Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta

Shu Ping and LiPing in Atlanta

Hard to believe it has been 4 years since Shu Ping and LiPing spent Christmas at our house in Atlanta. Two students from Taiwan who were far away from home at holiday time. I'd not planned to actually house students rather just to help get the word out about Christmas International House and Amis. I had failed to realize that my daughter away at college actually thought I was participating in every item in the eNewsletter the Regional Council of Churches was putting out. "When are our international guests coming?" she asked.

Before you could say "bah humbug," we were changing sheets, clearing drawer space, and picking up two delightful young women from Taiwan. The presence of Shu Ping and LiPing was a gift like no other. When they heard I was driving two hours up to North Georgia to visit my father, they both exclaimed that they wanted to meet the grandfather and they went with me even knowing they would be driving back up there on Chrsitmas Eve.

They helped cook everything. And ate heartily things they had never seen before. They loved the dogs and found them always amusing.

They had a delightful afternoon at a Taiwanese market with our friend and RCCAtl Board Member C.P. Huang and his wife Dr. Huang. They brought back treats we did not know to add to the feast.

They were fascinated by our neighbor's display of inflatables- 39 larger than life figures in dubious taste. We see them now with new eyes and are glad they are among us.

They were invited to a neighbor's glorious open house where they were greeted like long lost relatives.

Shu Ping developed a bad sore throat the day after she arrived and when she found me in the kitchen cooking up a hen for some theraputic chicken soup she cried because no one had cooked a chicken for her since her grandmother died.

Christmas afternoon they sat on the sofa with my 91-year-old mother-in-law and just listened to her stories. They were not just respectful- they valued the presence of the oldest members of our family.

Before the group went back to school we were treated to a grand feast of food from all the lands the AMIS visitors came from and a delightful performance of music, dance, and skits.

We are all Facebook friends. LiPing is home and ShuPing is still in school and cooking beautiful things. Two years ago Shu Ping brought some friends to meet us when she came through town. She brought us miniature good luck lanterns for the Christmas tree.

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First Five Freedoms is proud to join Georgia Lawyers for the Rule of Law, The Temple, and All Saints Episcopal Church for "Faith, Law, & Democracy: A Community Conversation on the Public Good and the Rule of Law" on Tuesday June 2. We hope you will consider joining us for this important discussion. Americans across the political spectrum are grappling with a shared unease: the feeling that something foundational is slipping. Trust in institutions is eroding. The norms that once governed public life are contested. And the concept of the public good — the idea that we share a common stake in fair, just, and accountable governance — is increasingly hard to find in our public discourse. This program brings together faith leaders, legal experts, and engaged community members for an evening of honest conversation about what is at stake. Hosted at All Saints Episcopal Church and co-presented by The Temple, Georgia Lawyers for the Rule of Law (GLRL), and First Five Freedoms, the event weaves together spiritual reflection, legal analysis, and civic dialogue to address one central question: What does it mean to protect the rule of law — and why does it matter for all of us, right now? The evening will include reflection, analysis, and discussion designed to:

Connect faith, law, and civic responsibility in an accessible, nonpartisan framework
Examine current challenges to the rule of law and their implications for democracy
Create space for authentic dialogue across perspectives and institutions
Foster relationships and identify opportunities for collective action

Faith, Law & Democracy, Tuesday, June 2, 2026, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., All Saints Episcopal Church, 634 W Peachtree St NW, Atlanta 30308. Featured speakers include: Rev. Natosha Reid Rice, Minister for Public Life, All Saints’ Episcopal Church; Rabbi Lydia Medwin, Associate Rabbi, The Temple; Jill Steinberg, former U.S. Attorney for Georgia’s Southern District; Al Pearson, former University of Georgia Law professor; Richard Griffiths, retired journalist, and president emeritus of the Georgia First Amendment Foundation. Registration for this event is free. Complimentary parking, food, and refreshments. REGISTER HERE