|
|
|
|
|
If you have a Mac or the links are not working,
please try clicking on 'View it in your browser'.
|
|
|
|
|
|
In this week's Crossroads, you will find information on:
Thank You
Anawim House
Moravian Congregation
Breakfast
Sunday School
Racial Discrimination
Funeral Fred Jauck
Holy Baptism
Lenten Soup Suppers & Evening Prayer
Book Group
Murder Mystery
|
|
Reflections with Flutist
End Environmental Racism
Hazra Crisis
Host Families
In-Person Worship
Read Ahead
This Week at Church of the Cross
The deadline for all Crossroads submissions is Wednesday at 12 noon.
|
|
|
Thank You
Thank you to everyone who served and stood for election or re-election serving on C ouncil or a Board. Thank you to everyone who made the AGM a success and those who provided for the lunch in various ways. This Sunday, March 19, during 10 AM worship we look forward to installing council members.
|
|
|
Anawim House
The Social Justice Committee is pleased to welcome Terry Edison-Brown, Director of Anawim House, to speak during worship this coming Sunday, March 19, 10 AM. He brings warm greetings from Anawim House.
Terry brings significant lived experience to Anawim, including addiction, homelessness and estrangement from family and friends, all which led to loss of income, loneliness and isolation. Terry will be sharing some of his story with us.
With the realization that needs of people are different, Terry looks at the whole person of whoever walks through their blue door. Getting to know each of the residents and visitors, Terry and the Anawim staff work to get each and everyone the specific kinds of help they need which goes beyond food and clean clothes.
Our prayers go with Terry and the Anawim House family as we continue to gather items much needed through this Lenten season for their life-changing programs. We will continue to collect toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, combs, hair brushes, men’s and women’s underwear, feminine hygiene products, new and slightly used towels, wash clothes, reusable water bottles and individually wrapped sweet treats such as chocolate and granola bars. $5 or $10 gift cards to Tim Hortons or any fast-food establishment are also appreciated.
If you would like to learn more about Anawim House, here is the link to their website: https://www.anawimhouse.com .
With thanks,
The Social Justice Committee
|
|
|
Lutheran/Anglican delegation to worship with Moravian Congregation
On March 19, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. mountain time, a delegation of Lutherans and Anglicans will be joining Christ Moravian Church in Calgary for Sunday worship. Rev. Dr. Betsy Miller, president of the Northern Province will preach. The service will be live-streamed and a recording will be posted at https://www.youtube.com/@christmoravianchurch519/streams.
|
|
|
Breakfast March 21
 You are invited to the Men’s Breakfast on Tuesday, March 21 at 9:30 am in the Upper Hall at Church of the Cross. Bring a friend. Pastor Lyndon Sayers will be speaking on his experiences as a pastor and organizer for the First Annual Martin Lutheran King Jr. Community Parade in Lexington, Virginia. It was a time of great turmoil and unity. The parade took place around the same time as Donald Trump’s inauguration, which also served as a catalyst for white supremacist rallies and violence in nearby Charlottesville.
|
|
|
Sunday School Update
Sunday school is on pause during Spring Break with many families away.
Sunday School returns on April 2 on Palm/Passion Sunday and April 9, Easter Sunday.
|
|
|
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, March 21
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD) is observed annually on March 21. It recognizes that injustices and prejudices fueled by racial discrimination continue to take place everyday. IDERD commemorates the day police in Sharpeville, South Africa opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid "passed laws" in 1960. To read the rest of the background and for more information, please click here.
We lift up a prayer from a joint statement from the four leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Anglican Church of Canada, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Episcopal Church that was released last year on this day:
God of Holy Ground, move us to lament and repent. Open our hearts, bodies, minds and souls to the cries of your people. Transform us by your presence. Drive us into action for the dismantling of racism in relationships, communities, institutions and societies. Bless us with companions who support us, challenge us and help us keeping going. We pray for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
|
|
|
A Memorial Celebration of the life of Fred Jauck
will t ake place on Saturday, March 25 at 2 PM PT
at Lutheran Church of the Cross.
