The Senior High Group (7th through 12th grades) will host a Sleepover on Friday, May 4, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The doors will be locked at 10:00 p.m. Youth are asked to bring snacks to share and quarters for the soda machine. Breakfast will be served at 8:30 . . . → Click Here]]> “Senior High Youth”

The Senior High Group (7th through 12th grades) will host a Sleepover on Friday, May 4, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The doors will be locked at 10:00 p.m. Youth are asked to bring snacks to share and quarters for the soda machine. Breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m. and the event will end at 10:30 a.m. (Youth will be asked to help load the clothing from the clothing drive.) Please be sure to sign up on the sheet on the table outside the Sunday School Office.

The Senior High Youth Group (grades 7 through 12) will be hiking at Bushkill Falls on Saturday, May 19. Everyone is asked to meet at the Church at 8:30 a.m. and bring along a bag lunch and a drink. We hope to return about 3:30 p.m. The cost will be $5.00 per person and families are welcome to attend! Please sign up on the sheet outside the Sunday School Office to participate.

A Family Softball Game will be held on Sunday, June 10, at 3:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to come out and play or just sit back at watch. Bring your lawn chairs, softball equipment and snacks to share. Hot dogs and drinks will be available. Invite your friends!!

For more information, email Lori at lori1962@verizon.net

The Junior Youth Group meets regularly throughout the school year with events planned for four year olds through sixth grade. Our events are family oriented and include family movie nights, bowling and game nights. All children are invited to attend and share in the fun. Friends are welcome!

Little Ones are no longer active. Please see Junior Youth.

We have many special events scheduled throughout the year.  We hope you’ll join us as you are able!

The Bloodmobile is Coming

The Miller-Keystone Bloodmobile will be at Ziegels on Tuesday, May 8, from 3:00 to 8:00 PM. If you would be able to donate blood at . . . → Click Here]]> Special Programs

We have many special events scheduled throughout the year.  We hope you’ll join us as you are able!

The Bloodmobile is Coming

The Miller-Keystone Bloodmobile will be at Ziegels on Tuesday, May 8, from 3:00 to 8:00 PM. If you would be able to donate blood at this time, please contact Joan Heintzelman (Lutheran) at 610-799-0795 or Bob and Cindy Kern (UCC) at 610-844-1645.

Sunday School Teacher Appreciation Brunch

A Sunday School Teacher Appreciation Brunch will be held on Saturday, May 12 from 10 a.m. until Noon. All teachers and helpers are invited to attend. At this time we will recognize our volunteers for all they do for our children and youth. Anyone willing to donate a breakfast casserole for this event should call Lori at 610-573-9764.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Days

Peanut Butter and Jelly Days will be held on Sunday, May 13 and Sunday, May 20. Everyone is asked to bring donations and place them in the box upstairs in the Sunday School wing. Peanut Butter and Jelly are staples for children who might not receive a balanced meal at school during the summer months. All donations will be given to the Lowhill Food Pantry.

2012 Bike for World Hunger

The Rodale Cycling and Fitness Center has been reserved for this event on May 19, from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., rain or shine. The event is sponsored by the Lutheran Synod and everyone is invited to participate by collecting pledges and biking, walking or rollerblading. 100% of donations will go to feed those who are hungry. Check for more details on www.godslove.org or speak with Pastor Bruce or Lori.

Shrimp Boil

On Sunday, May 20 the Mission Team will hold their second Shrimp Boil from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. The menu will include a salad, ½ pound of shrimp, sausage, and potato, corn, a drink and a dessert. A children’s meal will include salad, ¼ pound of shrimp OR a hot dog, sausage, potato, half a cob of corn, a drink and a dessert. The cost will be $15.00 for adults and $7.00 for children. Tickets are available for purchase in the main office. Eat in or take out! Help will be needed in preparing and serving! All proceeds will be used for our Summer Mission trip to Camden, New York.

Pentecost Sunday – Confirmation Day

On Sunday, May 27, thirteen of our young people will affirm the vows made by their parents in their Baptism. Confirmation Day will be held at both the 8:30 a.m. and the 11:05 a.m. service. Please keep these young people and their families in your thoughts and prayers, and please plan to attend one or both of these services to support our youth on their faith journeys.

