Glad Tidings 1

GGLLAADD TTIIDDIINNGGSS VOLUME 17 ISSUE 2 FEBRUARY 2019

Parish Office

140 W. Liberty St

Rome, NY 13440

315-336-5170

Website & Email:

www.zionrome.org

zionchurch@twcny.rr.com

Newsletter Staff:

Editor:

Annette Clark-Hani

Information, Copy &

Assembly

Newsletter Items Email:

zionchurch@twcny.rr.com

Inside this issue:

Fr. Heidt’s Message.....1&9

Zion Staff....2

Vestry....2

Birthday/Anniversaries...... 2

Memorial Gifts & Flowers...2

Our Prayer List.....................3

Service Schedule...............4

From the Organ Bench.......5

Zion News...............3,6,7,8

Community Events &

Announcements........... 10

“Our Life's Party with God”

Do you wonder about our journey through life? ("Wonder as I wander?") Wonder how our life's journeys differs every day, even so slightly? Hopefully, we can conclude that the joy and beauty of life come to each of us, in the company of God, with every metaphorical step we take every day.

The joy and beauty of life. Coming to each of us, in God's good time....and it is a funny thing about the timing of God.

At this time of year, in late January and earliest February, much of the country's recreational attention is focused on the Super Bowl of the National Football League. Taken as a whole...the conference games leading up to the participants in the championship game, the hoopla, the media frenzy, the office pools, the parties and barbeques and tailgating at home or wherever it occurs....all of it is a nationwide celebration.

The "funny thing about the timing of God" part is how the Gospel reading of John 2: 1-11 falls on our calendar about the same time: the first recorded "miracle" of Jesus in the turning water into wine at the wedding at Cana.

In the first century, Jewish weddings were completely different than what we know today. They did not last for a few hours, but went on for seven days! And the entire community was invited, and wine was essential to these weddings. Well, you know this story: the wine runs out during the festivities and a social disaster of the first order is looming. After some prodding from mother Mary, Jesus eventually tells the staff to fill with water a half dozen big stone jars and drag them over to the banquet manager. They fill up those jars, the size of small barrels, and roll them over to the banquet manager, who takes a sip....only to find it is really good wine, and that there is enough to float a boat. The equivalent of some 750 bottles.

It is an odd way to start a ministry....or is it? What is the relevance to the Super Bowl?! Better yet, if we don't care at all about football, what is the relevance to you and me?

Perhaps the Miracle of Cana story appears first in the Gospel of John because, in reality and in the sight of God, the world is a wedding celebration.

In the eyes and heart of God, life in the world is a celebration.

Jesus changes ordinary water into the wine of miracles, which is really a reflection of the way that God wants us to see, and hear, and live in the world. What does it mean for each of us to grow in grace? It is to become increasingly aware that everything in life is a miracle, a sign pointing to Christ.

FR. HEIDTS MESSAGE CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Glad Tidings 2

Tina Rescigno, Senior Warden (’20) Jane Padrón, Junior Warden (’21)

Mike Rescigno (`20), Willie Talmadge (’20), Brenda Outwater (’21), Jennifer Swinney (’21)

Harriet Brennan (‘22), OPEN (‘22) Annette Clark-Hani, Clerk of Vestry

Michael Rescigno, Treasurer

Rector Fr. James K. Heidt

Senior Warden Tina Rescigno

Junior Warden Jane Padrón

Treasurer Michael Rescigno

Parish Secretary Annette Clark-Hani

Financial Secretary Malinda Abraham

Music Director Eric Kroll

Facility Maintenance Chris Klara

ALTAR FLOWERS-Cost $30 February 3-OPEN February 10-Jones February 17-OPEN February 24-OPEN Please help Zion defray some of the cost and sign-up in Clarke Hall. Candle Oil & Bulletins-Cost $10 February 3-OPEN February 10-OPEN February 17-OPEN February 24-OPEN

February 3 Malinda Abraham February 4 Jonathan Washburn February 4 Lisa Wiggins February 8 Maya Nelson February 9 Breanna Deeley February 11 Ashleigh Nelson February 11 Kirk Ringdahl February 12 Cathy Zbiegien

February 21-Michelle & David Eychner

February 14 Susan Grow Colmey February 16 Margaret Latimer February 18 Colleen Corbett February 22 Michelle Eychner February 23 Muriel Boulerice February 23 Brenda Outwater February 24 Harold Potter February 26 Alexandra Towne

Glad Tidings 3

Though you cannot be with us in person at Zion Church, you are with us in thought and prayer. At Home ............................................... Charles O’Neill Catherine Zbiegien David Dutton John & Linda Hunter The Terrace at Woodland .................... Annie Seymour Betsy Ross Nursing Facility ...................David Dutcher, Room N1

