Welcome to Hope in Action
July 15, 2020
A Note From Kathy MacKrell
Last week’s Summer Acts of Service project had us writing thank you notes to military services members, first responders and their families vacationing at Boulder Crest in Bluemont, Virginia. These notes will be included in their welcome baskets when they arrive for much needed rest and reconnection. Thank you to all who participated.
Summer Acts of Service
This week’s Summer Act of Service features our long term mission in Uganda.

When we originally planned around Summer Acts of Service and our annual trip in August, our thoughts were to collect books to take with us to establish a small lending library since reading books for all ages are hard to come by. With the reality of our next trip now being a year off we asked Esther what might be useful right now.

The lockdown in Uganda began in late March. Fortunately in May, Crossroads was able to send some funds so that each of our sponsored students’ families was able to receive a supply of maize flour, beans, sugar, salt and soap to help sustain them while they were home. Esther’s organization VOACO has been able to purchase some property for farming in Eastern Uganda. Over the years, as it is getting more established they have been able to plant a variety of vegetable crops and raise goats and some chickens.

Esther suggested that a very useful service project would be to help with the poultry project. Eggs are very nutritious but are often not a common part of the diet for those living in rural villages. By growing the poultry project eggs can be produced and provided to the local families to supplement their diets. Eventually Esther hopes to build a new and bigger chicken house but for now we can help increase the production by helping to purchase chicks, and feed. Good quality chicks cost less than $1 each.

We are asking Crossroads families to consider giving $5 towards the poultry project. Students and children at home can earn the money by doing chores, serving at home. You may make a donation online or mail your donation (made out to Crossroads, designated for Uganda).

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.
Social Justice
This week’s social justice article reflects on voter rights and how these rights are not afforded equally to all people across this nation. After reading Jan’s piece, I encourage you to visit the UMC Justice website to find simple ways you can support free, fair and safe elections in 2020.

UMC Justice has also provided video to show how voter suppression played a role in the 2018 mid-term elections. Watch  Suppressed: A Fight To Vote  on YouTube for free.

If you have not registered to vote, it's not too late. Please do so here .
Fourth of July - by Jan Wilson
Watching the flags and fireworks we relive our history and celebrate our democracy. The heart of that is the right to vote. If you’ve read any of my previous 6 articles, you know that our larger United Methodist Church promotes social justice and that the church governs by and follows certain principles and disciplines. Part of that justice is ensuring the right to vote. Under the “Basic Freedoms and Human Rights” (designated in the 2016 Book of Discipline, Paragraph 164A) it states “We hold governments responsible for the protection of the rights of the people to free and fair elections…The form and the leaders of all governments should be determined by exercise of the right to vote guaranteed to all adult citizens.” Rev. Dr. Sharon Austin, a UMC Church and Society board member is a lifelong advocate for civil rights. She emphasizes that voting is part of the work of justice: “When voting is not corrupted or contaminated, it represents equity - that is, one person, one vote.”  This isn’t about politics.  Regardless of who you vote for, justice and equity require that you and every qualified citizen have the right to express your opinion with your vote. 

But you are thinking, surely we don’t have to worry about voting rights being suppressed in 2020 in our area? For most of us that is true, but there are segments of the population in Virginia where voting is unnecessarily complicated. In fact, according to a 2018 study, the only state complicating voting more than Virginia is Mississippi. See that study here. Complicating voting equals suppressing the right to vote of the disparately impacted voters; minorities, the young and the poor are most impacted by the Virginia laws.    

My previous articles have also reiterated what the bible teaches about treating everyone equally and our responsibility to ensure we care for the least powerful, the marginalized, the discriminated against of God’s children—our neighbors. We are taught that God expects us to seek justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8).  So, as we prepare for elections in November, we need to be aware of the issues that some of our neighbors suffer in voter suppression and watch to ensure justice. 

Wearing Masks - A Social Justice Issue
 As we have said many times before, taking care of our neighbor is the most important thing we can do as Christians. Right now, one of the easiest ways we can do that is by wearing a mask. It is simple. According to the CDC wearing a mask and social distancing are our best defenses against contracting and spreading Covid-19.  

To me wearing a mask says, “I see you, you are important to me and we are in this together”.  

If you don’t have a mask, Crossroads has cloth masks available. Stop by Crossroads Entrance 1 and pick one up  weekdays from 10:30am-1:30pm. 
The Color of Compromise: An Ongoing Conversation
Join us for 10 weekly online sessions (Wednesdays through 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
Let's Go To The Birds!
Linda Colucci, a longtime Crossroads' member and a lifetime lover of all things nature has written a Northern VA Backyard Bird Identification Guide and Checklist. Linda says she created the online Bird Guide and Checklist “to provide a meaningful activity for kids and adults of all ages to do right in their yard or while out on a walk in nature (ex: wooded trail, park). Use your observation skills to look and listen for birds, refer to this Bird Guide to identify them, and record your findings on the Bird Checklist. Think of it as a living matching game.” 

To download the Bird Identification Guide and Checklist, click here .
Fall School: Coping with Potential Mental Health Impacts to Teens-  Thursday, July 16th 7:00pm
 
Teachers are scrambling to adapt content for an online or hybrid platform and parents are juggling work responsibilities with caring for and educating their children. Students themselves are faced with continued social restrictions, concerns about learning and grades, anxiety about the virus, and uncertainty about the future. 
 
Join a panel of regional mental health providers who bring a wealth of experience and knowledge from working with teens and families. They will discuss how to care for your own concerns and anxiety about the upcoming school year, as well as how to help your teen prepare and adjust to the continuing changes and uncertainty.   
 
Register  here  for this Zoom workshop put on by the Ryan Bartel Foundation.
Masks Available at Crossroads
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
Each week we are featuring a native plant 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 28 locations. Click here for the complete list of locations.  
Salvation Army Food Distribution at Crossroads
  The Salvation Army will have a truck in the Crossroads parking lot to distribute food. Distribution is Wednesday,    July 22 nd at 3pm the parking lot.
 
You will receive a FREE box of food that should feed a family of 4 for a week. We have 30 boxes to hand out so please come and get one. Please contact    kmackrell@crossroadsnova.org    if you would like to reserve a box.
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