A SUMMER LETTER TO OUR FRIENDS

Dear Members, Friends, Brothers and Sisters,

Summer will be quickly drawing to a close as many of our young students head back to school or college.  This is a cycle that repeats yearly and many of us have seen many years' worth of cycles.  But those of us here at Zion are facing many new scenarios for the coming year(s).  We are anticipating a new leader who will start here in October.  We don't know what he will be doing or what changes he will make, but we are here to support him as we look for new ways to express our mission of Zion Church. 

As a congregation of 164 years we have seen many pastors and many changes as to what our mission is in Steubenville.  In the beginning we were a refuge for many new immigrants who came and settled from Germany.  German was the language (spoken here until WW2) at many of the services.  This was a place where we helped many immigrants find housing, jobs, food and other necessary services.  But what is our mission today in a diverse local area?  As we say in our weekly services:  "No matter where you are along life's pathway, you are welcome here."  But is being welcome enough?  What more can we accomplish to make newcomers want to become a part of our fellowship?  I believe Pastor John Harris will help us to explore many new options and maybe some not so new options.  He needs our full cooperation and support in everything that we do.  I believe we must make ourselves more visible to the local community and surrounding area (and beyond). 

We are a faith based congregation:  we believe in the Trinity--God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  We believe because this is the only way we can achieve our SALVATION.  Because we believe we are not doomed to eternal damnation.  As the old hymn says:  "When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be.  When we all see Jesus, we'll sing and shout the victory!"

I believe Zion still has a mission to fulfill.  With us all working together, I can see us carrying on our mission for many years to come.

With hope and confidence in our future,

John Diekmann, President of the Congregation

P.S.

Regret can't change the past,

Worry can't control the future.

But gratitude can transform today.

                                   Author unknown