Dear Holy Cross Faith Family,
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day. I can’t believe how quickly it came and went and here we are in the midst of Black Friday sales with the holiday shopping season off to what some are predicting will be a record pace this year. With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season in full swing, life outside the church for the next few weeks leading up to Christmas Day will continue at what might feel like breakneck speed.
This Sunday we begin the season of Advent. A time marked by waiting and anticipation. Waiting for the celebration of Christmas. Waiting for the light of Christ to break anew into the darkness in our lives. It is the first season of the church year. The name Advent is derived from a Latin word for "coming". During Advent, the Church invites her members to reflect upon the ways we need the light of Christ to be born anew into our lives. As the rest of the world around us speeds up, the church reminds us to slow down - it isn't easy, especially when much of the world has jumped straight from Thanksgiving to Christmas. We slow down so that we have time to meditate on a season marked by preparation and expectation: for the light of Christ, the coming celebration of our Lord's nativity, and for the final coming of Christ on the last day.
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Over the next four Sundays an Advent Wreath with candles representing the coming of the light of Christ will adorn the sanctuary; this Sunday we light the first candle of HOPE, sometimes called the Prophecy candle. Prophecy because it symbolizes God’s messages delivered from the prophets, hope because it symbolizes anticipation of the coming Messiah, the anticipation of God coming to be with us.
Advent is a season marked by hope and new beginnings. If you are looking for a bit of peace during this busy holiday season, please know you are in the right place at Holy Cross. Come, relax and let the words and music give you hope and a sense for the real reason for the holiday season.
With love, hope and peace for you all,
Karen
Sr. Warden
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Welcome the Rev Gwynn Lynch,
Canon to the Ordinary
This Sunday we welcome the Rev. Gwynn Lynch, Canon to the Ordinary, as Mtr Susan Astarita, our interim supply clergy, is up at Camp Stevens this weekend. Canon Gwynn has served in our diocese as a priest for many years. Prior to being called to serve as the Canon to the Ordinary she served as priest-in-charge at Grace, San Marcos as well as having been a priest and lay leader in several congregations and having extensive service in diocesan leadership. Canon Gwynn and her husband Frank Freund have three grown children and live in Poway. Welcome Canon Gwynn.
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Calling All Godly Play Kids!
Godly Play resumes NEXT Sunday December 5th
Godly Play is grounded in the Montessori tradition and uses special materials and storytelling that invite the children into scripture and church tradition.
For more information please contact Sue Baas.
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Operation Secret Santa
Advent Outreach Project
Now through Sunday Sunday December 12th
Operation Secret Santa benefits the children of the Wounded Warrior Battalion - West based at Camp Pendleton for their annual Santa Surprise event on December 17th at Camp Pendleton. There are 160 Wounded Warrior families with almost 500 children in the Battalion. Holy Cross is one of several neighboring organizations that will be supporting this event.
You are invited to participate by bringing a new unwrapped gift(s), see the list below, to church this Sunday and/or Sunday December 5th or 12th and place it at the altar. We will bless the gifts each Sunday and then they will be taken to Tom Mauro's home where they will be delivered to Camp Pendleton on December 8th and 13th in preparation for the Wounded Warrior Santa Surprise event on December 17th.
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Secret Santa Gift Needs - infant through age 12**:
- toys
- books
- diapers
- clothes
** New & unwrapped please; if you wish to donate cash please know Holy Cross will not purchase gifts on your behalf - however, we will transmit your donation to the Wounded Warrior Battalion and they will use your donation to backfill needs as they deem appropriate once they have received all donated gifts from sponsoring organizations on December 13th. All cash donations should be made out to Holy Cross with the notation WW Secret Santa on the Memo line (check, Zelle or Faithstreet) and we MUST receive your cash donation by no later than Wednesday, December 8th, this allows us time to issue a check and transmit it Wounded Warrior's in time for them to be able to use it towards the event on December 17th. Thank you for your understanding.
Download a PDF of Gift Needs here. |
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Is your email cutting off the full newsletter? - If you see a message at the end of your email that says something like "[Message clipped] View entire message" click on the "view entire message" link and the full newsletter will open - you may also click on the "View Entire Newsletter" link at the top of the newsletter (it's safe) and it will open the full newsletter in a new browser. |
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Visioning Update
Last weekend, the Holy Cross Visioning Ministry and Bishops Committee participated in a retreat up at Camp Stephens in Julian. We enjoyed the crisp, beautiful mountain air, the delicious meals, and getting to know each other better. But all that was secondary to our initiation of the visioning process! With our facilitators, Allan Dorsey and Jason Evans, Canon for Mission, we began work on updating and refining our purpose, identity, and vision statements. We crafted a working timeline for when we are striving to have various milestones accomplished. And we split into work groups for continuing to gather additional information needed to guide Holy Cross through this next period of discernment. We will meet again on December 12th with Allan Dorsey once again facilitating our meeting. We will provide additional details following that meeting.
