U Matters - 25 November 2021 | U Matters

U Matters - 25 November 2021

by Rev Dr Michele Bland on November 25, 2021

U MATTERS

Today is American Thanksgiving - a day set aside to give thanks. As I reflect on the month of November there is no other word that comes to mind than thankful. It has been an incredible month in so many ways. Each week we meet new people at our worship services, we are connecting with our online community, people are requesting baptism, we hosted two retreats involving 79 people - and we are moving forward with Building Union for the Future.

Additionally, I am thankful for our Faith in the Marketplace team. Last weekend our team was well represented in the first inter-church Faith & Work Conference in Hong Kong involving 240 people. Thank you, co-organiser Alexander Mak, workshop leaders and facilitators, Andrew Lo, Dan Tupps and Christine Yeung, small group leader Eunice Seng and our Union Church worship team Joshua Ng, Anson Chan, Chinn Tan, Daphne Wong, and Daniel Ng. Our admin team also provided tremendous support for this event. Thank you all.

As you look around and reflect on your day, week and month - what are you thankful for?

“O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name, make known his deeds among the peoples.” 1 Chronicles 16:8

With thanksgiving and gratitude, 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.