november - zion evangelical lutheran church
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CALL COMMITTEE UPDATE
It’s an exciting time, as the Pastor Call Committee has
already begun conducting interviews of interested Pastor
candidates. Additional interviews are being scheduled as
this article goes to print. Please continue your prayerful
support of the committee and its mission. If you have any
questions or wish to discuss the process further with a
committee member, contact Barb Toman, Dick Ruby,
Emily Sears, Kathy Frye, Ken Gerold, Mike Engel, or Ray
Withrow
LIVING WATER MINISTRY
COLLECTION
Cathy Hester, Hamilton Living Water Minisgtry
(located in the former Jefferson Elementary School
Building) is adding a preschool class to their program.
Cathy was the speaker at our women’s fall meeting and
gave a testimonial of how she became involved and how
these inner city children are being helped.
On Sunday, November 10, there will be a box in the
great hall for gently used toys, games, puzzles, books or
new items geared to 3, 4 & 5 year olds.
Thank you for helping to make a difference in these
little boys and girls lives.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
7:00 p.m.
at
Kingdom Ministries
House of Prayer
128 N. Second Street in Hamilton
Saturday, November 30
10:00 a.m.
Join us to help decorate the church for
Christmas. This is always a fun, family event.
There will be crafts for the children (or
children at heart) and lunch will be provided.
Hope to see you all there!
COMMUNITY MEAL CENTER
Zion is cooking and serving the community meal
at the First United Methodist Church on Saturday,
November 2. We need people to help with set up,
preparing the food, greeting people, serving and clean
up. We also need people to bake desserts for the
lunch. Please see the sign-up sheets in the great hall to
help with this very worthy project. Questions: call
Barb Toman at 863-5615.
November 2013
The Messenger (November) Page 2
Women of Zion, as disciples of Christ, are called to
grow in faith, discover and use our gifts,
and serve in our communities
at home and throughout the world.
Women of Zion
A Look Back in Time
The following information comes from the 1964-1969
Annual Reports
A completely new service program for Women of Zion
was introduced in 1965 in the hope that it would inspire
“inactive” women to take an active interest in the work of
the women of the church. Twelve circles were formed and
with twelve services, each circle had a different duty to
perform each month – county home, Altar flowers, Altar
linen sewing, Altar laundry, nursery, kitchen, library,
helping hand, new members, mission sewing, Altar
service, office.
These circles each chose a name of a woman from the
Bible. Some circle names were Dorcas, Miriam, Naomi,
and Rebekah. By the end of 1965, it was decided to
disband the Dorcas Circle, and to operate just eleven
circles. It was reported that about 100 women came
regularly to circle meetings.
In 1966, having no President of the Women of Zion, it
was decided that each month one of the Women of the
Board would serve as Presiding Chairman.
More changes came at the beginning of 1967 with the
restructuring into just three circles – a morning circle,
afternoon circle, and evening circle. An Altar Guild was
also established at this time.
Thankoffering Service
November 17
The Women of Zion will host both Sunday services on
November 17. It is a time for the women to lead us in
worship and rejoice with them in all that they have done
over the past year. It is also a time for them to bring their
Thankofferings and share the many blessings in the coins
that they have given.
This service is very important to the women and is a
small way to say “Thank You” to our church and our
families. Without your support, the many things we do
would not happen.
Please add your name to the sign-up sheet in the great
hall, if you would like to help with this Thankoffering
service or contact Anita Snyder at 513-844-8760.
Thanksgiving Gifts to Our Shut-Ins
On Sunday, November 17, the Women of Zion will be
delivering gifts to our shut-ins. There is a sign-up sheet in
the great hall for all who would be willing to deliver the
gifts. Please contact Joan Boling at 513-889-0691 with any
questions.
Lutheran World Relief
This year we were able to collect items to assemble 4
sewing kits, 8 health kits, 8 layettes, and 7 school kits.
The quilt ladies also completed 60 quilts this year. Thank
you to all who brought in items for these kits and to Zion’s
quilters. A special thanks to Anita Snyder for assembling,
boxing, and delivering these kits.
Women’s Winter Meeting
All the women of Zion are invited to attend our winter
meeting on Monday, December 2. The meeting will begin
at 6:30. The Women’s Board will be providing soup as
part of our meal. Prayer pals will be revealed and a short
Christmas program will follow.
Please watch your Sunday bulletin for further details.
Thank You!
A big thank you to everyone who helped to make our
Fall Fellowship Dinner such a success. I won’t attempt to
name names because I know I would leave someone out.
We sold out of soup jars, but more will be available.
Call Julia at the church office or Thelma Martin (892-
6088) and leave your order. The cost is $10.00.
Thanks to those who made crafts, or baked some
goodies. We served 79 people and had 20 carryouts. It was
a day of great fellowship with each other.
Thank you again!
NURSERY ATTENDANT
Please be advised that we are actively seeking
stable and consistent Nursery Attendant(s) at this time.
We appreciate your patience as we work to find a high
quality candidate to fill this position. If you or
someone you know is interested please contact Kathy
Chambers or the church office. In the meantime, we
are doing our best to supply substitute nursery
attendants when available.
