2020 Youth Review Goes Virtual
The Second Annual Mt. Zion Youth Review Team, considering the world-wide pandemic situation, decided on a virtual platform this year, in place of a physical stage. Here's what these talented young people came up with! Montana kicks off the festivities with a ??? hmmm...what to call it? Danielle bridges and introduces the acts. The talent belongs to the next generation. Enjoy!
And, lest we pay all of our attention to the performing arts, Here's a beautiful poem from Caroline Young, which was God-inspired, as she puts it. You will, no doubt, agree.
Outreach Cluster Reveals
2020 MUST Coad Drive Plan
The year 2020 is no different form other years, in many respects. It will keep getting colder as the months pass and many Georgians will need warm coats, hats, gloves and scarves.
Mt. Zion's Outreach Cluster will continue with the tradition of an annual October Coat Drive, with one twist.
You will have three-plus weeks to prepare for the designated one-day collection date of Saturday, October 24. Volunteers will man a collection point in the east parking lot, under the bus barn awning, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, awaiting your coat, hat, glove and scarf donations.
Don't miss it, but, of course, if you do, you can always deliver your donations to the MUST Donation Center, 1280 Field Pkwy., Marietta, GA, 30066. 770-790-3902
Aldersgate Homes Receives
Mt. Zion's Oct. Rail Offering
Aldersgate Homes is a related agency of the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church, serving persons with developmental disabilities. They provide individuals with funding for transitional housing needs, respite weekends, and recreational opportunities.
Help them to help others. All donations are tax deductible! Major funding for Aldersgate comes through your gifts. They are entirely supported by contributions from churches and individuals, civic and business entities. Your donations are much appreciated, and help them to serve those with developmental disabilities in Georgia.

Coming Up This Week
This coming Sunday. October 4, join Rev. Montana Hamby for worship and his message, Commanding Community. This week's service will be pre-recorded and we will send you links.
Mt. Zion Thanks Donors to
Urgent Need Food Drive
September flew by in a flash but the Outreach Cluster's Urgent Need Food Drive collected massive amounts of supplies for the three designated food banks.
Once again Mt. Zion, you make a huge difference. Thanks to all who supported the endeavor!
WOW Wednesday Prayer Time is back for a special time of prayer for our country and our church. Join the Prayer Ministry Team via Zoom on Wednesday, October 7 at 6:30 pm. Go to mtzionumc.org for the link or watch for it in this publication next week.
Update on 2020 Mt. Zion UMC Pumpkins
Dear Mt. Zion UMC,
2020 has presented our youth ministry with a variety of different and difficult decisions to make for the safety and protection of our community of faith. Despite our shift away from meeting in-person to having worship and youth group online, you all have been incredibly supportive. For that, Danielle and I cannot begin to express our gratitude to each of you.

While we are slowly beginning to work our way back on to campus, there were some difficult decisions that had to be made earlier this month regarding our 2020 pumpkin patch. Earlier this fall, a collective group of parents met online and made the ultimate decision to cancel our pumpkin patch for the 2020 year. Due to limited capabilities on campus created by our church policies regarding COVID-19, this group collectively made the decision to cancel the pumpkin patch in order to give PumpkinUSA an advanced notice of the cancellation. This year has included too many unknowns in how to best manage our unloading, our volunteers, as well as the influx of people onto the campus. PumpkinUSA requested that any cancellations be made prior to 14 days before the date of our first delivery.

PumpkinUSA was completely understanding and we already have been in communication about getting Mt. Zion on the delivery schedule for 2021. For anyone who is concerned regarding the status of our funding, please know that all funds that were raised in 2019 are completely available and in the possession of the youth ministry to use at our discretion for mission and youth activities. Any family and student who earned funds working at the 2019 pumpkin patch will be eligible to use those funds for any events (retreats, mission trips, Glisson, etc) that may be added to the calendar for 2021. There are additional funds in that account that have been donated that I believe we can find an appropriate way to allocate towards our incoming 6th graders in order to keep from disenfranchising anyone who may have desires to attend an upcoming activity. The current budget has not been reconciled for the month of August at this time, and I expect to be able to provide those exact numbers with anyone who would like to know them by request in the coming weeks.

