In Touch - Issue 040 by SJC In Touch

Hospitality & Welcome

DEAN’SMESSAGE

DearFriends,

‘Hospitality and Welcome’ is the annual theme of St John’s Cathedral for 2025. In line with this theme, we have organised various activities for the Cathedral community. On Thursday 16 January, we held a staff meeting, including outreach ministries, to introduce the theme. The Revd Will Newman shared on this theme andtheRevdAmosPoonledagametoengageeveryone.

On Sunday 16 February, following the Choral Evensong, the entire clergy team donned Cathedral aprons to serve a ‘Curry Supper’ for about 70 parishioners at Harold Smyth Room, fostering a warm atmosphere of fellowship. During Lent this year, Cathedral members and the three daughter churches will read and study the Lent Book 2025, titled ‘Transformative Journey on the Theme of Hospitality and Welcome’, written by the Dean and the Chapter. We sincerely hope that the spirituality of Cathedral members will be enriched by the clergy’s contributions. Together, these events embody our commitment to the theme of ‘Hospitality and Welcome’, setting a tone of community and connection throughout theyear.

‘Joy in Walkathon’ was successfully held on Sunday 2 March We were most thankful to God for the suitable weather He granted us. All participants enjoyed the nice event of exercise and fundraising fortheCathedral

In January, we mourned the death of two of our dear Cathedral members and brothers in Christ: our former Chaplain the Revd Hugh Phillipson and Council Member Lee Clubb. May they both restinpeaceandriseinglory.ThememorialserviceforFrHughand the funeral service for Lee were held in February, respectively Our prayers and condolences go to Ruth, Helen, and their family members.

In late December, we joyfully welcomed the Revd Drew Courtright, his wife Alice, and their three wonderful daughters to Hong Kong HailingfromtheDioceseofNewYorkintheEpiscopalChurchofthe USA, Fr Drew has taken on the role of Priest-in-Charge at Discovery Bay Church and also serves as a Chaplain in our Cathedral We wish this vibrant family of five abundant blessings as they embark on this excitingnewchapterinHongKong!

A ‘Discipleship Commitment Card’ from the Diocese of Hong Kong Island,togetherwiththeprayercardfromBishopMatthiasDer,was distributed and collected on Sunday 2 March This is a warm reminder for us to continue to strive hard to be responsible disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. The commitment cards are sealed by the parishioners and will be given back to us on Christ the King Sunday thisyear.

Our dear friends of the Cathedral and respected scholars, the Very Revd Professor Martyn Percy and the Revd Professor John Kater, will be coming to Hong Kong to teach in the upcoming months I will invite them to be guest preachers in our Sunday Services at the Cathedral.Pleasestaytuned.

May God bless you all with a spiritually reflective Lenten season as wellasajoy-filledEastertide.

各位朋友：

2025年，聖約翰座堂以「好客迎主內」作為年度主題，我們正透過系列活動，將這個精神實踐於座堂的每個⾓落。

在1⽉16⽇（星期四）的同⼯會議上，劉偉⼒牧師和潘正⾏牧師以⽣動的⽅式向⼤家闡釋了這主題，還透過互動遊戲讓同⼯們深刻體會「好客」的真諦。這份精神很快化為⾏動 2⽉16⽇主⽇的頌唱晚禱後，全體聖品穿上圍裙，在哈斯堂為70多位家⼈精⼼準備了「咖喱盛宴」。那晚的歡聲笑語，正是主內團契最美的⾒證。

今年⼤齋期，我們與三間附屬教堂的弟兄姊妹共讀《好客迎主內的轉化之旅》。這本由座堂牧師團隊撰寫的靈修書籍，承載著我們對彼此靈命成⻑的期盼。願這段閱讀之旅，能讓座堂成員獲得滋養與啟發。

於3⽉2⽇主⽇的「喜樂同步」慈善步⾏在晴空下圓滿舉⾏。感謝主賜予好天氣，更感謝每位以腳步奉獻愛⼼的家⼈。你們的熱忱，讓這次活動既強健⾝體，更堅固了座堂的事⼯。

年初我們痛別兩位摯愛的弟兄：座堂前牧師傅⽴新牧師，以及堂議會成員LeeClubb弟兄。願他們安息主懷，並在榮耀中復活。傅⽴新牧師的追思禮和LeeClubb弟兄的安息禮分別於2⽉舉⾏。我們的祈禱與哀悼與Ruth、Helen及他們的家⼈同在，願主賜他們平安與安慰。

去年12⽉底，我們懷著喜樂的⼼，迎來葛德儒牧師與他的家⼈加⼊座堂⼤家庭。葛牧師來港前曾在美國紐約教區事奉，現擔任愉景灣堂的主理聖品，同時也是我們座堂的牧師。他的妻⼦Alice與三位可愛的⼥兒也同加⼊我們的團契。願上主親⾃引領這個家庭，使他們在香港的新⽣活滿有恩典與平安。

來⾃香港島教區的「作主⾨徒⽴願書」和謝⼦和主教的祈禱卡已於3⽉2⽇主⽇正式發放並收集。這提醒我們要時刻努⼒成為主耶穌基督的忠⼼⾨徒。教友們將承諾卡密封，並於今年基督君王主⽇歸還，展⽰對主的承諾與信⼼。

未來數⽉，⾺⽥⾙斯座堂主任牧師與紀約翰教授將蒞臨香港授課。我們已特邀他們在主⽇擔任客席講員，敬請期待他們的精彩分享。

願上帝祝福⼤家，讓你們在⼤齋期中靈修反思，並於復活節期間充滿盼望與喜樂。

座堂主任牧師陳國強謹啟

LovefromDeanKK

The Michaelmas Fair has stood as a significant fundraising campaign for the Cathedral for over half a century This year, our theme,‘JoyinUnity’,drawsinspirationfromthePhilippians2.1-2 If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, makemyjoycomplete:beofthesamemind,havingthesamelove, beinginfullaccordandofonemind.

