Florence Li Tim-Oi
[The Episcopal News] In 1944, in the midst of World War II, Bishop Ronald Hall of the Diocese of Hong Kong desperately needed Church of England sacraments to be administered in Macau. He ordained Hong Kong-born Li Florence Tim-Oi, then a deaconess, as the first woman priest in the Anglican Communion, of which The Episcopal Church is a member.
Church of Our Saviour, San Gabriel, and its resident Li Tim-Oi Center for Chinese ministry will mark the 80th anniversary of that historic ordination with a two-day event on Saturday and Sunday, Feb 10 and 11, which is also the celebration of the lunar new year.
Katharine Jefferts Schori
All are welcome to join the celebration, which will begin at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10 with an exhibit of artworks depicting women in the Bible, created by He Qi, renowned artist and member of Church of Our Saviour. He Qi’s works unites traditions of the East and West with “bold colors, embellished shapes and thick brush strokes, he blends Chinese folk art and the iconography of the Western Middle Ages and Modern Art,” according to a 2020 article in the New York Times.
A panel discussion of women’s ordination will begin at 4:30 p.m., keynoted by the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, the first woman to serve as presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church and the first to lead a branch of the Anglican Communion. The Rev. Canon Susan Russell will moderate the discussion.
Dinner will follow at 6 p.m. To attend, register here.
On Sunday, Feb. 11, Church of Our Saviour will host the Diocese of Los Angeles’ Lunar New Year Celebration with a 4 p.m. service of Holy Communion celebrating the ministry of Florence Li Tim-Oi. Jefferts Schori will be the preacher, and the service will begin with a Chinese lion dance. A traditional Chinese feast will follow; for planning purposes, register here. There is no charge for the events on either day.
The Li Tim-Oi Center, which was established in 2014 at Church of Our Saviour to foster a culturally and linguistically appropriate program to meet the disparate needs of Chinese ministry within the Episcopal Church. The Center’s church-based program is now at the forefront of providing sacramental and pastoral resources to support the fastest-growing population in the United States.
Church of Our Saviour is located at 535 West Roses Road in San Gabriel. More information about the weekend events is here, or call 626.282.5147.