Dear Friends,

This has been a difficult month for unhoused Bostonians.

The abrupt closure of the Long Island shelter (during which those displaced were not allowed to retrieve their belongings or to continue receiving needed services) increased the anxiety and frustration of our entire community. We have responded by reaching out to - being in community with -- and holding in prayer -- those who have been displaced. As we anticipate that the need for clothing will be greater, we are making sure that we will have plenty on hand to be given out at November's CityReach.

The violence perpetrated against two Park Rangers on the Common rocked our community as well. Although the alleged perpetrator was known by some in our community, he did not choose to attend our programs. We have responded to this incident by reaching out to all the Park Rangers, by keeping them (as well as the alleged perpetrator) in prayer, and by continuing our prayers for peace and understanding for all.

Even though our community is not new to having to live a transient life - or to witnessing violence - these events have been hard to handle.

However, in the face of these tragedies one thing is clear. Our community is resilient. We will continue to be a peaceful presence on the Common. We will continue to stand together with hope, and to work for justice. We remain dedicated to welcoming all to God's table.

And to sharing our good news.

We are proud to share how our common art program sent two representatives to the United Nations in New York City, to accompany the mural we created last spring, and to speak with international leaders to advocate on behalf of those experiencing poverty.

We share Pastor Mary's delight in anticipation of the life-changing power that is CityReach.

We are also pleased to share with you our new website. Please spend some time here, reading more about the work, the church, the intentional community we are building together.

And - we thank you for being a part of this great community.

The leaves on Boston Common have turned red, yellow, and orange.  The days are getting shorter and colder. CityReach is coming!  This makes me smile. As the CityReach coordinator, I get to receive the powerful joy CityReach brings to many people.

Last week I received texts, written messages, and personal visits from CityReach staff members, excited about the coming season.   

• "Albert" dropped into Bible Study to confirm he was on the staff list. 
• "John"texted me at 5:00 am --
  saying "I can't sleep.  I'm so excited for CityReach to start."
• "Roger" greeted me with a big hug and the question, "Can I do CityReach again?"  He's been asking the same question every week for 3 months, and I gave the same answer. "Yes. We love having you on the team."

The CityReach staff is excited because this is an opportunity to share their knowledge and skills.  They are excited to see friends they haven't seen since the last CityReach session. Excited to make a difference in young people's lives. 

Meanwhile, last week was the first batch of orientation meetings.  These meetings prepare the Youth Group leaders.  Chaperones sent me texts, e-mails, and personal visits.   

• "Erica" said, "We are just bursting to begin."
• "Tom" said, "Will 'Leon' be there.  The kids can't stop talking about 'Leon' and how much they hope to see him again." 
• "Mark" explained, "I haven't been, but so many people have told me about it, I can't wait."

CityReach is a program that, on the outside, appears to revolve around stuff.  We give away 400 bag lunches, closets full of clothing, and truck-loads of socks.  It's easy to be distracted by stuff.  We know that socks, sandwiches, coffee, jackets will not "fix" things.  Those things are just tools to build something bigger. We are not about stuff, we are about community.  Being together.  Sometimes being the teacher, sometimes being the learner, but never being alone. Always in community.