1. In This Issue of the Zion News: Financial Status 3rd Quarter 2016
Zion Lutheran Church
11609 Frankstown Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15235
Centered in God’s unconditional love and grace, Zion Lutheran Church is called to bring Christ’s peace and healing to our diverse community and world through worship, learning, nurturing, equipping and witnessing.
November 2016
Pastor:
The Rev. Melissa Stoller
Director of Faith Formation and Outreach Deacon Amy Santoriello Director of Music Ministry Mr. Andrew Sabol
Cantor Emeritus Dr. Stanley E.Yoder
In This Issue of the Zion News:
Page Pastor’s Message
Page Tax Free Gift
Page Deacon’s Message
Page WELCA News
Page Racism
Page Clothing Collection
Page Health Ministry
Page Oremus
Page Jim Crow
Page November Birthdays/ Anniversaries
Page Thanksgiving
Sunday Night Live!
This month: Live From Penn Hills: Its Sunday Night!
Each month the youth from our synod gather at a different church for fellowship, food, learning and worship at an event called Sunday Night Live (SNL.)  On November 13, Zion will play host.  We will begin with dinner at 5:00 and end with worship in our sanctuary which will begin around 7:15.  Our  theme this month will be “Living in Christian Community, What We Can Learn From the Mission to the Celts and we will worship in the style of the Iona Community in Scotland.” The discussion begins about 5:45 All are welcome to join us for some or all of the evening. Please let Deacon Amy know if you would like to join us for dinner so that we have a count for food. (We will be serving our soon-to-be world famous, but already Penn Hills famous Walking Tacos!)
A request from assisting ministers
When taking communion please raise your hand up if possible. Resting your elbow on the altar rail while raising your glass is a good way to keep your hand stable. Some of our assistants have back problems and this makes it easier for them.
Financial Status 3rd Quarter 2016
The parking lot project was paid for in September. The cost was $34,580. We built up a balance in the Major Maintenance Fund, but we had to borrow $23,235 from the line of credit. It will likely take until the end of 2017 to pay off this project.
We paid $1,000 annual sponsorship for our missionaries, Joe and Deborah Troester, in September. Thank you for your contributions of $500 toward the Zion Mission Trip Fund. Also thanks for the $410 given to the ELCA Domestic Disaster Relief.
Our offerings for Current Expenses for the Third Quarter fell behind budget, but we made some progress this quarter. Our YTD budget expenses were $6,436 less than our income which is a $2,265 improvement over the Second Quarter. We have a long way to go for the rest of the year and expenses in the fall will be greater than in the summer months.
The Property Committee has extra expenses for fall maintenance and the cold weather will cause utilities costs to rise. Our programming goes into high gear in the fall, and every month we need to meet our payroll. Please do your part with your faithful and generous giving.

2. Page 2 The Zion News November 2016
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As Christians, we are called.
The foundation of our life together in faith is centered in God’s love and grace. This is how we know ourselves, and how we know others. We gather together each week to hear this message of unconditional love and grace. We hear the stories of our biblical ancestors, we remember our loved ones telling us these stories, as church, we see our story as God’s story.
Our story is at the heart of God’s story.
We tell this over and over at Zion: In our worship and praise, in our Sunday school and confirmation, in our Bible Studies and forums, in our fellowship and our outreach. In everything we say and do, we center ourselves in God. Our story is love and grace without conditions. At Zion we challenge ourselves to grow in love and grace with one another and with our neighbors. In service to our community and in fellowship with each other we center ourselves in God.
We all have a vocation.
We have a calling with which we serve God and our neighbors. At Zion, we are called to bring peace and healing to our neighbors. We do this by welcoming community groups into our building, serving community meals and distributing food. We offer services of healing and anointing during our worship services and when the worship ends, the service begins.
We reflect unity in diversity.
We live in an ever changing community and world. We come from many backgrounds and experiences to share in the common gifts of grace. We celebrate our differences because they enrich the body of Christ and our lives.
We minister together.
In worship we come together to praise and celebrate, to lament and mourn, to gather with our sisters and brothers who surround us with love and tell again the old, old story of hope and grace. We gather together to learn and to study. We gather to question and wonder, dream and vision, equipping each other for service in this world. For when the worship ends, the service begins.
