Church guide

Dear OSLC and Zion, I was recently sent a copy of a Pr. Timothy Brown's (Good Shepherd ELCA Raleigh, NC) farewell letter to his church. Ann D. a former member of Zion attends there and wanted me to read it. Pr. Brown is leaving after 4 years of being their senior pastor. In part he writes "But all pastors are disappointing. Whether they stay, or whether they go, the office of the pastor is not one that can be held very well for very long. We have fits and spurts of success, and moments of lull and disappointment filling in the gaps. That doesn't make me sad, mind you...I just know that's how this work goes." That statement hit me in a strong way. On one hand I am engaged and involved in life critical matters and moments of faith with people. On the the other I am engaged communicating with members and volunteers based on their understanding of church, policy and needs. Based upon my experience, I think most of the leadership having served at Zion, taking their respective turns, can relate. I continue my ministry because I do have a deep abiding obedience to Gods Call to Serve the church. I often wonder how our leadership experiences that call to serve? Or the membership of the church... how does "Baptismal calling" and "Struggles with self, world and surrounding personalities" play out for those that work in their given professions? How does it play out for retired couples, a new widow, the divorced or newly married? How is it experienced for children, high school and college students? I think all of us have these issues to some degree. Presently we are engaged at a leadership level with major conversations regarding the health, direction and functioning of the church. At council and in groups these conversations demonstrate how tough it is to find clarity, action and direction without causing "question and conversation" to "we have never done it that way" or reactive judgement both good and bad. An elevated conversation regarding finances has been a running topic for months. The generosity and designated giving to the new building at Zion has nearly paid off the project. But also discussed is the general fund that is operating at a rate that has us $12,000 to the negative year to date. Our leadership has been discussing this for months, and taking action. I personally was moved by the Spirit to write an article after my morning prayers the day after council last week. God spoke, I responded, and reviews were mixed. The council and leadership has offered the following suggestions for consideration. First is to prayerfully consider redirecting funds that members were designating to the new building toward the general fund which supports our mission in our community. Second, council invites members that want to be a part of supporting our mission and presence in community that can not attend regularly to give online by clicking below. Our vision team is meeting and discussing what is the best way to meet with the congregations and honor Gods mission to which we are called in the world and our communities. How can we gather, record and then teach and share these guiding statements? We continue to grow our covenant mission partnership between OSLC and Zion understanding our meaning, purpose and what is intentionally tracked and communicated. Our ongoing conversation about our churches being open and welcoming to all as a reconciling in Christ community will lead to congregational votes in the fall. Together we have fits and spurts of success and moments of lull and disappointment. Each person that serves the church in leadership gets this, and shares this reality. We thank you for acknowledging our work and success together. We ask for your faithfulness and prayers as you observe what you think is a lull or disappointing gap. I want to thank our council, teams of three, executive team, ministries and especially Sarah and Allison. Our work is the mission of the church. Fits and spurts of success, moments of distress. Thank you for filling our needs. To our members and visitors, please pray for and thank our leadership. We welcome your feedback and will continue to serve to the best of our ability. Prayer: God thank you for all those that serve the church through leadership, volunteering and participation in worship, service and tithes. Bless the gifts we offer with your presence to serve our communities and help fulfill Gods desire to restore all of creation into the love and grace of God. Amen In Christ - Pr. Rob

Gratitude tomorrow.. see you at 8 or 11 at Zion Freeland or 9:30 Our Saviour in Saginaw! Come here how gratitude and grace strengthen us and community in all circumstances.

The last Sunday July 28 and Wednesday July 31 the 6 th week of our series on community will be themed on healing and forgiveness. I need 10-15 volunteers that will share their cardboard testimony how the grace of God has transformed, healed, forgiven and strengthened you. Please consider sharing God’s powerful grace in your life. People need to hear it. Just contact me to serve in this way Pr. Rob

Please pray for Don and Eunice Rousseau as Eunice bumped her head and is in the hospital. I visited both for our church today. Connected them by phone so they could visit, with the help of the staff where Don lives. I listened to genuine love and faith as they spoke. Thank you church as I represent our mission to them.

GRIEF AND LOSS OPEN GROUP- Tonight Wednesday July 17th at 5:30 we welcome all to a grief/loss sharing group for mutual growth and support. All are welcome. We meet in the conference room at Zion in Freeland for one hour before worship.

In the middle of swarming bees....

