show some pride!

[lord help me! i manage to get a weekly email out to our community, but converting it for a blog post and placing it here for the wider world to check somehow eludes me. so now i'm catching up. here is the last of three weeks' worth of blog posts. they're truncated, without the basic community ministry info. just some thoughts, plus all the news that's fit to print ...]

sent to crossing community on tuesday june 9, 2009
If there's any place where Boston-area Christians need to stand up and offer a positive witness and some serious blessings, it's this Saturday's Pride Parade. I hope you'll be part of The Crossing's witness at the parade, an annual celebration of hope for New England's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered (LGBT) community and their allies. Why should we all join in? Because the church has done plenty to scapegoat LGBT people and declare they're not beloved, and the fallout is often sad, sometimes deadly. To show up with a blessing and an invitation to LGBT brothers and sisters to consider Jesus again ... well, it's humbling and stirring for those of us who are marching. And it's amazingly healing and inspiring for folks standing in the crowds.

All are welcome to walk in the parade and/or to attend the Blessing Service at The Cathedral at 2:30pm with Bishop Tom Shaw. Details are below. And blessings are coming from above :)

what's happening @ the crossing?
TONIGHT @ 6:30-8pm / Come to the Center: A Centering Prayer Circle IN BROOKLINE
Keith Nelson and Matthew Turner lead this introduction to the ancient practice of Centering Prayer (think of it as Christian meditation). OPEN GROUP: beginners and newcomers welcome every week! Runs every Tuesday in June and July. LOCATION: 40 Prescott Street in Brookline -- St. Mary's stop on Green C-Line, BU Central on the B-Line or 47 bus between Central Sq. and Roxbury. (Detailed directions @ bottom of this email.) CONTACT: Keith Nelson, nelsonkr@gmail.com.

WEDNESDAY @ 6-8pm / Daring to Draw Near: A Covenant Group IN BROOKLINE
Kate Rubins and Stephen Gire guide this Christian discipleship group exploring various forms of prayer, using John White's book Daring to Draw Near. Runs every Wednesday in June and July -- this Wed. will be the last open session; then group closes for final 6 sessions. LOCATION: 40 Prescott Street in Brookline -- St. Mary's stop on Green C-Line, BU Central on the B-Line or 47 bus between Central Sq. and Roxbury. (Detailed directions @ bottom of this email.) CONTACT: Kate Rubins, rubins@mit.edu.

THURSDAY @ 6pm / Worship and Fellowship
Laura Kraybill offers the month's second reflection, the first in a series all about the kin(g)dom of God (see Mark 3). Jenna Tucker keeps up the spiritual practice for the month: a primer on good, old-fashioned prayer. After Worship: Join us for simple hospitality and stick around for our ritual procession to Fajitas 'n Ritas 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.

THIS SATURDAY / The LGBT Pride Parade
The Crossing always has a vibrant presence with our wider Episcopal family in Boston's Pride Parade, where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people and allies walk, give thanks and stand in solidarity with those who cannot yet celebrate. Here's the Pride Day schedule:
-- 10:30am: Depart Cathedral en route to the step-off point in the South End (line-up in parade by 11:30am)
-- Noon-2pm: Walk in the Parade (South End to City Hall Plaza)
-- 2-2:30pm: Music, Tea and Hospitality on the Cathedral Porch
-- 2:30-3:15pm: Blessing Service for LGBT people and their families, w/ our own Bishop Tom Shaw

And here's how you can get plugged in:
** Want to help craft our creative presence -- sewing, painting, dreaming, encouraging the creatives? Contact: Lispeth at lispethn@gmail.com.
** Want to assist with hospitality and a blessing service at The Cathedral at 2pm (right after the Parade)? Contact: Rev. Steph at revsteph@gmail.com.
** Just want to march? Show up at The Cathedral at 10:30am and we'll head to the step-off point together.

small groups and formation
The Tuesday and Wednesday small groups are just one part of a rich summer of community life at The Crossing:
** Community Dinner / Sat., 6/20 @ 5:30pm at home of Kate Rubins and Mike Magnani: These monthly dinners will take place at the homes of Crossing folks. Thanks to Kate and Mike for opening their home near Central Square. 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. OPEN -- just need to RSVP to Kate at rubins@mit.edu.

** Urban Adventures / Sat., 6/27 @ 10am-2:30pm: Urban 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). First date is Saturday, 6/27 @ 10am-2:30pm: Harbor Island Adventure - Experiencing God's Creation. A day of prayer, sun, hiking and refreshment one mile from downtown Boston! Free guided tours and info on eco-volunteer opportunties. 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.

** August Prayer Group: Thursdays in August @ 6-7:30pm. No worship in August, so enjoy this simple time to gather, pray and keep community going while we all catch our breath.