September 2004 Newsletter
More From The Pastor On Confirmation At Zion
With the beginning of my first Confirmation Class at Zion, I have been pushing for the idea of leading our youth on a Mission Trip to Mecklenburg, a beautiful province in what was once East Germany, just north and west of Berlin. I have heard that Mecklenburg is beautiful in the spring; and I've got June of 2006 in mind. Melanie Slease was our "Missionary in Mecklenburg" throughout the course of this past year. She was one of a handful of young Lutherans who were invited to serve with our ELCA's Young Adults in Global Missions. Melanie, soon to be a junior at Capital University, had an exceptional experience, and has returned to Zion with plenty of great ideas for our Mission Trip to Mecklenburg.
Sure, we could serve with agencies that reach out to persons in need right here in Canton, or Charleston, or anywhere along our east coast. But think about the opportunity to join with Lutherans serving in Berlin. Think about the train ride south to Wittenberg and Lutherstadt, where the historic sites of our Lutheran heritage will make church history come alive. Think about visiting with the community of persons who became like family to Melanie, and reaching out to neighbors in need halfway around the globe. This could, and should be, the most exciting Confirmation Program in the history of Zion! And it's not just for our present Confirmands. We would like at least 10 youth, and also 6 adults to join us for the journey.
Costs might seem prohibitive; but we hope to keep the cost of travel down by staying with host families and in local churches. If everything works to perfection, and our fundraising efforts are successful, our youth missioners will pay no more than $200.00 for this world-class experience in service. Those who have even the slightest interest in joining this effort should plan on visiting our display table at the Ministry Fair on Rally Day. Plan on getting involved in our major fundraising efforts coming up in October. The Youth Missions Fall Craft Fair will need all the help everyone can offer. During the added Oktoberfest attraction of our German Takeout Dinners, we have already begun to look for members and friends who will donate 200 DINNERS FOR 200 DINERS, dinners donated for neighbors in need.
I cannot imagine a more exciting way to learn about Lutheran heritage than through the excitement of preparing for a trip to visit our Lutheran roots in Germany. Not everyone studying Luther's Small Catechism in Confirmation will want to travel to Germany; but all of our Confirmands will benefit from the experiences of those who do; and any adults who are interested in joining us in our efforts will benefit as well. You're invited. Join in.
Special Thanks To All For The SON GAMES 2004
Vacation Bible School Olympians joined us at Son Games 2004, August 9th through the 13th. It was a week of great fun, learning and serving God. The children were taught five lessons about Paul and how he became one of God's MVPs. Each day provided the children with an important theme for their daily lives as members of God's Team. Monday was Join In! Tuesday, Team Up! Wednesday, Get Strong! Thursday, Keep On! Friday, Celebrate! We all learned the importance of Teamwork, spelled out T.E.A.M. - Together Everyone Accomplishes More! And that is what happened throughout the week! We welcomed and worked with between 59 and 68 children each day. The children experienced a wide variety of activities during the week - great lessons, music, crafts, skits, with games and fitness challenges, great food, several community service projects, Water Day and an Olympic Day.
Once again, service projects were an important focus of the week. What better way to teach the children about God's love! First, we were able to collect $470 in offerings this year. We had a contest each day between the boys and girls to see who brought in the most money - the boys won 2 days, the girls won 2 days, and on Friday they tied! Everyone was a winner with this project! With matching funds from Thrivent, we will donate about $300 to the Stark County MRDD's Special Olympics and $300 to the Stark County Hunger Task Force. The children made us very proud as they joined together and teamed up to help others!
The children also brought in a multitude of food for our Food Pantry overflowing three large tubs. Another service project allowed the children to put together 46 school kits with additional miscellaneous supplies for the children of our Food and Clothing Pantry families! Thank you to everyone for your overwhelming and very generous response to our request for school supplies! Finally, the children created enough quilt squares for Zion's Comfort Givers to sew 9 quilts. One was raffled off at the Ice Cream Social raising $175 for our VBS Program. The other 8 quilts will be sent to Lutheran World Relief. The children served God well with the awesome work they did this week on all of our service projects. Together Everyone Accomplished More!
