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!
The Courage of Empathetic Leadership
by Pastor May Lee
As this year’s Easter remembrance has come & left us, we are left with a reminder of the violent reality we live in. We are in a world that has been traumatized for ages and generations. How can we move forward with our own wounds and help fight a corrupt system of supremacy?
Jesus showed us a radical way, grief, empathy and imagination. You read more about it here in May’s new blog post: The Courage of Empathetic Leadership, which we have excerpted below:
People who are peacemakers are unwanted by the establishment. They are not recognized as peacemakers but a trouble maker, a threat to what has already been established and are comfortable with. They have no interest in seeing people with their needs. Jesus saw the extent of violence they will use to silence his rally for change. It saddens him to see people go hungry, but what is more difficult to see is people depriving of their basic needs to be seen, heard, and provided for. In heaviness of heart, Jesus takes this road and redirects its destiny towards love, freedom and justice for all.
Looking Back at 2020
by Angie Li
2020 was a hard year.
There were a lot of struggles, well, I am exaggerating, there was just one struggle—to find a job. But in my mind, I connected finding a job with my happiness and my worth, and the solution to all my problems.
Those months of job searching was a very dark period in my life. Every day, I looked for jobs, applied to jobs, waited to hear back, and repeat. Everyday, I would look forward to the next day, thinking that tomorrow will bring a positive reply. I became miserable from being disappointed day after day. Even worst, I would think that I was not good enough when I did not hear back or got rejected. During those days, I was closest to God. Everyday, I cried to Him and prayed for Him to give me a job, so I won’t be miserable anymore. I made looking for a job my idol. After a long time, I did find a job and I thought I would happy. I was for a few weeks then I entered a weird state of mind. At first, I felt content since I got what I prayed for. Unsurprisingly, after I got a job, I was not spending time with God like I did before. Then I started feeling comfortable as I adjusted to working and was no longer feeling thankful for the job God given me. I became indifferent, and life became going through the motions. I became aware and I started going back to God and it was not to repent but to ask God for the next thing. I had a list of things that I want to have. Now that I had a job, I want to go down the list and ask God to give me the next thing. Given the recent experience with checking off the job box, I can confidently predict what would happen with the next checklist item. I am just going to go through the same cycle again. It has happened in the past.
You may want to tell me that my problem has been that I am chasing after the things of this world and need to chase after God. Or you may simply say, as my sister did, all I need is God. Yes, I know; I have this awareness, but it is easier said than done. Most of us, if not all, know what we need to do. Doing it is hard. Spending time with God is not easy, I know, but somehow, deep down inside, I do long to spend more time with God so He can reveal to me the underlying causes of my chasing after things. I struggle but I will keep trying. The biggest take away from my miserable 2020 is that my worth is not in what I have or what I do not have. I have what I have not because I earned it. I made the decision to agree with God and see myself the way He sees me and He gives me good things.
Join us for our upcoming virtual events!
May Celebration Service
Friday, May 7 • 7PM - 8:30 PM
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
Communion Fridays
*We’re moving our prayer Friday’s to every 3rd Friday of each month. This is a time of fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer.
Friday, May 21• 7PM - 8:30 PM
ZOOM Link | Meeting ID: 327 601 274 | Password: 429125
Announcements
Sign up to participate in our new DLT (Doing Life Together) groups: We’re launching new DLT groups, which will be a small community of 3 people committed to create a safe space that will form commutual friendship as they share their day to day life stories with each other. It is a place to be seen, heard and make sense of life together. Commutual means to reciprocate the love, respect, honor, commitment, trust, and encouragement.
For more information, read this basic one-pager.
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.