September 2016 Mission Today

Mission TODAY Stories from the community of faith to inspire all to: Invite all into God’s family,

september 2016

Grow as Followers of jesus, And Serve in his name

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, There are days in history that we remember not only the historical happening, but also details like where we were, what we were doing, who we were with, details that can be hard to remember from one day to the next. When tragedy strikes, or humanity marks an incredible accomplishment or milestone, we tend to remember even the smallest specific moments of these historical days. September 11, 2001 is one of those days in history that we remember in detail. I remember September 11, 2001 was a beautiful fall day here in the western suburbs of Chicago. My husband Greg had gotten up even earlier than normal to get into work in downtown Chicago. He had things he wanted to get done before the workday really started. I was looking forward to a day at my Seminary Internship site complete with a staff meeting and experiencing more and more about the work of being a Pastor. I had gotten my 6-month old son Jack ready, dropped him off at daycare, and on the way to Aurora, heard some startling news on the radio. When I got to the church, some of my colleagues were gathered around the television as American Airlines Flight #11 had just crashed into the 93rd through 99th floors of the North Tower of the World Trade Center. I sat with them, and couldn’t believe what I was watching. At 9:03 a.m. United Airlines Flight #175 crashed into floors 75 through 85 of the World Trade Center’s South Tower. Then another plane crashed into the Pentagon, the South Tower collapsed, another plane crashed in Pennsylvania, and then the North Tower collapsed. It was unimaginable as tragedy unfolded one after another after another. I remember wanting to scream, “Get out of that building! Go faster! Run!” Seeing the expressions of utter terror upon people looking for loved ones or having barely escaped themselves burned a hole through my heart. I remember calling my husband. No one knew if more planes had been hijacked, or if trains, railways, highways, etc. were compromised as well. No one knew if more sites were intended for attack. Trains quickly filled with people fleeing downtown Chicago as people wondered if the “Sears Tower” (it was renamed Willis Tower in 2009), or another Chicago landmark would be potential targets. We began planning a prayer vigil at the church I was serving. Prayer it seemed was the only thing we could do. It was a day I’ll never forget. It is a day those of us who experienced it will never forget. And here we are years later, and I wonder, what do I say as the fifteenth anniversary of the tragedies of this day approaches? What do I do, how do we not hate? Fifteen years on from this unforgettable day, our world is just as broken. And I wonder, in the face of fear, anger, hate, hopelessness, loss, and despair – even within our own selves – what do we say, what do we do? As it was so important fifteen years ago, I believe prayer must guide us. As I read scripture and pray, what keeps coming to mind is the image of Jesus hanging on the cross. I see him painfully nailed to the cross, not deserving death, especially the horrible death of a criminal. I think of Jesus’ words from this unimaginable vantage point looking at his mother and some of his closest friends, and I hear him pray these words, “Father forgive them,” and while I know he isn’t necessarily talking to his followers for they sat helplessly by, I also know that he is. I know that through time and space, Jesus is talking to me, too. As I think of my failures, disappointments, and times I fall short of where I know God calls me to be, when I hear Jesus forgiving me even from this horrible cross, all I can do is kneel in prayer hoping to know forgiveness from God so deeply and so powerfully that I too find the courage and strength to respond with forgiveness and grace. My intention in writing this article is not to get political, or dismissive of the pain and hurt so many know from this one day in history by simply calling us to forgive, but I am putting Christ at the center of my response. I am putting the blanket of peace that Christ weaves upon my fears, hurts, and utter incomprehension at the complexity of this day from fifteen years ago, and I am choosing love. See you in worship, Pastor Amy O. Aimonette

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MISSION TODAY Rally Day - September 11, 2016 by Amanda Dudgeon, Director of Children’s Ministries and Nathan Valentino, Prekindergarten Student

Earlier this week, I had a visit from one of my little friends. While his mother took care of some council related business, Nathan Valentino came by my office to play. After fifteen minutes of dividing Starburst into equal groups and determining the antonym for old is young and not flat, I jokingly inquired if Nathan had any interest in composing an article for Mission Today. To my shock and surprise, he agreed. As we made our way to the computer, I briefed Nathan on our Rally Day thesis and then began probing him with questions about the event. I figured a child’s perspective would be just the thing to grab our readers’ attention and promote this age-old Sunday School tradition. The following is my interview with Nathan: Amanda: Nathan, what do you like best about Rally Day? Nathan: Ummmm…ice cream? A: Well, we don’t typically have ice cream on Rally Day, but sure, ice cream is a good answer. What else do you like about Rally Day? N: I dunno. A: Oh sure you do. What do you like about Rally Day? N: Uhhhh… A: Nathan, do you know what Rally Day is? N: I don’t think so. A: Do you want to take a guess? N: I think it’s when you go to camp and you sit under the umbrella and then you go in the water like a whale, but not a dolphin. A: Why can’t you go in the water like a dolphin? N: Because dolphins live in the cold ocean. A: Gotcha. N: Can I type now? A: Sure. [Nathan types on the computer.] N: What does that say? A: It says...

2hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhjhjhjhjjjjjjjkmnbnnnnnnnnn nnnmmmm mmmmmmmmj mmmmg gggg ggggttttttttttttfffffsddddddddddssssssssssssaaaa aaaaaa aaaazzzzzzzzxxxxxxxxxxxx [Nathan laughs, types some more] N: Now, what does this say? A: ulllllllllllllllppp ppppppbgg bbbggg bbbbb gbb gbgbgbbbbbbgbgbvgggvvgvgvvvgvgvgv hnnjjhhmj vimii7 muckucxkin vbjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj Nathan, I think you’re making some good points. We should send this to Pr. Amy right away. N: I’m not done yet [continues to type]. Whoa! Is that a triangle? A: Yep, but I don’t know how you did that. N: I don’t know how I did that either [continues to type]. A: Should we send this to Pr. Amy now? N: Just a minute [continues typing]. A: Ok, that’s good. Let’s email Pr. Amy. What do you want to say? N: Say, Nathan wrote something funny. I hope it makes you laugh [Amanda types]. A: Ok, anything else? N: I want to do it. A: Ok, go for it.

Nathan typed for another ten minutes before we finally sent our story to Pr. Amy. Sadly, it didn’t make the final edit for this issue of Mission Today. Though Nathan and I spent a large chunk of time goofing off and composing words that would be well suited for B.J. Novak’s, “The Book with No Pictures,” the time we spent together made me realize a few things. Though I plan, prep, and stress over the upcoming Rally Day festivities, the likelihood of our students remembering the skit, lesson, mission, and purpose of the event is pretty slim. However, the prospect of students remembering how our programs and mentors make them feel will last a lifetime. Even though Nathan can’t articulate the intention of Rally Day, he does know that he is welcome and appreciated in this place. Nathan’s awareness and sense of value within these walls is a real testament to the culture and community of Holy Cross and evidence that God’s truth is being lived and spoken here. As we gear up for another program year, my hope is that all our students experience God’s love and recognition first hand, through the interactions and relationships they establish within this unique faith family and the opportunities we offer.

Back-To-School Fair Reflection by Brenda Davis

MISSION TODAY 3

Being a last-minute volunteer at our Back-To-School Fair, I wasn’t sure what to expect of the day. I had signed up to help with set-up plus “a few hours more”. But, at 7:30 a.m., as I drove into the parking lot of Holy Cross, I was immediately excited to be a part of the day. The place was hopping! Everything was well on its way to being ready for the first vendor to arrive. Tables for the booths already in place; our Welcome tent was neatly stocked with great information and free school supplies; the guys were all over the parking detail; and balloons were popping up all around. Our people were everywhere, completely prepared for the community outreach we were about to begin and so hopeful that it be a success. As the vendors began to set up, it was good to walk around and meet many of them. Everyone was excited to be there with their valuable offerings to show the families that were about to visit. I was assigned to the ice cream cart where everyone could get free ice cream. How lucky was I to get that spot on such a hot, humid day? It was so much fun. The families who came through were all smiles and friendly. That was my favorite part - to see those happy families. The day went smoothly and, as I looked around, there was so much to take in. It was obvious that this event was one that was well thought-out and executed by a solid, core group of hard-working people. It was no surprise that the day was a success with something like 70 families visiting and having a good time. I was particularly proud to be part of the Holy Cross family that day as we reached out into the community as a friendly neighbor would.

To see more photos of the Back to School Fair, check out the photo galleries on the Holy Cross website: www.holycrosswheaton.org

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MISSION TODAY Have you ever really thought about the word, “bless”? We use it a lot in the community of faith, but have you ever really considered what it means? Is it only something we know when life is good, when we have what we need and even what we want, and/or when we are comfortable and happy? Is that what it means to be blessed? For some maybe, but as followers of Jesus, to be blessed is something so much deeper. In the community of faith, to be blessed is not reflective of the comforts we have, but as the definition above states, it is to be made holy, and only God can do that. In other words, to be blessed is to know that as the song goes, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so!” Blessing for followers of Christ is to know that God’s forgiveness touches even the worst in us with grace and mercy. Blessing for followers of Christ is to know incredible freedom to live, really live as Jesus commands – confidently leaning into God’s grace as our greatest strength. God’s blessing is something moves us to be a blessing to others. But how? On Sundays beginning Sunday, September 18, at both worship services at Holy Cross, we will talk about how we might bless others one step at a time. It is based on a simple acronym:

Bridge with boldness. So many people in our very midst feel so very alone. Lots of people are hungry for authentic friendships and relationships that bridge loneliness and despair. As we think about how we might bless someone begin with the idea of a bridge. Reach out your hand and grasp theirs in a simple handshake and imagine your arm as a bridge that opens a new path to friendship in Christ.

Listen with openness. There are so many noises, so much sound all around us all the time. We hear a lot, but as we seek to bless others, we should ask ourselves, are we listening? Listening and truly paying attention to someone can be one of the greatest gifts of love we can give.

Eat with friendliness. Have you ever wondered why Jesus spent so much time eating with people? Eating is one of those activities that takes time. It’s natural and creates not only space but an opportunity for connection for real relationships to form.

Serve with compassion. Start behaving like a friend. Look for ways to make a difference for someone. Do something practical, or respond to a need. This step in blessing someone can be big or as simple as a kind greeting.

Share with conviction. We all have incredible stories, especially stories of faith. A big part of our connection with one another is when we share our stories, when we share our key values, when we share our beliefs with others. As we share how blessed we have been by God with others, it opens doors, gates, windows, ways for others to see that same blessing in their lives, and they too find freedom!

A word of thanks... To our Holy Cross Family, We thank you for your thoughts, prayers, visits, and concern for Vivian and our family all through her illness. It was a source of comfort to all of us during a difficult time. Ed (Edwards), Laurie, Mark (Prutzman), and family