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Grace Ministries – February 2020
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- Yoked Communities of Faith and Service NON-PROFIT ORG.
c/o Zion Lutheran Church U.S. POSTAGE PAID
41 Whitmarsh Avenue PERMIT#205
Worcester, MA 01606-3296 WORCESTER, MA
NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2020 TIME SENSITIVE
PLEASE DO NOT DELAY
Our lives are formed by Word and
Sacrament, and we gather as the beloved
children of God around the means of grace
where our lives are in Christ.
Grace Ministries – February 2020
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PASTOR’S MESSAGE
Our favorite vacationing spots are in and around southern Maine where the coastline and outer shoals are dotted with the familiar and comforting sites of lighthouses; those beacons of warning against snags and crags, allowing for a way home in safety.
Karen and I have read or heard stories about various light keepers and their families; I would expect it would take quite a while to collect and read all of the published accounts. These people had dedication to the work, a calling as it were to help provide for the safety and well-being of those at sea. And the work was not easy, requiring long-hours and vigilance so that the beacons would not go out, fog horns keep calling and rescue be initiated if need be.
I’m recalling all of this as I think upon Transfiguration of Our Lord coming up on the last Sunday in Epiphany and falling this year on February 23rd. You might remember the basics of the story, right; Jesus went up the mountain with Peter, James and John and not only did Moses and Elijah show up, but Jesus’ presence took on an unearthly glow in the presence of God?
Like the lighthouses of the world, the teaching of Christ, the Word incarnate has come to “light our way”, to warn us from dangerous shoals and call us “home” to hopefulness and wellness in the midst of life’s seas!
Jesus’ transfiguration, his resonance with the power that is God as the God-man,
reminds us of his difference from others who have claimed to speak for God so that we might listen to the truth among the many competing voices around us. Jesus is God, the Word made flesh who came and dwelt among us to save us from ourselves.
As the church year shifts into our Lenten journey may we all be ready to hear anew the Word seeking each person, reminding us that grace and mercy are a “lamp unto to our feet and light unto our path” as we seek to honor God and follow the Way of Jesus for our safety, wellbeing and stability as the winds and tides course in and around us.
Grace & peace ☩
Pastor Andrew
Dismas meals are always held on the last Friday of each month. If a volunteer would like to prepare a meal it can be done in the church kitchen around 4pm. Volunteers are also needed to deliver and
share the meal (5:45pm). Dinner is over and hosts usually leave by 6:30
Friday Feb. 28th
Grace Ministries – February 2020
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FEBRUARY OPPORTUNITY LIPY-CM will gather at The Carty Food Cupboard of Wesley United Methodist Church 114 Main Street in Worcester to help the food insecure on Wednesday, 2/19 during the February school vacation from 12:45 PM – 3 PM.
This is an advance RSVP event as spots are LIMITED!
Join Pr. Andrew in this annual event in support of Worcester’s largest food pantry.
Meet PA just off the parking lot at the rear of the church at the 1st doorway headed down the alley between the church and the triple decker next door.
APRIL MISSION TRIP As of this writing Grace has at least 6 youth along with Jen Courtney and myself as chaperones attending the April school vacation trip to Winthrop, ME.
Our group will have opportunities to volunteer at either: a) Bread of Life Ministries soup kitchen in Augusta for the noon-time meal preparation/serving/cleanup.
b) Good Shepherd Food Warehouse in Auburn prepping food and kits for delivery to food pantries and resources throughout the state, or
c) Winthrop United Methodist Church and their spring vacation bible school. Our expanded family of youth and chaperones from Trinity-Worcester, St. Stephen-Marlborough, Bethlehem-Sturbridge and Emanuel-Worcester will leave Monday 4/20 and return Friday 4/24.
We anticipate a fundraiser in the near future, a pancake breakfast, so keep an eye for notices on this so we can all help support our young people!
PRAYER LIST Bethel - Arnold Ariansen - Maya Belmonte - Lucy & Tom Brennan - Karen Carlson – Earl Connor - Shirley Connor – Peter DePierri, Lori Deso - Jean Dowd - Matt DuHamel - Dave and Linda Fabrizius - Liesl Voosen Fields - Sylvia Forgit - Judy Garneau - Grover Gentry - Hope Grasso - Skip Hagberg - Paul Josephson – Baby Julian - Greg Kallfa - Audra Layton - Kay Lemerise - Bill Lewis - Eric Lewis - Kay Malkasion - Susan Marriano – Bob Maynard - Lori Merrihew - Tracy McLean - Jim Mooney - David Naugle - Amanda Parker - Nick Rossignol – Carolyn Skoglund - Sabrina Valastro - Gini Varg - Kay Venning - Pearl Wheeler - Kim White
Zion - Betty Nielsen - Doreen Earley – Barry,
Bruce & Laura Blomgren - Charlotte Rose MacNeil
- Liesl Voosen Fields - Audra Layton – Patricia
Lynch - Sara Spieght – Bob Ekstrand – Grover
Gentry – Shellie Dyke – John Berube – Barbara –
Harold - Marta Parsons –Pamela Laino - Pastor
Ann Bergdorf – Charlie Ruff - Frank Sabjai - Arlene
Theriault - Shelby
Have you engaged with the prayer wall?
FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARIES
Bethel
Richard & JoAnn Van Dyke - 02/03
Grace Ministries – February 2020
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Consider making a Qualified
Charitable Distribution to church Have you taken the Required Minimum Distribution
(RMD) from your Individual Retirement Account
(IRA) yet for 2019?
If not, consider this: If you are 70½ or older, you can
make a contribution to your church directly from
your Traditional IRA simply by instructing the plan
administrator to make the transfer directly to the
church as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD).
You are allowed to transfer up to $100,000 a year to
the charities of your choice.
Your gift can be transferred directly to your church,
will not be reported as taxable income and will count
toward your minimum distribution requirements for
2019. And, most importantly, your generous support
will help sustain the church’s mission.
To learn more about the specifics of making a QCD
to your church, speak with your financial adviser.
50+ Noontime Meal Program In conjunction with Elder Services of the Worcester Area (ESWA) a nutritious meal is provided each Wednesday at our Worcester campus in the Palmer Room! > Ages 50-59, recommended donation $5.50/meal
> Ages 60+, donation encouraged
> RSVP by 10 AM the Monday of each week to 508-832-3427
> If the Worcester School System is closed due to weather, so are we. We run the program with disposable plates, plasticware, napkins, plastic drink cups, etc.:
donations are encouraged 😊
Anyone wishing to volunteer can call the main office and we’ll look to get you trained and into the serving rotation!
Doris Brick c/o Oakdale Nursing & Rehab. 76 No. Main St., W. Boylston, MA 01583
Jeff Moody c/o Lanessa Extended Care 751 School Street, Webster, MA 01570
Delores Bengtsson, Harold Johnson c/o Care One @ Millbury 312 Millbury Street, Millbury, MA 01527
Mildred Lindblad, May Jacobson c/o Knowlwood Nursing Center 87 Briarwood Circle, Worcester, Ma 01606
Dot Reid c/o Lutheran Rehabilitation & Skilled Care Ctr. 20 Harvard Street, Worcester, MA 01609
Henry Hirvi c/o Holy Trinity Nursing & Rehab. 303 Barber Avenue, Worcester, MA 01606
HOMELESS CARE KITS
As we travel around the city and surrounding
towns, most all of us encounter those struggling
with homelessness and joblessness asking for
assistance at many traffic islands.
Below is a listing of items recommended that we
will be asking our community to donate
throughout the year.
Socks, gloves, granola bars, vitamin enhanced
water/sports drinks, combs, large Ziploc
storage bags, blank 4” x 6” card stock, gum,
soap, lotion, nail clippers, hand warmers, trail
mix, toothbrushes, toothpaste
Grace Ministries – February 2020
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Shirley Cummins
Anita Haynes Pat & Jack Barkus
Donald & June Mikkila Eleanor McCrea
Jennifer & Stephen Johnson Karl & Janice Desch Christine Cummins
Richard & Jane Johnston Len & Mary Kay Spahl
Dennis & Dianne Marcotte Ruth Thompson
Jackie & Vinny Walsh
Ellen & Gilbert Nobert II, Gilbert G.
Nobert III, Cole William Victor Judith E. Garneau
.
Dear Zion Lutheran Church
On behalf of all of us at Abby’s House, we want to
thank you for your generous contributions of
nonperishable goods.
Sincerely, Kathleen O’Connor Thank you for your generous contribution to
Outreach Inc., which was received December 10,
2019 in support of the Grace Ministries Packaging
event.
Sincerely, Katheryn Hamilton
On Behalf of Interfaith Hospitality Network of
Greater Worcester, I would like to thank you for
your generous donation and ongoing support of
our program.
