Ways to Serve in March
Tuna, Tuna, Tuna! - March is Minnesota Food Share Month and it is the time of the year when we try to go the extra mile to help out the Milaca Area Food Pantry. You can help either by bringing in cans of tuna (that versatile source of protein) or making a financial contribution to the pantry (because they can buy more food than we can! With less money!) This is a good time to be generous!
Meals On Wheels - Zion is responsible for Meals On Wheels in Milaca for the month of April. Please sign up on sheet posted in entryway if you can help.
Souper Bowl of Caring: on February 7th - Super Bowl Sunday - Zion played in the Souper Bowl of Caring. Check the national campaign site and see how much this year's Souper Bowl of Caring will raise. Whatever you put in the soup pot on Sunday the 7th will be given to the Milaca Food Pantry to help our neighbors who face difficulties far more challenging than any football game. You made a difference! If you were not at worship on the 7th, you can still contribute.
Lutheran World Relief Health Kits - The LWR's recent shipment to Haiti has depleted their stock of health kits. So during this season of Lent, the Sunday School - with the help of the congregation - will be making LWR Health Kits. You can bring one item, several items, or a whole kit. Our goal is to make at least 75 kits. Please bring your donation to church by Easter Sunday, April 4th. Then on Sunday, April 11th, we will put the kits together during the Sunday School hour. One Health Kit includes:
One hand towel, dark color recommended
One washcloth, dark color recommended
One bath-size bar (4-5 ounces) of soap, any brand, in its original wrapping
One adult-size toothbrush in its original packaging
One sturdy comb with packaging removed
One metal nail file or nail clippers with file attached, remove packaging - no cardboard files
Six Band-Aids or similar brand, 1/2-3/4 inch, secured together with a rubber band
$3 (approximate cost to handle and ship one kit overseas plus the cost of toothpaste which has to be added at the warehouse
Missionary Sponsorship - we need 90 sponsors to give $20 each to reach our goal of $1800 to support our missionary, Rev. John Lunn, in his mission in India. If you would like to be a sponsor, please fill out the information in the bulletin, sign on the sheet on the bulletin board, or call the church office. You can read about John's life and his work on the Mission Page and his monthly letters.
Save your UPC codes - when you shop at teal's Market in Milaca and buy their house brand - the Our Family brand - save the UPC code on the label and bring them to church. Each UPC code is worth 5 cents to Zion! And, beginning in 2010, ALL non-profit groups can save and redeem grocery sales receipts for a 1% discount on qualifying purchases. The receipts will be used to benefit the youth group. Do not bring these items to the store - there are containers for them in the church kitchen!
Evangelism Team : Any one who has an interest in expanding the love and grace of God are welcome to join this team. We meet once a month on Sunday morning between services. You can make yourself avaiable for one event or project or many. The Evangelism Team has been instrumental in the following ministries: Get to Know Zion Events, New Member Reception, Senior Moments Potluck and Gathering, the newly established Young Adult Group, the Blessing of the Golden Couples, the clothing drive for the Marie Sandvik Center, Meals on Wheels, the Noisy Offerings for Lutheran World Relief, coordinating Zion’s Missionary Support, ministry to Zion’s homebound members, the Prayer Shawl Ministry, to name just a few. If there is a ministry that you are passionate about that would either reach out to the wider community or nurture our congregational community—we would love to hear about it. So, come join the conversation! Watch the monthly calendar for meeting days.
Join Team Zion for Hunger!
To support our ELCA Hunger Campaign this year, Zion has a couple of fun spring opportunities for you to help. First, we will be selling soup bowls designed by local artists at each of our Lenten Soup Suppers, beginning after Feb. 17 through Lent. Prices will vary, with 50% of proceeds supporting our hunger fundraising efforts and 50% supporting the local artist. Enjoy your soup from a beautiful bowl and reduce hunger in more ways than one!
Secondly, we’re looking for some runners (and race day fans!) to join Team Zion! Running enthusiasts should sign up for one of several races as part of the Earth Day Run in St. Cloud, April 16 and 17. Options include a 5K and kids run, a half marathon and 20-mile challenge. An alternative Fun Run (5K or 10K) will occur May 1 in Milaca. Interested runners will seek private donations of $1 or more a mile to raise money for the ELCA Hunger Campaign and keep that New Year’s resolution to get in shape! Visit www.runearthday.com to register ASAP and talk to Christine Nelson for more details, 320-493-5019.
Elevator Upgrades - Within the past few months it has come to our attention that our elevator needs to be brought up to code. Rich Mycue has been working with the inspectors. The following is part of Rich's report to the Council:
Please let me start by saying that our elevator is SAFE and in great working condition. The work needs to be done to bring our elevator in compliance with the Minnesota elevator codes that have changed since we installed it in 1993. Some requirements we have done ourselves. The following items and estimated costs are things we need to out source:
1. Install GFCI (ground fault circuit breaker) on top and bottom of the elevator - $1,518.00 to be completed by Elevator technician.
