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In this week's Crossroads, you will find information on:
Queer Eye Watch Party
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity online Worship
Video Study Course and discussion
Black Shirt Day
Council, Board and Committee Opportunities
Updated Directory 2021
World Day of Prayer 2021
ELCIC Youth Climate Network
Support Anti-Racism
The Meaning of Home
Eternity for Today 2021
Flower Chart for 2021
Donate VIVO Kitchen Knives to the Shelbourne Community Kitchen
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Calling and Caring
FaceTime Invitation
The Cozy Collection
Covid-19 Update
Holy Communion continues every Sunday
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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Queer Eye Watch Party
 Sunday, January 17, 2021, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM PST Board of Care of Communities invites you to join a Watch Party followed by a discussion of “Preaching Out” (Season 5, Episode 1, 50 min.). An opportunity to explore one openly queer pastor’s journey to acceptance both within the church and accepting himself after decades of destructive theology telling he is lesser than. An opportunity to reflect upon ways in which we continue growing as a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation that is queer affirming, exploring barriers that remain.
We will begin watching the episode at 7 PM, followed by discussion over Zoom starting at 7:50 PM.
Ways to watch: 1) Simplest option: Watch the episode on your own using a Netflix account. 2) Watch party option: both a Netflix account and a Google Chrome extension are needed to join the watch party. The watch party allows viewers to see the episode at the same time, while messaging the group, sharing reactions and reflections while watching similar to Zoom chat. We will include more instructions with links for the watch party and Zoom discussion closer to the event.
https://www.lutheranvictoria.ca/events/queer-eye-watch-party-discussion/2021-01-17
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Week of Prayer for Christian Unity online Worship
– January 20, 7 PM PST on Zoom
To commemorate the 2021 Week of Prayer for  Christian Unity, January 18 – 25, the congregations of St. Luke Anglican, Broad View United, Knox Presbyterian and Lutheran Church of the Cross have planned a Week of Prayer worship for Wednesday January 20 at 7 PM. The materials and theme for this year, prepared by the Monastic Community of Grandchamp, Switzerland, is Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit (John 15:5-9) – calling us to pray and to work for reconciliation and unity in the church, with our human family, and with all of creation. Worship will include leadership and music from the four congregations, and a time of conversation together in breakout rooms on what visible signs of reconciliation and unity are important for our time. Everyone is invited to have a candle to light as part of the worship. The Zoom invitation will be sent out by email. If you would like to be included in the invitation but do not receive regular congregational emails, please contact one of the church offices.
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Video Study Course and discussion, Winter 2021 – Indigenous Canada, Tuesdays, 7- 8:15 PM PST beginning, January 19
 A video study and discussion group will begin on Zoom on January 19, taking the online course, Indigenous Canada through the University of Alberta. “Indigenous Canada is a 12-lesson Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) from the Faculty of Native Studies that explores Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada. From an Indigenous perspective, this course explores key issues facing Indigenous peoples today from a historical and critical perspective highlighting national and local Indigenous-settler relations.” The course has had positive reviews and endorsements from across Canada. Participants in the Tuesday sessions will register for the free online course and view the week’s lesson prior to the Tuesday discussion. For those who have not already indicated their interest, or if you have any questions, please contact the church office to be included in the email list for more information.
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Council, Board and Committee Opportunities
Dear members of Church of the Cross, as you are considering  commitments for the coming year please consider sharing your talents with the congregation. There are various opportunities available. Please contact any member of the Nominating Committee (Bud Henning, Jeanie Stann or me) for more information and/or to discuss how your gifts may be of service.
Blessed New Year, Joanne Solomonson, Council Chair
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Black Shirt Day, Jan. 15, 2021
 An anti-racism coalition in BC is asking people to wear a black shirt on Friday, Jan. 15, as part of a new anti-racism initiative, highlighting the civil rights struggles of Black Canadians. Black shirt day coincides with Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend, a US holiday celebrated on the third Monday of January. Black Shirt Day is one way Black Canadians are adding their voices celebrating Dr. King and lifting up their ongoing civil rights struggles in today’s context in BC and beyond.
Read the story about Black Shirt Day:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/anti-racism-group-calls-for-black-shirt-day-in-b-c-schools-on-jan-15-1.5869534
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Updated Directory 2021
 We are completing a new congregational directory that will be available in print or as a pdf. If there are any changes, corrections or additions to names and addresses from the current directory (November, 2019) please contact the Church office by January 20. We will finalize the directory next week. Thank you.
