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From the Pastor …

At the end of May we will be completing our 11th year of LOGOS ministry at Holy Cross. This program for nurturing children and youth in the Christian faith started out with 7th and 8th grade youth. Several years later a group was added for those in 4th to 6th grades. Then just this year a high school group got going.

For all the young people who participate twice each month on Wednesday evenings, LOGOS is a time to develop deeper faith through being in relationship with Jesus, with each other, and with adult leaders. The one rule of LOGOS that guides our conduct is: "You are a child of God, and I'll treat you that way." Because we are human we don't always live up to that ideal, but that is the goal toward which we strive. Through such Christ like behavior we both bless others, and receive many blessings from those around us.

It is indeed a blessing, and a privilege, to spend time with the young people of Holy Cross during our LOGOS gatherings. Its also a special joy when they invite their friends to come along too. And what a joy to have so many adults involved -- working in the kitchen, or serving as table parents, or helping out with Recreation Time, or Bible Time, or Worship Skills. LOGOS engenders a strong sense of community living and community support, which is so meaningful in a society where people are too often isolated and cut off from each other.

I feel very grateful for how the LOGOS ministry has contributed to the strength and vitality of our congregation over the years. So when I was asked to consider serving as a LOGOS trainer, to help other congregations develop such a ministry, I immediately felt a calling to help out as best I could. After consulting with the Congregation Council, they affirmed my desire to provide such service.

What this means is that once or twice a year I will be part of a team that provides leadership for a two and a half day long LOGOS training school. (My first such trip is coming up in early June in Indianapolis IN.) I believe that my many years of experience with this ministry at Holy Cross will enable me to work in an effective way with representatives from other congregations who are attending the school -- either to learn about LOGOS for the first time, or for a "refresher course" on the principles and dynamics of the LOGOS approach to Christian nurture.

Your prayers would be most appreciated, both for myself and others who will be at the training school in early June, and for all of the children, youth, and adults who are part of the ongoing LOGOS ministry at Holy Cross.

In Christ, Pastor Rich

REFLECTIONS FROM THE VICAR

Spring is slow to arrive in Northern New England. But the sun has gradually melted the ice on the ponds and lakes. It is wonderful to see the blooming crocus peeping out next to the last vestiges of snow. The sand is being cleared from the streets and broken limbs are being recycled into sawdust. The trees are budding and the grass is slowly greening. Birds and peepers are singing their spring melodies. The barren cross of Holy Week and death turned into an image of new life, covered with Easter flowers and greenery. Our cries of “Alleluia, He is Risen Indeed” proclaimed the joy of resurrection and salvation. Yes, this Jesus has returned from the grave and showed himself to his friends. He still reveals himself to us as our risen Lord and Savior. Invite him into your hearts. Share his good news with others. Care for the poor and needy. Show love and kindness wherever you go.

In Christ’s name, Vicar Karen

MESSAGE FROM A COUNCIL MEMBER

Driving Lesson

We left Oak Park, just outside of Chicago, Saturday at 5:30 pm arriving back in Maine around 3:00 the next afternoon, having hit the rumble strip only once. We had gotten up to go to the airport about three o’clock, pretty early in eastern Maine, about thirty-six hours before we would arrive back home.

There really is not much to do when you’re driving half way across the country in your brand new, used 20-year-old motor home. What could go wrong? My good friend, who’d agreed to help drive, and I quickly settled into a rhythm. We checked the odometer and pulled into the second gas station about one hundred and fifty miles and three hours after the first. No problems. Smooth. Very few rattles, no steering wheel shimmy; the brakes worked. It was a little warm because a brand new air conditioner compressor only put out a feeble stream of tepid air, maybe 88 degrees instead of the 94 on the road surface, but that wouldn’t make us sleepy.

The high point of Indiana was realizing that the super removable CD player radio did not work. We would be unable to listen to twenty some odd hours of the four tenors, which my good friend is convinced is the best music ever heard any where, by anyone. What a shame. No music, no radio, just silence and the night. Now there is nothing but the occasional rattle. The steady hum of tires and wind around the camper body. Oh, and for excitement we did stop at a turn out to use a hand water pump to fill the truck’s water tank, and use the build-in head. Yea, right, as the kids say. By the Ohio border we were leaking water in more places than a sieve trying to float on the Ohio River.

Ohio meant time to alternate sleep with drive. I took my nap first: a vaguely reminiscent memory of trips in the back seat of an old Pontiac going to see a grandmother who would only speak in Italian. (At that age most of what adults spoke didn’t mean much to me, so Italian was ok.) But there is a comfortable feeling of the gently rocking of the car as it slides through the night air with bugs hitting the windshield.

