We closed the month of March with two resources regarding anti-Asian racism. Read “Why SOLA is Supporting the “Statement on Anti-Asian Racism in the Time of COVID-19,” and check out the Statement on Anti-Asian Racism in the Time of COVID-19 by the Asian American Christian Collaborative.
We’re starting April strong. Be on the lookout for two new articles this weekend: “What Wearing a Mask Taught Me About My Fear and Shame” and “Tips for Making Videos for Online Church Services.”
Listen to SOLA Network Podcast’s 10th episode: Safer at Home with Hannah Chao. We recorded it LIVE on Instagram. Send me your feedback on Twitter or Instagram.
Articles From Around The Web
1. Kate Shellnutt: Asian Americans Call on the Church to Preach Against Coronavirus Racism
Writing for Christianity Today: “Inspired by their convictions around human dignity and their hope in the body of Christ, Asian American believers are asking the church to take the lead in opposing anti-Asian racism fueled by the coronavirus pandemic.”
2. Thabiti Anyabwile: Black Christian Solidarity with Asian Americans During COVID-19
Writing for The Front Porch: “In this particular historical moment, however, a lot of animosity is being aimed at Asian Americans. The association of the novel coronavirus with a province in China and the President’s reference to it as the “China virus” legitimizes hatred, threats and slurs in the minds of some. Rather than join the fray, African-American Christians have a moral responsibility to stand in solidarity with those being vilified, marginalized, “other”-ed and harassed.”
3. Jonathan Szeto: Gone and Back Again: My Departure and Return to the Immigrant Church
Writing for 9Marks: “Like my home church, this Chinese church had three congregations—English, Mandarin, and Cantonese. Unlike my home church, this Chinese church was larger and had a stronger youth ministry that focused on Bible preaching and teaching. I was curious. Could a Chinese church be more biblical than cultural? Would a Chinese church submit to Scripture despite her cultural inclinations?”
Books, Podcasts, Music, And More
1. SOLA Network Podcast: Safer at Home with Hannah Chao
We talk about Part 1 of our series The Women Jesus Loved, our recent articles regarding COVID-19, why we need artists during COVID-19, and what God has been teaching us this month.
2. Spotify: TGIF Playlist
Featuring the songs By Faith, Only a Holy God, Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery, and All Glory Be to Christ.
3. FCBC Walnut: UniGAP with Kevin Quan
I interviewed youth minister Kevin Quan, and we talked about the challenges and blessings of online youth ministry, what the youth are dealing with during this time, and how we can be praying for them.
Featured This Week On SOLA Network
1. Tim St. John: Relationship-Building Questions for Couples in Quarantine
“One vital way to build our understanding of how to love is to have conversations that provide opportunities to minister Christ’s love. To that end, here is a relationship-building activity for couples for the month of April. Take one question each day and discuss it with the aim of participating in what God is doing in your partner’s heart and life.”
2. Joanna Lee: COVID-19 Diaries: Finding Purpose Amidst the Pandemic
“As this COVID-19 pandemic progresses, I’ve been thinking a lot about my role as a health care worker and what I can do to help my patients stay healthy, especially when many of them don’t follow my instructions. I find myself wondering: ‘Has my day-to-day work with my patients directly reduced the risk of them contracting COVID-19?’ In other words, ‘Does what I do even matter?’”
3. Asian American Christian Collaborative: Statement on Anti-Asian Racism in the Time of COVID-19
“We, the undersigned, join together as Asian American Christians and community leaders to denounce the current rise in overt anti-Asian racism throughout our country. We call for an immediate end to the xenophobic rhetoric, hate crimes, and violence against our people and communities. We invite all Americans to join us in combating these contagions and work with us for the welfare of all.”
4. SOLA Network: Why SOLA is Supporting the “Statement on Anti-Asian Racism in the Time of COVID-19”
“Here at the SOLA Network, we believe racism is a sin as it directly contradicts the truth that God created all of us in his image, contradicts Christ’s command to love our neighbors, and conflicts with his ministry of reconciliation. Therefore we believe Christians are to call out racism in its many forms and seek to protect the powerless and marginalized.”
5. Heidi Wong: An Open Letter to College Students Affected by COVID-19
“If right now feels like a type of hell, remember that while Christ doesn’t promise to erase our suffering, he does promise that he is with us every painful step of the way (Isaiah 53:4). He entered into our world not as a thief who takes away our hopes and dreams, but rather as the giver of life, that we may “have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).”
6. TGIF: Roundup for March 27, 2020
In case you missed it: Small Groups in the Time of COVID-19, Why We Need Artists During COVID-19, and Everything’s Canceled! Dealing with Disappointment in Pandemic.
7. SOLA Network: TGIF Subscription
Get our TGIF installments delivered straight to your inbox for free every Friday. Subscribe today so you never miss out.
General disclaimer: Our link roundups are not endorsements of the positions or lives of the authors.