On the way back to my USA home, I spent a few days in San Francisco, California. It so happened that my flight had me landing in San Francisco the day before a meeting of the Board of the Center for Swedenborgian Studies (CSS), located nearby in Berkeley, CA. The CSS is the theological school for the Swedenborgian Church of North America, and is affiliated with the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in Berkeley. I had received a Certificate of Swedenborgian Studies from CSS in 2019 as the last step in my very long path to ordination as a Swedenborgian/New Church minister. But I had never set foot on the campus, as I had studied online with CSS.
The Board very graciously invited me to join them as a guest. I stayed with them at the Mercy Center Burlingame, a ministry of the Sisters of Mercy, where most of the meetings were held. The gardens and buildings were serene, and contributed to the mission of helping people to become “more attentive to the Divine.” During the business meetings for Board members only, I walked the hand-laid labyrinth and soaked in the tranquility.
The CSS is physically housed in the Pacific School of Religion, one of the member schools in the GTU. Dean Rebecca Esterson gave me a tour of the CSS during one of the board’s executive sessions, and I explored the campus as well. It felt so good to have finally visited the Center for Swedenborgian Studies!
A view of the San Francisco Bay just steps away from the CSS offices and classrooms.The Holbrook Building in which the CSS is housed
A brief stay in San Francisco would not be complete without walking across the Golden Gate Bridge! So I did exactly that, on the morning before the CSS Board members started arriving at the Mercy Center. It wasn’t very crowded, as I’ve heard it can be, and the weather was a bit foggy and windy. The walk across and back was a very comfortable 3 1/2 miles, with people walking, running and riding bikes at all different speeds. From the bridge (pictured, from the south side) we could see Alcatraz (to the left in the foggy photo), the San Francisco Bridge, the city of San Francisco (bottom, left photo) and the Marina District (in the large photo) at the north end of the bridge.
The path back to the Mercy Center included a tour by my friend Jennifer through some notable parts of the Bay area, including the longest, steepest and most curvy street in San Francisco – and it’s not the famous Lombard St. Quite a challenge for someone who is prone to motion sickness! The next day, I began my path home, with a stop in Denver to see family, and then on to my USA home in Bryn Athyn, PA.
My stated reason for traveling to China was to help Yuhong, my sister-in-law, clear out her mother’s apartment in Beijing. Su Ying is now a resident in an aged care facility, and wants to rent out her apartment. My other reason was to finally make it to the Asian continent, and to be a limited tourist in Beijing. Limited by my commitment to help Yuhong, and planning on staying only six days. Also limited by not speaking Chinese, which is why I told Yuhong I would staple myself to her side as soon as I saw her in the Beijing airport 😅 Fortunately both Shanghai and Bejing airports had plenty of English signage, so my fears about traveling through two Chinese airports without an interpreter were allayed.
I arrived the day after the New Year, and the celebration continues for 10 days. The shops, the restaurants, the streets, EVERYTHING was decked out in red and ready to have fun! After a bit of shopping, we headed to crowded, nearby Ditan Park to enjoy the celebration: dancing, singing, street food (I chose BBQ squid), all despite the chilly winter weather.
And we did settle in to the task of clearing out Su Ying’s apartment, where we were staying. We started with her many wardrobes of fabulous clothing. As a singer in the China National Symphony Orchestra Chorus, she had to maintain a professional look. We tried on two of her fur coats, and took one to her – we’re all about the same size! In the end we filled 49 huge rubbish/trash bags of clothing and linens (mostly for donation) and actual rubbish. But when I left at the end of the week, we looked around and sadly concluded that there was very little evidence that we had worked so hard. There is so much more to be done – another trip for me?
The view from Su Ying’s 4th floor apartment window
We took breaks on our clearing-out mission to visit the Temple of the Earth and other temples, the ancient Great Wall (on their busiest weekend of the year, right after the New Year!), a nearby well-known and upscale Peking Duck restaurant, and local restaurants. We also visited a Chinese medicine shop where the practitioner gave me a remedy that cured my common cold symptoms overnight (thankfully!)
