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The Gardner

By Vicar Lisa Rygiel

Our upcoming gospel reading for Sunday is from Luke 13:1-9. Mihee Kim-Kort, a Presbyterian minister and author of Outside the Lines: How Embracing Queerness Will Transform Your Faith, related to the parable about the gardener begging for another year to nurse his fig tree to productive status. Below is what she wrote:

During the pandemic, rather than follow the trend of sourdough bread-making, I bought plants.

I was drawn to all types of plants and all manner of pots to house them. Every time I went to Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s I picked up a plant, gathering and collecting them like little orphaned kittens, cooing at them and promising a home full of sunlight and healthy soil. Soon our counter and shelves overflowed with them. I did my best to pay attention to each individual plant and its unique needs, even downloading a plant app that would allow me to take photos so I could understand any ailments.

However, I often forgot to water some plants and overwatered others. At least two of them looked like they had some kind of fungus in the soil or discolored leaves, not to mention becoming prey to our cats, who like to chew on their stems. There is one in particular whose leaves are completely limp, and no matter how much window or water I offer it, nothing seems to work.

The logical thing would be to toss out the ones that look like they’re not going to make it. But I can’t.

The servant in Jesus’ parable of the fig tree understands me: “Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it.” The servant believes that if he moves the dirt around, enriches it with fertilizer, and pays more attention to it, then something might happen.

In other words, let me keep trying. Not for the sake of my ego, but for the sake of living. Because, yes, it’s a small thing, and perhaps a stretch—but I know what it means when people don’t give up on me.

And this is where I experience persistent welcome and acceptance the most: in the simple presence of dirt. Barbara Brown Taylor knows and writes about this in her memoir Leaving Church:

“To lie with my back flat on the fragrant ground is to receive a transfusion of the same power that makes the green blade rise. To remember that I am dirt and to dirt I shall return is to be given my life back again, if only for one present moment at a time. Where other people see acreage, timber, soil, and river frontage, I see God’s body, or at least as much of it as I am able to see. In the only wisdom I have at my disposal, the Creator does not live apart from creation but spans and suffuses it.”

And how fitting in the season of Lent to remember that I am dirt and ashes but also beloved.

Council Meeting Minutes

Zion’s Lutheran Church

Council Meeting Minutes

March 9, 2025

The regular meeting of the Zion’s Lutheran Church Council was brought to order at 11:30 a.m. by Mike McNeil.

Present: Mike McNeil, Mary McKenna, Mark Moss, Julie Wersal, Cherie Holder, Vicar Lisa Rygiel, Terri Watson

Absent: Julie Morris, Kathy Broman, Norine Hazen

No visitors in attendance today

Vicar Lisa Rygiel gave the invocation

Reports:

Secretary report -- The report of Feb. 9, 2025, was reviewed. Julie moved and Terri seconded the motion to accept the report as written. Unanimously approved. The special meeting report held Feb. 16 to discuss signatory's changes was reviewed. Motion to approve was made by Julie and Mark seconded the motion to approve as written. Motion was approved unanimously.

Treasurer report -- Reviewed last month Actual vs. Budget data correction and transfers into our account. Bills noted include Apex Twin Environmental and utilities. Change in frequencies of trash pickup to every other week instead of weekly will lessen cost. Utilities increases discussion included Sanctuary repair needs. The motion to approve changes, all bill payments and the report as written was made by Mark and seconded by Terri. Motion was approved unanimously.

Financial Secretary report -- Refer to the attached reports. Gary Cole special offering reviewed. Discussed transparency needs for all ministries at Zions to evolve processes and procedures, the need to audit gift card status and security, establish monthly menus as well as newest changes in setup and deliveries. The motion to approve the report made by Cheri and seconded by Terri. The motion was unanimously approved.

Trust Fund Officer report -- Reviewed including self-directed and money market reports. Reviewed transfers from the trust fund to the general account. Mark made the motion council appoint Terri Watson, Cheri Holder and Richard Stewart to the Board of Trustees of Zion’s Lutheran Church. Fund is currently managed by Charles Schwab. Motion to accept new board of trustees, report of transfers and changes made by Mark and seconded by Mary. The motion was unanimously approved.

Vicar’s Report -- Report reviewed by council. Questions regarding sending out sermons electronically so absent members have access was taken into advisement by the Vicar. Discussion of First Call retreat and its benefit, need to review and update wedding and kitchen policies for accuracy and any needs. Next ministerial alliance meeting this Friday at Tequilas.

