8

Volume 18; Issue 6 Rev. Dr. Atu O. White, Pastor November 2016

Mt. Zion Will Host A

Community Ideas

Forum

On Thursday, November 10, 2016,

From 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.,

At The Dunbar,

33 Oak Street, Springfield, MA.

We invite the community to share ide-

as on what additional services we can

offer. Please plan to attend.

God is Faithful!

On Wednesday, October 12, 2016, Mt. Zion became the new owner of the property at 33 Oak Street, Springfield, Massachusetts. The Dunbar Center is now ours!!!

The journey to acquire The Dunbar began last April when this iconic building faced the threat of foreclosure. Mt. Zion decided to help. The acquisition process involved a num-ber of steps and some unexpected hurdles, but through it all, God was with us, and we prevailed.

At Mt. Zion, our vision involves church and ministry growth and community development. The acquisition of The Dunbar fits this vision. At 33 Oak Street, we plan to renovate the old section of the building for church worship, ministry activities and the performing arts. At the same time, the entire building will be used for both community programming and church programming. We will strategically work with agencies and organizations such as the YMCA to bring various programs to the community, while we bolster activities and events in the Arts, Wellness & Education.

God is faithful!

MEMBERS OF THE PROJECT IMPACT TEAM:

Pastor Atu White Bro. Noah Borders

Sis. Gwendolyn Godbolt Sis. Brenda Hogan Sis. Pamela Miller Dea. Steve Powell Sis. Wanda Powell

Bro. Richard Scroggins Bro. Tavis Scott

~ The Dunbar ~

CLEAN-UP DAY AT

THE DUNBAR

There will be a "Clean-up Day at The Dunbar" on Saturday, Novem-ber 12, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Members are asked to come out and help.

HAPPY NOVEMBER BIRTHDAY Nov. 1----------------------------Bro. Robert Garrett

Nov. 1----------------------------------Dea. Dan Jones

Nov. 3---------------------Sis. Tina Taylor-Barrow

Nov. 4----------------------------Sis. Bamma Garvin

Nov. 6----------------------Sis. Jacqueline Rosario

Nov. ---------------------------------Sis. Ariel Parker

Nov. 7--------------------------Sis. Jonte Strickland

Nov. 8-------------------Sis. Janet Bass-Eddington

Nov. 8----------------------------Bro. Sammie Smith

Nov. 10-------------------------Sis. Jaylan Johnson

Nov. 13---------------------------Sis. Helen Burston

Nov. 13-------------------------------Sis. Pamela May

Nov. 13---------------------Sis. Christine Mondesir

Nov. 13------------------------------Sis. Regen Pugh

Nov. 14----------------------Sis. Tayshaana Brown

Nov. 14-----------------------------Bro. Jason Green

Nov. 16-------------------------Sis. Sinyhei Barnett

Nov. 17------------------------Sis. Isabel Cartagena

~Nov. 17----Pastor Atu White~

Nov. 18--------------------------Bro. Walker Bryant

Nov. 18-----------------------------Sis. Skye Howard

Nov. 19---------------------Sis. Eunice King-Butler

Nov. 19------------------------------Dea. Arthur Kitt

Nov. 20--------------------------Bro. Garred Garrett

Nov. 20-----------------------------Sis. Mamie Kirby

Nov. 20.-----------------------Deaconess Luz White

Nov. 21-------------------------Sis. Jessica Howard

Nov. 21--------------------------Sis. Sonya Johnson

Nov. 21---------------------------Sis. Daphne Moore

Nov. 23----------------------------Bro. Mark Bennett

Nov. 25-------------------Sis. Cerrisaina Volkinski

Nov. 28---------------------------Sis. Otery Webster

Nov. 29------------------------Sis. Yakira Dalmeida

Nov.29-------------------------------Sis. Violet Matos

Nov. 29-------------------------Bro. Treysaun Price

November Anniversary

Nov. 23---------------------------Dea. Scott Jenkins

& Sis. Regina Tillery-Jenkins

JUST FOR TODAY Author Unknown

Just for TODAY,

Dear Lord, please help me not to be

grouchy and grumpy

if things don't go my way.

Just for TODAY, Let me keep my temper

under control, no matter what happens.

Just for TODAY,

May I bring a bit of cheer to those around me.

Just for TODAY,

I want to put aside any worries

I can't do anything about.

Just for TODAY,

Let my heart be extra loving and kind

toward everybody.

If I can accomplish these goals,

TODAY will be wonderful for me.

