| Member
Caring at Zion
What
is the Member Caring Core Ministry?
The Core Ministry which encompasses all ministries that deal with
the health (spiritual, physical and social) of Zion’s members
and friends.
How
can the Member Caring Core Ministry be valuable to me?
Read further and learn all of the wonderful things the Member Caring
Core Ministry is part of and how YOU can be part too!
Activity
and Social Groups
B.L.A.S.T.
- Building Lasting Associations Together
BLAST
is a social group for adults ages 25 – 45. They gather for
fellowship and fun approximately every other month. A subgroup of
BLAST also exists for adults with children. We gather for kid type
activities approximately every other month. Contact: Carolyn King.
Bowling
League
Weekly
bowling league for men and women. Contact: Doug Behnke.
C.H.O.I.C.E.
- Couples Helping Others In a Christian Environment
This
is a social and service group of couples between 40ish and 60ish.
There are currently 22 couples involved. Our focuses are on Zion
members in need and Habitat for Humanity as well as volunteering
for events like the church picnic and Lenten suppers. This group
also helps set up and take down summer outside worship. This group
is currently sponsoring a church-wide Tiger ball game and bus trip
this summer. Contact: Zoe Behnke or Berna Street-Brooks.
Mother's
Group
This
group began as a social group for moms and a play group for their
children. The original group moved on to be part of a small group.
As of now, an official “Mother’s Group” does not
exist, but we are encouraged that a new group is looking to sprout
up! Please contact any member of the Member Caring Core Ministry
for information on how you can start a new Mother’s Group!
Y.E.S.
- Young Energetic Seniors
Not
quite ready to slow down, this group of seniors enjoys game nights,
cookouts, trips, and more. Contact: Marge Lawson.
Zion
Singers
This
is a group of about 26 persons who love to sing. They meet once
a month at 12:45 p. m. in the choir room for a one-hour rehearsal.
Following this, they travel in car pools to a pre-arranged Retirement
Center or Nursing Facility in the Greater Ann Arbor area where they
present a half-hour program . The audience thoroughly enjoys the
many tunes they remember from long ago. The audience is invited
to join at any time and they do. This is a dedicated, fun and caring
group of people who love what they do.
Zion
Lutheran Church Women
This
dedicated group provides many different activities for women at
Zion. Such activities include: Spring & Fall Yard Sales, Activity
Days (arts and crafts made for sale or donation to area facilities),
Monthly Circle Bible Study meetings, Hosting various receptions,
Assisting with Funeral Luncheons, and more. Contact: Bev Kirsh.
Audio/Video
Audio/Video
Tape Ministry
Currently,
Zion members tape the 9:45 a.m. worship service. Copies of this
service are made, then distributed to homebound and hospitalized.
We are hoping to have a video version added to this ministry in
the near future. If this peaks your interest, please contact a member
of the Member Caring Core Ministry.
Gatherings
and Events
Funeral
Lunch Ministry
Anyone
needing the services of Zion for a funeral are offered a luncheon
following the funeral service. These can range from light lunches
to hot meals. Contact: Laura Girbach.
Special
Gatherings and Meals
If
you’ve enjoyed events like the Pig Roast and Lenten Suppers,
and would like to help with these events, this is the group for
you. Although not a formal committee, this area could use a little
planning group to help keep these events going. Contact: Laura Girbach.
Wedding
Coordinator
Our
wedding coordinator is an intricate part of any marriage ceremony
here at Zion. Although this is not a position that requires additional
help, we thought you’d like to know that this is a service
Zion provides for wedding couples.
Memorial
Garden
Memorial
Garden Committee
This
committee oversees the Memorial Garden (located at the entrance
on the east side of the building). The Memorial Garden is a lovely
space where families may interr, remember or honor their loved ones.
This committee coordinates and keeps track of those desiring the
service of the Memorial Garden. They manage plantings and maintenance.
Contact: Bev Dally or Pastor Bracklein.
Student
Aid
Zion
Student Aid Fund
Zion
Student Aid Fund provides loans to students who attend a college
supported by the ELCA to train for the ministry or a lay occupation
in the church and who have been active members of Zion for at least
two years prior to application. One-third of the total amount of
the loans will be forgiven for each year of continuous service after
graduation. After three years of continuous service the loans are
cancelled. The Fund operates with a small endowment that is not
adequate to cover its needs; supplemental funding comes from the
Church Council. Over the last 12 years, the Fund has provided loans
to Jeff Irwin, Brent Jenkins, and Lauren Kirsch-Carr, all of whom
are currently serving in the ministry. Contact: Steve Kesler.
Through
Difficult Times such as Conflict, Sickness & Health
Covenant
Ministry
The
Covenant Ministry at Zion is a way to provide an accessible and
comfortable way to handle issues of conflict that arise within the
congregation. This is intended as a confidential and scripture-based
process. This process is intended primarily for those issues in
which a member of the congregation or staff person feels the need
for assistance by members trained in conflict resolution skills.
Contact: Mike McManus.
Lay
Home Communion
This
group has 9 members who meet at least four times a year for a Bible
message and prayer. A complete list of homebound members is then
discussed to determine if additions or changes need to be made based
on need. Each person has a list of folks who they phone or visit
monthly or more. Several of us bring Communion to those who wish
to receive it. This ministry works in conjunction with the Parish
Nurses in some cases, such as distributing food extras from church
meals. All of us are very happy to serve in this small way and we
would invite anyone to join us if they wish. Contact: Pastor Bracklein.
Parish
Nurses
This
is a special group of trained nurses who help with blood pressure
checks, monitor members after being released from the hospital,
help get members in touch with proper agencies for assistance after
hospital stays, and more. Contact: Myrna Irwin.
Blood
Pressure Clinic -
The Parish Nurses have a blood pressure clinic on the first Sunday
of every month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the counseling office
behind the church library.
Prayer
Shawl Ministry
Prayer
Shawls are shawls knitted or crocheted for parishioners facing major
life transitions. The prayer shawls are knit or crocheted in specific
patterns of “threes” which has the significance of the
Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). Each shawl, when finished,
will be given in private, typically during a pastoral visit and
often in the context of Holy Communion.
Stephen
Ministry
Stephen
Ministry is a caring ministry by trained lay people. Stephen Ministers
are not counselors or therapists. Instead, they are caring Christian
friends who can offer a listening ear to help others through the
tough times in life. Stephen Ministry is grounded in Jesus’
command to love one another. Through one-to-one caring relationships,
those who are hurting receive the love and care they need to support
them. If you are going through a tough time and could use a caring
friend or know someone else who could, contact Margie Reynolds.
The
Member Caring Core Ministry wants to know your needs.
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