The Lamplighter
PASTOR'S PEACE
Zion
United Church
of Christ
October 2017
Inside This Issue
1 Pastors Peace
2 Palm of Prayer
3 Worship Ways
4 This Months Events
5 Community & Conference Clamor
6 Butterfly Room
7 Celebration Occasions
8 Worship Whirl
No matter who you are or where you are
on life's journey, you are welcome
here. We believe in extravagant wel-
come. This is why we insist that God's com-
munion table is open, not closed, and
God's gift and claim in baptism are ir-
revocable. We advocate justice for
all. Our congregations extend hospitality
as a sign of God's inclusive love. We
teach that evangelism - offering bread to those
in search of it - is God's mission. Our perspec-
tive is global, not provincial. We work with - not
against - people of other faiths. Why?
Because God is still speaking!
Zion United Church of ChristEstablished 1880
105 N. Mary, Mayview, Missouri 64071-8224
Phone and FAX: (660) 237 - 4355
"Disturb Me, Please!'
The Works: Your Source to Being Fully Alive, Sum-
mer 2000
Margaret J. Wheatley
If we are people exploring the unknown, if we
are to be the pioneers and discoverers of the new
world, then I'd like us to notice the presence of some
essential but unusual companions. One of our greatest
friends on this journey of discovery is a very strange
ally--disturbance. it feels important to me to highlight
disturbance's role as a friend because I have come to
see certainty as a curse. This was not a realization that
came easily to me. I, like most of you, was raised in
the traditions of Western schooling. Knowing the right
answer was always rewarded. Intelligence was equated
with how well I did on tests, and most tests were about
knowing the right answer. Later, as a leader, I was pro-
moted for my certainty--I had the vision, I knew how
to get there, and people would follow me based on
how well I radiated that certainty, how well I disguised
my fears.
But everything has changed since those sweet,
slow days when the world seemed knowable and pre-
dictable, when we actually knew what to do next. The
growing complexity of our times makes certainty
about any move or any position much more precarious.
And in this networked world where information moves
at the speed of light and "truth" mutates before our
eyes, certainty changes and speeds off at equivalent
velocity.
But in spite of these new realities, it is very dif-
ficult to surrender certainty--our positions, our beliefs,
our explanations. These things lie at the core of our
identity--they define us as us. Yes in this strange new
world, I believe we can only succeed in understanding
and influencing this world if we are able to think and
work together in new ways. Our most cherished be-
liefs, our greatest clarity must be offered up. We won't
necessarily have to let go of everything we believe and
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know, but we do have to be willing to let them go.
We have to be interested in making our beliefs and
opinions visible so that we can consciously choose
them or discard them.
There's another reason that our certainty needs
to be surrendered. We live in a dense and tangled
global system. Inside this complex and intercon-
nected world, everyone has a different vantage point.
It is true biologically that there is no one else exactly
like us. But we are less sensitive to the fact that we
each see things differently. Because everyone sits in a
different place in the systems of work, community,
and individual lives, we will each see the world from
a unique vantage point. As complexity grows, we
need more colleagues, not fewer, to describe to us
what they see, what it looks like from their perspec-
tive...
...In Tibetan Buddhism, "the root of happi-
ness" lies in the acceptance that life is uncertain. If
we expect life to change, we have an easier time of
letting go. We won't hold on quite so long to what has
worked in the past, and we'll resist grasping painfully
for temporary securities. Only in our relationship
with uncertainty are we able to flow gracefully with
life's inevitable cycles and to experience true happi-
ness.
Every mystical spiritual tradition guides us to
an encounter with Mystery, the Unknowable, the Nu-
minous. If spirit lives in the realm of the mysterious,
then certainty is what seals us off from the Divine. If
we believe that there is nothing new to know about
God, then we cut ourselves off from the very breath
of life, the great rhythms of spirit that give rise to
newness all the time.
Now why am I telling you all this? Because I
believe our own need for certainty is as destructive to
our human relationships as it is with the relationship
we seek with the Divine. And because I believe that
so much more is possible if we can be together and
consciously look for the differences, those ideas and
perspectives we find disturbing. Instead of sitting in a
group and looking for confirmation, what is possible
if we listen for disturbance? Instead of looking for
safety in numbers and noting those who feel like al-
lies or fellow travelers, what might we create if we
seek to discover those whose insights are the most
different from ours? What if, at least occasionally, we
came together in order to change our mind?...
...What if we were to be together and listen to
each other's comments with a willingness to expose
rather than to confirm our own beliefs and opinions?
The Lamplighter
What is we were to willingly listen to one another