Most importantly, we rounded out our weekend feeling a renewed sense of enthusiasm, hope, and eagerness to guide Holy Cross in stepping forward into our new future together. There's a lot more work ahead for all of us, and many more facets to consider, but it is absolutely clear that this vibrant community will emerge renewed and ready to be the hands and feet and heart of the holy spirit out in the world!
Katie Ho
Jr. Warden
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BC & Visioning Ministry deep in our work |
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Jason Evans, Canon for Mission, leading us in one of our sessions |
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Saturday night Eucharist - thank you Mtr Hannah Wilder and Kathy Wilder for the music! |
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Socializing after Eucharist - Thank you also to Joey for his gift of music. |
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Members (& spouse and Baxter) who hiked during free time on Saturday |
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BC & Visioning Ministry members
left to right:
front row: Muriel Wahl, Tom Mauro, Marci Stafford, Judy Cater
back row: Mae Chao, Mike Collier, Joey Aszterbaum. Karen Sanchez , Katie Ho
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We use a screen to project the service bulletin. If you prefer your own worship booklet please download the booklet using the button below to your phone or tablet, or print a copy at home, and bring it with you. We are doing this for health precautions and to be better stewards of God's creation (reduce paper waste) - thanks for your understanding.
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Miss last Sunday's service? Watch it below. |
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Video on Demand (VOD): All past service video's are available on our YouTube channel here. |
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Rooted in ancient monastic tradition, this is a perfect way to end the day.
Watch for our mid-week check-in newsletter with the service links.
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WEDNESDAY NIGHTS THROUGH DECEMBER 15th
7:00-8:00pm
via Zoom
We join our brothers and sisters at All Saints Vista for a special Adult Formation program looking at the Gospel of Luke. Each week is a short study in and of itself so no worries if you missed last week.
The course looks at the gospel of Luke through the lens of liberty, finding the good news for the marginalized. Each week we hear a different instructor take different aspects of Luke as a liberator. We hear short 5 minute video segments and then discuss each segment. So far we have covered an Introduction to Luke and Liberation for Women, where examined women’s voices in Luke, Luke’s message about women in its historical context, and Luke’s Gospel as it applies to gender and social justice in the 21st century.
Again, no worries if you missed last the last two weeks - come join us next week!
Next Wednesday, Dec 1: Liberation from Wealth
The Rev. Ron Spann, a longtime social justice advocate, examines issues related to wealth in Luke’s Gospel. How does wealth enslave us? How does Christ free us from that enslavement? Ron addresses these questions and others in this class
Following Weeks:
Liberated to Share
The Rev. Nurya Love Parish created the website for the Christian food movement, which calls Christians to re-connect the way they eat, grow, and share daily bread to the health of all God's Creation. She talks about Luke’s Gospel in the context of giving — what it means to give; how Christ frees us to give freely.
Liberated to Preach
The Rev. Jay Sidebotham, founder of Renewalworks, focuses his work on church renewal — on freeing churches to grow in the spirit of Christ. In this class, he discusses Luke’s approach to spreading the good news of Jesus and what that means for 21st century Christians.
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Upcoming Ministries & Events |
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All Saints Cemetery Clean-Up
Tuesdays, December 7, 14, 21
9:00 am - 11:00
200 Peyri Road in Oceanside,
next to Heritage Park
Contact Katie via call or text at 619.990.2298 or via email at [email protected] for more information or to let her know you're joining in.
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Wounded Warrior Battalion West - Camp Pendleton
We deliver healthy snacks to the Wounded Warrior Battalion staff and the Marines and sailors recovering from wounds, injury and illness.
Contact Tom Mauro at 847.989.0305 for more information about this ongoing ministry or for how you might participate.
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Upcoming Holy Days, Special Ministries and Events |
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OPERATION SECRET SANTA, ADVENT OUTREACH
THROUGH SUNDAY DECEMBER 12th
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FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28th
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(God willing and the people consenting)
BRIAN PETERSEN ORDINATION TO THE DIACONATE at HOLY CROSS - 10am
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18th
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CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE - 4pm
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24th
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CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE - 10am
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25th
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Thank you to all for your continued pledges and donations. These are integral to our ability to continue our mission, ministries, as well as to stay current on all of our financial obligations.
You may find information about how your pledges and donations support Holy Cross in the Treasures Report published each month in the Bishop's Committee (BC) section of this newsletter. Please don't hesitate to reach out to Larry Sebastian, our Treasurer, our Warden's Karen Sanchez and Katie Ho, or any member of the BC if you have questions or would like additional information on our finances or any aspect of Holy Cross.
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2022 Forward Together Pledge Campaign
While our 2022 pledge campaign has formally ended, it is NEVER too late to make a pledge. We accept pledges all year long. As previously communicated, your Bishop’s Committee established a goal of $185,000 for 2022. That goal was based on balancing our draft budget for next year. We received 27 of the 60 pledge cards mailed with pledges totaling $98,268.