Our Committee will offer our church members engaging activities for fellowship and enjoyment In the upcoming months, we have planned a series of fellowship events and will be reinstating the missed family fun night on 19 September. Kindly mark your calendars for the Michaelmas Fair scheduled for 25 October. Your involvement is highly valued, so do not hesitate to reach out if you wouldliketoparticipateandcontributeinanycapacity!

JOY IN WALKATHON MichaelmasFair2025

On a bright Sunday 2 March, walkers of all ages came together for the Joy in Walkathon, a heartwarming highlight of this year ’ s Michaelmas Fair. Parishioners, students, famlies, and friends united in a spirited display of community, filling theroutewithlaughter,conversation,andsharedpurpose

Thanks to the incredible turnout and generosity, the event raisedameaningfulsumtosupportourhistoriccathedral a testamenttowhatwecanachievewhenwewalksidebyside Whether strolling, chatting, or cheering each other on, every participanthelpedmakethedayunforgettable.

The Peak

A heartfelt thank you to all the walkers, volunteers, and supporters who made this day so special Your dedication proves that when we cometogether,greatthingshappen!

Staytunedformoreexcitingevents wecan’twaittoseeyouagain!

Discover the Services of St John’ s Cathedral Counselling Service

Since 1970, St John’s Cathedral Counselling Service has served as an outreach ministry of St John’s Cathedral. Our mission is to ‘ empower the human spirit towards greater awareness for growth and happiness’, as we believe that health is more than just the absence of disease It is a state of emotional,social,physical,intellectual,andspiritualwell-being

The counselling team operates under the leadership of the Director, Dr Alex Wai Ki Li, who oversees both the psychologist and counselling teams Our services are available in 14 languages, including: English, Cantonese, Mandarin, French, Spanish, Japanese, German, Portuguese, Korean, Russian,Hindi,Sindhi,andTagalog.

JessicaLau DanielaCavero DorothyFung DrAdrianTong DrTonyLau

AngelaWalker AnnyTeng BartLoodts BenHung BettyP.Y.Chu

CarinaNg CatherineGraham CherryMok

DavidLiu DoreenJowharsha

DrEldaM L Chan

DrMarkHarrison

GinnevereChan

HoiLamTang

IlissaHoward JackelineLam

JeanetteChu

JenLai

JoyceCheung JoycelynTe

KatieMonteil KatrineCheng KellyLiew

KimberlyHo KonstantinGoldau MargaretSang

MathewHo MelissaYou

MiKyungMoon

OxanaKuzmina

Faith in Motion

The Revd Drew Courtright’s Path to Serving a Vibrant Community

Nestled between the serene waters of Discovery Bay and the bustling energy of Hong Kong, the RevdDrewCourtrightisembracinganewchapter of life and ministry. Recently appointed as Chaplain of St John’s Cathedral and Priest-inCharge of Discovery Bay Church, Drew brings a warm heart, a thoughtful spirit, and a deep commitment to serving his community. Over a conversation filled with laughter and reflection, Drew shared his journey, vision, and the joys of settlingintothisvibrantcity.

DrewislovinglifeinDiscoveryBay.Hespeaksfondlyof the community’s welcoming spirit and the charm of its pedestrian-friendly lifestyle. ‘We love not having a car ’ , he says with a smile. ‘We are so grateful to have use of the golf cart, but there’s something special about walking by the water and soaking in the surroundings’ While he’s still getting the hang of Hong Kong’s transport system, he’s already found joy in the rhythm offerryridesandtheeaseofexploringonfoot.

Family life is thriving, too. Drew’s daughters have settled happily into their new school, and he’s made it a priority to involve them in church activities He recalls a touching moment when he brought his eldest daughter to a healing service, cherishing the opportunity to share such meaningful experiences with his children. At home, his wife Alice, a talented writer, is balancing her creativeprojectswiththejoysofmotherhood.

Drew’s journey to ministry began in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he grew up in an Episcopalian family

As a teenager, he found himself drawn to the church, leading retreats and discovering a passion for service. Though he didn’t initially envision becoming a priest, his curiosity about theology led him to St Andrews in Scotland for further studies It was during that time that hemetAlicewhoalsosharedadeepcommitmenttothe faith, and together they pursued theological education. After graduation, Drew embarked on a discernment processthatultimatelyledtohisordination

‘I experienced a happy, healthy church where people shared their love for Jesus with me ’ , Drew reflects. ‘That’s what I want to do preach and embody Christ’s graceandpeace’.

The opportunity to serve in Hong Kong came through a listing in the Episcopal News Service, just as Drew and hisfamilywereconsideringamoveabroad.Intriguedby Discovery Bay after hearing about it from a parishioner, Drew and Alice visited in July and were captivated by the city’s beauty and warmth The decision to move felt natural,andtheyhaven’tlookedbacksince.

Adjusting to life in Hong Kong hasn’t been without its challenges, particularly the language barrier Yet Drew believes that the essence of pastoral care listening and being present transcends cultural differences. He values the diversity of his congregation and is committed to connecting with each individual, no mattertheirbackground.

AttheheartofDrew’svisionforDiscoveryBayChurchis a desire to build a happy, healthy community rooted in God’s grace. ‘I want to create spaces where people encounter God’s love through Word and Sacrament’, he explains. ‘When we help others place their faith in Christ, that relationship naturally overflows into loving ourneighboursinHisname’.

