Cross Lutheran Church
JANUARY 2016 Newsletter
PASTOR’S CORNER
Last year, our national Bishop, Elizabeth Eaton, called us out as
Lutherans on our silence, participation and complicity with Racism and
reminded us it is Sin. "Racism still exits. One webcast or one call for a
conversation about race in our church and society will not address this
reality. We must continue our work as a church even when some other
issue has grabbed the headlines. The Jan. 14, 2016 live webcast keeps
the conversation going and provides an opportunity for members and
congregations to go deeper in our listening and in building
relationships," said Eaton.
It clearly is important that we press on together and individually as we
confront our own actions and behaviors that contribute to fueling this
ugliness that continues to divide us and destroy the reality of building
the “beloved” community God has intended for us all.
Please consider joining Cross and our partners as we take a courageous
step toward dismantling and eradicating Racism in our lives and greater
community as we get real with ourselves and gain greater awareness of
how we perpetuate systems that continue to oppress than liberate our
fellow brothers and sisters. Prayerfully consider what you can do and
choose to embark on this journey with us with Anti-Racism training.
(Please read the excerpt below from Tina Lifford as viewed on
Huffington Post.)
If you want to really make the world a better place, I recommend you
stop thinking about racism. Racism is inescapable, and it is time to stop
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trying to distance ourselves from this truth. Instead, we must face
racism. See it. And, call it by its name.
Einstein said you cannot change a problem with the same thinking that
created it. Likewise, when it comes to racism, we cannot change it by
thinking about it in the same old ways; too often we get caught up in
the intellectual debate -- discussing injustice, assigning blame -- and
trying to prove, sometimes desperately, that we are NOT racist.
However, we as individuals can start deconstructing racism -- not by
attacking it in the world, but rather by becoming aware of our everyday
unconscious behaviors that fuel racism, and all the other -isms that
corrupt our personal humanity.
This is the "What can I do," action that CITIZEN suggests.
We must accept that racism is intricately woven into the human
experience and American culture. We all are both victims and
perpetrators. Once we understand this truth, we can stop wasting our
time with blaming. Instead, we can learn to take pride in catching
ourselves in the act of old behavior, and make new choices.
As we learn to see and change our behavior, we can each experience a
sense of accomplishment. This becomes a profound way to take both
responsibility and new, effective action. Such accomplishments are the
byproducts of developing inner fitness-- the strength and ability to
change and manage life from the inside.
It is easy to see racism when it shows up as it did in South
Carolina, Auschwitz, or as Japanese-American Internment. It is not as
easy to see the subtle practice of racism that is represented by the
surprise that a black person is articulate; a Latin person drives a nice
car; an Asian person struggles with common emotional issues; a white
person uses food stamps. Generalities are a breeding ground for racism.
As a starting place for real change, let's take our attention off of the
intellectual debate. Instead, as Einstein instructs, think differently.
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Make a pact with yourself to observe yourself in the next week and
month. Throughout each day, see how often you generalize, lump
together, and collectively label people.
When we experience one person from another race and assume that
they represent their entire race, it's not just racist. It is also profoundly
insulting and dismissive.
Lumping people together means you don't care about who they really
are. You are not interested in getting to know them. If we don't take
time to engage with one another, we can never dispel the erroneous
assumptions we constantly make, based upon our ignorance of other
people and cultures. Nor can we confront our irrational fears of others.
Lumping people together robs you of intimacy and humanity. The cost
we pay is the development of a shallow heart. Shallow hearts do not
have the strength and resilience necessary to make a difference. Once
we learn to take charge of what takes place inside of us, we each
become a more powerful, capable and effective force in the world.
As we go forward from here, my intention is to suggest ways we all can
make a difference by thinking differently, changing our hearts, and
making our own lives more emotionally rich and free. For now, you
can start by not thinking about racism and instead paying attention to
the assumptions and generalities you carry in your heart.
Living Into A Changed World,
Pastor Michelle
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Good health is one of the most precious assets any person or family can have. The
Bible frequently talks about God’s great desire to bless and heal his people. The
parish nurse ministry at Cross of health and wholeness is God’s way of using me to
bring another dimension of caring to our congregation. This work is intended to be a
support in the day-to-day work of the ministerial staff. My role is to help you realize
and to have confidence in God’s healing ways so that you can find spiritual healing,
grace to endure an illness or infirmity, and advice/information on physical healing,
care, and cures.
The past several months I have tried to explain the different roles of the Parish Nurse.
The final role I want to discuss is that of Program Facilitator and Leader. As a
program facilitator and leader, I am challenged to assist our congregation in
mobilizing the many gifts and talents the congregation has, so that our members
realize they can and should contribute to the health and healing mission of our
congregation. Volunteers are organized and trained in visitation, support groups,
program planning, and implementation. Members with special gifts are empowered to
share their knowledge and skills. I often get involved with the liturgical life of our
congregation assisting with healing services, children’s sermons, reading of the
lessons, and teaching during vacation bible school. I am able to:

Develop and/or facilitate support groups based on identified needs and
resources.

Identify available support groups in the community that could be resources
to the congregation.

