Mel Gillund, Woodcarver

Mel GillundMel first carved as a young boy growing up on the family farm in Anoka county. With a love of wood inherited from his Norwegian grandfather, he saved his few coins and purchased a pocket jack knife at his uncle‟s country store. Wood from old apple boxes, peach crates, and from the local forest was plentiful. He carved many of his own toys such as small animals, sling shots, toy guns, and Whirl-a-Gig wind toys.

In the late 1970s, Mel was re-introduced to carving by a co-worker at the wholesale distribution company where he worked as a farm supplies buyer. He accompanied his friend to a weekend carving show at Northtown Mall. It was there he learned to carve a stylized bird from Honduran mahogany. He went on to carve more stylized and realistic birds, and some waterfowl.

In 1987, Mel saw an interesting pattern for a Santa Claus figure with the suggestion to carve it from the trunk of a discarded Christmas tree. That kind of wood proved to be a bad choice so he used basswood, the wood preferred by most carvers. He carved two Santas in that style, giving one to his wife, Marlys, and the other to her mother, as Christmas gifts. Since then he has carved more than 5,000 Santa Claus figures of many designs. He has also carved hundreds of Christmas tree ornaments, and many other types of carvings. He has many local and out of state customers, and has given many carvings to family and friends, and to charitable fundraisers such as Zion‟s Harvest of Hands.

Mel is mostly self taught. He has taken several classes from well-known Scandinavian carving instructors. He is a member of the National Wood Carvers Association, the Minnesota Wood Carvers Association, and the local Community Education carvers group at the Buffalo Middle School. He is also active with a group of carvers at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis.

It‟s been a great hobby that has kept an old man “off the streets and out of the coffee shops.”

Change for Children

This Lent, Sunday school students are raising Money for Minneapolis Children’s Hospital. When children are admitted to the hospital, it sometimes happens very quickly and parents are left an hour from home and without personal care items while they stay with their sick child. Our gift will help provide things that the families need most. Bring your change on

  • March 7th … and dress backwards
  • March 14th … and wear crazy hair
  • March 21st … and wear Pajamas to church
  • March 28th … and dress your best!

On March 14, there will be a special noisy offering in worship so that the congregation can help the Sunday School children reach their goal of $1200.

Zion Supports Hospice in Tanzania

This note was recently received from Dr. Kristopher Hartwig following a gift from Zion of $2778.89, representing 3% of all contributions to the Forward in Faith fund from May to November, 2009. Dr. Hartwig is an ELCA missionary in Tanzania and the Coordinator for Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) Palliative Care services. A video showing the work of one of the hospice teams in the program can be viewed on the Global Health Ministries website.

Dear folks at Zion,

Thanks again for your generous gift in December. It arrived safely and has been put to work. In fact we trust that by now there is good fruit coming from the great training we were able to offer in December.

The training was for four of our Lutheran Hospitals, scattered around the country, rejuvenating their Hospice teams. We had a Chaplain, Nurse, and Doctor from each site. Our ELCT team of 4 all pitched in to make it a worthwhile time, and people left with great enthusiasm.

Part of these next 3 months will be visiting those places. Karatu is a mere 2 hours away and will be easy. But Lugala is 2 days each way. Bulongwa is also 2 days but, we could visit Ilula on the way/way back. It is always the time in follow up that is a tough challenge. Meanwhile, for sick people in their communities, it is a great blessing.

Thanks again.

Kristopher Hartwig

Harvest of Hands Update

Harvest of Hands will meet this month on Tuesday mornings March 9 &23 at 9am and Wednesday evenings March 20 &24 at 7:15pm (after Lenten worship).

In January, volunteers completed over 15 fleece blankets for the annual sale. February projects include Shoulder Snuggies Tuesday mornings and beading on Wednesday evenings.

Harvest of Hands relies on volunteers like you produce the crafts that are sold at the annual November festival.

Young Sisters in Christ

by Lee Ann Goerss

I love to share my passion for art with students. I find myself learning more from them and am always inspired by their imagination. Their creative spirits give witness to God, our Creator; and, Artist Extraordinaire.

