June 26, 2006
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CCFC Retreat
Some thoughts on last weekend:Fellowship of the Ring
On Saturday night we put our chairs in a BIG circle (70 people?) and
did this exercise. Different race and gender groups stood up talked
about their issues. Now this sounds like it could be as dangerous as hosting the next
World Cup in England, right? Well, the organizers had prepped us ahead
of time by handing out a list of questions and guidelines. So straight
from the course notes of Conflict Resolution 101, we were all primed to
say “I” statements. For example:-
Bad: You are a sexist pig!
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Good: I feel invalidated by the derogatory statements which I believe
originate from your male hegemony paradigm.
The latter is much less offensive, partly because the intended porcine
audience will not understand the big words.It was neat to hear different people tell about their backgrounds and
experiences. There were quite a few people who identified with more
than one racial/ethnic group, but unfortunately no transgenders or
hermaphrodites who identified with more than one gender group. What
about male third-wave feminists?Taste of Heaven
After the diversity exercise, we drove out to a campsite where mjpark
and his peeps had prepared a sumptuous feast. There I had the best
Korean BBQ of my entire life. It joins my list of best foods ever:Best Fish: Tandoori Sea Bass @ Raj’s, Berkeley (now closed)
Best Lasagne: @ Cite des Sciences et de l’Industrie, Paris
Best Chicken: Roast Chicken @ Hammersleys Bistro, Boston
Best Steak: Delmonico End Cut @ Grill 23, Boston
Best Korean BBQ: Mike Park’s BBQ @ CCFC Retreat 2006, Jeffrey, NH
I would post pictures, but unfortunately June and I lost our digital
camera there. If anyone picked it up (Canon Elph SD200), please let me
know!Church Decision
It’s true — June and I have committed to CCFC. The deciding factors? Our commitments to people and ministries within Cambridge, which led to a reluctance to get involved with the city of Arlington. A year ago,
we were
both in the thick of church ministry and hoping the other would come to
our church. Now after some months of marriage and stepping back
(decompressing), we’re trying to figure out church and community
again.I think one problem is that we both carry some “good baggage” as in
close friends and memorable
experiences. Whenever I leave a community, whether it be a church,
smallgroup, ministry, living situation, or just relationships, I find
it hard to let go of some ties. So I have friends from all
different eras of my past 10 years in Boston. And it’s hard to keep up
with everyone while investing in marriage and also making new friends
at a new church.
“I never want to hear this again:”the phrase “our church is in transition.” Because I get it by now.
When the senior pastor leaves, along with key people on the board,
admin board, and worship team, the word “transition” seems kinda weak
sauce. Some possible alternatives: tsunami, cataclysm, hullabaloo, sea
change. But June and I are tired of farewells, so in reaction we’re throwing
a “Staying in Boston” party, maybe sometime in late July / early
August. Now if we can only get the BBQ recipe from Mike… -
Comments (16)
Ooh, that sounds like a great idea! Sorta like how Carrie decides that older, still-single women should be able to throw un-bridal/un-baby showers for themselves since they have to spend so much money on their friends but never get to recoup it. Anyways, you guys always throw the greatest parties; can’t wait!
excited that you and june are committing to ccfc . . . love the staying in boston party idea
have you tried calling the retreat site yet?
i am very happy for you two that you’ve finally decided on a church to commit to! and i second the “staying in boston” party.
yay.
i hope you both find your camera!!!
I call your “staying in boston” party and raise you a “Divorce from D.A.M.M.I.T.” soiree… okay, maybe not by the time late July/early August comes arain… but soon…. and for the rest of my life….
so says the male, Third-Wave Feminist!
PS: Hey, man, where the “Best Semi-Homemade, Mini-Cheesecake from jwkcheng” category!?!?!
yay! staying in boston party!! do we not invite those who are leaving then?
yay for ccfc!
haha, ya, that phrase “we’re in transition” is starting to grind with me a little too…… though it makes sense sorta.. the staff team is definitely wheeling from the changes.
Ha ha, as an insider family member, I have Mike’s BBQ recipe, and it has won the Charis cooking contest two years in a row!!
(hanna)
THANK YOU. FINALLY…there will be a party in honor of those of us staying in boston.
also, i am so stoked you and june are gonna be at ccfc….huzzah~
and YES, i am sick and tired of hearing “as we head into transition”…
nice post.
and yes, the staying in boston party sounds exciting. 
you sell out! eh, you’d better listen to the woman anyway.
highrock’s loss, ccfc’s gain, but in the end it’s all good
they are blessed to have the 2 of you.
yeah. “transition” is a word for someone changing jobs, a college student finishing school, moving from one place to another. for ccfc… the word “transition” definitely doesn’t cut it.
staying in boston party??? that’s the best idea i’ve heard in a loooong time.
welcome to ccfc and im glad we were all in the same small group. i hope you and june find your camera
it makes me feel steady and safe to hear you say you’re choosing ccfc.
i think transition has it’s place–to be used to give grace to each other, not to be used to demand it.
staying in boston party, very nice.
u want the recipe? if u have the party, i’ll bring something even better. gopjang gui. it’s the most orgasmic experience in the world. hmm, hope wifey doesn’t read this.
hey come visit philly with june and maybe you can have “best burger” on your list of bests… ask bryanche =b
Yay, CCFC! Yay, Staying in Boston party!