Church Annual Dinner

It's a very chinese thing, having big sit down dinners. This was was the church annual dinner, held in the main hall of the church.

55 tables of 10 people at each table - so 550 people in total! Which is apparently less than the last couple of years.

A time to say farewell to outgoing pastors... (pastors in Methodist churches rotate around the churches and don't stay in one particular church for more than a few years).

And for the outgoing pastor to give a farewell speech and sing a song.

Also a time to introduce new leaders - this is the new LCEC (Local Church Executive Committee) chairman for 2011. So he gives a little speech too.

The pastors go around to say hi and chat with people at tables and wish everyone a Happy New Year.

This is where the food is being prepared... in a mobile kitchen set up by the caterer just outside the church building.

One of the dishes that was served... it's a typical Chinese banquet, where dishes are served one by one. A big plate in the middle from which everyone takes a spoonful or two of food. The empty plate is then taken away to be replaced by the next course.

Another of the dishes - this one is rice in lotus leaf.

This is Pong at the dinner table (the glass you see in the bottom left hand corner is filled with hot tea).

And here is the program for the evening, which includes singing a few songs together too.