Celebrating Chinese New Year

About 100 people, many from the surrounding community, attended the Chinese New Year celebration at St. Philip on the Hill, Unionville on Jan. 26. The event included dancing, music, drumming, singing and a banquet. Almost all of the performers were professionals. Apples, which symbolize a wish for peace in Chinese culture, were blessed by Bishop Peter Fenty, the Rev. Stephen Kern and the Rev. Esther Deng.

Ms. Deng, leader of the church’s Mandarin Ministry, says the annual event is an important outreach initiative. “Chinese New Year is a time for family reunions, but not every family member is here with them in Canada, so they can come celebrate with us,” she says. “It also gives them a chance to know our church.”

The church has been celebrating Chinese New Year since 2016 and some people have joined the church as a result, she says. The church’s Mandarin Ministry worships on Sundays at 1 p.m.

From left, the Rev. Stephen Kern, Bishop Peter Fenty and the Rev. Esther Deng bless apples, a Chinese New Year custom.

Rebecca Niu dances to the music piece, Yimeng Minor.

Carlynn Reed does a dramatic reading while dancing to the poem The Creation.

Drumming by members of the Paradise Seniors Association in Markham.