pray without ceasing

I don't know what to say today except, Please pray. Pray for Zimbabwe, and for a new friend of The Crossing who is trying to rescue his family from likely death in his home country (if you want to learn more or to help with his efforts, email revsteph@gmail.com). Pray for children on our streets, who are getting shot and too often doing the shooting, children for whom the whole idea of "childhood" has become a joke, the stuff of fairy tales. Pray for immigrant farm workers, laboring in the heat with no protection from the sun ... or from the inhumane practices of their farm-owning bosses. With so much pain everywhere, you might think prayers to God don't matter. But they surely, surely do. Please come out tomorrow night ... and keep praying.

THIS THURSDAY @ 6pm / Worship: This week, Lynn Campbell takes us deeper into the Good News according to Matthew, while Audrey gets our hands dirty with artistic spiritual practices. Subway: Park St T (across from the fountain). Parking: Validation for Boston Common Garage. Info: www.thecrossingboston.org.

NOTE: Last worship for summer: July 24; back after Labor Day.

SAT., 7/19 @ 10am-4pm in Harvard Square / Rule of Life Retreat: What spiritual practices and commitments do you want to build into your life, and to share with a community, as we all seek to live the Jesus way? Bring those insights & questions to the table as we craft a rule of life for The Crossing community. Location: Harvard Square (either Episcopal Divinity School at 99 Brattle Street). Cost: $10. SIGN UP BY THURS., JULY 17: Ben Garren, wokehtklim@gmail.com or Rev Steph, revsteph@gmail.com.

JUSTICE & HEALING OPPORTUNITIES
We're closely connected to three downtown ministries with homeless and hungry people:
** Monday Lunch Program takes place here at The Cathedral every Monday. Show up @ 10am to help with set-up, or at 11:30am-12:45pm to help serve & build community with our neighbors. Contact Rev. Steph at revsteph@gmail.com or 617.482.4826, x318.
** St. Francis House: Volunteers needed everyday to help serve meals and provide care. Boylston St, near Chinatown. Contact Lynn Campbell at lynnmcam@aol.com or 617.654.1212.
** 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 also use help tending an urban orchard in Mission Hill. See www.haleyhouse.org or contact Christine Evans at cevans@haleyhouse.org.

COMMUNITY NOTES
** Prayers for all the people of Zimbabwe, especially for Justin and his sisters.
** Prayers for Crossing leader Chris Ashley and his whole family; and for his grandfather Perry, who died Monday morning. Perry's funeral is this Saturday.
** We're looking for Field Education interns. Interested (or know someone who might be)? revsteph@gmail.com.
** Prayers for everybody looking for work or making transitions this summer.
** Prayers for The Groovement, our conspiracy to share the music, worship and collaborative spirit of The Crossing with the wider church.

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, worship arts)
** Chris Ashley: chris.ashley@gmail.com (budget, hospitality)
** Lynn Campbell: lynnmcam@aol.com (ministries with the homeless)
** Christine Evans: thatevansgirl@gmail.com (admin, newcomers)
** Jason Long: jason.long.1@googlemail.com (small groups)
** Ashley Merrell: amerrell@berklee.net (music ministry)