Mission TODAY
Mission TODAY Stories from the community of faith to inspire all to: Invite all into God’s family,
NovembeR 2014
Grow as Followers of jesus, And Serve in his name
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, What do you love about Holy Cross? I recently posed this question to the Holy Cross Church Council. (It is also posed to the entire community on the 2015 pledge cards!) I asked the question because I believe it is a question that makes us think about what the community at Holy Cross means to us, and even more broadly, it stirs us to reflect upon what our faith – our relationship with God – means to us. It is a question that makes us reflect upon God and community, and my hope is that as you think about both, your remembrance rouses in you a passion for an even more vibrant life of discipleship. That is what happens to me as I think about what I love about Holy Cross. As I think about what I love about Holy Cross, many images come to mind. I love that Holy Cross seeks to keep Christ at the center of all that we do. I love how passionate the people of Holy Cross are about reaching out to the world serving people in need in Jesus’ name through ministries like Christmas Sharing, We Serve, monthly P.A.D.S. service nights – just to name a few. I love that Holy Cross is a community that is willing to be innovative and creative in how we live the love of Christ each and every day. I love how welcoming Holy Cross has been to my family. And what I love about Holy Cross is that I am challenged here to know God’s love in my life, and to share it with others! Of course, it can be a challenge to share God’s love with others, so I offer Scripture that often helps me. It comes from Paul’s letter to the community of faith in Philippi – a community Paul loved. Paul wrote this letter as he sat in prison, and the remarkable thing about this letter is that it is so incredibly positive. As Paul sat in prison, he obviously spent time thinking of faith communities close to his heart, and it gave him strength, so much so that even in prison, he was able to encourage them back! At the close of the letter, Paul wrote:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:4-7New Revised Standard Version Bible
Can you imagine! Writing encouragement to others while But I think that is the power reflection upon love of God community of faith.
words of in prison! of simple and the
So I encourage you to take some time to reflect upon just what it is about Holy Cross that you love – Why do you come? What do you miss when you are not here? – and maybe you will find a new or rekindled passion stirring in your heart for God and the community of faith. See you in church. Pastor Amy Aimonette
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: “Receiving that care package reminds me that my
community of faith at home hasn’t forgotten about me. It reminds me that I have a whole church back home that cares about me, that’s praying for me, that wants me to grow both in my faith and as a person. It reminds me that even though I may be 600 miles away, I’m never really on my own.” See page 2 for more from McKenzie Schwarze, college sophomore and Holy Cross member.
2
Two Holy Cross Ministries that serve to Build Young People in Confidence and Hope through Learning, Encouragement, and Love! MISSION TODAY 2 (BLAST and COLLEGE CARE PACKAGES) Last year, Holy Cross implemented a new program for upper elementary students called B.L.A.S.T. The earliest goals of the program were to coach students in biblical literacy and spiritual training, and to provide fellowship opportunities with peers. While these goals remain foundational to the program, B.L.A.S.T. continues to evolve and expand its focus. Most recently, the ministry implemented a service component to each gathering, in order for students to experience first hand the relationship between faith and action.
At the October gathering, B.L.A.S.T. students explored the topic of creativity and defined this characteristic as, “using one’s imagination to do something unique.” We then expanded on this definition and examined how we, as humans, were created by God to be creative and use our creativity to solve problems and do more good in the world. With this understanding, students then embarked on a creative service project called, Kid Knits. Kid Knits is an organization founded by a nine-‐year-‐old knitter, Ellie, who desired to bring positive change to the world. Utilizing her talents and passions, Ellie developed knitting kits that use yarn hand spun by Rwandan and Chilean women living in poverty. Each Kid Knit kit includes all the materials needed to knit a wool cap as well as information about the women providing the yarn. It is a wonderful organization that reminds us all that, no matter the age, you have the ability to change a life on the other side of the world. Channeling Ellie’s creativity and passion, the B.L.A.S.T students quickly immersed themselves in their kits and, with the support of several parents, started knitting. Boys and girls alike enjoyed the challenge of learning a new skill and watching their craft progress. To date, many students have finished their caps and inquired about securing more yarn in order to make hats for friends and people in need. Looking forward, the B.L.A.S.T ministry will continue to utilize its creativity to serve and share God’s love with others throughout the year. Our next opportunity to invite, grow, and serve is November 7th from 6:00-‐ 8:00pm. At this gathering we will discuss gratitude and honor our military veterans and active troops. It promises to be a wonderful experience for all involved. To find out more about B.L.A.S.T. or the Kid Knits organization, see Amanda Dudgeon.
