Compassion in an Age of Trauma – Dr. Annie Perez
Briefing Document: Spring Meadows Seventh-day Adventist Church Service of September 13, 2025
Summary:
The church service held on September 13, 2025, at the Spring Meadows Seventh-day Adventist Church was a multifaceted event centered on the core themes of compassion, unity, and the celebration of faith milestones. The service featured the baptism of the entire Boucas family and the dedication of Julian Myles Wilkin, reinforcing the church’s focus on family and spiritual growth. The central sermon, “Compassion in an Age of Trauma,” delivered by Dr. Annie Perez, provided a deep theological and practical exploration of compassion, urging the congregation to be a source of active support and comfort in a broken world. This message was thematically linked to the church’s “Mindfit” mental health program. A preceding segment on prayer by Jennifer Alfonso addressed contemporary societal divisions, calling for a deliberate choice of love and unity over discord. The service was framed by numerous community announcements, highlighting a vibrant and active church life with a variety of upcoming programs and ministries.
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I. Overview of the Church Service
The worship service on September 13, 2025, was led by various church leaders and featured a blend of worship music, prayer, life celebrations, and a featured sermon.
Key Participants:
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Role
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Individual(s)
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Welcome & Announcements
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Pastor Brian Cassell
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Baptisms & Baby Dedication
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Pastor Alex Harter
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Prayer for the People
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Jennifer Alfonso
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Kid’s Life Segment
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Kris and Niko Harter
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Invitation to Give
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Jennifer Alfonso
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Main Sermon
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Dr. Annie Perez
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Praise Team Leader
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Dana Smolder
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Order of Events: The service progressed from community-focused announcements and celebrations to a deep theological message, structured as follows:
1. Welcome & Announcements
2. Baptisms of the Boucas Family
3. Worship Music and Prayer
4. Children’s Story (Kid’s Life)
5. Baby Dedication of Julian Myles Wilkin
6. Invitation to Give
7. Sermon by Dr. Annie Perez
II. Central Theme: “Compassion in an Age of Trauma”
Dr. Annie Perez’s sermon presented a comprehensive framework for understanding and practicing compassion, particularly in times of widespread brokenness and despair.
A. Core Metaphors for Compassion
Dr. Perez employed three distinct metaphors to illustrate the nature and necessity of compassion:
1. The Penguins: An anecdote from a trip to New Zealand contrasted two types of penguins. The “yellow-eyed penguin” could land easily on a calm shore, while the small “blue penguin” faced a treacherous, rocky cliff. The blue penguins succeeded in ascending the cliff only by working together, helping and supporting each other.
◦ Message: “When our life is great… it’s easy right to just land on your on your belly stand up and continue walking. But when things are difficult… what a great support system to have penguins with you that can support you that can lift you up.” The congregation was invited to identify the “penguins” in their lives and to be a penguin for others.
2. The “Soft Mother” Monkey: Referencing Dr. Harry Harlow’s 1971 experiment, it was noted that baby monkeys, when frightened, consistently sought comfort from a soft, terry cloth mother figure rather than a wire-mesh mother that provided milk.
◦ Message: Survival is not merely about sustenance but about “love and connection,” comfort, and affection. The church is called to be a “soft mother”—a place of warmth, safety, and compassionate connection—not a “wire monkey” that is merely “rigid, functional, and cold.”
3. Peter and the Lame Man (Acts 3): The story highlights that Peter did not just command the man to “rise up and walk.” After speaking, “he reached out his hand and lifted the man up and showed him how to stand.”
◦ Message: True compassion is not just words or sentiment; it is tangible action. “True compassion is not just simply saying get up, compassion is saying here let me help you stand.”
B. Defining Compassion
The sermon provided a formal definition and a series of clarifying points:
• Definition: “Compassion is a conscious understanding [of] other people[‘s] distress with the desire to alleviate that distress.” It is described as “empathy plus action.”
• What Compassion Is: It is rooted in humility, is gentle and patient, and is balanced with self-care.
• What Compassion Is Not: It is not pity, weakness, enabling harmful behavior, or an emotion without corresponding action.
• Historical Context: Dr. Perez noted that the use of the word “compassion” in literature was at an all-time low in the 1940s, an era defined by World War II and the Holocaust, suggesting compassion declines in traumatic times. The current era is compared to the 1940s, being “scarred by war, racism, destruction, and hate.”
C. Practical Application and Call to Action
The church’s call is to give what it has: “Jesus Christ.” This is manifested through compassionate action:
• Being present for others.
• Sharing acts of kindness.
• Listening without the need to respond.
• Noticing when someone is absent and reaching out with a text or call to say, “I miss you.”
• Sharing meals and building community.
This theme was directly connected to the church’s Mindfit program, a mental health docuseries. Melinda Fields was publicly recognized for her role in bringing the program to the church, driven by her vision for a “trauma-informed church” after witnessing the pain of children as a Title One teacher.
III. Theme of Unity and Love
In a segment preceding the main sermon, Jennifer Alfonso delivered a message on the critical importance of unity and love in “such uncertain times.”
