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In this week's Crossroads, you will find information on:
Special Congregational Meeting
With Sadness
Conversation with Wilton Littlechild
Amazing Journey Day Camp
Earth Day: April 22, 2021
Online Environment Event
Recognition, Justice, and Development
The Power of Words
Social Justice Committee opportunities for new members
Continuing Education courses online
Church Directory
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Flower Chart for 2021
Calling and Caring
COVID-19 Immunization Plan
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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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 PDT in place of the usual coffee time. The Zoom link will be sent in a separate e-mail. 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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With Sadness
It is with sadness that we announce the sudden death of Pastor Guenther Sandl on April 10 in an accident on his property in Cowichan. Guenther served as Pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Victoria until its closure and continued to support people from the community who prior to the pandemic met monthly at Luther Court. There is a memorial website at https://gfwsandl.com/ There has been no announcement about a funeral. Our prayers are with Guenther’s family and all who grieve for him.
Rest eternal, grant him, O God, and let light perpetual shine upon him.
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Conversation with Wilton Littlechild
Former Commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
7:00 - 8:15 pm PDT
Via Zoom (link will be sent closer to event date)
MC: Boston Laferté, council member for the UVic Native Students Union
https://www.lutheranvictoria.ca/events/conversation-with-wilton-littlechild/2021-04-27
Wilton Littlechild, Ph.D., is a Cree chief, residential school survivor, and lawyer who has worked both nationally and internationally including with the United Nations to advance Indigenous rights and Treaties. He has also – through leadership with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission – raised awareness of former Canadian policies that decimated the livelihood and culture of Indigenous Canadians.
Born in Alberta, Wilton Littlechild was raised largely at residential schools from 1951 to 1964, where he spent 14 years surviving through study and sport. After leaving residential school, he studied physical education at the University of Alberta and law at the University of New Mexico, where he continued his balance of academics and hockey.
Chief Littlechild was a member of the 1977 Indigenous delegation to the United Nations (UN), and worked on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. He organized within the UN to increase Indigenous input in the economic and social issues the UN tackles. In the 1980s, he worked on the lawsuit to prevent patriation of the Canadian Constitution until the Aboriginal and Treaty Rights were protected and, in more recent years, has been a regional and International Chief on Treaties No. 6, 7, 8.
Chief Littlechild has been a member of parliament, Vice-President of the Indigenous Parliament of the Americas, North American representative to the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, and a chairperson for the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Commission on First Nations and Métis Peoples and Justice Reform.
In addition to his ongoing work with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, he’s continued to run his own law firm in Erminiskin Reserve, Alberta, and maintains his commitment to sport. He has been inducted into seven Sports Halls of Fame.
He has been awarded the Order of Canada and in 1993, the Canadian government awarded Chief Littlechild the Canada 125 Medal. He is a 2015 Laureate of the Indspire Awards and was recently honoured with the Alberta Award of Excellence.
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Amazing Journey Day Camp
Save the date: Day Camp, August 9-13, 2021
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Earth Day: April 22, 2021
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, are Tried and True… But Now Add Rethink, Refuse and Repair.
The news is full of plastics:
“Plastics choking the oceans”
“Bans set on single-use packaging”
“Eliminating plastic straws”
“More than 40% of plastics are only used once”
“Only 9% of plastics are actually being recycled”
How we deal with all this plastic brings to mind the 3R’s – reduce, reuse and recycle. We are now seeing an expansion of the R’s to include Rethink, Refuse, and Repair. The following gives some ideas of how to incorporate the 6R’s into your everyday life.
Rethink
Stop and think about what you are buying and using. Taking the time to rethink our consumption or purchases gives us the opportunity to adjust our behavior and decrease the amount of waste we create. Consider what can be done differently to reduce our environmental impact.
Refuse
As consumers we can refuse to accept wasteful products. Refusing to consume is the first step that will have the biggest effect on our waste production. Just say no to single use items such as plastic bags, straws, and to-go containers. Have your monthly bills and bank statements emailed or accessible electronically.
Reduce
Traditionally, reduce was the first R. Now with Rethink and Refuse we have already made inroads to reducing our waste. When considering a new purchase, ask yourself – “Do I really need this?” Make decisions that decrease the amount of waste produced. Shop at farmers markets and second-hand stores where you can purchase items with little or no packaging. Buy in bulk and avoid single-serving sizes.
Reuse
Can a product be used again? Can we find a different use for it? Reusable grocery bags and travel mugs are a great example of reuse in action. Reuse extends the life of these items and eliminates the need for single use bags and cups. For future purchases look to swap out single use items for reusable such as cloth napkins and reusable water bottles.
Items such as clothing or furniture that we no longer have a use for can be donated to thrift stores, non-profit organizations, local shelters and community programs.
Repair
When an item breaks down or no longer functions properly, fix it. When considering a new purchase ask yourself – “can this product be easily repaired? Are there components that can be replaced rather than having to recycle or dispose of the entire product?” This speaks to the sustainability of a product and how often we may need to replace it.
Recycle
Over the years, recycle has been the default action to offset our environmental impact. There are many items that can be recycled through curbside recycling – cardboard, paper, and plastic containers. Extended producer responsibility in British Columbia provides recycling opportunities for a wide variety of materials including used oil, electronics, tires, batteries, small and large appliances, and beverage containers just to name a few.
The best way to recycle is to be informed about what goes where. Visit sortsmart.ca for more information on your local recycling options.
Rethink, refuse, reduce, reuse, repair and recycle. Not as catchy as “reduce, reuse and recycle” but it gives us more options to limit our waste production. Look to incorporate the 6Rs into your daily life today.
In Faith and for the Love of Creation,
Susan
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Call for Small-Scale Climate Justice Projects
 The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has issued a call for small-scale climate justice projects initiated and led by young people. "For LWF, climate justice points to the need for everybody to take responsibility for the care of creation. We see it as a matter of intergenerational justice." says Eva Christina Nilsson, Director of LWF's Department for Theology, Mission and Justice, announcing the new call for proposals.
The deadline for proposals is on May 16. Each project should be initiated and led by young people, aged 30 years or younger, and require endorsement by an LWF member church. Projects should run from July to October. Applications meeting the eligibility criteria must be sent to action.justice@lutheranworld.org under the subject “Youth Climate Project"
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OH POOP! Online Environment Event - April 20
To Register click here.
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Recognition, Justice, and Development: Peoples of African Descent and Canadian Churches
The Canadian Council of Churches' Forum for Intercultural Leadership and Learning has now made available a new companion study guide to the videos of "Recognition, Justice, and Development: Peoples of African Descent and Canadian Churches." The study guide is available in English and French. You can download this resource and find the link to the videos of key moments from the event when you click here.
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The Power of Words
The impact of worship language on the marginalized April 29 & 30, 2021 Outstanding lineup of speakers including Rev. Dr. Kieko Driedger Hesslein, Schmieder Fellow, LTS, Saskatoon
Program: Keynote addresses; breakout groups; reflection and worship.
For more details and to register:
https://event-wizard.com/Dubrick2021/0/register/
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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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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 PDT:
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 PDT
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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This Week at Church of the Cross
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