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In this week's Crossroads, you will find information on:
Installation of Members of Council, Boards and Committees
Lenten Night Prayer Livestream
Annual General Meeting March 7, 2021
Lenten Hymn and Prayer for March
Palm Sunday Coats & Blankets
Climate Justice: Faith Action in Love
Allyship Workshop 2
Video recording of Dessert & Dialogue with Murray Rankin
We’re Moving Soon
KAIROS Prairies North webinar on UNDRIP legislation
Thursdays in Black
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A Cross-Canada Day of Prayer for Hong Kong
Continuing Education courses online
Eternity for Today 2021
Flower Chart for 2021
Calling and Caring
COVID-19 Immunization Plan
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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Remember the time change this Sunday morning, March 14, one hour ahead to Daylight Saving Time.
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Installation of Members of Council, Boards and Committees – in Worship, Sunday, March 14
All newly elected and returning members of Council executive, each of the Boards, and other Committees and groups of the congregation are invited to join online in the installation and blessing of members for the work of ministry together over the coming year. Thank you to everyone for your willingness to provide leadership and service if all of these areas, and for the support and prayers of the whole congregation.
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L enten Night Prayer Livestream
Thursdays in Lent, 7 PM PST
Beginning February 25
Available on the regular platforms: lutheranvictoria.ca, Facebook Live, YouTube
We will be using the Night Prayer rite from Evangelical Lutheran Worship (pp. 320-327). We will provide on screen text and you can follow along in worship books at home if you have one available.
An opportunity for finding comfort and rest in prayer and music.
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Annual General Meeting March 7, 2021
The AGM of the congregation took place this past Sunday following worship over Zoom. 67 voting members were present for the meeting. Reports were received and approved, including the Financial statements and review engagement, recognizing with thanks to everyone in the congregation for their generous support that we ended 2020 with a surplus of $4384. A budget for 2021 of $464,620 was approved with an anticipated surplus of approximately $9000. A slate of nominations for Council executive and all Boards of the congregation was approved, including Michael Coughlin as Chair of the Congregation, Jeanie Stann as Vice Chair, Janice Nelson as Secretary. Rory Molnar continues as Treasurer, and Barry Walker as Financial Secretary.
Outgoing members of Council, Boards and Committees were recognized and thanked, including: Joanne Solomonson - Chair, Bud Henning - Secretary (6 years) and Gerry Saleski - Vice Chair, John Baty (4 years) Ruth Berg, Nicky Ni - Board of Care for Communities, Char Holcroft (6 years) - Board of Education, Florentien Verhage - Sunday School Coordinator, Wesley Solomonson – Board of Trustees, Jeanie Stann (4 years) – Board of Worship; and Don Storch (6+ years) – St. Luke joint committee, Carol Tastad (14 years) - Social Justice. Nicky, Donna Delaney (office volunteer) and Barry Walker (Financial Secretary) were also thanked for their good and faithful work especially over this past year and Brian Wismath (Cantor) for his invaluable help in moving our worship online one year ago. Thank you to everyone who was able to participate in the meeting. And thank you to everyone for your continuing support of the congregation.
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Lenten Hymn and Prayer for March
Join ELCIC National Bishop Susan Johnson each day through Lent as she shares a hymn and prayer, inviting you to sing and pray with her.
Here is the hymn and prayer for today: (updated to Mar. 11)
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It is with sadness that we announce the death of Kieran Johnson, son of Ellen Connell and Peter Johnson.
Rest eternal grant him, O God, and let light perpetual shine upon him.
A funeral for Kieran will take place online Saturday, March 13 at 11:00 AM PST.
Access to the livestream will be at our website, www.lutheranvictoria.ca
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Palm Sunday Coats & Blankets
 It has long been our tradition to collect gently used and new coats, warm clothing items, blankets and sleeping bags on Palm Sunday. Although we are still under pandemic restrictions, we will continue this practice this year! All items gathered will be taken to Our Place and distributed to those who need it most.
Collected items will be laid at the Table and blessed during Palm / Passion Sunday on March 28. If you have items you wish to donate, but are unable or uncomfortable dropping by the church, please contact Sherry Coughlin by March 25 to make arrangements for a COVID safe pick up by one of our Social Justice Committee members.
