November 2025 Digital Newsletter

CLICK HERE to download full printable PDF.

Contents:

• From the Pastor
• Saint of the Month
• New Around the Altar
• Giving Service to the Lord
• Church Council Minutes

From the Pastor

For Those Who Came Before Us, We Give Thanks.
We live in an era when an international cultural elite would see us cut ourselves off from the places, personal histories, and even families from which we come. As Christian writer Paul Kingsnorth has noted recently in his international bestseller Against the Machine, the modern world wants to make of us interchangeable parts economically, politically, and even relationally.
The antidote to this aspect of the modern world–in other words, the way to stay truly and fully human–is to be more firmly rooted in our locales, histories and families. Traditionally, the Church was great at this. Lately, we have forgotten this aspect of our faith.
For instance, we just celebrated the work of Martin Luther in the Reformation, but how much of the rest of Church history do we know? Luther was not the first reformer; do we know any others?
This month we begin by remembering our dearly departed on All Saints’ Sunday–those saints whose lives touched us deeply. As you’ve probably noticed, we’ve been giving thanks on Sundays for other saints–members of our extended family, the Church–whose lives have touched us by their ongoing example and influence in the life of the Church.
We have not started doing this to be “more Catholic.” Rather, we have started doing this to be more thoroughly Christian. Only a robust Christian identity can hope to be a bulwark against the modern world’s attempts to make us mere workers in the hive, mere consumers of products and entertainment, mere cogs in a political machine… followers of Christ in name only. So, let us give thanks for those who came before us, and upon whose shoulders we stand! Amen

Saint of the Month: Elizabeth of Hungary

This month we are remembering Elizabeth of Hungary(1207-1231) on Monday the 17th. Also known as Elizabeth of Thuringia, she was the daughter of Hungarian King Andrew II, and married Louis IV, Landgrave of Thuringia, in 1221. She devoted her life to helping the poor and feeding the hungry, turning from riches to help the poor, like Francis of Assisi. She used the royal treasury and food of her husband to help the poor, which angered him at first, until he eventually supported her actions, despite what others said. The food was distributed to the people all around their land.
In 1227, Louis went on a Crusade and died shortly after from an illness. Louis’ brother, Henry Raspe, took over and did not agree with Elizabeth’s actions. He exiled her and her children from the land. Elizabeth had an uncle who was bishop of Eckbert that they fled to. There she became a member of the Third Order of St. Francis. She founded a hospital in Marburg, and died in 1231, aged 24, from an illness.
Reading this, we should remember what Jesus said. Matthew 25:35-40 states, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”

New Around the Altar

This month you will see some new things going on in our worship!
On All Saints’ Sunday and Christ the King Sunday, we will be using our relatively new processional cross to celebrate those feast days. For the reading of the Gospel, we will be bringing the Bible with the cross to the center of the congregation to remind ourselves of how Christ is truly present in our midst through the Word of God. (A reminder: when we use this cross, we always face it while it is montion around the room.) We want to thank Terry & Judy Iasiello for the gracious gift of this cross!
On November 9th & 16th, while Pr. Brett is out of town on family matters, you will also see the first of our lay assisting ministers leading worship with Deacon Michael. The role of a lay assisting minister is to both represent and to help lead the congregation in its worship. It is a staple feature of most Lutheran worship around the country, and we are excited to be bringing it to the ministry of Holy Cross. If you would like to have the privilege of being part of our worshi life in this way, please talk to Pastor or Deacon Miichael!

Giving Service to the Lord

COMPLETE Church Council Minutes are posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex. Attachments are filed in the church office with the originals.
The meeting minutes summarized here are pending Council approval at next month’s meeting.
Meeting Highlights for October 15, 2025

Eight members present.
Absent: Rob Ingenito & Lynne Auger
GUESTS: Pastor Brett Jenkins
Review of Reports:
Secretary’s Report – Boy Scout Troop 74 was approved to use the pavilion, outdoor space, and social hall (if needed) from Nov. 7-8th for their Troopsgiving. Associated Fire Equipment performed their annual inspection on all fire extinguishers and safety lights on 9/29/25.
Treasurer’s Report – Detailed reports reviewed.
Pastor’s Report – Enrolled in free nonprofit editions of Affinity Publisher, Designer, and Photo for creating/updating our newsletter. Discussed changing our bulletin format and our new member process. Pastor Brett will be away 11/9 & 11/16. Requested May 21-30, 2026 as vacation. Approved by Council. The AMR Convocation asked if Holy Cross could host the yearly meeting. Proposed dates: October 8-10, 2026. Approved by Council. Confirmation will be held on Sunday, November 23 for this year’s 9th graders.
Committee Reports:
Christian Education: See hard copy of minutes.
Emergency Planning: ERT visited the Monroe County Fire Training Center w/approx. 20 people in attendance. Training was very educational and productive.
Fellowship Committee: See hard copy of report.
Finance Committee: 2026 Budget work has begun. Meetings forthcoming.
Prayer Team: Two requests for September.
Social Ministry: See hard copy of report.
Women of Abundance – See hard copy of minutes.
Old Business:
Discussed CCCN costs to the church. Council agrees that the Co-op is a ministry of the church. Co-op continues to make donations to the church.
New Business:
Reviewed Pastor’s active shooter letter, recommendations were made and conversations will continue to make sure our congregation is well prepared. Annual Meeting date set for 1/25/2025. Council members Lynne Auger and AJ Arfanella terms expire in December. Two nominees are required, three would be beneficial due to the resignation of Linda R. Two Elders are needed as well. Christmas Eve services set for 3:00, 7:00 & 9:00pm. Christmas Day service set for 10:00am.

Ending Business/Correspondence:
There will be a Men’s Fellowship Breakfast Meeting on Saturday, November 8 at 9:00am. Received Thank You card from the Jacob Family, a Thank You card from ILT, a letter to Pastor from Bob Bailey, and the Bushkill Township Fire Company 2025 Fund Drive. Agreed to a $200 donation to the Bushkill Township Fire Department.

Meeting adjourned at 9:20 pm.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for
Wednesday, November 12, at 7:00 p.m.