Being an Authentically Diverse and Inclusive Community,

- a Retreat by the Racial Justice Committee

Pastor Philip Mathai

Diversity and inclusion have been topics of discussion in the church and in the larger society for quite some time now. These terms have come to indicate a calling to be open and welcoming to those who are different, whether in terms of sexuality, race, faith, and so on. One of the committees that addresses this issue in the context of race is the Racial Justice Committee of the Eastern Synod. During the 2018 Eastern Synod Assembly, the Racial Justice Advisory Committee was established to address racism within its member congregations and raise awareness of it.

In the Synod Assembly of 2021, this group became a standing committee in the synod. The committee met in retreat at Mount Zion from the 16th to the 18th of April.

This was an occasion when the members of the committee could come together and reflect on the actions of the past years and look forward together. The second day of the retreat was open to members of the Two Rivers, Grand River and Nith Valley Ministry Areas. We looked at biblical passages and how they could be looked at from the perspective of the racialized or those at the receiving end of racism.

One of the other exercises had all of us attending to be exposed to smells and tastes that were strange and unfamiliar.  We went to T&T Supermarket, the Chinese store in the Waterloo Plaza, and the assignment was to take in the smells and feel of the store that was different from the Sobeys and Zehers that one may be more familiar with.

Each one was then to choose a food item that was completely new and may not normally pick up and along with other food come back to Mount Zion. Each one had to eat the strange new food item, share their experiences and the food with the others. The takeaway was that it takes an effort to familiarize oneself with the unknown and unfamiliar; it does not come naturally. We also learned about the history of some of the items we brought to share.

One of the items chosen was Chinese sticky rice wrapped in leaves called zongzi or joong. This was a dish that had glutinous rice with savoury ingredients wrapped in banana or bamboo leaves.  Traditionally, farmers would wrap sticky rice in wild leaves, fill the rice-lined leaves with braised meats or wild vegetables, and take them to the rice fields as a humble snack to help them power through the day.  Another tradition attached to this dish was that a popular and patriotic leader, Qu Yuan, committed suicide in the local river when he was not trusted by the emperor. He was loved so much that residents hastily prepared rice balls and threw them into the river to stop fish from eating Qu Yuan’s body.

In the evening, we had a workshop on the topic, "Being an Authentically Diverse and Inclusive Community". This was a time to look at how racism still played out, especially in unconscious ways, in the church and larger society. We looked at how we could understand the various terms associated with racism. Integration is that exercise where folks are forced to fit into an already given structure or norms, while inclusion is allowing for differences, which in turn affects the structures and norms.

We talked about intersectionality which refers to multiple social and other identities in an individual, about the danger of a single story where one particular narrative defines a community as those in power seems fit, unconscious bias which one could say is the vehicle that delivers racism, Greenwich Mean Time of Identity where the whiteness, or the identity of the dominant white community, becomes the default standard against which all other identities are measured and so on.

Overall, it was a very productive and enlightening time together, though I wish we had better attendance, and we were left wondering as to where we are as the church after all these years and as to whether we go beyond integrating folks that are racialized in the life of the church, to genuinely including them!

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Reimagining Mount Zion

Since our last report in March, the Planning Liaison Committee has received the Designated Substance Survey to complement the Building Condition Survey.

There was nothing in either report that was unexpected for buildings of their age.

The report also provides a recommended maintenance schedule with related cost estimates. This information will help us understand our current building and the considerations we should keep in mind as we explore redevelopment options. A copy of each has been placed in the church office for all members to request.

An introductory meet-and-greet with the committee members, GSP (Planners), and ABA (Architects) has been scheduled for May 4th to get their involvement started.

Members of the Planning Liaison Committee are Bill Gastmeier (Chair), Stephanie Von Schilling (Council Member), Kirk Swanson (Property and Council member), Ross Schlegel (Property and Council member), Bob McDermott (Finance), Jana (Open Sesame)  Ex Officio members are Pastor Philip (Ex Officio), Karen Gastmeier (Mount Zion President), Richard Brubacher (Mount Zion Treasurer)

As we move forward in working with the architect and planner, we have broadened the committee's membership and will continue adding members with specific expertise as the process continues.

