Page 4 of The Zion News

At the annual meeting in January, I gave the financial report for the Endowment Fund which showed we had approximately $50,000 in assets. While the value of the fund should gradually increase due to increased market valuation, the Fund could go up or down on an annual basis based upon the economy. However, based upon the by-laws, the Fund must reach $100,000 before distributions toward the ministry of Zion can be made. We need an additional $50,000 to meet that goal.

I gave a challenge to the congregation for 50 FROM 100 – this was not a subtraction, but a multiplication. It meant a contribution of at least $50 from 100 parishioners. The

Endowment Fund was established in 1992, 18 years ago, and it still has only $50,000 of assets. It might take another 10 years to grow to $100,000.

My purpose in promoting this challenge to the congregation is twofold:

1. To help the congregation take "ownership" of this valuable financial tool to enhance Zion’s ministries by having more people get involved.

2. To speed up the accumulation process whereby the second $50,000 would be obtained in a very short time.

1. By June 30^th thirteen gifts have been given to the Endowment Fund. This is approximately 1000% more than the annual participation rate in the preceding eight years that I have worked on this project.

2. Of the thirteen gifts, ten were for $50 or more.

3. Of the ten gifts, two were for $1000 each.

4. The total contribution through June 30^th is $2,560.

This is a remarkable accomplishment and we still have 6 months to obtain 50 from 100.

We are in the middle of our summer but the women of Zion are hard at work making quilts. When I was at the Convention/Retreat this June there was a speaker from Camp Knutson. I know there is a camp by that name because the quilters send quilts there for an auction every August. Here is their story:

Camp Knutson began in 1953 when Minnesota congressman Harold Knutson donated 30 acres on a beautiful point of land with shoreline access on Trout and Whitefish lakes near Crosslake, Minnesota. His dream was to provide a summer retreat for neglected, unfortunate, deprived and handicapped children. The service to special - needs children continues to grow as they welcome new groups and anticipate their sixth year of year -round service.

A quilt auction is held annually to raise money for the camp. It is co-sponsored by Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota and Paul Bunyan Regional Auxiliary, an ecumenical group of women in the central Minnesota area. This will be their 23^rd annual quilt auction. If anyone is interested the auction is on August 14^th with a viewing of the quilts from 10:00 - 11:30am for silent auction and the live action starts at 12 noon.

Remember next month circles will be starting, watch for dates and places in the September newsletter.

Arlene Rittmiller,
Secretary

"God Moment"