The Lamplighter

PASTORS PEACE

Zion
United Church
of Christ
February 2017
Inside This Issue

1 Pastors Peace
2 Palm of Prayer
3 Worship Ways
4 This Months Events
5 Community & Conference Clamor
6 Butterfly Room
7 Celebration Occasions
8 Worship Whirl
No matter who you are or where you are
on life's journey, you are welcome
here. We believe in extravagant welcome. This is why we insist that God's communion table is open, not closed, and
God's gift and claim in baptism are irrevocable. We advocate justice for
all. Our congregations extend hospitality
as a sign of God's inclusive love. We
teach that evangelism - offering bread to those
in search of it - is God's mission. Our perspective is global, not provincial. We work with - not
against - people of other faiths. Why?
Because God is still speaking!

"World Religions"
One of the amazing things
about faith is its diversity. I love to
learn about Jesus--he is our pattern as
Christians--but as I study other religions, other beliefs in the unseen God, I
see so much we have in common with
many of them. This has, for me, been
both a blessing and a conundrum!
Many years ago I felt as if Spirit was giving me
permission to study other religions and to get to know
persons of other faiths. I had felt growing up, for some
reason, that I was not supposed to do that. What I
discovered was that many other religions were based
in relationship with a loving God, but that there were
also extremes in those religions that encouraged hatred, prejudice and a sense of superiority, unfortunately including my own. I became a bit confused and
wondered, in this new understanding, if I really was a
Christian. This to me was my "dark night of the soul,"
my spiritual crisis. Here are a few lines from "The
Dark Night of the Soul," by St. John Of the Cross (16th
century):
"Oh, night that guided me,
Oh, night more lovely than the dawn,
Oh, night that joined Beloved with lover,
Lover transformed in the Beloved!"
It was definitely an important time of discernment and
transformation for me, as I was experiencing the StillSpeaking God.
At that time I was also teaching a weekly Bible
study which I named, "Encounters With God," at the
church I served as Spiritual Growth and Healing Minister. I shared my struggle with the group. Some were
touched by my struggle, and all seemed to appreciate
my openness and willingness to share this struggle
with them. Some even opened up about their own
struggles or questions with their faith. This made for
very enriching conversations, deepened our relationships, and was seen as permission for the whole
group to explore their faith.

Zion United Church of ChristEstablished 1880

105 N. Mary, Mayview, Missouri 64071-8224
Phone and FAX: (660) 237 - 4355

Right now one of the exciting opportunities for us in

the Lafayette Cluster, as well as anyone who would
like to be a part, is the study of "World Religions"
that will begin in March. Two classes each day,
beginning on Saturday, March 4, then on April 1st
and April 29th, from 8:30am-4:00pm (for a total of six
classes) will explore the following world religions:
Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism,
Christianity and Islam. Each class will be taught by
different pastors from the Lafayette Cluster. The first
class will take place at Ebenezer UCC, in Levasy.
There will be a continental breakfast and lunch
provided for each class. PLEASE REGISTER WITH
REV. BOB ATKINSON-robertatkinson@[Link].
I will have the great honor of sharing what I
am learning and experiencing of the philosophy of
Buddhism. As many of you know, our son Ian is
Buddhist in practice, Christian in heart, so Buddhism
interests me greatly, and I find much wisdom in its
practice. Below is a story shared recently by a
colleague of mine, Rev. Tim VanderHaar, of
Michigan:
"It is said that one day the Buddha was
walking through a village. A very angry and rude
young man came up and began insulting him. 'You
have no right teaching others,' he shouted. 'You are
as stupid as everyone else. You are nothing but a
fake!' The Buddha was not upset by these insults.
Instead he asked the young man, 'Tell me, if you buy
a gift for someone, and that person does not take it,
to whom does the gift belong?' The young man was
surprised to be asked such a strange question and
answered, 'It would belong to me, because I bought
the gift.' The Buddha smiled and said, 'That is
correct. And it is exactly the same with your anger. If
you become angry with me and I do not get insulted,
then the anger falls back on you. You are then the
only one who becomes unhappy, not me. All you
have done is hurt yourself.'"
Pastor Tim provided at link for "digging a little
deeper": [Link]
We are now in the season of Epiphany, the
time of the revelation of Jesus at the visit of the Magi
to Bethlehem. God reveals Godself to us certainly
in the incarnation of Jesus, the Christ. However, my
faith continues to be strengthened by exploration,
meditation and discernment, both sharing my own
discoveries and listening to others' discoveries as
well. This is not an independent journey; this is a
journey of growth in relationship with God's children
of every nation, culture and belief. We know God Is
Still Speaking, and we are always learning.

