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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. Please note that calendar information and the Worship Schedule are located on the Calendar page.
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Volume 11 |
Number 3
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March/April 2006
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Death is lifeDeath is life turned inside out, Formless, weak, wind-whipped The fragile flower sinks into The soil, dropping its heart-seed. Dies. Seemingly gone - Only to bring new beauty form To life with roots imbedded Against tomorrow's storm. Death is LIFE turned inside out! --Barbara Risser St. Patrick's Day Groaners
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MUSINGS --Katherine Donnelly Goins Renaissance Woman "Mornin! How are you?" If you are fortunate enough to meet Linda Moats Swartzendruber on a Sunday morning at Zion, she will probably greet you this way, along with the generous hug she bestows on her favorites. Linda is a long-time Zion attendee -- over 25 years. A visit to the cottage she shares with her husband, David, is an opportunity to enter the world of an imaginative, well-rounded, and artistic woman. For starters, Linda is in love with the color purple. With the help of her personal caregiver, Joann Henderson, Linda has decorated her home in every shade of purple imaginable, from light lavendar picture frames to a lush, deep-plum couch. You name it - pictures, bedspread, candles, clocks, wind chimes, stereo, clothes, even Linda's reading glasses and her cat Onnie's collar - are a tasteful shade of purple. The overall effect is warm, inviting, and soothing. Linda's wedding two years ago also reflected her passion for purple. The bodice of her handmade wedding dress was lavender under sheath with a white lace overlay. She carried purple and white flowers, her attendant wore lavender, and her cake was decorated with purple. Linda's choices were elegant and unified, reflecting her inner artist. Linda manages a busy schedule of work, volunteer activities, Special Olympics sports, and the housekeeping duties she shares with David. Her favorite activity, however, is any form of art. Drawing, painting, pasting, cutting, sewing, and coloring: she loves them all. One of her works, a large black and white study of people entitled "Linda's World," was auctioned at a Pleasant View Homes art show and now hangs in a Washington, D.C. office. Linda gives gifts of her special marker art to her friends. Resembling magic eye art, each one is unique and treasured by the recipients. So watch for Linda on Sundays as she enters the Zion foyer wearing her stylish lavender coat, and don't miss the benediction of her radiant smile before you leave at the end of the service. A Prayer for Easter Lord, Thank you for spending 33 years with us: for announcing Love from the high heavens; for introducing Love in an obscure manger setting; for living Love in a family framework; for sharing Love with the poor and deprived and diseased; for showing Love to the unlovable and unloving; for letting little children feel Love in your arms; for suffering on a cross because of Love; for loosing Love upon the world to take up residence in us; for your Love that will not let us go. Amen. --Forrest Nees |
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Adult fiction books added to the Zion Library - January 2006
Welcome to our new member... ...Laura Esch by baptism on February 19, 2006. *** The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right place but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment. --Dorothy Nevill Congratulations! |
Not as it seems --Barbara Risser One of the first things I did upon returning from a month in Florida was to walk around our acre to inspect our trees and shrubs. How far along had winter come in its cycle of seasons? Everything had seemed dead in December. Somehow our English walnut and oak looked more alive. The five silver maple trees between our lot and two neighbor’s lawn lines were already swelling with tiny, reddish buds. Each twig rounded the ends of branches no longer so bare. Pussy willow, forsythia, lilac, were all in a stage of waiting. Waiting! Waiting! Upon closer examination, the buds were still encased in a hard protective shell. Picking the shell from one bud, I found a fresh green alive-looking bud inside waiting for its time to erupt. With unusual warmer temperatures for February, the buds were swelling early. Next week they may be in a deep-freeze but they’ve made an appearance of a change coming. I am lured into a new hope. Some may find that ridiculous, but to the Christian, spring is promise and fulfillment. (See Genesis 8:22) As long as the earth stands, new life after winter! Things are not always as they seem. My