The Messenger (November) Page 3
The Messenger (November) Page 4
BOOK OF THE MONTH
CLUB
The Book of the Month Club will meet on Tuesday,
November 5, to discuss The Silver Star by Jeannette
Walls. It is a heartbreaking novel about an intrepid girl
who challenges the injustice of the adult world—a triumph
of imagination and storytelling.
It is 1970 in a small town in California. “Bean”
Holladay is twelve and her sister, Liz, is fifteen when their
artistic mother, Charlotte, a woman who “found something
wrong with every place she ever lived,” takes off to find
herself, leaving her girls enough money to last a month or
two. When Bean returns from school one day and sees a
police car outside the house, she and Liz decide to take the
bus to Virginia, where their Uncle Tinsley lives in the
decaying mansion that’s been in Charlotte’s family for
generations.
An impetuous optimist, Bean soon discovers who her
father was, and hears many stories about why their mother
left Virginia in the first place. Because money is tight, Liz
and Bean start babysitting and doing office work for Jerry
Maddox, foreman of the mill in town—a big man who
bullies his workers, his tenants, his children, and his wife.
Jeannette Walls, supremely alert to abuse of adult
power, has written a deeply moving novel about triumph
over adversity and about people who find a way to love
each other and the world, despite its flaws and injustices.
Then in December, we’ll meet to discuss The Time
Keeper by Mitch Albom. In this fable, the first man on
earth to count the hours becomes Father Time. The
inventor of the world's first clock is punished for trying to
measure God's greatest gift. He is banished to a cave for
centuries and forced to listen to the voices of all who come
after him seeking more days, more years. Eventually, with
his soul nearly broken, Father Time is granted his freedom,
along with a magical hourglass and a mission: a chance to
redeem himself by teaching two earthly people the true
meaning of time.
He returns to our world--now dominated by the hour-
counting he so innocently began--and commences a
journey with two unlikely partners: one a teenage girl who
is about to give up on life, the other a wealthy old
businessman who wants to live forever. To save himself,
he must save them both. And stop the world to do so.
Plan on joining us in the church lounge at 6:30 p.m. for
these discussions. We always welcome new people.
Remember, reading is good for the mind and soul!
A DEVOTIONAL MOMENT
A Devotion for October 2013
What Do You Need Today? by Emma Crossen
Reflection
Facebook recently introduced me to a photo collection
showing creative approaches to parenting. Some photos
were just plain funny. Others were more poignant, like the
note from a dad to his neighbors before Halloween. The
father explaines that his son is very excited to trick-or-treat
even though he has a severe form of epilepsy that requires
a strict diet with no candy. To make Halloween fun for the
son, his parents have purchased small toys. “One of these
toys is attached to this letter,” the dad writes, asking the
neighbor to give the toy instead of candy when the son
comes to the door. He tells the neighbor how to recognize
the son’s costume, and ends the note with these words,
“Thank you so much for helping us make Halloween a
very special day.”
At its best, trick or treating is about hospitality and
making a special day for children. For most kids, candy is
sufficient to accomplish that goal, but what works for most
does not work for all. This dad and the neighbors who
participated in his plan were focused enough on the bigger
picture to be flexible with the specifics.
Similarly. stewardship requires us to focus on the
mission enough that we can accommodate changing
circumstances. For instance, the homeless shelter that
accepted our clothing donations last year may not need
them this year. The way we sent care packages to soldiers
five years ago may have become more costly for the
military to deliver that we realized. Likewise, if we want to
continue meeting the same needs, we need to increase
giving levels because, in most situations, a $5 or $10 or
$100 offering is worth less today than it was a few years
ago.
If your goal is to give ministries what they need to
thrive, then our giving should begin with a question,
“What do you need today?”
Prayer
God, thank you for all the ways you call us to meet
needs and bring about healing and wholeness in the world.
Give us the curiosity to understand what is most helpful
and the humility and creativity to change when needed.
Amen.
The Messenger (November) Page 5
Long before Memorial Day became a national
holiday, the church has had her own “Memorial Day”,
All Saints’ Day. For 16 centuries, the church has set aside a day to
remember the martyrs and saints of the church. It is a day
to remember those who have gone before us in the faith
and to recognize that we stand in a long line of saints.
This is a true festival of the church. It is a day for all of
us, because we are all saints – forgiven sinners set apart for
God’s Kingdom.
On November 3 we will remember the following
members who have passed away in the past year, or non-
members whose funerals were done through Zion.
Preben Knudsen 11/19/2012
Carolyn Kelley 12/31/2012
Ralph Jones 1/7/2013
Barbara Engel 3/15/2013
Loretta Griesinger 5/2/2013
Russell Sick 6/6/2013
Dorothy Jones 6/27/2013
Damon Steiner 8/10/213
IT IS TIME AGAIN to order
poinsettias to be used in the
sanctuary for the Christmas
season. They may be taken home
after the 10:30 p.m. Christmas
Eve service. The cost for a plant is
$8.00 and checks may be made payable to Zion
Lutheran Church. Please fill out the form below and
place in the offering plate or bring to the church
office by November 27.
Name _________________________________________
How Many Red _______________ White ____________
In Memory of ___________________________________
______________________________________________
In Honor of _____________________________________
______________________________________________
Missionary Corner
“Did you know that Jesus is coming back?” Jose Luis
shouted at a church last Sunday. A handful shook their
heads “no” in disbelief. Jesus is coming back. It’s a
promise. But it won’t happen until the gospel has been
preached to all nations (Matthew 24:14). And we believe
that the Body of Christ has everything they need to
accomplish the task in this generation….if we work
together. That is why the Call2All congress we’re hosting
in Puebla is sending chills up people’s backs.
