Zion's Council
2009 - 2011
Zion’s Council met on Thursday January 14 for our
first meeting of the New Year. We welcomed new Council members Rachel
Kaufman who will lead our Youth committee and Mike Jennison, Council Vice
President, who will focus on
communications and planning as well as serve on the Personnel committee.
Three other Council committee assignments change for 2010. Chris Treanor
will lead our Stewardship committee, John Rustwick moves to Long-Range
Planning, and Joanne Rupp will lead Parish Life. Zion’s committees
form the backbone of our parish ministries and we invite you to join your
fellow parishioners on the committee of your choice.
Our 2009 fiscal year closed with an unexpected income shortfall resulting in
an annual deficit of about $8500.
December income, normally a well above average month for contributions, fell
over $8,400 below our projections
and $20,000 below last year’s December giving. The very low worship service
attendance on the Sunday
before Christmas due to snowy and icy roads affected giving. The Finance
committee, with help from Stewardship,
will be looking into the reasons for the shortfall and recommending any
actions needed.
On a much more exciting note, the Council approved the development of Zion’s
advanced web platform following
a presentation by Ted Talis and Janet Hornich of our Communications
Committee. The new website will support
multimedia (audio and video) presentations, full access to our historical
collection, secure members only
information and so much more. Look for a more detailed story on Zion’s
platform to the world soon. We are
very grateful to a member of Zion who provided all of the funds needed to
develop the new website. The Communications committee is doing a tremendous
job of bringing this project to fruition.
Our Mission 300 committee also has been very active the past few months. The
committee has produced a powerful
and compelling presentation explaining both the vision and specific plans
celebrating Zion’s 300th anniversary
in 2014. The Mission 300 committee has developed some exciting goals and
objectives for the next few
years in the areas of evangelism, mission support, property, endowment and
many more. The committee will be
working closely with all other Zion committees to enhance and link our
ministries and programs with our Mission
300 theme and energy. Three hundred year anniversaries do not come along
often and we invite you to join
in Zion’s Mission 300.
The following committees have set standing meeting times. Please feel free to join in.
“If you are looking for a way to give back, or pay it forward,
a Zion committee can use your gifts and talents. You will be welcomed.”
Finance—Second Tuesdays @ 7 p.m.
Shepherding—First Wednesdays @ 7:30 p.m.
Social Ministry—First Thursdays @ 7 p.m.
Parish Life—Third Sundays @ 9:45 a.m.
Evangelism—Second Tuesdays @ 7 p.m.
Worship and Music—Third Tuesdays @ 7:30 p.m.
Christian Education—Third Wednesdays @ 10 a.m.
Stewardship—First Tuesdays @ 7:30 p.m.
Women of Zion—Third Thursdays @ 7 p.m.
Stephen Ministers—Third Wednesdays @ 7:30 p.m.
Executive--First Thursdays @ 7:30 p.m.
Staff —weekly on Tuesdays @ 10 a.m.
Meeting Minutes
PRESIDENT - Gerry Dehkes
Has served on Council almost as long as he has been a member of Zion – this is his fourth year. Before joining the Council, he served on Long Range Planning where he focused on defining the key needs of our congregation's people. He has chaired Christian Education and served in 2008 as Vice President where he led Mission 300 and Personnel, and this year is President. He and his wife Cathy live in Clinton Township with their four children, Peter, Kirsten, Sarah, and Erik, and their dog Owen. He loves coaching his kids’ sports, international travel, wine making, and taking care of his lawn.
VICE PRESIDENT - Mike Jennison
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION - Anissa Mikitiuk
Beginning her third year on Council as head of Christian Education. In addition to the opportunity to serve the Lord, being on Council has allowed her to get to know members of Zion’s family that she might not have known. She and Mike live in the borough of Lebanon with daughters Lily and Emma.
EVANGELISM - Anita Zarate
Lives in Tewksbury with her husband Tony and dog Sheba, has been at Zion 5 years. This is her second year on Council and chair of Evangelism. She enjoys cooking and entertaining and keeps in great shape walking 5 miles a day.
FINANCE - Debra Kaufman
Entering her second year as Finance chairperson. She lives in Tewksbury with her teenage daughters Rachael and Allison and has been a member of Zion for 6 years. Debra said yes to serving on Council in appreciation of the spiritual support her family has received from the church.
Parish Life - Joanne Rupp
A 31 year member of Zion, enjoys the discussion of issues and decision-making that takes place at Council. Entering her second year as head of Long Range Planning, she has served many previous terms on Council chairing Parish Life, Christian Education, Shepherding, and Worship and Music. She and her husband Ron live in Tewksbury and have three grown children, Allison, Karen, and John. When you read this, she may have a grandson as Karen and Peter are expecting any day.
Stewardship - Chris Treanor
This is Chris Treanor’s second year on Council. He married into a long-time Zion family when he married Sarah Von Culin in 1990. They live in Tewksbury with their children Pearson and Cricket. Chris wants to get more involved with the church and certainly will chairing the Parish Life committee.
PROPERTY - Jay Wieder
In to his second term as head of Property and is committed to seeing restoration projects completed for the 300th anniversary. Jay and Rachel live in Whitehouse Station with pre-schoolers Roxanne and JT. When he gets the time, Jay enjoys riding his Harley with Rachel.
SHEPHERDING - Heidi Heslin
A member for 8 years and is happy to be serving on Council for the first time as a way of giving back to God for the many ways He has blessed her. She is chairing the Shepherding committee this year. She lives in Whitehouse Station with her husband John and sons Tim and Nick.
SOCIAL MINISTRY - Robbin Lamo
Also known as "Robbin the Resourceful" she has been a member of Zion for 16 years and serving on Council as Social Ministry Chair for a third time.
Long Range Planning - John Rustwick
A member for 28 years, just can’t stay away from Council. He has chaired Stewardship more times than he can count, but has also chaired Finance and served as President. John, who lives in High Bridge with his wife Kathy, loves to play golf and is humble about his 2 holes-in-one saying they were “pure luck.”
WORSHIP & MUSIC - Leah Wintemute
Chairs Worship and Music, has served on Council many times during her 21 years at Zion. She has been President, Vice President, and chair of Parish Life, Evangelism, and Worship and Music. She and David live in Bethlehem Township and have two grown sons, Devin and Reed. If you don’t see Leah in the choir loft on Sundays, it’s because a) She’s in West Virginia cheering on the WVU Mountaineers; b) It’s winter and she can’t get out of her driveway; c) She’s off to Paris, Brussels, Milan, or Buenos Aires with David.
YOUTH - Mike Jennison & Rachel Kaufman
Other Congregational Officers
TREASURER - Sandra Matsen
Wins the longest member prize in this group as a member for 38 years. Presently Treasurer, she has previously served many years on Council as President and chair of Christian Education and Stewardship. She and husband John live in Clinton Township.
FINANCIAL SECRETARY - Lori Baker
Presently Financial Secretary, has previously served as Treasurer and Council Secretary in her 19 years at Zion. Lori is a Financial Division Manager with the State of New Jersey Judiciary, but in her free time enjoys playing tennis, gardening, and exercising. She and husband Michael live in Clinton Township with Matt, a college student, and Jaclyn, a Senior at North.
Gerry
Anissa
Anita
Debra
Joanne
Chris Treanor
Coming Soon!
Jay
Heidi
Robbin
John
Leah
Sandra
Lori