November - Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church

CALL COMMITTEE UPDATE

It’s an exciting time, as the Pastor Call Committee has

already begun conducting interviews of interested Pastor

candidates. Additional interviews are being scheduled as

this article goes to print. Please continue your prayerful

support of the committee and its mission. If you have any

questions or wish to discuss the process further with a

committee member, contact Barb Toman, Dick Ruby,

Emily Sears, Kathy Frye, Ken Gerold, Mike Engel, or Ray

Withrow

LIVING WATER MINISTRY

COLLECTION

Cathy Hester, Hamilton Living Water Minisgtry

(located in the former Jefferson Elementary School

Building) is adding a preschool class to their program.

Cathy was the speaker at our women’s fall meeting and

gave a testimonial of how she became involved and how

these inner city children are being helped.

On Sunday, November 10, there will be a box in the

great hall for gently used toys, games, puzzles, books or

new items geared to 3, 4 & 5 year olds.

Thank you for helping to make a difference in these

little boys and girls lives.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

7:00 p.m.

at

Kingdom Ministries

House of Prayer

128 N. Second Street in Hamilton

Saturday, November 30

10:00 a.m.

Join us to help decorate the church for

Christmas. This is always a fun, family event.

There will be crafts for the children (or

children at heart) and lunch will be provided.

Hope to see you all there!

COMMUNITY MEAL CENTER

Zion is cooking and serving the community meal

at the First United Methodist Church on Saturday,

November 2. We need people to help with set up,

preparing the food, greeting people, serving and clean

up. We also need people to bake desserts for the

lunch. Please see the sign-up sheets in the great hall to

help with this very worthy project. Questions: call

Barb Toman at 863-5615.

November 2013

The Messenger (November)

Women of Zion, as disciples of Christ, are called to

grow in faith, discover and use our gifts,

and serve in our communities

at home and throughout the world.

Women of Zion

A Look Back in Time

The following information comes from the 1964-1969

Annual Reports

A completely new service program for Women of Zion

was introduced in 1965 in the hope that it would inspire

“inactive” women to take an active interest in the work of

the women of the church. Twelve circles were formed and

with twelve services, each circle had a different duty to

perform each month – county home, Altar flowers, Altar

linen sewing, Altar laundry, nursery, kitchen, library,

helping hand, new members, mission sewing, Altar

service, office.

These circles each chose a name of a woman from the

Bible. Some circle names were Dorcas, Miriam, Naomi,

and Rebekah. By the end of 1965, it was decided to

disband the Dorcas Circle, and to operate just eleven

circles. It was reported that about 100 women came

regularly to circle meetings.

In 1966, having no President of the Women of Zion, it

was decided that each month one of the Women of the

Board would serve as Presiding Chairman.

More changes came at the beginning of 1967 with the

restructuring into just three circles – a morning circle,

afternoon circle, and evening circle. An Altar Guild was

also established at this time.

Thankoffering Service

November 17

The Women of Zion will host both Sunday services on

November 17. It is a time for the women to lead us in

worship and rejoice with them in all that they have done

over the past year. It is also a time for them to bring their

Thankofferings and share the many blessings in the coins

that they have given.

This service is very important to the women and is a

small way to say “Thank You” to our church and our

families. Without your support, the many things we do

would not happen.

Please add your name to the sign-up sheet in the great

hall, if you would like to help with this Thankoffering

service or contact Anita Snyder at 513-844-8760.

Thanksgiving Gifts to Our Shut-Ins

On Sunday, November 17, the Women of Zion will be

delivering gifts to our shut-ins. There is a sign-up sheet in

the great hall for all who would be willing to deliver the

gifts. Please contact Joan Boling at 513-889-0691 with any

questions.

Lutheran World Relief

This year we were able to collect items to assemble 4

sewing kits, 8 health kits, 8 layettes, and 7 school kits.

The quilt ladies also completed 60 quilts this year. Thank

you to all who brought in items for these kits and to Zion’s

quilters. A special thanks to Anita Snyder for assembling,

boxing, and delivering these kits.

Women’s Winter Meeting

All the women of Zion are invited to attend our winter

meeting on Monday, December 2. The meeting will begin

at 6:30. The Women’s Board will be providing soup as

part of our meal. Prayer pals will be revealed and a short

Christmas program will follow.

Please watch your Sunday bulletin for further details.

Thank You!

A big thank you to everyone who helped to make our

Fall Fellowship Dinner such a success. I won’t attempt to

name names because I know I would leave someone out.

We sold out of soup jars, but more will be available.

Call Julia at the church office or Thelma Martin (892-

6088) and leave your order. The cost is $10.00.

Thanks to those who made crafts, or baked some

goodies. We served 79 people and had 20 carryouts. It was

a day of great fellowship with each other.

Thank you again!

NURSERY ATTENDANT

Please be advised that we are actively seeking

stable and consistent Nursery Attendant(s) at this time.

We appreciate your patience as we work to find a high

quality candidate to fill this position. If you or

someone you know is interested please contact Kathy

Chambers or the church office. In the meantime, we

are doing our best to supply substitute nursery

attendants when available.


