Women’s Joint Bible Study

The annual Women of Zion Joint Bible Study will be held in August this year, tentatively on August 7 at 7pm. If you would like to help coordinate this event, please attend the planning meeting on July 8 at 6:30 pm. Details for the Joint Bible Study will be available in the August newsletter.

Transition Team Report

The transition committee is in the final stages of completing its task and by the end of June expects to send the Congregational Mission Profile the Minneapolis Area Synod.   This document will also help inform the Call committee when it is appointed later this summer.

A power point presentation about Zion is being prepared for the Call committee to use in contacting candidates and will also be available to be viewed by the congregation.

It is expected that a Senior Pastor will be selected by the end of 2008.

Daily Discipleship Online Bible Study

Daily Discipleship is a free, online, downloadable, lectionary Bible study from the ELCA based on the gospel lesson used at Sunday worship. Each weekly session is designed for “Daily Discipleship Groups” of two-seven people who gather to prepare for upcoming Sunday worship (or to reflect on the previous week’s reading) by discussing the assigned gospel lesson’s implications for daily living. It can be easily adapted for personal devotions or used for sermon preparation.

Opening the Book of Faith Adult Bible Study

The Adult Education committee invites you to join the Opening the Book of Faith initiative. A four step Bible study method will be used to help us deepen our faith and understanding. The four steps include specific passages devotionally, exploring them historically, literally and in light of Lutheran theology.

“The Book of Faith initiative of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America invites the whole church to become more fluent in the first language of faith, the language of Scripture, in order that we might live into our calling as a people renewed, enlivened, and empowered by the Word.”

If you are interesting in summertime learning, join Pastor Becky on Saturday mornings at 9:30 as we begin in the book of Galatians. Our first day will be June 7 beginning with Galatians 1. There is no need to sign up.

From Your Library

A Review of In Defense of Food: An Eaters Manifesto by Michael Pollan & Hungry Planet: What The World Eats by Peter Menzel and Faith D’Aluisio

By Beth Keller

Growing up as the daughter of a Weight Watcher Lecturer, I was raised 1970’s healthy . . . Liver once a week powdered milk and margarine.  In In Defense of Food: An Eaters Manifesto, Michael Pollan investigates society’s ever changing view of nutrition and diet.  According to Pollan, we have seen “large and abrupt swings of the nutritional pendulum.” He defines “Nutritionism”: the theory that foods are essentially the sum of their nutrient parts.  Pollan divulges the problems with the Western Diet and the diseases that have become prevalent as a result. 

Guest Speaker From the J.O.Y. Center May 13

Women United in Faith invites you to hear guest speaker, Mary Ann Peterson from J.O.Y. Center (Journey of Youth) on Tuesday, May 13, at 6:30 pm in the library.

• This is a safe, healthy and respectable environment for divorced or separated parents and children to spend quality time together.
• Teaches parenting skills and knowledge of the needs of children.
• Adult and youth support groups.

We encourage you to bring a friend and join us for an informational and inspirational meeting.

More Transition Team Q and A

1. What needs to be done yet by the Transition Committee??

We are still compiling data and comments received from the congregational survey. This will help us develop a “picture” of the type of senior pastor leader we, as a congregation, are seeking. We are also gathering much other data about Zion and the community. Once we have put together all of the needed information, the “Congregation Profile” will be completed. Then we will also complete other “marketing” materials, such as a powerpoint DVD about Zion . The work of the Transition Committee will then be complete.

2. Is there a deadline to complete my survey?

All surveys must be completed by not later than May 15, 2008 to be counted.

3. What happens if I do not complete my survey?

Your opinion on who you want for a senior pastor will not be known and therefore will not count.

4. Is the Transition Committee the same as the Call Committee?

No. The Transition Committee gathers information about the Congregation and the leader it seeks and prepares the “Mission Profile”, than the call committee will actually seek and interview candidates.

5. How can I get help to complete my survey?

By calling the office, pastors or any member of the transition team (phone numbers are available on a blue insert in the 5/3 bulletin or from the church office).

All Transition Team updates

Transition Team members are as follows:

20 Questions Responses

Thanks to those who answered by plea for feedback about the use of surveys, and tried out an online survey service for me.  I promised results of the 20 Questions to those that were interested.  Feedback would be much easier with a subscription (a simple web link) . . . . but for now, here’s a summary:

Transition Team Information

There has been a request for information regarding the Transition Committee. The following is a modified version of Pastor Hahn’s annual report to the congregation several weeks ago in which he described the nature of the Transition Committee which is currently gathering data to assist in the development of the Congregational Profile. This document will be used

Transition Survey Update

Due to popular demand, the Transition Team’s Ministry & Skills Survey is now available online.

