Welcome to Heart & Home
April 24, 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.
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Parents: Frontline HEROES these days! - A note from Cathy Norman
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Dear ones,
One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself (and your kids after they are in bed) is daily self-compassion and to
watch this incredible one hour session
designed for parents during these incredibly challenging days.
Dr. Suzanne Nixon (a family therapist) and Katie, a business person and mother of three, share an honest dialogue about the struggles of working and schooling three from home. Ryan Hall and I watched this session live on Wednesday night and it is incredibly honest and Dr. Nixon (a part of the Crossroads community) brings such practical and helpful gifts for those of you who are juggling so much these days.
It is what I believe is an answer to prayer for each of you.
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Greetings from Jill
It's been another week like last week, full of balancing household, parenting, and work responsibilities. In some ways, my family is starting to adjust to the new normal. I have designated myself as the "least at risk" person to go for groceries once a week donned in gloves and face mask. Otherwise, we stay home in an attempt to remain healthy and virus-free.
Some days I bounce from various work calls and video meetings and my children's classroom video sessions and online learning. There are many parents that struggle with getting it all done. And when I finish my day, kids finally asleep in bed, I can't help but feel guilty and ask, "Did I do enough?" "Am I making the right decisions when parenting my children?" I'm reminded that I am enough, when I turn to the Bible.
"But He said to me 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me...For when I am weak, then I am strong" 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. Amen.
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Featured Friend
One way to stay connected is to write a note or card of support and friendship to our very own Marie Poole. Marie is 97 years old and lives independently. Marie is not able to watch worship on line, so she is missing her Crossroads family very much. Since we can't visit in person right now, we know Marie would love a note from you!
Please send letters to Crossroads at: Crossroads UMC, Attn: Marie Poole, 43454 Crossroads Drive, Ashburn, VA 20147
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The Bultema Family
We are blessed to have this wonderful family as part of our congregation and family ministry. Sandra shared with these words about what they have been up to.
"During the 2020 quarantine, we have spent time together inside and outside doing many different activities. Most importantly, we have enjoyed reconnecting with each other as well as relatives. We have weekly group FaceTime calls with family in Virginia, Indiana and Wisconsin and also read bedtime stories with our cousin. The boys have weekly history lessons taught by Professor Grandpa as well. This week we sent chocolate chip cookie care packages to our grandparents! We would like to send a BIG thank you to all the frontline workers!"
Here is a wonderful video they made of their time together over the past month of quarantine. Please watch
here
.
Thank you to Sandra, David, Tyler, and Connor. You are all so creative.
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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. Even though we are isolated in our homes for now, we can still stay connected to our friends and family with letters.
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This is a great exercise to help calm down.
Catch Ms. Nancy every Monday at 10am on her
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Check out the following links (click on heading to go to a website link) for family activities and resources.
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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 Trade Offs and Wise Choices. 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.
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This Week's Highlighted Resources
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Hope in Action: Making Masks
Government Officials are now encouraging everyone to wear cloth masks when in public spaces. This makes the need for masks even greater.
Jill Hughes, from the Crossroads community, has asked for help in producing the masks. Jill needs volunteers to wash, iron and cut fabric.
Jill will provide mask making kits in increments of 10, complete with pre-cut fabric, elastic ear loops and instructions. Once completed and returned, we will sanitize the masks and deliver them. Jill has also created a Facebook page under the name,
Emmaline's Treasures
, to share information or you can email her at
Jill.hughes2@verizon.net
if you want to volunteer
.
For other ways to serve our community, see the latest Hope & Action newsletter
here
.
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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.
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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
.
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If you missed Sunday's online gathering, you can watch it anytime!
You can also watch it anytime on the
GOTGo app
.
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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
.
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