The Teahouse (Anglican Network)
| File:Teahouse Logo.jpg The Chinese character stands for 'tea'. It is placed on top of a Pu-erh tea cake which is a traditional way to wrap and store tea leaves. | |
| Formation | August 16, 2021 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Rev. Mark Nam |
| Type | Church of England clergy network |
| Website | theteahouse |
The Teahouse is an independent Anglican network for clergy and ordinands of Chinese-heritage in the Church of England. It was founded in 2021 by British born Chinese priest Rev. Mark Nam.[1]
Overview
Purpose
The Teahouse supports and empowers clergy with Chinese-heritage in the Church of England. It does so by promoting the presence and participation of Chinese-heritage clergy in all structures of the Church, by creating connections and providing resources and information.[2][3]
The Teahouse is non-political. It does not purport to have any agendas, other than to highlight and support clergy with Chinese-heritage. Its main objective is to direct people to individual clergy with Chinese-heritage who represent just 0.2% of stipendiary clergy and 0.5% of ordinands in the Church of England.[4]
Logo
The logo is inspired by a Pu-erh Coin/Cake which is a traditional way to wrap and store tea leaves. The circular shape has no beginning or end and is meant to represent God’s love, as well as the drawing together of people from every tribe, tongue and nation. The character in the centre means “Tea”. It is made of 3 radicals: (from top-to-bottom) leaves; person; and tree. The cross-shaped strokes emphasis the centrality of Jesus, who in the form of a person (rad. 2), willingly hung on a tree (rad. 3), so that we might blossom and have life (rad.1).[5]
History
Early Development
The Teahouse was originally devised as a WhatsApp group by Nam for clergy of Chinese-heritage to connect and support one another during the COVID-19 pandemic.[6] Unaware of any Chinese-heritage clergy in the Church of England at the time, Nam and his wife purchased a subscription to the Crockford's Clerical Directory and spent several months using it to try and locate other Chinese-heritage clergy.[7] After identifying nine clergy and seven ordinands, Nam suggested an in-person meet-up.[1]
Official Launch
On 16 August 2021, nine clergy and six ordinands of Chinese-heritage met up in London. The day began with a midday Eucharist at Southwark Cathedral, followed by a dim-sum lunch in Chinatown, and ending with Evensong at St. Martin-in-the-Fields.[8] A significant moment was when representatives from Church House, a community leader of Chinatown, an employee of New Scotland Yard and members of the anti-racism group called CARG met together, symbolising Church, Community, Authorities and Activism working together.[7][3]
Reception
The Teahouse has received a positive reception from The Church of England. In an official press statement, The Archbishop of York said:
“I am absolutely delighted to see the formal launch of the Teahouse group. What a wonderful development in our journey towards becoming a church that truly reflects and values the great diversity of life in modern Britain. Seeing groups like this come forward fills me with hope.”
— Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, Press Release, Teahouse group of Chinese heritage clergy launches" (August 13, 2021) [9]
The Dean of Manchester, Rogers Govender, who is Chair of the Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns, a Committee of the Archbishops’ Council, also welcomed the launch of the Teahouse:
“We are deeply encouraged by the launch of the Teahouse network. We thank God for the hope that these clergy represent for the Church of England, in our efforts to truly welcome and value the great gifts we are brought by those from minority ethnic heritage, both in our clergy and congregations and in our wider community [...] Finding ways to support networks and communities of Chinese-heritage and East Asian clergy and laity has been identified as one of our key CMEAC objectives. We hope to work closely with Teahouse among other partner networks, to fulfil this commitment.”
— The Dean of Manchester and Chair of the Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns, Rogers Govender, Teahouse group of Chinese heritage clergy launches, Church of England press release (August 13, 2021) [9]
The Church Times—an independent Anglican weekly newspaper based in London—covered the launch of the Teahouse network,[8] published an Op-ed written by Nam,[10] and featured the network in a podcast interview.[7] News of the Teahouse launch was picked up by several local BBC Radio stations, as well as local newspapers in Hong Kong[11] and Taiwan.[12]
See also
- Mark Nam founder of The Teahouse
- Archbishop's Racial Justice Commission
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Online support space launched for Chinese-heritage clergy - Diocese of Bristol". www.bristol.anglican.org. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
- ↑ "TheTeahouse | Supporting Chinese-Heritage Clergy in the Church of England". Retrieved 2023-07-09.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 writer, Staff (2021-08-17). "National network launches to support Church of England's Chinese heritage clergy". www.christiantoday.com. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
- ↑ "Search results". The Church of England. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
- ↑ "TheTeahouse | History". Retrieved 2023-07-11.
- ↑ "Church of England launches national network of Chinese heritage clergy after WhatsApp success - Premier Christian News | Headlines, Breaking News, Comment & Analysis". premierchristian.news. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Mark Nam on supporting and empowering Chinese-heritage clergy". www.churchtimes.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Tea House brings together Chinese-heritage clergy". www.churchtimes.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Teahouse group of Chinese heritage clergy launches". The Church of England. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
- ↑ "Heed the voices of Chinese clergy". www.churchtimes.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
- ↑ Standard, The. "Love thy neighbor". The Standard. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
- ↑ "為百萬抵英港人預備 華裔教牧用WhatsApp 成立「茶館」小組 助英六百教會牧養港人". ct.org.tw. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
External links
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