Architect Stephen Schwartz, set to appear Jan. 25 in Delray Beach, uses Legos to build a symbolic version of old Jerusalem as a teaching tool to reach children. Photo provided
You can’t build Rome in a day, but you can build the Old City of Jerusalem, if you have help and you use Legos.
Architect Stephen Schwartz brings one of his projects — using Legos to build a 20-foot-by-20-foot depiction of the Old City of Jerusalem — to Cason United Methodist Church on Jan. 25, and you are invited to help.
“This program is not just for kids,” said Emily Popolizio, the church’s director of family ministries. “It’s meant to be interfaith and intergenerational.”
The display is part of a learning module for Cason Kids Care, a group that Popolizio started three years ago to teach Christian principles of kindness and service to kids aged 5-11.
The group meets on two Saturdays a month, and the project for this month is centered on learning more about Jerusalem as the home of four religions and in light of the war.
“If we cannot learn to respect each other, it’s not a world I want my granddaughter to grow up in,” she said. “That’s the whole point of Cason Kids Care — raising caring kids.”
The depiction, which is laid out on a large drawing that re-creates the ancient city, has a Lego wall and Lego structures, from the eight gates of the city to the Kotel, Tower of David and Beit Hamikdosh. Many other landmark elements are included.
Schwartz is the founder of Building Blocks Workshops LLC based in Livingston, New Jersey. He is a graduate of the School of Architecture at Washington University in St. Louis.
He has years of experience as a licensed architect in more than five states and a CV full of civic and educational volunteer work, but now he reconstructs cities and notable places out of Legos.
Schwartz will lead the activity from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 25, at 342 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach. Free. Info: 561-276-5302 or casonumc.org.
The city will be on display until the afternoon of Jan. 26.
Note: LEGO is a trademark of the LEGO Group of Companies, which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse these programs.
Unity of Delray to host traditional new year rites
Unity of Delray Beach, at 101 NW 22nd St., hosts two popular new year ceremonies in January. Both are free and open to the public.
The ceremonies are:
The Burning Bowl Ceremony takes place at 7 p.m. Jan. 8. The Burning Bowl is a satisfying way of releasing old hurts and anger into the universe by writing the hurt on a piece of parchment and burning it in a special bowl blessed for the occasion.
This makes room for divine love, healing and acceptance. This is usually followed by a prayer for prosperity and success in the new year.
The White Stone Ceremony is at 7 p.m. Jan. 15. This is a special evening of self-awareness that has its roots in an ancient practice of selecting a new name, which was written on a white stone tablet and signified one’s freedom from the past.
As they begin a new year, participants make a commitment and declare what their focus will be by calling forth a new name. Some people write on the stone what they want to achieve: Peace, Perspective, Balance, Forgiveness, Hope.
For more information, call 561-276-5796 or visit unityofdelraybeach.org.
Guest theologian coming to First Presbyterian
First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach welcomes its first Distinguished Preacher of the new year when the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Walton comes to the pulpit at 9 and 11 a.m. Jan. 12.
Walton is an accomplished author, ethicist and religious scholar and is the president of Princeton Theological Seminary. He has taught at several universities and colleges, including Princeton University, the University of California, and Harvard.
He formerly served as dean of Wake Forest University School of Divinity.
First Presbyterian Church of Delray is at 33 Gleason St.; 561-276-6338 or firstdelray.com
B’nai Torah Congregation’s 2025 Concert Series begins
Tickets for B’nai Torah Congregation’s 2025 Concert Series are on sale. The four performances take place in the sanctuary at 6261 SW 18th St., Boca Raton. A virtual option is offered. Performances are:
• Jazz pianist and composer Leonid Ptashka at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15.
• ABBAFAB, The Music of ABBA at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12.
• Cantor Shai Abramson at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26.
• Cantor Magda Fishman, Maestro Tomer Adaddi and Friends at 7:30 p.m. March 11.
Tickets range from $30 to $80 for members and $40 to $105 for guests at www.btcboca.org/cs. For more information, call 561-392-8566 or visit btcboca.org.
Martin Luther King Day celebrations in Boca
The City of Boca Raton joins with Temple Beth El and Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church for a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. Day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 20.
A community breakfast takes place at 8-10 a.m. at Ebenezer, 200 Ruby St. Sponsored by Developing Interracial Social Change, the breakfast has the theme “Don’t Give Up on the Dream.”
A Unity March takes place at 10 a.m. from the MLK Jr. Monument at 200 Ruby St. to Mizner Park Amphitheater. The march will feature the Boca Raton Community High School Band & Color Guard. Trolley service is available for people requiring assistance.
At 10:30 a.m., the ceremony begins at the amphitheater with keynote speaker Dr. Alisha Winn. A mayoral proclamation, speeches by community leaders, poetry, music and the presentation of the humanitarian award are also planned.
The Unity Celebration from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. features rides and games, a craft station, community booths, performances, and food and drink for purchase. tbeboca.org/event/the-city-of-boca-raton-hosts-mlk-jr-day.
Afternoon with Gershwin set for First Presbyterian
First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach invites you to spend the afternoon with George Gershwin’s music performed on piano and by a chamber orchestra and some of South Florida’s best singers.
At 4 p.m. Jan. 26, you’ll be transported by the “Fascinating Rhythm of George Gershwin,” featuring the most popular selections from the Gershwin repertoire. Tickets are $30 each at firstdelray.com/concerts/reserve-concert-tickets.
The church is at 33 Gleason St.; 561-276-6338 or firstdelray.com
Annual Grace Race taking registrations
Registration is open for the annual Grace Race 5K and 1-mile fun run/walk at 8 a.m. Feb. 15. One hundred percent of the race proceeds benefit 4KIDS of South Florida’s work in helping families in crisis; Trail Life Troop FL 0633, a father-son program; and the outreach efforts of Amped Student Ministries.
Hosted by Grace Community Church Boca, the race is for all ages and fitness levels. The event features food, refreshments, a bounce house and music by a DJ.
The race begins and ends at the church, 600 W. Camino Real, Boca Raton. For more information, call 561-395-2811 or visit graceboca.org.
Register for the Grace Race ($30 for the 5K) at runsignup.com/Race/FL/BocaRaton/GraceRace5KRunWalk
Boca church seeks helpers in hosting world summit
The annual summit for WorldLead will be held Feb. 13-21 at Boca Raton Community Church, 470 NW Fourth Ave.
Pastor Bill Mitchell started WorldLead with BRCC in 2011. Today, WorldLead works with more than 100 leaders in 39 nations on six continents to develop Christian leaders. “WorldLead is a leadership process, not a leadership program,” its website says.
As part of BRCC’s international ministry, the church hosts the annual summit, which brings leaders to Boca for special training.
WorldLead and the church need your help. Volunteers are needed to host international guests, provide transportation to and from the airport, purchase snacks from Costco, provide baked goods, and set up and tear down for various events. If you can help, contact the church at 561-395-2400 or bocacommunity.org/this-week.
— Christine Davis
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