life after death (plus summer news)

Last week, Elba Cleland, a beautiful woman and dear friend to The Crossing community, died of cancer. Many of you might not have known her -- that's a shame. Elba had a heart almost the size of God's heart, and she was passionate about building community and bridges everywhere: with her Costa Rican family and neighbors, within the Cathedral congregation, between the church and young people in Boston. She served as the head of The Cathedral Council (the lay leadership team here at St. Paul's). She also taught and directed programs at Simmons College, where she took special care to mentor students of color and international students finding their place in the world. Hundreds of young people knew her as a second mama.

Elba loved The Crossing. She rapped at our second Soulful Easter Vigil, and in our early days, she would race from Simmons to The Cathedral to join us for worship, strolling down the center aisle in one of her colorful caftans and sparkling shoes, nodding to the music and celebrating the hope of God. She was always asking how the wisdom of our community could make a difference for the wider church AND how The Crossing could head into the city to carry out the riskier mission a more traditional church might not be equipped to take on. And she prayed for us constantly.

In the year ahead, The Crossing's leaders have said we want to passionately engage our city, crossing boundaries and building relationships with new people and extending God's love in concrete, powerful ways. As we do it, we're following in the Way of Jesus. But we're also following in the footsteps of our daring, generous and faithful mentor and friend, Elba. She's given us some big, sparkling shoes to fill. With God's grace and Elba's prayers, we will.

what's happening @ the crossing?

THURSDAYS @ 6-6:45pm in AUGUST / Crossing Community Prayer Gathering on Boston Common

A simple gathering for prayer, scripture reflection and a song or two, keeping connections alive during our hiatus. LOCATION: Meet on the Cathedral steps at 6pm; the group will head onto Boston Common near the State House and get started at 6:15pm. CONTACT Kieran Conroy: kconroy42@gmail.com or 845.781.3706.

SUPPORT THE KENYA JOURNEY -- STILL RAISING THE LAST $800

Two members of The Crossing community -- Chris Ashley and Marie Harkey -- are traveling to forge relationships with our brothers and sisters in Maseno, Kenya. (FYI: Chris arrived this week, Marie heads out next week -- info forthcoming re: where you can read their experiences!). We still need to raise $800 to cover the last of the plane ticket expense. CONTACT: Chris at chris.ashley@gmail.com for info. Contact Rev. Steph (info below) if you plan to make a donation (checks made out to St. Paul's Cathedral, with "Crossing Priest Discretionary-Kenya" in the memo area -- mail to 138 Tremont St., Boston MA 02111). LEARN MORE: http://www.diomass.org/mission/AIDS_in_Africa.

THIS SATURDAY @ 10am-3pm / Work Day at the DioMass Intern House

Help our friends in the DioMass Intern Program with preparing a house for interns moving to the area later this month. Good food, good people and good work abound! TIME: Work a shift 10-12, 1-3 or go ahead and stay 10-3. St. LOCATION: Luke's-St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Allston (5 Saint Lukes Rd; 66 bus or B Line to Packard's Corner). CONTACT: Jason atjason@diomassintern.org. Learn more about the program at www.diomassintern.org.

TUESDAYS @ 6:30-8pm in AUGUST / Centering Prayer Group

Join this open group and share the practice of centering prayer (think of it as Christian meditation). If it's your first time or you're a pro, the group will be a refreshing way into deeper life with God. LOCATION: Due to construction in the Cathedral community spaces this summer, the group will meet at The Paulist Center -- a Catholic church across from Park St. T, about half-way up Park St (toward the State House; see the bright red door). NOTE: On 8/25, meet at St. John the Evangelist Church on Bowdoin Street, other side of the State House. CONTACT: Keith Nelson,nelsonkr@gmail.com or 205.807.9037.

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.


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 at revsteph@gmail.com.

** St. Francis House: Volunteers needed every day to help serve meals and provide care. Boylston St, near Chinatown. Lynn Campbell, our link to St. Francis House, is on her way to seminary. But if you'd like to help out, call (617) 542-4211 or go to www.stfrancishouse.org.

AND join Boston Faith and Justice Network to build awareness, relationships and action around fair trade and justice issues locally and globally. Go to www.bostonfaithjustice.org for more info.

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)
** Kieran Conroy: kconroy42@gmail.com (emerging church connections)
** Jamie Urquhart: jlynnu@hotmail.com (music ministry)
** Keith Nelson: nelsonkr@gmail.com (worship arts)
** Jenna Tucker: jenna.m.tucker@gmail.com (general admin)

Blessings, rest and joy in the name of Christ -- Alleluia!

Rev. Steph