December 2014 - Zion Mennonite Church

Windows
Volume 17, Issue 10
December 14, 2014
Into Zion
Z i o n M e n n o n i t e C h u r c h , B r o a d w a y, Vi r g i n i a
Ruth Alger
--Ruth Kaufman
Ruth Alger had many unique things happen in her life to provide
happiness and she has also experienced sorrow.
Ruth was born to Willis and Barbara (Stauffer)
Kling and joined the family of two sisters and one
brother in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Her
father was a deacon and minister in the Paradise
district. When Ruth was 11 years old, her mother
passed away from lupus. Two years later her
father remarried and two more children were born
into the family.
Her elementary school years were in a oneroom schoolhouse where many students were Amish. She graduated
from Lancaster Mennonite High School where she made many good
friends and sang in a girl’s quartet. She went to EMC (now EMU) for
one year and then began nurses’ training at Lancaster General Hospital
where she earned an R.N. degree. Later she returned to EMC and
received a B.S. degree in Nursing.
Ruth worked in Pennsylvania and Ohio hospitals and in Harman,
West Virginia, at Dr. Bucher’s clinic. She returned to Lancaster where
she worked for a dermatologist. Ruth was interested in doing
Voluntary Service so she went to Atmore, Alabama to teach Bible
School for the summer where her brother, Richard, was a pastor.
Before leaving for Alabama, she received a letter from Broadway,
Virginia from a young man (Nelson Alger) wanting to visit her. Letters
were exchanged between Ruth and Nelson while she was in Alabama
and Lancaster. On Ruth’s return from Alabama, she visited the Alger
family. Nelson was farming in Broadway at the Alger home--where
J.P., Nelson, and Nell Alger grew up and is now the John Kline
Homestead. On June 7, 1958, Ruth and Nelson were married at
Paradise Mennonite Church in Pennsylvania. They began married life
in Broadway on the Alger farm. Now Ruth’s activities included
planting a garden, freezing and canning, sewing, and entertaining.
Sunday noon meals were often shared with members of the Zion
family.
Nelson and Ruth were blessed with four children: Philip, David,
Jeanne, and Jon. In May of 1963, their oldest child, Philip, was having
Congratulations to Steven
Rittenhouse and Christa
Hoover on their recent
engagement. Christa is
originally from Greencastle,
Pennsylvania. Currently
she teaches violin to
individuals and to groups of
students in the city schools.
She also works at
Massanutten Regional
Library in Harrisonburg.
Christa and Steve are
planning to get married next
July, and are excited to start
this new phase in their lives!
Gift Idea
Anyone looking for an
alternative gift idea, MCC
kit bags are available!
School kits and hygiene kits
are in demand all year long.
Check with Audrey Shenk
or Sharon Showalter if
you'd like some bags to fill.
Page 2
Windows Into Zion
Ruth, con’t.
surgery and his heart stopped beating while he was under anesthesia. His heart started again about 15 minutes
later, but the doctors knew there would be major brain damage. An autopsy revealed his coronary artery was
underdeveloped and not large enough for normal blood flow. It was a most difficult time, but God granted them
comfort and peace. They experienced much support from the Zion church family.
In 1984 Nelson’s health began to decline. He was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. The next four years
included many hospital visits and various drugs. He passed away in September, 1988. There were many
responsibilities and decisions for Ruth to make. There was farm land and a big house to manage. She decided to
move to Harrisonburg and rent the land and house. She lived in Park View for twenty years. Next her daughter,
Jeanne, and family bought a house with an attached apartment where she lived until she moved into Park Place
at VMRC.
Ruth is blessed with a loving and caring family that includes seven grandchildren in Virginia and Ohio. She
enjoys attending their school events and various other activities. She has traveled in the United States, the
Middle East, Africa, Switzerland, Austria and France.
A recent challenge was the diagnosis of non Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2013. Ruth is grateful for the caring
treatment at RMH and the healing that has come.
