U Matters - 2 December 2021 | U Matters

U Matters - 2 December 2021

by Rev Dr Michele Bland on December 02, 2021

U MATTERS

A year ago this week, having just finished the first Sunday of Advent and hosting our annual Missions Christmas Fair, the city was shutting down due to COVID. As a team we started to prepare for a long journey of online worship services, which included Christmas. You may recall, we remained online until Easter Sunday.

A year later, we continue to face challenges and changes during the pandemic. There are new worries fueling fear, anxiety, uncertainty and concern. Yes, we are living in unsettling times. This Christmas season, may we find courage and hope in the words of Gabriel, the angel who spoke to Mary and said,

“Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.”…The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God…” Luke 1:28,30

God is with us, just as He was with a pregnant teenage girl in Nazareth. God reminds us, do not to be afraid. He is faithful and we can trust in Him in all things.

We hope that you venture out to celebrate the goodness of God this Advent season - we have so many creative expressions of worship lined up! - Light has Dawned - Hope is Here!

In the words of the prophet Isaiah,

“do not fear, for I am with you,
do not be afraid, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

In peace, Pastor Michele

About the Author

Rev Dr Michele Bland

Pastor Michele came to Hong Kong in 1996 with her husband Glenn. Pastor Michele holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, a Masters of Divinity, a Masters in Theology and a Masters in Psychology. Michele was ordained with the Canadian Baptist Convention, has advance standing in CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education), and before coming to Asia she was a youth pastor.

Pastor Michele was appointed Associate Pastor at Union Church in 2012 and became Senior Pastor in 2020. She is a trained Stephen Leader and has trained over 20 members of our congregation to become Stephen Ministers. During her time in Hong Kong, Pastor Michele served on the pastoral staff at another international church for over a decade and has worked in private practice. She has taught in hospitals in China, as well as seminaries in Hong Kong and Indonesia.

Pastor Michele has two university-aged children. Highlights have included working on a kibbutz in Israel, traveling to far off destinations and hanging out with her family. She loves good coffee and conversation.