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What Can We Say? Reflections on Reformation Sunday, 2025

By Bob Kelly

 October is the month that Lutherans remember and celebrate the history of the Reformation. Given that the events we mark happened 500 years ago in Germany, does that long ago event have any insight for us today here and now?

 In a confusing and unsettled time like ours, this is a nagging question. It isn’t easy to see God’s hand working in all that is going on. Is God really there? How can our faith help us move forward in the reality around us? One of Martin Luther’s central theological insights might be helpful.

 That insight is that God is most often hidden. Luther said that God often works under the appearance of God’s opposite. He liked the story of Moses on Mt. Sinai wanting badly to see God. God said, “OK, you go stand in that cave.” Then God ran by and blocked Moses’ view. By the time Moses could see, all he saw was “the hind parts of God” disappearing in the distance. We want to see God’s face, but all we ever see is God’s back side.

 The prime example of God’s hiddenness is the crucifixion of Jesus. What we see is someone arrested for blasphemy and sedition, tried, found guilty and executed. How can the execution of a troublesome Palestinian peasant reveal God? That’s what we claim, but how do we make sense of a crucified God?

 What is obvious to our sight is the execution of a convicted criminal revealing the power of the religious and political authorities to do as they please with whoever they please. We look beyond what we see and believe that the crucified Jesus is the risen Christ, the vindicated one, the anointed of God whose rule will long outlive that of any Caesar or priest. God is working under the appearance of God’s opposite.

 I think that means two things for us today. The first is that God is not who we thought God to be. God is not the ultimate guarantor of the status quo or of imperial power. God is not the ultimate peak of what we consider wisdom and power. In First Corinthians St. Paul talks about the weakness and foolishness of God. Sadly, we often prefer a god of strength and power and choose to worship that god rather that the weak and foolish God revealed in the resurrection of the crucified Jesus.

 The second implication of the theology of the cross is that solidarity is central to the nature of God. The God who is revealed in the life and execution of Jesus chose to be among us as a human being. Not just any human being or as “humanity” in general, but as a wandering peasant and executed criminal. God was unafraid to identify as a despised and degraded human being. This was perhaps a foolish choice—the foolishness of God, fully committed to the most profound solidarity.

 In an age when everyone seems to want a god who is rich and powerful and will tell them what  to do, our Reformation heritage is about a different God, a God who disdains power and whose nature is in community. It remains a heritage worth exploring.

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Reimagining Mount Zion Update

During a congregational meeting on September 28, Treasurer Richard Brubacher provided a brief update on our previous reimagining efforts. He then made an exciting announcement: Mount Zion has received a $300,000 donation from an anonymous donor to support our reimagining plans.

This amazing gift has allowed us to move our project forward. During the summer, council sent a Request for Proposal to four planning firms with architectural support. Our proposal requested assistance in creating a concept plan for our property.  A subcommittee of the council has reviewed each of them and plans to meet with two of them before selecting the successful bid. Stay tuned. It’s an exciting time to be a member of Mount Zion.

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Leadership Development Day, November 15.

Church Council invites everyone to participate in a workshop on November 15 focused on Leadership Development. This marks our first step in honouring our Strategic Priority #1: developing strong leaders through education and mentoring.

We are designing a program that will be both engaging and energizing, aiming to create an environment where individuals feel empowered to take on new roles, share their talents, and contribute to shaping the future of our community. 

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Financial Update – Sept 25

Results for nine months are basically on plan despite significant expenses incurred early in the year due to weather impacts.

The Ministry and Mission (current) account has accumulated a deficit of $41,182 on a year-to-date basis. Support of member contributions and higher rental income has overcome the higher expenses.  Thanks for your support!!

Additional Comments:

• Member regular gifts of $162,152 are $2,127 better than plan.

• Rental Income from parking & facility of $53,412 is $2,411 better than plan.

