Mary Thompson is named an Officer of the Order of Canada!

We all know Mary best as the person who regularly speaks to the congregation of the Justice Through Service committee, lends her voice to the alto section of the choir, and serves on Church Council and the Open Sesame board. She recently served on the Board of Governors of Martin Luther University College.

We always recognized her as talented and hardworking, but now it seems Canada has noticed.

On June 26, Governor General Louise Arbour announced 61 appointments to the Order of Canada, Canada’s highest civilian honour, recognizing people who have made extraordinary, sustained, and major contributions to Canada and humanity.

The University of Waterloo nominated her for her ongoing work in statistics.

“Mary Thompson has transformed statistical science through advances in survey methodology and public policy research,” the announcement explained. “This University of Waterloo professor made major contributions to the International Tobacco Control Project, advised national agencies and helped found the Canadian Statistical Sciences Institute. She also champions women in the mathematical and statistical sciences.”

“Mary joined her department in 1969 as one of the first group of statistics faculty members, when the department was still in its infancy,” UW said in a media release. “Over the past half a century, Mary has become a fixture of the department, a highly accomplished scholar, and a great inspiration and role model for many students and young faculty members.”

Mary received her Order of Canada pin in June just before the announcement, but no date has been chosen for the investiture ceremony, which usually has taken place at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. 

Congratulations Mary!

​​

Season of Creation

This year’s theme, “Living Water”, explores Ezekiel 47:9 and 12 as a powerful biblical vision of hope and ecological healing. Set amid exile and loss, the image of living water flowing from God’s sanctuary reveals divine healing that renews land, water, biodiversity, and human responsibility towards the whole creation.

Our National Bishop The Rev. Dr. Larry Kochendorfer writes in a Letter to the church . . . 

This year’s theme is Living Water. Inspired by Ezekiel 47:9–12, it invites us to reflect on God’s life-giving waters that bring healing, renewal and flourishing for all creation, and to consider our shared responsibility to protect and restore the Earth’s ecosystems. 

Across Canada and around the world, it is another summer of forest fires, droughts, rising ocean temperatures, and extreme weather events. Recently, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew boldly articulated that “The climate crisis is not a ‘future scenario,’ but a painful reality, with the rapid decline of biodiversity, deforestation, pollution of the atmosphere and seas, catastrophic fires and floods.” The Patriarch also emphasized, “the understanding that humanity is a steward, not an owner, of creation.” 

I appreciate that the Season of Creation invites us to address the climate crisis through both worship and action. Living Water reminds us of our baptismal call to repentance, transformation, creation-care and healing. It also invites us to consider issues such as water pollution, food security and the growing reality of water becoming unaffordable to people living in poverty. 

​Receipts of the MIU - Muted, Invisible & Unheard

In this season of creation, we are called to ponder on the relationships in our societies. What do we care about? What do we think about purchasing coffee for our daily use? Where are our thoughts when bagging groceries?

Coffee Receipt

STORE: Coffee House

ITEM: Latte

PRICE: $5.75

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PURCHASE

“I am the soil that grew this bean.

I am the land stripped, exhausted, and forgotten.

You will finish this in minutes.

I will feel its cost for generations.”

​

Stationary Receipt

STORE: BAGS and BAGGAGES

ITEM: PLASTIC BAGS #50

PRICE: $.5 x50

TOTAL: $25.00

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PURCHASE

“I am water, where life originated and continues to originate.

My waters suffocate when you buy single use,

Please know that it is

a debt our home, EARTH, must carry.”

Next time we are sipping our morning coffee, take a moment to think about the soil that it came from and the land that nurtured it. Let us give some thought to that which sustains us – our waters, our land.  

[Coffee receipt by Madeleine Edminds; Stationary receipt and write up by Mary Philip aka Joy]

 

Open Sesame Auxiliary Celebrates Three Retirements.

A Big Thank You to Anne Woolner for hosting the Open Sesame Auxiliary Potluck Luncheon on Friday, June 12th.  We gathered, along with members of the Open Sesame Board and Open Sesame staff - Jana Kelly, and Samantha Beesley, to thank retiring Auxiliary members Mayda Scoins, Helga Juergensen and Joan Brunger for their many years of service.  We also welcomed Marnie Jerry, who has volunteered to join the Auxiliary and serve on the Open Sesame Board.  

