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In this week's Crossroads, you will find information on:
Lenten Night Prayer Livestream
Holy Week and Easter online Worship 2021
Palm Sunday Coats & Blankets
Lenten Hymn and Prayer
With Sadness
Special Congregational Meeting
Message from Ruth Berg
Truth and Reconciliation
Habitat for Humanity birdhouse Fundraiser
Community Rally for People With Disability (PWD)
Social Justice Committee opportunities for new members
Church Directory
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Continuing Education courses online
Eternity for Today 2021
Flower Chart for 2021
Calling and Caring
COVID-19 Immunization Plan
Covid-19 Update
Holy Communion
Continuing Ways to join worship on-line
Read ahead
This Week at Church of the Cross
The deadline for all Crossroads submissions is Wednesday at noon. Thank you.
Please visit our website for more information about us and our events.
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L enten Night Prayer Livestream
Thursday, March 25, 7 PM PDT
Available on the regular platforms: lutheranvictoria.ca, Facebook Live, YouTube
We will be using the Night Prayer rite from Evangelical Lutheran Worship (pp. 320-327). We will provide on screen text and you can follow along in worship books at home if you have one available.
An opportunity for finding comfort and rest in prayer and music.
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Holy Week and Easter online Worship 2021
Maundy Thursday, April 1 - 7 PM PDT
Good Friday, April 2 – 11 AM PDT with guest cellist
Holy Saturday, April 3 Easter Vigil with St. Luke Anglican, pre-recorded and available for viewing online on Saturday
Easter Sunday, April 4 Festival Worship at 10 AM PDT with guest trumpet
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Palm Sunday Coats & Blankets
 It has long been our tradition to collect gently used and new coats, warm clothing items, blankets and sleeping bags on Palm Sunday. Although we are still under pandemic restrictions, we will continue this practice this year! All items gathered will be taken to Our Place and distributed to those who need it most.
Collected items will be laid at the Table and blessed during Palm / Passion Sunday on March 28. If you have items you wish to donate, but are unable or uncomfortable dropping by the church, please contact Sherry Coughlin by March 25 to make arrangements for a COVID safe pick up by one of our Social Justice Committee members.
On behalf of the Our Place community and the Social Justice Committee, thank you!
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Lenten Hymn and Prayer
Join ELCIC National Bishop Susan Johnson each day through Lent as she shares a hymn and prayer, inviting you to sing and pray with her.
Here is the hymn and prayer for today: (updated to Mar. 24)
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With Sadness
It i s with sadness that we announce the death of Stan Lind on Monday March 22 at Broadmead Lodge after a time of decline over the past year. A funeral for Stan will take place for family at Royal Oak Burial Park on Monday, March 29.
Rest eternal grant him, O God, and let light perpetual shine upon him.
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Subject: Special Congregational Meeting - Review and Approval of Proposed Bylaw Changes
All  members are invited to a Special Congregational Meeting to be held via Zoom on April 18, 2021 starting at 11:15 AM in place of the usual coffee time. The purpose of the meeting is to review and approve several changes to the church Bylaws, including:
• Renaming the "Board of Deacon's" to the "Board of Care for Communities"
• Clarify Board membership - Voting / Adjunct
• Minor housekeeping items for clarity
If you wish to review the proposed Bylaw changes prior to the meeting, please click here. If you should have any questions, please direct them to myself or to Jeanie Stann. Thank you!
Michael Coughlin
Chair
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Message from Ruth Berg
Ruth and her family would like to thank everybody for all your prayers, phone call and cards.
Thank you to our pastors for their prayers and phone calls.
Gord was a quiet man, but he had a big, loving heart. We will miss him.
May God be with you till we meet again.
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Truth and Reconciliation
You may be interested in the following workshop by Corinne Rice at 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 30th:
“Lets spend an hour in conversation about what it means to be an ally to Indigenous people and how you can be actively working to decolonize your approach to supporting. What does it mean to be an ally vs an accomplice.”