A reception will follow the worship in the Upper Hall.
All are welcome in-person and on the livestream.
Read Fred’s obituary here.
Rest eternal grant to him O God and let light perpetual shine upon him.
|
|
|
Holy Baptisms – Sunday, March 26, 10 AM PDT
 We look forward to celebrating the baptisms of Layne Millie Wâsîna Corrie and Mira Josephine McKenzie Ralph in worship on Sunday, March 26 at 10 AM. Please hold them and their families in your prayers in preparation for this day.
|
|
|
Lenten Soup Suppers and Evening Prayer –
Thursdays in Lent
Soup at 6 PM
Evening Prayer at 7 PM PST
 Join in the spiritual practise for Lent of gathering weekly for a simple meal of soup and bread and for Evening Prayer together. Remaining Thursdays: March 16, 23 30. Supper will begin at 6 PM in the church entranceway, followed by Evening Prayer from 7:00 – 7:30 PM. If you are able to help with bringing soup or bread for the meals, there is a sign-up sheet outside the church office, or you may contact the church office by email or phone to sign-up. God bless our Lenten practise together.
|
|
|
Women in Faith Book Group - March 29, 1 PM
The Book Group will meet on Wednesday, March 29 at 1:00 pm by Zoom. We will be discussing "Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest" by Suzanne Simard. For more information please contact Janice jbnel13@gmail.com
|
|
|
Murder Mystery Afternoon - Saturday, April 1, 3 PM
 Join us for an afternoon of murder and mayhem on April 1 at 3:00 pm in the Upper Hall at Church of the Cross. This an event for all ages. You will have an opportunity either to be a suspect or a detective. Please contact Janice (jbnel13@gmail.com) if you plan on attending.
|
|
|
Reflections with Flutist, Soile Stratkauskas
Music and Words to Close the Day
 Your friends at St. Luke Cedar Hill invite you to Reflections with Flutist, Soile Stratkauskas - Sunday, March 26th, 4:30-5:30 pm, St. Luke's Church. Finnish-born flutist Soile Stratkauskas is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Victoria Baroque music ensemble. The readings, prayers, and music of this special Reflection Time will calm your spirit and soothe your soul.
|
|
|
Take Action - Keep Up the Pressure on Bill C-226 to End Environmental Racism
We recently learned that Bill C-226, which addresses environmental racism in Canada, will be sent to the report stage around this time. That's the final step before being presented for third reading in the House of Commons. KAIROS, its network and partners, have closely followed progress on this bill which, if enacted, would task the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to develop a strategy that must include measures to examine the links between race, socio-economic status, and environmental risk. KAIROS has been conducting a letter-writing campaign to help get this bill - along with two corporate accountability bills - passed. For more details and to take action now, please click here.
|
|
|
Urgent Update re dates of Hazara Crisis events in Duncan and Victoria
Hi friends,
Unfortunately we have had to postpone the March 18th and 19th Hazara education events planned in Victoria and Duncan.
This is a collaboration between Hazara refugees already in BC and local allies. Our purpose is to support Hazara refugees and build awareness about their difficult history in Afghanistan and elsewhere.
If you have circulated the flyer, please forward this email as a follow up. We will send out more details once the new date is set.
In the meantime we will be continuing to expand our new network.
Please contact us if you have any questions or want to join our organising group.
Our email is: Hazara.initiative@gmail.com
Best wishes,
Robert Oppenheimer
Hazara Refugee Crisis Initiative
|
|
|
Pearson College Host Families
Consider serving as a host family for international students at Pearson College.
Learn more about becoming a host family here.
|
|
|
In-Person Worship, Sunday, March 19, 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.
- We support those who choose to wear a mask and those who choose not to wear a mask. For our church at this time, wearing a mask is optional and a matter of personal choice in all our activities, including worship, fellowship time, meetings and office hours. This personal choice includes all those involved in leading our services, including presiding ministers, worship assistants, musicians, choir members and ushers. Please see a member of the Council if you have any questions or thoughts on the matter.
- 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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fourth Sunday in Lent 