October Spirit Steps

Transcription

1 Through Zion s Window October Spirit Steps OCTOBER 2017 I have, for the last number of years at least, begun writing the October Spirit Steps at the Fall Theological Conference at Green Lake. I have written from the shores of Green Lake as I looked out over the water while sitting under the beautiful old Oak trees. For all those years I would get a room at the lodge that faced west overlooking the parking lot. This year, however, I received a room on the east side of top floor of the lodge overlooking the lake. I was excited as I took my suitcase to my room on Sunday afternoon and looked out over the lake. I could already picture getting up in the morning and watching the sunrise from the comfort of my room. Even with the pain of the Packers loss to the Falcons, I opened the drapes in my room before I crawled into bed in anticipation of the morning sunrise. I suspect the sun did rise at the appointed hour, however all I could see as I awoke was the gray of the fog that limited visibility to about twenty feet from my window. Disappointed, I crawled back into my bed for another twenty minutes. I finally got up, showered and walked down through the fog to the cafeteria for breakfast. The fog burned off by about 10 AM and the rest of the day was warm and beautiful. Tuesday morning was different. There was a high cloud layer with breaks in the clouds and the sunrise was spectacular. The speaker for the conference was excellent as was the worship service but driving back to Ashippun later Tuesday morning I was reflecting on the view from my window and it struck me that it was a metaphor for what I was experiencing as I moved toward retirement. When I decided to retire I was excited as I thought about all the things that I would be able to do once I had time for them. I would be able to spend more time with my family, I would have the time to devote to the many projects around the house that I haven t taken the time to get to, I would be able to spend more time enjoying the bees and working in the garden etc., etc., etc. However, as the date of retirement draws near it feels more like death than a new and exciting leg of my life s journey. It struck me that this was a natural feeling and one that is a part of all of the transitions we make in life. In order to get to a new life, the old must die. There would not be an Easter Sunday without a Good Friday. Often, we must move through the fog to get to the sunshine. Maybe that is a part of what makes us so resistant to change. Maybe that is why I have such a difficult time saying goodbye. For the past ten years the people of Zion Lutheran Church in Ashippun have honored me by allowing me to be a part of your community. That is about to change and that foggy, death-like change is scary and uncomfortable. Yet I know that, without going through this discomfort, neither you nor I will be able to enjoy the sunny new life that lies ahead. The Good News here is that we are blessed with a God that promises to accompany us in those foggy times of our life. May that loving God bless you as we say goodbye and may you continue to be a Little church doing big things. May you have peace in your day. Pastor Bob

2 Page 2 Through Zion s Window October 2017 September 10, 2017 Council Minutes Meeting was brought to order by President Jerry Liesener at 10:10 am. Devotions were led by Pastor Bob. Devotion for the next month s meeting will be led by Carrie Wendorf. A motion was made by Christine Siedschlag, seconded by Franklin Wolter, to approve the secretary s report as printed, motion carried. Treasurer s Report Carrie reviewed the Treasurer s report. Christine motioned to accept the treasurer s report as presented subject to audit, seconded by John Siedschlag, all in favor, motion carried. Pastor s Report Had a meeting with Pastor and Zion Executive Committee to discuss Pastor s upcoming retirement and various roles of the church. John Siedschlag has accepted responsibility of putting together the projection services on a weekly basis. The services will go back to standard order. Pastor Jim Stein will provide emergency coverage. Carrie is looking into setting up a debit card for the church. A pastor from Waupun will lead worship services in October. Father Dave will lead the joint worship service on October 8 th at 8:30 am. The call process will start after the congregational meeting on September 17 th. Zion Ministry Reports Parish Ed Rally Day was held on September 10 th, held classes and had a fair themed event with games and snacks downstairs. Erla and Heidi will be leading the classes. Worship Pastor Bob s retirement service and party is planned. Evangelism Pastor will ask Pastor Stein to help with shut-in visits, Saints in Lights tree will be placed inside the sanctuary this year, planning meetings are taking place for the Artisan and Vendor fair. Missions John, Chris and Heidi will serve the Ashippun apartment meal on October 15 th, Zion will be helping at Bread and Roses sometime in October, Oktoberfest plans are set. Chris received a Thrivent Action team for Oktoberfest. Building & Grounds Franklin and Larry Rather completed painting the bell tower, looking into having the Narthex carpet cleaned. Old Business A proposal from New Sky Websites was reviewed to redesign and maintain Zion s website. Motion by Christine, seconded by Carrie, to accept New Sky Websites proposal and approve the one-time fee of $6. to redesign Zion s website. All in favor, motion carried. New Business Franklin and John will be looking into purchasing another wireless microphone and getting the sound system to work properly downstairs. Next Council meeting will be on October 8th. Motion was made by Pastor, seconded by Franklin to adjourn the meeting at : am, motion carried. The meeting closed with the Lord s Prayer. Respectfully submitted, Heidi Tunak

