Pastor Philip writes

I wrote my last letter from Camp Kintail while attending the Synod Lutheran Youth Camp. (now known as SLYC, pronounced Slick)

Since Edgewood's closure, we have used the Kintail facility for the camp. Our annual camp can trace its roots to Mount Zion, when Pastor Lange took the initiative to hold a camp and invited other congregations to participate. In earlier days, congregations could participate only by invitation!

But that changed. It is now open to any congregation that wants to participate.

Over the years, our camp has evolved from its original purpose of being a camp for those in the confirmation process. It has now become a gathering for those who have completed the process but still seek to be part of an intentional Christian community and continue to grow in their faith. This year, we had a total of 53 participants, including junior and senior campers, counsellors, pastors, and other senior leaders. It was a truly enriching, albeit tiring, six days!

Season of Creation

From September 1 to September 29, we are celebrating the Season of Creation along with the larger Christian family. The primary focus will be on together understanding our relationship with the created order from a faith perspective. Last Sunday, we talked about women pushing back and standing up to the hegemonic and exploitative forces that disrespected and destroyed nature for their gain and pleasure. We talked about the Chipko movement, which had its beginnings in the 16th century, where primarily women would gather and hug trees designated to be cut down, and some people had to pay for it with their lives. In Kenya, the movement led by Wangari Maathai grew beyond their boundaries and influenced the planting of 11 billion trees worldwide.

It is a known fact that we need trees to replenish the oxygen in the atmosphere so that we can survive. Photosynthesis, while producing oxygen, is also a process in which carbon in the form of carbon dioxide, which is the main contributor to the warming of the earth, is absorbed and stored in the trunks, bark, branches, and leaves, especially of trees. "This demonstrates that trees are incredibly important for the survival of life on Earth."

In theology, the term tree is used to refer to the cross - the tree that gives life, the tree that sustains us. So, the metaphor of a tree, while being the source of life, also taking on to itself that which denies life is something we could hold on to even as we observe the Season of Creation. It gives a new dimension to the whole understanding of the usage of the term tree, both theologically and in real life!

The Season of Creation, with its emphasis on trees, seemed like a perfect time to reprint an article about our Tree of Life Banner where its creator discusses the nuances she included in the design. Scroll down to read it.

 

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 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 remember our own congregation as we look to the future together after the summer break.

In Christ,

Pr. Philip

Sept. 13, 2024

 

Break in at Mount Zion

You might have already heard that we had a break-in last week but we thought you should hear the details now that the dust has settled. It was not the greatest way to start our September. This is the report that Richard made to the congregation last Sunday.

1. We had a break-in of the church offices on Monday night Sept 9th.

2. No one was hurt but we sustained some damage and some things were stolen.

3. The break-in was confined to the office areas with nothing disturbed in the Sanctuary or upstairs areas or Open Sesame.

4. The incident was reported to Waterloo Regional Police who attended along with their Forensic unit, and we have reported to our insurance carrier.

5. The estimated financial impact is $12 - $13,000, mostly covered by insurance – except for a $2,500 deductible.

6. The intruders targeted cash, removing a safe containing $900 worth of Food cards and some stamps. Fortunately, a deposit was made Monday morning, so no offerings were in the safe.

7. We don’t believe any personal information was compromised.

8. Repairs for damage have/are being undertaken – New locks and keys are in place.

9. As a result of locks & key replacements, we will be asking members for an inventory of all keys in their possession, since some keys may no longer work.  Stay tuned for further information on this shortly.

10. Council will undertake a review of security issues going forward.

If you wish to discuss further, talk to me or any of the Executive or Council members.

 

Meet Leo, our Luther Intern

In 2006, I resettled in Canada as a government-assisted refugee after spending eight years in refugee camps in Ivory Coast and Ghana, having fled the civil war in Liberia. A year later, I founded Empowerment Squared in Hamilton, a charitable organization dedicated to empowering individuals through mentorship and access to education, ensuring everyone has the tools and opportunities to thrive and contribute to society. To date, the organization has supported over 10,000 newcomer youth and families in their settlement journeys across Canada. The organization supports over 300 marginalized and newcomer families annually across two locations in Hamilton with a team of 23 staff and over 150 volunteers. Currently, we are on the brink of a milestone with the grand opening of the first phase of the Liberian Learning Center, a $2 million initiative that will house the only public library in Liberia, transforming access to education and resources in the country. I am blessed to share this journey with my wife, Johnette Moore, and together we are raising our three wonderful children.

(Leo Johnson has joined us as our intern from the beginning of the month and will be with us for 18 months instead of the usual 12. He will be here on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays and every other week on Fridays. We look forward to his continuing and deeper involvement in Mount Zion's life and ministries.)

 

Our Tree of Life

The banner you see at the front of the chancel today was created by Marie Zinken and installed to commemorate Mount Zion's 50th anniversary. Below are the "notes from the artist" she wrote when the banner was installed. We hope to feature other banners in the coming months.

Mount Zion's Anniversary Banner

I was very proud and honoured to be asked to create a banner for my "home" congregation. How do I represent 50 years worthy of celebration for a congregation with which I have some history and emotional attachment?

The Tree of Life made the perfect analogy. The tree has a tenuous beginning from seed and struggles and reaches; constantly changing and evolving; it grows, produces, gives back - and so does this congregation: all the glory of God. The tree is deep-rooted, stable, stately, and strong, as is this congregation. The changing seasons can be compared to the times this congregation blossoms, flourishes, produces fruit, has dry spells and then quiet times. The apple is a symbol of love and beauty, but it is also a reminder of the fruit Adam ate in the Garden of Eden and is, therefore, a symbol of sin and our humanity. The seed at the bottom is a symbol of new life, resurrection and hope.