Ruth feels blessed and wants to thank each of you for supporting her through the years. Ruth’s motto is, “God
has been good,” and “His Word is my source of hope.” Psalm 119:114b.
You are cordially invited to...A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!
•
Guest of Honor: Jesus Christ
•
Date: Every day. Traditionally, December 25 but He's always around, so the date is flexible.
•
Time: Whenever you're ready. Please don't be late, though, or you'll miss out on all the fun!
•
Place: In your heart. He'll meet you there.
•
Attire: Come as you are...grubbies are okay. He'll be washing our clothes anyway. He said something about
new white robes and crowns for everyone who stays till the last.
•
Tickets: Admission is free. He's already paid for everyone. He says you wouldn't have been able to afford it
anyway, it cost Him everything He had. But you do need to accept the ticket!
•
Refreshments: New wine, bread, and a far-out drink He calls "Living Water," followed by a supper that
promises to be out of this world!
•
Gift Suggestions: Your life. He's one of those people who already has everything else. He's very generous in
return though. Just wait until you see what He has for you!
•
Entertainment: Joy, Peace, Truth, Light, Life, Love, Real Happiness, Communion with God, Forgiveness,
Miracles, Healing, Power, Eternity in Paradise, Contentment, and much more! All "G" rated, so bring your
family and friends.
•
R.S.V.P. Very Important! He must know ahead so He can reserve a spot for you at the table.
Also, He's keeping a list of His friends for future reference. He calls it the "Lamb's Book of Life."
Hope to see you there!
Adapted from http://christmas.spike-jamie.com/inspirational.html
Page 3
Windows Into Zion
The Black Tulip
--Reviewed by Ruth Kaufman
"The ink of the scholar is worth
more than the blood of the martyr."
Jansen Visschar heard those
words over and over in his mind, as
he matured into adulthood! He was
reared in a long line of printers from
Strasbourg, Germany, in a Dutch
businessman's home -- and he was tired of the fact that
his destiny, too, was to work in his father's print shop,
located in Amsterdam!
As fate would have it, however, he was thrust into
a different role, as a result of an accidental warehouse
fire, which he had caused in an attempt to rescue
Anna, the daughter of Admiral Piet Heyn, from an
alley attack!
Fearing repercussions because of the fire, he
hurriedly gathered a few clothes and dashed onto a
boat in the harbor. He was about to be in the employ
of the Dutch West India Company, an investment
group, independent of the Dutch government, yet fully
supported and sent out into the oceans to war against
the greatest enemy of all -- Spain.
On his way out, he had picked up a small copper
plate from his father's print shop -- a sketch of
Stephen, the first Christian martyr, being stoned.
He had longed to sail the Atlantic, even though
there were many dangers in the high seas.
This novel, by Elwood Yoder, his second in this
"Legacy Print Series", portrays the life of an authentic
17th Century Jansen, embellished with an historical
character, Admiral Piet Heyn and fictitious
"privateers" and pirates.
Nineteen-year-old Jansen soon learned that the
Admiral of the ship tolerated no disobedience, as their
ship sought the precious Asian spices.
Intrigue, beatings, sea monsters (leviathans),
brutality, etc. were at times too much for Jansen's
emotional tolerance, but through it all, he became a
man!
Do you like 17th century adventure? Are you
curious about the importance of tulips, especially
black ones? See how the black tulip of the 17th
century world helped to spread ideas of love and
respect, rather than intolerance, hatred and evil. This
17th century world was the gift of printing words,
ideas and whole books for people to read!
Note from Elwood Yoder:
The Black Tulip is my second historical
novel in what I've named as the "Legacy
Print Series." My first historical novel was
centered on printing in the year 1525, in
Strasbourg, Germany, during the emerging
Anabaptist movement. Herald Press published that
book in 2005, and my church history students at
EMHS get to read the book. Margaret's Print Shop has
sold almost 1,300 copies since 2005.
