Holy Cross Lutheran Church

This is a follow up to the article I wrote for the June edition of the Crier, where I gave a brief report on the results of the second survey that was done as part of the Natural Church Development program. In that previous article I gave a generalized and written description of those results. Now I would like to provide you with more of the specifics, and also do that in a visual form. Here are the scores for each of the eight quality characteristics, from both the first survey (July 2006) and the second survey (March 2008), presented side by side in a chart.

Being able to see all the scores in this form may help to provide a clearer picture. You will notice that six of the eight went up -- Gift Oriented Ministry, by 13 points! Only in two areas did the score go down-- Passionate Spirituality and Loving Relationships -- and not by much in either case. Thus the average score rose by 5 points, from an average of 48 in 2006 to an average of 53 in 2008 (as was reported last month).

Another significant finding here is that although Need Oriented Evangelism was our lowest score in 2006 and again in 2008, that number did see an increase -- from 39 to 44 -- which signals some progress having been made in one specific area we have been working on over the last couple of years.

Along with highlighting that progress, though, the results shown above also point out an ongoing challenge that remains before us. It seems we are still hesitant when it comes to sharing with others what is happening in the life of Holy Cross -- graciously inviting others to take part in the ministry of the church, where the Good News of Jesus Christ is both proclaimed and lived out. Offering ourselves to God to be used as His instruments in the world -- people through whom God's love, compassion, and forgiveness are made known, become real, to others.

The Natural Church Development program is a tool, designed to help congregations become stronger and more healthy as communities committed to serving Christ faithfully in what they say and what they do. Hopefully the above results will serve as an encouragement to us in that growth process, as we continually seek to become more mature as disciples of Jesus -- both individually, and together.

I just recently returned from a week at Camp Calumet, our Lutheran camp in New Hampshire. I love falling asleep outdoors in a tent. As I snuggle in my sleeping bag, I listen to the sounds outside my vacation “home.” A rustle in the woods is probably the chipmunk I saw earlier in the day. The buzz of those biting insects doesn’t bother me a bit as the screens in the tent keep them outside. The wonderful smell of my neighbor’s campfire fills the air. I can hear mothers quietly reading bedtime stories to their children. Even on a rainy night, the cadence of raindrops on the roof of the tent is like a mantra. And at Calumet, there is always the predictable sound of the whippoorwills calling to one another from their perch in the trees. Evening prayers of thanksgiving are easy to recite as there is so much for which to be thankful in God’s great outdoors. It doesn’t take long for the crisp night air to lull me into a sound night of sleep.

What are you thankful for this summer? Just living in this part of Maine is such a blessing. Take time to notice God’s beautiful creation, which is all around us. Then say a prayer of thanksgiving to the one who made it all. And be sure to remember God’s command to take care of this earth and all that is in it.

We all celebrate anniversaries for events in our lives that we feel should have a special significance. Wedding dates, birthdays, the day we met our spouses, are all important to us. In our church we celebrated a while ago Pastor Horner’s 20th anniversary of his ordination and more recently the 35th anniversary of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Kennebunk. Confirmation is one way of how we acknowledge our love to God, but I wonder if we might be able to remember, or just could choose a date, to say to ourselves “This is the day I “found God” and will carry the belief and faith in God throughout my life.” Once each of us has that moment that we give our unconditional love to God, we feel each day the effects and force of his love upon us. Some of us may think that at a certain moment God has entered our lives. But He has always been with us. Each of us just needs to realize that and at that moment, our life will always be better, because we know that we are never alone. That is anniversary we all should be happy to celebrate! Rich Keating, Church Council member

To the lamp of love: may it burn brightest in the darkest hours and never flicker in the winds of trial. ~Author Unknown

Karen Lienhard and I recently attended the Worship Renewal Grants Colloquium in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As a 2007-2008 grant recipient Holy Cross was invited to send two representatives to participate in this annual event. And what an event! Every minute from 4:00 PM Tuesday until 1:00 PM Thursday was put to good use. We worshiped (of course), we sang (beautifully), we conversed (politely), we listened (attentively), we ate (boy, did we eat), and we slept (we certainly needed to).

We were asked to complete a short “Reflections” document at the conclusion of the colloquium. As I was writing my comments it dawned on me that my reflections were a fairly good summary of what I learned and what I should be bringing back to Holy Cross. Following are some pertinent excerpts:

- List two things about worship renewal which you learned from others during Colloquium.

b. All aspects of worship should strive to make a connection between the passive/receptive verbs and the active/doing verbs. Seeing, listening, touching should lead to praising, being convicted, being inspired.

- List two ideas you hope to prayerfully implement in your congregation or worship setting.

a. Using more music from other cultures in congregational singing - it is important to sing Latin-beat (or African) songs even though there are no Latinos or Africans in our area because this expresses our Christian unity across time, space, culture, and confession.

b. Making our use of drama in worship more forceful – a well-written, well-rehearsed script performed dynamically should be the goal.

