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If you have a Mac or the links are not working,
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In this week's Crossroads, you will find information on:
In-Person Worship & Sunday School
No Zoom Coffee this Sunday
Welcoming Choral Scholar & Artist in Residence
Thank you for attending!
Welcoming Merhawi
”Religion, Conflict, and Peace” Video Study Group
Jam Session October 7 (and again October 14)
Thanksgiving Food Collection
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Inclusive Christians in Action
For the Love of Creation Event
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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In-Person Worship and Sunday School has resumed, Sundays 10 AM
 Church Council and many others have worked together to prepare a safe return to in-person worship and Sunday School. We are following the guidelines and orders set by the Provincial Health Officer. We realize that the pandemic continues to raise concerns for health and safety, and we will adjust our plans if/as health orders change.
Being vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best protection for the health of yourself and others. We encourage everyone who is eligible to receive both doses of the vaccine. Find a walk-in clinic in BC to receive vaccination here.
October 10, Thanksgiving Sunday
Everyone planning to come to worship and Sunday School are asked to follow these requirements:
- Stay home if you are not feeling well and experiencing any Covid-19 related symptoms.
- Wear a mask when entering the building and throughout worship and Sunday School. (This is required of everyone age 12 and older. Children under 12 are encouraged to wear a mask.)
- Observe social distancing.
- Sanitize or wash hands as needed.
- You are welcome to sing, but masks must be worn.
- 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 well 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 outside where water/refreshments will be available.
It is not required that people register for worship ahead of time or sign in as you arrive.
We will make adjustments as needed and keep you informed of any changes. Your feedback on your experience with in-person return to worship is valued. Please let any member of Church Council, the Covid Leadership Team, Pastors, or the church office know of any questions, concerns or ideas for making return to in-person worship and Sunday School safer and meaningful for everyone.
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No Zoom Coffee this Sunday, October 10
While there is no Zoom coffee this Sunday, we are wondering if there may be interest in having virtual coffee over Zoom once per month. This could be the first Sunday of the month for example. Let either Pr. Lyndon or Pr. Lyle know if you would participate in this.
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Welcoming a New Choral Scholar and Artist in Residence
The Board of Worship is pleased to introduce a new Choral Scholar, Carter Martin, to the congregation. Carter is a tenor and a second year vocal performance student at the University of Victoria. Carter brings a wonderful voice to join with Abby’s in the Choir and worship. Please take the opportunity to welcome Carter.
The Board of worship is also pleased to welcome Jose Tuazon as an “Artist in Residence” for this academic year. Jose is a cellist in his second year of a Masters degree at the University of Victoria. The opportunity to have Jose with us for the year was made possible by a generous donation to cover a monthly stipend like those provided to our Choral Scholars. Jose will join in Sunday worship and weekly rehearsals or musical “Jam Sessions” that our Kantor, Nathan, is beginning this month. Jose also adds an additional voice to the choir when needed. The Board of Worship is excited to have this unique opportunity of an “Artist in Residence” this year. Please join us in welcoming Jose.
The Board of Worship
Photos left to right: Abby, Jose, Carter
 
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Thank you for attending!
Thank you to everyone who joined us in-person or on-line for our speaker event with Julius Maslovat. Thank you to Pr. Lyle and Pr. Lyndon for setting up the tech.
The documentary and Q&A period were interesting and informative. In answer to the question “What can we do?” Mr. Maslovat had many suggestions on how to keep the lessons learned through history alive and in our collective memories. He reminded viewers that WW11 started with “words, bullying, and taking away people's rights.”
Some of his suggestions for what people can do when seeing injustices today included:
- don't ignore injustices do something about it
- oppose in anyway you can instances of bullying, name calling, laughing at racist or sexist jokes or making fun of people who are different.
- make friends with people who are different than you
- write letters when you see human rights being abused
- write advocacy letters
Mr. Maslovat left us with these final words of caution and wisdom “Don't be silent or indifferent when you see social injustices.”
If you were unable to participate in last night's event you can still view the documentary “Why Am I Here?” or the Q&A which followed the viewing.
Click here to view his documentary
Click here to view the recording of the Q&A with Julius Maslovat (Move slider to start at 19 min 30 s)
Susanne Standeven
on behalf of the Social Justice Committee
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Welcoming Merhawi
After this long pandemic wait, we are eagerly looking forward to Merhawi’s arrival on October 21. These unprecedented times call for some of our welcoming practices to stay the same and some to change.
What is different? There will be no welcoming party at the airport. One SJC rep and one family member will be on hand to give a thumbs up from a distance, and to transport Merhawi to his 2-week quarantine hotel room.
