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Windows Into Zion is the monthly newsletter of Zion Mennonite Church. The publishers are Dorothy Hartman, Julie Hottinger, Fern Nisly, and Myrna Piper. Return to the Newsletter Archives. December 2002
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| Volume 8 |
Number 2
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December 2002
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Meet the Gants --Dawn Mast If you've heard beautiful cello music coming from Zion on a Sunday morning then you are familiar with one of the members of the Gant family. Ed Gant has blessed us with his music on more than one occasion and we hope he continues to do so. Ed and Lori have many stories to share, but one of the best is their romantic beginning. Lori and Ed met at EMU back when it was EMC. Lori (from Johnstown, Pennsylvania and the sister of Marci Myers) was a freshman and working at the curriculum desk in the library as her work-study. Ed (a senior from Richmond, Virginia) came in one day seeking teaching materials on braille. Ed was so impressed with Lori's helpfulness and her interest in braille that he eventually asked her out. For the next three years they dated, learned braille and wrote love letters to each other using that system. When it came time for a proposal Ed waited until Lori was at the curriculum library desk and asked her to marry him in braille! During the first four years of their marriage Ed and Lori attended Zion. They also had teaching jobs that were miles apart. Ed taught 7th and 8th grades at Triplett Middle School in Mount Jackson and Lori spent her days in a Kindergarten classroom in Elkton. Ed enjoyed his job, but he felt a strong pull to return to school and obtain a degree in music. After completing his degree at James Madison University, Ed and Lori found themselves facing a move to the mid-west. They packed up their belongings and moved with 3 month-old Becky to Iowa City, Iowa. They were there for 4 years while Ed received his Masters and Doctorate degrees in cello performance. In 1988 they headed to Decorah, Iowa where Ed would teach cello and Lori would have her hands full with 4 year-old Becky and her newborn sister Sarah. The Gants enjoyed their time in Decorah raising their daughters and finally adding Anna to the family in 1991. Last year the Gants found themselves facing a major decision. After tremendous consideration and fervent prayer they chose to move from Iowa to Virginia. Neither Ed nor Lori had jobs, but they felt that moving here was the best decision for their family. Lori says that so many times lately they have been reminded of Abraham as they now wait to see what God will do next in their lives. So far Ed has not found employment in the music venue, but he has branched out and is honing his painting skills with Dwayne Hartman. But, word travels fast and Ed has already been asked to play at weddings, at churches and is now a member of the Shenandoah Symphony. Lori admits that everything Ed does, he does well! Ed's musical abilities may be at the forefront, but he is also deeply interested in gardening, reading, singing, hunting, fishing and according to his wife, he is an accomplished chef! Lori even bragged about his ability to remodel houses! She said that their house in Iowa was totally gutted and remodeled by Ed. Since Lori had previous experience with grants she was thrilled to find employment at EMU as the Office Coordinator of the Lilly Grant Program. In addition to enjoying her job at EMU and being a dedicated wife and mother Lori likes to spend time cooking and baking. She loves baking bread and making cheesecakes. Lori takes pleasure in the company of others and entertaining in her home. Certainly she'll have lots of people seeking her out once they find out she makes piñatas! That's one of the traditions that she established as part of her girls' birthday parties. Some of her other interests are leading and participating in Bible and book studies, basket making, and gardening with Ed. The girls in the Gant family are just as talented and creative as their parents. Becky is 18 and a freshman at EMU. She is outgoing and friendly and especially enjoys playing on the EMU softball team, singing in the choir and playing the clarinet in the Wind Ensemble. Fourteen year-old Sarah is in the 9th grade at EMHS and is a natural on the stage. The acting bug has bitten her! She also enjoys singing in the choir and playing the piano. Sarah has played basketball, volleyball and softball and looks forward to being part of the EMHS' softball team this spring. She has a compassionate heart and a wacky sense of humor! Anna is 11 and in the 5th grade at Waterman Elementary where she is also on student council. According to her mother "Anna is a fabulous drawer!" Evidently her talents don't stop there! She loves photography and most importantly she is a spirited leader. Her mother says she has seen Anna reach out to those who are sick or hurting and share Jesus with them. She gives encouragement and hope to those who need it and her parents find this to be a great blessing. The Gant family has been and certainly will continue to be a blessing to Zion. Let's continue to get to know them and help them feel welcome |
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New in the library --Julie Hottinger Just Like Mama—Beverly Lewis The Proposal—Lori Wick Unveiled—Francine Rivers Jabez—Thom Lemmons God’s Wacky Animals--video ???December’s who am I???
