Sign of the cross

Ephesians 2:11-22

Something that often surprises a newcomer to the Episcopal Church is, that, on any given Sunday, well...there's a whole lot of crossin' goin' on. It's a reminder that Anglicanism holds both Catholic and Protestant tradition all in one place. Whether it's the priest making the sign of the cross to the gathered faithful, or over the elements at their consecration, or those in the pews making big crosses on their chest at various times in the liturgy or small ones on their head, mouth, and heart prior to the reading of the Gospel, the sign of the Cross is a rich and visible part of our liturgy. So what's up with all that crossin'?

Here's a little about what we know about the sign of the Cross:  

From Episcopal Cafe 

Pet Blessings: Resources

By Carol Barnwell, Episcopal Diocese of Texas, Houston, Texas

It's that time again. Pet blessings are right around the corner and I want you to be prepared.
We have lots of things we already do as Church but we don't always use them to our best advantage. Think about the explosion of dog parks in recent years. And stores selling pet clothing and accessories. This is a major evangelism opportunity if you do it right.

Healthy Eating on a Budget 

Is it possible to have a nutritious diet on a reasonable budget? Follow these simple tips below - a healthy body is the best bargain of all.

• Buy large portions, divide into individual servings and freeze. This works well for lean meats and poultry.
• Many health food stores/co-ops have bulk sections where you can buy rice, beans, oatmeal, nuts and other grains for much less than prepackaged products.

• Make dishes on the weekends that you can eat during the week, or freeze and use at a later date. A big bowl of bean soup or chili can be dinner as well as lunch for the next day or two.
• This saves on expensive frozen dinners or take-out food, trips to the cafeteria and last-minute detours to the drive-through window.

• Look for lean meat, poultry and fish on sale, and freeze for later use.
• Beans, tofu and eggs are excellent protein choices and good alternatives to pricier animal protein.

• Seasonal fruits and vegetables taste best and are often much less pricey than imported out-of-season varieties.
• Go generic. Generic or store brands offer great savings and typically, are just as nutritious as their costlier counterparts.

• If you find your produce often goes bad, try frozen options. Look for products packed in their own juice, or made without salt or sugar.
• Stock up on low-cost staples, such as brown rice, barley, dried or canned beans and whole-wheat pasta. These are great for stretching meals at little cost. Add brown rice to a canned low-sodium vegetable soup, or mix lean ground beef with rinsed canned beans and whole-wheat elbow noodles.

• Menu planning will help you reduce any waste of produce and other fresh foods.
• Research shows that shoppers without a list tend to buy more food, especially of the snacking variety!
• Don't go to the store hungry. Being hungry will weaken your resolve. You'll be more tempted to indulge in items that are unhealthy and more costly.

• Ice cream, chips, cookies and prepared frozen foods can add up to be the most expensive things in your cart.
• Trade the money you spend on junk for fresh avocados, luscious grape tomatoes and crunchy apples. All are delicious and totally natural.