Last night at council we had a very honest discussion of church finances and the fact that so far this year we are $12,000 in the red for our operating general fund budget. We discussed the history of our church and the privacy of individuals as they give, our struggle with discussing finances, struggle with stewardship, how to review giving without angering people, proclaiming our mission and expressing our need, the impact of our building project, and guilt and shame around the topic. Most of all we discussed the need to tell our members we are well are not meeting our budget and it has happened every month this year. In my 13 years here, this is the first time every month has been like this. It was uncomfortable. But it was real and true. I ask all our members to evaluate their support of Zion, and giving to our mission. I am available to discuss giving plans that allow families to strive to give first fruits, generously, and to do their best consistently. Our gifts to the church are amazing, as it is selfless and sacrificial. They support our ability to be in nursing homes, minister to families for funerals, weddings and baptisms. We offer word and sacrament weekly to all who come. I consult and minister to our community in their deepest needs. I ask for our members to be prayerful as we wrestle with how we express our deficit, teach tithing, and do it all in gratitude and love. All to support the need of sharing all are welcome, healing and forgiveness are present, and Gods Grace is a gift for all. Thank you, Pr. Rob

It's Faster Pastor Friday and we wanted to share a quote with you. "At the gathering I was able to tune out the stresses of life and work and learned how to just focus in on listening to God and feeling comfort from his presence." -Sara Young Have you wondered WHY are we sending Pastor Rob to participate in the Faster Pastor & Fireworks? Why National Youth Gathering is so important that we're fundraising for it years in advance? Well, if the quote above didn't make that clear, read on to see the rest of Sara's story. AND, if you'd like to help future youth have the same wonderful experience Sara did, you may donate at OSLC, Zion, or at the link below. www.gofundme.com/FasterPastorRob _______ "Going to the national youth gathering in Houston was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. Being able to spend quality time with other youth at the church and meet thousands more with similar experiences was such a great opportunity. At the gathering I was able to tune out the stresses of life and work and learned how to just focus in on listening to God and feeling comfort from his presence. ELCA Youth Gathering has bought me smiles, laughs, a positive mindset, a mindfulness to other people’s stories, and a stronger faith than ever. I am extremely grateful for the church allowing me to go last year and hope many future generations have the same opportunity to see gods impact on not just themselves but to really feel his love throughout an entire stadium of people." -Sara Young

From morning chapel

I am headed home to funeral plan, and lead worship. Matt Dahley will be here in the morning. Students will join Ascension in Shields with Bob and Pr. Julie Bailey for bible study the next few days. Thank you Matt!

Please join me in prayer for Spike’s family and friends. We will gather Thursday to honor his life, his struggles, his advocacy for suicide awareness and mourn his death as he completed suicide. There is brokenness and pain, but the love and presence of God is always with us. Spike loved Jesus, had faith and was never separated from that love. Dear God we pray for the pain experienced through grief and loss. We pray for those who struggle with any emotional, mental, physical and spiritual troubles. We pray to always reach out to the people around us to talk, support and love them. Finally we pray for your love and grace to fill the gaps we miss, and hold fast all your children. Amen

Pink building is the canteen/store. Bible study we assembled church symbols from the gifts of nature then discussed how our gifts form the body of Christ. The cabins then each colored a piece of the heart puzzle and assembled the body of Christ with what they drew.

On Wednesday morning July 10th at 7am we will be meeting at the food pantry to stock shelfs for Thursdays pantry. Please make plans to come help us. Last week we only had four people show up and the truck was two hours late. So we did not get to stock. Items still sitting on pallets. Please come out and help. I'm going to believe last week it was the holiday for the poor turn out. Dewey D. Burke 1925 Wabash St Saginaw MI 48601 1-989-921-0494 Home 1-989-971-4316 Cell [email protected]

Today’s theme is a Nigerian word: Ubuntu - oneness of humanity, I am because we are, community. Scripture is 1 Corinthians 12:1-27. Pictures are from breakfast, chapel where all campers write and attached a gift they had to the body of Christ on sticky notes, low ropes and morning activities (all three were rope making). All is well.

Afternoon free time and Hannah made rope while Joseph and Eric chilled in the hammocks. I took a picture of a cabin too. Tonight they will have cabin cook outs and cabin bonding. All are well!!!

Wind at your back or in your face? I guess it depends where your sitting!

In the middle of swarming bees....

From morning chapel

Wind at your back or in your face? I guess it depends where your sitting!

Chapel today we celebrated all are invited to Gods party!

I’m back .... but does it really matter?

Moving on.....

Sometimes we need something bigger than us to get the job done.

I’m back, slow down, check for growth and flowers.

Wounded Healers ... through faith

Repurpose not Junk! Come join the Zion walleye festival sale Thursday - Saturday 9 - 4.