What a Summer! Pastor Philip Writes

It has been a busy summer, especially the last couple of weeks. On August 18th, I was invited to be a guest preacher at my former parish in Lanark, Illinois, as they celebrated their 150th Anniversary.

On the 25th, I left immediately after worship for the Synod Youth Lutheran Camp at Camp Kintail. Though tiring, and the bed not being comfortable like the one I am used to, it was good to be with the youth and pastoral and lay colleagues. The theme for the camp is ‘be-longing’, where our being as an intentional Christian community was defined as one where all belonged.  They focused on this by addressing their own issues, at school and in the larger society, of bullying, exclusion, and rejection, whether directly or through social media.

This year, the junior Connors, Tessa (counsellor), Whitney, and Ethan (campers) attended. Their energy and curiosity about exploring things from a faith-based perspective were encouraging.

Trinity Lutheran, Lanark, was my first call, and I served there from July 2006 to November 2013. It has been 11 years since I was at Trinity and things have changed. It was good to renew ties and catch up on developments there. When I was sent there, the synod did not expect the congregation to survive much longer, but that was 18 years ago. They have adapted to their situation and, given their size and the resources available, have continued to exist primarily with the involvement of students from Wartburg Theological Seminary, a seminary of the ELCA, about an hour away in Iowa.

For their 150-year celebrations, they have invited former pastors and vicars to lead services on Sundays from July until November.  

My time at camp reminded me of the importance of staying connected to current issues in order to be relevant and meaningful as a faith community. In working towards this goal, it is crucial to be mindful not only of our own community, Mount Zion, but also of the needs and aspirations of the broader community around us. We are not a community for ourselves; rather, we are a sent community for the sake of the world.

In Christ,

Pastor Philip

 

In Our Prayers

Let us pray for Christine, Marilyn, Konrad, Mary-Helen, Sandra, Julian, George, Betty, Rosalie, Thelma, Helen, and the Stewart family. Let us uphold Sheila and David Grant and their family in our prayers as they grieve the death of Doris Berg, Sheila's mother.

Let us continue to pray for peace in the world, especially in Palestine, Israel, Ukraine, Russia, Yemen, Sudan and other places, for wisdom and discernment to the leaders to work towards peace. Let us remember all those affected by natural disasters. Let us not forget our own congregation as we once again begin our journey of reimagining our future after the summer break.

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Food Card Ministry

The Justice through Service Committee reports that they are greatly heartened by the strong support for the food card ministry over the summer and hope this support continues into the Fall.  Despite the small dollar amounts, the recipients are very grateful for what we provide.  

 

Financially Speaking

Treasurer Richard Brubacher reports that the results for the first eight months reflect a deficit of $29,668 in the Ministry & Mission (current) account. This is $45,531 better than planned due to excellent member support ( $8,394 better than planned), higher rental income, and reduced expenses.  Your support of Benevolence to the Synod and other designated appeals was $41,978. Of this amount, $33,228 was received from members in support of the Synod ($14,131) and Food Voucher Program ($13,382)

Please read the full report for details about Benevolence and how our rental properties are doing. Click here

 

Introducing Leo, our new Intern

Mount Zion is blessed to be part of Martin Luther’s MDiv Intern Program. For the next 18 months, Leo Johnson will join us as an intern and part of the ministry team.  He is from Hamilton and has his roots in Liberia. He is now an MDiv student at Martin Luther University College. We look forward to meeting him over the next few weeks.

 

Season of Creation

From September 1 to September 29, we will observe and celebrate the Season of Creation with the larger Christian family. The primary focus will be understanding our relationship with the created order from a faith perspective.

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Sept 5 – Choir Rehearsals Begin

The choir will begin rehearsals this week and will sing for Super Sunday this coming Sunday. We welcome all singers and rehearse at 10:00 on Thursday mornings.  If you have been considering joining the choir, this is the time.

