Tây Nam YaYA Deepening Nights recap + next steps

Dear everyone,

Hope this email finds you well as we near the Feast of the Sacred Heart on Friday! Thank you to everyone for your presence through the past two evenings, whether in person or in prayer. The truly palpable sense of journeying together in community was very much felt throughout, from all the yummy food (thanks O Hoang!) to all the memorable sharings.

Below you'll find a recap as well as what we are looking to in the near future. Those present in-person included O/Chi Hoang, Anh Binh, Anh Thai, Eric, Phi, Anna, Thu, Tammy, Hugo and myself.

1. We reviewed the graces from YaYA Ministries National Summit, and looked at grace and invitations in our own lives at this time
2. Rather than re-hashing the definition of "What is YaYA Ministries?" we asked "What can/does YaYA Ministries mean for me and my community?"
1. The top 3 that came up were enjoying each others' presence/community, space to be myself and accepted as myself, and life-giving (full list below)
3. The second question to explore was, "What characteristics would help shape such an atmosphere?"
1. The top ones here were openness, honesty, vulnerability; Christ-centered; presence to self, God and others; and relationships before and with work (full list below)
4. We looked at where each of us are re: involvement in the Regional Team.
1. From this an interesting development has arisen, a flock of "Stand-By Geese" otherwise known as SBG. While SBG's may not be able to or feel called into planning on a regular basis and related items, they have a willingness to stay involved whether it be through helping at an event or likewise. What it means is still to be further hashed out. To spark your imagination, I've attached a few logos that Anh Thai came up (so SuperCool! =D) with to get us going. =)
2. "SBG" includes Tammy, Hugo, Phi, and Anh Thai. Woot woot! err should I say honk honk!
3. Regional Team includes Anna, Thu, Eric, and myself.
4. There are additional people in the community who have expressed interest in being involved, who we will connect with soon.

Next steps - we did not feel that within these 2 nights it was enough time yet to elect a new coordinator from the new Regional Team. This will happen next Thursday, June 21st @ 6pm at Thu's house: 10300 Cunningham Ave. Westminster, CA 92683. From here will also include an additional representative to have 2 from Tay Nam for the National Team.

In His love,

Nhi

+  +  +

 FULL LIST OF RESPONSES

What does YaYA Ministries mean to me?

-          Enjoy each others’ presence/community

-          Spaec to be myself/be accepted, not judged

-          Life-giving

-          Place where unique gifts are nurtured

-          Companionship

-          Support in faith

-          Co-creators with larger Dong Hanh/Catholic family

-          Family

What characteristics would help shape such an atmosphere?

-          Openness, honesty, vulnerability

-          Christ-centered!!!

-          Relationships ~ work (self-growth) + (work)

-          Presence to self, to God (inside ourselves), to others

-          To be supportive – to be receptive, engaged, active, encouraging, affirming, empowering, respectful

-          To help each other grow and space to grow

-          Enjoyable and “fun” will prevail

-          Energy and love

-          Freedom of involvement “please don’t leave without saying goodbye” / open door/welcoming

-          Accountability (ownership) and awareness

-          United

-          Peace – without, without, with God