Monthly Newsletter - Zion Lutheran Church

Volume 157 | Issue 8 | August 2016
THE MESSENGER
HONKY-TONK AND HOSPITALITY
On Monday, July 25, a honky-tonk band from Birmingham, Alabama named Banditos was scheduled to
perform the first concert of the Shire City Sessions on the lawn of Pittsfield Common.
And then there was a thunderstorm.
After a series of phone calls and text messages, Gordon Maston, Alicia Aldam, Sue Phelps, and I sprang into
action—and we were able to host the concert at the church. The Banditos, their sound engineer, the team
from Shire City Sessions, and those of us from the church worked together to prepare the sanctuary for the
crowd of people who anticipated being out on the lawn that night. We got the lights on, the windows open,
the air moving—and even the popcorn popping.
My heart is so full since Monday night. There was an incredible sense of joy in the space, as over 200 people
came into the church over the course of the evening to check out the music. Our neighbors even brought ice
cream from King Kone over and ate it on the front steps, listening to the band from outside.
But there’s more: the average age of the people coming in and out of the church was about 28 years old.
Zion Lutheran Church
hasn’t seen that many
young people come through
its doors in a long time.
After the concert, Alicia
Aldam called me over to
greet the band. “They’re
going to New Jersey
tomorrow,” she said. “I want
you to bless them.” And so
we gathered in a circle, and
I offered Banditos the same
blessing that I offer each of
you, every Sunday: “Go out
into the world in peace. Have courage. Hold on to what is good. Return no one evil for evil. Strengthen the
fainthearted, support the weak, help the suffering, honor everyone. Love and serve God, rejoicing in the Spirit.
And may the blessing of almighty God, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit, be with you now and remain with you
always." What an unforgettable moment.
If hospitality is defined as "a generous welcome to the stranger" (Christine Pohl) I'm grateful for the hospitality
our church provided this past week. My prayer is that we continue to cultivate our sense of hospitality in this
place, that those whom we define as "the stranger" may indeed become friends. - Pastor Timothy Weisman
Zion Lutheran Church of Pittsfield
zionlutheranpittsfield.org
(413) 442-3525
Volume 157 | Issue 8
August 2016
WORSHIP ASSISTANTS IN JULY
LECTORS
7 Kate Kidd
14 Scott Shurtleff
21 Renee Beatty
28 Martha Hathaway
ASSISTING MINISTERS
7 Helen Kimpel
14 Erika Wisenbaker
21 Scott Shurtleff
28 Helen Kimpel
ALTAR GUILD: Pauline Giacoletto
ACOLYTES
7 Jamison
14
21
28 Ian
USHERS
Sharyl Swarbrick
Donald Soulier
Paul Aldam
Manny Henriques
BREAD BAKING: Pamela Diederich
PASTORAL ACTS
Burials of Ed Tooley and Florence Tooley, July 22
MEMORIAL GIFTS
Donated to the Restoring and Renewing Campaign by Marie Davis in honor of Dick Hamilton, Ruth Jones,
Dale Kuhn, John Swarbrick, Dick Wisenbaker and William Croll.
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN UPDATE
As of July 28, 2016, members and friends of Zion Lutheran Church have given $229,859 to the Restoring &
Renewing Capital Campaign. Thank you for all your faithfulness. - Barb Landry
WISH LIST
The Finance Committee at Zion Lutheran is very careful with spending, and we get our necessarily supplies
at the best prices we can. Many of these supplies come from BJ's Wholesale, Staples and Amazon.com.
You could help out by buying gift cards from these establishments, purchasing the items needed or giving
cash designated to any particular item. We currently need legal size copy paper (8.5 X14). We have plenty
of the regular (letter) size. Thanks for your help. - members of the Finance Committee
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
We are always looking for content for our monthly Messenger. Perhaps you have a short story or poem you
would like to share. Submit to [email protected].
It's not too late! Please remember to set aside some nights to volunteer for Zion Lutheran this summer. For the
second year, Pittsfield Shakespeare in the Park will be performing on The Common next door to the church.
This year they will perform The Tempest, and it will run from July 21 – August 7, Thursday – Sunday at
8:00pm. Zion will be serving popcorn and other refreshments. Would you be willing to help out for a night
or two? Contact Alicia Aldam at [email protected].
Courtesy notice: Monthly congregational council minutes and financial reports are available upon request by contacting Judith
Weiner at (413) 442- 3525 or [email protected].
Zion Lutheran Church of Pittsfield
zionlutheranpittsfield.org
(413) 442-3525
Volume 157 | Issue 8
August 2016
A POEM
Pebbles
I had an idea, walking along, looking down at the gravel on the
side of the road. Little, tiny things that we do — like writing a
poem, a letter — are pebbles. It's important to get things out there.
We don't know what gifts they are, or what they mean. But other
people need them; need us. We don't have to write a perfect book
or the perfect essay. Just put out one pebble, or one-sixtieth of a
pebble.
Let the world be a compassionate place;
let the world be a safe place;
let my pile of pebbles grow.
- Julia Drury
A SYNOD OF INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY
<-- At last year's Synod Assembly, Bishop
James Hazelwood named the New England
Synod "a synod of experimentation," and he
invited clergy and lay leaders to share their
experiences in their congregations. The post to
the left was shared by The Rev. Mark Huber,
pastor at Sanctuary in Marshfield, Mass.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The next Jazz Vespers will be Thursday,
September 1 at 6:00pm. Jazz Vespers brings
together Marisa Massery, voice; Katharine
Wiencke, flute; Andy Wrba, bass; and Ben Kohn,
piano; for an evening service filled with jazz,
song, and community. A hearty reception
precedes Jazz Vespers starting at 5:30pm.
Stockbridge Sinfonia will perform its summmer
concert on Saturday, August 20 at the Norman
Rockwell Museum at 2pm and on Sunday,
August 21 at Lenox memorial High School at
7pm. Stockbridge Sinfonia rehearses weekly in
the sanctuary at Zion Lutheran Church.
Save the Date: German Dinner, Friday, Sept. 30!
Zion Lutheran Church of Pittsfield
zionlutheranpittsfield.org
(413) 442-3525
Volume 157 | Issue 8
August 2016
WHERE IS PASTOR TIM?
CONTACT
Pastor Tim Weisman will be away on several
occasions this summer, through a combination of
earned vacation time and regional/national church
gatherings. Here's an update for August:
Pastor Tim is will be away for the ELCA
Churchwide Assembly, August 8-13. He will be in
worship on Sunday, August 14. Pastor Tim will be
on vacation August 22-28. The Rev. John Kid will
preach and preside on Sunday, August 28.
Zion Lutheran Church of Pittsfield
www.zionlutheranpittsfield.org
www.facebook.com/zionlutheranpittsfield
Judith Weiner, Office Manager
[email protected]
Gordon Maston, Building Manager
[email protected]
Alicia Aldam, Congregation President
[email protected]
Amy Renak, Music Director
[email protected]
The Rev. Timothy Weisman, Pastor
[email protected]
or call and leave a message at
(413) 442-3525
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