Last year Call2All made plans to be in South Africa in
November 2013, but as the board (made up of some of the
largest ministries in the world) prayed, they felt the Lord
leading them to have it in Mexico instead. They
approached our director and asked if we would host the
congress. After praying, he told them it would have to be
in Puebla because that’s where we live. Now, nearly a year
later we find ourselves working shoulder to shoulder with
pastors, missionaries, and lay leaders throughout the city
and beyond to make this happen. The Call2All congress
from November 5-8 will call the Church to a renewed,
focused collaborative effort to fulfill the Great
Commission. Never before have so many of the world's
leaders in missions come together in Mexico for such a
purpose. There will be around 100 speakers, over 80
workshops offered, roundtable sessions where people will
be asked to work together, strategize and pray about
reaching the unreached people groups of the world, and
more.
Please pray for us and for the Call2All congress.
Christy is in charge of finding, coordinating, and
scheduling interpreters for this. And Jose Luis…well, what
isn’t he involved in or in charge of? Let’s just say that after
the congress we hope to catch up on our sleep. Please
pray for our health and the health of all involved, and for
safe travels for people coming from all over Mexico and
even as far as Nigeria. Pray that God would provide all of
the interpreters needed, for security and that all of the
other details would come together. And most of all, pray
that every tribe, tongue and nation would hear the good
news of salvation through Jesus in our lifetime.
Thank you, for holding our arms up in the battle and
for partnering with us in the gospel! We can’t explain how
helpful it is to know that you’ve got our backs as we work
to accomplish things that seem impossible. We love and
appreciate you.
Until they all hear,
Jose Luis & Christy Sanchez
The Messenger (November) Page 6
Have you remembered
Zion in your Will?
PRESCRIPTION BOTTLES
Many thanks to those of you who have
been bringing your prescription bottles in.
The program has been a great success. We
hope that you will continue to bring your prescription
bottles in. They are taken to Matthew Ministries and used
for prescription medicines in developing countries.
So.....Drop off EMPTY pill bottles in the container in
the Great Hall. We accept prescription pill bottles and
over-the-counter pill bottles (such as vitamins). Please be
sure to rinse bottles and remove labels. You can also drop
a nickel, dime or quarter in them to help with postage.
This is an easy and inexpensive way to help people in
developing countries as well as recycling those bottles;
making sure they don't end up in a landfill here.
Zion Seniors
The Young at Heart, a social group for those 55
and over, will be eating lunch at The Golden Lamb in
Lebanon on Tuesday, December 3. We’ll meet at the
restaurant at 11:15 or call the church office and we
can car pool. Please sign the sheet in the great hall if
you would like to go along.
We encourage all our seniors or almost seniors to
go along for these fun outings. It gives you a chance to
get to know your fellow church members.
TAILS FROM GOD
As part of the Tails From God ministry, Zion has a
recycling program to benefit the Animal Friends Humane
Society. Simply bring in your used printer cartridges, cells
phones, toner cartridges, PDAs, and MP3 Players and put
them in the recycling box in the church office. They will
be packaged, shipped and sent to eCycle Group
(www.ecyclegroup.com) and the money given to the
Animal Friends Humane Society. This is a wonderful
opportunity to be good stewards of God's creation
by protecting the environment and the abused and
neglected animals in Butler County. If you have questions,
please contact Karen Conklin, 513-863-0532.
Reminder from Tails From God ministry. There is
a box in the Great Hall for donations to Animal Friends
Humane Society. Clorox bleach, powdered laundry soap,
all sizes heavy garbage bags, AAA Duracell or Energizer
batteries, and first class postage stamps are always on the
"wish list." Any questions, call Karen Conklin, 513-863-
0532.
Teens Reaching Up To Heaven
Hello Supportive Zion Members,
Last year, many of you were willing to register
your Kroger Card to Zion's TRUTH Youth Group.
This allowed for your Community Reward points to
be donated to TRUTH. That registration has now
expired and it is time to re-register your Kroger Card.
Please go to Kroger.com and scroll to the bottom of
the page and find Account Registration. After clicking
on that, please log on by using your email address and
password. If you have forgotten your password, click
on "forgot my password" and follow the directions to
re-set your password. After signing in, scroll down to
the bottom of the right hand column and update the
Community Rewards section. Zion's TRUTH
organization number is 82126.
Please contact me with any questions or concerns.
Thank you so much for your ongoing support!!
Leanne Bowling
The Messenger (November) Page 7
November 9, 2013 Adult Fellowship Activity
Pumpkinfest
Hosts: Mike and Kathy Frye
Where:
Our home
6304 Sauterne Court
Liberty Township, Ohio 45011
What is Pumpkinfest you may ask -
Prepare your FAVORITE Pumpkin
recipe (a soup, pie, cake, or
something else) and include your
recipe to share. You say you don’t
have a favorite pumpkin recipe; then,
find something you think would have
a fall flare and bring that with the
recipe.
Sloppy Joes will be provided.