We nurture one another, in every prayer, in every card, in every phone call, in every casserole, in every smile that greets us, embodying the love of Christ that shines from the within to the world around us.
This is our witness. This is our story, this is our song. We share the love of God in every hymn we sing, in every hand we clasp in peace, in every cup of coffee poured and every food bag packed. We share the good news of Jesus Christ in our words and deeds and the Spirit leads us boldly into the future.
How will you invest in the story, the calling, and the ministry we share together?
In Christ,
Pastor Melissa

3. Page 3 The Zion News November 2016
From the Deacon’s Desk,
As a child, I can remember climbing up on to my parents’ bed evenings in December and my brother, Neil, and I would take turns each night opening the little paper flaps on the  family’s Advent Calendar. Then we would read the devotion inside the little slot and talk about the Bible verse for the night. I remember that some years there was candy in the Advent Calendar, and some years a picture emerged with each “window” that you opened. The tradition of an Advent Calendar has always been incredibly meaningful to me and an important part of my own faith formation.  
This year I would like to challenge the Zion Congregation to do Reverse Advent Calendars. The concept of a Reverse Advent Calendar, is that rather taking something each day (a piece of candy, small toy, etc) you contribute something each day in the count down to Christmas.
Here is how it works:
~As a household  (or each person can do their own) decide which organization you would like to contribute too.   Zion will be collecting for The Human Society, Jeremiah’s Place and the Zion Food Pantry. You may choose any other organization you like, but are responsible for the delivery of the items.
~Pick a container:  A box or basket that will hold the items you will be collecting is all that you need.  Two wine boxes or beer case boxes work great to give you 24 divides slots. But what ever type of container that works for you, works. You may wish to decorate the outside to make it more festive for your family.
~Each day when your family gathers to add an item to your box discuss why that item is important for the organization who will receive it.
~Between Christmas Day, December 25 and Sunday January 15th bring your collected items to Zion.  
Here is a list of items to collect in your Reverse Advent Calendar by organization:
Zion’s Food Pantry Human Society
Dried Herbs i.e. Basil, Thyme, Rosemary, Oregano Small Pet Toys Cans of Pet Food
Spices i.e,  Salt, Pepper,  Cinnamon, Nutmeg Chew Toys Collars and Leashes
Baking Extracts i.e Vanilla, Almond, Lemon Bleach Dish Soap
Paper Towels Sponges
Zip Lock Bags
You may also choose collect small amounts of money and then purchase a larger item such as a dog bed, blankets,  or cage scratchers. For a complete list please visit
Jeremiah’s Place
Single serve children’s snacks  Paper towels Clorox wipes Single service sizes of fruit
Diaper Wipes Diaper Cream Children’s books
Single Serving Cereal Blankets Clothing for children under the age of 6
Heat and eat children’s meals: i.e. Easy mac’n’cheese
Your family may also decide that they would like to make a monetary contribution to the organization instead of collecting goods.
Blessings,
Deacon Amy

4. Page 4 The Zion News November 2016
Racism
accessed 9/18/16) Abusive behavior can be physical, verbal, sexual, emotional, financial or spiritual. It can also involve a wide range of threats including loss of child custody, false accusations of crime, deportation and more.
Youth Getting to the Heart of Racism
The Rev. Jennifer McCurry, Member of the Synod Ecumenical Affairs Committee
The Rev. Erin Evans, Chair of the Synod Youth Committee
On October 9, our monthly Sunday Night Live youth event became sacred space for ecumenical partnership, wrestling with issues that face Christians and congregations everywhere. Our Synod’s middle and high school youth gathered with youth from the Western Pennsylvania United Methodist Conference at St. John’s of Highland Lutheran Church. They and the adults who love them gathered as members of the body of Christ “getting to the heart of racism”.
If you are a victim of domestic violence or if you believe that someone you know is being abused and don’t know what to do, please call the Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh’s 24 hour hotline at (toll free TALK [8255]). Additional information is available in Zion’s Gathering Space.
