Fr. Tom Reese Visits St. James'

#2011-0206

It is the 4th day of the 1st month by the Chinese lunar calendar. Local people are still enjoying their happy Chinese New Year by traveling or sightseeing, or visiting good friends or relatives, or staying at home most of the time -- chatting and eating and drinking. [Drinking tea or coffee while chatting is my personal favorite!]

And yet I came to church, as usual. I was happy (and excited) that we had a visiting priest, Fr. Tom Reese from New York, who celebrated the Holy Eucharist and preached this Sunday -- the 5th Sunday after the Epiphany.

Although the Chinese New Year is an important holiday (vacation) here in Taiwan and many people would rather spend their holiday in a different way, more than 20 members of the St. James' English-speaking congregation [to my surprise!] came to the service this morning. In addition, we had a very happy "potluck" brunch after service. This special social activity, or fellowship, for today ended at 12:15 pm or so, as one of Fr. Tom Reese's Taiwanese friends will arrive soon to pick him up for more sightseeing in Taichung City, and in Nantou County . . . .

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