Be their Dream of Hope
Black History Month, Community Prayer Virgil, Women's Month, Lent Season of Hope
Black History Month
Be Their Dream! Together!
IN REMEMBRANCE
In remembrance of the atrocious violence, extreme racism, and hate suffered by our Black brothers and sisters embedded in American history, we are thankful for your endurance and courage. Not letting fear enslave you. You pushed on with a powerful dream of a world filled with hope and freedom. Thank you for gifting us with such a dream.
Our world today is still rigged with hate and violence. News has become difficult to watch. How can the words of Maya Angelou encourage us to let go and rise into the daybreak? What are the gifts these Black ancestors handed down to us? In what ways are we their dream?
AN INVITATION
We have been allowed the opportunity to write the next chapter of American history. We know that the war on Ukraine is wrong. We know that racism here in America is immoral. Together, we can shape the future by moving forward with this same spirit of hope and freedom.
We don’t give up or give in. We pour out. We pour out the love God pours into us. Let no debt remain outstanding (Ro. 13:8) except the debt to love one another. It’s not going to be an easy ride. Many have done it before. Join the great cloud of witnesses (Heb. 12:1), carry the cause, and break the chains of hostility. Jesus already took down this divisive wall (Eph. 2:13-16). Let’s be the human beings God created us to be. Ponder on the words of Desmond Tutu. We will only be human by being human to each other.
PRAYER VIGIL for AAPI SISTERS
LAMENT REMEBER HOPE: Grieving our loss in community
The waves keep coming
We hold our breath
Holding
Until another wave crashes
I reach out to you
You reach out to me
And the sun guides us to the surface
Written by and artwork designed by
Loisse Ledress - @geezloisse & Kenish Rullan - @karareha
PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING TO GOD
Praise God for this quiet meaningful space for contemplative prayer and healing in the community. We gathered to lament, remember the sisters who lost their lives, and found comfort in words of hope. After the event, many participants expressed gratitude for this opportunity to pause and pay attention to their mixed emotions and lingering thoughts. Many found relief as they prayed, talked with each other, and meditated through the arts. Others expressed how much we need spaces like this. One group created another public space to grieve and remember a life recently lost.
HOPE: THE TREE OF LIFE
We closed the vigil with a vision of hope. The image of hope as a tree of life (Prov. 13:12) reveals an inner longing deeply rooted in our hearts. When we pay attention to our mixed emotions and thoughts, it will reveal a deep sense that something is missing in this world. Hope takes us back to the reality of our humanity. We are a people of compassion. We long for change. We long for a safe society, protect its people, love our neighbors, share our resources, and attend to the needs of people. Let us come together to be that tree of life-giving hope. Together we can nourish a safer and healthier society. Dare to Love Again and Be the Dream of Hope.
This prayer vigil is a result of a shared dream of hope. Many churches and faith organizations came together through NYCAAPIC to be that tree of life. We came together because of the pain we are experiencing and want to be present to the AAPI community to walk this walk together. We met, talked, shared our ideas, talents, skills, and resources to make this prayer vigil a life-giving reality. Manni led us into a time of lament, and Pastor May gave a word of Hope. You can watch the livestream video here.
March - Women’s History Month
A Call for Prayer
How meaningful to close out a prayer vigil for sisters and be greeted with Women’s History Month. Women have played an honorary role since the beginning of time and in the history of America. Yet, they have been made invisible, muted, used, abused, and murdered.
Women have come a long way to be recognized and have a place in the professional field and the corporate world. They have raised awareness of the vital work of being caretakers of the family. They have fought hard for the civil rights of women.
Let us pray
We remember that March is Women's History Month
Thank you for all the cherished women in our lives and in our histories: mothers, sisters, friends and neighbors
God, may women across the globe continue to be empowered, knowing the love you offer
~ Written by Sojourners
A Call to Pray for AAPI Women and Communities
Asian hate crimes against AAPI women continue to heighten fear tension and cause physical and mental health problems.
Pray for:
The fullness of God’s peace to help release tension and fears
Divine alertness and protection
Crumbling of the walls of hostility
Solidarity among ethnic groups and being a voice of change
Open doors for communicating and working with government officials
Government officials to have the voice to influence changes
Safe space to process, heal and be in community
Comfort for those who lost loved ones
Stop the plans of a new jailhouse in Chinatown where it is already overwhelmed with other social issues
SEASON OF LENT
Lent: A Time to Draw Hope from God
Wednesday, March 2nd - Thursday, April 14th
Lent is a practice to prepare us for Easter and lasts 40 days, based on the number of days Jesus suffered temptation in the wilderness. This practice will help us come to grips with our suffering and limitations. During Lent, we practice giving control to God and being attentive to his presence.
Some people practice Lent by letting go of things that may be controlling them. Some people might fast certain foods. Others might take on activities to help them spend quality time with a loved one or take long walks and pay attention to nature. Other activities might mean making regular time to pray or meditate on God’s word more regularly. What can you surrender to God to help you be more attentive to God?
Upcoming Events for March
Monthly Celebration Service (Every 1st Friday of the month)
Supersized Faith Supersized Love - Add to Perseverance - Godliness 2 Peter 1:5-7
There is a faith that is real and can be experienced. Nurture our spiritual being.
Friday, Mar. 4th • 7PM - 8:30 PMZOOM Link | Meeting ID: 327 601 274 | Password: 895281
Come celebrate the love of God that has been poured out to each and everyone of us. Through songs, sharing from God’s word, we are receiving and expressing God’s love as a community so that people can have the opportunity to know more about the sweetness of life with God.
JOG (Journey of Grace) Small Group
Weekly on Sundays • 11AM - 12:30PMZOOM Link | Meeting ID: 327 601 274 | Password: 429125
Join us for a time of inner reflection through contemplative listening for the Spirit’s voice, journaling and sharing our stories and insights with each other. We want to help each other notice God’s presence in our daily activities growing our faith.
Communion Fridays (Every 3rd Friday of the month) Come and be part of God’s commutual community deepening our spiritual relationship with Jesus and with one another. Through fellowship, prayer and breaking of bread and love the world with Jesus.
Monthly - Feb. 18th• 7PM - 8:30 PMZOOM Link | Meeting ID: 327 601 274 | Password: 895281
Bible Study (Every Saturday Evening 9pm - 10pm) The gospel of Luke ZOOM Link | Meeting ID: 327 601 274 | Password: 895281
We will read the scriptures together and let the Holy Spirit speak personally to us and share insights with each other.
Offering / Donations!
We currently allocate 90% of tithes towards our staff stipend and 10% towards an organization supporting our community during this time.
Your donation is tax deductible. For administrative purposes, please fill out this Google Form each time you donate to GAF.
Donate via ACH/Wire: Use Account #: 875101564230; ABA #: 031101169; Alternative ABA #: 031101279 (ACH payments only).
Donate via Check: Mail your donation to Manni Lee, 275 South Street, Apt 19D, New York, NY 10002.
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