Destiny Johnson has returned home from military service in Iraq.
Send a Card… or Popcorn…
October 15, 2009 — Angela
The response of the congregation to the “Hello and Thanks” project sending greetings and thanks to military personnel stationed around the world and on active duty stateside has been wonderful already.
Addresses of those serving in the military will be available at the display in front of Fellowship Hall until November 11. Blank cards are also available, and if cards are left in the mailbox at the display, will be stamped and mailed for you.
There is also still time to leave an address for someone you would like to add to the list. If you know anyone serving in the military who might appreciate some extra mail, please email us their current mailing address, also include what branch they serve with, your own name, and how you are connected to them. They do not need to be a member of Zion or your relative, and if they’d also like to pass on the addresses of others they serve with, we’ll include those too.
Cub Scout Troop 358 is partnering with Zion to send popcorn to military personnel. Each $10 contribution sends one bucket of caramel corn. Talk to a Cub Scout or stop the display before Sunday, November 1, to order popcorn.
On Sunday, November 8, we will take time in worship to honor all those serving and having served in the US military. Please plan on attending!
VA Medical Center Donation
October 7, 2009 — Angela
Over the summer, Zion collected donations of snacks and toiletries with the intent of sending them to those serving overseas in the military. Thanks to your generous donations, we ended up with the wonderful problem of having way too much stuff to send! With only one donation received towards the cost of actually shipping the items, it was decided to reroute the two large boxes to veterans served by the VA Medical Center in St Cloud.
This month, take time to send a card or write a short note to someone serving in the military. And if you have a name to add to that list, please email details to the office.
We recently received this letter of thanks from the director of the VA Medical Center in St Cloud: Read the rest of this entry »
Fred Pierce
October 6, 2009 — AngelaFred Pierce is now stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas.
Who Do You Know Serving in the Military?
October 5, 2009 — Angela
This month, members of Zion are sending greetings and thanks to military personnel stationed around the world and on active duty stateside.
If you know anyone serving in the military who might appreciate some extra mail, please email us their current mailing address, also include what branch they serve with, your own name, and how you are connected to them. They do not need to be a member of Zion or your relative, and if they’d also like to pass on the addresses of others they serve with, we’ll include those too.
The first list of names will be available this Sunday in the narthex, along with blank cards. You are also welcome to use your own cards or donate cards for others to use. There will also be a place to return cards to be mailed. We will continue to make updated address lists available until Remembrance Day, November 11.
Will Dobbins
September 29, 2009 — AngelaCPL Will Dobbins is serving with the Marines, and currently stationed in Japan.
Say Hi and Thanks to Military
September 24, 2009 — Angela“Say Hi and Thanks” is our Social Ministry project for October. During the month of October, members of Zion are encouraged to send a note of thanks, encouragement and prayer to men and women who are serving in the military on our behalf. We will make available current addresses and pre-addressed post cards for members of our Zion family. (Families of our members serving right now, please make sure we have the right address for your sons and daughters.)
We also want to extend beyond “our” immediate family to other members and friends. For example, Pastor Judy would love to have members of Zion write to Ben G. She’s known Ben since he was three, his mother is her “best girl friend,” and his sister is her daughter’s best friend. Ben is serving in Afghanistan. He has also served in Iraq. At this point in his life, Ben does not have a family of faith. Zion would provide a wonderful ministry to him by letting him know his service is important and that he is being prayed for. I am sure many of us have someone who could be added to our list. To do this, we will be looking for current addressees of your best friend’s son or your cousin’s daughter.
Leave any current address in the office or send them on to Pastor Judy and we will have a weekly list update. Also watch for pre-addressed cards in the Fellowship Hall, at meetings, at places where we gather, that are all ready for your signature! And remember to lift up these servants in prayer!
Korey Siltman
September 3, 2009 — AngelaSpecialist Korey Stiltman, grandson of Norma & David Ramstad is stationed with the USArmy in Basrah, Iraq.
Greg Bremseth
July 20, 2009 — AngelaGreg returned from Iraq in late Feb and is currently First Sergeant of the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) in Houston, Texas. He looks forward to getting back to Minnesota soon.