In 2014 Herald Press has pretty much quit
publishing historical fiction, so I'm an "Indie
Publisher," going it on my own with the world of
Amazon, GoodReads, and word of mouth. Readers can
buy my book on amazon.com (search for "black tulip
Yoder" and it will come right up) either as a print book
or an eBook. The eBook costs $2.99 and a print copy
$8.26. There are no print copies of my latest novel on
a shelf in a warehouse; they are printed on demand as
orders come in.
I'll give a print copy to anyone at church who will
read the book and give me a review, either on
Amazon.com or GoodReads.com--this is how "Indies"
market their books. The way I increase sales is by
getting positive reviews on one of those two web sites
or in a print magazine or periodical. Since July 2014,
when I published The Black Tulip, I've sold about 20
e-books and about the same number of print books.
I already have the general story-line in my head for
the 1725 book, and the 1825 book. Problem is I'm a
starving author and have to work during the day, and
sometimes grade papers in the evening, to make a
living. I'm uncertain where the location will be for the
1925 or 2025 book, but I'd love to finish the series of
six books by the five hundred year anniversary of the
Anabaptist movement in 2025.
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Windows Into Zion
Joy in the Journey
--Elwood Schrock
“I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.” Psalm 119:32
It was over 41 years ago when I started running. I was 30 years old and had started to put on some extra pounds
around my waist – pushing my weight to more than 150 pounds! Then I read an interesting book about the
many ways running can improve one’s health. It said to start with a relatively short distance and run only every
other day, giving your muscles and lungs and heart (and mind and spirit!) time to strengthen gradually.
I started with a one-mile run and I couldn’t believe how fast my times improved that first week.
Soon I increased the distance to two miles, then three miles, and a few years later found that four miles
was the ideal distance for me. Our home in northern Wisconsin was on a paved road, but the four-mile
square included three miles of gravel road with some small hills and not much traffic. It wasn’t unusual
for me to see more deer than cars during my early morning runs.
About five years after I had begun running, the high school where I taught Spanish began a tradition of having
an annual “Creak and Groan Run.” Faculty members and parents of Cross Country Team runners were invited to
compete with the team during one of their early fall practices. Most of the coaches of the various sports agreed
to run and I figured I would probably finish last. All of the varsity runners beat all the faculty runners but I
finished ahead of all the coaches! The Cross Country coach wasn’t a runner at all; he would tell the team what
they were to run and then sit in his car and smoke until they finished their workout.
Several years later when the Cross Country coach wanted to retire, they asked me to take his place. Those
next 20 years of coaching boys and girls were the most fun part of my 31 years of teaching. I always ran
(barefoot) with the team in practice and emphasized individual improvement rather than just praising the top
runners. In cross country, the top seven runners are varsity and the rest are JV. So there is no complaining from
students (or parents) about playing time or varsity/JV status. Over the years, it usually worked out that the
varsity boys could all beat me in practices and I could beat the JVs.
As soon as I started coaching, I realized that I could run every day without wearing out my body. But I always
took Sundays off. I’ve found that when I am faithful in exercising, it’s easier to be more disciplined in my
eating, in Bible reading and in praying.
Now these last six years since we’ve moved to Virginia, I have really enjoyed running in the beautiful
Shenandoah Valley. The mild climate means year around running outside instead of a boring treadmill
for five months of winter! I no longer run two days in a row. I haven’t cut back my distance of four
miles, but this year I have cut back to just two times a week. My times have gradually increased. What
years ago took me 30 minutes now takes me 41 minutes – on a good day!
I’m so excited about the growing interest and participation and success of the cross country teams in
this area. And I encourage everyone – of all ages – to become more active; it’s good for the body, mind and
spirit! And, running doesn’t take a lot of expensive equipment, just good shoes.
