We worship on Sundays at 11:00 a.m. in person and online. There's a place for you!
Community Book Study - Antiracism Resources
Articles & Essays
- 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice
- 5 Ways White People Can Take Action in Response to White and State-Sanctioned Violence, by SURJ
- The Case for Reparations, by Ta-Nehisi Coates
- The Characteristics of White Supremacy Culture, by Kenneth Jones and Tema Okun
- White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack, by Peggy McIntosh
- A Brief History of Slavery, NY Times
Books
- Me and White Supremacy, by Layla Saad
- Between the World and Me, by Ta-Nahesi Coates
- Stamped from the Beginning, by Ibram X. Kendi
- So You Want to Talk About Race, by Ijeoma Oluo
- Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People about Race, by Reni Eddo-Lodge
- Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption, by Bryan Stevenson
- The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarnation in the Age of Colorblindness, by Michelle Alexander
- Uprooting Racism: How White People Can Work for Racial Justice, by Paul Kivel
- Waking Up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race, by Debby Irving
- White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son, by Tim Wise
- Witnessing Whiteness, by Shelly Tochluk
- White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk about Racism, by Robin Diangelo
To go deeper: Ibram X. Kendi Antiracist reading List
Podcasts & Audio
- 1619 (NY Times Podcast)
- Code Switch (NPR)
- Seeing White: Scene on Radio (Podcast series on whiteness)
- Talking about Whiteness (Eula Bliss, On Being)
Resources for Parents & Educators
- Talking to Young Children About Race and Racism (PBS Kids Resource Roundup)
- Talking about Race, Racism and Racialized Violence with Kids (Center for Racial Justice Education)
- A Parent’s Guide to Preventing and Responding to Prejudice (Southern Poverty Law Center)
- Preparing Young Children for the Inclusion of Children with Disabilities into the Classroom (NAEYC)
- Helping Youth After Community Trauma: Tips for Educators
Want to share other resources?
Our circle of influence may start with us, but we also need each other for support, ideas, and to share our failures.
- Share on social media, email/phone, and directly good ideas you have come across! (If you know of resources that aren't listed here, but should be, send us a message.)
- Invest in community advocacy for issues of social justice.
- Model learning and growing. Kids pick up more by what we do than what we say!
Stewarding Time, Talent, and Treasure
Gifts
Volunteering Service
Volunteering Service
Gifts to and for the church go beyond birthdays and Christmas. Tangible gifts help to meet a need or demonstrate care and concern, such as donations of food and clothing to our partner ministries or particular items needed for Zion's ongoing ministry. Non-tangible gifts include the offering of time, talents, and abilities to the people around you.
Volunteering Service
Volunteering Service
Volunteering Service
Volunteering is another way to be generous, giving of your time, physical and mental energy, and talents or abilities to a particular ministry or cause. At Zion, we intentionally offer volunteer opportunities that are one-time and others that require a short-term or long-term commitment.
Monetary Support
Volunteering Service
Emotional-Relational Support
Monetary support has traditionally been the most frequently discussed form of generosity in the church. This is not an accident, though. So much of what we do requires some kind of financial support, from paying the electricity bill to supporting the ministries of the national and global church. Those who commit to giving financially do so because they believe money is a means to greater change and transformation in the world around us.
Emotional-Relational Support
Emotional-Relational Support
Emotional-Relational Support
The Bible teaches over and over that the best thing a person can do for someone in need is to show up and listen. Compassionate listening, encouragement, and being present for people in their need are some of the most powerful ways to give of your time.
Hospitality
Emotional-Relational Support
Legacy Giving
At Zion, we consider it essential to our DNA that people feel welcome, accepted, and connected. Creating a hospitable atmosphere involves dedication of time, talent, and treasure in a variety of ways, but the return on the investment is truly extraordinary.
Legacy Giving
Emotional-Relational Support
Legacy Giving
One of the greatest blessings of a generous life is to know that your generous spirit outlives you. Whether it's bequeathing assets or financial support, this particular kind of generosity ensures that the mission of Jesus Christ through the Church continues into the next generation and beyond.
Our Memorial Garden
A Truly Holy Place
The Memorial Garden was built in the first part of 1981 and became operative in October 1981. The Garden concept at Zion can be largely attributed to Lincoln and Sigrid Strom. Lincoln was the principal designer of the Garden configuration as it now appears.
The Garden is a Columbarium consisting of seven walls of varying heights, made of brick, reinforced masonry and marble, containing 289 niches, allowing for the remains of 574 people. The wall encircles a garden area with brick walls.
The Church Council is the only authority in setting policy and is responsible for the governing of the Garden. The Memorial Garden Committee conducts the business of the Garden with the By-Laws and wishes of the Church Council.
Mr. Fred Ballou served as the first custodial trustee of the Garden from its inception until January 1990. Members of Zion who served with him during these years, giving so much of their time, money, and talents are listed below. We owe a debt of gratitude to these Christian men and women.
