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Windows Into Zion is the monthly newsletter of Zion Mennonite Church. The publishers are Dorothy Hartman and Myrna Piper. For previous issues, please visit the Newsletter Archives. Please note that calendar information and the Worship Schedule are located on the Calendar page.
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Volume 13 |
Number 1
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November/December 2007
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I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Ps 139:24 -Judy Nafziger Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) MRSA (pronounced Mersa) has been around for decades in health care settings. Why all the publicity now? It is now breaking out into the community and its source is harder to find. Here are some facts I gleaned from the National Institute of Health's website: Cause: One-third of people in the world have staph on their bodies, primarily in the nose and on the skin. The bacteria can be present, but not cause an infection. Of those people, about 1% have MRSA. The misuse and overuse of antibiotics has aided bacteria in becoming resistant to drugs designed to fight infection. Symptoms: Looks like a pimple, rash, boil, or an open wound. Many people think they have a spider bite. The site is red, swollen, tender, and may have pus. If left untreated, the infection may progress to an abscess or infect the blood and bones. Transmission: Enters the body through a cut or scrape. MRSA infections often involve those that have close skin-to-skin contacts such as participants in contact sports, inmates, those in childcare or long-term care facilities and health care workers. Treatment: Your health care provider may take a culture of the wound to diagnose if it is MRSA or not. For mild to moderate infections, the boil or abscess will probably be drained and antibiotics may be prescribed. Prevention: Hand washing is essential! Shower after exercising. Avoid skin contact and sharing personal items with others that could have a MRSA infection as well as washing and drying clothes on "hot." Cover cuts and scrapes with a bandage. Keeping our immunity strong is also very helpful to fighting infection. |
Musings -Katherine Donnelly Pathfinders goes green Pathfinders - that Bohemian, 50-give-or-take-a-few-years Sunday school class - is going green, one baby step at a time. Our fall study, Serve God, Save the Planet, by Dr. Matthew Sleeth, has fueled our inspiration. Sleeth and his family gradually simplified their lifestyle, out of their Christian convictions. Their efforts have translated into a healthier planet, a healthier family, and more resources available for sharing with those in need. They are living the gospel more fully than anyone I have seen in a long time. While most of us in Pathfinders are not able to take the radical steps the Sleeths have, we are making small changes as we are able. Here are some of them: recycle... reuse... walk to work... bicycle for short errands... reduce our driving distances... buy local produce... use reusable grocery/shopping bags... shop fair trade... shop at local grocery stands... switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs... adjust our home thermostats to conserve energy. One person is fanatic about taking her own coffee cup with her wherever she goes, and now whips out her own plate at church potlucks. (Guess who that is?! One less cup and one less piece of Styrofoam to the landfill.) We've had heated discussions about "stuff:" How much do we buy? Where do we buy it? Who has made the things we buy and under what working conditions? One class member challenged us with, "Everyone should take a trip to the landfill once a year." It's not pretty. Most importantly, we are developing a new awareness of our choices, our faith, and how we are affecting our endangered planet. We will never get it all, but we are on the journey. We've had some special teachers to show us the ropes, and is it coincidence that they are all much younger than we are? In September, Radell Schrock shared with us his view of farming and sustainability. October brought us the treat of a visit from Virginia ShowalterTimothy Godshall. Virginia and Tim are passionate about social justice, and the impact of injustice on human beings as well as the planet. In November Sara Halteman, manager of Artisans' Hope, will explain the connections between fair trade and the environment. Later in the month Jonathan Lantz-Trissel, recycling and waster coordinator at EMU, will talk about his faith and his work. So, what does all this have to do with Jesus, Christian teaching, and the mission of the church? Everything, according to Matthew Sleeth. How can we feed the hungry if we've paved over all our farmland? How can we give the thirsty drink if the rivers are polluted and have run dry? How can we care for children with asthma without cleaning up the air that causes