NEWS

From The Rev. Becky Shan

Dear brothers and sisters,

Thank God for letting me have the opportunity to start a new chapter, serving as the interim rector for St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church.

I have retired from the Holy Light Episcopal Church for two years. When I retired, a young adult produced slideshow for me. The last picture showed an eagle, flying freely in the sky. Another representative of The Holy Light Episcopal Church wrote the following sentences for me, stating that: “God’s servant loves God and everyone. Retirement starts a new page”. I also remembered that when I was ordained a deacon, a married couple gave a scroll with a quotation from of Isaiah 40:31: “But those who wait on the Lord, shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint.” This verse gave me great motivation. I sincerely prayed to God for strength on the road to serve Him. During my retirement, this scene reappeared, telling me that I have to continue my road to serve God, it also reminded me to create a new chapter in my spiritual life. I think, however, since I am retiring now, I can start doing something my own interests. As for the stuffs I have time to do, this really doesn’t count as a new beginning.

When I served God, it started with The Holy Light Episcopal Church. When I retired, I was still serving The Holy Light Episcopal Church. When I conversed with my fellow colleagues, I told them that Iwhole-heartedly serving only one church. I actually felt bad that I had only one experience, In other words I don’t have an opportunity to gather experiences in different churches, in different situations, which I could have learned in my journey to serve God.

Now, I am glad that I have the opportunity to become an acting rector in St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church. It is a new challenge and starts a new chapter for me. I am happy to face the challenge because I understand that when God calls me, I should let God uses me. My health and my ability were given by God. I begged God to give me new strength. Hope God blesses us for trying our best serving Him. Thanks Reverend Father Chee, the Emeritus Warden and the Senior Warden for their invitation and thank brothers and sisters for accepting me.

God Bless and peace.

( Chinese version )