Welcome to Hope in Action
June 10, 2020
A Note From Kathy MacKrell
Last Wednesday over 80 people took part in an online conversation about Racial Justice. After this enlightening time together, many agreed that much more work needs to be done in regards to racial justice and reconciliation.

In response to this, Crossroads will be facilitating a weekly online gathering around conversation about racial injustice listening, learning and engaging in conversations, helping us to reflect on our own prejudices and inner baggage. For 10 weeks this summer Pastor Jim Melson will be leading this weekly conversation based on the book ,  The Color of Compromise .

If you are interested in joining The Color of Compromise: An Ongoing Conversation , click here . 

If you weren't able to be part of that conversation, here is the link to the recording of that night’s gathering:  Zoom Recording . You will need to use the password: 6M*Vc?^6 to see the recording.
Crossroads’ Native Plant Garden is Thriving! 

The garden has been tended and we have plants to share. Over 70 containers of Black-eyed Susan and Lyre-Leaf Sage are available free of charge!! You can pick up the plants outside Crossroads Entrance 1 starting June 11 th . Hurry while supplies last. For information on the plants available click here .
Social Justice
Why Action Can’t Wait -
These last several weeks have really highlighted the need for social justice---systemic racism has been on display. We’ve seen yet another unjust killing of an innocent person—the third in 30 days—all black neighbors. And Covid-19 shows the results of systemic racism as well. While more than 110 thousand of our neighbors have died of the virus, we’ve seen that our black, brown and poor neighbors have died at more than two times the rate of whites. If you’re like me, your heart is broken, and you’re overwhelmed with the magnitude of the issues around criminal justice, and the disparities in health care, and job opportunities to name a few. Not everyone has equal opportunities and we aren’t all treated equally. We acknowledge that when one part of the body hurts, we all hurt (1 Cor 12:26). We know that injustice isn’t just wrong for our country, it’s wrong in God’s eyes. In the book of James, after reminding his followers about loving their neighbors, he says: “But if you treat one person as being more important than another, you are sinning. You are guilty of breaking God’s law” (James 2:9). Racism and any discrimination breaks God’s law in many ways, which is why God calls us to act.

If you’ve read my previous three articles, I hope you agree that as Christians we can’t remain silent anymore; that isn’t an option for us. Our option is to love. To love our neighbors as ourselves and to act justly (Micah 6:8), with love shown by actions (Mark 12:33-37). We can’t pass by and we can’t be silent while our neighbors are suffering unjustly and unnecessarily and literally dying. We need to use our privilege, our power, and our voices to do what we can to help change minds, hearts and lives.

When we see the denial of human rights and dignity to some of our neighbors, hopefully we realize that such denial to any people could destroy our church, our society and our country. How can we help? The answer is to love our neighbors by restoring rights and dignity to every child of God, every neighbor. That is not a radical proposition because anything less could certainly lead to destruction of things we cherish---like democracy and freedom, but it will also keep us from truly walking with God. That love and action is at the heart of what Jesus teaches us.

The road to social justice, racial justice, justice for all members of the LGBTQIA+ community and any other marginalized group, will be long. It will not be straight, smooth or easy. But we all should try to take steps on that road, together, bringing along all our neighbors. Each of us can make a difference—and together we can change families, neighborhoods and countries. And truthfully, you will change yourself most of all. Isn’t that a legacy worth pursuing? 

So, you ask, what can I do? I’m just one person and these problems are systemic, mammoth and have been hundreds of years in the making. The problems seem overwhelming and we might feel impotent to help. But that is far from the truth. Each of us can take steps, large or small, that will make a difference. If you knew that your love shown to a member of the LGBTQIA+ community could prevent a murder, a suicide or an assault on a member of that community, would you step up? Or what if you could help heal the divides we see and help eliminate systemic racism just by listening to a black or brown neighbor? I think God made you and I for just such a time as this (Ester 4:14).

We will continue to provide information and resources to learn about the problems and see where you can help. For a partial list of ideas you can consider to help be part of the solution towards social justice click here .
167 Story by Carol McCrae
When Kathy MacKrell emailed me this spring to ask if I would want to do online tutoring with a 5th grader from D.C., I was a bit skeptical. I’ve spent my adult life in the classroom, but never a virtual one. Saying yes to her has been one of my best pandemic decisions.

My name is Carol McCrae and I live in Michigan. I attend Crossroads when I am in Virginia and have joined you for your online services these past several weeks. As you may know, Crossroads has an ongoing relationship with a classroom at Payne Elementary School in D.C. The teacher, Chris Bergfalk, did the Herculean task of getting all the student lessons and assignments posted online and matched me up with two students, I’ll call them Alison and Nathan. Each school day we talked for an hour, doing assignments, discussing current events and reading a novel.

As with many volunteering opportunities, I feel I gained way more than I gave. I’d like to share some of what I learned these past two months using the wise words of these two 10 year olds.

When reading a novel together about a parent who distractedly walks around a room, I learned from Nathan about handling grief. He said, “When some people grieve, they can’t sweat the big things. So they just sweat the little things like picking something up and putting it right back down. That’s the only thing they can make sense of.”

I learned about compassion when Alison and I discussed an assignment about refugees. She said, “People who are not welcoming to refugees are people who don’t want to share. But people who know what it means to suffer will always welcome refugees.”

Alison also taught me how to deal with the pandemic. She said, “Life with coronavirus is a balance, Ms. Carol. You need to stay calm, be a little lazy and don’t do too much to get stressed.” So I ask you, who was tutoring whom?

It has been a joy and an honor to be part of this win - win situation. The opportunity for connection with these students has been a gift and a blessing.
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 has been prepped for spring and is alive and well. 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.
Featured plant for this week

Community Resources
Loudoun County Health & 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
It is important during this time to make sure that all families have enough to eat. Take advantage of Loudoun County School Nutrition Services’ free breakfast and lunch options. Many Loudoun County Public Schools are open for food pick up. 

A list of LCPS meal pick up locations can be found  here  and a map of LCPS meal service bus routes can be found here .
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