Zion United Church o f Chr i s t Ba roda , MI

INSIDE:

Upcoming Events

2

Announcements and Thank Yous

2

Contact Info 3

Student Intern 3

Prayer

Concerns

3

Soup Kitchen 5

Photos 5

Ladies’

Fellowship

6

Conservation

Center

6

Birthdays &

Anniversaries

6

October 27, 2015

Volume 16

ChimesChimes

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

Harvest Party Fun!

A great time was had at our Harvest Party on Sunday morning. We had over

30 young people take part in our festivities. We had four stations that all

young people got to enjoy: Pumpkin decorating, where students were able to

use stickers and markers to decorate their pumpkins; paper plate masks; cloth

bag decorating; and, create fall trees, using their finger prints on a stamp pad.

A fantastic time was had as well with our game station. Students were able to

participate in mummy wrapping, mummy tag, and hot pumpkin passing. We

ended with yummy refreshments of apple cider, donut holes and popcorn.

THANK YOU so much to parents that helped with the stations, donated

snacks, and supplies to run our stations. A special thanks to Brad R. for his

donation of over 40 pumpkins that he raised himself!

Christmas Program

Parents your child should have brought home their parts and CDs by now.

Please make sure to work with your child on their part and practice the songs

with the CDs. Our goal this year is to have all students memorize their parts

for the program. This coming Sunday a schedule will come home of when

we will be practicing certain scenes and for soloist to work with Jessie.

Times before Sunday School will be from 10:10-10:30. Thank you parents

for all your help and support for this years program!

Additional photos inside

Upcoming Events

Announcements & Thank Yous

10/27 MLG Meeting 6:30 pm

10/28 Prayer Circle 10 am

Choir Rehearsals

11/01 Daylight Savings ends

Sunday School 10:30 am

Adult Faith Formation 10:30 am

11/03 Soup & Salad Luncheon 11 am—1 pm

11/04 Choir Rehearsals

11/08 Sunday School 10:30 am

Adult Faith Formation 10:30 am

Thank yous to/from:

Many thanks to the crew who assisted the Conservation Center staff. Special thanks to Michael V. who

picked up and returned the scaffolding that was used in the cleaning process. Also thanks to Michael, Ed K.,

Brian D. and John R. who assisted in the installation and eventual removal of the scaffolding as well as

moving of the carving to the altar to allow for more complete access to the conservators. Also thanks to

Michael V., Brian D., Ned T., Shawn M., and John R. for reinstallation of the “cleaned” carving back into its

niche in the altar area.

Congratulations to:

Garner W., son of Danny & Shelly W. who was born Tuesday, October 6th in Florida. Garner is the

grandson of Ron & Sherry R., and great grandson of Bud & Shirley T.

“White House” to be demolished: The congregation voted at the Sunday, October 18th meeting to

demolish the white house, garage, fence and selected trees on the property south of the church parking lot.

The demolition will include appropriate fill, leveling and landscaping when completed. Utilities are in the

process of being “retired”. We anticipate demolition should begin within the next two weeks.

Daylight Savings Time Ends Saturday: Don’t forget to move your clocks one hour back before you go to

bed on Saturday, October 31st or you’ll be really early for church the next morning.

Check Zion's Website, www.zionuccbaroda.org, for the latest up to date information! If you have

submissions for inclusion on the web, any questions, or suggestions please feel free to contact the church

office at 422-1590, or email at zionuccbaroda@gmail.com or Rev Noffke at cnoffke@ecunet.org.

Secure Online Donations: You can safely make donations to Zion's various activities on Zion's web-site.

Click on the donate tab, and it will take you to a secure site where you can choose how you would like to

make your donation. All your information is safe and secure, protected by Vanco services. If you would like

more information please feel free to contact the church office at zionuccbaroda@gmail.com, 269-422-1590

or Rev. Noffke (cnoffke@ecunet.org).

Chimes Page 2

CE Meeting after Sunday School

Chimes articles due

11/11 Prayer Circle 10 am

Choir Rehearsals

11/15 Sunday School 10:30 am

Adult Faith Formation 10:30 am

Stewardship Sunday

11/17 MLG Meeting 6:30 pm

11/18 Choir Rehearsals

Contact Information Church Office Phone Number: 269-422-1590

Church Web Site: zionuccbaroda.org

Current Address/Phone Number: To update yours call 422-1590 or email zionuccbaroda@gmail.com

Church Staff: Pastor: Rev. Chris Noffke—cnoffke@ecunet.org

Choir Director: Jonathan D.