the sickness in the first place? How can we say we honor the Creator but destroy the Creation? Baby steps - the Pathfinders challenge each Sunday school class at Zion and the church as a whole to "serve God and save the planet." DAN BAKER IN MEXICO Dan spent a month in Cuernavaca learning the language and culture along with the other "Salters." He is now at his placement in Naucalpan, just northwest of Mexico City. Below is an excerpt from one of his blog entries. Check out his blog at http://danielsbaker.blogspot.com/ or email him at danlovesemail@gmail.com. His mailing address is below. From Dan on October 12: Well, I've been in Naucalpan now for almost two full weeks and I can't believe it. I'm living with a 23-year-old guy named Mario who is really becoming a good friend and housemate. I don't have any pictures yet, but I'll remedy that soon. I've been teaching guitar and bass (which has been kinda hard because in Spanish they use do-re-mi-fa-sol-la-si instead of c-d-e-f-g-a-b), and I'm gonna be teaching English soon which will be really challenging but cool too I think. I go to the church Tuesday nights for prayer, Thursday nights for bible study, Sunday mornings for church, and whenever they have youth group which they call club RECH. There's only been one so far, but it was a lot of fun. Besides that I run a lot of errands to help with the church like printing and distributing propaganda for the events, taking photos and videos, etc. I also went along with pastor Fernando to a radio station in Mexico City yesterday where I videotaped a radio show (of which he was a guest), so that was pretty sweet. On the weekends I hang out with this group of guys (Mario and his friends) that all pack into Mario's little Volkswagen Jetta to cruise around town, eat, play soccer, eat, watch movies, eat, etc. All in all, I don't think I could have asked for a better placement with SALT. I'm really happy with where I am, what I'm doing, and the people that are here to support me. Hope things are great where you are! Let me know what's up! Peace, Dan P.S. I have an address now so you can all mail me those wonderful care packages I know you've been saving up! Here it is: Sierra Madre del Sur - N# 145 Colonia - Benito Juarez Delegacion - Naucalpan Codigo Postal - 53790 |
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"In the Rifted Rock I'm Resting -Elwood Yoder Occasionally a song comes along in my life that defines a period of time like nothing else is able to do. On the first Sunday of September, Seth Crissman led a hymn in church that helped me through a difficult time of life. After my daughter Maria asked the congregation to pray for me because of my father's hospitalization, Seth led "In the Rifted Rock I'm Resting." I occasionally glace out the windows of the sanctuary while singing, but this time I looked out into the valley because I couldn't sing with the congregation. The full congregation four-part harmonies, combined with the songwriter's skill in choosing the right words, lifted my heart to the very throne of God. I don't know if Seth had that song on his list of songs to sing after the sharing time that morning or not, because after Maria spoke, Seth leaned over and gave me words of encouragement. Then he got up and led a hymn that spoke directly to my spiritual need for God's grace. In the following weeks I sang "In the Rifted Rock" several times at my father's hospital bedside, occasionally accompanied by other family members. Then at the funeral, I led the hymn with a full congregation of singers who eagerly joined in after I explained that this song was one of my father's favorites. Hymns, songs, and choruses that we sing in worship at Zion are vital for my weekly time of worship to God. They help me think theologically, they enable me to enter into corporate worship with the body of believers, and they lift my spirit through the gift of song and music. Without wholesome congregational singing and music my spiritual walk would surely wither and weaken. I look forward to the songs and hymns that choristers choose each week, knowing that it will be a certain tune or turn of the phrase in a unique lyric line that may help carry me through the next week. I'm glad Seth was open to God's leading in his choice of a hymn that has helped me through a stormy season of life. Through the gift of music I can affirm the rest of assurance secured in the rifted Rock of God's love. Sara and Sunny -Sara & Sunny Obri The joys of officially working! Well, I have a great update to share - that since August 1st, I've been working with IHV (Institute of Human Virology)! Basically, since our wedding in January, I've been traveling with Sunny and the IHV group, attending seminars, helping out here and there, etc, but now work has been made official! The team that I have mostly been working with is made up of a PMTCT (Prevention from Mother to Child Transmission of HIV) nurse midwife named Nike and my husband Sunny as