In Minneapolis on 4 August 2003, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church of USA agreed to insert the Anniversary of Tim-Oi's Priesting in the Church's Calendar of Lesser Feasts and Fasts - to be observed on 24 January - initially for a three-year trial period.

24 January 2004 was the 60th Anniversary - the Diamond Jubilee - of the First Anglican Woman Priest. It was celebrated with the dedication of an icon in St Martin-in-the Fields Church, London, and also in St Mark's Cathedral, Seattle.

The video Return to Hepu, which made such a deep impression when it was screened at Minneapolis, is available from the Li Tim-Oi Foundation in UK the Episcopal Media Center in Atlanta, USA, and from the Li Tim-Oi Foundation [See Resources list below].

Collect

Gracious God, we thank thee for calling Florence Li Tim-Oi, much-beloved daughter, to be the first woman to exercise the office of a priest in our Communion; By the grace of thy Spirit inspire us to follow her example, serving thy people with patience and happiness all our days, and witnessing in every circumstance to our Savior Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

OR

Gracious God, we thank you for calling Florence Li Tim-Oi, much-beloved daughter, to be the first woman to exercise the office of a priest in our Communion; By the grace of your Spirit inspire us to follow her example, serving your people with patience and happiness all our days, and witnessing in every circumstance to our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the same Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Suggested readings: Psalm - 1 16: 1-2; Lesson - Galatians 3:23-28; Gospel - Luke 10:1-9

Resources:

Raindrops of My Life : Florence Li Tim-Oi's own memoirs in English [Anglican Book Centre, Toronto 1996 - 128pp - ISBN 1 55126 128 6] Try addall.com

Much Beloved Daughter : Florence Li Tim- Oi with Ted Harrison [DLT paperback 1985 - 118pp - ISBN 0 232 51632 4] Available from'All Book Stores' website

Return to Hepu Li Tim-Oi's story as filmed by the Rev Dr Bob Browne on a return visit to China with Tim-Oi and sister in 1980. Euro-version may be borrowed free for showing at a local fund-raising event from The Knowle, Deddington, Banbury OX15 0TB . US-version available from the Episcopal Media Center, or search the web for Video Libraries.

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