Church Council continues to work to see that in-person worship is safer for everyone. We will adjust our plans as health orders change. 
 
Being vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best protection for the health of yourself and others. We strongly encourage everyone who is eligible to be fully vaccinated.
 
We will continue to livestream worship each Sunday.  
 

• If you are not feeling well and experiencing any Covid-19 related symptoms or if you are not vaccinated, please stay home and participate in worship online.  
• You are encouraged but not required to wear a mask when entering the building and throughout worship.
• Observe social distancing.
• Sanitize or wash hands as needed.
• You are welcome to sing and you are encouraged to wear a mask.
• 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 spaced in the trays. You may commune with bread or wine alone if you wish.
• It is not required that people register for worship ahead of time or sign in as you arrive.

CLAY Summer Leader Resource Pack Now Available

CLAY is a national youth gathering that will be meeting next summer.
Pastor Aneeta Saroop and Pastor Nathan Fong will be keynote speakers at CLAY 2023!

The CLAY Summer Leader Resource Pack designed for you by the CLAY National Planning Committee (NPC) has everything you need to start getting ready for CLAY 2023. This CLAY Summer Leader Resource is created with youth in mind and contains suggested scripture readings, devotions, activities, music, and more to help youth and community leaders plan and carry out an event for their group. This resource includes contributions from keynote speakers Rev. Nathan Fong and Rev. Aneeta Saroop, as well as pieces from the Venerable Val Kerr, who is the Gathering Elder. The CLAY NPC is excited to offer this free resource, and hopes that this will build community and excitement as leaders explore the gathering theme: Ashes & Embers. Please check out the resource when you click here.

What does evangelism look like today?

We are living increasingly in a secular world in which many of our neighbours have little direct experience of church. However many people are interested in asking questions related to faith and public service that both have a home in churches including Church of the Cross. Effective evangelism doesn’t necessarily begin with sharing doctrinal beliefs but rather an opportunity to make a connection. Sometimes it is your community involvement that leads people to ask about faith and church. Sometimes it is something people read on the church sign or online.

Martin Luther was a brilliant theologian and communicator. When it came to communicating faith and theology to the masses he used short, visual broadleafs or pamphlets often with graphic design. Many of his images were insulting and even grotesque by today’s standards. He was not a wilting flower and did not fear controversy, including attracting the ire of the pope and emperor. He was also savvy and knew how to use mass communication to leverage support for a burgeoning Reformation. 

Most people were illiterate in the Middle Ages and so theological ideas needed to be communicated through images and few words. Today’s version of the printing press includes tools like social media that can reach a wide audience quickly. One example of messages multiplying is when others share our messaging, reaching a wider group of people. For example this spring we received positive support for a message on the church sign lifting up women’s reproductive rights. We had a local law professor take a photo of a church sign message and post it on Twitter, reaching people we would otherwise never connect with. 

Memes are a popular way to combine images with brief text online. Some art historians including Dr. Catharine Ingersoll credit Martin Luther with creating the meme, even if it wasn’t called that in his day. Below is an example of a recent meme someone created using an image of Luther, referencing the lore of Luther nailing the 95 Theses to the cathedral door in Wittenberg.

What are effective forms of evangelism today? Send us your church memes or create your own. Meme creator apps are readily available for free in your phone or tablet’s App Store. References to pop culture are effective touchstones and a shared vocabulary with people both connected to churches and those without a church connection. This is why Luther wrote hymn texts to the tune of popular pub songs. Let us know if you write a hymn to the tune of a song by Lady Gaga, Lorde, or Drake.

- Pr. Lyndon

Vigil for Peace continues BI-MONTHLY over the summer - Prayers for Ukraine and the World

We are grieved and feel the weight of pain from our Ukrainian neighbours experiencing oppressive war. We recognize that there is so much around the world that needs our prayer. We know this is a time of anxiety and deep uncertainty.

In order to continue to meet regularly and pray for peace in the world, we will now gather on two Fridays through the summer months via Zoom. Please continue to light candles daily, to say prayers and to hold on to hope for peace in our world. As you are able, join us on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month to keep our Prayer Vigil for Peace together.

• July 22nd
• August 12th and 26th

Come as you are, bring a candle to light, and gather with people from BC and beyond. If you have events scheduled, consider inviting those you are with to join us at 7:00pm for this short time of prayer (approx. 15 minutes).
 
The leadership of these prayer times in the coming weeks will be shared. If you are interested in helping with leadership, please let the BC Synod Office know.
 
Congregational offices and leaders, please send this invitation out to your email lists. Let us all continue to pray. 

With thanks,
Bishop Kathy Martin
Pastor Katrina Vigen
Pastor Jane Gingrich
Pastor Kristen Steele
 
BC Synod is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Vigil for Peace - Prayers for Ukraine and the World
Time: Fridays at 7:00pm (Vancouver)

For the Zoom link contact the church office at lutheranchurchofthecross@shaw.ca
or call 250-477-6222. Office hours Monday through Thursday, 9 AM to 3 PM.