A Meditation for Pentecost

By Nancy Vernon Kelly

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“The Holy Spirit is an active partner who blows, stirs, calls, frees, moves, coaxes, creates, awakens, sweeps, stings, goads, speaks, sings, cries, whispers and breaks all forms of bondage.”

~ Paul Westermeyer, listing the verbs in the Pentecost Hymn “Spirit of Gentleness.”

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As some of you know, my family once lived close to where the Eaton Fire in California destroyed most of Altadena, a once-vibrant, diverse community minutes from here we lived. We were unnerved by news of the fire and appreciated Mount Zion’s Sunday prayers for people far away who are suffering.

Years ago on Good Friday, we visited Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church in Altadena. It was a Tenebrae service when the sanctuary gradually became darker as one by one the flames on the candles were snuffed out. I hadn’t thought about that little church for years until a friend who belongs there told us that many of its members lost their homes when the neighbourhood around the church was destroyed.

In the wake of the fire, I emailed Christ the Shepherd’s pastor, Mary Ann Harrison. She said she’d never seen so much grief and discouragement. Evacuations. Sudden homelessness. Confusion. Misinformation. No internet or mail delivery. Displaced people wondering if they’d stay and rebuild or move away.

When the fire was still burning close by, one member snuck beyond the roadblocks and took a picture of their church still standing. It wasn’t long before a nearby church invited them to share in worship. Weeks later, they gathered for the first emotional worship service back in their building. Then, their Holy Week schedule was announced—along with news that a long-planned wider church conference on climate change would happen, as planned, in their parish hall. Of course, the conference would go ahead! With the congregation so committed to taking action on climate change, they knew they had to go ahead.

Gradually, our siblings in Christ began to see and feel a part of some not-so-small signs of new life in the ashes. Now they’re busy planning a resource event to bring neighbours together to address housing, insurance, food, government help, jobs and, since there’s a fear of lead poisoning—soil, water and blood testing. No one ever imagined this new focus in ministry.

What would we do (and not do) in a similar circumstance? This question haunts me because I’m afraid of fire. And I also don’t like to dwell on our vulnerability. And because any answers we might venture would reveal the truth about our deepest-held beliefs and values. Whew! Though we might long to, we would never be able to return to the way things were.  

In this time of global uncertainty on many fronts, what are our non-negotiables? What might we let go of? What signs of new life will we keep watering? What new seeds will we plant? Questions like these will never go away as long as God the Holy Spirit keeps the flames dancing over our heads. Because, even when the candles are snuffed out, the Holy Spirit will keeps on blowing, stirring, calling, freeing, moving, coaxing, creating, awakening, sweeping, stinging, goading, speaking, singing, crying, whispering and breaking all forms of bondage.

This is our hope, and this is our promise.

Nancy Vernon Kelly is a retired Lutheran pastor who has authored several books and is a member of Mount Zion. Thank you Nancy

 

In our Prayers

God of comfort, you know our pain and carry our sorrows. Tend to all who are sick, grieving, or in distress.  We remember especially: Matt, Barb, Kerry Joy, Dennis, Peggy, Bart, Sislyn, Christine, Marylin, Mary Helen, Sandra, Julien, George, Betty, Rosalie, Thelma, Helen, the Stewart family. Bring, relief to the victims of the fires in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Be with the firefighters and all involved in relocation efforts. Bring peace to those regions suffering violence and hardship, including Gaza, Israel, Russia, Ukraine, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Protect the innocent, guide leaders toward peace, and uphold all who work for relief and reconciliation. God, in your mercy, receive our prayer.

 

Music Notes

Mount Zion's choir will sing for two more Sundays before the summer break: June 1, when we will observe the Ascension, and June 8, the celebration of Pentecost. Then, I will be away for two Sundays to travel to Leipzig, Germany, to attend the International Bach Festival. The festival is a fabulous celebration of the life and works of J.S. Bach, featuring the finest baroque musicians performing every day and evening. While I am away, June 15 will feature the Guitar group and David Murison at Hillside Park for Worship in the Park. The following Sunday, organist Chris Bramble will be here to fill in. Sarah Storms continues to offer excellent leadership to the choir, and Sam Reeves returns as choral scholar this week.