The worship services – seeing examples of music and drama “done right” while maintaining that respect for worship that we all cherish was invaluable. Music can be lively, melodic, and participatory and still be reverential. Drama can be very effective in imparting a lesson without being hokey or dull, but it must be solid and well-rehearsed.

There was so much more that we learned. Please ask Karen or me to tell you about it when you have a few hours to spare. Ann Scott

On Sunday, June 22, the congregation was informed of the 4 event this year at Holy Cross to raise $4,000 for World Hunger. Thrivent will add another $1,400 to that amount if we succeed.

The Summer Vacation Bible Camp and the Sunday School starting in Sept. will be using coin banks for proving animals to Africa in “God’s Global Barnyard”. Animals in the family is a way to help with sustained food and economic growth over the years. The August Blueberry Festival will provide all its income to the York County Shelter and the ELCA World Hunger program. ELCA World Hunger envelopes will be in the pew card racks all July for all to use. While we are enjoying a summer of fund and relaxation, it is a good time to share, out of our bounty, by writing a check, payable to “Holy Cross”, for World Hunger. The final event in our effort to raise the $4,000 will be our Thanksgiving offerings. An up-date on our fund raising progress will be made in advance of Thanksgiving so we can all respond appropriately.

Whatever our total income turns out to be, 20% of it will remain in York County where we know that hunger need abound. The remainder will go to the various ELCA and Lutheran World Action programs we are committed to.

On June 22 the congregation was also invited to join with the children, emptying our pockets or purses of loose change in the “Global Barnyard” banks. The first of those banks was turned in July 6. It contained $25.11 in change. What a great start. A special thanks to that giver and to all who will participate in any part of this special opportunity. Banks are available in the Narthex. Roger Rotvig, Congregational chairperson for the World Hunger appeal.

I usually don’t see much from a plane. Clouds in one form or another usually lay just below me like cotton batting. Sometimes I fly through a fog of white.

This year is different. This time there is clarity. Clarity of how small we are and how grand our country, clarity of the majesty that God created and the disasters that happen, clarity of our responsibility for this precious land and the people in it.

As we lift off from Portland, Oregon, snow capped Mt. Rainier and Mt. Hood jut up into the sky. Forest fires in northern California send smoke to cloud the valley where cities like Reno, Nevada stand. Then beyond Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon and Brice Canyon carve the burnished landscape from below. As we fly east, above Des Moines, Iowa we see rivers gone wild. Where lines once marked their boundaries it appears that lakes of water spread wide. As darkness falls we fly over the lights of Chicago and the glow from a game at Wrigley Field. The pilot points out a probable home run as fire works reach out below us. Then at last we ride the edge of a storm cloud, lightning strikes out from its depths – a portend of weather to come.

God created us and all the living things upon our earth. We exist with the good and the bad, the ups and the downs, the majesty and the tragedy. This year I thank our Lord for showing me not just the up close with vineyards in Napa Valley, orchards in San Juaquin, giant Redwoods and Sequoias, mountains and streams, but also the land we are entrusted at 30,000 feet with clarity.

From the first moment I was introduced to Holy Cross, I found the people, the pastor, how they lived, worshiped, and shared in Gods love, instantly caught my attention. What I witnessed was a group of people working together building a relationship with each other and God, drawn by their faith. In the fall of 1974, I was nineteen and I decided to be part of a Christian study group called the Edge of Adventure. This group study was designed to be an adventure and an experiment in faith. The authors believed that in making an experiment in one’s real-life circumstances they could learn about God firsthand. What would happen to our lives and relationships (if we were totally committed to God)?

This adventure proved to be a very powerful experience for everyone. We witnessed how our relationship with God and each other could strengthen our faith and enrich our lives. It was a lasting experience for me, and that is why I am still committed to the power of God’s love and Holy Cross, to this day.

I share this with you because in the 34 years that I have been a part of Holy Cross I find that the adventure of having a relationship with God and his people is something that continues to grow in this church. From the beginning this church has been filled with people of faith, believing totally that God will direct its people to do his work.

The 35th Anniversary was a unique evening, since we had all three of our special pastors and some of their family, intern pastors, and many other members sharing in the celebration. Some past members sent letters to share their stories of love and appreciation for the Holy Cross family. The celebration was a time to share stories of faith and a chance to witness how one woman had an idea and the ambition to start a Lutheran church in the Kennebunk area. Through that faith and God’s guidance this church continues to touch people’s lives. Holy Cross is an on going witness of how a church can grow and thrive from people’s faith in their relationship with God and each other as we are learning about our Christian life.

