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Working on the mission of Zion...
Our various ministries each focus on one aspect of our mission (Care, Share, Grow, and Serve). Also see the Small Groups section of the site for other opportunities:
- Christian Education Team
- Endowment Ministry
- Evangelism Ministry
- Fellowship Ministry
- Finance Ministry
- Property Ministry
- Senior Choir Ministry
- Zion Orchestra
- Social Ministry
- Stewardship Ministry
- Women of the ELCA
- Worship and Music Ministry
Christian Education: This committee is responsible for overseeing all Christian Education activities and programs. It develops and plans new activities that disciple people by providing a biblically based, spiritual foundation that will lead all to become fully devoted followers of Christ. Other duties include facilitating training for the Christian Education leadership.
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Endowment Ministry Assessing the needs for community outreach and of the church and awarding and distributing available funds for these needs from the endowment funds is the goal of this committee.
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Evangelism Ministry: Reaching out to people with God's good news and helping them respond is the joyous responsibility of this committee and of all Christians in our congregation. Evangelism is part of every aspect of our congregation's life and work. It is never merely a program to be emphasized one season and forgotten the next.
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Fellowship Ministry: This committee meets occasionally to put together ideas to keep the parish active socially. It offers coffee hour every Sunday morning, organizes special Sunday receptions, pot-luck dinners, funeral receptions, and occasional emergency meals, and assists with the congregational picnic. The committee also arranges different events throughout the year, like square dancing, game nights, etc.
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Finance Ministry: This committee provides sound financial management practices and insures future resources. People with financial backgrounds are needed to help manage the church's assets, budgeting, and spending practices along with our data management systems. Meetings are held as needed.
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Property Ministry: The property ministry oversees all repairs and maintenance of the building (interior and exterior), the yard, and the parking lot. The committee is also responsible for some of the maintenance to the old parsonage at the end of the parking lot (which currently houses the House of the Good Shepherd).
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Senior Choir: The Senior Choir is an adult choir that sings at the 9:30 a.m. worship service on Sundays and for special worship services during the year. We are looking for people who love to sing and are willing to give regularly of their time. Rehearsals usually are held on Sunday mornings at 11:00 a.m.
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Zion Orchestra: Come and share your talents!!! Alfred Moretz is excited to bring together musical talents to create an orchestra. Anyone interested in joining this group, bring your instrument and join the rehearsals on Wednesday evenings at 7 PM in the Choir Room (last room on the left on the 2nd floor of the education wing.)
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Social Ministry: This committee reaches to the community and world around us. They plan and coordinate projects and events and oversee ongoing programs here at Zion, such as those listed below:
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Your Neighbors is an organization that offers services to lonely homebound individuals. Through visits, telephone reassurance, and supplemental services, such as transportation for medical needs, frozen meals, and shopping assistance, volunteer-friends are reaching out to client-friends in the greater Utica area. Your Neighbors volunteers help as a friendly visitor, provide telephone reassurance, help meet transportation needs, promote community awareness, prepare meals, obtain tax-deductible contributions, or give of their time in other ways.
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Heifer Project: For over half a century, Heifer Project International (HPI) has provided livestock and training to more than four million families around the world and helping them to become self-sufficient. HPI has over 300 projects in about 40 countries around the world. This non-profit organization helps hungry people feed themselves, earn income, and care for their environment. A coordinator/assistant communicates the needs, support, and prayers to the congregation, telling us how we can be of help. To learn more about the Heifer Project, click here.
Hartwig Missionaries: The Hartwig's are our new missionary family. Kristopher and Rebecca Hartwig and their children, Heidi and Nathan are serving in Tanzania. Their goal as missionaries is to establish hospice and palliative care programs in each of the 20 Lutheran hospitals in Tanzania over the next three years. To learn more about our Missionaries, click here.
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Local Food Bank: Feeding the hungry of our community is an important commitment at Zion. This committee encourages members of all ages to give food on a regular basis and makes arrangements to deliver food to the Food Bank weekly. It communicates special needs to the congregation at various times of the year, such as on holidays when extra hams, turkeys, and provisions for a complete meal are needed, as well as is awareness of needs for food within the congregation. The committee purchases food for needy families and delivers food baskets. The committee coordinates can and bottle redemption, which is used to purchase extra food.
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Refugee Program - "Welcome the Stranger to Utica": Zion members have the unique opportunity to "Welcome the Stranger" as we work with the Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees to co-sponsor a refugee family. To learn more about this new program for Zion, click here.
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Stewardship Ministry: This committee is responsible for educating the congregation in stewardship areas of spiritual gifts (time and talent), money, and other areas that help them grow in their commitment to Christ. It is responsible for presenting the program to the congregation and soliciting from members their faith and promise cards to help in continuing ministries at Zion.
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Women of the ELCA: The purpose of Women of the ELCA is stated: As a community of women created in the image of God, called to discipleship in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves to grow in faith, affirm our gifts, support one another in our callings, engage in ministry and action, and promote healing and wholeness in the church, the society, and the world. The group meets on a quarterly basis with a wide variety of programs and projects.
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Worship and Music Ministry: This committee oversees the public worship services which this congregation offers to its members and others on Sundays and other special days. The committee works closely with pastoral staff in planning worship appropriate to the season. Committee members serve as coordinators of the various service responsibilities. These include acolytes, crucifers, altar care, assisting ministers, lectors, communion assistants, greeters, and ushers.
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