Celebrating 125 years
CLINTON, Iowa — The voices resonating from the altar of Zion Lutheran Church are not as rare as many may think, but they are no less strong and defining, coming from three women who lead the church.
“I look forward to a time when gender is not an issue,” said the Rev. Jennifer Henry, senior pastor. “This is the 20th anniversary of women being ordained in the (Lutheran) church.”
The three women — Henry, the Rev. Stacy Grau, who is the assistant pastor, and Ruth Blom, the associate in ministry for word and service, a lay professional — pride themselves on their communication and teamwork at the helm of the church.
“This is my first call. It’s a model of team ministry,” Grau said. “We are asked to work together, to encourage together.”
Lifelong member Carol Gruhn said the leadership change was not hard to embrace personally, but there were some wary members.
“It was more of a challenge for the congregation,” she said. “There were men that believed men should be pastors.”
Grau and Henry believe their leadership is a milestone in Zion’s history and a shining example of how the church is changing. Celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, the Clinton church looks forward to both reflecting on its tradition and embracing its evolution.
“Things are going really well, and the congregation is starting to catch some new vision and moving forward, which is really good to expand their horizons and move in new directions,” Blom said. “It’s been a lot of work, but it’s been good work.“
With five hymnals over the 125 years and now with its 15th and 16th head pastors, Zion’s changes have not pushed away any loyal members.
“I haven’t gone to another church because I’ve had no desire to go to another church,” said Marv Nissen, a lifelong member of 84 years. “This is home.”
Organized in February 1883, Zion’s background is rooted in its the German heritage. With help from the then-Wartburg Theological Seminary based in Mendota, Ill., Zion began taking shape and had in place by June 1883 its first pastor, the Rev. Paul Valentiner. Services were held in German for many years until World War II, when the strife and pressure from some citizens limited German-language services to once a month. Services at Zion have not been done in German for many years, but there are hopes of revisiting that tradition during the 125th anniversary celebration that begins in February.
Sylvia Zickau, a lifelong member and the church organist for 48 years, said her husband’s great-grandfather was one of those who signed the Zion Lutheran charter.
“Zion began with 15 German families wanting to worship together,” she said. “This church has a very rich history.”
Music and education, she said, are important cornerstones for Zion. Still connected to its heritage with the Wartburg seminary, the church invites musical groups from there to perform nearly every year. Zion’s contemporary worship service features musical instruments, and a bell choir performs regularly.
In November, the doors opened to the new Zion Childcare and Preschool, an educational institution across the street from the church.
“Zion Childcare has a good reputation in the community. There is always a waiting list; the longevity of the teachers and consistency makes it great,” Grau said.
In an effort to continue the strong support and encouragement of Zion’s youth, Blom and Grau said they have begun a Stepping Stones Ministry, commemorating important events in the lives of young people.
“We did a blessing of the keys for students who got their driver’s license to remind us that this is a huge milestone in their lives and that God is with us, God blesses us,” Blom said.
Henry said some construction is planned in the main church building to provide handicapped accessibility.
“We want to make this more accessible and open to the public,” she said. “We also want to build a connection between the sanctuary and fellowship halls, and eliminate the hallways and stairs.”
But while Zion hopes to make changes, many ideals remain grounded as the spiritual foundation of the church. An annual sauerkraut supper, representing the church’s German heritage, was begun in 1941 and shows no signs of stopping. A radio ministry, established in 1943 through Clinton station KROS-AM (1340), still broadcasts Sunday services to homebound residents. Zion also offers homebound Communion to handicapped and elderly members of the congregation. Zion’s newsletter, the Zion Courier has been instrumental in communicating with its members since the 1920s.
Zion’s legacy also is linked to helping people overseas and refugees in the United States, hosting its first refugee family from Vietnam in 1980. In mid-February, Zion will be sending 12 members to the New Orleans area to help Grace Lutheran Church and Habitat for Humanity with efforts to rebuild parts of neighborhoods destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Two members, John and Martha Bonte, recently traveled to Tanzania in hopes of building a faith connection between the Southeastern Iowa Diocese and the Pare Diocese in that African nation.
“Zion’s mission is about reaching out to the community,” Henry said. “It’s what unites us through Jesus Christ.”
Through all of its changes over the years, Zion’s congregation remains positive in its mission, and Henry sees it as a time of enlightenment and finding faith.
“I think people are searching for things to do with their faith,” she said. “We’re in a rebuilding time, and it’s very significant.”
“It’s alive and living, and it’s a dynamic place,” Zickau said. “As Clinton changed, the church changed, but it’s firmly planted on the rock.”
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