Monthly News & Updates

Zion Annual Congregation Meeting

November 12 at 11:15am in the Sanctuary

Join us as we celebrate a great year of ministry

and plan for our future.

Agenda will include:

· Additional nominations for Congregation Council

· Presentation and consideration of the Proposed 2024 Ministry Budget

· Congregation Council elections

· Annual Report from the Council Chair

Halloween and Reformation Sunday are now behind us! As we all know, In the life of the church that means the pace picks up and the race to Christmas begins.

I would like to suggest that this year we try something different. The month of November has always been one of my favorite months. The weather is cooler, the leaves are falling, the grass quits growing; creation just starts to slow down. So let’s join them.

Take a step outside every day, breathe in the fresh air, and walk! Soren Kierkegaard, a 20 century, Danish, Protestant theologian write: “Above all, do not lose our desire to walk. Every day I walk myself into a state of well-being… I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it.” Distance is not goal, time or speed is not the goal, seeing, smelling, hearing, God talk to you through creation will slow you down, clear the mind, and free the heart. Join me in taking steps outside every day in November – to see what GOD has prepared for you.

Interim Transition Update: We are moving forward and learning a lot. Last month, your church council, approved Zion’s completed Sustainability Report, and the next day Lee Caulder, Council President sent it to the Synod office. So we are now at the next step. On Monday, November 20, Bishop Ginny Aebischer and one of her staff will be meeting with the church council for support and advice on the next steps; Vitality Evaluation, Call Committee…

I know you may be thinking this is a slow process, and I agree, it is. You as a church, are beginning a search for a leader to partner with you in a relationship to serve God’s people. At this point in time, only God knows who this person is, and when you will meet. In the meantime, we continue to identify Zion as it is today, and how it wants to be in the future.

Blessings & Peace,

Pastor Kathleen

Wednesday Night Live CONTINUES this month

We hope you will join us each week as we gather for a meal at 5:45pm then grow in faith together from 6:30-730pm. We have several special events planned this fall as well as Youth Group, Children’s and Adult's Activities. 

Wednesday Night Live schedule:

5:45 pm Community Meal

6:30-7:30 pm Faith Formation Opportunities

Children's Class Wednesday Nights: Good Lord, Why?

Join us for an introduction to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) activities based on Bible stories. Each week children will be introduced to a STEAM concept after reading a Bible story. There will be lots of opportunities to build and to create using both science and imagination. If your child is a risk taker who likes science and creating things, this is a GREAT Fit. Join us for Good Lord. Why? on Wednesday nights.

Children's Sunday School Class

Our Children, Preschool to Fifth Grade, are meeting on Sundays at 9:00am for Sunday School. We have a great group of committed children, and we are excited to share with others! Join us for Ready, Set, Move! as we learn about following Jesus each and every day. We hope your child will join us!

WANT TO JOIN AN ADULT BOOK GROUP

ON SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 9:00?

HALF TRUTHS is the name of the next book in the Nomad Class led by Steve Shumpert, one of the regular teachers of the Class.

Half Truths is really a Bible Study which explores what many people believe as “Truths in the Bible” but they are not really truths and they are not really in the Bible! For example, “God helps those who help themselves" is not really in the Bible.

The new study starts Sunday, October 22 in the Cathedral Room.

Attention Hilltoppers! 

Hilltoppers potluck luncheon will be Tuesday, November 14th at 11:30 am at Zion. All are welcome to come and enjoy this unique time of fellowship and delicious food. 

Mark your calendars for our annual Christmas Party Tuesday, December 12th. Watch for exciting details to follow.

Wednesday November 22 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. 

Are you a Lutheran Man?

Have you checked out Zion's

Lutheran Men in Mission yet?

It's time to come and see what's happening!

Zion's Lutheran Men will meet

November 27th from 6-8pm at Zion

Come for fellowship and good eats!

This month we'll have a low country boil.

Our men don't only eat, they serve:

Dear Men in Ministry:

Please accept our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the men who worked so hard in Tim’s and our yards. We appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedules to think of us. It means more to us than we can express. Your thoughtfulness and kindness will never be forgotten. Tim loves his Church and misses his Church family greatly. May God bless you all.

Love, Tim, Donna and Dale

The Choir rehearses on Sunday mornings at 9:00am in the choir room. We can always use more voices, so please come join us! Everyone is welcome!! 

Handbell ringers, please contact Julie to let her know if you are willing to ring bells this fall and/or winter. Knowing how many people we have will make planning so much easier! New ringers are always needed & welcome! Call the church office at (803)356-2297 or email Julie at [email protected] for more info.

You’re ALWAYS welcome to share your musical gifts ANY Sunday!

Let Julie know if you’d like to sing or play a solo sometime!

Have an Attitude of Gratitude

• Gratitude and attitudes are not challenges. They are choices. -Robert Braathe

• It is not happiness that brings us gratitude. It’s gratitude that brings us happiness. -Unknown

• Acknowledging the good you already have in your life is the foundation of all abundance. -Eckhart Tolle

• I am thankful for my struggles, because without them, I wouldn’t have discovered my strengths.  -Alex Elle

• Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to feel grateful for. -Zig Ziglar

Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for. -Epicurus

We need your help to make Worship

happen at Zion. We are looking to fill

in a few serving roles this month. See below

and click the button to volunteer now!

