Life @ The Crossing: Of Bishops and Booty Vortex

I hope to God that you know about The Crossing's 1st anniversary worship gathering + party this Thursday, April 19, at 6:30 pm (as always). It's the only party I know that features members of the funk band Booty Vortex (http://www.bootyvortex.com/live/) and a Bishop and The Eucharist. What more could you want on the road to God?

Several of us hit the streets of Downtown Crossing today to spread the word, handing out mints along with cards that say, "Keep the funk where it belongs: IN CHURCH!" (folks seemed to appreciate our sense of humor.) Boston may be known for its stiff upper lip (and crust), but we found people so hungry for conversation, for a smile, for a tiny mint on a blustery, wet, cold April day. The stories could go on and on ...

And speaking of stories, there's lots more to tell about life at The Crossing in the months ahead. Like this ...

* FAITH-SHARING GROUP BEGAN THIS MONDAY: Kendra McLaughlin and Jason Long are leading a faith-sharing group at Kendra's home, and it's set to run every 3rd Monday at 6:30-8 pm. The topic: looking at scripture and selections from the book Blue Like Jazz (Donald Miller's emergent/postmodern spirituality memoir) to reflect on 1) how God shows up in others' spiritual journeys, and 2) what God is doing in our lives. Contact Kendra at kendra.mclaughlin@gmail.com or 857.939.0353 for directions; Jason can be reached at jason.long.1@googlemail.com. Bring food with you or pick up take-out at one of several places near Kendra's Fenway abode. Everybody is welcome, even if you can't do Thursday worship. We just wanna see you.

* BRING YOUR BIBLE ACROSS THE RIVER NEXT MONDAY: Starting Monday, April 23, at 6:30 pm, the scripture chat moves to every other Monday night and to Pizzeria Uno/Chicago Grill-Harvard Square (Happy Hour menu 'til 7 pm -- YES!). Come look at the scriptures, the world, our lives and how we can proclaim the good news in the next month's worship. Location: 22 JFK St -- come above ground at the main T exit, hang a left down JFK toward the river. Texts: John 13:31-35; John 5:1-9; John 17:20-26; John 14:8-17.

* MONDAY IS THE NEW THURSDAY: Everybody loves Thursday night worship, and it ain't goin nowhere. It's just that we've built up our social/service/spiritual practice offerings on Mondays. Here's the proposed calendar, which starts NOW:

• First Mondays @ 6:30 pm / Community Scrum: This is where we get down and work out our common life at The Crossing: worship ideas, community leadership, hopes for our ministry, reflections on the last month, ... all of it. Scrums take place at the home of a Crossing leader, and come with a home-cooked meal. Everybody's welcome. Details in the "Life @ The Crossing" email updates.
• Second and Fourth Mondays @ 6:30 pm / Scripture Chat: Harvard Square: See details above. We gather every other Monday (April 23, May 14, May 28, on and on). Bring friends. Let's see if the Bible sounds different out in public.
• Third Mondays @ 6:30 pm / Faith-Sharing Group: See details above. Aren't you just glad it's every month?! Contact Kendra and Jason for info.
• Every Monday @ 11:30 am / Volunteer with the Monday Lunch Program: Monday Lunch is the Cathedral's outreach ministry welcoming hungry and homeless people -- usually about 150 guests -- for a meal, social service support, and a warm, friendly community. Contact Stephanie via email or at 617.482.5800, x318, for more info.

THURSDAYS STILL PRIME-TIME: Wonder what else is up on Thursdays?

• Before worship / Practice: We're still engaged in intentional spiritual practice before worship, from 6 to 6:30 pm. If you'd like to lead a spiritual practice that keeps you close to God, contact Lynn Campbell at lynnmcam@aol.com or 617.230.5272.
• Worship: There are so many ways to be part of worship leadership. Create beauty and help with set-up. Lead reflections for all or part of a month. Offer the prayers. Share some art. Sing your heart out. Play an instrument. Contact Lynn to plug in (info above).
• After worship / Connect: No more scripture chat, but that means we're free to just hang out! Bibles welcome, but I can't guarantee we'll open them. FYI: We're likely to wind up at Fajitas and 'Ritas, our annex around the corner.
• Once every other month, after worship / Go Deep: We'll share a more in-depth conversation on something that will enrich our formation as individuals and as a community. THE FIRST "GO DEEP' IS THURSDAY, MAY 3. TOPIC: TBA. We'll clean up fast and then head out at 8 pm to talk, sip and reflect.

So much goodness, it's hard to stay at home. So don't! Come out every Monday. Come out every Thursday. Hey, you can sleep on Sundays (wait, I didn't say that!).