Time: 6:30 and weather permitting we will
have a campfire
Sign-up in the Great Hall
Questions? - contact us
pilgrimspride1@live.com or Julia in the
church office
OPEN DOOR PANTRY CONCERT
The 22nd
annual Open Door Pantry Concert will be
held again this year at Zion! We are so excited about this
event. This will be a wonderful opportunity to welcome
the community into our sanctuary for this special
concert of spiritual music. The concert will take place
on Sunday, November 3 at 3PM. This year’s performers
will be our own Paul Stanbery, organist, the OK
Journeymen Quartet, Laurin Sprague and his son,
Alexander, the First Baptist Church, Kennedy Heights
Male Chorus, Jade Kurlas, cellist, Connie Baesel,
soprano, and the Hamilton-Fairfield Symphony Chorus.
This concert is the major fundraiser for the Open
Door Pantry each year, and we hope that many people
will come out to enjoy the music and to support the
Pantry.
AGAIN THIS YEAR we need to organize a group
of 8-10 greeters or guides who will be posted at strategic
areas in the church (front and back doors, lounge,
elevator, etc.) to assist people in finding their way to the
sanctuary or to services like the elevator. We want
people to enjoy this experience here at Zion, not waste
time feeling frustrated because they can’t find the stairs,
the rest rooms, etc. If you would like to help with this
activity, please call Lori Rehm, 868-9798 or Julia, 863-
5774. We will have written guide lines to assist you, and
your help will be appreciated.
A congregational meeting will be held the first
weekend in December at all services. We will be
voting on the 2014 budget and new council members.
Please plan on being here.
Congregations grow when
members invite their friends to
worship and fellowship activities.
The Messenger (November) Page 8
All Thrivent Members and Guests
are invited to
Annual Dinner
hosted by
Butler County Chapter of
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Thursday, November 21, 6:30pm
Courtyard by Marriott
Downtown Hamilton
Please sign the sign-up sheet in the great hall
by Thursday, November 7.
We will have a presentation: Social Security –
Strategize to Maximize. Please join us for a
complimentary presentation to learn how to sort
through the hundreds of options to help ensure the
choices you make are right for you – for the rest
of your life.
No products will be sold at this event. For additional
important disclosure information, please visit
Thrivent.com/disclosures.
The Angel Tree is coming again this year. Watch
the lounge for the tree to be set up and decorated with
angel wishes for Christmas. Please consider
sponsoring one of these young people. We get the
names from the Salvation Army. Each angel has a list
of suggestions, purchase what you feel confortable
with, it is not necessary to grant every wish. Take the
entire tag so that you can attach it to your gifts. Please
return your purcahse on or before December 15,
unwrapped and tagged, under the tree. Any questions,
call Barb Toman at 513-863-5651. Happy shopping!
A SPECIAL EVENT
On Saturday, November 16 from 11AM to 1PM the
students and faculty of Ridgeway Elementary School on
Wasserman Road are again hosting "Empty Bowls" to
support the Open Door Food Pantry. "Empty Bowls" is an
international project aimed at supporting the work of food
pantries that feed the poor. When you attend an "Empty
Bowls" event, you pay an admission fee, usually $10.00,
for which you are given a ceramic bowl. In many cases the
bowl is made by the students and parents of the host
school. In some cases hand-crafted bowls are contributed
by local art students and artists. In addition, you are served
a meal of homemade soup, beverage, and dessert. The
musical groups of the host school perform from time to
time during the event.
For this event at Ridgeway, donations of homemade
soups, cookies, and brownies would be appreciated. If you
are willing to make such a contribution, please bring your
food items to Ridgeway. Two years ago "Empty Bowls" at
Ridgeway offered 28 different kinds of soups, including
"alligator soup"! Please mark your calendar and attend this
very worthwhile event, and, if possible, make a
contribution of soup, cookies, or brownies.
Box Tops for Education
Please save Box Tops for Education (on General Mills
Products), and Campbell’s Soup labels. These are
collected at various City of Hamilton elementary schools
to pay for field trips. There is a container in the lounge to
put them in. We will see that they get to an elementary
school that can use them. Thanks.