I’m also thankful for the commitment and devotion of the Harvest of Hands crew, who raise thousands of dollars annually to feed the hungry locally and across the globe. When I volunteered to teach Sunday School this year, it was on the top of my list to involve my students in this mission.

So, early in the fall, I talked to my fifth and sixth grade girls about designing a project for the Silent Auction. They were very enthusiastic about their chance to “make a difference”. We partnered up with our “Sister” class at the 10:30 service. And, with a mixture of art and faith they created a colorful original entitled “Sisters in Christ”.

I am proud of the heartfelt gift of these “young” Sisters in Christ; and, I look forward to a continuing connection between Sunday School students and Harvest of Hands.

HOH Sisters

Sunday school students with their work of art for Harvest of Hands

Foster Parents Needed

Would you like to make a difference in the life of a child? Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota is looking for caring individuals and couples who can be foster parents to young children and teens. Ideal foster parents have compassion for kids and are open to caring for children from different backgrounds. Professional training and ongoing support is provided, along with monthly, non-taxable income.  If you can open your home and your heart to a child, please call Cassie Zonnefeld at Lutheran Social Service at 612.879.5219.

God’s Sweet Spot

From the January 2010 issue of Faith Matters, the newsletter of Redeemer Lutheran Church.

As a pastor, one of the things I have to work at a lot is communication. In my daily work what I have to do to be effective is communicate well, so I really like it when I come across a saying or a word that communicates well. The concept of a ’sweet spot’ communicates well. If you have ever played in band or orchestra and you can remember what it felt like the first time you hit just the right note at just the right time, you know what it is like to hit a sweet spot. If you have sung in a choir, hit a ball, or dove off a high diving board for the first time you have a basic recollection of what it means to have a ’sweet spot’ experience.

I recall when I first began playing tennis. It was a frustrating experience. Then it seemed that one day out of the blue I hit the ball in just the right spot and the ball flew effortlessly off the racket. For the first time I knew what it meant to hit the sweet spot. I can also recall the moment when I broke up a fight and in doing so I was facing someone I was very much afraid of and all time seemed to stand still in that moment.

The ’sweet spot’ is not a term that just communicates, it connects us with moments in time that say to us, I can do this! It is an experience that says to us, if I did it once I can do this again. It connects us with experiences that build the confidence, hope and joy that if we did it once then we can do it again.

What is the church, if not God’s ’sweet spot’? God’s church is the invitation God gives us to invite others to Read the rest of this entry »

Updates on ELCA Response in Haiti

ELCA Disaster Response has begun to post details of their current work in Haiti.  Check this page for updates and links including their Haiti Earthquake blog and detailed situation reports.

Zion’s Tough Times ???

by Steve Peterson

What is happening at Zion? How are we doing? When are we going to get on track again? Are these some questions that you have asked of others or have had other members ask you? Probably! Yes, the economy has been difficult on many of us. Yes it has been a couple of difficult years. Or has it?

Looking back, I’m not sure we ever really got off track. God has blessed us over and over and continues to do his good works through us. I see our congregation taking giant steps forward in our ministries and mission work. We are actively reaching outside our walls to provide support to our local community through financial and volunteer support. Giving is growing at Zion. The many members involved in providing the various support through time, talent and financial support are truly being blessed.

We have provided support to the Buffalo Food Shelf, LoveINC, Rivers of Hope, Faith in Action, Timber Bay, and others. We have continued to reach outside of Buffalo with our support to Redeemer Lutheran in North Minneapolis. We are establishing a partnership with the Lutheran Church of Nigeria in Shelleng. Our kids raised many dollars and gave it to a Well Water Project to better people’s lives in Nigeria. Our youth provided labor support to others through their summer mission trip. We have provided support to Kelsey Mackereth, a member of our congregation committed to doing mission work in Malaysia. We again provided funds to support important Hospice care work in Tanzania and continue to provide funds to combat World Hunger. Yes we have done many things as a congregation- through these “tough times.”

Are we off track? Are these really “tough times”? I believe not: tough times are when we are thinking only of ourselves. Reaching out to share God’s possessions can only be good times.

