This Week at Zion!

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Breaking News ...

Join Us For Summer Time Worship!

Sunday, July 25th - "Yes, we are open!"

• 9:30 am Worship
• The Lord's Prayer, a Parable (persistent or shameless?), and Sayings of Jesus!

See you in church!

Next Quilting Days

Our next quilt date is Tuesday, August 17th, 6-9pm, at the Walworth Town Hall

Did you know all 450 quilts made to date are posted online? WOW! View them all at: http://zwwumc.com/Quilts.html

Sunday's Bulletin

Take a look at this Sunday's bulletin to learn all the details about worship. It is now posted for your benefit. [ Sunday's Bulletin ]

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Previously Reported, but hot, Hot, HOT News!

New Zion Photos: Confirmation! Quilting Ministries Recognition!

View all the wonderful photographs at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/73042833@N00/sets/72157623997533765/ Thank you to everyone who supplied pictures!

News from the Leadership Council

The Leadership Council met this past week and decided to address some of the property concerns around the building and grounds. Over the next few weeks, members will be conducting an assessment of what needs done, when it needs done, how it can get done, and who should be asked to get it done. For example, a relatively small repair that improves safety might be identified, referred to a member for immediate repair, with the cost for the repairs coming right out of current expenses. A capital need might be identified, referred to a committee, paid for from savings or a special appeal, and delegated to a contractor for completion.

How best can you serve (remember our vows to support the church "with our prayers, presence, gifts, and service")? Speak with our Lay Leader, Sharon Boyd, or our Trustees Chair, Art Plotzker, if you can provide any assistance with the assessment.

Imagine a World Without Malaria!

The United Methodist Church has taken up the cause to end malaria deaths. Go to the website at: http://www.imaginenomalaria.org/site/c.4dIBILOnGaIQE/b.5938999/k.C05A/Home.htm to learn more!

Have you seen the newly refreshed Zion Web Site?

New look, new logo, new content ... all redone over this past summer. Visit and enjoy! The address is: www.zwwumc.com Eventually the old domain address (www.zionwestwalworthumc.com) will be ended.

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Prayer Concerns

Prayer is identified as one of our core values at Zion "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

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Zion's Connection with the District, Conference, and Denomination!
Missional outreach is one of our core values at Zion

From the United Methodist News Service

U.S. conferences report declining numbers
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — United Methodists across the United States celebrated their shared faith at annual conference gatherings this spring and summer. But when the time came for reports on membership and attendance, the news was often sobering. The pews at many churches are emptier this year. {359} Read more

Conferences feature petitions, push-ups
NEW YORK (UMNS) - The U.S. conferences of The United Methodist Church did service projects, passed resolutions on issues from immigration to sexuality and worshipped together at annual meetings. Moods ranged from sober to buoyant as delegates pondered the future of the denomination and rejoiced in the faith that makes it all worthwhile. {360} Read more

United Methodist camps offer s'more love
LYLES, Tenn. (UMNS) - Birds twitter in the trees as waves lap against the shore of Cedar Crest Camp Lake, gently rocking moored boats in the early morning hours. In natural settings far away from cell phones and iPods, United Methodist summer camps strive to offer people of all ages opportunities to grow closer to God and to one another. {370}  Read more

To be a kid again—and go to church camp
SPIRIT LAKE, Iowa (UMNS)—Barbara Dunlap-Berg remembered summer church camps as places that modeled God’s love for a frizzy-haired, sunburned kid and her pals. After visiting several United Methodist church camps this summer, she realized the spirit of camping hasn’t changed. "That—to me—is good news," Dunlap-Berg writes in a UMNS commentary. Read more

Top court takes up membership issues
NEW YORK (UMNS) -- The United Methodist Judicial Council is being asked to revisit a decision allowing a pastor to bar a gay man from joining his congregation. When the denomination’s top court meets Oct. 27-30 in New Orleans, seven of the 31 docket items revolve around membership issues, including the right of pastors to decide who is worthy of membership. {380} Read more

Red Bird mission school to reopen
After almost shutting its doors, the Red Bird Mission School will once again welcome students in the remote mountains of southeastern Kentucky. In May, the Red Bird Mission Board had voted to suspend classes during the 2010-2011 academic year to build up its cash reserves after years of dwindling donations. But after receiving more than $100,000 in gifts and making substantial budget cuts, the board voted on July 22 to open the United Methodist school to 150 kindergartners through 12th graders for the coming school year. The first day of class will be Aug. 5. {381} Read more

Lutheran-United Methodist group meets
CHICAGO (ELCA) - A joint commission of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The United Methodist Church developed a three-year plan at its inaugural meeting July 15. The commission is charged with assisting the two denominations in fostering their new full communion relationship. The commission appointed two co-chairs: the Rev. Jonathan W. Linman, assistant to the bishop for formation, ELCA Metropolitan New York Synod, and the Rev. Edgardo Colon-Emerie, professor and director of Hispanic studies, Duke Divinity School, Durham, N.C.

