how radical is YOUR welcome?

Radical welcome is easy to talk about. It's easy to write about in your Rule of Life. Last Thursday, we got to the hard part: the practice of radical welcome.

A man - we'll call him Pete - took a seat in the pews, and I invited him to join us around the altar for worship. He seemed engaged enough, until I finished offering the reflection, a meditation on the first commitment in our Rule of Life, the commitment to practice Radical Welcome (embracing the gifts and voices and wisdom of The Other, such that we and our communities are changed).

When we opened for comments, Pete spoke up, said he didn't understand how we could call ourselves Christians if the women were sitting with their heads uncovered. Then he questioned how faithful we could be to the Bible, considering we have a woman minister.

It could have degenerated into a shouting match. People could have ignored him, frozen him out or shut him down. Instead, throughout the rest of the evening - including during Open Space and later at Fajitas n Ritas - I saw person after person engage truthfully, lovingly and energetically with Pete. Folks offered their stories and their love of the Bible and of God, and welcomed him to share his passion for God and reverence for God's word, and how all that had led him to our door. It became a teaching moment, and yes, Pete did quite a lot of the teaching.

Will he be back this week? I hope so. Not because I want to slam his logic and convince him that "we" are right, not because I expect he'll convince me that women shouldn't be priests, but because walking together is bound to expand all of our hearts. And because - sigh - the only way we're gonna get to the kingdom is together.

Click here to read the full Life @ The Crossing email blast for May 4. It's got even more articles, news and updates.

a holy week surprise

Surprise. Holy Week is many things - beautiful, arresting, heart-

Click image; link to flyer

breaking - but "surprise" is not one of the words we associate with this annual ritual observance. We know how this story goes, right? As of Palm Sunday, Jesus had entered Jerusalem. As of Thursday, he will have shared a Last Supper with his friends, and then he will enter the garden to await the horrors ahead. On Good Friday, he will be crucified. Then early, early on Sunday - basically Saturday night - everything turns, the world changes, and there's a whole new story to celebrate.

Not surprising. And yet, as you walk through this week, I pray that you will be surprised. Allow yourself to visit the texts, no matter how familiar they may be to you, with fresh ears and an open heart (see bottom box for art and links to readings for Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Allow yourself to grieve for our brother, God, Jesus, who suffers the unimaginable and then dies a death you wouldn't wish on the world's worst criminal. Let your tears surprise you. And if some part of you has been slowly dying and falling away, but you've been gripping it in desperation, imagine letting it go. Imagine what else God has in store.

Jesus' journey may look the same every year. How we walk with him, how we inhabit his story - that is what keeps changing. There is always some other part of you that needs to die, and some part of you that God is just about to resurrect. And you usually have no idea.

Surprise. And amen.

Read the whole "Life @ The Crossing" newsletter HERE.

reason to believe

(ALMOST caught up -- sent this out to The Crossing community last Wednesday)

I grew up in Kentucky, land of coal mines, black lung disease and cave-ins. So the story of the trapped Chilean miners hit close to home. Over the last 65 days, I'd check in every week or so, surprised that they were still there, wondering what it would take to free them, scared to hear the inevitable news of lives lost. Then I saw the first images yesterday. And I heard the voices of the men and their families. Talk about faith in action. Here are just a few excerpts from CNN.com. (Click to watch CNN footage)

"They emerged looking healthier than many had expected and even clean-shaven, and at least one, Mario Sepulveda, the second to taste freedom, bounded out and thrust a fist upward like a prizefighter. 'I think I had extraordinary luck,' he said. 'I was with God and with the devil. And I reached out for God.' "

Lillian Ramirez is the wife of Mario Gomez, second to emerge from the mine. She told reporters, "To say there were 33 trapped in the mine is wrong. There were 33 men -- and God." Amen, my sister.

Did God trap these men in that mine to teach them a lesson? No. Did God look down from heaven and single-handedly rescue them? No. But God was there, with them, in the mine. Singing in them, praying in them. And I believe when they say they could not have survived without that faith, without the active presence of the 34th one in the mine: God. Thanks be to God who shows up, redeems us and sustains us through everything. And thank you, hermanos y hermanas en Chile, for your witness.