Bill Gastmeier, Chair of the Planning Liaison Committee, a subcommittee of council

 

Justice Through Service Committee

Red Dress Day

Red Dress Day falls on May 5, and again this year, we have marked the day by hanging a red dress in the entryway of the church building, with notes by Hanne Kuhnert, and prayer cards available in the narthex. Some information resources  on the internet are here:

The REDress Project:  https://www.jaimeblackartist.com/exhibitions/

Final Report of the National Inquiry into MMIWG:  https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/final-report/

Amnesty International – Stolen Sisters Report:  https://amnesty.ca/red-dress-day/

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Call 30 activity

Between May 2 and May 16, there is a Red Dress Day Art Exhibit and Call 30 at Conrad Grebel University College, Waterloo, organized by Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). The exhibit features artwork that illustrates factors contributing to the criminalization and harm of Indigenous women. As part of the project, we are invited to take part in Call 30, an activity that brings awareness to the factors contributing to the overpopulation of Indigenous women in Ontario prisons. Co-facilitated by MCC and Feather and Cross Community (May 7 and May 14).  Information and registration are  here: https://mcc.org/events/red-dress-day-art-exhibit-and-call-30

 

Friends of Creation Challenge

We are happy to announce that the congregation has almost reached the challenge goal for the Lake Chad project:  the amount donated so far is $4,875, or restoration of 97.5 of our 100 acres!

 

Visit from SHOW Executive Director Brian Paul

During the service on Sunday, May 31, we will hear from Brian Paul, the Executive Director of Supportive Housing of Waterloo (SHOW), who will talk about SHOW’s housing projects for seniors who are unhoused.

 

Food Card Fund

We encourage members of Mount Zion to continue donating to the Food Card fund, which is running low.  It provides $ 60 every two months to a family or $30 to a person in need who is registered on our list.  The amount is small, but to our single recipients and families, it can still make a difference! 

Our Food Card program expanded significantly at the beginning of the COVID pandemic in 2020, serving people in our community who were experiencing hardship due to health or loss of income, as well as recently arrived refugee families.  We are now serving fewer single people and families than we did in the early days of the decade, and we are reviewing the program to see whether there are ways to increase its effectiveness.

 

Mount Zion Kitchen

News from the Mount Zion Kitchen Food Ministry - the kitchen will be closing on May 14 for the summer. Our final meal is Mrs. Bell's famous Jerk Chicken! 😋

If you wish to order a meal, please call the church office. Your purchase helps us to share a weekly dish with Better Tent City on Ardelt. The picture is of our Wednesday volunteer, Karin Packull. Karin and her friends order 5-6 meals weekly! Thank you, Karin and friends! Also, a big thanks to all our wonderful volunteers and drivers. 

Jane Schlegel 

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Financial Update

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In Our Prayers

Our prayers are with the family and friends of Rev. Everett Arthur Mossman who passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 26, 2026. Many of you will remember that Rev Ev acted as Interim Minister at Mount Zion.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.  Psalm 73:26

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Jeff Harris Memorial Golf Tournament

Please join the Harris Family, friends, colleagues, and clients on June 13th, 2026 at Elmira Golf Club. It will be a day of celebration, fundraising and friendship. 

Proceeds from the Jeff Harris Memorial Golf Tournament will go toward the establishment and growth of a scholarship fund for a student with a disability, which will be administered through Martin Luther University College. 

This scholarship is being developed to reflect the values that meant so much to Jeff - inclusion, opportunity, and community support.

Link:  https://sites.google.com › view › jeffharrismemorial

Any questions, please reach out to Donna, Graydon or Lauren Harris at playitforward.memorial@gmail.com.

 

Vacation Bible School

Trinity Lutheran Church, New Hamburg, is hosting a full-day, week-long Vacation Bible School day camp this summer from August 17th to 21st. $50 per camper includes lunch, snacks, and a t-shirt! Registration opens May 1st at telc.ca – limited spots available!

 

The Hidden Cost of "Free": Why Underpriced Rentals Harm Mission

Online Workshop:  Thursday, May 21, 2026 @  7:30 pm ET 
Many congregations undercharge for building use out of generosity — but informal, underpriced arrangements often create resentment, financial strain, and conflict over time. This month's Every Square Foot Counts blog makes the case for fair and cost-reflective pricing as an act of faithful stewardship. Read the May blog here

The companion workshop, Generous and Solvent: The Case for Fair Pricing, takes place Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern on Zoom. All ELCIC members are welcome. Register here.