Refugees, Asylees, Advent and Christmas
You heard in my sermon last week that St. Cross Vestry has agreed to keep the 1732 basement apartment available for refugees or asylees.* The asylees from Russia we have sponsored the past two years are on the path to citizenship after being granted refugee status and now live independently.
We have accepted a new refugee who will arrive anytime between now and early February. He is a refugee from Iran and has been awaiting his refugee status in Australia. This will be quite different from our last couple as this gentleman is sponsored fully by our diocesan organization for refugees and we have the support of a non-profit in Long Beach who helps with refugee transition. WE WILL NEED YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT. We may still need clothing. We will need to stock the pantry (and soon!). We will need support people to socialize at a distance with him. If you feel the gospel call to help the least of these, please reach out to Rev. Nathan (nbiornstad@stcross.org) and let him know that you would like to help. We hope to have a list out shortly with immediate needs for food, and will have one for clothing or other necessities once he arrives. And of course, if anyone gets a new car for Christmas and wants to donate their old one, please let me know, lol.
Peace,
Rev. Rachel+
*Asylees are applying for refugee status, whereas refugees have qualified for such status under the government definition)
Here are a few things to be aware of:
- Giving Tree--last day to turn in gifts
- Women's Bible Study--Wed 9am, Maya Angelou poetry and Advent
- Longest Night--Wed 7 pm, for those who have feelings of loss and sadness during the holidays
- Pageant--DEC 20 (not any other date but the 20th) Dress up as your fav pageant character to watch the pageant and send us a photo
- Christmas Service--4 pm for Families, 6pm for everyone. Communion 7-8:30 in the parking lot with music as you drive through.
