A Publication of the Holy Cross
The Cross
June/July 2017
Articles and News
  Confirmed in Christ
May God give you more and more
grace and peace as you grow in
your knowledge of God and
Jesus our Lord.    2 Peter 1:2
On Saturday, May 13 at St. Mark’s Cathedral, Aleksandro Benjamin Sanchez, Christopher William Vanden Brook,   Jimmy Joshua Venters and Ruby Lorraine Venters received the sacrament of Confirmation from the Rt. Rev. Gregory Rickel.  The confirmands were presented by their mentors Ken Hawkins, Josh Venters, Jordan Roderick and Brigitta Taylor, respectively, and surrounded by their families and many Holy Crucians. Afterward, everyone enjoyed Cathedral Day and the Food Trucks!
2016 Audit ~  The Holy Cross Audit was held on Friday, May 12, 2017.   Audit Committee members include; Joyce Roderick, David & Robyn Hutchinson, our Treasurer, Glenn Johnson and Carmella Wolfgang.

 The audit process was smooth and clean again this year thanks to our very skilled members.
Newest Holy Cross Food Bank Farmer...Michael.


It's been a productive week at Food Bank Farm. 95 volunteers from Liberty Mutual, Allstate, and Chrysalis School transplanted 18,000 squash into the field, and sowed 26,000 more seeds to start in the greenhouse. Special thanks to parishioners Carl and Shelley Colegrove , and Michael Bienios for their help at the farm.
New Member Celebration
On Sunday, June 18 at 8:00am & 10:00am services,
the New comers Ministry group would like to introduce our Newcomers.  After the 10:00am service we will have a celebration to welcome them.  If you would like to be officially welcomes as a new member or have questions, please contact Heidi Leto in the Office.
 [email protected] or #425-885-5822.  Thank you.
Women's Retreat Update... 
Thirty-two amazing women attended this year’s Holy Cross Women’s Retreat at Camp Huston.  Between insightful messages from Family and Christian Counselor
Robin Moore, we shared/laughed/hiked/relaxed and had a wonderful time of fun and fellowship.  New this year: Tracey Brooks led a Saturday afternoon stretching yoga session that had us all relaxed and limber.   
Next year’s retreat will be on April 27-29; mark your calendars today!

Seniors Visit The Terracotta Warriors Exhibit
By Melissa Holmes

 They lay hidden for 2,200 years until 1974 when drought stricken farmers in China accidently discovered them while digging a well.  The archeological site is located near Xi’an in central China, southwest of Beijing.  More than 6,000 life-size figures weighing about 300 pounds each were buried there.  Only 2,000 of them have been excavated so far.  Seattle’s Pacific Science Center is fortunate to have a collection of the artifacts for a limited time from April to September 2017.  Holy Cross Seniors experienced the “Terracotta Warriors of the First Emperor” exhibit on Thurs. May 25th. The expansive exhibit includes statues of soldiers, civil officials, entertainers, animals, and everyday utensils, weapons and tools. No two faces on the statues are alike demonstrating the artistry of the creative workers who fashioned them. We spent one and a half ours in the exhibit, and could have stayed longer, time permitting.  Prior to viewing the exhibit we saw the 45 minute IMAX movie, “Mysteries of China” that added to our understanding of the Chinese history and culture at that time.  It also stressed the importance of the awesome scale of the archeological evidence and the care the scientists use in unearthing it. They make use of modern technological tools to help minimize damage to the treasures.  Delicate excavation of the site will continue for many years adding to the world’s understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture.   We had lunch at the Seattle Center Armory Food Court where we could choose from a wide variety of restaurants featuring fresh, local foods and beverages.  Yummy! Thanks to Fr. Jim for driving the van. Everyone really enjoyed the outing on a sunny Seattle day.  Finally, many thanks to the Chinese government for graciously agreeing to share this magnificent exhibition with us in Seattle.  For more information contact:pacificsciencecenter.org

Faith Formation
Our School year is wrapping up on June 11th with class parties and recognition and loosing of our teachers and youth leaders as well as honoring our high school graduates. Thank you to our wonderful dedicated teaching and leading staff. Each Sunday these leaders come prepared with lesson plans to engage your children and youth in thoughtful discussions and activities which apply Biblical principles to their young lives.
We are so grateful to the following Teachers and Leaders:
Timothy Watson and Joi Grabow – High School Youth

Diane and Jim Vanden Brook, Jill Nellis and Josh Venters – Middle School Youth

Lori and Doug Wheeler, Sara Carroll and Katie Sue Eichner 4th and 5th grade

Jasmine and Michael Bieniosek and Sue Dimmitt –

Multi Age Susan Dorroh – substitute
Kelly Colegrove – Nursery
Goodbye to Timothy Watson
In June, we bid farewell to Episcopal Service Corps member, Timothy Watson.  