The Lamplighter
Exploration of other cultures and faith can be
part of how we work out our own faith, while
serving others in what we know for certain about
God, that God Is Love!
Grace and peace in Christ!
Pastor Kristin

Pastoral Visits and Prayers Please feel free

to contact me at any time if a pastoral care visit
or prayer request is in your heart. The best way
to reach me is at the parsonage, 660-237-4902,
and the next best option is my cell @ 660-6411038. Blessings! Pastor Kristin

PALM of PRAYER 9 I have loved

you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my
love. John 15:9 (NLT)

Concerns Please continue to

surround in love and prayer, those experiencing
health difficulties & or recovering from surgery,
the loss of family and friends, & those adjusting
to new seasons in their lives: Carol Nolte, Kyle
Warren, Ray Lynn Begemann, Brad Fore;
friends and family of Allene Goers, Thad
Cousino, Norm Stuart, Sharon Thompson
(Branson), Genevieve Iles, Ethel Johnson; first
responders; victims of random acts of violence;
military personnel and their families; families
around the world that are in the midst of
tensions, conflicts, acts of violence and wars
which are going on in different parts of the
world.

Joys
Successful heart transplant for Kyle Warren.
Phillip & Shelby Wagner celebrate new baby
Bailey Leann, born on Christmas day. Kyle
Hawthorne is engaged.

ZION UCC WORSHIP WAYS

TREASURERS TWITTER

Lafayette Cluster MLK Celebration

Plan to join elected representatives, our
conference minister and others from the
community for our Martin Luther King,
Jr. celebration. Due to inclement
weather in January, the celebration will
be held Feb. 19th, 3 PM at Zion.

BOARD of CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

The Board of Christian Education is looking into
holding a Skating Party in February, with the date
to be announced soon. The board is looking at
VBS options for the summer, and encourage the
congregation to let us know if you have
ideas. Also we are looking at a book study for the
summer around the book "Losers Like Us" by
Daniel Hochhalter.
LENTEN STUDY: Curriculum on White Privilege,
beginning first Sunday in Lent, March 5, 6:30-8pm.
"White Privilege--Let's Talk", by Traci Blackmon,
John Dorhauer, DaVita D. McAllister, John Paddock, and Stephen G. Ray, Jr..

Many waters cannot quench love,

neither can floods drown it.
If a man offered for love
all the wealth of his house,
it would be utterly condemned.
Song of Songs 8:7 (MEV)

Q: What do you call two

birds in love?
A: Tweethearts!

COMMUNITY, COUNTY &

CONFERENCE CLAMOR
CONFERENCE ANNUAL GATHERING
While it may only be January, it's not too early to
mark your calendar for our 2017 Conference Annual Gathering (CAG)! We will once again meet in
Columbia, MO on June 8-10 at the Holiday Inn.

The Lamplighter

Sunday School9:30 A.M.

Worship10:30 A.M.
February 1, 2017
Choir 7pm
February 2, 2017
Groundhog Day
February 3-9, 2017
Pastor Kristin on vacation
Pastor Betty Thaller on call
February 4, 2017
Mayview Fundraiser, Community Building
February 5, 2017
Betty Thaller preaching, Communion

Copyright 2011 The Zondervan Corporation

INSPIRATION STATION

February 6, 2017
BCE 7:15pm
February 8, 2017
Choir 7pm
February 12-18, 2017
Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) Week
February 12, 2017
Skating Party 2pm (tentative)
February 14, 2017
Valentines Day
February 15,2017
NO CHOIR
February 19, 2017
Mass Choir practice 1:30pm
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, 3 PM @ Zion
February 20, 2017
Presidents Day Observed
14

February 23, 2017

Michelles place SAIL 11:30am

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all

together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:14 (NLT)

