Monthly News & Updates

Zion Annual Congregation Meeting

November 9^th at 11:15 am

Join us as we plan for ministry in 2026

and reflect on all that God has done in 2025!

Have Questions about the 2026 budget?

The Hilltoppers are hosting a Q&A on

November 4th at 11:00am in the Family Life Center.

You can call also reach out to a council member with any questions.

Thanksgiving Meal Ministry!

It's almost turkey time! As many of you know, for many years Zion has taken over for Meals on Wheels in Lexington County on Thanksgiving Day as no food deliveries are made on Thanksgiving. We have held two fundraisers the past year which have helped get us started, but we will need additional contributions to fund the purchase of the meals again this year. Look for the paper turkeys in the gym or go to Zionlexsc.com/giving to make a contribution. Additionally, we are LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS to assist our team (Betsy & Chip Burn, Ron Leaphart and Roscoe Nesmith) that coordinates the meal ministry. We need folks to help deliver the meals, some folks to help load meals into cars on Thanksgiving morning, and some volunteers to assist in coordinating drivers/routes/etc. If you are interested in assisting, please reach out to the Church office or email Betsy at betsyjburn0205@gmail.com.

Youth Group activities at Zion

We hope your youth will join us as we seek to be disciples and have some fun along the way:

Youth Group - Wednesdays 6:30-7:30pm

Family Life Center

Following the Meal, 6-12th graders gather for a game and discussion about how our faith impacts our daily life.

High School Bible Study - Fridays 7:30-8:15am

Lowes Foods Coffee Shop

High School Youth gather over breakfast treats to discuss the assigned gospel reading for the week. Rides to River Bluff HS available, please let Walt know in advance.

Sunday School - Sundays 9:00-9:45am

Zion Youth Room

Before Sunday Worship, 6-12th graders gather for bible study and conversation.

Youth Meal Thanksgiving Eve

Wednesday, November 26th, the Youth are hosting the Wednesday Night Meal. We will continue our tradition of having a soup supper the night before Thanksgiving. Each family is asked to bring a crockpot of soup and some bread/cornbread.  All are welcome for a warm meal and worship that evening. 

The Lutheran Men will have

their monthly meeting on November 11th.

Keep an eye out for more details coming soon!

Please join our Hilltopper group for a hearty, potluck lunch November 18^th. We will gather at 11:30 a.m. for devotions and to assemble gift bags for our visitors at the Christmas Eve service. And no one will see if you sneak a candy cane or two!

Mission Lexington Donations



We support Mission Lexington to support our neighbors in need. Can you help feed a neighbor this week? Drop items in the bin inside the Family Life Center, church narthex, or in the office.



NEEDED ITEMS OF THE MONTH:

Canned Fruit

BRING YOUR CHANGE TO MAKE A CHANGE!

Each month we will be having a “Noisy Offering” for feeding ministries. The second Sunday of each month our children will walk the sanctuary filling up cans with change to help those in need.

This month's gifts are going to Zion's Thanksgiving Meal Ministry.

The Choir rehearses in the choir room each Sunday morning starting at 9:00am. In December, we will add a weeknight rehearsal to prepare extra music for Christmas Eve worship. We can always use more voices, so please come join us!

Handbells currently meet on an as-needed basis for festival worship services. Christmas will be here soon, so if you’re interested in playing on Christmas Eve, let Julie know now for planning purposes. We always welcome new ringers! 

Solo singers or instrumentalists would be great ANY time of year! If you’d be interested in singing or playing a solo during worship, please let me know!

*Call the church office at (803) 356-2297 or email Julie at julie@zionlexsc.com for more info.

Be Thankful 

Music's in my soul. Everyday and every night I think of how thankful I am to have music in my life. – Tricia Cuffee

Saying thank you is more than good manners. It is good spirituality. – Alfred Painter

Grace isn’t a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It’s a way to live. 

– Jacqueline Winspear

If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough. ― Meister Eckhart

We need your help to make Worship

happen at Zion. We are looking to fill

in a few serving roles this month. Click the button to volunteer now!