with the awareness that we each see the world in
unique ways? And with the expectation that I could
learn something new if I listen for the differences
rather than the similarities?
We have this opportunity many times in a
day, every day. What might we see, what might we
learn, what might we create together, if we become
this kind of listener, one who enjoys the differences
and welcomes in disturbance? I know we would be
delightfully startled by how much difference there
is. And then we would be wonderfully comforted
by how much closer we became, because every
time we listen well, we move towards each other.
From our new thoughts and our new companions,
we would all become wiser.
It would be more fruitful to explore this
strange and puzzling world if we were together. It
would also be far less frightening and lonely. We
would be together, brought together by our differ-
ences rather than separated by them. When we are
willing to be disturbed by newness rather than
clinging to our certainty, when we are willing to
truly listen to someone who sees the world differ-
ently, then wonderful things happen. We learn that
we don't have to agree with each other in order to
explore together. There is no need to be joined to-
gether at the head, as long as we are joined together
at the heart.
Margaret Wheatley's complete bio may be
found at http;//margaretwheatley.com/bio.html
PASTOR'S NOTE: There is so much truth to be
found when we allow ourselves to be disturbed.
Whoever left this article in the office, I thank you,
and willingly embrace the creativity and distur-
bance of the new!
With God's Grace,
Pastor Kristin
PALM of PRAYER You are my
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place of safety. You are like a shield
that keeps me safe. I have put my hope
in your word. Psalm 119:114 (NIRV)
Concerns: Vickie Wertz, death of Allen Ray
Thompson; Marilyn Rogel; Mrs. Rose, kidney
transplant; Lewis White; Carolyn & Bill Hobbs;
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Genie Anders' sister-in-law has stage 4 cancer;
Edna Smith fell; Josephine Ryan, broken pelvis
Charles Jennings dies; Meredith Curry had a stroke
and is at St. Mary's; prayers for strength and heal-
ing for Dorothy Begemann; Nelson Hall's dad was
killed in a motorcycle wreck; Mrs. Chuble was
killed in a car wreck; victims of hurricanes and
earthquakes in Mexico; Danya Dittmer, flood; Pas-
tor Kristin's dad, Austin Aardema, as he dies;
Amanda Hotmer, lost baby; Dorothy Jungerman,
flood; those serving to help, heal, clean, protect,
rebuild
Joys : Happy 50th Anniversary to Chester
and Dottie Fox! Norma's great-granddaughter
Emma Lynn Johnson is born, September 21, 6lbs
2oz., Dorothy Fulton doing women's prison visits
with group--all are God's beloved!
ZION UCC WORSHIP WAYS
TREASURERS TWITTER
LAFAYETTE WOMANS FALL
GETHERING was a sweeping suc-
cess! We exercised, we sang, we
laughed, we meditated on Scripture,
we shared, and WE ATE! Thank
you to everyone involvedand
thats everyone! We raised $409.00
for Steppingstone Auxiliary for
flooded apartments.
TOGETHER WE ROCK!
Festival of Sharing Reveals Plans to
Multiply Hope
COLUMBIA, Mo. August 28, 2017 Af-
ter a multi-year assessment, the Festival Coordinat-
ing Committee voted in April 2017 to embrace an
opportunity to become better stewards of the finan-
cial and volunteer-based resources that have contrib-
uted to this ministry for over 36 years.
Beginning in 2018, Festival of Sharing will
host several gatherings, called Sharefests, around the
state throughout the year. The committees leader-
ship is clear that Festival of Sharing is not ending,
just altering its format to maximize impact and con-
nect more deeply with smaller and rural church part-
ners and local agencies.
One of the most noticeable differences will
be shifting away from hosting an event at the State
Fairgrounds in Sedalia after 2017. Moving the event
away from the fairgrounds in Sedalia immediately
releases $20,000 in costs related to space rental and
logistics that can go toward international and do-
mestic relief instead.
The Festival of Sharing Coordinating Com-
mittee, representing Baptist, Catholic, Church of the
Brethren, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Church of
Christ, and Methodist denominations, discussed at
the April meeting an increase in requests for re-
sources to come back to local and regional areas
rather than be distributed throughout the state. Many
agencies have backed away from driving to the pri-
mary event in Sedalia because of the cost of trans-
portation and limited vehicle capabilities.
The plan for 2018 and beyond is to encour-
age more regional, localized partnerships while
maintaining ties with international organizations,
such as Heifer International and Church World Ser-
vice.
Sharefests are smaller, regional Festivals and
include many of the same elements as the event at
the State Fairgrounds: youth participation, service,
worship, booths, distribution to local agencies and
community relations. These regional events provide
unique opportunities for community members and
local agencies to build relationships that generate
solutions in their own context. There are currently
three Sharefests in Dexter, Cameron, and Ferguson
and the committee hopes to expand that list to in-
clude Springfield-area and northeastern Missouri
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 The Lamplighter