And I know that TOMORROW

will be even better because TODAY is the day

I worried about

YESTERDAY!

Submitted by Sis. Alice Koonce

A THOUGHT FOR THE

MONTH "Give thanks to the Lord,

for he is good!

His faithful love endures forever." Psalms 107:1 (NLT)

IMPORTANT

MEETINGS

THIS MONTH

The meetings listed below

will be held here at Mt. Zion

on the dates and times indicated.

Business of importance at each.

MINISTRY LEADERS MEETING A Ministry Leaders Meeting

will be held on Wednesday, November 2

at 6:00 p.m. Also Ministry Leaders are

reminded that year-end reports are due to Sis. Wanda Powell by Sunday, December 4, 2016.

~~ MANDATORY JOINT BOARD

MEETING: There will be a mandatory

meeting of the Joint Board

on Monday, November 7 at 6:00 p.m.

All Joint Board members must attend.

~~ CHURCH BUSINESS MEETING:

There will be an official Church Business Meeting on Monday, November 14

at 6:00 p.m. All Mt. Zion members are

encouraged to attend.

Daylight Saving Time

Ends Sunday,

November 6, 2016

Remember the Adage:

Spring Forward; Fall Back!

REMEMBERING LOVED

ONES AT CHRISTMAS

The Deacon & Deaconess Min-

istries are once again heading

the drive to decorate the sanc-

tuary for Christmas.

Members are asked to make a

donation of $10 to purchase a

poinsettia plant in memory or

honor of loved ones to help

build our poinsettia tree. We

need a minimum of 35 plants

to fill the tree.

Names of those being hon-

ored, along with your $10 do-

nation, should be given to any

Deacon or Deaconess by Sun-

day, November 27, 2016. [Please print names clearly.]

NEW MEMBERS

Joining Mt. Zion in October were:

DEA. ARTHUR KITT Date Joined: October 16, 2016

Method: Restoration

DEACONESS HELEN KITT Date Joined: October 16, 2016

Method: Restoration

Welcome Back!

Baptism Baptism Class for

Baptism Candidates A meeting of baptism candidates

will be held at the Church on

Wednesday, November 16, 2016,

at 6:00 p.m. with Pastor White.

Baptism This Month Baptism Service will take place on

the third Sunday of this month,

Sunday, November 20, 2016, at

10:25 a.m. We invite the congre-

gation to be present to welcome

our new converts.

Baptism Last Month There was no baptism in October.

SOUP KITCHEN’S THANKSGIVING MEAL

The Soup Kitchen's Annual Thanksgiv-ing Dinner will be held on Wednesday, Novem-ber 16, 2016, here at the Church. The hours are 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to come out and enjoy a Pre-Thanksgiving Day meal.

SOUP KITCHEN’S THANK YOU'S

Written by Sis. Andrea P. Dixon

Remember last month we had an anonymous donor of Ensure Nutri-tional Drinks? Well, we had another donation of Ensure and now we know who the donor is. It's Sis. Lorenda Johnson. We passed out the drinks again to the diners and they were so appreciative. Anyway we can give the people a little bit more nutrition is a plus!! Thanks again, Sis. Lorenda.

To Sis. Letha Harrison who made for us the best chicken pot pie (without the crust) soup last month. Thank you. It was delicious--thick & hearty, full of vegetables & potatoes, and lots and lots of chicken; and the sauce--wow--real, real good (the likes of my grandmother's!) Thank you Sis. Letha. You must do a repeat!

An additional thank you goes out to Bro. Robert Keith Stokes for his donation of five bags of canned goods.

A special thank you to Min. Beth Ir-ving and Sis. Angela Westbrook of the Women's Ministry and to the Hos-pitality Ministry for providing some desserts for our lunches during the past month. What a blessing.

Thank you again, to everyone whose donations continue to help us fulfill our purpose--to feed God's people with a heart of thanksgiving. (1 Timothy 4:4)

CANCELLATIONS ON NOVEMBER 23, 2016

On Wednesday, November 23 there will be

NO Soup Kitchen NO 1:15 p.m. Bible Study

NO 7:00 p.m. Adult, Young Adult, or Youth Bible Study

All three will resume on Wednesday, November 30.

PASTOR TO PREACH REVIVAL

On Friday, November 18, 2016, Pastor White will be preaching a revival service at Zion Baptist Church, 137 Pearl Street, Water-bury, CT. A bus will be provided for those who need a ride, for a small donation of $5.00.

