A Publication of the Holy Cross
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August 2018
Articles and News
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WHEN YOU GET WHAT YOU ASK FOR
Every fall I studied the pages of that treasure trove we called the Sears Christmas catalogue and whittled down a list of toys for Santa. The list was never the same. It changed year-to-year because I changed, trends changed, and products changed.
The list I wrote in kindergarten had no similarities to my twelfth grade list.
For a while I was interested in a ventriloquist doll. But that Barbie Airplane eventually cured my “ventrilo-quest.” Even the title, “Kimi’s Wish List,” evolved losing one of the “i’s” in my name by the time I was eighteen and asking for a Walkman cassette player.
Holy Cross is staged to write a new “wish list” this fall. Not for Christmas, but for the next stage of ministry as a congregation. It’s been a while. The people who make up our church family today in 2018 are different than those back in 2003 or so - which was the last time we wrote a list reflecting who we are, and how we want to respond to God’s call. Redmond and the people who live here have changed year after year. It’s time to take a fresh and thorough appraisal. There is great value in being current in our understanding as a parish. A fresh assessment can build momentum for ministry. Consider the momentum we gained the last time: we waged three capital campaigns out of that original list!
In September each one of us will fill out the Congregational Assessment Tool (CAT), an on-line instrument that will help us gauge the strength, vitality, and trends in our church. The information gained from this assessment will be valuable in helping the leadership of Holy Cross as we make decisions about our future. We have every reason to believe we will meet our goal of full congregational participation. It’s important to note that unlike a list for Santa, this online survey will be anonymous.
I promise we will have more reminders and clear instructions as the date approaches. There is a date? Yep, just like Christmas has a date.
The CAT will be available to fill out for ten days this fall: SEPTEMBER 16-30.
Unlike childhood when our wants were sifted by our parents’ discretion, the list of results from this survey will be filtered by the Holy Spirit. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16.24.
Kim Eichner
On behalf of the CAT team: Carol Van der Veen, Heather Irwin, Cary Kirby.
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The CAT
It’s called a Congregational Assessment Tool (CAT)
. The whole diocese took it several years ago when working on a strategic plan. The outfit is called Holy Cow Consultants. I love surveys. Holy Cow does them well. The CAT will reveal the hidden perceptions and feelings of our community that no one wants to say out loud. We have a small working group to take on the task of implementing the CAT: Cary Kirby, Kim Eichner, Carol Van der Veen, Healther Irwin. We also have a CAT consultant named Paula Franck, who works for Holy Cow, and lives in Bellingham. The Bishop is going to pay for it. The process takes about six weeks to get maximum participation.
We will get to the bottom of this. And we have a trustworthy and skilled interpreter in Paula Franck, to help us understand the forces at play in our common life so that we can get ourselves back to a healthier place.
For the Gospel,
Fr. Jim Eichner
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Redmond Derby Days Parade
Food Bank Farm wins the "Spirit Award!"
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Welcome, official ribbon cutting and self-guided tours.
Check out our food bank, and learn more about our vision for
a community free of poverty.
You have helped us open doors of stability, and of opportunity.
Please join us as we open the doors to our new flagship service center;
one that will change lives for decades to come.
Friday, August 3 ~ 8:30 to 11 a.m.
8990 154th Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052
Complimentary Coffee and Pastries
A shuttle will take you to and from the new center.
Help us stock the shelves of our new food bank! Bring non-perishable food to help fill a Hopelink truck at the Overlake parking lot.
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Join us for August's Sunday Afternoon Adventure!
On August 26th, we'll enjoy the last days of summer with a picnic in the park. Meet at 12:15 at the church with a bag lunch, and we'll drive the church van to Farrel-McWhirter park in Redmond. We'll claim a picnic table in the shade for those who want to chat and swing on the nearby swings; there are several short loop trails for those who want to take a walk. Questions? Contact Heather Irwin at
[email protected]
.
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All Church Picnic ~
Sunday, September 16 @ 11:30am
Join your Holy Cross family as we take sometime out to relax, share a meal and just enjoy being together!
We will celebrate with a delicious BBQ picnic and potluck. Hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie patties, corn-on-the-cob, beverages and picnic supplies provided. Please bring your favorite side dish or dessert to share.
We need tons of volunteers to help make this a success so please sign up in the Narthex.
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Holy Cross goes to a Mariner's Game!
By Melissa Holmes
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On July 8th t
he outlook wasn’t great as the Mariners had lost two in a row to the Colorado Rockies on Friday and Saturday. But the weather that Sunday was perfect for baseball in Seattle. Thirty baseball loving Holy Crucians climbed aboard our church vans for the trek to Seattle’s baseball altar, beautiful Safeco Field, to watch our Mariners team play baseball. The Mariners had been on a
winning streak for weeks and our hopes were high that our support would rekindle that success. It was touch and go during the early innings.