The Messenger (November) Page 9
Our prayers for God's healing and strength
are offered for those who have been
hospitalized or have medical or personal
issues:
Name: Requested by:
John Adams Tillie Adams
Beverly Allen Greg Allen
Leslie Andrew Lindsey Gibson
Millie Ante Member
Will Barnett Erin Sanchez
Dave Belew Lori Rehm
Marge Belew Ingrid Sanders
Lorainne Blanchard Gail Konrad
Verna Botts Cheryl Griesinger
Ella Boynton
Linda Brandt Julia Sears
Katie Land Brooks Sandy Ziepfel
Sandy Bunger Elaine Carpenter
Nicole Carson
Madison Chambers Mike Ford
Maiya Christiansen Susie Pflaumer Hassett
Gardner Cole Ingrid Sanders
Dave Cornett Gail Konrad
Adam Crosby Kelli Platt
Jane Day Gail Konrad
Charles Douthit Cheryl Griesinger
Jack & Evelyn Duvall Members
Lucy Emrick Kathy Chambers
Shannon Eshman Nancy Wenning
Quenten Fabiano email
Kelly Farler Member
Karin Bartels Filipas Member
Lyla Follmer Marcia Helsinger
Bob French Kathy Frye
Debbie Gibson Julia Sears
Linda Gibson Lindsey Gibson
Lois Godby Gail Konrad
Wilma Hawkey Kathy Frye
Ty Hester Lori Rehm
Jack Hiles Member
Marsha & Russell Isaacs Joe Sears
Tammy Jones
Shirley Kaelin Member
Shelby Kane
Emma Keck Jean Keck
Debbie Keehner Melba Keehner
Lee & Melba Keehner Members
Elnora Kehr Member
Ava Kemen Joe & Julia Sears
Brian Kerestan
Randy Kleinsmith Vicki Wheeler
Sadie Knott Kathy Frye
Jimmy Kollstedt Gail Konrad
Edmund Loge Brenda Savage
J.C. Luckett Gail Konrad
Mark Lykins Gayle Ford
Jasper Maffeo Mary Snavley
Mary Martin Marjorie McGill
Mary Phil & Karen Pflaumer
Chet Mastalcz
Marjorie McGill Member
Joy Merrill Member
Michelle Phil & Karen Pflaumer
Pete Mosher Kara Konrad
Jean Mueller Member
Karen Mueller Jean Mueller
Betty Mullen Debbie Ferguson
Matt Nicol Kristin & Allan Stierhoff
Mitch Parker Member
Sandy Parker Member
Charles Peck Libby Huston
Kathleen Peck Libby Huston
Robin Pendergest Angie Lauer
Joyce Pinter Member
Poleti Family Frank Martin
Kim Proeschel Helen Timmer
Judy Ramsey Kara Konrad
Sophia Ellen Riggs
Patty Robb Cheryl Griesinger
Maribeth Robinson Betty Ross
George Sanchez Member
Marge Schick Member
Ed Schmidt Member
Erica Schulze & family Frank Martin
Mark Schumacher Member
Frederic Seif Laura McAdams
Erin Simpson Sloan Member
Del Smith Marcia Helsinger
Heather Spurlino
Patty Sroufe Member
Ruth Stanton Vicki Wheeler
Dennis Steele Member
LaVerne Stewart Member
Jackie Isaacs Stout Member
Kaitlin Sunderhaus Darlene Onyett
Debbie Sunderman Gail Konrad
Janet Thompson Nancy Wenning
Helen Timmer Member
Bill Tirey Brenda Wilson
Paul Waechter Member
Robert M. Weidner Robert Weidner
Caroline Wendelken Member
Harry Whitaker Julia Sears
Jim Wilkins
Geri Willis Frank Martin
Karin Zapf
The Messenger (November) Page 10
Our sincere Christian sympathy is extended to the
family and friends of Betty Ruter (friend of the Pflaumer
family) who passed away on September 28; Colleen
Rowsey (cousin of Joy Merrill) who passed away on
October 5; and Opan Wheeler (grandmother of Bob
Wheeler) who passed away on October 16.
Continue to pray for those in the armed forces:
Michael Brown, Alex Duwel, Andrew Copas, Joe
Copas, Megan Snyder, Ben Boyce, Justin Follick, Kevin
Niemann, Nick Ford, Lisa Johnson Lowery, Dustin
Lowery, Bradley Gill.
As people of God we want to pray for all who are sick
or have other prayer requests. If you or someone you know
is in need of prayer, please fill out a prayer request and put
it in the offering plate. However, if you have added
someone and they need to be taken off the list, please
fill out a request and put it in the offering plate, or call
the church office. Thanks for your help.
Here are blessings members have reported in the last
month…
God has answered a prayer. Helen Timmer
MEMBERS IN THE
NEWS
Kenzie Cain.……. Won numerous awards at the Butler
County Fair.
Carolyn Conrad.… Won numerous awards at the Butler
County Fair.
Melody Conrad.… Won numerous awards at the Butler
County Fair.
Mike Engel……... Shown playing trumpet at
Hamilton’s Oktoberfest
Shirley Kaelin...… Won numerous awards at the Butler
County Fair.
Kara Konrad..…... Engagement announcement.
Mark Reed.....…... Engagement announcement.
Erin Simpson-
Sloan…………….
Shown talking to judges at the bake-
in competition at the Butler County
Fair.
For complete articles, check the bulletin board. Anyone
having information or articles concerning activities or
achievements of Zion members are asked to drop them off
at the church office or give them to Shirley Kaelin.
Thanks to our October bulletin stuffers: Joan Boling,
Thelma Martin, Ruth Larson, Tom & Barb Toman, Cindy
Burkhart and Lori Rehm.
Thanks to everone who helped at clean-up day. The
sanctuary smelled so clean on Sunday, The gym looked
great, especially the stage area, and my office is so much
better. No more dust balls around the edge of the floor!
Thanks for cleaning the salt and pepper shakers, too. We’ll
get them refilled and they will be ready for the next time
we need them. Thanks to all for everything that was done!
Many thanks to all who supported the November 03
Open Door Food Pantry Concert - whether your
contribution was a donation, attendance at the concert, or
serving on the committee that assisted attendees around the
building on the day of the concert. You are very much
appreciated. Thank you so much!
Thank you to the following volunteers who delivered
Meals on Wheels in October: Tammy & Mike Adams,
Lori Rehm, Eric Wittig, Dave & Carolyn Schul, Ron &
Kay Erbeck and Ray & Marge Withrow. Your time and
willingness is appreciated.