Organist: Brenton O.

Office Manager: Kim—zionuccbaroda@gmail.com Bookkeeper: Rhonda—zionuccbaroda@gmail.com

CE Coordinator: Matt—zionuccbaroda@gmail.com

Ministry Leadership Group Members:

Mark K. (Moderator) Deb C. (Secretary) Dave F. (Vice-Moderator)

Bob P. (Treasurer) Brian D. Karla M.

Prayer Circle: Coreen D. Ladies Fellowship: Kim F.

Page 3 Volume 16

HOW YOU CAN

HELP...

Altar Flowers:

Every week

there are flowers on the altar that

complete the beauty of our

church. Won’t

you consider being the one to

add that final touch of beauty

to the altar?

Coffee Hour

Hosts:

Hosts provide

coffee, pastries, cake or donut

holes. Expenses

may be taken from donations

that day, so the commitment is

to purchase the

food & make coffee. Juice,

coffee, plates, napkins & cups

are provided.

Sign up sheets

are available

in the Narthex

Zion Welcomes Student Intern - Sue G.!

Prayer Concerns

We extend our love and prayers to:

. . . the family and friends of Kent R. who died Friday, October 23rd. Memorial

arrangements were incomplete at press time. Kent was the son of Evelyn R. and brother

to Brad and Kelton.

. . . the family and friends of Margaret C. who died in Kentucky Tuesday, October 20th

and whose memorial service will be held Tuesday, October 27 at Bowerman Funeral

Home in Eau Claire. Margaret was the sister of Mary W. & Nancy W.

. . . Shea P., son of Joanne D.'s late partner, David, continues at home.

. . . Vicki B. who recently underwent ankle surgery and is recovering at home.

. . . Brandy V. who, while on vacation in Arkansas visiting family, prematurely started

labor and delivered a baby girl, Colleen. Colleen will be moved to Little Rock as soon as

she is sufficiently stable for the trip.

Zion is pleased to welcome Sue G. for a year’s internship. Sue, a student at Chicago

Theological Seminary, as she is preparing for the parish ministry, will be involved in most of

the ministerial functions of our church during the coming year. Please welcome her warmly.

She writes about herself:

Hi, I'm Sue G., a student at Chicago Theological Seminary, who is your intern during this

school year. You, the wonderful people of Zion UCC, have agreed to be my field placement

location for learning about parish ministry. Working under the guidance of Pastor Chris, I'm

sure that I will have many educational experiences as I get to know all of the many things that

are the responsibility of a parish minister.

I come to Southwest Michigan from Southeast Michigan, where I have lived and worked for

the last 25 years. Evangelical Homes of Michigan was my work home for those years, a senior

services organization affiliated with the UCC, where I was a nursing home administrator and

fundraiser. Needless to say, after living and working in Metro Detroit, I've had some adjusting

to do, but I love this beautiful farm country. And, after all, I've only exchanged Lake Huron

for Lake Michigan, so the weather is pretty much the same!

The UCC has been a part of my life since coming to Michigan in 1976. For a time, I even

worked for the Michigan Conference at the office in East Lansing. So, while I have been a

part of congregations my whole life, I have not considered the congregation from the

perspective of the pastor. This will be an interesting journey.

Thank you for the warm welcome I've received here at Zion. I'm really looking forward to our

year together. Peace, Sue

PO Box 10

9100 Third Street

Baroda, MI 49101

Phone: 269-422-1590

Email:

zionuccbaroda@gmail.com

www.zionuccbaroda.org

All Are

Welcome!

Z io n

Un i t ed C hur ch

o f Chr i s t

Ba r o da , MI

The Chimes Newsletter is published at Zion UCC in Baroda, MI approximately every two weeks. Submissions are subject to editing. All

submissions for publication must be signed. The office phone is 269-422-1590. E-Mail - zionuccbaroda@gmail.com.

Zion United Church of Christ

P.O. Box 10

Baroda, MI 49101

Address Service Requested

Articles for the next issue of Chimes are due November 8

Electronic Fund Transfer: If you would like to have

your offering to Zion UCC automatically withdrawn

from your checking or savings account (weekly or

monthly), please contact the church office to obtain an

authorization form. Once the form is signed and

returned withdrawals will begin. You may change or

stop this service at any time.

