grieving out loud

Did you watch a lot of TV last Friday? I did. I could say it was because I was in bed sick with nothing else to do, and that's part of it. But the truth is, I was riveted. The tragedy of death (Michael Jackson) and the dignity of death (Farrah Fawcett), all playing out in one massive news story that played well into the night. And I grieved. I remembered how my cousins and I used to put yellow towels on our heads, sashay around Aunt Dot's house and pretend we were Farrah Fawcett. Seeing images of her shaved, cancer-ravaged head ... it hurt more than I expected. Then I remembered the slumber parties with non-stop Michael Jackson, and the joy of FINALLY having a black superstar that the whole country -- the whole world -- loved. However he had faltered, failed, in recent years, this was Michael. And he was dead.

Like a lot of people, I quickly tired of the over-analysis and media mania. But behind the circus, we were just fumbling and trying to reckon with the huge death of people whose lives, to many of us, were huge. May they both rest with God's peace.

what's going on @ the crossing ...
THURSDAY @ 6pm / Worship and Fellowship
Rev. Steph kicks off the month reflecting on the story of Jesus' inability to heal (Mark 6:1-6), and Sue Spilecki helps us to have a deep conversation with God on paper (also known as journaling). AFTER WORSHIP: Join us for simple hospitality and stick around for our ritual procession to a nearby restaurant for cheap food and drinks. GETTING TO THE CROSSING: Across from Park St. T. PARKING: Validated parking @ Boston Common Garage on Charles Street (b/t Common and Public Garden). MORE INFO: Head to www.thecrossingboston.org.

EVERY TUESDAY THROUGH AUGUST @ 6:30-8pm / Come to the Center: A Centering Prayer Circle
NOTE LOCATION: DOWNTOWN @ The Paulist Center (across from Cathedral
Keith Nelson and Matthew Turner lead this exploration of the ancient practice of Centering Prayer (think of it as Christian meditation). OPEN GROUP: beginners and experienced practitioners are welcome! DATES: Runs every Tuesday this summer. Come once, twice or every week. Just come find the center. LOCATION: Due to construction in the Cathedral community spaces this summer, the group will meet in nearby churches. Most Tuesdays at The Paulist Center -- a Catholic church across from Park St. T, about half-way up Park St (toward the State House; red door). NOTE: 7/28 and 8/25: St. John the Evangelist Church on Bowdoin Street. CONTACT: Keith Nelson, nelsonkr@gmail.com or 205.807.9037.

SUPPORTING THE KENYA JOURNEY
Two members of The Crossing community -- Chris Ashley and Marie Harkey -- are traveling with Church of the Advent-Boston to forge relationships with our brothers and sisters in Maseno, Kenya. We hope you'll want to support their ministry, learn about the struggles and hopes of the Kenyan people, and hear how we can all engage God's mission more deeply this fall. But it starts with raising the last $1,700 to send Chris and Marie to Kenya. CONTACT: Rev. Steph at revsteph@gmail.com for more information or to make a contribution (checks to St. Paul's Cathedral, with "Crossing Priest Discretionary-Kenya" in the memo area). LEARN MORE: http://www.diomass.org/mission/AIDS_in_Africa.

community notes
Giving @ The Crossing -- An Update
We're at the halfway point in our annual giving goal of $20,000 in 2009. Please prayerfully consider making a one-time gift or start pledging (setting out an amount you'd like to give over the course of a year, and filling out a pledge card so we know we can count on your contribution). Give however you're able: cash, check or credit cards. CONTACT: Chris Ashley at chris.ashley@gmail.com.

InBetweenCrossings: groups.google.com/group/inbetweencrossings
You got stuff to share (a job, a couch, a theater gig you want people to attend …)? You need stuff (lost scarf, dog-sitter, a summer sublet …)? Log onto our new online forum to connect and share information about random community announcements -- including upcoming events, apartment sublets, job opportunities, lost-and-found, furniture exchange, help requests, etc.

Share the Groove -- Buy a copy of The Crossing CD
The Crossing has released its first CD, Songs @ The Crossing. It's a collection of 14 favorite songs from our worship community, and you can get it for $15. Reply to this email or buy one on a Thursday.

