come, holy spirit, come

playing catch-up again -- here are some email blasts sent to our community over the last three weeks.

June 2, 2010 ...

Oooo, it's hot! And while the Cathedral doesn't have much in the way of air conditioning, we can count on the fresh breeze of the Holy Spirit blowing through. This week marks the opening of the season of Pentecost. If you're marking your liturgical calendar (check one out here), then you'll see that Pentecost is the moment when God the Holy Spirit comes sweeping into our communities, giving us the power not just to worship Jesus but to actually embody him and live as his body holding the world. If that sounds like it changes everything, it does. And it's definitely worth celebrating.

coming up @ the crossing

WORSHIP and COMMUNITY // Thursdays @ 6pm
Adwoa Lewis Wilson closes the month by opening the door to Pentecost. The spiritual practice is led by Natalie Finstad, who will get us back into our bodies and closer to God.

• BEFORE WORSHIP: Come at 4:45pm to help with worship set-up or 5:30pm to join the prayer circle
• AFTER WORSHIP: Join us for cheap food and fun at Fajitas n Ritas and THENEpisco-Disco at a local dance club
• BY SUBWAY: 138 Tremont St -- across from Park St T stop (Red or Green Line); near Downtown Crossing T (Orange)
• PARKING: Boston Common Garage, Charles Street between Boston Common and Public Garden
• FOR MORE INFO: Head to our website -- www.thecrossingboston.org

EPISCO-DISCO // THIS Thursday (4th Thursdays) after Worship

What better way to embody Jesus than to celebrate life on the dance floor? We share our monthly spiritual practice at a local club that's 1) walking distance from the church and 2) got a very low cover (often free). CONTACT Travis at hospitality@thecrossingboston.org.

TRAINING for HOPE IN ACTION // Next Thursday, June 3, after Worship (8-9:30pm)

We're hosting one more training for people who want to facilitate discussions around transgender inclusion at local churches and organizations, using Jesse Begenyi's documentary short film "The Crossing" as the conversation starter. Read under "justice and service @ the crossing" for more details about the Hope in Action campaign and getting engaged.

PRIDE PARADE // Saturday, June 12, ~11am-2pm in Boston's South End

The Crossing will lead the Episcopal crew marching in the Boston's LGBT

Pride Parade. An amazing day to share the love and life of God out in the open! Starts in the South End (precise starting location TBA) and ending at Boston's City Hall Plaza near Government Center. I

f you'd like to 1) help with planning and prep, 2) be part of the Episco-Disco Dancers or 3) just march, then

CONTACT Justin at justice@thecrossingboston.org.

FALL INTERNS @ THE CROSSING // Contact Rev. Steph NOW

If you or someone you know needs a field education or social service internship for the 2010-2011 academic year, please CONTACT Rev. Steph at revsteph@thecrossingboston.org or 617.482.4826, x318. We love hosting interns and are building this fall's team now!

community life @ the crossing

SUMMER FUN @ THE CROSSING // Coming up

The Community Life crew gathers this week to plan for summer fun at The Crossing. We continue to worship and gather and serve all summer long, so if you'll be around, then stay connected. And if you've got ideas for community life in the summer -- Kickball? Day trips? Movie nights? Dinner at your house? Pool parties? A paint day at the Waltham House for LGBT homeless youth -- CONTACT Jason at community-life@thecrossingboston.org.

PRAYERS FOR THE COMMUNITY // All the time :)

We gather to pray at worship, but the prayers for our community and our world need to keep running throughout the week, throughout every moment. Feel free to reply to this email with your own prayer needs, or write prayers for yourself or others and place them in the bowl on any Thursday (put a star if you'd like to share it). Here are some prayers I'm carrying -- I hope you'll make time for them, as well:

• Please pray for our leadership as we launch a search for a new Minister for Community Life, to begin in mid-August. The job description is attached. Tell somebody!
• Please give thanks for all the folks who are graduating or just graduated, and for all who are moving soon (we send you with blessing!).
• Pray for Tyler Bridge, who is in Discernment for Holy Orders at The Crossing; and for his entire awesome Discernment Committee; and for everyone discerning big life decisions at this time of transitions.

justice & service @ the crossing

HOPE IN ACTION ADVOCACY ON BEACON HILL // NOW

As a part of the city-wide Hope in Action campaign -- shepherded by our partners in the Life Together young adult intern program in the Diocese of Massachusetts -- many of us have made a

1% commitment to action that makes a difference. CONTACT our Hope in Action Strategy Leader Natalie Finstad at hope@thecrossingboston.org for lots more info. Here's the most recent news:

• The State Legislature has another month to consider the stalled bill that would add sexual expression to the state's non-discrimination clause, at last granting transgender people protection from discrimination in housing, jobs, public accommodations and so much more. Please consider writing a letter, calling a legislator and/or praying. Go to www.masstpc.org for info.

Come, Holy Spirit!