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In this week's Crossroads, you will find information on:
Celebrating the Day of Pentecost
A chance to talk together about Antiracism
Welcoming New Members
Prayers, Solidarity and Support for Jerusalem and the Holy Land
Message from Amelia Beiersdorfer
COVID-19 Emergency Appeal for India
Hear Me Out
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Support the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
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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Celebrating the Day of Pentecost – Sunday, May 23, 10 AM
Thank you to everyone who was able to sh are the words of John 3:16 in different languages to include in our worship this Pentecost Sunday. They are: Alfred in Norwegian, Dianne in Kinyarwanda, Florentien in Dutch, Gisela in Low German (Plattdeutsch), Inge in Danish, Kidane in Amharic, Lennor in German, Nathan in Spanish, Nicky in Mandarin, Sabine in Latin. And to any who have sent or are sending in pictures of wearing red! Thank you! And to all our musicians, and especially the guest string quartet this Sunday, thank you for the beautiful music. And to the Board of Worship for the red fabrics and everyone joining in this festival day. Blessed Day of Pentecost.
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A chance to talk together about Antiracism
 The Social Justice Committee invites you to join us for a virtual Dessert & Dialogue focusing on racism - both in our community and within religious spaces. We’ll spend time thinking through ways we can continue our work at Lutheran Church of the Cross as an anti-racist congregation. Our host for the evening will be Sabine Lehr, with Florentien Verhage as our guest presenter. It will be an interesting and informative discussion. Let’s work towards being part of the solution!
Antiracism Dessert & Dialogue 
(Zoom link will be sent via email)
May 25, 7pm PDT
The recently released report on racism in Victoria is available here
“Racism in Greater Victoria: A Community Report” (May 2021)
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Welcoming New Members – Holy Trinity Sunday, May 30, 10 AM
 We will once again celebrate welcoming those who wish to express their desire to belong in the community of Lutheran Church of the Cross, next Sunday, May 30, sharing in Words of Affirmation of Baptism and welcome as part of our worship. If you would like to be included in this welcome, or if you have any questions, please contact Pastor Lyndon, Pastor Lyle or the church office before Wednesday of next week (May 26).
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Prayers, Solidarity and Support for Jerusalem and the Holy Land
 Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada National Bishop Susan Johnson and Anglican Church of Canada Archbishop Linda Nicholls share their deep concern for the escalating violence in Gaza and central Israel. In the following letter, the two leaders, urge every Canadian Lutheran and Anglican, and all peoples of good will, to walk in solidarity with our partners. The leaders call for prayers for the cessation of violence, invite sharing the letter they have written to the Minister of Foreign Affairs with our local MPs, and encourage making a donation to support efforts by local partners in the region to continue ministries of relief, care, justice and peace. The letters can be found below.
Dear Friends in Christ,
We are deeply distressed by the escalating violence and bloodshed in Gaza and central Israel. The volatile situation in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, where dozens of Palestinians are being evicted from their family homes by Israeli settlers, has progressed into the death of numerous civilians, unprecedented destruction and deeper community divisions.
Our beloved and besieged church partners, the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, tell us “we know from experience that violence and hatred will never lead to solutions to the deep ethnic and religious divisions that have afflicted this region for over a century. We urge all parties to act responsibly and calmly, and to preserve human life at all costs. We continue to pray and advocate for reconciliation and a just peace for Jerusalem and all its residents – Christian, Jewish, and Muslim, Palestinian and Israeli.”
We have written to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, urging Canada to do more to promote peace: elcic.ca/From-the-Bishop/documents/20210519LettertoMinisterGarneau.pdf.
On May 16, 2021, Canadian Anglicans and Lutherans observed Jerusalem and the Holy Land Sunday. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem continue in their missions of healing to the wounded, humanitarian relief to those who have lost homes and jobs, and comfort to all who mourn the death of loved ones. We thank all parishes, groups and individuals who find ways to lift up our partners.
We urge every Canadian Lutheran and Anglican, and all peoples of good will, to walk in solidarity with our partners by:
- Praying continuously for the cessation of all hostilities and peace in the Land of the Holy One and for the ministry of our partners.
- Reviewing our letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and forwarding it to your local MP.
- Making a donation to support efforts by our partners to continue ministries of relief, care, justice and peace.
Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City
In the words of Archbishop Hosam Naoum “Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City has been on the frontlines of these relief efforts, a beacon of hope to those trying to stay alive under such dire conditions. But they are overwhelmed and in desperate need of funding to obtain precious fuel for hospital generators, and to purchase emergency medicine and medical supplies so that the doctors and nurses who are working around the clock can meet the crushing flow of injured and traumatized victims.”
August Victoria Hospital, Mount of Olives, East Jerusalem
Most of the patients served by Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH) continue to be in social need and seeking life-saving specialized care. On a daily basis, these specialty services touch countless lives, both young and old, from communities across the Palestinian territories. In light of the escalating violence, AVH has expanded its Triage Unit into a Temporary Emergency Set-up to help receive and treat injured individuals.
To make a donation in support of Al Ahli Arab Hospital: anglican.ca/jerusalem/donate
To make a donation in support of August Victoria Hospital: clwr.org/AVH
We join together in prayer:
God of Love,
In the midst of continuing political and social conflict, in fear and uncertainty, we thank you for faithful leaders in the Holy Land, especially Bishop Azar of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, and Archbishop Hosam Naoum of The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. Give them strength in speaking out against injustices which eliminate the security and freedom of people. Give us that same courage to open our eyes to what is needed to protect and support those who are most vulnerable. We prayer for true and lasting peace. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Yours in Christ,
The Most Rev. Linda Nicholls
Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC)
The Rev. Susan C. Johnson
National Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC)
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Message from Amelia Beiersdorfer
Many thanks to the “Women in Faith“ at the Church of the  Cross. I appreciate your thoughtfulness by keeping in touch with me. Thank you for all the cards and baked goods. Your support helps me feel included.
Sincerely, Amelia Beiersdorfer
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COVID-19 Emergency Appeal for India
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada's partner Canadian Lutheran World Relief is accepting donations to assist with this crisis. Donations will provide emergency medical support to those who are sick at home, and help support critical advocacy and public awareness efforts to keep as many people safe as possible.
Individuals and congregations wishing to support relief efforts can donate as follows:
- Make a designated offering donation for "India Covid Crisis" through any ELCIC congregation.
- Send a cheque made payable to CLWR and mailed to CLWR, 600-177 Lombard Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 0W5. Please indicate that you wish to contribute to "India Covid Crisis."
- Call CLWR at 1-800-661-2597 (locally at 204-694-6502) to donate by credit card or go online at: clwr.org/india
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 An online Zoom event titled "Hear Me Out: Life as a 2nd Generation Chinese/Japanese-Canadian Lutheran" will be held on Sunday, May 23, 4:00-5:30 p.m. (MDT). This discussion brought to you by Lutheran Campus Ministry Calgary will be conducted in a "living room" style conversation among four guest panelists sharing their personal experiences as Asian-Canadians people of faith in the ELCIC. The panel will include Enoch Mok, Rev. Dr. Kayko Driedger Hesslein, Rev. Margaret Propp, and Rev. Nathan Fong. To attend this event, please register here. A link to join the event will be emailed after registration. |
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Support the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Bill C-15 dices Canada to implement the Declaration. T he Bill is headed to the Senate and you can take action to support the legislation. The ELCIC is joining with ecumenical partners in making a submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Indigenous Peoples.
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Read ahead: Day of Pentecost 
- May 23, 2021 Ezekiel 37:1-14
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
Acts 2:1-21
John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15
Worship Bulletin: CLICK HERE for Worship Bulletin
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This Week at Church of the Cross
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