Confirmation, on Pentecost Sunday, May 31st.
They are: Kristen Althiser, Adam Bates, Tyler Briggs, Cristina Keller and Myranda Steingraeber.
We are blessed by their witness of faith as they enter into full membership in the life of the congregation.
Acolyte News
Summer will be on us soon and its time to start planning ahead. I will be contacting people to find out what Sundays they would be available to serve during the summer. I would like to ask the 8:30 service acolytes to pick a Sunday that they might be available to serve at the 11am service. This would greatly take the burden off the few that serve at that 11am service. I am also planning more training. Remember, you do not have to be a youth to serve as an acolyte. Linda Goodreau and Val Becker are proof of that.
If you are a youth in grades 6 through 12, or an interested adult and have not been trained, please see me between the services at Zion. It only takes about 15 minutes and it is easier than you might think. You may contact me at lannyb1953@yahoo.com
Thanks to all who serve. You are special in God’s sight.
Lanny Barsale
F.R.O.G. Youth Group and Confirmation Class
Fund Raiser and Service Project
Saturday, June 20, 2009 from 9 am – 3 pm
Tag Sale and Bake Sale
To raise funds for Confirmation Camp, Kingdom Bound, and other youth events.
We would appreciate donations of slightly used items for our tag sale. They can be dropped at the church on Friday June 19 or early in the morning on Saturday June 20. Please see Lori Alkinburg, Colleen Quirion or Pastor Jen if you have any questions.
Donations of baked goods for the bake sale would also be appreciated. Please see Mary Kerr or Clara Quirion.
As a service project to our community, we will be handing out hot dogs, chips and soda at no cost. Donations of hot dogs, rolls, condiments, chips (small bags) and soda would greatly be appreciated. Please contact Colleen Quirion if you would like to donate any of these items.
Thank you for your continued support of our youth programs at Zion and St. Matthew’s.
Family News
Congratulations on your graduation Jason Nadeau!
Would you like to share good news? Send us your important events or happenings in your life so that we may share in your joy and offer our… THANKS BE TO GOD!
Sunday School News
Sunday School is beginning to wind down. Our last day is June 21, 2009. We will have our ending program and ice cream sundaes that day. The festivities will begin at 9:30am. Our Sunday School Choir will sing at the program and as the prelude for the 11am service.
Our Compassion Child fund is low at this time. We will be going into the summer with very little set aside for Iago. To all who have given, thank you. If you have not had the opportunity, please see me any Sunday after Sunday school. We will also be taking a collection at the year-end program.
I want to thank all of the teachers for their dedication and support this year. Their time and talents have blessed your children. I also want to thank the substitutes and those that signed up even though they weren’t called this year. You noticed that I said this year. I will be looking for people for both full time and substitute teachers for next year. Please consider this important ministry.
Lanny Barsale
Vacation Bible School 2009
It is not too late to plan. Vacation Bible school will be July 20-24, 2009. This year we will go “Down Under” as the Vacation Bible School program is based on Australia. It looks to be another fun year. We will be combining with Calvary Assembly of God church this year.
Are you an artist? We need a sign for Vacation Bible School. Kangaroos, koalas, and boomerangs abound. Please consider this ministry.
We will be sending out registrations soon. Any questions, feel free to call or e-mail lannyb1953@yahoo.com
Lanny Barsale
Greetings from Vanderkamp Center
As winter gives way to spring, we are busy preparing for the upcoming summer camping season. We are looking forward to another great year at camp, and to working with children and youth as they grow in their relationships with God and Jesus Christ.
Our annual Benefit Barbecue is scheduled for Saturday, June 6, 2009. Please join us for an afternoon of camp activities, entertainment, and great food. All proceeds will benefit the Campership Fund, which offers support to children who need financial assistance to attend camp. Last year, we provided $3,600 to 20 children. This year, we expect the need will be even greater.
Do you know of any children or youth who will benefit from spending time at summer camp? If so, pick up a brochure at Zion. We serve boys and girls ages 6-18. For those new to Vanderkamp, or who would like to visit, an Open House has been scheduled for May 31.
We appreciate your support of Vanderkamp, and hope that you will be able to join us during the year. Please contact us if you need additional information about our programs or services at 315-675-3651 or vkcenter@localnet.com
Sincerely yours,
Thomas Hall, Executive Director
Prayer Partners
We give great thanks for all those who participate in the phone tree for prayers. If you would like to participate in this group, please contact Janice Ashford (call the church office at 234-3381 for her phone number).
If you are interested in the email version of this group , please contact Pastor Jen and let her know revjedyer1@yahoo.com.
Marks of Discipleship
Called to follow Jesus, we will strive to
Pray Daily
Worship weekly
Read the Bible regularly
Serve at and beyond our congregation
Be in a relationship to encourage spiritual growth in others
Give of my time, talents
Spirit of Hope Shelter Committee Update
Assessment of the need for a shelter continues-not just whether we need one or not, but who would be best served by one.
