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In this week's Crossroads, you will find information on:
Congregation’s Annual General Meeting
AGM Lunch
Sunday School
Visitor’s Gathering
Prayers for Healing and Wholeness in Lent
Lenten Soup Suppers and Evening Prayer
Anawim House Lenten Project
GVAT
Luther House Residents
Victoria Native Friendship Centre Program
Rally for Old Growth Forests
Thank You from St. Luke’s
Photos from Shrove Tuesday & Ash Wednesday
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By Heart Update March 7 & 8
World Council of Churches
Lutherans Connect: Before the Cross
Women Peacebuilders
BC Synod: Discerning Way Forward Together
Biodiversity Webinar
John Albert Hall Lecture Series May 2023
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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 Congregation’s Annual General Meeting
The Congregation’s Annual General Meeting will take place on Sunday, March 12, 2023. An invitation to the meeting and annual report will be sent by email prior to the meeting.
AGM Q&A In-person, at Sanctuary
Sunday, March 5 , 11:30 AM PST. (after Worship and Coffee)
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AGM Lunch
 Prior to the AGM following Sunday worship on March 12 a light lunch will be provided. If you are able to contribute sandwiches, finger foods or dessert please sign up on the list outside the office.
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Sunday School March 5 & 12, 2023
Children are welcome to join Sunday School which takes place following the children’s time through until holy communion, when children return to the sanctuary. Other Sundays there is a children’s table available in the sanctuary so kids can colour and do crafts in the worship space.
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Visitor’s Gathering – March 8, 1 PM in the Sanctuary
To encourage and support the practise of people of the congregation visiting those who are homebound or in need of care, anyone interested and able to visit is invited to an initial meeting on Wednesday March 8 at 1 PM in the Sanctuary. We will discuss possible visits, prayers, training and support. If you have any questions, please speak with Pastor Lyndon or Pastor Lyle.
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Prayers for Healing and Wholeness in Lent
 As part of Sunday worship throughout the Season of Lent, the Board of worship has decided to offer the opportunity for individual prayers and anointing for healing. Those who wish to may go to the area near the corner window before or after Communion to kneel or sit or stand to receive an individual prayer and the sign of the cross with oil on your forehead. This early Christian practise of prayer and anointing the sick is spoken of in the Christian Testament of the Bible. We offer this practise trusting in God’s grace to give wholeness and healing together with the gifts of medicine and science and not in expectation of miraculous cures. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak with Pastor Lyndon or Pastor Lyle, or a member of the Board of Worship.
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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. Beginning March 2, and each Thursday in Lent, the supper will begin at 6 PM in the church entranceway, followed by Evening Prayer from 7 – 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.
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Lenten Mission
 Anawim Companion Society’s mission is to help those afflicted with poverty, no matter their color, race, age, abilities, religious beliefs, sexual orientations, gender identity or gender expressions. They acknowledge there is physical, emotional, spiritual and social poverty and tries to alleviate the effects on the individual wholistically. Anawim assists adults who want to be helped by providing: a house free from drugs or alcohol, a feeling of family, opportunities for personal growth, professional help, education and the means to return to work. Anawim shows people how to live in a loving, caring, spiritual environment through a Day Program for men and women and a Residential Program. Although the Residential Program currently is for men, fundraising is being done to provide a Residential Program for Women through building another home. As well, Anawim supports other agencies and organizations that provide services or advocates for the homeless due to poverty in all its facets.
During Lent, the Social Justice Committee invites you to support Anawim House by donating needed products. A collection box will be placed inside the front entrance. The products needed are toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, combs, hairbrushes, men’s and women’s underwear, feminine hygiene products, new and slightly used towels, wash cloths, chocolate bars, granola bars, reusable water bottles, $5 or $10 gift cards to Tim Hortons, McDonalds, Subway, or Burger King.
If you have questions about this project, contact Craig Knight (craigknight@gmail.com) or Sherry Coughlin (sherry_coughlin@yahoo.ca)
The Social Justice Committee thanks you!