On behalf of the Our Place community and the Social Justice Committee, thank you!
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There is still time to register for
Climate Justice: Faith Action in Love
Saturday, March 13, 2021 - 9:15am to 11:15am
with Dr. Cynthia Moe-Lobeda
presented by the BC Synod Climate Justice Group
TO PRE-REGISTER email Barb Smart at barbsmart2@shaw.ca
Click here to download the poster
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You may be interested in the following workshop by Corinne Rice at 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 30th:
 “Lets spend an hour in conversation about what it means to be an ally to Indigenous people and how you can be actively working to decolonize your approach to supporting. What does it mean to be an ally vs an accomplice.”
Click on the following link for information about the workshop on Eventbrite ($25).
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/allyship-workshop-2-tickets-143097547617
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Video recording of Dessert & Dia logue with Murray Rankin Zoom link:
Click Here
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We’re Moving Soon!
 As you may know, the Temporary Use Permit that has allowed the Kitchen to operate at our little bungalow at 3541 Shelbourne Street has come to an end. We are pleased to announce that we have signed a lease for an expanded facility that will become the home of the Shelbourne Community Kitchen. The new premises will be located at 3787 Cedar Hill Road, (corner of Cedar Hill Cross Road) on the lower level of the Lutheran Church of the Cross. The entrance to the new facility will be on Cedar Hill Cross Road. Our new home requires some significant renovations before we can move in. A building permit has been submitted and is currently awaiting approval. Renovations are anticipated to begin in March, with a tentative occupancy date of May.
Learn more about our upcoming move
View Timeline and Program Transition Plan
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Thursdays in Black
 ELCIC National and Synod Bishops write to the church to express their ongoing concern for domestic violence in our country and within our church.
“We know that this is an uncomfortable subject for some people to discuss and too often this has stopped us from speaking out,” say the Bishops. “But we must speak out and advocate for those who are living in these dangerous situations.”
Social isolation and current lockdown measures have led to this dramatic increase in domestic violence. The UN describes this as shadow pandemic alongside COVID-19, “a pandemic within a pandemic.”
As a member of the World Council of Churches, the ELCIC joins with other church in lifting up Thursdays in Black - a weekly reminder of our commitment to end gender-based violence including domestic violence.
You are invited to join in this campaign by wearing black on Thursdays and posting your commitment to ending gender-based violence.
Read the full letter here: https://elcic.ca/documents/202103pastoralletterredomesticviolence.pdf
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Continuing Education courses online
The Lutheran Theological Seminary Saskatoon (LTS) is offering Continuing Education courses online. The courses being offered are the following:
"Queer Theologies" (SL349DL) - April 12-16 by the Rev. Dr. Kayko Driedger Hesslein
The last forty years had seen a rise in theologies from Christian LGBTQ+ communities. This course will study the works of lesbian, gay and trans theologians, and will explore their contributions to the proclamation of the gospel.
"Creation and sub-creation: Social and Religious Themes in J.R.R. Tolkien's Fiction" (SL331) - May 10-21 by the Rev. Dr. William Harrison.
Are you a Tolkien fan? Or interested in why everyone reads him and sees the movies? J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings is among the most famous English-language literary works of the 20h century. Intriguingly, Tolkien was an active and committed Christian, but his longest and bestselling work shows almost no sign of religion. We will read a variety of Tolkien's fiction and his own reflection on the work of writing, in order to investigate the ways he related religion to fiction. This course will be of special interest to people who are interested in addressing faith issues in a secular world.
To register for these courses, please visit the "Occasional Non-Program" page of the LTS website. The link to the application form is at the bottom of the page.
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Ete rnity for Today 2021
The second 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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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 orders of our BC Public Health Officer were updated on February 5, extending the current restrictions indefinitely but to be reviewed. These require 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 the restrictions change. Thank you for everyone’s patience and understanding. The Covid-19 Leadership Team will continue to provide updates as needed. We give thanks that administering the vaccine continues. 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 in Lent
- Sunday, March 14, 2021 Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
Ephesians 2:1-10
John 3:14-21
Worship Bulletin: CLICK HERE for Worship Bulletin
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This Week at Church of the Cross
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