Hello my siblings,
Jesus chooses you today, that is what the Spirit put on my heart to write to you all this week. Jesus chooses you today. Not on your best day. Not on your worst day. Jesus chooses you yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Jesus chose you before you were a sparkle in your parents’ eyes. Jesus chose you before the sun and moon had shape, Jesus chose you before the earth was formed.
What does Jesus choose you for? Discipleship. Just as Jesus sought out Peter and Andrew on the shores of Galilee, just as Jesus chose to teach Mary and Martha, Jesus chooses you to be his disciple. You are his disciple, you are chosen, and so you have a choice: Do you live in the love filled grace and practice it? Or do you ignore it, squandering the ultimate gift of love with benign neglect?
Let me take the pressure off for one second: we all ignore and squander God’s love. Not because we are evil or bad, but because we are finite beings taking on an infinite grace. God’s love is deeper and wider than we can ever utterly understand. And that makes the moments we do live in love and practice God’s grace with ourselves and others that much more beautiful.
So, whatever you do with the rest of your week, just remember you have been and always were chosen by Jesus. You were chosen for the organized work of love and grace that is Jesus’ vision for the world. You are that love of Christ that someone will experience today, and that’s one good ripple in a sea of craziness. Let us make more loving ripples in this harsh world.
One bit of housekeeping before I am done: Clergy conference for the Diocese of San Diego is Monday to Wednesday next week. I will not be available during those days due to this important annual event. I will return to my usual schedule following its conclusion. Also, this Saturday is the Commission on Ministry’s Day of Information. The Commission on Ministry, of which I am a member, seeks to help discernment for those in any kind of ministry, particularly those who may seek ordination. Our day of information is for any exploring the possibilities of their ministry, lay or ordained. Let me know if you’re interested in exploring your ministry, regardless of what path you think you may be on!
Blessings,
Richard+
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Congregational Leadership Initiative
Katie's write-up last week on the Congregational Leadership Initiative (CLI) is a hard act to follow!! I certainly share her enthusiasm for all we experienced during our four days at the the conference.
I remember when Rev. Richard first forwarded me the flyer on the program thinking it looked like a great opportunity. A little background: The purpose of the program is to provide newer clergy moving into rector, vicar, or priest-in-charge positions, and their lay leaders, with resources, tools and other support to help address the leadership and financial challenges of congregational ministry in the 21st century. Bishop Susan was interested in nominating Rev. Richard for the program and I hoped CLI would accept him. Little did any of us know back in February the challenges we would now be facing with COVID and our lease situation. and the potential value this program would present.
During the four day Zoom "residential conference" portion of our year-long program I had opportunity to attend various plenary presentations and workshops on topics such as Visioning and Planning, Parish Administration & Finance, Adaptive & Collaborative Leadership, Budgeting, Race in the Church, and an Affinity Group discussion for Vestry members (Clergy & Emerging Leaders were in their own discussion groups). I walked away with great information from each of these sessions. What I loved most was hearing the stories of each church - hidden in these presentations were bits of information with intriguing glimpses of ideas for Holy Cross existing ministries, ones BC has considered at times, as well as our worship, both online and in-person. I left those four days wanting more!
As Katie mentioned last week, this is a year-long program - our attendance at the conference was just the beginning. The remaining time includes a project or action plan based on our congregational needs (think the challenges of COVID, continued online worshiping, and our lease situation as a start) and the things we learned during our four-day conference. We will be provided a professional coach to work with us over the remainder of the year on our project. You will be hearing more about this in the coming weeks and months. In addition to our coach, the staff of the CLI program are also available to us as resources. What a blessing our participation in this program is.