Plans are also underway for a possible Soup kitchen, offering meals in addition to the food pantry so that people would have a place to share a meal.
The next meeting will be Sunday, June 7, 2009, 2pm at Zion.
Stories of Faith in Action 2009
When Giving Comes Naturally
Dick and Bev Moody of Buffalo Grove, Ill., each grew up in families that gave faithfully to their church despite times of financial hardship. ”We both remember our parents writing a check every Sunday before going off to worship,” Bev recalls. ”It was good training. So much so that giving was natural to us after we were married.”
Like their parents, the Moodys have given generously to their church and its ministries throughout their 44 years of marriage. And as their earnings grew, they gave an increasingly higher percentage of their income.
On a study trip to East Africa, the Moodys saw firsthand how their gifts to the ELCA work to improve the lives of others. ”We actually saw what was happening in those areas and how the work of this church can bring hope to people who are really struggling in poverty and illness,” Bev says.
Today, the Moodys contribute to ELCA World Hunger, the ELCA Fund for Leaders (a seminary scholarship program), and their congregation. The Moodys also participate in a variety of planned giving options available through the ELCA Foundation.
Including the ELCA in their estate plan also came naturally to the Moodys. Having a plan in place has brought the family great comfort. ”It’s good to know that we don’t have to worry about making decisions during a crisis or about a survivor trying to follow through with our wishes,” Dick says.
For more Stories of Faith in Action visit www.elca.org/stories.
Notes from the church office…
For those of you that have not picked up your Offering Envelopes, they are now available in the church office.
If you are participating in Holy Communion, you only need to fill out one card every six months.
Zion Life articles are due into the church office by the 15th of each month.
If you have any questions about an article on the website or you need a phone number to contact someone please call the church office at 234-3381 or email to zcoby@verizon.net
May 6, 2009
Mr. Don Alkinburg, president
Zion with St. Matthew’s congregation Council
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
615 East Main Street
Cobleskill, NY 12043
Dear Don:
On behalf of the 2009 Schoharie County CROP Walk Planning Committee, I want to thank our congregation for use of Zion as a rest area during the May 3 CROP Walk.
As a member of the congregation, I am pleased that we can open our doors to people of all ages Walking in war against hunger. I am very proud of the fact that our combined congregation brought in $1070 on CROP Walk Sunday, about 20% of all money collected that day I am also pleased that our nine Walkers collected enough money for us to again win the Golden Sneaker for being the organization that brought in the most money this year.
I am also proud of our own Pastor Jen, who earned a certificate for bringing in the third largest amount of money collected, $555. Our pastor clearly lives her faith because as we read in Matthew 25:31-45, Jesus wants us to feed the hungry and help others in need. Pastor Jen truly walks the Walk to help feed needy people both here in our county and at the synod level.
I am very pleased that our congregation won the Golden Sneaker, representing the largest amount collected on Sunday, since that shoe once belonged to my son Cody. I’d like to keep that sneaker here at Zion with my church family.
Thanks again for opening Zion for use as a rest area during CROP Walk 2009.
Your in CROP Walk 2009,
John Jarvis,
Arrangements Committee
2009 Schoharie County CROP Walk
Note: On the evening of the May 3 CROP Walk, a form of this report went to the Times Journal, local clergy, selected Walkers and the members of the CROP Walk planning committee.
2009 CROP Walk went well, especially for Zion
The 2009 Schoharie County CROP Walk is over. However, the planners expect more pledged money to come in within a month, partly because of a question regarding how to credit online donations for Lee Empie.
On CROP Walk Sunday the CROP Walk tellers, led by Schoharie County CROP Walk Treasurer Kathy Bye, counted $5863, a little less than we collected on the day of the 2008 Walk.
The donor envelopes indicated that there were 63 Walkers; including the C-RHS chapter of the Nation Honor Society, which donated $410 from a silent auction held the Friday before the fundraiser; and two families that did not list their individual members on their envelopes. In 2008 there were 51 identified Walkers.
The top three money makers for the 2009 Schoharie County CROP Walk were Lee Empie, Aggie Scott and our our own Pastor Jen, respectively.
The organizations turning in the most money today were Zion Lutheran Church of Cobleskill with $1070, Cobleskill United Methodist Church with $1029 and Esperance/Sloansville United Methodist with $517. Thus, again this year Zion with St. Matt’s earns the Golden Sneaker for raising the most money.
The organization with the largest number of Walkers was Cobleskill United Methodist Church. CUMC’s CROP Walk recruiter, Blair Hartman, will therefore receive a certificate for being the most successful recruiter in the county for the 2009 local CROP Walk.