You know, the Bible talks about running. I imagine in Bible times running didn’t seem very dignified for
adults, but the Father ran to welcome home the Prodigal Son; Zacchaeus ran to climb a tree; and Phillip ran to
catch up to the Ethiopian’s chariot. Among the disciples, John was a faster runner than Peter. In the Old
Testament Rebekah ran to water the camels, “Asahel was as fleet-footed as a wild gazelle.” With black storm
clouds coming, the prophet Elijah ran ahead of King Ahab’s chariot for about 30 miles; and in one chapter a
young man said, “Let me run.” A few verses later he begged, “Come what may, please let me run.” And a few
verses later he repeated, “Come what may, I want to run!”
Page 5
Windows Into Zion
Meet Glenn and Erin
--Erin Nofziger
The Nofzigers have enjoyed being part of the Zion family for the last 3 ½
years! Glenn and I attended Zion for a short time while we dated after
college (EMU) before moving to Ohio, getting married and living next
door to the Nofziger family farm for 8 years. While in Ohio Glenn farmed
with his younger brother, did some substitute teaching and coaching and
became very involved in the church we were attending, Lockport
Mennonite. A month after we got married I went back to school for
nursing, then took a job as a critical care/float nurse at a local hospital for
5 years until our second child was born. Our daughter, Mattea, was born in
2008 and our son, Luke, was born in 2011.
In 2009 we began sensing that God was leading us to make a change. Glenn was feeling a growing call to
“serve the church,” so we focused our discernment on what this might look like. Ultimately we felt God leading
Glenn to pursue seminary training, and He made it clear through a series of open doors that Harrisonburg was
the place to do it! Now Glenn is ready to begin his last semester of seminary at EMS and we find ourselves
again entering a time of listening and discernment about what is next for our family. Though the future is
uncertain, it is fun to dream and imagine the possibilities, and we trust that God will continue to shed light on
our path as we take steps of faith.
In the meantime we try to remain present in the here and now! In addition to seminary, Glenn started working
part-time construction this fall for a local contractor. I am currently working part-time as a medical/surgical
nurse at RMH. And we both work full-time as parents to our two lovable and vivacious children! Mattea is 6 and
in first grade at Waterman Elementary School. She enjoys reading and math, but her favorite subject is art. She
is always creating something, whether it’s a beach in the middle of the living room, a book about her favorite
people, or a Lego house for her pet turtle. She will break from a project to listen to a good story and she loves to
wear pajamas! Luke is 3 ¾ and nearly as talkative and out-going as his big sister. He loves cars and trucks
(really anything with wheels!), races, tickle times with Daddy, macaroni and cheese and kitties. He has a strong
will and is not afraid to speak his mind, but is also very snuggly and can melt our hearts with his sweetness.
Our years here in the Valley have been so rich and full. Through the ups and downs of parenting and
struggling to find a healthy balance between work, school and self-care, we have felt God’s faithful presence.
And we have been blessed and encouraged by meaningful relationships with many of you and by the life and
energy we see and experience here at Zion. Blessings to each of you this holiday season!
O Come, Little Children
--Christoph von Schmid
O come, little children, O come one and all,
To Bethlehem haste, to the manger so small,
God's son for a gift has been sent you this night
To be your redeemer, your joy and delight.
See Mary and Joseph, with love beaming eyes,
Are gazing upon the rude bed where He lies,
The shepherds are kneeling, with hearts full of love
While angels sing loud hallelujahs above.
He's born in a stable for you and for me,
Draw near by the bright gleaming starlight to see,
In swaddling clothes lying so meek and so mild,
And purer than angels the heavenly Child.
Kneel down and adore Him with shepherds today,
Lift up little hands now and praise Him as they
Rejoice that a Saviour from sin you can boast,
And join in the song of the heavenly host.
Page 6
Windows Into Zion
Congratulations Noah!
--Diane Emswiler
Noah Emswiler had an
exciting football season this
fall as the starting center for
Broadway High School. The
team ended the regular season
with an 8 - 2 record and
became District Champs!
They also qualified to host the
Playoffs and made it to the
second round.