Those needing extra prayers: Dina, Lauren, Wendy, Dave & Barb Arnold, Pat Bailey, Kristin Brognano & Family, Virginia Brown, Don Burch, Tarl Caine, Jim Cooper, Douglas Crouch, Cynthia DeProspero-Outwater, David Dutcher, Denise Gambier, Leslie Green, Deborah Grifa, Fr. Jim Heidt, John& Linda Hunter, Randy Jones Sr., Lucy Kousouros, Gloria Kroll, Margaret Latimer, Elizabeth Maggie, Tiffany Marks, Martha Meszler, Peggy Meyer, Susan Miller, Debbie Moran, Blaze Newman, Brenda Outwater, Christine Osinski, Jeannie Pearle, Joseph Pisano, Michael Potter, Shirley Reali, Janet Renzi, Georgia Ringlehan, John Ringlehan, Samson Roberts, Helen Seaman, Meribeth Seaman, Annie Seymour, Ann Sherman, Charloette Simonds, Ann Staple, Ann Watkins, Barb & Marion Weltz, Robert Wiggins, Cynthia Grantham-Wright, Lois Wright, Catherine Zbiegien, John McMinn.

Watkins, Neil Wightman, Cynthia Grantham-Wright, Lois Wright, Wanda Younglove, Catherine Zbiegien , Wanda Younglove, Catherine Zbiegien

“Heavenly Father, watch over these your children, and grant that they may be restored to that perfect health which is yours alone to give, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen”

CALLING POST NOTIFICATION SYSTEM

Zion has in place a notification system that will call parishioners to let them know of any cancelations be it cancelling Sunday Church service due to inclement weather (as we did on January 20th) or for any other pertinent information that our parishioners would need to know. There is a list of parishioner’s names and phone numbers in Clarke Hall. Please review the list and make any corrections or deletions. You can add your name and number to the list or call the office Monday – Friday at 315-336-5170 and we will add your name to the list. You can also have your name taken off.

Clothing Closet

Our Clothing Closet is open on Mondays and Tuesday to coincide with the lunch program. Thank you

to all parishioners who have donated numerous clothes and other household items, toys etc. Annie Seymour

is our Monday volunteer and Georgeanna Howanietz is our Tuesday volunteer. The BOCES students (mostly

women) have benefitted tremendously from donated business clothes that are good for work or interviews.

We are looking to expand the men’s clothing especially in this same area. If you have any gently used

clothing, socks, ties, (bedding, towels, house hold items etc.), that you’d like to donate, please drop items off

during the week Mon –Tue 8-Noon and Wed –Fri 9-Noon or bring with you on Sunday. Again, thank you for

your donations Tina

Glad Tidings 4

SERVICE SCHEDULE FOR FEBRUARY 1st

SUNDAY: The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

February 3, 2019-9AM- Holy Eucharist

Priest Fr. Jim Heidt

Lay Readers Sandie Latimer

Tina Rescigno

Ushers Jim Hoffman, Ann Gambier

Dahal Burns

Acolyte Sandi Latimer

Altar Guild Harriet Brennan, Katherine Gambier

Church Opener Jane Padrón-Month of February

2nd

SUNDAY: The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

February 10, 2019-9AM- Holy Eucharist & Baptism

Priest Fr. Jim Heidt

Lay Readers Jane Padrón

Jennifer Swinney

Ushers Annette Clark-Hani

Bill Stevens

Acolyte Jane Padrón

Altar Guild Jane Padrón, Malinda Abraham

Church Opener Jane Padrón-Month of February

3rd

SUNDAY: The Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany

February 17, 2019-9AM-- Holy Eucharist

Priest Fr. Jim Heidt

Lay Readers Tina Rescigno

Mike Rescigno

Ushers Rudy Reali, Willie Talmadge,

Brenda Outwater

Acolyte Tina Rescigno

Altar Guild Jane Padrón, Malinda Abraham

Church Opener Jane Padrón-Month of February

4th

SUNDAY: The Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany

February 24, 2019-9AM-Holy Eucharist

Priest Fr. Jim Heidt

Lay Readers Rick Weltz

Annette Clark-Hani

Ushers Jim Hoffman, Ann Gambier

Dahal Burns

Acolyte Tina Rescigno

Altar Guild Tina Rescigno, Jane McDonnell

Church Opener Jane Padrón-Month of February

Glad Tidings 5

ERICK KROLL’S FROM THE ORGAN BENCH

Most of us know Beethoven's 5th Symphony (Duh, duh, duh, duh; duh,

duh, duh, duh), Moonlight Sonata, Fur Elise, and Ode to Joy from his 9th

Symphony which we know as "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee". He was

German by birth, but his family was actually Dutch; the word "van" in

Dutch does not denote nobility as the word "von" would in German.