BOOK OF THE MONTH

CLUB

The Book of the Month Club will meet on Tuesday,

November 5, to discuss The Silver Star by Jeannette

Walls. It is a heartbreaking novel about an intrepid girl

who challenges the injustice of the adult world—a triumph

of imagination and storytelling.

It is 1970 in a small town in California. “Bean”

Holladay is twelve and her sister, Liz, is fifteen when their

artistic mother, Charlotte, a woman who “found something

wrong with every place she ever lived,” takes off to find

herself, leaving her girls enough money to last a month or

two. When Bean returns from school one day and sees a

police car outside the house, she and Liz decide to take the

bus to Virginia, where their Uncle Tinsley lives in the

decaying mansion that’s been in Charlotte’s family for

generations.

An impetuous optimist, Bean soon discovers who her

father was, and hears many stories about why their mother

left Virginia in the first place. Because money is tight, Liz

and Bean start babysitting and doing office work for Jerry

Maddox, foreman of the mill in town—a big man who

bullies his workers, his tenants, his children, and his wife.

Jeannette Walls, supremely alert to abuse of adult

power, has written a deeply moving novel about triumph

over adversity and about people who find a way to love

each other and the world, despite its flaws and injustices.

Then in December, we’ll meet to discuss The Time

Keeper by Mitch Albom. In this fable, the first man on

earth to count the hours becomes Father Time. The

inventor of the world's first clock is punished for trying to

measure God's greatest gift. He is banished to a cave for

centuries and forced to listen to the voices of all who come

after him seeking more days, more years. Eventually, with

his soul nearly broken, Father Time is granted his freedom,

along with a magical hourglass and a mission: a chance to

redeem himself by teaching two earthly people the true

meaning of time.

He returns to our world--now dominated by the hour-

counting he so innocently began--and commences a

journey with two unlikely partners: one a teenage girl who

is about to give up on life, the other a wealthy old

businessman who wants to live forever. To save himself,

he must save them both. And stop the world to do so.

Plan on joining us in the church lounge at 6:30 p.m. for

these discussions. We always welcome new people.

Remember, reading is good for the mind and soul!

A DEVOTIONAL MOMENT

A Devotion for October 2013

What Do You Need Today? by Emma Crossen

Reflection

Facebook recently introduced me to a photo collection

showing creative approaches to parenting. Some photos

were just plain funny. Others were more poignant, like the

note from a dad to his neighbors before Halloween. The

father explaines that his son is very excited to trick-or-treat

even though he has a severe form of epilepsy that requires

a strict diet with no candy. To make Halloween fun for the

son, his parents have purchased small toys. “One of these

toys is attached to this letter,” the dad writes, asking the

neighbor to give the toy instead of candy when the son

comes to the door. He tells the neighbor how to recognize

the son’s costume, and ends the note with these words,

“Thank you so much for helping us make Halloween a

very special day.”

At its best, trick or treating is about hospitality and

making a special day for children. For most kids, candy is

sufficient to accomplish that goal, but what works for most

does not work for all. This dad and the neighbors who

participated in his plan were focused enough on the bigger

picture to be flexible with the specifics.

Similarly. stewardship requires us to focus on the

mission enough that we can accommodate changing

circumstances. For instance, the homeless shelter that

accepted our clothing donations last year may not need

them this year. The way we sent care packages to soldiers

five years ago may have become more costly for the

military to deliver that we realized. Likewise, if we want to

continue meeting the same needs, we need to increase

giving levels because, in most situations, a $5 or $10 or

$100 offering is worth less today than it was a few years

ago.

If your goal is to give ministries what they need to

thrive, then our giving should begin with a question,

“What do you need today?”

Prayer

God, thank you for all the ways you call us to meet

needs and bring about healing and wholeness in the world.

Give us the curiosity to understand what is most helpful

and the humility and creativity to change when needed.

Amen.


Long before Memorial Day became a national

holiday, the church has had her own “Memorial Day”,

All Saints’ Day. For 16 centuries, the church has set aside a day to

remember the martyrs and saints of the church. It is a day

to remember those who have gone before us in the faith

and to recognize that we stand in a long line of saints.

This is a true festival of the church. It is a day for all of

us, because we are all saints – forgiven sinners set apart for

God’s Kingdom.

On November 3 we will remember the following

members who have passed away in the past year, or non-

members whose funerals were done through Zion.

Preben Knudsen 11/19/2012

Carolyn Kelley 12/31/2012

Ralph Jones 1/7/2013

Barbara Engel 3/15/2013

Loretta Griesinger 5/2/2013

Russell Sick 6/6/2013

Dorothy Jones 6/27/2013

Damon Steiner 8/10/213

IT IS TIME AGAIN to order

poinsettias to be used in the

sanctuary for the Christmas

season. They may be taken home

after the 10:30 p.m. Christmas

Eve service. The cost for a plant is

$8.00 and checks may be made payable to Zion

Lutheran Church. Please fill out the form below and

place in the offering plate or bring to the church

office by November 27.

Name _________________________________________

How Many Red _______________ White ____________

In Memory of ___________________________________

______________________________________________

In Honor of _____________________________________

______________________________________________

Missionary Corner

“Did you know that Jesus is coming back?” Jose Luis

shouted at a church last Sunday. A handful shook their

heads “no” in disbelief. Jesus is coming back. It’s a

promise. But it won’t happen until the gospel has been

preached to all nations (Matthew 24:14). And we believe

that the Body of Christ has everything they need to

accomplish the task in this generation….if we work

together. That is why the Call2All congress we’re hosting

in Puebla is sending chills up people’s backs.

