This month we celebrate various ways each of our lives has the capacity to reflect the beauty and glory of God, even in the midst of loss, the continuous fight for equity, and in our pursuit of Truth. In our desire to uphold our commitment to solidarity during Black History Month, we have been honoring men and women who have gone before us in helping shape the WOW! voice and community. We highlight Rev. Annette Cutino here, but check out our social media channels for a larger look at our community.
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. - 2 Corinthians 3:18
A SOJOURNER'S TRUTH by Natasha Sistrunk Robinson
"The first person each of us must learn to speak truth to is ourselves. The first person we must learn to lead is ourselves.So this is me, inviting you to answer the questions, to speak the truth, to lead well, and to become strong and courageous."
-Natasha Sistrunk Robinson
REV. ANNETTE CUTINO
Annette has served on the WOW! board, continues to teach for our seminars, and extends invitations to WOW! ministries to many in her network and community.
Rev. Annette Cutino is a force to be reckoned with. She is a powerhouse who lives and leads with integrity, unafraid to speak truth to power while inspiring others to do the same (check out her podcast on Huldah!)
As the Director of Advance at LEAD.NYC– the NYC arm ofMOVEMENT.ORGit is her passion that drives her. She continues to propel and encourage individuals to develop and grow into their fullest potential. Through her influential work with the Advance Leadership Intensive (ALI) –an organizational leadership development program for ministry and nonprofit leaders – she has served nearly 500 program alumni and emerging leaders.
This beautiful art piece was done by Kymare Hutchinson during our recent Refresh Silent Retreat.
We are reminded that we are like a tree planted by streams of living water and that he is able to do more than
we can ever think or imagine.
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
- Jeremiah 17:7-9
REFRESH SILENT RETREAT TESTIMONIES
“I loved the word "behold." It really set the tone and ambiance for my time with God. I looked at everything with expectancy and was open to a different perspective.”
"I truly believe God is inviting me into a deeper friendship that involves also showing myself to Him."
IN THE WAITING
BY LISA MATHEWS
Oh, how I’ve longed for God. I can remember pondering how sweet it was to be in His presence. How I couldn’t imagine a single day without knowing He was with me. Then, over a six-year period I lost my sister, my son, my husband, my mother and my father... So for two+ years I’ve was a bit “standoffish” with God... And felt a heart of derision as they said the same things I was saying, knowing in the dark of the night I felt nothing. I felt nothing! I felt nothing! ...
Bruce Feffer leads us into the story of the DOZ (Daughters of Zelophehad): a fatherless group of 5 sisters who notoriously fought for their land. He unpacks how three different types of community became the salvation of these sisters, arming them with faith to confront a legal system that favors men and bringing about new societal laws that include women.
In what ways is God inviting you into community during this time of social distancing and isolation? How are our current communities reflecting God's character to bring about a more just society?
The role of an ezer is seldomly taught as a role for both men or women to pursue graciously or honorably for God’s redemptive work. It is often misused as a measure of secondary value or status for women. The word ezer/helper has been misunderstood using modern day context to define the word helper. It is time to unleash its true alignment with God as our ezer. Its implication is that all are called to be ezers.
GROUP CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER
Join us at 12pm EST the 4th Wednesday of each month for our contemplative prayer times where we aim to nurture these gifts. We believe God will respond to our presence by taking all we are currently experiencing in refining and purifying the faith, hope, and love we offer ourselves and others.