Sunday School9:30 A.M.

Worship10:30 A.M.

October 4, 2017
World Comm. Neighbors in Need Offering
CROP Walk 3pm at Confederate State Site

October 4, 2017
Choir 7pm

October 7, 2017 Copyright 2011 The Zondervan Corporation

Blue Springs Terrace Chili & Soup 11am-1pm locations.
We invite prayer and encouragement for
October 9, 2017
Council 7pm
the future of this ministry and for those who are
working to make Festival a celebration that many
October 11, 2017 of our small to medium-size churches can invest
No Choir in, said Sidney Owens, Festival of Sharing coor-
dinator. We have an opportunity to exponentially
October 14, 2017 multiply the hope we share with our brothers and
Western Association Fall Gathering 9:30am-3pm sisters.
St. Johns Chapel, Springfield Festival of Sharing, a ministry of the Of-
fice of Mission, Service & Justice, is an interfaith
October 15, 2017 celebration and in-gathering of mission resources.
Board Of Christian Education after church
Festival offers a cooperative response to world
October 18, 2017
hunger, poverty, and injustice and seeks to address
No Choir and to raise awareness of its root causes and solu-
tions. For more information or to get involved in
October 23, 2017 sharing the hope, visit www.festivalofsharing.org/
Lafayette Cluster 7:30pm St. John, Emma or on Facebook @FestivalofSharing

October 29, 2017

Kansas City Metro Mens Chorus
Salem UCC, Higginsville
Charity Higginsville Sr. Center

County Club Congress

The Western Association Ordination of Bethany
Meier ,3pm, Reception Following Service

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COMMUNITY, COUNTY &
CONFERENCE CLAMOR
Steppingstone Auxiliary Report
Dear Western Association Pastors,
MIDs, and Churches,
This morning I attended the quarterly
meeting of the Steppingstone Auxiliary on
Noland Road in Kansas City. For more infor-
mation about Steppingstone and their services
for transitional Youth go to: https://
everychildshope.org/independenttransitional-
living/ . At the meeting, we heard a report on
extensive flooding experienced at the Stepping-
stone apartment building in Raytown during the
heavy rains in August. The four basement level
apartments were flooded with 19 of standing
water that ruined most everything including all
the appliances. Insurance will probably not pay
for everything, and the deductible could be as
high as $20,000.
Upon hearing this news, the Stepping-
stone Auxiliary, made up of representatives
from many Kansas City area and Lafayette
County Churches, voted to give $6,500 to help
with the deductible and other repairs. The
$6,500 represents 83% of the Auxiliarys cur-
rent funds with which they assist the Youth of
Steppingstone.
I am sending you this report and infor-
mation to ask for your prayers for Steppingstone
and the Youth there, and also to ask you to con-
sider donating to this effort. If you, your
church, or an organization in your church would
like to help, please send any donations to: Mary
Ellen Kranz, Steppingstone Auxiliary Treas-
urer, 12005 E 48th, Kansas City, MO
64133. All donations will go to assist the
Youth at Steppingstone.
Grace & Peace,
Rev. Bob Atkinson, Chairperson
Western Association
Missouri Mid-South Conference
United Church of Chirst
Any checks should be made out
to: Steppingstone Auxiliary. Thank you so
much for loving our kids.
Southwood approved tonight to give
$950 to Stepping Stone in light of this need. We
invite others to give as well to this important
ministry in our midst.
The Mayview School Carnival
Remembered, will be held on Saturday,
November 4th, at the Community Center
again this year!
As you remember from last year, we
asked for candidates for King and Queen and
Prince and Princess from our Mayview organiza-
tions. If I remember correctly, the King and
Queen were Marvin and Joyce
Schemmer, Lion's Club; Prince
was Austin Aardema-Faigh,
Community at-large and Prin-
cess was Annika Riekhof, 40-
Ville 4-H.
Please announce at your
next meeting and nominate can-
didates for this just-for-fun
event! Candidates should be someone who has
made significant contributions to your organiza-
tion in the past year or years. King and Queen
candidates do not need to be a married cou-
ple. Where possible, we would like to have a
King, Queen, Prince and Princess contestant from
each organization. I realize it would not be possi-
ble for the Lions club to have Prince and Princess
candidates. Candidates who won last year would
not be eligible again. Nominated, but not win-
ning candidates would be eligible.
Please send the names of your candidates
to me, along with a short bio about the candidate
and why they were nominated.
I am sending this email to the following
persons and organizations. If I should send to
someone else, let me know or forward this infor-
mation to the correct person in your organiza-
tion. This year we are adding the three churches
to those organizations from last year.
Stacy Begemann 40-Ville 4-H
Jim Gum City Government/Council
Donna Jungerman Lions Club
Opal Johnson AME Church
Pastor Kristin Zion UCC
Slade Baker, Karen McAllister Community
Betterment and/or Picnic Committee
Darrin and Chris Smith Baptist Church
Thank you very much for your assis-
tance. We had a lot of fun last year at the Carni-
val and are looking forward to another successful
evening of bringing the community together.
Elaine Hudson
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 The Lamplighter
BUTTERFLY ROOM 3 And if I go
and prepare a place for you, I will come again,
and receive you unto myself; that where I am,
there ye may be also. John 14:3 (KJV)

