Feedback on《Bread Of Life in Irvine》
生命靈糧在爾灣 鄧含章來自社區的溫馨迴響
In addition to being on the editorial board, Gloria Glickley (鄧含章) contributed one article, Bread Of Life in Irvine, to the book Chinese Americans in Irvine. She told the amazing story of Irvine’s most historic church Irvine Community Church (ICC). More importantly, from a newcomer's perspective, Gloria told us how the church has been playing a significant part of her life in this community. (An excerpt will follow at the end of this post.)
Gloria invited Pastor Yurie Huang from ICC to the book launch party at City Hall on May 4, 2022. Pastor Yurie was impressed with the book, as well as touched by the speeches delivered that evening by several longtime residents and contributors to Irvine. He invited Gloria to tell her story to the church people on the 90th anniversary of the church. Pastor Yurie said that Irvine is now an international community. Pastor Yurie’s parents were originally from Korea and he grew up in Santa Ana. He indicated that he can resonate with what Gloria described in the book. “The Bible has an open door to people. We can come together to share cultures, languages and beliefs. A book like Chinese Americans in Irvine ties people together.” said Pastor Yurie.
(Excerpt from Gloria Glickley’s article Bread Of Life in Irvine)
The church began in 1932 as a Sunday school organized on the Irvine Ranch for its
employees at that time. The school enjoyed steady growth, and in late 1945 it was officially incorporated into an independent church named "Irvine Community Church". A few years later, a building was urgently needed to conduct a full church program. After numerous twists and turns, with many faithful prayers and generous giving, in addition to the charitable land donation by the Irvine family pioneer James Irvine, the new building was finally completed at the end of 1951 and officially opened for worship services. As you can tell, the church establishment was even earlier than Irvine’s!
Recently, as the pandemic eased, I finally felt comfortable returning to in-person church gatherings. Although I was sitting under a large tent and wearing a mask, I felt thrilled to reconnect and socialize with friends I’ve missed seeing during quarantine. The unspoken simple pleasures, transcending any online meetings, are the beautiful congregational singing, surrounded by children’s innocent chasing and laughing. The tall and slender Jacaranda trees in the front yard should soon be blooming like a breathtaking meteor shower. Looking back again, if it weren't for Irvine and ICC, my life wouldn’t have grown so richly! Truly, my cup is overflowing!
爾灣市居民鄧含章（Gloria Glickley) 在南海岸文化中心出版的《爾灣華裔紀實》中不但擔任編輯委員，也撰寫了一篇關於長期參與爾灣歷史最久的一所美國教會所經過的心路歷程，文名「生命靈糧在爾灣」。鄧含章邀請教會的韓裔美籍主任牧師Yurie Huang參加五月四日的新書發表會，Yurie牧師看到所展示「紀實」新書中鄧含章的文章，才知道這樣一位從新移民一路走來成爲資深居民的人對於該教會，以及延申所及的爾灣，具有如許感情和關係；此外更被幾位傳承中華文化遺產的貴賓在發表會上致詞所感動，於是牧師第二天就邀請鄧含章在教會90年慶生日活動中見証分享「生命靈糧在爾灣」的故事。
Yurie牧師表示，爾灣現在是一個國際社區。他自己的父母來自韓國，他在聖塔安那長大，他對鄧含章在書中描述的經歷和心情是產生共鳴的。他説： “聖經對人敞開大門。 我們可以共同分享文化、語言和信仰。 像爾灣華裔紀實這樣的一本書，會將人們聯繫在一起。”
鄧含章表示，文化中心的郭俊良理事長在發表會上的叮嚀言猶在耳：「不要停止説我們的故事，要到學校向下一代説我們的故事⋯⋯」。她因此付諸行動，雖然緊張仍勇敢跨上講臺，讓其他社群更了解華裔的努力和貢獻。鄧含章說：「現在慢慢瀏覧，細細品味這厚實的一本「紀實」，是前人種樹的無私奉獻，豐盛的文化傳承，從而產生可歌可泣的歷史見證及和諧繁榮的社區發展。」
（以下摘錄「生命靈糧在爾灣」）
可能很多爾灣居民也不清楚,其實 ICC 是爾灣最具歷史的教堂。它建於 1932 年,是當時 Irvine Ranch 為員工提供的主日學校。學校日漸成長茁壯,在 1945年底正式延伸成一個獨立教會,命名為「爾灣社區教會」。事隔數年,刻不容緩的急需更寬敞的敬拜堂。
幾經波折,憑著信心、禱告、及奉獻犧牲,附加爾灣家族先驅 James Irvine 的土地捐贈,新堂終於在 1951年底完工,正式啟用,直到如今!推算一下,它的成立還早於爾灣市的成立耶!不錯,10 年前爾灣慶祝建市 40 年,市府也表揚了數個年資超過 40 年的爾灣社區團體,ICC 也很榮幸地被囊括在這先鋒名單中!
