Zion’s Tough Times ???

January 26, 2010 — Angela

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.

Posted in Global Missions Committee. Leave a Comment »

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

December 17, 2009 — Angela

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.

Posted in Global Missions Committee, Stewardship. Tags: . Leave a Comment »

Note from Kelsey

July 22, 2009 — Angela

Dear Zion Family~

Thank you all so much for your support in my mission to Malaysia. The outpouring of encouragement is overwhelming and for that I know I am blessed to be a part of your church family.

As I continue in this mission I promise to represent our church family to my best capability in all that I do. I also promise to send updates as often as possible. Hopefully along with these updates there will be a few pictures to give you a visual with the verbal.

Thank you all very much and I will see you in a year with plenty to share about our sisters and brothers in Christ around the world. This wouldn’t be possible without you and your generous donations through prayers, letters, and donations. Thank you!

Peace,

Kelsey Mackereth
Young Adults in Global Missions – Malaysia
www.facebook.com/Kelsey.Malaysia
Posted in Global Missions Committee. Tags: . Leave a Comment »

Kelsey To Serve in Malaysia

July 13, 2009 — Angela

Chocolate Chip CookiesKelsey Mackereth, daughter of Laurie and Joel Mackereth, has been doing work at a Bible camp for a few years and has now been accepted into the ELCA Global Mission program and will leaving for a mission year in Malaysia in August. On Sunday, July 19, Kelsey will be at Zion to help with worship and explain a little about her upcoming year.

The ELCA sponsors these missions but also asks each person or their home congregation to also help with the financial needs. That means Kelsey needs about $4000 of sponsorship from Zion’s Global Mission committee, family, friends, etc. To help Kelsey with sponsorship, Zion’s Global Missions Committee will be sponsoring a cookie fundraiser (also on July 19).  The Mackereths are organizing the fundraiser (contact Laurie if you want to help), and funds will be matched by Thrivent; so stop by on Sunday and throw in $1 or $100 for a great chocolate chip or turtle cookie. Any checks written to support Kelsey’s mission should be written out to “Zion Lutheran Church” (put Kelsey’s name in the memo, or bring them to the cookie fundraiser) and we will send one check on to the ELCA.

Kelsey is also working with the church office to find ways of keeping the congregation up-to-date on the details of ministry while overseas.

In Sherilyn Burgdorf’s words “Kelsey was a great help with so many things here at Zion while she was a “youngster” here in Buffalo. She did lots of things through her high school years and this is a great way to help her as she grows in her vocation of God’s mission and care for people around the world.”

Posted in Global Missions Committee. Tags: . Leave a Comment »

Forward in Faith Mission Gifts

April 22, 2009 — Angela

Twice a year for the duration of the current Forward in Faith campaign, a 3% tithe has been given to a mission project selected by the Global Missions committee.

The final gift from Forward in Faith II, covering gifts received from November 17, 2008 to May 16, 2009 will be split five local charities: Buffalo Food Shelf, Faith in Action, Love INC, Rivers of Hope and Timber Bay.

This is expected to bring the total mission gift from Forward in Faith to over $40,000.

Posted in Community Outreach, Global Missions Committee, Stewardship. Tags: . Leave a Comment »

Hospice in Tanzania

November 24, 2008 — Angela

Zion has made a commitment to donate 3% of income received through the Forward in Faith fund to a variety of mission projects on a semi-annual basis. The Global Missions committee selected the work of Dr. Kristopher Hartwig with Hospice Development in Tanzania for the May 18-November 17, 2008 gift.
Dr. Hartwig was in the area in November visited Zion to tell the Global Missions committee more about his work. If you missed that event, you can still catch Dr. Hartwig’s slide presentation at www.zionbuffalo.org/TZ

Posted in Adult Education, Global Missions Committee. Tags: , . Leave a Comment »

Congregation Invited to Meet Dr. Kristopher Hartwig

November 6, 2008 — Angela

Dr. Kristopher Hartwig will be visiting Zion’s Global Missions Committee on Thursday November 13th at 7:00pm.  Kristopher is working through the ELCA in Tanzania on a Hospice Development Program.  Zion has given mission dollars to this program and the Missions committee has recommended giving our next Forward In Faith gift to this most important effort.  Kristopher will share with us how our donations have been used as well as what the need is for the future.  Members of the congregation are invited to attend this very informative and interesting evening with the committee.