New Heart Savers at Zion
Chris Hendershot and Gene Bisceglia shared their experience as EMTs during an informative CPR & AED training program in late September. Over 20 Zion members including 5 confirmands participated in the training to become new or re-certified Heart Savers.
Around 140 of us gathered to watch a video entitled “I’m not a Racist, Am I?” in which we watched a reality-style documentary produced by The Calhoun School. It showed a diverse group of teens from New York City who journeyed together to learn about and reflect upon their own racial identities, the spoken and unspoken biases present in our society, and the structural ways that racism impacts all of us in different ways. Two facilitators from the Calhoun School invited and guided a large group discussion afterward.
Congratulations and thank you to the following participants: Debbie Rall, Elona Synder, Shirley McClure, Robert Page, Brenda Wolfe, Lisa Rickus, Leyang Xu, Chris Dippold, Evelyn Ross, Cassie Short, Noelle and Natalie Armor, Frank and Carlie Mileto, Kathy Conrad, Neil Santoriello, Pat Houser, Cassie and Carl Hafftal, Sally Lazar, Jan Neleigh, and Carey Short. Special thanks to Chef Neil Santoriello for preparing lunch for all.
For viewers, the film raised big questions and explored the complexity of race and racism in the United States. The film’s primary value was as a beginning place for faithful conversations among Christians, as we consider who we are as humans made in God’s image, and as we grow in awareness of the sin and brokenness that pervades our society, which continues to marginalize, impoverish, and incarcerate people of color in disproportionate numbers.
It’s Not Too Late to Get Your Flu Shot
Twenty-four Food Pantry participants and Zion members received their flu shots in early October. We’d like to thank Rachele Dillen, RPh from Walgreens Pharmacy on Frankstown and Old Coal Hollow Roads for supporting this endeavor.
Although last year’s flu season was relatively mild, it’s important to remember that influenza can lead to complications-particularly among the young, elder and those with chronic conditions. Please stop by a local pharmacy or your physician’s office to get your vaccine. See the Gathering Space for the location of other Free Flu Shot Clinics.
The Methodist-Lutheran planning team is considering whether our youth might join together to wrestle with these questions in future ecumenical events. In the meantime, middle and high school youth are invited to our Synod’s Sunday Night Live events on the second Sunday of each month of the school year where they can be fed spiritually and physically, while growing in faith through activities, fellowship, worship, and more.
Not Just for Children
Although infants and children need numerous immunizations, specific vaccines are also recommended for teens, adults and seniors. Are your immunizations up to date? Several resources are available for you and your family in the Health Kiosk. The resources cover Tips for a Less Stressful Shot Visit, immunizations from birth through 6 years; children 7-18; and adults.
FYI, Pastor Melissa is hosting racism discussion here at Zion for Pastors and Deacons on Nov. 17.
Health Ministry
Do You Know Someone Being Abused?
While it can be easy to think that domestic violence doesn’t happen to anyone that we know, the statistics on domestic violence are staggering and point to a very different reality in 3 women will become victims of domestic violence in their lifetime; 1 in 3 teenage girls be physically assaulted by a boyfriend; and intimate partner violence is the leading predictor of child abuse. (Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh
The handout Recommended Immunizations for Adults: By Health Condition (see back of Information for Adult Patients) lists current recommendations for pregnant women, individuals with weakened immune systems and conditions such as diabetes, and chronic conditions involving the heart, kidneys, lungs and liver. If you have any of those conditions, please take one of the handouts and talk to your doctor.

5. An Old Practice Made New
Page 5 The Zion News November 2016
Jim Crow
An Old Practice Made New
What does Jim Crow mean anyway? It is a pejorative term aimed at black people that was coined by a blackface minstrel in the 1830s. lt became widely used by the 1880s to describe actions and regulations put in place to restrict the rights of recently freed slaves. These regulations were enacted not only in the south but throughout much of the United States.
While Jim Crow statutes were officially outlawed with the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the regulations have been slow to die. While the laws have been effectively eliminated, they have been transformed by modern practices that are just as damaging to the black and Latino populations.