I left the CLI conference with enthusiasm and excitement about what I had heard and learned over the four days but mostly with excitement about the future of Holy Cross. While I have only been a member for a few years I know from the stories I have heard from many of you that we are a resilient congregation. The challenges of not being able to worship together in-person, along with the uncertainty of our lease situation, is disappointing, frustrating, and at times stressful for me personally and as your senior warden. But, what I walked away with most from the CLI conference was that we are at a place where God is perhaps calling us to something deeper, to new ministry, new experiences of faithfulness and service. And, that he is here with us, encouraging and guiding us, even in these times of hardship and challenge, and perhaps most at this time when we might not realize it or necessarily want it!
With thankfulness and gratitude,
Karen Sanchez
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Sundays
Worship Service
9 AM
via livestream
Join us on our Livestream platform (link below) or on Facebook here.
The service bulletin is here. |
Miss last Sundays service? Watch it below: |
All past services video's are archived on our Youtube channel here and on our Facebook page here.
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Wednesdays
Evening Prayer
7 PM **
on Zoom
We tour the world via Evening Prayer from countries throughout the Anglican faith tradition (and sometimes from our own prayer book). Come feed your soul and take a little time to socialize with your fellow Holy Cross family members!
Please watch for Tuesdays email with the link to join us via a Zoom video, or call in from your phone if you choose not to use video.
** 3rd Wednesday each month starts at 5 PM due to Bishop's Committee meeting
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Thursdays**
Contemplative Prayer
Noon
on Zoom
** Every other Thursday, next service Oct. 1st
Led by our seminarian Brian Petersen, the service begins with a short spoken prayer service and then transitions into 20 minutes of Centering Prayer. The service lasts about 45 minutes.
The Zoom link will be provided in our Tuesday midweek newsletter along with the link to the Wednesday Evening Prayer service.
Click here for a short brochure from Contemplative Outreach on information about Centering Prayer.
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ADULT FORMATION FORUM
Sundays at 10 am on Zoom
To join the Zoom forum click here.
Mahalo (thank you in Hawaiian) to Brian for leading last week's Lectionary Study Trial 1. We had a great discussion around the assigned lectionary readings for last Sunday. Join us This Sunday, September 27th for – Lectionary Study Trial 2 led by Rev Richard. We will again this Sunday, following Rev. Richard's sermon, spend time further exploring the passages of Sunday’s Morning Prayer service. Whether you choose to read a bit more about the passages or choose to simply listen and log on, bring your curiosity and your whole self, through this discussion new things may come up for you. We will open the word a bit more together!
Upcoming forums:
October’s theme: Eco-theology and Creation Care
- October 4th – Resilience, Watersheds, and the Ten Commandments (led by Brian Petersen)
- October 11th – Resource Awareness, Farm-to-Table (led by Robyn Hill PhD, and Bob Meloon)
- October 18th – Environmental Justice & Community Organizing (led by Pete Hasapopoulos, lead organizer, SDOP)
- October 25th – Humanity and Our Planet: What it means to be Human on a Finite World (led by Rev. Richard)
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Placeholder - Gathering in the Park |
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Looking for resources for individual study material? The Episcopal Church has a great list of resources here - learn/individuals.
Need a copy of our Book of Common Prayer? Click here for the online version.
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CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES |
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Calling all Families with Young Children!!
Holy Cross Family Camp at Camp Stevens
October 9th - 11th
Rev Richard invites all families with young children to the Camp Stevens Harvest Weekend Family Camp. Three days loaded with natural beauty, a laid back atmosphere, no meal planning, activities already all planned, with lovely rooms to stay in, our diocese is truly blessed with staff and the presence of Camp Stevens (COVID precautions in place). Should anyone be interested but find the prices high, we have funds available for scholarships. Simply ask Rev Richard about it and we'll work from there. For more information click here.
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Godly Play
Hello and blessings to all Godly Play families. We all hope you are healthy and happy during our time apart. Until we are able to be in person again we will be posting the lessons we would normally be presenting each Sunday in the newsletter. They are available on the Godly Play Foundation YouTube Channel and we are providing a link with each lesson below. If you have questions or need assistance please call or text Sue B. at 760-607-2778.
