Holy Cross News - May 31, 2023
 

Usher Announcement
We are looking to expand the number of people helping with the usher program. Thank you to all who have helped usher and look forward to your continuing as we add more to our overall cadre of ushers.  Our goal would be to enlist enough people and establish a schedule so people only have to usher once a month. Training and orientation will be provided for new ushers. There are sign up sheets on the table at the entrance to the sanctuary. Or, you can indicate your interest in ushering by calling Kermit Traska at 608-345-3021 or emailing him at ktraska66@gmail.com.

Member Mixer
Greetings members of Holy Cross!
3-4 times a year we joyfully welcome new members to our congregation, but incorporating folks into your social circle is tough if you're only targeting a couple minutes before/after church.  The new members get a 10-second biography and their picture shown, and statistically that's one of the last times you interact with them.  As a congregation we vowed to help them, support them, love them, and pray for their faith - but how can we be meaningful about that if we can't even recall their names??
To take it a step further, during church how many of the 200+ people in the room do you NOT know who are NOT new members?  Some have been members for decades!  Surely we can pray generically and God responds, but if I know my neighbor and his needs, aren't I more able to support, help, love, and pray for them?  Of course!
To that end, the Membership Development board is sponsoring a Member Mixer on Wednesday night June 14th (Flag Day) from 5:30-7:00.  Come and have dinner with other members of Holy Cross and get to know new people, people you worship with weekly, people you sit next to but don't know their names.  Hosted by Brian Braatz, this awkward and uncomfortable ritual will be a fun and significant way to get to know people beyond their ability to recognize the weather and report the Brewers score.
Please sign up at the Welcome Center so appropriate plans can be made.
Dinner will be served - pizza and pickles and bagged salad
Babysitting will be provided - but kids are members too and are welcome to mix
Suggestions or questions?  BrianABraatz@gmail.com

Job Opening at Holy Cross –
Administrative Assistant/Communications Assistant
This position will serve primarily as the administrative assistant for the church, and requires strong communication and customer service skills.  The position will also serve as communications assistant for the church, school and early learning center, assisting with website communication, social media communication and newsletter  communication.  The position requires strong organizational skills, an orientation to detail, a working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs and Google Suite programs with advanced knowledge in Microsoft Word. Database experience is a plus.  Experience with managing facebook and website content is highly desired.  For information or to apply, contact Pastor Mark Bartels at mbartels@holycrossmadison.org 

Job Opening at Holy Cross
We are looking for one or two people to run  our after-school care program.  This position would work 3:00 - 5:30 pm during the school  year.  If you are interested or know of someone who would be interested in this position please email Linda Grennan at lgrennan@holycrossmadison.org.

Fifth Annual ELS Apologetics and Worldviews Conference
A Culture of DECEPTION? Equipping Christians with Truth & Love in Tumultuous Times. 
Speakers: Rev. David Jay Webber, Rev. Paul Dare and Joshua Nelson
When: June 21st & 22nd
Where: Bethany Lutheran College – Mankato, MN
Cost: Free
Learn more at blc.edu/apologetics2023 

Summer Worship Schedule Memorial Day - Labor Day
Beginning May 28, we will have one worship service each Sunday, beginning at 9 am.  We’ll also have Monday Evening Worship at 6:30 pm.  There is no Sunday School or Sunday morning Bible Class during our summer schedule. 

Holy Cross Vacation Bible School Registration is Open!
Monday, June 26th to Thursday, June 29th. 
This year we will be traveling back in time to Jerusalem! You can stop by the front office or email the form back to frontoffice@holycrossmadison.org
VBS Registration Form

VBS - Make an Impact
Vacation Bible School makes an impact on kids' lives. How about helping make an impact this year! VBS will be June 26-29 (Monday - Thursday). While we've already got most of our teaching staff, our craft leader and our music leader in place, they could use helpers. If you're willing to help with crafts, music, recess or in the classroom, please email Jodi at frontoffice@holycrossmadison.org. Thank you!