That damage is accomplished in the following ways:
1. Racial Gerrymandering - Districts have been reconfigured, primarily by Republican bodies, to diminish the impact that minority voters can have on the racial composition of the state and national congresses. In the last midterm elections, Democrats outnumbered Republicans by almost 1.4 million votes for the House of Reps but Republicans retained control of the House by 33 votes. In North Carolina, Republicans make up only 30% of the electorate yet hold 11 of the state's 13 seats. A similar situation exists in South Carolina. In both states, black voters are packed in artificially drawn districts to diminish the impact of black votes.
2. Mass Incarceration - Imprisoning a large number of black and brown people in disproportionate numbers has led to large numbers of these people losing their right to vote. There are more black people disenfranchised due to having been imprisoned today than there were slaves in While blacks and whites are arrested and convicted of drug offenses at about the same rates, blacks are fives times more likely to be imprisoned meaning that they lose their right to vote when released. Three quarters of those imprisoned for drug use are black or Latino even though the majority of dealers and users are white.
3. Voter Restrictions - Twenty one states have instituted new voting restrictions since While touted as preventing voter fraud, these measures are actually aimed at making in more difficult for the elderly, the poor, and minorities to vote. While voter fraud has been proven to be a myth universally the real "crime" here is that many voters, (usually black, brown or elderly) are deprived of their constitutional right to vote. A judge ruled that North Carolina restrictions were almost "surgical" in the precision with which they excluded black voters.
4. Immigration Reform - Potential immigrants, mostly Hispanic and black, have been operating in limbo as members of congress kick this issue around or use it for political purposes. Almost 5 years ago, a bipartisan Congress had worked out a framework for immigration reform when the Speaker of the House tabled the measure due to complaints by far right legislators effectively blocking the measure. The 11 million immigrants who have lived in this country for years, decades and generations have been deprived of the opportunity to participate in the political process,
5. White Nationalism - There has been a large scale effort to legitimize white nationalism which promotes large scale mass deportations and incarceration and other "law and order" strategies actually aimed at reversing the demographic changes occurring in this country. This election year has seen unmatched appeals to bigotry, xenophobia and racism.
How do we fight Jim Crow?
Christians must resist the bigoted rhetoric that drives most of these practices aimed at denying the rights of our brothers and sisters. To that end:
1. Racial gerrymandering must be eliminated and rejected.
2. Keep pressuring our legislators for comprehensive immigration reform.
3. Fight the racially disproportionate imprisoning of our citizens.
4. Protect the rights of the "least of these" our citizens to vote and conduct other rights of citizenship.
Based on an article in Sojourner's November magazine.
Michael Pope

6. Consider Making a Tax-Free Gift to Zion’s Mission Endowment Fund
Page 6 The Zion News November 2016
Thanksgiving
A maximum of $100,000 per year per taxpayer may be distributed to qualified charitable organizations.
Community meals are not only about feeding hungry bellies, they are also about feeding the lonely heart!
Couples with separate IRAs can each gift up to $100,000 per year.
Last year, we, as a community of faith hosted 60  people for Thanksgiving. 60 people who would not normally come together, broke bread, and gave thanks to God for His blessing, We were blessed to be a blessing, Those who gathered were  members of our congregation, our neighbors, and our local emergency personal; all people seeking community and communion.
Distributions from your IRA’s plan must be made payable directly to the charity.
Distributions to charity may be applied to satisfy required minimum distribution (RMD).
Receipt from the charity is required for a donor to substantiate a charitable IRA distribution.
It is again time to plan for this vibrant community ministry, please consider giving of your time, talent and treasure and join us for a fantastic dinner.
Donors may not receive any personal benefit in exchange for the distribution.
Opportunity is for IRAs only; it does not apply to other forms of retirement plans such as 401(k), 403(b).
I will…
___help set up the evening of Tuesday, Nov 22
Because no income is reported on the donor's tax return, donors do not receive a charitable income tax deduction for the distribution.
___help set up the evening of Wednesday, Nov 23
___help set up on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov 24, 12- 2
___serve dinner on Thanksgiving from 2-5
Donors must act before December 31, 2016, to count for the 2016 tax year.
