Events
Everybody needs to feel like they belong somewhere.
-Rachelle Verdier, Educator and WOW! Board Member
Current Offerings
LISTENING GROUP (IN PERSON)
Modeling a simplified group spiritual direction format, this 1.5 hour introductory session focus on being present to one another by listening, learning the freedom of not giving advice or trying to fix people. This a great space to get more familiar with and introduce friends to group spiritual direction as they are free to attend and do not require a commitment. Registration is limited to only 12 participants. It is first come first serve reservation of spots.
In collaboration with Neighbor we are offering an in-person listening group contemplation for Advent. Join us and RSVP for a spot asap. This is a FREE event. Email [email protected] to place you on the waiting list if registration is full.
Where: Neighbor, 176 9th Ave. NYC 10011
When: December 5, Friday, 6-8:30PM
Snacks will be available, but bring your own dinner!
Group Spiritual Direction
Do you desire to deeper your spiritual journey in a group setting with friends, colleagues, co-laborers/ministers or with others who are hungry for intimacy with God? Group spiritual direction might just be the space and gathering that will honor your desire. We offer this collective journey, introducing variety of contemplative exercises. As a group, you will be guided to reflect, meditate, pray and engage with our triune God and listen to one another.
If this is what you and your community desires to experience together, go to the link below.
JOURNEYING WITH JESUS
Together, we will dive into the life of Jesus, explore his spiritual journey with God and the community that was present to him and his calling. We will apply the contemplative discipline of imaginative prayer throughout our journey together as we practice group spiritual direction.
Our format is virtual and intimate cohort style of monthly gatherings, every 1st Wednesday, 7-9PM EST. We limit our capacity to 6 participants.
Dates: Nov 6 & Dec 4, 2024
Jan 8*, Feb 5, Mar 5, Apr 2, May7 & June 4, 2025 @ 7-9PM, EST
REGISTRATION CLOSES ON 10/31
SAVE THE DATE:
REFRESH SILENT RETREAT
FEBRUARY 7-9, 2025
EMAIL [email protected] to add your name for updates.
Cindy Comiso
Associate Pastor of Granite City Church, Quincy, MA
“The generosity of WOW!’s heart for the church — not just its individuals — has been a gift received multiple times by my Deacon Team. WOW! offered our team monthly group direction which allowed these leaders to experience spiritual direction for the first time. The exercises that Manni and Erika led were creative and translatable over ZOOM. Our Deacons are now partnering with local spiritual directors to offer direction, once a year, to each of our church members. Exciting, eh? Thank you, WOW!, for your part in making this new ministry come into being.”
Joyce Dalrymple
Founder, Refuge for Strength
The Refuge for Strength leaders who participated in WOW!’s Group Spiritual Direction training felt deeply seen, heard, and loved. It was amazing how each listening practice opened us up to hear from God in powerful ways. The members of the group also affirmed what they saw God doing in one another. We thought we were just going to receive further training in group spiritual direction, but we felt more deeply connected and cared for by one another after our time together. The WOW! leaders’ loving presence and curious questions created the atmosphere we needed to truly hear from God and one another. I know this will continue to have ripple effects in our ministry going forward. Thank you!
Event Partners
It is our great joy to participate in collaborative leadership. Much of our ministy can be customized and adapted for various audiences. Please reach out to us at [email protected] to discuss any partnership ideas with your community, church, ministry, or organization.
Oversea Chinese Mission (OCM) Church
WOW! Seminar Series, Chinatown, NY
2017 – present
Read Event/Partnership Description
WOW! is grateful to the OCM community as they have graciously offered their classroom space to host our monthly seminars on biblical teaching emphasizing women, leadership and calling.
Learn more at:
https://www.ocmchurch.org/
CASCADIA LIVING WISDOM
2022
Read Event/Partnership Description
WOW! is delighted to partner with fellow spiritual director, Joseph Wong and his work alongside Dr. David Benner at Cascadia Living Wisdom. In desiring to create safe spaces of contemplation, inviting hearts to awaken to the presence of God and be spiritual companions to witness God’s gentle, grace-filled transforming work, we would like to share resources among our communities. Any WOW! friend is welcome to take advantage of their offerings at discounted prices.
Reach out to us for further information.
https://www.cascadialivingwisdom.com/
Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God (SMIC)
Refresh Silent Retreats, Bethlehem, PA
2014 – 2020
Read Event/Partnership Description
Since we began hosting silent retreats in 2014, Sister Eleanor Goekler of SMIC, has been a partner in helping shape, plan and execute our Refresh gatherings into its unique space and time of quietness and solitude which have deeply ministered to all who have attended.
Learn more at: http://www.missionarysistersofic.org
Nyack College
SheLeads Summit, New York, NY
2018
Read Event/Partnership Description
WOW! co-sponsored a satellite location where local leaders who affirm women in pastoral leadership were invited to discuss their process, ideas, and dreams in elevating women into leadership roles. Professor Amy Davis facilitated this rich conversation and is part of WOW!’s seminar teaching rotation.
Learn more at: https://www.missioalliance.org/gatherings/churchtogether
PaLM (Pastor & Laity in Ministry) & ISAAC East (Innovative Space for Asian American Christianity)
Asian American and Multicultural Leadership Conference, New York, NY
2018
Read Event/Partnership Description
This 2 day conference resulted from the first ever collaborative effort between our three parachurch ministries featuring the impact of multicultural and multigenerational leadership, specifically, in the Asian American Church. Dr. Sheryl Silzer (co-author of Tapestry of Grace: Untangling the Cultural Complexities in Asian American Life and Ministry) taught both days to an audience of pastors and lay leaders.