Thank you to Mount Zion’s wonderful choir, who sang on 24 Sundays, two funerals and an Ordination during the 24-25 season. Thank you!

Summer Hymn Sings Back by Popular Demand

June 29 will be our first Summer Hymn sing starting at 9:45 before worship. This is a time when you get to pick your favourites.  Sarah

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Worship in the Park and Picnic at Hillside Park

On Sunday, June 15, 2025, Mount Zion will hold their regular 10:00 service in the picnic shelter of the Hillside Park (on Marsland Dr near Columbia St.), followed by a potluck picnic lunch and games. The picnic shelter has water and electricity and will have enough picnic tables to seat 100 people. There are also washrooms nearby.

Dress casually and bring your drinks, cutlery, plates and food to share (sandwiches, wraps, salads, dessert). If you wish, you may bring your lawn chairs, but there will be plenty of picnic tables on which to sit. We hope that you will again support this opportunity to worship in a different setting and socialize with our Mount Zion family. If you wish to assist with the set-up and games, please get in touch with Anne Woolner at 519-743-2277 or annewoolner@hotmail.com

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Baptism - Naveen Mathai Li-Philip

This August 3, 2025, will be a very special day to us as a family, when we celebrate the baptism of our grandson, Cheryl’s and Jon’s son, Naveen Mathai Li-Philip, during worship on that day. Joy and I, along with Cheryl and Jon, are thrilled that this significant event in Naveen’s life could happen in the presence of our larger Mount Zion Family and invite you to celebrate this with us.  Pastor Philip

 

Snow Impacts – Melting!!

A note from Finance

Our results for YTD May reflect the favourable impact of Springtime. The negative impacts of a “cold & snowy” winter have begun to melt away. Although a deficit was expected, our deficit of $32,362 is now within $600 of our plan in the Ministry & Mission (current) account. Increased Member contributions and some underspending have now mostly overcome the unfavourable costs incurred for snow removal & high utility costs experienced with the unusually cold winter. Thanks!!    

Additional Comments:

• Member regular gifts of $90,575 are $3,675 better than plan.

• Rental Income from parking & facility of $24,272 is $189 better than plan.

• Other income of $8,772 is $222 better than plan and includes Endowment fund earnings from 2024.

• Disbursements of $155,981 are $4,686 higher than plan. The major issue in spending was heavy snow removal and salt costs which exceeded plan by $7,500. Some of this negative item was offset by lower

Click here for the full report

Richard Brubacher, Treasurer and Chair of Finance Committee​​​​​​​​​

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News from Open Sesame

On June 27, the last day of classes this season, Open Sesame teachers will wave goodbye to the class of 2025 with a graduation party. And while there might be no students, preparations are already underway for the fall classes.

Program Director Jana Kelly explains that all but one of the available fall spaces have been filled. Three of the students will be returning for a second year. There are 47 children still on the waiting list.

Some of those children have been referred by family doctors, pediatricians, and other organizations. Jana routinely meets with the parents before the children are accepted into the program. Open Sesame teachers are equipped to work with a variety of needs, including challenging behaviour, speech delay, medical diets, and autism spectrum. 

Open Sesame Space to be Renovated

The Open Sesame classroom will be renovated this summer. The kitchen cabinets and bookshelves will be replaced, and a new, but small, industrial dishwasher and refrigerator, as well as new blinds, will be installed.  The renovation includes plumbing and electrical updates. The renovation and new appliances are expected to cost approximately $22,000. The renovation cost will be covered by grants and Provincial funding under CWELCC ($10/day childcare program).

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Kairos Blanket Exercise June 12 - 9:30 am

A Kairos Facilitated Blanket Exercise, organized by Feather & Cross,  will take place at Mount Zion on Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM, in the Lange Auditorium.   

We can sign up through Eventbrite or by emailing admin@featherandcross.org.

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/kairos-facilitated-blanket-exercise-at-mount-zion-tickets-1319331338549

This free, intergenerational learning event fosters reconciliation through education, action, and understanding. Please note that the suggested age for participants is 14 and up due to the length and content of the event, which includes topics related to Residential Schools and the Sixties Scoop.