this week @ the crossing

• WED: Cambridge/Somerville Neighborhood Group @ 7-9pm at Beth Graham's house
• THU: Crossing Paths @ noon in front of The Cathedral
• THU: Worship: Thursdays @ 6pm at The Cathedral
• THU: Everyone Does Theology -- topic: God: Thursday @ 7:30pm at The Cathedral
• SAT: Brookline/Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Group @ 6:30-8pm at Alex Froom's house
• SUN: New to The Crossing Brunch @ 1-3pm at Rev. Steph's house
• NEXT TUE: Praying Our Lives @ 6-8pm at The Cathedral

worship

Worship / Thursday @ 6pm
Rev. Steph takes up the gospel of Luke (18:1-8 -- passage below) and 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 Everyone Does Theology (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

newcomers

Sunday, Oct. 17 @ 1-3pm / Welcome to The Crossing Brunch @ Rev. Steph's house in Cambridge

There's a lot happening in this small but vibrant community, so we host these periodic brunches to help new(ish) people get their bearings. Eat a really yummy Southern brunch and learn about the dreams, commitments and practices that shape the core of our life at The Crossing, plus some history, some intro to our leadership and some info about the traditions (Anglican + emergent + more) that ground us. And, of course, share some about yourself and hear from other new folks! RSVP by Fri., Oct. 15 and CONTACT Jason at jason@thecrossingboston.org or Jack at jack@thecrossingboston.org.

small groups

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

Cambridge/Somerville Neighborhood Group

Date + Time: THIS 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 or to say you're interested but can't make Wednesdays

Brookline/Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Group

Date + Time: THIS SATURDAY @ 6:30-8pm

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

-- to RSVP or to say you're interested but can't make Saturdays

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 (next meeting Oct. 19, then Nov. 2, 16, 30; Dec. 14 -- break for Christmas, restart in January)

Commitment: Closed after Oct. 19 gathering

Location: Cathedral office building, 5th floor conference room

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

Contact: Jana at jana.yeaton@gmail.com or Adwoa at adwoalw1@gmail.com

after worship on thursdays

THIS Thursday / Everyone Does Theology -- Topic: GOD

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 God. CONTACT Keith at keith@thecrossingboston.org.

Thursday, Oct. 21 / 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.

action

Crossing Paths / Thursdays at 12-1pm

Drop-in with Crossing folks as we share art and spirit with the city. Might be a sidewalk chalk labyrinth with icons and stations. This week, it's Liturgical Jenga. 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.

Bridge Over Troubled Waters / Making connections now
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 starting to partner with Bridge as part of our commitment to standing with young, homeless people in Boston. If you want to be part of the link, CONTACT Vicki at -- you guessed it -- vicki@thecrossingboston.org.

behind the scenes

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 his disciples a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, `Grant me justice against my opponent.' For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, `Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.'" And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

Blessings as we share the word and share life,

hooking up (the old-fashioned way)

Sometimes, technology is just a way of hiding from the world of flesh and blood, real people and real mess. But sometimes, it dissolves barriers, brings us closer, facilitates community, helps us to share the journey.

That’s how we hope you’ll approach this Small Groups @ The Crossing survey, via Survey Monkey. It was crafted with love by our Community Life crew, and in 10 simple questions you'll help us to figure out which small groups will truly capture interest this fall. Feeling drawn to a space where you can learn again how to share meals, share prayer, share life with the people who live around you? That’s a Neighborhood Group. Hope to do some deep work around a particular spiritual issue: faith shifts, body & sexuality & faith, an intentional deep prayer practice? Those are the topics we imagine for the new Journey Groups. Other formation and fun opportunities come up on Thursdays (no need to sign up!).

So read on for updates on worship, action and community life. Click the survey link to check the options and point us in the right direction. Or just talk to someone on a Thursday. Either way, let’s get hooked up (and I mean it in the most wholesome, Christian way possible).

worship
Worship / Thursday @ 6pm
Beth Graham offers this week’s reflection on Luke 16:19-31. Sue Spilecki continues to draw us together for the month’s spiritual practice: community singing.

• BEFORE WORSHIP: Creative juices flow! Help set-up for worship at 4:45pm.
• AFTER WORSHIP: Simple snacks, community and clean-up, followed by a ritual procession to Fajitas n Ritas for cheap Brazilian/Mexican food. We'll subsidize your first visit!
• 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

action
The Laramie Project @ Emerson College:
* Panel discussion (inc. Crossing leaders!) / TODAY, Sept. 22 @ 6:30pm -- FREE BUT REGISTER HERE
* Performances of The Laramie Project(s) / Fri., Sept. 24 - Sat., Oct. 2 -- FREE TIX AVAILABLE (read on)

The Details: On October 6, 1998, Matthew Shepard was beaten, tied to a fence and left to die on the outskirts of Laramie, Wyoming. Ten years after interviewing Laramie residents and creating the ground-breaking play The Laramie Project, the original team returned to discover how Laramie had changed: politically, socially and religiously. The result is the epilogue, The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later. Now Boston audiences will be able to watch both plays and engage in discussion about what they mean today.