SUNDAY SCHOOL ORIGINS

Sunday school began in England as
early as 1751. Better known is Robert
Raikes' work in Gloucester 30 years later.
Concerned about poor children who worked
in factories six days a week and often turned
to crime, he offered classes on the only day
kids were free. Soon various organizations
offered a loose network of such Sunday
schools, which taught basic reading and writ-
ing, using the Bible as a text.
Ten years later, Samuel Slater started
the first U.S. Sunday school in his Rhode Is-
land textile mills. By the mid-1800's, Sunday
school attendance was an almost-universal
childhood experience. As society became
more secular and public education was man-
dated by the 1870's, Sunday schools focused
on spiritual practices: prayers, hymns, cate-
chism knowledge and Scripture memoriza-
tion.
Well into the 20th century, Sunday
school served as the church's main outreach
tool. Many adults fondly remember their
teachers and lessons, and Sunday school
continues to play a significant part in faith de-
velopment.

Everybody needs a hug now

and then.
Hugging is healthy. It helps the bodys
immune system. It cures depression. It re-
duces stress. Its rejevenating . It has no un-
pleasant side effects. It is Gods miracle
drug! It is all natural, it contains no chemi-
cals, artificial ingredients, no preservatives!
Hugging is practically perfect. There are no
parts to break down, no monthly payments,
non-taxable, non-polluting, and of course
Its fully returnable
Here are your hugs for the day!

