Holy Cross Episcopal Church

Edgewood, NM

Church of the Holy Cross

Edgewood, New Mexico

The Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande

Parish Profile

January, 2008

Holy Cross’ mission is to minister to all those in the East Mountain and Estancia Valley areas, with a special emphasis on families and youth. We are committed to pray and then to act on the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We emphasize, as God’s means of dispensing grace, the scriptures, sacraments, prayer, study, and fellowship, according to the traditions of the Episcopal Church.

We are a church where the peace of God sustains us by the Holy Spirit in a loving church family. Our vision is to be a spiritual community where God’s love and peace are known and felt and where we spread this love and peace throughout our geographical area.

Rector

The Rev. Raymond Raney

Overview/History

The Diocese of the Rio Grande encompasses New Mexico plus the Big Bend region of West Texas and includes some 57 parishes, missions, and congregations. The Church of the Holy Cross held our first service on May 14^th, 1995 at an elementary school on old US Route 66. The purchase of our permanent 9.4 acre Edgewood site was completed in December 1997 and the first service in our permanent facility was held December 31, 2000. We were accepted by the Diocese of Rio Grande as a Parish in October 2005. Our church is located approximately 3.2 miles north of Interstate 40 on State Rd. 344 in southwestern Santa Fe County, and is about 30 minutes east of Albuquerque and 50 minutes south of Santa Fe. The East Mountain and Estancia Valley area served by Holy Cross covers over 1000 square miles and three counties: eastern Bernalillo, southern Santa Fe, and northern Torrance counties. This geographical variance brings a diverse group of Christian families to Holy Cross.

Congregation

Holy Cross is blessed with a wonderful congregation. In our earlier years, the majority was younger families with children. Today we have a roughly equal split of young families with children, middle aged individuals and couples whose children are now on their own, and senior Christians, who bless us with their wisdom and life experiences.

Worship

Holy Cross presently has two Sunday worship services: 8:00 am and 10:00 am and we typically use the Rite II Eucharist. We have a healing Eucharist on Wednesday evenings.

Music

We have a dedicated and enthusiastic choir with approximately 10 members. They are integral to our 10:00 service and at special times also support the 8:00 service. We also have a number of parishioners who play bells and other instruments at Christmas and at other special services.

Fellowship

Due to the large geographic area of our community, much of our regular fellowship occurs with coffee and snacks following our regular services. We also have frequent pot luck brunches following the 10:00 service for any number of occasions. On two evenings this summer groups of more than 20 enjoyed fellowship, fireworks, and the unmistakable ambiance by attending an AAA minor league baseball park and watching the Albuquerque Isotopes in action.

Ministries and Outreach

Holy Cross’ congregation believes strongly in ministry and outreach and has consistently sought out opportunities to help and serve in our community. Though financial resources are very limited for community outreach, we have made our building available to a number of community programs and as a congregation are coming up with new ideas and approaches to ministry. Our present efforts include:

• SHARE - in February, 2006 we became the local distribution site for the SHARE food program that provides steeply discounted food for all people who participate. A portion of the proceeds is given back to the Church.

• Loving Friends - at least twice a year, and more often if we can, we extend an invitation (and transportation if needed) to the elderly in our community to come and share food, fellowship, and entertainment with our congregation for an afternoon. At the annual Christmas event, gift baskets are provided with useful items and treats. With participation from local Cub Scouts & Brownies and our local volunteer fire department, between 35 and 60 senior citizens are treated to a wonderful time.

• Holland's Rose – congregational members Debora Sponsel-Jolley, a recent cancer survivor, and her husband Les founded Holland’s Rose about 4 years ago. Based on the values and principles of a Christ centered community, their "Home Style" housing facility is designed to meet the needs of cancer patients while in Albuquerque for cancer treatment. They help patients and their families with housing, transportation arrangements, etc. Holy Cross provides modest financial support and a lot of spiritual support to this wonderful ministry.

• Alcoholics Anonymous - a local AA meets at Holy Cross on Saturday evenings.

• Boy Scouts - Holy Cross has provided projects, resources, and mentorship to four Eagle Scout community projects. All four boys went on to receive their Eagle rank.

