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In this week's Crossroads, you will find information on:
Conversation with Wilton Littlechild
Annual Spring Cleanup
A Joint Earth Day Message from Lutheran, Anglican Leaders
Its April 22, Earth Day!
Sponsorship Update
Faith in Trees
Amazing Journey Day Camp
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Plant Sale for Shelbourne Community Kitchen
The Power of Words
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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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.
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Annual Spring Cleanup - May 17 to May 24
The Board of Trustees are hosting the annual Spring Clean Up at Lutheran Church of the Cross. A sign up sheet (Click here) is with Nicky at the Church Office and you can call to book your favorite task, date and time of attendance. Remember, strict Covid-19 protocols are to be followed while at the facility. There are a multitude of interior and exterior tasks to complete so pick your favorite and complete your work between May 17 and May 24. Trustees greatly appreciate your participation and hope to be on site encouraging all participate.
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A Joint Earth Day Message from Lutheran, Anglican Leaders
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada National Bishop Susan Johnson, Anglican Church of Canada Archbishop Linda Nicholls, and Anglican Church of Canada National Indigenous Archbishop Mark MacDonald share a joint Earth Day message with their two churches. "Perhaps more than at any time in our modern era, we are recognizing the moral urgency of the spiritual and living relationship between humanity, Creation, and Creator," say the leaders in their letter. "Earth Day is a time to claim these insights, renew relationships, and act on commitments to care for God's world." Please read the full letter here.
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Its April 22, Earth Day!
Time to celebrate the great gift of Creation we are but a humble part. As we go about the day, or at days’ end, take time to reflect and consider why we need an Earth Day and what that means to you. Take a scared pause at some part in the day to sense, appreciate, connect, respect, express and delight in the creation. Whatever activity you participate in, pause and ask for wisdom, healing, and that each of us is moved to commit to restoring our earth.
The theme of Earth Day this year is Restore Our Earth. The COVID-19 pandemic and climate change have painfully reminded us about the impacts of human behaviour that break down natural systems and threaten the lives of so many species, including humans. Restore Our Earth reminds us of the opportunity we have to restore relationship, to reconnect with Creation, and learn to live in right relationship with people and the earth.
According to Earthday.org, “We must Restore Our Earth not just because we care about the natural world, but because we live on it. Every one of us needs a healthy Earth to support our jobs, livelihoods, health & survival, and happiness. A healthy planet is not an option — it is a necessity.”
What will you do for the love of Creation?
In Faith,
Susan Beiderwieden, Greening Committee
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Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, Girls, & Two Spirited People (MMIWG2S) Day of Remembrance
May 5, 2021, 12-4 PM, BC Legislature
Opportunity to show up in solidarity with Indigenous neighbours. Please wear a mask and physically distance. Please observe directions and requests of organizers at the gathering.
Together small acts of showing up add up to a big show of support.
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Sponsorship Update
and how you can help…
Thank you for your continued prayers for Merhawi, Samuel, Kibreab, Gift and her child. They all continue to do well but are getting more and more eager to hear that their applications are being processed and that they might be welcomed to Canada someday soon.
Due to the pandemic, the Canadian border remains closed to all with the exception of essential travel.
Despite the strict regulations the governing boards have put into place for COVID testing pre-flight and a mandatory 14 day quarantine upon arrival, refugees who had not received their permanent resident cards by March 18, 2020 have not been allowed to immigrate to Canada, even though their applications were complete or close to complete.
The Social Justice Committee has written a letter to Ms. Elizabeth May –our Member of Parliament – asking for her support in convincing the government boards to open the border to those refugees who have been waiting to start a new and safe life in Canada. We feel their travel should be considered essential. You can view our letter on our church website under Events.
If you too are in support of this, we ask that you join us by writing to your MP. The following link has information and a template letter: https://ccrweb.ca/en/advocate-restarting-resettlement. Please feel free to contact Sherry Coughlin or Susanne Standeven if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you,
the Social Justice Committee
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Faith in Trees, April 27 evening
 "Faith in Trees" - a virtual workshop on Faith, Action and Preserving Creation, Tuesday, April 27, 6.50 to 8.30 p.m., presented by Greater Victoria Acting Together (GVAT) and the Church of St. John the Divine
Other than people and God, trees are the most mentioned living thing in the Bible. There are trees in the first chapter of Genesis (v. 11–12), in the first psalm (Ps. 1:3), and on the last page of Revelation (22:2). They are referred to as having qualities to which we aspire like wisdom. God does love trees!
How can we humans love them better? In British Columbia less than 3% of original non human planted (old growth) trees remain. There is a widespread consensus that they harbour unmatched and still mysterious biodiversity, protect water quality, enjoy a symbiotic relationship with salmon and are unparalleled carbon sinks.
On Sep 11th 2020 the BC government released its own report with 14 recommendations on what needs to happen to protect these majestic beings. It has yet to implement even one fully and most are far from completion.
Come spend some time with other people of faith in the Victoria area considering what our response must be. We will hear from scientists and activists, and theologian Matt Humphrey will lead us in a reflection. Matt is in leadership with the Anglican and United Church funded Emmaus Community in Victoria, with a special responsibility for supporting us to attend to our relationship with and responsibilities for the non human natural world.
Attendance is free. For registration click on https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwrduiorDwpHd3jIG1pTX23-CbqYk9QU4s2
Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: St. John the Divine / Faith in Forests. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.
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Amazing Journey Day Camp
Save the date: Day Camp, August 9-13, 2021
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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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Plant Sale for Shelbourne Community Kitchen
Thank you to everyone who has been donating plants for the Spring Plant Sale!!!
We will be having an informal Covid-Style Garden Sale at the end of my driveway at 3597 Thistle St. like we did in 2020 when our Annual St Aidan’s Garden Sale was cancelled. Last spring we made over $3500 for the Shelbourne Community Kitchen in the two months between May 1st and July 1st and we did it together from
this little plant stand!
What is needed to set up the Garden Stand is:
• perennials from your gardens
• seedlings that you have started
• plastic pots, ceramic pots, useable tools and fun garden art.
So go wild like you did in 2020 and let’s donate even more $$$ to the Shelbourne Community Kitchen in 2021! The stand will open May 1st so please have some garden donations to me by then and then just keep the stuff coming until the end of June and together we will support the good work of the Shelbourne Community Kitchen. Call the number below to arrange for pick-up of your donations. Covid protocols will be adhered to.
Thanks, Vivian Skinner
3597 Thistle St.
250 595-0543
vivianskinner@shaw.ca
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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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This Week at Church of the Cross
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