3 Page 3 Through Zion s Window October 2017 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO: ACOYLTES USHERS 02 Scott Gramling 01 Kristofer Schultz *Neal Wendorf Team 05 Steve Louden 08 Nolan Altreuter Dave & Sandy Jaeger 05 Allison Jones 15 Kyle Schlieve Roger & Millie Kopfer 09 Alex Harris 22 Kristofer Schultz 14 Annette Christopherson 29 Nolan Altreuter 20 Debbie Guenther 21 Aubrey Altreuter GREETERS ALTAR GUILD 27 Elda Wangelin 01 Ruth Peirick Millie Kopfer 08 Millie Moldenhauer Dawn Fredrick 15 Bill Jaeger 22 Bill & Wendy Egholm ASS T MIN 29 Jim & Shari Franke 01 Anna Gramling HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO: 08 Carrie Wendorf 06 Art & Pauline Hall LAY READER 15 John Siedschlag 06 Matt & Cori Michalowski Mike Johnson 22 Jerry Liesener 13 Shane & Allison Jones 29 Anna Gramling 15 Phillip & Doreen Schultz PROJECTION OPERATOR 17 Jim & Vickie Schlieve 01 Suzy Rather 22 John Siedschlag 22 Todd & Annette Christopherson 08 Annette Christopherson 29 Jerry Liesener 15 Carly Christopherson SPECIAL DATES TO REMEMBER IN OCTOBER 01 World Communion Sunday Sunday, August Columbus Day Sunday, September Reformation Sunday Sunday, September Reformation Day Sunday, September Tailgate Trick or Treat, Sunday, October 29, at 10:00 am. Kids can come dressed in costumes and trick-or-treat from the decorated trunks of cars parked in the upper lot. Adults and kids of all ages are invited to dress up. Come join the fun.

4 Page 4 Through Zion s Window October 2017 Oktoberfest October 1, 2017 Zion Lutheran Church N557 Main Street, Ashippun Polka Service at 8:45 AM G r 11:00 a.. 11:00-Pork Loin/Chicken Dinner $10 Adults, $5 Children over 5 Call or Polka dance from 1 until 5 p.m. Maple Inn, Hwy 67 in Old Ashippun Music by Good Time Dutchmen Band ~ Dance admission is $5 at the door. Door prizes and raffles galore! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Your help is needed for the Bread and Roses Meal on Thursday September 28. We need volunteer help, also food items such as, milk, rolls, lettuce, bars, cookies, cupcakes, etc. Please see the sign-ups on the narthex bulletin board or contact Christine at with any questions. IMMANUEL S ANNUAL TURKEY DINNER: Sunday, October 8 th from 11:30 1:30 pm. Tickets $10 Advance/$11 Door and 5 and under are free. Proceeds to Bread & Roses. For tickets call FOUR GUYS IN DINNER JACKETS: Saturday, October 14, from 7pm 9pm at St. Olaf s church. Call Roger at for more information. DEADLINE FOR NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER: is Sunday, October 22 nd.

5 You need to Zion Artisan and Vendor Sale to be held Saturday, November 11 from 10 until 3. This year s feature will be a bristro-style lunch with seating in a relaxing, cozy space. The menu will include a gourmet soup and sandwich and salad as well as snack and beverage items. Make this your luncheon destination on November 11! Continuing past traditions, there will also be a bake sale and raffle drawings as well as new and repeat vendors. Mark your calendar...spread the word! Come to shop and stay for lunch. Artisans can pick up registration forms at church or from Doreen. Space rental is only $20 for an 8 x 10 booth. Contact Doreen Schultz for more info. Calling all Bakers! To make the Zion sale another success, we need your wonderful baked items. Last year s selection included a wide array of cakes, bars, cookies, candies, and assorted treats. Please consider baking for the sale! We appreciate your tasty homemade goodies. Rally Day Success What a wonderful way to celebrate the start of another Sunday school year, Grandparents Day, and Day of Remembrance! Thank you for joining us for worship, refreshments and fair-style games. Coffee Hour The open format for bringing coffee hour refreshments has been working well. Please continue to bring any item or extras you have on hand to share at fellowship hour after worship. Thanks to all of you who have been dedicated treat-share contributors! Halloween s Coming!... And you know what that means TRUNK AND TREAT will be here before we know it! The date is Sunday, October 29! After worship, we ll gather in the parking lot to check out the costumes and decorated trunks, and hand out our no-trick treats. Saints in Light All Saints Day will be celebrated Sunday, November 5, with a special tree lighting. Use the request form in this newsletter to honor special people in your life by lighting our tree. Red lights honor living friends and relatives; white lights honor the deceased. Requests will be accepted through October 29. See Annette with questions and to return request forms/donations. Evangelism Committee Doreen Schultz

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