As our conversation came to a close, Drew’s enthusiasm for the future was palpable He’s eager to meet the community, share in their lives, and grow together in faith. His message to the congregation is both simple and profound: ‘We’re happy to be here, happy to serve, andeagertoknowChristandmakeHimknown’

As Drew settles into his new role, it’s clear that his dedication and vision will leave a lasting impact on both St John’s Cathedral and Discovery Bay Church The journey ahead is bright, and the community looks forwardtowalkingthispathtogetherwithhim.

at the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2025!

On Sunday 9 February, Migrant For Migrant Workers (MFMW)proudlyparticipatedasoneoftheCharityPartners intheStandardCharteredHongKongMarathon2025.

A total of 28 MFMW runners took part, including 6 migrant domestic workers from Hong Kong and 4 representatives from the Youth Ministry of St John’s Cathedral The day was filled with excitement, laughter, and an inspiring sense of achievement, marking MFMW’s first involvement in the Marathon Charity Programme For many of our charity runners, it was also their first time participating in this prestigiousevent.

We are especially proud to announce that 6 migrant domestic workers completed their race for the first time, their faces radiant with joy and disbelief at their remarkable accomplishment They did it andwithyoursupport,manymorecantoo!

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Life Enrichment Centre (LEC) for their collaboration on this running programme Through regular joint practice sessions leading up to the race, we created opportunities for migrant runners to connect with local youth, fosteringasenseofcommunityandinclusion.

This remarkable event highlighted the essence of community spirit Together, we stood united in support of the invaluable contributions ofmigrantdomesticworkers,demonstratingthestrengththatcomes fromsolidarity

Wewouldliketothankourdedicatedteamsofrunnersandsupporters who made this event possible. These 28 remarkable individuals not only conquered the marathon but also raised vital funds and awareness for migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong Your passion,perseverance,anddeterminationinspireusallonthisjourney.

We also extend our gratitude to everyone who participated and donated Your enthusiasm and generosity have been crucial to the success of this event, bringing us closer to our goals. Your generous contributions can significantly enhance the lives of these workers by providing opportunities for leisure and sports activities that promote theirphysicalandmentalwell-being

Together, we are creating a brighter future for migrant workers in our community. Join us in promoting cultural diversity and social inclusion!

LEC TIPS TO

In this digital age, the internet plays a vital role. While it offersvastopportunitiesforlearningandentertainment, excessive use can lead to gaming disorder and internet addiction, which can have detrimental effects on mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. Fostering healthy online habits is essential for maintaining a balancedlifestyleforeveryoneofus

compul, g g quences in various aspects of life. According to Professor Howard J. Shaffer of the Harvard Medical School, when a behaviour evolves into an addiction, it exhibits 3 key traits, known as the‘3Cs’:

Theb ifficult tocontrol,evenwhenand whereitisnotallowed

activities and stick to them For red schedule, individuals can enjoy the internet’s benefits without succumbing to excessive use. However, we all agree this is challenging. To help, we can consider asking our close ones for gentle reminders and establishing ‘techfree’ zones such as during meals or before bedtime to encourage meaningfulinteractionsandimprovesleephygiene.

s being aware of one ’ s thoughts and feelings When using the internet, we should pause and ask ourselves: Are we online for information, connection, or simply to pass time? This awareness can help in making conscious choices rather than falling into mindless scrolling or binge-watching. Recently,LECconductedamindfulnesstrainingsessionforLiFook Hing Secondary School, where participants reported gaining a deeper appreciation for St John’s Cathedral through mindful walking.

Continuedbehaviour withoutregardto consequences.

Thereisastrongdesireto engageinthebehaviour anytime,anywhere.

Other symptoms may include social isolation and withdrawal from offline activities for a period. Recognising the signs is the first step toward prevention Today, we should reflect on: Are we spending more time online than intended?Isitinterferingwithwork,school,orrelationships?

spending time g een time. These activities not only foster creativity but also enhance social connections and personal growth. Encouraging family and friends to participate in offline gatherings can create a supportive environment that prioritises real-world interactions At the Life Enrichment Centre (LEC), we provide various programmes designed to develop youth physically, mentally, and spiritually feel free to join us and enjoy happytimestogether!

manage their mpts at selfregulation,seekingsupportisessential. This may involve discussing concerns with friends or family, or consulting a professional specialising in behaviouraladdictions.Foradditionalguidance, you may contact our Teens Smart Healthy Teens Project via WhatsApp at60839391foradviceandsupport.

On Sunday 19 January, over 30 members from our 4 churches St John’s,StStephen’s,Emmanuel,andDiscoveryBay cametogetherfora special hike that connected all our communities. It was a day of renewing old friendships, forging new ones, and enjoying the beauty of creation alongtheway.

The adventure began early for 4 DB members, who caught the 7:20am ferry to Central to join the 8:00am Eucharist at the Cathedral Blessed by Fr Robert at the end of the service, they teamed up with members from the Cathedral and St Stephen’s to hike up and over the Peak, arriving at Emmanuelby10:30am.

After being warmly welcomed with refreshments and joined by even more friends from St Stephen’s, we embarked on the next leg of the journey hiking up the Peak once more and crossing the island to Stanley. The day concluded with a meaningful Evening Prayer at St Stephen’s,followedbywhatmanydeclaredtobethebestpizzasonHong KongIsland!

Whether folks joined for the whole day or dropped in and out along the way, everyone was part of the spirit of the event A huge thank you to Peter Fung, John Breen, and Thomas Li of the Organising Committee formakingitallpossible.

2025

ommunity milestone illed with gratitude, reflection, and fellowship as parishioners came togethertohonourGod’sfaithfulnessovertheyears.

Bishop Matthias Der celebrated the Eucharist, and Archbishop Paul Kwong, a regular worshipper at St Stephen’s, preached the sermon. He shared a compelling story: a Native American, while walking through the noisy streets of Time Square, heard the faint chirp of a cricket a sound unnoticed by others The Native American explained, ‘It all depends on what is important to you. ’ This story resonateddeeply,encouragingustofocusonlisteningtoJesus’voice thevoiceofhopeandpeacethattheworldsodesperatelyneeds.

