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If you have a Mac or the links are not working,
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In this week's Crossroads, you will find information on:
With Sadness
Sunday School
Summer Day Camp
Fantastic Fridays Epiphany
January Men’s Breakfast
Avoiding Online Scams
Christo Fascism In Canada
By Heart
Discerning the Way Forward Together
CLAY CREW
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LWF New Year Message
Compassionate Justice Updates
In-Person Worship
Read Ahead
This Week at Church of the Cross
The deadline for all Crossroads submissions is Wednesday at 12 noon.
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With Sadness
It is with sadness that we announce the death of Marge Wilkie on January 4 in Thunder Bay, Ontario with her family with her. Marge moved from Victoria to Thunder Bay late last year to be closer to her sons. She entered palliative care shortly after. We will announce funeral plans when we are aware of them.
Rest eternal grant her, O God, and let light perpetual shine upon her.
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Kids are welcome to join us for Sunday School January 8, 22, 29, at 10 AM.
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Save the Date:
Church Summer Day Camp
July 10-14, 2023
Church of the Cross joins with St. Luke’s and St. George’s each summer for a week-long day camp hosted at one of the churches. Planning is just getting started and there will be more details to share about registration and location later in the coming months. However, if you have children ages 4 through 11 consider reserving this week for them participate in day camp. The camp day is typically mornings, 9 AM through 12 PM. If you have questions contact us at lutheranchurchofthecross@shaw.ca
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Fantasti c Fridays Epiphany announcement
While Church of the Cross is not offering worship on Day of Epiphany, we encourage people to join our neighbours at St. Luke’s Cedar Hill across the road who are offering this family-friendly Epiphany worship.
Friday, January 6, 2023
4:30 - 6:30 pm in St. Luke's Hall
Click here for the details
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January Men’s Breakfast
Mark your calendars for Saturday, January 21, 9:30 AM in the Upper Hall for the next Men’s Breakfast.
Watch for details in Crossroads!
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Avoiding Online Scams
 Last week we shared that some church folks were receiving fraudulent e-mails posing as one of the pastors. The e-mail requested recipients purchase gift cards and send numbers from the back of the cards allegedly to a pastor but to an unknown Gmail address. So far no one has indicated that they fell prey to the scam. There were red flags in this e-mail:
The church office and pastors will never send you a cold call e-mail or text asking you to purchase gift cards. Gift cards are used in scams because they are an untraceable form of currency.
Always check the e-mail address whether it is an actual church e-mail address or one that just sounds like it could be real.
In addition to the above, avoid clicking on strange links you are unsure of or sharing any personal information, including username, passwords, credit card info, etc.
Let pastors and the church office know immediately if you receive a scam via e-mail, text, phone call, or mail with someone posing on behalf of the church that seems suspicious.
Read a brief article on “Scams that Target Canadian Consumers” produced by Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada.
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“Christo Fascism In Canada”
Pr. Lyndon contributed to the January edition of Faith Tides, the monthly publication of the Anglican Diocese of Islands and Inlets.
Read the article here.
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We are placing book orders Wednesday, Jan. 11. Please have your order in to the office before then.
By Heart: Lutheran Faith Formation
“I want to deepen my faith and learn more about the Lutheran tradition,” is something we’ve heard from a few folks this fall.
We’ve heard this both from people newer to Church of the Cross and folks who have been here longer. “By Heart” is a great resource because it has got something for everyone. A refresher of Luther’s Small Catechism, beautiful art inlays, historical commentary, synopsis of Lutheran theology, bubbles with background info. And it’s a relatively small softcover book, not a massive tomb to slog through.
We are taking book orders now for $28 (includes shipping). You can order a copy of the book as a personal devotion resource even if you decide not to join the discussion group. We will be finding a day and time that works for most folks when we have an idea who may be interested in joining a discussion group. Chapters are relatively short. Like any book group, you would be welcome to come whether you’ve done all the reading or skimmed the chapter beforehand.
To order your copy of “By Heart” contact us at the church office. By e-mail at lutheranchurchofthecross@shaw.ca or by phone at 250-477-6222.
Click here to view a sample of the book.
Talk to Pr. Lyle or Pr. Lyndon for more info. Growing together, deepening our spiritual practices and faith formation, is a lifelong pursuit as followers of Jesus. And it can include art, joy, and conversation 
Example of chapter beginning, based upon Martin Luther’s Small Catechism working through the Ten Commandments, Creed, and description of Sacraments.
Example of a background bubble.
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Discerning the Way Forward Together
Information Session - Thursday, January 19, 2023 from 7pm – 8pm
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CLAY 2023 - CREW
We need Young Leaders aged 18 to 21 to help lead CLAY 2023
 The CLAY Crew is made up of youth, selected from across Canada, age 18–21 (by December 31st of the gathering year), who will be involved directly in leading the CLAY Gathering, while having the opportunity to participate in many of the usual Gathering activities like a regular Home Team.
You apply as an individual (NOT as a group) to be in the CLAY Crew.
Members of the CLAY Crew will work in one of the main areas of the gathering: Worship and Special Events; Stage Production and Technical Support; Communication and Media; Event Planning, Registration and Administration; Creative and Performance Arts Support. Please specify on the application which of these areas you are most interested in and why. Want to learn more?
Find more info here - claygathering.ca/claycrew/
Applications are due January 15, 2023. Apply Now
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LWF New Year Message: With Eyes of Mercy and Grace
Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland parish in Bytom. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert (photo courtesy of LWF website)
In her New Year message looking forward to 2023, The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) General Secretary Rev. Anne Burghardt urges Christians "not to be indifferent but to speak and act wherever we see how human brokenness is sowing seeds of hatred, disunity, oppression and disrespect for God's creation." The LWF leader notes that the global communion of churches is preparing to hold its Assembly in Krakow, Poland, in September on the theme of 'One Body, One Spirit, One Hope'. It is a theme inspired by Paul's letter to the Ephesians, most probably quoting from a baptismal liturgy celebrated by early Christian communities, she says. To read the full news article, please click here.
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Compassionate Justice Updates
2022 Poverty Trends Update
Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) released their annual Poverty Trends reports which provide readers with a review of data on poverty in Canada and the state of government action, as well as a vision for how we can move forward. Using the latest data from Statistics Canada and research reports by advocacy groups across the country, Poverty Trends provides us with a snapshot of poverty in Canada from year to year. CPJ maintains that poverty is a violation of people's inherent rights and dignity and that the Government of Canada has a legal and moral obligation to take action to end poverty and inequity. For more information and to view the 2022 Poverty Trends Update, please click here.
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In-Person Worship, Sunday, January 8, 10 AM PST
Covid-19 and Worship
- We offer worship in both live (in-person) and livestream (online) formats.
- We rejoice in the gift of vaccination and encourage everyone to be / stay vaccinated & boosted if you are eligible.
- To protect vulnerable persons, we currently encourage the wearing of masks during worship, especially while singing.
- If you test positive, or have symptoms for Covid-19, please stay home (and worship via live-stream)!
- The Church Council reviews our COVID protocols and practices on a regular basis and will amend them when needed.
Church Council
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Baptism of Jesus 