A prize from Dairy Queen will be given to a person who correctly identifies the mystery person. If more than one person is correct, the winner’s name will be drawn from the correct entries. Only one prize will be awarded each month. Give your answer to Myrna Piper or email pipermr@aol.com by December 29. Family members of the mystery person are not eligible. |
Holiday greetings from Lithuania --Steve and Betsy Dintaman Dear Zion Friends, It's not yet very apparent from the shops in Klaipeda that the holiday season is almost here, but preparations are in full swing at LCC. The Christmas program is a major highlight of the year, and four performances are scheduled the weekend of Dec. 6-8 to accommodate the demand. Christmas pageants with costumes and the whole works are not common here, so many people in the community come with their children, as well as students’ families. We are practicing with the choir, including students who are learning the familiar old carols for the first time, which makes them fresh for us as well. Our other duties continue to fill our days. Steve had a guest lecture on Anabaptists in the Church History class yesterday in addition to his usual three, and gave the chapel talk today. I needed to teach the English classes I usually share by myself this week, so that took extra planning. In our language class we are slogging through the complexities of Lithuanian grammar, but it's slow going! It starts getting light now at about 8, gets dark again soon after 4, and is usually very overcast in between. We've had a little snow, and lots of rain. Let's just say if you want to come see us, this is not the best time of the year to see Klaipeda! Thanksgiving will be just a regular day here, but we will be getting together with some other Americans for a turkey (kalakutas) dinner that weekend. We will be one of only a handful of LCC faculty who will be staying in Lithuania for Christmas. We'll be missing the kids, our families and all of you so much! But those of us who are here plan to host the international students (from Ghana, Albania, etc.) who will not be able to go home, and we'll also help with some Salvation Army projects. Steve is looking forward to having some writing and planning time. We may also travel to Vilnius (the capital) for a few days around the New Year. We're looking forward to having Harrisonburg neighbors Kenton and Shirley Yoder Brubaker arrive January 6 to spend the spring semester at LCC. We have enjoyed hearing from our faithful congregational reporters about what's going on at Zion, and being able to read the bulletin on the website makes us feel almost there! We wish you all a blessed season of Advent and a joyful Christmas! |
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ZMWM NEWS --Gladys Ropp As each November rolls around ZMWM adds an interesting activity to the month gathered meeting, besides the regular quilting, working on comforters and bandages. We remember, in a special way the young people of Zion who are in college or service appointments with a care package. On November 7 while a dozen women were busily working we heard the pounding noise above us. The workmen were busy with the roof. Audrey Shenk did a great job of organizing treats such as macaroni and cheese, crackers and cheese, soups, popcorn, chex mix. Drinks included Nesquick and Nestlees Carnation hot chocolate. There were fruit bars and chocolate chip, pecan delight, and oatmeal cookies. Candies included Hershey Kisses, butterscotch drops, Snickers, Milky Way, mints. Kleenex, gum, and quarters were also included. The teamwork of six women soon had all the items transferred from the table to the boxes. Thanks again goes to Audrey Shenk for her skills in getting the 24 boxes ready for mailing or delivery to college students and those in service. Four boxes are ready for cross-cultural students as they arrive back to EMU. Following are a few of the early notes of appreciation sent to ZMWM: Thank you very much for the package of food that you sent to our house. I will enjoy eating the snacks over the next few weeks. Your package came just in time because I am low on groceries this week. Thanks again! --Karena Showalter I would like to thank you for the box of goodies! It was a pleasant surprise and I will be enjoying the snacks for along time. Thanks again! --Tiffany Williams Thank you so much