Last year Call2All made plans to be in South Africa in

November 2013, but as the board (made up of some of the

largest ministries in the world) prayed, they felt the Lord

leading them to have it in Mexico instead. They

approached our director and asked if we would host the

congress. After praying, he told them it would have to be

in Puebla because that’s where we live. Now, nearly a year

later we find ourselves working shoulder to shoulder with

pastors, missionaries, and lay leaders throughout the city

and beyond to make this happen. The Call2All congress

from November 5-8 will call the Church to a renewed,

focused collaborative effort to fulfill the Great

Commission. Never before have so many of the world's

leaders in missions come together in Mexico for such a

purpose. There will be around 100 speakers, over 80

workshops offered, roundtable sessions where people will

be asked to work together, strategize and pray about

reaching the unreached people groups of the world, and

more.

Please pray for us and for the Call2All congress.

Christy is in charge of finding, coordinating, and

scheduling interpreters for this. And Jose Luis…well, what

isn’t he involved in or in charge of? Let’s just say that after

the congress we hope to catch up on our sleep. Please

pray for our health and the health of all involved, and for

safe travels for people coming from all over Mexico and

even as far as Nigeria. Pray that God would provide all of

the interpreters needed, for security and that all of the

other details would come together. And most of all, pray

that every tribe, tongue and nation would hear the good

news of salvation through Jesus in our lifetime.

Thank you, for holding our arms up in the battle and

for partnering with us in the gospel! We can’t explain how

helpful it is to know that you’ve got our backs as we work

to accomplish things that seem impossible. We love and

appreciate you.

Until they all hear,

Jose Luis & Christy Sanchez


Have you remembered

Zion in your Will?

PRESCRIPTION BOTTLES

Many thanks to those of you who have

been bringing your prescription bottles in.

The program has been a great success. We

hope that you will continue to bring your prescription

bottles in. They are taken to Matthew Ministries and used

for prescription medicines in developing countries.

So.....Drop off EMPTY pill bottles in the container in

the Great Hall. We accept prescription pill bottles and

over-the-counter pill bottles (such as vitamins). Please be

sure to rinse bottles and remove labels. You can also drop

a nickel, dime or quarter in them to help with postage.

This is an easy and inexpensive way to help people in

developing countries as well as recycling those bottles;

making sure they don't end up in a landfill here.

Zion Seniors

The Young at Heart, a social group for those 55

and over, will be eating lunch at The Golden Lamb in

Lebanon on Tuesday, December 3. We’ll meet at the

restaurant at 11:15 or call the church office and we

can car pool. Please sign the sheet in the great hall if

you would like to go along.

We encourage all our seniors or almost seniors to

go along for these fun outings. It gives you a chance to

get to know your fellow church members.

TAILS FROM GOD

As part of the Tails From God ministry, Zion has a

recycling program to benefit the Animal Friends Humane

Society. Simply bring in your used printer cartridges, cells

phones, toner cartridges, PDAs, and MP3 Players and put

them in the recycling box in the church office. They will

be packaged, shipped and sent to eCycle Group

(www.ecyclegroup.com) and the money given to the

Animal Friends Humane Society. This is a wonderful

opportunity to be good stewards of God's creation

by protecting the environment and the abused and

neglected animals in Butler County. If you have questions,

please contact Karen Conklin, 513-863-0532.

Reminder from Tails From God ministry. There is

a box in the Great Hall for donations to Animal Friends

Humane Society. Clorox bleach, powdered laundry soap,

all sizes heavy garbage bags, AAA Duracell or Energizer

batteries, and first class postage stamps are always on the

"wish list." Any questions, call Karen Conklin, 513-863-

0532.

Teens Reaching Up To Heaven

Hello Supportive Zion Members,

Last year, many of you were willing to register

your Kroger Card to Zion's TRUTH Youth Group.

This allowed for your Community Reward points to

be donated to TRUTH. That registration has now

expired and it is time to re-register your Kroger Card.

Please go to Kroger.com and scroll to the bottom of

the page and find Account Registration. After clicking

on that, please log on by using your email address and

password. If you have forgotten your password, click

on "forgot my password" and follow the directions to

re-set your password. After signing in, scroll down to

the bottom of the right hand column and update the

Community Rewards section. Zion's TRUTH

organization number is 82126.

Please contact me with any questions or concerns.

Thank you so much for your ongoing support!!

Leanne Bowling

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November 9, 2013 Adult Fellowship Activity

Pumpkinfest

Hosts: Mike and Kathy Frye

Where:

Our home

6304 Sauterne Court

Liberty Township, Ohio 45011

What is Pumpkinfest you may ask -

Prepare your FAVORITE Pumpkin

recipe (a soup, pie, cake, or

something else) and include your

recipe to share. You say you don’t

have a favorite pumpkin recipe; then,

find something you think would have

a fall flare and bring that with the

recipe.

Sloppy Joes will be provided.

