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In this week's Crossroads, you will find information on:
Provincial and Regional restrictions
In-Person Worship, Sunday 10 AM
2021 Tax Receipts
Lectionary Bible Study
Friendly Reminder from the Kitchen
Jazz Vespers in St. Luke's Church
For the Love of Creation
Call for submissions for Luther League Legacy Fund
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An update on Assembly 2022 planning
Days For Girls Canada
Read ahead
This Week at Church of the Cross
The deadline for all Crossroads submissions is Wednesday at 12 noon.
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Provincial and Regional restrictions have been updated as of Dec. 21, 2021:
Here are the latest restrictions.
“If all participants are vaccinated as determined by the worship service leader, there are no capacity restrictions on worship services and choirs.
If participants are not all vaccinated, worship services and choirs are limited to 50% seated capacity.”
Masks are required but can be temporarily removed for ceremonial eating and drinking, and by officiants, readers or for singing a solo where physical distancing is observed.
In-Person Worship, Sunday, 10 AM PST
 Church Council and others continue to work to see that in-person worship is safer for everyone. Our current practises for in-person worship meet all present requirements. Changes in the pandemic continue to raise concerns for health and safety, and we will adjust our plans as health orders change.
Being vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best protection for the health of yourself and others. We strongly encourage everyone who is eligible to receive both doses of the vaccine.
We will continue to livestream worship each Sunday.
January 30, Fourth Sunday After Epiphany
Everyone planning to come to worship are asked to follow these requirements:
- If you are not feeling well and experiencing any Covid-19 related symptoms or if you are not vaccinated, please stay home and participate in worship online.
- Wear a mask when entering the building and throughout worship and Sunday School. (This is required of everyone age 12 and older. Children under 12 are encouraged to wear a mask.)
- Observe social distancing.
- Sanitize or wash hands as needed.
- You are welcome to sing, but masks must be worn.
- We will greet one another and share the peace at a distance.
- Holy Communion will be served with bread and individual glasses of wine that are spaced in the trays. You may commune with bread or wine alone if you wish.
- You are invited to greet and talk with others after worship with masks on.
- It is not required that people register for worship ahead of time or sign in as you arrive.
We will continue to make adjustments as needed and keep you informed of any changes. Your feedback on your experience with in-person worship is valued. Please let any member of Church Council, the Covid Leadership Team, Pastors, or the church office know of any questions, concerns or ideas for making in-person worship and Sunday School safer and meaningful for everyone.
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2021 Tax Receipts
2021 Tax receipts will be available shortly. You can choose to receive your receipt by email, pick it up at the church, or it will be mailed to your home.
If you wish an email receipt please contact the Financial Secretary Barry Walker at bhwalker@shaw.ca or call him at 250-381-1698.
Unless you indicate otherwise your receipt will be placed in your church mailbox no later than Sunday February 6th. Receipts not picked up by Monday February 14th will be mailed out to your home address.
Once you receive your receipt if you have any questions please contact Barry Walker bhwalker@shaw.ca, 250-381-1698. Thank you for your continuing generosity in support of Lutheran Church of the Cross.
Barry Walker
Financial Secretary
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Reconciling in Christ Sunday
Join us this Sunday as we centre and affirm queer siblings in Christ. This Sunday is important as one more way we continue normalizing the diversity of expression of sexuality and gender in the church. As well these expressions and understandings evolve over time. So many folks have been marginalized on the periphery of the church. Many people have experienced spiritual trauma after decades of being told they are lesser than or not worthy of God’s love. That trauma doesn’t go away overnight. Many people carry it with them their whole lives. Centering 2SLGBTQIA+ voices in worship throughout the year is an important way we tell queer neighbours they matter, pronouns matter, learning new language matters, and that we value them as friends at Church of the Cross and in the wider church. Truly queer folks bear God’s image and their presence in our congregation enriches us all as the body of Christ.
Backgrounder from Kid’s Help Phone: What does 2SLGBTQIA+ stand for?
Kids today continue to experience trauma and bullying around queer identities. Many kids do not feel safe in their homes, schools, peer groups, or churches. We can help turn the tide on the stigma associated with gender and sexual identity, making our congregation a safer place for all kids and neighbours.
Church of the Cross is a Reconciling in Christ congregation.
Backgrounder: What is Reconciling in Christ?
Have more questions? Make an appointment with Pr. Lyndon by calling the church office at 250-477-6222 or e-mail: pastorlyndon@shaw.ca (You may also contact Pr. Lyle after April when he’s back from sabbatical). We are here to answer your questions. Through conversation we better understand one another’s perspectives which enriches the fabric of our community. One body, many members.
