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True Sunshine, San Francisco & Church of Our Saviour, Oakland Celebrated Their Centennial Anniversary

On January 14, 2006, at Grace Cathedral of the Diocese of California, True Sunshine Church and the Church of Our Saviour joined together to celebrate their centennial of service to the community in San Francisco and Oakland. The theme of this celebration was: “Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present and Looking forward to the Future.” On that day, aside from the Holy Eucharist, there was also a reception after the service at the Cathedral. The banquet in the evening was held at Meriwa Restaurant in San Francisco’s Chinatown.

Bishop William Swing was the chief celebrant and preacher at the Holy Eucharist. The Rev. Dr. Franco Kwan, Rector of True Sunshine, and the Rev. Dr. Gordon Lau, Rector of the Church of Our Saviour; former rectors and vicars and other clergy including the Rev. Don Fox, the Rev. Thomas Chesterman, the Rev. Dr. Fran Toy, and the Rev. Cn. Michael Hansen, were concelebrants.

The Eucharistic celebration began with a colorful procession lead by the cross, colorful banners, torches and incense, followed by the clergy who also included representatives from other churches in the community. The whole cathedral resounded with organ music and singing of hymns of thanksgiving, praise, and commitment of service to Christ. Through all the prayers, the whole congregation responded as one. In his sermon, Bishop Swing acknowledged the people who contributed to the growth and development of the two ministries through the past 100 years. Highlights of history were Deaconess Drant, the Founder; Fr. Daniel Wu, the first ordained Chinese priest of the diocese and the first vicar of both churches; Fr. Clarence Lee, the second vicar of both churches; Fr. Stephen Ko, Fr. Walter Hsi, and Fr. Thomas Chesterman, Fr. James Pun, Fr. Don Fox, Victor Wei and others who all led the churches through prosperous and difficult times. Of recent accomplishments, the bishop mentioned specially Fr. Lau’s contribution, with others in a committee, the translation and publication of the bilingual prayer book, and Fr. Kwan’s contribution to the development of new Chinese ministries in the Diocese of California. The bishop was also proud of many lay people who are pillars of the two congregations. During the service, special moments marking the goal that the church is for all people was when the Lessons and Prayers of the People were read in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. The spirit of the whole congregation was raised by Florence Wong singing Mozart’s Alleluia, with piano accompaniment by her daughter, Janet Lam.

During the announcement time, Fr. Kwan took the opportunity to thank the Dean and the Cathedral for welcoming True Sunshine and Our Saviour to the Cathedral for this great Celebration, and having provided hospitality for the years of the “two exiles” in True Sunshine’s past history.

Following the Eucharist, there was a reception held at the hall of the Cathedral. This reception provided an opportunity for friends and the parishioners of two sister-parishes to get together for a reunion and socializing. For some former parishioners, who, in recent years, have not been coming either to True Sunshine or Our Saviour for various reasons and circumstances, it was time for recalling stories of the “good old days.” It was a great occasion for them to reconnect with the two churches. Friends of other denominations and from the diocese got a chance to know more about the Episcopal Church as well as these two sister churches. During the reception, the children’s chorus of True Sunshine presented two songs and a Chinese folk dance. These excellent performances, refreshments, and sharing with each other made a joyful afternoon for all.

The day concluded with a banquet held at Meriwa Restaurant in Chinatown. During the banquet, The Rev. Dr. Winfred Vergara gave a speech to encourage the two congregations to continue the good work that they have been doing for the Church and the community. Mr. Peter Ng presented a congratulatory letter from the Rev. Carmen Guerrero, National Jubilee Officer, and the Rev. Fran Toy also presented a letter from the EAM council to congratulate the congregations.

It was a full day of celebration for all and home coming for many old-time members. Among old friends of both congregations was Bishop Richard Millard. Sharing remembrances started as people gathered for the Eucharist. The spirit of communion continued in the reception that followed. Good food, good conversation, good entertainment, and good raffle prizes concluded this exciting and memorable event.

This celebration would not have been successful without the presence of all the honorable guests, not only from the Diocese of California but also from all over the country. Among them were the following: The Rev. Dr. Winfred Vergara, Missioner of The Asian-American Ministries; Mr. Peter Ng, the Emeritus President of EAM Council from New York; the Rev. Dr. Fran Toy, President of EAM Council from the Diocese of California; Mrs. Mimi Wu of Province VIII from Hawaii; The Rev. Gloria Violet Lee Wong of Rhode Island; the Very Rev. Alan Jones, Dean of the Cathedral; The Rev. Calvin Wong, the former president of Chinese Christian Council of San Francisco; Major Thomas Moy of the Salvation Army, present president of Chinese Christian Council of San Francisco and many other clergy. Besides the presence of these guests, the teamwork of the clergy and lay people from both churches made this celebration very meaningful: Mrs. Carole Lee who coordinated the reception, Mrs. Lucille Lee & Mrs. Mei Kwan for the dinner tickets, Mrs. Lorrine Ngoi and Helen Leung for the raffle prizes, Ms. Wai Ling Lee for her work on the computer, Ms. Maureen Kwok for general arrangements, The Rev. Vincent Jang for the liturgy and the arrangement with the Cathedral, Mrs. Merry Ong for leading the children’s great performance at the reception. The True Sunshine youth group also helped during the reception and the banquet.

( Chinese version )