Posted in reflections, tagged immigrant mentality, immigrants, telling our stories, women pastors on December 4, 2012| 8 Comments »
Photo by seyed mostafa zamani
Growing up as Asian American in a predominantly white neighborhood, I felt like Superman and an ugly duckling rolled into one. On some days, even if I was as good as Superman, I was still an alien. On other days, I felt like an ugly duckling who just wanted to feel at home—that is, home in my own skin. (more…)
Posted in reflections, tagged gratitude, letting go of control on November 27, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Photo by Nina Matthews Photography
Today was meant to be a relaxing, no agenda day. Get up, shower, tea, and then do whatever. But right after getting out of the shower, an informant reported that somebody had spilled chocolate powder all over in the pantry. I guess tea would have to be postponed… Well, at least I did take my shower in peace. (more…)
Posted in reflections, tagged letting go of control, ordination, raising a family on November 20, 2012| 10 Comments »
Photo by woodleywonderworks
By Joy Wong
In the beginning of September, I felt like I was finally on my way. After years of undecidedness after completing an MDiv, I finally knew, deep down, that I wanted to be in pastoral ministry. Then, after months of investigating and deliberating over various ordination tracks, I landed on the PCUSA track. (more…)
Posted in reflections, tagged insecurities, pastoral ministry, raising a family, self-doubt, uncertainty, women pastors on November 13, 2012| 8 Comments »
Photo by Shootingsnow
Is that how you become a pastor?
Your pastor calls you up and
asks for your take on being called
the outreach pastor,
not just the outreach director.
“Well, because you’re not just a lay person, Tina… you’re on the road to becoming a pastor…”
“But I’m not done with seminary yet…”
Deciding on a short phone call…
to take on a title I am working towards,
but never really wanted?
“Never thought I’d be a US pastor…”
Never thought I’d be a pastor, period! (more…)
Posted in reflections, Uncategorized, tagged celebration, marginalization, milestones, women in ministry on November 6, 2012| 3 Comments »
By Melanie Mar Chow
In mid-July, a magazine covered the 40th anniversary of Title IX, a law passed in 1972 that requires gender equity for boys and girls in every educational program that receives federal funding. It was authored by Patsy Mink, a Japanese American woman educator, and the law set in motion a change in athletics as well — the repercussions of which are particularly significant in this year’s Olympic Games, as the US female athletes out-medalled the men, 58 to 45. More significantly, 29 women brought home a gold medal, compared to the 17 gold medals brought home by male athletes. (more…)
Posted in reflections, tagged calling, gifts, passion on October 30, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Photo by limaoscarjuliet
By Elizabeth Chang
“I was born to do this,” is what the brother said to me after I thanked him for doing the sound system stuff for Sunday worship service. I’m not sure what kind of response I was expecting from him, but I was impressed by his unusual and profound reply. I didn’t think fast enough to get to say, “I’m glad you’re alive.”
Now, more than ever before, I have had opportunities to meet women and men who are fully immersed in their callings, with years of experience, living out their dreams and fulfilling their purpose with passion. They have gone through a long journey of soul-searching and God’s-plan-for-their-life-discovery. (more…)
Posted in reflections, tagged aging, loss on October 23, 2012| 2 Comments »
Photo by Neal.
By Chloe Sun
When do we know if we enter mid-life? Is it when we turn 40, 45, or 50? Is it when we see wrinkles on our face? Is it when we spot the first signs of grey hair? Is it when we see that our children are taller than us? For me, mid-life comes when I know that my time ahead of me is limited. Mid-life comes when life becomes more precious.
Mid-life comes when we may feel a sense of loss, a sense of “over the hill,” and a sense of “falling.” Richard Rohr’s book, Falling Upward, captures the fascinating paradox of entering the second half of our lives. It is not falling down but “falling up.” I’ve been asking myself, In what ways am I “falling up”? (more…)
Posted in reflections, tagged bullying, empowerment, marginalization, power, powerlessness on October 16, 2012| 5 Comments »
Photo by Pink Sherbet Photography
By Diana Gee
“….whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.” Mark 10:43b-44
The past few days I’ve been thinking of the sad story of a young girl who recently died by suicide as a result of peer abuse. (more…)
Posted in reflections, tagged aging, being in the present, death, letting go of control, seasons of life on October 9, 2012| 4 Comments »
Photo by Per Ola Wiberg ~ Powi
By Young Lee Hertig
I spent the whole day Saturday, September 22, at the memorial and burial service of a mother and grandmother who battled against cancer with its ups and downs. Mrs. Yi was a model patient, mother, and dedicated supporter of our ministry back in the day when we ministered to her children. (more…)
Posted in reflections, tagged grief, immigrant mentality, letting go of control, self-protection, victim mentality on October 2, 2012| 5 Comments »
Photo by trazomfreak
By Margaret Yu
I hate it when good friends and mentors can get you right in the gut. I hate it when they can capture something that you already know; and yet when they say it, it illuminates your soul and not just your mind. When these friends become mirrors to help me truly see myself in all of my glory or ugliness — do I hate it or do I love it? (more…)
Click image for more info
aawolsisters.com 