This year is the first annual combined Easter Egg Hunt with the Kentland's Ward Primary. Many families showed up at the Calleva Farm on a chilly Saturday morning. The children were entertained with make their own Easter bags, danced along with each other, have Easter Stories read to them, rode on the wagon, and the best part was egg hunting! The weather cooperated and the rain stayed off while all children went home happy with lots of candy!
Coming off the heels of the Christmas party, Steven Cheng became the mastermind for yet another great celebration. On an unseasonably warm February evening, helpers were hustling and bustling in the stake center cultural hall at 4pm to set up tables and chairs, to decorate, and to prepare the food and the program. At 6pm, the attendees were encouraged to browse through the food and craft booths: spring roll demonstration by April Garong and Amanda Truong (DC 2nd Ward), Korean fan making by Ashley Newby (DC 2 Ward) and family history by sister missionaries, calligraphy writing (Twin Lakes Branch), and paper cutting (Twin Lakes Chinese Branch).
The program tonight was emceed by Steven Cheng and Jess Daye (DC 2nd Ward). President Hsu from the Twin Lakes Chinese Branch welcomed everyone with a special message, followed by a blessing on the food by Joseph Cunningham. While the Chinese New Year music set the mood for everyone, at 7:15pm, the lion dance kicked off the program with Joseph Cunningham at the drums and Juni Kim with the gong and four lion dancers: Michael Slawson (DC 2nd Ward), Richard Huang (Montgomery Branch), Tou Moua (Chevy Chase Ward), Armando Crossland (Colonial Ward). The Shaolin Kung Fu troupe dazzled the audience with very well choreographed martial arts, including breaking a metal bar over the head and bending a sword at his throat. The Potomac Children's Choir directed by Sherry Yi sang Opera of Masks, followed by the DC Temple Orchestra directed by Harvey Droke performing Jasmine Flower. Then the combined orchestra and children's choir performed Journey to the West. The Montgomery Chinese Branch performed the Fan Dance, directed by Sufei Fugal. Then Elder Tan sang a song and Elder Yang (piano) sang a song Wei Yi (The Only One).
It was a wonderful New Year celebration to co-sponsor the party with the Twin Lakes Branch. Over 200 people came to join in the celebration. Everyone enjoyed the evening. Welcome to the year of the monkey!
Members and friends of the Montgomery Chinese Branch and Twin Lakes Branch,
We would like to invite you and your family to join us at the Chinese New Year celebration on Saturday, February 20, 2016, from 6pm to 8pm at the Washington DC Stake Center at 10000 Stoneybrook Drive, Kensington, MD 20895. The dinner will start at 6pm. After the dinner, we will enjoy the festive cultural program.
The dinner will be potluck, so please bring a dish to share. We hope that you will be able to join us in ushering in the year of the monkey.
We wish everyone a Happy and prosperous Chinese New Year!
Regards,
Montgomery Chinese Branch Branch and Twin Lakes Branch Presidencies
With the loving direction and guidance of our Stake President Baird, he has announced that we will not have Sunday church services during this weekend's snow storm.
Please contact your home teaching and visiting teaching families to ensure their safety, especially the elderly and families with young children.
When deemed safe or that you're capable, the Stake Presidency encourages us to take this opportunity to provide service in your neighborhood.
We pray everyone stays safe during this storm. Please contact us if you have any needs, concerns, or questions.
