Welcome to Hope in Action
June 24, 2020
A Note From Kathy MacKrell
Last week’s Summer Acts of Service project featuring Mobile Hope was a huge success! Two truckloads of food were delivered to Mobile Hope yesterday. These much needed food items will help many Loudoun County Families in need this summer. Thank you to all who participated! 
Summer Acts of Service
This week’s Summer ACTS of Service focus is the Loudoun County Animal Services. Some may know it as the animal shelter, a place to adopt a pet. While this is true, the Loudoun County Animal Services provides much more to our community.

The Loudoun County Animal Services (LCAS) works each day to ensure a compassionate,
humane community for animals and people. LCAS operates an animal shelter, which provides for companion animals who have been surrendered by their owners or found stray in the county. The shelter also has pets for adoption.

Loudoun County Animal Services team of Animal Control Officers enforce local and state animal laws and investigate reports of animal cruelty. They also respond to calls regarding injured or sick wildlife. LCAS works closely with Blue Ridge Wildlife Center when injured or sick wildlife are considered candidates for rehabilitation.

Below are ways Crossroads is encouraging families and individuals to support the Loudoun County Animal Services’ important work:

  • Donate handmade dog toys to the LCAS. Watch this tutorial for making dog toys. These simple and easy to make toys are a fun activity for all to enjoy. All you need is a tee shirt! All dog toys can be dropped off at Crossroads Entrance 1 any time before Friday, June 26th at 4pm.
  • Follow LCAS Facebook page for ways they are serving in the community. Wildlife Wednesday and Critter Crafts Friday are weekly features that are educational and fun.
  • Visit LCAS website for more information about other programs they provide.
  • LCAS accepts donations for their food pantry. Check here for a complete list and ways to purchase.
  • Consider adopting or fostering animals or volunteering at the shelter. Click here for details.

Before you serve with action, begin by going through the reflection questions that can be found here . We go inward to reflect and then we go outward to serve.
The Pet Pantry program is a great opportunity to provide supplies to local families that struggle with financial and employment issues. The animal shelter takes these donated items to Loudoun Hunger Relief weekly to help with these efforts. Please  watch this video to learn more about how Pet Pantry  works and helps the community.
The animal shelter is also taking donations of cat beds. The cats and kittens in foster and shelter care use the beds, and take them home after adoption so that they have something familiar in the new environment. The shelter cats love the no-sew fleece beds and they are easy to make. All you need is some fleece material and scissors.  Follow this link for a step by step tutorial . These items can be dropped off at Crossroads also.

You can learn more on our website  here .
Social Justice
Dismantling Racism: Pressing on to Freedom
United Methodists recognize racism as a sin. As people of faith the time is now to dismantle racism.  How do we do it? The United Methodist Church is inviting us to join a movement called Dismantling Racism: Pressing on to Freedom. Click here to find ways you can stand against racism. They are committed to providing resources and practical ways we can all do our part. Through Prayer, Connecting, Showing Up and Acting, we can all press on to freedom.
The Color of Compromise: An Ongoing Conversation
Join us for 10 weekly online sessions (Wednesdays, June 17-August 19 from 7:00-8:30pm) featuring large group presentation and small group conversation focused on the history and legacy of racial injustice in our nation and the church. Through listening, learning, and sharing in conversation, we will reflect on both the painful reality of racism and meaningful steps toward greater levels of justice and reconciliation.
 
Pastor Jim Melson leads this weekly series based on the book  The Color of Compromise   by Jamar Tisby who is an African American speaker, theologian, writer and president of The Witness: A Black Christian Collective. The book is a challenging and insightful resource to help all of us learn and grow in the call of Jesus to racial justice and reconciliation.   If you can't attend each week, you can watch a recording of the teaching at your convenience.   
 
To listen to the previous weekly sessions and to sign up for the ongoing conversation, click  here .
Taking Care of the Community
June is Gay Pride Month
Crossroads welcomes and affirms all persons without regards to sexual orientation or gender identity. Everyone is a sacred member of God's family.

To learn more about the history of Gay Pride Month and how you can get involved in supporting our LGBTQ+ Community click here . 
Mask Makers Needed Based on New Guidelines
Due to Governor Northam's requirement that masks be worn in public indoor settings, we are in need of more sewers! We will provide you with mask making kits. These kits include instructions, pre-cut material and elastic. All you need to do is sew! If you are interested, you can contact  Jill Hughes .  Jill also has created a Facebook page under the name  Emmaline's Treasures   to share information.

A limited number of masks are now available for pick up at Crossroads. Please email  Kathy MacKrell  and we will get a mask to you for free or a small donation for those who are able. Masks are also available outside Crossroads’ Entrance 1, weekdays from 10:30am-1:30pm. 
Crossroads Native Plant Garden
Crossroads will be featuring native plants in bloom in our native garden. The garden is flourishing and contains many pollinator plants that provide vital nutrients that keep insects alive and sustain them throughout the year. They also provide a safe habitat that is free from chemicals to help support the pollinator populations. If you live in the area, you are encouraged to check it out on your next nature walk or drive by. Click  here  for more information on native plants for Northern Virginia. You can also contact Crossroads' Native Plant Specialist, BJ Lecrone . Native plants can be purchased online at  Watermark Nursery  in Hamilton, Virginia.

For information on planting a vegetable garden and why pollinator gardens are important check out the following links:


Featured plant for this week

Community Resources
Loudoun County Health & Human Services has provided a comprehensive list of resources available to those in need. The link is here .

Contact the Loudoun County Information and Referral (I&R) program to get connected to vital health and human services information and resources in Loudoun County. The link is here .

Some vital resources are highlighted below.
COVID-19 Limited Rent Assistance
Loudoun County government has established a limited rent assistance program for Loudoun County households economically impacted by COVID-19. Check this link for details.
Feed our neighbors
Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS), in participation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Summer Food Service Program, is planning to continue to support families during the current COVID-19 pandemic by providing breakfast and lunch to all children 18 years of age and under through the month of August.
 
Meal service will be provided at 28 current walk-up sites and bus stops. (For a list of the bus stops, click  here .) Pick-up meal service is available between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. weekdays at the following 28 locations (On Thursday, July 2, LCPS will give out meals for both Thursday, July 2, and Friday, July 3.) click here for the complete list of locations.  
Additional Loudoun County resources are available for anyone in need of food. 
Please take advantage of the following organizations:
 
Unemployment and Employment Resources
Loudoun Workforce Resource Center provides i nformation about unemployment benefits or other work-related topics. Click here for their website.

Crossroads Jobs is a non profit experienced in advising candidates who have challenges in securing employment. Counseling is available in English and Spanish. They will also assist those who need help filing for unemployment. All services are free. Click  here  for their website. 
Additional resources:
  • Sunday message: Watch here or on the GOTGo app
  • GOTGo App - Download from your app store by searching Crossroads GOTGo
  • Daily Texts - Text crossroads to 41411 to receive inspirational texts each day 
  • Daily Scripture, Prayer and Morning Focus - Sign up here
  • Spiritual Practices: Find them here
  • Prayer Requests: Submit them here
  • Imagine Well Being - Find online groups here
  • Small Groups: Find online groups here
  • Facebook - facebook.com/crossroadsnova
  • Instagram - instagram.com/crossroadsnova
  • Website - crossroadsnova.org