Pastoral Services

Worship

Holy Cross utilizes Rite II primarily, with Rite I sometimes celebrated in penitential seasons and when requested for funerals, and other special occasions. Worship at Holy Cross is balanced to meet the needs of all parishioners. We also experience journeys into The Book of Occasional Services with house blessings and anniversary of a marriage. Stations of the Cross are traveled during Holy Week. Foot washing has been practiced on Maundy Thursday.

Music

Music at Holy Cross includes everything from children’s music to hand bells, adult choir, organ music and serious classical music performed by members of the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra.

Children's Chapel

During the Sunday service, elementary children meet for Children’s Chapel. This program is designed to provide an understanding of the gospel that is age appropriate. The program concludes in time for the children to return to the worship service to participate in the Eucharist.

Lay Readers

Holy Cross currently has a number of devoted lay readers, many of whom are also licensed Eucharistic Ministers. They assist the Rector at all worship services, read lessons and prayers and bear the Eucharistic Cup. When a priest is not available they lead the congregation in Morning Prayer.

Christian Education

Holy Cross provides a full offering of opportunities for personal growth in the Christian faith. Traditional” Sunday School” occurs every Sunday, all year, including summer months. Three class offerings include; Kindergarteners through 2nd grade; 3rd through 5th graders; 6th graders through high school seniors, and adults. Also, there is now a Young Adult Fellowship which meets twice a month. The parish nursery, staffed with paid college-aged students, is open during the Sunday education hour, Sunday worship service, and Wednesday education hours.

Our Christian Education offerings for the parish have included the use of scripture, videos, DVDs, weekly Sunday sermons, games and sports, and “interest” topics to create self-examination of one’s Christian journey and commitment. All are offered with the goal of encouraging a lively and sacrificial participation in the life of the Lord.

Organizations

Opportunities for fellowship, learning, service and ministry are offered through membership in various organizations active at Holy Cross.

Children's Ministry and Junior Senior High Youth Ministry

Kindergarten through fifth grade can participate in EEYC (Elementary Episcopal Youth Community), while older youth enjoy membership in a very active EYC (Episcopal Youth Community) program.

Cross + Walk Contemporary Service

People can get involved with our Holy Cross  contemporary worship and fellowship group that has a special focus contemporary music with live band using the wonderful Episcopal liturgy in a contemporary format using videos, music and group prayers.  Please come to our next service and get involved with this awesome ministry.

Women and Men Ministry

Women of the church may choose to participate in Daughters of the King and Episcopal Church Women (ECW), while men may join the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, both of which maintain active chapters at Holy Cross.

Club 55

Club 55 is a monthly luncheon for our senior members. Food, fun, and fellowship are the standard fare. The menu varies each month as volunteer chefs prepare the feast. In addition to enjoying an excellent meal, the group also invites guest speakers and takes field trips. Club 55 meets the second Thursday of the month at noon in the Fellowship Hall. Contact Betty at the church for more information.

Dinner Club

Dinner Club members meet four times a year in host homes to enjoy excellent cuisine and great company. Each member serves as host one time during the year. The host plans the menu and activities for six to ten people.

Shepherd Groups

The Holy Cross Family is assembled into neighborhood groups known as Shepherd Groups. The purpose is to provide our members with a quick, nearby contact for all types of assistance and fellowship. A leader is selected for each Shepherd Group who serves as the contact person. There are currently 18 groups throughout the greater Pensacola area.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

The Prayer Shawl Ministry lovingly craft shawls for others who are on the prayer list. They knit or crochet two types of shawls: lap or wrap around. After the shawls are blessed by Fr. Jencks, they are given as a source of comfort, healing, and remembrance of their Holy Cross Family.

FAST Ministry

FAST is the Facilities Advisory Support Team. These folks have a lifetime of maintenance experience who can advise as well as do. The team works in groups with individual responsibilities in electrical, plumbing, HVAC, interior, and grounds.

