Welcome to Hope in Action
June 17, 2020
A Note From Kathy MacKrell
Summer Acts of Service
This week’s Summer Acts of Service features Mobile Hope. Mobile Hope is a Loudoun County non-profit that’s mission is to improve the lives of young people, 24 years of age or younger, who are precariously housed or homeless in Loudoun County. They create pathways for this fragile, overlooked, and often unacknowledged population to have access to housing solutions, daily essentials and life-changing support.

Their services are offered at their office in Leesburg. Their iconic bus that travels across Loudoun County is an important piece of their outreach and even more so during the COVID Crisis. Since March, Mobile Hopes' Listen for the Honk program has served almost 50,000 family members with over 28,000 bags of food. 
 
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.
Raid Your Pantries!
Let’s help Mobile Hope continue to make an impact in our communities! We challenge you to raid your pantries or pick up some non-perishable food items at the grocery store. Crossroads is asking families to drop off the following: cereal, granola bars, canned meat (tuna, chicken & ham), hearty soups, macaroni and cheese, apple sauce.
 
These simple, easy to prepare food items will help sustain needy families in the coming days and months.   All food items can be dropped off at Crossroads Entrance 1 anytime up until June 19 th  at 4pm. 
Growing Hope!
Mobile Hope is also starting a new project that is exciting for all ages to participate in called Growing Hope – A partnership between Mobile Hope and Meadows Farms Nurseries. This project promotes modern-day victory gardens, which were planted wherever possible to supplement fresh food supplies during World Wars I and II. When vegetables or herbs are harvested, they ask that you share some of your bounty with someone in need, or with Mobile Hope to distribute through "Listen for the Honk".   Seeds and soil can be picked up at Crossroads outside Entrance 1 anytime through June 19th.
 
You can learn more on our website  here .
Social Justice
Redefining Action by Jan Wilson
Over the last several months, it seems that our lives have been constantly changed and defined by numbers. I became a lawyer to avoid numbers, but it’s especially bad when the number is of new Covid-19 cases, the number of deaths, and then in the midst of that, we had the 8 minutes 46 seconds—the time a police officer held his knee on George Floyd’s neck, killing him. News organizations post the Covid numbers and protestors across the world are chanting 8:46, but the point of the chanting and news is that people aren’t numbers. They are neighbors. But the numbers show a numbing amount of pain suffered by our neighbors, impacting all of us. In James we are told to “Consider it pure joy…. whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:2-4). I admit, I have trouble considering it pure joy right now with all these trials, but I know that we’re at a historical moment, and I’m very hopeful that working together we can change history. What a blessing to have the opportunity to partner with God in these endeavors! 

Still, the tasks seem daunting. In my previous articles I provided the biblical basis that loving God and our neighbors requires that we take actions to help those suffering from injustice. My last article suggested dozens of ways you could act. Now, I’d like to give you further details on what the United Methodist Church Society for Justice provides in resources and information and highlight a couple causes and opportunities with Crossroads.

The Color of Compromise: An Ongoing Conversation
You have an opportunity to 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 will lead 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 initial teaching done by Jim Melson, Rudy Fenner and Tony Bond, and to sign up for the ongoing conversation, click  here .
Juneteenth
Friday June 19 th is also known as Juneteenth. This important day in history is also known as Emancipation or Freedom Day, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. To learn about Juneteenth and why it is an important part of American History, watch this short video .
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 growing 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 & 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 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.  
Salvation Army Food Distribution at Crossroads

The Salvation Army will have a truck in the Crossroads parking lot to distribute food. Distribution is Wednesday,  June 24th from 3-5pm in 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