Connections CONESTOGA. Practicing. before and after our worship together on Sunday mornings! I Thessalonians 5:11. June 2016 Vol. XXVII No.

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1 Connections CONESTOGA June 2016 Vol. XXVII No. 6 Practicing I Thessalonians 5:11 before and after our worship together on Sunday mornings!

ZAUGG 2016 VERSAMMLUNG Helping others study their family history and learn more about their heritage whether it is Swiss, German, Italian, Spanish, English, Dutch, Armenian, Portugese, Indian,

In 1982 when we started our family resulting in three lovely children, I ended my career as a professional librarian, and Lemar and I began a quarterly periodical titled Mennonite Family History

We have enjoyed this hobby that reveals much more than just names and dates yes, much more than where our origins were before our immigrants came to America.

It literally is detective work as we investigate, gather evidence, and document research to uncover proof.

2 ZAUGG 2016 VERSAMMLUNG Helping others study their family history and learn more about their heritage whether it is Swiss, German, Italian, Spanish, English, Dutch, Armenian, Portugese, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or Native American has been very rewarding for me. In 1982 when we started our family resulting in three lovely children, I ended my career as a professional librarian, and Lemar and I began a quarterly periodical titled Mennonite Family History (MFH) which covered Mennonite, Amish, and Brethren family history/genealogy. Through the years, we have been blessed as we listen to the stories of persons researching their ancestry. We have enjoyed this hobby that reveals much more than just names and dates yes, much more than where our origins were before our immigrants came to America. Today, it is so much easier to trace one s ancestry than it was 40+ years ago when we first began our detective work. It literally is detective work as we investigate, gather evidence, and document research to uncover proof. But, it is the personal contacts like interviewing persons, visiting family sites, walking the streets and land where our Conestoga Mennonite ChurCh 2779 Main street, Morgantown, Pa (610) Monthly newsletter for Conestoga Mennonite Church published since Deadline for articles and photos is the 20 th of the preceding month of publication. Editor: Lois Ann Mast Assistant Editor: Elizabeth Petersheim Contributing Editor: Anna Martin Did you know that Simon Zook who started Zook Molasses at Honey Brook, was a member here at Conestoga Mennonite? He and his wife, Elsie, were long-time members and supporters and blessed our congregation by starting our mission fund. Simon was actually raised in an Old Order Amish farm in Honey Brook, Pa., and decided early in life that there had to be a better way to earn a living than plowing fields, so he left the Amish with a sixth-grade education. At the age of 25, he began the M. Simon Zook Company with encouragement and help from his wife Elsie. He traveled from farm to farm grinding feed and baling hay, and began mixing molasses with the feed to make the feed taste better to the animals, but became frustrated at the inconsistency of molasses deliveries, thus began this business. Along with a number of businesses, the Zook Molasses Company is continued today by their daughter, Sally (Zook) married to Larry Martin. ancestors lived (including the land of their origin), that really opens more exciting doors. In 1979, I authored a book titled Only a Twig A Branch of the Zugs/Zooks From Pennsylvania which started my journey interacting with many Zooks around the world. Now, almost 40 years later, a dream is finally becoming reality when an international Zaugg Versammlung (Zook Reunion) is happening right here at Conestoga Mennonite Church. So far, registrants from 24 different states and Switzerland, are coming here to Morgantown on July 1-3, 2016, to meet cousins and learn more about their Zug ancestry including the Anabaptist faith that caused most of our immigrants to leave Europe and come to America. Four buses will take reunion registrants on Friday to Berks, Lancaster, and Chester Counties where Zug immigrants settled in the 1700s.!!!!!!!! -./0!!!!,&)++! "#$%&''()*+! Clock that Immigrant Ulrich Zug handcarried to America in International Zaugg Versammlung [Zaugg/Zook/Zug/Zuck Reunion] Did you know that there are 53 spelling variations of the Swiss surname Zaugg? The Zook House at Exton, Pa., (right) where Immigrant Moritz Zug moved to in 1770 from Berks Co., Pa., is one of the stops on the fieldtrip. Signau, Switzerland Many of the Zaugg immigrants who came to America in the 1700s, have their roots in Signau, Switzerland. Complete the form on page 3 and return early in order to reserve your Zook momento for all early registrants. Welcome to Zauggs/Zooks from Switzerland, U.S., and Canada, as we gather to attend this global Zaugg Versammlung (Zook Reunion) on July 1-3, 2016, at Morgantown, Pennsylvania. On Friday, July 1, fieldtrips will be offered concluding with an evening Amish Wedding Feast supper on a Lancaster County Amish Zook farm. On Saturday, we will gather together for fellowship for all ages (see program inside)! Then on Sunday morning, an outdoor worship service will take place in a large tent overlooking the beautiful Conestoga Valley followed with a lunch of bean soup, homemade bread, white pickles, and moon pies. Tethered Hot Air Balloon Rides by Stan and Mary (Zook) Hess of the U.S. Hot Air Balloon Team. These Reunion brochures are in the church lobby in the pamphlet rack. Then on Saturday, choices will be available to attend seminars to learn more about our history, work on a comforter, make butter, construct a Conestoga wagon, take a horse and buggy ride, eat food prepared on-site by our Amish Zook cousins, join in an old-fashioned hymn sing, take a tethered hot air balloon ride, plus more. On Sunday morning, we will join Conestoga members for a Sunday morning worship service (9:30-11:00) outside in a tent behind our facility (no Sunday School). Zooks from other states are saying that they are so eager to meet Conestoga members they think it is special that we live where their ancestors first settled before moving westward. As we worship together on Sunday morning, we will be blessed knowing that someday we will worship together in heaven! Guess, that is a sign I truly am getting older when I say this, but now that I am almost 65, why not say it? ~ Lois Ann Mast 2 Conestoga Connections

