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If you have a Mac or the links are not working,
please try clicking on 'View it in your browser'.
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In this week's Crossroads, you will find information on:
Continuing Ways to join worship on-line
Read ahead & Worship Bulletin
Resuming In-person Worship Update
Refugee Sponsorship Fundraiser
Outdoor Saturday Garage Sales
Bells of Peace Campaign
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Prayers for Lebanon
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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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 is cancelled for the next Tuesday (Aug. 11) while Pastor Lyndon is on vacation.
On Facebook Live and you can view past videos here:
https://m.facebook.com/lutheranvictoria/
You do not need a Facebook account to view the church page.
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Read ahead: 10 Pentecost
- Sunday, August 9, 2020 Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b
Romans 10:5-15
Matthew 14:22-33
Worship Bulletin: CLICK HERE for Worship Bulletin
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Resuming In-person Worship Update
Thank you to everyone who was able to fill out the  resuming in-person worship survey. 67 people have responded. 24 (36%) indicated they’re ready to return to in-person worship with the safety measures in place. 23 (35%) indicated they would be interested in attending in-person worship when they feel more comfortable. 14 (21%) indicated they won’t attend in-person worship until there is a COVID-19 vaccine. 5 (8%) indicated other, with most comments expressing uncertainty, or considering in September. 27 (40%) indicated, yes, to attending in-person worship on August 30, while 60% indicated, no, they will not attend. Regarding receiving communion at in-person worship, 33 (52%) indicated, yes, and 31 (48%) indicated, no. And concerning greeting and ushering, 12 (18%) indicated, yes, and 55 (82%) indicated, no, to greeting and ushering. This information and the comments are helpful in guiding the Leadership Team and Council in further decisions about in-person worship.
The Covid-19 Leadership Team are following the “Guidance for Faith-Based Organizations” provided by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) and in some instances being more restrictive than the guidelines (requiring masks, greater distances). The guidelines can be accessed here, (pdf link) or you may email or call the church office for a copy. The Leadership Team recognizes there are differing opinions and feelings about resuming in-person worship and stresses the need and respect for everyone making decisions that are comfortable for each person.
Livestreaming of worship will continue throughout the summer and into the foreseeable future. A trial of in person worship will take place on August 16 with members of the Leadership Team, the Board of Worship and Council. And the current plan is that in-person worship will resume on Sunday, August 30th. Worship will be limited to 35 people in the congregation. If you wish to join in worship on Sunday, August 30, please email or call the church office to indicate your intention to be present. Based on the experience we gain and lessons learned from in-person worship in August, we will plan for in-person worship into the fall.
This is a learning process. Your questions and comments have helped the Leadership Team better prepare for this adventure in faith! We are committed to providing everyone the information they need to feel confident in being safely present for in-person worship at Church of the Cross. A few responses to recent questions are below:
Q: Is there an age restriction for participation at in-person worship?
A: No. Our practice continues to be all are welcome, children, youth, elders, all are welcome.
Q: Will there be Holy Communion at in-person worship?
A: Yes. The pastors and committee have developed ways to safely distribute the bread and the wine.
Q: Will the washrooms be open and clean.
A: Yes. We ask that the washrooms only be used if necessary. They will be well cleaned before worship. If you use a washroom, follow the practice of thorough hand cleaning with soap and water after use.
Q: Will there be a coffee/hospitality time after worship?
A: Not at this time. But virtual coffee on Zoom will continue.
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Thank you for NOT attending an in-person Refugee Sponsorship Fundraiser
WHAT: You are invited to join the Social Justice Committee of Lutheran Church of the Cross for a Zoominar Fundraiser for Refugee Sponsorship
An informative session led by guest speaker Sabine Lehr who will address the topic:
Distant but Together: Sponsoring Refugees during a Global Pandemic
WHEN: Tuesday August 18th from 6:30-8 pm
WHO: Congregational members, friends, family, neighbouring faith communities and, people interested in learning about refugee sponsorship
WHY: To raise $30,000 to support more vulnerable refugee populations
Details on how to donate will be provided during the Zoominar
HOW: Registration via Lutheran Church of the Cross office by email
lutheranchurchofthecross@shaw.ca or phone 250-477-6222
Deadline to register is Monday, August 17th.
About our Guest: Sabine Lehr
Sabine is eminently qualified to provide us with an update on the current situation of refugees. She manages private sponsorship of refugees with the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria, has been a member of the Council of the Canadian Refugee Sponsorship Agreement Holders Association since 2016, and is current Chair of the Council. In her role at ICA she assists European countries in exploring either private or community sponsorships.
Sabine obtained a Master of Business Administration in International Management from the University of London, and a PhD in Educational Studies from the University of Victoria. She went on to complete a postgraduate Certificate in Refugee and Forced Migration Studies from York University.
About the Topic
Distant Together: Sponsoring Refugees during a Global Pandemic
Globally, refugees and displaced persons have been affected disproportionately by the COVID19 pandemic. Only a small number of countries offer resettlement opportunities, but far below what is needed to provide homes for those in desperate need.
In 2019 Canada was the largest resettlement country in the world, due in part to a long-standing private refugee sponsorship program that allows ordinary Canadians to complement the Government’s resettlement program. Under this program, sponsors continued referring refugees during the Pandemic, but only with the assurance of having the necessary funds needed to support the refugees during their first year in Canada.
The Social Justice Committee
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Outdoor Saturday Garage Sales
The Social Justice Community has an opportuni ty to join Broad View United Church (formerly St Aidan's) on Saturday August 22nd at their outdoor Saturday Garage Sales occurring throughout August.
There is no charge to SJC for setting up tables. This is a good opportunity to raise money for our Refugee Fund and it allows SJC members to remove the jewellery & accessories collected and stored in garages or basements since the postponement of the fall Fundraiser. Any items unsold will be donated to the BVUC Thrift Store.
The Social Justice Community is looking for volunteers to help with shifts on Saturday Aug 22nd between 9 am-2 pm. People are needed for: set-up 9 am - 10 am, to oversee tables during the sale (10 am - 1 pm), and to help pack up remaining items from 1 - 2 pm, take down and sanitize tables.
To ensure maximum safety for all....
- we will follow BC Health Authority COVID 19 regulations/precautions
- we will piggy-back with what BVUC has in place for the sale: directional arrows, chalk lines on pavement, limiting per tables, physical distancing, hand sanitizing,
- we will wear masks & gloves and make a contact list of attendees and volunteers
If you are able to volunteer on Saturday August 22nd between 9 am to 2 pm please contact Susanne Standeven
standeven3525@gmail.com
text or call 250-891-5770
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Bells of Peace Campaign, this Sunday, August 9 at 11:50 AM
In this 75th Anniversary year of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we will remember and ring bells for peace and nuclear disarmament as part of our worship on Sunday and encourage everyone to ring a bell at home as well. This remembrance reminds us of the continuing need for work for disarmament and peace in our world.
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Prayers for Lebanon
We pray for the people of Lebanon following the devas tating explosion in Beirut on Tuesday, August 4. We have contacted Michelle and Kenton concerning Michelle’s parents who live in Lebanon, and give thanks that they are safe. We pray for the support and care of the Lebanese people and their recovery.
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This Week at Church of the Cross
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