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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. August 2004 Please note that calendar information and the Worship Schedule are located on the Calendar page.
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| Volume 9 |
Number 10
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August 2004
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Welcome and farewell
Congratulations!
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Zion's musical treasures --Katherine Donnelly Goins The towering oaks and sloping grounds outside Trissels Mennonite Church made a perfect natural amphitheater for Daphne Creek's Sunday evening concert on July 11. Kenny and I had had an exhausting three weeks. He was recovering from his mowing accident and hospitalization, and dealing with the sense of loss that comes with unexpected change. I was adjusting to caring for him. We decided to go to the concert, as he was just beginning to feel more comfortable moving around. What a pleasure it was to sit outside under the massive oak trees at Trissels and listen to the mellow bluegrass gospel harmonies of this ensemble. Long-time friends Joy, Elwood, and Maria Yoder, as well as Ben Risser and Larry Yoder brought us comfort in a difficult time through their music. Maria was a special inspiration as she sang, "I'd rather have Jesus." Then Thursday evening of the same week Joanna and I attended the Sons of the Day concert at St. Stephen's United Church of Christ in Harrisonburg. Founded by Clay Showalter and Matthew Hunsberger, the seven-member male a cappella vocal ensemble also includes tenor Aaron Kauffman. Many Zion fans attended. The group's final selection of "Shenandoah" moved everyone in the audience. One more unexpected musical treat awaited me that evening. After the Sons of the Day concert Joanna and I stopped by our favorite summer indulgence, Kline's Dairy Bar, for chocolate ice cream cones. In the middle of our conversation my ears perked up at what had to be the sound of live fiddle and banjo music. Turning I saw Jesse Buckwalter and Eric Brubaker playing an impromptu bluegrass gig for the Kline's clientele. Jesse and Eric played and sang a variety of selections, to the delight of a three year-old little girl. She whirled, skipped, and danced with abandon to the toe-tapping bluegrass rhythms. How my three year-old heart wanted to join her! Music seems to be one of Zion's abundant gifts, and it's a joy to see that life-giving gift being shared with those around us. Women's Night Out --Audrey Shenk On the third Monday of the month, 6-8 women have met at Zion for an evening of fun and fellowship. We have worked on a variety of projects during the last six months. We have knotted several comforters and several women have worked on the quilt for the Relief Sale. Other projects people have brought to work on have been scrap booking, crocheting an afghan, and working on lesson plans for school. Recently, several of us have started cutting patches to make a jeans comforter. It is a time to relax and enjoy conversation with other women from church as well as a time to work with our hands. We would welcome women of all ages to come and spend an hour or two with us. Our next meeting will be on August 16 at 7:00 p.m. Come and join us! |
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Cup of coffee |
A day with Dawn --Dawn Mast Everyone has experienced a bad day at one time or another. However, I have found that God often uses bad days and stressful situations to draw us closer to Him. Those moments of high anxiety often provide a window into our hearts and we get a glimpse of how we act (or react) under pressure. Being a mother of young children often provides just the right moments to see what I am made of in the areas of peace, patience and self-control. I have had the privilege of being faced with a situation so bizarre that I could only shut my eyes, count backwards from 1000 by 3's and hope that somehow I could still be a sane, godly mommy. The following story is pulled straight from the pages of my journal from a few years ago when my son Nathan was 3 and-a-half and son Jared (who had just undergone surgery to correct a lazy eye) was 19 months old. Sadly, it's a true story although I do refer to it from time to time to remind me why I need God's grace to help me as I mother. Yesterday I went to Wal-Mart with the boys. Normally this is an easy, uneventful trip, but yesterday was different. As I'm driving I hear Nathan in the back seat talking quietly to himself. Somehow I caught a few words of his monologue some of which were, "yesterday", "pee-pee", "poo-poo", "potty" and the most alarming word "dropped". I very calmly said, "Nathan, what are you saying?" I think there is a reason God gives children such sweet voices. It keeps the parents focused on the adorableness of the child so as not to squeeze the little one to pieces at moments such as the one I was about to have. So, Nathan repeated his story in such a way that I received one piece of information at a time, which in retrospect may have been a smart move on his part. He very clearly said, "Yesterday I go pee-pee and poo-poo in the potty aaaaaaaaaaannnnd........I.....droppppppeeedddddddd yourhairbrushinthepotty!" Suddenly I remembered that I needed to take the van to the repair shop because it started making a noise that sounded like a woman screaming. As I gripped the steering wheel I very calmly asked Nathan, "Honey. Did you just say that you dropped Mommy's hairbrush in the potty yesterday?" I have often prayed for God to reverse certain situations in my life and I sensed this was going to be one of those times. However, in an effort to comfort me Nathan said,"Yes! BUT....I got it out and wiped it off on the pink towel you dry your face on." I thanked Nathan for his honesty and assured him of my love for him no matter what. I also tried desperately to convey the fact that these situations should be brought to Mommy and Daddy's attention BEFORE we use the item that fell in the potty. He agreed with me and said, "Dat is a very good idea." To top it off, the trip to Wal-Mart wasn't much better then the information I received en route. After spending 10 minutes in Health & Beauty aids selecting a new hairbrush along with any hair care product featuring the word "antibacterial" we headed toward the food section of the store. Jared, being advanced for his age, has decided that he is going to act like a 2 year-old even though he is months away from his second birthday. He has mastered the temper tantrum and has the ability to push limits no matter how many times he's reprimanded for being disobedient. Yesterday was no exception. As I cruised through the grocery aisles, Jared became increasingly unhappy that he was being restrained in the basket and not able to help select items for me to purchase. As he and