Tim has served us well as a collegial staff member and youth minister since last September.   An old soul, circumspect, winsome, and middle-minded, he has been a delight to work with.   The genius behind the Service Corps is Malcom McLauren, at St. Mark’s Cathedral.  Malcom mentored the Corps members. Tim and his peers got to live in remodeled Leffler House and experience life on Capital Hill.  By day, Timothy commuted to Holy Cross for his work here.

Tim came with a sense of adventure, knowing little about the liturgical church tradition, but more importantly, knowing and loving Jesus as Lord. He had a background in summer camp work, and a compassion and empathy for young people.  He poured himself into our youth, and proved to be a quick study in Episcopal 101.  By late winter he had designed a course on liturgics and church history to teach confirmation classes.  He started a Wednesday evening youth group.  And as you read this he will be chaperoning the diocesan Social Justice Pilgrimage.  We have enjoyed more than a few Subway sandwich lunch meetings down the hill from the office.   I hate to see him go.  Next up, he will lead worship at a community church in Burlington, Ontario.  (he’s Canadian.)  Timothy, we pray, God Speed and Prosper your new ministry.  With gratitude,  Fr. Jim Eichner
June 30th – July 2nd Middle School Mission to Seafarers. CityServe is a Mission Adventure for Holy Cross Youth. We are gearing up for another mission this summer to serve people in need in the Greater Seattle area. Once again we are partnering with The Mission to Seafarers in West Seattle. Tasks will include cleaning and repairing of the Seafarer’s facility, attending the Marine Academy and collecting supplies for ditty bags which are a staple of this Mission. We’ll camp at the Seafarer’s Center and cook most of our own meals. Fee $35. Register Here













Southern Social Justice Pilgrimage for 2017!
Please keep Megan, Daniel, Timothy and the team in your prayers for a Holy Spirit filled experience of learning, understanding, joy, laughter and fellowship.
THANK YOU to all the wonderful friends who volunteered their homes, time, and baking talents to make JYC a huge hit.  
Hosts included: Beth and Floyd Bishop, Debbie and Dennis Bounds, Sara and Dave Carroll, Sara and Greg Chandler, Tracey and David Gangwish, Julie Girone, Sophia and Steve Goodsell, Edie and Simon Lie, Mary Pat and John Seeman, Jim and Carol Van der Veen, & Ashley and James Watkins .  
Bakers included: Julianna Caguiat, Susan Dorroh, Audrey Gilbert, Julie Girone, Susan Hansen, Wendy Hatheway, Heather Irwin, Susan Lindsay, Cecilia McGowan, Pam Stanton-Wyman, Carol Van der Veen, Jerry Whalen.  
Kitchen helper: Tracey Gangwish. 

SAVE THE DATE!
VBC at Holy Cross
July 24-27
Registration forms here
Monday-Thursday ~  9:30am - Noon
Ages 4-10;   Middle School and High School Helpers needed.
Our Camp includes LEARNING, FUN, FOOD, MUSIC, GARDENING AND LAUGHTER. Won’t you join us this year as we explore new adventures?   Do you have a craft skill or science experiment to share? Join us to present your unique gift one day of the week. See Sue to sign up.
Jasmine Lopez and I are developing scripts to be performed once each day around 9:30 or 10 AM. We are recruiting Middle and High School students as actors, set designers and helpers. There will be four scripts in need of actors as well as sets and scenes to be created. This will be a fun activity and qualify for Service Hours for Honor Society, etc.   We will be rehearsing on Sundays during Sunday school time in the weeks leading up to VBC:   June 18, 25, July 2, 9, 16 and 23. 