Jake Swanson
June 29, 2009 — AngelaOn August 5th, Jake Swanson’s military service to his country officially ends. He is moving back to Minnesota and will attend Ridgewater Community College in Hutchinson this fall. I would like to thank my Zion family for their prayers and support, especially during his deployment to Afghanistan. When asked by a former teacher what she could send him, he replied “You don’t have to send me anything but your prayers. I know the only reason I am getting through this (the deployment) is because God has lifted me up and is carrying me.” Your prayers do make a difference in the lives of these soldiers. Please continue to pray for all of our military.
Kathy Swanson
Christopher Brophy
June 15, 2009 — AngelaChristopher Brophy will be leaving for Ft Benning, GA on July 8.
Help Fill the Canoe
June 10, 2009 — Angela
As their mission project this year, the VBS SonRock Kids’ Camp participants have started to collect supplies for military personnel overseas.
A complete list of suggested items can be found on the VBS page, and items should be brought to Zion by Sunday, June 21. They will then be be distributed amongst military personnel who have some congregational connection to Zion and the surrounding community.
And lastly in the words of Pastor Steve:
Homemade cookies/bars that are vacuum sealed or at least heavy duty zip locked are HUGE here. Thank you for doing this, you are going to make a lot of good people that you will never meet very happy.
Pastor Steve Svoboda in Iraq
June 10, 2009 — AngelaGreetings from Northern Iraq. Currently I am located in Kirkuk – a city of about 1,000,000 people. So far I have been here just over one month, and have settled into the routine of life on a forward operating base. Attached is a picture taken the other night of a co-worker/friend from my Minneapolis reserve wing, who is here doing security work. He is a former Marine, now working for the Air Force and if there is a way to operate safely in a war zone, it is with him. We went out the other night on mid-watch to visit troops on the perimeter. The stuff in the picture that looks like snow is actually dust – it is very heavy here. Also very dry and very hot.
We have a vibrant chapel culture here on base; I have responsibility for one of eight different service offerings here, working with the contemporary worship service at 1000 and 1900 every Sunday. Between both services the contemporary serves 100-150 each week, and we have the best combat praise team in the CENTAF AOR. We work very closely with our Army Chaplain counterparts and have a great relationship with them.
DeAnna Strommen
June 9, 2009 — AngelaDeAnna returned to Texas last week, and is again stationed at Fort Hood.
Fred Pierce
May 20, 2009 — AngelaAfter the 20th of May, Fred Pierce will be going to Pensacola, Fl.
Chris Paulsen-Schmidt
May 13, 2009 — AngelaChris Paulsen-Schmidt is still at Great Lakes IL and has completed the first 1/2 of his schooling for Advanced Electronics. He is now in the final 4 months of school and is getting ready to be stationed somewhere on the coast.
Dirk Foster
May 12, 2009 — AngelaThings continue to go well in my job as the Chief of Staff for NSWC PHD. My day is filled with ensuring that the staff runs smoothly. I mainly work with the non-technical side of the business. This Friday afternoon was very busy. One employee was warned that he had to evacuate his home in 15 minutes because of the Santa Barbara fires. He eventually did not have to evacuate but it was close. Then a small earthquake struck about 20 miles away. No damage or injuries, but many people felt it. Finally, the ambulance and fire truck showed up because one of our employees was having chest pains. He was taken to the hospital and released the next day.
I am working on deconflicting two groups that were promised the same building for expansion, answering an OSHA complaint, getting performance evaluations in on time and improving the Commanding Officers suggestion box process. I have also emceed an awards ceremony, scheduled training for the staff and am working on developing a strategic alignment with an engineering program at one of the University of California campuses.
I really like my job, the commanding officer is great to work for and all of the people have been wonderful. I do miss everyone at home. I hope they are getting ready for a great summer and I look forward to seeing as many people as possible over the 4th of July weekend.
Dirk
Cody Bauman
May 11, 2009 — Angela
Cody Bauman
Cody Bauman is still stationed with the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg. His Mom sent us this new photo:
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