Zion Church Council

Lon Moeller

President

  • I have been a member of Zion for over 20 years.  My three daughters (Jessica Boyle, Sarah Moeller and Ashley Moeller) were all confirmed at Zion, and my two grandchildren (Claire Boyle and Connor Boyle) were baptized at Zion.  I am honored and blessed to be leading the Council as President and look forward to our work with the Congregation to continue to make Zion the special place it is for so many of us. 

Steve Schornhorst

Treasurer

  • My wife Doris and I have been members of Zion since 1973. In those years I have served many roles in the church including many years on the Property Committee, and I currently serve as the leader of the Lost Boys Bible Study group. I have also served on the Shelter House Board of Directors for over fifteen years and am a past president of the board and serve on the Finance Committee. I have been retired from the construction industry for seven years and have the time to devote to the role of treasurer. Although I don’t have a financial background I spent most of my career in construction budgeting and managing a wide variety of projects including three major projects at Zion.

Bill Nibbelink

Member at Large

  • I am an 85-year-old, recovering Calvinist, striving to be Lutheran.  It has its challenges.  So much grace, Lutherans insist.  Is that really possible? (Actually, the treatment of a topic like “election” in Lutherans’ Book of Concord is fairly close to what Calvinists profess, but Lutherans are so much better at not being tormented by such ideas.)   

    Early in the 1990’s, my wife, Wilma, and I found ourselves church shopping after more than fifty years in the Christian Reformed Church. Friends of ours, who, too, were church shopping, suggested that we might like Zion.  (Seriously?! After all the things we had heard in our youth about how Lutherans and Catholics were wrong on some very serious matters?)

    Well, we tried Zion. Almost immediately we were hooked by the music, and, before long, we found ourselves pulled into friendships that have become precious to us.  There is comfort and joy in this place. There is grace. If you happen to be church shopping, do give Zion a try.

Frank Scamman

Member at Large

  • Franklin L Scamman

    Born in Clarinda, IA in 1943 and grew up in Tarkio, MO. Received degrees in electrical engineering and medicine from the University of Kansas. Retired from the U of I Anesthesia Department in 2012. Married for 60 years with 2 children. Member of Zion Lutheran Church since 1978. Served on the board of elders, authored its previous web site and currently maintains its hearing-impaired system. Member of brass choir, webcasting team and Lost Boys. Member Congregational Council for past 2 years.

    My current efforts on the Council include reinvigorating the Health and Caring Ministry and providing technical support for webcasting the Council meetings.

Phyllis Chang

Vice President

  • It is my sincerest desire that my life and actions reflect the love of Jesus.

    Micah 6:8 guides us. …and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness,
    and to walk humbly with your God?

Brenda Peconge

Senior Pastor

Beth Spenler

Member at Large

  • My name is Beth Spenler.  My family and I have been members of Zion since 1992. My husband Darren and I have 3 grown children and 3 granddaughters.  I am a retired special education teacher.

    I value serving on the council at Zion because it provides an opportunity to help to guide the direction of our church and to be more involved with the congregational life at Zion.

    My hopes for our congregation are to continue to move forward in a positive way and to call a pastor who will help us to grow as a congregation.  I would also like to see more young families join and become active members at Zion.

Copies of Church Council Meeting Reports are available by request and outside the church office. To request a copy: office@zionlutheran-ic.org

Barb Reck

Secretary

  • I grew up in Detroit suburbs, moving to Iowa City in 1976.  I worked in the UI Dental School for 2 years, then played oboe in the Cedar Rapids Symphony/Orchestra Iowa for 35 years while running a small business and raising 3 children with my husband.  

    Joining Zion in 1979, I have participated in many volunteer activities.  In 2020/2021 things kind of fell apart here.  During the "reconstruction" I had a lot of questions, and in 2023 the opportunity arose to serve on the Church Council.  I decided to participate to learn how the church works and do my part in helping it heal and grow.  There are many wonderful people here, and I look forward to working to attract more members of all ages to join us on this journey, hire a permanent senior pastor, take care of many building issues and fix the organ.

Emilia Hummel

  • For the past 10 years, I’ve had the privilege of calling Zion my church home. During this time, I’ve come to deeply appreciate the strength of our community, and the ways in which Zion has been a welcoming space for all who walk through its doors.

    I am deeply passionate about serving our church and supporting its ministries. I’ve been an active member of Zion’s Library Committee for the past 8 years, where I’ve worked with a great team to select materials and maintain our church’s library collection. Recently, I’ve also had the privilege of volunteering in the Nursery, where I’ve had the joy of supporting our youngest members and their families.

    I am the mother of two children, Liza, who is one, and Lucia, who is five. I strongly believe in the importance of providing our children with opportunities to learn, grow, and connect with one another in their faith. I would love to see our church continue to foster an environment that attracts and supports children, youth, and families, ensuring that they are not only welcomed but deeply integrated into the life of our church. I believe that with a strong youth and family ministry, and a focus on nurturing all generations, Zion can continue to grow as a place of connection and spiritual growth for everyone.

    As a public school teacher, I value collaboration, active listening, and respecting the differences that make each of us unique. These principles are just as important in the life of our church community. I look forward to deepening my connections with the Zion community and representing the diverse voices of our congregation.

Member at Large

Kent Smith

Member at Large

  • I have been a long-term member of Zion. I have been a Sunday School Teacher and Youth Leader. I am currently involved with the Garden Club, the Free Lunch Program, the Horace Mann Food Pantry, and Senior Choir Member.  While serving on the Zion Council, I also serve as the Children, Youth and Family Committee Liaison. Serving on Council is a way that allows me to give back to Zion and help our Zion community grow in our faith. It also allows me to help us grow in our relationship to each other and the community we live in.