the adherence and community outreach and mobilization specialist. Each hospital we go to has a different setup, staff, clientele, and most times even tribe and language, so our job is never dull. The good thing though, is all the medical staff nationwide is trained in English, so this helps me out a lot! Although we are still working out details of what my job will entail, my basic role includes working with PMTCT, probably overseeing the HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT) program, and supporting the nurses at the hospital's ARV (HIV medication) treatment centers. One thing I like about the job is our hands-on interaction with the hospital staff. Sometimes we give presentations, but most of the work happens alongside the staff in our various areas to make corrections and suggestions as we go. Visa Wahalas Well, as you might already know, Sunny and I are trying our hardest to be able to come home for Christmas this year!! This September has been a marker for me of being in Nigeria for 3 years, so we are eagerly anticipating being with you face to face!! We have been gathering lots of information about visa and green card stuff as we have found these processes to be very difficult and time consuming. We'll keep you updated! |
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Betsy and Steve Dintaman, Lithuania September 2007 - Causes for celebration: For the second time since we've been at Lithuania Christian College, Steve began the school year with all new faculty in the theology department. The four new professors bring a lot of commitment and enthusiasm to the job. We are giving thanks for the way God leads people here. On September 22, the flags of many countries waved in the sunshine and a brass quintet welcomed the crowds to mark a number of milestones in the life of LCC International University. The first was that new name itself! Since in this part of the world a "college" is considered a trade school, the new name better describes us in this context. The main event of the day was the dedication of the new dorm, which we have been watching take shape on campus over the past year. It was finished in time to house 196 delighted students in remarkable style. The 6-story building overlooks the lake and gives an entirely new perspective to campus. The third item for celebration was the 15th anniversary of LCC in Klaipeda. Past and present mayors and community leaders expressed appreciation for the contribution LCC is making to Lithuania. After all the speeches and flowers, guests were treated to ethnic foods prepared by students from many countries at the Intercultural Fair. A wonderful concert by Lietuva, the state music and dance ensemble, closed out the day. (From Mennonite Mission Network "News From Around the World" Newssheet, November 2007. Used by permission.) Aaron and Laura Kauffman, Colombia September 2007 - Since discovering that we were expecting our second child, our desire was to have a warm, loving and secure [birthing] environment. Does God hear and answer prayers about something as simple as birth preferences? I can't help but feel that God's hand was leading us to one of the only obstetricians in the area who specializes in home births. His warm and friendly interest in us contrasted so starkly with the other Colombian doctors we met in La Mesa. On September 2, Anna Sophia Kauffman was born to grateful and delighted parents. Our prayers for an uncomplicated labor and healthy baby were answered! We hardly could have imagined a better birth! Francisco was the last person one would imagine ever playing in a worship band. A local artist, he was known for his hard living: lots of drugs, lots of alcohol, and lots of women. But less than a year after he set foot in the La Mesa Mennonite congregation, he is playing drums every Sunday during worship. After church one Sunday last November, another member introduced us to him. Although we knew nothing about him, we invited him to drop by our house if he ever wanted to talk. Two days later he did, much to our surprise! He asked, "Does God really speak to people?" Aaron invited him to go for a walk so they could talk, but first went back inside to pray with Laura for a moment. As they walked, Francisco shared about how he had grown up at the church, but had strayed very far over the years and how chaotic his life was. Praying for wisdom in how to respond, Aaron told him, "You may not have been faithful to God over the years, but he has always been faithful to you. In all this time, he's never left you." Eight months later, Francisco recounted this conversation as he gave his testimony before being baptized by Pastor Jaime and Aaron. God's tranforming power is reflected in the joy on Francisco's face. We see it every Sunday at church as he plays his heart out on the drums for his Savior. Where is God? -Barbara Risser In the presence of people Loving each other And practice His presence A shield and a cover From storms of confusion His commandments are sure In times of affliction God's purpose is pure. God's laws are planned To give us security In the knowledge of walking The path to maturity. The presence of God Is His Word read daily And love in full measure To all who'd be holy. Can people not knowing Him See Jesus in us? And be drawn by His Spirit To thirst for a trust In God's covenant of peace To all races or clan God practices His grace Heart creation of man. |