Holy Cross member, McKenzie Schwarze, is a college sophomore at George Washington University in Washington D.C. She was an active part of the Holy Cross’ Cornerstone youth group, and now continues to feel the community’s presence in our prayers, and as she receives goodies from members from time to time. The youth team encourages students to jump into a community of faith while away from home as another source of strength that reminds them of the love of God! “As a college student, I always warmly welcome any free food or goodies I can get. Consequently, I LOVE getting care packages. But the Holy Cross care package isn’t just snacks and treats to me. (Don’t get me wrong, I definitely love the snacks!) Receiving that care package reminds me that my community of faith at home hasn’t forgotten about me. It reminds me that I have a whole church back home that cares about me, that’s praying for me, that wants me to grow both in my faith and as a person. It reminds me that even though I may be 600 miles away, I’m never really on my own. Receiving that package makes me remember that I am loved and that I need to spread that love to others around me. It means so much to me to get a Holy Cross care package, and I know all of the other HC college kids feel the same!”
Butterfly Moments
3 MISSION TODAY We are all aware of the so-called butterfly effect. You know, Enjoy this article by Chris Mammoser who is where the butterfly flutters it wings somewhere in the passionate about living a life of discipleship. He Himalayas and we have a hurricane in the Caribbean. To be serves God in many ways, including in a variety sure, we realize its not immediate cause and effect. But we of ministries within the Holy Cross community. acknowledge that far off events, unknown in our space, unseen Thank you, Chris for answering the call to write by our eyes, unheard by our ears, maybe even unimagined by about “butterfly moments” and inspiring us to our minds, can…do…and even will…have an impact on our live as Jesus calls us. lives, the lives of our children, and their children. Perhaps this effect will be quite profound. It can be very scary to feel that any, seemingly innocuous event, could change the lives of our community today, tomorrow or even years from now. Oh, there are so many ills, so many transgressors, and so many calamities in our world. We could despair…but we don’t. Why? by Holy Cross Member Chris Mammoser
We do not despair because we understand that while each whisper of wind in a far off land could unsettle our world, we have faith, faith in the goodness of our Lord. Faith matters. So too, we realize that each one of us…special, unique and important enough to have been created in His image…have the opportunity each day to be that butterfly’s wing sweep. Each of us, every day, has the opportunity to create “butterfly moments” in the lives of others. Your tender touch can bring hope where sorrow has rooted. Your bright eyes may bring comfort when spirit is lost. Your voice can drizzle wisdom on a troubled soul. Your song can soothe an anxious heart. Your laugh can shine brightness where despair cast its shadow. Your gentle nudge could start a brilliant journey. Your hands may strike the first nail in a new home. Your smile might start a friendship. Your openness invites a prayer. And yes, your financial generosity can start an enormous chorus of wings to flutter. Be bold. Be creative. Be proud. Be yourself. Be a part of something tremendous. But most of all, be aware that you are, indeed, having “butterfly moments” when you assist at Christmas Sharing, when you sit at an intersection, when you step on the bus, when you walk the dog, when you play that trumpet, when you spread that mulch, when you stop in at a nursing home, when you pass a stranger in the hall, and, yep, when you drop an envelope in the basket each Sunday. How we handle these moments does indeed impact the lives of others, both near and far, now and later. That is our Great Commission. Have no fear…embrace the moment and pass it on.
