MenuHearts for the Homeless: Current collection: Water bottles and juice boxes! Please contribute through May 20. Thank you!
News from Hearts for the Homeless: Remember When? Over 25 years ago Ron and Peg Colandra came and spoke at our summer series. Their vision for Hearts for the Homeless was just beginning. Holy Cross has done many collections over the years: boxes of cereal, socks, underwear, Bibles, juice boxes, spaghetti sauce, tuna fish and warm winter clothing. They have faithfully carried out their mission to bring meals to the homeless in Buffalo. They also started a resale store in Riverside and run a recycling program. Ron does not do many speeches anymore but has agreed to come to speak to Holy Cross on Sunday May 20th at 9:30. We will be hosting a special coffee hour for them and would really like to have a good turnout. Please attend and show your support!
Mission Trip: Jeff Allan, Rachel Nickel, and Tom Marzano are working on this. Anyone interested in planning, participating or embarking, please see one of them. They met with First Trinity Lutheran Church about their upcoming mission trip to China. Our Palm Sunday dinner at Holy Cross netted $538.96 to purchase 180 Bibles for China. Stay tuned for more information! This will be exciting!
Building & Grounds Committee: Can you donate some time occasionally to help maintain the buildings and grounds at Holy Cross? If so, we could use your help!! The By-Laws allow for establishing a “Board of Property Maintenance & Repair” coordinated by the Chairperson (a Council position). This will NOT require regular meetings, but rather, has complete flexibility as to your time schedule, your expertise and your comfort level. It can be as simple as scheduling & meeting with a contractor. It can be simple tasks such as re-setting timers and/or thermostats, or changing the sign. It can be larger jobs such as coordinating and overseeing a project, or actually doing a project. All totally dependent on your level of comfort and time availability. If you are willing to serve Holy Cross in this manner, please contact Doug Garlapo (home phone 438-7316, cell phone 908-0370). Thanks!!As we consider different ideas for how to enhance our Holy Cross campus, we are forming a committee that will be chaired by Doug Garlapo. If you have an interest in inside/outside beautification, what a new sign might look like, or other ideas please sign-up by seeing Doug or Scott Brooks.
Palm Sunday Ham Dinner Yields 150 Bibles for Mission Trip to China: Many thanks to George and MaryAnne Schettler and Bob and Debby Hamp for the tireless work in putting on the Palm Sunday Ham Dinner! And also a big thanks to all those that helped out, and those that could attend. This event raised enough money to buy over 150 bibles for First Trinity’s upcoming mission trip to China. If you missed this Fundraiser, but would like to donate to each, every 3 dollars buys another bible to be distributed in China this May. Please see Susan Brooks or any Council Member if you would like to donate to this mission. And if you would like to find out more about how to get personally involved in mission work, please see Rachel Nickel, Jeff Allan, Peter Olsen, or Tom Marzano for more information on how Holy Cross is trying to proceed in this important work of the church.
Sign up for the LCMS Newsletter: The LCMS Eastern District publishes weekly newsletters with information about things happening within the District and the Synod. In recent visits to congregations, there was an overwhelming request to know more about the District and ways it can serve our congregations. One of the best ways is for people to subscribe to the District’s electronic newsletters. They have been adding clergy as well as congregation officers, as they receive their contact information. However, these publications are open to anyone who is interested. If you would like to start receiving these publications, please contact Ruth Marzano at ruth.marzano@lcmsed.org or use the sign-up sheet located on the bulletin board in Krampitz Hall.
Special Event at Camp Pioneer: Pioneer Camp and Retreat Center invites you and your guests to a very special event celebrating our mission and honoring lifelong friends Pastor David and Joy Belasic as we name the Country Store, in Joy’s honor. Join us Saturday May 12th for the dedication at 2:00pm with a reception to follow. RSVP at (716) 549-1420 or info@pioneercamp.org.
Conflict Resolution vs. Reconciliation: At Pioneer Camp and Retreat Center. This seminar is a four-hour Bible study on reconciling relationships and resolving conflict. It reflects on the biblical teaching for reconciliation and how we ought to relate to God and to one another. The study answers “Go and Be Reconciled: What does this mean?” through two parts: “Be Reconciled to God” and “Be Reconciled to Others.” $20 registration. For more information contact Camp Pioneer at (716) 549-1420 or info@pioneercamp.org .
Camp Pioneer Around the World Retreat: Come to Pioneer for a two day event, where we will learn about World Religions, and experience an International Fair with foods and more from different cultures around the world. May 4-5, 2018. Come either on Friday night for the International Fair from 6pm-9pm or Saturday for the Bilbe Study Sessions and other activities from 9:30am-4:30pm or Stay overnight in one of our available Woodland Cottages and experience both! Contact Camp Pioneer at (716) 549-1420 or info@pioneercamp.org for more information and to register.
VBS – Summer 2018
*more info. to come! *Parents and Youth please be sure to sign up to help with any of these events as they come up! We are sure to have a great time!
Contact Sallye NeGron at negron5@roadrunner.com to volunteer or for more information.
Altar Guild News – Altar Flowers: A flower chart has been placed on an easel near the vestry door in the Narthex. Individuals/families are invited to sign up to provide flowers for placement on the altar. Please indicate if they are for a special occasion. Directions for providing the flowers, located in the green pocket on the flower chart board, walk you through the four easy steps; please take one when you sign up. Altar guild will provide the flowers for special church celebrations as indicated on the chart.
Volunteer Opportunity – Nursery Attendants: We are looking for someone able to watch children during the second service, entertain newborn to three year olds for the full hour of the service, and to lead children up to the age of 7 in activities during the sermon. Red Cross or equivalent Babysitter Training is required for any youthful attendants. Please see any Council member or Pastor Nickel if you are interested in learning more about this volunteer position.
He-Brews: Our May meeting will be on May 17th. Kurt Wozniak and Bob Hamp are working with Pastor Anas of Lutheran Church of Our Savior as we continue to define how we can “together sow and grow” Christ’s kingdom. Last week elders from Our Savior and Holy Cross met to pray together and discuss how the Holy Spirit is leading us. Men from Our Savior have been joining our He-Brews group and all will join for a fellowship event at Bootleg Boucha, 1250 Niagara Street, Buffalo on Thursday May 17th at 6:30pm and then heading over to Resurgence Brewery after.
He-Brews Handyman Service: The He-Brew guys are willing to lend you a hand. We would particularly like to help those who are unable to do the work themselves. If you want advice or help around the house or yard ask us. If we can’t help we probably have someone who can point you in the right direction. Call the church office (716) 634-2332 or email holycrossclarence@gmail.com and Lynda or the Pastor will contact us. A handyman will then get back to you to determine the best fit for your needs and when they can come help. There are certain jobs that may be beyond our scope but even if that’s the case.
Clarence Community Pantry: Thank you for your continued support of the Clarence Community Pantry! Urgent food needs this month are tuna, spaghettios and soup. See Nancy Herdic for more information or bring your donations to the Krampitz Fellowship Hall.