Old Business

Audit committee is set, lists of committee chairs needed. Schedule for the counting of offering reviewed. Board of Trustees/FNB signatures reviewed again – refer to the Trust Fund Officer report.

New Business

Call process was discussed. Recommended communication to the Synod to ensure we are following all procedures such as congregation question and answer session, TEEM guidelines, transition manual, etc. (TEEM=Theological Education for Emerging Ministries) Mike will follow up.

Mary presented, for future consideration, a possible MOU (memorandum of understanding) with Holy Trinity Academy. This would only be utilized if there is a need to evacuate the entire school to another location, in the event of an emergency. Mary will provide information at the next meeting to answer questions and review a mockup of an MOU.

Next council meeting: April 6 at 11:30 a.m.

Submitted by Mary McKenna, Secretary

March 23 -- 10 a.m. Sunday Worship with Communion

Announcements

Flowers: During the six Sundays of Lent, simplicity is the order of the day. During Lent we use only green foliage to reflect the Lenten season of austerity and simple reflection.

  • Fellowship Time: Join us after worship in the Fellowship Hall for coffee and conversation. All are welcome.
  • Usher Training: Have you thought about being an usher and wondered what was required or are you currently serving as an usher and wonder if you are doing it “right”? Join us for Usher Training Sunday immediately after service in the sanctuary.
  • Sunday Study: Beginning at noon today, the Rev. Dr. Janet Everhart will lead a discussion of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s book, “Life Together”. The study will continue at noon on Sundays March 30, and April 6 and 13 in the Fellowship Hall. A soup lunch will accompany the study.
  • Children’s Choir: The Trinidad Music Association (TMA) children’s choir (ages 8-12) practice is at 3 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. To participate or to get more information, contact choir director Vinnie Gumlich at 719-680-0851 or email music.association@gmail.com.
  • Lenten Soup Suppers: Our Lenten Soup Suppers continue at 6 p.m. each Wednesday in Lent. Join us on Wednesday, March 19, in the Fellowship Hall for food, fellowship, and a brief Lenten study. Sign-up sheets to provide food (soup, bread, dessert) are in the Fellowship Hall.
  • Prayer List Updates: We are updating the prayer list on April 1, if you have corrections, additions, or other changes, please let Vicar Lisa or Jo Moss know. Realize that as we update the list, God knows of our prayers and concerns, and that we begin each prayer list with the reminder that we pray, “for those on our prayer list and those named in our hearts.”
  • Main Street Live: Many people from Zion’s support the Main Street Live theater as board members, cast and crew, hosts, and audience members. To learn more about what the theater has planned this year, pick up one of the brochures on the information table in the Fellowship Hall.

E-formation – Third Sunday of Lent, March 23

Luke 13:1-9

Luke, who wrote his gospel in perhaps 85 ce for an especially Gentile audience, dedicates chapters 9:51—19:28 to Jesus’ final journey to Jerusalem, the city which Luke sees as the starting point for the Christian mission. Pilate had slain some Jews while they were sacrificing in the temple, and Luke, a consummate narrator, uses this event to prefigure the sacrificial death of Jesus himself. Jesus’ words urging his followers to repentance and amendment of life fit well with Luke’s repeated emphasis on forgiveness. Fig trees, which required little rain, were prized for both sweet fruit and welcome shade. Luke has turned the narrative in Mark and Matthew of Jesus cursing the barren fig tree into a parable about God’s mercy.

Isaiah 55:1-9

In this sixth-century bce poem from Second Isaiah, the promise that the God of Israel made to the descendants of David has been universalized to apply to all nations. God, whose mercy is beyond understanding, welcomes everyone who repents to enjoy a feast of forgiveness. The return from exile signals a renewal of all of life.

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Written to the Christians in Corinth in about 54 ce, Paul’s letter answers specific questions that have arisen in the community about lifestyle and communal worship, and he urges the Corinthians to live in cooperative love for one another. In this passage, Paul offers a Christian interpretation of Israel’s history, which tended to view disasters as divine punishment for sin. Yet for Paul, God’s faithfulness gives comfort. Verse 4 refers to the Jewish legend that the rock that miraculously gave forth water followed the Israelites during their nomadic years, thus perpetually providing the people with water.

Zion's Lutheran Church

A Reconciling in Christ Community

zionsluth@gmail.com

719-846-7785