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World Day of Prayer 2021 - Festival Day Zoom, a WICC Event
The Women's Inter-Church Council of Canada (WICC) is hosting a Festival Day (or Preparation  Day) Event on Saturday, January 16 at 1:00 p.m. (EST) via Zoom. This great opportunity will let you learn more about World Day of Prayer and how to get involved. For more details and to register, please go to: wicc.org and click on 'Join Online Events' or you may register here.
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ELCIC Youth Climate Network
 The ELCIC is seeking to establish a Youth Climate Network. If you are under 30 years of age and would like to be part of this network, please contact Rev. Paul Gehrs, Justice and Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, pgehrs@elcic.ca.
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Support Anti-Racism
In support of one of the goals of Lutheran Church of the Cross, to address and acknowledge racism, the Board of Education will be sharing links to articles, videos, or resources to support anti-racism. This week’s link is an article from the Walrus challenging the Canadian perspective that slavery never happened in Canada.
https://thewalrus.ca/the-canadian-narrative-about-slavery-is-wrong/
Board of Education
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The Meaning of Home
January 4 to February 19, 2021
The Meaning of Home contest is back! Habitat for Huma nity Victoria is excited to announce that the Meaning of Home contest is now officially open for submissions. Beginning January 4th and running until February 19th, students in Grades 4, 5 and 6 will have the opportunity to help support a local Habitat build by submitting an essay or poem on what home means to them. We hope that you will consider engaging your students in this national movement. Remember, every entry makes a difference. For each submission founding sponsor Sagen will donate $10 to Habitat Canada.
Three grand prize winners, one from each grade, will receive a  $30,000 grant to be directed to the local Habitat build of their choice, an iPad and a pizza party for their class. Nine runners up, three from each grade, will also receive a $10,000 grant towards a local Habitat build, a tablet and a pizza party for their class.
https://www.habitatvictoria.com/current--upcoming-events.html
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Ete rnity for Today 2021
The first quarterly edition of this daily Bible reading, devotion and prayer resource has arrived at the church. They are available to pick-up in the entranceway during office hours or you may request that it be mailed to you by emailing or calling the church office.
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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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Donate VIVO Kitchen Knives to the Shelbourne Community Kitchen
When you shop at Thrifty Foods collect the Vivo Kitchen Knife stamps at the Checkout.
Start collecting your stamps today and drop them off in the Vivo Knife Box at the church, or contact me to arrange for a pick-up. We will process them and redeem the stamps for Vivo Kitchen knives to donate to the Shelbourne Community Kitchen. This promotion will run until mid-Feb. 2021
Susan Beiderwieden, Social Justice Committee
susandb@telus.net or 250 533 9075
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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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FaceTime Invitation
If you are comfortable using FaceTime, have some time to spare and would enjoy engaging with a Luther Court resident, contact Gerry Saleski at gerry.saleski@gmail.com or 250-727-9249 or contact the church office.
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The Cozy Collection
The Social Justice Committee has been gathering cozy, warm, gently used o r new clothing items for homeless and marginalized folks in our community. It’s that time of year when the wind whips and the rain chills to the bone. Many of our friends that we don’t know, are living in the cold and facing a long winter ahead. Thanks to those who have made donations of hats, mitts, gloves, scarves, coats, boots, socks, rainwear, sweaters, blankets and sleeping bags. These and any other donated items will be sent to Our Place this coming week.
Social Justice Committee
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Covid-19 Update
The current orders of our Public Health Officer are in place until February 5, requiring that the Church remain closed to all in-person worship and public gatherings. We will continue our current practise of livestreaming our worship and meeting remotely until at least February 7. Thank you for everyone’s patience and understanding. The Covid-19 Leadership Team will continue to provide updates as needed. We give thanks that a vaccine has been approved and administering the vaccine is beginning. We look forward to it being widely available to everyone.
Here is the link to the government of BC information: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/restrictions
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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 PST:
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 PST
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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Read ahead: Second Sunday after Epiphany
- Sunday, January 17, 2021 1 Samuel 3:1-10, (11-20)
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
John 1:43-51
Worship Bulletin: CLICK HERE for Worship Bulletin
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This Week at Church of the Cross
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