As always, music was one of the highlights of VBS thanks to Suzanne Walters. She did an amazing job with the kids teaching them the songs, motions, dancing and sign language. She put together a wonderful program for the Ice Cream Social that parents, family and friends truly enjoyed. Our crafts were once again outstanding thanks to the creativity, patience, organization and flexibility of Carol Rossbach, Anna Mae LeBeau and Mabel Kolarik.
A special thank you to some of Zion's youth who were willing to put on a skit each morning to help the children understand the theme of the day! Anna Sherwindt as Tumbelina Turnover, Annie Forsyth as Stella Swift, Chad Riffle as Brutus Liftsalot and Matt Slease as Joe Gabbyola did a great job each day. Parents and children looked forward to each day's skit to see what was going to happen next to this small team as they Joined In, Teamed Up, Got Strong, Kept On and Celebrated their accomplishments!
Robin Holland from the American Red Cross joined us on Wednesday and spoke to the children about the program the American Red Cross and the Olympic Committee does together. She also gave them some important tips about helping others and taking good care of themselves.
The week finished out with Water Day on Thursday, the Ice Cream Social which was sponsored by Thrivent on Thursday night and our own Olympics on Friday where the kids competed at relay races, tug of war, kick ball, volleyball and soccer.
Our kitchen, led by Shirley Cavender and Darlene Milavickas, gave us an international menu this year to go along with our Olympic theme. Each day brought great food and great decorations which the children really enjoyed.
VBS was a great success due to the contributions of all involved - the staff, the children, their families and the congregation. Thank you to everyone who donated supplies, food, money and/or their time!
TEAM ZION'S HEAD COACH: Debbie Fox
COACHES (and Assistant Coaches):
3 & 4 yr Old Class: Melissa Riffle (Shawna Barwick & Amber Rhoads)
Pre-K: Valerie Cizek (Cera Snyder)
Kindergarten: Melanie Slease (Julie McCartt)
1st & 2nd Grade: Connie Riffle (Karen Kolarik & Charlie Cavender)
3rd & 4th: Renee Schrader (Ann Lemmo, Anna Sherwindt & Annie Forsyth)
5th & 6th: Chuck Danner & Chris Thomas (Josh Roan)
Nursery: Thank you to Linda Lancashire for being on call all week if we needed her!
Music: Suzanne Walters
Crafts: Carol Rossbach, Anna Mae LeBeau & Mabel Kolarik
Daily Skits: Annie Forsyth, Anna Sherwindt, Chad Riffle & Matt Slease
Games & Outdoor Activities: Dean Fox, Pastor Sherwindt, Sharon Stout, Mary Humbert, Matt Slease, Chad Riffle
Registration: Darlene Milavickas, Sharon Stout & Tammy Fisher
The Son Games Daily Newsletters: Lisa Roman
T Shirt Day Craft Leaders: Amy Mathie, Susan Forsyth, Mary Humbert & Abby Deremer
Decorations, Props & Prep Work: Lisa Roman, Carol Rossbach, Mabel Kolarik, Mary Humbert, Anna Mae LeBeau, Janet Slease, Melanie Slease, Connie Riffle, Melissa Riffle, Ann Lemmo, Renee Schrader, Sharon Stout, Karen Kolarik, Darlene Milavickas, Doug Roman, Chris Thomas
Kitchen: Shirley Cavender, Darlene Milavickas, Ashley Porter, Helen Ballentine, Claudia Griesen, Lauren Cavender
T-Shirt Sales & Quilt Raffle: Mary Humbert
DVD: Chuck Danner
Digital Photography: Becca Coulter & Lisa Roman
Quilters: Kay Davis, Helen Edwards, Joyce Gibeaut, Helen Heller, Betty Tracy, Edna Smith, Ruth Elsass & Pat Stayer
Do Anything Crew: All the Above!
Thrivent for the Ice Cream Social
Food Donations: Zepp's in North Canton for Friday's Pizza
Gail Vogt for the hot dogs
This year was truly amazing! Because of the above group of volunteers, our program was at its best. I am very blessed with a great group of people who make the program what it is! Everyone was willing to pitch in wherever they were needed! I could not do it without everyone's help and support, and for that I am grateful from the bottom of my heart!
Thank you again to all involved!
Debbie Fox
VBS Chair
Great News From The ZION SUNDAY SCHOOL
Upcoming Events - Mark your calendars!