Click on the following link for information about the workshop on Eventbrite ($25).
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/allyship-workshop-2-tickets-143097547617
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Habitat for Humanity birdhouse Fundraiser
Have you stopped by the Westshore Restore or Uptown Restore to grab your Build a Birdhouse kit? Kits include everything you need to build a birdhouse except your tools! The perfect opportunity to keep the family busy during spring break. All donations go directly to Habitat’s build fund, helping to build more affordable housing in Victoria! Minimum donation $15
Habitat For Humanity Victoria ReStore
3311H Oak St, Victoria, BC V8X 2S9
(250) 386-7867
Habitat For Humanity Westshore ReStore
849 Orono Ave, Victoria, BC V9B 2T9
(250) 386-7867
Social Justice Committee
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Community Rally for People With Disability (PWD)
On March 18th there was a rally to support lifestyle concerns and income rates for People with Disabilities (PWD). It was a peaceful rally with a small number of supporters including three of us from Church of the Cross. Lynn Jones, Pastor Lyndon and I had arranged to meet up just before noon in front of the Legislative Buildings. Attending the PWD Rally reinforced why it was important for me to show up to offer support with a willingness to listen and learn. I have several friends and family members with various challenges. Some are on Disability Incomes. I already understood through them there are a broad range of mental and physical disabilities which lead to individuals being unable to work full time or work only part time or not at all. It is difficult to live on Disability Incomes that are far below the poverty line.
As I listened to conversations before the rally and stories told during, the emotional distress and pain of many individuals was unmistakable. Some people expressed how living on inadequate incomes made them struggle with feelings of inadequacy and how they lack a sense of belonging or value within the larger community.
I heard the tearful gratitude of a man who for the past three months finally found a place to call home. He has been homeless, often living in his vehicle, for five years. He explained how having a home address gave him a sense of permanence, security and safe shelter so his possessions are no longer stolen. Even though this man was employed for the majority of his life and was resilient enough to learn new skills and change jobs often to find new areas of employment he still experienced a loss of dignity because he couldn't prevent or overcome what lead to his disability, then his inability to work and eventually not earn enough money to provide for his basic needs.
How difficult it must be to think creatively and critically all while trying to overcome the angst felt when trying to figure out how to survive and how to stretch an inadequate pool of funds to make rent payments, find shelter somewhere, then buy food or basic necessities. The stress of this constant worrying has to negatively impact an individual's ability to problem solve and to move forward in life with good health and with emotional and physical well-being intact.
As I listened what struck me was the rally provided a forum for the sharing of stories, and possible solutions similar to words I had recently read in the book Spiritual Formation by Henri Nouwen: “The voice of Jesus excludes no one. Jesus became for all people the One who redeems that which has been broken and reconciles that which was divided.” At the rally it was clear that those who live outside the mainstream community have wisdom and resilience; and everyone, even those without resources have something valuable to share. We all have fears, we all need to feel secure and we all need each other. Showing up and listening to the raw emotions and life struggles of others is a start to building relationships even as we pray for, and hope for a community with a better vision of forgiveness which offers dignity, respect and a sense of belonging to everyone.
“I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything; but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”
Edward Everett Hale (3 April 1822 – 10 June 1909) author and Unitarian clergyman.
Susanne Standeven
on behalf of the Social Justice Committee
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Social Justice Committee opportunities for new members
Are you interested in learning more about Social Justice issues or helping with events which work towards a more equitable and just relationship among God’s people? The Social Justice Committee welcomes and has opportunities for new members.
Projects undertaken by the Social Justice Committee can have educational and/or action-based aspects. The Committee focuses on global and local issues, such as: forced displacement and refugee sponsorship, anti-racism, climate change and the environment, food security, as well as, immediate issues brought to the Committee's attention.
For more information contact:
Sherry Coughlin sherry_coughlin@yahoo.ca
Susanne Standeven standeven3525@gmail.com
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Church Directory
The new directory is ready, you may pick up a printed copy at the church or request a PDF copy by email.