Time: 6:30 and weather permitting we will

have a campfire

Sign-up in the Great Hall

Questions? - contact us

[email protected] or Julia in the

church office

OPEN DOOR PANTRY CONCERT

The 22nd

annual Open Door Pantry Concert will be

held again this year at Zion! We are so excited about this

event. This will be a wonderful opportunity to welcome

the community into our sanctuary for this special

concert of spiritual music. The concert will take place

on Sunday, November 3 at 3PM. This year’s performers

will be our own Paul Stanbery, organist, the OK

Journeymen Quartet, Laurin Sprague and his son,

Alexander, the First Baptist Church, Kennedy Heights

Male Chorus, Jade Kurlas, cellist, Connie Baesel,

soprano, and the Hamilton-Fairfield Symphony Chorus.

This concert is the major fundraiser for the Open

Door Pantry each year, and we hope that many people

will come out to enjoy the music and to support the

Pantry.

AGAIN THIS YEAR we need to organize a group

of 8-10 greeters or guides who will be posted at strategic

areas in the church (front and back doors, lounge,

elevator, etc.) to assist people in finding their way to the

sanctuary or to services like the elevator. We want

people to enjoy this experience here at Zion, not waste

time feeling frustrated because they can’t find the stairs,

the rest rooms, etc. If you would like to help with this

activity, please call Lori Rehm, 868-9798 or Julia, 863-

5774. We will have written guide lines to assist you, and

your help will be appreciated.

A congregational meeting will be held the first

weekend in December at all services. We will be

voting on the 2014 budget and new council members.

Please plan on being here.

Congregations grow when

members invite their friends to

worship and fellowship activities.

mailto:[email protected]


All Thrivent Members and Guests

are invited to

Annual Dinner

hosted by

Butler County Chapter of

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Thursday, November 21, 6:30pm

Courtyard by Marriott

Downtown Hamilton

Please sign the sign-up sheet in the great hall

by Thursday, November 7.

We will have a presentation: Social Security –

Strategize to Maximize. Please join us for a

complimentary presentation to learn how to sort

through the hundreds of options to help ensure the

choices you make are right for you – for the rest

of your life.

No products will be sold at this event. For additional

important disclosure information, please visit

Thrivent.com/disclosures.

The Angel Tree is coming again this year. Watch

the lounge for the tree to be set up and decorated with

angel wishes for Christmas. Please consider

sponsoring one of these young people. We get the

names from the Salvation Army. Each angel has a list

of suggestions, purchase what you feel confortable

with, it is not necessary to grant every wish. Take the

entire tag so that you can attach it to your gifts. Please

return your purcahse on or before December 15,

unwrapped and tagged, under the tree. Any questions,

call Barb Toman at 513-863-5651. Happy shopping!

A SPECIAL EVENT

On Saturday, November 16 from 11AM to 1PM the

students and faculty of Ridgeway Elementary School on

Wasserman Road are again hosting "Empty Bowls" to

support the Open Door Food Pantry. "Empty Bowls" is an

international project aimed at supporting the work of food

pantries that feed the poor. When you attend an "Empty

Bowls" event, you pay an admission fee, usually $10.00,

for which you are given a ceramic bowl. In many cases the

bowl is made by the students and parents of the host

school. In some cases hand-crafted bowls are contributed

by local art students and artists. In addition, you are served

a meal of homemade soup, beverage, and dessert. The

musical groups of the host school perform from time to

time during the event.

For this event at Ridgeway, donations of homemade

soups, cookies, and brownies would be appreciated. If you

are willing to make such a contribution, please bring your

food items to Ridgeway. Two years ago "Empty Bowls" at

Ridgeway offered 28 different kinds of soups, including

"alligator soup"! Please mark your calendar and attend this

very worthwhile event, and, if possible, make a

contribution of soup, cookies, or brownies.

Box Tops for Education

Please save Box Tops for Education (on General Mills

Products), and Campbell’s Soup labels. These are

collected at various City of Hamilton elementary schools

to pay for field trips. There is a container in the lounge to

put them in. We will see that they get to an elementary

school that can use them. Thanks.


Our prayers for God's healing and strength

are offered for those who have been

hospitalized or have medical or personal

issues:

Name: Requested by:

John Adams Tillie Adams

Beverly Allen Greg Allen

Leslie Andrew Lindsey Gibson

Millie Ante Member

Will Barnett Erin Sanchez

Dave Belew Lori Rehm

Marge Belew Ingrid Sanders

Lorainne Blanchard Gail Konrad

Verna Botts Cheryl Griesinger

Ella Boynton

Linda Brandt Julia Sears

Katie Land Brooks Sandy Ziepfel

Sandy Bunger Elaine Carpenter

Nicole Carson

Madison Chambers Mike Ford

Maiya Christiansen Susie Pflaumer Hassett

Gardner Cole Ingrid Sanders

Dave Cornett Gail Konrad

Adam Crosby Kelli Platt

Jane Day Gail Konrad

Charles Douthit Cheryl Griesinger

Jack & Evelyn Duvall Members

Lucy Emrick Kathy Chambers

Shannon Eshman Nancy Wenning

Quenten Fabiano email

Kelly Farler Member

Karin Bartels Filipas Member

Lyla Follmer Marcia Helsinger

Bob French Kathy Frye

Debbie Gibson Julia Sears

Linda Gibson Lindsey Gibson

Lois Godby Gail Konrad

Wilma Hawkey Kathy Frye

Ty Hester Lori Rehm

Jack Hiles Member

Marsha & Russell Isaacs Joe Sears

Tammy Jones

Shirley Kaelin Member

Shelby Kane

Emma Keck Jean Keck

Debbie Keehner Melba Keehner

Lee & Melba Keehner Members

Elnora Kehr Member

Ava Kemen Joe & Julia Sears

Brian Kerestan

Randy Kleinsmith Vicki Wheeler

Sadie Knott Kathy Frye

Jimmy Kollstedt Gail Konrad

Edmund Loge Brenda Savage

J.C. Luckett Gail Konrad

Mark Lykins Gayle Ford

Jasper Maffeo Mary Snavley

Mary Martin Marjorie McGill

Mary Phil & Karen Pflaumer

Chet Mastalcz

Marjorie McGill Member

Joy Merrill Member

Michelle Phil & Karen Pflaumer

Pete Mosher Kara Konrad

Jean Mueller Member

Karen Mueller Jean Mueller

Betty Mullen Debbie Ferguson

Matt Nicol Kristin & Allan Stierhoff

Mitch Parker Member

Sandy Parker Member

Charles Peck Libby Huston

Kathleen Peck Libby Huston

Robin Pendergest Angie Lauer

Joyce Pinter Member

Poleti Family Frank Martin

Kim Proeschel Helen Timmer

Judy Ramsey Kara Konrad

Sophia Ellen Riggs

Patty Robb Cheryl Griesinger

Maribeth Robinson Betty Ross

George Sanchez Member

Marge Schick Member

Ed Schmidt Member

Erica Schulze & family Frank Martin

Mark Schumacher Member

Frederic Seif Laura McAdams

Erin Simpson Sloan Member

Del Smith Marcia Helsinger

Heather Spurlino

Patty Sroufe Member

Ruth Stanton Vicki Wheeler

Dennis Steele Member

LaVerne Stewart Member

Jackie Isaacs Stout Member

Kaitlin Sunderhaus Darlene Onyett

Debbie Sunderman Gail Konrad

Janet Thompson Nancy Wenning

Helen Timmer Member

Bill Tirey Brenda Wilson

Paul Waechter Member

Robert M. Weidner Robert Weidner

Caroline Wendelken Member

Harry Whitaker Julia Sears

Jim Wilkins

Geri Willis Frank Martin

Karin Zapf


Our sincere Christian sympathy is extended to the

family and friends of Betty Ruter (friend of the Pflaumer

family) who passed away on September 28; Colleen

Rowsey (cousin of Joy Merrill) who passed away on

October 5; and Opan Wheeler (grandmother of Bob

Wheeler) who passed away on October 16.

Continue to pray for those in the armed forces:

Michael Brown, Alex Duwel, Andrew Copas, Joe

Copas, Megan Snyder, Ben Boyce, Justin Follick, Kevin

Niemann, Nick Ford, Lisa Johnson Lowery, Dustin

Lowery, Bradley Gill.

As people of God we want to pray for all who are sick

or have other prayer requests. If you or someone you know

is in need of prayer, please fill out a prayer request and put

it in the offering plate. However, if you have added

someone and they need to be taken off the list, please

fill out a request and put it in the offering plate, or call

the church office. Thanks for your help.

Here are blessings members have reported in the last

month…

God has answered a prayer. Helen Timmer

MEMBERS IN THE

NEWS

Kenzie Cain.……. Won numerous awards at the Butler

County Fair.

Carolyn Conrad.… Won numerous awards at the Butler

County Fair.

Melody Conrad.… Won numerous awards at the Butler

County Fair.

Mike Engel……... Shown playing trumpet at

Hamilton’s Oktoberfest

Shirley Kaelin...… Won numerous awards at the Butler

County Fair.

Kara Konrad..…... Engagement announcement.

Mark Reed.....…... Engagement announcement.

Erin Simpson-

Sloan…………….

Shown talking to judges at the bake-

in competition at the Butler County

Fair.

For complete articles, check the bulletin board. Anyone

having information or articles concerning activities or

achievements of Zion members are asked to drop them off

at the church office or give them to Shirley Kaelin.

Thanks to our October bulletin stuffers: Joan Boling,

Thelma Martin, Ruth Larson, Tom & Barb Toman, Cindy

Burkhart and Lori Rehm.

Thanks to everone who helped at clean-up day. The

sanctuary smelled so clean on Sunday, The gym looked

great, especially the stage area, and my office is so much

better. No more dust balls around the edge of the floor!

Thanks for cleaning the salt and pepper shakers, too. We’ll

get them refilled and they will be ready for the next time

we need them. Thanks to all for everything that was done!

Many thanks to all who supported the November 03

Open Door Food Pantry Concert - whether your

contribution was a donation, attendance at the concert, or

serving on the committee that assisted attendees around the

building on the day of the concert. You are very much

appreciated. Thank you so much!

Thank you to the following volunteers who delivered

Meals on Wheels in October: Tammy & Mike Adams,

Lori Rehm, Eric Wittig, Dave & Carolyn Schul, Ron &

Kay Erbeck and Ray & Marge Withrow. Your time and

willingness is appreciated.