Some scholars are of the opinion that Beethoven had mental illness. I do

not completely agree with this, but Beethoven does seem to have had a

narcissistic personality. He was sometimes short tempered with others,

especially when people were not giving him their full attention during

performances. He also had a lot of stress in his personal life that likely

contributed to his abnormal personality. His father was an alcoholic and

exploited Beethoven's musical talents. According to Jan Swafford in Beethoven: Anguish and

Triumph, one of his piano teachers, Tobias Friedrich Pfeiffer - an insomniac - , whom Beethoven was

apparently residing with as part of his music tuition, would sometimes drag him out of bed in the

middle of the night for piano lessons. (Poor kid!) His education regime in addition was so taxing that

it often reduced him to tears. He was involved in a years long custody battle with his sister-in-law

Johanna over her son Karl after his brother Kaspar died from tuberculosis (which would be good

fodder for a soap opera) that depleted his finances.

To top this off, of course, was Beethoven's loss of hearing that began in the 1790's and rendered him

completely deaf by 1818. During this time, he communicated through "conversation books" by which

people would write down something, and he would write down his response. No one knows the exact

cause of the deafness, but the consensus seems to be that severe tinnitus was a contributing factor. He

still continued to compose brilliantly, albeit infrequently. A heartwarming experience occurred in

1824 as Beethoven was assisting conductor for the premiere of his 9th Symphony. A soloist had to

turn him around at the end of the concert to see the thunderous applause because due to his deafness,

he couldn't tell the piece had ended. (Show us the love!)

Beethoven died during a thunderstorm - a poetic ending to a dramatic life - but this was not the end.

When Beethoven's body was exhumed in 1888 to be moved to a new cemetery in Vienna Austria,

Anton Bruckner - another composer who is an interesting study himself - attended the exhumation

and according to the book Beethoven's Skull by Tim Rayborn that tells of strange events and

behaviors of many famous musicians, "as officials were taking skeletal measurements, he managed to

push himself forward to get a view of the bones. Bruckner became transfixed with the corpse, staring

down at it, moved by the sight. In some accounts, he cradled the skull [of Beethoven] in his arms and

kissed it before being pulled away”.

Cheers,

Erick

Glad Tidings 6

A Note from the Treasurer

As your Vestry members can attest, 2018 was a challenging year financially for Zion Church. The Vestry

spent a lot of time listening to me explain why the monthly expenses exceeded our monthly income ---

again. While this scenario was not surprising, as the 2018 adopted budget did in fact project a deficit, the

situation was uncomfortable and unpleasant nonetheless. I am hopeful that 2019 will not be a rerun.

To summarize the 2018 financial report, total income for the year was $119,197 and total expenses were

$125,057. You don’t need to be a math whiz to realize that paying $125,057 worth of bills with $119,197

doesn’t work! We managed to cover most of the $5,140 gap by taking $4,000 from a savings account that

had accumulated interest from the Hunt’s mortgage loan. The remainder was drawn from the balance in the

Operating checking account, resulting in a year-end balance approximately $1,000 lower than it was on

December 31, 2017. The good news is the bills all got paid. The bad news is spending more than you

collect is not a sustainable business model. This isn’t anything you haven’t heard from me before. We

unfortunately are projecting another deficit budget for 2019, so my hopes to avoid a rerun are based on

optimism more so than realistic expectations. The high-level 2018 income and expense totals are shown

below.

Pledges $47,117 39% Clergy $32,918 26%

Plate & Special Offerings $3,394 3% Outreach $12,395 10%

Investment Income $56,250 47% Music Program $10,129 8%

Misc. Other Income $8,897 7% Parish Support $8,391 7%

Special Events $2,734 2% Property $37,766 30%

Flowers & Other Designated $1,525 1% Parish Office $14,599 12%

Finance Office $8,859 7%

TOTAL INCOME $119,917 100% TOTAL EXPENSE $125,057 100%

INCOME EXPENSES

The 2019 budget is only slightly modified from the 2018 version. Income budgeted for 2019 increases by

$6,000 (from $124,000 in 2018 to $130,000) while budgeted expenses increase as well, but at a slightly

lower level (from $131,000 in 2018 to $133,500 in 2019). The result is a $3,500 projected deficit (versus

$7,000 in 2018). While we would like to present a balanced budget, there simply is not an easy way to

achieve this goal.

Of the $130,000 in total income budgeted, the combination of pledge, plate, special offerings, and flower

donations --- which amounts to most of the financial support from parishioners --- accounts for $53,500

while investment income (from Hofstetter CDs and Endowment transfers) totals $63,375. The budgeted

Endowment transfers ($58,575) represent 6% of the total Endowment value (averaged over the past 5

Glad Tidings 7

years). This is the highest percentage we can budget and remain within the 4-6% range recommended by

Zion’s Investment Policy Statement and our financial advisors at Strategic Financial Services.