pondering brought to mind the cycles of our spiritual pilgrimage. Yes, things are not always as they seem. In our present world, God’s Word will stand when all else goes. He is still sovereign. Even so, Come Lord Jesus! MawMaw --Cheryl Lantz First off, I love being a grandmother. I love my grandchildren. They are easy to love and they give love so easily. We never really have training on being good grandparents. We think about it, we dream about it and we wait patiently for it. Then you're put in that role when you are told "I am having a baby". Suddenly, you are having a baby too. My nine months of waiting were a little different than some. Cathy and I became close. We played games about every night to pass the time. We talked and talked. As it got closer to the time, we got more excited. Then we are in the delivery room and watching that beautiful little guy come out (it was nice to be on the receiving end this time). After the initial shock that SHE was a HE, I held Nevin since Cathy was still groggy and out of it. Time moved on. Now, I have 4 grandchildren in less than 2 years since Nevin was born. I feel blessed and yet a bit overwhelmed at times. They like coming to Grandma's house, that's a good sign, right? I try to be a good grandmother. I may not have a lot of snacks since I still have two "adult" children at home. I am not sure how well I am doing. But I feel extremely blessed to have had a wonderful example. Maude Lantz is the perfect grandmother. My kids have so many wonderful memories of their life with Grandma Lantz. The trips across the field to Grandma's house and her waiting on the other side to make sure they made it. The snacks, the playing together, picking them up from school when they were sick or after preschool, always having time for them and all the hugs. A lot of hugs. My kids were fortunate; they got to grow up with Grandma and Grandpa right next door—grandparents who loved and still love them so much, there are no words for it. This is what I want to be, a grandmother who has a close, loving relationship with her grandchildren. Where they can come and feel safe, loved and hugs abound and laughter resounds. I can't believe God chose me to witness firsthand what a good grandmother should be. Of course, He knew what lay ahead. Oh yes, I pray a lot too. Talking to God about being a good grandmother just makes sense - He made them in His image. Meet Josh and Hanna Reinford Josh and Hanna began attending Zion when they were in college at EMU. Josh is originally from Wooster, Ohio, and Hanna is from Peachtree City, Georgia. In May of 2005, Josh received a business administration degree with minors in economics and biology; Hanna graduated with a biology degree and a minor in psychology. In June, they were married in Pennsylvania and moved to Park View. Currently, Josh is working as an electrician with Fieldcrest Electric. Hanna is working as a certified nurse aide for First Choice Home Health Services. However, things will soon change. Hanna has applied and been accepted to DeSales University where she will be pursuing a Masters degree in Physician Assistant studies. Her classes start in August. Although Josh and Hanna will need to move to Pennsylvania for Hanna's schooling, they would like to move back to this area. They are excited about this phase of transition in their lives but yet are saddened to leave Zion and The friendships developed here. Distinguishing sinusitis from a cold or allergies --Judy Nafziger "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139:24 Winter is the time of year when many of us are fighting colds. Spring, soon here, is often a difficult time of year for those who suffer from seasonal allergies. Both cold viruses and allergies can lead to sinus infections. How do we know when we need to go to the doctor or when we can treat our symptoms at home? Usually a cold is self-limiting and will last 7-10 days. If after a week the symptoms haven’t changed or are worse, then it could be a sinus infection. Symptoms of bacterial sinusitis can be fever, facial pain around the eyes, cheeks and forehead, facial swelling, pain in the upper teeth, and thick and persistently yellow/green mucus. However, one can not make a diagnosis of sinusitis just because the mucus is discolored. Discolored mucus can be part of the natural progression of a cold. Many patients think they must have an antibiotic to get better. If not really needed, you can be setting yourself up for antibiotic resistance, bad side effects and a big drug bill. Give yourself at least a week to tell if it is a sinus infection or a cold. How can one prevent a cold from turning into a sinus infection? The best medicine is still plenty of hot liquids, rest, and irrigating the nose with a warm, weak salt water solution. Nasal irrigation removes bacteria and pus