Church Council and others continue to work to see that in-person worship is safer for everyone. Our current practises for in-person worship meet all present requirements. Changes in the pandemic continue to raise concerns for health and safety, and we will adjust our plans as health orders change. 
 
Being vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best protection for the health of yourself and others. We strongly encourage everyone who is eligible to be fully vaccinated.
 
We will continue to livestream worship each Sunday.  
 

• If you are not feeling well and experiencing any Covid-19 related symptoms or if you are not vaccinated, please stay home and participate in worship online.  
• You are encouraged but not required to wear a mask when entering the building and throughout worship.
• Observe social distancing.
• Sanitize or wash hands as needed.
• You are welcome to sing and you are encouraged to wear a mask.
• We will greet one another and share the peace at a distance.
• Holy Communion will be served with bread and individual glasses of wine that are spaced in the trays. You may commune with bread or wine alone if you wish.
• You are invited to greet and talk with others after worship with masks on.
• It is not required that people register for worship ahead of time or sign in as you arrive.

Prayer Around the Cross

Lenten Evening Prayer at Church of the Cross
Thursdays in Lent, 7:00 PM PDT, In person & livestream
Three More Thursdays: March 24, 31, April 7

Simple liturgy of word and music including invitation to light candles and place them around the prayer wall.

A Meatless Recipe to Try
The fourth in a series of vegetarian recipes shared by the Greening Committee during Lent.

Baked Tofu in Thai Peanut Sauce and Japchae
 
When people talk about vegetarian meals, tofu is an ingredient that often springs to mind. Many people actually don’t think they like vegetarian food because tofu can be very insipid when it isn’t prepared well. This recipe reminded me of the chicken satay we used to get at receptions in grad school when very distinguished guest speakers were on campus. The Japchae is a Korean recipe our younger daughter found, and makes quite a large amount. Leftovers can be eaten cold or at room temperature like a salad. If it is reheated, the vegetables can get quite soggy.

Mary Grace Weir






Join Mary making this recipe in her kitchen in this video here.

Both recipes can be found online at the following links:

Peanut Sauce Recipe

Japchae Recipe
 
Have a good day! Mary Grace 

The Social Justice Committee is collecting individually wrapped, store bought snack food items for distribution to the shelters and programs that support the homeless.  There is a basket in the narthex waiting to be filled to the brim with treats that are sure to put a smile on the faces of hungry teens and adults!
                                

Sanctuary Youth Centre  
Fourth in Social Justice Lenten Series

 
“Inspired by the love of Christ, we build relationships with at-risk youth and support them in discovering their strengths and overcoming their challenges.”
 
The Sanctuary Youth Centre opened in 2004. It is located in the basement of Church of our Lord, 767 Humboldt St. in downtown Victoria as a drop-in centre on weekends for street entrenched and at risk youth between ages 14 - 22.  Open Friday to Sunday from 2pm to 8pm, the Centre helps fill the gap when youth agencies are closed on the weekends, to provide support. Youth are able to drop in for a hot meal, showers, do laundry, and access fresh and non-perishable food items, clothing and self care supplies. The pet-friendly Centre offers a warm, dry place for youth to “hang out” in a safe and friendly space supported by staff and volunteers.  They can socialize and explore interests, with the availability of free wifi, a pool-table and a ping pong table, art and drawing supplies as well as musical instruments. 
 
The Sanctuary depends on individual donors, local businesses, grants, church groups, food share programs  and other community partners for volunteers at the Centre, for home cooked meal preparation, the cost of or food ingredients for a meal, and donations of pantry/clothing /personal items. A friend who loved to cook and donated a home cooked main dish recommended the Sanctuary Youth Centre to Joyce. On a cold, wet weekend a donation of used clothing, socks, mitts/ hats, pantry food items, some ”sweet” treats from Dollar Tree and fresh oranges were accepted by a very welcoming and grateful staff. Giving back to the community and supporting the Sanctuary Youth Centre is very gratifying.
 
Chocolate and other “sweets” are unexpected treats for youth at the Sanctuary Youth Centre, just as they can be for other homeless folks you may encounter in our communities. Thank you for sharing.

Thrifty's Vivo Pot Stamps

Thanks to everyone that donated their Thrifty's stamps for Shelbourne Community Kitchen. Between ourselves, St. Luke's, Broadview United and other volunteers over 100 pots were donated. These pots will be distributed to participants of programs at the Kitchen. 