He also highlighted the role of St Stephen’s Chapel as a spiritual home and a holy place. The sermon ended with a call to action: to open the door to Jesus, follow Him, and find comfort in His steadfastguidance

The celebration continued with a lively dinner under the stars. We will remember the unexpected brief shower of rain, and how the organising committee rushed to hand out the souvenir gifts umbrellas!

The rain soon passed, and parishioners and clergy shared laughter, stories, and new friendships The Revd Will Newman, Priest-inCharge of St Stephen’s Chapel, raised a heartfelt toast to everyone who made the 75 anniversary such an enjoyable and memorable occasion. th

As the evening drew to a close, it was clear this celebration was not just about honouring the past but also committing to the future. St Stephen’sChapelstandsasabeaconoffaith,hope,andlove aplace where the voice of the Good Shepherd will continue to guide and inspireforgenerationstocome.

Here’s to 75 years of God’s faithfulness, and many more years of servingthecommunityandglorifyingHisname Amen

n l o v i n g

Unlike most of my friends and colleagues, I knewHughlongbeforeourcareersintersected inthecivilservice Sometimeinthelate1970s, I was waiting for the minibus to Conduit Road outside the City Hall and got into conversation with a slightly older man in the queue with several children I discovered that he and his family had recently arrived in Hong Kong to work for the government and was living in government quarters at Fairmount Gardens 39A Conduit Road, just along the road from my flat at Buxey Lodge 37 Conduit Road. As hewasalsoverymusicalandlookingforchoirs to join, I reeled off a list of choirs in which I sang including the Cecilian Singers His name wasHughPhillipson.

After a career which had taken him to most continents in the world, Hugh, Ruth, his wife, and their three children had arrived in Hong Kongwherehehadjoinedtherecentlyformed

Geotechnical Control Office in the PWD. In his mildly self-deprecating way, Hugh used to joke about being a ‘soil engineer’ dealing with muck and mud! He was, however, not a soil engineer focused on the narrow professional aspects of ‘soil mechanics’ He was an engineer with a difference as he had a love and deep knowledge of the ‘finer things’ in life. Hugh had a very wide-ranging list of hobbies and interests of which music formed a major part. Hugh’s high degree of musicality was seen in not only his very fine baritone voice but also his ability to play a wide varietyofbrassandwoodwindinstruments

Hugh joined a number of choirs, including the Cecilian Singers, in which he rapidly established himself as a key member of the bass section, singing solo parts in many of our concerts. Under the very capable leadership of Geoffrey Weaver, who had succeeded Clive Oxley, a former Administrative Officer, as the choir’s musical director, this small a cappella choir tackled an increasingly demanding repertoire in the late 1970s and early 1980s These included Bach’s St Matthew Passion, the technically challenging Bach’s B Minor Mass and the first ever performance in Hong Kong of Monteverdi’s heart-achingly beautiful Vespers of 1610. I still remember the choir sitting around the living room in the Phillipson’s flat in Mansfield Road for the choir party after the performance of the Bach B Minor Mass looking absolutely shattered and unable ‘to party’ as we were so physically and mentally exhaustedaftersingingoneofthemostdemandingchoralworkseverwritten!

In 1979, Hugh and I with another friend travelled to China for a fascinating week-long visit to Guangzhou At that time, China was in a transitional period following the death of Mao Zedong and Hua Guofeng was still the nominal leader before he was forced from power by a coalition of party leaders led by Deng Xiaoping. As China was still an undeveloped country with Mao suits, collective farms and bicycles still very much in evidence, we were able to experience it before Deng’s economic and social revolution changed it for good Despite the lack of social activities intheevenings,ourtourgroup,whichcomprisedveryinterestingandlivelymembers,hadaveryenjoyabletimein the hotel bar where Hugh and I led the community singing! We were looked after very well by our Chinese hosts from the China Travel Service and saw much of this fascinating country on the cusp of exponential change. However, when Hugh and I tried to enter the closed Roman Catholic Cathedral, during one of our periods of free time,weweretoldveryfirmlythatthiswasnotpossible

Hugh was a very devout and committed Christian. When the Phillipson family came to Hong Kong, they were regular attendees at the English Methodist Church Much later on, however, they gravitated to St John’s Cathedral which rapidly became their spiritual and musical home Hugh’s musical abilities ensured that he became a leading member of the Cathedral Choir. He also formed and performed in the Cathedral Brass, a small ensemble of brass players, who performed on special services like Christmas Day and JazzVespers.Likemyself,Hughwasavery

good mimic and gave very good impersonations of the then minister in charge of the English Methodist Church (who was Welsh) and a former chairman of the Cecilian Singers (who came from Blackburn) so we had many hilarious spoof conversations! This was one aspect of his very good sense of humourwhichmadehimsuchgoodcompany

After he became ordained as an Anglican priest, Hugh became the Choir Chaplain and his homilies during breaktimesatchoirpracticeswerealwaysveryinterestingand relevant, drawing on his very extensive practical and personal experiences of life and in the civil service. Hugh’s Christian faith was strongly practical and rooted in the real world, not some religious never-never land For several years, Hugh was also the Chairman of the Choir Committee, a position where, given the personalities involved, his leadership qualities and diplomacy were very useful skills! Hugh and Ruth were always very kind and hospitable host and frequently hosted parties for the Cecilian Singers and Cathedral Choir at their home. Their final government quarters were a very pleasant ground floor flat with front and back gardens at Cloudridge, where we enjoyed a number of very successful Christmas parties AfterHughretired,Iappliedforandwasallocatedthe sameflatsowewereabletomaintainthistraditionuntilIalso retiredfromthecivilservice.

