pray, dance, serve (and dance some more)

and now we're all caught up -- this post went out to the crossing community TODAY!

I've recently taken up swing dancing, and it's changing my life, especially my spiritual life. There's a way that we connect when we dance that can't be explained. Even if you're standing on the side watching and talking to other folks and hoping the sweat doesn't spray your way ... it's just good. Like hearts open, and if you ask the Spirit to sweep in, well, she's highly likely to say, "Yes."

So I was super-stoked when our Justice and Outreach Team announced that they'd be hosting a Hope in Action Celebration Dance Party this Thursday right after worship. Every time we've danced as a community -- for spiritual practice, at Estate for Episco-Disco, on the street in a parade -- it's taken us all closer to God in one big leap. What if we did it for more than one song? What if we did it right there in church? Hope you'll stick around to find out. Whatever your justice commitments, whatever your dance ability, just come on in. If the Holy Trinity can be in an eternal dance (ever heard of perichoresis?), surely we can.

this week @ the crossing

WORSHIP and COMMUNITY // Thursdays @ 6pm
Our summer intern Jack Jenkins takes his turn preaching at The Crossing -- his text, Luke 6:51-62 (scroll down to read it). Tyler Bridge leads the final week of our June our spiritual practice: bible study.

• BEFORE WORSHIP: Set-up for worship at 4:45pm. Prayer circle at 5:30pm. NEXT WEEK: Common Games @ 3pm.
• AFTER WORSHIP: Episco-Disco turns into a Dance Party @ The Crossing from 7:30 to 9:30pm.
• 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 ($5 with validation @ church)
• FOR MORE INFO: Head to our website -- www.thecrossingboston.org

HOPE IN ACTION DANCE PARTY // This Thursday @ 7:30-9:30pm at The Crossing

We'll celebrate a year of building relationships, stirring up hope and organizing for God's justice. Bring friends. Bring your dancing shoes. CONTACT Justin at justice@thecrossingboston.org.

WALTHAM HOUSE VISIT // This Sunday afternoon

When we're done dancing, the ministry continues. Please join a small team of Crossing folks helping out at Waltham House on Sunday (especially if you've made a 1% commitment as part of Hope in Action). The house is about 25 minutes from Boston, is part of the Home for Little Wanderers, and works with young people who've been kicked out of their homes or otherwise traumatized because of their sexuality.

For precise time, meet-up and transport info, and other logistics, CONTACT Maeghan at maeghan.ouimet@gmail.com or Natalie at hope@thecrossingboston.org. FYI: Only 5 people at a time can come, so sign up soon.

community life @ the crossing

Here is the full list of opportunities to connect, build community and serve this summer. You can also keep up at our website: www.thecrossingboston.org/groups.

justice & service @ the crossing

HOPE IN ACTION // NOW

As a part of the city-wide Hope in Action campaign -- shepherded by our partners in the LifeTogether 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:

• See info above re: the Waltham House visits. And pray as we build relationships with Bridge Over Troubled Waters, a local group that also works with homeless teens.
• People who made 1% commitments should expect a contact from a Hope in Action team member -- if you haven't heard already -- about meeting in small groups. These groups will gather to share support and to make plans for 1) facilitating conversations on transgender inclusion and rights AND 2) visiting Waltham House to be a supportive presence with queer homeless youth.
• Be thinking NOW about the church, school or other group you'd like to visit to do a training, ideally this summer but also in the fall. We'll go to the places where we each have relationships. That's the way lasting change happens!

general crossing community info

InBetweenCrossings: groups.google.com/group/inbetweencrossings. Log on and view or share all kinds of random community notices: furniture, apartment sublets, concerts, lost and found, play dates. If you want to share it with our community, start here.

Giving @ The Crossing: follow the link to learn about sharing your money or your prayers with The Crossing -- it's a spiritual practice that we're grateful to invite people into. We raise a huge chunk of the money for this ministry among our own members (the rest comes from grants we apply for and from generous support from our Cathedral and Bishops). To make an ongoing pledge, fill out a card at worship or CONTACT Chris at giving@thecrossingboston.org.

Meet Our Crew: The Crossing is led by a team of amazing, creative and faithful young adults. Follow the link to meet them and see who you might contact to more deeply engage our community.

the scripture this week

Luke 9:51-62

When the days drew near for Jesus to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, "Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.

As they were going along the road, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." But Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home." Jesus said to him, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."

Walking with you and Christ,

Rev. Steph