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Sept 20, 2020 - First Public Worship since March

9/20/2020

We are so pleased to have been able to gather again for worship during this pandemic time.

We were able to worship on September 20, outdoors, observing the proper "social distancing." More than a dozen worshippers were able to attend.

Another exciting development is that we may soon be able to update the church website more frequently because we will soon have a deacon serving at Holy Cross who is interested in sharing news and photos about our parish activities and ministries.

News from Kathryn Deshong

The Collect (Prayer) for September 20

Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

June 2015 Church Picnic Story

6/27/2015

Our Summer Picnic in 2015

Even though we had rain, we had a great turnout for our annual picnic in June 2015. The children had a blast with the indoor games, complete with prizes for everyone. A special thank you to Father Joe, George Thornhill, and Courtney Henry, who made sure the grill was under control in the rain.

Thank you to all the guests that came and please remind them that they are also always welcome to Sunday services and brunch.

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In Memoriam: Jacqueline Morris

5/23/2014

A memorial service for Jacqueline Morris was held
on May 23 at the Brooks Memorial Home, Yonkers.

The funeral was at Holy Cross Church on Saturday, May 24, 2014.

(Information from the Senior Church Warden.)

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In Memoriam: Jo Sanchez Johnson

4/26/2014

A memorial service for Jo Sanchez Johnson was held
at Holy Cross Church on April 26, 2014.

Memorial gifts may be made in her name to Holy Cross Church.

(Information is from her daughter-in-law, Concha Johnson.)

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Why we celebrate Black History Month

2/5/2014

By Glenice Robinson-Como | February 5, 2014 | ENS

[Diocese of Texas] “When you control a man’s thinking you do not have to worry about his actions. You do not have to tell him not to stand here or go yonder. He will find his “proper place” and will stay in it. You do not need to send him to the back door. He will go without being told. In fact, if there is no back door, he will cut one for his special benefit. His education makes it necessary.” – Dr. Carter G. Woodson, “The Miseducation of the Negroe”

As the first African slaves were brought to Jamestown, Virginia in 1619, they stepped on foreign soil straight into a system that would redefine who they were and what they were. Forever gone were their family names, traditions and culture; forever gone was the pride instilled in each of them. An identity that was once connected by bloodlines was now almost untraceable.

From this point on, they would become women and men without purpose and without the hope of being anything more than property. The members of this caste system were now also the victims of identity theft.

From the slave trade, they found themselves truly lost in a foreign land, living among others who spoke different languages and originated from different tribes. Traveling through the middle passage, little by little, their entire identities were stripped away. Little by little the lives they once knew were faded memories, tossed overboard and lost at sea forever.

Those who were forced into slavery would become “strange fruit” (as described in the Billie Holiday song) and a part of a social system, which would force adaptation. Their very identities became defined through the perception of slave owners. But through it all – stolen from the shores of Africa and stripped of their native land – this courageous group of Africans would reshape and redefine life in America.

“For Africa to me… is more than a glamorous fact. It is a historical truth. No man can know where he is going unless he knows exactly where he has been and exactly how he arrived at his present place.” - Dr. Maya Angelou, author and poet

During the dawning of the twentieth century, it was commonly presumed that African-Americans had little history besides the subjugation of slavery. Carter G. Woodson, a son of slaves, received a bachelor and master’s degree from the University Of Chicago and in 1912, became the second African-American to receive a PhD from Harvard University. Woodson recognized the scarcity of information of blacks and founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. In 1926, he initiated the celebration of Negro History Week, which corresponded with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. In 1976 this celebration was expanded to include the entire month of February.

Woodson, remembered as the Father of Black History, began to shed light on the richness of the African-American experience. Woodson understood the need to change the perception of African-Americans and to increase their self-worth. He wanted to free black history from the bias of whites in order to present blacks as true active participants in history. The rewards of doing this proved invaluable. It allowed blacks to begin to identify who they were for themselves and promoted social change. An awareness of African-American history is informative today to all people because it shares the contributions of many unsung heroes and she-roes who made their mark in America but still remained unnoticed.