Sunday, September 5: NO SUNDAY SCHOOLSunday, September 12: Celebrate Rally Day
Sunday, September 19: Sunday School Begins
The Son Games 2004 was a huge success! We had a great week of lessons about Paul and about being very important members of God's Team. We also had outstanding music, crafts, skits, food, games and service projects! We had a great group of volunteers this year that made our program one of the best yet! Our Son Game Olympians learned to Join In! Team Up! Get Strong! Keep On! and Celebrate as part of God's Team!
As summer draws to a close, we look forward to a new Sunday School year with a new Sunday School curriculum. We will be using Augsburg Fortress' Witness program this year. The goal of this program is to know, grow and show: (1) know God's Word, (2) grow in His Faith, and (3) show service. There will be a new lesson each week, and each lesson will have a Faith Trait.
Faith Traits are values that will be related to Bible characters, and each lesson will provide activities that develop the trait in our youth at church and outside of church. It is an exciting and interesting program that promises a great year of learning and fun!
Following our Ministry Fair, we will move outside to the pavilion. Our August 8th Kickoff for the Son Games went so well that we wanted to have another Outdoor Worship Service and Congregational Potluck Picnic without delay. That's what we plan for Rally Day. The 10:30 a.m. service will take place outside in the pavilion. Dress casually, and bring lawn chairs. We will plan to eat at 11:45 a.m., with fun for all after that: a euchre tournament, a three-on-three basketball tournament, a horse shoes tournament, and so much more. So, plan on joining us on the 12th, and having a great time.
Thank You's to Zion
Dear Members of Zion,
I want to thank you for all your prayers and cards that were sent my way while I was in the hospital and recuperating at home. They all meant so much. I want to thank Pastor for his calls and prayers. They also meant so much.
In God's Love and Care,
Mabel Snyder
Most Grateful,
I want to thank Pastor Sherwindt, Chuck Danner, and Evelyn & Larry Moore for their visits while I was in Woodlawn. I also appreciated the flowers and the get well cards.
In Faith and Prayer,
Mary Brown
Dear Friends in Christ,
It is a joy for me to bring you greetings and thanks from Bishop Mark Hanson and all of my colleagues who are partners in ministry with you in the ELCA. Your gifts of support for Global Missions has its impact on the lives of people in this country and around the globe and will be allocated as you have so indicated. Every day it is a privilege for me to hear stories of ministry taking place in Kenya, Tanzania, Boston and rural Iowa. Your church is there feeding the hungry, raising up new leaders who will serve as pastors for the future, and reaching out to welcome new members to our congrega-tions. Thanks for you. Together we are living in God's amazing grace.
Sincerely yours,
Donald M. Hallberg, Executive
Director, ELCA Foundation
Church Council News
We spent the better part of our meeting marveling at the extraordinary support we received for our Outdoor Worship Service and Congregational Potluck Picnic on August 8th. Attendance was great; but even more importantly, everyone had a fabulous time. Our thanks to everyone who made our worship service so enjoyable - the Walters family, Melanie Slease and Leah Holten, Margaret Reichenbach, and Shameless (Tony Arteno, Bruce Whitsel, Dane Jeffries, Mike Dieffenbach, and Terry Rohr).
We so enjoyed the music Shameless offered during worship and for the picnic that the Church Council insisted on offering some sort of gift expressing our appreciation for their efforts. Shameless was touched by our gratitude, but let us know that they enjoyed the day every bit as much as we did. "Thank you for the nice gesture. We all had a very wonderful time playing music at Sunday's service." It was a great day. Thanks to our phone team, to our set-up and clean-up crew, to our kitchen crew, to the folks who organized games for the kids, to everyone who brought a covered dish or a dessert. It was a job well done.
A good part of the meeting focused on the need to form a five-person Task Force for organizing the various aspects of our FIVE-YEAR PROPERTY RENOVATION PLAN.
Finally, Pastor Sherwindt indicated that he might need some vacation time and some Continuing Education time the weeks of October 6th and 13th. The Companion Synod Subcommittee has invited him to visit with our partners in South Africa in order to advance the plans that are being made for the Northeastern Ohio Synod's 2005 Youth Mission Trip to the Northern Diocese.
