Annual Meeting This Sunday

On Sunday, Mount Zion will hold its Annual Meeting following the service. I hope you‘ll grab a coffee and spend about an hour reviewing what happened last year and passing a budget for 2023. It is a wonderful time to reflect on what we accomplished in 2022 and think about 2023. It’s a time to ask questions, and best of all this year, have some in-person conversations over coffee before the meeting. See you Sunday after church! Copies of the Annual Report are available in the narthex or on Mount Zion’s at www.mzlc.ca.

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January Financials

Member’s regular gifts continue to be strong. In January, they were $1453 better than planned. However, January’s results reflect a deficit of $8,672 in the Ministry and Mission account, which is a significant number but better than expected due to higher receipts and lower disbursements.

The full report includes updates on other accounts as well. Read the full report here

Richard Brubacher – Treasurer & Chair Finance

 

Office Notes

Philip is on vacation – from Feb 16 - 21

Nurse Christine is on vacation – from Feb 24 – Mar 3

We have a few extra Picture Directories available; see Margaret if you would like one.

 

Music Notes

The guitar choir will liven up our Sunday service on Feb. 19. You won't want to miss it!

Then on the 26th, we have some exciting music lined up for the Black history service, including the steel drum band.

We have two trumpets from the university booked for Easter morning. Lots to look forward to.

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Black History Celebrations

Black History Month is a time to reflect on and celebrate the significant contributions of those of African descent to Canadian culture. This is also a time of awareness building and learning to help deepen understanding and strengthen relationships in the whole human family. 

February 26, 11 am, we will be celebrating with a unique service which has become an important date on Mount Zion’s Calendar.  See www.mzlc.ca to sign in. 

Plans are underway to celebrate as we did in 2020

• with a unique service with Dr. Paulette Brown, from Martin Luther University, as guest preacher, and Bishop Michael Pryse. 

• a scrumptious Caribbean Feast followed by speakers and entertainment upstairs.

• Many local politicians promised their attendance as in 2020.

• The Eastern Synod is inviting all congregations to watch our live stream and participate in honouring Black history with us.

• We expect many guests to attend the service and dinner.

We need a little help to pull it off.

•  Consider donating some food….in particular, Mrs. Bell is looking for Fresh Chicken Legs.

• Food Crew - Mrs. Bell will gather helping hands for cooking duty. Please let Margaret or Mrs. Bell know if you want to be involved.

• Dessert Crew – Are you a baker? Would you bake us a pan of your favourite squares or a cake, it would be appreciated.

• Set up and Decorating Crew - to set up tables, buffet and required plates and serving pieces and make the place look pretty

• Clean up jobs which include chairs and tables and laundry of tablecloths and kitchen linens.

Is there something on this list that you would like to take on? Please call Karen Gastmeier or Margaret if you are interested and for more information.  We will provide a written list of duties.

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In Our Prayers

Grant healing and wholeness to all who seek them, Joy, Sandra, Jim, Julian, George, Betty, Rosalie, James, Bruce, Thelma, Helen, Gladys and Don & Jean and their daughter Tai; and the families and communities of Pastor Paul Bosch and Sister Anne Keffer grieving their death.

 

Lent Begins

Lent begins on February 22 with an Ash Wednesday service at Mount Zion at 7:00 pm. As in the past, we are joining the Two Rivers Ministry Group and Anglican friends for Wednesday evening services throughout.

We will print the list of locations in our next newsletter.

 

Liberian Refugee Families – Update from the Justice Through Service Committee

As reported earlier, Mount Zion is part of a Coalition of the Willing Family Sponsorship Initiative, a group of several congregations across southwestern Ontario working together to help bring two Liberian refugee families to Canada.  The host congregation will be Trinity Lutheran in Hamilton, which can take on this substantial commitment with our Coalition's help and has a strong link with a large Liberian community that has settled in that city.

The financial goal of the Coalition is to raise the $126,000 required to support the two Liberian families during their first year in Canada.  The funds are needed by mid-April of this year in order that CLWR can include these families among their 2023 cases for sponsorship.  At our last meeting, we were excited to learn that from Coalition members; we have so far about $85,000 either committed or raised! 

Mount Zion members have contributed $7,800 to our Refugee Assistance Fund. As part of our commitment to meet or even exceed our $10,000 projection, the Justice Through Service Committee is planning a benefit concert in April – stay tuned for more details!

