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SUMMER CRIER

From the Pastor …

My son Todd is currently working on an organic farm near Peterborough, New Hampshire. It is the type of farm known as a "CSA" -- which stands for Community Supported Agriculture. In the late winter and early spring, community members have the opportunity to purchase farm shares. That money is used to support the planting and growing of the crops. Then throughout the growing season, each member comes to the farm weekly to pick up a portion of the fruits and vegetables as they are harvested.

In talking with Todd about the work he would be doing, my wife and I became very interested in this type of local food production, and we decided to give it a try ourselves. A farm located in Kennebunk operates in this same manner, and we are looking forward to receiving our share of fresh produce in the months ahead. Todd assures us that the experience of eating food straight from the fields is one we will greatly appreciate.

Not having grown up on a farm, nor even having done much in the way of back yard gardening, living "close to the land" isn't something with which I've had a great deal of experience. I do appreciate, though, hearing the stories shared by others who have had such an upbringing -- including my father's tales from his childhood in rural Gettysburg PA, where he worked harvesting by hand the corn that fed the dairy cattle, on a farm that has been in the Horner family for over 200 years now (the land is currently being managed by my Dad's brother).

Without romanticizing what farm life is like, because I'm sure it involves an awful lot of hard, physical labor, I wonder if doesn't also have a spiritual side -- at least for anyone who believes that the land being cultivated is part of a world created by God, and graciously given over to be nurtured and cared for by human beings. Living "close to the land" could be taken to mean living "close to God." That is, living with a deep awareness and appreciation for how God is present to us and provides for us, through the earth's ability to sustain our lives with good and healthy food.

Things like farming and gardening do have the potential to "re-connect" us to the goodness of God's creation, but there are also other avenues that can lead us in that same direction. My hope and prayer for you as we enter the months of summer, is that you will take time to in some way deepen your appreciation for the gifts God gives through the natural world. And also that you will be moved to take action, big or small, that will help to sustain and preserve this marvelous earth that God has entrusted into our care.

God's Peace, Pastor Rich

REFLECTIONS FROM THE VICAR

When was the last time that you were invited to an event and afterwards thought about how glad you were to be there? I recently went to a retirement dinner that honored one of my favorite seminary professors. The evening began with an inspiring lecture on the Old Testament prophets. We then shared a meal and words of appreciation for the professor, a wonderful scholar and teacher, and a mentor for many students. We concluded with worship, which included robust singing of hymns, reading of scripture, and prayers. I left knowing that I had been spiritually filled, as well as appreciating the community in which I had participated.

We do something similar at Holy Cross every Saturday and Sunday. Although the ordering of events may be different, we sing hymns and songs, read scripture, listen to a sermon, offer prayers to the God who sustains us, and share a meal. We gather as a community with mentors and teachers and friends. We are spiritually fed and refreshed.

I invite you to join us at weekly worship, hoping that you will have been glad for the invitation. And please pass on the invitation to someone you know who might be looking for a community in which to worship our loving God.

Grateful for the invitation to be part of God’s family,  Vicar Karen

FINANCIAL UPDATE

When we discussed the budget at the preliminary hearings, and at the annual meeting in January, we acknowledged that 2009 was going to be a challenging year for Holy Cross. Council reworked the budget several times in order to bring forward a balanced budget for 2009. We are now a third of the way through the year, and the challenge is apparent in our results through April:

	Jan - Apr Actual	Jan – Apr Budget
Total Operating Income	$73,149	$85,637
Total Operating Expense	$86,957	$89,778
Deficit	($13,807)

The good news is: Expenses are running 3% below budget.

The bad news is: Income is running 15% below budget

The result is: A Year to Date deficit of $13,807.

We are providing this update to ensure that all of our members and friends understand the current financial situation. We have been through better times, and we have been through worse times. Your generosity is a constant.

TO HAVE SUCCEEDED

Submitted by Helen Collamati

To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.

Author not known

A TON OF FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY – WE DID IT!!

 VISITOR WEEKEND

Have you thought about inviting that family member or neighbor or co-worker to come to church with you, “to taste and see the goodness of the Lord” (Psalm 34:8)? If so, here is an opportunity to act on that thought. And if not, please consider how important it is to share the good news of God’s saving grace with a person or family who may be looking for a place to explore their relationship with God in a community of faith.

Beginning on June 20 and 21, Holy Cross will be having a visitor weekend on the third weekend of each month. Not that you couldn’t invite someone to worship at any time. That would be wonderful. But by having a designated time for welcoming visitors, we will be making an intentional effort to get to know them. A reception in the Narthex will be held after each service, with beverages and snacks for all who come to worship, old timers and new comers. The hospitality team and perhaps members of council or a committee will be on hand to greet visitors. There will also be a visual presentation of who we are and what we are about as God’s people at Holy Cross.

We invite you to first of all pray about those whom you might invite to worship with you. Listen to where God is leading you. Follow his direction. Even if there is no one right now that you would invite, join us in welcoming those who do come. We are all invited “to taste and see the goodness of the Lord.”

BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL

The third annual Blueberry Festival is just around the corner. The Festival will be on Saturday, August 8th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm There will be a bake sale, craft fair and rummage sale. The Social Concerns Committee is sponsoring the event but everyone is invited to help with work days and to donate rummage sale items. Upcoming Blueberry Festival events are:

• Craft making work day on Saturday, May 30th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, lunch included. There are plenty of things to do and no talent is needed. Everyone is welcome!

• Collection of rummage sale items begins on June 7th and ends on July 26th.

• Another craft making work day will be held on Saturday, June 27th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm (note time change).