The KAIROS Blanket Exercise is an interactive and experiential workshop designed to teach about Canada's nation-to-nation relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. It uses blankets to represent land, and participants take on the roles of Indigenous peoples, primarily First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, to learn about their shared history.

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Hanne Kuhnert points us to a newsletter filled with Reconciliation Events​

Living into Rights Newsletter

 

 

Mount Zion Women's Retreat

We returned home on Sunday, May 4th, after a "Spirit-Filled" weekend at Hidden Acres Camp & Retreat Centre.  This year's theme was "Let Us Pray", led by Pastor Tanya Varner of Trinity, New Hamburg.  There were 22 of us, 10 from Mount Zion, and the remainder from various Lutheran congregations and the community.  

Pastor Tanya guided us in looking at the five types of prayer - Thanksgiving, Confession, Intercession, Supplication and Praise- and how they relate to our lives.  This exercise was very thought-provoking and provided us with growth for our prayers.  We had delicious meals that Anne Woolner and Sandy Dotzert organized.  Helen Weber taught us how to make Prayer Candles.  Anne Woolner led us in exercises to limber us up on Saturday morning.  If you want to hear more about our retreat weekend, speak to Esse Bell, Marie Besong, Pat Edwards, Judi Harris, Arlene Knight, Joan and Jacquelyn Schweitzer, Henriette Stumper, Anne Woolner and Carol Ziegler.  

Our dates for next year are May 1 - 3, 2026, and Pastor Tanya has agreed to be our leader.  Mark your calendars now if you plan to attend once again or come for the first time.   Carol Ziegler (Den Mother)

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Keeping busy with Djembes, Theatre and Young Adult Retreat

In February, Leo and Hanne hosted a Black History Month Dinner and Djembe night! We gathered with Mount Zion Young Adults and friends from near and far to learn about the history and cultural significance of the Djembe led by Leo. We enjoyed a delicious dinner of chicken and jollof rice prepared by African Pot Catering and had a lot of fun getting more familiar with the instruments. Join us in our next Djembe circle at the Mount Zion Picnic on June 15!

In April, several of us gathered to support our former choral scholar, Grace Soucie, who performed in Legally Blonde the Musical at the River Run Centre in Cambridge. It was a great show where Grace got to feature her talented vocal and acting chops as the female antagonist, Vivienne Kensington. We particularly enjoyed the positive female empowerment twist at the end of the musical that differed from the film, allowing Grace's character to have a redemption arc.

In May, Carmen, Carter, Kristina, and Hanne attended the 3rd Annual Young Adult Retreat at Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp in New Hamburg alongside this year's women's retreat! This year's theme was "Becoming," and we spent time reflecting on our past, present, and hopes for our future selves as young people, figuring out our places in the world. In addition to faith discussion and contemplation, we also, as always, enjoyed lots of karaoke, sharing campfire songs, making new friends, and catching up with old ones.

This month, we are looking forward to supporting Sarah Storms in the upcoming production of The Sound of Music, being put on at Knox Presbyterian this weekend, June 6 - 8! Can't wait!

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Nationally Speaking

The Bishops Write

Bishop Susan Johnson (ELCIC) and Archbishop Anne Germond (ACC) wrote a letter to the Prime Minister regarding Israel's ongoing attacks on the Palestinian people. Both leaders are calling on the Canadian government to provide urgent humanitarian assistance. 

National Convention will elect a New Bishop

The 2025 ELCIC National Convention is scheduled for July 10-13, 2025, at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, MB, where delegates will elect a new bishop following 18 years of service from our current National Bishop, Susan Johnson, who has expressed her desire to retire. 

The National Church Council has undertaken a discernment process leading up to the election proceedings at convention. ELCIC members were invited to bring forward names ofhttps://elcic.ca/pre-identification-update/ individuals they believe possess the skills and gifts to be called as National Bishop. This period ran from January to the end of March 2025. Through this process, seven names were submitted. Of these, six individuals discerned that they would like to proceed to the next steps in the process.

