News from Mount Zion
March 15 2022

A Letter from Bishop Pryse

As many of you are aware, Mount Zion’s Church Council has been supported through the challenges presented by COVID-19. We have found their guidance invaluable. Recently we received a letter from Bishop Pryse where he reminds us that in the light of fewer restrictions and mandates “Our commitment to the health and safety of our neighbour remains. These acts of love have guided us thus far and will continue to mark our ministry as we move into the weeks ahead. Please continue to adopt a measured approach, follow the guidance provided by local public health units, and gauge the comfort level of your congregation.”

Please read his grace filled letter at https://easternsynod.org/covid-19-update-march-10-2022/

For the past two years Mount Zion's Health Council and Parish Nurse Christine have guided the congregation's Covid practices. They continue to monitor and recommend that we  follow provincial regulatinons but  we continue the use of masks while in church. Screening will no longer take place. Watch for further information abut communion prcacties.coming soon.

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Mount Zion Café open on March 23

The Mount Zion Cafe will be open for coffee, tea and cookies from 10 AM to Noon on Wednesday March 23, and then the second and fourth Wednesday of the month, ending for the summer on June 8th.  The winter is slowing going and we areal ready for a little socializing, so come and join us at the Mount Zion Cafe for an enjoyable morning.

Stephanie von Schilling

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Behind the scenes at our Food Ministry​

Photos from last week’s kitchen activity at Mount Zion’s food ministry. What a busy day with approximately 210 servings going out of the kitchen. This could not be possible without our chefs, volunteers, those who purchase meals and financial support given.

Thank you for your support in all the various ways you show it. These meals not only feed those who are hungry, they also touch the hearts of those who receive them. It has been said more than once by meal recipients that they can feel the love put into the food.

Consider treating yourself to a meal! Every meal purchased helps to financially support this ministry!  Nurse Christine from Facebook

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Welcome New Council Members

We are delighted to announce that Kayleigh Swanson and Sherryann Kennedy-Pink have agreed to serve on Mount Zion’s Church Council. We welcome their voices to our discussions.  They will join David Murison, Stephanie Von Schilling, Betty Behm, Mary Thompson, Bill Gastmeier, Kirk Swanson, Karen Gastmeier, Richard Brubacher, Treasurer and Pastor Philip.

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Meet Hannah Swiderski, Mount Zion’s newest choral scholar and soprano

Hannah grew up in renowned St. Marys Childrens Choir, later expanding into other ensembles and private vocal study under Barbara Dunn-Prosser. Hannah returned to singing after a ten-year hiatus by joining local ensembles Renaissance Singers and Da Capo Chamber Choir. Currently, Hannah studies intermittently with Laura Pudwell, is a member of Spiritus Singers and has been a choral scholar with St.Matthew's Lutheran Church since 2018 alongside Deacon Scott Knarr, as well as performing at private functions.

An Article about Chef Winston

As many of you know, Chef Winston can be found behind the stove stirring on behalf of  Mount Zion’s Food Ministry. This article appeared in the news last month, here is the link about him and some his work for those of you who might have missed it.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/andrew-coppolino-a-z-grocery-tour-with-winston-lewis-1.6355646 

Mount Zion Women's Retreat    April 21, 22, 23      

When it is April, some of us look forward to spending time together at Hidden Acres for Mount Zion Women's Annual Retreat.  Unfortunately, this has not been possible since 2019.  In January of this year, when Covid 19 was still much a part of our lives, the Retreat Committee decided to move the Retreat to 2023.  At that time, Hidden Acres had strict requirements re meeting during Covid, which included reduced numbers allowed to gather and that helped with our decision.

Pastor Annette Smith has agreed to be our leader once again with the theme "Tree of Life" from Revelations 22 vs. 1-2.  The dates we have booked at Hidden Acres for 2023 are April 21, 22, and 23, so mark your calendars now.     Carol Ziegler

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WATERLOO LUTHERANS & ANGLICANS PRESENT

2022 Lenten Series  

Lament to Hope

7:30 pm Wednesdays nights throughout Lent

The Zoom Link is the same for every service

Zoom Meeting ID: 836 4183 0711 Passcode: Lamenting

March 16: Viewing party hosted and led by All Saints’ – Anglican

Race Relations

with The Honourable Bardish Chagger

March 23: Viewing party hosted and led by Mount Zion Lutheran

Mental Health and the Pandemic

with Carizon

March 30: Viewing party hosted and led by at Trillium Lutheran

Environment and the Pandemic

with Katarina Kuhnert

April 6: Viewing party hosted and led by Christ Lutheran Church

Poverty and Precarious Work

with The Rev. Ann Anderson

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February Financial Update

Results for the first two months of 2022 reflect a $5,467 deficit in our Ministry & Mission (current) account.  Although this is a deficit, it is $6,699 less than anticipated in our plan. Member regular contributions of $28,514 are $3,864 better than plan.  Thank you!

Read the full report
 

From the Justice through Service Committee

Carbon Fast for Lent

In keeping with our membership in Faith Climate Justice, the  Justice through Service Committee invites everyone to consider a Carbon Fast in Lent, March 2 to April 16, where we reflect on climate and try to implement some ways in which our households can reduce  carbon and greenhouse gas emissions.    In 2010 Kairos issued a calendar for the period, and they have kindly given us permission to make an updated version  available to those who would be interested.  

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The Bishop’s Spiritual Retreat for Lay People

The Bishop's Spiritual Retreat for Lay People at Mt. Carmel, Niagara Falls, ON will be convened as previously scheduled, from April 1-3, 2022.  

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In Our Prayers

Let us pray for George, Betty, Marjorie, Rosalie, James, Brian, Thelma and Don and Jean and their daughter Tai. Let us continue to remember Hermine and the wider family mourning the death of Willi.  Let us pray for peace and justice in Ukraine, for all God’s children at risk and living in fear.

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First Feather & Cross Event of 2022!

Warmer days and frosty nights have brought us to the time for the spring harvesting of sap from maple trees, known as Sweet Water. Our event will take place on Saturday March 19, 2022 at 1 pm at the White Owl Sugar Bush. Indigenous Educator, Dave Skene will be sharing the knowledge of this important tradition. The main tour and talk will be approximately 45 minutes long with extra time to help out, browse and share good conversation. Please dress appropriately for being outdoors and follow current Covid-19 Protocols. This is an all ages event. Please register via Event Brite on our website by March 16, 2022. Spaces are limited. 

More information about Feather and Cross’s programming can be found at  www.featherandcross.org

Miigwech and Blessings. Lana Moses

Upcoming Readings

Sun. Mar. 27 — Fourth Sunday in Lent

Joshua 5:9-12  

Psalm 32 (11)

2 Corinthians 5:16-21  

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 

Sun. Apr. 3 — Fifth Sunday in Lent 

Isaiah 43:16-21  

Psalm 126 (5)

Philippians 3:4b-14  

John 12:1-8 

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Live Spring Book Discussion, Tuesday, May 3, 1:30-3:00 pm

Health Council will be holding a book discussion on Made for Goodness and Why This Makes All the Difference by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his daughter Mpho Tutu, also an Anglican priest. Tutu tells touching stories from his own life, as well as horrific memories of his work in dark places of the world. From there he invites us to take on the disciplines of goodness, the practices that are key to finding fulfillment, meaning and happiness for our lives. We think this book is a fitting selection as a way of honouring a great man who most recently died.

The place and format of the discussion will be decided as we get closer to the date. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Slethaug. If interested, Betty Behm will order and deliver a book for you. Please contact her at 519-896-2245.