Photo courtesy of Holy Cross member, Michele Neidlinger. Michele is an avid photographer and obviously very talented, too. Thank you for sharing this photo – it is powerfully beautiful.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20)
MISSION TODAY
4
CHRISTMAS SHARING IS COMING! Christmas Sharing is a community-wide effort to bring a nicer Christmas to more than 850 area families in need. The project combines the resources of hundreds of District 200 school families, 12 area churches and many community and corporate organizations. At Holy Cross, we gather food, new toys and gently used clothing. We set up our church as a distribution site and invite families to our special Christmas Sharing events. In 2013, each family received a food basket, one new toy per child and the opportunity to "shop" (for no charge) the gently used clothing. Mark your calendars for the following dates to be part of the joy of giving: *Sunday, November 9: “Soap for Hope” kick off in Sunday School *Sunday, November 16: Begin signing up to volunteer in the many different times to serve *Thursday, November 20: “Eat Out 2 Help Out” at Village Tavern *November 30 through December 7: Collection Days – bring food, clothing, toys, and other items to Holy Cross for donation
WORK WEEK Sunday, December 7 through Thursday, December 11, 6:30-8:30pm each day DISTRIBUTION DAYS: Friday, December 12, 6:30-9:30pm Saturday, December 13, 9:00am-12:00pm
NovembeR 2014
Grow as Followers of jesus, And Serve in his name
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, What do you love about Holy Cross? I recently posed this question to the Holy Cross Church Council. (It is also posed to the entire community on the 2015 pledge cards!) I asked the question because I believe it is a question that makes us think about what the community at Holy Cross means to us, and even more broadly, it stirs us to reflect upon what our faith – our relationship with God – means to us. It is a question that makes us reflect upon God and community, and my hope is that as you think about both, your remembrance rouses in you a passion for an even more vibrant life of discipleship. That is what happens to me as I think about what I love about Holy Cross. As I think about what I love about Holy Cross, many images come to mind. I love that Holy Cross seeks to keep Christ at the center of all that we do. I love how passionate the people of Holy Cross are about reaching out to the world serving people in need in Jesus’ name through ministries like Christmas Sharing, We Serve, monthly P.A.D.S. service nights – just to name a few. I love that Holy Cross is a community that is willing to be innovative and creative in how we live the love of Christ each and every day. I love how welcoming Holy Cross has been to my family. And what I love about Holy Cross is that I am challenged here to know God’s love in my life, and to share it with others! Of course, it can be a challenge to share God’s love with others, so I offer Scripture that often helps me. It comes from Paul’s letter to the community of faith in Philippi – a community Paul loved. Paul wrote this letter as he sat in prison, and the remarkable thing about this letter is that it is so incredibly positive. As Paul sat in prison, he obviously spent time thinking of faith communities close to his heart, and it gave him strength, so much so that even in prison, he was able to encourage them back! At the close of the letter, Paul wrote:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:4-7New Revised Standard Version Bible
Can you imagine! Writing encouragement to others while But I think that is the power reflection upon love of God community of faith.
words of in prison! of simple and the
So I encourage you to take some time to reflect upon just what it is about Holy Cross that you love – Why do you come? What do you miss when you are not here? – and maybe you will find a new or rekindled passion stirring in your heart for God and the community of faith. See you in church. Pastor Amy Aimonette
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: “Receiving that care package reminds me that my
community of faith at home hasn’t forgotten about me. It reminds me that I have a whole church back home that cares about me, that’s praying for me, that wants me to grow both in my faith and as a person. It reminds me that even though I may be 600 miles away, I’m never really on my own.” See page 2 for more from McKenzie Schwarze, college sophomore and Holy Cross member.
2
Two Holy Cross Ministries that serve to Build Young People in Confidence and Hope through Learning, Encouragement, and Love! MISSION TODAY 2 (BLAST and COLLEGE CARE PACKAGES) Last year, Holy Cross implemented a new program for upper elementary students called B.L.A.S.T. The earliest goals of the program were to coach students in biblical literacy and spiritual training, and to provide fellowship opportunities with peers. While these goals remain foundational to the program, B.L.A.S.T. continues to evolve and expand its focus. Most recently, the ministry implemented a service component to each gathering, in order for students to experience first hand the relationship between faith and action.
At the October gathering, B.L.A.S.T. students explored the topic of creativity and defined this characteristic as, “using one’s imagination to do something unique.” We then expanded on this definition and examined how we, as humans, were created by God to be creative and use our creativity to solve problems and do more good in the world. With this understanding, students then embarked on a creative service project called, Kid Knits. Kid Knits is an organization founded by a nine-‐year-‐old knitter, Ellie, who desired to bring positive change to the world. Utilizing her talents and passions, Ellie developed knitting kits that use yarn hand spun by Rwandan and Chilean women living in poverty. Each Kid Knit kit includes all the materials needed to knit a wool cap as well as information about the women providing the yarn. It is a wonderful organization that reminds us all that, no matter the age, you have the ability to change a life on the other side of the world. Channeling Ellie’s creativity and passion, the B.L.A.S.T students quickly immersed themselves in their kits and, with the support of several parents, started knitting. Boys and girls alike enjoyed the challenge of learning a new skill and watching their craft progress. To date, many students have finished their caps and inquired about securing more yarn in order to make hats for friends and people in need. Looking forward, the B.L.A.S.T ministry will continue to utilize its creativity to serve and share God’s love with others throughout the year. Our next opportunity to invite, grow, and serve is November 7th from 6:00-‐ 8:00pm. At this gathering we will discuss gratitude and honor our military veterans and active troops. It promises to be a wonderful experience for all involved. To find out more about B.L.A.S.T. or the Kid Knits organization, see Amanda Dudgeon.