Zion Lutheran Church,
Thank you very much for allowing me to photograph
your beautiful church. Your staff was incredibly kind and
accommodating! It was a pleasure!
Ashlea Cramer
Twenty Seven Photography
Letters of thanks were received from Graceworks and The
Ronald McDonald House in Memphis for donations we
sent them. They are posted on the bulletin board outside of
Julia’s office.
DECORATING COMMITTEE MEETING
On Tuesday, November 5 at 1:30 p.m. the decorating
committee will meet to plan the Hanging of the Greens.
We welcome anyone who has an ideas or would like to
help. Please join us in the choir room. We will need
people to decorate, help with the lunch, and plan crafts
and activities for the children. Please talk to Bill or Elaine
Carpenter or Julia Hilbert with your ideas or offers to help.
The Messenger (November) Page 11
Council Minutes September 10, 2013
Present: Joan Boling, Lori Rehm, Phil Pflaumer, Ron
Alcorn, Ron Erbeck. Emily Sears, Jessica Purkiser, Joe
Sears, Bob Herold, Leanne Bowling, Mike Ford, Gayle
Ford, Wayne Huston, Robin Kaelin, Bennie Bowling, &
Derek Conklin. Excused: Wayne Huston, Shari Gerold, &
Bill Carpenter.
Motion (Conklin/G Ford) and passed to accept Job
Description for Pastor as presented.
PR – Website Presentation: Emily Sears gave a live
internet presentation of our new website. Everyone is
encouraged to go and sign up for the newsletters and to
explore the site.
Motion (Conklin/J Sears) and passed to accept August
minutes as corrected.
The Special Appreciation Award was passed from Ron
Alcorn to Phil Pflaumer for his may years of faithful
leadership at Zion.
Motion (J Sears/Kaelin) and passed to accept treasurer’s
report. Treasurer asked everyone to get their budgets in
by 10/1/2013.
Evangelism/PR Report: Motion (E Sears/L Bowling)
to approve up to $500 for Oktoberfest expenses (band
and food). Passed.
Stewardship Report: Phil shared there was $1927.59 in
acct. 258, our outreach separate of the ELCA. Motion
(Pflaumer/Conklin) and passed that this be used on two
ministries A) $927.59 to Open Door Pantry and B)
$1000.00 to Graceworks (Lutheran Social Services).
Youth & Family Fellowship: There will be a drive-in
September 21 in the gym for all members and friends.
Popcorn and candy for all; bring drinks of choice. Adult
Fellowship will see Women in the Church Basement on
October 13.
Parish Ed Report: Twenty letters went out to possible
confirmands. Our organist, Paul Stanbery with Allison
Ritz will be holding a Sunday school opening.
Trustees Report: Ron Erbeck reported drains have been
cleaned – needs to be done more often. Joe Sears handed
out a Security Policy for council to study and vote on
next month. We received bids from Progressive
Plumbing for furnace, and bids from Champion and
Gilkey for windows. Mike Ford mentioned problems
with security system. He was encouraged to work with
Kevin Heitz and get a bid to update system.
Motion (Kaelin/Pflaumer) and passed to clarify motion
made at May coundil meeting. A) That $4,000 is moved
from fund 109 to fund 133 bringing 133 up to $4,400
(Seminary Fund Account). B) That a scholarship be
granted to Brandon Huston to assist in his seminary
studies leading to ordained ministry in the Lutheran
Church, using funds in acct. 133. The amount is $1,000
per year split between semesters as long as student
provides school schedule and grades while maintaining
at least a C grade. Scholarship will be managed by
Zion’s office using the same process as with our other
scholarships.
Motion (Kaelin/J Sears) and passed to adjourn the
meeting.
Monthly statistics
Financial Stewardship
(as of September 30, 2013)
Income Expenses
2012 $17,775.17 $18,513.59
2013 $18,054.51 $25,638.31
YTD Operating Funds
Income Expenses Balance
2012 $170,958 $248,206
2013 $159,831 $189,391 -$32,307.80
Attendance Averages (August)
Church
Atten.
Sat.
Comm.
Sun.
Comm.
Sunday
School
110 12 96 23
The Messenger (November) Page 12
October 17, 2013
A Message from Bishop Dillahunt
Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
The calendar has turned and October is in full swing. Opening with the Installation of Presiding
Bishop Eaton at Rockefeller Chapel and closing with the Reformation Service at Wittenberg
University, which includes my installation, this a month with a tight focus on the Church,
particularly the Church beyond ourselves. For those of you who missed it, Bishop Eaton’s
installation was a wonderful witness to our connectedness around the world with other Lutheran
Christians, our ecumenical partners and other faiths. The sights and sounds of that service, from the
variety of vestments, to the music, to the multiplicity of languages served as sensory reminders of
the great variety of God’s people. For me that reminder is helpful.
It is helpful to remember how closely we are connected and how much we rely on one another. Our
tithes and offerings not only support our local ministries and outreaches but also those ministries
beyond ourselves. And it is those ministries that become most vulnerable when mission support
does not meet expectations.