Each Thursday evening the team would gather for a
nice meal with the coaches and parents, to bond and
listen to an inspirational speaker. And every game day,
all 12 seniors would meet for an early breakfast at a
Broadway restaurant, where each one received a new
personalized Bible from a local church. The players
were also encouraged to take part in the many
community volunteer opportunities made available by
the coaching staff. In addition, Noah earned the honor
of being named as "First Team All District Center" and
"First Team All Conference Center".
The whole season was a great experience. Thanks to
all of you who attended the games or showed your
support in many other ways!!
Boys’ Club
--Diann Beach
Evan Bert, Davis Bert, Zach Halteman, Jonathan Piper, Allen Showalter
The boys’ club had a great time making things at
Brenda Fairweather’s house in November. She was
very kind to have us there.
She explained different methods of doing things,
different ways to make some pots. But eventually one
of the boys said, “Can we just start now?!?” Impatient
boys!
They now have to wait for everything to dry and
then for them to get fired. We can't wait to see the
finished projects!
Cayden Boggs, Nolan Beach, Lucas Swartz, Joseph Codding
Jr MYF Packed 12 Boxes for Operation Christmas Child
--Kathy Alderfer
Operation Christmas Child is sponsored by the Samaritan's Purse.
Shoeboxes are filled with gifts, hygiene essentials, and candy to be sent
to children in need around the world.
The Jr MYF of Zion and Trissels gathered to pack up 12 boxes
specifically for the age group of 10-14, and to pray for the youth who will
be receiving the boxes. For some children, these boxes introduce them to
Jesus for the first time and can really make a difference in their lives.
Back row from left to right: Isaac Alderfer (MYF helper), Clay
Kauffman (Trissels), and Ben Alderfer. Front row from left to right: Sam
Groff, Kyle Showalter (Trissels), Simon Beach, Josiah Ropp, Emma Resto, Jessica Showalter, Olivia
Kauffman (Trissels), Drew Kauffman (Trissels).
Page 7
Windows Into Zion
Nurse’s Niche
--Laurie Weaver
Let me start with confessions (isn’t this a good place for confession?). First, I am not
a medical professional. Second, I cry at baby dedications. Third, I love food and
anything to do with food, with perhaps one exception: the cleanup. Feeding people,
baking, cooking for two or 200, I like it.
So the question is, how do these fit together? I’ve had the joyous pleasure since attending Zion of being
present at several baby dedications, and also had the opportunity to plan food for Bible School, bring food to
potlucks and, in general, enjoy the kitchen at Zion. So bearing in mind my confession that I’m not a medical
professional, what I’ve become more aware of are the food allergies and sensitivities that are present within our
body of fellowship. This is what makes me think of baby dedications. Often at a dedication, we as a
congregation respond with a Child Blessing (Hymnal Worship Book, #791) which in part reads, “We promise,
with humility and seriousness, to share in your child’s nurture and well-being.”
We have within our congregation, people who are dealing with diabetes; the spectrum of gluten sensitivity,
intolerance or allergy; dairy allergies, nut allergies, and those are the ones that I’m aware of. I’m sure there are
more. In some cases, these allergies are life-threatening. What would it look like if we as a congregation were to
take the time to educate ourselves about these issues so that we could be participants in helping, not only
children, but all who deal with these issues? We could be participants in supporting them and fulfilling a promise
to ‘share in...[everyone’s] nurture and well-being!”
As with many issues, educating ourselves is the probably the first step. If you know of an individual, or a
parent of a child who deals with food issues, talk with them. I have no doubt that they would welcome the
additional support of knowing that someone else is interested. If you know how to cook for a diabetic, or
someone with a severe food allergy, share the knowledge! Other practical things are rather small, but significant:
• If your dish at a potluck is gluten free, or nut-fee, or dairy-free, label your dish.
• Label your dish at a fellowship meal if it contains known allergens (particularly nuts). There are
convenient, reusable labels in the kitchen.
