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In this week's Crossroads, you will find information on:
Sunday School
Reconciling in Christ Sunday
Men’s Breakfast Rescheduled
New Choral Scholar
Tax Receipts for 2022
Confirmation Update
Around the Table
By Heart: Lutheran Faith Update
Shelbourne Community Kitchen Request
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Reflections - St. Luke’s
Take Part in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Interfaith Ecological Justice Webinar
Advocacy Letter Renters’ Rights
Compassionate Justice Updates
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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Reconciling in Christ Sunday - January 22, 2023, 10 AM PST
We are pleased to welcome people to Reconciling in Christ Sunday worship this coming Sunday. Reconciling in Christ (RIC) is a queer-affirming designation to which Church of the Cross belongs. With any kind of learning we recognize this is an ongoing process. Language, identities, and theologies evolve over time and so we seek to learn from changes as they emerge. Some of the liturgy this Sunday comes from the Reconciling in Christ liturgy designed for this Sunday. A new was is created each year. These are liturgies that can also be used at other times. For example typically we celebrate queer-affirming worship on the Sunday around the Victoria Pride Parade in the summer. This year we are pleased to welcome Rebecca (Reba) Yeo as guest preacher, who is also completing an internship in campus ministry with Inclusive Christians. Pr. Lyndon is serving as Rebecca’s internship supervisor, a requirement for the Masters of Divinity at Vancouver School of Theology.
Learn more about Reconciling Works, the para-ministry that shepherds the Reconciling in Christ program, which is based in Minnesota, serving congregations in the ELCIC and ELCA.
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Men’s Breakfast Rescheduled
The Men’s Breakfast scheduled for this Saturday, January 21 has been rescheduled to Saturday, February 18 at 9:30 AM in the Upper Hall at Church of the Cross.
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David (DJ) McGrath - New Choral Scholar
Q & A
How do you answer when people ask "Where are you from?"
I was born and raised for the first eight years of my life in Newcastle (then Sydney), NSW, Australia. Then I moved to Campbell River, Vancouver Island and lived there until I moved to Burnaby to start my 2nd year of my electrical apprenticeship. I moved 6 times while I lived five years in the in the VGA. Now I live in Saanich while I attend Uvic.
What are you studying at UVic, and what do you like about it so far?
I will be interviewing for my major in Music Education this spring. While I do love the UVSMEA student committee at uvic who are centred around student music education opportunities and community, it’s the small things I really love, like practice rooms with windows, and being on a campus big enough for a hangout field surrounded by tall education buildings.
What kind of music do you listen to "for fun"?
All kinds! But it started with alt/indie-rock and I have a soft spot for it. Some top genres are also funk, electronic-prog, fusion jazz, and hip-hop. I was introduced to art music through concert band, and didn’t really start listening to classical until I started my undergrad.
What do you see yourself doing, musically, in 5 years?
In 5 years I see myself as Mr. McGrath, music teacher/director/leader in school classrooms, and helping others discover their potential and a passion for music and music making. I may even be teaching internationally!
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2022 Tax Receipts
Work has begun on preparations of 2022 Tax Receipts. They will be issued early in February 2023.
If you prefer an electronic receipt sent by email please let the church office or the Financial Secretary know.
All other receipts will be put in your church mailboxes/slots no later than Sunday 12 Feb. Receipts not collected from mailboxes/slots by 20 Feb will be mailed to your home address.
If you have any questions please contact the Lutheran Church of the Cross Financial Secretary, Barry Walker at 250-381-1698 or bhwalker@sjaw.ca
Thank you for your continuing support of Lutheran Church of the Cross and its work.
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Confirmation Update
 Confirmation students together with Pr. Lyndon enjoyed an outing to a local board games cafe last week. It’s a great form of community building outside of class and church. As mentioned in last week’s sermon, Pr. Lyndon was the weakest link playing a game about guessing concepts. The Confirmation students were far faster and agile in their play. This evening activity also offered parents a welcome night out, something parents with kids rarely enjoy together without a lot of organizing.
