simple blessings

I'm feeling hugely blessed today, so I'm passing along a simple blessing. Source: This morning, I managed to catch staff worship gathering here at The Cathedral, and this closing prayer landed in just the right place for me. Pray with it alone, add a "we" where there's a "you" and share it with someone else. And whatever you do, let's together keep on falling in love with God, growing in love for each other and ourselves, and sharing that love with the world ...

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received,
and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be confident, knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones
and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.
Amen.
(prayer popularly attributed to St. Teresa of Avila)

this week @ the crossing

• TODAY: Bridge Over Troubled Waters meeting @ 7:30pm in Brookline w/ Action Team
• THU: Crossing Paths @ noon in front of Cathedral
• THU: Worship @ 6pm at Cathedral
• THU: Fajitas 'n Ritas and then (FINALLY!) Episco-Disco, after worship
• SUN: Faith Transitions Group @ 6-7:30pm at Cathedral
• SUN: Sexuality & Faith Group @ 6-7:30pm at Cathedral
• AS NEEDED: Communion Delivery

worship

Worship / Thursdays @ 6pm
This week's gospel reflection takes us deeper with Luke (see text below). Isaac Everett shares a spiritual practice that's close to his heart: the Psalms (he loves them so much, he wrote a book about them: The Emergent Psalter).

• WAY BEFORE WORSHIP: Come anytime between noon and 1pm for Crossing Paths. Crossing folks reach out and share art and spiritual practices with the city. (details under "action")
• BEFORE WORSHIP: Creative juices flow! Help set-up for worship at 4:45pm. CONTACT Isaac at isaac@thecrossingboston.org to volunteer regularly!
• AFTER WORSHIP: Simple snacks, community and clean-up. Then Fajitas 'n Ritas for cheap food and drinks followed by Episco-Disco (details under "after worship")
• 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 -- ask a Greeter)
• FOR MORE INFO: Head to our website -- www.thecrossingboston.org

Communion Delivery / New offering!

Got a Thursday night class or work, and it's keeping you away from The Crossing worship? Going through a rough work stretch and can't make a couple of weeks? The Worship Circle is helping to knit all of us together as a body by organizing communion delivery to your house, class ... wherever you need some Jesus! To request communion, help with delivery or just get info, CONTACT Ben at ben@thecrossingboston.org.

All Saints Altar-Making / THU., Nov. 4

We'll join the worldwide church in marking All Saints Day on Nov. 4 (most churches will do it Nov. 2 or 7). Come that night ready to contribute to a special altar we'll create together during Open Space. Feel free to bring photos of ancestors: those you've known and lost, those whose memory and wisdom you carry. CONTACT Isaac at isaac@thecrossingboston.org.

after worship on thursdays

THIS Thursday / Episco-Disco

Third Thursdays, we turn off the brain and turn on the music. All are welcome to eat and drink at Fajitas n Ritas and then head to Estate, a nearby dance club that's free if you arrive at 10pm. 21 & up. CONTACT Travis at travisastevens@gmail.com.

Thursday, Oct. 28 / Education for Action

Fourth Thursdays, our Justice & Action Team organizes an open gathering where we share our stories, grow our passion for justice and prepare for action in the world. CONTACT Vicki at vicki@thecrossingboston.org.

Thursday, Nov. 4 / Community Dinner

Every first Thursday, we share a good, old-fashioned church potluck! Bring a dish, drink or dessert AND bring a friend. Done by 9pm @ the latest. Got questions or want to help with set-up/clean-up? CONTACT our resident chef, Stephen Gire at stephengire@mac.com.

Thursday, Nov. 11 / Everyone Does Theology -- Topic: JESUS

Second Thursdays, we settle in to learn and kick around deep thoughts on the big religious questions Christians have wrestled with for millennia. The series that will guide our exploration:Embracing an Adult Faith, featuring progressive theologian Marcus Borg and a host of regular folks talking about all things faithful. CONTACT Keith at keith@thecrossingboston.org.

action

Bridge Over Troubled Waters / TODAY @ 7:30pm at Vicki's House in Brookline
Bridge is an amazing organization literally around the corner from the Cathedral. They work with homeless youth and young adults, offering everything from tutoring to shelter, breakfast and lunch to big TVs and safe space. We're partnering with them as part of our commitment to standing with young, homeless people in Boston. If you want to help shape this link, join tonight's talk. CONTACT Vicki at vicki@thecrossingboston.org.