Harvest of Hands

We Are So Blessed

Harvest of Hands , the annual festival and brunch organized by Zion members to benefit local and world hunger raised over $28,000 in 2009.

Funds raised through the 2009 festival will be distributed through the Buffalo Food Shelf and the ELCA World Hunger Appeal.  A larger share will go to the Buffalo Food Shelf to help people in need in our own community due to the economic situation.

  • The Buffalo Food Shelf will receive quarterly donations of $4,500.
  • $10,000 will go to ELCA World Hunger, designated to help victims of the January 12 earthquake in Haiti.
  • $150 has already been given to the Buffalo Food Shelf Christmas Meals project in December.

February Schedule and Projects

The morning craft group meets from 9-11am on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday in the Wilderness Room. February dates are the 9th and 23rd. Projects will include fleece blankets & “Snuggy” bed jackets.

The evening craft group meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday in the Wilderness Room. On February 10 the group meets at the usual 7pm time. On February 24 the group meets at 7:15pm after Lenten worship. Projects will include beading & ornaments.

Share a New Craft

Do you have a special craft, talent, or skill that you like to do?  Would you like to share that with our group?  If so, please contact Joy at 763-658-6124.  Participants enjoy trying new ideas and crafts.  Last year volunteers learned how to make stained glass projects, crochet, and knit.

Consider joining the Harvest of Hands crew for a few hours of fun and friendship.  They have a great time working on projects all through the year and would enjoy your company.  If you have any questions or need supplies, please contact Joy.

New Fundraising Guidelines

The church council recently reviewed and approved modifications to the fundraising guidelines for groups holding fundraisers at the church. If you are part of a committee or group at Zion that will be organizing any type of fundraiser, please take these guidelines into consideration. In particular, please be sure to make your plans well in advance to  allow for scheduling and promotion.

View or print the fundraising guidelines.

Zion’s Haiti Response

HaitiYou are invited to give financially to help the people of Haiti. Zion offers a great option for your giving, ELCA International Disaster Response. Your gifts given through ELCA International Disaster Response, designated for Haiti Earthquake Relief, will be used entirely—100 percent— for immediate relief and ongoing recovery efforts.

ELCA Disaster Response is already working through long-standing partnerships on the ground to provide emergency food, water, shelter and medical supplies to the people of Haiti. Your prayers and  generous gifts will make a life-saving difference.

If you would like your financial contribution reflected in your Zion giving statement:

  • Make your check out to Zion
  • Designate “Haiti” on the envelope and memo line
  • If you give cash, designate “Haiti” on the envelope
  • Zion will combine these gifts and send one check to ELCA Disaster Response.

Additional resources:

Thrivent’s Million Dollar Challenge

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members who want to make a financial contribution to support disaster response efforts in Haiti can have their donations to one of four Lutheran relief agencies , including  ELCA Disaster Response or Lutheran World Relief multiplied by the fraternal benefit society.

  • To give online visit www.thrivent.com/helpinghaiti .
  • To mail a check make it payable one of the listed Lutheran relief agencies, write “Helping Haiti” in the memo, and mail it to Thrivent at 4321 N. Ballard Road, Appleton, WI 54919.

Thrivent Financial will add $1 to every $2 its members donate, up to a total Thrivent Financial contribution of $1 million. That means a potential of $3 million or more to support relief efforts: $2 million + from its members and $1 million added by Thrivent Financial.

Open My Eyes That I May See

By Sherilyn Burgdorf

Some of us see what’s around us and others really see the big picture of God’s creation. Zion and the Buffalo community are fortunate to have the artistic talents of Howard Burgdorf in our midst. His eye for color, design, and detail have made many spaces come to life in new ways.

Howard Burgdorf

Howard Burgdorf with one of the Marysville pictures he donated to the 2009 Harvest of Hands silent auction.

After growing up in the Chicago area Howard went to Bethany College (Mankato) and the University of Illinois-Urbana to study graphic arts. He’s used his creative eye to design many business publications and corporate reports through his years of studio work at the University Press in Illinois and at graphic arts studios in the Twin Cities. Imagine doing lettering for business reports by hand, one letter at a time, instead of selecting a font style and size on your computer. Imagine doing color checks in the middle of the night with printing companies to make sure every color was done correctly. Graphic arts have changed in the past years and so has Howard’s array of art.