As far as work was concerned, Hugh’s and my paths crossed nearly 10 years after our first meeting From 1986 to 1989, I was working as Assistant Financial Secretary D in Finance Branch, heading the resource division responsible for, inter-alia, the PWD group of departments. By then, Hugh’s ability and administrative skills had been recognised and he had moved from a professionalpostintheGeotechnicalControlOfficetothepositionofDeputySecretaryforLandsandWorksintheLandsand Works Branch In this role, we needed to interact on matters such as the very politically charged issue of the purchase of Chinesewater

Subsequently, Hugh became the Director of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, a particularly ‘difficult’ department which we in FB were trying to break up! He started the process whereby the largest part of the department which provided services to other government departments became a trading fund so these services were directly funded by the departments receiving them, a process which saw a very significant improvement in the effectiveness, efficiency and quality of these services. Hugh’s final position in the civil service was as the Director of Water Supplies, a very large and important departmentprovidinganessentialdailycommoditytoHongKong.

As I left FB in 1989, my professional interaction with Hugh was limited to a few years in the late 1980s. However, I had been aware for many years before that of his undoubted professional and administrative competence and ability and leadership skillswhichensuredhisverywell-deservedpromotionstobecometheDirectorsofEMSDandWSD.Hisself-effacingmanner, approachability, kindness, friendliness and willingness to help colleagues were qualities not often seen in members of the senior civil service and heads of department. These qualities undoubtedly endeared Hugh to all his staff and ensured that they will have long and happy memories of the times when he was their head of department. It was, therefore, not really surprising that Hugh eventually decided to follow his true vocation and was ordained an Anglican priest in 1997 when he was still a civil servant He served as a non-stipendiary priest at St John’s Cathedral for several years after retirement and subsequently, after severalyearsintheUK,from2006to2018wherehewasaveryvaluedmemberoftheclergyteam.

TheseniorcivilserviceinHongKongisnotknownforproducingsaintsbut,iftherewasasaint,itwasHughPhillipson.Andif there is one memory of Hugh I would like to leave, it is of Hugh sashaying up the nave of St John’s Cathedral playing the clarinet at a performance of ‘When all the saints go marching in’ at the service of Jazz Vespers many years ago. Hugh has undoubtedlymarchedintoHeaven.Mayherestinpeaceandriseinglory.

YOUTH MINISTRY —

AMONG US

has now been running for 3 years, and we’re grateful to see our community steadily growing. Through a variety of engaging activities, we walk alongside young people with love, faith, and sincerity building meaningful connections and nurturingadeeperunderstandingoffaith.

Join us every Friday from 8:00 to 9:30pm for Bible study, birthday celebrations, board games, film screenings, and dining out. We welcome youth aged17to25,andreferralsarealwaysappreciated!

NewTermofCommitteesofAMONGUS

Terence Kwong (Chairman)

‘Hello everyone, I am Terence, the Chairman of the Among Us Committee. Thank God! I am grateful to be part of this committee. In the days to come, I hope to collaborate with all of you my brothers and sisters in Christ to help every member of this community share in the joys and sorrows of life through our gatherings. I look forward to serving in Among Us, and I firmly believethatwecanworktogetherinunitybecauseGodisamongus!’

Timothy Poon (Vice-Chairman)

‘It is a great blessing and honour to be entrusted with the role of Vice-Chairman of the Among Us Committee. My name is Timothy, and I am truly excited to serve in this capacity, walking alongside our youth as we grow together in the faith of Christ. My hope is that our fellowship becomes a place where the youth in our community feel welcome, supported, and nurtured not just in their personal faith, but through genuinebondsandfriendships.IfirmlybelievethatbyunitinginChrist’slove,wecan grow stronger as individuals and as a community. As we embark on this journey, I am excited to work with the team to create programmes and opportunities that inspire growth, service, and joy in Christ. I would appreciate your prayers and input asweaimtoserveouryouthandparish.Pleaseshareanyideasorsuggestions they willbeinvaluable.Ilookforwardtogettingtoknowyouall!’

Our dedicated ministry mentors and support team (from left to right): The Revd Amos Poon, Iris Tang, Ray Wong, Michelle Ngai, Rooney Chow, and Vanice Chan

‘I am Uriah Ip, the Vice-Chairperson of the Among Us Committee. We aim to draw the circle wide and empower youth in a variety of ways We not only nurture their spiritual and mental growth but also help them respond to the calling of the Lord as faithful servants. As an enthusiastic and supportive group, we strive to “rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep ” (Romans 12:15) and “No one stands alone; we’ll stand side by side” (fromthelyricsofDrawtheCircleWide).’

Moritz Leung (Committee)

‘Hi, I am Moritz, and I am currently a Secondary 6 student Last summer, I was delighted to be part of Among Us, and I later became a committee member this year When I first joined, I felt very welcomed and enjoyed participating in activitiesrelatedtobothfaithanddailylife Intheupcomingyear,Iaimtospread the calm and inviting environment of Among Us to newcomers like myself I want everyone in Among Us to feel comfortable sharing their worries and spreadingtheirjoy!’

Jeremy Hsu (Committee)

‘Hey everyone, I’m Jeremy, and I’m a first-year student studying Medicine at the University of Hong Kong I regularly attend the 10:30am Sunday Service at the Cathedral and sometimes at St Stephen’s Chapel. In my free time, I enjoy reading, watching films, eating good food, and spending quality time with my family. My favouritebookisLordoftheFliesbyWilliamGolding,andIabsolutelylovesci-fifilms. Regarding my role in the youth fellowship, I’m currently working with Jason to represent Among Us and the Cathedral teens for the In Touch editorials. Feel free to come and talk to me when you see me at the Cathedral on Sundays, and remember to tuneintoAmongUs’sInTouchsectiontohearmorefromtheyoungergeneration!’