• Other income of $10,986 is $2,261 better than plan

Thanks!!   Richard Brubacher, Treasurer and Chair of Finance Committee

See the full report at

https://www.mzlc.ca/oct-5-2025​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Mount Zion Cafe:  October 8 and 22

We are pleased to announce that the Mount Zion Cafe will reopen this year on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, starting at 10:00 AM.    Please join us for coffee, tea, and goodies in the morning.  This year, we will be providing lunch on the Fourth Wednesday of the month, starting at 11:30.  We encourage you to come out and bring a friend (or more!!) and join us for caring and engaging conversation. 

If you need a ride to the Cafe, please call the church office the day before the cafe to make arrangements.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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It’s Cool in the Kitchen

In the photo, our Thursday volunteers are enjoying our 'cooler' kitchen this September. A new air conditioner/heating unit was installed over the summer.  A big thank you to Vi Rank, Alma Williams and Mrs Bell for helping to clean the kitchen in August. We have resumed preparing our meals for distribution on Thursdays. Please see the website for future menus and contact the church office to place your order. Our food outreach again this year is The Better Tent City on Ardelt Ave.    Jane Schlegel 

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October Menu

October 2, 2025

Beef Chili, mashed taters

October 9, 2025

Hungarian Goulash, mashed taters

October 16, 2025

Turkey Soup or Vegetable Soup

October 23, 2025

Curry Chicken, rice

October 30, 2025

Shepherd’s Pie
 

 

In our prayers

It is with sadness that I convey the news that Mary Helen Kelly died on Sept. 30th in California.  She was the loving mother of Bob and Nancy Kelly. Please continue to keep Bob & Nancy and wider Kelly family in the community in your prayers as they grieve her death.

It is with sadness that I convey the news that an older brother of our intern, Leo Johnson has died in Liberia. Please continue to keep Leo and his family in your prayers as they grieve her death.

Pastor Philip

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News from Justice through Service Committee

Food cards:

Thank you to all who are helping to keep up the supply of food cards for the individuals and families on our list.   Donations are still needed, so please keep this part of our ministry in mind

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The Lake Chad Project

In  September, we began an exploration of the CLWR Friends of Creation Lake Chad project.  We will soon be announcing further learning opportunities and trying to set a fundraising goal for Mount Zion. It is estimated that $50 will restore an acre of farmland in the Lake Chad Basin, which spans Chad and Cameroon.  To learn more about this intriguing project, visit the CLWR website and look for the page titled "Friends of Creation – Resources for Churches."    

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Feather and Cross Book Club Discussions on Valley of the Birdtail

To deepen our understanding, Feather & Cross will host two informal Zoom discussions to discuss the book's themes and content. This is a wonderful opportunity to share your thoughts and hear from others in the community.

    ◦ Monday, September 29, 2025, from 7:00 pm to 7:45 pm

    ◦ Monday, October 20, 2025, from 7:00 pm to 7:45 pm

Please email admin@featherandcross.org with "BIRDTAIL" in the subject line, before Monday, September 29, 2025, to receive your ZOOM invitation.

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Mixed Media Art Workshop

There will also be a mixed media art workshop inspired by this book, led by Lana Moses, on Saturday, October 18, from 9:30 to 11:30 at St. Matthews Centre, 54 Benton Street, Kitchener. 

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Faith Climate Justice Climate Vigil 

On Sunday November 16, Mount Zion will be hosting a Faith Climate Justice climate vigil, with prayer, meditation and music, at 2 pm. The timing coincides with the UN climate conference (COP30) to be held in Belém, Brazil, November 10 to 21.  More details will follow.​​​​​​​​​

Mary Thompson

 

Seniors Empowerment Seminar

Hosted by Erb & Good Funeral Home

THURSDAY, OCT. 9TH
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

171 King Street South, Waterloo

Join us for expert advice on accessing programs and benefits currently available to many Canadian seniors, and easy affordable options for advance planning to help safeguard your family’s financial future

To register phone 519-745-2195
(9:00 am - 5:00 pm please)
​to save your seat.

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Before and After Renovation of Open Sesame Classroom

Mount Zion’s property committee is just putting the finishing touches on the newly renovated Open Sesame classroom.  The kitchen cabinets and bookshelves were replaced, and a new, but small, industrial dishwasher and refrigerator were installed, along with new blinds.  The renovation included 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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