Good News
We hope you are all enjoying your last days of summer and that it was filled with beautiful memories and perhaps exciting travel. We encourage you to participate in services at Holy Cross/Santa Cruz as often as possible. It is a spiritually nourishing place and filled with caring people and an excellent priest, Father Eliacin Rosario Cruz.
Our transition team continues to move forward in their work to discuss many aspects of future consolidation. We are expecting a formal Vestry vote in September, for each congregation. Please reach out to Leah Siuta, Lynn Dennison, or Liz Moeller if you have questions or concerns.
Funeral Service for Roger
We are saddened by the death of our long-time friend and parishioner, Roger Bonsteel on July 31st. Roger loved this parish and devoted many hours to help in so many ways over the years. Roger was also Treasurer of Angel Food East for many years. We will miss his humor, his kindness and compassion, and his quiet generosity. We ask you to keep Sue and their family in your prayers. His funeral service will be on Saturday, August 30th at 11:00 at St. Johns. Calling hours will be from 10 – 11 that morning, at the church. The family has requested memorial donations go to Angel Food East, PO Box 3813, Kingston, NY 12402
Parish Notes at Holy Cross/Santa Cruz/St. John’s
Weekly Service & Sunday Services
Mid-Week Eucharist Service, Wednesdays 12PM
Sunday 10AM Holy Eucharist Service, English
Sunday, 4PM Holy Eucharist Service, Spanish
Monthly Taize Service, 7PM, Third Thursday of the Month
Worship at the Park next Sunday, August 24, 10AM-3PM
Bilingual Outdoor Service & Congregational Picnic
We’re heading back to the park for a joyful day of worship, fellowship, and fun!
Marbletown Park — 350 Tongore Road, Kingston, NY 12401
Join us for a bilingual service under the open sky, followed by a potluck picnic. Please bring food and drinks to share, along with your own plates, cups, and utensils to help us care for creation and reduce waste. After worship, we’ll enjoy games, good conversation, and time to simply be together.
What to bring:
- Something delicious to share
- A lawn chair or picnic blanket
- Potluck dish & beverages to share
- Reusable eating utensils
- Lawn games
- A playful spirit!
This annual tradition reminds us that church is not a building—it’s the people, gathered in love, wherever we may be.
DIRECTIONS TO THE PARK FROM KINGSTON:
- Follow Broadway to I-587 W/Col Chandler Dr
- 3 min (0.7 mi)
- Take US-209 S to Tongore Rd in Marbletown
- 12 min (9.7 mi)
- Follow Tongore Rd to your destination
- 2 min (1.1 mi)
Marbletown Town Park
350 Tongore Rd, Kingston, NY 12401
Upcoming Taize Service, Thursday, August 21 at 7:00PM
Every 3rd Thursday of the month
Taizé service is a quiet, meditative gathering that includes candlelight, simple chants, scripture, and silence. Rooted in the ecumenical Christian community of Taizé, France, this form of prayer invites deep reflection and spiritual renewal.
Important reminder !! While we are all gradually becoming oriented towards HCSC, there is still programming and activities happening at St. John’s and we can use your help maintaining our beautiful space.
ANGEL FOOD EAST
Angel Food East is looking for volunteers, especially regular and substitute drivers to deliver meals on Thursdays. Speak to Lynn Dennison or Claudette Ford for more information.
PLEDGES
We also encourage everyone to keep up with your pledges to St. John’s and extend a thank you to those who have been sending in their pledges, or dropping them in the basket at HCSC.
BACK TO SCHOOL: UIDN School Supply Drive
Bring items to Holy Cross/Santa Cruz Episcopal, Church, 30 Pine Grove Avenue, Kingston, until August 29. Mondays/Tuesdays/Thursdays/ Fridays: 10 am – 3 pm. Wednesdays: 10am-4pm. items to Holy Cross/Santa Cruz Episcopal 30 Pine Grove Avenue, Kingst
Questions?
uidn@ulsterimmigrantdefensenetwork.org or https://ulsterimmigrantdefensenetwork.org/2025-school-supply-drive
THANK YOU
Thank You to Don Hughes and others who have been working hard recently to clean up our overgrown Memorial Garden. Your efforts are much appreciated and this has restored our beautiful space. Thanks also to Leah and Joe, and Sara for monitoring our grounds and ensuring small repairs are done.