Posted in Global Missions Committee. Tags: . Leave a Comment »

A Letter from Dennis Murnyak

September 18, 2008 — Angela

Dear Supporting Congregations,

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! I am writing to give you an update from my last letter written from Tanzania. Since that time we have departed from Tanzania on July 2 and returned to the USA. The departure was not easy in that it was a lot of work to move from a country where I lived for 25 years. There was the house to move out of, belongings to give away, dispose of, sell, or ship to USA. There was work to finish up and responsibilities to turn over. There were farewells to friends and colleagues, and to the country we grew to love. It was an emotionally draining time.

Now perhaps is the more difficult time for us as I adjust to living in the USA Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Global Missions Committee. 1 Comment »

Potluck Picnic Celebration

June 24, 2008 — Angela

You’re invited to a pot luck picnic to celebrate Dennis and Kari Murnyak’s return to Minnesota.  Kari’s brother, Kristopher Hartwig, will also be with us.  Zion has supported his hospice project in Tanzania and he will give us a short report on the progress of this ministry.

Monday, July 7, 2008
6:15 p.m. at
Dave and Sue Wright’s Garden
near Zion on 12th St. S.

Bring a dish to share.  We’ll provide beverages, paper plates, and picnic utensils.  Please RSVP so they know how many to plan for.  Invite anyone else you know who know the Murnyaks or who are interested in Zion’s mission activities.   Hope to see you there for this mission celebration.

Dave and Sue Wright

Posted in Global Missions Committee. Leave a Comment »

Dennis Murnyak Update

June 23, 2008 — Angela

Missionary Dennis Murnyak is moving back to USA from Tanzania on July 2 and is in the midst of sorting, packing, moving and saying farewells.

His family will spend the summer in Minnesota as they search for jobs and places to live.

Dennis has a new email address, so please delete old addresses and contact the church office for his new address.

Posted in Global Missions Committee. Leave a Comment »

Murnyak Mission News

May 22, 2008 — Angela

May 22, 2008

Dear Supporting Congrgations,

Greetings to all of you! While many of you are welcoming spring/early summer we are just marking the end of the rainy season. It was a good stretch of heavy rains and farmers are pleased – but it did a number on our dirt roads (like the one that leads to our house) which are nearly impassable in spots – happy we have four-wheel drive!

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Global Missions Committee. Leave a Comment »

Enough Already & Hurry Up And Wait

May 20, 2008 — Angela

By Warren Mhyre, Global Missions Committee

‘ENOUGH- ALREADY’ is a phrase used by people who are poised for action and frustrated with delay and anxiety.  I, as I am sure you did, felt that way as the world watched anxiously the human suffering in Myanamar (Burma) in early May.  ENOUGH-ALREADY as that nation’s elite looked at their self-interest vs. the suffering of the people hit by the cyclone, and the willingness of relief organizations to help.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Global Missions Committee. 1 Comment »

Mission Congratulations

April 18, 2008 — Angela

by Dave Wright

After 25 years of digging fish ponds, coddling Tilapia fingerlings with his farmer protégé, and negotiating the African bureaucracy, Dennis Murnyak and family are returning to the United States in July. You can find Dennis’s final report of their ministry here and a letter from Dennis here. It’s been an amazing journey and well worth the read. Our congregation has supported the Murnyaks financially and prayerfully since they began serving as missionaries in Tanzania in 1983.

This is just one of the many ways Zion has made a Christian impact on our international neighbors. We have sent approximately $30,000 to projects around the world from our building fund. Three percent of our contributions to Forward in Faith is ear-marked for missions. Each year Harvest of Hands commits thousands of dollars to alleviate suffering from hunger, and our Forty Days of Purpose has led to a groundswell of financial and social outreach locally. We can be proud of these efforts to act as Christ’s ambassadors.

Posted in Global Missions Committee. Tags: . Leave a Comment »

Murnyak Mission News

April 15, 2008 — Angela

April 15, 2008

Dear Supporting Congregations

Greetings from rainy and muddy Tanzania! We are in the middle of the raining season and it is really raining this year. Despite being tired of the muddy roads and paths and gloomy days we are all thankful for good rains that are needed for the crops and to recharge the ground water and springs.

As I have written you earlier we are nearing the time to leave Tanzania. My contract with Heifer is up on June 30th and we will return to USA on July 3rd. I am starting to feel in limbo Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Global Missions Committee. 1 Comment »

Gratitude For Our Gifts

March 13, 2008 — Angela

Submitted by Bill Deneen

One of my high school mentors was privileged enough to hear Mother Teresa speak in the early 1980’s. She talked of her work with God’s children and what an honor it was to serve. What a humble statement from a person that gave up all she knew, moved to another country and helped those that had absolutely nothing.

A person in the crowd asked how we as American’s could live our lives, comfortable as we are, without feeling guilty. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Global Missions Committee, Members. Leave a Comment »