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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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Sometimes gospel readings come across as harsh. How is this Sunday's gospel part of Jesus' wider message in the Sermon on the Mount?
Sunday Worship with Holy Communion at 10:00 am
Everyone is welcome here!
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Annual General Meeting (AGM) - March 8, 2020 following Sunday worship is the date of the AGM for our congregation. We encourage you to schedule this date in your calendar and plan to attend. We are making efforts to become a greener congregation. As a result, the Bulletin of Reports will be circulated by email.
If you require a paper copy please contact the Church Office.
Joanne Solomonson, Council Chair
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The 2019 Tax receipts are in your church mailboxes. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Barry Walker at 250-381-1698 or the church office. Thank you for the continued generous support of the congregation’s ministries.
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Administrative Assistant
Lutheran Church of the Cross is inviting applications for the part time position of Administrative Assistant. Applications are requested before February 28, 2020. The position description may be found on the church website at www.lutheranvictoria.ca.
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 Stolen Sisters Memorial March –
On Saturday February 15th, 2020 please join us to remember and honour Indigenous women, girls, and 2spirit people who have gone missing and been murdered.
Let us walk together as a community to say Indigenous
women's, 2spirits', and girls' lives are sacred. Let us remember our teachings and honour those who have been taken from us.
We would like to acknowledge that this march takes place on unceded and traditional territories of the Lekwungen communities, Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations.
Gathering: 11:30am in front of Our Place, 919 Pandora Ave
The March will begin at 12pm with a prayer, territory acknowledgements and information for marchers (safety, respectful conduct etc).
Lead by Indigenous women, youth and 2spirit drummers, we will proceed down Pandora Ave to Government Street and then on to the Legislature lawn where we will gather to hear speakers, songs and share food.
The March’s organizing collective would like to remind marchers that this is a memorial and asks that conduct be in accordance with this intent. We also ask that:
-Indigenous women, girls and 2spirit drummers' and singers' place leading the March be respected.
-That there be no signs carried unless they are memorializing the missing and murdered by their families. Also no pamphleteering of any kind please.
-That there be no photography during the March without explicit and PRIOR permission of those photographed All are welcome.
Church of the Cross will once again recognize the Stolen Sisters memorial on Sunday, February 16 as part of our Worship at 10 AM. |
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This Sunday especially we remember Stolen Sisters, Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls. Sometimes poetry helps us address difficult issues and hear new perspectives.
Poetry/Spoken Word by Ben Richard
A description from author Ben Richard (Metis from the Ojibway First Nation): This poem is dedicated to my mom and missing women and girls. My mom was taken from us when I was 17. I was too young to lose the only person who would love me unconditionally as only mothers can. She was killed walking across the street. I remember that day well, like it was yesterday. It was as if someone threw a grenade into the middle of our family. It took 4 years of appeals and finally the Supreme Court and fortunately and unfortunately we had closure through the court system "we had the person", but no justice, he was acquitted. I'm still affected by this trauma to this day. Fast forward to now and life in Winnipeg. I was at the Red River a few years back, volunteering, helping dredge the bottom looking for more women or girls. I remember when something heavy was coming up; a collective gasp would happen. How does the family of a missing women go on? What if someone just went missing? Do you mourn them or just keep on living, hoping that she'll walk through the door? My heart and soul go out to the families of missing mothers, daughters, aunties and sisters. May the great spirit watch over the ones that have passed and us as we hope, fight, wait or grieve.
Source: https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/artists/missing/
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 A Wedding Invitation – February 15, 2:30 PM
Adam McKenzie and Taryn Gmitroski invite people of Church of the Cross to share in their wedding on Saturday, February 15 at 2:30 PM. A small reception will follow in the Upper Hall. No gifts please! |
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This Sunday, February 16, following worship in the Rotunda, you are invited to join Thiago Hinkel and Pr. Lyndon for Social Media 101. We will be giving a brief overview of social media platforms the church is using. We’ll also talk about simple ways anyone can use social media to share photos and stories of church events in order to share with friends, neighbours, and family. Bring your questions and your tablet, phone, or laptop to follow along. All skill levels and questions welcome.
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Sunday School Art Gallery – Next Sunday, February 23 before and after worship. The Sunday School children have been working on various art pieces connected to the theme of water and care of creation through the Epiphany season and will host an art show next Sunday in the Upper Hall. They will also be selling water drop necklaces with proceeds going to the Native Friendship Centre in
Victoria. Everyone is encouraged to come and see and celebrate their creative work.
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Deacon’s Ministry Sunday - Sunday, February 23 is a day to celebrate the word and service ministry of Deacons in the ELCIC. Deacon Brigitte McKenzie will be with us in our worship and share something of her experiences in this growing and important ministry of our church.
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Climate Justice Action Group:
An invitation to participate in leading BC Synod in climate justice learning and actions. SATURDAY, MARCH 7 at 9:30 am, using Zoom teleconferencing (via computer or tablet) You are invited into a journey of learning, changing, acting, and encouraging. We are seeking people from across our synod who would be interested in joining a Climate Justice Action task force that will intentionally engage this important work. If you are interested in being part of the Climate Justice Action Group and would like to participate in the Zoom teleconference on Saturday, March 7, please RSVP by sending an email to <bcsynod@elcic.ca> or by calling the synod office at 604.524.1318.
