Redeemer East Side Update

Covid 1920

As we continue to find ourselves in the epicenter of the COVID-19 crisis, as a church we are constantly making adjustments to help us stay connected as a community while also seeking to serve our neighbors in this difficult time. For example, we created a mobilization team on our staff to try to find ways that we as a church can serve one another and our neighbors during this time. In just one week, they were able to drop off hundreds of masks with The Bowery Mission and provide a full day of food and drink to the field hospital in Central Park. They’ve begun conversations on how we might support the many medical professionals in our church and community as well as mobilize people to serve the most vulnerable through our Hope For New York affiliates. We’ve also been working with our counseling center to offer timely resources that you can see here.

But with all that we are adjusting to, one of the things we felt it was important to continue with as usual was the Gotham Fellowship, our 9-month intensive that focuses on integrating the Christian faith with our work. I can’t remember another time when all of our work across every industry has been so profoundly disrupted. News sources tell us that something like 26 million Americans have filed for unemployment. In the midst of processing loneliness, grief, anxiety, fear, exhaustion, many of us are also wondering about the meaning of our work and our sense of calling in the world. The Gotham Fellowship is designed to help you wrestle with those very questions and what the gospel has to say about them. We will be taking applications through the end of April. Find out more details here

As we continue to pray for and stand with our medical professionals, we bear witness to the sacred nature of their calling. Yet, in Christ, all of our work is sacred. How might the city be transformed if we all approached our work as a sacred calling from God to love our neighbor?

Warmly,

Rev. Abraham Cho
East Side Senior Pastor


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Lucy Cross
Gotham Alumna, Class of 2019

"I went into Gotham thinking I would gain a better understanding of how my faith on an intellectual and practical level could positively influence my work. Instead, God taught me more about where my heart was and that my motivations are inseparable from the reactions or attitudes I bring to my work."

Hi everyone, my name is Lucy! Like many of you, I moved to New York for my career (and also Seamless). I work in PR and advertising, and my work has given me some of my closest friends, adventures, and opportunities. It has also sometimes meant toxic work environments, long hours, and political games (think Game of Thrones level).

Through all of it, God continues to teach me about who I am, and more importantly about who He is. For instance, I’ve learned exactly how quickly I can scarf down snacks between meetings. I’ve also learned that I can go from zero to workaholic remarkably quickly. Still working on that one.

This past year, I was part of the Gotham Fellowship, which for those of you who don’t know is a program all about integrating faith and work. I went into Gotham thinking that I would gain a better understanding of how my faith — on an intellectual and practical level — could positively influence my work. I was also hoping God would put up a neon sign or something about career next steps... no such luck.

Instead, God started to show me that he wanted to teach me less about the practical, and more about where my heart was. My motivations are inseparable from the reactions or attitudes I bring to my work, for better or worse (usually worse).

As I peeled back the layers, I realized that I constantly look for the next challenge, the next opportunity, and the next after that – believing that when others recognize my efforts, it often leads to that all-important next thing. I default to relying on my own abilities, chasing achievements in exchange for validation.

But the Lord is slowly showing me that I’m already valued and recognized because of what Christ did for me on the cross. He is faithful, and he sees me when I feel unseen. I’m learning that I don’t have to strive for recognition or respect — I’ve already got his. I’m free from having to prove myself, because my value does not come from what I do or who acknowledges it. I can stand in the confidence of what Christ has done, not what I’ve tried to do.

At the same time, my work matters, and it matters to the Lord. When I don’t waste energy chasing validation, I have energy to do my work with excellence and clarity. I can bring more creativity and joy, and be more gracious and loving to my coworkers. My successes can’t define me, and my failures can’t crush me. I can think and act from a place of trusting that the Lord has complete control over my abilities, my career and my life.

By no means do I have this faith and work thing figured out – certainly not the combination of the two.But I do know that every part of this world and this city is the Lord’s, including my work. And God’s going to keep reminding me that I’m called to be faithful, diligent and joyful in this moment, not the next one.

Lucy's story was originally shared at a worship service on June 23, 2019.


+ Gotham applications close tomorrow, April 30: In a moment when all of our work is disrupted in some way, you may be reflecting on the purpose of your work and your sense of calling in the world. Apply to Gotham Fellowship to wrestle with these questions.

+ Subscribe to weekly email updates about urgent needs and service/volunteer opportunities. There are many practical ways you can help during this time, some even from your own apartment!

+ Facing fear and loss during COVID-19, April 29: This 4-week remote support group will explore how to grieve unforeseen hardship, heartache and tragedy while seeking hope as we face the unknown future.

+ Staying connected during a time of social distancing, April 30: Amidst the physical distancing guidelines, learn how to cultivate meaningful connectedness that sustains peace and growth through this 4-week remote support group.

+ Relationship Forum, May 3: Register to join next month's discussion on the topic, "Conflict & Reconciliation in Relationships."

+ College app seminar, May 6: Learn how to navigate the complicated process of selecting, applying to and thriving in college without being mired in debt.

+ Questioning Christianity livestream, May 7: The last in this year's series, Tim Keller will discuss how and why we can believe in Jesus.

+ MarriageWorks, May 12: Understand, repair and strengthen your marriage with this last session on "Remembering Mission: Prayer, Hospitality & Raising a Family."

+ Pray with Redeemer East Side Monday through Saturday: Join East Side staff and congregants at noon to pray for our city, our loved ones and our world.

+ Send encouraging messages to nursing home residents: Residents of UESRNC are facing increased isolation because of COVID-19.

+ Tutor kids virtually: The Bowery Mission's Mont Lawn City Camp program needs tutors for students in East Harlem.

+ Donate school supplies: Families served by The Salvation Army's Bronx Citadel Day Care Center are in need of school supplies. Buy items from a wish list.