Author: Dianne

CROSSBEAMS February 2021

A Deeper Discipleship
A year ago, it would have seemed strange to think about wearing a mask every time I was around somebody who wasn’t my immediate family. Now it seems really strange if I don’t!
I doubt if anyone looked forward to adopting this discipline of mask wearing. We get used to our routines and the ways we do (or don’t do) something. There tends to be a kind of inertia about it and we tend to resist those changes. Mask wearing – in particular – requires us to do something that feels a little bit uncomfortable, makes our breathing noticeable, muffles our voices, and hides other people’s expressions. Yet, most of us have embraced it as a way to keep ourselves and those around us safer and healthier.
For the sake of ourselves and of others, we wear masks.
This is not a bad access to a conversation about spiritual disciplines.
Every year during Lent, we have the opportunity to take on a discipline. For a lot of people, this is often heard as giving up something for Lent, be it chocolate, sugar, caffeine or TV. I would say a more helpful orientation to Lent is that it is a time to intentionally take on a new practice (i.e. discipline) that draws one closer to God… a practice that patterns one’s life closer to Jesus’ life… an adjustment to how one lives life that deepens one’s discipleship.
These can have an aspect of “giving up” something. It begins with a little bit of soul-searching to identify what it is that blocks them from a deeper discipleship or from a more Jesus-patterned life. If there is a block identified, then a Lenten discipline that enables them to be free or remove that block would be appropriate. We call this giving up something: fasting. Fasting is the choice to let go of something unhealthy or sinful that we have been holding fast to so that we can practice holding fast to God. It is not just the negative practice of up, but also the positive practice of adding something spiritual. If one chooses to do some kind of food fast, then the time that had been spent eating food can be used feeding on Scripture or praying or meditating.
A lot of disciplines are focused directly on developing a servant’s heart. These are disciplines of service which help us get our focus off of ourselves and to the needs of others. Practicing daily acts of service, giving to the poor, kindness, or giving words of encouragement fall into this category.
What can you take on or give up that deepens your discipleship? Use this Lenten season to draw closer to God.
Peace,

The Agape Café

The Agape Café was born on Valentine’s Day over a decade ago as an expression of God’s love for each and every one of us. A gourmet multi-course menu is designed and offered to congregational members and their friends and served by young people in an elegant environment complete with evening entertainment provided by young people. Obviously, COVID-19 has something to say about this event (We can’t host the Agape Café). But God has something else to say about it (Nothing is impossible). This year, we are hosting the Agape Café in your homes.
Agape Café meals will be prepared and delivered to your home, free of charge. (If you would like to make a free will offering, we ask that you direct your gift to the Church of the Cross Leadership Project Fund.)

Here’s how it works:
Call the church office and place your order from the choices below. Order by February 5.
Meals will be delivered in the afternoon/early evening on Friday, February 12.
Keep your food items in your refrigerator until Saturday, February 13.
An online party will be help on Zoom on Saturday February 13, where you will be placed at a virtual “table” with other Agape Café “diners.” Entertainment will also be provided. You will be directed to heat your meal prior to the start of the event.
Complete directions will be included with your meal.
The Agape Café is a ministry of care, attention, and appreciation. If there are people in your life for whom this ministry will be a blessing, please share this information with them and we will be happy to include them in our deliveries.
To order:
Call the church office at 403 255-4792.
Make us aware of any food allergies or sensitivities.
Make two choices:
1. Choose one of the following meals. All meals are gluten free and can be made dairy free upon request.
Carnitas enchiladas (beer braised pork), rice and beans, topped with cheese
Fish en Papillote (Tilapia, rice, onion, garlic, zucchini, lemon, white wine and capers steamed in a paper packet) (You may special order by requesting the omission of ingredients)
Chicken en Papillote (chicken, rice, artichoke, tomato, onion, mushroom, Parmesan steamed in a paper packet) (You may special order by requesting the omission of ingredients)
Tigadèguèna (Vegan Malian Peanut Stew featuring peanuts, sweet potatoes, garbanzo beans, onions and spinach) and steamed rice
Choose one of the following desserts. All desserts except the cake are available gluten free. The fruit cup is the only dairy free option.
Pumpkin cheesecake Strawberry Parfait Tres Leches Cake Fruit cup Cookie duet: Chocolate Volcano and Vanilla Cloud
The person taking your order will ask some other questions to help us set up the event and ensure we get your food to the right place.
That’s it. Your food will be delivered on Friday, February 12.
Remember, order right away. The deadline to order is February 5.

We welcome Stacey Kotlar as our new Office Administrator
The next time you come into the church office, there may be a new face at the desk. Dianne Fortier, who has been our Office Administrator for 22.5 years, formally retired at the end of 2020. The new Office Administrator is a member of Lutheran Church of the Cross, Stacey Kotlar. She brings (as she says it) a totally random but useful set of skills to the job. A lot of these are clustered around her training and experience as a Stage Manager.
Because of her commitment to homeschool her children due to the pandemic, she will be working reduced hours until the Fall. Though it requires some creative coverage of her responsibilities, it gives her the ability to fulfill on her commitment to her children and relieves us of some of our financial burden during this pandemic time.
As we make this transition, we are once again humbled by Dianne’s faithfulness, diligence, and friendship. We will miss seeing her when we come into the office. We will struggle as we continue to discover all the things she handled that we haven’t figured out, yet. We thank her for her flexibility in continuing to work through January to make this transition as smooth as possible.

