Weekly News from Zion and our Ministries Under the Cross, especially Evergreen Academy

August 31, 2022

Pursuing a Radical Welcome at Zion

At its July meeting, the Congregation Council gave its blessing for Zion to begin the journey toward becoming a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation. This is an important, national designation consistent with our commitment to be a congregation that radically welcomes all people.

This is the first of two weeks in this newsletter describing the RIC commitment, why it's important to us at Zion, and how we plan to proceed. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me or any of our council members (Robin Larson, Gail Schmidt, Scott McElroy, Michele Clancy, and Debbie Burns).

In Christ,

Cantor Kurt R. Schmidt

A Little Background

Since 1974, ReconcilingWorks: Lutherans for Full Participation has advocated for the full welcome, inclusion, and equity of LGBTQIA+ Lutherans in all aspects of the life of their Church, congregations, and community. Over the last (almost) 50 years, ReconcilingWorks has expanded its ministry and outreach to include those affected by racism, sexism, ageism, able-ism, heterosexism, homophobia, and all the other artificial distinctions that seek to raise one group into privilege and preference over another.

At ReconcilingWorks, they ask faith communities to commit to the following to be recognized as a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Partner:

1. Your community explicitly states a welcome to people of "all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions" or "LGBTQIA+" and names its commitment to racial equity or anti-racism in its welcome statement.
2. Open to calling an LGBTQIA+ and Black, Brown, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC) Rostered Leader.
3. Will allow community space/sanctuary to be used for LGBTQIA+ weddings and blessings.
4. Will make a meaningful contribution annually to support the national RIC program.

Understanding the RIC "Reach"

Once a congregation or community votes to become "Reconciling in Christ," they are added to a national, searchable database of RIC communities as a way of declaring their commitment to radical inclusion and welcome for all seekers. 

There are almost 1,000 RIC communities nationwide, with 290+ in the discernment process. Of our sister congregations in the Broward-Bahamas Conference, St. Stephen's (Pompano Beach), Christ (Fort Lauderdale), Grace Alone (Fort Lauderdale), and St. John's (Hollywood) are already RIC communities. Living Faith (Pembroke Pines) is on the journey with us.

Most Importantly...

Each congregation and community approaches the discernment process differently. Both councils of Zion and Living Faith recognize the desire not to get caught up in a long process; rather, our desire is to assess the climate and move boldly forward into the communities we believe God is shaping us to be.

At Zion, we recognize and respect everyone's individual beliefs regarding human sexuality; at the same time, we have a moral and biblical responsibility to intentionally welcome those who are outcast, marginalized, and have otherwise been excluded from the ministries of the church. (This also includes our work in accessibility/disability awareness.) We hope and pray that we will come together in a mutual commitment to radically and intentionally welcome all those seeking a spiritual home.

Next week, we will talk about good and valid reasons to become an RIC congregation, as well as the calendar of events that shapes this season of discernment.  (If you can't wait and want to read ahead, click here.)

2nd Annual DFB Community Fair on Saturday, September 10th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Zion

We need volunteers: those who can sit indoors, and those who want to be mobile outdoors. If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to Cantor Kurt Schmidt at (954) 913-2125.

This is our "God's Work, Our Hands" project as a congregation, and we hope that everyone will be on board to help!

ELCA Vital Congregations Training – Fall 2022

Are you ready to try some new things, share some ideas, gain a greater understanding of the broader mission, bring clarity about your own congregation’s mission, acquire knowledge on how to live that out in community, gain confidence to share what you have learned with the world, and find new allies from within a cohort of congregations? Then, you are invited to attend the 2022 Fall Session of the ELCA Vital Congregations Training.

This is a fast paced co-creative and co-experimental training facilitated by leaders with steep experience in redeveloping congregations as well as added guest presenters from a variety of settings with a wealth of knowledge. These principles and more will be explored: focusing on Jesus and justice; being expectant of the Holy Spirit; living as disciples of Jesus; multiplying leaders who are young, diverse and bring fresh insights; and aligning with purpose and core values.

This will be a four-session training. The training sessions will be held two times per day from 1:30-3:00 p.m. (eastern time) and from 7:30-9:00 p.m. (eastern time) on October 6, October 20, November 3, and November 17. You may choose the best time each day that works for you. All sessions will be recorded and available to all registered participants.

Cantor Kurt Schmidt, Robin Larson, and Gail Schmidt have attended previous iterations of this training and highly recommend it.

It's not just for current leaders, council members, or church staff! Anyone who has a desire to see our churches revitalized should attend, participate, and come to the conversation at Zion with new ideas for mission and ministry. Please prayerfully consider this opportunity!

Click here to register.

Friday, September 2, 2022

6:00 p.m. 

Flanigan's

2041 NE 2nd Street

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

(Flanigan's is located next to The Whale's Rib on A1A. Cross the intracoastal waterway bridge, make a left onto A1A, and follow the curve around. Flanigan's will be on your left.) 

Tuesday, September 20, 2022

Noon 

Whale's Rib

2031 NE 2nd Street

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

(The Whale's Rib is located next to Flanigan's on A1A. Cross the intracoastal waterway bridge, make a left onto A1A, and follow the curve around. The Whale's Rib will be on your left.) 

Let's enjoy the beach eats before the season starts!

Don't make lunch or dinner plans and come as you are! We enjoy delicious food and one another's fellowship. We each pay our own way, but everyone is invited to the table — friends, family members, and neighbors!