• Girl Scouts – A local Girl Scout troop previously conducted weekly meetings at Holy Cross.

Sunday School

Sunday school for grades K-6 is held during the 10:00 service with the children joining the congregation during the offering for Eucharist.

Adult Education/Bible Study

There have been several Bible study and Christian education classes held over the past few years. The longest running is led by a wonderful teacher within our congregation who completed Seminary in past years. Her studies are held between the 8:00 and 10:00 services on Sunday and have covered a variety of topics over the years.

Facilities

Within our 5200 ft² of floor space, we have a 125 seat sanctuary, comfortably-sized rector’s office, 4 general purpose classrooms, a permanent nursery, and a full-size kitchen. Outside recreational and play facilities includes a full size basketball court, 6-bay swing set, a large play/climbing/sliding apparatus, and two regulation horseshoe pits.

Local Communities

The East Mountain and Estancia Valley region is a diverse community near the largest city in New Mexico, Albuquerque. The following is an overview of Albuquerque and Edgewood with short summaries of some of the other main towns and villages within Holy Cross’ geographical area.

Albuquerque

Located in central New Mexico, Albuquerque is the largest city in the state and has been called one of the most culturally diverse cities in the country. Enjoying over 300 days of sunshine a year, it is located just west of the massive Sandia Mountains and spans the Rio Grande River. With a population of about 750,000, Albuquerque is home to Kirtland Air Force Base, Sandia National Labs, museums, fiestas, theatres, cuisine, music and several minor league sports teams. Inhabited by American Indians for hundreds of years, the present-day city was founded in 1706.

Edgewood [Zip Code 87015]

Founded in the early 1930's and incorporated in 1999, the Town of Edgewood is 25 minutes east of Albuquerque on Interstate 40 and about 50 miles south of Santa Fe, the state capital. At an elevation of 6,800 feet, much of the Town's commercial district is located along the longest remaining stretch of historic Route 66. The commercial district contains two supermarkets, a Walgreens, several modern service stations, fast-food and full-service restaurants, banks, professional offices, dental and medical practices, an automobile dealership, and a variety of shops, lodging, and other businesses. Wal-Mart will be constructing a “Super Center” in Edgewood in 2007, about 3 miles from Holy Cross. The present population of Edgewood and the surrounding community is about 11,500 with a median household income of ~$51,000. About 70% of working adults commute to Albuquerque. Ranching, agriculture, and local retail businesses make up the other 30% of the working community. There are two elementary schools and one middle school in Edgewood, which is at the southern end of Santa Fe County. The town has a website @ http://www.edgewood-nm.gov/.

Stanley [Zip Code 87056]

Stanley has a population of about 1,000 and median household income of ~$47,000. This small ranching and farming community is centered 15 miles north and east of our Church and is also located in southern Santa Fe County.

Tijeras [Zip Code 87059]

The Village of Tijeras and surrounding area is home to ~11,000 and is located half way between Edgewood and Albuquerque on Interstate 40. Most working residents commute to Albuquerque. The median household income for Tijeras is ~$59,000 and is in eastern Bernalillo County. Tijeras has an elementary school and a middle school.

Cedar Crest [Zip Code 87008]

Located about 5 miles north of Tijeras, Cedar Crest is a suburban community with a population of about 3,200 and a median household income of ~$65,000. Cedar Crest is also in eastern Bernalillo County.

Sandia Park [Zip Code 87047]

The community of Sandia Park is located about 10 miles to the north and east of Edgewood in eastern Bernalillo County. This rural residential area has a population of about 3,500 and a median household income of ~$65,000. There is an elementary school and Charter High School in this area.

Moriarty [Zip Code 87035]

Moriarty is located about 10 miles to the east of Edgewood in northern Torrance County. With a population of about 7,200 and a median household income of ~$32,000, Moriarty is home to an area high school and is a commercial hub for the region’s ranching and farming activities. Moriarty also has an elementary school and middle school.

Estancia [Zip Code 87016]

The town of Estancia represents the southern “edge” of Holy Cross’ geographical area. A largely ranching and farming community with an area population of about 4,500 and a median household income of $31,000, it is located about 25 miles south of Moriarty in Torrance County.