___help with clean up on Thanksgiving from 6-8
___help with clean up on Saturday morning
WELCA News
___bring a dessert of ____________________
Our next Circle Meeting will be on Tuesday, November 8, at 10:00 a.m. in the Gathering Space where we will continue our video series on "Women of the Bible".  All women of the church are invited. 
___be a guest with a party of _________ for dinner
___ monetary donation to off set the cost of the meal
Name:
Phone:
We are extending our plea for donations to our Designated Outreach, Jeremiah's Place where young children ages 0 to 6 years can find a safe and loving environment in times of family crisis.
*Please see Deacon Amy or Neil Santoriello if you have any questions.*
Consider Making a Tax-Free Gift
Suggested items:  Small cans of fruits or vegetables, infant formula, baby wipes, baby food, crackers, single-serve cereal, dish detergent, paper towels, tissues, Clorox wipes, etc.  Items can be brought to the church office the Sunday before our next meeting, November 6.  
to Zion’s Mission Endowment Fund
The Pension Protection Act of 2006 allows donors age 70 ½ or older to make charitable gifts from their IRA accounts without incurring income tax on the withdrawal. These charitable gifts would be a great way to satisfy your annual Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) while making a gift to one or more 501(c)(3) charities. While you cannot claim a charitable deduction for IRA gifts, you will not pay income tax on the amount.
Our December meeting will be lunch at Longwood at Oakmont on Thursday, December 15. Please let Jane Reimers ( ) know if you would like to join us.  
Our Christmas Cookie Ministry for Shut-ins will be on Sunday, December 18.  All donations of cookies are most welcome!
Please consider Zion’s Mission Endowment Fund as the recipient of such a gift. Gifts can be designated in honor or memory of loved ones. Distributions from your IRA plan must be made payable directly to Zion Lutheran Church with Zion Mission Endowment Fund on the memo line. This legacy gift will never be spent—only the interest can be spent once the Fund reaches a balance of $100,000. That interest will then be distributed among the three following areas:
Clothing Collection
Fall is finally here! Anyone cleaning out their closets?  Getting rid of clothes that don’t really fit anymore?  What about clothes that just don’t go with anything else?What haven’t you worn in the last year? This is such a great time to do this. If you have any gently worn clothes for men, women, or kids, please give them to Donna Federoff  She is collecting for the Marianna Outreach, in Marianna, Green County.  This rural community is quite poor.   The outreach collects what they can get, then gives the donations to people of the area.  Please get them to Donna Federoff by Nov 13th.  Anything will be appreciated.
ELCA church wide ministries and/or the Southwestern Pennsylvania Lutheran Mission Endowment
Zion’s outreach ministries
Zion’s capital improvements, major maintenance, and/or other ministry initiatives within this congregation
Details of the tax law provision:
Donors must be age 70½ or older on the date of the distribution.

7. OREMUS Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer. Happy Birthday!
Page 7 The Zion News November 2016
OREMUS
Lord, in your mercy:
Hospital:  Hank Schneider (Masonic Village, Sewickley)
Prayers Requested For:  Annette Felmley in Myanmar, Phyllis Gongaware, Connie Stumpf, Elsie Weil, Matt Englander (brother-in-law of Pastor Melissa), Dorothy DeLuca (sister of Ann Morris and Evelyn Ross), Claudia McLaughlin (neighbor of Shirley McClure), Mary Thoma, Donna Opalinski, Prayers for Tom Felmley and all those who serve in Disaster Relief, Theodore Stolp, Jr. (son of Hilda Stolp), Jeanne & Amy Harris (friends of Diane Santoriello),  Mary Capobianco (friend of Sandra Short), Jim Rectanus (brother-in-law of Jim Thomas), Samara Davis (sister of Diane Santoriello), Amaya Grace McKee (daughter of Jeffrey & Angelica), Mary Lou Fleck (sister of Jean Pletcher), Doris Thoma (daughter-in-law of Mary Thoma), Dellen Ware (friend of Rachel Dolney), David Lurgburg (friend of Jeannie Meyer), Sue Carothers (friend of Kathy Conrad), Chris Vuocolo (nephew of Mary Lou D’Ambrosio), Diane Watson & Aileen Keyes (friends of Diane Santoriello), Gerry Goga (friend of Diane Santoriello), Bob Scott, Don Alcorn (cousin of Chuck & Madelyn Snyder), Donna Spinazzola (friend of Sallie Lazar), Nancy Bosack (friend of Ann Morris),  Anthony Checchio (friend of Chris Hermann),  Rob Kozak (father-in-law of Katie Kozak),  Roy Nicolette (grandfather of Katie Kozak), Dan Pizzica (friend of Michael & Rhonda Pope), Laura Seroky (mother of Jim Seroky), John Mainarich (son-in-law of Pat Pope), Bernice Cummings (friend of Michael Pope), Lorene Davey (friend of Diane & Neil Santoriello), David Felmley, Maryann Ruffing (friend of Debbie Marks), Tom Santucci (friend of Tonie Cook), Gail Strozier (sister of Sandra Short), and for the family of Bill Doyle (friend of Amy Seroky).