Serving in Worship for November

Assisting Minister: Lee Caulder

Reader: 2nd Susan Shumpert; 9th Denise Caulder;

16th Craig Balch; 23rd Amanda Farwick; 30th Janice Sult;

Crucifer:

SIGNUP NOW, Anyone can Crucifer: click here to signup.

Technology Team:

Anyone can help: click here to signup.

2nd OPEN, Robbie Bigham; 9th OPEN, Chris Bigham;

16th OPEN; 23rd OPEN; 30th OPEN;

Ushers: Jack & Kiley Cohoon

Chancel & Sacraments:

November 2nd and 30th Janice & Steve Sult

November 9th, 16th, and 23rd Mary Beth Bigham and Shirley Derriso

Altar Flowers: 2nd Baker; 9th OPEN;

16th Donna Corley, Dale Driggers; 23rd & 30th Thanksgiving Decorations;

Signup in the Narthex

Cookies & Fellowship: 2nd Dale Driggers, Donna Corley;

9th - 30th OPEN; Signup in Narthex

Offering Counters: Mary Beth Bigham, Walt Hampton

Below are the abbreviated minutes from our most recent meeting. If you would like a copy of the full minutes reach out to the church office or our Council Secretary Rebekah at RebekahWCromer@gmail.com

Rebekah Cromer

Council Secretary

CONGREGATION COUNCIL MINUTES

Monday, October 13th, 2025, 7:00PM

Council Members: Jamie Fite, Steve Hendrix, Rebekah Cromer, Roger Anderson, Pastor Emily, Russell Kleckley, Jessi Hampton, Paula Carlson, Jason Wetzel, Chesson Merritt, Craig Balch, Nikki Harmon, Walt Hampton, Bert Wingard, Evelyn Varn, Janice Sult, and Bob McCombs in attendance. Betsy Burn not in attendance.

1. Call to Order: 7:00PM
2. Devotions: Pastor Emily

3.   2026 Budget Review          Needs Approval

a.   Steve made a motion to approve the $400,000 budget without interest to the endowment fund as submitted by the finance committee; Second by Nikki; Discussion from all;

                                     i.       Motion by Jessi to update Walt’s salary as signed off on by Mutual Ministry for a 4.2% increase ($49,488.02) and recommend Julie/finance to update all appropriate numbers that follow with Walt’s salary; Second by Paula; No Discussion; All in Favor; Motion Passes

                                    ii.       Motion by Pastor Emily to add $25,000 back to the benevolence balanced budget; Second by Jessi; Rebekah recommended 3-4% as opposed to 6%, Jason recommended lower percentage; 8 in favor; 3 not in favor; Motion Passes

b.   6 in favor; 4 opposed; 1 abstain; Motion Passes

c.   The approval on the budget was for the "2026 Must Haves" column on the handout from Finance, plus the amendments to Walt's salary and the $25k for benevolence. 

