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In August 2020, the world lost Dr. Nina McClelland and I lost a dear friend. Nina was a chemist and academic by trade, before it was cool or even acceptable to be a female in either of those areas. The healthy drinking water we have today is due in large part to her life's work, her imprint at the University of Toledo is unparalleled, and her list of accomplishments and awards is overwhelming.
Nina's aunt was Fern Mervos, a long-time Zion member and the donor of our most recent set of handbells, in memory of her husband, Nick. (Maybe you're starting to see the connection.) Even after Fern died, Nina would come to visit periodically and always wanted to hear what the bell ringers were up to. She loved that we had a robust handbell program in the school for so many years.
When Nina died, she left two bequests to Zion: one to establish a music fund in her name to care for the bells (and other music needs) and another to freshen up our original worship space at Zion, the building that houses Katie Luther Chapel and a multipurpose room.
Over the last year, Robin Larson, our council president, has been challenging me to find creative ways for us to make a "kingdom impact" at Zion. So, when the preschool moved their library out of the multipurpose room, I suggested turning it into a food pantry with our partners at Deerfield Beach Community Cares. Food insecurity is a major concern in Deerfield Beach, and will only become more so as time goes on. Joel Smith (Deerfield Beach Community Cares' CEO) and I sat on this idea for a few months, knowing that we would do it when the time was right.
Within the last three months, the Children's Services Council of Broward County publicized an opportunity to fund food markets in underserved communities. Long story short: we (Zion) partnered with Deerfield Beach Community Cares and FLIPANY (a local non-profit that works in nutrition and fitness) to submit a grant proposal and we have been awarded a sizeable, six-figure grant to make "Nina's Place: A Community Market" a reality!
All of this to say...you will be hearing much more about Nina's Place as it develops from dream to reality.
The grant that we received only begins to cover the costs of renovating, furnishing, and stocking the space. So, if you know of anyone – personally or professionally – who would like to get in on the ground floor of financially supporting this life-changing ministry, please let me know. We depend on developing partnerships in the community in order to make Nina's Place sustainable. Let the world know what God is up to at Zion!
Your brother in Christ and fellow servant,
Cantor Kurt R. Schmidt
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