You are encouraged to read through the biographies and watch an introductory video for each of these individuals at https://elcic.ca/pre-identification-update/

Canada Lutheran recognized at CCCA awards

Canada Lutheran, the national publication of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, has been recognized with nine awards at the 2025 Canadian Christian Communicators Association (CCCA) awards program on Friday, May 23.

https://elcic.ca/2025/05/23/canada-lutheran-recognized-at-ccca-awards/

CLWR using Nature-Based Solutions to Lake Chad revitalization

The Canadian Lutheran World Relief has entered an exciting new partnership with funding from Global Affairs Canada, focusing on regions most severely impacted by the climate crisis. Together with their partners, the Lutheran World Federation, they are pursuing an initiative called Nature-Based Solutions, which adopts an ambitious approach based on a simple premise: if we take care of creation, it can take care of us. Currently, they are focusing on Lake Chad, the largest inland water basin in Africa, whose ecosystem is fragile and degrading. You can read and donate to this project, which was designed through consultation with hundreds of families in Cameroon and Chad, and it will be carried out alongside thousands of local farmers here: https://www.clwr.org/foc-about

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Canadian Council of Churches releases statement on Gaza

On June 4, the Canadian Council of Churches released a statement regarding the situation in Gaza. For details read here:

The Governing Board of the Canadian Council of Churches (CCC) met at Saint George and Saint Anthony Coptic Orthodox Church, in Ottawa from May 21-23. The CCC is a broad and inclusive ecumenical body, now representing 26 member churches.  Ours is one of those rare national councils which also includes the Roman Catholic Church as members. We also have a couple of associate members. Together, these member churches comprise 85% of the Christians in Canada. The CCC was founded in 1944 and last year celebrated its 80th anniversary. The ELCIC has been a member since 1968.  Pr. Chung Yan Lam, Pr. Paul Gehrs and I represent the ELCIC on the board.  We also have Emily Savage, an ELCIC member, as one of three vice presidents.

The purpose of the Council is “to serve God’s mission in the world, to give expression to the unity which is offered to the world through Jesus Christ, to witness to the continuing renewal of the Church by the Holy Spirit, to promote the growth of ecumenical and missionary obedience among all Christians, and to facilitate common action by the member churches.”  

The member churches have discerned the program priorities of CCC, so as to focus resources and energies towards particular areas of need and service. The several commissions and working groups in the council work towards achieving this. Pr. Peter Kuhnert co-chairs the Faith and Life Sciences Reference Group. I would invite you to visit https://councilofchurches.ca/ to learn more about CCC.

Besides the various business items, we spent the evenings of the 21st and 22nd at St Mark & St Mary of Egypt Coptic Orthodox Church and the Archdiocese of Gatineau. At St Mark & St Mary of Egypt Young Adults of the CCC led the group in an exercise to Meet, Connect, Make a Difference. Young Adults from the congregation and other churches in Ottawa also joined in conversing about what faith meant to them and how they looked forward to being involved in the life of the church. At the Archdiocese we talked about secularism in Quebec and Canada and how couple of bills at the provincial level in Quebec impacts the social fabric of the province.

A notable decision was the beginning of the process to accept the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Canada as members of the council. The outstanding support for the 80th Anniversary Fundraising Campaign was acknowledged and appreciated. The goal for the campaign was $650,000 but the final amount raised was $765,000.

The next meeting of the CCC is at Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre, Mississauga, November 19-21, 2025.  Pastor Philip, one of three representatives for the ELCIC​​​

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Let’s Go on a Journey Summer Camp

St Matthews, Kitchener July 14- 18

 Summer Camp Registration has launched for Summer Camp: Going on a Journey 2025 

at St Matthews Kitchener. Each day begins and ends with worship in the sanctuary. Children will enjoy a week of time for crafts, Lego, K’nex, books, and active play inside and out. Special guests include an ARTSHINE teacher, Jennifer S, from LAMA and Indigenous storyteller Lana. There will be a water day, a movie day, a trip to the park and a final showcase for the grown-ups. Camp Registration Form HERE