From Timothy Watson our HC Youth Leader~

As a lot of you already know, we are soon coming to the end of my time here at Holy Cross. I started in September and will be heading back to Ontario at the beginning of July. I have had an excellent time working at Holy Cross and I have learned a lot from this year. Holy Cross has been incredibly welcoming and supportive of everything I've tried as we've figured out what this position involves. I'm feeling really optimistic for whoever fills this role next year.   I've collected so many fond memories from this year. Here are some of the highlights.
  • Floyd Bishop's birthday party in the youth room.
  • Following a dog (who we named “Corn Dog”) through the corn maze.
  • Building genuine and honest relationships with the youth.
  • Campfires with the high schoolers at Drop In.
  • Mardi Gras. (Holy Cross knows how to party!)
  • Getting the van stuck in the snow on the way to snow tubing.
  • Presentations from religious leaders on Sundays.
  • Hearing all the wise and unique perspectives of the youth in conversations.
  • Watching the youth get confirmed at the cathedral after 12 weeks of class together.
  • Getting to see how the youth have grown into their faith and made it their own.
I'm looking forward to finishing this season up with the Southern Social Justice Experience. It's going to be a great opportunity for myself and the youth to see some of the sites of the Civil Rights Movement firsthand and experience modern social justice in the south. I'm sure it will be a milestone for all of our journeys with God.   Thank you for everything you have done this year to come along side my work with the youth and make me feel welcome. We've seen a lot of growth in the youth group and really positive community developing. It is my hope that this will continues into next year with even more support from the congregation. I don't know for sure what I will be doing next. I'm sure that what I've learned through my time at Holy Cross will serve me well in doing my best with whatever God has planned for me.
BLOOD  DRIVE        
TUES, JUNE 20th            
1-7pm  (break 3-3:45pm)
We’re doing it again….asking you to donate an hour of your time to save a life!  Redmond United Methodist Church is hosting from 1-7pm (break 3-3:45pm).  Whether they use your blood whole or spin it into three components, ONLY YOU can help meet the daily need for Puget Sound hospitals.  Thanks for your generosity of time and spirit.  EMAIL:  [email protected]  for an appointment! Questions: Bloodworksnw.org/donate/eligibility  or 800-398-7888 to have any questions about eligibility answered confidentially.  
We’ll  have some wonderful cookies or brownies to thank you for your generosity.   Tina Paul
CFH
Congregations for the Homeless works to end homelessness in East King County. They do this by helping men to successfully make the transition from homelessness to permanent housing.  In their Year-Round Shelter program, different local host churches take turns providing housing for a month, while partner congregations like Holy Cross bring in hot meals. 
This July 4, 11, 18 & 26th, Holy Cross will be feeding 40 men at Saint Thomas Episcopal Church in Medina. To find out more about this program, check out cfhomeless.org . 
To help shop, cook and serve meals to our neighbors in need, please see the sign-up sheet in the back of the church and/or contact coordinator Teresa Guenther at [email protected] or
home phone 425-861-4795.
Holy Cross Web Site Position Available
We are looking to update our web site and would like to offer the opportunity to a member of the parish first.  We are asking that you be familiar with WordPress, HTML, JavaScript, CSS, and MySQL.  Some experience with Photoshop would also be beneficial for this role.  We will be offering this as a paid position.
Contact David Olsen  #425-788-4282 / [email protected]
Here are all of the new chairs as they have been arranged in the sanctuary. No more jabs in the legs from the books.
They are either in front of you, or under your seat if you are sitting in the front row!  David Olsen

All Church Camping trip...Camp Casey August 3rd ~ 6th ~ Mark your calendars for our annual Holy Cross Camping weekend. Along with great fellowship, we'll enjoy a heated swimming pool, soccer fields, trails for hiking and miles of beachfront for walking.  Fort Casey State Park and the Keystone ferry to Port Townsend are both nearby.  Ask those who've come in years past what their camping experience was like and you'll likely sign up right away !  Who doesn't need a long weekend off?    Each of our 23 reserved campsites has an electrical outlet, fire pit, running water, picnic tables, toilets and showers and are all easy walking distance.  Stay tune for the cost per night. 
One tent/camper - sorry, pets are not allowed.  
RSVP to Fr. Jim - [email protected]
Book Club June 13 @ 7:00pm
  Now a Hulu Original Series that premiered in April, The Handmaid’s Tale  is a novel of such power that the reader will be unable to forget its images and its forecast. Set in the near future, it describes life in what was once the United States and is now called the Republic of Gilead, a monotheocracy that has reacted to social unrest and a sharply declining birthrate by reverting to, and going beyond, the repressive intolerance of the original Puritans. The regime takes the Book of Genesis absolutely at its word, with bizarre consequences for the women and men in its population. The story is told through the eyes of Offred, one of the unfortunate Handmaids under the new social order. In condensed but eloquent prose, by turns cool-eyed, tender, despairing, passionate, and wry, she reveals to us the dark corners behind the establishment’s calm facade, as certain tendencies now in existence are carried to their logical conclusions. The Handmaid’s Tale is funny, unexpected, horrifying, and altogether convincing. It is at once scathing satire, dire warning, and a tour de force. It is Margaret Atwood at her best.  So…dive into the book or binge on the Hulu series and come to our discussion with wine and dessert this month on Tuesday, June 13th at Laurel Hansen’s home.  Please RSVP to Tina Paul or another book club member.  
 
































 

May We Pray For You?
Contact Karen Smith to be placed on the Holy Cross Prayer Chain.
[email protected] or #206-226-3491