Not to worry. We are on a road trip. Before Toledo we forgot the gas cap. This is not as big a deal as forgetting your wife while she is powdering her nose. But it makes one think in the midnight-quiet that perhaps those gas fumes are sneaking through the aluminum homemade cap we manufactured. It did not dawn on us that maybe it meant we were zombies.

As a totem to modernity we did take along one of the little boxes that tell you where you are. A quiet feminine voice alerts you to a turn in three-quarters of a mile. “Turn right now,” she crooned. The only issue was she forgot to tell us to remain on I-90. We didn’t want to go to Detroit and over to Windsor, Canada. A minor bump on the road of life. Perhaps she was telling us that we were not on the right path after all. But we didn’t listen to that either.

We did the three on, three off routine for most of Ohio, when I found myself driving through Cleveland. If you’ve ever driven I-90 through the home of the rock and roll museum you remember an abrupt hairpin right. I didn’t think such turns were allowed on the roads Eisenhower built, especially when they arrive at 4 am.

My driving partner took naps with the same regularity as I. Sometime after Buffalo, just as it was getting light, I awoke early from my nap in the back of the camper. I climbed into the passenger seat and watched the world go by at a mile a minute. As the miles droned on I became aware that we were in the passing lane with no one to pass. No matter, it was smother in the left lane. Suddenly, I noticed a definite drift to left, followed by the growl of the tires hitting the rumble strip. I grabbed for the wheel as my companion’s eyes blinked open and he returned to wakefulness. We had returned to safety. The adrenaline rush was so sharp that it gave me the shakes, but between it and the light there was no more call to sleep.

Nothing further occurred on our trip east, just a nagging feeling that the same angel that filled me with adrenaline to catch my sleeping friend in time had been talking to me since Indiana: ‘you can not do at sixty-two what was eminently doable at twenty-two.’ It’s not just the young who are susceptible to overreaching. As we grow old, don’t forget that we were young, and use those memories to grow old wisely.

If you want to hear about the upcoming trip and its life lessons, let me know, I am happy to share.

Mike Scott

MY LENTEN EXPERIENCE

A few weeks before Ash Wednesday, I thought about what I would give up for Lent.  I remember as a child trying to give up carrots (which I did not like), liver (that I hated!) or maybe I would try to get along with my brothers and sister (not always an easy task).

Instead of giving up something for Lent, I decided to do something instead.  Since I had only attended just a few Lenten services over the last few years, I decided that I wanted to attend all the Lenten services. I also wanted to pray more and reflect on the journey of Christ thorugh his last 40 days. I did attend all the Lenten services as well as teh Maundy Thursday service and found them to be very spiritual, espcially the acting out of the week's story. The voice of "God" speaking was very moving to me. I felt like I was right there with each character hearing His words.

When Good Friday came, I was wondering what to expect. I hadn't attended a Good Friday service since I was a child. I arrived in the sanctuary for the service and noticed the cross with the crown of thorns at the front of the sanctuary. A chill went through me. I took my seat and started to look at the bulletin for the order of service. As I read down the page I noticed that as each Bible verse would be read, and prayer given, that the lights would be dimmed. By the end of the service, right at the time of our Lord's death, we would be in total darkness! This suddenly had me frightened. I do not like being in complete darkness. I dismissed my thoughts for the moment, and focused on the words being said. As I thought about what Jesus was going through as the passages were being read, my heart beat faster. When the time came and I sat in the darkness, I was terrified! The beating of the kettledrums matched the heartbeats in my chest! I couldn't believe that the service had affected me this way. How must Jesus have felt? How could he go through the pain and torment for me? My Lord had died for me and it really hit me for the first time. I felt humbled and thankful that the Lord Jesus Christ was and is my Savior and is in my life. The more I learn about him, the more I crave knowledge of him. I am so glad that I followed through with my pledge of attending all the services because I got so much out of it. I will definitely do it again next year.  Mary Keating

 WALK-A-THON

Can you help support the “Housing for the Homeless” Walk-A-Thon?

This is the second year of the event and Vi Stephens and I are walking to raise money to assist the York County Shelter Program in its mission to bring awareness and end homelessness in our area. The walk is on Saturday, May 30, starting at Mother’s Beach, going to the end of Gooch’s Beach and back. We are looking for sponsors…any pledged amount is appreciated. Please see Vi or Sandie to participate, sign up, and donate to support this worth-while cause.