Refer and document parish member participation in designated support
groups.
It is my hope to try and touch the entire congregation with information, knowledge,
and skills that raise awareness of the relationship between health and spiritual wellbeing; to remind each person that health is a gift and that each person is responsible to
be a good steward of the gifts they were given. Hopefully you have been touched by
some program or service that I have provided – health education, support, or
programming – so that you can make healthy lifestyle choices for yourself and your
families. Perhaps with your new knowledge you can touch another person’s life. That
is my goal as your Parish Nurse.
Please contact me at the church office with any questions or issues you may have.
Blessings always,
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Linda
MARDI GRAS
Attention, Attention !! The
Annual Mardi Gras Ball is
scheduled as follows:
7th
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016
SHERATON MILWAUKEE BROOKFIELD
375 S. MOORELAND ROAD
BROOKFIELD, WI
Doors open at 5:30 PM. Please note the above
Brookfield location is a change from the past six years.
We are looking forward to another fun-filled evening
with dinner, great conversation, a silent auction and of course
dancing!!
What is lacking is all of YOU!
Tickets remain at $75 and are
available through committee members,
online or the Cross Church office, (414344-1746.
We look forward to seeing all of you on
February 5, 2016.
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Bridges Tutoring Program
If you have a child entering 4th grade
- 12th grade and would like to have
individualized tutoring, please contact Pr.
Michelle or the office with the age & grade
of your child. We offer a meal, fun activity
and emphasize reading proficiency, math and
science. Vocational career field trips are part of curriculum. A nine
month commitment is necessary and participation is limited, so don't
wait. Register now! Tutoring begins on Tues., Sept. 29, at 6 p.m. and
will continue through May every Tuesday and Thursday.
Book Club Update
The book we are now reading is Me
Before You. By JoJo Moyes. We will be
discussing the book on Fri., Dec. 4, at 1:00
p.m. at Sandy Adams’ home, N68 W15463 Tartan Circle,
Menomonee Falls. All are welcome. Please join us and bring a
dish to share.
Walnut Way Link
If you’d like to keep up on the events and programming of
Walnut Way Conservation Corp., please click on the following link:
www.walnutway.org.
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Tues Jan 5
.
Wed., Jan 6
Thurs., Jan 7
Sat Jan 9
Sun., Jan 10
Tues., Jan 12
Wed., Jan 13
Thurs., Jan 14
Sat., Jan 16
Sun., Jan 17
Tues., Jan 19
Wed., Jan 20
Thurs., Jan 21
Sat., Jan 23
Sun., Jan 24
Tues., Jan 26
Wed., Jan 27
Thurs., Jan 28
Sun., Jan 31
Adult Center,closed!
Bridges tutoring, 6 p.m.
BOHEM , 11:45 a.m.
Bridges tutoring, 6 p.m.
Cross Youth Praise Team, 10 a.m.
Cross Comm. Gospel Choir practice, 11 a.m.
Cross Praise Choir practice, 12:30 p.m.
Worship, 9:30 a.m. Annual meeting will follow
the service. NO Sunday or Adult form after
church today!
Adult Center, 9:30 a..m.
Bridges tutoring, 6 p.m.
BOHEM, 11:45 a.m.
.
Bridges tutoring, 6 p.m.
Quilting ministry meets at 10 a.m.
Cross Youth Praise Team practice, 10 a.m.
Cross Comm. Gospel Choir practice, 11 a.m.
Cross Praise Choir practice, 12:30 p.m.
Worship, 9:30 a.m. Sunday School/Adult Forum
will follow the service.
Adult Center, 9:30 a.m.
BOHEM volunteer meeting, 1:30 p.m.
Bridges tutoring, 6 p.m.
BOHEM, 11:45 a.m.
Bridges Tutoring, 6 p.m.
Cross Youth Praise Team practice, 10 a.m.
Cross Comm. Gospel Choir practice, 11 a.m.
Cross Praise Choir practice, 12:30 p.m.
Worship, 9:30 a.m. Sunday School/Adult Forum
to follow the service.
Adult Center, 9:30 a.m. .
Bridges tutoring at 6:pm
BOHEM. Meets at 11:30
Bridges tutoring at 6:pm
Standard regular activities/Sunday Services
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Sun., Jan 31
Cross Youth Praise Team, 10 a.m.
Cross Comm. Gospel Choir practice, 11 a.m.
Cross Praise Choir practice, 12:30
Worship, 9:30 a.m. Sunday School/Adult Forum
to follow the service.
Cross Lutheran Church
A Reconciling in Christ ELCA
Congregation
1821 N. 16th Street
Milwaukee, WI 5320
Phone: 414-344-1746
Fax: 414-931-0537
Email: clc@crossltheranmilwaukee.org
Web Site: www.crosslutheranmilwaukee.org
Michelle Townsend de López, Pastor
Pastor Michelle’s Email:
revmichelle@crosslutheranmilwaukee.org
Sunday Worship: 9:30 a.m.
Sunday School/Adult Forum: 11:15 a.m.
Office Hours: Monday--Thursday, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
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