One (year) down ... many to go

Way, way back in the day -- Thursday, April 20, 2006 -- The Crossing opened the doors of St. Paul's Cathedral at 6:30 p.m. and invited everybody inside.

There was no grand, five-year church-planting design schema. We were just a diverse crew that had been meeting and exploring and praying, and we wanted to share something life-giving. To pause and listen for God just around the corner. To offer intentional spiritual practice and connection in the middle of a frenetic, urban landscape. To take the church's traditions and set them to the grooves that already thump through the streets and clubs and cultures just outside of the church … and within our own lives.

Sometimes, it's been magical and so God-filled you wanted to shout. Sometimes, we've hit the gritty stuff that probably made the apostle Paul's head hurt, too. But it's been good to stand at this crossing and get drafted by the Holy Spirit.

So now we get to celebrate. Thursday, April 19, at 6:30 p.m., right here at St. Paul's. It's still worship -- eucharist, spiritual practice, peace, prayers, the good news, a lot of singing -- but it's a life party. A celebration mass to say "thank you" for all that's come and "yes!" to all that's coming. And everybody's still invited.