big alleluias for our big new hire!

And now, for some magnificent news: after a thorough search, we've made a selection in our search for a new Minister for Community Life at The Crossing!

We posted far and wide, including sending an email to nationally renowned emerging church leader Isaac Everett, asking if he would circulate the job posting to his community in New York. He's quite busy in the city -- co-leads the transmission community, writes ancient-future music and liturgical resources (like the great stuff in his book Emergent Psalter or on his website: http://www.isaaceverett.com) and cooks up all kinds of fun in the worlds of music, liturgy, web/media and community.

Little did any of us expect that Isaac would submit his own application for our position and offer to bi-locate to Boston! Clearly, he would have made an awesome Minister for Community Life. But our Job Search Team decided he'd make an even better Minister for Liturgical Arts and Outreach, and that's what he'll be, starting on August 15. I'll shift to work with the team of leaders holding Community Life: newcomers, spiritual formation, small groups, fun and more. Jason Long, our current Minister for Community Life, is getting married in July and shifting to full-time with Life Together Young Adult Intern Program here in Boston (blessings, dear brother!). And a fantastic core of volunteers and interns will continue to partner to nurture our community as we seek and make real God's will in the city of Boston.

Somebody please shout "Amen!"

I can hear you now :)

this week @ the crossing

WORSHIP and COMMUNITY // Thursdays @ 6pm
Rev. Steph kicks July off with a reflection on Luke 10:1-11 + 16-20. Our spiritual practice: creating your own book of daily prayers (all supplies will be supplied, but if you've got favorite prayers, bring 'em with you).

• BEFORE WORSHIP: Common Games @ 3pm. Set-up for worship at 4:45pm. Prayer circle at 5:30pm.
• AFTER WORSHIP: The ritual procession to Fajitas n Ritas.
• 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

COMMON GAMES // 1st and 3rd Thursdays @ 3pm

Come to play outdoor games on Boston Common, including Frisbee, bocce & kickball. Meet on the Cathedral steps at 3pm. CONTACT Jack at jackmjenkins@gmail.com.

WALTHAM HOUSE VISIT // This Saturday @ 10:30am-3:30pm

MOVED FROM LAST SUNDAY: Please join a small team of Crossing folks helping out at Waltham House on Saturday (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.

To sign up, get transport info and other logistics, CONTACT Maeghan at maeghan.ouimet@gmail.com or Natalie at hope@thecrossingboston.org. FYI: Only 6 people at a time can come, so sign up soon.

EVERYBODY DOES THEOLOGY // Next Thursday after worship

A final summer conversation on queer justice, the church and the world. This time, our Justice & Outreach folks will guide a free-range talk about queer identity, the media and God. CONTACT Caroline at caroline@diomassintern.org.

WIZARD OF OZ @ FREE FRIDAY FLICKS // 6pm @ The Hatchshell on Boston's Esplanade

We'll join the rest of Boston for fun on the Esplanade next Friday evening. Click here for info: Friday Flicks Schedule. We'll meet on the Cathedral steps and head to the river. CONTACT info coming up ...

KICK-NIC! // Sunday, July 18 @ 3-7pm

The Crossing will kick some butt in our first (but hopefully not last) Kick-Nic. We've invited several local churches to join us for picnic and games on Boston Common. Bring potluck and a big smile. CONTACT Justin at justice@thecrossingboston.org.

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.

Everybody Does Theology: 2nd Thursdays after worship

Our theology roundtable focuses this summer on justice and queer issues. July 8: LGBT representations in themedia. CONTACT Caroline at caroline@diomassintern.org.

Episco-Disco: 4th Thursdays after worship

What would Jesus do? Jesus would dance! In June, we host a post-worship dance party @ The Crossing! In July, we return to Estate, a nearby dance club that’s free before 10pm. CONTACT Justin atjustice@thecrossingboston.org for the dance party. CONTACT Lura at lsteele120@gmail.com about the July outing.

Waltham House Visits: starting this Saturday, other dates through summer

We’re building relationships and helping out at Waltham House, a sanctuary for homeless and traumatized queer youth in the Boston area. CONTACT Maeghan at maeghan.ouimet@gmail.com.

Community Dinners: Mon., July 26 @ 6:30-8:30pm

Crossing members open our homes to share a meal and share life. Sue Spilecki hosted a slamming gathering in Brookline last week. Next up is a July dinner in Harvard Square on the campus of Episcopal Divinity School.

Brookline Neighborhood Group: 6:30-8pm every other Monday

The Brookline Neighborhood Group continues in the BU area, sharing food and community. CONTACT Alex atalexfroom@gmail.com.

Central Square World Cup Potlucks: Throughout this month!

Tracey and Seth Wispelwey open their home (and giant TV) in Central Square for the World Cup, food (selection usually matches thenationalities that are facing off on the field) and fellowship. Join the world party! CONTACT sethwispelwey@yahoo.com or tracy@restorationvillage.com.

Boston Outdoors Series: Join the city's great free summer offerings!

- Fri., July 9 @ sundown: Wizard of Oz (Esplanade at the Hatchshell)

- July 28-Aug. 15: Shakespeare in the Park performs “Othello” -- stay tuned for the date!

“Kick-Nic”: Sun., July 18 @ 3-7pm

Join The Crossing and other local worship communities for kickball and picnic! CONTACT Justin:justice@thecrossingboston.org.

August Sabbath: July 29-August 31 (return September 2)

Every August, The Crossing community takes a deep breath and pauses our usual worship. Instead, Thursday evenings in August, we share neighborhood-based worship at homes, or a trip to help at Waltham House. To help out or to host, CONTACT Jack atworship-help@thecrossingboston.org.

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.

Big blessings and alleluias all around,

Rev. Steph