Whether you worship regularly or when you can, join us in-person or online, your Holy Cross faith family counts on your faithful support. Your pledges are integral to our ability to continue our mission and ministries, as well as to meet all of our financial obligations.
If you have not yet pledged, I ask that you prayerfully consider making a pledge. You may do so online using the button below or bring your completed pledge card on Sunday and place it in the offering plate `(or return it to the church in the envelope that was provided). If you need a card click here for a PDF version and bring it to church on Sunday or email it to the office at [email protected].
What you pledge is between you and God. THAT you pledge is important. I ask you to join me in your faith and commitment to Holy Cross.
With Gratitude and Abundant Blessings,
Karen Sanchez
Senior Warden
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MAILING ADDRESS: 2647 Gateway Rd Suite 105 #290, Carlsbad, Ca. 92009 |
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Bishop's Committee
Bishop's Committee (BC) meetings are the third Thursday of the month from 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm. The BC will not meet in August due to summer travel schedules, the next regularly scheduled BC meeting is TBD in December.
If there is something for which you wish to bring to the BC's attention, you may reach out to our Wardens, Karen Sanchez and Katie Ho, or any BC member. Their contact information is in the church roster or you may reach them at the church office: [email protected].
Meetings are open and anyone may attend. Please reach out to Rev Richard for the Zoom link if you wish to attend.
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Please hold all on our prayer list in your prayers: |
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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.
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Prayer for our Interim Clergy-in-Charge:
Brian Petersen, who will join us in mid-January following his ordination to the transitional deaconate (God willing and the people consenting) on Saturday December 18th and completion of his General Ordination Exam's in early January. Six months later, in June (God willing and the people consenting), he will be ordained into the Priesthood.
Prayers for Thanksgiving
For our hosts at Oceanside Sanctuary, and for this community of Holy Cross.
Prayers for Comfort:
For for Randy, Art, Tom, Arlene, Ann, Paul, Jen, Ruth, Dawn, Michael, Brian, Barb, Mia, Betty, Ray & Karen, Bruce, Craig & Keith, Cliff, Sandra, Ian, Tristan, Sheila, Ron, Don, Crystal, Marilyn & Arthur, William, the Wyman family, all who have been affected by the COVID-19 virus, and those who have no one to pray for them.
Prayers for the Departed:
We commend to God all who have died, especially Vola Tietge, Dean Wyman, those who have lost their lives to the COVID-19 virus, and those who have given their lives for freedom’s cause.
Prayers for those celebrating Birthdays
Tom Andreas, Mirna Castaneda, Rev. Roger Haneke
Prayers for those celebrating Anniversaries
none this week
Prayers for those Traveling
none this week
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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
Note: If you have lost a member of your family and would like us to include you and your family 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.
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Please keep in your thoughts and prayers those who are unable to be with us in worship and reach out to them to let them know they are missed.
Tom Andreas
1930 W San Marcos Blvd Spc 234
San Marcos, CA. 92078
Arlene Cull
4714 Athos Way
Oceanside, Ca 92056
Allen & Cathie Zych
4014 Layang Layang Circle #J
Carlsbad, CA. 92008
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In the Diocese and Beyond |
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Maggie, Wren, and Katie Ho are all performing in the Nutcracker ballet this weekend (Thanksgiving weekend). If you’re in town and would like to kick off the Christmas season, come on out to see us. You can buy tickets at the door or preorder tickets at the link below. (Please note, Wren only performs in the 2pm shows, in case you are hoping to see her perform).
Thanks for your support!
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Cartoon from St. Swithin’s, by The Rev. Jay Sidebotham, copyright © 2002 The Church Pension Fund.
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Our Clergy
Bishop: The Rt. Rev. Susan Brown Snook ***
Vicar: Brian Petersen, Interim Clergy-in-Charge, beginning mid-January, 2022. The Rev. Susan Astarita, interim-Supply until then.
Staff
Bookkeeper: Muriel Wahl
AV Tech Guru: Jack Cater
AV Tech Asst: Finley Dicus
Leadership - Bishop's Committee ("BC")
Jr. Warden: Katie Ho
Members at large: Mike Collier, Marci Stafford
Treasurer: Larry Sebastian
Clerk: Robyn Hill
Contact information:
Church office: 760.930.1270
Mailing address: 2647 Gateway Rd Suite 105 #290, Carlsbad, CA. 92009
To contact any of our clergy, staff, or BC members that do not have an email address listed above please use the church email address, your message will be forwarded to the individual. If you wish to contact them in confidence please indicate that in your message and we will ask the individual to contact you.
As a reminder, due to COVID-19, staff is working remotely. The office email and voice mail is monitored regularly. In the event of a pastoral emergency please contact Karen Sanchez, our Sr. Warden.
*** To contact the Bishop's office or another member of the diocesan staff ("EDSD"):
EDSD phone: 619-291-5947
This communication provides you with information about Holy Cross and our Ministries. For comments or possible contributions, please email the editor at
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