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The Zionaires will be traveling to St. Cloud on Wednesday, September 15, to view the beautiful Munsinger Clemens gardens. These gardens are on the former site of a sawmill on the Mississippi River. The City of St. Cloud purchased the land in 1915 for a park, but it was really developed into its beautiful gardens during the Great Depression with help from the WPA (Works Progress Administration). The bus will be leaving from the church 9:30am and return about 2pm. The only cost will be $10 per person for transportation.

Sign up at the information desk at the church or call the Brennys at 682-2979.

Other upcoming Zionaires events include: October 20: Lawyer/Financial Planner/Community Center Director speaking at Zion November: Christmas Tree Decorating at the Wright County Museum December 16: Lunch with the Zion Staff

The Zionaires 55+ group is going out fishing on beautiful Lake Pulaski on Wednesday, August 11! The fishing pontoon will be leaving from Griffing Park at 9:30am. After a couple of hours of fishing, there will be a picnic lunch in the Park. There are limited seats on the boat, so sign up early—if the fishing boat is full, there will be an option for a pontoon ride around the lake or just meet at the park at 11am for the picnic. There will be no charge for this event. For more information and to sign up, please stop by the information desk or call Roger and Sandy Brenny at 763.682.2979.

Other upcoming Zionaires events include:

• September 15: The Museums and Gardens of St Cloud
• October 20: Lawyer/Financial Planner/Community Center Director speaking at Zion
• November: Christmas Tree Decorating at the Wright County Museum
• December 16: Lunch with the Zion Staff

Zionaries senior group will be taking a trip to the Science Museum of Minnesota on Tuesday, July 20 (the date has been changed from July 21).

• First, explore a once in a lifetime archaeological find of the 20th century, the Dead Sea Scrolls, which includes the earliest texts of the Bible.
• See the St John‟s Bible which represents history‟s newest hand written, illustrated Bible. It is a monumental project with artistic and spiritual significance and was created in Minnesota at St. John‟s University.
• Finally, view the 45 minute Omnitheater film, Arabia, which gives an unprecedented look at the rich history, culture, and religion of Arabia.

The transportation, tickets for the Dead Sea Scrolls, the SJU Bible, and the Omnitheater are $30 per person. Leave from the church at 9:00 and return at about 3:30. Sign up at the Church Office or call the Brennys at 682-2979.

Other upcoming Zionaires events include:

• August 11: Fishing and a picnic on Lake Pulaski
• Sept 15: The Museums and Gardens of St Cloud
• Oct 20: Lawyer/Financial Planner speaking at Zion
• Nov : Christmas Tree Decorating at the Wright County Museum
• Dec 16: Lunch with the Zion Staff

Lew and Marian Hille served as ELCA missionaries to Cameroon (1966 – 1977) and Senegal (1984-1986). On Tuesday, June 22, they will speak at Zionaires Seniors Group about their work during those years and give an update on the work and ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cameroon today. The program begins at 9:30am, and will be followed by a sing-along.

Other upcoming Zionaires events include:

• July 21: Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota
• August 11: Fishing and a picnic on Lake Pulaski
• September 15: Museum and Gardens in St. Cloud
• October 20: Lawyer/Financial Planner speaking at Zion
• November: Christmas Tree Decorating at the Wright County Museum
• December 16: Lunch with Zion Staff

You are invited to join the Zionaires Seniors‟ Group for a visit to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska on Wednesday, May 19.

Over the last 50 years, the Arboretum has blossomed from a little-known horticultural research station sitting on 160 acres of remote marshland into an international research center and cultural destination that contributes to the horticultural, economic, and intellectual lives of people all over the world. Named in 2000 as one of the “10 great places to smell the flowers” in America by USA Today, the Arboretum has become one of the premier horticultural field laboratories and public display areas in the country, reaching out as a living, vibrant extension of the University of Minnesota.

The Zionaires group will meet at Zion at 9:15am to travel to the Arboretum. The day will include a narrated tour of the 1000+ acres of tree, shrubs, and themed parks on the Trumpet Creeper Tram, a Flower Pot Lunch served in the Tea Room and Terrace, and plenty of free time for touring on your own before heading back to Zion.

The cost is $25 per person, including transportation from Zion to the Arboretum, the tram ride, and lunch. The group is expected to return to Zion by 3:30pm. Please sign up at the information desk by Sunday, May 9. Contact the Brennys or the church office with any questions.

by Idella Ziegler

Study this schedule, it’s Zionaires’ events planned for you
We’re the Seniors – ages 50 and some of us are over 82!
Jot down the dates on your calendar, so you will remember
Gatherings in the future from May to September
Welcome to the Snowbirds returning to Zion church
Filling the pews where you always seem to perch!
We hardy souls that endured the cold, cold weather
I guess we are all ready to fly, let’s enjoy some fun together
We’ll see the beauty of God’s creation and hear His messages too
Visit museums, stroll in gardens, go to places new to me and you.
The newsletter will give you details of each month’s plan
So join us whenever you can
New to Zion? Welcome, we look forward to meeting new faces
As we visit and enjoy speakers and visit new places
With the Zionaires Senior Group

May 19: Arboretum Trip
June 22: Speaker at Zion
July 21: Dead Sea Scrolls at the Science Museum
August 18 11: Fishing and picnic
September 15: Museum and Gardens in St Cloud
October 20: Lawyer/Financial Planner speaking at Zion
November: Wright County Museum Christmas Tree Decoration
December: Communion Dinner at Zion

Sarah Lea will be speaking on Biblical Health and Nutrition in the Library from 10-11am on Tuesday, April 27.