Sewing Circle Sewing Circle met on Wednesday, May 4, 2016. There were 13 ladies present with donations of 8 comfort tops, 8 finished comforters, 12 hygiene kits, and 6 school kits.

This was followed by a reading entitled Pray The Donald Encounters Jesus. Our closing song was Jesus Shall Reign.

Matthew 25:40 Conestoga s Refugee Committee met again in May after we were told that we could receive a phone call tomorrow, next week, or next month it is in God s hands!

Join us in praying for: ~ the family that God has already chosen ~ housing will be available when needed ~ travel will be safe ~ adjustment to settling here will be easy Conestoga Fellowship Meals

3 Sewing Circle Sewing Circle met on Wednesday, May 4, There were 13 ladies present with donations of 8 comfort tops, 8 finished comforters, 12 hygiene kits, and 6 school kits. Threee comforters were completed. The theme of our devotions was Encountering Jesus. After singing Showers of Blessings, scriptures readings included I Timothy 2:2 and II Peter 3:17. This was followed by a reading entitled Pray The Donald Encounters Jesus. Our closing song was Jesus Shall Reign. ~ Julia Yoder, Secretary Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:40 Conestoga s Refugee Committee met again in May after we were told that we could receive a phone call tomorrow, next week, or next month it is in God s hands! After we receive THE call that our refugee family has its paperwork and is preparing to travel, we will have about six weeks to find housing and prepare the house to live in. Join us in praying for: ~ the family that God has already chosen ~ housing will be available when needed ~ travel will be safe ~ adjustment to settling here will be easy Conestoga Fellowship Meals Available in our church library. If you have not attended a recent Conestoga fellowship meal, plan to attend the next one on Sunday, June 26. And then again, the next Sunday, July 3, we will enjoy a typical Amish Sunday church meal with bean soup, homemade bread, white pickles, and Big Valley moon pies. That weekend, the international Zaugg Versammlung (Zook reunion) will meet here on Friday and Saturday with 300 persons already registered. Conestoga s July 3 Sunday service will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the tent with singing, special music, a children s service, and worship. Since Conestoga Mennonite Church is the oldest congregation in the U.S. with Amish-Mennonite roots, this area was chosen to host this Zook Reunion. Conestoga Connections 3

Family & Media Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not depart from it.