Women In Faith Trunk Show

Do you have gently used items in your home that you are ready to part with? On Saturday morning (time TBD), April 23, Women in Faith is holding a trunk sale in the church parking lot on Cedar Hill Road (beside Luther House). Bring your items in a vehicle where you can set them out and sell them. All the proceeds from the sale will be used for Women in Faith activities. For more information contact Janice. E-mail: jbnel13@gmail.com

Sunday School Resumes
 
Sundays in Lent and Easter Sunday, March 6 through April 17, Sunday School will meet in person during Sunday Worship, 10 AM PDT. Contact the church office for more information. Stay tuned for special kids activities on Easter Sunday, April 17. In consultation with families with young children, we will gauge how frequently to offer Sunday School during the Easter season.

Photo update from last week’s edition to the Sunday School art project. Exploring how our roots in faith grow down and anchor us like this tree of life. Check it out on display in the Rotunda.
 

Easter Initiative to Highlight Sacredness of Jerusalem as well as Obstacles to Peace

Photo credits: WCC website (Photos from WCC-EAPPI Easter Initiative 2022 campaign)

An Easter initiative by the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (WCC-EAPPI) sets out to connect the sacredness of Jerusalem with what is sacred to us as human beings: home, worship, family, identity, human dignity and life, and solidarity. Faith communities are invited to use the biblical reflection, prayer, and advocacy materials that highlight present-day experiences in Jerusalem. While Christians prepare to celebrate Easter, high holidays for Muslims and Jews - Ramadan and Pessach - are also being celebrated at the same time period in 2022. For full information, please click here.

From ELCIC News

Jazz Vespers on April 3, 7 PM

Your friends at St. Luke Cedar Hill invite you to Jazz Vespers in St. Luke's Church on Sunday, April 3rd. Jazz Up Your Sunday Evening with a Jazz Vespers service starting at 7 pm. This hour long service will feature lots of jazz along with contemporary prayers, poems, and readings. Come and see and hear what it’s all about!

Reconciled Relationships

Korea Peace Appeal Ten Thousand Signatures Campaign
You are invited to endorse this call for peace initiated by the National Council of Churches in Korea. The campaign is inviting individual signatures to declare "70 years is enough. It's time to end the Korean War." The goal is for 100,000 signatures worldwide, including 10,000 in Canada. On March 15, 2022, 690 Canadian signatures had been added since the campaign was launched in January. A new video and a link for signing can be found when you click here.

Climate Justice:
The Moral Dimension of Climate Change (Online Event)

Engage with the Canadian All Party Parliamentary Interfaith Caucus to explore the values that should inform federal climate policy. Participate with Prof. Ken Bossenkool (McGill University), Prof. Tzeporah Berman (York University), Indigenous Archbishop Mark MacDonald (Anglican Church of Canada), Levi Minderhoud (Association for Reform Political Action), and Bhaskar Goswami, along with Members of Parliament Daniel Blaikie, Garnett Genuis, Elizabeth May and Sameer Zuberi. This event will take place online on Wednesday, March 30 at 6:00-7:00 p.m. EST. To join this event, please register here. 

Give it up for the Earth! - Faith-in-Action Campaign to Encourage Action for Climate Justice
The Give it up for the Earth! campaign raises awareness about climate change and mobilizes people across Canada to reduce household greenhouse gas emissions, engage in acts of solidarity, and collect signatures as a demonstration of support for increased federal government action.

Give it up for the Earth! runs from March 2 to April 14, 2022. Addressing the climate crisis in a good way prioritizes Indigenous autonomy and consideration of peace who have been traditionally marginalized and are particularly vulnerable in the climate crisis. Join your faith community to be part of this campaign when you register here. 

Sabbath Rest - PWRDF Learning Module
The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) has prepared a series that invites you to explore the connections between climate change and food security. the most recent module is entitled "Sabbath Rest." To find out more details on this resource, pleaseclick here.

From ELCIC News

Youth Ministry

Applications Open for Youth Positions - CLAY 2023 National Planning Committee
The planning team is looking for two youth (age 18-25) to join in the planning for CLAY 2023 - Ashes and Embers. Are you creative, energetic, committed, responsible to report and follow-up on tasks, organized, able to work with others, aware of youth needs and concerns? Do you have passion for youth ministry? Are you interested in being part of a team who plans and executes a CLAY gathering? Consider applying to be part of the team! Applications are due on April 20. To apply, please click here.

LWF: Call for Small-Scale Climate Justice Projects
The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has issued a call for small-scale climate projects initiated and led by young people aged 30 years or younger. The deadline for proposals is on May 8. Each project requires an endorsement by an LWF member church and should run from July to October 2022. For more details on this opportunity and how to send your applications, please click here.

From ELCIC News