2022-09-24 Mid-Autumn Moon Festival: Mooncake making and BBQ

Another wonderful event is in the history books! This year the Mid Autumn Moon Festival was in two parts. 

First the Relief Society sisters gathered with a few brothers, youth,  missionaries, and friends to learn how to make moon cakes at the chapel. Sister Hsueh prepared the ingredients and taught about 25 people how to make the moon cakes. While many were making mooncakes, some were making paper lanterns for the next day's decorations. 

The next day, the fresh new air was brisk and chilly at Shelter F in Black Hill Regional Park. Nearly 60 people joined in the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival celebration this year on Saturday.  Although the moon was not visible, the picnic was worth attending as many friends and families attended to show unity, joy, love, and friendship among old and young, Chinese and English speakers, brothers and sisters, friends, and family. President Arnold and his wife were gracious to join us for the celebration.  Besides the cornucopia and variety of food ranging from grilled pineapples to spicy pumpkin salad to veggie burgers, 80 mooncakes and dozens of lanterns were made at the chapel the previous evening and were served as a reminder of the moon festival. Happy Moon Festival!

Ben Tsai

Photos courtesy of Wesley Wei and Da Zhao

Next day BBQ

Read More

Elders Quorum Wits and Wagers

Tonight 8 people attended the Elders Quorum activity on Zoom. Brad Johnson virtually from Utah conducted the simple but complicated game of guessing accurate numbers. The game was based on a game called Wits and Wagers. Congratulations to Elder Farnsworth, our new missionary, for winning the game. Elder Farnsworth also delivered a spiritual message at the beginning. Brad Johnson shared some departing words of wisdom before he leaves for Asia. Good luck to you, Brad!

Read More

Memorial Service for Fengs

Today over 60 people attended the memorial service for Paul and Celia Feng in the Kentlands Chapel service, with folks listening over 30 Zoom windows.  President Charles Huang conducted the meeting, with Patrick Shen translating, Li-Fang Tsai playing the organ, and Adam Fugal directing the music.  After the opening hymn, "God Is Love," Benjamin Tsai offered the invocation.  Sara Huang read Psalms 23, followed by talks from Fengdi Chen and Charlotte Shen, who shared memories of and experiences with the Feng's.  Then a friend of the family read the eulogy for Paul and Celia.  President Huang opened the floor to anyone in the congregation or online who wanted to express their thoughts.  President Huang first shared his feelings for the Feng's.  Those who spoke included a colleague from the antique business, Jason who is a friend of Sarah and Marcus, and Fern Taylor.  The attendees enjoyed viewing a slideshow about Paul and Celia.  After the closing hymn, "God Be with You Till We Meet Again." Meili Shen offered the benediction.  After the memorial service, people congregated in the cultural hall to give wishes to the family.

It was clear that Paul and Celia were well beloved by their family, colleagues in the antique industry, and by members of the Branch.  Their love for each other was evident.  In life, they were inseparable.  They were able to cross the bridge to the spirit world together.  We will miss them dearly but thank our Heavenly Father for the time we had to learn from them.

Read More