Black History month informs all of us of a rich history where God intervened and led a people of faith into the promised land. This promised land erased identity theft so that African Americans could redefine and re-establish themselves as equals among all people. This month of celebration is a time to recognize the gifts of those who have gone before us. It acknowledges those whose backs we now stand upon and allows prejudice to be forced from the cracks and crevices which still plague communities all across America. Black History is still relevant to all today because it invites us to rethink how we can be continually challenged to imagine a different world, a better world, for all of God’s people.

I believe Dr. Woodson would feel that we still have much work to accomplish. We still must uplift the contributions of African-Americans as a model for our children and future generations. We still must realize the content and character of a person cannot be tied to ethnicity alone. I invite all to celebrate the advancements that have been made in our great country by African-Americans, realizing that a month is not enough time to remove the veils of hatred which still exist. May we each be encouraged to continue to work toward our promised land, where all are needed to truly make this the land of the free.

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” - Harriet Tubman, African-American abolitionist and humanitarian

- The Rev. Glenice Robinson-Como is Canon Pastor at Christ Church Cathedral, Houston

Holy Cross 2014 Epiphany Message

1/3/2014

Our worship celebration this coming Sunday, January 5, not only marks the end of the Season of Christmas, but the beginning of its own season, the Season of Epiphany.

Through centuries of tradition, Epiphany has been the season to remember and celebrate the mission of the church, as it spreads throughout the world. As the light of the sun begins to strengthen and days lengthen during this season, so we are reminded that the light of Christ reaches ever further into our hearts and the hearts of the world - even into its most troubled corners.

This Epiphany is a time to commit ourselves to be part of this spreading of the light, of the Gospel, to the ends of the earth.

Having worshipped at the manger, the Wise Men carried the light of Christ out into the world with them, as they returned to their homes. So we, too, are called to rise from our worship at the manger and move steadily into the world, bearing the light of Christ - to the places we work, the places we study, the places we play.

And we are called always to welcome all who come to share in the light. We are called to turn the Church inside out so that the outsiders may be allowed in.

The Light of Christ has come into the world. Thanks be to God.

2013 Harvest Sunday Snapshots

11/24/2013

Harvest Sunday festivities were planned and coordinated by the Episcopal Church Women of Holy Cross congregation. The president of the ECW is Isabella Thornhill.
The participation of Sunday School students in the Harvest Sunday Eucharist was lead by Dolores Thompson.

> Click here to hear a Church of England recording,
"All Things Bright and Beautiful the Lord God Made Them All."

Click on the small pictures to enlarge them to full size.

The Holy Cross altar displayed fresh fruits and vegetables and other food to celebrate and
to give thanks to the Lord on Harvest Sunday. Many of the items were harvested
by congregation members from their own gardens.

Photos of trip to QVC Studios from Mary Ann Daniel

10/12/2013

On Sat., Oct. 5, a Holy Cross group enjoyed a bus trip to the QVC Studios.
These trip photos are from Mary Ann Daniel.
Click on the small pictures below to see them full size.
Then click on the large pictures to change to the next picture.

St. Thomas Gospel Choir, Philadelphia, ‘the best’

10/8/2013

[African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas press release] The St. Thomas Gospel Choir (STGC) of the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas (AECST) in Philadelphia, the first Black Episcopal Church in the United States, was selected as ‘the best church gospel choir” during the New York Regional Finals in the Verizon Wireless “How Sweet the Sound” (HSTS) competition.

2014 Episcopal Youth Event, EYE, JULY 9-13

10/4/2013

At the previous EYE.

EYE (Episcopal Youth Event) occurs every three years and is an opportunity for high school youth currently in 9th to 12th grades from all the provinces of the Episcopal Church to gather for fellowship, discussion, worship and just plain fun. At the previous EYE there were more than 1,000 participants.

EYE in 2014 will take place July 9-13, 2014 at Villanova University, near Philadelphia.

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