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Give the Lectionary Bible Study A Try!
 On Wednesday, February 2 from 10:30-11:30 AM PST, join Denise Pawliuk, diaconal candidate, with your favourite beverage in hand and explore two of the readings from the weekly lectionary via Zoom. Try out this time of exploration, reflection, and meditation.
Contact Denise denise.pawliuk@me.com or the church office lutheranchurchofthecross@shaw.ca for the Zoom link
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Friendly Reminder from the Kitchen
You are welcome to make donations by entering at the front entrance (pink) doors on Cedar Hill X Rd during hours of operation:
- Tuesday: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
- Wednesday: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
- Thursday: 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm
- Friday: 10:00 am - 1:00pm
After hour drop-offs of food or items for the Shelbourne Community Kitchen should be made at the donation baskets outside the church office. Thank you.
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Your friends at St. Luke Cedar Hill invite you to Jazz Vespers in St. Luke's Church on Sunday, February 6th, 7 PM PST. Jazz Up Your Sunday Evening with a Jazz Vespers service. This hour long service will feature jazz along with contemporary prayers, poems, and readings. Come and see and hear what it’s all about!
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For the Love of Creation - February events (ELCIC News)
For the Love of Creation (FLC) is a network that is set out to make a meaningful contribution to the climate movement. This year, FLC is presenting many opportunities throughout its network. Take part in its journey in building a faith-based contribution that is rooted in decolonization, equity, and justice for all. Events include Faithful Climate Conversations which are small-group discussion guides among family, friends, neighbours, fellow worshippers, etc. and a Facilitator Training which offers training sessions for those who would like some additional support and resources. For more details on these events and to get more information, please click here.
FLC will also be monitoring the release of the Environment and Climate Change Canada's public engagement on the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP). The federal government is required to table the ERPI by the end of March.
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Call for submissions for Luther League Legacy Fund (ELCIC News)
 The Luther League Legacy Fund (LLLF) develops leaders in the church and for the world by providing grants and bursaries to enable young people to participate in leadership training and development activities. Funds may be disbursed for:
- Bursaries to individuals to enable them to attend leadership development or training events which are related to their life in the church;
- Grants to projects of training and development activities and events.
Applications are reviewed by, and disbursement decisions made by the ELCIC Program Committee for Youth Ministry. Funds are not necessarily dispersed each year. The upcoming application deadline is on March 1 (and the next one on October 1). For more information and to complete your application form, please click here.
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An update on Assembly 2022 planning (ELCIC News)
A joint letter from Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) National Bishop Susan Johnson and Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) Archbishop and Primate Linda Nicholls was shared to our two churches. In their message, both leaders expressed that "Through all this uncertainty, we remain a people of hope, addressing these challenges with creativity and faithfulness." To read the full letter, please click here.
We ask that you remember and lift up the Assembly Planning Committee in your prayers, as they continue to make important decisions regarding our Assembly.
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Days For Girls Canada
 Days For Girls Canada is part of a worldwide non-profit organization which helps girls and women overcome poverty caused by missing school and work days when they are menstruating.
The overall mission is “to increase access to menstrual care and education by developing global partnerships, cultivating Social Entrepreneurs, mobilizing volunteers and innovating sustainable solutions that shatter stigma and limitations for women and girls”.
To find out more about Days for Girls (DfG) , register for the upcoming Feb 1st Virtual Town Hall meeting to hear inspirational stories, and more about recent Advocacy "wins" here in Canada.
Register by emailing Syd at chairca@daysforgirls.org
https://www.facebook.com/DaysforGirlsCanada
https://www.daysforgirls.org/canada/canada-current-projects/
The combined efforts of the Victoria and North Vancouver Teams recently shipped 301 kits to Nigeria to a group called Project Love (a group of doctors, teachers and others helping in a Displaced Person's Camp). There are many non-profit organizations that request DfG kits as they are often people who identify local needs.
The local Victoria team is looking for volunteers - those who know how to sew or serge, as well as, non-sewers who can help with fabric preparation. The Victoria Team currently needs donations of flannelette and are willing to take cast-offs, the minimum size is 6" X 9" anything smaller they can't use. Flannelette needs to be in bold and dark colours with geometric, abstract, floral, landscapes and plaids, but no people, animals, bugs, icons or cartoons. They also accept quilters fabric as long as it meets the same criteria noted above.
Contact Susanne Standeven standeven3525@gmail.com for more information on volunteering for the Victoria Team or making flannelette donations.
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Read ahead: Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
 - January 30, 2022 Jeremiah 1:4-10
Psalm 71:1-6
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Luke 4:21-30
Worship Bulletin: CLICK HERE for Worship Bulletin
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