Congregation Council Meeting Highlights

Zion’s Congregation Council met on Monday, October 9^th. Here are some of the highlights of the meeting:



+ Shared impact stories of where God was working in our lives and at Zion.

+ Heard reports from officers and Ministry Team liaisons.

+ Worship and Event schedules for the holidays.

+ Set deadlines and discussed budgeting for 2024.

+ Approved nominees for council.

+ Discussed and shared updates on council's transition checklist to keep on track through the call process.

+ Shared joys and concerns and prayer together.

2023 Congregation Council members are: Lee Caulder (chair), DeAnna Granda (vice chair), Kathryn Barton (secretary), Janice Sult (treasurer), Ernest Beck, Rebekah Cromer, Chris Ellisor, Linda Hendrix, Ross Hunter, Rayna Kleckley, Roscoe Nesmith, and Geri Nilsestuen.

Giving Info as of October 29, 2023

Budgeted 2023 Offering - $417,937.00

Offering received YTD - $301,713.46 

Budgeted offering YTD - $345,601.75 

2023 Excess (shortfall) offering YTD - $(43,888.29)

Gifts to Zion and Partner Feeding Ministries this Year

Mission Lexington: $190 - 1046.5 pounds of food

Snack Packs Ministry: $1442

Matthew 25 Lunch Ministry: $1670

Memorials and Honorariums given in October

To the general fund:

In memory of Frank Branham by David & Beth Lever



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: $893,736

Total received so far for this work: $680,894

Total remaining: $212,842

Current Needs

Sue Anderson

John Drafts

Tim Driggers (Lex Ext.)

Barry Granda

Gege Kimball

Homebound

Betty Baker (Carolina Gardens)

Les Caton (Brian Center)

Gene Hendrix (Westminster)

Melba Ivey (Carolina Gardens)

Wyman Keisler

Wyman Kleckley

Jane Langston (Oakleaf)

John Shotts

Margaret Sox

Darlene Weight (Tennessee)

Deployed Military

Tristin Secoy (Marine Corps)

Friends of the Congregation

Felicia Ajibade (health, friend of the Branham Family)

Lynn Balch (health, wife of Craig Balch)

Debby Bearden (health, friend of Mary Alice Leaphart)

Thomas Black (cancer, James & Iris Harman)

Kimberly Bollinger (health, sister of Barry Granda)

Jackie Brock (mother-in-law of Chuck Dickson)

Celeste Carlson (health, sister of Paula Carlson)

Glenda & Everett Crafts (health, friend of Geri Nilsestuen)

Debbie

Jeri Dickson (health, wife of Chuck Dickson)

Mrs. Vicky Edwards (death of her husband Pr. Derald Edwards)

Sarah Harmon (cancer, friend of the Harmons)

Greg Hash (cancer treatment, cousin of Janice Sult)

CJ Keathley (health, brother of Denise Caulder)

Kathy Killian (cancer, friend of the Levers)

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

Earl McCombs (father of Bob McCombs)

Libba Rhoad (cancer, friend of Janice Sult)

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

Adrienne Rutledge (cancer, friend of Chuck Dickson)

John Shelley (cancer, nephew of James & Iris Harman)

Jacob Smith and Family (car accident, Principal of RBHS)

Greg Sommer (health, friend of the congregation)

Peggy Sox (health, mother of Evelyn Varn)

Gary Swancey (health, nephew of Shirley Derriso)

Bob Tribble (health, friend of Leapharts)

Ronnie Tunstill (cancer, friend of Geri Nilsestuen)

Edith Wessinger (health, sister in law of Ethel Riley)

Ron White (cancer, friend of the Caulders)

James & Kay Whitley (health, sister/brother in law of Iris Harman)

Lee Wolford (health issues, friend of the Leapharts)

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 [email protected] or 356-2297.

November is Clergy Appreciation Month

Zion has been blessed to share ministry through the years with many wonderful ordained ministers. During November our congregation will celebrate the gifts of our current Zion members who are clergy.

We give thanks for the following:

Pastor Kathleen Miko our Interim Pastor

Pastor Marion Clark

Pastor Jane Mictham

Pastor Bill Mitcham

Deacon Darlene Weight

This month, please remember these faithful servants in kind and loving ways.

- Zion's Mutual Ministry Team

November Birthdays

2^nd Tim Driggers, Clyde Baker, Brantley Jacobs; 4^th Zach Jebali, Addie Phillips, Mark Wingard; 8^th Anderson McKinley; 9^th Michael Greene; 10^th Janice Lindler, Troy Fite; 13^th Laura Beck; 14^th Betty Baker; 18^th Kregg Corley; 21^st Sherrie Tanner, Heather Williamson; 22^nd Jordan Sommer; 24^th Bridget Ridgell; 26^th Betsy Burn; 27^th Britt Collins, Riley Merritt; 28^th Tyler Beard; 30^th Morgan Nesmith

November Anniversaries

5^th Edith & Marion Clark; 7^th Nikki & Chris Harmon; 16^th Wanda & Bert Wingard; 18^th Lynn & Craig Balch; 21^st Geri Nilsestuen & Jim Krall