Fair Trade @ The Crossing
Want to pitch in with our effort to become a Fair Trade Ministry? The first move: changes in hospitality (fair trade/organic food, eco-friendly products, re-usable dishes that we wash after worship). CONTACT: Bill Comer at bill.comer.jr@gmail.com or 617.818.5124. And join friends at Boston Faith and Justice Network as they put the spotlight on fair trade and justice issues locally and globally. Go to www.bostonfaithjustice.org for more info.

ongoing justice and healing ministries
We're serious about joining ministries that serve our homeless and hungry brothers and sisters. Please join us any day of the week!
** Monday Lunch Program: Cathedral every Monday, 10am to help with set-up, or 11:30am-12:45pm to help serve & build community with our neighbors. Contact Rev. Steph a revsteph@gmail.com.
** St. Francis House: Volunteers needed every day to help serve meals and provide care. Boylston St, near Chinatown. Contact Lynn Campbell at lynnmcam@aol.com.
** Haley House is a Catholic-worker style community in the South End. Volunteers needed for meals programs 6-10am every day AND 1:30-5pm Saturday and Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Could use help tending an urban orchard in Mission Hill. See www.haleyhouse.org.

getting connected @ the crossing
If you'd like to be in touch, we'd love to connect with YOU! Look at the list and then reach out:
** Stephanie Spellers: revsteph@gmail.com / 617.482.4826, x318 (priest, communications, pastoral care)
** Jason Long: jlong@diomass.org / 617.482.4826, x311 (small groups & formation, newcomers)** Chris Ashley: chris.ashley@gmail.com (budget, hospitality)
** Lynn Campbell: lynnmcam@aol.com (ministries with the homeless)
** Kieran Conroy: kconroy42@gmail.com (emerging church connections)
** Ashley Merrell: ashleynmerrell@gmail.com (music ministry)
** Keith Nelson: nelsonkr@gmail.com (worship arts)
** Jenna Tucker: jenna.m.tucker@gmail.com (general admin)

Blessings in the groove,
Rev. Steph

what's up with him?

Reading the scripture passage for this week (Mark 4:35-41), I was struck by this image of Jesus and the disciples in the boat. The sea is rocking, the disciples are freaking out. And Jesus? He's got his head on a pillow, asleep, resting and trusting. What keeps him so centered? His intimacy with God. But the greatest surprise is, he's not hoarding that intimacy. He's actually opening the way to it, letting us into the intimate circle so we can live infused with the love and grace of God, like him. That's what we're practicing in the Centering Prayer Circle every Tuesday night (now at the easier-to-reach Paulist Center across from The Cathedral). It's what we'll practice when we gather for worship Thursday. And we'll keep practicing it as we share a Crossing Community Dinner on Saturday in Central Square (RSVP details below). These practices teach us something of God, knit us closer to God, prepare us to live the mission of God. Who knows? Maybe the next time you're in that rocking boat, you'll be the one radiating the strangely centered, loving presence of God.

It could happen.

what's happening @ the crossing?
TONIGHT @ 6:30-8pm / Come to the Center: A Centering Prayer Circle -- NOTE LOCATION: DOWNTOWN @ The Paulist Center!!
Keith Nelson and Matthew Turner lead this exploration of the ancient practice of Centering Prayer (think of it as Christian meditation). OPEN GROUP: beginners and experienced practitioners are welcome! DATES: Runs every Tuesday this summer. Come once, twice or every week. Just come find the center. LOCATION: Due to construction in the Cathedral community spaces this summer, the group will meet most Tuesdays at The Paulist Center -- a Catholic church across from Park St. T, about half-way up Park St (toward the State House). See the church with the red door. Stay tuned for alternate locations on June 23 and 30, July 28, August 25. CONTACT: Keith Nelson, nelsonkr@gmail.com or 205.807.9037.

WEDNESDAY @ 6-8pm / Daring to Draw Near: A Covenant Group IN BROOKLINE
This Christian discipleship group explores various forms of prayer, using John White's book Daring to Draw Near. The group is closed now, but other covenant groups will open in the fall. CONTACT: Jason Long at jlong@diomass.org for info on small groups.

THURSDAY @ 6pm / Worship and Fellowship
Kieran Conroy offers the month's third reflection, with more on Jesus vision of the kin(g)dom of God (see Mark 4). Jenna Tucker keeps up the spiritual practice for the month: a practical primer on good, old-fashioned prayer. AFTER WORSHIP: Join us for simple hospitality and stick around for our ritual procession to a nearby restaurant for cheap food and drinks. GETTING HERE: Across from Park St. T. PARKING: Validated parking @ Boston Common Garage on Charles Street (b/t Common and Public Garden). MORE INFO: Head to www.thecrossingboston.org.

