Alpha

First 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

COHLES

Cross of Hope Lutheran Elementary School. Cross of Hope’s elementary school for grades K-5.

COHLPS

Cross 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 planners of Cross of Hope. Consisting of twelve members, they meet monthly; they are also the board of trustees of the church. 

Cross Walk

The 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.

DOFBO

Also known as DOFO; Director of Financial and Business Operations, a position currently held by 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 each month on the Tuesday before the full council meeting 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 a donkey, costumed Mary and Joseph, and traditional songs sung by Mariachis. 

Lutheran

A term for Christians who gathered around Martin Luther’s evangelical mandate.

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 at risk: children and the poor. 

MOPS

Mothers 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.

MHY

Mid High Youth. Cross of Hope’s youth group for young men and women in the sixth through eighth grade.

SHY

Senior High Youth. Cross of Hope’s youth group for young men and women in the ninth through twelfth grade. Also participates in TNT.

Spiritual Gifts

Gifts 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. 

TNT

Triumphant News Together, youth activities for students in grades 3 through 12.

VBS

Vacation 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 young people with physical or developmental challenges or disabilities.

WELCA

Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. The women’s auxiliary at Cross of Hope. Meets occasionally for special events. 

WOW

Women on Wednesdays. Meets every Wednesday for Bible study at Cross of Hope, 7:00 p.m.