At the luncheon, we took time to reminisce.  It was at Mayda's suggestion that Mount Zion decided to begin a Headstart Preschool in 1970.  Mayda was working at another Headstart preschool at the time.  Helga attended our Open Sesame Committee meetings as a Council Representative and later served as a committee member.  Joan served as Open Sesame's Treasurer for many years and, after retiring from that position, remained a member of the Auxiliary. With three retirements, we are looking for new Auxiliary members, and we ask that you consider helping Open Sesame in this way.  If you would like more information, feel free to call Carol Ziegler at 519-886-6675.   Carol Ziegler - Chair

​

Passings

It was with profound sadness and a heavy heart that we learned of the deaths of two long-time members this summer.

Dennis Eaton passed away on July 15, 2026.  Dennis' impact on the congregation has been enormous, and the void he leaves will be hard to fill. He was a person of deep convictions and his life and involvements reflected this.  We extend our deepest sympathies and prayers to the family. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.

​

Gloria Heimbecker passed away on Aug 17, 2026.  Gloria was a beloved member of the congregation, and her ministry, especially through music, will be remembered with gratitude.   We extend our deepest sympathies and prayers to the family.  The funeral was held at Erba and Good Funeral Home with Pastor Philip officiating on August 29.  

​

September dates you need to know

Sept.   8 -  Gentle Exercise resumes on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 1-2 pm in the auditorium

Sept.   9 – Shuffleboard resumes in the auditorium.

Sept. 10 - Choir resumes Thursday, Sept. 10 at 10 am

Sept. 17- Mount Zion Kitchen Meals resume on Thursday on Sept 17

Sept. 23 - Mount Zion Café resumes Sept 23, 10-11:30 am in Fellowship room

Sept. 28 - Orange Shirt Day

                Membership Sunday

                Pastors’ Lunch – Fellowship Room following the service

 

​​Financial Update

Results for the Ministry & Mission (current) account for the first eight months of 2026 show a deficit of $33,104. Despite this significant deficit, it is $22,388 better than budget. Expenses are now within plan, and receipts are $22,497 higher. Good member support, combined with higher rental income, is the primary source of the improvement.

Comments:

Member gifts of $157,023 are $11,648 better than plan. Thank you!!

Rental Income from parking & facility of $53,242 is $6,609 better than plan with increased activity.

Disbursements of $251,569 are $109 worse than plan.

For the full report, including Benevolence, Capital, Rental Property, and Special Funds, see

August finances.           Richard Brubacher, Treasurer 

​

Fundraising for Supportive Housing of Waterloo (SHOW)

As we heard at the end of May from SHOW’s Executive Director, Brian Paul, funds are being raised for the construction of 10 modular housing units behind their building at 362 Erb Street West. 

These will provide supportive housing for older adults who have experienced or are at risk of homelessness. 

For September through November, Mount Zion Council has approved a $9,000 challenge goal to pay for wellness landscaping associated with this project.  More information will be provided on Sunday, September 13. 

​

Food cards update  

We are moving to a new distribution schedule for 2027, where families in need, enrolled for two years (renewable), could receive cards worth $100 every 3 months rather than $60 every 2 months.  For now, only families and individuals on our current list are invited to enrol.   The 11%  increase in the yearly amount for a family (from $360 to $400)  is the first increase since 2021.  We hope this will make what we are able to provide more effective in addressing food insecurity in our community.  Please continue to support this program!  ​​​​​​​

​

​Reimagining Mount Zion Update

The work has begun!

We met with Matthew our architect in mid-August to set an agenda for our first committee meeting which was held on August 27th. At that meeting, we were introduced to Ashley, a senior Interior Designer who will be actively working on our project with Matthew to develop concepts in concert with Kristen at the GSP Group.

They provided a five-page questionnaire to encourage our thoughtful reflection in preparation for the meeting. During the meeting, we worked through the questionnaire, discussing and sharing perspectives and exploring our thoughts and priorities.

 Responses and key themes arising from those discussions will help guide the conceptual designs for three options for the development of our site, respecting the goals we developed over the last several years. They will summarize the results so that we can begin to define square footage, functional requirements and interconnectivities to support our goals and programmes.

"Words first, the words turn into drawings, and then the drawings turn into buildings," Matt told us at the end of the meeting.

Two more meetings are planned moving forward to develop the options with initial budgetary costing to be available early in the new year.  ​Bill Gastmeier  ​​​​​​​​​​​

​

Sunday School Resumes Sept 13 @9:45 am. Can you lend a hand?

Sunday School will resume on September 13 @ 9:45. If you are interested in teaching, please contact Anne Woolner- annewoolner@hotmail.com. The program includes videos, games, crafts, snack ideas, and activities to help with planning. Anne will assist you with learning the program and what works best for the SCS class. A teacher is needed for Oct. 4, 18, 25 & Nov. 1 when Anne is away. This is a great opportunity to lead our children in their spiritual growth. Please volunteer to be a part of this very important ministry!