在爾灣摩登現代的市景中,是很難找到教堂像ICC 的建築,高聳鐘樓撘配紅磚屋頂,洋溢著西班牙的風格及古雅的色調。從教會園區,抬頭仰望便看到車水馬龍的 5 號公路與 133 收費公路高架橋縱橫交錯;正前方有橫跨城市東西向、車輛穿流如梭的 Sand Canyon 大道;西邊有 Marine Way 連接到「大公園」The Great Park 新開發的社區及公共設施。隱約矗立在交通樞紐黃金地段中,一不留神,很容易錯過這教會不起眼的進出口。
過去 20 多年的歲月,斗轉星移,各地都經歷無數人事變遷,當然 ICC 和爾灣本身也不例外。才進教會那幾年,過半數的會眾是在爾灣幅員遼闊、緊隣教會旁 「El Toro 空軍基地」服役的軍人。其中有單身海軍陸戰隊英挺的士兵,也有帶著一家大小的資深軍官;有的是原來就是基督徒,也有不少是在調到此基地後,因緣際會,來到 ICC 而決志成為耶穌的門徒。當
時好奇心驅使,曾跟著大兵軍官參觀國防基地的設施,我也像劉姥姥逛大觀園般的逛了基地中的商店、販賣部門 Commissary,覺察貨物都是免銷售稅,哇⋯⋯樂不可支!可惜 1999 年、空軍基地被指定關閉,軍友們依依不捨地告別搬離爾灣,導致 20 世紀初教會參加人數明顯跌至谷底。我們信心不足的一群開始疑惑、焦慮,「主日崇拜騰空的座位將如何補滿
呢?」好在當年信心確鑿的主任牧師丹尼斯,處變不驚,不停用聖經經節激勵人心,也帶領全會不斷祈禱,提醒大家神會在最適當的時機帶領新朋友到我們中間。果真,不假時日,爾灣「大公園」藍圖出爐,新社區循序發展,落腳定居的家庭漸漸取代了當年國防重地所遺留下的空曠與寧靜,教會的人數也在耶穌的應許中有令人喜悦的增長。
論及 ICC 的歷史,一定不能省略介紹人所敬愛的丹尼斯牧師。這位和藹可親,虛懷若谷,默默為神家牧養耕耘的牧師在 2016 退休時,破記錄地在 ICC 前後事奉共 47 年,不曾間斷。25 多年前的我,口說著生澀的英文,手提著生平第一本英文聖經踏進這個清一色洋人教會,緊張的不知所措。但是丹尼斯牧師及師母,跨越種族隔閡,親切地伸出雙手歡迎我,從此
成為我屬靈的良師益友!依稀記得與他們交集的 20 年歲月中:在飄著浪漫紫花的藍花楹樹下舉行婚禮,他們為我祝福喜樂;在告別我親愛前夫回返天家,他們不斷提醒我悲痛失落中的盼望;在我尋覓到第二春,他們熱情的鼓舞是一股濃濃的暖意。
居家避疫一年,教會各種活動從主日崇拜到查經班都轉移到網路直播。最近疫情緩和,我也終於又返回教會聚會,雖然是坐在搭架的大帳蓬下、帶著口罩,但能現場問候久違的朋友,聆聽聖徒們同聲敬拜詠唱,環繞著兒童無邪的追逐嬉笑,實在是難言的幸福快樂。放眼望去,前院那幾棵高大挺拔的藍花楹,應該不久就會冒出夢幻流星雨般的花朵。再次回首過去,若不是因為爾灣,我的生命成長不會如此豐盛!