Zion Lutheran Church,

Thank you very much for allowing me to photograph

your beautiful church. Your staff was incredibly kind and

accommodating! It was a pleasure!

Ashlea Cramer

Twenty Seven Photography

Letters of thanks were received from Graceworks and The

Ronald McDonald House in Memphis for donations we

sent them. They are posted on the bulletin board outside of

Julia’s office.

DECORATING COMMITTEE MEETING

On Tuesday, November 5 at 1:30 p.m. the decorating

committee will meet to plan the Hanging of the Greens.

We welcome anyone who has an ideas or would like to

help. Please join us in the choir room. We will need

people to decorate, help with the lunch, and plan crafts

and activities for the children. Please talk to Bill or Elaine

Carpenter or Julia Hilbert with your ideas or offers to help.


Council Minutes September 10, 2013

Present: Joan Boling, Lori Rehm, Phil Pflaumer, Ron

Alcorn, Ron Erbeck. Emily Sears, Jessica Purkiser, Joe

Sears, Bob Herold, Leanne Bowling, Mike Ford, Gayle

Ford, Wayne Huston, Robin Kaelin, Bennie Bowling, &

Derek Conklin. Excused: Wayne Huston, Shari Gerold, &

Bill Carpenter.

Motion (Conklin/G Ford) and passed to accept Job

Description for Pastor as presented.

PR – Website Presentation: Emily Sears gave a live

internet presentation of our new website. Everyone is

encouraged to go and sign up for the newsletters and to

explore the site.

Motion (Conklin/J Sears) and passed to accept August

minutes as corrected.

The Special Appreciation Award was passed from Ron

Alcorn to Phil Pflaumer for his may years of faithful

leadership at Zion.

Motion (J Sears/Kaelin) and passed to accept treasurer’s

report. Treasurer asked everyone to get their budgets in

by 10/1/2013.

Evangelism/PR Report: Motion (E Sears/L Bowling)

to approve up to $500 for Oktoberfest expenses (band

and food). Passed.

Stewardship Report: Phil shared there was $1927.59 in

acct. 258, our outreach separate of the ELCA. Motion

(Pflaumer/Conklin) and passed that this be used on two

ministries A) $927.59 to Open Door Pantry and B)

$1000.00 to Graceworks (Lutheran Social Services).

Youth & Family Fellowship: There will be a drive-in

September 21 in the gym for all members and friends.

Popcorn and candy for all; bring drinks of choice. Adult

Fellowship will see Women in the Church Basement on

October 13.

Parish Ed Report: Twenty letters went out to possible

confirmands. Our organist, Paul Stanbery with Allison

Ritz will be holding a Sunday school opening.

Trustees Report: Ron Erbeck reported drains have been

cleaned – needs to be done more often. Joe Sears handed

out a Security Policy for council to study and vote on

next month. We received bids from Progressive

Plumbing for furnace, and bids from Champion and

Gilkey for windows. Mike Ford mentioned problems

with security system. He was encouraged to work with

Kevin Heitz and get a bid to update system.

Motion (Kaelin/Pflaumer) and passed to clarify motion

made at May coundil meeting. A) That $4,000 is moved

from fund 109 to fund 133 bringing 133 up to $4,400

(Seminary Fund Account). B) That a scholarship be

granted to Brandon Huston to assist in his seminary

studies leading to ordained ministry in the Lutheran

Church, using funds in acct. 133. The amount is $1,000

per year split between semesters as long as student

provides school schedule and grades while maintaining

at least a C grade. Scholarship will be managed by

Zion’s office using the same process as with our other

scholarships.

Motion (Kaelin/J Sears) and passed to adjourn the

meeting.

Monthly statistics

Financial Stewardship

(as of September 30, 2013)

Income Expenses

2012 $17,775.17 $18,513.59

2013 $18,054.51 $25,638.31

YTD Operating Funds

Income Expenses Balance

2012 $170,958 $248,206

2013 $159,831 $189,391 -$32,307.80

Attendance Averages (August)

Church

Atten.

Sat.

Comm.

Sun.

Comm.

Sunday

School

110 12 96 23


October 17, 2013

A Message from Bishop Dillahunt

Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

The calendar has turned and October is in full swing. Opening with the Installation of Presiding

Bishop Eaton at Rockefeller Chapel and closing with the Reformation Service at Wittenberg

University, which includes my installation, this a month with a tight focus on the Church,

particularly the Church beyond ourselves. For those of you who missed it, Bishop Eaton’s

installation was a wonderful witness to our connectedness around the world with other Lutheran

Christians, our ecumenical partners and other faiths. The sights and sounds of that service, from the

variety of vestments, to the music, to the multiplicity of languages served as sensory reminders of

the great variety of God’s people. For me that reminder is helpful.

It is helpful to remember how closely we are connected and how much we rely on one another. Our

tithes and offerings not only support our local ministries and outreaches but also those ministries

beyond ourselves. And it is those ministries that become most vulnerable when mission support

does not meet expectations.