The Panels: The event launches with a panel discussion TODAY, Sept. 22 @ 6:30pm. Our own Penny Larson will speak about “Be[ing] Part of the Solution.” LOCATION: Bright Family Screening Room at the new Paramount Center, 559 Washington St.

The Plays: Performances run Sept. 24-Oct. 2 at Cutler Majestic Theatre, 219 Tremont St. TO GET A FREE TICKET, contact Vicki Morte at mortev@diomassintern.org. To purchase a ticket or get info on the plays, CLICK HERE. Use the code THELP4 and $5 of your ticket returns to The Crossing.

Justice & Outreach Team / JOIN NOW
If you have a passion for justice, or want to build deeper relationships with more of our neighbors, CONTACT Vicki Morte at mortev@diomassintern.org. As our Relational Evangelist -- the intern who’s building relationships and helping us to share love, justice and faith more broadly -- she’s building the team now. She’d love to talk about how you can engage with God’s dream.

community

Learn and Play on Thursdays / Weekly after Worship, beginning October 7

This fall we’ll build a rhythm of formation and play every week. First and third Thursdays are all about play and connection. Second and fourth Thursdays we focus on learning, formation and engagement.

Community Potluck Suppers / 1st Thursdays

Bring a dish and a friend, as we share a community meal at church right after worship.

Everyone Does Theology /2nd Thursdays

Our turn to explore the big theological questions Christians have wrestled with for millennia.

Episco-Disco / 3rd Thursdays

Continue The Crossing tradition of dancing after worship at Estate, a nearby club that’s free if you arrive right at 10pm. 21 and up.

Education for Action / 4th Thursdays

Our Justice & Action Team hosts this monthly action/reflection space. Everyone’s welcome to stay, learn and get ready for The Movement.

Small Groups @ The Crossing

Groups will run mainly on two tracks: Neighborhood Groups link people who live in similar space. Journey Groups link people at a similar place on the spiritual journey.

Neighborhood Groups

Gather every other week or monthly (group to decide) to share food, community, prayer and service in the neighborhood. In other words, make yourself at home. Contact leaders IMMEDIATELY, as they’re picking dates and kick off in October.

• Brookline/Jamaica Plain: CONTACT Leigh Foster at lsfoster83@gmail.com
• Cambridge/Somerville: CONTACT Beth Graham at ElizabethLGraham@gmail.com

Journey Groups

These groups share the spiritual journey, based on a common experience or common hope. They’re taking shape now and will launch in October. The strongest interest is around these areas -- see the Survey for more details and opportunities to share where your passion runs:

• Gender, Body, Sexuality & Faith: Share the journey with others who seek to ask challenging questions and live a more fully embodied Christian faith.
• Faith Transitions: Is your understanding or experience of God, Jesus or Christian community in transition? Join others wandering through uncharted spiritual territory.
• Praying Our Lives: Experimental, year-long Covenant Group for those seeking a deep level of mutual support and accountability on their spiritual path. Echoes the practice and vow of monastic stability: we are changed by our relationships to and with one another only if we learn the discipline of staying put.

PLUS: Discernment Groups

In addition to the Neighborhood and Journey Groups, you may seek short-term Discernment Groups. In these Quaker-style listening circles, a small group will sit for about 3 hours with one person’s big decision about the issue they bring into the circle: vocation, relationship, identity and more. If you need such a circle, or want to offer to be part of one when someone requests it, CONTACT Rev. Steph (a former career counselor) at revsteph@thecrossingboston.org.

our leaders

The Crossing community has been blessed with passionate, gifted members who give a whole lot of themselves for love of God and each other. If you want to learn more, share more, or engage in worship, community or action, please contact the conveners who gather leaders in each of our ministry areas:

• WORSHIP: Isaac Everett / isaaceverett@gmail.com OR Ben Whaley / ben@diomassintern.org
• COMMUNITY: Rev. Stephanie Spellers / revsteph@thecrossingboston.org OR Keith Nelson / nelsonkr@gmail.com
• ACTION: Vicki Morte / mortev@diomassintern.org OR Penny Larson / penny@pennylarson.net

this week’s scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Jesus said, "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, `Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.' But Abraham said, `Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.'"

Lazarus said, `Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father's house-- for I have five brothers-- that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.' Abraham replied, `They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.' He said, `No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to him, `If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'"

taking worship to the streets (8/11/10)

and here's the second catch-up blog entry, this time from august 11:

Today is Day 1 back from vacation for me. I'm trying to figure out how to bring to ordinary life that refreshing vacation rhythm of praying, good eating, sleeping and making time for people I love. Anybody got a clue? One thing I know: whenever I've simply asked God, "Help me to keep this practice -- it feels good for me and good for my relationship with You" ... whenever I've made that simple request for grace and support, the discipline (or some form of it) has fallen into place almost effortlessly.