Other groups at Church of the Cross have been increasing their social events including Women in Faith gathering over lunch, the Men’s Breakfast group, among others. What are other ways we can build community together as a congregation?
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Around the Table Gathering Again
Around the Table is gathering again, the weekly campus ministry gathering with worship and a meal at the Multifaith Centre on Wednesday at 5 PM. If you know of students or people on campus who may be interested let them know or have them contact Pr. Lyle, Pr. Lyndon, Boston or Courtney, student leaders. Around the Table is supported by Inclusive Christians, a queer-affirming Christian student group, with active participation from pastors, students, soup makers, and your support of Church of the Cross. We build up a healthy, inclusive church in part by building up a healthy, inclusive campus ministry program.
Photo of a student practising music before the worship gathering.
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By Heart: Lutheran Faith Update
 We are ordering By Heart books. Thank you to everyone who asked us to order a copy. Please make payment to to the church office for your copy. Let us know if you have any questions about that.
Next steps: We will be checking in with people who have expressed interest in joining the small group conversation over Zoom. We will be trying to accommodate the schedules for newer folks for whom this is an intro to Lutheran theology and hoping the time works for most people. This will most likely be a weekday evening with a one hour Zoom conversation each week for about nine weeks. We will follow up directly via e-mail with people who have ordered books and with details about next steps for those wanting to join the conversation. If you have any questions feel free to check in with Pr. Lyndon or Pr. Lyle.
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Shelbourne Community Kitchen
Pantry Most Needed Items
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Reflections
Music and Words to Close the Day
Sunday, January 22, 2023
4:30 - 5:30 pm at St. Luke Cedar Hill
Your friends at St. Luke Cedar Hill invite you to Reflections - Music and Words to Close the Day, Sunday, January 22nd at 4:30 pm. Enjoy cello music while soaking in the beautiful candlelit ambiance of St. Luke's at dusk. This month’s Reflections will feature cellist, Elena Antonceva.
Elena has more than 20 years experience performing in orchestras and international music festivals and events. The readings, prayers, and music of this special Reflection Time will calm your spirit and soothe your soul.
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Take Part in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, January 18-25
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (WPCU) is an ecumenical celebration held each year from January 18-25. During WPCU, you are invited to pray for the unity of all Christians, reflect on Scripture together, participate in ecumenical services and share fellowship. The 2023 theme of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (WPCU), chosen by the Minnesota Council of Churches (USA), is "Do good; seek justice." Based on Isaiah 12:1-17, the international theme and materials call Christians to recognize that the divisions between our churches and confessions cannot be separated from the divisions within the wider human family. Various resources for worship, bible study, and more are now available when you click here.
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Interfaith Ecological Justice Webinar on February 2
Join the conversation at the beginning of World Interfaith Harmony Week with Canadian faith-based ecological and climate justice professionals who will introduce their work and explore how to expand their efforts and connect with others in this webinar on Thursday, February 2, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Registration is free for this panel discussion and will be hosted through Zoom Webinars. To participate in this online event, please register here.
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Advocacy Letter for Renters' Right to Housing
Many renters are facing excessive rent increases they cannot afford which is leading to their "economic eviction." Many have little option but to live in poorly maintained and unsafe homes. Many are facing discriminatory and illegal behaviour from some landlords with little recourse to protect their rights. You are invited to send a letter calling on the government to take steps to ensure that renters across Canada have basic legal protections so they can live in secure homes. This initiative is sponsored by the Canadian Centre for Housing Rights.
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In-Person Worship, Sunday, January 22, 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.
- To protect vulnerable persons, we currently encourage the wearing of masks during worship, especially while singing.
- 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:
 Third Sunday after Epiphany
January 22, 2023 Exodus 2:1-10
Psalm 27:1, 4-9
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Matthew 4:12-23
Worship Bulletin: CLICK HERE for Worship Bulletin
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