February 28, 2017

Shrove Tuesday
March 1, 2017
Ash Wednesday Service 7pm

10 Random Acts of Kindness (RAK)

Ideas that fit into what you already do
Wake up: surprise a friend with a positive
text/phone call/email.
Eat food: take time to enjoy your meal.
Maybe make extra and share with a
neighbor or someone who is hungry.
Go somewhere: before you leave, write
uplifting messages on sticky notes.
Then, wherever you go, place those
sticky notes around the area.
Talk with someone you don't know:
genuinely compliment them.
Talk with someone you know: after you
talk, sit down and write that person a
hand-written thank you note for being
so awesome.
Be outside: spend 10 minutes picking up
litter or just take a moment to really enjoy the outdoors.
Use technology: write a positive comment
on social media, text a kind note to a
friend or email a message of appreciation to a coworker or someone you always meant to thank and never did.
Go to the grocery store: place unused
coupons next to relevant products or
offer to take shopping carts back for
people.
Interact with someone in customer service: have an awesome experience
with a restaurant server or store employee? Let the manager know! Write a

EXPRESSION SESSION
Thank Yous
Dear Friends,
Thank you for the loving thoughts and
prayers as Norm left this life to go Home. He is
now at peace...no more sorrow, pain, or limitations. What a wonderful way to spend Christmas;
celebrating in Heaven.
And thank you, also, for filling in for me by
cleaning the church. What a blessing to be able to
spend that time with Norm before he passed.
Peace and Blessings, Dawn Stuart
My Dear Friends at Zion,
What a Christmas celebration of joy! Thank you so
much for all the cards and well wishes--they mean
so much! Thank you for the beautiful journal and
sketch pad, and the financial love gift! You are
such a very special, loving, warm congregation
which I am so blessed to serve! Kenny, Donovan,
Austin and I love Zion and Mayview, and consider
this our home. It is so enriching to worship, study
God's Word, and explore faith together throughout
each year. Let's dedicate 2017 to embrace and continue our focus on deepening our relationships
with Jesus. There will be exciting opportunities
just this spring, through Lenten study and classes
on Religions of the World. God has truly blessed
us with hope in learning, sharing, and loving each
other, the greater community and world!
Blessings and joy!
Pastor Kristin, Kenny, Donovan and Austin
We would like to thank you for your donation of
$129.10. Your financial support helps us continue in
our mission to provide assistance to others in our
community. The generous support of individuals
and businesses makes it possible for our organization to exist and to make our community a great
place to live.
Thank you for your support!
Craig Kidwell, Director
Odessa Community Service Center
THANK YOU! The Mayview Family who received
gifts at Christmastime is very grateful!

letter or tell them in person.

Go to bed: write a list of 5 things you are
thankful for before going to sleep.

The Lamplighter

BUTTERFLY ROOM
3 And

if I go and prepare a place for you,

I will come again, and receive you unto
myself; that where I am, there ye may be
also. John 14:3 (KJV)

After the Holidays

The holidays are finally over. We partied too
much. Ate too much. Watched too much TV.
Were exhausted. And if were grieving, we no
longer have to pretend that were happy. A new
and unstructured year stretches out before us
like a big lump of dough. What will we do with
it? More to the point, do we have the energy to
do what needs to be done?
Rather than compile a list of things I
SHOULD do to better myself (the Resolution
Conundrum), I want to make a list of what I
WANT to do, what will expand my heart with
compassion for others.
I want to take risks and be challenged to grow
in new ways. I want to confront my fears so
boldly that I will go where Ive never gone before.
Way too often I say No to what is new
and stay comfortably settled in what is familiar.
Yet each day I will encounter new people and
new opportunities. If my life is stuffed with how
Ive lived in the past, then I will have no room for
them.
At home, the past is stuffed into my drawers.
Its stacked in my closets. Its packed in the pile
of boxes from my last move 12 years ago. Every
New Years, I think I should do something about
them.
I value simplicity, and I know from my oneroom apartment after college how little I need. I
also admire the habit of the Benedictine Sisters
of Erie, Pennsylvania who give away everything
that they havent used in the last year, feeling
the someone else needs them more.
I dont need physical things to have a
happy and full life. I need people.
This year my parents died. Besides this being
incredibly depressing and heart wrenching, the
family had to spend weeks sorting through a
lifetime accumulation of stuff in their house. It
felt like we were taking their lives apart and
throwing pieces out. It was hard to know which
items were important enough to keep, and then
figure out where to store them. None of us had
much room to take anything home.
When I die, I dont want to leave a stuffed
house that someone else has to clean up, so
Ive begun to take extra clothes and appliances
to Goodwill, recycle what I can, toss what is
worn out, and give away books, my biggest