We will sing many new hymns from "All Creation Sings" and use setting 12 for the Season of Creation. This is also from All Creation Sings. It was so well received when we used it last fall. 

See you on Sunday!   Sarah 🎶🎵

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Sept 7 - Berg Funeral

It is with great sadness that I convey that Doris Berg died on Sept. 3, 2024. 

Her funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 7th at 11:30 am at Erb & Good Funeral Home in Waterloo.

Let us uphold Doris’ daughter, Sheila & her husband, David Grant and their wider family in our prayers as they grieve her death.  Pastor Philip​​​​

 

Sept 8 – Souper Sunday

September 8 will be Souper Sunday when we officially start the Fall activities after the Labour Day weekend. Grab a bowl of soup after the service to reacquaint yourself with friends and neighbours.

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Sept 10 - Exercise Classes return

Meet in the auditorium every Tuesday for exercise classes designed for seniors. 1:00 pm. Contact Marg Tupling for details at 519-745-6355 or tupling6355@rogers.com

 

Sept 11- Mount Zion Café Opens

Join us at the Café beginning this fall, September 11. The Cafe is held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., in the Fellowship Hall. Bring a friend! Join in the conversation and meet new and old acquaintances. Learn some health tips that you may find helpful. Call Margaret in the church office by 9:45 a.m. if you need a ride. 

 

Sept 12 - Mount Zion Kitchen Opens

Delicious scents of cooking food will fill the building beginning Thursday, Sept. 12. Sausage and braised cabbage are on the menu for opening week. The Kitchen will not be preparing meals for the Bistro until November as they are making some changes on campus. Order your meal today by calling Margaret at 886-5820. See the menu for the following weeks here

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Sept 15 – An Invitation from the Gastmeiers

Please drop in at our 50th Anniversary Open House on September 15 between 1 and 5 p.m. (12 Roslin South, Waterloo). Our friends at Erb Street Mennonite have permitted us to use their parking lot, which is only a few short steps away. There will be many exciting munchies, and many of you have promised a song or two. Best wishes only!!! Or bring a song if you like. 

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Sept 21 Ruth Stromberg Celebration of Life  

A service of celebration for Ruth Stromberg's life will be held at Mount Zion on Saturday, September 21. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m., followed by the service at 3:00 p.m.

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Sept 28– Bishop’s Ordination

The ordination of the Bishop-Elect Carla Blakley as Bishop of the Eastern Synod will be held at St Matthews on Saturday, September 28, at 2:00 pm.

 

Sept 29 - New Member Sunday

We will welcome new members during worship. More information to come in the next issue

 

Sept 30 - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Day

Orange Shirt Day (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation) is Monday, September 30. Those interested in purchasing orange shirts can order them online from Healing of the Seven Generations and pick them up at their centre at 300 Frederick Street in Kitchener.

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Oct 28 - Book Study

Sponsored by Health Council

Here Be Wonders: The Gospel’s Pulse in Unsettled Times is a newly published book by Nancy Vernon Kelly, a member of Mount Zion. Nancy was pastor of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Kitchener, from 1995 to 2013.

During that time, she witnessed numerous occasions within the congregation and community where the Spirit of God continued to pulse in ordinary activities. In the book, she tells 40 of these stories. They invite our attention and perhaps give clues for future directions.

We are pleased that Nancy will participate in the discussion in the Fellowship Hall on Monday, October 28, from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. Please register in the church office.

Copies of the book are widely available, including from Words Worth Books. All royalties from the sale of this book go to St Mark’s Place, forty-three units of supportive housing in the former St. Mark’s Lutheran Church building.

If you have questions, please get in touch with Mary Slethaug

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Diploma in Ecological Economics – Beginning September 11

Isaiah Ritzman, who was guest speaker for last year’s climate workshops at Mount Zion, is offering this course running 10 weeks starting September 11. For more information, email isaiah@the wrokingcentre.org

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