Holy Cross member, McKenzie Schwarze, is a college sophomore at George Washington University in Washington D.C. She was an active part of the Holy Cross’ Cornerstone youth group, and now continues to feel the community’s presence in our prayers, and as she receives goodies from members from time to time. The youth team encourages students to jump into a community of faith while away from home as another source of strength that reminds them of the love of God! “As a college student, I always warmly welcome any free food or goodies I can get. Consequently, I LOVE getting care packages. But the Holy Cross care package isn’t just snacks and treats to me. (Don’t get me wrong, I definitely love the snacks!) Receiving that care package reminds me that my community of faith at home hasn’t forgotten about me. It reminds me that I have a whole church back home that cares about me, that’s praying for me, that wants me to grow both in my faith and as a person. It reminds me that even though I may be 600 miles away, I’m never really on my own. Receiving that package makes me remember that I am loved and that I need to spread that love to others around me. It means so much to me to get a Holy Cross care package, and I know all of the other HC college kids feel the same!”
Butterfly Moments
3 MISSION TODAY We are all aware of the so-called butterfly effect. You know, Enjoy this article by Chris Mammoser who is where the butterfly flutters it wings somewhere in the passionate about living a life of discipleship. He Himalayas and we have a hurricane in the Caribbean. To be serves God in many ways, including in a variety sure, we realize its not immediate cause and effect. But we of ministries within the Holy Cross community. acknowledge that far off events, unknown in our space, unseen Thank you, Chris for answering the call to write by our eyes, unheard by our ears, maybe even unimagined by about “butterfly moments” and inspiring us to our minds, can…do…and even will…have an impact on our live as Jesus calls us. lives, the lives of our children, and their children. Perhaps this effect will be quite profound. It can be very scary to feel that any, seemingly innocuous event, could change the lives of our community today, tomorrow or even years from now. Oh, there are so many ills, so many transgressors, and so many calamities in our world. We could despair…but we don’t. Why? by Holy Cross Member Chris Mammoser
We do not despair because we understand that while each whisper of wind in a far off land could unsettle our world, we have faith, faith in the goodness of our Lord. Faith matters. So too, we realize that each one of us…special, unique and important enough to have been created in His image…have the opportunity each day to be that butterfly’s wing sweep. Each of us, every day, has the opportunity to create “butterfly moments” in the lives of others. Your tender touch can bring hope where sorrow has rooted. Your bright eyes may bring comfort when spirit is lost. Your voice can drizzle wisdom on a troubled soul. Your song can soothe an anxious heart. Your laugh can shine brightness where despair cast its shadow. Your gentle nudge could start a brilliant journey. Your hands may strike the first nail in a new home. Your smile might start a friendship. Your openness invites a prayer. And yes, your financial generosity can start an enormous chorus of wings to flutter. Be bold. Be creative. Be proud. Be yourself. Be a part of something tremendous. But most of all, be aware that you are, indeed, having “butterfly moments” when you assist at Christmas Sharing, when you sit at an intersection, when you step on the bus, when you walk the dog, when you play that trumpet, when you spread that mulch, when you stop in at a nursing home, when you pass a stranger in the hall, and, yep, when you drop an envelope in the basket each Sunday. How we handle these moments does indeed impact the lives of others, both near and far, now and later. That is our Great Commission. Have no fear…embrace the moment and pass it on.
Photo courtesy of Holy Cross member, Michele Neidlinger. Michele is an avid photographer and obviously very talented, too. Thank you for sharing this photo – it is powerfully beautiful.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20)
MISSION TODAY
4
CHRISTMAS SHARING IS COMING! Christmas Sharing is a community-wide effort to bring a nicer Christmas to more than 850 area families in need. The project combines the resources of hundreds of District 200 school families, 12 area churches and many community and corporate organizations. At Holy Cross, we gather food, new toys and gently used clothing. We set up our church as a distribution site and invite families to our special Christmas Sharing events. In 2013, each family received a food basket, one new toy per child and the opportunity to "shop" (for no charge) the gently used clothing. Mark your calendars for the following dates to be part of the joy of giving: *Sunday, November 9: “Soap for Hope” kick off in Sunday School *Sunday, November 16: Begin signing up to volunteer in the many different times to serve *Thursday, November 20: “Eat Out 2 Help Out” at Village Tavern *November 30 through December 7: Collection Days – bring food, clothing, toys, and other items to Holy Cross for donation
WORK WEEK Sunday, December 7 through Thursday, December 11, 6:30-8:30pm each day DISTRIBUTION DAYS: Friday, December 12, 6:30-9:30pm Saturday, December 13, 9:00am-12:00pm
