The Rev. Dr. Franco Kwan to retire in June after 38 years of parish ministry

Members of the Asian Commission of the Diocese of California (ACDC) gathered for a Chinese dinner in South San Francisco on May 10th to celebrate the Rev. Dr. Franco Kwan's 38 years of parish ministry, his years of participation in the ACDC and his upcoming retirement. 

After 18 years as the rector of True Sunshine Episcopal Parish in San Francisco's Chinatown, Fr. Franco will officially retire on June 4th.  

Before serving at True Sunshine Parish, Fr. Franco served as Priest-in-Charge of St. George's Parish in Flushing NY, in the Diocese of Long Island.

A special worship service will be held at True Sunshine, with Bishop Marc Andrus presiding, on the Feast of Pentecost, June 4th, at 4 pm.  The parish will also celebrate its 112th anniversary on that day.  

And,  a retirement dinner at the Far East Restaurant in Chinatown will follow the service.  

At both events, members of the ACDC will be in attendance, as well as the Rev. Dr. Fred Vergara, EAM Missioner from thje Episcopal Church HQ, who will present Fr. Kwan with a special EAM plaque.

The ACDC warmly wishes Fr. Franco and his fiancee Joyce with all things joyous and blessed, as they prepare to get married in July at the cathedral in Hong Kong.  The wedding banquet will be in Kowloon.

Photos show ACDC members with Fr. Franco Kwan at the Grand Palace Restaurant in South San Francisco; Fr. Franco blowing out the candle of his cake; and fiancee Joyce holding Valentine's Day roses from Fr. Franco.

________________________________

News story and photos submitted by the Rev. Debbie Low-Skinner, Co-chair of the ACDC and Priest-in-Charge of Christ Episcopal Church Sei Ko Kai, San Francisco.



.

Rest in Peace: Donald Skinner

The Rev. Debbie Low-Skinner reported that her husband Donald Skinner passed away at age 85 on December 7, 2016.  

He was a retired urban planner, having worked during his long career in Detroit, Chicago, Boston, and in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Over the past few years, he had been coping with Parkinson's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia.  

His funeral was held on January 6, 2017 at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Los Gatos, CA, with The Rt. Rev. Marc Andrus (Diocesan Bishop of California) as the Celebrant and the Very Rev. David Bird (Dean of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in San Jose,CA) as assisting clergy.

Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord

And let light perpetual shine upon him

_______________________________________________

Mother Debbie served in the Diocese of Long Island at congregations in Garden City and in North Bellmore.

Mother Debbie in North Bellmore with Don Skinner

Now to July 16 - Chinese Art Exhibit at the Met in NYC

>> Click here for details about the Metropolitan Museum of Art Exhibit of Chinese Art, which continues to July 16.

.