Advent Word 2017, Day 1 ‘awaken’

Happy Advent Sunday! #AdventWord #Awaken ‘The Psalmist says: “Wake up, my spirit; awake, lute and harp; I myself will awake the dawn.” In Advent, we prepare for what God will do with our spirits, not what we will do. A certain church website offers the wonderful message, “…walk in the Way; widen the walls; wake up the world.” AWAKEN for others.’ AdventWord Global Advent Calendar 2017 starts today – a project of the Anglican Communion with the Society of Saint John the Evangelist Brothers SSJE and Virginia Theological Seminary VTS. Each day there is a theme word and meditation. My … Continue reading Advent Word 2017, Day 1 ‘awaken’

Autumn Colours, Mountain Views! 台灣聖公會2017年蒙恩得福家庭生活營 Taiwan Episcopal Church Fall Trip 2017

Beautiful red maple leaves against a blue sky ~ now how’s that for a perfect picture of autumn?! And the best place in Taiwan to see maples in autumn is at the high elevations, up in the central mountain range.  … Continue reading Autumn Colours, Mountain Views! 台灣聖公會2017年蒙恩得福家庭生活營 Taiwan Episcopal Church Fall Trip 2017

Yes, we love you all in the Diocese of Osaka! Welcome to Taiwan!

The Dioceses of Taiwan and Osaka, Japan have been linked as companion dioceses for the last 12 years ~ and we’ve signed the official agreements to renew the partnership every 3 years.  So this week Bishop David J. H. Lai and the Diocese of Taiwan welcomed a group of 26 from the Diocese of Osaka, led by Bishop Andrew Haruhisa Iso, here to sign the agreement for the 5th time – for another 3 years. YES!  See the smiling faces of Bishop Lai and Bishop Iso just after the grand signing! Actually, our link with Osaka really goes back much … Continue reading Yes, we love you all in the Diocese of Osaka! Welcome to Taiwan!

聖雅各愛心園遊會 St. James’ Preschool, Taichung, Charity Bazaar 2017!

And what an amazing event it always is!  After weeks and weeks of preparation, it all came together on the day, and Saturday was THE day, YES! Always held on the Saturday morning of the weekend before Mother’s Day, and always held in aid of charity, and always fun!  (This is last year’s report here – that was an amazing event too). This year’s event seemed even busier – and maybe even more fun! Well, all except for the poor pig who was on the spit soon after 6:00 am ~ but hey, it was delicious! This year’s 2 charities are … Continue reading 聖雅各愛心園遊會 St. James’ Preschool, Taichung, Charity Bazaar 2017!

Yes! Celebrating 10 Exciting Years of Sister-School Partnership: St. James, Taichung and Cambridge-Ellis, Boston!

Really quite amazing!  10 years of partnership!  YES! Y’know, partnerships between schools in different countries are famous for lasting a few years and then dying out.  Sometimes they’ve just run their course. Sometimes they’ve depended too much on one particular person, so when that person leaves, it’s all over.  Or sometimes the money runs out.  Or the enthusiasm.  Or whatever. So it’s really quite amazing that the sister-school partnership between St. James, Taichung and Cambridge-Ellis (CES), Boston is still going strong after 10 years.  Yes, it’s ten whole years this year! During that time, lots of teachers have been to … Continue reading Yes! Celebrating 10 Exciting Years of Sister-School Partnership: St. James, Taichung and Cambridge-Ellis, Boston!

All About Mission @ 聖司提反堂 St. Stephen’s Church, Keelung!

St. Stephen’s Church in wet and rainy Keelung is always buzzing with life and activity ~ and Saturday was no different, YES!  It may have been yet another wet and horrible day outside, but oh, so warm and inviting inside!  Yep, Keelung is famous for its rain, so on Saturday, while the sun shone over Taipei and all places south, sadly there was no sun for us.  In fact it was foggy, drizzly and damp all day long – although this was the romantic scene at Keelung Harbour as I passed by….. So on a rainy day ~ what better … Continue reading All About Mission @ 聖司提反堂 St. Stephen’s Church, Keelung!

Diocese of Taiwan Staff Christmas and New Year Gathering!

Yesterday was our diocesan office staff Christmas and New Year gathering in Taipei ~ two tables of smiling people about to start on a very delicious lunch!  Bishop Lai and his wife also invited those in honorary diocesan positions, Canon Chancellor Herbert H. P. Ma and his wife, Aline, Diocesan Secretary, Mr. Yang and his wife, Diocesan Treasurer Mrs. Amy Lin, Chair of the Diocesan Kindergartens Committee, Mrs. Grace Liu and husband Rev. Michael T. H. Liu, and Chief Record-Keeper for Synod, Rev. Peter Chen and Rev. Elizabeth Wei. Plus the 5 regular diocesan staff, Mr. John Chuang, Mr. Chang, … Continue reading Diocese of Taiwan Staff Christmas and New Year Gathering!

Taiwan Episcopal Church Clergy Families Christmas Gathering 2016!

Today the clergy of the Taiwan Episcopal Church and their families gathered at St. James’ Church, Taichung to celebrate Christmas together – with a very special Thanksgiving Service led by Bishop Lai and the rector of St. James’ Church, Rev. Lily Chang, and followed by a fantastic lunch ~ joined too by the wonderful folk of St. James.  The clergy came from all corners of the country, with an early start for many.  Me too.  But it was well worth it ~ so great to see everyone again! It is St. Stephen’s Day, and the church was red.  Very red. … Continue reading Taiwan Episcopal Church Clergy Families Christmas Gathering 2016!