Something I found a little unnerving was the almost constant presence of surveillance cameras and soldiers in public places, but Beijingers seem to take it in stride. I was shocked but not entirely surprised to find that my debit and credit cards, gmail, Google app, Facebook and Messenger apps were all shut down. The only means I had of communicating with my family was FaceTime, because they also use Apple products. Yuhong fortunately was able to cover my expenses while we traveled around and enjoyed ourselves.
From a ministry path perspective, I was surprised at the extent to which religious practice is permitted in China. There are active religious activities and practices in some of the temples we saw. We saw several Christian churches in Beijing, which are all government-sanctioned. Needless to say, I had no contact with the readers of new religious writings in China.
The different kinds of personal transportation were fascinating to me. We often walked to wherever we were going, but if not, the subway system was wonderful and taxis/ubers were plentiful and inexpensive. Many people rode e-scooters with blankets to protect them from the cold. There were also traditional and motorised rickshaws.
Finally, in the last few days of my stay, we went just outside of Beijing to visit Su Ying in her aged care facility. It was in an amazing and brand new centre for health care services, spread over many blocks like a small town. We stayed in a hotel for visitors in the complex. When we got on the elevator, R2-D2 joined us on his way to deliver something to another guest (maybe food?) Yuhong and I enjoyed our own tea ceremony, laid out for us in our elegant hotel room.
I was very grateful for the opportunity to visit with Su Ying again, as she and Yuhong’s late father had been to the USA several times to see Yuhong and her family. They had definitely become part of our extended Taylor family. On the way back, we had to show our passports and state where we were going when we crossed the border of the city of Beijing. Visibly and intimidatingly armed soldiers were posted at the border crossing. We got through without incident, and with appreciation for my Australian passport, and headed for the home of Mao Rung (not sure of the spelling!). She is Yuhong’s cousin, who is a lawyer who looks after Su Ying’s financial and legal affairs when Yuhong is not there. Several other family members were gathered there for a lovely afternoon tea.
I ended up getting an extra day in Beijing, because my seat had been canceled on my non-refundable, full flight to Sydney! Very thankfully Yuhong was with me to talk at length with the kind customer service people, and to pay for another flight to Sydney, since my bankcards were still inoperable. That flight left at 1am, so we went back to our clearing-out mission and celebrated with one final dinner out. Late that evening, I bravely took a taxi to the airport on my own, after Yuhong had instructed the driver where to take me 😊, and found my way to check in, send bags, and get on the plane for my next adventure – Australia 🇦🇺
As soon as the Coronavirus pandemic had settled down enough to allow international travel, I booked my tickets. On with my ministry and travel paths in Australia! Whereas in the past my focus was re-connecting with my church, family and school communities, this time a significant focus for me has been supporting my son Jon, his wife Angela and their daughter Evie as they move permanently to Australia.
Evie waving goodbye as the family leaves USAAngela was very happy to re-unite with her twin sisterBeach life!Jon and Angela rented an airbnb in Bulli NSW (south of Sydney) for the first two months after they arrived
Usually when in Sydney I’ve stayed in Baringa (pictured left) , the guest house/social centre/office of the Swedenborgian/New Church in Hurstville, NSW, and travelled an hour by train to help out in the other NCIA (New Church in Australia) congregation in Roseville, NSW. This time being in Bulli, I was an hour from Hurstville and two hours from Roseville.
The Hurstville church, on the “south shore”The Roseville church, on the “north shore”
What with wanting to help Jon and Angela and Evie make their geographic and emotional transition to living in Australia, the distance and time to travel to the church centres, and contracting Covid within a few days of arriving, I spent much less time than in previous ministry trips actually helping out in the churches in Sydney. I was able to contribute to an Open Discussion at the Swedenborg Centre, an outreach of the Roseville church, as well as participate in a Bible study (below.) For the Hurstville church, whose piano player has now retired after many years of service, I returned to my former music ministry to record 18 hymns and songs on piano for them to use during Christmas and regular worship services.