hear our prayer.
Happy Birthday!
11/4 Michelle Cafaro
11/21 Fred Ross
11/6 Jason Mileto
11/22 Sarah Waldsmith
11/8 Joyce Rodella
11/23 Carlie Mileto
Gregory Hendershot
11/24 Martha Pollock
11/12 Susan Baumann
11/27 Virginia Lersch
11/13 Kay Clydesdale
11/28 Linda Mitnik
Ava Miller
Breanna Smith
11/14 Terry Tague
11/29 Kristen Evans
11/20 Bob Welsh
11/30 Rhonda Pope
Tim Stumpf
Happy Anniversary!
11/17/1956 Connie & Al Stumpf
11/20/1999 Megan & Bob Houghtelin
11/17/2007 Christine & Bob Clydesdale, Jr.
The deadline for the next issue of The Zion News will be Sunday, November 20.
The following deadline will be Sunday, December 18.
Please submit anything by the above date and time
 Please include name and phone number with all submissions.

8. All Sunday services are at 9:30 a.m.
Worship Assistants
All Sunday services are at 9:30 a.m.
Service
Worship
Sunday, November 6, 2016 – All Saints Sunday
Acolytes Carlie Mileto, Cassie Short, Frank Mileto
Altar Guild Lori & Breanna Smith
Bread Mary Lou D’Ambrosio
Communion Assistants Pat Pope, Sue Clydesdale
Communion Presenters Jane Bigenho, Tim Stumpf
Greeters Ed & Jan Barnett
Ushers Tim Stumpf, Brooke Davis, Bill Weil, Cassie Short
Offering Counters Tony Lamorte, Chris Dippold
_____________________________________________________________________
Sunday, November 13, 2016 – Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Acolytes Debbie Rall, Noah Houghtelin
Altar Guild Pat & Bill Hauser
Bread Brenda Wolfe
Communion Assistants Jan Neleigh, Brenda Wolfe
Communion Presenters Mary Lou D’Ambrosio, Brenda Wolfe
Greeters Paul & Claudia Agnew
Ushers Bob Stiffler, Mel Jones, Donna Federoff, Jim Seroky
Offering Counters Jenny Fabrizi, Don Fabel
______________________________________________________________________
Sunday, November 20, 2016 – Christ the King
Acolytes Kyra Short, Kaitlyn Hermann, Carlie Mileto
Bread Kay Clydesdale
Communion Assistants Kathy Conrad, Paul Agnew
Communion Presenters Shirley McClure, Paul Feathers
Greeters Les & Bev Vidmar
Ushers Tony Lamorte, Cassie Short, Fred Ross, Bill Weil
Offering Counters Mary Lou D’Ambrosio, Don Cook
________________________________________________________________________
Sunday, November 27, 2016 – First Sunday of Advent
Acolytes Cassie Short, Noah Houghtelin
Altar Guild Lisa Rickus, Brenda Wolfe
Bread Elouise Brooky
Communion Assistants Don Fabel, Jean Betker
Communion Presenters Kay Clydesdale, Sue Clydesdale
Greeters Jan Neleigh, Michelle Cafaro
Ushers Amy Seroky, Jim Seroky, Brooke Davis, Bob Stiffler
Offering Counters Sue Clydesdale, Doris Meyers