MOVIE NIGHT by Sis. Jean E. Frazier

Everyone is invited to join Get Connected for Movie Night on Saturday, November 12, 2016, from 4:00 p.m.~6:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Don't forget to sign up in the conference room. The last day to sign up will be November 6, 2016. Hope to see you all there.

A Christmas Gathering

Mark your calendar, save the

date!!

Come out, fellowship and

celebrate the Christmas

Season with your Mt Zion

family and friends.

Date: Saturday, December 10

Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Location: Ministry Center,

33 Oak Street, Springfield

Sis. Kimberly Weir and Sis.

Emma Perkins are heading up

this event. More information to

come.

HONORING OUR SEASONED SAINTS

Written by Sis. Jean E. Frazier

On Saturday, October 1, 2016, the Get Connected Ministry had the pleasure of recognizing our Seasoned Saints (60+) with a special luncheon prepared just for them. The focus of the day was to honor and appreci-ate them for their history and wisdom.

In an intimate setting in the fellowship hall of the Church, the group was served an Italian meal, consisting of soup, salad, two choices of a pasta dish, hot rolls, beverages and dessert. They were waited on by mem-bers of the Ministry; the room was decorated in silver and gold and each seasoned saint received a magnet that stated and reminded them that "You are awesome," along with an individual photograph of them. Please take a look at the group photo that will be placed on the wall outside of the Pas-tor's office.

A good time was had by all, and the Get Connected mem-bers got great joy from recog-nizing and honoring our Sea-soned Saints. Much love to them.

Sis. Keisha Lewis welcomed a

new baby daughter on Thursday,

October 13, 2016. Little Drey-

onni Yvonne Holloway weighed in

at 7 lbs, 14 oz. Sis. Susan Wil-

liams is the baby's grandmother.

Congratulations, Sis. Keisha!

Young Scholars

Program

Calling all Students

in Grades 1-12!!

The first marking period is quick-

ly approaching. If you are in

grades 1-12, you may be eligible

for our Young Scholars Program.

How it Works: Students may re-

ceive $5 for each ‘A’

or ‘A’ equivalent

grade received dur-

ing the 1st & 4

th marking periods.

Awards are limited to $25 per

student per marking period; $50

per school year.

Eligibility Requirements: Youth MUST meet ALL of the

following:

Must be a member of Mt.

Zion or a regular Mt. Zion at-

tendee

Must be an ACTIVE mem-

ber of at least one (1) Church

ministry

Must be in grades 1-12

Must provide a copy of an

official report card for the

current marking period

How & When to Apply: Application forms will be availa-

ble later this month or early next

month. See Youth Ministry

Leaders for additional infor-

mation.

UBC's Missions Day

The United Baptist Conven-tion (UBC) of MA, RI & NH will hold its Annual Mid-Year Mis-sions Day Service on Friday, November 11, 2016. This all-day session will be held at First Baptist Church, Saugus, MA, where Rev. Leroy Ma-honey is Pastor. Our Pastor, Rev. Dr. Atu White, serves as the UBC's 2nd Vice President.

DEACON MINISTRY 2016 COAT DRIVE

This month, the Deacon Ministry is collecting coats of all sizes for the Western Mass Recovery Learning Community (RLC), also known as the Bowen Center, located at 235 Chest-nut Street in Springfield.

The RLC creates conditions that sup-port healing and growth for individu-als, and the community as a whole, through learning opportunities, advo-cacy, peer-to-peer support, resources and the development of regional and national networks. They believe that human relationships are often at the center of what heals people who have experienced extreme emotional dis-tress, trauma, psychiatric diagnoses, addiction and a variety of other chal-lenges in life.

Please donate your gently used coats to the RLC family and help them stay warm this winter season. Bring coats to the Church during the month of November. Contact Deaconess Luz White at 413-733-0239, if you have any questions. Your efforts and dona-tion are greatly appreciated.

Gardening Tips By Sis. Angela Westbrook

Hello Fellow Gardeners,

Now is the time to harvest

your seeds for your next planting in

the spring of 2017. Any seeds found

in your pumpkins, squash, hot pep-

pers, bell peppers, tomatoes--if a

vegetable has seeds in it, you can

gather, wash, and dry them out to

store for your next planting.

Also check your flowers to

see which ones re-seed themselves.

Cut the seed pods and bag up for

your next flower garden. (Ex: mari-

golds, black-eyed Susan’s, etc.) This

is a fun way to keep your garden

growing year after year producing a

strong harvest each time. This is

also a great way to save on buying

seeds every year. Happy harvesting!

VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

Last month, the Newsletter Staff asked members to share why they vote. Here are the responses that we received:

On Tuesday, November 8, it is not only our right,

but our responsibility to vote.

Please VOTE!

If I go back 50 years ago, that would make me 10 years old. At a young age I witnessed several injustices against African American

Men; one being my own father. Fifty years later, I see some of the same injustices. The manner in which; not only he, but how

others were treated still exists.

There are so many stories that I could tell and some that you may have, but because of these experiences, I learned at a young

age the importance of what is means to VOTE. So many have fought and died, and so many continue to fight for the rights of us all.

We all have an obligation to exercise our right to vote, to make our voices heard and thank those who fought for those rights. At

age 85 my father still reminds me to vote and at age 60 I remind my sons and spouse to do the same.

So I encourage you to make your voices heard and to encourage others to VOTE. Your vote can make a difference.

~~Sis. Pamela M. Miller~~

It's the only way your voice can be heard --

VOTE!!

~~Bro. Landry Pertillar~~

son of Bro. Al & Sis. Andrea Dixon

I vote because my ancestors could not! I vote because I care about my country even though my country doesn't care about me! I vote because my children cannot! I vote because not too long ago, as a woman, I could not! I vote because I CAN!

~~Sis. Shayla L. Dixon~~

I vote because too many of my people have died so that I can have the right to vote! ~~Bro. Alfred L. Dixon~~

I vote because too many have died for me not to.

My vote can make a difference.

~~Sis. Angela Westbrook~~

First of all, I vote because I have the right as a citizen born in these United States of America. Most importantly, I vote because my forefathers fought and died to make it possible, enabling me that right to vote!

My father's father's father's father, working in the fields, marching in the streets, demonstrating at counters in Georgia and Florida, sweated, took beatings, shed blood and tears for me! My mother's mother's mother's moth-er took a great deal of abuse and disrespect as well as bled, sweated, and cried for me NOT to rightfully voice my freedom to vote!

But besides that, it's the law of the land. We are people of choices and if you choose not to vote, you've made the wrong choice! I choose to vote and in 2016, my prayer is that my one vote makes the difference for the good for all the people! If not, I've done what is my legal right--I have voted and I will continue to vote!

~~Sis. Andrea P. Dixon~~

I vote to have a voice in making a decision about who our president will be.

Ask God to make the decision. I have the right to complain.

~~Sis. Zula Wright~~

No Expiration Date Needed Written by Sis. Theresa Bryant

I heard something interesting the other day, it came from the voice of an African-American veteran who experienced voter suppression. This Veteran attempted to cast an early vote in the state of Texas with his federal government issued identification. According to him, the woman at the poll said his VA ID was not sufficient because she’d never seen one before. Apparently, she looked it over back and front. She showed it to the supervisor on site who stated it was an appropriate form of identification. She came back a few seconds later, glanced it over and told the gentleman that the ones seen before have had an expiration date. He kindly reminded her that she previously stated she’d never seen one before. She told him he needed an expiration date in order to verify that it was current. He told this woman it expires when he dies. I was sadden to hear of this gentleman’s experience, but with steadfast determination he cast his vote and shared his story so other veterans would know that their VA ID was good enough to cast a vote in states that require it. No expiration date needed. Much like Jesus, our Veterans have paid the price, some in combat, some POW’s, maybe with a limb and others with their lives. Our veterans have done so much for this country and for the liberties that we often take for granted, it seems a simple thank you does not suffice the sacrifices made. Let’s not thank our veterans on Veteran’s Day alone, but next week in the airport, at the coffee shop, on the bus, where ever you go. Spend some time visiting a VA Hospital or have your children make cards. Let them know they are appreciated. Here’s another veteran fact that I bet you didn’t know. On September 24, 2016, The National Museum of African American History and Culture opened in a ceremony led by our first African American President, Barack Obama. The concept of this museum can be traced back to the second decade of the 20th century. In 1915, African American veterans of the Union Army formed a committee to build a memorial to various African American achievements. In 1929 President Hoover appointed Mary Church Terrell, Mary McLeod Bethune, and ten others to a commission charged with building a “National Memorial Building” showcasing African American achievements in the arts and sciences. Congress didn’t back the effort. Proposals for the museum pretty much were floated in Congress for the next 40 years with no more than minimal support. No expiration date needed. But watch God. He gave a vision to African American veterans frustrated by the racism they faced, believed that there should be a place that not only veterans but all African American achievements be memorialized. The concept of the National Museum of African American History and Culture was envisioned more than 100 years ago and it was the Nations’ First African American President that would help to inaugurate the museum, citing the words of Langston Hughes: “I, Too, Am America.” I’m sure those veterans who fought for their country and returned to the same racial divide couldn’t imagine that one day we’d have a black president and he’d be in office at the opening of The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall not far from their first meeting at the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church. Won’t He Do IT! The Dreams of our veterans don’t die with them. It’s the hope for a better world where everyone has equality. They fight for it, often leaving family behind making the ultimate sacrifice for this United States of America. Let’s honor our veterans with not just a thank-you this November, but with a VOTE!

