This past weekend, my parents visited me for Mother’s Day. I live in Toronto’s Little Portugal neighborhood, and while we were exploring its local restaurants and shops, we came across a mural depicting Portuguese “cleaning ladies” and their Cleaners’ Action movement from the 1970s-80s. Now what does this have to do with Asian Heritage Month (also known as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the U.S.)?
Continue reading “Asian Heritage Month: Of memory, belonging, and personhood “
Aging Florida Congregation Reignites with Merger
When Pastor Drake Cromer-Moore became pastor of First Christian Church of Gainesville, FL in 2021, he faced a daunting challenge.
The church, founded in 1921, was down to eight active members – average age 75 – trying to support a costly campus in Gainesville. Still, Pastor Drake knew that God was not quite finished with the congregation. He hired musicians to replace the canned YouTube music on offer during worship, and membership increased to 30 people. And yet this was not substantial enough to save the church.
Continue reading “Aging Florida Congregation Reignites with Merger”When persistence isn’t enough
With the recent rollback of reproductive rights in the United States and the passing of anti-trans and anti-drag bills, honoring women this March is a bittersweet affair.
Truth be told, the way we observe Women’s History Month has always troubled me.
There is a Balm in Chicago
Rebecca Anderson grew up Evangelical, but as a young adult, she didn’t consider herself a religious person.
That didn’t mean she didn’t dip her toes in the waters of different communities of faith.
And then she attended a local church in Boston at the suggestion of a fellow non-religious friend, which changed her life. In fact, she describes the experience as her day of Pentecost.
Continue reading “There is a Balm in Chicago”How is the definition of success hurting Asians in North America?
Last year, I wrote the opening letter for the April issue, sharing my thoughts on the importance of being vigilant against both the COVID-19 pandemic and anti-Asian racism.
Much has happened since.