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In this week's Crossroads, you will find information on:
In-Person Worship & Sunday School
Office Hours for Next 6 Weeks
Acts of Creation
“Why am I here?”
Karren Stinson Bursary
Walk and picnic
Women In Faith Book Group
Wednesday Scripture Study
Creation Photographs Invitation
Creation Photographs This Week
Orange Shirt Day - September 30
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Annual Luther Lecture
75 Years of Canadian Lutheran World Relief
A New Food Bank in Victoria
KAIROS Election 2021 Resource
Orange Shirt Sunday Sept. 26
Sylvia Olsen Sept. 28
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.
September 19, 17th Sunday After Pentecost
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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Office Hours for the next 6 weeks
Nicky Ni, our Office Administrator, will be travelling to see family over the next six Weeks (September 20 – October 28). Nicky will work remotely for much of this time. But the office hours when the church will be open will be reduced. Regular office hours will be Monday to Thursday mornings, 9 AM - 12 noon. The office may be open at other times, but please call first to be sure. We pray for Nicky’s safe travels and a wonderful time seeing her family.
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Acts of Creation
 During the Season of Creation, we continue to pray that the breath of God’s creative word would move our hearts, give us faith, and enlighten us with grace to respond to God’s covenant to care for our common world, and that the Holy Spirit renew the face of the Earth, and safeguard a home for all.
The Sept. 16th video of Nicky, LCC Administrative Assistant, brings a close to the Greening Committee’s Acts of Creation project. Tune in for the final recording here. Find out how Nicky honours creation in her daily life.
We had fun and were occasionally challenged by the project, but hope you enjoyed seeing, hearing, and learning more about some of the LCC family.
In Peace,
Susan Beiderwieden
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“Why am I here?”
Documentary & Conversation with a Holocaust survivor
Please join us for an in-person event at Church of the Cross on Tuesday, October 5th from 7:00 - 8:30 pm with guest speaker Julius Maslovat. Masks are required. Mr. Maslovat resides in Victoria and is one of the youngest children on record to have survived the Nazi concentration camps. A viewing of his 45 minute documentary will be followed by a Q&A period.
Both of Mr. Maslovat's parents were killed in the Holocaust. The documentary follows his journey as he researches his past to learn more about the people who helped to keep him alive during his time in concentration camps. The film encourages viewers to learn about injustices in our current world and to ask themselves the question 'Why am I here'? Maslovat says; “I survived because of other people, people who were concerned enough, despite their own condition, to help someone else.”
Click here to view a trailer on his documentary.
Susanne Standeven
on behalf of the Social Justice Committee
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Karren Stinson Bursary
 We celebrate this very special occasion of the Karren Stinson Bursary this year. It is hard to believe that so many years have passed since its inception. The first applicant to receive the bursary was our own national bishop, Susan Johnson. Since that time, awards have been made to deserving candidates in memory and honour of Karren Louise Stinson.
Karren was the parish worker at Church of the Cross for six years. She resigned that position to enter the University of Victoria’s School of Social Work. Unfortunately, her dream was quickly dashed at the age of 32 years when she was stricken with a burst aneurysm, just as she had begun her studies. To honour Karren’s dedicated spirit, a bursary was established in her memory.
The Bursary Committee invites the congregation to tell friends, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, etc. About the bursary. Encourage them to seek an application. Applications can be obtained from the church office or from the church website. All applications must be received by October 31st.
Blessings and with thanks,
Catherine Krock
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Walk and picnic in the park
The Women in Faith committee would like to invite all wome n to a walk and picnic lunch in the park on September 17 at 11 AM. We will meet at Beacon Hill Park in front of the Petting Zoo. Parking and washrooms available. Due to COVID-19 precautions, please bring your own lunch and drink. Bring your camera to take some pictures during our walk.
Gisela (Women in Faith secretary)
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Wo men In Faith Book Group
The Women in Faith Book Group will meet on Wednesday, September 29th at 1:00 PM to discuss Hamnet and Judith (also known as Hamnet) by Maggie O'Farrell. The Zoom link will be sent out later in the month. If you wish to join us please contact the church office to be added to the email list.
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Wednesday Scripture Study
Bring your Bible, a favourite beverage, and your sense of wonder as we delve into the week’s readings in a setting that is safe for curiosity and nurtures spiritual growth!
Join Denise Maier Pawliuk, Diaconal Candidate, in the Rotunda on Wednesdays from 10:30 AM to noon. Each session will include reading, reflection, and a personal spiritual practice such as meditation or centring prayer.
Join this Wednesday, September 22, 2021 (or another upcoming Wednesday). Drop-ins welcome.
Questions? Please contact Denise at dmaierpawliuk@gmail.com, Pastor Lyle pastorlyle@shaw.ca, or Pastor Lyndon pastorlyndon@shaw.ca.
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Creation Photographs
 During the month of September we continue to celebrate the gift of creation. Women in Faith invite everyone to send us your favourite creation photo. Perhaps it is in your own backyard, something you see during a walk or perhaps you have a favourite spot that reminds you of God's creation. We want to see them all. Send Pastor Lyndon (pastorlyndon@shaw.ca) an email with your photo attached. The photos will be posted here in Crossroads (see below) and on Facebook and Instagram. For additional information please contact Janice Nelson.