The mission of the tree is to bear fruit, and the mission of the congregation is to spread the Good News.

It has been said: "Examine a fallen leaf, and you'll see a tiny picture of the tree that produced it. The pattern of a tree's branches closely mimics the veins in its leaves." Can the same be said of the members of the congregation? I think so.

The dove represents the Holy Spirit. This translucent dove permeates the tree and renews it as it does the Church. This banner proclaims that the Holy Spirit is actively at work in Mount Zion Lutheran Church! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Marie Zinken

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Thank yous

Souper Sunday

Thanks to the members of the Health Council and those of you who made soup for Souper Sunday on Sept 8. Gathering as a community over steaming bowls of soup in the Lange Auditorium is Mount Zion's traditional start and celebration of our fall activities.

Thank you from the Gastmeiers

Bill and I want to say thank you for all your best wishes at our 50th Anniversary Party. Your presence made the day so special for us.  Karen

 

Food Card Ministry

The Justice through Service Committee reports that although it was a bit of a scramble, the $900 worth of Food Cards have been replaced. We understand that our insurance will cover some of the loss.

 

The Canadian Council of Churches celebrates 80 years

Peter and Karen Kuhnert take on fundraising roles

This fall, my wife, Karen, and I are two of four ELCIC Lutherans supporting the Canadian Council of Churches (CCC) fund-raising initiative as part of their 80th anniversary celebrations. It will be quite an undertaking, but one that I feel is very important. The CCC  is the collective voice of 13,500 worshipping Christian communities in Canada representing 26 church traditions. Together, we advocate for more inclusive social policies in Canada and nurture faith communities committed to justice and peace.

Mount Zion and the Canadian Council of Churches

You might not know that the people of Mount Zion have been connected to the work of the CCC for decades. Rev. Dr. Ed Riegert was a member of the Faith and Order Commission of the CCC from 1971-1974.  Rev. Dr. Richard Crossman, retired dean of Waterloo Lutheran Seminary was the chair of the Biotechnology Reference Group of the CCC. A signature achievement of this group was the successful intervention before the Supreme Court of Canada (2002) convincing the Supreme Court not to patent a genetically modified mouse as a human invention or intellectual property of Harvard University and DuPont corporation. Rev. Dr. Philip Mathai is a newly installed ELCiC representative to the governing board of the CCC

I have followed in Dr. Crossman’s footsteps as the ELCiC representative to the Faith and Life Sciences Reference Group where I have had the privilege of serving as co-chair for the past six years.

Asking for your support

I hope you will support us and the work of the Canadian Council of Churches with a donation. Your donation will help us to achieve our ongoing goals of advocating for more inclusive social policies and our common commitment to peace and justice.

Opportunities to learn more this fall

I will be telling the stories of the CCC on October 6 at Mount Zion and would be delighted to answer any questions at that time. 

We will be hosting a CCC “Day of Learning and Evening of Celebration” here in Waterloo, ON, on Wed. Nov. 6, 2024. The Day of Learning will take place at Mount Zion, while the evening musical celebration highlighting the work of Project Ploughshares will take place at First United Church, Waterloo. Please plan to join us for this exciting day celebrating the 80 years of ecumenism through the Canadian Council of Churches. A save-the-date advertisement will be available shortly.

Please keep the CCC in your prayers.   Peter Kuhnert

 

Upcoming Mount Zion Events

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.

 

Sept 25- Mount Zion Café

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 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.

 

September 29 – Member Sunday

It is a special Sunday when we welcome new members and also recognize the contributions of others in our congregational life and ministries. Our new member directory will be distributed.

  

Oct 27 - Sunday Lunches Return

Pre-COVID, once a month, we used to gather for lunch and fellowship and also discuss a topic of interest for our edification. It was a very meaningful and profound time. Recently, there has been interest in reviving this practice, and we will have our first gathering after this long break on October 27, after worship. 

We will gather in the Glebe Room and be done by 1:20 pm. Dr. David Jacobsen will lead the discussions on October 27. He will share his insights on the book by Willie James Jennings, Acts, where he explores the relevance of the book of Acts for the struggles of today.

We will have sign-up sheets for attendance and food by mid-October.  Pastor Philip

 

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

 

Upcoming Events from around the Synod

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 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.

 

Oct 4 - Climate Vigils

Faith Climate Justice will again hold Climate Vigils at Waterloo Town Square from 8 to 9 p.m. every Friday from October 4 through November 29, 2024.

 

Oct 5 & 6 - Sing Fires of Justice

The Faculty of Music at Wilfrid Laurier University, Martin Luther University College and The St. Matthews Centre present Sing Fires of Justice 2024. The theme is Music is Medicine.

October 5, 2024 Workshops & Lunch 10 am-3 pm

Wampum Belts, Song Writing, Beading, Drum Making

Speaker: Ken Maracle (Haohyoh) (Cayuga Nation)

October 6, 2024 Song, Art and Story 2-4 pm

Speaker: The Venerable Rosalyn Kantlaht'ant Elm (Oneida Nation)

 

Oct 1 -  Webinar on artificial intelligence

Join the Canadian Council of Churches on October 1 at 3 pm EDT for the second in a series of Faith and Life Sciences webinars on artificial intelligence! Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to spark interest and concern around the globe. But how does generative AI and transhumanism challenge or reflect our understanding of personhood and the image of God?  

More information and registration for the event here: https://bit.ly/theologyai

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