Howard’s retirement to Buffalo meant a whole new vision. The old barns and buildings around the area, including the Marysville Church, became a focus of his art. Zion’s Harvest of Hands event is the recipient of an annual painting done by Howard for the silent auction. “Painting ‘Marysville’ for Harvest of Hands has gotten to be a tradition for me. In a small way I want to continue its 107 year witness.”

Howard also uses global trips and interest in all kinds of art to expand his “big picture” to watercolor, acrylics, chalk, sketching, sculpture, and photography. While other people take vacations to see the world at a glance, Howard sees the everyday scenes and turns them into amazing sketches: ones that are appreciated even when language is a barrier.

Howard’s paintings in watercolor, acrylic, and chalk have become favorites at the silent auction each year and even though the building doesn’t change, the paintings are unique each year. In a few months, we’ll see what Howard’s “big picture” of Marysville brings for 2010.

Lutherans Respond to Earthquake in Haiti

ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson has posted a message on the ELCA Web site to ELCA members regarding the earthquake in Haiti and the ELCA’s response. You can read Bishop Hanson’s letter at elca.org/bishopstatement. On the ELCA Disaster Response page you will find the most recent situation updates and details on how to offer designated financial support.

Meet Marilu Thomas

Marilu Thomas

Marilu Thomas, Executive Director, Redeemer Center for Life

Hello Zion Lutheran! I have a very warm place in my heart for Zion (especially important in a Minnesota winter!). I have witnessed Zion’s love of Christ lives in the world through generous and faithful people like David Nerothin who serves on our Redeemer Center For Life board, Rick and Deb Johnson who have hosted us at Zion, Pastor Judy who preached at Redeemer, the new stair construction through Dave and Doug Schmidt, and the many Zion members who have volunteered and given to the Christmas Store and Block Party.

So, shouldn’t we get to know each other? I’ll tell you a little bit about myself and when we meet you can tell me about yourself. Deal?

Read the rest of this entry »

Harvest of Hands Starting Beading

The 2009 Harvest of Hands Festival was a great success. Craft nights will kick off again on Wednesday evening, January 13,  at 7pm in the Wilderness Room (behind the kitchen). The group will work on a beading project.

If you have any ideas for crafts, we would love to hear your ideas. If you would like to work on crafts at home and need supplies, please contact a committee member (stop by Wednesday night or get contact information from the church office).

Mini-Sale Raised $670 for the Food Shelf

Thanks to those who shopped at the HOH Mini-Sale on December 13. An additional $670 was raised for the for the Buffalo Food Shelf.

The Harvest of Hands Committee wishes you a Merry Christmas and a very blessed 2010 and looks forward to working with you in the new year.

Quilt Group

The Monday Morning quilters have been busy! From July to November they completed forty-two quilts which have now been sent to Mexico. Roger Ose, a retired missionary picked up the many bags of quilts in late November to send on to places where he knows of a need.

You can contribute to this ministry by joining the quilting group at Zion any Monday morning, or donating sheets to be used for quilt backs. Sheets can be twin-sized or larger, and new or gently used.

3% “Forward in Faith” Gift to Hospice Care in Tanzania

Three percent of our contributions to “Forward in Faith” is designated for special mission projects. Zion recently sent $2,778 to the ELCA Global Missions to be used by Dr. Kristopher Hartwig in administering hospice care in Tanzania. Kristopher is Dennis Murnyak’s brother-in- law and continues to work in Tanzania (Dennis returned home last year).

Kristopher wrote, “It’s very, very good news from our side that once again Zion is choosing to share with our work in Tanzania. It’s been a lean year for donations, as you might imagine. We would love to have the funds for training for four of our hospitals that have minimal support for hospice work—Karatu, Bulongwa, Ilula, and Lugala.”

This gift is another example of Zion’s far-reaching ministry. Thanks to all who contribute to our building fund and have participated in this generosity.