Final banquet and program set for Wayne Zion’s sesquicentennial

     On Sunday, Sept. 25, Wayne Zion Lutheran Church in rural Monticello will culminate its 150^th anniversary celebrations with a special 10 a.m. worship service, followed by dinner and a program at the Berndes Center in Monticello. Bishop Amy Current will reside as guest minister, sharing her sermon message with the congregation.

   Rev. Amy Current is a pastor in The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and has served the Southeastern Iowa Synod in the office of bishop since 2020. She is a graduate of Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn. (B.A.), and Wartburg Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

   Prior to her role as bishop, Current served as vice president for admissions and student services at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. She also served in various leadership roles at Wartburg Seminary including director for financial aid and stewardship formation, director for public communications, and interim director of the Center for Youth Ministries. Born and raised in North Dakota, Amy was honored to serve as pastor of Maple Sheyenne Lutheran Church in Harwood, N.D., as pastor of Golden Ridge Lutheran Church, Fargo, N.D., and Congregational Lutheran United Church, Gardner, N.D.

   Bishop Current serves on the boards of Grand View University, Lutheran Services in Iowa, Wartburg College, and UnityPoint Health – Des Moines.

   Bishop Current is married to Rev. Dr. Samuel Giere, who serves as professor of biblical interpretation at Warburg Theological Seminary. They have two children, Isaac and Shonagh.

   Other special guests will be retired Pastor Bob Wessels who served Wayne as an interim minister twice, from November 2010 to May 2011, and from August 2014 to January 2015.

   Grandchildren of Rev. Frederick Kehren, who was pastor from here in 1938-58, will enhance the church service with their musical talents in song, instrumental accompaniment, and on the organ. Performing as “God’s Family,” Ruth, Frederick, David, and Clara also sang 25 years ago at the 125^th anniversary celebration. They will blend their voices in song again during the program following the dinner at the Berndes Center.

   Tickets for the catered dinner will be sold at each Sunday service through Sept. 18 or can be purchased through the church office at 319-465-4834. Prices are $10 per adult, $5 for ages 6-12, and free for 5 and under. Tickets will not be available for purchase at the door.

   All are welcome to join us at the special September worship service and banquet. Wayne Zion has an amazing history and legacy of Christian faith, from its early beginning and roots to the continued guidance, care, and servant leadership given to its members today. Our mission at Wayne Zion has been to tell all people the Good News of God through Jesus Christ. As the next 25 years go by and life at Wayne Zion continues to grow and change, it can be remembered and celebrated that we are always one in Christ, yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

   For more information, please visit our website at www.waynezion.org.