May. 7
THE LAST SMALL GROUP OF THE YEAR!
- Testimony: Melody, Michelle, Anthony, and Phiroath gave their testimonies.
- Game: Ethnic Identity Taboo! Words included topics and subjects mentioned throughout small group this year, spanning from discussions to bible study to memorable moments. Team Akutagawa with the victory.
- Reflection Activity: Two circles were made by students (inner and outer) and the outer circle went around tapping those in the inner circle based on the questions that were read. Some examples: tap the person’s shoulder who said something memorable this semester in small group, whose silence doesn’t do him/her justice, who has enhanced your appreciation of your own ethnic identity, etc.
Apr. 30
- Testimony: Stephen L, Hugo, and Joyce shared their testimonies. Stephen spoke on growing up in Arizona where the Asian population is much less than what it is in California. He said that race issues aren’t what he focuses on, but rather aligning his dreams for himself with God’s dreams for him. Hugo shared about his time in Berkeley and how he is learning to be obedient and disciplined by God, even if it means following Him with complete faith into something that he is reluctant or unsure of. Joyce shared about growing up with people different from her and being able to be proud and comfortable of who she is.
- Bible Study: Esther 9:19-10:3. The Jews gather in celebration and name the days of their vengeance as Purim, vowing to never forget their victory. Mordecai is made second in rank next to the King because he spoke up for the welfare of the Jews.
- Announcements: Large group at 22 Warren (Senior Large Group).
Apr. 23
- Dinner with the Freshman! Answered questions posed by the Freshman about the ethnic identity small group and also engaged in discussions. Discussion topics included the Virginia Tech Shooting and the article “Why Asians Hate Blacks.”
- Testimonies: Both Stephen Y. and Vicki gave their testimonies. Steve talked about learning about his ethnic identity at Urbana and APA, and how much he has learned in the small group. Vicki spoke on her fear of failure and how she has always needed to be in control for most of her life. She shared how she has learned over time to put trust in God, and how she is now okay with failing and looks at it as God’s will being done.
- Discussion: Those who went to APA shared about their experience and what they gained. The conference had the title, The Origin of Our Dreams, and many shared that they learned about being able to dream for yourself, as long as it is in accordance with God’s dream for you. Although many Asian Americans, especially Asian American women, have a tendency to sacrifice their dreams for family, it is okay to have dreams for yourself because God’s divine plan incorporates you and your dreams as well. Each member of the small group also shared about their dreams and where they saw themselves when they were 35. Discussions on mothers and their sacrifices, as well as love and relationships also ensued.
- No Bible Study.
- Announcements: Large Group back at 10 Evans this week. EISG Bash on Sunday, 2-6pm at Jianni’s place.
Apr. 16
- Worship led by Sara.
- Discussion: Students talked about the Virginia Tech shooting including feelings, concerns, and what actually happened. Broke up into smaller groups for further discussion and prayer.
- Testimonies: Both Johanna and Jon gave their testimonies. Johanna spoke on her struggle with image and learning not to let certain obsessions control you. Jon shared about the difficulty of growing up as one of the few 2nd generation Japanese Americans in his area, but how he came to embrace learning about his ethnic identity.
- No Bible study or discussion on APA, tune in next week.
- Announcements: Next week freshman will be invited to check out our ethnic identity small group. We will meet earlier than usual at 5pm for dinner, bring your own dinner!
Apr. 9
- Testimony: Jen C. shared with us about how she struggled with being ashamed of her ethnic identity at times and how she learned that being proud and unashamed of who you are is important as a child of God.
- Discussion: Did a free write for 5 min on how we chose to draw our self-portraits and what kind of thought process went into it. Went around in a circle showing our wonderful self portraits and shared what we wrote about. Some people talked about the decision to use color vs black and white, spacing, symbols, etc. The point of this exercise was to be able to be vulnerable with each other as small group members and be honest in expressing ourselves. At the end it was revealed that all our portraits and written responses will be submitted as a group to be displayed at EXPOSED.
- Bible Study: Esther 9:1 - 9:18. The Jews strike down on all their enemies including the ten sons of Haman, but do not touch the plunder. The final number exceeds 75,000 men. After this, they rest and feast together in jubilation. How do we apply this passage of punishment and violent retaliation today? What is God telling us in such a dark passage?
- Annoucements: No large group this Friday because of the APA conference.
Apr. 2
- Testimony: Elijah shared about his experience growing up with strict parents and how he was able to eventually accept and understand them.
- Bible Study: Esther 7 - 8:17. A little different approach as bible study and discussion was conducted as an entire small group. Esther pleads for the saving of her people from Haman and Haman is beheaded. King Xerxes issues an edict that grants the Jews permission to destroy any nationality or province that may attack them. Is this sort of reverse suppression okay? Does this passage condone violence or simply protect the Jews, the people of God?
