Better Know A Saint: Florence Li Tim-Oi… for the rest of us!

What does it look like to answer a call when the world is literally on fire?In this episode of For the Rest of Us, Megan and Adam introduce us to Florence Li Tim-Oi, the first known woman priest in the Anglican Communion—and a saint whose story is anything but neat, tidy, or safe.Born in Hong Kong in 1907, Florence felt called to ministry at a young age, even when there was no clear path for women to be ordained. That call only grew stronger during the Japanese invasion of China, when war cut off entire communities from the sacraments. Ordained first as a deaconess, Florence was given extraordinary permission by Bishop Ronald Hall to preside at the Eucharist so isolated Christians could continue to receive communion. Later, in 1944, she crossed enemy lines to be officially ordained as a priest—quietly, urgently, and without fanfare.Her courage didn’t end there. Under the rise of communism in China, Florence faced surveillance, hardship, and forced labor. She was separated from public ministry and lived much of her life in obscurity. Still, she never stopped understanding herself as a priest, faithfully serving in the ways she could, even when recognition and institutional support were taken away.This conversation isn’t just about history—it’s about vocation, resilience, and what it means to stay faithful when the church and the world make it difficult. Florence Li Tim-Oi’s life invites us to reconsider whose stories get told, whose callings are affirmed, and how the Spirit has always been at work far beyond official permission structures.If you’ve ever wondered what quiet courage looks like—or why the church needs to remember women like Florence—this episode is for you.As always, thanks for listening to For The Rest Of Us. Make sure to leave us a rating and review, and share with a friend.