For the second year running a church in Norwich, UK has done a great parody on the John Lewis Christmas advert – it’s brilliant! But first this year’s John Lewis advert, ‘Man on the Moon’… And now for St. Thomas Church, Norwich version, ‘Love came down at Christmas’…. Love did indeed come down at Christmas! Continue reading Love came down at Christmas….
Yes, the temps are falling, winter is coming – arriving more or less today that is, with the arrival of a cold front from China – the first of the winter season. There’s a very cold wind out there and we’re all wrapped up in our winter woollies! But still, the banana trees are not fazed….. Almost 2 weeks ago, we were on a boat coming back from Matsu – but seeing the waves on the sea today makes me very glad we are not on that boat today ha ha! Happy Winter everyone! Continue reading The end of Autumn!
Possibly Taiwan’s most iconic dish ~ delicious beef noodles! But, and it’s a big BUT ~ please note, no tendons – I HATE TENDONS! Beef noodles with tendons might be more expensive than just plain beef noodles, but tendons are DISGUSTING! Just plain beef noodles – DELICIOUS! Continue reading Delicious Beef Noodles!
You must check this out – watch the ‘Just Pray’ video and then read the articles on the BBC and Guardian websites – and find out why it’s being banned as an advert in British cinemas at Christmas, links given below….. The irony of a prayer that Jesus taught us being banned as we prepare to celebrate his birth… The Church of England says it is “disappointed and bewildered” by the refusal of leading UK cinemas to show an advert featuring the Lord’s Prayer. Source: Lord’s Prayer cinema ad snub ‘bewilders’ Church of England – BBC News Church of England … Continue reading Cinemas refuse to show Church of England advert featuring Lord’s Prayer | The Guardian
Yes, about a year ago, the brand new Tamsui Sports Centre, TSSC 新北市淡水國民運動中心 (Chinese website here), opened up in the northern area of Tamsui 淡水, just 10 minutes down the road from St. John’s University. It’s a booming part of town – the new town area, surrounded by dozens and dozens of brand new high-rise apartment buildings, new elementary school and government offices, and even a Carrefour Supermarket with restaurants attached; and all on the main bus route from SJU to Tamsui…. And most importantly it has a 50m swimming pool at B1 Level, which is open for public swimming from 6:00am to … Continue reading Tamsui Sports Centre ~ Very Near, Very New and Very Very Nice!
Every year in mid-November, all the first-year students in St. John’s University take part in a Coming of Age Ceremony ~ which has been highly praised by the Ministry of Education. It’s run by the SJU Chaplaincy and the Student Affairs section ~ and yesterday was the day! Almost 1,000 students took part, plus their form tutors and heads of the different departments, all dressed in SJU ties and white shirts! Parents and relatives were invited and they were presented with a small poinsettia plant to take home. Everyone had a small taste of wine too, toasted to mark the … Continue reading St. John’s University Coming of Age Ceremony (成年禮) 2015
A wonderful visit from my good Bangalore friends ~ Harrison, Nancy and Allen ~ on Saturday. They came specially from Taichung to say goodbye! Earlier this year on Pentecost Sunday, June 24, we celebrated their older son, Kelvin being confirmed at St. James’ Church, Taichung, and also said goodbye to him as he left to start his university studies in their home country of India (see that blog post here). And it sounds like he’s having a great time! Now the whole family is leaving Taiwan, Harrison being sent to work at the HQ of their company in the USA, … Continue reading Farewelling our lovely Bangalore friends!
Yes, we even saw the famous Blue Tears (藍眼淚) of Matsu, honest! And they were AMAZING! And the only reason we saw them was because of that terrible Typhoon Dujuan that hit us on the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival weekend at the end of September. Sometimes, y’know, even typhoons have a silver lining! Every year, the Diocese of Taiwan organizes a trip for a few days to visit somewhere interesting ~ mostly for the older people, but anyone is welcome, and several invite their friends and family, who may or may not be church members, so we have a lovely variety! And … Continue reading 馬祖 Matsu Islands: Boats, Beauty and, yes, Blue Tears!
Not only were we there, but so was Dr. Doris Brougham 彭蒙惠, possibly Taiwan’s best-known missionary and English teacher – famous for her Studio Classroom English classes through ORTV, and for her trumpet playing and very lively personality. She’s now 89, and has been in Taiwan since 1951, and is still dancing, singing, playing her trumpet and sharing her faith. Amazing! Her music group, Heavenly Melody 天韻 led the worship and she joined in with her trumpet, ah it was wonderful! And so it was that we had a very entertaining, challenging and of course, a very moving evening! During this past … Continue reading 2015年台灣普世豐盛生命協會感恩餐會 GLEC Thanksgiving Dinner ~ and we were there!
Catherine Lee 