We agree at Synod Assemblies on supporting operating budgets and it is up to us to meet those
budgets. I want to remind you that I am committed to have our connections to the ELCA and other
partners be as a strong possible, including our financial partnerships, because there are things we
can do better together than separate. To that end, I remind you, that I will not add another assistant
to the bishop position until we can support and sustain at least the 40% plus commitment to the
ELCA. We are not there yet! Pr. Jeff Wick accepted the call to serve as an assistant to the bishop.
Pr. Ed Williams accepted the call to serve as the assistant to the bishop for Evangelical Mission and
is our direct link to the ELCA. Their workload is extensive.
As of January 31, 2014, Perfect Balance, our accounting firm, will be replaced with Mrs. Joy
Hacker, CPA, who will work with the accounts and congregational remittances. In the coming
weeks, look for a remittance statement from February to September of congregational giving.
Fall Consultations are happening and I look forward to seeing rostered and lay leaders at these
events. This helps us be connected in ministry to each other and beyond ourselves. I also look
forward to seeing you on Reformation Saturday at Weaver Chapel to celebrate our walking together
as the people who are the Southern Ohio Synod.
Please keep our brothers and sisters in Christ in Colorado, South Dakota and India in your prayers
as they recover and rebuild after the recent storm damage in their respective regions.
Blessings,
Bishop Suzanne D. Dillahunt
©2013 Southern Ohio Synod. All rights reserved.
300 S. Second St. | Columbus, OH 43215
t (614) 464-3532 | f (614) 464-3422
The Messenger (November) Page 13
THE PARISH PAPER
IDEAS AND INSIGHTS FOR ACTIVE CONGREGATIONS
Coeditors: Herb Miller and Cynthia Woolever - www.TheParishPaper.com
November 2013 - Volume 21, Number 11 Copyright © 2013 by Martin Davis
E-newsletters: Worth More Than You Know
E-newsletters are pervasive—marketers, business-
es, politicians, civic organizations, and physicians,
among many others, prize them for the content they
deliver. Churches have also embraced e-newsletters
because information can be easily shared with mem-
bers. But they’re worth more—much more.
Whether your congregation is new to e-newsletters
or a long-time user, the vast majority of congrega- tions
do not fully mine the reader information that e-
newsletter companies make available. Many people are
aware that e-newsletters provide “open” and “click”
rates; however, this overlooks 90 percent of what makes
e-newsletters such a powerful tool for building
community, empowering your staff, and reaching out to
others.
Using E-newsletters Effectively
In an age where social media (Facebook, Twitter,
Pinterest, etc.) and mobile technology represent the
cutting edges of communications, e-newsletters are a bit
old-school. What sets e-newsletters apart from any other
form of electronic communication?
They provide a true look into readers’ reactions to
what your church is supporting. While social media
allows for feedback and reaction, those writing are
aware that everyone is seeing what they’re saying and
reacting to, so they self-screen what they say. They
may “like” something not because they really like it,
but because a friend—or the minister—put it up. E-
newsletter subscribers, however, do no such self-
screening. Most are unaware that others are tracking
what they open and click (though this is beginning to
change), and in the comfort of their home or office
they feel no compunction to engage something for
reasons other than genuine interest.
They provide unparalleled granular detail about who
reads your material. E-newsletter data allow you to
track readers’ reading histories, who they have shared
the information with, and how many times any given
piece is read over time and by who.
They can help develop a stronger sense of commu-
nity. E-newsletters require a great deal of work. Some
congregations are finding that in this work there is an
opportunity to create community by turning members
into profile-writers, book reviewers, designers, and
editors. The e-newsletter goes beyond sharing
information; it develops community.
Best Approaches
Developing healthy approaches to working with e-
newsletters ensures that you remain flexible in your
work. Done right, e-newsletters should constantly be
changing as you use them to experiment with new ideas
and adapt to what your members show interest in.
Think and Learn. E-newsletters are popular tools for
sharing and promoting activities and programs. In
reality, pushing information is among the least
effective uses of this tool. When building your e-
newsletter, think first about what you want to learn,
not what you need to communicate. Are your edu-
cation programs connecting with people? Do you
understand how people connect with one another?
What are the big ideas your congregation wrestles
The Messenger (November) Page 14
with? Are people’s spiritual needs being met? Are
they growing spiritually? Are there undiscovered
volunteers you don’t know about? Running articles
that test these ideas will yield rich results.
Track, Track, Track. It’s not enough to know how
many times something was opened, or how many
clicks it received. Alone, this data tells you little.
However, placed in context, and measured over time,
you will begin to understand the habits and interests of
your congregation. Are people on mobile or desktops?
Do they read in the morning, afternoon, or evening?
Are they sharing the information on social media? If
they are, which channels? Do certain members read
everything? Who are they? Do certain members just
lurk? Why? What time of year do people respond to
which topics? Tracking can tell you all this, and raise
hundreds of additional questions.
Embrace Being Wrong. The desire to be right all the
time will impede your ability to learn what your e-
newsletter is teaching you. Pieces that receive few
clicks and opens aren’t failures but important lessons
in what people respond to. Maybe it was poorly writ-
ten. Poorly timed. Poorly placed. Ask the hard ques-
tion: Why did this fail to engage congregational
readers? Then search for the answers.
Mistakes to Avoid
We expect a lot out of our church communications.
