On Sunday, March 9 my husband Tom, who has accompanied me to New York for the Commission on the Status of Women, and I were privileged to attend the First Chinese Presbyterian Church of New York City for their 11:00am service. This visit came about because of my Presbyterian sister Peng Leong who is a member and Commissioned Ruling Elder at First Chinese Presbyterian Church. Peng was my partner for the Presbyterian orientation and she issued the invitation. We drove to the church at 61 Henry Street in Chinatown. Since parking is at a premium, Peng was there to facilitate our parking needs.
The church congregation is 100 years old. Their building is a beautiful old church building, originally built for the seamen who came to that area regularly.
Since this was International Women’s Day and Celebrate the Gifts of Women Day, the women were in charge of the entire service. The leader, the organist, the choir, and the minister were all women. Since the service was in Chinese, a friendly man came into the pew behind us and translated the entire sermon into my ear.
The women of the church prepared a fine Chinese meal, at which were able to visit with many congregation members. One kind ruling elder ran out to a local baker and brought us each a bag of Chinese pastries to eat during the week. The pastor of the church is Rev Nathan Lim.
You may want to worship at First Chinese Presbyterian Church of New York City on any Sunday when you are in New York. They are a faithful, welcoming group and will great you warmly. On the front of their church bulletin is “Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart,” written in Chinese and English.
There is an English service at 1:00pm
Carolyn Diener is a member of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) delegation to the 58th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. Thanks to Ricky-Velez Negron for typing this reflection.