vice. Getting rid of books is the hardest because

good books are good books, and Im sure that I
will read them one day. Ha!
Relationships make our lives memorable.
Our possessions arent coming to the funeral.
I want to adjust my habits so that they bring
life again. Last year, I began to rise an hour before the rest of the household to have a quiet
time to center myself and write. I will continue
this. But every night I still watch a talk show and
then go to bed. Even though the talk shows are
entertaining, they rarely deepen my understanding of life.
I would rather have a quiet hour at the end of
the day when I can review what has happened
and let go of what did not, so that I may start
fresh in the morning.
I want to spring clean the sanctuary of my
heart so there is space for the unexpected to
enter. I want to reserve a place in the darkness where the light of mystery can burn.

~ Mark Liebenow

[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
Twitter @MarkLiebenow2

Grief lasts longer than sympathy, which is

one of the tragedies of the grieving.
~ Elizabeth McCracken

The Lamplighter

Celebration Occasions
February Birthdays
Date

Birthday

Barrett Struchtemeyer

Tiffany Amos
Tyler Johnson
Amy Hoefer

11

Office Hours
Pastor
Tuesday
8:00 AMNoon

12

Beth Wagner

Wednesday
[Link] PM

13

Adam Hoefer
Leah Wagner
Macey Begemann

Thursday
8:00 AMNoon

16
17

Robert Hoefer

19

Kimberly Koch

25

Brian Murry
MAYVIEW LIONS CLUB

Community Breakfast
2nd & 4th Saturday
Jan, Feb, Mar and
2nd only in Apr
7:00 am 9:00 am

February Anniversaries
5

Jim & Sherry Walls

15

Ronnie & Diane Wagner

21

Scott & Tresina Alvested

28

Jim & Teresa Begemann

Reminder!
The deadline for submissions for the
March newsletter is
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017.
Send your submissions to:
jennyholt14@[Link] or
zionuccsecretary@[Link]
Or Call (660) 237-4923

Admin. Assistant

Wednesday
2:00-4:00 PM

Serving Souls
Feb

ACOLYTES

GREETERS

Trinity Alvested

Marvin & Alice Huenefeld

12

Macey Begemann

Kenny & Mildred Jungerman

19

Alyssa Hoefer

Brian & Rachel Murry

26

Calle Hoeppner

Norma M. & Jeanette S.

Administrative Affairs
Reverend
Kristin Aardema Faigh

Home(660) 237- 4902

Church (660) 237-4355
pastorkristinatzion@[Link]
Cell (660) 641-1038

Council President

Juanita Wright
(816) 633-8818
wanitaright@[Link]

Cole Courtway
Admin. Assistant

(660) 237- 4355

zionuccsecretary@[Link]

Jenny Holt
Newsletter

(660) 237 - 4923

jennyholt14@[Link]

Teresa Begemann
Organist

(816) 633 - 4133

tjbegemann@[Link]

Dawn Stuart
Custodian

(660) 237 - 4355

Zion United Church of Christ

105 North Mary St.
Mayview, Missouri 64071-8224
Generous - Loving - Dedicated Christians
Sunday School 9:00 am
Worship at 10:00 am
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

The Lamplighter
February 2017

Zion UCC Mission Statement

The avowed purpose of our church shall be:
To worship God, to proclaim and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to celebrate the Sacraments; to experience Christian fellowship, to build unity, and to practice charity within this congregation and the wider church; and to share this witness of Jesus Christ throughout the world.

Winter Worship Whirl

Traditional Worship

10:30 AM

Sundays

Come As You Are Service

10:30 AM

Monthly - 3rd Sunday

Sunday School

9:30 AM

Sundays

Communion

10:30 AM

Monthly 1st Sunday & Special

Holidays

Church Council

7:15 PM

Monthly

Board of Christian Education

7:15 PM

Monthly

SAIL (Serving All in Love)

7:00 PM

Monthly - 4th Tuesday