Jason Wong (Ministry Mentor)

‘Since its inception, Among Us has been designed to be a place within the Cathedral where the younger generation can feel at ease to linger, express themselves, and perhaps eventually take a leading role in running the ministry It is with pleasant astonishment that we have witnessed such growing enthusiasm over the past few years. Granted, there have been some bumps along the way, but the continuity of the committee, the enthusiasm of our participants, and the passion of all staff members who likely no longer see themselves as mere staff but as part of the family truly show how blessed we are by God. Do come and embarkonthisjourneywithus!’

Vanice Chan (Ministry Mentor)

‘On behalf of LEC, I am filled with gratitude as I reflect on our Youth Ministry group, Among Us. Establishing this group from scratch was no easy task, but with God’s love and guidance, we have built a welcoming community. I am deeply touched by the encouragement from those who have shared how our group has become a place to learn and grow together, despite our differences in age and limitations Through this journey, I have come to cherish the fellowship we share wherewelearn,grow,andforgemeaningfulfriendships.

What once seemed like a daunting undertaking has been made possible by leaning on one another and refusing to underestimate ourselves, even in our youth. I am truly thankful to all the youth

leaders, past and present, whose steadfast support has been instrumental in shaping Among Us into the vibrant communityitistoday

With heartfelt appreciation, I thank God for granting us this opportunity to gather and serve in His love alongside such a dedicated team I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to our Ministry Mentors, Fr Amos and JasonWong,fortheirwisdomandguidance,aswellasour supportcrew Ray,Michelle,Rooney,andespeciallyIris fortheirinvaluablecontributionsthroughoutthisjourney ’

Among Us: Read. Reflect. Relate.

Hospitality Hospitality

AMONG US: AMONG US:

‘The first hospitality law in India (1867) aimed to prevent robberiesinhotels!’

DidYouKnow?

In 1867, innkeepers in India were legally required to maintainfencesandwalls orfacefines!

‘Sarai’ laws ensured travellers had clean water, safety, andevenwatchmentoprotecttheirsleep

Legal Hospitality: If a guest fell ill in your lodge, you had to reportitimmediately becausegoodhosting=goodhealth!

Now that we know how hospitality began and what it officially means, does this truly capture its full essence? Weaskedafewyoungvoicesfortheirperspectives…

Whatdoeshospitalitymeantoyou?

Tellusaboutyourexperiencewithhospitality.

‘“Hospitality” comes from the word “hospital” so, does that meanhouseguestsneedtreatment?’It’sahumorousthought, but in some ways, there’s truth to it whether through care, comfort,orawarmwelcome.

This year, the Cathedral’s theme is all about Hospitality Think you know what ‘hospitality’ means? Have you ever looked it up in the dictionary? Is it really related to hospitals? Anddidyouknowthere’sevenalegaldefinitionofit?

Let’s explore how it’s defined starting with the official dictionary

Hospitality

di/noun

Theactorpracticeofbeinghospitable

The reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, orstrangers,withliberalityandgoodwill.

OxfordEnglishDictionary.s.v.‘hospitality(n.)’,December2024

EtymologyofHospitality:

HospitalitywasborrowedfromFrenchhospitalité,which itselfevolvedfromtheLatinwordhospitālitās(noun)and hospitālis (adjective), meaning both of a host and of a guest interesting, right?) Over time, the definition evolved from just lodging to include warmth, generosity, andgoodservice.

Langenscheidt’s Pocket Latin Dictionary. SA Handford, M Herberg, K Feyerabend (Berlin:Langenscheidt,1966),sv ‘Hospitālis’

During my Taiwan exchange trip last summer, my trip mates and I had a birthday celebration marathon as the local churches timed their seasonal birthday parties to match our visit (super sweet, right?). Better still, the youths in fellowships kept piling on the food even after we’d already stuffed ourselves at big meals. And get this: they didn’t stop there they’d actually show up at our place after we’d gone to bed, just to drop off more snacks. Talkaboutnext-levelhospitality!

In Hong Kong, ‘efficiency’ is the real kindness Ever noticed how waiters take orders at lightning speed, barely makingeyecontact?That’snotrudeness it’stheirwayof savingyoutimeandgivingyouspace Customersdoittoo ever tried slogan-style rapid order-taking? One breath, one sentence, the whole meal ordered no time wasted! But hop over to the UK, and it’s a whole different game slowservice,longchats,andlotsof‘How’syourday?’moments.It’sstillhospitality…justwithextraconversation!

BorisLee,Oxford

Hospitality is a vibe of comfort. It’s when my annoying relatives stop asking me about where my girlfriend is everyNewYeardinner

RiyanShao,Guangzhou

Hospitality is about making others feel at home in your world, turning strangers into old friends, and providingwarmthineverymoment.

Yan,London GabrielPoon,HongKong

Our youngest respondent, Billy Choi aged 13 defined hospitality as nothing more than ‘being friendly and treating others politely’. He shared that examples of being hospitable included him taking the initiative to patiently teach his classmates maths before class and saying hello to his friends and teachers at school.‘KeepitupBilly!’

Billy’s definition aligns with that of a future doctor Gabriel Poon. Gabriel suggested that hospitality means making others feel at home in your world, turning strangers into old friends, and providing warmth in every moment. Both Gabriel’s and Billy’s definitions of hospitality appear to emphasise their own actions and what they can do to make those they know feel loved and special. Interestingly and unsurprisingly—this is not the only interpretation of hospitality. Some respondents expanded on GabrielandBilly’smotifofkindnessandbeingwelcoming justin theoppositedirection.