Garden Help: (at HCSC)
Can you water and weed the church garden a few days in a week this summer? Thank you to everyone who already signed up and took a week of garden care!! Please sign up on the watering schedule (now on the bulletin board in the Parish Office hall), or contact Zoe: 917-670-6392 about weeks you could water. Thanks!
Children’s Ministry Updates:
The Sunday School Team (Bethany, Ricci, Leah, and Patty) are planning for an exciting year and hope you will join us. The Sunday School room is downstairs in the Fellowship Hall. Parents can walk their children down at the start of the service and the group will return before Eucharist.
The Sunday School Team is also looking for volunteers willing to complete the Safe Church Training and join our team as helpers or Godly Play teachers in the Fall. The more volunteers we have the more sustainable this ministry becomes for our growing community. Please reach out to Bethany or Ricci if you are interested in a teaching or helper role in this vital service of the church. Sunday school begins again on Sunday, September 7th.
An Invitation to Serve
Liturgy is the work of the people—the shared, holy labor of our community gathered in prayer and praise. It takes many hands and hearts to support this sacred work, and we invite you to consider joining one of the ministries that help shape our worship together.
We are currently seeking new volunteers for the following roles:
– Eucharistic Visitors (bringing Communion to those who cannot attend church)
– Eucharistic Ministers (assisting at the altar during services)
– Altar Guild (preparing the altar and sacred vessels)
– Bread Baking (offering fresh-baked bread for the Eucharist)
– Thurifers (those who serve with incense during special services)
– Choir Members
– Ushers and Door Angels
– Acolytes
If one of these ministries speaks to you—or if you’re simply curious—please reach out to Fr. Eliacín. There will be opportunities for conversation, training, and support. It is healthy and life-giving to have a rotation of ministers in our worship. It allows others to step into new roles, and it makes space for new gifts to be shared. Come be part of this holy work. There is a place for you.
PRAYER TREE
Our prayer Tree was created for us to write monthly prayer requests for the entire year. Parishioners are asked to add their prayer requests on a monthly basis. These will be read at the Prayers of the People on the last Sunday of each month.
TRANSITION
The Transitional team for Discernment on Merger/Consolidation meets twice a month. HC+SC representatives: Cheryl Rigg-Harris, Patty Parker, Tebbie Collins. Saint John’s representatives: Leah Siuta, Liz Moeller, Lynn Dennison. Clergy: Rev. Susan Copley & Fr. Eliacín. Keep the team in your prayers.
Volunteers Needed
Coffee Hour – Set up, clean up and/or bring food to share. This is an important activity to support. Please reach out to Peter (Parish Administrator): Wednesdays, 9-4 to coordinate how you can help!
Thrift Shop: Help needed in the Thrift Shop to work once or twice monthly. The hours of operation are Wednesdays 3-5 & Saturdays 9-1. See Madeline or Vinnie if you can assist.
UIDN Food Pantry- Every Wednesday
- Shifts: 12 pm to 3 pm and 3 to 6 pm.
- The Ulster Immigrant Defense Network (UIDN) needs volunteers to assist at the food pantry. Join us in this important work to support our immigrant neighbors.
- Interested? Contact Beth Strum from UIDN at strumb@hotmail.com
Holy Cross + Santa Cruz Office Hours
- Fr. Eliacín: Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday, 10AM-2PM, meetings by appointment.
- Contact: rev.eliacin@gmail.com or 360-536-5005.
- Chuck Krulis: Mondays, 10-12
- Peter (Parish Administrator): Wednesdays, 9-4 (if needed call 845-594-1984)
Church Phone Number: (845) 331-6796
Leah and Lynn
St. John’s Wardens