for the care package. --Jessica Byler Thank you very much for the care package. It was a pleasant surprise to get in the mail. --Holden Byler We are grateful for the contributions from those who have helped in various ways. Thank you and blessings from God! Junior department news --Diann Beach and Marci Myers December is here and that means it is the beginning of a new quarter of Sunday School. During the first quarter the children learned about different Old Testament stories, including the Ten Commandments. The offering project was for the children in Lithuania. Steve and Betsy Dintaman will take the $63 we brought in and turn it into 200 litas--the money used in Lithuania--to buy hats and gloves for the poor children living in the city dumps. The second quarter stories will be taken from the New Testament. Our offering project for this quarter will be for a school on a Hopi Indian Reservation. Heidi Rahn, who taught the 2 and 3-year old class last year at Zion, teaches at the school in Arizona. We will send her the money at the end of the quarter for something at the school. |
Thanks a Heap What a blessing you have been to MOMS group through the years with your faithful support. This year there are 42 new moms. Many of them have recently moved to the area. Some of the women are not Christians. Thank you for helping MOMS to be able to reach out to the mothers in our community, encouraging them to turn to the Lord, enabling them to receive needed time away from their children and the demands of life, and to have fun and fellowship with other mothers! The children are learning about God through Bible stories, crafts, and songs. Thank you, thank you, and thank you! We couldn’t do it without you! —Oriane Good ???Did you know??? Matt Hunsberger, Radell Schrock, Aaron Kauffman, Sarah Brenneman, Eric Brubaker and Daryl Brubaker provided special music for the Thanksgiving Day Service at Trissels Mennonite Church. Clyde Kratz preached the Thanksgiving Day sermon. Zion college students (continued from November Windows) Hesston College John Lantz |
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Jr. MYF trip revisited --Kristin Myers As you know from David Brenneman's article last time, on September 21 the Jr. MYF went to Smith Mountain Lake for a Jr. MYF retreat. Well, he told it from a guy's point of view. So, I am going to tell it from my point of view. Well, in the girls van we started out either listening to music, reading, doing homework, or (for Sarah Bixler) talking to my Dad. Then, Sarah mentioned a game that we could play to pass time. The game went like this; each person starts out with a piece of paper. Each person writes two whole lines of a story and folds the paper down so it covers the first line of the story. Then pass it to the next person and that person would add two lines and so on and so forth. You do that until you run out of paper. As you have probably already guessed, the stories turned out really weird and funny! That really helped time pass. Before we knew it, we were there. We first ate then we went to our rooms and unpacked. We then went to a rock-climbing wall and most of us climbed it but a few of us were tired from the trip and didn't feel like climbing. After we got back some of the guys (Adam and David) asked where our room was so they could wreck it or do something bad to it when we were asleep. Before they asked that we weren't so sure about having Sarah Bixler in our room.....meaning, we couldn't stay up late or sneak out at night or something! But, after they asked us where our room was we were really thankful for Sarah!! Well, if you were listening, the sessions (I've heard) are pretty helpful. One activity was we all got t-shirts and we went around writing things we liked about that person on their shirt. It was really cool. But, some people (Adam and David, again) wrote the same thing on everyone's shirt. On the way home we made a little stop to pick up our new van. Since it was new we were looking through it and stuff and we found a CD player! It was almost as cool as the Internet!!! We didn't have a CD player in our old van so this was really cool. So, we put in a CD and played the same song about 20 times but the only person who got tired of it was my Dad! But, all in all, the trip was great and it was a wonderful experience for us! MYF progressive supper --Sarah Bixler