"Thank you..." My family and I would like to take a moment to thank the Zion church family for your prayers, words of encouragement, and financial support during our recent time of unemployment. It was a humbling experience, but one in which we saw Christ's love shown to us in so many ways. It was a wonderful opportunity for our children to witness the compassion of others who carried us through such dark days. We feel so blessed to be part of such a loving congregation. I began a job as Human Resources Manager at The Home Depot in Harrisonburg in September and I am really enjoying this opportunity. Please feel free to stop by the store and ask for me, I'd love to say hello! -Tony Resto and family "Hello" from Oleg Thanks to Nell Alger for sharing this email note from Oleg. We came home after vacation time. It was busy summer time for us. I took part in two youth conferences: one - on the Ukraine, second - on Belarus. On the Belarus I visited with Irina, Anya, and Jaroslava. I had mission trip with some brothers around Kirov region, Tatarstan, Udmurt Republic. After that we had youth camp and two children camps: one for Christian children, another for unbeliever children. The documents for our possible ministry in Washington D.C. are not prepared on this year. So, until next summer we still be here and work in Syktyvkar. How are you? Pass big greetings for church and our friends. God bless you. Oleg, Irina, Anton, Sacha, Anya, and Jaroslava |
Christmas Tree Facts
If you've ever thought you weren't good enough, smart enough, spiritual enough, rich enough, poor enough, or holy enough for God to use you, think again. Look at these people God used for His glory, for His Kingdom and to accomplish His will:
(List compiled by Steve Wingfield Evangelistic Association |
Turkey facts:
Christmas facts:
A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. The barber began to work. They talked about so many things and various subjects. When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said, "I don't believe that God exists." "Why do you say that?" asked the customer. "Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. If God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine loving a God who would allow all of these things." The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond. The barber finished his job and the customer left. Out on the street, the customer saw a man with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and un-kept. The customer rushed back in to the shop. "You know what? Barbers don't exist." "How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber. "I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!" "Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside." "Ah, but barbers do exist! What happens is, people do not come to me." "Exactly!" said the customer. "That's the point! God, too, does exist! But people don't go to God - they don't look for God. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world." (Source unknown.) |
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NOVEMBER Birthdays 1 - Ben Alderfer 2 - Benjamin Emswiler, Gladys Ropp, Nolan Beach 3 - Allie Sawyer, Tim Harding, Katherine Donnelly 6 - Dorothy Hartman 9 - Daniel Nyce, Dave Yutzy 11 - Jared Mast, Amy Rush, Sarah Knupp 12 - Abigail Kauffman, Mark Brenneman 13 - Jason Lantz 14 - Matthew Stoltzfus, Emily Myers 15 - Jim Rush 17 - Donnita Williams, Myrna Piper 18 - Robin Fletcher, Edith Showalter, Bob Buckwalter 20 - Stuart Shank 22 - Allison Fletcher, Vic Alger 24 - Jill Enslen, Shirley Kurkendall 27 - Simone Warsing, Laura Esch 29 - Mark Gray Anniversaries 3 - Elwood & Joy Yoder (28th) 19 - Ben & Barbara Risser (57th) 21 - Jim & Renee Warsing (20th) Please put news items for the January/February issue in the Windows mailbox by December 30 or email: pipermr@aol.com. We appreciate all your comments, ideas, and submissions! Dorothy Hartman and Myrna Piper publish Windows Into Zion. |
DECEMBER
Birthdays 3 - Phoebe Brenneman 5 - Nathaniel Yoder 8 - Mark Mast 9 - Laura Lehman 13 - Jennifer Leaman, Sara Obri 14 - Joslyn Vaccaro, Michele Baker 17 - Anna Dintaman, Wilmer Hertzler 18 - Lauren Yutzy, Dale Hess 20 - Dan Baker, Richard Juarez 21 - Lori Gant, Deward Brenneman 24 - Kristen Myers, Mary Leaman, Herman Ropp 29 - Linda Snader 30 - Joanna Myers Anniversaries 19 - Dave & Jewel Yutzy (26th) 28 - Vic & Judy Alger (33rd) 29 - Welby & Sharon Showalter (34th) 30 - Clay & Joanna Showalter (1st) |
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