Mississippi marks Katrina anniversary with prayer
JACKSON, Miss. (UMNS) — The fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s landfall on the Gulf Coast will fall on Aug. 29, a Sunday this year. Mississippi Area Bishop Hope Morgan Ward invites churches to pray for those affected by the hurricane. In mid-August, the Mississippi Annual (regional) Conference will post worship ideas and resources to mark the occasion at www.mississippi-umc.org. Mississippi continues to need volunteers in its recovery and disaster response efforts after tornadoes and flooding this spring.

Bishop aids campaign against homelessness
WASHINGTON (UMNS) -- United Methodists have the power to help end homelessness, Bishop John Schol said in response to the June launch of the 100,000 Homes Campaign. Schol thinks the campaign, which is an effort to house 100,000 vulnerable homeless individuals and families across the nation by July 2013, should become part of the denomination’s strategy to combat poverty. More information can be found at www.100khomes.org.

UMCOR provides disaster training in Cambodia
NEW YORK (UMNS) - More than 30 representatives of the Methodist Mission of Cambodia participated in a recent three-day workshop on disaster preparedness and response organized by the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Heavy rain, typhoons and flooding are regular occurrences in Cambodia. The workshop helped local church communities acquire tools and resources they need to prepare for, and respond to, such emergencies.

UMTV: Cooking with Jesus in Ukraine
United Methodist missionaries Shannon and David Goran have found a recipe for success When the American couple inherited an established student ministry in western Ukraine, they not only turned to the “Good Book” but also the “cookbook” for inspiration. Now young people break bread and have Bible study in a relaxed setting that gives them a new way to understand Christianity. You can view UMTV’s “Cooking with Jesus in Ukraine” at http://bit.ly/cF4LoF. Find this and other UMTV stories on YouTube, and Tangle by typing "UMTV" in the video keyword search. You can also find the latest UMTV videos on Facebook if you become a fan of the page for The United Methodist Church.

 

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Genesee Valley District: http://www.geneseevalleyumc.org/
Genesee Valley District Weekly e-Newsletter: http://www.geneseevalleyumc.org/eFriday.html
Western New York Conference: http://www.wnyumc.org/
The United Methodist Church: http://www.umc.org

Schedule of Church Events

• 8/1: Holy Communion, Food Pantry offering.
• 8/17: Quilting Ministries, 6-9pm at the Walworth Town Hall. All are invited.
• 8/22: Holy Communion, Food Pantry offering.
• 9/12: Rally Day; start of Sunday school.
• 9/16: Third Thursday Soup & Bread, 6pm.
• 9/19: Holy Communion, Food Pantry offering.
• 9/21: Walworth Council of Churches, 2:30pm.
• 9/22: Pastor-Parish Relations Committee, 7pm. Leadership Council, 7:30pm.
• 10/6: District Superintendent Visit to Zion: Pastor Parish Relations Committee, 6:30pm. Annual Church Conference, 7:00pm.
• 11/6: Annual CommUNITY Dinner.

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Zion's Birthdays:

Happy Birthday, all!

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Final Thoughts From Your Pastor

The sudden, unexpected death of my father-in-law on June 18th has been a real blow to my family. My own father died 25 years ago. In the past 25 years, Irving has served as that steady father figure in my life. I had, we all had, forgotten how difficult mourning can be.

We've been over whelmed by the response of the members and friends of Zion. You've demonstrated to us the finest love and support a church family can provide. Jana immediately covered for Christian. Bill and Sharon came to the funeral in Syracuse. Dozens of cards, beautiful flowers, memorial gifts, and food abundant has all helped take away the sting of death. You've truly served as the Body of Christ and confirmed within us the power of love and the promise of eternal life.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

God loves you, and so do I.