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From the Pastor:

Once each year, an assembly is held for the New England Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. All of the ELCA congregations in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island send voting members to the assembly -- the pastor(s) of the congregation, and two (or sometimes three) lay people. Given that there are 185 ELCA churches in New England, the total number of people who attend is in the 500 to 600 range.

Over the course of my ministry I have taken part in many such assemblies (though years ago they were called by a different name: "conventions"). I have always appreciated the opportunity they present for spending time with fellow Lutherans. Its nice to have the chance to talk about what is happening in the church where I am serving, and to hear about what is happening in other churches throughout New England. I find such sharing to be an invigorating experience, and one that occasionally leads to an idea being brought back home and applied in my own congregation.

It is also refreshing to hear from a keynote speaker at each assembly. There are typically three times during the course of the two day event when the speaker addresses the assembly, giving presentations on a variety of themes that are pertinent to the life and mission of the church. The keynote speaker provides much food for thought.

Worship has always been another highlight of the assembly experience. Some of the worship services are traditional in form, using a liturgy with which I am familiar and hymns that I have sung often. While at other times the service takes a newer form, and I have the chance to experience a different type of liturgy, and music that is more contemporary in nature. All of which I also find to be quite uplifting.

But even with all of those positive things that I've experienced over the years, I am looking forward to the New England Synod Assembly this June with special interest and anticipation, because we'll be doing something we've never done before. In addition to what I've mentioned above, a significant amount of time this year will be devoted to doing service projects in the city where the assembly is being held. For seven hours on Saturday June 4th, 500-600 Lutherans will fan out across Springfield, MA to help the community in a variety of ways -- sewing quilts, distributing food, singing in nursing homes, doing carpentry and repair work … to name just a few. Taking part in such hands-on work projects seems to me to be a wonderful way for Lutherans in New England to bear witness by putting their faith into action. I am sure we will have a positive impact on the lives of many people in Springfield, and will also be blessed ourselves as we do so.

People from Holy Cross who are already planning to attend the Synod assembly are myself, Julie Clapp, and Mary Bates as voting members. Jack Bates will also be taking part, as a visitor. To encourage the participation of young people, each congregation can include a third voting member in the 16-30 year old age range. If there is a young person at Holy Cross who would be interested in this unique experience, or who would like more information about it, please let me know right away. The Synod Assembly runs from Friday afternoon June 3rd, through noon time on Sunday June 5th.

The Friday to Sunday time frame for the assembly is also a new element this year, in comparison to the previous time frame of noon Thursday to noon Saturday. The hope is that this will make it easier for lay people who attend, in terms of not having to take as much time away from work or school. The new time frame does mean, though, that pastors will be away from their churches for Sunday morning worship services. Our New England Synod Bishop, Margaret Payne, will be providing a sermon for congregations to read on June 5th, if they so choose. The Holy Cross Worship Committee has elected to make use of the Bishop's sermon for that day, and we are blessed to have retired pastor Roger Rotvig who is able to preside at the communion table on June 5th.

Please remember the New England Synod Assembly in your prayers, asking that the Holy Spirit empower us in our serving, as we share the love of Jesus with others.

In Christ, Pastor Rich

Message from a council member

A Season of New Life

I love this time of year. New life is springing up (sorry for the pun) everywhere. The crocuses and daffodils are in bloom. The trees in my front yard are showing signs of bud swell. The peepers have set up a chorus in the pond at the other end of my property. The returning flycatchers and robins are busy building nests and preparing for the next generation. Even my friend Heidi tells me the ewes are lambing on her farm.

Spring is when clearly Our Lord is at his best. It puts a smile on my face each time I walk out my front door. Truly rebirth is a miracle. Life itself is God’s best creation in all its myriad ways. And I thank Him every day for making me a part of this season of new life.

I read recently about changing my mindset regarding church and what it does for me, changing my thoughts from doing church to being church. When I changed my thinking from just attending church on Sunday morning to being one with Our Lord, being the church in my every day actions, I realized that to me this is a rebirth, a new life living with faith and thanksgiving in everything that I do.

It’s just a matter of making Our Lord an active part of daily life through compassionate service in his name, through conversations with store clerks, and interactions with our co-workers and our families at home, through daily prayer and ongoing conversations with Him.

In this season of new life, I wish you all Peace, Joy and Love. Donna Simmons, Council Member

SHARE THE BOUNTY

Our free monthly bean supper for May is on the 7th. Set up begins at 3:00 (sometimes 2:45) since people start arriving for the supper by 3:45. Serving begins at 4:00 and we serve up until 6:00. Clean up usually is done by 6:30 or so since we have become quite efficient about it. If you have never volunteered before, come join in the fun! It’s a great opportunity to spend time with fellow church members and to serve the community.

The June Bean Supper will be on the 4th and since that day is the same weekend as the New England Synod Assembly, we are looking for additional volunteers to help since a couple of our regular volunteers will be attending the assembly. In particular, we need someone to do the shopping for the perishable items the night before (Friday night). These items need to be delivered by Friday evening so the beans can be started first thing on Saturday morning.

Please see Julie Clapp if you have any questions. Sign up is on the board in the Narthex.

Making the decision to have a child is momentous.

It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.

~Elizabeth Stone

YOUNG AT HEART

Young at Heart will be going to “Famous Dave's” BBQ restaurant on Friday, May 13th. We will meet there at 11:30 a.m. If you want to carpool up, we will meet in the church parking lot at 11 a.m. Famous Dave's is located right off the Maine turnpike at exit 42 (Scarborough exit) and it is located in the Cabella's shopping plaza. If you have any questions, please talk to Mary Keating.