Daryl Poon, who is also studying Medicine at HKUMed, and Riyan Shao from Guangzhou suggested that hospitality, meant being treated with kindness and respect and a vibe of comfort respectively. These two responses clearly shift the direction of ‘kindness’ compared to Gabriel and Billy’s definitions: the kindness is no longer given but received. This interpretation isn’t surprising, however, given how hospitality islargelyassociatedwithhotelsandcomfortnowadays.

On the funnier end of the pool, a generous number of respondents linked hospitality with food. I mean, who doesn’t love a good meal? Daryl, Boris Lee from Oxford, and Yan from London all emphasised the importance of food in hospitality Andtobefrank,Icouldn’tagreemore!

Well, well Daryl, Boris, and Yan let’s just hope y ’all have some good restaurant recommendations ready when we come visitnexttime!

Hospitalityhasbeenaroundforcenturies Thebesthospitalityisoftens

TheFast-FoodHospitalityHack Fastfoodwasn’talwaysaboutspeed. Thefirstdrive-throughwascreatedin 1947whenaCaliforniarestaurateur realisedsoldiersintheircarscouldn’t enterduetotheiruniforms!Hecuta holeinthewall andboom!Driveh h b

TheWorld’sOldestHotel Wanttocheckintohistory?

TheNishiyamaOnsen KeiunkaninJapanhasbeen welcomingguestssince705 AD!That’sover1,300yearsof hospitality runbythesame familyfor52generations!

TheHospitalityofaFreeCoffee InNaples,Italy,the‘payitforward’tradition of caffè sospeso (suspended coffee) is a beautiful act of hospitality customers pay for an extra coffee in advance, so that a stranger in need can enjoy a warm drink for free. A simple yet heartfelt way to make othersfeelwelcomed!

eFirstMichelin-Starred eMichelinGuide,famousfo estaurantratings,wasactual tirecompanyin1900!Their eopletodrivemoreandwear ster sotheyhandedoutfre eaturingtoprestaurants.Wh dininghadaconnectionto

So,whatdoestheBiblesayabouthospitality?It’smorethan justfoodorlodging it’saboutsustainingacultureofcare.

�� Proverbs19.17(NRSV):

‘WhoeveriskindtothepoorlendstotheLord, andwillberepaidinfull ’

�� 3John1.5-8(NRSV):

‘Beloved,youdofaithfullywhateveryoudoforthefriends,even though they are strangers to you; they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on in a manner worthy of God; for they began their journey for the sake of Christ, accepting no support from non-believers. Therefore we ought to support such people, so that we may becomeco-workerswiththetruth ’

Hospitalityisn’tone-size-fits-all what’syourtakeonit?Howdo wesustainhospitality?Howwillyouwelcome2025? ✨

GAMEAMONGUS

What’smorehospitablethan servingbreakfastinbed?In 2019,arecord-breaking574 peopleweretreatedtoacozy breakfast-in-bedexperiencein Johannesburg,SouthAfrica! HostedbyCappy,thismassive eventcelebratedthejoyof sharingawarmmealinthe mostcomfortablewaypossible provingthathospitalitycan bebothgrandand heartwarming!

y y, you catch our hidden game in the last sue? If you spoke to the designated clergy members, eansweris

PPOSITETHECORNFLOWER!

d you find the QR code? Stay sharp more surprises ecomingyourway Staytuned!

h, P.S. a big thank you to Andrew Lim for his contriutionstothisarticle!

G O D & A I :

Who’sinControl?

I am someone who has avoided thinking or knowing much about AI So, when I saw there was a lecture with thistitle,Idecidedtoattendandstartlearning.

The lecture hall at HKU was packed every seat was taken RuthL Okediji,aProfessoratHarvardLawSchool, is a deeply committed Christian and an engaging speaker. She began by answering the question, ‘Who’s in control?’ Heranswerwasclear:‘Weare.Weareincontrol’.

We make choices. Our gods are the gods we choose. God is what ourhopesandfearsrevolvearound TheBibletellsusGodisLove So,isitAI,or愛(love)?

AI will increasingly outperform humans in a growing number of routine and complex tasks It promises many things: all the right answers to our questions and challenges. Our world’s embrace of AI reveals how desperate we are to make things better. One AI advertisement even promises to ‘Bring out your best’: you will be yourbestwithAI

But AI doesn’t promise happiness, love, beauty, or joy the things we truly need. Human flourishing is on the decline. Across the world, people are worried about the future, feel isolated, and struggle with broken relationships. The problem is not AI. Our problemisbrokenhumanity.

We’re so focused on the future benefits of AI that we haven’t asked, ‘What is our place in this brave new world?’ Given that AI will bring improvements in many areas of human life, the real questionis,‘Whatshouldhumansdo?’

What does the Christian faith have to offer? First and foremost, we are made in the image of God. God is the author, Godcreates,Godrelates CanAIdothesethings?AIcanwrite, but it is a tool. It operates within and is constrained by human-designed limits. Authorship is not just about writing words; it’s about the spirit behind those words. AI mimics creativity, but it can’t create from nothing Human relationships, with all their beauty and complexity, are two-way give and take. AI, on the other hand, is only one-way. AI can focus on efficiency and productivity, yet imperfection is part of the humanexperience Welearnfromgettingthingswrong

Human beings were divinely created and authorised to manage the earth’s resources for the flourishing of all life. So, what will we make of AI? What place will we give it in our lives? What constraints and controls will we impose? How much of our calling to be human will we delegate to it, and to what degree does it compromise our ability to be fully human intheimageofGod?Weareincontrol Wechoose

It feels like this is just the beginning of a long-term and vital debate.

We are in both sorrow and gratitude as we bid farewell to our beloved brother in Christ, Orville Leverne ‘Lee’ Clubb a treasured member of our cathedral family and council whose life radiated God’slovethrougheveryactofservice.

