.JPG)
The Newport Mesa Irvine Interfaith Council (NMII) recently invited Yulan Chung, CEO of the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center（SCCCC）, to speak at their monthly meeting.
She introduced the customs and significance of Lunar New Year to attending religious leaders and gave them a tour of the center, explaining its mission and development.
The event ended with everyone enjoying dumplings and taking a group photo.
NMII includes leaders from various religions such as Christianity, Mormonism, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism, with the goal of promoting understanding between different faiths and cultures.
Each month, the council highlights a different ethnic group, showcasing their traditions to encourage social and cultural cooperation.
This month's meeting took place at the SCCCC to coincide with Lunar New Year.
Nearly thirty religious leaders and members attended to learn about the holiday's customs from Yulan Chung.
She explained that for AAPI, including Chinese, Korean, Indian, and Vietnamese, Lunar New Year is a major holiday that symbolizes renewal and family reunions.
Traditions like decorating with couplets, setting off fireworks, eating dumplings, and giving red envelopes represent blessings for the new year and emphasize family warmth.
The council served hot, pan-fried, and vegetarian dumplings, which many members tried for the first time.
The dish, symbolizing "wealth," impressed attendees, including Capp Cathie, NMII President.
The religious leaders said the exchange deepened their cultural understanding and promoted harmony. They also recognized the value of respecting cultural diversity.
Yulan Chung then gave a tour of the center, showing classrooms, a gym, the MAR Amphitheater, and a Chinese garden.
She highlighted the center’s efforts to promote Chinese culture through language education and performances by the South Coast Chinese Orchestra, Chinese Dance Company Southern California, South Coast Chinese Drum Team and South Coast Wushu Team.
The event concluded with a group photo at the center’s archway.
橙縣跨宗教委員會日前邀請南海岸中華文化中心執行長鍾幼蘭參加月會，她除向與會各宗教領袖介紹春節新年的意義和習俗，並藉由導覽，介紹文化中心的使命和發展。
所有與會成員還都品嚐餃子並合影留念，活動圓滿落幕。
橙縣跨宗教委員會由來自基督教、摩門教、穆斯林、猶太教、佛教和印度教等不同宗教的領袖及幹部組成，旨在促進不同宗教與文化之間的相互理解。
每月，該委員會會選擇不同族群和主題，展示其宗教傳統及文化，並促進社會和文化層面的合作與共融。
這次月會恰逢春節新年，橙縣跨宗教委員會特別選擇在南海岸中華文化中心舉行，並邀請執行長鍾幼蘭介紹春節新年的習俗與意義，共有來自不同宗教背景的近三十名宗教領袖和幹部參加。
鍾執行長表示，對於華裔、韓裔、印度裔和越南裔等亞裔族群來說，春節是最重要的節日之一。
它不僅象徵除舊迎新、家庭團聚，還有貼春聯、放鞭炮、吃湯圓和水餃、發紅包等傳統習俗，這些習俗承載著亞裔民眾對新一年的祝福，也彰顯了亞裔家庭的溫暖與團圓。
為讓宗教領袖們更深入體驗春節的傳統習俗，委員會特別準備熱騰騰的水餃、煎餃和素餃供大家品嚐。
橙縣跨宗教委員會會長Capp Cathie表示，許多成員首次品嚐餃子，並對象徵「財富」的美味佳餚印象深刻。
與會的宗教領袖們表示，這樣的跨宗教文化交流活動不僅讓大家能對不同文化的理解，還促進各宗教間和社會的和諧。
他們也深刻體會到，文化多樣性是社會的寶貴資源，應當受到珍惜與尊重。
餐後，鍾執行長還帶領與會成員參觀文化中心，包括教室、體育館、二樓展示廳、戶外劇場和中式庭園。
她強調，文化中心除推動中文教學，還透過南海岸中華樂團、南加中華舞團、鼓團和中華武術隊等外展活動，積極推廣中華文化。
最後所有與會成員和鍾執行長在一樓大廳牌樓前合影留念，為活動畫下圓滿句點。