All in all, I am pleased with how the 2009 local CROP Walk went–especially with the economy in the shape that it’s in.
Yours in CROP Walk 2010,
John Jarvis,
Arrangement Committee
St. Matthew’s matters
The Ministry Board at St. Matthew’s Chapel had its monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 5. The big topic, of course, was the hugely successful May 2 barbecue.
The meeting began at 7:05 with opening prayer led by Pastor Jen, who had several topics to discuss:
*VBS at the Sharon Springs United Methodist Church in late June
*”Keeping the Sabbath Holy” on May 10
*the recent barbecue
All other Ministry Board members had something to say about the annual fundraiser. First, we had a profit of $979.61, which will go to the family of Cody Van Buren of Cherry Valley to help with huge medical bills.
Jackie Costello reported that we sold 198 dinners and 152 halves of Claude Ray chicken.
The group decided to ask Claude Ray to grill chicken for us on the first Saturday in May 2010. [On the next day John Jarvis secured that date with Claude.]
Tom Collins brought up the topic of the controversy in the Congregation Council over Michael Boyd’s desire to start a photography business in the parsonage. There was little discussion.
Dave Hayner stated that the water wasn’t hot enough after the barbecue on Saturday for clean-up.
John Jarvis said that he would like to end Sunday school classes on high school graduation weekend, but he needs to talk to Marcy Wright about that date. She was not at the meeting.
John also put himself in charge of organizing the annual Mother’s Day coffee hour the following Sunday.
Sexton Dave Costello told us that a light is out in front of the Chapel. Repairs and replacement are forthcoming.
Barb Cousineau and Dave Hayner discussed all the hassles of getting Zion Life on line when members have dial-up, not high-speed Internet service.
Dave Costello reminded us about the Memorial Day parade on Saturday, May 25.
We closed with the Lord’s Prayer at 7:58.
Every day we at St. Matthew’s Chapel thank God for the numerous blessings in our lives, including successful barbecues and Sunday school students.
In service to Christ and His church,
John Jarvis,
Ministry Board secretary
Something sweet that kids may actually eat
Kids just love candy. In truth, so do adults. We all know that candy is full of calories, probably loaded with saturated fat but no nutrients. Candy tastes good but isn’t good for us; we all know that food fact.
We parents know that we should offer our kids fruit and veggies like carrot sticks or celery as a substitute for candy, but our children may well balk as such snacks. What can we do?
Supermodel Cindy Crawford has the answer.
Many years ago Cindy had a TV program called House of Style on MTV. At a student’s suggestion, I watched the show once, only once though. The show ’s content didn’t really interest me till Cindy gave a health tip to her viewers.
Instead of eating candy, Cindy advised them to eat cereal without milk as a snack. Candy is full of empty calories, and chocolate usually has artery-clogging saturated fat to boot. She advocated healthier snacking for those with a sweet tooth.
I have taken Cindy Crawford’s advice to heart, so I rarely eat candy unless it is free of sat fat. What I do eat instead is Reese’s Puffs, which taste like a combo of chocolate and peanuts, just like a Snickers bar.
However, a serving size of 3/4 of a cup of dry Reese’s Puffs contains nutrients not found in candy. The nutrition facts on the side of the cereal box reveal that I can get 25% of my Percent Daily Values of thiamin, iron, riboflavin, niacin, Vitamin B6, folic acid and Vitamin B12 and zinc from a single serving of that tasty cereal.
That same serving will also give me 10% of my PDV of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, calcium and Vitamin D.
Since I haven’t eaten a Snickers bar since Halloween, I don’t know the number of nutrients in my favorite candy bar, but I suspect that there are very few vitamins and minerals—if any.
However, I do have a box of Quaker Chewy Granola Bars. Though those bars don’t have much sat fat, they don’t have much nutrition either. I can imagine what little nutrition we’ll find in a Snickers bar.
The next time I watch an episode of Life after People on the History Channel, I’ll have a bowl of Reese’s Puffs rather than a Snickers bar.
Perhaps parents can get their children to switch from candy to dry breakfast cereal as a healthier snack choice for growing bodies.
Someday my body will probably thank me for my choice of Reese’s Puffs over a Snickers bar, and thanks be to God now for Cindy Crawford’s health tip so many years ago.
In His name and image,
John Jarvis,
Health Ministries
Samaritan Fund
We have a special fund, called the Samaritan Fund, that assists people in need? We often have people who are going through difficult times and need a little help. If you would like to make a donation to this fund to help people in our community—please just mark on your gift that this is your intention.
Pastoral Care
In Pastor Jen’s absence, please contact Pastor Gary Edmister (294-6656), the church office, one of the deacons and/or the church Council. We all want to make sure that you have the spiritual care that you need in the midst of personal crises and emergencies.
Please also make sure that Pastor Jen knows of this pastoral care need by the time of her return.