beginnings (from 8/19/10)

and here's the word from august 19:

This will be a fast post, but full of heart and full of news! Yesterday was Day One for Isaac Everett, our brand-new, half-time Minister for Liturgical Arts and Outreach at The Crossing. He and I walked around downtown a bit, had coffee, did some dreaming, started connecting with The Crossing community (don't be surprised if he calls you soon). If you're wondering who this guy is, give a look -- and a listen -- to his website: http://www.isaaceverett.com/; or the blog for transmission, the community he co-founded in New York City: http://www.transmissioning.org/. FYI: We're sharing him with New York -- they get him Saturday night through Tuesday, we get him Wednesday through Saturday morning. If that's not an example of Christ's reconciling power in action, I don't know what is

Speaking of reconciliation, that's what we're up to at The Crossing House Church tonight @ 7-9pm: A group will head to Waltham House, the group home for homeless LGBT teens. Our Justice + Outreach Team has been building this relationship for a while, as part of the Hope in Action Campaign, and it's extraordinary! Tonight, we're having a bake-off -- The Crossing vs. Waltham House. And while this is ministry, I'm showing no mercy. If they think they can beat my triple-chocolate cupcakes, I'd like to see them try. If you want to join, CALL Jack at 803.507.1297 by 1pm and we'll get you lined up with a ride.

Afterward, you're welcome to join a crew going to hear Crossing Music Director Jamie Hart and her band at Tommy Doyle's in Harvard Square. Show starts tonight at 9:30pm. http://www.tommydoyles.com/blog/harvard-square/harvard-square-event-calendar/. CALL 617.312.5218 if you're looking for us.

THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL: Luke 13:10-17: Now Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, "Woman, you are set free from your ailment." When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, "There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day." But the Lord answered him and said, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?" When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.