The first 4 lessons for our fall season:
Sending love and hugs,
May the lord be with you all,
Your Storytellers: Sue B., Sue S. & Judy C.
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Many thanks to all who continue to support this ministry. Our next scheduled date to provide a simple dinner meal is Monday September 28th. If you would like to help or participate please contact Joyce Wayman at 760.918.9559 or [email protected].
God bless you all, Joyce
Follow our Neighbors in Faith ministry on Instagram @neighborsinfaith_carlsbad, and Twitter, @NIF_Carlsbad.
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Stewardship & Supporting Holy Cross |
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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, September 16th, via Zoom. To read the approved August minutes click here, the approved Treasurers Report here, the August P&L here, and the Balance Sheet here.
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Offertory - Supporting Holy Cross
Thank you to all who continue to support our mission and ministry during this time when we cannot meet in person. We continue to accept checks mailed to the church office. We also offer the following convenient ways to electronically make your pledge and other donations:
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Look for Zelle in your banking app or online bank account (no credit cards) and send your pledge/donation to: [email protected]. Please note "general fund" on the note/what's this for line for your pledge. There are no fees when you use Zelle. |
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Use the button above (secure) to make your pledge or donation via your credit card or bank account. There is a fee with each transaction (just like Paypal and other payment processing services). We use Faithstreet - they offer the option for donors to pay the fee which is treated as a donation to Holy Cross and is tax deductible.
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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 same fees apply).
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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 Discernment:
Brian Petersen, our seminarian, as he continues to discern God's call for ordained ministry and as he attends seminary.
Prayers for Comfort:
Fr. Atwood, Tom & Wayne, Peter, Arlene, Tom & Ann, Paul, Bob, Rob, Grant, Trina & Ron, Jerry, Bill Norton & Family, Mark & Toni, Karen, all who have been affected by the COVID-19 virus, all who have been impacted by the fires in California, Oregon, and Washington, all who have been impacted by hurricane's and tropical storms, and those who have no one to pray for them.
Prayers for the Departed:
We commend to God all who have died, those who have lost their lives to the COVID-19 virus, those who have lost their lives to the wildfires, hurricanes and flooding, and those who have given their lives for freedom’s cause.
Prayers for those celebrating Birthdays
Randy Echito
Prayers for those celebrating Anniversaries
Paul and Mary Lou Vanderpool
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.
Stacy & Emily Craft - New address in Montana
1109 N 22nd St. Apt 111A
Billings, MT 59101
Fr. Theodore Atwood
c/o Nazareth House Room N130
6333 Rancho Mission Rd
San Diego, CA 92108
Tom Andreas & Wayne Kirts
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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Our delegates to convention this year are Rev. Richard, Mae Chao, and Marci Stafford. We thank both Mae and Marci who, as our alternates, are replacing Emily and Stacy Craft who are unable to represent us as they have moved to Montana.
Nominations are open!
Nominations for Elected Positions are open. If you would like to nominate someone for an elected position, please visit the convention website and put forward your nomination.
Where and how will we meet?
The convention this year will be held online utilizing a new event management platform, Whova. D elegates and visitors can look forward to a clear agenda, ways of connecting, exhibitor space, workshops, and more. Due to the technological hurdles of a virtual convention, we are asking that ALL delegates attend one of three online training sessions to prepare for Diocesan Convention. Each session will have an overview of the Whova platform, voting, and more. Please register for 1 of the 3 training sessions through the convention website. Visit the new website at www.ConventionEDSD.org.
Who may attend Convention?
Convention is open to anyone in the diocese. Our church is represented by our clergy and lay delegates who will vote on the diocesan budget and various other matters. But any lay or clergy member of a church in the diocese is welcome to attend as a visitor. The visitor cost this year is $10 per person and you may register here (please note that once you complete the registration you will be taken to a screen that shows a shopping cart, click on the cart to finalize the payment process for your registration).
“… and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish.”
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