Original Members of the Memorial Garden Committee
Fred Ballou
Frank Breithaupt
Al Hofacker
Ed Hoffman
Ed Pearson
Karl Schuhle
Randy Vazac
In his final report, Mr. Ballou reminds us that the Columbarium is not a business venture. Its purpose is to serve the spiritual needs of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church “Under the Cross.” As he said, the Garden is “a truly holy place” witnessing to future generations of our final destination—eternity with God almighty.
Current Members of the Memorial Garden Committee
Debbie Anderson
Christine Ferrara, Secretary
Robin Larson, Treasurer
Scott McElroy
First Friday: Food & Fellowship
Let's gather for food and fellowship!
Don't make dinner plans on the first Friday of each month and come as you are! We gather at locally-owned and operated restaurants to enjoy some 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!
Friday, June 2, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
Muddy Waters
2237 W. Hillsboro Blvd.
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
Third Tuesday Lunch Bunch
(in the spirit of First Friday, but especially for those who don't drive at night)
Don't make lunch plans on the third Tuesday of each month and come as you are! We gather at locally-owned and operated restaurants to enjoy some 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!
Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at Noon
Pizza Piez
614 SE 10th Street
Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
Prayer is the cornerstone of a life of discipleship, of following Jesus. The Psalms encourage us to pray as many as seven times a day, but we have many choices as to when or how to pray. Some people pray before meals, while others pray to begin and end their day. Some "pray where they are," while others benefit from a dedicated space or environment.
Worship is at the center of everything we do at Zion. Through God’s Word, water, bread and prayer, we are nurtured in faith and sent out into the world. Central to our worship life is the presence of God through word and sacrament. The word proclaimed and the sacraments — both Holy Baptism and Holy Communion — are called the means of grace. We believe that Jesus Christ is present in these means through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Learning is one of our core values at Zion. The Bible praises knowledge, wisdom, and understanding as spiritual gifts worth pursuing. Zion has a long history of formal educational ministry in Deerfield Beach, including our preschool Evergreen Academy. We also prioritize reading and studying God’s Word together and as individuals, so that we can learn and grow in our faith.
As we strengthen our spiritual foundation as a welcoming faith community, we are also all about building relationships with each other, our larger Zion community, and the neighborhood. Whether it's the faith formation moments that are few, but memorable, or the many fellowship events we sponsor, these events allow us to strengthen our bonds with each other and with God. We also look for the many opportunities we have beyond Zion to build relationships with the synodical, national, and global Lutheran church community. We are church together, for the sake of the world.
To learn more about faith formation opportunities, click here. If you are interested in faith formation, please e-mail Cantor Kurt Schmidt.
Zion's history has been shaped by identifying and responding to real needs in our community. We are committed not only to social ministry to those in need, but also to outreach and social justice so that God's voice can be heard through us. To learn more about our work with Deerfield Beach Community Cares, click here
Giving involves time, talent, and treasure; and God values all three. At Zion, you may give by using our online giving platform or by mailing your contribution to Zion (959 SE 6th Avenue, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441). You may make special, designated gifts toward our different giving campaigns (for example, the Reverse Advent Calendar) knowing that designated gifts are always applied to the cause(s) you designate. You may also give to one of our named funds for capital repairs, educational scholarships, and music ministry.
We Are Church Together: Relationships Beyond Zion
Lutheran World Relief
Lutheran World Relief is the international arm of Lutherans all over the world, responding to needs including (but not limited to) disasters. (LWR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube)
Lutheran Disaster Response
Lutheran Disaster Response is the domestic arm of Lutheran social response in the United States and the Caribbean. (LDR on Twitter, Facebook)
ELCA World Hunger
ELCA World Hunger is the ELCA's program that administers food and water programs to those in need locally, nationally, and globally.
Lutheran Services in America
Lutheran Services in America leads one of the largest health and human services networks in the U.S. with over $22 billion in annual revenue, made up of over 300 Lutheran social ministry organizations that touch the lives of 1 in 50 Americans each year. (LSA on Twitter, Facebook)
Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Services
Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service works to protect and embrace refugees, migrants, and children seeking a new life in America. Having carried out this work for more than 80 years, LIRS is uniquely equipped to provide holistic, trauma-informed, and age-appropriate care to the vulnerable individuals they serve. (LIRS on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)
Wednesdays in Lent: Community Conversations
This year, we are partnering again with Deerfield Beach Community Cares to host a series of conversations on issues related to health and wellness.
We invite all of the members of the Zion community, our neighbors, and friends to join us for these evenings in March and April. You never know who you'll meet, what you'll learn, or what surprises are in store for those who attend.
Each Wednesday evening will begin in Katie Luther Chapel with dinner at 5:30 p.m. (please register below so we have an accurate count). The conversation will start at 6:00 p.m. with time for questions and answers. The evening concludes with Holden Evening Prayer at 7:30 p.m. for those that wish to remain for prayer. Holden Evening Prayer will also be livestreamed on our Facebook and YouTube pages.