Sincerely, Joanne Alley Interim Director, IHN of Greater Worcester
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS 2020
Zion Brian Buckley – 02/06 Debby Engvall – 02/07
Bruce Sundquist – 02/08 Hunter White – 02/08 Scot Wiinikka – 02/15
Meghan Costello – 02/16 Ruth Ames – 02/22
Nancy Hallstrom – 02/25 Lindda Wiinikka – 02/28
Bethel Kristel Hunt - 02/02 Karen Baril - 02/03 Doris Belk - 02/03
Chris Rapoza - 02/09 Tony Benvenuti - 02/12 Annalise Peters - 02/13 Sean Townsend - 02/16
Liz Blash - 02/17 Jason Hight - 02/24
Allayne Nelson - 02/24 Julia Benvenuti - 02/25
Lucy Hight - 02/26 Bill Wright - 02/28
Grace Ministries – February 2020
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Bethel’s Council Connection
Happy February! The annual meeting is over,
the budget has been approved, and now it’s time
to get back to the business of Bethel. A special
Thank You to all those who attended the
meeting and helped to keep Bethel moving
forward and growing.
At the annual meeting we all said a fond and
heartfelt thank you to Grover Gentry, who after
several years, has stepped down from council.
Grover, you have been a great leader and loyal
member of Bethel for a long time, and we will
always be grateful for all that you have given
over the years to our family here in Auburn.
We welcomed a new member to the council,
Bev Sampson, who will bring her energy and
enthusiasm to our meetings. Bev even started
off on the right foot, by suggesting that we move
our council meetings to a Sunday morning after
worship so that she could participate. And thus,
our monthly meetings will now be held following
the 10:15 service on the 2nd Sunday of each
month except August. Our “coffee with council”
will move to the first Sunday of the month to
allow us to listen to the thoughts and concerns
of our members and bring them to the council
the next week for deliberation.
At the annual meeting we also approved the
establishment of a fund-raising committee to
raise funds to address the property need of our
church, most especially the bell tower. This
project is long overdue, and needs to be
addressed sooner rather than later, before the
damage becomes too extensive to repair. Look
for more information soon as we move forward
with this very necessary endeavor to keep the
building in good shape.
And finally, a special thanks to all those
volunteers who work behind the scenes, keeping
Bethel a friendly and welcoming place for all.
From the bakers to the coffee cleanup crews, to
the church closers, to the ushers and
communion servers, to the various committee
members, a lot of work goes into making Bethel
what it is today. However, there is always room
for others to step forward and volunteer their
time. If you see something that interests you,
please ask either the Pastor or myself, and we
will be happy to put you in touch with the right
people. Join in the fun and find out what really
makes Bethel tick!
Respectfully, Preston Sturdevant Council President
Zion’s Council Update Happy New Year to Everyone!
Pledges are extremely important this time of
year, if you have not submitted please do ASAP
Elder Meals Program - Started on January 12th,
with a success.
Annual Meeting -January 19th, we had a few
changes to Council - meetings will be held at
Bethel on the 4th Sunday of month right after
Bethel's Sunday service. We have new council
members for 2020. Let's Welcome: Amy
Costello, Theresa Toombs, Ginger Carlson, Jen
Courtney. Steph and Don will continue to be on
Council
Homeless Kits - we need water, bars of soap,
toothpaste, chapstick, mouth wash, gallon
storage bags, crackers, knit hats, gloves,
mittens, ear warmers, etc.
We need volunteers to help us serve on Sunday
Services, Assisting Ministers, Readers,
Acolyte's, Greeters, and Ushers, please reach
out to me or anyone on the church council. I will
be more than happy to walk you through the
process.
Respectfully:
Donna R. Hayes – Council President – Zion
Lutheran Church, Worcester, MA 01606
Grace Ministries – February 2020
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OUTREACH/SOCIAL MINISTRY Reaching out to a world in need
BETHEL ““This is what the Lord requires from you:
to do what is right, to love mercy, and to live humbly with your God.”