Sunday School Picnic

The Sunday School Picnic is an annual fund raising event which will be held on Saturday, June 9 from 4:00 to 9:30 PM. The picnic offers live music by the Jesse Wade Gang from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. Lots of great food, cold soda, a candy stand, cake walk, chinese auction, door prizes and children’s games. Funds raised are used to support the programs of Ziegels Union Sunday School. If you would like to help with the picnic, please contact the church at 610-285-6157.

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School will be held from June 25-29, 2012. This year’s theme will be “SonSurf: Beach Bash.” Please encourage your children, grandchildren and neighbors to attend. Teachers and helpers are needed and everyone is invited to help.

Registration forms are available in the Fellowship room and on the table outside of the Sunday School office, or click here to download the form: ZIEGELS 2012 VBS registration

To receive a music CD, registration must be received by May 27th. T-shirts are $6 and must also be ordered by May 27th.

The intent of the “Safe Sanctuary Guidelines” is to help in the establishing of appropriate boundaries for ministry. The goal of the guidelines is to address the issues of child protection and sexual misconduct/abuse as they relate to the congregations of Ziegels Union Church. The procedures and . . . → Click Here]]> Ziegels “Safe Sanctuary Guidelines”

The intent of the “Safe Sanctuary Guidelines” is to help in the establishing of appropriate boundaries for ministry. The goal of the guidelines is to address the issues of child protection and sexual misconduct/abuse as they relate to the congregations of Ziegels Union Church. The procedures and guidelines contained in this document have been developed to ensure a safe environment for children, our staff, our volunteers and the entire church family.

Effective September of 2008, Ziegels Union Church implemented our “Safe Sanctuary Guidelines.” Ziegels is committed to creating and maintaining a worship and work community in which members, friends, staff and volunteers can worship and work together in an atmosphere free of all forms of discrimination, harassment, abuse or intimidation. As a church, as a house of God, we are committed to providing an environment of nurture and security for all, children and adults.

Please contact the church office if you would like a copy of the entire ”Safe Sanctuary Guidelines” document.

Supporting Forms: (Forms may be obtained at the church office and, when completed, should be returned to the Director of Learning Ministries.)

Understanding Acknowledgment Form: The purpose of this form is to know that each individual has read the “Safe Sanctuary Guidelines” and understands that he/she is responsible for following the guidelines set forth in this document.

Accident Report Form: The purpose of this form is to insure that every accident or injury is reported. Ziegels is committed to resolving any unsafe conditions or situations, which could result in an injury or accident. In addition, our insurance carrier requires we notify them of any and all incidents.

Screening Form: The purpose of this form is to assist Ziegels Church and it’s staff in evaluating volunteers. It is essential that we familiarize ourselves with anyone wishing to work with our children and youth.

Suspicion of Abuse Form: The purpose of this form is to report any suspected abuse of our children and youth.

Medical Release Form and Authorization to Administer Medication: The purpose of these forms is to insure that Ziegels Church is familiar with the medical issues of each child and youth that are entrusted to our care. In the event a child/youth requires medication while in our care, we cannot administer medications without consent from a guardian.

Request for Driver Information: Any adult volunteering to chaperone and drive for events away from church property must have a current Driver Information Form on file.

Picture Release Form: The purpose of this form is to obtain parental/guardian permission to reproduce pictures of our children and youth for use on the website or in printed information on Ziegels Church.

The Youth Programs at Ziegels Union church offer activities for children and youth in Kindergarten through Twelth grade. We invite everytone from our congregations as well as our community to be a part of the fun, learning and service. “The Little Ones” Yough Group is for children in Kindergarten . . . → Click Here]]> Youth Programs

The Youth Programs at Ziegels Union church offer activities for children and youth in Kindergarten through Twelth grade. We invite everytone from our congregations as well as our community to be a part of the fun, learning and service. “The Little Ones” Yough Group is for children in Kindergarten through Secon grade, the “Middlers” are youth in Third through Sixth grade and Senior High Group is for youth in Seventh through Twelth grade. All groups are open to those who would like to participate.

