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Chinatown Celebrates Yee, 110 Years
By Susan G. Schumann –
Marching boldly down the streets of San Francisco’s Chinatown, past the Dragon Market and Gum Sun Jewelry, past the Cen Li Trading Company, and onward past the Hop Hing Ginsing Company–stopping traffic at every corner and capturing the attention of tourists and passersby alike–more than 750 Salvationists and friends joined recently in the Chinatown Corps’ annual March of Witness.
After making a final turn on Clay Street, the nearly four-block long throng assembled for an enthusiastic open air meeting at Portsmith Square. Joining in the march were 10 churches from the Chinese Christian Union, which was celebrating its 80th anniversary. The Salvation Army is a founding member of the union.
Held under the leadership of San Francisco Chinatown Corps Officers Captains Robin and Tereasa Hu, gospel messages were preached by Reverend Ernest Kan, president of the Chinese Christian Union and Alfred Tsang, director for China Projects, Hong Kong and Taiwan Command.
One of the highlights of the Chinatown Corps’ 110th Anniversary celebration, the weekend was kicked off the night before with a banquet honoring six new advisory council members who were inducted by Lt. Colonel James Lau, Hong Kong officer commanding. Lt. Colonel Alice Lau gave the benediction at the close of the evening.
During the dinner, Supervisor Michael Yaki, representing the city and county of San Francisco, read a resolution proclaiming Sunday, September 15, as “San Francisco Salvation Army Chinatown Corps Day.”
“You have tended to people’s souls as well as bodies,” he stated.
Sunday’s Holiness meeting was a time of thanking God for the past and looking forward to the future. Joining in the celebration were territorial leaders Colonels Dennis and Noella Phillips and divisional leaders Majors Jerry and Jeanine Gaines. Mrs. Lau brought greetings from the Army in Hong Kong, and Lau preached from Joshua, calling Salvationists to “Review and renew,” challenging them to review the past and consecrate themselves to the worship and service of God.
Of international significance was the dedication of Lt. Colonel Check Yee (R) by Phillips to head the Army’s new office in Kunming, Yunan Province, China. “Today is an historic day,” stated Phillips, “as we celebrate 110 years of the Army in Chinatown. It’s historic in an additional way as the Army looks ahead to broadening the work in China.”
San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown joined Salvationists and friends at Sunday evening’s meeting celebrating the Christian Union’s anniversary, where Yee was the featured speaker.
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