2. Install a water drain in the pit, we have had water issues in the past and the state elevator code is that the elevator pit must be completely dry; we have a bid from Carl E Johnson Plumbing for $4,985.00.
3. All the projects need to have a licensed elevator technician on site while the work is completed, at that time they will clean and paint all surface rust, the cost would be detennined by time and material, I will meet with the elevator company to get some kind of idea of the cost for this.
During October you are invited to make contributions to help defray the cost of this work and to avoid taking out a loan to pay for it. We have already collected roughly $2,130.00 toward this project. If you wish to contribute please make your gift out to Zion Lutheran and in the memo write: Elevator. (If anybody has any questions please feel free to contact Rich Mycue)
Zion’s Endowment Fund: What’s Your Legacy? - In 1888 Alfred Nobel woke up one morning in Stockholm, Sweden and to his surprise, read his obituary. His brother had actually passed away, but the newspaper had accidentally gathered the wrong information on him instead. Alfred read that he would be remembered as the one who gained fame and fortune as the “Dynamite King”. This was not the legacy that Alfred Nobel wanted to leave, so he set about rearranging his finances in order to become a blessing to future generations and in the process established the distinguished Nobel Peace prize. What legacy will you leave and how will future generations remember and be blessed by us? Does your will and/or planned gift play an important role in the answer to this important question? Have you considered remembering and contributing to Zion’s Endowment Fund? Got questions? Feel free to contact either Pastor Blenkush or one of Zion’s current Endowment Committee members.
Wanted: Senior Dining Site Coordinator - The Senior Dining Site has invited Zion to pick one day a month when Zion Seniors would dine as a group at the Dining Site. We need a person who would set this up, be the contact person for people to call for reservations and then would let the Dining Site know 1-3 days prior to that date and let them know how many were coming. If you could do this ministry each month, please call the church office - 983-3368 or email.
Needed: Zion's Youth are in need of individuals who would be willing (and excited) to serve on Zion's Youth Ministry Team. What does this mean you might wonder? It means we are looking for a handful of folks from Zion who are not only interested in enriching the faith development of our Zion's youth, but also individuals who have a passion for kids of all ages. We are looking for individuals willing to step up to the plate and lend a hand--to be a part of an important and vital ministry here at Zion. We are looking for folks who would be able to serve not only in an advisory role, but also providing some nuts and bolts assistance in some of the planning and execution of youth ministry activities (i.e. .. mission trips, adventure trips, Easter breakfast, 30-Hour Famine etc.) This does not mean you have to participate in every event, but pitching in and helping make these events possible is really helpful. We are also looking for individuals willing to head up ZAK (Zion's Amazing Kids! our elementary age youth ministry). This particular ministry's primary focus is organizing fellowship activities (i.e. .. bowling, sledding, swimming, games, etc.) on a quarterly basis. The mission behind this ministry is to help build relationships between the kids, laying the foundation for future youth ministry possibilities. Please give these opportunities some prayerful consideration. If you have questions, contact either Pastor Blenkush, Terry Hamblin, Mary Jo Gruba or John Cook and they would be happy to sit down with you and help fill in some of the gaps.
Holy Cow! Congratulations! - Each year our NEMN Synod recognizes the congregations who gave more than $10 per confirmed members (pcm) to the World Hunger Appeal and the ELCA Disaster response and Zion was one of the 21 congregations recognized for giving $10.63 pcm! This year’s Holy Cow! Look What We Did for World Hunger Award went to Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Wright as they contributed $63.04 pcm! Congratulations and Good Work!
Circles of Hope comes to Zion! - Circles of Hope is growing! Join us in giving thanks to God that He brought 10 participants to the Circles of Hope meeting in May. What a blessing to have such a great turnout! But that leaves us in need of many more allies (volunteers). Our hope is to have 2-3 allies for every participant – we only had 4 total. Please consider joining us for the next Circles of Hope meeting on Thursday, July 2nd, from 6 pm (for dinner) to 8 pm in the fellowship hall at Zion Lutheran Church. All you need to bring is your compassion for those who need healthy relationships! Circles of Hope is a community–wide ministry that invites people to build relationships across class and race lines and make our community stronger. Here’s who is invited: Participants—struggling individuals and/or families who need healthy relationships and who want to increase their self-reliance as well as expand the meaning and friendships in their lives. Allies—Community members who want to make a difference in their community; find more meaning in their lives by sharing their time, knowledge, skills, abilities and experience with others; and most importantly share the love of Christ. Interested. For more information contact either Pastor Blenkush or Trudy Ash at the CRC of Pease (320-369-4228).