from the sinus area, thins thick secretions and washes away pollutants and allergens. Blowing the nose very gently is another way to prevent sinus infections. The harder you blow your nose (or cough), the more bacteria are blown into the sinuses and ears. To prevent a sinus infection—prevent colds if at all possible by washing your hands frequently and avoid touching your eyes or nose (which is one of the ways the virus gets into the body). ZION WOMEN'S RETREAT Looking for Mary and Martha Looking for spiritual renewal? Fellowship with other women? A night away in a beautiful setting? Come join us for "A Wonderful Waste of Time: Learning from Mary and Martha" and we promise it won't be a waste of your time. We'll gather at Blessings Lodge at Camp Overlook on March 17, beginning at 6:00 p.m. and ending by 2 p.m. on March 18. If you would like to join us, please contact Rebecca Hess at 540-434-3407 to register or fill out your registration form and return it to Rebecca Hess' church mailbox by March 5. There is a $15 registration fee to cover meals and room rates are: $45 single / $38 double / $33 triple / $25 quad. Take some time out and join us! :) |
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Tradition --Nate Yoder Every year I hear my dad ask the same question. Why do we do this? Usually when we hold our traditional butchering day around New Year’s Day the weather is cold and we stand outside in the elements and carve up the subjects. Two pigs, each weighing in at around 250 pounds, are killed and strung up on the tractor for skinning. A light sprinkling of rain showered the earth but a glowing fire stood nearby keeping us warm. Once we had the skin off, Uncle Philip (Joy’s brother) brought out the hack saws to cut the pigs in half. Once skinned, gutted, and decapitated the worst is over. Usually about this time my cousins, including Maria and Joy, start to filter out of the house to take part. Grandpa Risser with more years of experience under his belt than I have even lived, skillfully cuts the choice meats. The rest of the cousins attack what is left of the pigs with a purpose. With knives aplenty they scour the carcass looking to cut as much fat off as possible to ensure that less fat, when cooked later and ready to eat, will stick to them. The hams are taken off from the hind quarters and roasts are made from the shoulder meat. The ribs are sawed in half and cut into pieces for packaging inside. tenderloin, a cut of meat off the spine, and liver are taken inside to be cooked for lunch. Once these cuts of meat have been taken off, we put the remaining meat into pans and season to make sausage. The sausage is run through a meat grinder twice and then filled into the casing in the classic sausage link style chains. The pork tenderloin and liver that gets passed around at lunchtime is always wonderful. This meat is just a part of what my Aunt has prepared for the noon meal and it rivals thanksgiving dinner. Lunch time is also filled with laughter as we catch up and poke fun at each other. It also allows us to get inside and warm our cold feet before we head outside to finish up. So why do we do this? His answer every year is to educate us young folk on where meat comes from, spend family time together and of course to carry on this tradition. According to him he has been making the trip to Greencastle Pennsylvania almost every year for twenty-five years. However, I am never quite sure of the exact number because it seems to grow faster than the years go by. Did you know… Junior department news --Rebecca Hess We are having a great year in the Zion Junior Sunday School Department with our offering projects. Our first quarter project was collecting food for the Broadway Food Pantry. For our second quarter project, we raised money for MCC Blanket project and the children helped to knot a comforter to send along with the money. This quarter we are planning to collect money for Aaron and Laura Kauffman to purchase health-related items for children who come to the clinic where Laura works. Encourage the kids in their efforts to raise the money. Thanks so much! |
Fools The EMHS Senior Play, Fools, a light-hearted romantic comedy by Neil Simon, will be performed in the EMHS Auditorium on March 9 and 10 at 7:00 p.m. Sarah Gant, Steven Stauffer and Maria Yoder are members of the cast. Tickets are $4 for students and seniors, and $5 for adults. The play is set in the small village of Kulyenchikov, Russia, during the late 1800s. An enthusiastic young schoolteacher, Leon Tolchinsky, arrives at the town after being hired by Dr. (Steven Stauffer) and Madame (Sarah Gant) Zubritsky to teach their daughter, Sophia (Maria Yoder). His excitement is short lived, however, as he soon learns that all the townspeople have been inflicted with a 200-year-old curse of stupidity. After falling in love with Sophia at first sight, Leon learns from the villainous Count Yousekevitch that he has only twenty-four hours to break the curse, or he too will fall victim to it. *** Humor helps us to think out of the box. The average child laughs about four hundred times per day, the average adult laughs only fifteen times per day. What happened to the other 385 laughs? --Anonymous *** Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. --Dr. Seuss THANK YOU "A big thanks to ALL of you for my wonderful care package. It means so much to me, and it will mean so much to my sanity (and my stomach!) when I am studying. Thanks again," --Anna Henderson |
