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

so proud!

and here's another one that got sent out on june 16 ...

More than 30 members of The Crossing community came out to share the ministry of reconciliation on Saturday. Now I know, some call it the LGBT Pride Parade, but if you ask any of us who marched, sang, shared cards and blew bubbles, we'll tell you what was going on was reconciliation. Knitting the fabric of the human family back together, the way God intended. Drawing together groups once scattered. Saying "We're sorry" and "We love you." The apostle Paul got it, which is why he wrote:

If we are in Christ, we are a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. ... And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making an appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:17-20)

I don't know any better way to sum it up. So have a look at the attached pictures -- they're glorious! And just imagine how, throughout this summer and in the year to come, we can step out together as ambassadors through whom God is embracing and reconciling with our neighbors and the world.

this week @ the crossing

WORSHIP and COMMUNITY // Thursdays @ 6pm
As mentioned, Justin Harvey steps into the pulpit (or our version of it) to break open the gospel of Luke. Tyler Bridge leads our spiritual practice, back by popular demand: bible study!

• BEFORE WORSHIP: Common Games is on! 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 3pm, meet on the Cathedral steps and then head to Boston Common to play kickball, bocce ball or frisbee. ALSO: Set-up for worship at 4:45pm. Prayer circle at 5:30pm.
• AFTER WORSHIP: Simple snacks and community, followed by a ritual procession to Fajitas n Ritas for cheap Brazilian/Mexican food. We'll subsidize your first visit!
  
• NEXT THURSDAY: After worship: Episco-Disco is actually a Dance Party at church @ 7:30-9:30pm.
• 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

COMMUNITY DINNER @ SUE'S PLACE // Mon., June 21 @ 6:30-8:30pm at Sue Spilecki's home in Brookline

Our monthly Crossing Community Dinners continue on Monday, as Sue Spilecki opens her home near Cleveland Circle to anyone who wants to share food, fun and community. RSVP to Sue by Sunday at noon -- and let her know what you're bringing! -- so she can plan. She'll send you directions when you RSVP at writerspilecki@comcast.net.

HOPE IN ACTION DANCE PARTY // Next Thurs., June 24 @ 7:30-9:30pm @ The Cathedral

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

community life @ the crossing

Hot fun in the summertime @ The Crossing! Click here for the full list of community gatherings and outings set for this summer: 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:

• 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!

JUSTICE AND THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION // Read on

Last week, the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Katharine Jefferts Schori, issued a letter that staked out our claim as a truly inclusive body of God's people. Read a story about her statement, and the statement itself, here:

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/78695_122615_ENG_HTM.htm.

Bishop Shori issued her letter in response to a May letter from Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, who is upset at recent actions by the Episcopal Church and other Anglican churches that support blessings unions and ordaining LGBT people to any holy order, including bishop. His letter is also available at the link above. For those who are unfamiliar with the Anglican Communion and curious about the implications, please be aware that 1)

The Archbishop of Canterbury is not our Pope (we don't have one); and 2) the Anglican Communion is actually a community of independent churches (like the Episcopal Church) that express ancient traditions in our local contexts, knit together by our common theological heritage and our relationship with the church in Canterbury. Now, read on ...

spirit people

My friend Ema just returned from a trip to the Deep South, where she was training undocumented Mexican and Guatemalan people so they can be even stronger leaders in their local church. She lit up as she spoke of the men, some of whom cannot write in Spanish or English, but who love the Bible and meet regularly to talk about it (yes, they make the time, though they work 7am-7pm at a local poultry processing plant). And the women! They are such healers, Ema said, that it seems they just hold out their hands and transformation happens. Some of them are afraid to believe God is acting in their lives and that their stories and ministries matter. Ema was there to help open their eyes. I feel sure that, when she left, they could see more of God in their midst, more of God in each other. Just hearing her stories had that impact on me.

As we move into this season of the Holy Spirit -- that is, the season of Pentecost -- I'm so grateful for Spirit people like Ema. Who has opened your eyes, helped you to see God's love more clearly, participate in God's life more fully? Be sure to thank them. And thank God.

coming up @ the crossing

WORSHIP and COMMUNITY // Thursdays @ 6pm
Rev. Steph opens June with a reflection on Luke 7:11-17: Jesus resurrects a young man so he can go home to help his mother (um, thanks?). Following worship stay for community OR the Hope in Action Training.

• BEFORE WORSHIP: Come at 4:45pm to help with worship set-up or 5:30pm to join a prayer circle
• AFTER WORSHIP: Community hang-time, then Fajitas n Ritas OR Hope in Action Training re: getting equipped to lead talks on faith and transgender welcome
• 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

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

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 // NEXT 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.

SUMMER FUN @ THE CROSSING // Coming up

The Community Life crew has quite a plan for the summer. Yes, there will be Thursday afternoon pick-up games on Boston Common. Yes, there will be day-trips all over Boston. Yes, there will be a day to paint and help out at Waltham House for LGBT homeless youth. Yes, there will be kickball and a picnic (and yes, it's called a "KickNic"). Yes, there will be monthly dinners at homes. I feel sure Leigh Foster will host at least one pool party in Brookline (hi Leigh!). It's quite a lot of community and life. Be sure to share it. Dates and more to come SOON -- CONTACT Jason at community-life@thecrossingboston.org.

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 is getting set to revisit a 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.
• If you made a 1% pledge and plan to participate in the trainings with other faith communities, be thinking NOW about the church, school or other group you'd like to visit to do a training. We'll go to the places where we each have relationships. That's the way lasting change happens!