Zion Celebrates 150 Years
December 19, 1852

It's hard to believe but Zion's 150th anniversary has come to an end, but it certainly will not be forgotten for a long time! Over the last 12 months we have done quite a bit to celebrate it. We have fed the hungry at Food For Friends, sold anniversary logo shirts, saw the Mustard Seed Dance Company, held a variety show, welcomed past Sons & Daughters of the ministry who led us in worship, attended a Bibliodrama, saw South Pacific, had a Strawberry Festival and a bowling party, enjoyed square dancing, had a picnic and an Octoberfest, held a Turkey luncheon for Stewardship Sunday and had a birthday party.

Tuesday February 12th was one of our best events yet. We held a Fastnacht (the night before Lent starts) pancake supper and variety show that featured Zion's very own talent. It began with Zion's confirmands who made scrumptious pancakes and sausages for dinner. Then we had singers, dancers, actors and musicians of all ages perform for us. It was great to see so many participants, in fact there were thirteen acts from the theatrical to the patriotic to the down right silly.

The program opened with Zion's Chancel choir singing "We Are Marching in the Light of God". Kathy Ward swooned over Harry McDowell as she sang "One of These Days". The Prayer and Praise group sang two inspirational hymns. Deanna Flanagan performed a beautiful ballet called "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes". Nancy Sillen sang "Mi chiamano Mimi" from Puccini's La Boheme and "Deh, Vieni Non Tardar" from Mozart's Marriage of Figaro and then did a duet "Across the Blue Mountains" written by Robin and Linda Williams with her husband, Richard. Pastor Whitlock as Peli the Pelican and Barbara Brown did a Stewardship skit called "A Whole City Free". Elizabeth, Amanda & Emily Picard did an emotional patriotic medley that brought the whole congregation to song. Next was a bouncy dance extravaganza performed by Cindy Brenner, Chelsea Gower, Michelle Jones and Carley Lesinski. Ben Hohman showed us his talent by doing a few violin solos including "Somewhere over the Rainbow". Zion's Noiz group did two acts, a guitar rendition of the hymn "Seek ye first" by Gloria Leustek and Lisa Hallman followed by a silly little ditty called "Three Jolly Fishermen" complete with props. And the final act was Pastor Whitlock, complete with feather boa, singing "Turn Back O Man" from Godspell!

It was great to see so many talented participants. Congratulations to all on a job well done! Special thanks to emcee Linda Cenci and to our piano player Dr. Brian Dallow.

The season of Lent gave us the honor of having Zion's own Son's & Daughters of the ministry and past Pastors lead worship and preach at various services throughout February and March. It was wonderful to have them in our midst once again and to hear their inspirational messages of remembering our past, celebrating the present and of having hope for future for another 150 years. Those who joined us were the Reverends Thomas Donahue, Michael Linderman, Dr. Harry W. McDowell II, David Jost, Beate Storck and Richard Mintel.

Saturday April 20th was the Bibliodrama. Although it was a small crowd, we had a great time. Led by Pastor Whitlock we started with a few ice breakers, we wound up drawing pictures with crayons of a word from a bible passage. Then we were all given parts and actually acted out the whole reading. It put you into the story and made you part of the action. It's bible study in a different way. But it was sure fun. And by the way, lunch, served by Noiz, was good, too!

Sunday May 19th was the production of South Pacific at the Cranford Dramatic Club! Adapted from two short stories by James Michener, South Pacific chronicles two love affairs. The first involves Lt. Joe Cable, and a young Polynesian girl. The second revolves around Nellie Forbush, a Navy nurse from Little Rock, and Emile de Becque, a French planter with whom she falls in love one enchanted evening. Rodgers and Hammerstein tied the two stories together by having Cable and de Becque go on a dangerous mission behind Japanese lines from which only one of them returns. Directed by Shayne Austin Miller, the cast and crew did a wonderful job with this production. It was a very well attended day and it was nice to see so many friends and neighbors of Zion. The anniversary committee would also like to recognize and thank the Noiz group for their wonderful intermission refreshments.