Sarah graduated from Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas and is an ordained minister as well as a wife, Mother, and Grandmother. She authored and taught the Biblical Nutrition Class at C.F.N.I. from 1986 until 1991. During that time she was a frequent quest on Trinity Broadcasting Network on the program “Calling Dr. Whitaker”. She hosted a radio program “MILK and HONEY”, and was a popular speaker through out the Southwest.

A nutritional lunch will be served after the program. This event is sponsored by Zionaires.

The Driver Improvement course is open to the public; pre-registration is requested. A MN Highway Safety & Research Center certified instructor teaches this class. 4-hour refresher course April 13 from 9am-1pm (for those who have previously taken the full course). 8-hour full course (for first time participants) May 11 & 12 from 9am-1pm.

Participants will be provided the latest information in regards to driver safety, new laws, and vehicle technology. The fee for the four hour refresher course is $20 and the eight hour course is $24. For more information or to register, visit www.mnsafetycenter.org (Buffalo is on the first page of the Minneapolis area) or call toll free 1.888.234.1294.

Persons age 55 and older who complete the full course qualify for a ten percent discount on their auto insurance premiums for three years, according to Minnesota law.

Here’s the lineup for Senior (55+) events in upcoming months. Mark them on your calendar and plan for some fellowship and fun.

• March 30: Easter Basket preparation and distribution
• April 20: Tour to the Arboretum
• May 18: Outside Speaker
• June: Possible St Cloud trip

The Zionaires Senior Group meets on Tuesday, February 16, at 9:30 am. Highlights include:

• Pastor Karri to tell us all about herself and give us ‘helpful Lenten hints’
• Maureen Fellger will give present a visual tour of her recent trip to the Holy Land
• We’re going to celebrate ‘Fat Tuesday’!!  Please bring a calorie full hors d’œuvre to share with the group!

The Zionaires 55+ Senior Group has several events planned for upcoming months:

• On February 16, Interim Associate Pastor Karrie Anderson will introduce herself and share a short pre-Lenten devotion, followed by a Fat-Tuesday lunch.
• On March 30, Zionaires will assist in putting together the Food Shelf Easter Baskets which Zion will distribute to needy families
• April 20 is tentatively planned for a visit to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska, MN.

Everyone 55 and better is invited to participate in Zionaires’ great educational, fellowship and fun activities!

Zion’s retirees and senior citizens will be visiting the Wright County Heritage Center in Buffalo on Tuesday, January 19 with the Zionaires group. Meet at the church at 10am and drive together to the museum, for a guided tour and a soup and sandwich lunch. This will be followed by a talk from our own modern farmer expert, Charles Krause. If you do not have transportation to and from the church, call the Brenny’s at 682-2979 and we’ll arrange to pick you up. There will be a free will donation for the lunch and tour. Please sign up at the information desk by Sunday, January 17.

Zionaires will be taking a field trip to local historic locations on Tuesday, January 19 and having a guest speaker at Zion on Tuesday, February 16.

Younger ’seniors’ and early retirees are especially encouraged to join in these activities.

If you have any questions about any of these events or have suggestions for future activities, please call Sandy or Roger at 763.682.2979.

Zionaires had a great trip to the Science Museum in October to view and participate in the Titanic exhibit. In November they had a little breakfast and were one of the first groups to meet, listen to, and question Pastor Ted! It was very gratifying to see the large group of seniors that came to greet our new Pastor. They also had a handchime lesson from Sherilyn.

And the fun is just beginning! Future events include:

• December—Annual Christmas worship and lunch with the staff on December 17
• January 20—Field trip in the Buffalo area
• February 17—Guest Speaker in the Fellowship Hall

Other suggested activities that we hope to be doing in coming months include a tour of area churches, the Arboretum, Minnesota Zoo, Fort Snelling, and other places of interest.

The Zionaires 55+ group will visit the Science Museum of Minnesota in St Paul on Tuesday, October 20 to travel back to 1912 and experience the unforgettable story of the world’s most famous ship of its time at TITANICA: The ARTIFACT EXHIBITION. They will also visit the Omnitheater for a giant film screening of TITANICA!

The group leaves from the church at 9:00 Tuesday morning and return about 3:30. Cost for this fun adventure will be $30, including transportation, admission to all exhibits and film, coffee break with bakery item, and discount prices at the museum’s Explore store.

Please sign up at the information desk or call the Brennys at 763.682.2979.

• October: Field trip to the Science Museum in St Paul to see the Titanic Exhibit, probably on October 20, with an estimated cost of $25-30.
• November: Featured guest speaker!
• December: Christmas Luncheon with the Staff