CROSSWORDS with Pastor John

SUMMER GREETINGS friends and family at Holy Cross! There’s a lot to update you on as we head into the fall with grateful hearts and joy for a summer filled with opportunities for growing and fun!

HOLY CROSS DREAM TREE – First off, let me introduce our new logo for the coming year: the dream tree (right) was an image that came out of our church council retreat last spring. We want to have a large-scale copy of this on display at church where members and friends can put their “leaves” on to represent their “growing edges” – ways we can go deep, rooted in God, and put out new shoots in the faith! Each branch represents a different area of ministry. Help us blossom and grow and bear much fruit in the coming year. Come, grow with the dream tree of Holy Cross as we strive to become the cornerstone of the community!

CAMP WAPO was a wonderful experience, bringing together nearly 40 young people from our congregation in July! The theme this year was “Blessed” and focused on the beatitudes. Crafts, fun, Bible study, friendship, there was something for everyone at camp this summer. Pray that the seeds planted at camp will sprout and grow strong back home!

VBS this July was a Rainforest Adventure, bringing our children into a treetop Bible blast! We learned about Sharing, Giving, Growing, Loving and Praising God in our walk with Jesus. Thanks to all the volunteers who stepped up to the plate to make this ministry possible. YOU are much appreciated!

SUNDAY SCHOOL UPDATE: The BIBLESONG program from Faith Inkubators will be on the New Testament this year. We will also be using Faithsteps for each age group in Sunday school. We already celebrate the milestones of 2^nd grade Bibles, 4^th grade first communion and 9^th grade confirmation. This year we’ll lift up something each year for our children and youth to celebrate – a faith-step to mark their growth in God and in their families. If you would like to help with Sunday school contact the church office or Susan DeWald.

H2H THEME: THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME! This year we will focus on homeless teens in Confirmation, remembering Jesus’ promise, “I go to prepare a place for you.” Weekly offerings will go toward the LSS Center for Changing Lives (affordable housing units). We are also hosting a “Cardboard Campout” on the Wednesday of MEA weekend (Oct. 15^th) to raise funds and awareness of the homeless in Minnesota. Guest speaker/author, Julia Dinsmore, will be our keynote speaker at Confirmation Kickoff on Wed, Sep. 10^th 7:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

YOUTH SPONSORS – I’m pleased to report that Joe and Ginger Peterson have volunteered to be Youth Sponsors for our church. They'll work with our TIM Team and Sr. High youth this coming school year to plan events and service projects on a monthly basis, starting with 9^th grade kickoff, Wed, Sep 3^rd at 9 p.m. Joe and Ginger were married at Holy Cross last year. Joe’s grandparents are Stan and Darline Jennings, who were charter members (both of whom passed away last year). Please keep them in prayer and help support their work. We look forward to renewed efforts to minister to/with the youth of our community!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for all you do and for who you are in this community of faith! Looking forward to seeing you all again as we kick off another school year together at Holy Cross!