The safety and care for our community of faith is the most important factor driving the decisions that Mt. Zion UMC is making regarding our on campus events. Our hope and prayer is to be back on campus in a limited and then full capacity in the coming future. We ask that you continue to pray for our congregation and community as everyone works to make the best decisions for Mt. Zion UMC.

Thank you for all of your support and prayers. Know that we are continuously praying for each of you and your families!

Blessings and Peace,
Danielle and Montana
Church Council Approves Phased Re-opening Plan
On September 14, Mt. Zion's Church Council met and approved plans for a phased reopening, based on COVID-19 threat levels and following the four color threat level matrix, adopted by Cobb County.
Click Here for a look at this phased plan.
Currently Cobb County remains in the orange COVID risk level. As long as this level is maintained and we don't slip back into the red zone, opening the campus to outdoor meetings has been approved. However, there are some requirements.
Groups, with a maximum of 25 attendees, wanting to meet must register to gather in one, or more, of four approved outdoor meeting areas. The building will remain locked so no bathroom facilities are available. Participants must bring chairs, except for those using the outdoor classroom, and mask and social distancing are required. Group leaders will keep track of attendance, in case contact tracing would ever become necessary. Also, groups will need to avoid meeting on weekdays between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm because preschool is in session and they use the outdoor spaces.
The above graphic will be posted on the website. Click on it to go to a special COVID-19 page, for more detail about designated meeting areas and a link to the registration sites. Meetings that are approved will appear on the church calendar in green, within 24 hours of your request. Registration links will appear a week at a time, with two weekly links available at a time. Preference will be given to Youth Group Events.
The four meeting areas each have a designated parking area to minimize cross-exposure between groups. Areas are as follows:
1 - Upper area under the upper room (drive through) out to the upper newly paved lot.
2 - Entrance area between the gym and play ground out to the paved area directly next to the playground.
3 - Covered area down by the covered scout lodge entrance to the scout lodge, and the parking immediately in that area.
4 - Outdoor classroom including the pumpkin patch covered area. The parking would be in that lower level.

As threat levels ease, Church Council will meet and consider meeting for worship and other limited building access. Please be patient and know that your health and safety are the prime consideration for these meeting restrictions and requirements. Email: communications@mtzionumc.org with questions or for more information.
For your convenience, links to the first two weeks registration forms are included below as well as on the website:


Stewardship Time is Upon Us
Fast Track Old Testament Study
New Start Date is October 4!
Learning Cluster and facilitator, Mike Donovan, would like to invite you to the Old Testament session of Disciple Fast Track, beginning Sunday, October 4.
The previous in-person session was interrupted by COVID-19, so it is starting over, via Zoom, Sunday’s at 5:00 pm. The first session involves a 12-week
commitment.
The New Testament session is planned for January 2021.
Registration is required. Sign up at mtzionumc.org or email questions to 
Workbooks will be distributed
Prior to first class after registration received.

Register Today, Save a Life
Appointments are Required
The Red Cross expressed thanks for the great turn out for our recent blood drive on August 5. Each donor and volunteer helped to reduce the critical shortage of life-saving blood.
So....Mt. Zion has arranged for the Red Cross team to return again. Make an appointment to save a live on Saturday, October 17, 10 am to 3 pm.
Mid-Week Family Link & News
Above is the Mid-week Family Link document for September29,
where Creative Worship director, Danielle Yoder, takes us on a lesson
in capturing moments as art from your unique perspectives.
Do You Need an Attitude Adjustment?
Above: Here are links to last Sunday's Online Worship Service and Sunday's Family Link Service with Jeni McCord
North Georgia UMC News
No newsletter this week from the district but here's a link to the North Georgia Conference news.

Mt. Zion Worship Team Adds
Service-by-Phone Feature
Not able to worship via TV or computer video? Mt. Zion has heard from a few members who aren't connected via computer or smart TV and we wanted to searched for a way to get the Sunday worship service to them.
Thus, we have subscribed to a service called Worship Service-by-Phone. We have a dedicated phone number that our members can call and hear the whole worship service. Call any time of day or night. Each new weekly service will be uploaded by 8:30 am on Sunday and will replace the content from the previous week.
Your Giving is Appreciated
Remember, you can mail your gifts and offerings to the church office or you can give online.
Mail to:
Mt. Zion UMC
1770 Johnson Ferry Rd.
Marietta, GA 30062

or Click below to give online: