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The stained glass windows of CPC's auditorium.

Pastoral Letter 6th July 2025

牧聲二零二五年七月六日
6/7/2025
by
Pastor Dorothy Choi

Thank you so much for your ongoing prayers, kind messages, and thoughtful greetings—both during my time away and since returning to CPC last month. It has been a joy to be back among familiar faces and warm smiles. I am especially grateful to our pastors, leaders and congregation who lovingly shared the load while I was away, and to the church for graciously giving me the space to rest and recover.

The first half of last year was a particularly stretching season. With Chris on leave and my father’s health declining, I was often switching between ministry responsibilities and supporting him through those final months. After his funeral in May, I found myself physically and emotionally worn down. I had hoped a short rest would be enough—especially with Chris’s return—but as the year went on, I noticed signs that I was running low. I was unusually tender in conversations and sensed it was time to pause and seek renewal.

By God’s grace, though it was a quiet and slower season, this break gave space for rest, reflection, and gradual renewal.

Firstly, I have been learning to let go. Ministry continued in my absence—not without challenges, but with many glimpses of grace. At times when I had little capacity to respond, God provided in other ways. Some matters resolved quietly; others were carried faithfully by others. I was reminded again: this is God’s church. He works through me, but also far beyond me. I do not have to carry heavy burdens alone.

Secondly, I have become more attentive to the early signs of stress. One small and recent moment stays with me—I was rushing to catch a train and suddenly thought, Are you stressed again? I was. So I kept walking, but began to pray the Lord’s Prayer. Though I did not slow my steps, I found myself slowing down on the inside. I am learning small ways to stay grounded in God, even in the midst of busy moments.

There is more I could share. If you would like to catch up sometime—or if you have also been feeling tired or stretched—I would be glad to listen and walk with you.

I am gradually returning to ministry and hope to resume full-time soon. With clearer boundaries and regular rhythms of rest, I hope not just to serve longer, but to serve with deeper peace and renewed energy—resting in God’s care as I return to ministry.

衷心感謝大家在我休息期間,和回到長老會之後,持續以禱告、關懷的信息和溫暖的問候陪伴著我。能再次見到熟悉的面孔和親切的笑容,實在是一件喜樂的事。我特別感謝教會的牧者、領袖和弟兄姊妹,在我離開的日子裡愛心地分擔事奉的責任,也謝謝教會給我這段寶貴的時間去休息和恢復。

去年上半年對我來說是一段特別緊張的時期。當時陳牧師正休假,而我父親的身體也在走下坡路,我常在教會事奉和照顧父親之間穿梭。父親在五月安息主懷後,我整個人身心俱疲。原本以為只要稍作休息就能恢復,特別是在陳牧師回來後。但隨著日子過去,我開始發現情緒較低。我在一些談話中容易變得敏感,也開始察覺,是時候暫停腳步、得著更新。

感謝主的恩典,雖然這段時間過得安靜而緩慢,卻也成為了一段休整、反思和逐步恢復的旅程。

首先,我在學習放手。在我不在的日子,教會的事工仍然繼續運行——不是沒有挑戰,但卻充滿恩典的痕跡。有些事情在我無力回應時,神就透過其他方式供應;有些需要,默默地被其他人承擔起來。這一切再次提醒我:這是神的教會。祂透過我去工作,也遠遠超越我而在工作。我不需要獨自承擔重的擔子。

其次,我更留意壓力的初期跡象。我記得最近的一幕很清楚——那天我趕著搭火車,心裡突然閃過一句:「你又在緊張了嗎?」那一刻,我確實是有壓力的。所以我一邊走路,一邊默默唸起主禱文。雖然腳步沒停下來,但內心卻慢慢地靜下來。我在學習,即使在忙碌中,也能用這些小小的方式,重新專注在主裡。

我還有許多可以分享的。如果你想見面分享、或者你正經歷疲乏或掙扎的時候,很歡迎你找我聊聊,我很樂意聆聽,陪你一起走這段路。

我正逐步回到事奉的崗位,盼望不久後能夠恢復全職的服侍。藉著更清晰的界線和有節奏的休息,我盼望不只是服事得更久,更是能在神的保守中,帶著平安與新的力量來服侍。

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