THIS SATURDAY @ 5:30pm / Community Dinner at home of Kate Rubins and Mike Magnani (near Central Square, Cambridge)
It's a new Crossing tradition! These monthly community dinners will take place at the homes of Crossing folks. If you'd like to be on the HOST TEAM for this meal or another one -- either physically hosting or helping to provide the meal -- CONTACT Jason at jlong@diomass.org. For directions, please RSVP to Kate at rubins@wi.mit.edu or 650.248.3038.

NEXT SATURDAY, 6/27 @ 10am-2:30pm / Crossing Urban Adventures: Harbor Island Adventure
These great adventures are happening roughly every other week all summer long! Join other Crossing folks and friends exploring the city and beyond, discovering places each of us identifies as "holy" (and fun). This first excursion promises prayer, sun, hiking and refreshment one mile from downtown Boston! Ferry is $14 and leaves from the Long Wharf pier (near Blue Line). Pack a lunch or buy lunch on the ferry. Check out http://www.bostonislands.org/default.asp. CONTACT: Kim @ kimberly.hudson@ssa.gov or Laura at laurakraybill@gmail.com for more details.

community notes
Giving @ The Crossing -- An Update
We've raised $9,534 toward our annual giving goal of $20,000 in 2009. Please prayerfully consider making a one-time gift or start pledging (setting out an amount you'd like to give over the course of a year, and filling out a pledge card so we know we can count on your contribution). Give however you're able: cash, check or credit cards. CONTACT: Chris Ashley at chris.ashley@gmail.com.

InBetweenCrossings: groups.google.com/group/inbetweencrossings
You got stuff to share (a job, a couch, a theater gig you want people to attend …)? You need stuff (lost scarf, dog-sitter, a summer sublet …)? Log onto our new online forum to connect and share information about random community announcements -- including upcoming events, apartment sublets, job opportunities, lost-and-found, furniture exchange, help requests, etc.

Share the Groove -- Buy a copy of The Crossing CD
The Crossing has released its first CD, Songs @ The Crossing. It's a collection of 14 favorite songs from our worship community, and you can get it for $15. Email Rev. Steph at sspellers@diomass.org or buy one on a Thursday.

Fair Trade @ The Crossing
Want to pitch in with our effort to become a Fair Trade Ministry? The first move: changes in hospitality (fair trade/organic food, eco-friendly products, re-usable dishes that we wash after worship). To help and imagine more ways to transform life @ The Crossing, CONTACT: Bill Comer at bill.comer.jr@gmail.com or 617.818.5124. And join friends at Boston Faith and Justice Network as they put the spotlight on fair trade and justice issues locally and globally. Go to www.bostonfaithjustice.org for more info.

ongoing justice and healing ministries
We're serious about joining ministries that serve our homeless and hungry brothers and sisters. Please join us any day of the week!
** Monday Lunch Program: Cathedral every Monday, 10am to help with set-up, or 11:30am-12:45pm to help serve & build community with our neighbors. Contact Rev. Steph a sspellers@diomass.org.
** St. Francis House: Volunteers needed every day to help serve meals and provide care. Boylston St, near Chinatown. Contact Lynn Campbell at lynnmcam@aol.com.
** Haley House is a Catholic-worker style community in the South End. Volunteers needed for meals programs 6-10am every day AND 1:30-5pm Saturday and Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Could use help tending an urban orchard in Mission Hill. See www.haleyhouse.org.

getting connected @ the crossing
If you'd like to be in touch, we'd love to connect with YOU! Look at the list and then reach out:
** Stephanie Spellers: sspellers@diomass.org / 617.482.4826, x318 (priest, communications, pastoral care)
** Jason Long: jlong@diomass.org / 617.482.4826, x311 (small groups & formation, newcomers)
** Chris Ashley: chris.ashley@gmail.com (budget, hospitality)
** Lynn Campbell: lynnmcam@aol.com (ministries with the homeless)
** Kieran Conroy: kconroy42@gmail.com (emerging church connections)
** Ashley Merrell: ashleynmerrell@gmail.com (music ministry)
** Keith Nelson: nelsonkr@gmail.com (worship arts)
** Jenna Tucker: jenna.m.tucker@gmail.com (general admin)

Blessings in the groove,
Rev. Steph