No More Miss Saigon: A Fil-Am Artist’s Work
Filipinos and karaoke have always gone together like spam and rice. There’s a rich,...
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Tag: PAAC
Advent 2019 – Day 5 – The Urgency to Pursue Hope
When I was given this passage to reflect on, I had a hard time writing about something that was positive. As I was reading the verses surrounding this passage, I remembered that our administration used this chapter of Romans to justify the cruel and inhumane family separations happening on our southern border. Some translations have listed “sexual immoralities” and the use of this phrase has been used to shame individuals, especially women, queer folks, and those with different sexual ethics. Also, any passage mentioning “salvation” reminds me of the exclusive yet intrusive nature of many Christian groups.
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Collecting our Advent Stories
Growing up in a non-denominational conservative immigrant church, Advent was not a familiar concept or practice. It was not until I entered university, and participated in religious activities with a denomination that incorporated more liturgical elements, that I learned some Christians would spend an extended period of time before December 25 to reflect on the coming of Christ. It was easy to fold Advent into my personal faith tradition during that time because it made sense for me – I liked the practices of reflection, anticipation, and seeing hope during a tumultuous time.
Read MoreSPAAC Church x Diverging Magazine Presents: Advent Service
Join Seattle PAAC as we attempt to create a new way to be Church together. For the month of December, we are putting together a weekly online expression of church where we journey together through the different themes of Advent. Join us in co-creating meaningful experiences of our faith tradition.
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Suit Yourself
I say to you; put on yourself in the morning.The day will ask otherwise, that your skin be a...
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Me and My Cottam Mouth
Clearly, I am signaling my inner anti-establishment leanings with my flaccid, candy-colored mohawk; tattoos; moto jacket; and Kpop-esque accessories.
Read MoreWhat does Jesus Really Mean When He tells us to Honor our Parents? (Part 2)
Editor’s Note: This piece is sourced from the author’s sermon, Honor Your Mother and Father at Forefront Brooklyn on June 30, 2019.
Jesus was calling his disciples to turn from everything they’ve ever known about who belongs and who doesn’t, and that meant calling people who were enemies of the Israelites, brother, sister and sibling. It would mean showing deep and enduring love to them, and ministering to them – even if it meant breaking the religious law of working on the Sabbath. It would mean restoring shalom with them and moving towards the wholeness of humanity.
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My child, you are fearfully and wonderfully made
This weekend, we celebrated the second birthday of Nemo, the child of two women who are giants in our community, who has grown up in and with the community. I saw this child who is filled with all of the different emotions we experience in human life, and his parents affirming each one with love and grace, holding space for those feelings. In the children of PAAC, including my own, I saw so much hope. These are children growing up knowing their families will love them for exactly who they are and will be, unconstricted by the restraints I grew up with (a world full of strict gender conformity and restrictive, toxic theology).
Read More![Day 28 – Artist Reflection [SELAH]](https://diverging.paachristians.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Day28_DanielYu-627x376.png)
Day 28 – Artist Reflection [SELAH]
we reflect on sacred within the profane, profane within the sacred this week.
Read MoreDay 24 – Resurrect
Consider the sacred role of desire in worship. Imagine what an abundant life– a life you desire– looks like, feels like, tastes like. This is an invitation to reflect on and seek rest in the promise that abundant life is in fact Love’s own desire for you.
Read MoreDay 18 – Breathing + the Joy of Being
Recently, I have come to realize that breathing is not easy. When I scurry to catch the train, I move quickly and breathe shortly. During tense and difficult conversations, my breathing is neither steady nor relaxed. When I think about my to-do list, the steady rhythm of my breathing quickens. When I watch a movie or read a book, I often hold my breath in anticipation. When I climb up many flights of stairs to get to my apartment, I am out of breath. For me, breathing properly in my daily routine has been difficult.
Read MoreDay 17 – Lone Wolf Joins the PAAC
Many of us grew up in environments that we have come to disagree with. We attended churches with people who ate the same food as us, may have looked like us (not this mixed race Asian-American though), and experienced the world as we did. But none of this was enough to conjure a sense of “home.”
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