Coming up in February

With so few days, February will be a busy month at Mount Zion.

On February 12th, we will have our Annual Meeting held live following the service. Please plan on attending. The annual report is available in the Narthex or on our website.  Thanks to all of you who submitted reports making for a lot of interesting reading.

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On February 22. Lent begins with an Ash Wednesday Service.

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February is Black History Month. Throughout the month, we will be reflect on relationships between communities. The choir has prepared some memorable music in that regard. But on the last Sunday of the month,

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February 26, 11 am, we will be celebrating Black History month in earnest with a special service which has become an important date on Mount Zion’s Calendar.

Plans are underway to celebrate as we did in 2020

• with a unique service running just a little longer than usual, Dr. Paulette Brown, from Martin Luther University, will be the guest preacher, and Bishop Michael will respond.  

• 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.

• Food Crew - Mrs. Bell will gather helping hands for cooking duty. If you would like to be involved, please let Margaret know.

• Dessert Crew - We are looking for people who would like to bake small serving desserts and a few helping hands to display, decorate and set up the dessert table. The small kitchen is designated for desserts.

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

• Drink Crew -set up a drink table with appropriate items

• Cutlery Wrapper - this job can be done from home anytime before the event. The job is to wrap knives and forks in coloured napkins and tie them with ribbon.

• 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.

 

Office Notes

Pastor Philip will be attending the Bishop’s Retreat in Niagara Falls From the afternoon of February 5 to February 8.

 

Music Notes

The choir has been taking a well-earned break in January. We are rehearsing for a joint service with St. Matthew’s choir here at Mount Zion on February 5. This will begin our observance of Black History month with some appropriate music, including a lovely version of “I Want Jesus to Walk With Me. “

 

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

 

It is with Sadness

It is with Sadness that we report the news that Mrs. Marjorie Francis, a member of our congregation, died on January 20th at her home. She was a longstanding member of Maranatha Lutheran church and joined Mount Zion along with her friends from that congregation.  

Pastor Philip presided at the funeral service held at Memory Gardens Funeral Home in Breslau on Tuesday, January 24, 2022.

Let us remember her family in our prayers as they go through this time of grief.

"Rest eternal grant her, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine on her."

 

We were sorry to learn that Pastor Paul Bosch died on Jan 21 on his 92nd birthday. Paul was a sometimes attender at Mount Zion over the years, but he will be remembered as a pastor, gifted teacher and advocate of beautiful and meaningful worship practices. As Dean of the Chapel at Waterloo Lutheran Seminary, he thoughtfully guided and mentored many, and the results are heard chanting throughout many Eastern Synod churches.  

"Rest eternal grant him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine on him."

 

Feather & Cross

Feather & Cross, which began in 2022, is supported by several ELCIC churches in our area.  It aims to organize events that can build trust and a respectful allyship with local, urban Indigenous organizations and provide a safe space for Lutherans to learn about Indigenous practices and ways of life.   The administrator is Lana Moses of St. Matthews Kitchener.  Their website is  https://www.featherandcross.org 

If you want to have email announcements passed on to you from Feather & Cross, please email Mary Thompson of the Justice Through Service Committee.

 

Mount Zion Kitchen

The Mount Zion Kitchen is serving:

Feb 2: Oktoberfest sausage, braised cabbage, mashed potato or Vegetarian Stew  

Feb 9: Ground beef, in Sloppy Joe style or Vegetarian Chili, both with mashed potatoes, vegetables.

 

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.

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Upcoming Lessons

Sunday Jan 29 – Fourth Sunday after Epiphany  Readings

Micah 6:1-8

Psalm 15 (1)

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Matthew 5:1-12 

Sunday Feb 5 – Fifth Sunday after Epiphany Readings

Isaiah 58:1-9a [9b-12]

Psalm 112:1-9 [10] (4)

1 Corinthians 2:1-12 [13-16]

Matthew 5:13-20