I sit here pondering over the times that I have spent with so many wonderful people here at Holy Cross these past three years. Tears well up in my eyes as, again, I have to think about saying my “good byes.” Having been part of the military life, I have moved every 3-4 years. This time I leave with such mix feelings. This time I have gotten involved and took part in the church. When I really felt this belonging to the church is when I put forth and gave of myself or participated in someway. A good example of this is LOGOS, where I met the challenge of trying to feed kids and figuring out what they really like to eat. I watched them come out of their shell and feel the joy of those around them. I watched all the efforts of adults participating in our children’s lives. I will miss the Social Concerns Committee, knowing that whatever I help make with my hands will help others in need. Oh, that feels so good!! It was so, so very nice to socialize with the ladies and men around me. To watch the men of the church sit down and participate in crafts such as quilting. To be able to carry on adult conversation and be heard! To watch people eat blueberry shortcake and really enjoy it. Wow, this is joy within. To watch my daughters and her friends laugh at the dolls they made or the quilts they help make for others. Picking up a load of kids ready to participate in Vacation Bible School. It meant so much to me to watch the girls take their first communion and than to watch my older daughter get confirmed with her close group of friends. I was thrilled when I was asked to be part of the Altar Guild and it made me proud to watch my girls “want” to acolyte and help out in any way they could. I can’t say enough about the small groups that I have participated in. I have shared and felt the joy and sadness of many around. If that isn’t therapy! I learned so much about God and becoming a Christian. The support and warmth of people have kept me secure. I will always remember the beautiful music and voices of those who participated in their special ways. The special cards and calls I received when there was a death in our family. I will not forget taking a picture of our children singing in front of our church and seeing in that picture a halo around the cross or the feeling that overcame me when Pastor laid his hands upon my head during Good Friday. There is so much to talk about and yet this is only a fraction. I thank each of you for coming into my life if only for a short while. All the shared smiles and hugs. You will not be forgotten.

Marie-Louise Doe, 15, daughter of Steve and Ann Doe, has been accepted at the Maine School of Science and Mathematics (MSSM) in Limestone and will begin her sophomore year there in August.

MSSM was established in 1995 and challenges its students with a rigorous curriculum in advanced science, mathematics and humanities. MSSM was ranked 35th among the top 100 high schools in the United States last year by U. S. News and World Report.

Please keep Marie-Louise in your prayers as she leaves home on this journey of education.

Heartfelt thanks from Vi Stephens and Sandie Hamel to those who sponsored them in the walk for the York County Shelter's program to raise funding for “Housing the Homeless” held May 17th. We have received word that this first time event raised over $15,000. Such an awesome community response! Plans are being made for another fund-raising walk next year, hopefully with even more participation.

Your kindness and sympathy are more deeply appreciated than any words of thanks can ever express.

Please join us on Saturday, August 9th from 9-1 for our second annual Blueberry Festival sponsored by the Social Concerns Committee. All proceeds will go to local and world hunger. Many craft items, blueberry shortcake and pie, blueberry fudge and other goodies will be featured. It is not too late to donate a craft or baked goods. Helpers are needed on that day as well to sell items and serve food. We will also be baking in Luther Hall on Friday, August 8th at 9:00 and welcome all who can assist. A signup sheet is on the board in the Narthex and included in this Crier.

All of those who are going into 7th – 12th grades are invited to join us for a summer retreat at the Ballute’s home in Sunday River the weekend of July 25-27. (This is where the ski trip was held.) Friends are welcome. Cost will be $30 for meals and snacks. Recreational activities may be extra. Look for further details soon. There is limited space so first to sign up in the Narthex with a non-refundable $20 deposit will secure a spot. Financial assistance is available through Pastor.

With the price of gas continually rising, we don’t want anyone to not come to worship or other events happening at church due to the expense of driving or for other transportation issues. Therefore we are trying to develop a list of people who might consider carpooling. Karen is developing the list and would appreciate your contacting her or the church office if you are interested in carpooling. Please indicate which service you usually attend, where you live, and whether you would need a ride, be willing to drive someone else, or be willing to take turns driving. There is also a sign up sheet on the board in the Narthex. Karen will then get back to all who respond and try to make it work.

From July 9th - August 20th, each Wednesday night at 7:00 we will be having a discussion group for women in the middle stages of life. Meeting in the Sunday School area where it is nice and cool, we will share dessert, conversation, and prayer about both the joys and challenges of living as Christian women. Come when you can and feel free to invite a friend. Please sign up in the Narthex so we can plan for desserts. Karen will begin the discussion, but others are encouraged to keep it going.

Join us on Sunday, July 20th at 4:00 for our annual garden party at the Rotvig’s. Bring food or beverage to share or just come. Our order is in for the usual sunny day!

Join as at the Arundel Barn Playhouse for a Wednesday matinée of “Nunsense” on August 6 at 2:00. Tickets are $20 and sign up is on the board in the Narthex.

The deadline for The Crier will be the second Tuesday of the month. So, for September, the deadline will be August 12th. This will be a hard deadline, meaning, everything must be received by Tuesday, August 12th. The Crier will be compiled and edited on the following Saturday, August 16th. It will be delivered to Beverly by Tuesday, August 19th and mailed the same morning. This will enable The Crier to be delivered well before the end of the month so that any information on events or activities that are taking place at the beginning of the month will be available in plenty of time for people to make plans to attend.

Everyone did a great job getting things in by the deadline in July. This notice is running again just to remind everyone of the change in the deadline.

Why can't we get all the people together in the world that we really like and then just stay together? I guess that wouldn't work. Someone would leave. Someone always leaves. Then we would have to say good-bye. I hate good-byes. I know what I need. I need more hellos.