Zion Calendar

Thursday 26 September 2013

General Secretary's Weekly Letter

September 26, 2013

Dear Friends,

Last week, as our Moderator and many United Church people were gathered in Vancouver for the sixth of seven national events sponsored by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the generosity of a residential school survivor in Yellowknife made local headlines in that community.

The CBC North headline read, "Street person donates $2K to youth centre" I was on the board of the SideDoor Youth Centre when it was getting started in Yellowknife, but moved to Iqaluit the next year so I never made much of a contribution to that worthy work. I certainly never made anything like the contribution Charles Delorme has made.

I didn’t know him by name, but from the photo on the CBC website, I realized he was a familiar face to me. He would be a familiar face to most people who had walked down the streets of Yellowknife in recent years. The news story describes him as having spent most of forty years on the street. Last week, he walked into the youth centre and handed a crumpled piece of paper to the director. It was a certified cheque for $2,000. Mr. Delorme (known to most as Charlie) was sharing money he had received as part of his residential school settlement.

Charlie’s words to the kids at the centre were simple. “You know, I'm 64 years old. I'm getting a little old and tired. And I just want to say I love you all and God bless.”

The director spoke of having tears in his eyes. I felt tears, too, as I read the story.

We often speak of Jesus Christ being here and active in the world today. I’m grateful that so often we see evidence of that active presence in the work of our church communities. I’m humbled and grateful when I recognize that God’s work stretches so far beyond our churches, too. Just as in Jesus’ time, we are reminded of the gifts to be found in unexpected places, and the Godly work that is offered by unexpected hands.

Thanks be to God.

Nora

Wednesday 18 September 2013

A message from Rev. Sheila


A message from Karl & Georgia Nolph

This message was passed along from Karl & Georgia Nolph. Their grand daughter Shelby Ringdahl after her experience in the Miss America Contest on Sunday Night. She sends thanks to all her Canadian friends that supported her. 

As I arrive home from Miss America, I can't even put into words the feelings that flood my heart. What an incredible experience filled with amazing memories and new, wonderful friends. I am absolutely humbled to have made it to the Top 12 in the Miss America finals. Hearing your name called on that stage is something I never thought would be the outcome of crossing something off the bucket list. Would I have loved to sing "Defying Gravity" on the Miss America stage on national television, yes, but making the top 15 was my goal and so I refused to feel disappointed. More rewarding is being Top 3 in the American People's Choice votes. Thank you to all my TCU, Missouri, CASA, Theta, and even my Canadian friends who constantly voted and shared. Your efforts mean more than you know. Entertainment Weekly also named Miss Missouri for Best Personality. Perhaps the thing that means the most is the almost 70 people who travelled from Missouri, Texas, Connecticut, and DC to be in the audience with bedazzled letters, posters, and loud voices. Knowing that I got to see you all at the end of every day of competition is what gave me so much ease and a constant reminder to just be myself. Thank you to all for every phone call, text, fb message, letter, and prayer...those words are what truly matter most to me at the end of the day. I feel beyond blessed to have been a part of Miss America 2014 and look forward to what God has in store for the rest of my year as your Miss Missouri 2013

Tuesday 17 September 2013

General Secretary's Weekly Letter



September 13, 2013

Dear Friends,
My summer got messy – and that was the good part. After a hiatus of about four years, I finally found some time to get back to making pottery. Not that any is completely made through all the stages of firing yet, but I’ve been having fun using my creativity. There is something captivating about the way the clay moves in your hands as the wheel turns. It is messy work, but perhaps letting go of the need to be neat and perfect is part of the attraction for me. I’m no professional, but the more I do, the more I can see my skills improving, and most importantly, it’s fun.

I guess I have a need to balance my time between things where results really matter, and things where the pleasure lies in the simple act of doing.

Now that we are into the second week of September, and fall routines along with the flurry of a new season of meetings are picking up, I can still feel the creative energy from the pottery-making, and the centredness from time outdoors, and the warm memories of family times. My holidays were right at the end of August, so those uplifting moments were quite recent and will carry me through the round of meetings and catching up that is now well underway.

All of us with kids in school feel the first week of September as a time of new beginnings, and of “schedule shock” as the household realigns to stricter routines. In fact, it is a feeling that never quite goes away after school years are done. This is especially true in the church world, where there is a blessed paucity of meetings over the summer and an instant shift back to full agendas come September.

I suspect that everyone feels some mix of reluctance to settle back into things, and pleasure at reconnecting with colleagues and returning to the fulfilling work that we are called to in the church.

Even as we are occupied with the expected seasonal transitions, we are confronted by news of people in other parts of the world for whom the regular patterns of life have been violently disrupted. At this time, I’m thinking particularly of the people of Syria, both those remaining in their war-torn country and those who have fled to overflowing refugee camps. May our prayers and gifts support them in this time of crisis.

Peace be with you.
Nora

Monday 9 September 2013

Zion is buzzing with excitement this fall

Winds of Change having a rehearsal for Les Miserables at Zion United. They also held some of their auditions here.
Zion will also be hosting choir practice for a new Children's Choir starting soon in Liverpool, and don't forget about our hugely popular Country Music Jam Sessions every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month, starting on September 12th.  As for Zion, Rev Sheila just outlined the new activities for the fall, Bible Study and Prayer Shawl Ministry in her fall newsletter. For more info on these and other activities at Zion United call the Church Office on 354-5851.

We are all feeling much cozier in the Sanctuary and we have the Choir amongst the congregation. They make us all sound much better.

















Wednesday 4 September 2013

A message from Rev. Sheila










A visitor to Zion opens my eyes!



Last week at Zion, we had a visitor. Tina dropped by, as she was admiring our church and wanted to see the inside. Tina moved to Liverpool with her husband about 2 years ago and has begun exploring the area after some long home renovations. She specifically was interested in our stain glassed windows. In particular she noticed the etched window in the centre of the front of the church. 

It was an interesting visit, as I had never noticed this etched window before and I thought others would like to see it too. Familiarity is a funny thing, because the more you are familiar with something the less you seem to see. I only started to really appreciate the stain glassed windows, when the chairs in the Sanctuary were moved at an angle. 

Tina was also admiring our church organ pipes. I hope she may join us one Sunday to hear Marjorie play. 

Here is a look around Zion United Church.


 








Inside


and out.