April 26-29, 2023 | Austin, TX

Some of our Circle segued into AANHPI Heritage Month in the company of Asian/Pacific Islander lay and ordained leaders from across our church in Austin, TX late last week. Vinh, Katya, Adrienne, and Maria traveled to meet up with Tina (a postulant at Seminary of the Southwest in Austin) and about 35 others.

We were a diverse group representing a variety of ethnicities, nationalities, immigration generations, and histories with the Episcopal Church. There were ministry leaders, convention deputies, church and diocesan staff, vestry members, seminarians, priests, deacons, and bishops.

We spent time over two days praying together and fellowshipping over incredible meals (breakfast tacos, kimchi fries!), an array of Asian snacks, and recreational time out in the city. Guided by the wonderful KyungJa Oh, the first Korean American woman ordained by our church, we discussed what it might look like to lay down our burdens and be renewed in the Spirit.

We shared with open hearts our experiences, hopes, and challenges of doing ministry as AAPI folks in both dominant culture churches/institutions and in AAPI-majority congregations. There was also a catalytic “off-program” moment that beckoned us into deeper conversation and truth-telling. It was hard emotional work and maybe not always restful but as Katya shared, it was energizing to be together.

We closed the retreat at a local Indian food restaurant, hearts and bellies full. There was much connecting and sharing of resources throughout our time together and we are excited for more local, regional, and province-based collaborations, as well as next year’s retreat which will be hosted by the Diocese of Oregon! Stay tuned for future reflections shared by others from our diocese.