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Lead me from Death to Life, from falsehood to truth. Lead me from despair to hope, from fear to trust. Lead me from hate to love from war to peace. Let peace fill our heart, our world, our universe --Mother Teresa The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug. --Mark Twain One act of obedience is better than one hundred sermons. --Dietrich Bonhoeffer |
Stained Glass Windows at Zion The main glass colors used are the colors of the created earth, variegated blues and greens with warm beiges, browns, and creams. The shapes are organic and representational yet simplified. The flowing lines move your eye from one window to the next, separate images yet a continued thought. The vine flows into and through each window because of the importance of being connected to God through Jesus. --Barbara Gautcher I am... An orb with light both entering into and spreading forth from the world. Grapes and grapevine - the vine is essential to our Christian life. An open doorway and the path we follow when we choose to take the Christian journey. Grazing sheep and a staff A cross on a hill. Do this in remembrance of me... Stalks of wheat. Grapes and grapevine - the vine is essential to our Christian life. A pitcher and life-giving water flowing out. A vial and oil dropping from the opening. There is red in the vial because of the many references to blood and Jesus' healing power for us. A basin and towel. Designed by Barbara Gautcher Stained Glass by Steve & Becky Brydge |
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MARCH Birthdays 1 Keith Morris, Jennifer Showalter 2 Alma Hottinger 6 Katherine & Rebecca Pence 7 Velma Stauffer 8 David Brenneman 9 Matt Goins, Darrell Wenger 11 Kevin Leaman 12 Jeremy Baker, Henry Showalter 16 Jordan Compagnari, Heather Vaccaro 17 Kristina Snader 18 Alex Morris 21 Jessica Hess, Heather Risser 24 Julie Hottinger 30 Rebekah Brubaker Anniversaries 6 Dave & Cheryl Lantz (30th) 19 Ron & Myrna Piper (40th) 24 Keith & Marie Morris (27th) APRIL Birthdays 1 Sara Brenneman 2 Bill Baker 3 Ezra Sawyer 4 Ray Kuykendall 5 Vince Throngard 7 Dave Lantz, Hannah Stoltzfus 9 Robert Juarez 14 William Cole Hess 16 Anna Henderson 17 Retha Alger 19 Ben Risser, Sr. 20 Zachary Stoltzfus 21 Ellie Pence 23 Jonathan Dixon 24 Marie Morris, Sharon Showalter 25 Jeremy Beach, Becky Gant 28 Nevin Lantz, Tara Williams Anniversaries 13 Jeremy & Diann Beach (4th) 13 Ken & Judy Nafziger (21st) Worship Schedule MARCH 5 (Youth Sunday) "God's Covenant With Us" Steven Stauffer 12 "Take Up The Cross" Clyde Kratz 10 "An Illuminating Word" Clyde Kratz 26 (Interim team commissioned)"Facing Our Fears" Clyde Kratz APRIL 2 Sam Weaver 9 (Palm Sunday) EMU Chamber Singers 13 (Maundy Thursday) evening meal, communion, & foot washing 16 (Easter Sunday) Ervin Stutzman 23 (Spiritual Renewal Weekend) Joe & Cheryl Hollinger 30 TBD APRIL 7 EMU Touring Choir Please put news items for May/June in the Windows mailbox by April 30, or email: pipermr@aol.com. We appreciate all your comments, ideas, and submissions! Dorothy Hartman and Myrna Piper publish Windows Into Zion. |
Upcoming Events
MARCH 5 Youth Sunday (final strawberry sales due) 6 6:45 p.m. Women's Bible Study 7 7 p.m. Outreach & Service Commission meeting 8 7 p.m. Christian Education Commission meeting (@ Zion) 9 6:30 p.m. Congregational Leadership Team meeting Commission Chairs & Interim Leadership Team invited 10 6 p.m. MYF Strawberry Pick-up @ Zion 11 Zion Woods Clean-up (if necessary) 13 6:45 p.m. Women's Bible Study 15 MYF Progressive Supper 15 7 p.m. Worship Commission meeting 17-18 Zion Women's Retreat 19 Jr MYF Potato Bar Fundraiser 20 6:45 p.m. Women's Bible Study 22 MYF Inter-congregational Activity 27 6:45 p.m. Women's Bible Study APRIL 2 Daylight Savings Time begins 2 Fellowship Meal for College appreciation 3 6:45 p.m. Women's Bible Study 5 7 p.m. MYF Bible Study 6 Zion Mennonite Women's Ministry meeting 10 6:45 p.m. Women's Bible Study 13 Maundy Thursday service and meal 14 Good Friday 16 Easter Sunday Breakfast 19 6:30 p.m. MYF supper @ Todd & Mandi Stoltzfus' new home |
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