~ Mike Petersheim There s an Easier Way 21 Ways to Lovingly Raise Your Children Without Regrets by Bonni Greiner and Kathy McClure This new book provides good ideas and advice on Bonnie and Kathy s

achieving goals cheerful workers finding humor a better marriage building courage in children teaching children to wait motivating your children finding friends and more Read this book in our church

4 Family & Media Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 This column provides suggestions for movies, books, magazines, audio, and highlights of new materials in Conestoga s church library. I welcome your suggestions as well. ~ Mike Petersheim There s an Easier Way 21 Ways to Lovingly Raise Your Children Without Regrets by Bonni Greiner and Kathy McClure This new book provides good ideas and advice on Bonnie and Kathy s experiences of raising babies and toddlers related to: potty training whining dealing with disappointment creating successful routines discipline with grace trusting God teachable moments setting and achieving goals cheerful workers finding humor a better marriage building courage in children teaching children to wait motivating your children finding friends and more Read this book in our church library and you too will learn what not to do as a mom and wife, and instead learn the easier way as Bonni and Kathy share countless tips and secrets that they have learned. Thank you, Kathy, for sharing your life by touching us and so many others through this book! Conestoga Softball season is here! Mission: First and most important is the understanding that this league is organized to give Christians an opportunity to fellowship and play together in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. It is open to both men and women who enjoy fun, fellowship, and softball. Tuesday, May 31, 6:40 p.m. - Away vs. Gehmans at Bowmansville Fairgrounds Field Tuesday, June 7, 6:40 p.m. - Home vs. Bowmansville at the West Nantmeal Field Tuesday, June 14, 6:40 p.m. - Away vs. CfC2 at Brubacher Park, Messner Field Tuesday, June 21, 6:40 p.m. - Away vs. Bethany at West Nantmeal Field Tuesday, June 28, 6:40 p.m. - Home vs. Pine Grove at West Nantmeal Field Season Playoffs: Week of August Mike Petersheim, Team Coordinator milype1@yahoo.com 4 Conestoga Connections

Congratulations Weston Caley for graduating from Twin Valley High School on June 11, 2016. This fall, he is looking forward to attending LeTourneau University for a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Congratulations Pierce Ebert for graduating from Penn State University with a B.S. in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, and addition to working, he is also doing post-graduate studies.

5 Congratulations Weston Caley for graduating from Twin Valley High School on June 11, This fall, he is looking forward to attending LeTourneau University for a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Before graduation, he was chosen to attend the National Conference for Technology Student Association and competed in 3D Computer Aided Design Engineering. Good work, Weston! Congratulations Pierce Ebert for graduating from Penn State University with a B.S. in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, and addition to working, he is also doing post-graduate studies. Congratulations Amanda Valentino for graduating from Murray State University with a B.S. in Animal Sciences/Veterinary Technology. This summer she is serving an internship in Colorado and pursuing job leads in research positions. Upcoming Youth Events Wednesday, June 1, 7:30 p.m. - Bible Study in the Youth Room Wednesday, June 15, 7:00 p.m. - Food Pantry Stocking with a special treat afterwards to celebrate the end of the school year! June Mission Trip with SWAP in Harlan, Kentucky Wednesday, June 29, 6:00 p.m. - Dinner and Bible Study at Dan and Rachel s home. ~ Rachel Mast Minister of Youth & Young Adults Conestoga Youth Going SWAP Conestoga s youth are looking forward to a SWAP mission trip in June. SWAP is a program under Mennonite Central Committee titled Sharing With Appalachian People. SWAP addresses sub-standard housing in eastern Kentucky and West Virginia, and Conestoga youth will work with and for local clients In the name of Christ, sharing the message of God s love and building relationships that serve to enrich all involved. Most of the work will be in home repair for low-income families, and may include painting, porch repairs, replacing leaky roofs, adding rooms, and doing basic renovations. The SWAP experience includes spending time in the mountains of Appalachia, ministering to and building relationships with local folks in need. Let s support this Conestoga team through our prayers and encouragement even before they leave. Participants are challenged to consider faith and ministry as inseparable. Conestoga Connections 5

Thank you notes were written and given to J.W.