On Saturday and Sunday June 8th & 9th we held a Strawberry Festival following each service to celebrate our anniversary. There was a nice crowd on both days as everyone enjoyed delicious homemade Strawberry shortcakes complete with whipped cream. Coffee, tea, iced tea and juice were also available. The event was sponsored by the 150th Anniversary Committee, hosted by the Youth and Family Ministry Task Force and table decorations were provided by Ann Titone. Also thanks to Linda Cenci. Truly a job well-done.

Our July event on Saturday the 27th was bowling at Woodbridge Lanes sponsored by Hand-in-Hand. It was the team of Kip & Vivian Palmer with Jade and Shay and Debra Flanagan with Deanna and Matthew vs. the team of Christina Sawler, Pat Sawler and Pastor Whitlock. The Palmer/Flanagan team won two games to zero. But congrats to Pat Sawler who got the high game of 177!

On August 3rd our event was square dancing. Thanks to Herman Renkevens and his square dancing group Y Squares, we all had a great time. Although it was a very hot evening everyone enjoyed themselves as we did square dancing and even line dancing. Caller Wayne Applegate did a terrific job of "walking: us through the basic steps and made it so easy. We even got to see the professionals dance. They were very impressive. And Herman looked spiffy in his country outfit. Also a special thanks to Prayer & Praise for serving the cool refreshments.

Saturday, September 7th was Zion's annual picnic. It was a picture perfect day and there as a wonderful turnout. Everyone enjoyed hot food off the grill and helped themselves to wonderful homemade food and goodies. The kids enjoyed water balloon fights, ice cream and watermelon. Following the picnic, the worship service was held outside in Pastor's backyard. The day was a success and enjoyed by all that attended.

Sunday October 13th was our Octoberfest. Held at the festive Deutscher Club in Clark, many members and guests enjoyed traditional German food such as Sauerbraten, Spaetzel and Apple Strudel and danced to the melodious sounds of Ed James of the G-Men Polka Band. Emcee Christine Healey and Pastor Whitlock lead a brisk game of Zion Trivia while Jeffrey Mayer handed out the prizes. We also celebrated the 80th birthday of Ann Logoda's sister, Margaret.

 

Sunday November 24th was Stewardship Sunday, followed by a Turkey Dinner. We began the afternoon with presentation by the Stewardship Committee entitled "A Stewardship Carol" co-written & directed by our own Pastor Whitlock. Based on the Dickens novel, "A Christmas Carol" we saw Scrooge being visited by the Angel of Stewardship Past, the Angel of Stewardship Present, and the Angel of Stewardship Future. In the end, even Scrooge makes his estimate of giving to the Mission of Zion! After the play, over 90 members enjoyed a delicious turkey dinner with all the fixins. What a wonderful afternoon it was. Many thanks to all who slaved over the hot ovens to bring us such a bountiful feast. After 150 years of ministry, we truly have a lot to be thankful for.

 

Sunday December 15th was our grand finale birthday party. We were blessed with a visit from Bishop Riley. In his sermon, the Bishop reminded us just how long ago 150 years was -- before the Civil War, before electric lights, before telephones. The Bishop then went on to point out that during Zion's 150 years, our nation has been at war 8 times. Left to our own devices, human beings seem to do war better than peace. The Bishop challenged us to think of the Church's role as building Peace.

In addition, we were visited by Union County Freeholders Chester Holmes and Rick Proctor, Rahway Councilmen Jerry Scaturo and Sal Mione, and William Motley of Linden, representing Senator Joseph Suliga, all of whom read proclamations acknowledging Zion's anniversary and our many years of service to the community. We also received a proclamation in the mail from New Jersey Governor James E. McGreevey and a letter from President George Bush. Senator John Corzine phoned in his congratulations. We concluded with a birthday party in the social hall, complete with cake and presents. We played "Name That Hymn" and "Zion Trivia". Congratulations to the winners. And we finished up by distributing the anniversary ornaments.

As we look back on the past year we reminisce on all that we did, and it was a very busy year. But we also look forward to many more years and many more anniversaries to come. Many, many thanks to the committee and to all those that helped throughout the year. Zion's only just begun!

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