Icon Painting with Crossing Paths / Thursdays at 12-1pm

Drop-in with Crossing folks as we share art and spirit with the city. This week, ICON PAINTING -- together we're each going to add some paint and life to canvases, allowing all of our colors and strokes to give life to a sacred image that will find it's home on our altar. The point is to welcome people to a new way of interacting with God and each other and creating beauty together, right out in the open. CONTACT Vicki at vicki@thecrossingboston.org.

NOTE: Can't make Crossing Paths? The same practice will also be featured during Open Space on Thursday nights.

small groups

Journey Groups: share around common hopes and struggles on the faith journey

Faith Transitions

Focus: Dealing with big shifts in the way we understand God, Jesus, church, theology and more

Date + Time: Sundays @ 6-7:30pm (Oct. 10, 17, 24, 31; Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28; Dec. 5, 12)

Commitment: Open, but consistency appreciated to deepen experience for all participants

Location: Cathedral, Lawrence Room (1st floor, off reception area)

Contact: Rudy at rpreyes2@gmail.com or Rev. Steph at revsteph@thecrossingboston.org.

Faith and Sexuality

Focus: Explore the intersection of gender, sexuality, our bodies and our faith

Date + Time: Sundays @ 6-7:30pm (Oct. 10, 17, 24, 31; Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28; Dec. 5, 12).

Commitment: Closed after first two sessions

Location: Cathedral office building, 5th floor conference room (exit elevator, go left to very end of long hall)

Contact: Andres at andres.castro.samayoa@gmail.com or Penny at penny@thecrossingboston.org.

Praying Our Lives

Focus: Prayer, practice and integrating Christian commitment into the whole of our lives

Date + Time: Every other Tuesday @ 6-7:30pm (Nov. 2, 16, 30; Dec. 14 -- break for Christmas, restart in January)

Commitment: Covenant group, so closed after first few gatherings

Location: Cathedral office building, 5th floor conference room

(exit elevator, go left to very end of long hall)

Contact: Adwoa at adwoalw1@gmail.com

Neighborhood Groups: share prayer, food, community and service with neighbors

Cambridge/Somerville Neighborhood Group

Date + Time: NEXT WEDNESDAY @ 7-9pm (likely every other week)

Location: Beth Graham's house in Porter Square: 38 Berkeley St, Apt. 5, Somerville

Commitment: Open to newcomers, but all who join should commit to attend regularly

Contact: Beth at ElizabethLGraham@gmail.com or 617.767.1969 -- to RSVP

Brookline/Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Group

Date + Time: CONTACT ALEX & LEIGH TO TALK DATES

Location: Alex Froom's house -- 118 Winchester St., Brookline

Commitment: Open to newcomers,

but all who join should commit to attend regularly

Contact: Alex alexfroom@gmail.com or Leigh at lsfoster83@gmail.com.

behind the scenes

Community Requests

Here are some requests that have come through the community grapevine over the last week. Even if you can't help, please pray! And if you've got a need, reply to this email and it'll show up in later weeks ...

• MOVING: Tom, Hannelore, Nadia and Esperanza Nalesnik (the awesome family with two super-creative and wise daughters) are moving and would love some help. They've also got lots of extra furniture and stuff, and they're happy to see it go to a new home. CONTACT Tom at andwordspread@yahoo.com.
• BIKE: Got an extra bike? Our New York commuter, Isaac Everett, could use one to get around Boston (don't worry: he takes a bus to get here from NYC). CONTACT Isaac at isaac@thecrossingboston.org.

Worship help

Life at The Crossing is a community effort. We'd sure appreciate your help:

• Set-up/Clean-up: If you'd like to offer your artistic gifts (or just like moving furniture around), please come at 4:45pm any Thursday and dive in. Homemade art welcome! Or, if you can be part of a team that does clean-up periodically, that's a one-way ticket to heaven. CONTACT Isaac at isaac@thecrossingboston.org.
• Advertising: If you've got talent at graphic design and want to help with flyers + advertising, CONTACT Rev. Steph at revsteph@thecrossingboston.org.
• Worship sheets: If you have an hour a week to help draft and print worship sheets, CONTACT Isaac at isaac@thecrossingboston.org.

giving @ the crossing

We gather in a big, rich-feeling Cathedral, and we're located at the seat of the Diocese of Massachusetts. But when it comes to finances, we're actually a tiny operation doing God's work on the cheap: about $100K funds EVERYTHING we do (salaries, programs, admin, music team, outreach). Simple fact is, giving from our community makes The Crossing possible. It's also a spiritual practice that can change your life. To learn about regular giving, CONTACT Lura at lsteele120@gmail.com OR grab a pledge card during worship.

this week's scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Jesus told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, `God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, `God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted."

Sharing the love of Christ