Pastor's Pen

Dear Church Family,

   Whenever we enter the month of November we begin to think about entering a season of Harvest and Thankfulness.

    I am thankful to be a part of the Zion Church Family. You are a beautiful community and I have been blessed by getting to know each of you. I look forward to a year filled with thankful moments as we continue to deepen our relationship with each other and with Beloved.

    During the month of November I will be immersed in a time of quiet, prayer and spiritual writing.

    On November 11th I fly to Zurich and then take a train to Chur in the Swiss Alps. There I will be met by friends who have a Retreat Chalet in Avers, Switzerland. One of the Bishops there and I will be making a one week retreat together. It will be a time of monastic prayer and fasting, of study and learning. There will be times for worship and times for deep silence. After this week I will retrace my steps to Zurich and fly to Barcelona where I will embark on a transatlantic voyage to Miami. This will be two weeks with no interruptions and lots of opportunity for quiet and solitude. I have opted out of the food package so that I might continue my retreat format of fasting which helps me to pray and meditate deeply. Please pray that the seas are calm as we voyage to Miami. On December 1st I will fly into Pittsburgh and return to Wintersville that evening.

     I am looking forward to beginning our Advent Season together with a special visit and message from the Malone University Players.

    As you know, I suspended the Open and Affirming study. This was done so that we can find a better time to get the information to more of us. I will be revising our plans and bringing the essence of the information into our worship time so that we can learn and pray about all of the aspects of this important study. This is necessary since we as a church family will be discerning and preparing our statement of commitment to provide a safe place for all of God’s children at Zion.

     While I am away, be well, take care of each other and please pray for me.

Fullness of life.....

Pastor Carol