getting muddy to be redeemed
Certain experiences, I'm used to having with folks from The Crossing. Slogging through mud, filling and lugging huge bags of trash off the banks of the Merrimac River, feeling strangely at peace about getting eaten up by mosquitoes -- these were a new experience. But a dozen of us shared it on Saturday, as part of the 9/11 Days of Service and Remembrance. Our new Minister for Justice and Outreach, Justin Harvey, did some reflecting on the Day and his hopes for the year to come. Here's part of the message he sent to all of us who participated ...
"It was a nasty day and it would have been easy to justify staying out of the rain and mess, but you all came through! And what a day! It was amazing to see how the riverbed went from utterly disgusting and depressing to clean and as it should be. Skye (Justin's wife) and I talked about the day that night and were pretty floored to be a part of a community that is willing to get ankle deep (or deeper!) in mud and muck and participate in the redemption of creation. ... It is my hope that in the coming year, we can have more and more of these experiences, and that we continue to invite others to join us in our work towards justice and peace, not only for ourselves, but for all people, and yes, the earth as well. And I hope that we will continue to share our passions and our lives with one another in a way that these sorts of experiences happen more and more as an organic part of who we are as a people."
Contact Justin if you share his passion for justice and outreach: justin@diomassintern.org. And keep praying that we will grow as a community that worships AND gets muddy AND redeems the world together.
what's going on @ the crossing
THIS THURSDAY @ 6pm / Worship and Fellowship
Lispeth Nutt leads the night's gospel reflection (Mark 9:30-37), while Keith Nelson opens up the spiritual practice of meditating on icons of all kinds. AFTER WORSHIP: Join us for simple hospitality and stick around for cheap food and drinks at a nearby restaurant. GETTING TO THE CROSSING: 138 Tremont St., 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.
Sat., 10/3 @ 9am-4pm / New England Trans Pride Parade in Northampton
A crew from The Crossing will march in this parade/celebration to support the civil rights of transgender people throughout New England. Sponsored by New England Trans United, the march begins in Northampton at noon (2 hours from Boston), and we should be back in Boston by 4pm. CONTACT: Penny Larson, penny@pennylarson.net or 617.755.8420 to offer a ride, get a ride or get more info.
Connect with New Ministry Leaders
We've got an amazing new crew of ministry leaders making life happen here @ The Crossing, but they could always use partners to join the team. See where you might like to plug in this year:
** Jason Long: jlong@diomass.org (contact to join new fall small groups)
** Justin Harvey: justin@diomassintern.org (contact to share info about your justice work or learn about opportunities)
** Penny Larson: penny@pennylarson.net (contact to suggest communities/groups we should reach out to)
** Travis Stevens: tstevens@hds.harvard.edu (contact to be a greeter or help w/ post-worship hospitality)
** Jamie Urquhart: jlynnu@hotmail.com (contact to share favorite songs or offer musical talent)
community notes
Giving Thanks for the Kenya Journey -- We Did It!
We completed fundraising for the Kenya journey Chris Ashley and Marie Harkey made in August. Thanks to the MANY contributors who helped cover the total of $3,700 to send them to Maseno, Kenya. Please read and pray with their reflections, captured in the Life @ The Crossing blog at http://thecrossing-boston.blogspot.com/ . And be ready as they prepare to tag-team preach at The Crossing in October. The journey was life-changing for them. May it be community-changing for us.
Giving @ The Crossing -- An Update
We're past halfway toward our annual giving goal of $20,000 in 2009, but it’s gonna take a generous four months to meet our goal. 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: http://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, an apartment sublet …)? Log onto our 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 service opportunities
Here are just a few ways to link and serve. If you are engaged in justice and social action and want to invite others to partner with you, reply to this email and we’ll list the event or program, along with your contact info.
** 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.
** Boston Faith and Justice Network: 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, or you've got a big question, 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 & lead organizer, communications, pastoral care)
** Jamie Urquhart: jlynnu@hotmail.com (music director)
Blessings in the groove,
Rev. Steph
Labels: alternative worship, Boston church, emergent, emerging church, Episcopal, evening service, progressive Christian, volunteer, young adult
posted by Rev Steph Spellers at
8:49 PM
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