And although most of us know that no one way of
communicating will reach everyone, we want to be-
lieve that we can develop that one channel that most
people in the congregation will depend on for infor-
mation. And while carefully designed e-newsletters will
tell you a lot, they are not a panacea anymore than social
media, print newsletters, bulletin boards, phone trees, or
public announcements. But to get the most out of this
communication tool, here are five practices to avoid:
Don’t send a PDF of your existing print newsletter.
Most people don’t read print newsletters. Putting your
print piece in e-newsletter format won’t change that.
An e-newsletter represents a whole other way of
communicating, so wrapping it up in an online for-
mat won’t make the print version more appetizing, or
the electronic communication exciting.
Don’t expect everyone to get on board. As noted
above, e-newsletters can be great community builders.
But not everyone is going to share your excitement.
Don’t expect or force them to. If you do, those who
resist will feel left out and unheard.
Don’t expect instant results. Building a readership
takes time. Many church leaders expect half or more
of the congregation will read the e-newsletter in the
beginning. They’re shocked when they realize that
only 10 percent of subscribers (and not everyone
subscribes) will read what you write at first. Time,
patience, and a willingness to be wrong and to learn
will change this.
Don’t abandon other communication channels. On
average, you can only expect 10 percent of subscrib-
ers to click through and read your e-newsletter early
on. Most congregations are fortunate to get 30 per-
cent of members to subscribe initially. If you drop
other communication channels right away, you’re
effectively cutting off 60-70 percent of your congre-
gation. Allow the e-newsletter to blossom and work in
tandem with other ways of communicating.
Don’t ignore the tracking. The ability to track what
every reader reads, and doesn’t read, over long periods
is what sets e-newsletters apart from social media, the
website, and print publications. If you choose to
ignore it, you have effectively nullified all the
positives that e-newsletters bring to a congregation.
So What Do I Use?
There are many good e-newsletter programs on the
market. The oldest, and probably best known, is Con-
stant Contact, which features robust analytics, easy
design, and a full range of exceptional templates. Many
other programs share the program’s one drawback—it
costs. Not much at first, but Constant Contact and others
charge for every little feature.
MailChimp is an excellent alternative. Analytics,
photos, and basic templates are all free, as are sending
the emails—so long as your list doesn’t exceed 2,000
people and you don’t send more than 12,000 individual
emails per month. Most churches will never come close
to this.
Final Thoughts
E-newsletters offer a communication learning ex-
perience that no other tool can match. With careful
tracking, you can learn what your congregation reacts to,
improve the way you communicate with them, and test
new ideas. The results? Empowered staff, a more
connected congregation, and unprecedented insight into
your members’ lives.
_______________________ About the Writer: Martin Davis owns Sacred Language
Communications, formerly directed Alban’s Congregational
Resource Guide, and has 20 years of experience working with
congregations (www.sacredlanguagecommunications.com).
Copyright © 2013 by Martin Davis www.TheParishPaper.com
The Messenger (November) Page 15
The Messenger (November) Page 16
WORSHIP ASSISTANTS FOR NOVEMBER
Date
Acolyte
8:00 a.m.
Acolyte
10:30 a.m.
November 3 Usher Team Alex Bruner
November 10 Usher Team Samantha Bowling
November 17 Usher Team Nicholas Lombardi
November 24 Usher Team Eric Bowling
Altar Guild: Nedda Brown, Leanne Bowling Ushers: Wayne Huston & team (8:00)
Phil Pflaumer & team (10:30)
Lectors: Nov 3 Peggy Thomin (8:00); Thelma Martin (10:30)
Nov 10 Beth Allen (8:00); Phil Pflaumer (10:30)
Nov 17 Cindy Burkhart (8:00); Lou Robinson (10:30)
Nov 24 Gail Heitz (8:00); Ken Gerold (10:30)
Greeters: Nov 3 Nancy Wenning (8:00); Don & Jean Keck (10:30)
Nov 10 Bud Scharf (8:00); Lori Rehm (10:30)
Nov 17 Ron & Kay Erbeck (8:00); Lou Robinson (10:30)
Nov 24 Bob & Marcia Helsinger (8:00); Wayne & Patrice Huston (10:30)
Eucharist Nov 3 Tom & Barb Toman (8:00); Marge Withrow, Carolyn Soupene (10:30)
Assistants: Nov 10 Anita Snyder, Tillie Adams (8:00); Phil Pflaumer, Kathy Chambers (10:30)
Nov 17 Wayne & Patrice Huston (8:00); Lori Rehm, Shari Gerold (10:30)
Nov 24 Tom & Barb Toman (8:00); Robin Kaelin, Ken Gerold (10:30)
Radio: Nov 3 Lou Robinson Nursery: Eric & Samantha Bowling
Nov 10 Ron Alcorn
Nov 17 Adam Reed
Nov 24 Charles Kaelin
Bulletin Nov 1 Joan Boling Offering Nov 3 Gayle Ford, Shari Gerold
Stuffers: Nov 8 Lori Rehm Counters: Nov 10 Bill Carpenter, Mike Frye
Nov 15 Ruth Larson, Thelma Martin Nov 17 Joan Boling, Lori Rehm
Nov 22 Barb & Tom Toman Nov 24 Gayle Ford
Nov 27 Sandy Parker
The mission of Zion is to
Encourage a growing faith in Jesus Christ and to
Equip all people for witness and service.
The Messenger (November) Page 17
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