The Double Ninth Festival, namely the 9th day of the 9th lunar month, also known as Chongyang Festival, or Seniors’ Day, this year fell on October 25. Churches organized activities to celebrate this traditional Chinese festival.

On October 24, 2020, an eight-person team from Ningyang County TSPM in Tai’an City, Shandong Province went to visit Baxianqiao Nursing Home. They brought flour, oil and other supplies.

From October 16 to 25, churches in Baoji City, Hanzhong City, Xianyang City and other cities of Shaanxi Province held thanksgiving activities to celebrate the Seniors’ Day. After the senior holy choir performed hymns and shows, staff members of Qishan County Church provided caring services for the senior people, like nail-cutting, hair-cutting, chit-chat and wearing red flowers for them. The church also prepared gifts and meals for the elderly.

On October 25, Qiaotoujie Church in Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province held a thanksgiving service for the Chongyang Festival after the Sunday Service. Approximately 400 senior people over 70 years old participated in the service. On behalf of the church, senior pastor Rev. Wang Chen gave out love packages to the senior church members.

On October 25, around a hundred people aged above 70-year-old who wore red flowers and held gifts sat in the front row of South Station Church in Dongfeng County, Liaoyuan City, Jilin Province. A dance performance “The Lord Will Raise You Up” by the choir became the highlight of the service.

On October 25, Rongxiang Church in Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province held a thanksgiving activity for senior church members. Over 100 believers above 70-year-old partook in the activity.

On October 25, Gaoxin Church in Xinyu City, Jiangxi Province held a thanksgiving service for the Chongyang Festival. After the service, church members performed gospel comedies and gave out souvenirs to the elderly.

On October 25, churches in Wuwei City, Huating City, Chongxin County, Cheng County and other places in Gansu Province organized activities of caring for senior people. Several staff members visited the senior people with physical disabilities and sent festive greetings. The choirs of four churches and 12 church-affiliated fellowships from Kongtong District, Pingliang City sang hymns in the thanksgiving service. Staff members also served the senior people through hair-cutting, testing blood pressure and giving out canes for 150 senior people.

(Translated and edited by Bei Sang)