Welcome to Heart & Home
May 1, 2020

This resource has been designed for families of all sizes including grandparents, aunts and uncles who can share this with extended family via Facebook or by forwarding this email.  
Greetings from Jill
Some cities and states around the country are relaxing their stay at home and social distancing policies for businesses. However, many of us are concerned whether it is truly safe for our families to go out of the house and interact with neighbors and friends again. I understand that cabin fever has set in for many families, mine included. We long for the days when we can take the kids to the playground to meet up with friends or go out to celebrate a birthday as a family. Even the daily activities such as going to work, school, or the grocery store without needing a mask and gloves, would be a welcomed activity. However, we must put our own safety and that of our loved ones as a priority until we get further notification that it it safe to venture out.

This requires patience. I think of the saying, good things come to those that wait. Being a parent and dreaming about the future of my children and what they can accomplish, reminds me to also have patience. I need to enjoy the little happy moments and milestones reached today, and think of this as a marathon and not a sprint race. Our kids have a bright future ahead, and we will soon have the opportunities to travel about freely again and embrace our loved ones.

"Love is patient and kind. Love does not boast or brag. Love is not rude and doesn't always want its own way. Love doesn't stay angry for a long time. Love grows in the truth. Many things come and go, but God's love never ends." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Amen.

To help illustrate this bible lesson to children, we encourage you to click on the puppet show links and copy of the bible lesson pages below. In addition, Nancy McGovern shares meditation and breathing exercises for children.
Hope in Action Featured Friend
One way to stay connected is to write a note or card of support and friendship to our very own Samantha Kelly. Samantha is a nurse who has worked on the COVID Floor recently. She has been a nurse for 30 years in surgeries and other departments. Her hospital is experiencing shortages of masks, having to reuse ones meant to be disposable. She shared good news that they now have a test for the virus that gives results in 2 hours. Let us show our appreciation for her dedication and hard work, we know Samantha would love a note from you!

Please send letters to Crossroads at: Crossroads UMC, Attn: Samantha Kelly, 43454 Crossroads Drive, Ashburn, VA 20147
Mother s Day As a Special Day with Words
Love You Mom!
We are putting together a video of members of our community for Mother's Day, May 10th. Make a sign or a card for you Mom and take a quick video of yourself answering the following question. "What makes your Mom special?"

Send it to  Susan Yantis  by  Thursday, May 7th .
Support for Parents
This week's puppet show with Pastor Dave as Joey and Ms. Cathy as June Bug and Ms. Jill lead our bible story about letters to the Corinthians. We are reminded that God's greatest gift to us is love, and it is patient and kind.

If you would like to read the bible story to your children, here is a link to the pages that Ms. Jill read in our puppet video.

To purchase this great resource for your children of all ages, you can find the book " Growing in God's Love Bible" for sale here .
Breathing with Nancy McGovern
Nancy provides great resources for parents of young children, and offers tips to help cope with anxiety and the struggles of staying home. Please watch her video message here .

Catch Ms. Nancy every Monday at 10am on her
Corner of the Sky Facebook Live show as she brings you Movement, Music and Mindfulness.
Check out the following links (click on heading to go to a website link) for family activities and resources.



Growing Leaders at Home 
Here is a great activity designed for parents to do with your kids during these challenging days. Click here for a discussion and lesson on Fountains or Drains (Positive Attitudes). It is designed by Tim Elmore from Growing Leaders for this extended time of being alone.

We will feature a Growing Leaders at Home activity every week.
This Week's Highlighted Resources
Hope in Action: Taking Care of the Community
The Loudoun County Homeless Shelter helps men, women and families who are experiencing homelessness. In order to properly social distance, they have been forced to house some individuals and families in local hotels. This has caused a need for Giant and Wegmans gift cards. 
 
Because of your generous giving to the Easter Offering, Crossroads is able to provide Loudoun County Homeless Shelter with twenty (20) $25 gift cards. We will also be giving them many of the toiletries we have been collecting during this pandemic.   
 
If you have any questions or would like to provide additional gift cards, please contact  Kathy MacKrell .

For other ways to serve our community, see the latest Hope & Action newsletter here .
Imagine Well Being Resources
Imagine Well Being gatherings are available via Zoom so that you can be sure to take care of yourself during this stressful time. Each gathering is stand alone and designed to bring you more inner peace and healing in mind, body and soul.

The latest Imagine Well Being newsletter can be found  here.
Student Corner
Meet Kylie Kosko, our Student Ministry coordinator. Read more about her and student ministries in the latest newsletter. It also contains a special Intersect at Home guide and some great resources for teens and their families.

This week's Student Corner newsletter can be found  here .
Crossroads' Church at Home - watch here
If you missed Sunday's online gathering, you can watch it anytime!

You can also watch it anytime on the GOTGo app .
Zoom Circles of Care Resources
Zoom Circles of Care are small groups where you can find support, care and community.

A full list of these groups can be found  here .