Siblings of Holy Cross,

As many of you know, I have spent much of this week very much under the weather. Fortunately, between Maura’s pleas for me to take care of myself and this time of year being a sort of summer ebb, things went along just fine. I am feeling much better, and I find myself looking to Sunday’s adult forum.

My hope is that this will be a time of generative ideas for us to explore communally, in terms of ministry and ongoing discipleship formation. Our common and individual ministries will be what carry Holy Cross through an otherwise uncertain time. Bob and I will also bring back up to you all the Sacred Ground curriculum, established by the wider Episcopal Church, to further explore the ways we may make our mission as reconcilers of a broken world more apparent.

While summer wends onward, many of us are likely feeling a bit of cabin fever as self-isolation remains the best option for safety’s sake. As I lay in bed much of this week, my sympathies are with those of you who have gone little further than your own front door. I continue to pray for your safety and health as we pull through this time together.

Blessings to all,

Richard+

Thank you to all who continue to support our Neighbors in Faith ministry. We continue to continue to help with feeding the homeless and food insecure along with other inter-faith ministries at Church of the Advent in downtown Carlsbad. This month we will be providing the meal on Monday, August 24th and on August 31st. Stay tuned to next week's newsletter for an update on how you can help support these two feeding efforts.

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

We thank all of you who continue to support our mission and ministry during this time when we cannot meet in person. We have recently mailed second quarter giving statements to all who made pledge and other donations to Holy Cross this year. We ask that when you receive yours you carefully review your statement to ensure it accurately reflects your giving activity through June 30th. Please contact our bookkeeper, Muriel Wahl, or the church office, at [email protected] if you believe your statement is not accurate.

While we continue to accept donations via checks mailed 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".

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.

Looking for a "staycation"? Consider Camp Stevens, our own diocesan camp! Camp Stevens is currently open to overnight guests Friday-Sunday weekly. Lodging is priced by the weekend and meals are included in the additional per person rate. Each lodging option has, at a minimum, a private indoor sleeping area, restroom, shower, coffee maker, and mini-fridge for your household. Check-in is after 4 pm on Fridays and check-out is before 12 pm on Sundays. Meals are served Saturday Breakfast through Sunday Breakfast. FYI - camping is also available!!

Overnight guests at Camp Stevens have access to outdoor seating areas, all hiking trails, lawn, basketball and volleyball courts (with own sports equipment), outdoor chapel, and treehouse. The pool and some activities will be available (weather and staffing permitted). Households must maintain social distancing from other households and camp staff. Masks must be available and on your person at all times, and be worn when unable to social distance (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. More information is available here.

Register for Day Use at www.campstevens.org/day-use, or contact Sam Brasted at [email protected] for overnight inquires. 

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