Congregational News
To the Zion Congregational Family:
As many of you know, I recently lost my teaching job at Garaway Local Schools in Sugarcreek due to budget cuts. Although I hoped to find a teaching job close to the Canton area, I was unsuccessful. I have, however, been offered and have accepted a teaching job on the west side of Cleveland.
I took a couple of weeks to really consider what to do about my position as Zion's Choir Director. I have come to the conclusion that it will not be feasible for me to continue working at Zion while living in the Cleveland area. I am writing this letter to inform you that I am resigning my duties at Zion as of September 1, 2004.
I have really enjoyed the two years that I have had the privilege of serving as Zion's Choir Director. Barbara and I will both miss the many new friends that we have made at Zion.
Sincerely,
Andrew Purdum
September Anniversaries
ANNIVERSARIES FOR SEPTEMBER
09/03 John & Virginia Long
09/03 Drew & Beth Heller
09/07 Bill & Peggy Leed
09/20 Calvin & Mary Shunk
09/21 Sam & Beth Shaheen
09/22 Jim & Betty Boettler
09/30 Dick & Susan King
A Note to Our Readers:
If you would like your anniversary information included in The Zion Herald,
just let the church office know by calling Helen Alex, 330-499-3909.
The Women of Zion(Reaching Out around the World)
LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF
In several weeks it will be time to pack for Lutheran World Relief. At this point in time we are still in need of the following items:
Health Kits: tooth paste (4.5 oz. or larger),
hand towels, combs, and soap.
School Kits: pencil sharpeners, scissors
(blunt tip), cloth school bags.
Please place these items in the sewing closet, which is the second closet in Luther Hall. We appreciate your help. God bless you! If you can't get out to shop, then a monetary contribution is welcome, and may be left in the Church Office, or given to one of the Comfort Giver sewers. Thank you.
CHANCEL GUILD will meet on Tuesday, September 14, at 6:30 p.m. in Luther Hall.
Our project is Pregnancy Support Center of Stark County. Items are to be brought in for layettes and a boutique where girls can buy clothing, formula, and similar items as they need them. Think about bringing such items as baby formula (Isomil & iron, premixed or any other type, liquid or powdered); diapers (cloth or disposable, all sizes); baby bottles; baby soap, baby oil, powder, shampoo; crib; blankets, receiving blankets, thermal blankets; sheets for cribs; towels; wash cloths; all sizes of clothing from birth to 3 months, all the way to 2 years old; diaper bags; infant toys, rattles, and other such items.
Layettes contain 1 receiving blanket, newborn diapers, 1onesies, 1 sleeper, 1 sweater or jacket, booties or socks, head cover. Remember these do not need to be new. BABYLAND has good used articles! Happy hunting, and thanks for your interest and your help. It is greatly appreciated.
Odds ' N Ends at Zion
The Canton-Massillon Conference of the Northeastern Ohio Synod Women's Organi-zation (also known as N.E.O.S.W.O.) will hold their Fall Cluster Meeting here at Zion on Saturday, September 25th, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Their Guest Speaker will be Pastor Sherwindt, who will speak about MASEALAMA, an AIDS-related ministry initiated by the Prayer Women's League in our Companion Synod to help combat the AIDS pandemic in South Africa. MASEALAMA is also the focus of our Synod's 2005 Youth Mission Trip to South Africa. Pastor Sherwindt, and the thirty-two persons who are signed up for the 2005 Youth Mission Trip to ELCSA-ND, hope to make MASEALAMA a household word in northeast Ohio, a synonym for making a difference in the battle against AIDS halfway around the world in Africa.
Did you enjoy our study of Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Life at Zion? Well, get ready for its fabulous sequel, The Purpose Driven Church. This is a must-read for those who want our church to grow and to flourish. Our focus on the Rule of Christ in Matthew 18 has challenged us to translate the Good News of God's grace into our practice of mutual forgiveness. This is the start Christ intended for the Church with the "Little Pentecost" described in John 20. Rick Warren can help us move forward with the mission of the church. Join us as we seek to discover how Zion can become the church God wants us to be by providing a purpose to live for, a people to live with, principles to live by, a profession to live out, and power to live with. We'll begin during the Sunday School hour on Septem-ber 19, and carry through with our discus-sion groups on Wednesday and Thursday.