What is the same? As with other sponsorships, we are collecting toiletries and other items for a welcome basket brimming with good things. This will be waiting for him in his hotel room and while it isn’t the same as a hug and shouts of “Welcome!” it will let him know that we are glad he is finally here.
There is a list of items for the welcome basket in the hallway leading to the Upper Hall. If you would like to contribute items, we ask that you sign up and tear the tab off, so we don’t get duplicates. We know some items are bigger ticket items and suggest partnering with friend. If you aren’t comfortable entering the hallway to look at the list, feel free to call the office. If shopping isn’t your thing, Sherry is happy to do your shopping for you – give her a call! Please have all items to church by Tuesday, October 19.
Thank you for your generous and continued support of Merhawi and all refugees.
The Social Justice Committee
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“Religion, Conflict and Peace” Video Study Group
Beginning Tuesday, October 12 – 7 PM online
We are once again offering a weekly video based course and discussion group this fall, Tuesdays from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM, beginning this Tuesday, October 12 on Zoom. The Harvard based course will consider various religions and their place in the conflicts and peacemaking in the world. We will watch the videos together each week, followed by a discussion. You do not need to individually register for the course, but you https://youtu.be/qxRhFEbR3Vc. If you are interested in participating, or have questions, or to receive the Zoom invitation, please contact Pastor Lyle or Pastor Lyndon or the church office.
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Jam Session at Church Thursdays beginning October 7, 7:30 PM
Do you play an instrument? Ever wondered what that song would sound like with a "little more cowbell"?
Starting on Oct. 7, 7:30 PM, you are invited to join Nathan McDonald and some other musicians from the congregation in a "Jam Session". We will explore music from our Global Lutheran traditions in a variety of ways.
Participants are invited to bring an instrument (if they play one), or just come and check it out. Each evening we meet we'll focus on 3-5 songs of differing styles and see what sorts of arrangements we can improvise with the instrumentation we have. Next gathering Oct. 14, 7:30 PM.
If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to Nathan at mac.nathan@gmail.com so we have an idea of numbers.
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Thanksgiving food collection for Shelbourne Community Kitchen
 With Grateful Hearts…
The Board of Worship and the Social Justice Committee are thrilled to return to our tradition of showing our support for Shelbourne Community Kitchen this Thanksgiving!
With grateful hearts, for all that we have, we are gathering gifts of food and donations on Thanksgiving Sunday – October 10. Non-perishable food goods may be brought in advance and be dropped off at church during office hours and placed in the basket in the Narthex or brought to worship on October 10. All items will be placed around the table before worship and be blessed before being taken downstairs to the Kitchen’s new facility. Or, if you wish to offer a financial donation, please designate the amount and “Shelbourne Community Kitchen” on the subject line of your offering envelope, or in the drop down box for on-line giving.
Thank you for your care and support of the Shelbourne Community Kitchen!
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Inclusive Christians In Action
As a congregation we support Pr. Lyle and Pr. Lyndon serving as the Lutheran co-chaplains at Multifaith Services at the University of Victoria. Together with ecumenical partners from the Anglican, United, and Presbyterian churches we support Inclusive Christians, a student group that is overtly affirming of queer students, often excluded from church communities. This past Wednesday the group gathered in front of the Student Union Building on campus, giving out hot chocolate gift bags in exchange for a donation to the Victoria Pride Society. Students active within Church of the Cross helped organize and participate, not pictured here.
Thanks to cooks at Church of the Cross who make soup for Inclusive Christians: Around the Table, Wednesday worship and communal meals. Typically we host about three of these meals per semester and typically ask two people each to provide one crockpot of soup. Let Pr. Lyndon or Pr. Lyle know if you would like to provide soup for a meal in the New Year.
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For the Love of Creation Symposium Event
October 30, 8 AM to 2 PM PST
The BC Synod Climate Justice Action Group encourages your participation in this event.
Register now!
Join us for the 2021 For the Love of Creation's Fall Symposium on October 30th. This gathering will mark a key moment in our journey, in Canada's climate plan, and in global climate action as we engage with COP26 (in November 2021). We will hear the collective theological reflections in the Letter of the Faithful, learn about how our advocacy goals have evolved, and engage with faith leaders, theologians, and climate organizers. Event fees have been set to help cover the costs of this event. Fees are: $5 - Student; $10 - Non-Student. Please note that there is a barrier-free option ($0). If you have any questions about this event, please send an email to: flc.pac@gmail.com. To view the event poster, please click here. Register now!
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