Earthquake in Türkiye and Syria – CLWR and the Humanitarian Coalition are rushing assistance to help people in need in Syria and Türkiye. Please join us in prayer and consider making a gift to provide blankets, shelter, clean water, food, and healthcare. To find out more or to donate, please visit clwr.org/earthquake or call 1-800-661-2597 (Mon-Fri 8:30am-4pm CST). 

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What’s happening here?

You may have noticed a small construction project happening in the tech area of the narthex. The property committee is building a surround for a new desk for the tech crew. Designed by Lloyd Ziegler, and constructed by Art Schelter and friends, it should fit in nicely with the rest of the furniture in the nave when complete. The real bonus is that it covers up a nest of wiring.

 

Mount Zion's 34th Annual Women's Retreat IS BACK! 

April 21st at 7 p.m. to Sunday, April 23rd 

After a three-year hiatus due to Covid, we are looking forward to gathering once again.  Our theme will be Tree of Life from Revelations 22: 1 - 2, under the leadership of Pastor Annette Smith from St. Paul's in Richmond Hill. 

The registration price of $130.00 includes accommodation at Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp and Retreat Centre (west of New Hamburg), meals, craft materials and other expenses.  The dates are Fri. April 21st at 7 p.m. to Sunday, April 23rd at 3 p.m.  Call Carol Ziegler at 519-886-6675 or email her at caroljziegler@hotmail.com by Feb. 19th if you hope to attend or would like more information about the weekend.  We hope you will consider treating yourself to this extraordinary weekend.  If cost is a concern, speak to Carol about Mount Zion's Retreat Fund, which is available.   Carol Ziegler

 

Spring Book Study

Health Council will hold a book study on The Spoon Stealer by well-known Canadian author Leslie Crew. This is Emmeline’s story, who never quite fit in her rural Nova Scotia family. She flees to England and builds her life there. When she unexpectedly inherits the family farm late in her life, she returns to her family, so broken by loss and secrecy. Full of humour, family secrets, and women’s friendships, this book explores the power of knowing ourselves and speaking the truth. The study will be held in person in the Fellowship Hall on Tuesday, April 18, 1:30-3:00 pm. Copies are available at the Kitchener and Waterloo libraries, or you may purchase one at the local bookstores. Check early as it is a very popular book. If you have questions, please ask Mary Slethaug or other members of the Health Council.

 

Mount Zion Cafe

The Mount Zion Café continues to offer coffee and goodies on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month. Please join us. Coffee is on at 10 a.m. Taxi rides are available to the café, whose cost is covered by Mount Zion.  If you require a ride, please call the church office and speak to Margaret by 9:45 AM LATEST on the morning of a cafe or the day before if you know.  Margaret will order you a taxi, and the cafe volunteers will see you get a taxi home.

Dates:  Feb 22,   March 8 and 22   April 12 and 26   May 10 and 24    June 14

 

February 11 is 211 day

On 211 Day, February 11th (2/11), supporters use the opportunity to raise awareness of this valuable service in the community. Like dialing 911, dialing 211 quickly and confidentially connects people to social services and community programs across the province.

 

Mount Zion Kitchen

The Mount Zion Kitchen is serving

Feb. 16: Chicken Curry or Chickpea Curry, both with Rice and Salad.

Feb. 23:  Macaroni and cheese, salad.

See the website for future dates     https://www.mzlc.ca/food-ministry-menu

 

Mindfulness Meditation Practice Continues

Everyone is welcome to attend our Mindful Meditation group every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month. Meet upstairs. Wear a mask, be fully vaccinated (preferential), and be fragrance-free. Be prepared to maintain a two-meter separation. It is suggested to wear comfortable clothes and bring a pillow, mat, or blanket and water. Open to all—no charge and no previous experience necessary.  Just come.  Call Henriette Stumper  519.885.3434 for more details.

 

Upcoming Lessons

Sunday Feb 12 – Sixth Sunday after Epiphany

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 or Sirach 15:15-20

Psalm 119:1-8 (1)

1 Corinthians 3:1-9

Matthew 5:21-37

Sunday Feb 19 – Transfiguration of Our Lord Last Sunday after Epiphany

Exodus 24:12-18

Psalm 2 (7) or Psalm 99 (9)

2 Peter 1:16-21

Matthew 17:1-9

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