The Rev. Bruce D. MacLaughlin was called as Pastor of Ziegels Lutheran Congregation in June, 2011. Before beginning his ministry at Ziegels, Pastor MacLaughlin served as pastor of Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church, Catasauqua, PA, The Lutheran Church of the Deaf in the . . . → Click Here]]> Pastor Bruce D. MacLaughlin
Lutheran Pastor
prbrucedml@rcn.com

The Rev. Bruce D. MacLaughlin was called as Pastor of Ziegels Lutheran Congregation in June, 2011. Before beginning his ministry at Ziegels, Pastor MacLaughlin served as pastor of Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church, Catasauqua, PA, The Lutheran Church of the Deaf in the Lehigh Valley, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Brandonville, PA, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Ringtown, PA, and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Easton PA. Pastor MacLaughlin has also served as a member of NEPA Synod Council, Mutual Ministry Resource Person for the NEPA Synod, Registrar for Regional Youth Gathering, ELCA Region 7, Member and Chair of NEPA Synod Professional Leadership Committee, and a member of NEPA Synod Worship Committee.

Pastor Bruce is rooted in the Lutheran liturgical tradition and is dedicated to making worship be relational. He has a skill to make boring activities fun. He is often described as a confidence builder and change agent. He loves making people laugh and is a wonderful story teller.

Pastor Bruce is a strong supporter of the Institute for Jewish Christian Understanding at Muhlenberg College. He is a Certified Grip Birkman Blueprint Coach, a Natural Church Development Coach and is Certified in Technology of Participation.

He and his wife Dorothea are blessed with 3 children and 4 grandchildren and presently live in Whitehall, PA

Pastor Candi Cain-Borgman
UCC Pastor
ziegelspastorcandi@gmail.com

Pastor Candi Cain-Borgman comes to Ziegel UCC congregation as their Interim Pastor. She is excited at the prospect of working in both an Interim capacity and at the unique opportunities available in a Union setting. A graduate of Lancaster Theological Seminary in May 2004, Pastor Candi served as Associate Pastor at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Fleetwood, PA.

Although she was ordained in 2004, she began her ministry in 1987 as Director of Christian Education at First Presbyterian Church in Sioux City, IA. Upon moving to Pennsylvania she began working as the Director of Christian Education in 1989 at New Goshenhoppen UCC in East Greenville. In 1996 she became the D.C.E. to St. Stephen’s UCC in Perkasie where, over time, the congregation identified and nurtured her gifts for ordained ministry which eventually led her to enroll in seminary. She continued to work at St. Stephen’s during her first two years of seminary. Her final year she served as the Interim Minister of Education at Immanuel UCC in Shillington, PA.

Pastor Candi also served as a Partner in Education for the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference and was active in the UCC’s Association of United Church Educator’s, serving as a member of the National Coordinating Team. She also was delighted to represent the A.U.C.E. Coordinating Team as a member of the National Council of Churches Continuing Education for Christian Educators Committee.

While at St. Stephen’s Pastor Candi began working with the local CropWalk Committee, leading the Pennridge CropWalk for two years. In November of 2004 she was invited be a part of an information gathering trip to Nicaragua with a group from Church World Service. Seeing the dollars raised put into action in the daily lives of Nicaraguan’s was a true blessing.

Pastor Candi lives in Vera Cruz, PA. She and her husband Craig recently celebrated their 24th wedding anniversary, a feat they attribute to love, mutual admiration and pure stubbornness. Their three children, Zachary, age 30; Ashley, age 23; and Caitlyn, age 20 still keep them laughing as do their four-legged grandchildren, Odyssey, Bailey, and Madeline Rose. In her infrequent free-time, she enjoys reading, traveling, crossword puzzles, and gardening.

Lori Brawn
Director of Learning Ministries
lori1962@verizon.net

Lori has served as the Director of Learning Ministries since April 2005. She has been a member of the Lutheran Congregation of Ziegels since 1999 and member of the United Church of Christ since 2008. Before assuming responsibility for the Christian Education program she served as Den Leader for the Cub Scouts, assistant in the third and fourth grade Sunday School class, as a leader in “Thunder” the children’s youth group and as Vice-president of the Lutheran Church Council. She has served as Chairperson of the Union Mission Response Team since 2003. Lori has been on many mission and disaster relief trips which have been very rewarding experiences for her.

