We hope to share regular newsletters with our GAF community to keep everyone updated with our events and activities, what we’re meditating on, and how you can join into creating relational communities wherever you are. Learn more about us here, and feel free to send any feedback to us by emailing us!
My COVID-19 Experience
by Daryl Truong
It has been a scary season because of COVID-19. Hearing, reading, and seeing the virus affecting the world helped me to be more careful when I was outdoors. I am an outdoor person and I have to be out every week to teach my students. First, I heard that my student’s family had caught it and then, my friend’s family. The virus didn’t get to anyone close to me but on January 7, 2021 my brother tested positive for COVID. The next day, my parents and I tested positive too. At that moment I was shocked, scared, in panic, and afraid of what would happen next.
The next two weeks was the scariest time of my life. I couldn’t move much so I didn’t get out of my bed, or talk to anyone or eat. I couldn’t go to work or see anyone virtually. The more I wanted to be social or be productive the more I couldn’t because my body told me to STOP! I didn’t know how to stop my busy life. Eventually, I had to just let go one night because I was so exhausted from the different symptoms of the virus I went through.
What really helped me during this hard time was my community. I am very thankful that I received support from my workplace, GAF church, friends, and my extended family. It just took a message or a text to make me feel that I wasn’t alone even though I wasn’t out in the world but sick at home. I cried missing all the things I couldn’t see anymore and the people I couldn’t talk to. Yet, I know I had to be strong for my family too!
My dad, out of my whole family, had the most symptoms from the virus. It was a very emotional time because my dad seemed like he was not going to make it through the virus. There was one night where he didn’t sleep at all. Next morning, and the rest of the day, he was shaking, confused, couldn’t breathe too well, and could not understand my family when we talked to him. His sisters on the phone and my family all laid hands over him to pray for him. The next day, he told us he didn’t remember anything that happened the day before, but to make sure he was ok I brought him to the hospital. He took tests and the tests came out fine. I am thankful that my family is healed. God really brought my family together and taught us to care for each other more. God can do the impossible in my family!
A Whole New World: Finding Love and Justice
A Reflection on our March Celebration Service by Pastor May Lee
References: John 16:33, 14:27, Matthew 6:9, 1 Co. 11:23-25
Do you think we could use a whole new world, a whole new and better way of living, and a whole new set of values and opportunities? Imagine for a moment what that could look like? Give it a try.
Jesus believes we need a whole new world. We live in troubled world of oppression, distress, and afflictions. When he first went public, he said that a whole new world is about to happen. He opened our eyes to a new reality. Just like Aladdin flying on his magic carpet expanding Jasmine’s worldview, Jesus is showing us a larger reality of the world. We live in two realities, the physical world and the spiritual world. It is in the spiritual reality where we find God’s type of peace to sustain us and guide us in how to live as people of love and justice in the troubling realities of this world. Jesus didn’t take away the troubles of this world. Instead he created the communion table, gathering all people together as one people. Jesus said, do this in remembrance of me.
Join us for our upcoming virtual events!
Easter Virtual Sunrise Service: Meet Me at the Window*
This Sunday, 4/4 • 6AM - 7AM
ZOOM Link | Meeting ID: 327 601 274 | Password: 429125
JOG (Journey of Grace) Small Group
Weekly on Sunday • 11AM - 12:30PM
ZOOM Link | Meeting ID: 327 601 274 | Password: 429125
Monthly Activities
Weekly on Friday • 7PM - 8:30PM
ZOOM Link | Meeting ID: 375 203 749 | Password: 895281
Announcements
New Board of Trustee member: Please welcome Lina Wu as our newest GAF board of trustee member, supporting our finances in her role as treasurer.
GAF Prayer Board: We have created an ongoing google form for you to write up your prayers and your concerns; as well as any good news you are seeing at work. Please join us in filling out this form with more of God's narrative during this unprecedented time. May the grace and mercy we long to see take place with daily miracles.
Donation
Now that we are an official 501(3)c, we have a bank account! 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.
We currently allocate 90% of tithes towards our staff stipend and 10% towards an organization supporting our community during this time.
In January & February, we donated to 46 Mott Street so they can continue to serve free, fresh meals packed with steamed rice, meat, and vegetables to our Chinatown community members and beyond.
Ways to Support our Community & Additional Resources
Support: Welcome to Chinatown’s Longevity Fund, a small business relief fund with the goal of $200,000 for Manhattan Chinatown businesses
Pray: If you are finding it difficult to pray these days in these stressful pandemic times—try reading and contemplating on these liturgies from Cole Arthur Riley and Sacred Ordinary Days.