But when the 9
th
inning was over our Great Mariners got a WIN—
Mariners 6, Rockies 4.
I’m sure that we brought “the spirit” to Safeco field that day that
inspired the Mariners to get their mojo back on track. Thanks to Fr. Jim and Heidi Leto for admin and consulting support. And thanks to van drivers:
Jim Van der Veen and Bob Hathaway who stayed cool in Seattle traffic.
And thanks to the Safeco Field workers who were friendly, upbeat, and helpful.
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Welcome New Member Alison Vogel
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Sunday School Begins September 9
th
.
This year will bring a few changes to our Sunday School format. Plans are being refined in order to serve our ever changing demographic of numbers and grade range. I’m having fun planning and scheming to bring you the best experience for our Holy Cross kids. Stay tuned!
Youth Groups Mission Planning
Youth groups begin September 9
th
. Planning for possible pilgrimages and mission trips begins in August. Please let me know your ideas and if you would like to be part of the planning. Our first meeting is August 30
th
at 1:30 PM in the High School Youth Room.
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Outdoor Vacation Bible Camp
was a blast!
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The Life and Times of Jesus –
Who knew it would be such fun to live in the 1
st
Century?
Our small but mighty group had a ton of fun at our all outdoor camp. We learned what life was like in Jesus’ day while learning lessons from Jesus and applying them to our own lives.
We grilled flat bread, made hummus, and harvested from out garden. We tried lots of new foods including dried figs, fish, and apricots, a variety of olives, dates, golden kiwi, lavosh and naan.
We carded, spun and wove cloth. We created dye from beets, turmeric and mint and created “batik” banners. We formed adobe bricks and began building a structure with them. We made our own dwellings out of bamboo poles and sheets.
We played running games, sang songs and had time for free play, too.
Thanks so much to:
Shepherds: Ryan Bishop, Ruby Venters, Gracie Venters and Daniela Dunajska
Center leaders: Jasmine Bieniosek, Cindy Duppong, Jim Eichner, Beth Bishop
Greeter: Susan Hansen
And all who contributed items for our success!
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Thank you for donating ( or trying at Holy Cross Episcopal Church. We had 32 donors plus 4 that came after we had to close down. That means up to 96 people were helped with your donations depending on if they needed whole blood or some of it’s components (red blood cells, platelets, plasma). This is such an example of how we can accomplish more together than we could ever do just by ourselves! Thanks also to some excellent cookie bakers (Kelvie & Lorraine) there were wonderful treats. Kelvie is taking the extras for our dinner for Congregations for the Homeless. I’m inspired by the way people pull together to help in the community in so many different ways.
Someone's tomorrow needs a blood donor today! Most people can donate…come see if you can be one that saves a life! Make an appointment today to make sure we have the number of techs we need to expedite the donating process!
Our next drive is on August 14th at Redmond United Methodist Church from 1:00-7:00pm. 16540 NE 80th Redmond 98052.
APPOINTMENTS: Email: Bonnie Peltola
[email protected]
or call:(425) 868-4145
I’LL HAVE SOME ICED TEA AND LEMONADE AS WELL AS SOME YUMMIES TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND GIFT!
Tina Paul
Redmond Interfaith Blood Drives
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EfM: Education for Ministry - Recruiting
Every baptized person is called to ministry. The Education for Ministry (EfM) program provides people with the education to carry out that ministry. During the Service of Confirmation we ask God to "Renew in these your servants the covenant you made with them at Baptism. Send them forth in the power of the Spirit to perform the service you set before them." EfM offers an opportunity to discover how to respond to the call to Christian service.
Over the course of four years, participants in EfM will study the entire sweep of the Christian tradition from the earliest period to the present. This includes the study of The Old Testament, The New Testament, Church History, and Theology.
If you love to read and love to learn and want an environment where you can talk about faith issues, EfM may be for you! If you are interested in joining an EfM group at Good Samaritan Episcopal Church starting in September, you can learn more about EfM at the website,
sewanee.edu/EFM
, or by contacting Joe O’Neil (
[email protected]
). Questions? Contact Tina Paul, Teresa Guenther, Melissa Holmes and many others at Holy Cross who have participated in this program.
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The 2018 Flower Chart
Write your name on the date you wish to make a dedication.
More than one name can share a date. Complete a “Flower Donation Card” and place it in the provide envelope along with your donation.
($35.00 suggested donation.) Write “Flowers” on the memo line.
Drop the envelope in the offering basket or Office Mail Box located in the Narthex.
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May We Pray For You?
Contact Karen Smith to be placed on the Holy Cross Prayer Chain.
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