• Pie baking work day will be on Friday, August 7th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

For more information see a member of the Social Concerns Committee or call the church office.

CARE PACKAGES

The Social Concerns Committee will be sending Care Packages to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. If you have a family member or know of someone serving in these two wars, please let a member of the Social Concerns Committee know the address and a package will be sent. Thank you!

CONFIRMATION PICTURE

The 2008 confirmation picture is posted on the wall in Luther Hall and you will notice a blank space to the left. This space is for the 2007 class picture, which I do not have. Parents, friends or others knowing a student in that class who might have a picture, please send the photo to me so it can be posted. Thank you! Helen Rotvig

PICTORIAL DIRECTORY

Help keep our 2008 Pictorial Directory current. Please mail or e-mail your updates, corrections and/or additions to the church office. Your help is needed to maintaining a valuable resource. Watch for a set of printed revision labels sometime this summer.

KNITTING SQUARES

The Social Concern Committee would like to thank everyone for making the "Warm up America knitting squares. We received 133 squares! Thank you!!

YORK COUNTY SHELTER

For many years the Social Concerns Committee of Holy Cross has supported various programs of the York County Shelter Programs, Inc. of Alfred, ME located on the campus of the Brothers of Christian Instruction. This is the only shelter in York County and serves the whole county. It provides housing, basic needs, counseling, job training, and rehab in an effort to move people to jobs, transitional housing and then permanent housing. The agency manages sixteen housing programs located in the county. A food pantry on campus supplies food to anyone without any questions asked. About 63 food boxes are given out every day. Our committee has had projects like our annual Blueberry Festival that has given money for the pantry. Also we have the Christmas Giving Tree filled with requests from shelter clients for basics they wish for such as pants, skirts, socks, mittens, etc. The gratitude showing us for helping is deeply appreciated. Please consider helping out this extraordinary organization when the opportunity presents itself. Thank you!

VACATION BIBLE CAMP

Vacation Bible Camp is right around the corner!

It will be held this year from June 29th-July 3rd, here at Holy Cross from 9 a.m. until Noon. There is no charge and you are invited to bring a friend! We will discover the wonder and glory of our Lord and his world through Bible study, games, snacks, crafts, music and science experiments! Most of Bible camp will be held right outside!! (weather permitting) Please fill out the registration form included in this Crier and return it to the church office, the registration box in the Narthex or give it to Mary Keating.

There will be a list of food items that are needed for VBC posted in the Narthex, so please check that out. Below is also a list of items needed for the science experiments. If you are able to donate any of these items, please bring them and leave them in the box assigned for them in the Narthex.

Old used drugstore reading glasses

paper clips

clear plastic shower caps

pie tins

dish soap

pepper shakers

handkerchiefs

egg cartons, not plastic or foam ones

toothpicks(probably need about 25 boxes of them)

tissue paper

clay

gallon freezer bags

quart freezer bags

rock salt

metal washers

nylon combs

narrow drinking straws

packing peanuts (styrofoam kind)

red & green cellophane

thermometers

If you have any questions on these items, you can talk to Ann-Marie Gustufson (she will be the science group leader!)

There will also be a craft donation list of items needed posted in the Narthex too. Please check it out! We are very thankful for all the generous donations of money & items to help Bible camp be successful!

We still are looking for volunteers to help with VBC, so if you are interested please contact Mary Keating. We hope to see you all at VBC this year! It's a great way to start your Summer vacation! Please check out our display in the Narthex!

NURSERY

We discontinued the nursery a while back as it was not being utilized. However, we now have young children and families who would benefit from a nursery. Therefore, we have recruited volunteers to staff a nursery every Sunday at late service. For those children who are fussy at early service, there is a blue box of toys in LH and the wall speaker provides an audio of the service.

• Nursery care is provided for children 5 and under during the late service in the downstairs nursery room.

• There will be two attendants on duty.

• Attendants will be there 15 minutes before the start of the service.

• Please sign in on the white board on the nursery door.

• Attendants may have simple snack items such as crackers or cereal. Please make them aware of any food allergies or other preferences.

• If no one comes to the nursery by the end of the sermon, the attendants may choose to leave.

• Parents will be asked if they want their child(ren) to come upstairs for Communion.

• In case of emergency or some other distress that your child might be experiencing, a nursery attendant may quietly contact you for your assistance.

EVANGELISM TEAM

A newly formed Evangelism Team will be focusing on mission by inviting, welcoming, and sharing faith stories. You will be hearing more in the months to come. All of you will be invited to learn more about sharing the Good News of Christ and what it means to be a Christian Community that invites and welcomes all who may be seeking a relationship with God. Join us in prayer as we seek God’s guidance and direction for our congregation and its ministry.

LOGOS 4th-6th GRADE SUMMER FUN DAY

Those who were in the 4th to 6th grade Logos this past year will be doing a skit during services on July 26th. In preparation, we will be having a rehearsal on Thursday, July 23rd (rain date on Friday, the 24th) at 11:00, followed by pizza and mini golf. Hope you all can come.

YOUNG AT HEART

Please join us at the Arundel Barn Playhouse for a matinee presentation of Godspell on Wednesday, June 24th at 2:00. Ten tickets have been purchased at a group rate of $22. We will try to get more tickets if there is an interest. Sign up in the Narthex.

JOKE OF THE MONTH

Submitted by Jack Bates

All eyes were on the radiant bride as her father escorted her down the aisle. They reached the altar and the waiting groom; the bride kissed her father and placed something in his hand. The guests in the front pews responded with ripples of laughter. Even the minister smiled broadly. As her father gave her away in marriage, the bride gave him back his credit card.

“The summer night is like

a perfection of thought.”

~Wallace Stevens