ZOOM House Fundraiser
Mark your calender for April 17th! The annual ZOOM House fundraiser will be held at Jax Cafe with the fun beginning at 6PM.There will be a sit down dinner, Silent Auction, Live Auction, Wine Pull and much more. Call 612-824-1017 to order tickets or make a contribution
ZOOM House is a transitional housing unit in the Lyndale Neighborhood of South Minneapolis that is designed to provide housing as well as support to homeless families. Its mission is to serve families in transition by providing safe, affordable housing in a community that offers services that promote and support family and economic self-sufficiency and offers opportunities for educational advancement, job training, spiritual growth and neighborhood involvement. It has been a very busy and exciting summer at ZOOM House.
Sara Parnell started as ZOOM Houses Office Coordinator on September 9, 2009. Sara has 7 years of administrative work in non-profit organizationswith3 years experience working in and with community outreach organizations. This fall, Sara will complete her MA in Congregational Care in Faith and Health Settings at Luther Seminary and has a passion for helping people have positive life transition experiences through coordination of area organizations in social service cooperation.
The ZOOM Board has spent much of their time looking at the ZOOM House mission and how we are fulfilling that mission. In doing this, we have created the following committees. We are looking for members of partnership organizations and the neighborhood to serve on the committees. This is a wonderful way to give and volunteer at ZOOM House. If you are interested in serving on one of the following committees or would like more information, please contact Sara Parnell at the ZOOM House office. Phone: (612) 825-2825 Email: info@thezoomhouse.org.
- Safety & Security: The Safety & Security Committee will assist the ZOOM staff in monitoring the safety and security issues associated with our residents and our property. This committee will recommend ways in which safety and security issues can be best addressed.
- Finance: The Finance Committee will assist the ZOOM Board and staff in developing, monitoring and regularly reporting on an annual operating budget.
- Personnel: The Personnel Committee will work with the ZOOM Board and staff to address personnel issues. This might include development of personnel policies, position descriptions and monitoring of staffing needs.
- Fundraising: The Fundraising Committee will work to support the ZOOM program through a variety of fundraising opportunities which might include the planning of an annual fundraising event, working to secure financial support from partnership organizations and working with our grant writer to solicit philanthropic funds.
- Outreach Committee: The Outreach Committee will work to build partnerships with both religious and secular organizations as a way to build the awareness of and support for the ZOOM program.
- Community Life: The Community Life Committee will work to support a positive, vibrant environment among the ZOOM residents. This will include planning social events, developing a culture of community within the building and promoting educational opportunities for residents.
- Marketing: The Marketing Committee will work to market the ZOOM program to the broader community printed, visual and web-based materials.
- Governance: The Governance Committee will work with the ZOOM Board to develop governance policies, position descriptions and effective operating procedures for the Board of Directors.
Zion Adopts Fair Trade and Environmental Policies
Zion Lutheran Church’s Fair Trade Policy
Micah 6:8: He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8 calls us, as Christians, to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly. Zion’s Fair Trade commitment helps Lutherans answer that call by righting the injustices of small-scale farmers around the world and being responsible stewards of God’s creation. By our using Fair Trade coffee and other products in Zion and in our homes, we guarantee that farmers will earn the income they need to feed their families, educate their children seek medical care and improve their communities. Therefore, it is the expectation of Zion Lutheran Church that all groups and individuals who use our facilities adhere to our Fair Trade policy.
Zion Lutheran Church’s Environmental Policy
Genesis 1: 24-25 And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind.” And it was so... And God saw that it was good.
Zion’s concern for the environment is shaped by the Word of God spoken in creation; care for the earth is a profoundly spiritual matter that each and every one is called to be a part of. Zion heeds this call by using eco-friendly, compostable disposable products, and recycling whenever possible. Therefore, it is the expectation of Zion Lutheran Church that all groups and individuals who use our facilities adhere to our environmental policy.
Lyndale Community Dinner
Wednesday evenings at 6PM.
Building community within the Lyndale neighborhood is one of the cornerstones of our mission at Zion. And nowhere is this more important than in the heart of the city. Neighbors who know and watch out for each other keep neighborhoods safe and make them better places to live. The Lyndale Community Dinner provides a place where neighbors can simply meet and share a meal.
Zion created the Lyndale Community Dinner in the fall of 2006. We serve a hot nutritious meal to everyone who comes, anywhere from 40 to 75+ people. There are a lot of families with children, as well as older people who come for the fellowship as much as the meal. Adults are on hand before and after dinner to help the kids with their homework. Certified nutritionist and cooking instructor Karen Blanchard oversees all food preparation and educates the community on food preparation, nutrition and healthy eating.
Zion’s 4th Annual Sharing Thanksgiving Community Dinner took place on Thanksgiving Eve 2009 and served more than 200 people.
Artist's Rendering of Zion's Southwest Raingardem
In the fall of 2008, Zion began looking at the feasibility of creating an environmentally responsible parking lot and church grounds. Zion has been working closely with the Lyndale Neighborhood Association's Environmental Committee in the hopes of creating a significant green space in the heart of South Minneapolis. 2009 promises to be an exciting year as Zion's continues moving forward in this important planning.
Stay tuned for more details.