For instance, two years ago I started journaling every night, and it's still going, whether I'm sick or tired or both -- and, honey, that is bonafide proof of divine intervention! Now I'm adding an adapted form of Compline to my nights, and a brief Morning Prayer to begin my days (thanks to Chris Ashley for leading the July spiritual practice and getting me into this lovely habit). Please pray for me as I step into this new practice. I'll be praying that all of us move into fresh spiritual and life disciplines during the Summer Sabbath, and that we carry them into the rest of our year and the rest of our lives. That's kinda the point ...

Oh, and about this week's title: tomorrow at 6pm we worship on Boston Common before the Shakespeare in the Park production of "Othello." Yes, we'll be taking worship to the streets, and you should join!

house church (7/29/10)

oh, i did that thing again. that thing where i go for a few months sending the weekly emails out to the community but not posting on the blog. my bad! here i am, dutifully catching up. somehow, it seems important to have this log. don't ask me why :)

first up, an entry from july 29, at the start of our summer sabbath:

Blessed Summer Sabbath! Every summer at The Crossing, we take a breather to get out of the hot Cathedral sanctuary and find God in smaller places. And so, for the next five weeks, at 6pm on Thursdays, instead of our usual worship, we're doing House Church: gathering in local homes to share some evening prayer, some food and community and (hopefully) some air-conditioning. Tonight, you're welcome to Beth Graham's house in Somerville (details below). It's a wonderful opportunity to grow relationships and get to know others' stories -- if we really rock this, imagine the community we'll return to when we return to the Cathedral on September 2 for our fall kick-off!

Speaking of September ... I need to offer up huge thanks and blessings for all those to whom we said goodbye at last week's worship gathering, and prayers for all those who are gonna miss them so much. It was an extraordinarily tender night -- yes, stuff got real -- with plenty of tears and ear-to-ear grins. It was especially poignant for me after my two-week trip to Italy. Every time I think my heart couldn't get more full with love for this circle of brothers and sisters, something like last week happens and I realize there's yet more room and more love. I thank God for this whole, beautiful body of Christ, and I pray God's grace over every one of us as the summer and our lives continue to unfold.

to love as jesus loves

(posted to crossing community on april 26)

About 2 weeks ago, 35 folks from The Crossing community

joined hundreds of people in pledging to share 1% of our time and/or money for justice and to put our hope into action. At The Crossing, we voted to pour our collective resources into mentoring queer homeless youth OR advocating for transgender civil rights legislation and inclusion.

Our energy and action is URGENTLY needed right now: to lobby the state legislature and/or to train as facilitators for conversations in area churches beginning to welcome trans people. Scroll down for the details!

• Maybe you're not sure where you stand on these issues. If you know our community, then you know I won't throw down a gauntlet and tell you what to do. But I can't help but share a piece of my own journey: I've been praying for a couple of days with the gospel for this Thursday. It's John 13:31-35 -- Jesus tells his disciples about the final commandment he's leaving them to live out: "love one another, just as I have loved you." As I write my letters to state legislators, as I ask bishops to stand up, and as I attend the training, I won't be doing it as a partisan political crusader. I'll be doing it because I love Jesus and I want to make sure everyone else knows the fullness and protection of his love. I'll be doing it because this is a concrete way that I can love others as Jesus has loved me. Where will you love like that? It's an open question, one I hope you'll pray with ... and then act on.

this week @ the crossing

THURSDAYS @ 6pm // Worship and Community
Julia Wilkinson finishes April with a closer look at Jesus' simplest and perhaps most challenging request of all: LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Bill Comer leads our spiritual practice: sitting quietly in the presence of God.

• BEFORE WORSHIP: Come at 4:45pm to help with worship set-up or 5:30pm to join the prayer circle.
• AFTER WORSHIP: Stay for cheap food at Fajitas n Ritas and THEN Episco-Disco
• 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

EPISCO-DISCO // This Thurs., 4/29, after Worship

Like to dance? Like to pray? We're sure to do both at Episco-Disco, our monthly outing to a local club for dancing and community after worship. The venue will be close by and have a modest cover, and our focus is on dancing and opening to the Spirit. CONTACT Travis at hospitality@thecrossingboston.org.

