Dear Friends,
Children are our future. They are fun. They can be challenging. Young people are our promise that new generations are waiting to fulfill the good things yet to come. Samuel Ullman tells us that youth is ‘Not a time of life, it is a state of mind. Harold Azine says that the age of youth is a fast gallop over a smooth track to the bright horizon. And one of my favorite quotes is from Franz Kafka who says that youth is ‘The ability to see beauty. Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.’  As a part of our make-up, we at Zion, founded by a teacher of youth who thought the church should always be in the education business, celebrate youth, love youth, guide and direct youth. In June we have a number of events related to the development and ministry with young people: Our Zion School will hold Graduation ceremonies on May 31, 2 separate celebrations because there as so many children in our program. Congratulations to them and to the loyal staff that is bringing another school year to a close. And a special thanks to our board members, all church members, who give of their valuable time to guide the program. Our annual summer extravaganza with youth, Vacation Bible School is scheduled for June 18 – 22 under the able direction of Shawn Rogers, our Director of Christian Education. The theme this year is ‘Splash Canyon’ that pictures us rafting down a raging canyon river, which should insure a lot of cool water talk on hot days. The Bible stories are about water: the Mediterranean, the Red Sea and the Jordan River. In late June we will be sending off a group of 8 Zion members to the ELCA Youth Gathering in Houston, Texas, to join another 20,000 or so Lutherans. There they will celebrate God, youth and service. For some this can be a life altering experience. Please support them in any way you can. This time of year we will have a number of school graduations that include our church members. From high schools, colleges and junior colleges our young people will take the next step in their adventure in life. Let’s pray for them that their next step will be successful and blessed. Children are our future. They are fun. They can be challenging. Young people are our promise that new generations are waiting to fulfill the good things yet to come. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” (Matthew 19: 14) We have received them and we send them out into the world as witnesses to God’s love.

Your companion in Ministry,
Pastor Paul