Fellow faithful of Holy Cross,

It is hard to believe that June came and went, and nary a word about Pride came from Holy Cross. While there is some good reason for that, given the events around police brutality and the murder of George Floyd, I still want to take a portion of this letter to affirm and uplift our LGBTQ+ community. We are proud to have you and give thanks to God for this part of the human diversity and experience that was shunned and closeted away for far too long. Even as we enter July, I hope the spirit of Pride remains with all of us.

Acceptance, inclusion, love, and fidelity must be lived every day, not just for a month. Jesus always identified with he poor and the oppressed, and queer folks throughout the ages are one of the communities that Christ would have spent time in and around, as a friend, prophet, and vociferous advocate. “In fact, Jesus Christ can be understood by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people as the embodiment of radical love. Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry also reinforces the notion of Jesus as the embodiment of radical love and boundary-crossing.” (Rev. Patrick S. Cheng, Ph.D., Radical Love: Why Christianity Is A Queer Religion, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/radical-love-why-christia_b_841547) Whatever way you observed Pride, may its center always be the radical love of Christ, who certainly had an open mind, and opens arms, even on the Holy Cross.

And of course, with the beginning of July now upon us, our attention turns to Independence Day in the United States of America. While this holiday brings up a great many emotions and thoughts for me, what I want to offer to all of us is hope. My own hope lies in the pregnant moment we are living in, as neighbors across our land witness the renewal of prophetic voices on our various screens, and hearts of stone become softened by the Holy Spirit: it doesn’t have to be this way, we do not have to accept a racist society. While we may never taste the fruits, we still plant the seeds of anti-racism, here and now, in the hope that we as a people will give birth to a new and better world for those who come after us.

“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?” (Matthew 16.24-26) This fourth of July, let us decry our nation’s racist foundations, and instead lift high the Cross and follow Jesus towards a more equitable, compassionate, just, and peaceful world for all.

Blessings,

Richard+

Worship & Formation

When will we meet in-person again?

Update

Have you completed your Survey?

Members and regular attenders of Holy Cross services should have recently received, under a separate email blast, our congregational survey for potential reopening! Please remember, this is not a referendum on how or what reopening looks like. It is to help your leadership (vicar, Bishop’s Committee, and reopening group) gauge and scale our precautions, as well as to see how many of you plan to return   to in-person worship when we are are prepared to safely open the facility. If you have not received the survey and believe you should have please contact Rev. Richard.

A Message from Bishop Susan

In-Person Worship Suspended for July

I am writing to you with regret to ask you once more to suspend in-person worship at our churches during the month of July. This decision does not come without significant prayer, discussion, and deep thought. As you may know, the governor of California on Wednesday instituted broad restrictions on in-person gatherings in Imperial and Riverside Counties, and Arizona’s caseload is very high and increasing rapidly. San Diego County was not affected by the governor’s order, but also has tightened restrictions; the number of new cases per day in San Diego County is now almost four times as high as when I first allowed in-person worship to resume on June 21. Although the governor is still allowing churches to meet, I cannot justify taking this risk with our members’ health, or encouraging our members to believe that gathering in groups is safe, even with all the careful precautions our parishes have instituted.

I know how hard you all have worked to create safe plans for restarting in-person worship. I had the opportunity do my first in-person visitation since March on Sunday, June 28, to St. Francis Pauma Valley. I had not realized how much I missed in-person worship until my experience with that lovely congregation. Celebrating the Eucharist and preaching to a live congregation after so long was a deeply emotional experience for me. And yet, despite the fact that the congregation took every precaution and was vigilant about masking and distancing, I was aware that all of us were taking a risk by being there. I have spent much time in prayer since then, as well as paying close attention to the rise in cases, and I think God is asking us to take a season away from in-person worship for the sake of our people and our community.

 

I will be in communication with you in late July to let you know whether we can restart in-person worship in August.

 

I am so grateful to all of you who have worked, prayed, and ministered through this time of suffering for so many in our community. I know that the Holy Spirit is still at work in our churches, and I pray for all of you. 

