rise up (again)
Thursday is Ascension Day. It’s quite possible you’ve never heard of it. We pay way more attention to the two big spring feasts: the Resurrection (when Jesus is raised from the dead) and Pentecost (when the Holy Spirit sweeps into the disciples, filling them with Christ’s power [this year, the Holy Spirit arrives on May 31]). But something happens in between: The Ascension, when the resurrected Jesus departs, returning to his Abba God in heaven, leaving the disciples with the promise of his love and power.
The Ascension had to happen. Not because Jesus had to get back to heaven before midnight, when his chariot would turn back into a pumpkin. But because they would always be looking for Jesus to personally make things happen, and he needed them to head out -- anointed with his power and love -- to make even more happen. He needed them to look around at each other and see leaders of a movement, his movement, a movement that would go on and on, calling out more and more regular folks (folk like us!), making them apostles and leaders, too. That's why he left, so he could abide in this whole new way ... beyond us and in us. So yes, the Ascension matters. Come celebrate it Thursday night.
what's happening @ the crossing?
THIS THURSDAY @ 6pm / Ascension Day Worship and Fellowship
Audrey O'Brien takes us up with the story of the Ascension (see Luke 24: 44-53), and Alicia Ziegler leads the spiritual practice, reflecting on meeting the risen Jesus in her mission for justice and healing among people working in the porn industry. 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.
small groups and formation
The Small Groups and Formation leaders have been busy listening and discerning, and they've put together a whole summer's worth of opportunities for learning, community, spiritual formation and adventure. Here are the highlights; more details to come VERY soon! Contact: Jason Long at jlong@diomass.org.
** Centering Prayer Group: starting Monday, June 1 @ 6:30-8pm, running every other week 'til end of July (could switch to Tues). OPEN -- come anytime and experience the ancient practice of sitting in the abiding presence of God. Simple, beautiful, necessary.
** Covenant Discipleship Group: starting Wednesday, June 3 @ 6-8pm. OPEN first two sessions, then closed for remaining 6 sessions. Working with Dare to Draw Near by John White, a small group (6-10 people) will go deeper on the Christian journey together.
** Adventures in Holy Places: Saturdays all summer long. Join other Crossing folks and friends exploring the city and surroundings, discovering places each of us identifies as "holy" (and fun). OPEN -- come anytime!
** Community Dinners: Once a month (June, July, August), Saturday or a Sunday @ 5-8pm, at the homes of Crossing folks. A new Crossing tradition. OPEN -- just need to RSVP.
** 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.
community notes
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 brand 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.
Giving @ The Crossing
If you'd like to make a contribution to support the ministries of The Crossing -- and yes, this ministry depends on all of our giving, to meet our goal of raising $20,000 in 2009 -- we've got new pledge cards available at worship. You can make a one-time gift, or prayerfully consider pledging (setting out an amount you'd like to give over the course of a year). Give however you're able: cash, check or credit cards. Contact Chris Ashley at chris.ashley@gmail.com to learn more.
Share the Groove -- Buy a copy of The Crossing CD
The Crossing has released its first CD, Songs @ The Crossing. It's a collection of 14 favorite songs from our worship community, and you can get it for $15. Reply to this email or buy one on a Thursday.
Fair Trade @ The Crossing
Want to pitch in with our effort to become a Fair Trade Ministry? The first move: changes in hospitality (fair trade/organic food, eco-friendly products, re-usable dishes that we wash after worship). To help and imagine more ways to transform life @ The Crossing, contact Bill Comer at bill.comer.jr@gmail.com or 617.818.5124. And join friends at Boston Faith and Justice Network as they put the spotlight on fair trade and justice issues locally and globally. Go to www.bostonfaithjustice.org for more info.
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 a revsteph@gmail.com.
** St. Francis House: Volunteers needed every day to help serve meals and provide care. Boylston St, near Chinatown. Contact Lynn Campbell at lynnmcam@aol.com.
** 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 use help tending an urban orchard in Mission Hill. See www.haleyhouse.org.
