A Mosaic of Gratitude

In 2020, Mosaics had two FaceBook fundraisers.

1. Faith Fundraiser for Davis Mosaics during COVID-19 Pandemic with a goal of $5,000 (March 31 – June 26, 2020): We raised $4,440: FB Fundraiser in the amount of $2,340, plus our donation site (Foundation account), and checks by mail in the amount of $2,100.

2. 2020 Year-End Fundraiser to Support Mosaics with a goal of $12,000 (Nov. 19 – Dec. 31, 2020): We raised $12,765 as of Dec. 31, 2020. FB Fundraiser in the amount of $4,525, plus our donation site, and checks by mail in the amount of $8,240 (with a huge donation of $7,250 on Dec. 21, 2020). FB will match portion of our FB fundraiser in early January. So, we expect it will be more than $13,000.

With two semi-annual fundraisers, Davis Mosaics raised total of $17,205 + additional FB GivingTuesday match fund in 2020 in addition to our regular pledges and offering.

During the pandemic, we converted all of our classes into Zoom meetings, offering 10 language classes, music class, Bible study and meditation class and events, which have been drawing more than 200 new participants.

We have 70~80 Zoom average participants each week and continue growing. For more information, please check our 2021 class schedule at: https://nextg.org/mosaics-intercultural-classes-schedule/.

As of Dec. 31, Davis Mosaics have total of 1,713 registered participants in our Intercultural Language and Music Meetups and about 200 active regular participants in our Intercultural Fellowship of Mosaics. For the past 5 years, we had 2,807 meetup events (classes). We are growing organically by attracting people from Sacramento Metro Area, Davis, Vacaville, Fairfield, Bay Area, other states and even other countries. We expect to bring 200~300 new participants in 2021.

Grace and I are so grateful for the support of DCC and love of staff as we continue working together in partnership, building intercultural ministries in Davis.

While I continue seeking a part-time/half-time job to meet our needs (by working as a “tent-maker”) without any financial support for our own housing and salary, God listened our prayers and abundantly provided. We are so blessed to receive unexpected income through PUA (pandemic unemployment benefits from EDD) since April of 2020, which has been not only providing us to sustain our lives but also qualified us to continue receiving CoveredCA health coverage in 2021 that requires minimum of $24K+ income verification.

I’m also blessed to serve the Nominating Committee of the newly combined North Central California Presbytery since April of 2020, which is rewarding experience.

Grace and I reconfirmed the importance of reaching out Millennials, the lost generation, during the pandemic and found that the key to succeed is providing continuous love, kindness and compassion.

Although God seemed far away from me for a while (like how Job in the Bible felt), I realized that God was always within and near me. Persistence (with patience) and hope are what we all need as the Scriptures say, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9). “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5).

Thank you again for love of DCC and your prayers!

Joyfully in Christ,

Stephen Moon