Summer at Mount Zion

July 2 until Labour Day -  Sunday Morning Hymn Sings Return – 9:45 am.

June 18 - Strawberry Social – Celebrate the early summer days with a bowl of strawberry shortcake following the service.

July 16 - Sunday Sunday -  the name says it all; enjoy a small make-it-yourself sunday with all the toppings on Sunday, July 16

August – we are still looking for ideas; suggestions would be welcome. Speak with Margaret or Karen if you have a brilliant but easy idea.

Sept 10 – Soup’r Sunday – Start dreaming of a soup recipe you would like to share when our thoughts move on to exciting new fall activities.

Every Sunday - Take the service to the cottage by tuning into our live stream at https://www.youtube.com/@mountzionworship9606/streams

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Reimagining Mount Zion Initiative – Vision Statement and Core Values approved unamiously 

Once again, Mount Zion members expressed their hopes for our future when 47 people gathered to approve our first-ever Vision Statement and the Core Values on which the statement was built.

Pastor Philip said of the gathering, “I am extremely thankful for the way our reimagining process has been moving along thus far.  Karen Bjerland’s leadership and guidance has been immensely helpful.  The meetings on the 4th and the earlier meetings could have gone wrong in multiple ways, but the spirit of openness and willingness to listen and hear the other and accommodate the opinions that were different from one’s own allowed us to be where we are now. We may still have to a little tweaking, but the concern, enthusiasm and optimism is really encouraging.”

The final version of the Vision and Core Values will be available on our website next week. Over the summer, council will take the steps required to start work on our new Mission Statement….once again, stay tuned.​

Our next event in our process is the Community Round Table on June 28 12 noon - 2 pm where we will here from community organizations and explore how we can work together.  If you haven't signed up up, please give Margaret a call.

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Music Notes

We hope to have an exciting mix of solos, small ensembles and instrumental music for the summer Sundays, and we will begin the services during the summer with a hymn sing.     Sarah

 

Staff Updates

Pastor Philip will be visiting his family in India from June 12 to 26. Pastor Marie Besong will preach and preside on June 18 and 25. Pastor Leannne Darlington will be available June 12-17 and  for  David Melina from June 19-26 for pastoral emergencies.

Financial Update

Results for the five months of 2023 reflect a deficit of $46,740.  This is a big number however, when compared to our budget for this same time period, we are tracking slightly better than planned with a positive deviation of $5,638 in our Ministry & Mission (current) account.

Total receipts were $1,557 higher than the plan, and disbursements were lower by $4,081 noted in the attached report, resulting in a positive deviation of $5,638. Thank you for your ongoing support. Read the full report here.

Richard Brubacher, Treasurer and Chair of Finance Committee

 

Garden Update

Saturday, May 27, was a beautiful day to clean up the garden and renew friendships. We welcome one new gardener this year. With the compost bins turned over, the bushes trimmed back, the water system hooked up, and the herbal garden planted, we succeeded in getting off to a good start.

A big thank you to Bill Gastmeier and his grandson Emmett for dropping off his trailer and hauling off our garden waste.     Joan Brunger

 

Front Hall Banners

The month of June is both Pride Month and National Indigenous History Month in Canada. Pastor Philip notes in his council report that the installation of hooks and rods in the front hall allowed us to hang both the Pride and Indigenous flags this month. It also notes that it will be more convenient to hang other commemorative banners or flags as needed. Photos Pauline Finch

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Mount Zion Cafe - June 14

The Mount Zion Café offers 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 a taxi, and the cafe volunteers will see you get a taxi home.

Dates:  June 14

 

Hearing Assistant System

If you are having trouble hearing on Sunday mornings, please investigate our Hearing Assistant System. Headphones which are easily accessible in the narthex. Ask an usher for assistance if you need to. Another tactic for catching every word is to sit closer to the front in the centre section. But it does seem that Lutherans prefer the back pews 😊

 

In Our Prayers

We pray for all who are sick Mary Helen (mother of Bob Kelly), Joy, Sandra, Jim, Julian, George, Betty, Rosalie, James, Thelma, Helen, and Don and Jean and their daughter Tai and the Roeder family grieving the death of Gladys.

 

Bridges Vacation Bible School

Join Bridges Vacation Bible School held this year at St. Luke's in Kitchener for a fun week of VBS adventures from July 10 to 14! Kids will enjoy daily worship, music, crafts, games and more! Read the details at https://bridgesvbs.weebly.com/

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Upcoming Lessons

Sunday June 11 - Second Sunday after Pentecost

Hosea 5:15—6:6

Psalm 50:7-15 (15)

Romans 4:13-25

Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 

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Sunday June 18 - Third Sunday after Pentecost

Exodus 19:2-8a

Psalm 100 (3)

Romans 5:1-8

Matthew 9:35—10:8 [9-23] 

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Announcements Worth Repeating

Food Card Distribution Reminder

The Justice Through Service Committee sends a reminder that each month we continue to distribute grocery cards to single persons and families in need and who are registered with our program.  A warm thank you to the volunteers who carry out the distribution and the congregation for supporting the program with donations.  We have sufficient funds for June and hope to continue the program through the summer.  Please continue to remember this part of our ministry with regular contributions as you are able.

Mary Thompson, Justice Through Service Committee Co Chair

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Home Care Items Available for Short or Long-term Use

Nurse Christine reminds us that she  has a small supply of walkers or wheelchairs available for members to borrow. Give her a call if you interested. 

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A reminder from Mount Zion Kitchen 

If you are done with the Thursday meal reusable containers, soup jars and cloth delivery bags, please return them to the Blue Collection bin outside  the office at your convenience.  They’ll be sanitized and packed away until September.

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Mask Policy Change

Mask Policy Change Based on a recommendation from the health council, Mount Zion’s mask policy was  updated to read “that the wearing of a mask at services and on other occasions within the church be made OPTIONAL starting today until further notice.”

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Is there an Oscar in Mount Zion's Future?

Did you notice a videographer roaming about the festivities during Black History Month Celebrations? Dave Delouchery from Hawkeye Films has helped us with our live-streaming setup and has occasionally sat in for David M.

Dave D has done a splendid job of capturing the highlights and the energy of the day and has edited it into a very professional video. I encourage you to grab a coffee, put your feet up and give it a watch. Just click ont the link below.  An Oscar may be a bit of a stretch, but it's a masterpiece in my eyes. Editor. 

ahttps://www.youtube.com/@mountzionworship9606

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