Thursday, October 22, 2009

everybody does theology

Who does theology? Everybody. You don't need a theological degree or a slew of fancy words. You really just need honest questions, an open mind, an eye to notice what God is showing us in the world right now, an ear tuned to hear what faithful folks have been thinking and hoping and wrestling with for centuries before us AND a community to mix all those ingredients up with you. That's what we're brewing on the fourth Sunday of every month -- starting this Sunday @ 6-8pm -- as we launch "Everybody Does Theology." It's a monthly tour of the mysteries of the Christian faith -- big throw-down topics like The Trinity (Oct.), Creation (Nov.), Incarnation (Dec.). Part seminar, part small group and a surprising amount of fun.

Keith Nelson, our Coordinator for Spiritual Formation is gathering a team to work on this incredible series, so if you'd like to help everybody to do theology, scroll down to "Small Groups and Formation" for details. Or email Keith atnelsonkr@gmail.com. Or meet Keith TONIGHT at 6pm for the Contemplative Circle and ask him about Sunday, too. The point: bring friends and let's do some theology!

what's going on at the crossing?
WEDNESDAY @ 6-8pm / Contemplative Circle @ The Cathedral
Come at 6pm to learn about the practice of contemplative, centering prayer. Come at 6:30pm if you already know and just want to get down to business. Closes with the evening Compline service. See "small groups and formation" for more details.

THURSDAY @ 8am / Jogging for Jesus @ Charles-MGH Red Line T Stop
See "small groups and formation" for details or call Stephen for a weather check: 917.536.7848.

THURSDAY @ 6pm / Worship and Fellowship
Chris Ashley and Marie Harkey share the month's reflections, looking back at their journey to Kenya this summer and sharing around the ways God is inviting all of us into a conscious and compassionate way of life. Travis Stevens leads the month's spiritual practice: doing Compline from the Book of Common Prayer. In the midst of worship, we will celebrate our own Adwoa Lewis-Wilson's entry into formation as an oblate with the
Order of Julian of Norwich, an Episcopal contemplative monastic order. AFTER WORSHIP: Snacks and community, and then we head out for a cheap meal together. GETTING TO THE CROSSING: 138 Tremont St., across from Park St. T. PARKING: Validated parking @ Boston Common Garage on Charles Street (b/t Common and Public Garden). MORE INFO: Head to www.thecrossingboston.org.

THIS SUNDAY @ 6-8pm / Everybody Does Theology @ The Cathedral
See "small groups and formation" for details

SUN., NOV. 1 @ 12-2pm / Volunteer at Ecclesia Ministries
Our Minister for Justice and Outreach, Justin Harvey, is mobilizing a crew to volunteer at Ecclesia Ministries, the outdoor church on Boston Common that gathers homeless people and friends for worship, food and life every Sunday (read more at www.ecclesia-ministries.org). We'll gather at The Cathedral, help with hospitality and worship with this amazing community. CONTACT Justin atjustin@diomassintern.org.
PLEASE PITCH IN!
The Crossing happens because we all pitch in to make it happen. These ministries are looking for partners, so please join the community making community!
-- To help with set-up of the worship space, contact Marie Harkey: mharkey@gmail.com.
-- To organize justice and service gatherings or to join the group volunteering every week to share meals and community with homeless neighbors at The Cathedral's Monday Lunch Program, contact Justin Harvey: justin@diomassintern.org
-- To help with greeting or hospitality, contact Travis Stevens: tstevens@hds.harvard.edu.
-- To read, lead prayers, preach or lead a spiritual practice, contact Julia Wilkinson: juliasierraw@gmail.com.


small groups and formation
** "Covenant Group: A Discipleship Circle": Mondays @ 6:45-8:30pm
A small group of Crossing members gather for reflection, stories, spiritual practice and intentional commitment to growing as Jesus' followers. Each of the sessions will focus on an aspect of The Crossing Rule of Life. Group is no longer open to new participants, but contact Jason at
jlong@diomass.org to find out when the next group launches.

** "Contemplative Circle": every other Wednesday @ 6-8pm
Spend a some time in the middle of the week dropping deeper, as we explore and practice ancient contemplative prayer practices. Meets every other Wednesday at the Cathedral
(next dates: 10/21, 11/4, 11/18, 12/2, 12/16).
CONTACT Keith at: nelsonkr@gmail.com.

