Thursday, December 11, 2008

what's on your advent list?

Everybody's (probably) got a Christmas Wish List. But I'm wondering about your Advent List. If you're hoping for more time in prayer and in community, time to breathe and listen and not just run ragged … then stay after worship this Thursday, when we'll continue our Advent Soup, Bread and Prayer series. Or join the Advent Retreat at St. Margaret's Convent on Sunday @ 10am-4pm (contact Marie at mharkey@gmail.com or Andrea at revandrea@gmail.com BY THURSDAY).

At The Crossing, we've got our own Advent Wish List. One fervent prayer is that brothers and sisters who have experienced the dream of God alive at The Crossing will deepen their commitment to Jesus' Way as part of this community. If you would like to share the gift of your time and energy in a Crossing ministry, contact any of the leaders listed at the bottom of this email blast. There's truly room for everybody's gifts here!

And if you'd like to make a financial contribution -- because The Crossing absolutely depends on such giving -- you have two options. Make an outright gift now (checks can be made out to St. Paul's Cathedral, with The Crossing in the memo area; send to "The Crossing, 138 Tremont St., Boston MA 02111"). Or pledge an amount you'd like to contribute over the year to come (info available at worship this Thursday, or by replying to this email.) May all our wishes come true ... and all for the sake of God's dream of healing, mercy, justice and peace among us.

What's Going On @ The Crossing?
THIS THURSDAY @ 6-7:30pm / Worship
Andrea takes a turn offering reflections, meditating on Isaiah's prophecy of the Promised Savior (feel free to pray over Isaiah 61: 1-4 in advance). Getting here: 138 Tremont St -- Park St T or Downtown Crossing. Driving: Park at Boston Common Garage on Charles St between the Common and the Public Garden (validated parking). More info: See our website @ www.thecrossingboston.org. NOTE: No worship on 12/25 or 1/1.

THIS THURSDAY & 12/18 after Worship ~ 7:30-9pm / Advent Soup, Bread and Prayer
We began this simple Advent community practice last week, and folks have been raving about the food and the fellowship ever since. So plan to stay for Soup, Bread and Prayer: a simple meal, prayer and spiritual practice in small groups at table. It's a way of living out our new Rule of Life (a set of commitments and principles that shape our lives as followers of Jesus and as The Crossing community). It's also a way of easing toward the new small groups launching in the New Year. Mark your calendar: Dec. 11 and 18 @ 7:30 to 9pm. IF YOU'D LIKE TO VOLUNTEER TO COOK SOUP, CONTACT JASON @ jason.long.1@gmail.com or 617.617.519.1538.

THIS SUNDAY, 12/14 @ 10am-4pm @ St. Margaret's Convent-Roxbury / Advent Retreat
Make Sunday a true Sabbath at our Advent Retreat. Plenty of time to breathe and pray, with a focus on the Rule for Real Life (see attachment). In other words, it's about our hope to say "yes" to God in all parts of our lives: spiritual, financial, communal, relational, sexual AND our hope to commit to the journey with Jesus as members of The Crossing community. Cost: $25 (financial assistance available). Location: Society of St. Margaret's Convent, 17 Highland Park St (10 min walk from Roxbury Crossing T on Orange Line). Contact: Marie at mharkey@gmail.com or Andrea at revandrea@gmail.com.
NOTE: If you'd like to stay Saturday night at the Convent, contact Marie and she'll give you details.

THROUGHOUT ADVENT ('til 12/24) / Join The Advent Conspiracy
The Advent Conspiracy is a national campaign encouraging entire churches to resist consumerist temptations and instead seek to a) worship God fully, b) spend less money, with greater intention, c) give more of ourselves, and d) love all the people we can, especially people enduring poverty and hunger in our community and around the world. Could say a lot more, but just click here: www.adventconspiracy.org.

FRI., 1/16 (evening) to SUN., 1/18 (evening) / Ruach Retreat in Maine
Don't we all need to breathe deep, share spiritual practice and get grounded for the year to come? That's the goal of the Ruach Retreat, a retreat for folks in their 20s and 30s that's co-sponsored by The Diocese of Maine and The Crossing. Location: Notre Dame Spiritual Center in Alfred, Maine (2 hrs north of Boston). Cost: $90, w/ financial assistance available. For more info: contact Ben Garren at bgarren@alumni.unc.edu.

Ongoing Community Notes
Small Groups @ The Crossing
If you've got a passion for small groups, either to help organize this new ministry or to be in a group, then contact Jason Long. He's got a crew of leaders doing one-to-one relational meetings, finding out the topics and passions that would truly bring people together. Groups start in the New Year.

Share the Groove -- Buy a copy of The Crossing's new CD!
The Crossing has released its first CD, Songs @ The Crossing. It's a collection of 14 favorite songs from our worship community, and you can get it for $15. Reply to this email or buy one on a Thursday. A great Christmas gift (think of buying one and including a prayer for the recipient -- now THAT'S a gift!).

Fair Trade @ The Crossing
Want to pitch in with our effort to become a Fair Trade Ministry? The first move: changes in hospitality (fair trade/organic food, eco-friendly products, re-usable dishes that we wash after worship). To help and imagine more ways to transform life @ The Crossing, contact Bill Comer at bill.comer.jr@gmail.com or 617.818.5124.

Ongoing Justice & Healing Opportunities
We're serious about joining ministries that serve our homeless and hungry brothers and sisters. Please join us any day of the week!
** Monday Lunch Program takes place here at The Cathedral every Monday. Show up @ 10am to help with set-up, or at 11:30am-12:45pm to help serve & build community with our neighbors. Contact Rev. Steph at revsteph@gmail.com or 617.482.4826, x318.
** St. Francis House: Volunteers needed everyday to help serve meals and provide care. Boylston St, near Chinatown. Contact Lynn Campbell at lynnmcam@aol.com or 617.654.1212. Note: Help especially appreciated on Wed., 11/26 at 9-11am (meal prep) and 11:15am-1:15pm (serve meal).
** Haley House is a Catholic-worker style community in the South End. Volunteers needed for meals programs 6-10am every day AND 1:30-5pm Saturday and Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Could also use help tending an urban orchard in Mission Hill. See www.haleyhouse.org.

Getting Connected @ The Crossing!
If you'd like to be in touch, we'd love to connect with YOU! Look at the list and then reach out:
** Stephanie Spellers: revsteph@gmail.com / 617.482.4826, x318 (priest, communications, pastoral care)
** Jason Long: jlong@diomass.org / 617.482.4826, x311 (newcomers, small groups)
** Chris Ashley: chris.ashley@gmail.com (budget, hospitality)
** Lynn Campbell: lynnmcam@aol.com (ministries with the homeless)
** Andrea Castner-Wyatt: revandrea@gmail.com (worship arts, "the groovement")
** Marie Harkey: mharkey@gmail.com (admin, general)
** Ashley Merrell: amerrell@berklee.net (music ministry)
** Travis Stevens: tstevens@hds.harvard.edu (arts & community, Emerson College)

Advent blessings!
Rev. Steph

Labels: , , , , , , , ,