There are a number of ministry areas and programs that have developed names and acronyms over the years. They are the “language” of Cross of Hope members but are not known to those new to the community. Below are some:
AlphaFirst letter of the Greek alphabet; a course for those who want to explore the basics of Christian faith.
Connection Table A real table, near the entrance, that contains information about Cross of Hope; ministry job descriptions; ministry opportunities.
COH Cross of Hope Church
COHLSCross of Hope Luther Elementary School. Cross of Hope’s developing elementary school. Kindergarten and first grades, with second / third scheduled for fall 2006.
COHLPSCross of Hope Lutheran Preschool. A preschool for three and four year-olds, state certified, using a developmentally appropriate approach.
Congregation Council The elected leaders and planner of Cross of Hope. Consisting of twelve members, they meet monthly; they are also the board of trustees of the church.
Cross WalkThe seven last words of the Cross read during a procession with a full-sized cross in the Taylor Ranch area. Participants in the pilgrimage may carry the cross for part of the distance.
DOFBOAlso known as DOFO; Director of Financial and Business Operations. Greg Morrison. Handles all accounting at Cross of Hope, directs development of budget; receives all requests for money and issues all checks.
ELCA Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Formed in 1987 out of a number of smaller Lutheran bodies or groups, it is comprised of almost five million members, 15,000 congregations, and 20,000 clergy. It does foreign missions, seminary education, and pension administration.
Executive Committee Council officers; president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, and Pastor. They meet once-a-month on the Tuesday before council to set the agenda and deal with day-to-day matters of the congregation.
KFC Kidz for Christ. Cross of Hope’s Sunday Church School, beginning at Preschool and extending to High School.
Koinonia A Greek word meaning “fellowship;” it was adopted by the early church to characterize Christian fellowship; it is also the name of the small groups at Cross of Hope.
Las Posadas Mexican tradition of re-enacting Joseph and Mary’s search for a place for the birth of Jesus. At Cross of Hope we do Las Posadas the second Sunday of December each year, using donkey, costumed Mary and Joseph, and tradition singing by Mariachis.
LutheranA term for Christians who gathered around Martin Luther’s evangelical mandate. First used as a put-down.
LOGM Lutheran Office of Governmental Ministry. Sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, it maintains a presence in Santa Fe to voice concerns to the governor and legislature for those most a risk: children and the poor.
MOPSMothers of Preschoolers. Twice-a-month meeting of preschool mothers to enhance skills, celebrate motherhood, and enrich the lives of their children.
Pastor Title given to the leader of a congregation in the Lutheran tradition. It implies the relationship of a shepherd to a flock.
RMS Rocky Mountain Synod. A group of almost 200 churches in New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and El Paso, Texas, of which Cross of Hope is a part. The Synod does mission, guides candidates for ministry.
MHYMid High Youth. Cross of Hope’s youth group for young men and women in the sixth through eighth grade.
SHYSenior High Youth. Cross of Hope’s youth group for young men and women in the ninth through twelfth grade. Meets on Sunday evenings throughout the year. Also participates in TNT.
Spiritual GiftsGifts given by the Holy Spirit for the building and strengthening of the church. These are mentioned and listed in many places: Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4. At Cross of Hope we use gifts to connect people to ministry.
TNTTriumphant News Together, youth activities for students in grades 3 through 12
VBSVacation Bible School. Cross of Hope has three: 1) Rainbow Trail Day Camp, for first through eighth graders; 2) Preschool, for three and four year-olds; 3) Special Needs, for developmentally challenged young people.
WELCAWomen of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. The women’s auxiliary at Cross of Hope. Meets occasionally for special events.
WOW Women on Wednesday. Meets every Wednesday for Bible study at Cross of Hope, 7:00 p.m.