Micah 6:8 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
The simple language of Micah 6:8 speaks to our hearts of how we are to live in relationship with God and with each other. To live humbly with God is to be reverent and aware of our dependence on God. Through this relationship, we ought not think too highly of ourselves, but instead allow the Holy Spirit to work in us and through us, and yield to the needs of our neighbor. This is the heart of our Christian Faith. On October 27th, four members of Bethel joined in the Auburn Faith Walk for Hunger for the benefit of Auburn Youth and Family Services and Kateri’s Kitchen. This was the tenth year for the Auburn Walk, with a total of $32,993 having been previously raised through these walks. This year, among the Auburn churches, twenty-five walkers raised a total of $3,655.21. Of that total, Bethel raised $505. We wish to thank those who gave generously to help support families in our local community. Thank you to Lee Fenby for once again providing water and apples for the participants on the day of the walk. Our Social Ministry and Outreach teams of Grace Ministries will be hosting the Interfaith Hospitality Network home on June Street the week of November 24th through the 30th. Thank you to those who have volunteered to cover overnight and late afternoon shifts, as well as those who
donated gift cards for groceries and health care products. At the end of that week, on November 30th, members of Grace Ministries will be running three meal lines with End Hunger NE. This event will be held at the Worcester campus at 10:00 that morning. In the month of November, our Social Ministry team recognizes our veterans with gratitude for their service. Through the Kindness Tree we collected turkeys and food items to prepare Thanksgiving baskets to be brought to Veterans Inc. in Worcester. Thank you to those who generously donated to help our veterans and their families. In the month of December, we will be collecting men’s, women’s and children’s scarves, hats, gloves and socks for the men’s and women’s shelters of Veterans Inc. We will have tags on the Kindness Tree for Christmas gifts for families in need through the Christmas gift giving program of AYFS. On December 15th, we will gather at 9:00 am, before worship, to assemble lunches to be brought to the Worcester Common for Worcester Fellowship. This project will be funded with seed money from Thrivent Financial. We will gladly accept donations of juice boxes, fruit cups and socks, which will be brought to the Common following worship services that day. We wish to extend our gratitude to every one for your help in bringing hope to our neighbors in need. May you all be filled with the peace and joy of the season.
Grace Ministries – February 2020
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I’m a Lutheran: Shannon Ivey January 10, 2020 (Courtesy of Living Lutheran Magazine)
Triumphant Lutheran Church in Garden Ridge, Texas (physically), and New Hope Lutheran Church, Agoura Hills, Calif. (online)
Filmmaker/activist/professor/founder of Theatre For Change
I pray for my marriage and my children’s safety and joy every single day. I pray for the courage to stand in my truth.
My favorite part of being an associate professor of dramatic media at Texas Lutheran University (TLU) is my students! My students are the coolest bunch of people I know. Watching them grow and wildly create keeps me young and sharp. I’m also deeply grateful to my TLU community. Creating films and exposing systemic social injustice can be quite controversial and uncomfortable. Not once has TLU ever waivered in its support for our department, Theatre For Change, my art or me.
To me, church is a place where the broken go to heal and where joy rattles out of its cage.
I was motivated to found Theatre For Change because I live in a community in the midst of a significant humanitarian crisis, where arts funding must come secondary to providing services for hunger, homelessness, refugee resettlement, domestic violence, abuse and neglect. After decades in the entertainment industry, I know story compels people to action. God has given me (and my team) the gift of storytelling. I have no choice but to follow the call. I’ve never been more terrified or inspired in my life.
Grace Ministries – February 2020
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Learning about the foster care system in my region for my TV pilot script “Region 8” nearly broke me. To properly write “Region 8,” I interviewed foster children, biological families, foster/adoptive families, legislators, Child Protection Service workers, judges, abusers, human traffickers and victims. I lost faith in people for quite some time. It took the victory of finally adopting our own two children out of the system to restore my faith and remind me that good always prevails. It has to.
To me, grace means something so sacred, and I fear my words fall short. Grace means God plucking me out of the ashes (many times) and gifting me with the audacity of voice and story. Grace means watching my single mother raise three babies. Grace means God lifting me above false prophesies (many times) and giving me an iron will for justice. Grace means God trusting me to guide my three precious babies. Grace means God sowing seeds of failure so that grit will grow. Grit is needed in this life. Grit and grace are one and the same.
It’s important to me to be involved in my congregation because they make sandwiches for my sweet dad’s funeral and teach my children kindness, patience and service when I can’t do even one more thing.
One of the most important stories I’ve told through Theatre For Change is … honestly, they have all been important to the communities we’ve served. Our stories have changed legislation, bolstered volunteers, given voice to the voiceless and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars at galas. However, personally, my favorite has been telling the story of my great-grandmother, Ruth, who died of an unregulated abortion in 1938. Memorializing her life through our short film Ruth and standing on the front line of the women’s health care debate has been one of the greatest honors of my life.
A new project I’m excited about is whichever one God decides to fund. We never really know which of our films he’s chosen next until someone says “yes” to funding. He’s tricky like that.
People are surprised that I curse like a sailor. My TLU professor-buddy, Dr. Scott Baily, recently told me I am a synesthete, which means my senses get cross-wired. So I find curse words delicious, colorful, shapely and disarming. I can’t imagine living a life without the freedom to use all of life’s weirdo words.
I share my faith by listening and then making movies.
