SJU is definitely a happening kind of place during Advent and Christmas! Taiwan doesn’t have any holidays for Christmas, so apart from weekends, the students are here in classes all over Christmas, the office staff are working all over Christmas, … Continue reading Advent & Christmas 2017 @ St. John’s University (SJU) & Advent Church, Taiwan
#AdventWord #celebrate ‘The Church is quiet. We CELEBRATE the birth of a holy child. We pray with the deep intention that every day will be Christmas. Every day God gives us is a gift to CELEBRATE.’ Newly-built Advent Church 台灣聖公會降臨堂 about 1974 ~ kindergarten graduation with Rev. Charles C. T. Chen 陳金地牧師 in the centre. #CelebrationTime! Continue reading Advent Word 2017, Day 23 ‘celebrate’
#AdventWord #believe ‘For 2000 years flames of adoring lamps have surrounded the cave where Jesus was first at home in Bethlehem. People kiss the cave’s rock and BELIEVE. We taste slowly, drink and BELIEVE. It comes down not to a creed but to a cave.’ Visit to the Taiwan Episcopal Church 台灣聖公會 of Bishop John A. Pinckney from Taiwan’s Companion Diocese, the Episcopal Diocese of Upper S. Carolina (EDUSC), October 1965. 台灣聖公會岡山諸聖堂 All Saints Episcopal Church, Gangshan, Kaohsiung Continue reading Advent Word 2017, Day 22 ‘believe’
#AdventWord #child ‘The stable lamp is glowing, and the CHILD is sleeping on Mary’s lap. This is the scene in many a creche in every corner of Christendom. Drawing near to Christmas Day is a bittersweet moment. Before we know it, this chosen CHILD of the bright stars will ride in triumph through the streets of Jerusalem to his cruel death.’ Visit to the Taiwan Episcopal Church 台灣聖公會 of Bishop John A. Pinckney from Taiwan’s Companion Diocese, the Episcopal Diocese of Upper S. Carolina EDUSC, October 1965. St. Paul’s Church, Kaohsiung 台灣聖公會高雄聖保羅堂 ran several clinics in rented buildings in the … Continue reading Advent Word 2017, Day 21 ‘child’
#AdventWord #greeting ‘As part of the Holy Baptism celebration, the community enthusiastically greets the newest member of Christ’s family. Have a spiritual practice of GREETING a new person for your always increasing family every day.’ Visit to the Taiwan Episcopal Church 台灣聖公會 of Bishop John A. Pinckney from Taiwan’s Companion Diocese, the Episcopal Diocese of Upper S. Carolina (EDUSC), October 1965. Rev. Patric Hutton, USA missionary and vicar of St. Paul’s Church, Kaohsiung 台灣聖公會高雄聖保羅堂 stands outside St. Paul’s Clinic. St. Paul’s ran several clinics in rented buildings in the Kaohsiung and Pingtung areas, this was one. They also had mobile … Continue reading Advent Word 2017, Day 20 ‘greeting’
#AdventWord #renew ‘Holy Baptism is always an occasion for us to RENEW our Baptismal Covenant. We RENEW vows to remember. Practice renewing your commitments this holy season. Start with God. RENEW yourself by loving anew your “one, precious” life.’ Visit to the Taiwan Episcopal Church 台灣聖公會 of Bishop John A. Pinckney from Taiwan’s Companion Diocese, the Episcopal Diocese of Upper S. Carolina (EDUSC), October 1965. St. Mark’s Church, Pingtung 屏東市聖馬可堂 was described in the EDUSC report: “The church in Pingtung is a rented wooden structure which is riddled with termites. A grant is needed to purchase land and build a … Continue reading Advent Word 2017, Day 19 ‘renew’
#AdventWord #embrace ‘Mary’s EMBRACE of her Son in Michelangelo’s Pieta is cold marble but living, warm and true. Mary was giving Jesus what he needed most. As Advent people, we encounter people every day who need more than a hug or a handshake at the Peace in Church. EMBRACE a beloved child of God.’ Visit to the Taiwan Episcopal Church 台灣聖公會 of Bishop John A. Pinckney from Taiwan’s Companion Diocese, the Episcopal Diocese of Upper S. Carolina (EDUSC), October 1965. The Tachen (Dachen) Islands 大陳群島, just off the coast of Zhejiang Province 浙江省, China were evacuated during the First Taiwan … Continue reading Advent Word 2017, Day 18 ’embrace’
#AdventWord #open ‘Being OPEN is a gift we must receive each day from the God who opens up even the grave. Be OPEN to what has been. Be OPEN to what will be. OPEN me, God.’ Visit to the Taiwan Episcopal Church 台灣聖公會 of Bishop John A. Pinckney from Taiwan’s Companion Diocese, the Episcopal Diocese of Upper S. Carolina (EDUSC), October 1965. A very smiling Rev. Chia Meng-Chiu 賈夢九牧師 outside 台灣聖公會岡山諸聖堂 All Saints Episcopal Church, Gangshan, Kaohsiung Continue reading Advent Word 2017, Day 17 ‘open’
#AdventWord #dazzle ‘The “glitter” of Christmas is everywhere. But this time of year, we can be somber, remembering those whom we see no more who have loved us dearly and those whom we have loved with all our hearts. Remembering our loved ones, the starry saints in heaven whose tears are wiped away forever, could be the DAZZLE of Advent. “Our” saints in all their dazzling splendor still light our path.’ Visit to the Taiwan Episcopal Church 台灣聖公會 of Bishop John A. Pinckney from Taiwan’s Companion Diocese, the Episcopal Diocese of Upper S. Carolina (EDUSC), October 1965. St. Paul’s Church, … Continue reading Advent Word 2017, Day 16 ‘dazzle’
Catherine Lee 