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 (newcomers)
** Chris Ashley: chris.ashley@gmail.com (budget, hospitality)
** Lynn Campbell: lynnmcam@aol.com (ministries with the homeless)
** Kieran Conroy: kconroy42@gmail.com (emerging church connections)
** Ashley Merrell: ashleynmerrell@gmail.com (music ministry)
Blessings in the groove,
Rev. Steph
The Ascension had to happen. Not because Jesus had to get back to heaven before midnight, when his chariot would turn back into a pumpkin. But because they would always be looking for Jesus to personally make things happen, and he needed them to head out -- anointed with his power and love -- to make even more happen. He needed them to look around at each other and see leaders of a movement, his movement, a movement that would go on and on, calling out more and more regular folks (folk like us!), making them apostles and leaders, too. That's why he left, so he could abide in this whole new way ... beyond us and in us. So yes, the Ascension matters. Come celebrate it Thursday night.
what's happening @ the crossing?
THIS THURSDAY @ 6pm / Ascension Day Worship and Fellowship
Audrey O'Brien takes us up with the story of the Ascension (see Luke 24: 44-53), and Alicia Ziegler leads the spiritual practice, reflecting on meeting the risen Jesus in her mission for justice and healing among people working in the porn industry. 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.
small groups and formation
The Small Groups and Formation leaders have been busy listening and discerning, and they've put together a whole summer's worth of opportunities for learning, community, spiritual formation and adventure. Here are the highlights; more details to come VERY soon! Contact: Jason Long at jlong@diomass.org.
** Centering Prayer Group: starting Monday, June 1 @ 6:30-8pm, running every other week 'til end of July (could switch to Tues). OPEN -- come anytime and experience the ancient practice of sitting in the abiding presence of God. Simple, beautiful, necessary.
** Covenant Discipleship Group: starting Wednesday, June 3 @ 6-8pm. OPEN first two sessions, then closed for remaining 6 sessions. Working with Dare to Draw Near by John White, a small group (6-10 people) will go deeper on the Christian journey together.
** Adventures in Holy Places: Saturdays all summer long. Join other Crossing folks and friends exploring the city and surroundings, discovering places each of us identifies as "holy" (and fun). OPEN -- come anytime!
** Community Dinners: Once a month (June, July, August), Saturday or a Sunday @ 5-8pm, at the homes of Crossing folks. A new Crossing tradition. OPEN -- just need to RSVP.
** 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.
community notes
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 brand 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.
Giving @ The Crossing
If you'd like to make a contribution to support the ministries of The Crossing -- and yes, this ministry depends on all of our giving, to meet our goal of raising $20,000 in 2009 -- we've got new pledge cards available at worship. You can make a one-time gift, or prayerfully consider pledging (setting out an amount you'd like to give over the course of a year). Give however you're able: cash, check or credit cards. Contact Chris Ashley at chris.ashley@gmail.com to learn more.
Share the Groove -- Buy a copy of The Crossing CD
The Crossing has released its first CD, Songs @ The Crossing. It's a collection of 14 favorite songs from our worship community, and you can get it for $15. Reply to this email or buy one on a Thursday.
Fair Trade @ The Crossing
Want to pitch in with our effort to become a Fair Trade Ministry? The first move: changes in hospitality (fair trade/organic food, eco-friendly products, re-usable dishes that we wash after worship). To help and imagine more ways to transform life @ The Crossing, contact Bill Comer at bill.comer.jr@gmail.com or 617.818.5124. And join friends at Boston Faith and Justice Network as they put the spotlight on fair trade and justice issues locally and globally. Go to www.bostonfaithjustice.org for more info.
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 a revsteph@gmail.com.
** St. Francis House: Volunteers needed every day to help serve meals and provide care. Boylston St, near Chinatown. Contact Lynn Campbell at lynnmcam@aol.com.
** 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 use help tending an urban orchard in Mission Hill. See www.haleyhouse.org.
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 (newcomers)
** Chris Ashley: chris.ashley@gmail.com (budget, hospitality)
** Lynn Campbell: lynnmcam@aol.com (ministries with the homeless)
** Kieran Conroy: kconroy42@gmail.com (emerging church connections)
** Ashley Merrell: ashleynmerrell@gmail.com (music ministry)
Blessings in the groove,
Rev. Steph
Labels: alternative worship, Boston church, emergent, emerging church, Episcopal, evening service, progressive, progressive Christian, volunteer, young adult
posted by Rev Steph Spellers at
3:37 PM
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