Got Equal Exchange Coffee, Tea, Cocoa, and Chocolate? – What are Equal Exchange products? These are products grown by farmers in the poorest countries in the world without the multinational companies ripping into their meager profits. These are products full of flavor and full of opportunities. The farmers make more money to help them support their families and local communities. Zion charges enough to cover our cost and then pass the profits on to our ELCA Hunger Appeal. And you get a great taste and the knowledge that everybody wins! For more information visit www.equalexchange.com/interfaith. Items can be purchased from display in Centennial Hall.
Thanks to a gift from the estate of Arnold Meleen, we were able to pay off the mortgage!
Noisy Offerings! Each month on the last Sunday the children of the congregation are invited to collect a “NOISY OFFERING” where loose change is loudly thrown onto buckets. All moneys gathered are dedicated to our ELCA Hunger Appeal. Last year (2008) we collected $1025.00. In October we collected $75.17, bringing our total up to $1,322.72! Thank you to all of you who have been saving your loose change and contributing it to this worthy ministry. It is amazing how just a few coins can add up and make a difference in the lives of so many! (Soft money is also welcome even tho it is very quiet!)
Volunteers Needed! – Looking for a way to give back to the community? Want to make a difference in someone’s life? Volunteer at Fairview Northland Medical Center! We are currently looking for volunteers to help with a variety of projects at our medical center in Princeton. Shifts are 2-4 hours in length. Contact Fairview’s Volunteer Services at by e-mailing jelbert1@fairview.org or call 763-389-6565 for more info.
Heartland Home Health Care & Hospice Volunteer Training – You are invited to enrich your life and make a difference in the lives of others by becoming a Hospice Volunteer. We encourage you to consider joining our team by attending volunteer training. Heartland provides care that is comforting and compassionate, and volunteers play a vital role in that care. In caring for the mind, body and spirit of those facing a life limiting illness, volunteers offer support with friendly visits, giving a break to family members, assisting in the office, sharing in the final journey of patients and bereavement care. The schedule is flexible, and volunteers choose how much time and where they would like a volunteer. For more info please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at (877) 249-8836. This could be one of the most rewarding calls you ever make.
Here are some of the ways that Zion has served needs around the world in 2008:
From WELCA
65 quilts to Lutheran World Relief
26 quilts to special projects
12 prayer shawls
3 patchwork afghans for Warm Up America
18 chemo caps
81 caps for babies and children in Honduras
9 rolled bandages
74 T-shirt diapers
From the Sunday School
25 school kits
To Global Barnyard:
5 pigs
5 fish farms
1 cow
5 goats
1 beehive
10 pairs of rabbits
This page is full of ways that you can be of service at Zion, in Milaca, and throughout the world.
Earn a little money for Zion by doing your Internet search on GoodSearch.com - just click the GoodSearch link on our home page and Zion will get about one penny for every search you do! One penny isn't much, but add a penny for every search Zion members do and who knows how much we could earn? Be curious - search often - earn cents for Zion! And if you shop online, try GoodShop link on the GoodSearch page! Many of your favorite shopping sites are listed along with the percentage of your purchase that will go to Zion. Questions about how all this works? Check the FAQ Page.
Zion's Camperships: An Opportunity to Give and Make A Difference
Did you know that we currently have 7 of Zion’s youth going to one of our Lutheran Church Camps this summer? Did you know that Zion is giving out over $1400 in Camperships? Because Zion Lutheran encourages its young people to attend our Lutheran Bible/Church camps Camperships are ways to make these wonderful experiences possible. To receive a Campership, pick up a Campership form, fill it out and return it to the Church Office. Camperships pay for half of the cost for camp, up to $75 for a weekend or half-week camp, or up to $190 for a weeklong camp. The church Treasure will send your Campership to the camp. Please fill out separate forms for each child if you have more than one child attending camp. Want to help, your financial contributions to the Campership Fund will help make all this possible. See Pastor Blenkush for more information..
Join the Senior Companion Program! - Spend just 15 hours a week: make new friends, receive a tax-free fInancial reimbursement and have the personal satisfaction that you are helping others. Senior Companions provide companionship, transportation and errand assistance to elderly community members, allowing them to continue to live independently in their own home. Qualifications are that you must be 60 years of age and willing to give back to your community with just 15 hours a week. Please call 888-205-3770 for an application and more information. Sponsored by Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Minnesota Department of Aging.
