On January 4, 2024, it was the 25th anniversary of my arrival in Taiwan. Yesterday, January 25 (Conversion of St. Paul), it was Bishop Lennon Yuan-Rung Chang’s 25th anniversary of his ordination as priest, and we celebrated at the Epiphany Chapel at the Diocese of Taiwan office (that’s us in the photo). Quite a month for 25th-anniversary celebrations. Ah yes, thanks be to God!

Grateful for my 25 years in Taiwan, this is the theme of my latest Church Mission Society CMS Link Letter, published last week, check it out here…..

Today, the Diocese of Taiwan also published the latest edition of our Friendship Magazine with news of 2 new church plants and updates from all our churches and seminarians. It’s 36 pages, perfect reading for those long winter evenings! I’m the editor, so I’m extra-grateful if you’d take a look! The link is here: Friendship Magazine February 2024. We really appreciate your interest and prayers! This is one of the photos on the front cover, of the flower display at Good Shepherd Church on their 60th anniversary, see the 60 and the cross together?! I love it!

It’s still Epiphany season, so I’m thinking of that star in the east that guided the wise men to visit baby Jesus. Our Christmas trees and stars are already packed away and it’s been raining all week (and snowing up in the mountains) so there’s no stars to see in the sky, but hey, we have a big star fruit (carambola) tree at the back of our cathedral, and it’s been full of fruit which we and all the kindergarten have been eating for the last few weeks. Windfall star fruits are lying around all over, so there’s stars everywhere this season of Epiphany ~ so special!

And we mustn’t forget the plum blossom, in full bloom in the last few weeks, with a delicate scent that fills the air. Beautiful!

Though it’s been cold and wet all week, the cherry blossom is also coming out, so spring is definitely on its way. Next up: Chinese New Year. The Year of the Dragon is coming soon! 🐉🐉