I believe storytelling has the power to effect social change because lectures, pamphlets and marketing materials can only go so far. When filmmakers do our job correctly, story motivates the parts of the soul that demand action. Creating film deep inside life’s trigger warnings inspires people to donate, volunteer and serve.
I believe in humankind’s ability to always choose good over evil. I believe God loves me even though I suck sometimes.
I live out my baptismal promise to strive for justice and peace in all the earth by saying “yes” every time God places a person in need or a story in my path—or an animal, much to my husband’s chagrin. I push past my exhaustion, my lack of funding, my fear, my insecurities and I say “yes” and just get to work. Sometimes it’s a box of chicken for a homeless belly dancer on NYC’s subway; sometimes it’s a horror movie about human trafficking; sometimes it’s a pair of baby ducks who stink up our backyard for months on end.
I’m a Lutheran because we prioritize grace over greed, service over self-righteousness and community over congregation.
Grace Ministries – February 2020
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through our RIC Central MA campuses
MISSION STATEMENT
"To boldly share God's Love and Grace universally in and through our communities."
VISION STATEMENT
Modeling the welcoming nature of God, we are humbly called and driven by the Spirit to witness, engage and walk with each other authentically, as Jesus’ hands and feet, providing spiritual, emotional and physical nourishment.
Through evolving partnerships with ecumenical and other social service organizations we affirm justice and wholeness under the “agency of Grace” that feed the needs and hope of all.
The Rev. Andrew H. Borden, Pastor [email protected]
Ann Spinner, Parish Administrator
Shannon Papandrea, Sexton
Kate Valleli & Kristel Hunt– Christian Education Team
Worcester Campus - Zion Lutheran Auburn Campus - Bethel Lutheran 41 Whitmarsh Avenue, 01606 90 Bryn Mawr Avenue, 01501 Office: 508-853-2009 Office: 508-832-3427
The-Community-of-Zion-Lutheran-Worcester.org BethelAuburnELCA.org
Organist – Karen Couturier Principal Organist/Choral Director – Brenda Salvi Choral/Bell Director – Sally Bond Associate Organist/Choral Director – Lois Toeppner, Deacon President – Donna Hayes President – Preston Sturdevant
Yoke Council Co Presidents Preston Sturdevant (Bethel) & Donna Hayes (Zion) Secretary – Stephanie Harms (Zion) Marie
Sturdevant (Bethel)
Bethel Congregation Council
EXECUTIVE TEAM: President – Preston Sturdevant Vice President – Dave Sutton Secretary – Marie Sturdevant Kathleen Legg, Leanne Carraher, Doris Belk, Roberta Briggs, Bev Sampson
Functional Units Social Ministry – Marie Sturdevant & Judy Sampson Worship & Music Committee – Joan Parker, Chair
Property Team – Garrett Peters, Rick Hagberg, Roy Benoit Jr. Altar Guild – Leanne Carraher, Chair Adult Forum, Roberta Briggs
Preschool Preschool Director – Bev Sampson 508-832-9411 [email protected]
Teachers, Karen Borden, Shannon Papandrea, Teachers Aide, Kim Capaldi
Zion Congregation Council EXECUTIVE TEAM: President – Donna Hayes - Vice President – TBA Secretary – Stephanie Harms
Virginia Carlson, Jennifer Courtney, Amy Costello, Theresa Toombs, Don Leombruno
Functional Units Outreach Ministry Team – Stephanie Harms/Jean Harger, Coordinators
Altar Guild – Virginia Carlson, Chair
RECONCILING IN CHRIST
Grace Ministries – February 2020
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LOOKING FOR A GROUP OF LUTHERANS TO MEET WITH AND SHARE
SOME EXPERIENCES AND HAVE FUN?
AS A SHARED MINISTRY WITH BETHEL/ZION, WHY NOT GIVE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING A TRY?
MEN’S GROUP On Tuesday, February 11
h the Men's Group will gathering for Food and fellowship @ 6PM. Proceeds will
benefit our Camp Calumet Scholarship Fund. Please sign-up in the Narthex or call the church office!
WOMEN’S: DOLs (Dine Out Ladies)
Tuesday, February 11th @ 1PM Please not the time change
Jasmine” on 711 Southbridge St. Auburn. Meet at the restaurant - each person is responsible for the cost of their meal. Sign up in the Narthex or call the Bethel Office.
“BOOKIES” Book Club The Bookies meet again February 24, 2020: The book “The Death of Mrs. Westaway” a mystery by Ruth Ware. i. All are Welcome!
Grace Ministries – February 2020
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