  

In Christ,

 

The Rt. Rev. Susan Brown Snook

Do you know someone who would enjoy the services at Holy Cross or may need to be reminded of Gods' abiding love? Consider inviting them to join you and your Holy Cross family for worship this Sunday by copying and sending them this link to our online streaming platform: https://holycrosscarlsbad.online.church .

Neighbors in Faith

Our Neighbors in Faith ministry provided sandwiches for bagged lunches on Monday, June 29th, along with dropping off lots of donated items: chips, fruit, granola bars, and other snack items. The donations from Holy Cross helped Church of the Advent to be able to hand out 73 bagged lunches to those in need. We are so thankful for the outpouring of donations from our Holy Cross community that allow this vital ministry to continue serving our neighbors during this difficult time! Special thanks to Joyce Wayman for making and delivering the sandwiches this month. Our next service day will be July 27th, and if you are interested in helping out in any way please contact Brian Petersen.

For questions or more information about Neighbors in Faith, please contact Brian Petersen at [email protected].

Follow our Neighbors in Faith ministry on Instagram, @neighborsinfaith_carlsbad, and Twitter, @NIF_Carlsbad.  

Stewardship & Supporting Holy Cross

Bishop's Committee

 

Bishop's Committee meetings are held the third Wednesday of the month from 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm. The next regular BC meeting is Wednesday, July 15th, via Zoom.

Offertory - Supporting Holy Cross

We thank all of you who continue to support our mission and ministry during this time when we cannot meet in person.

While we continue to accept donations via checks mailed to the church office, we ask your understanding that we are limiting our deposits to once a month so that we continue to protect our counters and they do not have to make frequent trips to the church office. We encourage you to prayerfully consider one of the following ways to make your offering electronically:

Zelle - look for Zelle in your banking app (no credit cards) and send your offertory/donation to: [email protected] . Please note "general fund" on the note/what's this for line. There are no fees for using Zelle.

Faithstreet - Use your credit card or bank account. There is a fee with each transaction (just like Paypal, Venmo, and other payment processing services), Faithstreet offers the option for donors to pay the fee (the fee is considered a donation to Holy Cross and is tax deductible) - Credit Cards: 3.5% +30 ¢; Bank Account: 1.5% +30 ¢.

Text giving  - text the amount you want to donate to 646-832-4848. Click on the link you receive and enter the Holy Cross quickcode,  hcec . Follow the instructions to finalize the process. (This is part of our Faithstreet platform and the fees outlined above apply.)

If you would like to be added to the Prayers for Comfort, or would like to add someone else (please get their permission first) or add a family member to the Prayers for the Departed , please contact the church office at: email [email protected] or 760.930.1270. Please mention 'Prayer List' in the Subject line and include whether the prayer request is for "Comfort" or for the "Departed".

Individuals will remain on the prayer list for 4 weeks. Please contact the office if you wish to have someone added for another 4 weeks.

Note: If you have lost a member of your family and would like us to include your loss in "Notes of Care" please provide the name and relationship of your loved one, the date they entered into glory, and the address of where you would like notes of care sent.

If you would like to be added, or suggest someone to be added (please get their permission first) to Notes of Care please contact the church office at: [email protected] or 760.930.1270.

Wishing everyone a safe and blessed fourth of July.

BCP page 207 Collect for the Nation

Camp Stevens is now open for registration for Day Use and Family Retreats. Day users can enjoy our 256 acres of trails as well as the pool, picnic areas, outdoor chapel, and gardens. Family retreats also include housing in private rooms with private bathrooms and meals for the weekend. Our number one priority is to maintain a safe experience for guests and staff so that each may experience the healing and transformative capacity of this peaceful place apart. All staff and guests must maintain social distancing and masks are required in certain circumstances including passing on trails. Meals are served outdoors and families may picnic on the lawn or use tables provided. There is room to roam, fruits and flowers in the gardens, and lots of fresh air to go around. Register for Day Use at  www.campstevens.org/day-use , or contact Sam Brasted at [email protected] for overnight inquires. 

Humor Corner

Cartoon from Episcopal Church Memes https://www.facebook.com/E.C.M.churchhumor/

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