- Announcements: Self Portrait and APA Conference Timeline Assignment due by Monday. See email for assignment instructions.
Mar. 19
- Worship led by Jen C.
- Testimony: Christina shared with us about her family and her unconditional love for them despite some differences they share. She related this to the unconditional love God has for us.
- Free Write: 5 minutes of non stop writing to reflect on the aftermath of the DIP. For those who didn’t go, wrote about our small group and assessed how it has been compared to the goals mentioned in the beginning of the semester.
- Discussion: Our feelings on the DIP…what we learned, what we thought about the community service and homeless encounters, also addressed Richard’s comment on the Chinese Church in Oakland.
- Bible Study: Esther 5:9 - 6:14. Haman follows the advice of his wife, Zeresh, and plans to have Mordecai impaled. However upon hearing about Mordecai’s exposing of the two guards who plotted to assassinate him, King Xerxes honors Mordecai and has him dressed in robes and ride through the city streets on a horse. Where do we see God in this passage? How does ethnicity and history, something so important in the book of Esther, apply to us today as Christians?
- Homework: Self Portrait due April 2nd. Take or perceive the assignment as you like it, no real directions. Just draw own face on piece of paper.
- Announcements: No large group this Friday and no small group this Monday due to spring break. Everyone have a great spring break!
Mar. 12
- Testimony: Jianni shared about her interest in ethnic studies and how she came to be a member of ethnic identity small group.
- Bible Study: Esther 4.5-5.8. Esther and Mordecai communicate through Hathak, with Mordecai eventually asking her to plead with the King for her people. Esther tells the King to come to another banquet when prompted about the request. Silence as a recurring motif is apparent in the passage (the silence/absence of God, silence of Esther, etc). Is silence cultural? Is silence good or bad? How much should you be willing to give up to speak up for your ethnicity?
- Discussion: talked about The Slanted Screen and our thoughts on it. First broke up into guys and girls’ groups and then discussed as a whole. Some questions/comments that were discussed: Was Bruce Lee good or bad for Asian American males in theatre? Had he not died prematurely, how would things be different? Why is it that Asian American males are stereotypically viewed as sexless and unromantic, while Asian American females are viewed as exotic?
- Homework: Draw your face on a regular sheet of paper.
- Announcement: Urban Dip this Saturday, be ready at 10 AM.
Mar. 5
- Saw The Slanted Screen, a film by Jeff Adachi, at the Pacific Film Archive Theatre. In the film, Jeff focuses on Asian-American male actors and the limited and stereotypical roles they have been playing in American films. More discussion on the movie next week in small group.
Feb. 26
- No worship, listened to music on Sara’s laptop until 7:10 instead
- Testimony: Hatty shared about growing up in a predominantly Korean-American region, and what she learned from her transition to Berkeley
- Discussion: Those who went to SNL, Sunday Night Live, shared about the experience.
- Discussion: Is CCF an Asian American Fellowship? Where is the line between being considerate yet honest about CCF’s predominantly Asian American demographic?
- No Bible Study, discussions took longer than expected and it was decided to wait until next next week to tackle the very important passage in Esther rather than rush through it. However, still broke up into Bible Study groups to talk and pray for each other. Starting this week, there are permanent Bible Study groups.
- Announcements: For next week’s small group, we will meet at Pacific Film Archive to watch a film. Try to get there by 6 PM if you can to get tickets. Tickets are free, but are on a first come first serve basis.
Feb. 19
- Worship led by Sara
- Introductions for the new guests
- Testimony: Richard shared about how he got in touch with his ethnic identity
- Discussion: Valentine’s day and how we loved each other
- Discussion: Love languages - shared about how we reached out to people of other ethnicities and learned about their love languages. also shared about our own culture’s love language.
- Bible study: Esther 3:5 - 4:4
Feb. 12
- Worship led by Jen C.
- Testimony: Joyce L. shared about her experiences with the football team
- Discussion: Quick overview of the purple paper
- Bible study: Esther 2:8 - 3:4
Feb. 5
- Worship a capella!
- Testimony: Sara shared about her walk and why the issue of her ethnicity became vital to her faith
- Discussion: Went over last week’s discussion on small group and finished planning for the new semester
- Bible study: Esther 1:1 - 2:7
Jan. 29
- Activity: Students stood on a scale depending on their adherence to six cultural lenses
- Discussion: Discussed activity and its relevance to A Beginner’s Guide to Crossing Cultures
- Intermission: Sang a song!
- Discussion: Recapped last semester in small groups and discussed new semester briefly
Jan. 22
- Introduction
- Discussion/prayer: Broke into small groups, recapped our winter breaks, and prayed for one another
- Activity: “Who are you?” -> Students asked each other a series of questions revealing self-image