HOPE IN ACTION @ THE CROSSING // Letters & calls NOW; Training Thurs., May 6 after worship OR Sun., May 9 @ 2-4pm

It's time for action! Here are two ways to live out your 1% commitment to action that makes a difference -- CONTACT Natalie at hope@thecrossingboston.org for lots more info.

• The State Legislature is gearing up to finally consider a stalled bill that would add sexual expression to the state's non-discrimination clause, at last granting trans people protection from discrimination in housing, jobs, public accommodations and so much more. The forces against the legislation are already stepping out, so we need to be a force for love. Please consider writing a letter, calling a legislator or praying. Go to www.masstpc.org for info.
• Sign up for one of the two trainings for Crossing folks committed to the Hope in Action campaign: next Thursday after worship or the following Sunday afternoon. We will watch the film about The Crossing and transgendered community (made last November and premiered at Fenway Community Health Center last month). Then we'll get trained to teach a curriculum that will help other communities of faith to become more aware, more welcoming and more loving with transgendered people.

SPEAKING OF FAITH SMALL GROUPS AT THE CROSSING // This Sat., 5/1 @ 4-6pm at 40 Prescott St. in Brookline, running 5 weeks
Speaking of Faith is one of the most popular programs on public radio, and one of the most engaging religious conversations going on today. Partnering with the Episcopal Church, they’ve created a new curriculum for small groups that combines audio clips, small group formation and fascinating questions on life and faith today. The Crossing will serve as one of only a few pilot sites nationwide, and all are welcome to join.

• TOPIC: 5 sessions on “Einstein’s God: Science and Faith.”
• CONTACT Jason at community-life@thecrossingboston.org or 617.519.1538.
• LOCATION: 40 Prescott St. home of the BU chaplaincy and the Life Together intern program (easily accessible via Green Line: C to St. Mary's or B to BU Central, then walk 5 min.)

GREETERS'/NEWCOMERS TEAM BRUNCH // This Sun., May 2 @ 11am-12:30pm at Justin Harvey's house in Roslindale

If you've got a heart for hospitality, come to enjoy brunch and brainstorming at the home of our Minister for Justice and Outreach, Justin Harvey, next Sunday in Roslindale (close to the J.P. border). Open to all who would like 1) to greet, 2) to help welcome newcomers, 3) to help with after-worship food, 4) to offer feedback and insights on your own experience of welcome at The Crossing. Let's practice what we preach! RSVP by FRIDAY, 4/30, to Justin at justice@thecrossingboston.org.

coming up @ the crossing

CROSSING ANNUAL COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING // Thurs., 5/13 after Worship

As a community, we've grown a lot, learned a lot, offered a lot and received even more this year. On Thursday, May 13, we'll take time to celebrate what God has made possible among us. Plan to stay after worship as we mark milestones and lessons learned AND say good-byes and thank yous to folks who are heading out for the summer AND look ahead as a community. CONTACT Julia at worship-help@thecrossingboston.org to help with planning.

SUMMER HELP @ THE CROSSING // Contact Rev. Steph NOW

We're a year-round church, but lots of our leaders live on a student schedule. That means May-July are big turnover months! Starting next month, we'll need help with lots of basics: worship sheets, worship space, hospitality, collecting & counting the offering. If you'll have time or know someone with a field education or volunteer requirement to fulfill this summer, please CONTACT Rev. Steph at revsteph@thecrossingboston.org or 617.482.4826, x318.

community life @ the crossing

TUESDAYS @

6pm at Episcopal Divinity School // Community Dinner + Prayer (generally weekly)

Join this relaxed, weekly gathering of Crossing folks and EDS students. Come if you're hungry. Come if you're curious about starting an intentional community. Come if you're in the neighborhood. Just come!

CONTACT Michael at michael@zahniser.net to confirm it's happening and get location.

SATURDAYS and WEDNESDAYS // Covenant Groups (weekly)

Our Covenant Groups are no longer open to new participants, but stay tuned for more opportunities to gather with Crossing members to share stories, wisdom and the Christian journey. CONTACT Jason at

community-life@thecrossingboston.org

.

EVERY OTHER MONDAY @ 6:30-8pm // Neighborhood Action+Reflection Circles (every other week, thru 5/17)

These new small groups are dedicated to building community, sinking roots into our neighborhoods and engaging in justice and service to bless the communities where we live. Meet every other week, alternating between sharing stories and community in one gathering, and heading into action the next time. CONTACT Justin at justice@thecrossingboston.org to learn more.

Follow this link to learn all about our Small Groups and Formation Offerings or contact our Minister for Community Life, Jason Long, at community-life@thecrossingboston.org.

Praying to love like Jesus ...