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Posted on 8 January, 2010 by Justin

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justinbfung

Friends, I could really use your prayers as I prep

Friends, I could really use your prayers as I prep the opening message of @christcitydc’s next series: Race, Faith, and the Kingdom of God. Pray for the wisdom and discernment to say what God wants me to say and nothing more. Taking a focused look at race and faith has been long overdue, and I’m feeling both the weight and privilege of talking about this, particularly in the specific context of our multiracial — but not yet multicultural — church, placed as we are in the heart of DC, the capital city of the US, each of which has its own shameful history of race. Lord, have mercy.

Sunday afternoon post-church naps are the best. #

Sunday afternoon post-church naps are the best.

#katherinejunia
📷 @carolyn85

Grateful for another little getaway this week to @

Grateful for another little getaway this week to @gleneyriecastle and @gardenofthegodspark.

Last week, as part of my prayer day, I went down t

Last week, as part of my prayer day, I went down to the Covid memorial by the Washington Monument. I walked by every section of the nearly 700,000 flags (we’re now over 700k), each of which represents not only someone lost but a network of grief. As if a city the size of DC was wiped out.

I walked and wept and prayed. It was heartbreaking even just to read the few flags that I was able to read:
- Of Carl, Jean, Jody, John, Pappy, Gabrielle, Mom, Christine, Raul, Francisco, Antawn, Mary, Anwar ...
- Three flags with three different names, written the same handwriting — “In loving memory”
- Those around my parents’ age and those even younger than me; and more than one who had seen a century
- “Mother to three girls”
- “He had a beautiful voice”
- “I’m sorry you died among strangers and I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you I love you before you left”

Some had mementos laid by them, others photos and flowers. There were messages, prayers, quotes, and a White Sox pennant.

I cannot forget the sight of this field of white stretching out as far as the eye could see. Or the sound of the flags fluttering and snapping in the wind, like an army of mourners offering a sad farewell.

As I was about to leave, I watched a solitary woman making her way through the aisles, looking for her section, carrying the flag of a loved one.

I thought of all those we’ve lost, of friends who have lost loved ones, of the gaps that have been left behind.

It didn’t have to be this way.

Jesus wept. And he said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” I’m holding on to that and to the divine reminder that there is still work to be done in making our world a better place for all. Lord, have mercy.

To paraphrase Dr. King, we are all part of a single garment of destiny. What we do affects one another. And we’re not through this yet. So get vaccinated if you can. Take precautions as much as you’re able. Be gracious to everyone you meet; you don’t know what or who they’ve lost. Love your neighbor.

Thank you to @suzannefirstenberg and all of the volunteers who made this public space of lament a reality.

Day 2 in Charlottesville started with a quick walk

Day 2 in Charlottesville started with a quick walk around UVA’s campus while waiting for our table to open up for brunch. So glad we were able to see the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers, both named and unnamed. We will never heal from what we do not name.

Brunch was at @farmbellkitchen: Crab Cake Benedict and Bananas Foster French Toast (uh-mazing). Followed by a much-needed walk, where we ran into some DC friends in town for a different Charlottesville wedding!

Lunch (several hours later, to be clear) was at @guajiros_cville Miami Eatery for Cuban sandwiches and an iced cafe con leche. (Can you tell that food is a key part of traveling for me?)

Took a jaunt down Main St. Stopped at Blue Whale Books, where we picked up a beautiful bound copy of Frederick Douglass’ autobiography and some Halloween books for Daniel (bookstores and libraries are my sanctuary); and then snagged a Shang-Chi Funko Pop! at @telegraphcomics.

The wedding at @marketatgrelen was gorgeous and a wonderful celebration. It’s always a privilege to officiate, and especially when you know and love the couple. Daniel and Jacy had planned to get married last November but decided to postpone the wedding, so today was a CELEBRATION (including with some @christcitydc friends down from DC!).

Weekend away ✅

I was asked to do a wedding this weekend (my first

I was asked to do a wedding this weekend (my first in two years!). Since it was in Charlottesville, @carolyn85 and I decided to make it a date weekend (our first night away from both kids — thanks to Tom and Dana!).

Today: we grabbed lunch at @michietavern, a public house opened in 1784 by William Michie, now a stone’s throw from Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello estate. It serves a delicious Southern buffet and EVERYTHING (coleslaw, green beans, mashed potatoes, fried chicken, pulled pork, biscuits, gravy, and sweet tea) was amazing.

After letting our bodies recover for an hour or so, we hit up the Humpback Rocks, a short but steep-ish hike. Reached the top at golden hour. Worth the workout.

Rounded off the day with dinner at @vunoodles, a Vegan Vietnamese restaurant in downtown Charlottesville: crispy rolls, pho, and then banana rolls for dessert.

Grateful for a good day.

It was so good to be back with @christcitydc in th

It was so good to be back with @christcitydc in the @minerelementaryschool cafeteria, our home since we were planted eight years ago. We started a new series, “Who We Are,” and I got to introduce our revised vision and mission for this new season.

Our vision: to see the flourishing of God‘s kingdom on display in every life and every sphere of life, in DC and beyond. Our mission: love God. Love others. Make disciples.

It’s been inspiring to see how our church has persevered in those pursuits during the pandemic, and I’m excited to see how God continues to work in us and through us in the coming months and years.

Teething problems abounded as we adjust to another new setup (plenty to work on this week!) but so grateful to our people for grace and patience, and to God for presence and the reminder that God’s love is the foundation of our existence. Trying to rest in that in the midst of everything.

If you want to have a listen to yesterdays message, “Love God,” click the link in the bio.

Relationships take work. Grateful that date nights

Relationships take work. Grateful that date nights—intentional quality time—are part of the work.

Also grateful for community that cares for us (e.g. by checking in on us and providing babysitting—👏🏼 👏🏼 👏🏼 @khels4115).

Another season. #gohawks @carolyn85’s Packers p

Another season. #gohawks

@carolyn85’s Packers play later so I got first dibs on dressing our mascots — I mean, kids.

#danielignatius

Last vacation of paternity leave. Enjoying some da

Last vacation of paternity leave. Enjoying some dad-and-#danielignatius time at the beach.

We. Are. Home. Thanks to all of you for your love

We. Are. Home.

Thanks to all of you for your love and care. We truly felt it.

@carolyn85 #katherinejunia

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