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News from Greater Victoria Acting Together (GVAT)
Thank you to Deacon Brigitte McKenzie for her participation with GVAT and the important work this organization does. Attached is a link for their blog and latest newsletter where you can find more information regarding the worthwhile activities happening around Greater Victoria. https://www.gvat.ca/blog
The Social Justice Committee
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More Updates on Luther House Residents
The January 29th, 2023 Cross Roads newsletter highlighted Elijah, one of the residents living in Luther House, a six bedroom residence for post-secondary students. Luther House is part of Church of the Cross’ support of campus ministry. The Luther House Committee supports student learning and growth, building community among the students and fostering a relationship with the congregation.
This week we highlight three more of the student residents living in Luther House.
Aron, originally from 100 Mile House BC, is taking courses at Camosun College at the Lansdowne Campus. He is working towards an Associate of Science degree in Biology. Right now he is taking several chemistry classes. Aron also works at at a local pub. Aron used to practise Judo and over a decade he obtained his black belt. While work and school does not leave much time for him to do Judo now he looks forward to returning to this discipline in the future.
Zhen is originally from Selangor, one of four states Malaysia. He is taking civil engineering classes at the Camosun College Interurban campus, this is a bridge program to the two-year Civil Engineering degree program at UBC. Zhen currently works at a large retailer. He is currently in the process of applying for a civil engineering job in Kelowna for the summer and applying for the Civil Engineering Program at UBC. He hopes to be accepted at UBC for the fall 2023 program. He loves playing board and card games. Zhen hopes to find a job in BC after he finishes his degree.
Estefania, is the newest Luther House resident. She is from Lima, Peru. Estefania is studying accounting at Camosun College Interurban. She also works two jobs in addition to her studies. She is an Administrative Assistant in an office on the Lansdowne Campus of Camosun College and a front desk Administration Assistant for a local engineering company where she does a variety of jobs - preparing reports & capital expenses. Estefania loves swimming and does this regularly for exercise.
Luther House Committee
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Victoria Native Friendship Centre
Community Learning Program
 As part of our efforts toward reconsili-action in 2023, consider registering for the Victoria Native Friendship Centre’s Community Learning Program. The program is focused on learning about working with Indigenous people. It is an experiential opportunity to learn in a collaborative way. Topics include local First Nations, urban Indigenous people, self-introductions, respectful communication, asking and responding to difficult questions, learning from mistakes, participating in protocols, impacts of colonization, cultural connections, Indigenous technologies and innovations, and ongoing self-directed learning. Talk to Craig Knight and others who have taken this training in the past.
To register or find out more, contact Sue White, Volunteer Program Manager at volunteer@vnfc.ca
Truth and Reconciliation Committee
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Photos of Rally for Old Growth Forests
Great to have several members of Church of the Cross participate in the recent Rally for Old Growth Forests that drew thousands of people. A really joyful gathering centred around protecting the gifts and beauty of creation.
Photos from Craig Knight, Truth & Reconciliation Committee
   
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Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper - Thank You from St. Luke's
 Thank you to everyone who worked in the kitchen to cook the sausages and pancakes and helped with the setup and cleanup. It was good to be able to share this meal with our friends from Church of the Cross. Thanks as well to everyone who made donations at the Pancake Supper. We received $380 in donations: $130 of this amount donated was used to cover the cost of the food and the remaining $250 will be added to the donations we are collecting for Earthquake Relief for Turkey and Syria.
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Photos from Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday
Great to have students from Inclusive Christians at UVic lighting the palm fronds to make ashes and then have the ashes imposed on Ash Wednesday. At Church of the Cross we are building up leaders in the church. Inclusive Christians is the only overtly queer-affirming campus ministry at UVic. Together we are building a church home for students on campus and for some that extends to finding a church home in the community, including at Church of the Cross as well as our ecumenical partners: United, Presbyterian, and Anglican churches.
 
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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
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Still want to join a By Heart conversation?
We began with introductions this past week and will begin with reading and discussing Chapter 1: The Story of the Small Catechism.