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Continuing Education courses online
The Lutheran Theological Seminary Saskatoon (LTS)  is offering Continuing Education courses online. The courses being offered are the following:
"Queer Theologies" (SL349DL) - April 12-16 by the Rev. Dr. Kayko Driedger Hesslein
The last forty years had seen a rise in theologies from Christian LGBTQ+ communities. This course will study the works of lesbian, gay and trans theologians, and will explore their contributions to the proclamation of the gospel.
"Creation and sub-creation: Social and Religious Themes in J.R.R. Tolkien's Fiction" (SL331) - May 10-21 by the Rev. Dr. William Harrison.
Are you a Tolkien fan? Or interested in why everyone reads him and sees the movies? J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings is among the most famous English-language literary works of the 20h century. Intriguingly, Tolkien was an active and committed Christian, but his longest and bestselling work shows almost no sign of religion. We will read a variety of Tolkien's fiction and his own reflection on the work of writing, in order to investigate the ways he related religion to fiction. This course will be of special interest to people who are interested in addressing faith issues in a secular world.
To register for these courses, please visit the "Occasional Non-Program" page of the LTS website. The link to the application form is at the bottom of the page.
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Ete rnity for Today 2021
The second quarterly edition of this daily Bible reading, devotion and prayer resource has arrived at the church. They are available to pick-up in the entranceway during office hours or you may request that it be mailed to you by emailing or calling the church office.
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Flower Chart for 2021
If you would like to bring flowers for worship for a special occasion or remembrance, please email or call the church office to sign up on the Flower Chart, posted on the bulletin board. A reminder will be emailed to you as your date approaches. If you have any questions, please call the church office.
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Calling and Caring
 During COVID-19, we continue to find ways to connect as a congregation. We have a group of people dedicated to calling and touching base with others in the community. Thanks to those who have volunteered. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Scott Constantine at 222scott@gmail.com or the church office. Scott will fill you in on the details!
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Holy Communion continues every Sunday
As worship includes Holy Communion every Sunday,  those who wish to join in celebrating Holy Communion at home are invited to prepare a small amount of bread and wine (or grape juice if required) on a plate and in a cup, prior to worship. You may also wish to light a candle(s) as part of worshipping at home. At the time of Holy Communion, you are invited to have the elements in front of you, join in the words of thanksgiving and to lift the bread and wine at the same time as the presiding minister. At the time of Communing, share the bread with yourself or with one another with the words: “The body of Christ given for you.” and “The blood of Christ shed for you.” After Communing, or following worship, please consume the remaining bread and wine. This invitation is for those who wish to and feel comfortable joining in Communion at home during worship. Those who do not feel comfortable are welcome to observe Holy Communion celebrated at the church as we trust in God’s Spirit and gifts of grace offered to all as and where we are. If anyone has any questions or concerns, please contact Pastor Lyndon or Pastor Lyle.
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Continuing Ways to join worship on-line:
Sunday Worship Livestream, 10 AM PST:
Go to website: www.lutheranvictoria.ca and click on the livestream link.
Copies of the bulletin/worship order for each Sunday are available for download, and printing if you wish, on the website.
View past worship videos by visiting “About/Videos” tab of the website:
https://www.lutheranvictoria.ca/about
View Sunday School videos and activities here:
https://www.lutheranvictoria.ca/kids-youth-students/childrens-ministry-sunday-school
Tuesday Morning Prayer continues each week at 8:30 AM PST
On Facebook Livestream and www.lutheranvictoria.ca
you can view past videos here:
https://www.facebook.com/lutheranvictoria/
You do not need a Facebook account to view the church page.
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Read ahead: Palm Passion Sunday
- Sunday, March 28, 2021 Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:5-11
Mark 14:1-15:47
Worship Bulletin: CLICK HERE for Worship Bulletin
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This Week at Church of the Cross
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