********** WE HAVE TWO NEW INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS

Mt. Zion recently hired Independent Contractors to fill two (2) positions:

Our new Sexton, responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the church, is Sis. Lorenda Johnson.

Our new Media Director, responsible for overseeing the Audio, Visual, and Broadcasting Ministries, is Sis. Alycia Drake.

Please join us in welcoming both.

A Night With The Thunderbirds

The Church is planning a night with the

Springfield Thunderbirds Hockey Team on

Saturday, December 3, at 7:05 pm. at the

Mass Mutual Center.

Group tickets start at $12 per

person, with a minimum of 15

people.

If interested see Dea.

Steve Powell by Sunday

November 20.

Our Women’s Meet & Mingle Tea Article by Sis. Angela Westbrook & Photos by Min. Beth Irving

On October 22, 2016, the Mt Zion Baptist Church Women’s Ministry held its first Meet & Mingle Tea, bringing the women together to get to know one another a little better on a personal level. It was held in the Mason Wright Community Room. We really wanted to make you feel special.

We opened with a prayer, scripture, and started the fun by tasting many different flavors of teas, and enjoying assorted pastries. We played a match game that made you have to get up out of your seat and talk to one another to find out what you have in common. At noon we sat down for a wonderful lunch of a large toss salad with all the fixings, chicken salad, tuna salad, and a very good sweet tea. Everyone had the opportunity to gather samples of their favorite teabags to carry home along with their tea cup.

It was the first step of many to come to bring the women of Mt Zion Baptist Church together to have fun and really get to know one another as sisters in Christ. As the word gets out as to what we are trying to accomplish through our Ministry, great things through Christ will happen. Our daily prayer each women is asked to pray will be the “Prayer of Jabez”. Through prayer, praise, and a leap of faith we will boldly step out to do great things as the Spirit leads us. As we think outside the box, just be ready for anything, and plan to have a good time in the Lord in all that we do, in and around our church. Our main goal is just to connect with one another as women on a closer level. Stay tune for our next gathering, all women 18 and over are welcome. Thank you God for the blessing of this Ministry!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Trip to the Country

One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people can be. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip? "It was great, Dad.” “Did you see how poor people can be?" the father asked. "Oh Yeah" said the son. "So what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father. The son answered, "I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reach-

es to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them."

With this the boy's father was speechless. Then his son added, "Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are."

* * * * * Too many times we forget what we have and concentrate on what we don't have. What is one person's worthless object is another's prize possession. It is all based on one's perspective. Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for the bounty we have, instead of worrying about wanting more. Take joy in all you have.

Submitted by Sis. Mary Moore (Was also printed in an earlier Newsletter)

THANK YOU NOTES

FRONT: Give Thanks to the Lord/ Psalm 92:1/ It is good/ Thanks

PRINTED INSIDE:

Because of you, there is someone who is thanking God today,

Someone who apprciates your warm and caring way,

Someone who's remembering the special things you do

And wishing you His blessings everyday the whole year through.

PERSONAL NOTE: Thank you for your prayers and words of comfort in the loss of my

grandmother.

With Love, Tavis & Charlette Scott

FRONT: With Special Thanks to All of You

"To know you is know people who are kind, considerate and thoughtful. To know you is to be

grateful for the special things you do."

PRINTED INSIDE:

For everything you've done...for being the special people that you are...thank you so very much.

PERSONAL NOTE: To Rev. White and the Mt. Zion Church Family,

Thank you for showing such great hospitality and compassion during the homegoing celebration

of our Dear Sister, Phyllis Thraster. We will always remember your kindness and fellowship. Even though it was

a sad time, you all made it such a joyful occasion. Thanks again for everything. May God Bless Mt. Zion

Prayerfully, Phyllis Thraster's Framily PS. Please remember to keep Phyllis' children and grandchilren in your prayers.