Helen Liu is a familiar presence on Sundays at Church of Our Saviour, assisting Father Thomas Ni at the altar, serving Communion, and as a member of the Chinese choir. Throughout the week she attends Bible study and visits sick and homebound people.
Before coming to the U.S., Helen was a physician specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, and finally served as a director in a major medical hospital in Shenzhen, China.
After Sunday services, a group of Mandarin speakers meet with several COS volunteers in order to improve their English language skills.
For an “assignment,” Helen shared her thoughts about her life after her arrival in the United States.
A few months after I first came to the United States, I met Rev. Katherine Feng, who invited me to the Church of Our Saviour. On the first Sunday in September 2014, the church celebrated its 147th anniversary. I attended worship that day, though I didn’t understand a word of English. I didn’t know what to say or sing. But I was crying all the time, from the beginning to the end. At the time, I didn’t know why. I just felt that this place was the destination of my heart and soul. This was the place I had been looking for. So I have stayed here through now. Even when I lived in Walnut for five years, I still came to this church every week.
My life has changed a lot during my ten years at Church of Our Saviour. I have learned so many things: That the purpose of coming into this world is to glorify the name of Jesus. To be grateful for nature, which is God’s creation, a free gift to us all. To learn humility. To forgive, and to learn to be forgiven. And to learn how to love. These will continue to be my lifelong goals and lessons to learn.
Helen has participated at Bloy House and at the Li Tim-Oi Center in classes and training courses in liturgical studies, church history, Christian worship and more. Over the years, Father Thomas has mentored Helen, whose personal ministry has emerged, reflecting her warm and loving nature and the joy she feels in being part of the church.