Thank you! Sandie Hamel

In Memory of Cody Cleveland

We, the Simmons / Cleveland Family, thank you all for your continued prayers and support through the 16 precious years of Cody’s life. Your presence both physical and in prayerful spirit were very much appreciated.

A piece printed on the cards at the funeral home is how we would like everyone to remember him:

Afterglow

I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one,

I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.

I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways.

Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.

I’d like the tears of those who grieve,

to dry before the sun

Of happy memories that I leave

-- When life is done.

MONDAY MORNING GROUP

Anyone is invited to come & visit on Mondays, 10 a.m. until noon (1:00 p.m. on days lunch is served). It is a wonderful time for fellowship and coffee. Please bring along your knitting or any project you’d like to work on. People are also encouraged to bring a friend or neighbor along! There are a few luncheons planned in the next two months. They are:

April birthday luncheon was held on Monday, May 13th.

Monday, April 27th is “Bring a friend” luncheon. Lunch will be served around noon. Donations are welcome.

May birthday luncheon is Monday, May 18th. Lunch will be served around noon.

We hope to see you there! If you have any questions, or need transportation, please contact Mary Keating, Ann Scott or Vi Stephens.

DISCOVERY CANYON

Please join us for -

When: Monday, June 29th to Friday, July 3rd

Where: Holy Cross

Times: 9:00 am until 12 noon

Ages: 3 years old & up

Cost: FREE!!!!

We have an exciting Bible camp adventure planned for this summer! We encourage you to invite a friend, neighbor, relative or classmate to join you for a fun filled week. You will be involved in Bible stories, games, campfire sing-a-longs, science projects, crafts, snacks and more!

Look for our Discovery Canyon table in the Narthex and pick up a registration form for you and someone else!

We are also looking for adult volunteers to help during the week of VBC. There will be a meeting on Sunday, April 27th at 9:25 am downstairs in the Sunday School area for anyone interested in finding out about VBC, volunteer information or to join the planning committee. It will be a short meeting, so be sure and stop by!

Any other questions, contact Mary Keating, VBC Director

 YOUNG AT HEART

Join us for lunch at the culinary school at Southern Maine Community College in So. Portland on Wednesday, April 29th  at noon. We will car pool from church at 11:15. Sign up in the Narthex.

YOUTH SUNDAY

On April 26th at second service, both our Sunday School youth and our Logos youth will be sharing some of their worship leadership skills. Please warmly welcome them.

SOCIAL CONCERNS COMMITTEE

A huge THANK YOU to all of you who supported our Ton of Food for the Hungry drive. A special appreciation goes to Henry Perkins who transported all of that food to the Food Pantry every week. By Easter Sunday we collected 1860 pounds of food! We anticipate reaching the 2000 pound goal by the time you get this newsletter.

Our next work day in preparation of the August Blueberry Festival will be held in Luther Hall on Saturday, May 23, from 9-1 with lunch included. There are plenty of things to do and no talent is needed! Everyone is welcome to join us.

  Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs...

since the payment is pure love. ~Mildred B. Vermont

 NURSERY

There is now a blue storage bin marked “Nursery” and filled with toys that will be in Luther Hall every Sunday. In addition, the speaker will be on so that anyone in the hall can hear the service. If your child is fussy or needs to run around, feel free to make use of the space and the toys.

CHICK FLICKS

After many busy months and a delay in April, we are having a Chick Flick night!! For those who don't know, Chick Flicks is an opportunity for women to get together, share a meal (themed around a movie) and watch a chick flick. The movie for May, just in time for baseball season, is “A League Of Their Own” starring Geena Davis and Tom Hanks. If you haven't seen it, it is a wonderful movie about the first female baseball league and takes place during World War II. If you have seen it, come anyway because a movie seen again with a bunch of friends after a fabulous meal brings a whole new dimension to the movie! Chick Flicks will be Friday, May 15th at 6 pm in the Sunday School area. Sign up on the board in the Narthex. Any questions? See Cathy Bansmer or Julie Clapp.

JOKE OF THE MONTH

Submitted by Jack Bates

While working for an organization that delivers lunches to elderly shut-ins, I used to take my 4 year old granddaughter on my afternoon rounds. She was unfailingly intrigued by the various appliances of old age, particularly the canes, walkers and wheelchairs. One day I found her staring at a pair of false teeth soaking in a glass. As I braced myself for the inevitable barrage of questions, she merely turned and whispered, “The tooth fairy will never believe this!”

THANK YOU!

Thank you so much for your prayers and your kindness to me. I appreciate the love and caring I received during my illness. God bless you! My love, Eedee Ellig

"A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself."

~Joseph Campbell