​

Membership Sunday

On September 27, we will welcome new members and honour our members on Membership Sunday.

Over the summer, your council exec has been working behind the scenes to update our membership database for two reasons. One reason is to ensure we have accurate data for the picture directory, which will be available on Membership Sunday.

The second reason goes back to two years ago: in response to new Government of Ontario rules, we approved new “constitutional documents”.  And while we accomplished that task by the deadline, one chore remained…the directive to list our members as voting or non-voting.

 

Orange Shirt Day Sept 27

With September just around the corner, it's time to start thinking about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (aka Orange Shirt Day). Once again, we suggest that you don an orange shirt for the day.
Just a reminder that the Feather and Cross Bingo is still active until September 30th, and that books and bingo cards are still available in the narthex.

​

Pastors' Lunch - Sept 27

Be sure to join Cindy and David Jacobson for lunch and conversation on the 27th. Wear your Orange Shirt.

​

Community Effort Brings a Season of Bounty at the Alfred Brunger Community Garden

There is something especially rewarding about seeing a garden and a community flourish together. This season, the Alfred Brunger Community Garden is full of life, with beautiful plots, shared herbs, and an abundance of peaches and pears reflecting years of contributions.

We restored an abandoned garden space for a recent immigrant family with a young child, and it has become one of the garden's most beautiful plots.

We transformed an overgrown plot into a shared herb garden, with children joining the spring workday to paint the new beds beside the small shed. Their artwork is now part of the space we all enjoy.

The fruit trees planted several years ago are also bearing the rewards of earlier investments, producing an abundance of peaches and pears to share.

Good news! The Uptown Waterloo BIA has approved financial support for our garden initiatives over the coming years. They approved funding for our upcoming fall cleanup, including bringing in a large load of compost, renting a rototiller, and providing building supplies (fencing and wood) to improve our plots. This will also help us plant the six new fruit trees, rhubarb plants, and several currant bushes we received from the community garden network.

With a continuing waitlist and an engaged community, we are excited to keep building for future harvests. We are very grateful to the church for providing this space and encourage congregation members to take a walk through the gardens and enjoy this season of bounty.​​​​

​

Keffer Chapel Art Exhibition

We are invited to the official opening, in the Keffer Chapel at Luther, of an art exhibition called TEKÀ:NEREN – EVERYTHING & FOREVER. It features work by Music for the Spirit artists, curated by Richelle Miller and Beverly McNabb.  The artwork celebrates the Haudenosaunee Creation Story and illustrates a new booklet about the Haldimand Tract.  

Date and time: Sunday, September 13, from 3:30 to 5:30 pm.  

​

THE TEXTS THIS WEEK: Drop-in Bible Study

WHO? You, your friends, and Pastor Claudine Carlson, who’ll lead this adventure into scripture. WHAT? A weekly dive into the appointed Revised Common Lectionary texts for the upcoming Sunday.

WHEN? Tuesdays, 1:30 - 3:15 p.m. October 13 - November 10

WHERE? Trillium Lutheran Church - The Church Parlour

WHY? Too many reasons to list! However, here’s a hint: Sunday worship is more meaningful when you’ve already spent time considering texts. No registration required! Just show up with eager hearts and minds. Hope to see you there!    Pastor Claudine

​

Play it Forward – Jeff Harris Memorial Celebration

Rob Zilles will be among the musicians on a special night of live music, social mingling, and fond remembrance for Jeff Harris. Proceeds from the evening will fund the Jeff Harris Memorial Bursary.

Tickets are $40 per person and can be purchased from Rob or by e-transfer at playitforward.memorial@gmail.com

Saturday, Sept 16, 2026, 7:00 pm – 12 am

Edelweiss Tavern

600 Doon Village Road, Kitchener, ON​​

​

Community Conversation - Encampments: Let's Talk

St. Peter's Lutheran Church in downtown Kitchener is hosting an important community conversation that we believe will be meaningful for many people throughout our region.

On Tuesday, September 22 at 7:00 PM, we are welcoming Maggie Helwig, award-winning author of Encampment, for an evening of conversation about homelessness, encampments, housing, and how communities can respond with compassion and understanding. The discussion will be moderated by respected journalist Luisa D'Amato.

Rather than a debate, this event is an opportunity to listen, learn, and engage respectfully with one of Canada's leading voices on this important issue.​​​​

​​