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 Black History Month in Canada: Seeing Race
Recently for Black History Month in Canada, Charla Huber dedicated her weekly Times Colonist column to an interview with Stephanie Allen, who is an executive in the affordable housing sector. One quote stands out: “There is a Canadian brand of racism, it’s where people say common phrases like: ‘I don’t see colour,’ ” Allen said. “If we don’t see race, we can’t see the racism that occurs.” This was a powerful statement to me, and I think I will keep this with me for a long time. “I don’t see colour” is a commonly used phrase, and people say it as a way to demonstrate their progressiveness, but I think Allen is right. Instead, we need to be aware that there is racism around us and to acknowledge that all of us can play a role in standing up to it. By turning our heads and not seeing colour, we are letting it happen” (Charla Huber, Times Colonist, February 2, 2020).
Stephanie Allen highlights a trap any of us can fall into, by saying we do not see colour we assume we are somehow above or beyond racism. The trouble with this approach is that inevitably we are bound to repeat the very racism we seek to avoid. Better is to take the approach of the Confession & Forgiveness rite familiar to Lutherans. First we confess we find ourselves caught in webs of injustice from which we cannot free ourselves. This confession of being caught by the sin of racism, frees us to receive Jesus’ unconditional forgiveness and grace. Assuming we are beyond these webs robs us of God’s rescuing us from sin we so desperately need. Through confession and forgiveness God sets us free to be better and live into God’s
dominion.
Another thing that can help spark our imagination and disrupt systemic racism is reading books written by racialized people, including Canadians of African Descent. One such example is Esi Edugyan, who twice won the Giller Prize for her novels Half-Blood Blues and Washington Black. Check out these or other titles at your local library or bookseller. Literature, as well as theatre, visual arts, and music make stories come alive, and help us emphasize with people whose perspectives and experiences are different than our own.
Pr. Lyle & Pr. Lyndon
Link: https://www.timescolonist.com/opinion/op-ed/charla-huber-when-we-see-colour-we-acknowledge-racism-1.24066303 |
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Thank you one and all for helping to make the Karren Stinson Bursary Soup and Bun Fundraiser such a delicious success! The soups were great and we thank you for the donations of $352.
The Karren Stinson Bursary committee congratulates Maya Bridger Denz, the recipient of the Karren Stinson bursary for the year, 2019. The amount of the bursary is one thousand dollars. It is not often that ‘one of our own’ wins the award and we can make the presentation in the church service as we were able to do a week ago. We wish Maya much success, happiness and God’s blessing as she continues in her studies.
A Note from Maya:
I just wanted to repeat how surprised and grateful I was to be the bursary recipient this morning. I look forward to using it to help fund my studies towards my goal of becoming a teacher. I have always felt so supported at Church of the Cross and I love my faith community! Thanks for being so welcoming and caring to Scott and I. Sincerely, Maya Bridger Denz
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 Women In Faith Book Group
The Book Group will meet on Wednesday, February 26
at 1:00 pm in the rotunda.
Our book is Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton
For more information please contact Janice Nelson at jbnel13@gmail.com or the church office. |
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 Music and Prayer in the Style of Taizé at 6:00 pm at
Lutheran Church of the Cross
Fridays - February 21st & March 20th, 2020
Let us together enter into the mystery of God’s presence.
Doors open at 5:30pm. Worship at 6:00 pm. Everyone Welcome. |
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Queer Board Game night!
at Lutheran Church of the Cross
Thursday, February 20, 2020 at 7 PM
Come one, come all! Shake off those winter weather blues for another night of friends, board games and fun!
This event is for anyone that is part of the queer community and allies, provides a safe space for meeting people and enjoying some gaming fun. Any questions please feel free to reach out to T.J. Silver (amitty1@hotmail.com).
We encourage people to bring games that are near and dear to their hearts to share with others to try or might be fun. All levels of experience welcome!
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Weekly Bible Discussion – Mondays, 7:00 – 8:30 PM
There will be NO Bible discussion on Monday, February 17th for BC Day.
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 Wine Before Supper at UVic,
an ecumenical Holy Communion for students –
We will be hosting the meal in the new year and will need 2 crock pots of vegetarian soup and some vegetables for the student meals. If you are able to help with the meal, March 11 - please sign up on the bulletin board or contact Pastor Lyndon, Pastor Lyle or the church office.
Thank you from the students! |
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 High School Youth Group: is meeting
Sunday, Feb. 23rd, 7:00-9:00 pm at St. Luke’s
Middle School Youth Group: meets every Wednesday,
6:00-8:00 pm at St. George’s Cadboro Bay. |
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Walk with us February 22, 2020! For the third straight year, we are participating in Canada's National Walk for Homelessness. Coldest Night of the Year is a family-friendly walk that raises awareness and raises money for charities serving hungry, homeless, and hurting people in our community. Circle the date - The website to register is https://cnoy.org/location/victoriapandora .There will be an information session on Friday, December 6th at 4:00pm at 919 Pandora Ave, Victoria in our second floor chapel for more ideas about how to create your team and invite your friends to participate. |
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Flower Chart for 2020
If you would like to bring flowers for worship for a special occasion or remembrance,
please 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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The Shelbourne Community Kitchen
As we go about our weekly shopping, let us consider our blessings. Add an extra item or two to our shopping carts, and donate them to the Shelbourne Community Kitchen.
Items will be picked up from the Church of the Cross regularly.
Thank you for your generousity but please know that we cannot accept items passed the date of expiration.
Thank you for helping our neighbours as you are able.
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