1. Consent Agenda        Needs Approval
2. Motion made by Nikki to pass; Roger Second; all in favor; Motion Passes
3. Business/Action Items:
4. Approve Council Nominations             Needs Approval
5. Motion from Nominating Committee proposes Sue Anderson; Carol Hunter; Christy Jacobs; Amanda Farwick; Craig Balch; and Jamie Fite; Discussion from Nikki recommending Bert Wingard to the slate, any additional nominations will come from the floor; 10 in favor, 1 not in favor; Motion Passes
6. Slate for council includes Sue Anderson, Carol Hunter, Christy Jacobs, Amanda Farwick, Jamie Fite, and Craig Balch 
7. Johnson Controls Update            Needs Approval
8. Motion made by Nikki to approve the bid from Johnson and Controls for council member (Pastor Emily) to sign; Second by Paula; Discussion; 11 in favor; Motion Passes
9. Assign Council WNL Meals
10. October 29th: Council WNL Chicken Tenders and Sides
11. Paula to lead chicken tenders
12. Jessi setup and dessert
13. Steve to provide side
14. Jason to provide side
15. Nikki and Rebekah to aid in something before
16. November 19th: Council WNL BBQ and Sides
17. Betsy to do BBQ
18. Jessi setup and dessert
19. Jamie mac and cheese
20. Russell to bring slaw/slide
21. Roger to bring side
22. Nikki/Rebekah/Chesson to aid in something before
23. Worship and Music: Recommended we move the Christmas service to 6:00PM; Discussion from Chesson recommending we keep the 7:00PM timeframe. Potential ride sharing opportunity to look into. Council agrees to keep the service time at 7:00PM.
24. Technology: Motion by Russell to have reimbursement for Robby Bigham and Russell Kleckley of roughly $2,500 from available funds in technology and for any overspent monies to be reviewed by Julie and Finance Committee for future; 10 in favor, 1 opposed; Motion Passes
25. Treasurer: Concerns from Jessi after talking with Julie that there was money moved from the Lillies/Poinsettias restricted fund to VBS and Technology; after discussion and review of the bylaws, the endowment committee is to be the ones that approve this. Moving forward we will be have a thorough process to ensure training and communication are upheld.
26. Upcoming Dates: 
27. October 19th: Stewardship Lunch
28. October 19th: Marty Party
29. October 26th: Trunk or Treat
30. October 29th: Council WNL Chicken Tenders and Sides
31. November 19th: Council WNL BBQ and Sides
32. Joys and Concerns
33. Lord’s Prayer and Adjournment: 9:18PM

Next Council Meeting Date: Monday, November 10th at 7:00PM

Next Devotions: Jason Wetzel

Giving Info as of October 29, 2025

Budgeted 2025 Offering: $447,000

Offering received YTD: $327,662

Budgeted offering YTD: $369,634

2025 Excess (shortfall) offering YTD: ($41,972)

Facilities Fund Balance: $76,035 

GIFTS FOR OUTREACH MINISTRIES GIVEN THIS YEAR

Mission Lexington: $1204 + 967 pounds of food

Snack Packs Ministry: $7,714 + Matthew 25 Lunch Ministry: $1,748

Recent Memorials Given

In memory of Wyman Keisler & Norene Drafts to the Building Fund 
by Frank & Susan Boatwright to the General Fund by Kregg & Lisa Corley, Russell & Rayna Kleckley, Burns & Jan Corley

In memory of Norene Drafts to the General Fund by Daniel Koon

In memory of Wyman Kleckley to the Building Fund by Kelsey Gorman

In memory of Wyman Keisler to the General Fund by Kevin's Work Family

In memory of Wyman Keisler & Norene Drafts By James & Iris Harman

In memory of Ed Corley & Wyman Kleckley to the General Fund by Al & Carla Fallaw

In memory of Norene Drafts to the General Fund by Thom & Janice Stoudemire

In memory of Norene Drafts & Gege Kimball to the Facilities Fund by Steve & Janice Sult

In memory of Wyman Keisler to the General Fund by Whitney Robertson

In memory of Wyman Keisler & Norene Drafts to the General Fund by Myron & Linda Corley, Walter & Linda Hendrix

In memory of Norene Drafts to the General Fund by Bob & Cindy Young, Mr. & Mrs. Q.C. Bouknight, Jr., Wayne & Gail Buff

In memory of John & Norene Drafts to the General Fund by Joel & Dee Carter

In memory of John & Norene Drafts and Janet Drafts Boltjes to the General Fund by Kathy Hendrix

 In memory of Norene Drafts & Wyman Keisler to the General Fund by Jerald & Margaret Drafts & Family

In memory of Gege Kimball to the Building Fund by Stefanie Wingard

In memory of Wyman Keisler, Norene Drafts & Gege Kimball to the Facilities Fund by Kathy & Rob Bigham

In memory of Wyman Keisler, Norene Drafts & Gege Kimball and in honor of Ron & Eileen Leaphart to the General Fund by Ethel Riley

In memory of Wyman Keisler, Norene Drafts & Gege Kimball to the General Fund by Paul & Mary Hook

In memory of Norene Drafts to the General Fund by Simpsonville Garden Club

GROW & RENEW CAMPAIGN

We celebrate the gifts and commitments received from members and friends of Zion for our Grow & Renew Campaign.