• Context: The message was delivered against a backdrop of personal emotion and national turmoil, specifically mentioning “what happened this week in our country with the death of Charlie Kirk.”
• The Problem of Division: The speaker identified the enemy’s strategy of using “race, sexuality, ethnicity, politics, church your denomination, your faith background affiliation” to divide people, noting that this issue of division in the church was also addressed by the Apostle Paul.
• The Scriptural Solution: The solution is found in a conscious commitment to love, as outlined in key scriptures:
◦ Ephesians 4:4-16: On the “one body and one Spirit” and the “unity of the faith.”
◦ Matthew 22:34-40: The two greatest commandments to love God and love your neighbor.
◦ 1 Corinthians 13: The definition of love, which is presented as the essential element without which all other actions and gifts are “nothing.”
• The Central Choice: “Church family it is our choice to decide if we want to choose division or if we want to choose love.”
IV. Celebration of Faith Milestones
The service prominently featured two significant family ceremonies, underscoring the church’s commitment to marking key moments of faith.
A. Baptism of the Boucas Family
Pastor Alex Harter officiated the baptism of three members of the Boucas family: Benjamin (son), Jessika (mother), and Renato (father).
• Significance of the Date: The 13th was noted as a historically important date for the family, marking when they started dating, a birthday, their move, and now their baptism.
• Family’s Journey: The family began visiting Adventist churches in Brazil and Fort Lauderdale. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they discovered Spring Meadows through its online presence, later attended a Vacation Bible School (VBS) program, and subsequently moved to the area.
• Letters to Jesus: Each family member read a personal letter.
◦ Benjamin: “Thank you Lord for making my dream come true… you saved me and I want to live with you forever in heaven.” He quoted his favorite verse, Joshua 1:9.
◦ Jessika: “Today as I prepare to be baptized I want to offer my whole life back to you. I want this moment to be the testimony of my faith, my love, and my commitment to you to follow you always.”
◦ Renato: “Baptism is not the end but the beginning of a new life with you. I thank you for my family who walk with me in faith and for the church that has welcomed us with love.”
B. Baby Dedication of Julian Myles Wilkin
Pastor Alex Harter also led the dedication of Julian Myles Wilkin, son of Karolina and Todd Ryan.
• A “Miracle” Child: The baby was described as a miracle, born after the couple had experienced a difficult miscarriage.
• Biblical Parallel: The family’s story was compared to that of Hannah in the Old Testament, with 1 Samuel 1:27 (“I prayed for this child and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him”) cited as a key verse.
• Community Involvement: The dedication highlighted the support of the church community. The church’s Quilting Ministry presented the family with a handmade quilt that was prayed over by its makers. The baby’s cousins and mother also performed special songs written for him.
V. Church Life, Announcements, and Data
The service and accompanying bulletin provided a detailed look at the church’s active community life, ministries, and operational status.
A. Upcoming Events and Programs
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Event
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Date(s)
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Time / Location
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Details
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Mindfit Program
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Sept 13
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1:00 PM @ SMC Campus
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A four-part conversational docuseries on mental health.
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JOY Picnic Potluck
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Sept 20
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After Church @ Sylvan Park (Pavilion 1)
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For the “Just Older Youth” group.
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Pathfinder/Adventurer Induction
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Sept 20
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2:00 PM @ Sanctuary
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Induction service for the church’s youth clubs.
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Adventurer Club Car Wash
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Sept 21
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9 AM – 12 PM @ Church Parking Lot
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Fundraiser for the Adventurer Club.
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SMC Church Picnic
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Sept 28
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11 AM – 2 PM @ Westmonte Park
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A day of food, games, and fellowship.
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Dwell (Young Adult Vespers)
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Oct 3
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8:00 PM @ Boggess Chapel
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Young adult worship service.
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MomCo
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Oct 7
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6:00 PM @ Fellowship Hall
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Ministry for mothers, with a parallel KidsCo program.
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Camp Kulaqua Church Retreat
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Nov 8
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Camp Kulaqua
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Registration is open for day attendees.
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B. Church Operations and Ministries
• Church Staff: The church is served by a team including Senior Pastor Brian Cassell, three associate pastors (Shane Davis, Alex Harter, Jonathan Osorio), a Head Elder, and administrative staff.
• Sabbath School: Eight distinct classes are offered at 9:30 AM for different age groups and interests, including a Russian Language class and a Young Professional class.
• Financials (Church Budget July 2024 – June 2025):
◦ Period: Pre-Closing Sep 1—12, 2025
◦ Needed: $93,185
◦ Received: $10,950
◦ Over/Short: -$82,235
C. Kid’s Life Story
The children’s segment, led by Kris and Niko Harter, featured a story about a boy named Johnny who catches a home run ball at a Dodgers game. Seeing another boy crying who had never caught one, Johnny compassionately gives his ball away. The moral of the story was: “Look to see other people, have compassion for other people, have concern for others and see how you can help them.”
Other Sermons In This Series
Rooted in the Word – Pastor Alex Harter
January 04, 2025
Beginnings Matter – Pastor Jonathan Osorio
January 18, 2025