Though each of us knew Lee differently, we share the common gift of his steadfast presence. Whether through his faithful attendance, his willing hands in times of need, or his unspoken devotion to our community’s well-being, he reflected Christ’s call to serve one anotherinlove.

Scripture reminds us that ‘God is not unjust to forget your work andtheloveyouhaveshownforHisname’(Hebrews6 10) While Lee’s earthly journey has ended, the ripples of his faithful life continueinoursharedmemoriesandinGod’seternalkeeping.

As we give thanks for his life among us, we especially hold his familyinourprayers.MaytheyfeelGod’scomfortingpresenceand thesupportofourcathedralfamilyduringthistimeofloss.

聖周星期三聖樂敬禮

蕭郝《聖約翰受難曲》

BOB CHILCOTT’S

ST JOHN PASSION

合唱團 holy wednesday —Musical Devotion

聖約翰座堂詩班

St John’s Cathedral Choir

室樂團伴奏

16 April 四⽉晚上 7:30PM 2025 C h o i r with chamber Orchestra

傳道者 Evangelist

Coman Sheung 相全

耶穌 Jesus

Caleb Woo 胡永正

彼拉多 Pilate

Lau Yik Long 劉奕朗

⼥⾼⾳ Soprano

Kenix Tsang 曾麗婷

司琴 Organist

Jonathan YIp 葉翹瑋

指揮 Conductor

Felix Yeung 楊欣諾

Cathedral News Cathedral News

BLESSING OF THE ‘JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD’ STATUE BLESSING OF THE ‘JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD’ STATUE

On Sunday 5 January, a day filled with grace and joy, Bishop Matthias Der blessed the exquisite statue of ‘Jesus the Good Shepherd’ in the Cathedral garden Members of the St John’s community gathered in prayerful celebration, honouring Christasourlovingguideandprotector.

The serene presence of the statue now stands as a testament to God’s enduring care, inviting all who visit to pause, reflect, and draw near to the One who watches over His flock. May this sacred image inspire deeper faith, comfort, and peace in theheartsofallwhoencounterit

We give thanks for this beautiful addition to our spiritual homeandfortheunityofourcommunityinChrist

OPENING OF THE LEGAL YEAR OPENING OF THE LEGAL YEAR

Following the beautiful Choral Evensong on Sunday 16 February, parishioners gathered at Harold Smyth Room for a heartwarming currysupper lovinglypreparedandservedbytheCathedralChapter. The air was filled with laughter, lively conversation, and the rich aromas of shared food, embodying the cathedral’s annual theme of ‘HospitalityandWelcome’.

Momentsliketheseremindusthattruehospitalitygoesbeyondmere food it’saboutnourishingconnections,breakingbreadinfellowship, andextendingChrist’slovethroughsimple,graciousacts.

‘Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.’ (Romans1213)

St John’s Cathedral welcomed clergy, dignitaries, and congregants for the solemn and joyous Opening of the Legal Year service on Monday 20 January. The Most Revd Andrew Chan, the Most Revd Joseph Ha, Archbishop Paul Kwong, the Dean, the Revd Amos Poon, and the Revd John Chynchen were amongthosepresent.

Fr Amos delivered a meaningful sermon on the rule of law, Christianfaith,andlove,underscoringtheirsharedfoundation in justice. The Honourable Chief Justice Andrew Cheung and Chief Judge of the High Court Jeremy Poon attended, offering prayers of gratitude for the legal system and those entrusted withitsduties.

This annual tradition reaffirmed the sacred calling to uphold justice,guidedbywisdomandfaith

What are we

TheEmptyTomb AStoryofEaster TheEmptyTomb AStoryofEaster BrianSibley

reading? reading?

This illustrated chapter book for children aged 6 and up, covering the Easter storythroughtoPentecost,isidealforbedtimereadingorgroupsettings.

This easy-to-read and engaging retelling of the Easter story serves as a perfect introduction to key events, including Palm Sunday, the Last Supper, Jesus’ death and resurrection, his Ascension, and Pentecost. Follow the procession of the singing crowd as Jesus enters Jerusalem, and witness the poignant moment when he shares the bread and cup at the Passover meal. Experience how the disciples’ sorrow transforms into joy and wonder when they encounter the risen Jesus, eating and drinking with them once more. Finally, be captivated by the excitement of Pentecost and Peter’s inspiring speech, whichleadstothebaptismof3,000people.

The Empty Tomb stays true to the biblical accounts, making it suitable for independent reading or read-aloud sessions Stylish and witty illustrations vividlybringtheeventsofthefirstEasterthroughtoPentecosttolife.

OnThatEasterMorning

ElenaPasquali(Author),AlisonJay(Illustrator)

ThisexquisitelyillustratedretellingoftheEasterstorybringsitsfamiliareventstolife Alison Jay, the illustrator of many beloved children’s books, lends her instantly recognisableandbeautifulpaintingstothiswork.

Join the cheering crowds as Jesus enters Jerusalem, the disciples sharing a special meal, and Mary weeping outside the empty tomb Rediscover the wonder of that first Eastermorning.

Along the way, you’ll encounter intriguing people, animals, and landscapes, each bursting with delightful details to explore with a young child as you share the story of thatextraordinarymorning.

ColouringJesus ColourYourOwnBibleComics! ColouringJesus ColourYourOwnBibleComics! FlixGillett

This activity book is perfect for older children aged 7 to 9, offering a creative way to engagewithBiblestoriesaboutJesus.

KeyeventsandversesfromJesus’lifeandteachingsarereimaginedacross14pages of vibrant comic strips These same comic strips are then provided as colouring pages,allowingreaderstoaddtheirownpersonaltouchandcreativity

This fun and appealing format encourages children to become familiar with and remember important moments and phrases from Jesus’ life It also provides an excellentopportunitytodiscussthesignificanceofwhoJesuswasandwhathedid