Four gracious hosts from the congregation prepared scrumptious dishes for the MYF on Wednesday, November 13. Our feast began at Bob and Betty Lou Buckwalter’s home, where we were immediately intrigued by the circular shape of their house. After we did some exploring, Betty Lou offered a prayer for our supper and then introduced us to Somali appetizers and tea. We enjoyed the tasty treats, warm atmosphere and stories of Africa from the Buckwalters. An enthusiastic young host greeted us at Doug and Kathy Alderfer’s new home. Isaac made us feel very welcome and appreciated, and the youth enjoyed interacting with the two boys. Midway through our salad and fruit, Kathy announced that those holding a printed napkin were entitled to a prize. Sarah Gant and Nate Yoder left the Alderfers’ smiling, looking forward to their free Kline’s ice cream cones. Our next appointment led us downstairs in the Morris home, where we found Keith stirring a pot of Pakistani kima over a large burner on the patio. The savory stew poured over rice, complimented by the fire burning in the hearth, warmed our entire bodies. The final destination was Larry and Linda Snader’s home hidden back a long lane in the woods. Upon entering the kitchen, we found Linda setting out brownies and ice cream with a table full of toppings for us to enjoy. The sweet end to our meal was a satisfying finish of our evening filled with delicious foods and meaningful fellowship. |
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Home with Amy --Amy Shrock Lots of activity has been happening in the Shrock house! It is hunting season, and we have been putting away deer meat. Jimmy cuts the roasts, steaks, and chops and then chunks the rest of the meat. We also have deer meat made into pepperoni sticks and bologna. A hint to having better deer meat is to remove all the fat and the thin white membrane on the meat. This helps diminish the wild flavor. I can the chunk meat to use in stew, noodles and gravy. To can deer meat, put the chunks tightly in a pint jar, add 1/2 tsp. salt, and a dash of pepper. Boil for three hours. I am looking forward to the holidays, the festivities, good food, and making Christmas crafts and cookies with the children. Most of all, getting together with friends and family. I pray you all have a wonderful and meaningful Christmas. Here are some recipes to share with your friends and families: Peanut Butter Logs 1 cup peanut butter ½ cup margarine 1 ½ cup powdered sugar ¾ cup Rice Krispies crushed peanuts melted chocolate Mix together. Make a small log about the size of your smallest finger. Roll in the crushed peanuts, drizzle with melted chocolate. Makes 2 ½ - 3 dozen. Sour Cream Cut Outs 1 cup margarine 1 cup sugar ¾ cup brown sugar 2 eggs ½ tsp salt 2 tsp. vanilla 1 cup sour cream 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. baking powder 4 ½ cups flour Cream margarine and sugar, add eggs, salt and vanilla. Beat until creamy. Combine soda, baking powder & flour. Add sour cream alternately with flour mixture. Chill dough. Roll out & cut into desired shapes. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes. Frost and decorate when cool. Frosting: 1 cup Crisco ½ cup water powdered sugar to thicken 1 tsp. almond flavoring Mix together. Add more water if too thick or add more powdered sugar if too thin. Cinnamon Ornament Cookies 1 cup cinnamon 1 Tbs. nutmeg 1 Tbs. crushed cloves ¾ cup applesauce 2 Tbs. glue (If too dry, add more applesauce and glue) Mix together and roll out. Cut into desired shapes, make a small hole for hanging up. Instead of using flour to roll out, use cinnamon. Let dry for a few days. String with ribbon, hang on the tree. Very fragrant! Good for 3 years. |
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Birthdays
2 Ty Truong 3 Phoebe Brenneman 5 Margaret Showalter, Nathaniel Yoder 8 Mark Mast 9 Phyllis Cullers, Laura Lehman 13 Jennifer Leaman 14 Michele Baker, Joslyn Vaccaro 16 Patsy Shirkey 17 Anna Dintaman, Wilmer Hertzler 18 Dale Hess, Lauren Yutzy 20 Dan Baker, Richard Juarez 21 Deward Brenneman, Lori Gant 22 Hannah Gullman 24 Mary Leaman, Kristen Myers, Herman Ropp 28 Dale Thompson 29 Linda Snader 30 Joanna Goins Anniversaries 12 Ty and Bich Truong 20th 19 David and Jewel Yutzy 21st 28 Vic and Judy Alger 28th 29 Welby and Sharon Showalter 29th |
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