We agree at Synod Assemblies on supporting operating budgets and it is up to us to meet those

budgets. I want to remind you that I am committed to have our connections to the ELCA and other

partners be as a strong possible, including our financial partnerships, because there are things we

can do better together than separate. To that end, I remind you, that I will not add another assistant

to the bishop position until we can support and sustain at least the 40% plus commitment to the

ELCA. We are not there yet! Pr. Jeff Wick accepted the call to serve as an assistant to the bishop.

Pr. Ed Williams accepted the call to serve as the assistant to the bishop for Evangelical Mission and

is our direct link to the ELCA. Their workload is extensive.

As of January 31, 2014, Perfect Balance, our accounting firm, will be replaced with Mrs. Joy

Hacker, CPA, who will work with the accounts and congregational remittances. In the coming

weeks, look for a remittance statement from February to September of congregational giving.

Fall Consultations are happening and I look forward to seeing rostered and lay leaders at these

events. This helps us be connected in ministry to each other and beyond ourselves. I also look

forward to seeing you on Reformation Saturday at Weaver Chapel to celebrate our walking together

as the people who are the Southern Ohio Synod.

Please keep our brothers and sisters in Christ in Colorado, South Dakota and India in your prayers

as they recover and rebuild after the recent storm damage in their respective regions.

Blessings,

Bishop Suzanne D. Dillahunt

©2013 Southern Ohio Synod. All rights reserved.

300 S. Second St. | Columbus, OH 43215

t (614) 464-3532 | f (614) 464-3422

http://southernohiosynod.org/


THE PARISH PAPER

IDEAS AND INSIGHTS FOR ACTIVE CONGREGATIONS

Coeditors: Herb Miller and Cynthia Woolever - www.TheParishPaper.com

November 2013 - Volume 21, Number 11 Copyright © 2013 by Martin Davis

E-newsletters: Worth More Than You Know

E-newsletters are pervasive—marketers, business-

es, politicians, civic organizations, and physicians,

among many others, prize them for the content they

deliver. Churches have also embraced e-newsletters

because information can be easily shared with mem-

bers. But they’re worth more—much more.

Whether your congregation is new to e-newsletters

or a long-time user, the vast majority of congregations

do not fully mine the reader information that e-

newsletter companies make available. Many people are

aware that e-newsletters provide “open” and “click”

rates; however, this overlooks 90 percent of what makes

e-newsletters such a powerful tool for building

community, empowering your staff, and reaching out to

others.

Using E-newsletters Effectively

In an age where social media (Facebook, Twitter,

Pinterest, etc.) and mobile technology represent the

cutting edges of communications, e-newsletters are a bit

old-school. What sets e-newsletters apart from any other

form of electronic communication?

They provide a true look into readers’ reactions to

what your church is supporting. While social media

allows for feedback and reaction, those writing are

aware that everyone is seeing what they’re saying and

reacting to, so they self-screen what they say. They

may “like” something not because they really like it,

but because a friend—or the minister—put it up. E-

newsletter subscribers, however, do no such self-

screening. Most are unaware that others are tracking

what they open and click (though this is beginning to

change), and in the comfort of their home or office

they feel no compunction to engage something for

reasons other than genuine interest.

They provide unparalleled granular detail about who

reads your material. E-newsletter data allow you to

track readers’ reading histories, who they have shared

the information with, and how many times any given

piece is read over time and by who.

They can help develop a stronger sense of commu-

nity. E-newsletters require a great deal of work. Some

congregations are finding that in this work there is an

opportunity to create community by turning members

into profile-writers, book reviewers, designers, and

editors. The e-newsletter goes beyond sharing

information; it develops community.

Best Approaches

Developing healthy approaches to working with e-

newsletters ensures that you remain flexible in your

work. Done right, e-newsletters should constantly be

changing as you use them to experiment with new ideas

and adapt to what your members show interest in.

Think and Learn. E-newsletters are popular tools for

sharing and promoting activities and programs. In

reality, pushing information is among the least

effective uses of this tool. When building your e-

newsletter, think first about what you want to learn,

not what you need to communicate. Are your edu-

cation programs connecting with people? Do you

understand how people connect with one another?

What are the big ideas your congregation wrestles


with? Are people’s spiritual needs being met? Are

they growing spiritually? Are there undiscovered

volunteers you don’t know about? Running articles

that test these ideas will yield rich results.

Track, Track, Track. It’s not enough to know how

many times something was opened, or how many

clicks it received. Alone, this data tells you little.

However, placed in context, and measured over time,

you will begin to understand the habits and interests of

your congregation. Are people on mobile or desktops?

Do they read in the morning, afternoon, or evening?

Are they sharing the information on social media? If

they are, which channels? Do certain members read

everything? Who are they? Do certain members just

lurk? Why? What time of year do people respond to

which topics? Tracking can tell you all this, and raise

hundreds of additional questions.

Embrace Being Wrong. The desire to be right all the

time will impede your ability to learn what your e-

newsletter is teaching you. Pieces that receive few

clicks and opens aren’t failures but important lessons

in what people respond to. Maybe it was poorly writ-

ten. Poorly timed. Poorly placed. Ask the hard ques-

tion: Why did this fail to engage congregational

readers? Then search for the answers.

Mistakes to Avoid

We expect a lot out of our church communications.