Please do not take the survey online if you have already completed and returned a paper survey, or if you are not a confirmed member of Zion.

If you prefer to complete the paper survey, and you have not done so already, please return yours to church as soon as possible (extra copies are still available at church).

The online survey will be at http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB227QQ79ABKB for 10 days.

Thanks

Transition Team Q and A

1. What is a transition committee for? What do they do?

1. Coordinate and administer the Ministry Priorities and Skills Survey
2. Complete the Congregational Mission Profile
3. Gather and objectively analyze pertinent information
4. Examine the congregation’s perceived ministry strengths and capabilities, listen to the needs, concerns, hopes and dreams of members and incorporate this information into the Congregational Mission Profile

Communion Card FAQ

Why Do We Fill Out Communion Cards?

There are three reasons:

• Zion’s constitution defines a voting member as a confirmed member who has ‘communed and made a contribution of record during the current or preceding year,’ so we need a list of those that have communed to be able to determine voting members.
• Each year, we need to report to the Synod how many of our members communed during the year.
• It helps our pastors keep a handle on the spiritual health of our congregation.

Who Should Fill Out A Communion Card?

Anyone who receives communion at Zion should complete a communion card. It is very helpful to the office staff and volunteers if you complete one card per household rather than a card for each individual. Having less total cards makes the task of alphabetizing and entering them into the computer much easier.

What Do I Write On The Card?

The only piece of information that we use from the communion cards is the name or names. Please include the first names of all family members that are communing as well as the last name.

Common problems with names on communion cards are:

• “LASTNAME Family” . . . Zion is a large church, and there may be another family with the same last name as you, even if it is uncommon. If we cannot tell which family is indicated, your communion will not be recorded.
• “LASTNAME (4)” . . . If you have 5 people in your family, we are not going to guess which 4 of those 5 took communion. If we cannot tell which family members are indicated, your communion will not be recorded.
• And, of course, illegible names . . . Please print clearly.

Can I Put My New Address On A Communion Card?

If you have a new address, phone number, email, prayer request, or other concern, please use the yellow pew cards. Communion cards are often not processed for several weeks or longer and we do not look at the back.

20 Questions

Could you spare a few minutes to give me your opininons?

Zion is considering using this new online survey service in the future to collect opinions from members for various studies.

To get some idea of how the service works and to guide us in determining how to best utilize the features, I’m sending this test survey out to council members, other congregational leaders, and a few random households. Please let us know how you feel about Zion using surveys, using online surveys, and what you think of this particular survey service.

We haven’t subscribed to this service yet, but it looks like a very useful tool. As part of a free trial, this particular survey has more limitations, and less customization that we would have with a subscription.

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB227NL7JYT5X

The survey will be open for 10 days.

Thanks

Transition Survey

The Transition Committee will be surveying the congregation to help form an understanding of what qualities our congregation feels are needed in a Senior Pastor.

We need your cooperation in completing the attached survey (print, complete, and return to church).

Greeter’s Academy

Studies have shown that a visitor forms a lasting impression of a church within 45 - 90 seconds of walking through the doors.  Do you ever wonder what impression Zion makes on visitors?  Stop wondering!  Replace that wonder with certainty.  Become a part of an All-Star Greeter’s Ministry!The Greeter’s Academy is meant for anyone who has a heart for welcoming all members to worship.  Not just those who are known, but especially those who are new and visiting.  The purpose is simple: to use gracious hospitality and loving care to bridge a gap of uncertainty and discomfort that exists for people who are unfamiliar or new to an organization.

Have Your Say

Have you completed the survey regarding current and future small groups, mission projects, and study programs?

Especially if you have been involved with a 40 Days of Community small group and/or mission project, but even if you were not, the staff and 40 Days committee would like to hear your comments and suggestions.

What do you have to say?? Find the survey online.

A summary of the initial responses is available on the 40 Days site.

Prince Caspian

Bring a bag lunch and join pastor Hahn Sunday March 30 and April 6 at 11:45 as he leads a discussion on C.S. Lewis’ Prince Caspian. Call or email the office to sign up office (at) zionbuffalo.org

Interested in Angels?

Marilyn Hahn will be leading a five-week study on the Angels of the Bible. This study will be 9:30 Sunday mornings beginning March 30 in the library. Call or email the office to sign up office (at) zionbuffalo.org

Pre-Marriage Group Class

The next Pre-Marriage Group class is scheduled for 13 April from 4:00 – 8:00pm at Zion. If you are planning on a wedding at Zion, or with one of Zion’s pastors, this class is a must!

Draft of Proposed ELCA Social Statement on Sexuality Available March 13

The following information was taken from a February 4 release by the ELCA NEWS SERVICE: