We were very pleased to have Lawrence Mayor Thomas Schneider join us for worship on Sunday, October 19, 2003, bringing us greetings from community leaders and presenting the Community Achievement Award to Holy Cross for being as involved in the community as we are. The proclamation, which is on display in the Commons Entry (former narthex), reads as follows:

Proclamation

WHEREAS, Holy Cross Lutheran Church established its congregation within the City of Lawrence more than 12 years ago and immediately had an impact by seeking to contribute to the betterment of our community; and

WHEREAS, the involvement of Holy Cross Lutheran Church has been both extensive and diverse including the participation of its pastoral staff in the Lawrence Police Department’s Chaplaincy Program, the sponsorship of community conferences addressing issues of interest to our citizens, the hosting of a 9-11 Remembrance Service that served to allow for the sharing of both grief and hope and the sponsorship of other events that have contributed to the stability of daily life; and

WHEREAS, Holy Cross Lutheran Church has also chosen to involve itself in the economic and community development of Lawrence as manifested in the contributions of no fewer than four of its members who serve on the staff of the Greater Lawrence Chamber of Commerce or in leadership roles on its Board of Directors; and

WHEREAS, Holy Cross Lutheran Church also took a leadership role in serving as a community sponsor for Lawrence’s recent “Germanfest” celebration that attracted more than 700 people in a tribute to the cultural heritage of so many of our citizens; and

WHEREAS, Sunday, October 19^th marks the recognition of Holy Cross Lutheran Church as a model of corporate citizenship in a world badly in need of such models and of the congregation as an example of service to others;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Thomas D. Schneider, Mayor of Lawrence, Indiana, hereby award Holy Cross Lutheran Church the Community Achievement Award in recognition of its outstanding service to our community and present to you the gratitude of the citizens of the City of Lawrence for your willingness to play an active role in the life of our city in a sustained quest to make Lawrence the best-possible place to live, work, worship and raise a family.

Dated this 19^th Day of October 2003
At Lawrence, Indiana
Thomas D. Schneider
Mayor

And the proclamation doesn’t even mention some of our on-going community involvement, such as Meals on Wheels, Nursing Home Ministry, Sharing Place Food Panty, and so on. Although we are grateful for the acknowledgment, we serve our community simply to the glory of God. Jesus said, “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40