The Commisioning for Licensed Lay Ministers

#2025-0511

This morning, Rev. Lily Chang distributed licenses to those who serve as lay ministers, supporting our Sunday services as lay preachers, LEMs, lay readers, and/or lectors.

I am grateful to be one of the laypersons actively participating in St. James' English-speaking worship services on Sundays. Receiving four licenses this morning made me even more thankful and encouraged about the work that I—and many others—have been doing at and for our church. I thank the Lord for these meaningful opportunities to serve. Through them, our faith can deepen, and our spiritual lives grow—nurtured by Christ’s love and guided by the Lord God.

As we continue this shared journey of service and faith, I pray that all licensed lay ministers remain faithful, humble, and joyful in their ministries. May our words, actions, and presence in worship reflect Christ’s light, bringing encouragement and spiritual strength to our congregation and beyond.

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相關文章 (See also)：

1)  A Glimpse of the Trinity     (2024)

2)  Spring Retreat at Mt. Tiger Head     (2025)

3)  Ms. Katherine Preaching at St. James' Church     (2024)

Hiking Guihuaquan for the First Time

#2025-0508

Where is the Guihuaquan Trail (桂花泉登山步道)?

If you’ve recently been to Tiezhenshan (鐵砧山) in Dajia, you might already know the answer.

Yes—this beautiful trail that Jean and I explored today, with our sister-in-law Lixue as our guide, is nestled on the slopes of Tiezhenshan in Dajia, where Jean’s mother and several of our close relatives live.

Today, Jean and I joined a family gathering that her mother had organized. We enjoyed a delicious meal at Xihai’an (西海岸) in Da’an District. After lunch, we took a short rest at home, then headed out for our first hike along the Guihuaquan Trail. We spent about two hours walking through the peaceful, wooded paths of Tiezhenshan.

Scroll down to see photos that capture the spirit of the trail—and maybe spark your own sense of adventure!

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相關文章 (See also)：

1)  "西海岸" 最美的時刻     (2022)

2)  探親記 (附圖：花、鳥)     (2025)

3)  (步道整修中) We're Walking Along...     (2024)

3)  Read and Sing the Poem "鳥鳴澗" in the Traditional Holo Language     (2020)

Once Colleagues, Always Friends

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Mingzhong and I finally got a rare opportunity to chat in person.

We met at HSR Taichung Station for lunch and coffee, spending just under two and a half hours together — a brief but deeply meaningful reunion.

We had so many personal stories to share, beyond the mutual memories from the “good old days” when we both taught at Wenwu Elementary School.

Time flies! The hours slipped by quickly — just like those early years when we were colleagues, and the long decades that followed, during which we lived and worked in different cities.

More than forty years ago, Mingzhong and I taught at the same school in Dajia. He later pursued higher education and eventually became a college professor. I also left Wenwu to continue my studies, and three years later, I began teaching at Nantou Commercial High School. Now, after all these years, both of us are enjoying our retirement.

We had tried several times in the past to meet, but the timing never worked out. This time, when a new opportunity came along, we both eagerly seized it — and what a joy it was to reconnect after so many years!

Old friendships, like well-aged wine, become richer with time.

Our conversation reminded me how shared memories — no matter how distant — still bind us in ways that feel immediate and warm. I’m truly grateful for this long-overdue reunion.

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相關文章 (See also)：

1)  《大甲詩社的探討》     (2025)

2)  又回大甲 (With 6 Old Photos)     (2024)

3)  Struck by the Winter Vomiting Disease     (2025)

4)  文武國小 (Where I Spent Seven Memorable Years)     (2013)

探親記 (附圖：花、鳥)

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五月了，不少年輕朋友追著、趕著，到某些景點去，就為了看桐花。

今天下午姊夫說：「梧桐花不錯看；梧桐花開......」他一個勁兒描述，語氣認真，對桐花讚賞有加。我卻忍不住插話，說：「那不是梧桐花吧！應該是油桐花，他們看的。」

我還說，也許「梧桐」和「油桐」本來就是親戚。只不過自己也沒研究，不曉得他們屬於哪一種關係：是近親呢？還是遠親？

說著，笑著，週末午後的時光，顯然更加歡愉、有趣了。大家圍坐客廳裡，隨意聊天，舒適無比。一眨眼，又一個鐘頭過去了。

姊姊跟姊夫提起，時候不早了，他們就要回清水去了。

我和琴今天回大甲，主要為了陪陪岳母（琴的 "老母" lāu bú）。同時，我們也見到了大嫂、姊姊、姊夫，以及年輕一輩的 A-Îng 和 Elisa 等等，還有分別就讀國小二、三、四、五、六年級的幾位小朋友。這些小人兒，肉眼可見地長大、變高。每一個都十分可愛！

小朋友當中，有兩位，今天又問起我（丈公）和琴（姑婆）有沒有帶 拉密 回來。那是一種可稱為「以色列麻將」的，包含四種顏色，刻寫著數字的遊戲棋牌。我們笑著說，又忘了帶了。這已經數不清是第幾回忘記。唉！真沒辦法，我們也老了。

而他們，也只能 "苦笑" ⸺百般失望地，又笑了一回。

過了傍晚，我和琴早早吃過晚飯，就開車回霧峰了。

~ ~ ~ 期待再相會！😁😃💚💗💜 ~ ~ ~

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附圖說明：底下的照片，前兩張「紅梅」由我拍攝於二妹家的院子裡。接下去四張「綠繡眼」是大妹在自家陽台上拍攝，然後分享給我的。最後兩張「牽牛花」則是筆者近作，拍攝於霧峰山坡上的步道。

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相關文章 (See also)：

1)  Visiting My Mother-in-Law     (2024)

2)  又回大甲 (With 6 Old Photos)     (2024)

3)  Lunch and Coffee at 督賀 Again     (2024)