About the Author
Born in Annville, PA in 1933 to William and Florence (Hicks) Ziegler.
2 brothers: Harold (1935-1992); Bob (1946).
Raised in the Church of the Brethren.
Graduated from Annville High School in 1951. Entered Millersville State Teachers College in Millersville, PA that fall.
Had a life-changing encounter with God in June, 1953 (age 20). Was sure of my salvation after that. Joined InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) at college.
Met Leo J. Kwiatkowski, from Lehigh University, through IVCF in 1955; began dating.
BS in Elementary Education from MSTC in 1955.
Taught second grade in Willow Grove, PA 1955-56 school year.
Through Leo, became acquainted with those commonly called Plymouth Brethren. Began worshiping in Brethren assemblies.
Taught first grade in Tucson, AZ 1956-57 school year.
Married Leo in June, 1957 in Palisades Park, NJ.
Lived in Huntsville, AL from June, 1957 - February, 1960 while Leo was at Redstone Arsenal in the Army.
Moved to Yorktown Heights, NY in March, 1960 due to Leo's job with IBM. Lived there until January, 2004.
5 children: George (1958); David (1959); MaryBeth (1962); Martha (Marty) (1964); Paul (1966).
1963-1972 - Had a part-time job at Carrozza Music Center teaching accordion and piano lessons and directing accordion bands. Started our children with music lessons at age 5.
1970-1976 - Our family volunteered in various ways at the Gospel Mission in Yonkers, NY. Leo became a director and preached there at least once a month. To support him, the children and I provided instrumental music which he announced. (Eventually we had a family orchestra that performed in churches, nursing homes and more. We played mostly hymns and I did the arranging.) I did my first real writing at the mission, editing their monthly newsletter for 3 years.
1976 - We stopped traveling to a Brethren assembly and began attending an independent Bible church in our town. Both Leo and I served in many ways.
Nov. 1977 - God gave me the first of what would become a collection of more than 500 Scripture songs, thus putting his word in my heart for meditation and for future use.
January, 1980 - Started a Bible study at the Field Home, a nearby residence for old ladies. Began with a Bible overview that became a major part of Bible Basics. Continued at Field Home 13 years.
July, 1980 - Taught Bible Basics seminar (11 two-hour sessions) for the first time. 1982 - Added Bible Basics 2 (14 two-hour sessions) to my seminar schedule. 1984 - Added the final course, "Set Free" (6 two-hour sessions), to my schedule. Repeatedly taught all 3 courses in various places for many years.
1988 - Took a part-time job as protestant religious educator at Pleasantville Cottage School, a resident school for troubled children. Did my first preaching at the Friday night worship services at PCS. Worked there until the program was cut in June, 1995.
1989 - Joined Christians for Biblical Equality and attended their first national conference with Leo in Minnesota. The last of the gender bondage, learned from the Plymouth Brethren, fell away. Now I would be able to use my spiritual gifts freely.
February, 1991 - Answered an ad in our local Pennysaver: a small congregation with which I was familiar was advertising for a pastor. At the end of the initial interview, God clearly called me to the position, which I started on the first Sunday in April. I was a congregationally chosen pastor, the kind we had in the Church of the Brethren in my childhood.
Fall, 1991 - Began writing family history stories to give our children for Christmas. Continued the practice annually.
February, 1996 - Went on a 6 day tour / conference to Israel with Sisters in Jerusalem. Extended the trip by spending 3 days in Cairo, Egypt. God had introduced me to a resident of Cairo in New York in 1995, and through him I had an invitation to speak at an ecumenical gathering of Christians there. Preached 3 nights; was invited to return.
June, 1996 - Had lumpectomy and radiation treatments for breast cancer.
October, 1996 - Returned to Cairo for a two week gospel campaign. Lived with the Egyptians in a private apartment they provided. My messages were translated into Arabic. Wonderful experience; wonderful people!
May, 2000 - Retired as pastor of church.
June, 2002 - An "electric" shock to my leg made me stumble. Began to fall. Broke my hip in February, 2003. Diagnosed that summer with primary lateral sclerosis (PLS), a crippling (not fatal) neurological disease of the brain. No cure.
January, 2004 - Moved with Leo to Drum Hill Senior Living Community in Peekskill, NY. For 20 months, held a weekly Friday night worship service there, assisted by son George and his family. Began to write essays with my thoughts on ageing and dying. Lost the ability to walk and talk. Got a feeding tube due to impaired swallowing.
December 29, 2005 - Moved to Sky View Health Care Center in Croton-on-Hudson, NY. I have a private room where I can continue to write. I use a Lightwriter to "talk" and a Powerchair to move about. My mind is clear and usually I have no pain. My heart rejoices in the Lord. I am content. The best is yet to come!
June 15, 2007 - Leo and I celebrated our 50th Wedding Anniversary.
March 5, 2015 - Celebrated the 100th "Scripture and Prayer with Verna and Friends" monthly service at Sky View.
June 15, 2017 - Leo and I celebrated our 60th Wedding Anniversary.
February 17, 2019 - Verna went to be with her Lord and Savior. “Well done, good and faithful servant! Welcome Home!”