As I expressed to the Vestry, I frankly am concerned that we need to budget such a high percentage of

Endowment funds. If we get used to $58,575 in Endowment spending for our budget and then the value of

the Endowment investments decreases for several years (as it did in 2018), the 6% will be drawn from a

smaller Endowment balance resulting in a smaller dollar amount for the budget. This is the danger of over-

reliance on Endowment income to support an annual operating budget.

The main change from 2018 on the expense side is due to an increase in NY State minimum wage (from

$10.40/hour to $11.10/hour). We’ve also seen our Diocesan Assessment go up again, although it should

now level out as our budgets for the past 3 years have not seen huge overall changes in operating income

(which is the basis for the assessment).

Glad Tidings 8

As I begin my 10th

year as your Parish Treasurer, I am reminded that although we seem to continually face

financial uncertainties, our parish truly is blessed compared to many. Zion’s Endowment, established years

ago by parishioners of great forethought, continues to be a source of safety. While our Vestry members are

legal stewards of this gift, we all need to be mindful to not take it for granted, and continue doing all we

can to support our parish financially. For truly, all things come of Thee, Oh Lord, and of Thine own have

we given Thee. Amen

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Rescigno, Parish Treasurer

Come Enjoy Shrove Tuesday PANCAKE DINNER

(Pancakes (your choice of plain, chocolate chip, blueberry and gluten free), bacon, sausage, coffee, tea, & juice!

ZION CHURCH - Clarke Hall - MARCH 5, 2019

5:30pm – 7:00pm Suggested donation is $5.00

Her visit will be the Third Sunday of Lent, Sunday, March 24th for

our service at 9 AM. There are a lot of things to do and we will need

all hands on deck to prepare for her arrival. Further details will be

coming forth in the next couple of weeks.

Thank You

Glad Tidings 9

FR. HEIDTS MESSAGE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ...

All persons and all creation benefit from these transformations...symbolized by this water into

wine...though some persons know the cause of them, and others do not. To share our faith means this:

letting others know that signs are abundant, and Jesus is the one to whom they point.

So, the vast, days-long party at Cana continues...because God sees the celebration that life really is,

and says it is good. And not simply the celebration of the Eucharist at the altar, God’s table, but also when

we leave here to encounter Christ active throughout the wide world.

He changes the ordinariness that we tend to ignore by our oversight, into the wonder that renews

us and makes us glad.

Sure, there are disasters. Horrible crimes. Personal loss and pain. It is often hard to celebrate the

life around us. And yet even though he wept at the death of his dear friend Lazarus, and became angry to

the point of disruptive violence in the temple, and even endured his own torture and death, the life of

Jesus...then and now...was and is always sustained by the love and grace that he knows in God the Father,

and the answers to prayers that heaven would begin to come to the earth.

Going from the water of this earth into the wine of heaven that indicates the celebration of life

every day, every moment, in the very presence of God.

In the Love of Christ.

Fr. Jim

Glad Tidings 10

(A note from Pastor Sam Pendergrast, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Rome) PASTOR NEEDS HELP Benjamin Arazu is the pastor of the River of Life Church on W Dominick St. in Rome. In addition, he has been working with refugees from Central Africa in East Utica. He is from Nigeria and has been working here on a Religious Workers R-1 visa. The time period covered by his visa is up and now he is eligible to apply for a Green Card and work permanently in the US. However, Homeland Security and Immigration require him to go back to Nigeria and apply for his green card from there. This is an enormous disruption for him, his family and the church. He is trying to raise over $5,000 to get tickets to return to Nigeria. He must go back before March or he will not be allowed back for 3 years. If you would like to contribute to Benjamin's family so they buy airline tickets, you may write a check to the Rome Clergy Association, and send it to our treasurer, Patricia Hubman, at 5690 E. Main St., Verona, NY 13478. Thank you! And we appreciate your prayers for pastor Benjamin and his family, and his churches. FROM: Pastor Arazu to the Rome Clergy Association pastors as a follow-up: "Thank you for your prayers and support for me and my family. We planned to leave USA by 26th of February by God grace. We don’t want to spend a day after the grace period we were given so that it will not affect our coming back. Please pray for us that we will be able to come up with our budget for our airfare. Again thank you all for your concern and your support. In Christ Benjamin Arazu" ZION VESTRY ACTION: By action of Zion's Vestry this past Monday, the loose plate offering received during the service on Sunday, February 10, will be contributed to help Pastor Arazu and his family during this difficult time for them. Please prayerfully consider a generous gift on that day. Thank you. Fr. Heidt.