In June, we will be going to Merriland Farm restaurant in Wells. They have outside dining on the patio and it is beautiful! The date for this will be Friday, June 10th. We will meet there at 11:30.

FRIENDSHIP LUNCH

Monday, May 9th is our Friendship lunch. We serve at noon, but volunteers arrive around 10 a.m. We are always looking for people to help out so if you're interested, please talk to Mary Keating or Vi Stephens. We do need extra help in May because a couple of our regular volunteers will be out of town. It's fun and rewarding, so please consider giving it a try! You will meet people from our community and get to know your church family better! If volunteering is something you aren't able to do, please think about coming to the luncheon! Bring a friend or neighbor. It's a good time for all!

WALK FOR THE HOMELESS

Here's an event to get your feet moving and heart pumping -- the 4th Annual "Walk for the Homeless" awareness and fund raiser, on Saturday, May 21st, benefiting York County Shelter Programs, Inc. (YCSPI). The Walk-a-thon takes place right in our own hometown at Kennebunk Beach! The Social Concerns Committee is looking for walkers and/or donors to join "Team Holy Cross" in recognition of our congregation's support for YCSPI providing families, many with young children, an emergency housing alternative due to sudden homelessness. Our church's participation is two-fold: We are invited to be a corporate sponsor by raising a donation at one of four levels by mid-April; and, we would like to form a group of Holy Cross people to walk the two-mile route together on May 2st1. Kindly read notices posted on the Social Concerns bulletin board in Luther Hall detailing the "Walk for the Homeless" event and sponsorship opportunity goals.

A Different kind of pot luck supper

Come join us on Wednesday, May 11th at 5:30 pm for a trip from Seattle to Singapore with stops in Russia, Japan, China, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia as seen through the lens of Bill and Donna Simmons’ camera. Bring your favorite international dish using the above named countries as a theme and share in the fun. If cooking is not your thing you are still welcome to come and share in the dinner and film. There will be a donation jar for your contributions. There is a sign up sheet in the Narthex. Don’t miss this one!

SPECIAL EASTER OFFERING

The Special Easter Offering has been designated for Camp Calumet Scholarships and Grants, through the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund. (Please use the special Easter offering envelope for this purpose). Scholarships are available in differing amounts for those who need financial assistance to cover the cost of sending their son/daughter to camp. Grants ($100 per child) are available to all members of Holy Cross attending camp, regardless of financial need, as a way of helping to defray the cost and encourage children to take part in the wonderful Calumet summer program. For grants, simply contact the church office with the name of your child and the week(s) he or she will be at camp. For scholarships please contact Pastor Rich.

I never behold the stars that I do not feel that I am looking

into the face of God. ~ Abraham Lincoln

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR NATALIE

On Saturday, May 14 at 11:00 am, there will be a service to celebrate the life of Natalie Hakanson. A light luncheon will follow in Luther Hall. All are welcome!!

COMING IN JUNE

On June 24th we will be hosting the EverBlest youth choir from Cambridge,Minnesota. They will present a performance of Christian choral music of varied traditions.

We will require host families for approximately 24 high school age young adults for one night. The concert will be preceded by a community wide BBQ dinner, at a cost of $8.00 for the dinner and a free will offering for the concert. More information will be forthcoming in May. Stay Tuned! For more information, see Jack Bates.

MAY DAY SUB-SHOP

We are having a Sub-Shop at Kennebunk’s May Day Parade, May 7th 11-2. There is a sign up sheet in the Narthex for sandwich makers and money takers. See Jack Bates for more information.

E-MAIL ADDRESSES

There have been many requests over the past few years that people would rather just have The Crier e-mailed to them rather than receiving it in the mail. The main reason this hasn't happened is that, if we had reduced the number of Criers that were mailed, we would lose our bulk mail rate. But, since this interest has grown, and it would save the church money, we are entering the 21st century and are going to start sending The Crier out each month electronically. We will still mail the newsletter to those who do not have internet access and copies will be available in the church on the literature rack in the Narthex.


If you would like your Crier sent to you electronically each month, please send your e-mail address into the church office  If you feel like you will never have the capability to receive The Crier electronically (i.e. never own a computer), please call the church office (985-4803) so that it will still be mailed to you each month. We will make an announcement in both the Crier and bulletin before we switch over to the electronic version.

JOKE OF THE MONTH

Submitted by Jack Bates

Benefits of Warm Milk

In a convent in Ireland, the 98 year old Mother Superior lay dying, the nuns gathered around her bed trying to make her last journey comfortable. They tried giving her warm milk to drink, but she refused it.

One of the nuns took the glass back to the kitchen. Then, remembering a bottle of Irish Whiskey that had been received as a gift the previous Christmas, she opened it and poured a generous amount into the warm milk.

Back at Mother Superior’s bed. they held the glass to her lips. The frail nun drank a little, then a little more and before they knew it, she had finished the whole glass down to the last drop.

As her eyes brightened, the nuns thought it would be a good opportunity to have one last talk with their spiritual leader.

“Mother,” the nuns asked earnestly, “Please give us some of your wisdom before you leave us.”

She raised herself up in bed on one elbow, looked at them and said:

“Don’t sell that cow.”

Our purpose is to live under the leadership of Jesus Christ, as a community of miraculous expectation. As individuals and as a congregation, we rely upon the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. We are dedicated to living out the Great Commandment and the Great Commission: loving God and our neighbor (Mark 12:30-31), and making disciples by baptizing and teaching in Jesus' name (Matthew 28:16-20).