Once again the Evergreen Fellowship of the St. Louis Chinese Christian Church invited residents at Crown Center to a party celebrating the Chinese New Year.
An overflow crowd of nearly 100 listened as Audrey Ku, program announcer and translator for the occasion, welcomed residents and church members and offered a prayer of gratitude for God's peace, love, and mercy. Nikki Goldstein, Executive Director at Crown Center, notedthat this is a "special celebration we all look forward to" and that both the Chinese and Jewish calendars are based on a lunar pattern of changes. She added that "our Chinese residents have changed and adapted beautifully in our Crown Center community, joining in activities and making many friends."
Aspects of the program included hymns by the fellowship choir, prayerful remarks by Mrs. Phe Be Chiow,with explanations of the symbols and cultural traditions associated with entering the new year.
There were also demonstrations of Tai Chi by thirteen year old Yiao Jia Xuan, a champion of this art in her age group, and of proper Chinese tea brewing by Rebecca Yang. Xia Ping performed a lovely dance selection.
Everyone was served a delicious lunch and all at Crown Center Center appreciated sharing in an exceptional inter-cultural experience and the opportunity to wish their Chinese neighbors a very "Happy New Year!" |