Give Zion a Gift for your birthday - Looking for a great way to celebrate your birthday? How about a gift to Zion? There are a number of places to give and support that would benefit Zion’s mission and ministry. Consider one or more of the following opportunities:
+ Help provide Camperships to Zion’s Youth
+ Zion’s Endowment Fund
Sign Up: to serve coffee and treats on Sunday morning between services. Check the signup sheet for available dates or call the office.
Camp Onomia
Drop us an email if you are interested in Volunteer Opportunities - We have a number of projects that we need some help with and would love to have volunteer teams help us out. If you have people in your congregation that would like to help out in a variety of ways, email us at Volunteer@camponomia.org.
Check out the web site at www.camponomia.org.
Commit Random Acts of Kindness: Summer time is a good time to commit a random act of kindness for a friend, a neighbor, a family member, or a stranger. Need ideas? Click here!
Prayer Blocks: Is your family in a table grace rut? Do you need to add a table grace to your dining experience? Zion's Youtheran are selling "Passing on the Faith Table Grace Prayer Blocks". Roll the prayer block and when it stops pray the table grace that faces upward. This is a fun and easy way to learn new table graces and to "Pass on the Faith." The cost is $5 per block.
Donate Your Used Vehicle: Make a difference in the life of a working family! Zion Lutheran Church in collaboration with Communities Investing In Families now has a car donation program in Milaca. Northland Auto Sales donates their time and labor to do minor repairs, tune-up and clean up of donated vehicles. Family Services of Milaca has a waiting list of deserving families in need of a reliable vehicle, which can make the difference between being on public assistance, or sustained employment and self-sufficiency! Your donation is tax-deductible as you claim the full private party value of the vehicle. For more info, please call Sharon at 320-679-5431 or cell # 320-630-2539
Be sensitive to allergy sufferers and restrict use of colognes and perfumes when we gather in public setting such as worship, meetings, or classes. We wouldn't serve food to someone if we knew it would make them sick - let's be as thoughtful when it comes to the scents that we use.
Recycle your old magazines: Bring them to church and we'll send them off to men and women serving in the military. There's a box in the Narthex.
Community Service: Watch the bulletin and newsletter for more opportunities to serve by working with the Milaca Area Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels, and Elim Coffee hours. Zion does each for a month every year.
Check the Lutheran World Relief web site for ways to help around the world.
Give a Ride - Get a Ride: If you would be willing to provide someone with a ride to church on Sunday morning, please call Jan at 983-2320 or send her an email. And if you need a ride, call or email Jan and she'll find you a ride. And as of September 20th, Timber Trails Public Transportation will be offering Sunday morning service for Milaca, Mora, and Princeton from 7:45 a.m. until 1 p.m. Schedule your ride to church before 3 p.m. on Friday please. Call 1-888-217-5222 to schedule your ride.
Serve in the Altar Guild: Help prepare for worship for a month of Sundays each year. See Mary Anderson.
Maintain Church Property: If you're handy or just willing to work, call the church office about helping with maintenance.
Prayer Shawl Ministry: If you can knit and purl - or if you are willing to learn - you can make a Prayer Shawl to bring the warmth and comfort of Zion's prayers to someone who is going through difficult times. We have yarn and needles for anyone who wants to make a shawl thanks to generous gifts from the Sunday School and other Zion members. The yarn is soft and the shawl pattern is simple. Talk to Lee Anderson or Jan Brown if you would like to be part of this ministry. Come and knit and crochet with other crafters - check the monthly calendar for date and time.
More than Prayer Shawls - "Hooks and Needles": If you knit or crochet and you'd rather do something smaller than a prayer shawl, we are also making soft caps for chemo patients who have hair loss and will be starting smaller projects like stocking caps for newborns and knitted or crocheted afghan squares for Warm Up America. Talk to Lee Anderson or Jan Brown to find out more and get patterns. Come and knit and crochet with the Hooks and Needles bunch - check the monthly calendar.
Support our Missionary: We need sponsors to give a gift of $20 to support our missionary - Pastor John Lunn in India. There will be sponsorship slips in the bulletin and a signup sheet in the Narthex. Learn more about John and read John's monthly newsletters from India and old letters from Liberia.
Zion Prayer Chains: Visit Zion's Prayer Chain page for information on how to submit a prayer request and how to join the email Prayer Chain.
Circles: Join a Circle and meet with other women of Zion. Have a Bible Study, some great fellowship, and something good to eat. Check dates and times on the monthly calendar. The Circle chair-persons are all listed on the main page of Zion Online- give them a call. One Circle meets in the morning and one in the afternoon, so choose whatever time works best with your schedule. Either of the Circles would welcome you! Check the calendar for Circle meetings.
W.E.L.C.A.: The next meeting is March 18th. Visit the Zion Women's Page and come to the meetings to enjoy fellowship and learn how you can help with the many projects the women do every year.