Thank you notes written by class members to J.W.

6 Thank you notes were written and given to J.W. Sprunger (teacher of the recent Sunday School elective) on the last Sunday he taught. The above photo was taken at this last session on the Discipline of Celebration when J.W. Sprunger provided sparkling cider and cheese cake for class participants. Thank you notes written by class members to J.W. Sprunger are posted on the lobby bulletin board. If anyone has suggestions of another Sunday School elective, please contact Lemar or Lois Ann Mast, Sunday School superintendents. Old Gospel Radio Hour was a super hit on May 16 here at Conestoga with ukelele, guitar, hammered dulcimer, violin, and piano fun!

Conestoga s small group leaders and shepherds recently met for a time of sharing led by Wes and Lois Boyer.

If you aren t and would like to connect, please talk to Wes and Lois! Ada Fisher (left) with her deceased sister, Elsie.

Fisher moved to the nursing section at Tel Hai Retirement in April 2016, she donated several boxes of items to Conestoga s

It included a collection of several five-year diaries, 3 photo albums, 6 Conestoga Mennonite Church Directories, and a 1993

Kennel, Levi and Sam Peterstheim, and Sallie Smoker (Ada s grandmother), the other of Aunt Sue Headings, Amos Headings, and

There are envelopes containing early church photos and history of Conestoga Mennonite Church, as well as a 1998 photo of Ada and

7 Conestoga s small group leaders and shepherds recently met for a time of sharing led by Wes and Lois Boyer. We are so thankful that almost everyone at Conestoga is part of a small group. If you aren t and would like to connect, please talk to Wes and Lois! Ada Fisher (left) with her deceased sister, Elsie. Thank you, Ada, for your gifts to the Conestoga Mennonite Church Archives. When Ada I. Fisher moved to the nursing section at Tel Hai Retirement in April 2016, she donated several boxes of items to Conestoga s archives. It included a collection of several five-year diaries, 3 photo albums, 6 Conestoga Mennonite Church Directories, and a 1993 Rockville Mennonite Church Directory. There were also two tintype photographs: one of John M. Kennel, Levi and Sam Peterstheim, and Sallie Smoker (Ada s grandmother), the other of Aunt Sue Headings, Amos Headings, and again Sallie Smoker. There are envelopes containing early church photos and history of Conestoga Mennonite Church, as well as a 1998 photo of Ada and her sister Elsie. A maroon binder includes hundreds of listings for her 1959 to 2009 scrapbooks filled with obituaries of people she knew here in our community and church. There are envelopes containing 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and January to April 2016 obituaries and folders waiting to be pasted in scrapbooks. ~ Ruth W. Stoltzfus Senior Connections Thursday, June 9 Picnic Lunch at Pool Forge with guided tour of mansion. Meet at the church at 11:45 a.m. to carpool together. Lunch will be provided. Conestoga Connections 7

8 MEN'S GROUP If interested, contact: If interested, contact: BIll C. Beam BILL C. BEAM (cell) (cell) CMC C Pool POOL GaMes GAMES First monday Monday of each month. all All welcome! Come join us! lots Lots of fun and laughter!! Great food and drink!! 8 Conestoga Connections

Connections CONESTOGA. Small Group Bible Studies. November 2016 Vol. XXVII No. 11

Connections CONESTOGA. Small Group Bible Studies. November 2016 Vol. XXVII No. 11 Connections CONESTOGA November 2016 Vol. XXVII No. 11 Small Group Bible Studies Conestoga has a number of small groups that gather on a regular basis to share with each other including singing and studying