Newsletters

HOLY WEEK & EASTER 2026 NEWSLETTER

SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL UPDATE

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. - John 14: 18, 25-27

Jesus spoke these words of comfort to His disciples at the last supper. Fast forward to today, we who follow Jesus know that He kept His promise. As the Resurrected Lord He came through locked doors to bring His peace to the fearful disciples (John 20:18-30). After He ascended to the Father, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples. By the Holy Spirit’s power, even those who denied and doubted Him believed and shared the Good News of Jesus to the world, that we, too, may have Life in His Name.

That evening, however, when the Master washed their feet, the disciples could not see the end of the story. Jesus is inviting them to trust in Him; promising that He will not abandon them, even when it may seem that way for a time. Perhaps, looking back over our own stories, we remember times of confusion and fear as something changes the world as we have known it up until that point. A time when we, like the disciples, cannot see the end of the story.

Reviewing times of great change in our lives, we see the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. It can be a joyful occasion after which nothing remains the same, such as marriage or the birth of a child. It may be a time of devastating loss due to the illness or death of a loved one. But it’s not the End of The Story. As Christians, we understand that time to be when our Savior returns to make all things new. Until then, by the power of the Holy Spirit, Christ’s Presence and Peace are always with us. Christ said, “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

In the Lenten newsletter, the Zion community was invited to pray for the leadership as they continue prayerful conversations discerning the future of the congregation. Through the generosity of faithful men and women who have gone before us, Zion currently (but not forever) has funds to continue ministry in this location.

However, as the congregation continues to age and decrease in number, we are struggling to maintain basic operations and the upkeep of the building. As an example, the most recent death of our brother in Christ, Mike, has seriously impacted several essential functions of the congregation. Mike was vice-president of council, an assisting minister, a vital member of the finance committee, a registered check signer, a key and code holder who worked on security in the building, and an assistant to his wife, Judy, with showcases and altar guild duties. In the areas where we have been able to place a different member in one of Mike’s roles, that member, like Mike, is already serving in several other capacities.

At a time when a very small group of staff and volunteers are overwhelmed by the day-to-day tasks involved in oversight at Zion, we face increased challenges such as parking and safety issues in the neighborhood. There is the added responsibility of honoring Zion’s historical legacy and property located in the state capital. We are also called to be faithful stewards of the assets handed down to us for mission and ministry in this place.

Recognizing that any major transition will require time to be executed well, please know that in the short-term, the ministries of Sunday and Wednesday services, Sunday School, fellowship and pastoral care continue. Long-term, even if the discernment leads to the planned dissolution of the congregation of Zion, there is much hope for a fruitful Christian legacy in and from Zion’s building. Another congregation or outreach ministry may make its home here.
Zion’s assets could support this new mission.

The Holy Spirit has truly blessed the congregational council with times of heartfelt sharing and compassionate listening as leaders have engaged in prayerful conversation. We invite the entire Zion community to join us in prayer and discussion. We strongly encourage individuals and groups to be in conversation with the pastor and council members in this period of discernment. We recognize that these conversations are very challenging and that we may experience strong emotions. We trust that God will bless us and strengthen us as we journey together through these Holy Conversations, trusting that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

In the Peace of Christ,
Pastor Karin Pejack

Holy Week & Easter 2026 Newsletter (PDF)

Previous Newsletters:

2026
Lenten-Holy Week 2026 Newsletter (PDF)

2025
November-December 2025 Newsletter (PDF)
September-October 2025 Newsletter (PDF)
August 2025 Newsletter (PDF)
May-June 2025 Newsletter (PDF)
March - April 2025 Newsletter (PDF)
December 2024-January 2025 Newsletter (PDF)

2024
September-November 2024 Newsletter (PDF)
July-August 2024 Newsletter (PDF)
May-June 2024 Newsletter (PDF)
February-April 2024 Newsletter (PDF)

2023
Winter 2023 Newsletter (PDF)
Fall 2023 Newsletter (PDF)
May-August 2023 Newsletter (PDF)
February-April 2023 Newsletter (PDF)

2022
November/December 2022/January 2023 Newsletter (PDF)
September/October 2022 Newsletter (PDF)
May/June/July 2022 Newsletter (PDF)
March/April 2022 Newsletter (PDF)
February 2022 Newsletter (PDF)

2021
December 2021/January 2022 Newsletter (PDF)
October/November 2021 Newsletter (PDF)
September/October 2021 Newsletter (PDF)
June/July/August 2021 Newsletter (PDF)
May 2021 Newsletter (PDF)
February/March 2021 Newsletter (PDF)
December 2020/January/February 2021 Newsletter (PDF)

2020