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IDEAS FOR CHRISTMAS GIVING, by Mark
Wingfield
TOILETRY KITS: Most local relief agencies and
homeless shelters go through thousands of small toi-
letry kits every year. Small bags with sample sizes
of toothpaste, deodorant, mouthwash, shampoo and
the like make possible basic hygiene to folks who
are displaced from permanent housing. And these
have a long shelf life, making them ideal for as-
needed use. Think also about children in shelters and
the kinds of things--stickers, crayons, activity pages-
-they might love to receive. It doesn't have to stop
with Festival of Sharing!
COOKIES AND BAKED GOODS FOR
NEIGHBORS AND SHUT-INS: In a culture where
most all food is store bought, the gifts of homemade
cookies, cakes, pies and breads signals a deep level
of care for another person. Think of those around
you, or in your community, even in your congrega-
tion, who likely seldom get home-baked goods, and
surprise them. Most kids love to bake, and this is a
good family project.
ANGEL TREE (which Zion UCC does each year):
Many churches and nonprofit organizations do some
variation on an "angel" tree at Christmas. Pick up a
Christmas gift list (often in the form of a paper orna-
ment) and purchase the things needed by those in
need and then return the gifts to the requesting
group. That way you physically shop for something
but you know the thing you purchase is specifically
needed. To most closely replicate the effect of an
international program, work with a local refugee
ministry to provide gifts cards or needed items for
newcomers to our country. I serve on the board of a
local refugee ministry, for example, that hosts a
huge Christmas party for newly arrived immigrants,
where we tell them the story of St. Nicholas and give
gifts to every family.
CARE PACKAGES FOR THOSE BEING RE-
LEASED FROM PRISON: In most states, when in-
mates have served the time and are released, they are
given maybe $100 and a bus ticket. From there, they
are on their own. The chaplain's office at any prison
can tell you what organizations (if any) work with
newly-released prisoners. Think about what they
might need to begin re-entry into society, and create
care packages that can be used throughout the year.
TARGETED GIFTS FOR MISSIONARIES: Every mis-
sionary serving anywhere in the world has needs for
their projects and ministries. Work through your de-
nominational missions agency or other missions-sending
body to connect with one or two field personnel and find
out what they need--maybe Bibles, maybe art supplies,
maybe music, maybe instruments, maybe diapers--and
send that as a collected gift.
CHRISTMAS TREES AND DECORATIONS: Not all
families can afford a Christmas tree and decorations, not
even an artificial tree. Talk to the counselor at your
child's school or call your nearest public school to find
out if there are families who would enjoy the gifts of a
new Christmas tree and decorations. Talk to a local refu-
gee resettlement agency to identify immigrants who
never has experienced Christmas.
GIFTS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NO FAMILIES: In
our society where adults are just as likely to live alone
as live with someone else, there are thousands of people
who have no one to give to or receive from at Christ-
mas. Your pastor or your local senior center may know
how to connect you with neighbors who would receive
their only Christmas gift this year from you. these are
not always poor people; instead, they are people who
live in isolation by choice or circumstance.
INVITE SOMEONE TO CHRISTMAS DINNER: One
of the most personal gifts you can give is to invite some-
one into your home to share Christmas dinner. Identify
someone who would be alone on Christmas Day, and
invite them to be part of your family. And maybe put a
small gift for them under your Christmas tree.
BE A SECRET SANTA: Often, the best feeling from
giving comes when you do it in secret. Think of a family
in need or an individual in a rough patch of life. Choose
a simple gift for them--maybe even a gift card or cash-
ier's check--and mail it to them in an envelope without a
return address. Or take a stack of gift cards to your pas-
tor and instruct the pastor to give them to individuals in
need without telling you who gits them. There is pro-
found joy in being part of a secret that you know will do
good.
AND HAVE FUN!!!
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 The Lamplighter
Celebration Occasions
October Birthdays
Office Hours
Date Birthday Pastor Admin. Assistant
4 Judy Pragman
Tuesday
16 Lori Figenbaum 8:00 AMNoon
17 Annalynn Morgan
Wednesday
18 Matt Begemann 6:008:00 PM
Carl Hoeppner
20
Brad Begemann Thursday Friday
Helen Hoeppner 8:00 AMNoon 10:00 AMNoon
25
Doris VanCleave
31 Detta Neher

Serving Souls
O c t ACOLYTES GREETERS

1 Donovan Faigh Wayne & Joyce Hoefer

8 Trinity Alvested Robert & Amy Hoefer

15 Macey Begemann Carl & Helen Hoeppner

22 Alyssa Hoefer Scott & Amanda Hoeppner

29 Calle Hoeppner Marvin & Alice Huenefeld

October Anniversaries Administrative Affairs

Reverend Home(660) 237- 4902
29 Jim & Carolyn Bayless Kristin Aardema Faigh Church (660) 237-4355
pastorkristinatzion@yahoo.com
Cell (660) 641-1038
Juanita Wright
Council President (816) 633-8818
wanitaright@gmail.com
Cole Courtway (660) 237- 4355
Reminder! Admin. Assistant zionuccsecretary@hotmail.com
Newsletter
The deadline for submissions for the
November newsletter is Teresa Begemann (816) 633 - 4133
Friday, Oct. 20, 2016. Organist tjbegemann@yahoo.com
Send your submissions to:
Dawn Stuart
zionuccsecretary@hotmail.com Custodian (660) 237 - 4355
Or Call (660) 237-4923

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 Zion United Church of Christ
105 North Mary St.
Mayview, Missouri 64071-8224

Generous - Loving - Dedicated Christians

Sunday School 9:30 am

Worship at 10:30 am

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

The Lamplighter
October 2017

Zion UCC Mission Statement

The avowed purpose of our church shall be:
To worship God, to proclaim and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to celebrate the Sacra-
ments; to experience Christian fellowship, to build unity, and to practice charity within this congre-
gation and the wider church; and to share this witness of Jesus Christ throughout the world.

Worship Whirl
Traditional Worship 10:30 AM Sundays
Come As You Are Service 10:30 AM Monthly - 3rd Sunday
Sunday School 9:30 AM Sundays
Communion 10:30AM Monthly 1st Sunday & Special
Holidays
Church Council 7:15 PM Monthly
Board of Christian Education 7:15 PM Monthly
SAIL (Serving All in Love) 7:00 PM Monthly - 4th Tuesday

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