Letter of Appreciation

When Debra Lutje’s chair yoga class needed a new space to continue, Zion Lutheran Church gave the yoga class a warm welcome and a comfortable space to meet. What a blessing for our community.

The yoga classes meet four mornings a week. On average, there are about 6-10 elders in attendance. Most are from The Dalles, although one woman comes clear from Wishram, WA.

I am seventy-six, and this class is a lifesaver. Doing yoga several times a week and having social contact with a group of people in my age group eases my aches and pains and lifts my mood.

The term “chair yoga” is deceptive. Sometimes, we are seated, but often, we stand next to the chair to do strength and balance exercises. If needed, we can put a hand on the chair to steady ourselves. Maintaining balance as we age is essential for our overall health and well-being.

Three basic self-care benefits of yoga are improved strength, balance, and flexibility. The movements and deep breathing increase blood flow, ease back pain, reduce arthritis symptoms, improve cardiovascular health, build bone density, reduce stress and anxiety, improve focus and memory, and something else, but I can’t remember what it is. Oh yes – the group camaraderie eases loneliness.

Debra’s yoga class is unique in that she allows participants to have some conversation. At the same time, she kept us focused on the movements so we didn’t get too chatty. This social support is extremely beneficial for our emotional health. We benefit from the strong connection between emotional and physical health.

A million thanks to Zion for their generosity in allowing us to use their space on the 4th floor for this yoga class. Zion church members are most welcome to join in the fun.

Serious Theater Testimonial

Serious Theater is quite grateful that Zion Lutheran Church allows us to make our home in their Sawyer Hall fellowship area. We have been given full usage of the stage that was originally a storage area, and which we have been permitted to convert into a black box theater equipped with lights and draperies. Without Zion’s support Serious Theater would not have a home in which to produce community theater productions. Many thanks Zion!

–  Garry Estep, Artistic Director

Letter of Apprication

The Dalles Cascade Singers wish to express their gratitude for Zion Lutheran Church ELCA allowing us to use their beautiful sanctuary for choir rehearsals and performances. The acoustics are quite amenable to choral music, and the 1909 Chickering piano, as well as the Phelps-d’Autremont pipe organ, allow us to perform a wide variety of different styles and genres of choral works. Thanks to Zion’s support, the Cascade Singers are thriving, growing, and poised to provide beautiful music to The Dalles for many years to come.

–  Garry Estep, Artistic Director.

Testimonials

The Good Grief group has helped me accept the “new normal” after the loss of a second son.  It has become a security blanket through the empathy and understanding of those that are traveling on a similar path of grief.  Strangers have become friends with unjudgmental compassion as we navigate through our individual sorrow.

I am very grateful to Zion Lutheran Church for providing a safe place for the Good Grief Group to meet each week.

–  Mary Davis