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Creation Photographs This Week
“In the beginning….
…darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters…” (Genesis 1:1-2)
Susan Beiderwieden
“Comma butterfly on the wall of our garage.”
Mary Grace Weir
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Orange Shirt Day - September 30, 2021
What is Orange Shirt Day?
- A time to remember the lives of Indigenous children who attended residential schools in Canada
- A day to inspire Canadians to be pro-active in promoting anti-racism and anti-bullying in schools and in the workplace
- To learn more about Reconciliation and how we can become more involved in making a change
Please consider wearing orange on September 30th, or if you wish you can purchase a shirt from various online stores, or design your own..
https://www.orangeshirtday.org/shirts--gifts.html
https://dreamcatcherpromotions.com/promotional-product/every-child-matters-orange-shirt-day/
http://www.orangeshirtday.net/
Canada has a new national holiday on September 30th known as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
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Annual Luther Lecture
Luther College is pleased to present its annual Luther Lecture virtually this year. The 2021 Luther Lecturer is Dr. Azza Karam, Secretary General of Religions for Peace. The title of her lecture is "Religions and the Pandemic: Sobering or Hopeful?" Religions for Peace works to transform violent conflict, advance human development, promote just and harmonious societies, and protect the earth. This virtual lecture is on September 27 at 7:00 p.m. If you would like to register for this virtual event, please sign up for more details or to receive the Zoom link.
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75 Years of Canadian Lutheran World Relief
For 75 years, Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) has been a grassroots movement of Lutherans in Canada with incredible global impact. Join ELCIC congregations across Canada in celebrating 75 years of this work with worship resources from CLWR and its partners around the world. Find out more by visiting clwr.org/75.
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A New Food Bank in Victoria- but different!
 Since the pandemic, Food Security, a problem for decades, has been worsened for 1 out of 8 households. People have been affected, whether employed, on welfare, disability, homeless or homed but cannot afford both accommodation and food. It does not help that we live in an expensive area for cost of living. Many cannot make their dollars go far enough. While food banks exist, they are no longer filling the increasing need. Food Security has demanded many different types of ways to alleviate this need for a variety of people. We have food banks, several community services, a few philanthropic businesses and grocery stores, Rainbow Kitchen, Our Place, Cool Aid, Justice Van Society, Shelbourne Community Kitchen and now Community Fridge.
In May 2021, the first Community Fridge opened at 2725 Rock Bay Avenue, to serve a nearly barrier-free opportunity to get food whenever it is needed by ANYONE based on the honour system. It is assisted by individual donors and the Community Food Support Initiative on Lekwungen and WSANEC territories. It is based on mutual aid not charity. It is hoped that a network of community fridges will be established throughout the territories.
Follow the community fridge on Instagram.
Anyone can donate food directly or money through crowd funding. As well, each Tuesday in the month, donations are received by several grocery stores of canned food, goods, drinks and nearly expired fresh food at the Quadra Village Community Gym for the Community Food Support Initiative. The food is then divided into 85 large boxes of food and goods and delivered to 85 families in Victoria. The excess is donated to the Community Fridge on Rock Bay Avenue. Anyone can take and/or leave food at the Community Fridge on Rock Bay Avenue at anytime, no matter the reason for your need. You serve yourself! Volunteers clean the fridge.
Donations can include:
- Drinks – bottled water and juice is greatly needed
- Fresh produce
- Non-perishable food
- Personal hygiene products
- Baby food, diapers
- Pet food
- Your time and energy to clean the fridge
Please consider this valuable service for those in need, when shopping or for a place for your extra home grown produce.
Barb Smart
For the Social Justice Committee
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KAIROS Election 2021 Resource
Election 2021 comes at a kairos time when multiple crises converge, and opportunities arise for transformational change. The KAIROS 2021 Election Resource offers details on some of the most salient issues of our time: ecological justice, gender justice, Indigenous rights, and migrant justice. It also includes questions for candidates. To access this election resource, please click here.
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Orange Shirt Sunday with Carolyn Klaassen
Sunday, September 26, 10 AM PDT
with feast to follow
Join us In-person or via Worship Livestream for Orange Shirt Sunday with Carolyn Klaassen, Indigenous candidate for ministry in the BC Synod and student at VST. Carolyn led us in worship for Orange Shirt Sunday 2020 as well.
Worship will begin outside for a rite of mourning on the church lawn for those who are able and will process inside to the Sanctuary for Word and Meal.
A feast will follow outside the church.
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First Nationals Housing with Sylvia Olsen
Tuesday, September 28, 7 PM to 8:30 PM via ZOOM
Conversation with Sylvia Olsen, Advisor with First Nations Housing & Infrastructure Council to speak ahead of the inaugural Day of Truth and Reconcilation on September 30.
This will be on online conversation over Zoom. We’ll share the link to the talk ahead of time with those on the church e-mail list. Others are welcome to contact the church office for the link.
Hosted by Truth & Reconciliation Committee.
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Read ahead:
Season of Creation - Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
- September 19, 2021 Proverbs 31:10-31
Psalm 1
James 3:13 - 4:3, 7-8a
Mark 9:30-37
Worship Bulletin: CLICK HERE for Worship Bulletin
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This Week at Church of the Cross
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