Other organizations include: Altar Guild, Flower Guild, Prayer Chain, Christmas Angel Tree, and The Order of St. Vincent.

Outreach Ministries

Disaster Relief and Episcopal Relief Development

Holy Cross has a group of dedicated members who volunteer their time and talent to help those in our region after a disaster.

Manna Food Bank

MANNA is a private, not-for-profit corporation dedicated to alleviating hunger in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. MANNA is nonsectarian, community-focused, volunteer-supported, and committed to the philosophy - “waste not, want not.” MANNA was established in 1982 as the community’s response to a comprehensive needs assessment conducted by the Northwest Florida Paralegal Association. It was designated to be the primary agency within the community to receive and store non-perishable foodstuffs donated from the community, and to redistribute the food to those from the community who have a legitimate, verifiable need.

ECHO (Episcopal Church Habitat Outreach)

ECHO consists of four local Episcopal Churches who support Pensacola Habitat
For Humanity. Habitat For Humanity International welcomes volunteers from all faiths who
are committed to Habitat's goal of eliminating poverty housing. Homes are
sold at no profit. Homeowners contribute "Sweat Equity" and house payments
are recycled to build additional homes. Holy Cross supports ECHO in their
goal of building at least one house per year.

Blood Drive

We support the Northwest Florida Blood Center and have a donor collection sites at our Church. The Northwest Florida Blood Center provides blood and blood products to over 20 area hospitals on the gulf coast and that number may increase in the near future.

United Ministries

United Ministries provides financial assistance to families in crisis who have emergency needs such as housing and utilities and to provide counseling which offers hope, encouragement and spiritual guidance. United Ministries is a community partnership of many different churches and individuals who volunteer time and resources to provide emergency aid to the less fortunate members of our community.

Angel Tree

Holy Cross has supported Angel Tree for years to help disadvantaged children at the Lakeview Center receive gifts during Christmas.

United Thank Offering

The United Thank Offering is a program of The Episcopal Church for the mission of the whole Church, founded by and administered by women since 1889. The United Thank Offering Committee is a spiritual and financial partner in the mission work of The Episcopal Church, through every person in every pew. UTO is entrusted to promote thank offerings, to receive the offerings, and to distribute the United Thank Offering monies through grants. The Committee awards and administers these grants within the framework of the policies and procedures of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society (DFMS) of The Episcopal Church.

Girl Scout Troop 424

Girl Scout Troop 424 is sponsored by Holy Cross Episcopal Church. This troop is a Christ Centered troop and is open to every level of Girl Scouts: Daisy, Brownie, Junior, and Cadettes. This troop is a large group with 20+ members and meets at Holy Cross every Tuesday. Our ongoing service projects include: collecting can tabs for the Ronald McDonald House, including Holy Cross Clean Up days on our calendar, and other projects for Bronze and Silver Awards. Please contact Rachel Iversen or Nettie Umbreit, Troop Leaders for more information at 477-8596.

Girl Scout Service Unite 646

The Girl Scout Council of the Florida Panhandle Service Unit 646 is made up of Girl Scout Leaders. It covers troops at Scenic Heights, Cordova Park, Holms, St. Paul's, CLC, Ferry Pass Middle, Workman Middle, Brown Barge, Home Schooled. The leaders meet monthly at Holy Cross to coordinate and train leaders. Contact: Joan McCrae, GSNWFL Field Executive at 434-1333 or S.U. 646 Admin. Chair, Rachel Iversen, 477-8596.

Cub Scout Pack 32

Pack 32 is greatful to Holy Cross for allowing our pack to have its monthly committee meetings in the dining hall. This pack is based out of Scenic Heights Elementary and is chartered by Cokesbury.  For more information about this den contact, Craig Iversen at 477-8596.

Escambia County Voting Precinct #108

Holy Cross Episcopal Church serves as the polling place for Escambia County Voting Precinct #108.