MENDOTA ZION UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Come, Share, Grow!

A Star for Mrs Blake is our selection for April appropriately written by April Smith.  This is a story about Gold Star mothers who travel to France in the late twenties to visit their son's graves - fallen soldiers from the Great War. The women's lives become intertwined as they come to face unexpected issues and even scandal.  The book club will meet in the Zion UMC lounge on April 13 at 1pm.

A look ahead; The May Book will be The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin. This is a story of a book store owner who is just not quite like everyone else.  The noval has something for everyone: humor, romance, suspense - and a respect for the love of books and those of us who are "bookish" people.  Come join us for a delightful chat on May 11 at 1pm.

April 10th, 2:00PM

Featuring: Piano, Shinae Lee

Vocal, Samantha Masini

Trio, Learl McDonald, Mark Richardson, Dana Richardson

Alto Saxophone, Tony C. Escatel

& the Zion Choir

You'll hear the music of an Internationally trained concert pianist, several talented teens, and our enthusiastic church choir singers.

A reception with refreshments follows the musical entertainment

Clara Biswas is a missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church serving as a community worker in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.  She works with the "poorest of the poor,' especially children who live in slum areas, working to facilitate their transfers to relocation and rehabilitation centers.

Her work brings hope to the hopeless through educational opportunities, vocational training, medical care & financial suport to improve living conditions. Clara now works with the Berung Kok Methodist Church in Phnom Penh's large slum area of Toul Kork.  She also networks with other churches as well as visiting, monitoring, and caring for patients. Clara has extensive experience as a volunteer in the Student Christian Movement.  Her training in International, cross-cultural, and women's empowerment meetings is vast.  She speaks English, Bengali, Hindi, and Japanese. Born in Barisal, Bangladesh, Clara holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in social science and a diploma in rural leadership and development from the Asian Rural Institute in Tochigi-Ken, Japan.

Thanks to everyone who has been saving their change and donating to our "Lent Loot" effort to provide flood buckets for disaster clean-up packed by the Midwest Mission Distribution Center in Chatham, Illinois.

Over $600 has been raised so far, and the loot is still coming in and being counted; a final tally will be available in the May newsletter & here.

In recent years, each district has been challenged to supply materials to complete kits for needy people.  These kits are then assembled at the Midwest Mission Distribution center at Chatham, Illinois, and sent on to serve those in need.  

This year the Northern Illinois Conference will be collecting materials for school kits: bags that are packed with all sorts of school supplies that children need at school. Our mission teams have packed these kits, and we know how important they are !!

Our DeKalb Conference has been asked to provide two items: blue or black "stick" type pall point pens with caps ( like "Bic" or "Paper Mate" type pens that come in packs). We are also collecting small hand pencil sharpeners.  There will be a basket at the back of the sanctuary to collect these items until Annual Conference in June.  Please take the opportunity when you are shopping to pick up several of these items to help needy students get ready for a new school year.

Mission Chair, Bev Richardson has designed a bulletin board displaying the progress of the "Lent Loot" collection to purchase Flood Bucket supplies for Midwest Mission Distribution Center in Chatham, Illinois.

The cost of each plastic bucket and all the supplies needed to fill it comes to about $50.  The hallway bulletin board will show us how many buckets we'll be able to provide for this March Mission project.

Lent Loot jars are still available at the back of the sanctuary.  Make a habit of tossing in your loose change after each shopping trip & before you know it that jar will be filled & you won't have to carry around the extra weight of coins in your pockets, wallet or purse.

Mission envelopes will still be distributed if you choose to donate by check or currency instead of coins.

Zion has shown to be a small church with a big heart by faithfully supporting the various mission projets  near and far.

The annual event was held at Holy Cross Church hall this year on  Thursday, March 3. Special guests were Rev. John & Barbara Meyers featuring "Message in Magic."

The Meyers live in Ottawa, Illinois. John is a retired  Elder in the United Methodist Church & Barbara is a retired teacher & professional picture framer.  They are members of the Fellowship of Christian Magicians & the International Brotherhood of Magicians.

The art of illusion has been part of John & Barbara's life for many years.  Almost every Sunday throughout the year, they are in a church bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ through the art of magic.  They are God-centered and God-praising.

An excellent dinner was prepared by Kevin Goy, with the assistance of many volunteers from participating churches.   The meal included Roast Pork Loin & dressing, mashed potatoes, corn casserole, green beans, bread, beverages & pie for dessert.  The silent auction for homemade pies is a popular addition to the evening's entertainment & brings out friendly competition for a worthwhile cause.

There is no set cost for this Lenten meal ; a free-will offering was accepted to cover expenses & provide for a scholarship fund for future seminary students.

March 24 Maundy Thursday ecumenical service including communion at Zion UMC 7:00pm; sermon by Pastor Mike Morrell of First UMC

March 25  Good Friday ecumenical service at St. John's Lutheran Church 7:00pm; sermon by Pastor Susan Presley of 1st Presbyterian Church

The Mendota Area Ministerial Association sponsors this event in cooperation with alternating host churches.  This year the dinner will be held at 6:00pm at First United Methodist Church, 1st Avenue & 6th Street in Mendota. Chef Kevin Goy has planned the dinner menu to include: Smoker roasted pork loin, mashed potatoes, corn casserole, vegetables, bread, beverages & homemade pie for dessert.

There is no set cost for the meal, an offering will be accepted.

An auction of wonderful homemade pies always brings out the spirit of friendly competition.

The funds raised at this event usually go toward a scholarship fund which is primarily distributed to seminarians, and sometimes others, who are training for full time ministry work.

The special guest speaker is Michael H. Imhof, Evangelist, Author, Navy SEAL Comander (ret.) His goal is to speak before congregations where God opens the door or him. He, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, uses his unique background and many experiences in encouraging, edifying and inspiring others in the things of God.  He's a retired U.S. Navy Commander and a former Navy SEAL. After completing Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training, Commander Imhof was assigned to SEAL team two, subsequent Naval Special Warfare commands, and other duty assignments.  He has lived and worked in a multitude of countries.  He recently returned from an assignment in Afghanistan where he was imbedded with the U.S. Army as a civilian mentor in the training of Afghanistan National Army soldiers in support of Department of Defense operations.

All men of the community are welcome; invite a friend; maybe someone who's never been to a men's dinner like this one.

March 29 -Palm Sunday Event and Potluck at Zion UMC begining at 9am

April 2 - Maundy Thursday, ecumenical service at First UMC at 7pm

April 3 - Good Friday, ecumenical service at Zion UMC at 7pm

April 5 - Easter Sunday at Zion UMC at 9am