** "Jogging for Jesus": Thursdays @ 8am
Join a small group of folks from The Crossing for a quick run before classes or work. There’s no program, just a chance to run with some companions. This group will meet on Thursday mornings and will convene in front of the CVS at the C
harles/MGH Stop on the Red-Line.
CONTACT Stephen at: stephengire@mac.com or call Travis at 213.675.1627

** “French Conversation Group”: random Fridays in Central Square
Speak French? Wish you knew more French? Enjoy wine and cheese? Sparkling water? If so, this group’s for you! On announced Fridays, we’ll kick-back at the end of the week for some conversation, light food, and a chance to practice speaking French!
CONTACT Travis at: tstevens@hds.harvard.edu.

SUNDAYS @ THE CROSSING 1st Sunday: No Program -- The Crossing Leadership Crew gathers to pray and plan.

2nd Sunday: “The Nouwen Readers” -- 11/-- @ 6-8pm at Tealuxe (108 Newbury St., Boston) Meet downstairs at Tealuxe on Newbury St. to have tea and share conversation around the writings of Henri Nouwen -- a powerful spiritual writer. First gathering: Henri Nouwen’s Reaching Out. CONTACT Bill at: bill.comer.jr@gmail.com

3rd Sundays: “Exploring Our Faith Through Art” -- 11/--- @ 6-8pm at The Cathedral
Engage artistic expressions and practices and explore the relationship between art and our faith. CONTACT Stephen at stephengire@mac.com.
4th Sundays: “Everyone Does Theology” -- Begins Sun., 10/25 @ The Cathedral Come together for a seminar-style exploration of the great “mysteries” of our faith (Oct: The Trinity; Nov: Creation; Dec: The Incarnation). Practice doing theology in ways that engage and empower ALL of us. CONTACT Keith at: nelsonkr@gmail.com


justice and service opportunities
Here are just a few ways to link and serve.
If you are engaged in justice and social action and want to invite others to partner with you, reply to this email and we’ll list the event or program, along with your contact info.

** Monday Lunch Program: Cathedral every Monday, 10am to help with set-up, or 11:30am-12:45pm to help serve & build community with our neighbors. CONTACT Justin at justin@diomassintern.org.

**
Boston Faith and Justice Network: Build awareness, relationships and action around fair trade and justice issues locally and globally. Go to www.bostonfaithjustice.org for more info.


community notes
Connect with New Ministry Leaders
We've got an amazing new crew of ministry leaders making life happen here @ TheCrossing, and they can all use partners to join their teams. See where you might like to plug in this year:

** Marie Harkey: mharkey@gmail.com (to get creative around worship)
** Justin Harvey:
justin@diomassintern.org (to share info about your justice work or learn about opportunities OR if you’re a newcomer)
** Penny Larson:
penny@pennylarson.net (to suggest communities/groups we should reach out to)
** Jason Long:
jlong@diomass.org (to join new fall small groups)
** Keith Nelson:
nelsonkr@gmail.com (to learn about The Crossing’s Rule of Life & spiritual formation)
** Lispeth Nutt:
lispethn@gmail.com (to help with web ministry)
** Rev. Steph Spellers:
revsteph@gmail.com (to get pastoral support or just connect)
** Travis Stevens: tstevens@hds.harvard.edu (to be a greeter or help w/ post-worship hospitality)
** Jamie Urquhart:
jlynnu@hotmail.com (to share favorite songs or offer musical talent)
** Kirsten Wesselhoeft: kirsten.m.w@gmail.com (to learn about the Rule or outreach)
** Julia Wilkinson:
juliasierraw@gmail.com (to preach or lead spiritual practice)
** Michael Zahniser: michael@zahniser.net (to talk about starting a Crossing house)

Making Music Together
Our new music director, Jamie Urquhart, wants to know the songs that most stir your heart. And if you like making music -- singing, playing an instrument, writing -- let her know that, too.
CONTACT: Jamie at jlynnu@hotmail.com to share favorite titles or your musical talent.

Giving @ The Crossing – An Update
We're past halfway toward our annual giving goal of $20,000 in 2009, but it’s gonna take a generous three months to meet our goal. Please prayerfully consider making a one-time gift or start pledging (setting out an amount you'd like to give over the course of a year, and filling out a pledge card so we know we can count on your contribution). Give however you're able: cash, check or credit cards.
CONTACT: Chris Ashley at chris.ashley@gmail.com.

InBetweenCrossings: groups.google.com/group/inbetweencrossings
You got stuff to share (a job, a couch, a theater gig you want people to attend …)? You need stuff (lost scarf, dog-sitter, an apartment sublet …)? Log onto our online forum to connect and share information about random community announcements -- including upcoming events, apartment sublets, job opportunities, lost-and-found, furniture exchange, help requests, etc.

Blessings, peace and power!
Rev. Steph

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