And although most of us know that no one way of

communicating will reach everyone, we want to be-

lieve that we can develop that one channel that most

people in the congregation will depend on for infor-

mation. And while carefully designed e-newsletters will

tell you a lot, they are not a panacea anymore than social

media, print newsletters, bulletin boards, phone trees, or

public announcements. But to get the most out of this

communication tool, here are five practices to avoid:

Don’t send a PDF of your existing print newsletter.

Most people don’t read print newsletters. Putting your

print piece in e-newsletter format won’t change that.

An e-newsletter represents a whole other way of

communicating, so wrapping it up in an online for-

mat won’t make the print version more appetizing, or

the electronic communication exciting.

Don’t expect everyone to get on board. As noted

above, e-newsletters can be great community builders.

But not everyone is going to share your excitement.

Don’t expect or force them to. If you do, those who

resist will feel left out and unheard.

Don’t expect instant results. Building a readership

takes time. Many church leaders expect half or more

of the congregation will read the e-newsletter in the

beginning. They’re shocked when they realize that

only 10 percent of subscribers (and not everyone

subscribes) will read what you write at first. Time,

patience, and a willingness to be wrong and to learn

will change this.

Don’t abandon other communication channels. On

average, you can only expect 10 percent of subscrib-

ers to click through and read your e-newsletter early

on. Most congregations are fortunate to get 30 per-

cent of members to subscribe initially. If you drop

other communication channels right away, you’re

effectively cutting off 60-70 percent of your congre-

gation. Allow the e-newsletter to blossom and work in

tandem with other ways of communicating.

Don’t ignore the tracking. The ability to track what

every reader reads, and doesn’t read, over long periods

is what sets e-newsletters apart from social media, the

website, and print publications. If you choose to

ignore it, you have effectively nullified all the

positives that e-newsletters bring to a congregation.

So What Do I Use?

There are many good e-newsletter programs on the

market. The oldest, and probably best known, is Con-

stant Contact, which features robust analytics, easy

design, and a full range of exceptional templates. Many

other programs share the program’s one drawback—it

costs. Not much at first, but Constant Contact and others

charge for every little feature.

MailChimp is an excellent alternative. Analytics,

photos, and basic templates are all free, as are sending

the emails—so long as your list doesn’t exceed 2,000

people and you don’t send more than 12,000 individual

emails per month. Most churches will never come close

to this.

Final Thoughts

E-newsletters offer a communication learning ex-

perience that no other tool can match. With careful

tracking, you can learn what your congregation reacts to,

improve the way you communicate with them, and test

new ideas. The results? Empowered staff, a more

connected congregation, and unprecedented insight into

your members’ lives.

_______________________ About the Writer: Martin Davis owns Sacred Language

Communications, formerly directed Alban’s Congregational

Resource Guide, and has 20 years of experience working with

congregations (www.sacredlanguagecommunications.com).

Copyright © 2013 by Martin Davis www.TheParishPaper.com

http://www.theparishpaper.com/


WORSHIP ASSISTANTS FOR NOVEMBER

Date

Acolyte

8:00 a.m.

Acolyte

10:30 a.m.

November 3 Usher Team Alex Bruner

November 10 Usher Team Samantha Bowling

November 17 Usher Team Nicholas Lombardi

November 24 Usher Team Eric Bowling

Altar Guild: Nedda Brown, Leanne Bowling Ushers: Wayne Huston & team (8:00)

Phil Pflaumer & team (10:30)

Lectors: Nov 3 Peggy Thomin (8:00); Thelma Martin (10:30)

Nov 10 Beth Allen (8:00); Phil Pflaumer (10:30)

Nov 17 Cindy Burkhart (8:00); Lou Robinson (10:30)

Nov 24 Gail Heitz (8:00); Ken Gerold (10:30)

Greeters: Nov 3 Nancy Wenning (8:00); Don & Jean Keck (10:30)

Nov 10 Bud Scharf (8:00); Lori Rehm (10:30)

Nov 17 Ron & Kay Erbeck (8:00); Lou Robinson (10:30)

Nov 24 Bob & Marcia Helsinger (8:00); Wayne & Patrice Huston (10:30)

Eucharist Nov 3 Tom & Barb Toman (8:00); Marge Withrow, Carolyn Soupene (10:30)

Assistants: Nov 10 Anita Snyder, Tillie Adams (8:00); Phil Pflaumer, Kathy Chambers (10:30)

Nov 17 Wayne & Patrice Huston (8:00); Lori Rehm, Shari Gerold (10:30)

Nov 24 Tom & Barb Toman (8:00); Robin Kaelin, Ken Gerold (10:30)

Radio: Nov 3 Lou Robinson Nursery: Eric & Samantha Bowling

Nov 10 Ron Alcorn

Nov 17 Adam Reed

Nov 24 Charles Kaelin

Bulletin Nov 1 Joan Boling Offering Nov 3 Gayle Ford, Shari Gerold

Stuffers: Nov 8 Lori Rehm Counters: Nov 10 Bill Carpenter, Mike Frye

Nov 15 Ruth Larson, Thelma Martin Nov 17 Joan Boling, Lori Rehm

Nov 22 Barb & Tom Toman Nov 24 Gayle Ford

Nov 27 Sandy Parker

The mission of Zion is to

Encourage a growing faith in Jesus Christ and to

Equip all people for witness and service.

November - Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church

Documents

Transcript of November - Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church