Total committed to the Grow & Renew Campaign: $903,138

Total received so far for this work: $831,700

Total remaining: $71,438

Current Needs

John Call

Burns Corley

Jerald Drafts

Barry Granda

Janet Green

Eileen Leaphart

Mitch Mitcham

Charles Richardson

Judy Shotts

Carolette Turner

Homebound

Betty Jo Corley (Wellmore)

Melba Ivey (Spring Oak)

John Shotts

Margaret Sox

Kay Waites (Lexington Extended)

Darlene Weight (Tennessee)



Friends of the Congregation

Bishop Ginny Aebischer (health)

Lynn Balch (health, wife of Craig Balch)

Beth Bolt (health, mother of Mary Beth Bigham)

Steve Burn (cancer, father of Chip Burn)

Joyce Carter (cancer, friend of Zion)

Glenda Crafts (health, friend of Geri Nilsestuen)

Adam Demars (stroke, friend of Christy Jacobs)

Mark Durham (kidney failure, BIL of Craig Balch)

Jack Elrod (alzheimers, father of Todd Elrod)

Greg Ewing (health, friend of Mary Nell Panyard)

Samuel Harman (health, brother of Ethel Riley and James Harman)

William Harman (health, brother of Ethel Riley and James Harman)

Robert Harrelson (surgery, friend of the Ridgells)

Joye Haygood (cancer, cousin of the Leapharts)

Genia Henwood (seizures, friend of Eileen Leaphart)

Carly Huggins (friend of Stefanie Wingard)

CJ Keathley (health, brother of Denise Caulder)

Shelly Koenig (cancer, daughter in law of Mary Nell Panyard)

Davis Locke (health, nephew of Rebekah & Shawn Cromer)

Liz Mangan (cancer, friend of the Branhams)

Bill May (stroke, uncle of Mary Hampton)

Faye O’Neal (health, friend of Carla Fallaw)

Shirley Parker (cancer, aunt of Kimberly Rauch)

Donna Riggins (cancer, sister in law of Rachael Rhoden)

Coach Rhodes (cancer, friend of the Clarks)

Gabe Salinas (military, boyfriend of Riley Burn)

Tyler Shotts (military, grandson of the Shotts)

Keith Shotts (military, grandson of the Shotts)

Joe Slade (health, friend of the Leapharts)

Peggy Sox (health, mother of Evelyn Varn)

Gary Swancey (health, nephew of Shirley Derriso)

Gary Tilley (health, friend of Geri Nilsestuen)

Bob Wall (cancer, friend of the Andersons)

Jenny Westfall (health, friend of Geri Nilsestuen)

Ron White (cancer, friend of the Caulders)

Sarah White (homebound, girlfriend of Clayton Hendrix)

Don Wilson (health, father of Laura McCombs)

Carroll & Helen Wise (health, parents of Julie Branham)

Please help us keep the list up to date by adding or removing names when the time is right. To make

or update a prayer request email or call the church office at ZionChurch@zionlexsc.com or 356-2297.

November Birthdays

2^nd Clyde Baker, Brantley Jacobs; 4^th Zach Jebali, Addie Phillips, Mark Wingard; 8^th Anderson McKinley; 10^th Janice Lindler, Troy Fite; 18^th Kregg Corley; 21^st Sherrie Tanner, Heather Williamson; 23^rd Jimmy Munn; 24^th Bridget Ridgell, Ryan Wertz; 26^th Betsy Burn; 27^th Britt Collins, Riley Merritt; 28^th Tyler Beard; 30^th Morgan Nesmith

November Anniversaries

5^th Marion & Edith Clark; 7^th Chris & Nikki Harmon; 16^th Bert & Wanda Wingard; 18^th Craig & Lynn Balch