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In this week's Crossroads, you will find information on:
Reconciling in Christ Sunday
With Sadness
Dessert and Dialogue postponed
Anna Greenwood-Lee Consecration & Installation
Indigenous Canada
Council, Board and Committee Opportunities
Random Acts of Kindness
Moose Hide Campaign Day 2021
Ongoing Collection of Warm Cozy Clothing
Donate VIVO Kitchen Knives
Anti-racism resources
World Interfaith Harmony Week
200 Interfaith Quotations
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Black History Month 2021
ELCIC Youth Climate Network
The Meaning of Home
Flower Chart for 2021
Calling and Caring
Covid-19 Update
Holy Communion
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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Reconciling in Christ Sunday – Coming Together Building Community
Join us for Reconciling in Christ Sunday: centering queer neighbours in God's love
Sunday, January 31, 10 AM PST.
On Facebook Live and www.lutheranvictoria.ca
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With Sadness
 It is with sadness that we announce the death of Gord Berg of our community. Gord suffered a heart attach in late December, and although it was hoped he would be able to recover and he was able to come home for a time, his health continued to decline and he died with Ruth and family with him on January 23. We hold Ruth and their family and all who grieve for Gord in our prayers and God’s love. A memorial will be planned when we are able to gather in-person. Rest eternal grant him, O God, and let light perpetual shine upon him.
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Dessert and Dialogue postponed, AGM date, and prior question and answer gatherings
A Dessert and Dialogue congregational update scheduled for Feb. 3 similar to the one held in December has been postponed. The Covid-19 update from our Provincial Health Officer will not take place until Feb. 5. And financial and other information will be provided in the Bulletin of Reports which will be available before February 21. And for two Sundays, Feb. 21 and Feb. 28, Council members will be present at the “Virtual Coffee Time” following worship to respond to any questions or comments. The Congregation’s Annual General Meeting will take place on Sunday, March 7 at 11:30 AM on Zoom. An invitation to the meeting will be sent by email prior to the Sunday.
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Video Study Course and discussion, Winter 2021 – Indigenous Canada, Tuesdays, 7- 8:15 PM continuing, February 2
 A video study and discussion group began 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. Others are still welcome to join. Participants in the Tuesday sessions register for the free online course and view the week’s lesson prior to the Tuesday discussion. For those who are interested, 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.
Joanne Solomonson, Council Chair
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Random Acts of Kindness
 WE NEED YOUR HELP!
We are all missing those in our congregation that we haven’t seen for months in person or on Zoom, due to the pandemic. Several congregation members are very isolated and miss being a part of our church community.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
You could volunteer to take one or two names of church members who could be cheered up and remembered by receiving a random gift of kindness from you once per month for February, March and April. The gifts would be small and inexpensive. Examples might include such things as homemade preserves, baking, a plant, a recycled book or scarf, or a goodie bag. Let your imagination and resources be your guide.
HOW DO I VOLUNTEER
Contact Carol Tastad ctastad2000@yahoo.com or 1-306-222-1861 or the church office.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon.
There will be no personal contact just distant drop offs involved. Your gift can also be dropped off at the church for a delivery by another person.
Sponsored by the Social Justice Committee
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Moose Hide Campaign Day 2021
We invite you to our next Moose Hide Campaign Day across  the country! Join us on February 11th as we come together online for a day of inspiration, ceremony and fasting. It's almost the 10th year of our campaign. We’ve come together with you each year to re-commit in our pledge to see an end to violence towards women and children. To remember those we have lost. To share our stories and struggles. To grow closer through the experience of fasting and ceremony. To motivate one another with all we have managed to achieve. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve taken the decision that for the first year this will be a fully virtual event, combining our national and provincial gatherings into one bigger event. We hope we can recreate a similar memorable shared experience, one where even more of you from across the country will be able to take part.
On the day, expect…
• Ceremony
• Words from our co-founders
• Keynote speakers
• Hearing from Elders
• Workshops
• The opportunity to take part in the one-day fast
To learn more about the Moose Hide story and Moose Hide Campaign Day (Feb. 11), please discover more on the Moose Hide website. (moosehidecampaign.ca)
Dave Lefsrud, on behalf of our LCC Truth and Reconciliation Committee
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Ongoing Collection of Warm Cozy Clothing, Outwear, Blankets and Sleeping Bags
 Thank you for your generous support of items donated throughout December and January. A variety of scarves, hats, gloves/mittens, warm clothing and blankets were taken to Our Place by Carol Tastad. Thank you Carol for taking these items to Our Place for them to distribute to those needing additional winter clothing!
The collection boxes have been updated and will continue to be available in the church entranceway to gather comfortable, warm, gently used or new clothing items for homeless and marginalized residents in our community throughout February and March. Items collected during February and March will go to places such as the Dandelion Society or Cool Aid which assist a slightly different population of people from Our Place. This gathering of items will conclude on Palm Passion Sunday March 28th with the annual collection of coats, blankets and sleeping bags which Church of the Cross has traditionally collected for the Palm Passion Sunday procession.
Social Justice Committee
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Donate VIVO Kitchen Knives to the Shelbourne Community Kitchen
Thank you to everyone who has been handing in their Thrifty’s stamps so we can earn knives for the Shelbourne Community Kitchen. We are down to our last couple of weeks before the promotion ends… February 10 is the last day to collect stamps at Thrifty’s and February 24 is the last day for us to redeem the stamps, so please get your stamps turned in to the Church Office right after the 10th so we can redeem the knives before the February 24 deadline.
