The BBQ Reviewed

I just put up the photos (taken by the ever-talented and oh-so-dependable John Tom) from our BBQ at the Pangs’ last weekend.  Due to busy summer scheds and a simultaneous Youth Camp leader meeting, we had a smallish group - but with such quality company how could we not have a super time!

We arrived in Hercules in to find it sunny and gorgeous, as expected, were warmly welcomed by the Pangs, started throwing chicken on the grill and prepping sides, and soon (boy are we efficient when food is coming!) we had not one but two tables loaded down with a Mexican feast.  We chatted between mouthfuls, discussing Pinole Valley HS lore and the guacamole theory of groups, and helped ourselves to seconds and thirds of it all.  My favorite conversations are usually over great food and this meal proved to be no exception!

When we could eat no more, John ushered us into the living room to explain the family tree project.  He showed us his example tree, in the process revealing how he is related to every single person at church, in one way or another - just ask him!  He handed us oversized paper and smelly markers and we were off.  It was interesting to see how each person interpreted the family tree structure in a different way (even Brian and Ian’s weren’t identical - huh??) and it was so fun to get to know Shannon, Keegan, Lawrence, Brian and Ian better by hearing who they are, by way of who they are related to.  Actually I’m hoping we can do this activity at a future event, although the 6 of us might have an advantage, having had this practice round (and it does take practice, right Lawrence?).

We ended the night with ice cream and Mexican brownies (I do like theme food) and sitting around chatting with Tom and the Pangs.  It was good times, as usual with Ashira events  - thanks to everyone who participated!

Oh and our July event will be here before you know it.  In fact, the next item on my to do list today is to post those details on this very blog.  For now, pencil it in - July 12 - hope we see you there!

Welcome to Summer Event!

The Pangs graciously offered their house for our June event - so let’s do a backyard barbecue and welcome the summer in style!  And in our never-ending quest to get to know each other, we’re going to do a family tree activity (led by John) and devo and partner sharing time.  Hope you can come!

Date: Saturday, June 14, 2008
Time: 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Cost: $7

Location:
The Pangs’ House

Program:
BBQ dinner
Announcements
Family Tree sharing activity
Devotion and partner break-off
Dessert

RSVP: to Ani Sittig by Saturday, June 7

Questions or need direction? Ask Ani, John, Brenda or Lawrence

Live in Harmony - an all church music event

Come be amazed at the talents of your fellow church members!

Date: Saturday, April 12, 2008
Time: 6 pm - 9 pm
Cost: free
Location: FCBC

Please get your tickets in advance: from Norm or Wendy

Game night - April’s event

Good at poker? Wizard on the Scrabble board? Mind-bogglingly genius at Boggle? It’s your night to shine! (Or if you’re like me, your night to try to get by and not lose every game…)

So pack up your favorite board game (or just come) and join us for game night! Details:

Date: Saturday, April 5, 2008
Time: 6 pm - 10 pm
Cost: $7 - and please bring a board game we can use!!
Location: John and Lana’s home

Program:
5:00 - John says feel free to show up early and hang out
6:00 - Dinner
7:00 - Group games, board games
9:15 - Announcements and calendar update. Devotion.

Please RSVP: to johntomjt at gmail.com

Event review - Feb ‘08 at Evan’s place = bonding

By: Ani -

I’m late on this, but I wanted to write a quick review of our event last weekend, so those who went can reminisce about the good times and those who didn’t can be jealous get caught up on what they missed.

When I showed up at Evan’s (so stylin’) apartment at 6:02 or so, almost everyone was already there - and so I mental noted one thing about leading Ashira this year: I’ll have to be punctual! While dinner was cooking up, we played/watched Scrabble and I learned that you can sneak Spanish words on to the board if people are distracted enough (que?) and that Ian has a hard time resisting warm artichoke dip with scoopy chips and that Lawrence is decently gracious to people (me) wh0 drop said dip on his sleeve by accident - sorry again.

The mass amounts of food were still warming when Keegan conquered the other players the Scrabble game ended, so we decided to play a quick ice breaker till it was ready. Matt and Becky led us in a rousing game of Four Men on a Couch - in which I concluded that, since we are too young to blame approaching senility, I guess we probably just haven’t progressed much past the childhood 10 second attention span. Well some of us I should say… John Tom showed his mastery of the game by making the winning call (ok no, it was just dumb luck, he told me so later). You probably don’t remember what team you were on - if you even knew in the first place - so congratulations to all of us for having fun! (ok, I remember… I lost… I demand a rematch.)

We stuffed ourselves silly at dinner and still barely made a dent in the food - thanks to Brenda and the super generous feast she brought us - see photos. Then my mind goes blank a little - because I had to get up and speak in front of you all (eep!) but if I dust off my stack of posters, I see that we 1. read/highlighted/reported on survey results about what other fellowship groups at church love/need (a week later let’s see what I gleaned: retreats! commitment!) 2. brainstormed events we could do this year (I promise to get more details up as they come in - if you have input, you know where to email me) 3. heard from Shannon, sharing where she is at these days and, in the awesome heartfelt way that Shannon has, sharing about what she hopes to get out of this group - then we paired off for some partner talking time, in which I thoroughly enjoyed bonding with Brenda and finding out that we have a lot in common.

Just when we thought we couldn’t eat another bite, the dessert appeared and I know I impressed myself by putting down a piece of apple pie and a banana/choc chip mini muffin. Group photos were taken, food was packed (bag o chicken anyone?), shoes and jackets were donned and we shuffled back out into the rain. I know I left fuller than I had come - with food, and loooove, and relief that the first event went well, and glad that there’s more to come. Thanks guys - see you around church!

Spring Church Clean-up

This is an annual event at which masses of FCBC-goers descend on the church to clean every little corner of the building. I went last year and had fun and met lots of cool people - nothing like working alongside someone.

This event is recommended for people who: 1. like events where you DO stuff 2. like to clean 3. like to be helpful in a practical way 4. like free food…

Date: Saturday, March 15, 2008
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon
Cost: your labor
Location: FCBC, main building

Program:
8:30-9:00 am - a light breakfast will be available
Get handed your assignment and tools and get to work!
12:00 pm - lunch will be served

RSVP: to Ani Sittig by Friday, March 7 (I have to send in a list of volunteers) anisittig@gmail.com

Chinese New Year Celebration at FCBC

The First Chinese Baptist Church is going to celebrate Chinese New Year with a special Chinese New Year’s Luncheon and Program. All members of our congregation and friends are welcome to attend.

Date: Sunday, Feb 17, 2008
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Cost: Free
Location: FCBC

Program:
Lunch with traditional New Year’s foods
Brief program and sharing (singing, explanation of some of the traditional foods, simple handicrafts, and intergenerational sharing by members of the church family)

RSVP: Jarrett Jang at 9:30 service

1st 2008 Ashira Fellowship Get-together

Come hang out, get to know your fellow Ashira-ites, and eat some good food!

Date: Saturday, Feb 23, 2008
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Cost: $7
Location: Evan Lessler’s place in Oakland (thanks Evan!)

Program:
Dinner/Hang out
Fellowship Games
2008 Calendar
Devotion

RSVP: to Ani Sittig by Sunday, Feb 17

Please email any of us for directions or pick up a flyer at church on Sunday. Also, carpool will be available from SF - contact John Tom.

Ani Sittig - anisittig@gmail.com
John Tom - johntomjt@gmail.com
Brenda Choy - brenda.choy@mckesson.com