Lori has worked with the Confirmation Class and the Youth Groups since 2002, helping to plan retreats and assisting in a chaperon/teaching capacity. In 2004 she worked with the Confirmation Class Committee to develop a program that has proven to be very informative and exciting. She also served as Head Teacher of the Confirmation Class for 2004/2005. Lori enjoys spending time with the youth of the Church and feels that she receives much more than she gives by being involved in this program.

Lori received her Certification in Church Leadership through the United Church of Christ in 2008 after three years of study. She has taken many on-line classes through the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. Lori has also been recognized as a Designated Church Educator in the United Church of Christ.

Lori lives in Fogelsville with her two sons, Tom and Nick, their boxer, Gracie, and their cat, Skooter. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and babysitting her niece, Alexis. She also enjoys reading, gardening, cooking, baking, music and relaxing in the sun.

Bill Hausman
Union Sunday School President
ziegelschurch@gmail.com

Bill has been a member of the Lutheran Congregation of Ziegels Union Church since 1963. Over the years, his singing voice could be heard in the Junior Choir, Teen Choir and in the 225th Anniversary Senior Choir. As a teen, Bill participated as a member of the Lutheran youth group from 1985 – 1990. In past years, he has also served on the Stewardship Committee and Mutual Ministry Committee. For the 1990 building addition, he also served as the Lutheran treasurer of the Building Fund.

Bill is currently the President of the Sunday School, serving in that capacity since 1987. He works closely with the Director of Learning Ministries, helping to plan for the Christian educational needs of our children and adults. He also serves on the Learning Ministries Committee. Bill has been an advisor of Ziegels Youth Groups since 1983 working with both the Senior and Junior High Youth. He also currently acts as treasurer of the Confirmation Class, and Youth Groups. Bill loves working with children and youth.

Barbara Moyer
Director of Music
moyer8278@ptd.net

Barbara Moyer lives in Weisenberg Township with her mother and walking “buddy”, Ginger, a tricolored beagle. She has two children (Mike and Michele) and two grandchildren (Brieanne and Travis). Barbara has been in the health care profession for the past forty years as a nurse at Allentown Osteopathic Medical Center, Lehigh Valley Hospital (Cedar Crest), and as an Assistant Professor at DeSales University. Her love of music started as a very young child when she participated as a singer in her uncle’s Country Western band. As a teenager she started piano lessons with Perma Bastian and was also introduced to the pipe organ by Pastor MacNeal, an accomplished organist and past pastor of Morgenland Union Church. She has been either a pianist or organist and choir director for several churches in Palmerton, Trexlertown and Macungie.

Renee Miller
Lutheran Administrator
ziegelsrenee@gmail.com

Administrator for Parish Ministries, Renee Miller, is a life-long member of Ziegels Lutheran and has worked in the church office since 1980. Her responsibilities include administrative tasks and providing secretarial services helping to carry out the Christian ministry of the congregation. Renee especially enjoys reading and spending time with her children, grandchildren, family and friends. She counts working with the people at Ziegels as one of the many blessings in her life.

Marlene Frantz
UCC Administrative Assistant
ziegelsmarlene@gmail.com

Marlene Frantz, Ziegel United Church of Christ Administrative Assistant, has worked as the UCC Parish Secretary for 20+ years. She enjoys all the many challenges that fall before her each day.

Marlene, her husband and her granddaughters enjoy watching the many different birds that flock to the numerous bird feeders around their home. If you drop by the church office on a Friday during the summer months and Marlene isn’t in — it is quite possible she has taken a trip to the Green Dragon Farmer’s Market and Auction.

Diane Moyer
Caretaker
sthemoyers12@verizon.net

Diane Moyer joined our church family in 2003 when she became the caretaker of our church facility. Diane enjoys her housekeeping role at the church and likes spending time with her co-workers. Diane and her husband Mike reside with their three cats and enjoy the quiet simple life. She is positive that this is not a life or job she picked, but one that God picked for her.