Learn more at:
https://www.palmny.org
https://isaacweb.org
Freedom Road
Ruby Woo Pilgrimage, Chinatown, New York
2017-2019
Read Event/Partnership Description
For 3 consecutive years, WOW! has been bridging the Ruby Woo Pilgrimage with local historical church, First Chinese Baptist Church, to feature and highlight the legacy of Dr. Mabel Lee, a pioneer, suffragette and advocate in the Chinatown community.
Learn more at:
https://freedomroad.us
Soon Movement New York
Higher Calling Conference
2023
Read Event/Partnership Description
It was an honor for us to be present at the Higher Calling East conference with college students and leaders of SOON Movement Global to introduce imaginative prayer through Meeting Jesus Face to Face as elective seminars and the examen in the processing time.
Fullness in Christ Fellowship (FICF)
Renewing Gender Relations: Living Out the Fullness of Christ Conference, San Francisco, CA
2013
Read Event/Partnership Description
WOW! coordinated and led the English track for this bilingual conference. Local leaders: Rev. Ken Fong (Evergreen Baptist Church), James Choung (Area Director of IVCF) and Melanie Mar (Campus Ministry Director of EPIC) led workshops and participated with Rev. Grace May, (WOW! Executive Director) as panelists on creating gender justice opportunities for women to lead and to co-lead in pastoral positions.
Learn more at: https://www.ficfellowship.org/about-ficf-e.html
Roxbury Presbyterian Church
Divine by Design day retreat for women,
Boston, MA
2023
Read Event/Partnership Description
We felt richly gifted to have facilitated a women’s retreat with RPC and privileged to walk alongside their journeys. We cried, laughed and held one another in deep prayer during our time of harvest with the women & friends of Roxbury Presbyterian Church (RPC) as we were closing off the women’s retreat, Divine by Design. We prayed and conversed with God through coloring, drawing & designing on our patches of cloths, journaling our deep thoughts & insights and “listening” to God’s encouragement through visio divina; we celebrated & exhorted one another to receive healing, hope and revival. We thank God for their words of affirmation about the impact of the retreat time.
New York Coalition of Asian American and Pacific Islander Churches
Prayer Vigil
Feb 2022
Walk of Faith
May 2022
Read Event/Partnership Description
Women (Grace Choi, Manni Lee, Krystin Bruan and May Lee) took the lead in ministering at the Prayer Vigil for AAPI Sisters (livestream). We thank our male pastors and brothers for creating space for women to lead, speak, and be heard. It was a moment where mutuality was modeled as brothers acknowledged the disproportionate suffering women are facing in NYC. Younger women at the Prayer Vigil for AAPI Sisters were deeply moved and inspired as they witnessed women in leadership with the support of the brothers praying for sisters.
Metro Community Church
Deeper With God, Deeper With Each Other Women’s Retreat
2023
Read Event/Partnership Description
WOW! staff led women on a weekend retreat featuring Scripture study, silent reflection, and times for sharing and creativity.
Let’s Collaborate
For inquiries, please fill out form below.
frequently asked questions
who is wow! for?
WOW! is for women of all ethnic backgrounds, life stages, and denominations, whether churched, non-affiliated, deconstructing, or anywhere in between. We are dedicated to holding space in a kind, non-judgmental, and supportive way to all who come to us, whether they may be in their journey.
DOES wow! work only with women?
Artist and activist Lilla Watson famously said, “If you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.” WOW!’s vision is to See Sisters Soar, and partnering with both male and female allies to advance that vision is critical. As Jesus is the ultimate model of male allyship, we invite men to speak and lead in our spaces, modeling that same Christ-like love and empowerment. We believe that when women flourish, men flourish.
Is WOW! a church?
WOW! is not a church. However, WOW! takes joy in collaborative partnership with churches and other organizations to create spaces for discovery, presence and teaching.
i don’t have money to attend WOW! sessions. Are there scholarships available?
We recognize that each season of life looks different. We do not want finances to deter those seeking our support, especially during times of transition. If you would like to receive scholarship for one of our offerings, please complete this form.
Where do WOW! offerings take place?
Our offerings can be in-person, virtual via ZOOM, and hybrid.
In-person offerings include: semi-annual Refresh silent retreat; day contemplative retreats; NYC Soul Care Cohort; and 1-on-1 spiritual direction or spiritual discernment sessions.
Virtual offerings include: half-day virtual silent retreat, Soul Care Cohort, Group Spiritual Direction, Contemplative Group Listening and 1-on-1 spiritual direction or spiritual discernment sessions.
Hybrid offerings can be customized according to the need of the individual or group. Please visit our Ministries page to learn more.
Who can I speak with to learn more about WOW!?
To connect with WOW! you can email [email protected] or [email protected]. For more specific inquiries about our offerings, you can email:
[email protected] to learn about Soul Care Cohort, spiritual direction with her directly and collaborative offerings with church and ministry groups
[email protected] to learn about Refresh silent retreat, group spiritual or 1-on-1 direction with her, day contemplative retreat and group contemplative listening offerings
[email protected] to learn about pastoral care support and group or individual spiritual discernment sessions
Stay In Touch
48 Henry Street
New York, NY 10002
[email protected]
646-327-8297
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WOW! is a 501c3 Nonprofit organization, Tax ID 45-3705920