• Switch utensils after cutting that pecan pie – don’t use it to cut the chocolate cake.
• Use a fresh dish cloth after wiping up after highly allergenic foods.
• Educate yourself! There are many, many web sites. A search for “allergy-how can I help,” produced more
than I could read!
• Be sensitive to all, and particularly to children. No one likes to be ‘different’.
So I’ll still cry at baby dedications, and I still love almost everything about working in a kitchen. Only a few
among us are medical professionals, but we can all pitch in and create a safer environment for those who must
be careful of what they consume. Join me in this new awareness?
Elephant Stew
1 Elephant
Brown gravy
Salt and pepper
2 Rabbits (optional)
Cut elephant into bite-size pieces. This should take about 2 months. Cover with brown gravy, cook over
kerosene fire about 4 weeks at 465 degrees. This will serve 3,800 people.
If more are expected, 2 rabbits may be added, but do this only if necessary as most people do not like to find
hare in their stew.
Page 8
Windows Into Zion
Fellowship Hall Funding Update
--Clay Showalter
The efforts to accelerate paying down of the fellowship hall debt have
yielded some impressive results in 2014. Through a variety of efforts,
including a kickoff banquet, pork BBQ sales, 3 rounds of the silent
auction, and the Belmont yard sale, Zion has raised $7,784 to date!
This amount will cover an extra two months of payments on our
building loan. In addition, another $9,997 has been donated for the
building fund, which will further accelerate our debt repayment.
Thanks to the members of the debt reduction committee, and to all
of you who have been supportive of these efforts in many ways! With
your continued support, we hope to match, or even increase our efforts
in 2015.
Christmas Caroling - December 17th
You are invited...
to sing your Christmas caroling invitation to the tune of O Come all
ye Faithful:
O Come all ye Zionites, let's go Christmas caroling.
O Come ye to sing Christmas carols December 17th.
We'll sing to folks at VMRC and to folks in the Daphna Community.
O come and join the singing. We need many voices ringing.
O come and join the carolers, December 17th.
Everyone is invited to participate in Christmas caroling on
Wednesday, December 17. We need your voices! For planning
purposes, please indicate your interest and location preference,
Harrisonburg or Broadway area, to Jim Rush
([email protected]) or sign the sheet posted in the foyer. The
Broadway group will meet at Zion at 6 p.m., and the Harrisonburg
group will meet at VMRC inside the main entrance to Park Gables at
6 p.m. After caroling, refreshments will be served in Zion's fellowship
hall at 7:30 p.m. Come help spread Christmas cheer to those in our
community!
Windows Into Zion is published monthly
Deadline for the next issue is January 4, 2015
Editors: Myrna Piper, Sharon Showalter
Layout: Carlene Lantz
Contributors: Kathy Alderfer, Diann Beach, Ruth Kaufman, Erin
Nofziger, Elwood Schrock, Clay Showalter, Laurie Weaver
Photo Credits: Kathy Alderfer, Ruth Alger, Diann Beach, Diane
Emswiler, Erin Nofziger, Elwood Yoder
Birthdays
December
17 Isaac Deavers
17 Wilmer Hertzler
18 Dale Hess
19 Matthew Codding
21 Dewey Brenneman
24 Mary Leaman
24 Kristen Myers
24 Herman Ropp
29 Linda Snader
January
1 Tony Brenneman
1 Rob Pence
1 Betty Lou Buckwalter
5 Benjamin Kratz
5 Karcyn Swartzentruber
5 Joe Vaccaro
7 Rachel Nafziger
7 Jonathan Piper
9 Marci Myers
10 Lily Kratz
10 Audrey Shenk
12 Ed Miller
12 Gerry Rush
Anniversaries
December
20 Jamey & Gen Moyer-Groff 17th
20 Tim & Becky Roadcap
6th
29 Aaron & Maria Yoder Billings 2nd
29 Welby & Sharon Showalter 41st
30 Clay & Joanna Showalter
8th