Pastoral Care during COVID-19
Pastors Phil and Laura are available for one-on-one in-person conversations during the pandemic. We can schedule to meet with you at the church following COVID-19 building protocols:
Upon building entry, you must register your presence, mask, and sanitize your hands.
You may bring a personal beverage, or we can provide coffee or tea following COVID-19 preparation restrictions.
We will meet face-to-face in the “comfy” chairs, six feet apart.
While it seems that these restrictions hamper our interactions, there really is a great deal of benefit provided from face-to-face interactions. We can see each other, talk, laugh, and pray together. It is healing to be in each other’s presence.
We are also available by phone or Zoom, if in-person meeting is not an option for you.
Remember that your mental, physical, and spiritual health and safety are our highest priority. If you would like to see one of the pastors, please phone the church office for an appointment. (403) 255-4792.

Spaces
Such a little thing Round as the globe Floral in uniform spaces, almost beautiful Almost
It rolls, a fiery blaze A cough reverberating, smouldering, incinerating Through nations, through deserts, through airplane cabins and loved ones Drawing breath from the dying to fuel itself
A selfish, scorching tumbleweed, gathering speed Spreading its tendrils, stabilizing, expanding itself, multiplying in gluttony
Raging through all our spaces Clearing our beaches, our school desks, our churches, our grocery shelves Our playgrounds Leaving a rusty teeter totter of despair and grasping hope And filling our sterile beds And our graves
Tearing away our quiet peace And our loudness, the laughter of gathering, the echos of corporate voice The spaces filled by hugs and community, side by side And hurling them into the internet Shadows of connection
A robber stealing in the night, in the day Stealing time
It burns, hoards, rolls, increases, stealing the covers from our beds Exposing our flesh, our rawness, conflicts and differences tucked away in the safe spaces Leaving them bare, baring their teeth Deepening lines and shoving us to separate sides
Exposing the hideous depravity, hate that boils under the skin of our stars and stripes Striping us all the more Pushing us into our lanes, warning us not to see Not to extend our hands, not to touch An undeclared war
One world under God, scorched and sore Open our eyes Restore our handshakes, our sharing, our embraces Wash away the leprosy that drives us from dwelling Together Love standing against the flames
While hope dawns in liquid A drip to smother the fire A trickle, a stream, a fire hose reloading Proclaims a restoration we cannot recognize
We wait For the spray to sprinkle us and ours, to cool us, soak us, protect us from the flame We wait our turn We wait in line We wait in spaces Six feet apart
Valerie Kurtz
(Valerie is Pastor Laura’s sister)

… love God with all your heart

Thanks to a friend of Laurie Hansen’s, we have received a healthy amount of matching skeins of yarn. If you knit or crochet, drop by the church Monday-Thursday 9am – 4pm after January 3 to pick up a bag of yarn and a knitting or crocheting pattern. We are starting a prayer shawl ministry to support those who grieve and/or are ill. Every stitch is a prayer (the knitter’s/crocheter’s prayer is include) and this is a lovely way to wrap someone in prayer. We already have people who could benefit from having a prayer shawl from the church, so if you feel God’s nudge in this direction, well…get started!

Are you wanting (or needing) to do a Puzzle? Drop by the church and pick one up. We have a ‘Puzzle trading” table set up next to the mailboxes. Bring your ‘already done’ puzzles and leave them for someone else.

… love God with all your mind

Toward being more inclusive – Explicit Bias
This article continues our conversation about how we might more fully embody our commitment to love our neighbours. Last month, we took a look at implicit bias. Below is an article from the Perception Institute that explains about explicit bias (https://perception.org/research/explicit-bias/).
Pastor Phil

… love God with all your mind

Daily Devotions for Lent
The daily lectionary provides scripture readings for personal and corporate devotions for every day of the church year. As you spend a few moments immersed in the Living Word each day, ponder these questions:
What are Gods promises? What hope do God’s promises offer me? What difference does it make that I am a baptized child of God?
Short daily video devotions are available on our website Monday-Saturday. Check it out!