The knives we earn are going to be shared with the Kitchen’s participants as part of the Shelbourne Community Kitchen "Feel the Love February Campaign". February is a challenging month for many and the campaign focuses on mental health and wellbeing; offering social activities via Zoom, special treats in the Pantry, program surveys, prizes, recipe sharing and special Food Skills Programs that feature everything from heart healthy foods to vegetarian comfort foods.
Thank you for supporting the work of the Shelbourne Community Kitchen.
Susan Beiderwieden, Social Justice Committee
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Anti-racism resources
Looking for the perfect book? Looking for books that address anti-racism written for young children, early readers, middle school, and teenage readers? Well here is a list put together by BIPOC teachers and librarians and shared by the New York Times. Dig in and find a book for that young person in your life, or maybe yourself.
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/antiracist-books-for-kids-and-teens/
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Lutheran, Anglican Leaders Call Members to Observe World Interfaith Harmony Week
In a letter released on January 14, Lu theran, Anglican leaders encourage members to observe the United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) from February 1-7, 2021.
"Together we...wholeheartedly endorse the global celebrations of WIHW, and encourage the members of our churches to embrace the vision and aims as a faithful expression of their love of God turned outward into love for all others," say the leaders in the letter which includes resources and an invitation to daily prayer both in private and gathered prayers during WIHW.
Read the full letter on the ELCIC website when you click here.
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More on World Interfaith Harmony Week - February 1- 7
 The World Interfaith Harmony Week provides a platform - one week in a year - when all interfaith groups and other groups of goodwill can show the world what a powerful movement they are. It is hoped that this initiative will provide a focal point from which all people of goodwill can recognize that the common values they hold far outweigh the differences they have, and thus provide a strong dosage of peace and harmony to their communities. For more information, please visit: https://worldinterfaithharmonyweek.com/
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UN World Interfaith Harmony Onli ne Event
7 pm, Thursday, 4 February
In honour of World Interfaith Harmony Week, a panel of four diverse young Canadians will speak about the changing concept of race from the perspective of their lives and beliefs.
"Talking about Race" will be held online, Thursday, 4 February, at 7 p.m. This VMS-initiated event is co-sponsored by the UVic Multifaith Centre and the Community Partnership Network, a program of the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA).
Steve Baileys of ICA will MC the event, which will also feature Q&A, and a visual multi-faith presentation.
Free reservations and Zoom link are available at this Eventbrite link. Eventbrite will automatically send reminders to you closer to the date.
If you'd like to skip registration and reminders, you can use this Zoom link to sign in at 7pm on the 4th of February:
https://uvic.zoom.us/j/83594169346?pwd=OVJjQXFBZC9rYmZMRlA0WmxoTVNGdz09
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Victoria Multifaith Society AGM: The Global 911 Call
7 pm, Wednesday 24 February, 2021
 In accordance with Covid-related guidelines from BC Societies, VMS will hold its 2020 AGM online at 7pm, Wednesday, 24 February 2021, beginning with an inspiring event on the Healing the Planet theme.
Dr Mary-Wynne Ashford will speak on the hopeful, game-changing efforts underway to reshape international institutions to reflect our common spiritual values.
Dr Ashford, MD, PhD. is Past President of International Physicians for Prevention of Nuclear War which won the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize. She has been a leader in the international peace and disarmament movement for over twenty years, and has a special interest in the need for global collaboration at this critical point in our history.
The presentation and Q&A session will be followed by a brief report by the Victoria Multifaith Society and introduction of the board.
This event is free and open to the public. It is co-sponsored by the UVic Multifaith Centre, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (Canada) and the Community Partnership Network, a program of the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria.
The zoom link and reminders are given with free Eventbrite registration.
Alternatively you can save the link below.
https://uvic.zoom.us/j/87625094842?pwd=anlZVEplSXgxc3JKR1NVYUZXbmlOZz09
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200 Interfaith Quotations
200 quotations – Interfaith Dialogue – Free Online Publication
Just released, this beautiful collection of 200 dialogue and dialogue-related quotations with interactive table of contents is gathered from a wide range of sources, ancient and modern. The anthology touches on numerous issues including diversity, pluralism, unity, global consciousness, anti-racism, justice, transformation and listening.
Many thanks to Paul McKenna of Ontario’s Scarboro Missions for his years of dedicated labour to this project. The publication is a resource for inspiration, reflection, writing projects, workshops, conferences and meditation.
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Black History Month 2021 -THE SYMPOSIUM, February 5-7, 2021
by Productions Pulchérie Mboussi: AACC Society
 Join us as we celebrate the 6th year of the United Nations’ International Decade for People of African Descent at the second edition of the Regional Black Canadians Forum in the Capital Region!
The Forum will be focused on the International Decade for People of African Descent by tackling the following topics:
Black Ownership,
Generating Wealth,
Media & Arts Representation,
Black Identity,
Mental & Physical Health,
Accessing Justice,
Community Safety,
Migration and Inclusion,
Education,
Democratic Engagement,
Access to Affordable,
Housing and Shelter.
The Decade is significant as it promotes respect, protection, and fulfillment of human rights of people of African Descent. We believe that this event is in line with the objectives of celebrating Black History Month.
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/black-history-month-2021-the-symposium-tickets-100505340178
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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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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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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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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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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: Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
- Reconciling in Christ Sunday
- Sunday, January 31, 2021 Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Psalm 111
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Mark 1:21-28
Worship Bulletin: CLICK HERE for Worship Bulletin
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This Week at Church of the Cross
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