Connecting with friends from my faith and school communities in the Sydney area is always a blessing! The people and places from my early years have deep meaning, still providing healing for the “third culture kid” part of me (google it!) Walked the Como bridge with Murray and Lori Heldon, went to Sydney Harbour with Cliff Adamou, had lunch with school friends (no photo 🙁 ), saw a play with Lori and Jenn Beiswenger
Arriving as I did in mid November, it was Christmas time in summer in Australia! Seemed normal to me growing up in Sydney, but it took some re-adjusting for me after decades of winter Christmases. We entirely missed Thanksgiving, which isn’t celebrated in Australia anyway, except as a religious Harvest Thanksgiving at the end of summer. Jon had bought some turkey for the occasion, but he and I had Covid that week, and somehow in a summer setting I didn’t really miss it. On Christmas day I was able to check off a bucket list item: go to the beach on Christmas! We saw many families in their “Christmas tents” on the beach, complete with lights and decorations.
Woolongong, near Jon and Angela’sHurstville churchSydney somewhereMartin Place in Sydney, with Jenn and LoriEvie making a gingerbread houseChristmas morning Beach on Christmas!Traditional Christmas mimosasChristmas tent on the beach
Welcome to my 2019 ministry and travel path! I appreciate having you along as I start walking again. Walking again on this path in Australia, and on my convoluted ministry path, and walking again after foot surgery a few months ago. There has been a bit of a delay in getting this blog going again, due to needing to get it set up on WordPress, so don’t believe the dates on the first few posts of my 2019 path. On my last day of work in early March, my friends celebrated my new semi-retired status, starting with “Walking the Path” again. I was very touched by the message and blessing on the cake.
“Roz” Have a Great Trip at the “Land Down Under” May You Fulfill All Your Dreams That You Always Long For”
For my many flights I was assisted by friendly Mobility Team members, which opened my eyes to the world of assistance running in the background of all airports and air travel. It was humbling for me to be the one being wheelchaired around, instead of being the one who walks around fast and confidently. And I’ll admit it was fun to be on the zooming golf carts that beep loudly!
Like last year, my path started with visiting my son Chris and his partner Robyn, who by now have lived in Spray, Oregon for almost a year and a half. We ended up spending the night in Redmond, OR because my flight to Redmond had been massively delayed in San Fransisco. Luckily there was a Walmart right across the street from our hotel, because my luggage announced it didn’t want to go to Australia after all! A wheel broke irreparably at the airport, and at the hotel the zipper broke. So I repacked and relabeled my new luggage with the piano-themed luggage tags that my daughter Miriam had given me.
Massive snow storms had swept across the USA, which was part of my 16 hour delay in California. Our mostly sunny ride back to Spray was quite beautiful, a gracious gift after a snow and ice storm, but it had been treacherous for Chris and Robyn the day before.
Chris and Robyn are now living in an apartment on the property where they have been living and working since their arrival in Oregon. They’re also now working alongside mostly immigrant and migrant workers from Mexico in an orchard nearby. “Nearby” in Oregon terms is a half-hour drive! Until Chris gave me a tour of the orchard, I hadn’t realised how dangerous the work can be, especially atop 12 foot ladders pruning tall trees! I’m definitely keeping them and their colleagues in prayer.
Tree care demo by Chris
Long lines of fruit trees waiting to be pruned
“Fruit stand” where summer customers can buy freshly picked fruit
A huge development in Christopher Robyn’s life (yes, they love all things Pooh Bear) is the school bus that they bought and are renovating. They plan to start touring the country later this year in their “tiny home on wheels.” Who knows where I’ll be visiting them next year! The renovation work is happening in the warehouse on the property, and the adjacent garage.
Do you see Pooh Bear peaking through the future skylight? The unique interior has been designed by Christopher Robyn, and they’re now through the planning and prepping, and onto the building phase. Turns out there’s an active online and in-person community of schoolies that have been an invaluable resource for them.
Facing the front
Facing the rear
Custom entry steps
Future bathroom facilities location
Chris’s workshop
Mascot/supervisor
The work of looking after the barnyard animals continues, except there isn’t really a barn, just coops and shelters and such. One goat died mysteriously since last year, and the cow is now in packages in one of the freezers. Still plenty of chooks, including some cute new little bantam hens, and some ducks. My little grandkids would have loved to see them and help feed them! I dedicate this next gallery to Evie, Skyler, Adrien and Zachary, with love.
After a few restful days with daily saunas – both a dry and a steam sauna available to counteract the cold of winter and promote healing and joy – wonderful meals, Monty Python laughter, and trips to town, it was time to say goodbye for now. Off to the Aussie part of this path!
