THE COMMUNITY OF THE CROSS
This gathering of Christians was formally formed fifteen years ago as an intentional community of persons from a number of distinct Christian and occasionally non-Christian heritages. We are a 501c3 Indiana corporation. Members and friends of the Community gather for weekly worship and at other times for prayer, theological education and occasionally just for the fun of it. For some, this is their primary Christian community while for others the experience with us augments their regular church membership.
Over the years it has become something of a hallmark of the Community to receive people who have experienced deep personal suffering of mind, body, soul and spirit. We pray each other more deeply into the Christian mystery, sharing as adults the faith, hope and love that are our gifts from the Triune God.
Most of the original members of the Community have died or have gone on to larger Christian congregations or have ceased to belong to any faith household. It seems that our task is simply to embrace people at the stage of pilgrimage where they come to us. The core group of members and friends has remained steadily at about 50 people.
In addition to the mutual holding up of our members and friends, especially in prayer, the Community engages in the care of the sick, walking with the poor and sponsoring activities at Crosswood Centre.
The Community of the Cross is NOT affiliated with any Christian denomination or tradition. That has remained a purposeful policy so that people from anywhere and everywhere on the religious map can feel as welcome as possible without having to immediately commit themselves to a specific doctrine or discipline of faith. At the same time, there really is no such thing as a Christian community without roots, without ties that bind us. Because of this simple fact, the Community engages the ministerial services of clergy from the Orthodox-Catholic Church of America, an Orthodox jurisdiction with active clergy in northeast Indiana. Through our connection with Orthodoxy we are linked to the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Christian heritage, a living tradition that spans two millennia and connects us to the churches of God throughout the world.
The Leadership of the Community is comprised of an elected lay president, secretary and treasurer along with the assigned clergy. This group oversees and guides the policies implemented at the yearly meeting as voted upon by all members.
In addition to worship each Sunday at Crosswood Centre, members and friends gather together in Fort Wayne, Indiana and also in Angola, Indiana. You can find a location and time of Liturgy near you by looking on the Location and Contact Information page. Sunday liturgy at all three location are followed by a common breakfast. On the first Sunday of every month and for high holy days all services are combined and everyone gathers at the Centre.
The Community also published a monthly bulletin, First Sunday, which helps keep everyone informed as to what is happening. The bulletins are posted on the First Sunday ( the monthly bulletin) page. Feel free to read them. Inquires are welcome. You may address your correspondence to the President of the Community of the Cross and/or to a Pastor.
