Roy’s Sunday Letter for August 24, 2025
CROSSES AND CRIFIXICS OF FAITH
I received my first cross from a graduating seminary friend in 1969. Beth added her own crosses as we married and purchased our first home. Through travel, art fairs and conferences we have added diverse crosses of wood, metal, New Mexico mortar and wire.
Crosses and crucifixes are worn as necklaces, pins, displayed on the walls of our homes, hanging over a church altar and maybe, your car mirror. Whatever the shape, color, or material, the very presence of a cross proclaims we live, work and worship in connection with all others. It seems to mean sharing a belief in the goodness of another, accepting and forgiving other pilgrims in our world of the sacred.
The presence of a cross holds us accountable. All of us will face hard times, whether in family, vocation, medical or spiritual. The heritage and power of the cross calls forth our empathy, our compassion, and our respect for the divinity of all persons and gatherings.
Jesus long ago left the cross of crucifixion. His ministry, his mission was found in serving the poor, those left behind, speaking honestly with those who believe the counting of coins will bring them meaning and purpose. Jesus calls us forward to serve, to be presence with the pain and suffering of harm and loss. His cross is held high in front of those denying justice and fair treatment of so many missing within a family.
If you share our attraction to crosses, what are the stories of your crosses? crucifixes and jewelry/lapel pens? Are these from a faith conference, craft show, or gifted cross from another? Is there a cross or crucifix you especially remember from your history, travel or visit to a worship center?
The cross represents and supports my individual and community faith. If I pay attention, the meaning and purpose from the cross is a centering, a guide to my daily life of going forward, of being still, of faith in my tomorrows to come. Our friend Maurine gave Beth and I a small handheld olive wood cross last year for Christmas. I often rub and hold this small cross as I read, have coffee, and give thought to the day unfolding.
Roy, in a village of crosses
Yes! The first one i received were my SIster of Prvidence crosses, one a white cross that hung around my neck for five years, one on my chaplet, and a the pin i wore for 29 years. Had many many more i bought on travels. Have given most away as gifts as I downsized.
A fsith and cross centered comment from one who is a trusted friend and companion.
We learn about out days and what we wore from our shared stories….and that is good.
When I resigned my credentials as a UMC pastor, I gave away my library, and then started sharing my large collection of crosses. Some were meant to hang on walls, others were worn as jewelry. My favorite was hand carved by a parishoner in Killeen Texas. He used cedar wood that had beauty when sanded and buffed down, and an aroma of cedar that served as a constant reminder of being a servant and a follower of the way of Christ. Sometimes people I haven’t seen in over 50 years say “Hey, I still have that cross you gave me. Warms my heart to hear that the central emblem of my faith has been shared with many other people. I kept maybe 10, from very small to over 1 foot tall. Thanks be to God for reminders of Christ’s love.
You have lived out faith, partners, and crosses with humor and intention.
Would be hours of conversations and stories would be a regular part of us,
Comments maintain our connection, and that is good.
I brought my cross that you gifted me on vacation , as a reminder that there is someone in Fort Worth that cares about my journey. When a dear friend died several years ago her family asked me if I wanted any of her crosses that she displayed in her den. I chose a straw one that she bought in Santa Fe. It hangs in my office and every time I look at it I think of Elizabeth and what she meant to my life. We all have crosses to celebrate and some crosses to bare, but there is hope in each cross that enters our lives.
Crosses can bring a fresh view, a shine from afternoon sun.
Your memory crosses still feeds your memory of good friend.
I did rub my small gifted cross this morning….looking forward to photos and stories, after your rest up.
Our “crossing” with Beth being our center point has added much to me, to us.
Soon…..
I, Elizabeth N. cherish the cross because Christ died for my sins and is risen.
I wear two crosses around my neck to remind me of the love that others share with me. One cross was given to me by my son before his untimely death many years ago and the other cross is from by friend, Beth, whom I love dearly. She gave this cross to me on my 100th birthday. I am grateful to have been given such a lovely gift belonging to her mother. I thank God for Roy and Beth’s love and friendship.
I thank God for my sister Barbara who has given me several crosses that I display in my home. (Billie)
Somehow the cross is more special than a craft show.
I wore a cross necklace for 10 yrs ….. somehow disappeared….now I will replace soon.
It is the telling of stories the meaning becomes clear. Wonderful telling by you both.
Mycrosses also comfort me. Reassurance of truths I never want to lose.
We 4 continue and that is goos.
My reverence for crosses is conflicted. Although i understand the symbolic meaning of the suffering of Christ, my Confirming Pastor in the Lutheran Church warned us against the use of the cross as adornment, reminding us of the fact that we would not hang a replica of a guillotine or electric chair around our necks. I continue to be deeply troubled by the people, especially those involved in what i would call demeaning or evil tasks, who have the heavy gold necklace with the auspicious cross hanging. In no way, am I persuaded that they are truly followers of the “word”.
All good warnings friend Jerry.
As I attempted to wrote my Christ climbed down, walked away, to serve the poor, the forgotten, and yes, the wealthy lost in their gold edges and empty of purpose. So yes, the cross comes to us conflicted. For me thus also is daily life so I am comfortable with the conflict and murky view. To me, that is why the cross is so special. The cross is in the middle of the messy, and so an I.
Roy, you mentioned a cross or crosses from New Mexico. Among the several we have hanging on our wall is one made of rusty tin, with a bit of turquoise at the center. Sandy and I bought it at the Santuario de Chimayo. The tin came from the old roof of the sanctuary when it was replaced with a new roof. It serves as a reminder of all the prayers and praises that ascended to heaven from beneath that old roof. As such, it links us with the worldwide communion of believers who pray to heaven for guidance, healing, and blessing. It’s rough and crude, but I value it above all the others we have made of wood, iron, brass, and ceramics. Somehow it seems a fitting reminder of the rough and crude cross our Lord carried to Golgotha. Grace and peace!
Rough and Crude and filled with Grace.
Have been to the source, but did find your good find.
Wonderful for you…..and no doubt continues to comfort you in all the right ways.’
Bring Wednesday if appropriate. I will bring a recent addition (wire and stone).
You and Sandy add to our lives in real ways.