Zion's Body Builders
THE MEN OF ZION enjoyed some really delicious food and great fellowship, as a group of eighteen met on Wednesday, August 17, to talk about logos on T-shirts, and tournaments on Rally Day. We took some time to celebrate the success of our
Coed Softball Team. We would like to thank all of our members and friends who helped us to have fun, while getting some good exercise, especially in humility.
We look forward to a great Rally Day, and to an upcoming meeting with interested congregations in the North Canton Ministerial Association to talk about a Coed Volley-ball League. That meeting is going to take place at Zion on Wednesday, September 8.
In the meantime, don't forget to sign up for our tournaments on Rally Day. Basketball, euchre, horse shoes: there will be something for everyone, with prizes for first-place finishers. Remember those logos and T-shirts mentioned above? Find out what they look like on September 12th, and win one … for the Gipper, or just for yourself.
Finally, our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 8th, when Bob (and Linda) Lancashire will prepare lasagna for the group, as we look forward to an interesting presentation by a Guest Speaker. Dr. Jahed Asfoura, a native of Damascus, Syria, and a medical doctor specializing in hematology and practicing in the Canton area. Dr. Asfoura will speak to us about the conversion of Saul of Tarsus to the Apostle Paul. This was a great event in the life of the church, and will be a great event here at Zion, too. Men and women are invited to join us. The food is served at 6:00 p.m. The program begins at 7:00 p.m. Let the Church Office know if you plan to attend.
Our Fellowship Honoree for September: CATHERINE ELSASS
Catherine doesn't really need an introduction. She's known by Zion members as the pleasant little lady with the twinkle in her eye and always a smile on her face! We had a wonderful visit and I marvel at her memory! She was born in Jackson Twp. and went to the Jackson Valley School her first eight years. She graduated from No Co High in North Canton in 1928. She was then employed at the Hoover Company, where she worked until 1932.
While visiting one of her friends she met her friend's brother, Ray Elsass. This was on a Wednesday and their first date was that Saturday. I'd say that was almost love at first sight. They went to New Cumberland, West Virginia to be married by the Lutheran minister, Oresto Gross, in 1932. After living in North Canton, Catherine was taken into Zion Lutheran by Pastor Emch in 1948. Catherine and Ray were blessed with four lovely children: Anna Marie, Ray, Jr., Larry, and Gary. In fact, Larry and Gary shared the same birthday, although they were born 6 years apart. Life was wonderful, but they also had tragedies that drew them even closer as a family. Not only did Catherine lose two of her children, Anna Marie and Ray, Jr., to cancer. Her husband of 64 years, Ray, Sr., also died of this fatal disease.
When I asked about her hobbies, she said she did the usual things, until a blood clot in the retina of her right eye took her sight. But before that time she was very active, even taught the "tinytots" in Sunday School. Ray, Sr. had a natural gift for music, although he couldn't read a note. He could play the guitar, violin, accordion, piano and organ. She recalls he was playing the organ for her one evening, and when he stopped they heard applause coming from the front porch. When they went to check, they found two women sitting there enjoying his music!
Catherine favorite hymn is I Love to Tell the Story. I already suspected her favorite color was red, as she frequently is seen in church wearing red outfits. The red carnation is her favorite flower and she shared a very special memory with me. At one time, her home had a bed of carnations planted around a little circular drive, and it had snowed that night. She recalled the simple beauty of the red carnations poking up above the white snow and I could almost visualize it in my mind. A few year's ago she moved into a little apartment, so I naturally asked if anyone came to help her with the cleaning and cooking. She laughed and said she took care of it by herself. In fact, a neighbor in need of a cleaning lady, even asked for the name of hers so she could hire her! Frozen foods and simple mixes help her eat balanced tasty meals.
When I asked Catherine what advice she had for young couples that would help them have happy, long and lasting lives together, she quickly said "they should share and share in everything!" She said from the very first day of their marriage they never kept secrets from each other. As far as financial matters were concerned: she paid the bills, Ray earned the money. They discussed larger purchases and always made "mutual decisions" about family matters, too. I'm sure we can all learn from this lovely lady and appreciate her friendship and the example she sets for us.
On behalf of the Fellowship Ministry, Anna Mae LeBeau
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