Nathan squealed, whined and protested I found myself thinking about the many years Mark and I spent without children and it brought a smile to my face. Temporarily. As I was lost in my revere, and searching for a coupon for juice, Jared, known for his speed, agility and now perfect vision, wiggled out of the cart. In an instant he leaned over and grabbed the first item he could reach on the shelf. Unfortunately, it was a 64 oz. bottle of cranberry juice. I thought for certain plastic couldn't shatter. I was wrong. Very wrong! I guess actions really do speak louder than words because Jared took one look at me and immediately sat down in the cart and assumed an angelic pose complete with hands folded in his lap and eyes downcast. I looked at both boys and through gritted teeth said, "I don't want either of you to speak to me the rest of the day." I went to locate a store employee to inform them of the mess then spent the rest of the shopping trip making this loud "sluuuurrr-PUH,stiiiic-KUH, sluuuuuuur-PUH, stiiic-KUH, " sound every time my sandal touched the floor. On the way out of the store I heard the loudspeaker announce, "Marge! Wet spill on aisle 7." I would have run out of the store, but my feet were sticking to the floor. So, no matter what kind of day you are having hopefully you can be thankful for clean hair utensils, non-sticky shoes and a quiet, uneventful trip to the grocery store. |
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Albuquerque adventure --Laura Lehman I will be leaving on August 4 for a 10-½ month assignment in Albuquerque, New Mexico serving with Service Adventure. Service adventure is an agency association with the Mennonite Mission Network. It is specifically designed for post-high school age participants. I will be living in a household with three other participants and the unit leader. Orientation will begin on August 5 for one week. I understand that our unit will be providing services to local community agencies. My particular assignment will be serving in the public school system as an education assistant. I will also be attending and be involved in the ministry of Albuquerque Mennonite Church that hosts our unit. I'm trusting that this experience will further discern God's purpose in my life and develop a further vision for mission. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your support and influence in my life. The members of Zion, EMHS, family and friends have had a major influence on my decision to serve in this way. Please continue to pray for me as I travel and serve in another area of the United States. Thank you! Jr. MYF trip --Erica Lehman The Jr. MYF took their summer trip to Akron, Pennsylvania. We left Sunday after church and arrived at Country Acres Campground around 5:00 p.m. That evening we played games and went swimming. Our group stayed in two tents and two cabins. Monday (after Kristen Myers and I got only two hours of sleep) we got up around 8:00 a.m. and left for MCC. At the MCC headquarters there were a variety of jobs we could pick from. We could put together health kits or school kits, cut rags from t-shirts, draw pictures onto health kit or school kit bags, or sort clothes. We ate a packed lunch there and finished our work around 3:00 p.m. When we returned to camp we cooked supper, played games, and swam the rest of the evening. On Tuesday (after a few more hours of sleep) we woke up around 7:00 a.m., packed, and got ready to leave for Hershey Park. We spent the whole day there riding roller coasters (well some of us) and everyone having a good time. We arrived back in Harrisonburg at 12:30 a.m. A special thank you to Sarah, Joy, and Grant for taking us on this trip. It was a lot of fun! |
???Did you know??? The Zion congregation contributed 487 bars of soap during the month of June to send to MCC. Thanks a heap!!
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???August's who am I???
A prize from Dairy Queen will be given to the 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 August 29. Family members of the mystery person are not eligible. ???June-July's who am I??? Tim Schmoyer
Congratulations to Tim! No one guessed him so he receives the Dairy Queen certificate. |
Doug and Elaine Shenk --Dawn Mast Many of you may remember Doug and Elaine Shenk who attended Zion in the late 80's and early 90's. After leaving Zion in 1992 they accepted a mission assignment in Djibouti, Africa for several years. Along the way they have acquired four children through adoption and up until several weeks ago all six Shenks were living in Middletown, Pennsylvania. Now the Shenks are answering God's call to missions and are embarking on a 4-year term to teach at the Haven of Peace Academy in Dar es Salaam Tanzania. They are affiliated with AIM (Africa Inland Mission) and are eagerly awaiting the finalization of plans and finances so they can begin their mission. How can you help? Primarily, the Shenks need your prayers. Their four children Jamila (13), Andre (11), Nathaniel (6) and Alia (3) are experiencing various degrees of excitement and trepidation and they need to know that God is in control at this uncertain time of moving overseas. Secondly, the Shenks must have 100% of their financing before they will be allowed to leave for their assignment. When we met with them last week, they expressed concern about their funding not being in place by their projected departure date of August 5th and that as a result they are looking to leave for Tanzania by late August. They are putting all their trust in God and believing that He will complete the good work that He has begun in them. As of the end of July they only had 72% of the funds needed to travel to Dar es Salaam. They need 100 people to pledge $25 a month or 250 people to give $10 a month to get them to their support goal. If you can help in any way, please contact Dawn Mast or Stephanie Resto for information. Above all, lets remember to lift the Shenks in prayer as they continue to trust God and answer His call for their lives. |
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August Birthdays Worship schedule |
Coming Up
August 8 Congregational Business Meeting 6:30 p.m. August 15 Business Meeting during Sunday School. August 16 Women's Night Out 7:00 p.m. September 18 Daphna Community Picnic 5:00 p.m. at Zion. September 19 EMU President Loren Swartzendruber will join us during the Sunday School hour and worship service. September 26 Congregational Business Meeting, 6:30 p.m. October 1-2 Virginia Mennonite Relief Sale, Rockingham County Fairgrounds Please place news items for the September issue in the Windows mailbox by August 29. You may also send your news by email to: pipermr@aol.com. We appreciate all your comments, ideas, and submissions! Dorothy Hartman, Julie Hottinger, Fern Nisly and Myrna Piper publish Windows Into Zion. |
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