News from Mount Zion
June 10, 2022

Click on the image above to see Bishop Pryse's Pride MOnth greeting. He   reflects on the past 11 years, and lifts up the many ways our church has been changed by the faithful and persistent witness of our #LGBTQIA siblings. #myelcic 

https://t.co/SQvpriGNIX

The Gardeners have returned

June – a month of forming communities of love, care and acceptance

June is a month of celebrations and observations. Liturgically, we celebrate both Pentecost and Trinity Sunday.  Our church and society celebrates the diversity and gifts of the 2SLGBtTQ+ community with Pride Month and we are encouraged to learn and reflect on the history of the Indigenous communities during the National Indigenous History Month.

We will be celebrating Trinity Sunday on June 12 when, as Pastor Philip wrote in his newsletter, we celebrate that we are all created in God’s image, and it is up to us to form communities of love, care, and acceptance. Trinity Sunday seems to be a fitting way to bring together the following acknowledgements when the congregation will honor and National Indigenous History Month on June 19 and Pride Month on June 26.

Also squeezed into the month is an acknowledgement of Father’s Day.

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We need your Photo

Do It Yourself Picture Directory back in progress

As reported in the last issue, a new self- published picture /phone directory is underway.

The first step of preparing and updating the data is nearly finished and now it is time to start collecting your photos.   We are not looking for formal photographs, something you or a friend took with a cell phone is just fine. Feel free to include your furry family members too.

Here is a couple of hints to help make your photo better and further information about the project

The directory is a printed document for use of congregation members. It will not appear on-line in any format.

Member Support remains high, thank you

Financial Update – May 2022

A note from Finance

Results for the five-month period ending May 31 reflect a $21,730 deficit in our Ministry & Mission (current) account.  Although this is a significant deficit, it is $15,577 better than anticipated in our plan for this period as noted below:

·         Member support of $82,208 is $11,558 better than plan.  Thank you!

·         Rental Income from parking & facility of $95 is $3,169 worse than plan.

·         Other Income of $17,385 was received which is $335 better than plan.  This category includes $13,105 in Endowment fund earnings, and $4,000 grant from Synod for Mtz Senior Ministries including the Mtz café.  

·         Disbursements of $121,418 are $6,853 lower than plan for the period.  

Your support of Benevolence to the Synod and other designated needs including our Adopt A Causes was $30,829. Of this amount $21,829 was received from members in support of the Synod ($8,731), and Other specific appeals ($13,098).  In addition to member support as noted, $9,000 was received from grants in support of Open Sesame.

Overall, financial results are better than planned for this five month period in all categories.  This is encouraging!  Thank you for your support!   Read the full report here
Richard Brubacher – Treasurer & Chair Finance    

Rentals Return to Mount Zion

We are delighted to learn that the several organizations will again be renting space at Mount Zion. Over the next few weeks, we will see the return of the Red Maple group on Sundays, The Chinese Women’s (Dance) Club on Friday nights, Tai-Chi on Thursday evenings. In July the Girl’s Rock Camp will be returning for six weeks.

We also have two music recitals booked in the sanctuary on two Sunday afternoons during June and July. If you require further information, pls give the office a call.

Events to celebrate Indigenous History Month

Feather and Cross Summer Solstice Event

Saturday June 18, 2022  10:00-12:00 noon

Location: Blair Outdoor Education Centre, 83 Meadowcreek Lane, Cambridge

Intergenerational and family friendly.  Children are welcomed participants.

Feather & Cross, a program run from St. Matthews Kitchener and supported by Mount Zion and several other ELCIC churches in KW, has joined with Blair Outdoor Education Centre and White Owl Ancestry to bring to you: Land-Based Learning at Blair Indigenous Food & Medicine Garden

Come join Indigenous Land-based Educator Dave Skene and Outdoor Educator Nathan Mantey on a journey through the garden, forest, field, and wetland at Blair Outdoor Education Centre.  Participants will be invited to explore their own relationship with the Land and develop an understanding of the values of respect & reciprocity within an Indigenous framework.  This event includes opportunities for hands-on learning in the Blair Indigenous food & medicine garden as well as an indigenous plant walk.

Event will be held rain or shine so bring suitable apparel for the weather.  Water bottles, insect repellent and sun hats are suggested.  Free tickets are available via Eventbrite. Capacity is limited to 50 participants. As usual, the information will be available via the website www.featherandcross.org including the link for Eventbrite.

The Facebook page Feather and Cross Community is an additional place to reach out and meet new friends, share photos and find out about other local activities  

https://www.facebook.com/UrbanFriendshipBuilding

Book Study of Five Little Indians

The kick-off Zoom session for this Synod book study was held on June 2,  and the wrap-up Zoom session will take place on Monday June 20, 7 to 9 pm.  Everyone is welcome to join, even if your reading is still in progress!  The information is on the web page for the Circle for Reconciliation and Justice.  https://easternsynod.org/circle-for-reconciliation-and-justice/

There may also be some interest in having our own book study session at a later date.

Call for expressions of interest from Justice through Service Committee

The Committee for Justice through Service  has been bringing issues, events and learning opportunities relating to our Indigenous neighbours to the congregation. If others would be interested in participating in a group to work with us in this area, please contact Mary Thompson.  

Mary Thompson

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In Our Prayers

Let us pray for Karin Von Schilling, George, Betty, Marjorie, Rosalie, James, Thelma, Ross, Helen and Don and Jean and their daughter Tai. Let us continue to also remember the situation in Ukraine in our prayers.  Let us also pray for those who have been denied rights and privileges through prejudice and bigotry. Help us to extinguish any hidden prejudices from our hearts as we celebrate Pride and National Indigenous History Month.

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Upcoming Lessons

Sun. June 12 — The Holy Trinity / First Sunday after Pentecost - 

Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 

Psalm 8 (2)

Romans 5:1-5 

John 16:12-15

Sun. June 19 — Second Sunday after Pentecost - 

Isaiah 65:1-9

Psalm 22:19-28 (22)

Galatians 3:23-29

Luke 8:26-39

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New Covid-19  Safety and Masking Protocols

Church council voted to accept Health Council's  recommendations  regarding changes to our Covid-19 protocols. Their recommendations included several changes, among which are:

• Mount Zion remain strongly supportive of continued use of masks for members and rental groups.

• Social distancing will no longer be required

• Hymn books will be returned to the pews.

• The plastic shields in the altar area can be removed.

Please read the entire list here.  

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