Thu — Feb. 18	Daniel 9:1-14	1		John 1:3-10	Psalm 25:1-10
Fri — Feb. 19	Daniel 9:15-25a	2		Timothy 4:1-5	Psalm 25:1-10
Sat — Feb. 20	Psalm 32	Matthew 9:2-13			Psalm 25:1-10
Sun Feb. 21	Genesis 9:8-17		Mark 1:9-15		Psalm 25:1-10
Mon Feb. 22	Job 4:1-21		Ephesians 2:1-10		Psalm 77
Tue Feb. 23	Job 5:8-27		1 Peter 3:8-18a		Psalm 77
Wed Feb. 24	Proverbs 30:1-9		Matthew 4:1-11		Psalm 77
Thu Feb. 25	Genesis 15:1-6, 12-18		Romans 3:21-31		Psalm 22:23-31
Fri Feb. 26	Genesis 16:1-6		Romans 4:1-12		Psalm 22:23-31
Sat Feb. 27	Genesis 16:7-15		Mark 8:27-30		Psalm 22:23-31
Sun Feb. 28	Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16		Mark 8:31-38		Psalm 22:23-31

Hospital Visitor Training & Communication Skills
Would you like to learn about becoming a Trained Visitor in a hospital or care facility setting and at the same time enhance your communication skills? Join us for an initial Visitor Training Session, sponsored by Lutheran Hospital Ministries-Southern Alberta Society. The class will be held on Saturday, February 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. We plan to meet in the basement of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 66-7th St. NE Calgary (D.V.). Bring a bag lunch. We will have room to social distance. Please have a mask. The class provides opportunity to learn and to practice visitation skills. There is no charge. Please contact Pastor Rekken at 780-718-4472 or mrekken@princeofpeace.ca for more information.

… love God with all your mind

… love God with all your mind

Free to Serve Others
The following is the daily devotion for Friday, January 22 from the Center for Action and Contemplation .It is part of that week’s theme, “Liberation.”
cac.org/category/daily-meditations/
German theologian Dorothee Sölle (1929–2003) describes how seeing with God’s eyes, hearing with God’s ears, and acting with God’s passion for justice is a truly liberating experience that benefits the entire community. Sölle writes:
In the sense of theology that liberates, the soul that is united with God sees the world with God’s eyes. That soul, like God, sees what otherwise is rendered invisible and irrelevant. It hears the whimpering of starving children and does not let itself be diverted from real misery, becoming one with God in perceiving and understanding as well as in acting. For people in the slums, redemption does not consist of some great and far removed actor ending the misery of the oppressed. Rather, in coming so very close, that far-near one acts in and through those who have become one with that actor. In liberating movements, the mystical eye sees God at work: seeing, hearing, acting, even in forms that are utterly secular. In the contingency of literacy programs, or collaboration in building a school, God’s action is manifest. It is a mysticism of wide-open eyes. . . .
What happens really in the soul’s union with God in terms of liberation and of healing? It is an exercise in seeing how God sees, the perception of what is little and unimportant; it is listening to the cry of God’s children who are in slavery in Egypt. God calls upon the soul to give away its own ears and eyes and to let itself be given those of God. Only they who hear with other ears can speak with the mouth of God. God sees what elsewhere is rendered invisible and is of no relevance. Who other than God sees the poor and hears their cry? To use “God’s senses” does not mean simply turning inward but becoming free for a different way of living life: See what God sees! Hear what God hears! Laugh where God laughs! Cry where God cries!
Allowing God to fully inhabit our senses does not mean we close ourselves off from the world but open ourselves more fully to it. We are free to be fully ourselves but not to exist only for ourselves. We are free to become Christ in the world to the same extent that we recognize the Christ in others, especially the last and the least.
Dorothee Sölle, The Silent Cry: Mysticism and Resistance, trans. Barbara and Martin Rumscheidt (Fortress Press: 2001), 283–284, 293.

DRIVERS NEEDED TO
DELIVER “AGAPE CAFÉ” DINNERS.
PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE IF YOU CAN HELP OR EMAIL THE OFFICE.

… love God with all your strength

… love God with all your strength

A Letter from Our Bishop

A Letter from Our Bishop

“Explicit bias” refers to the attitudes and beliefs we have about a person or group on a conscious level. Much of the time, these biases and their expression arise as the direct result of a perceived threat. When people feel threatened, they are more likely to draw group boundaries to distinguish themselves from others.
Why it’s important:
People are more likely to express explicit biases when they perceive an individual or group to be a threat to their well being. Research has shown that white people are more likely to express anti-Muslim prejudice when they perceive national security to be at risk and express more negative attitudes towards Asian Americans when they perceive an economic threat. When people perceive their biases to be valid, they are more likely to justify unfair treatment or even violence. This unfair treatment can have long-term negative impacts on its victims’ physical and mental health.
What can be done about it:
Expressions of explicit of bias (discrimination, hate speech, etc.) occur as the result of deliberate thought. Thus, they can be consciously regulated. People are more motivated to control their biases if there are social norms in place which dictate that prejudice is not socially acceptable. As we start forming our biases at an early age, it is important that we reinforce norms in our homes, schools, and in the media that promote respect for one’s own and other groups. Research shows that emphasizing a common group identity (such as “we are all Americans”) can help reduce interracial tensions that may arise between majority and minority ethnic groups in the U.S. Also, when conducted under the right conditions, studies show intergroup contact between people of different races can increase trust and reduce the anxiety that underlies bias.

February 2021 #