Zoom: Tuesday March 7, 7:30 PM
Wednesday March 8, 10 AM PST
We have about 25 people participating between the two gatherings. Let us know if you still need a copy of the book. We have a few extras or need added to the weekly e-mail with Zoom links.
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World Council of Churches Installs New General Secretary
In photo: Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay, the ninth general secretary of the World Council of Churches during the service of his installation in the Ecumenical Centre Chapel on February 17, 2023. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC (WCC website)
Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay was installed as the ninth general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) during a service in the Ecumenical Centre Chapel on February 17. Pillay, who was previously dean of the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Pretoria, is from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Amid prayers, singing, and a sermon by Pillay himself, the celebration also included special greetings from churches and partners.
To read the full news article, please click here.
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Lutherans Connect: Before the Cross
Lutherans Connect invites you to make space in the Lent and Holy Week journey for a new devotional series. This Lent, we will reflect on the events in Jesus' life which can be thought of as 'stations' of his story - moments of teaching and ministry in which Jesus or others signal what lies ahead. In addition, we will visit the contemporary stories of individuals and communities around the world whose lives involve acts of resistance to empire or a permanent commitment to the wilderness. If you would like to subscribe, please send an email to lutheransconnect@gmail.com. To connect with Lutherans Connect through Facebook, please click here.
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Compassionate Justice Updates
Write to Your Local MP for Effective Peacebuilding and Sustainable Development
Last year, the federal government took a step toward fulfilling this promise. It allocated $8.2 billion to its International Assistance Envelope (IAE). This was an increase of $0.6 billion and we'd like to see a repeat of that. In the lead up to Budget 2023, please join us in asking the Government of Canada to increase its IAE by $0.6 billion above the current financial commitments to reach a minimum of $10 billion in the 2025 budget. Please ask that this funding reach grassroots women's rights and peacebuilding organizations.
We also ask the government to increase its climate finance commitments from $5.3 billion over five years to at least $1.8 billion annually to the Global South, and to ensure that this funding prioritizes grassroots women's organizations and Indigenous organizations, which are effective in decarbonization and adaptation. To add your voice, please write to your MP when you click here.
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BC Synod Series
Discerning the Way Forward Together
with Rev. Susan Beaumont
click here to download the poster. Congregations, please post on your bulletin board.
DISCERNMENT
Recognizing and Responding to the Presence of God
Discernment in its fullness takes a practical heart, fine-tuned to hear the word of God and the single-mindedness to follow that word in love. It is truly a gift from God, but not one dropped from the skies fully formed. It is a gift cultivated by a prayerful life and the search for self-knowledge. Ernest Larkin
 The Church is living through changes we have not experienced in our lifetimes. We find ourselves needing to build the bridge as we walk on it.
Join us as we open ourselves to new ways of thinking, learn the practice of group discernment, and acquire practical tools to help us open to God’s desire for us and for God’s church
Registration Date: by March 15th – Series begins April 20th
Register at the the following link:
https://form.jotform.com/230588232409053
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Give It Up for the Earth - Register for Biodiversity Webinar
As in past years, For the Love of Creation (FLC) partners with Citizens for Public Justice on "Give it up for the Earth," a Lenten initiative. This annual campaign runs from February 22 to April 8 (Easter) pledging personal actions and supporting FLC's advocacy goals from COP27. This national faith-in-action campaign raises awareness about climate change and mobilizes people across Canada to reduce personal and household greenhouse gas emissions, engage in acts of solidarity, and collect signatures as a demonstration of support for increased federal government action. Part of this campaign is a webinar on Biodiversity and COP15 which will be held on March 23. To register for this webinar, please click here. For more information and to access resources, please click here.
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The Anglican Diocese of British Columbia Presents: Land, Law, Religion and Reconciliation: A Colloquium
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In-Person Worship, Sunday, March 5, 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
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Read ahead:
 Second Sunday in Lent
March 5, 2023 Genesis 12:1-4a
Psalm 121
Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
John 3:1-17
Worship Bulletin: CLICK HERE for Worship Bulletin
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