Weekly News from Zion and our Ministries Under the Cross: Evergreen Academy & Nina's Place

August 16, 2023

An Important Property Update

At a previous congregational meeting, the council was charged with moving forward the potential sale of part of the campus currently occupied by Somerset Academy Key. We have accomplished the legal splitting of the property, which allows us to retain ownership of the church sanctuary, offices, preschool, and Katie Luther Chapel/Nina’s Place buildings. (We are not going anywhere!) We are now prepared to list the remaining parcel for potential buyers to make inquiries and offer bids and will be retaining the services of a commercial real estate broker to shepherd this process.

We are committed to keeping the congregation informed and will be bringing to the congregation viable offers. As a collective body, the congregation is ultimately responsible for approving any sale of our assets. The council is excited about the possibilities and opportunities for God’s mission and our ministries on this campus once we are relieved of the burden of management, maintenance, and financial obligations for such a large property.

We ask for your continued prayers for discernment and God’s guidance for all of us as we step boldly into the future that God has planned for us.

Congratulations to DBCC!

In response to a rapid expansion in programming and administrative structure, Deerfield Beach Community Cares has elevated Mr. Jarvis Brunson to the role of Vice President of Operations, effective immediately.

“In addition to reflecting a more intentional alignment of our leadership structure, we are excited to use this opportunity to recognize Jarvis’ faithful leadership, careful planning, and innovative thinking that has brought Deerfield Beach Community Cares forward in only two years,” explained Kurt R. Schmidt, Chair of the Board of Directors.

In October, DBCC will celebrate two years of serving the community as an organized non-profit. What began out of a place of tragedy and community trauma has grown into a multi-faceted health hub, offering navigation, services, help, and hope based on the needs and vision of the community. Having Brunson on the leadership team has allowed DBCC to expand their set of services, including Nina’s Place Free Community Market & Pantry. His role includes oversight for a variety of adult and youth programming, the unique Bike Program, and the newly launched Youth Development and Leadership Academy, funded by the Community Foundation of Broward.

As Joel Smith, President & CEO, confirmed, “Deerfield Beach Community Cares is driven by the value of community voice. We are committed to building our team based on those voices.”

Along with Jarvis Brunson, DBCC has added key team members Brittany Brown and Alyssa Mayer-Saldivar. Brown will coordinate the new Youth Development and Leadership Academy and Mayer-Saldivar serves as the Executive Assistant.

This press release went out after DBCC's board meeting on Monday night. Congratulations to Jarvis and Alyssa (a member of Zion who served Zion's school for years as an English teacher and department chair).

Opportunities to "Just Show Up"

Evergreen Academy's End of Summer Concert

Join our Associate Cantor Peter Rizzo and the summer campers at Evergreen Academy for their End of Summer Concert tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. in Katie Luther Chapel. It promises to be a fun afternoon, filled with joy, singing, and dancing. You won't want to miss it!

Save the Date!

We invite all students, staff, and teachers from any school or grade to join us for our Back to School Blessing! There will be singing and prayers, blessings and gifts, and ice cream!

Opportunities to Serve Joyfully & Give Selflessly

This Sunday: Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

In Isaiah we hear that God’s house shall be a house of prayer for all people and that God will gather the outcasts of Israel. The Canaanite woman in today’s gospel is a Gentile, an outsider, who is unflinching in her request that Jesus heal her daughter. As Jesus commends her bold faith, how might our church extend its mission to those on the margins of society? In our gathering around word and meal we receive strength to be signs of comfort, healing, and justice for those in need.

The Rev's Thoughts & Recs

Last Sunday, we talked about Peter walking on water when he saw Jesus in a torrential storm. We may have a tendency to hang on to the boat in order to feel safe and secure, but the bold response is to fix our eyes on Jesus and step out of the boat. Here are three songs to guide and shape your personal devotional time this week.

Zion is a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) community, and extends God's radical welcome to all people, because we're all created in God's image.