Zion’s Web site: For the latest news at Zion, check out

our web site at www.zionuccbaroda.org. If you have

submissions for inclusion on the web, questions, or

suggestions, please feel free to contact the office or

Rev. Noffke at cnoffke@ecunet.org.

Privacy Laws Related to Hospitalizations: The laws

have been in effect for quite some time, but the

interpretation of those laws varies widely. In an effort

to protect the privacy of patients, most healthcare

providers will not release any information to churches

and/or pastors. If you are hospitalized and would like

the church and pastor to know, please be proactive with

the admissions officer, and 1) tell them that you are a

member of Zion, 2) you would like Zion to know that

you are hospitalized, and 3) call the church office and

Rev. Noffke.

THINGS YOU MIGHT WANT TO KNOW . . .

Church Calendar

Service: Traditional - 9:00 am Sunday School & Adult Faith Formation—10:30 am Sunday Adult Choirs: Wednesday (Sept—May)

CE: 2nd Sunday - after SS (10:30 am in summer) MLG: 3rd Tuesday - 6:30 pm

2015/16

Page 5

Soup Kitchen News

Paul M. announced this past Sunday that Zion served 160+ meals at the last time we served at the

soup kitchen. Someone asked recently how long Zion has been serving at the soup kitchen. Our

best guess is, we’re going on close to 15 years now. Many, many thanks to all who prepare the

food and service it. Special thanks to Norma N. who gracious coordinates the efforts. In addition

she plans the menus and picks up much of the food from the “Feeding America - West Michigan

Food Bank”. The Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank coordinates the efforts of many

organizations. Food is secured from generous farmers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers.

As a part of a non-profit (Zion) organization, we are able to secure a great deal of food for

pennies on the dollar. It represents great stewardship of resources, and provides a vital need for

those who are hungry in our part of the world. In the 3rd quarter of 2015, Feeding America (in

Western Michigan) provided 5.5 million meals, distributed 2.6 million pounds of fruits and

vegetables from 1,436 financial donors and 229 food donors. For our part, in addition to the food

we routinely donate to the Food Pantry in Bridgman each week, we served close to 320 meals at

the Soup Kitchen in Benton Harbor in the 3rd quarter.

Sunday School Photos

Page 6

Ladies’ Fellowship News

Ladies’ Fellowship will serve a soup & salad luncheon on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 11 am—1 pm.

We need your help to make this a success. We need a lot of salads and soups and I am asking

for your donations. A signup sheet is in the narthex. Your donations will be greatly appreciated.

Price of the luncheon is adults $7; children aged 4-11 $4; under 4 free. Also tell your friends

and family about the luncheon. Come and enjoy! Questions? Please contact Jan P.

Ladies, as you are out shopping, please take care to pick up supplies for our Care List Personnel

activity. As before, we will be making holiday centerpieces on Sunday, November 22 at 3:00

PM. Patty S. supplies the greenery, but we can help if we bring coffee mugs or shallow

bowls, ribbon, baubles, ornaments, wire cutters, and anything else that is festive and would

look nice on a centerpiece. Please bring evergreen trimmings in you are able. This is a fun

activity that will keep giving to others for weeks. If you have questions, please contact Kim F.

or Patty S. Happy Shopping!!

Cookie Walk: Calling all Zion bakers! (And we all know what yummy treats they can

produce!) This year's Cookie Walk will be held Saturday, Dec. 5 from 8 to 11 a.m. We're

starting earlier this year as our reputation produces a line of eager shoppers. Please help us

provide a delightful, delicious assortment for our holiday shoppers. Goodies can be

dropped off on Friday evening from 4-7 p.m. or before the Cookie Walk opens on the

5th. Please contact Sharon M., Cinda N. or Kim F. with questions.

Also calendar: December 14, 6 pm, Christmas Party Dinner

Conservation Center Work Nears Completion

The Conservation Center, head-quartered in Chicago has been hard at work for the past two weeks

cleaning all the wood-work in the chancel area as well as the carving of the Last Supper. A final week to

finish the project will have begun by the time you receive this edition of the Chimes. The cleaning has

been remarkably labor intensive. The Conservation Center has developed special formulas of both

cleaning fluids and preservation waxes.

We have been advised to use no liquids of any kind (including Endust, Pledge or Murphy’s Oil) on the

carving or the wood work as it will destroy the finish. Even water will damage the finish. All future

cleaning should consist of only a gentle brush (much like a wall paper brush or soft paint brush), a

vacuum cleaner and buffing with a very soft cotton cloth, or paper towel (like Viva).