VBS Supply List
As we prepare for VBS at the end of June, please consider donating the following:

• Old buttons different sizes and colors

• Clean empty water bottles with lids (100)

• large bag of bird seed

• 6” Gold foil doilies(125)

• Gold ribbon

• Red, yellow and orange construction paper

• Molded heavyweight paper plates

• Two/ three rolls of masking tape

• Dried beans

• 1” wood hearts 

• Pony beads white, black, red, green , yellow , clear

• Hemp cord

• black permanent markers

• Multi colored foam sheets 5 x 7 

• black craft foam 5x7 sheets 

• Hot glue gun 

• Gallon glue 

• Single hole punch 

• Child scissors 

• Adult scissors 

• Rubber bands

• Birthday candles 

• Paper clips

• Q-tips

• Small light bulbs (christmas lights)

VBS - Snacks
Our Food Service Director will be providing our VBS snacks again this year.   If you would be willing to help by making a small monetary donation to help us purchase snacks for VBS, it would be greatly appreciated!  Thank you!

 

Summer ELS Youth Convention
The ELS Board for Youth Outreach is excited to announce that the 2023 LYA Youth Convention will be held at Bethany Lutheran College fromThursday, July 27 - Sunday,July 30. This annual event brings together youth from across the country. The Convention theme is “Created” (based onGenesis 1:27) and will feature keynote speaker, Seminary PresidentTimothy Hartwig. Register at els.org/lya/ Cost is $250 per person.  AfterJune 1, the cost increases to $300. Register early to ensure your top picks for classes and activities! Please watch for more information on financial assistance and transportation.   

Spiritual Retreat for Military Couples
Join us October 26-29, 2023, at Camp Shiloh, TX for our Spiritual Retreat for Military Couples. 
More information about this retreat will be coming out this summer!

Twice Is Nice News
Did you know? Twice Is Nice has almost daily posts on its Facebook page with sales and photos of inventory in various departments, from furniture to sporting goods, holiday items to vintage collectables. Check it out, like, follow and share at @TINresale

Donate: Looking to clean out this summer? Twice is Nice is pleased to accept your donations of resalable items. Need the list of items we cannot accept? Please, no VHS tapes, old microwaves, bunk beds, large metal desks, paint, printers-computers, encyclopedias, mattresses, box springs, organs, pianos, TVs, console stereos, car seats, treadmills, large or non-working small appliances, broken or significantly soiled items. Look for the sign and ring the doorbell at the back of the building from 10-3:30 PM Mon-Sat. Donation receipts are available.

Shop: Did you know that in addition to fabulous everyday prices, TiN runs 50% off sales at the end of every month? For example, all green-tagged items are 50% off from May 25-31. What color will the 50% off tags be in June? Shop and find out! We’re easy-to-find: just a minute east on the Hwy 18 exit off the 26 bypass at 907 W. Racine St., next to the Piggly Wiggly. Call 920-674-6868 with questions. Open every day except Sunday and holidays from 10-4.

Volunteer: Catch the fever of a Twice is Nice volunteer—whether it's once a month or once a week, whether it’s taking care of a department, fixing items or clerking, we have a fun, productive opportunity for you to make a real difference. We have several churches represented with new volunteers—talk to one of them and come along next time! Angela Hembrook (St. Paul, Fort Atkinson), Kathryn Uttech, Alex Reinke  (St. Luke’s, Watertown), Lorin Backhaus (Peace, Sun Prairie), Will Bode and Brooklyn Lenz  (St. Matthew’s, Oconomowoc), Maddie Johnson (St. John’s, Jefferson), James Monday (St. John’s, Watertown), Ella Schuetz (St. Paul, Lake Mills). No expertise needed; you’ll get all the training you need. Pray about it with a friend and visit us soon!

LLHS FEDeration CONnection
June 2023

The Center for Apologetics and Worldviews 
June 2023

ELS Presidents Newsletter
June 2023