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Pastoral letter to Myanmar.
29 March 2011
Myanmar Council of Churches
Myanmar Baptist Convention
The Church of the Province of Myanmar
Independent Presbyterian Church of Myanmar
Mara Evangelical Church
Methodist Church, Lower Myanmar
Methodist Church, Upper Myanmar
Presbyterian Church of Myanmar
Beloved Sisters and Brothers in Myanmar -
We deeply grieve with the people of Myanmar as they suffer the aftermath of the 6.8 magnitude quake that hit near the borders with Thailand and Laos on March 24, 2011. Seventy-five people confirmed dead and perhaps even more, with many injured, missing and displaced, and without food and water. Slow rescue efforts and inaccessibility of the devastated townships add to this already great loss.
Sisters and brothers in Myanmar please know that the CCA family members hold you in their hearts and in their prayers, assured that our God is a refuge to the needy in their distress (Isaiah 25.4, NRSV). We convey our solidarity and plead to God Almighty, that resilience and abiding faith be ours as we uphold each other, help the needy and comfort the afflicted.
On behalf of CCA, I appeal to our members to lend support and offer prayers to our sisters and brothers in Myanmar. You may email or call the Rev. Saw Shwe Lin, General Secretary of the Myanmar Council of Churches (Tel: +95-1-513 579 / 723 376; Fax: +95-1-296 848 / 526 982; Email - oikom.mcc@gmail.com; ssl-tth@myanmar.com.mm).
I reiterate here our appeal for CCA members and partners to continually support the CCA Emergency Fund. This is one way of affirming our being One Body in Christ in times of disasters and need. Let us not despair and fear. The God of love and compassion embraces us all.
Very sincerely yours,
HENRIETTE HUTABARAT LEBANG
General Secretary
posted by cbs on Thursday, March 31, 2011
CCA e-Letter - 24/3/11
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CCA e-Letter
24 March 2011 |
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ – Japan still takes center stage in our prayers these days. The CCA Office receives updates from members in Japan. Rev. Songwan Hong, General Secretary of the Korean Christian Church in Japan said that basic commodities for refugees are in short supply, and there is serious lack of gas for heating and transportation that consequently affects delivery of emergency relief supplies to refugees. Aftershocks are still felt in the in areas of East Japan. In addition, the nuclear crisis adds to the fear of the spread of radiation and its after-effects. Many church members had to stay in shelters in order to receive food and relief materials. Some churches in Sendai have been seriously damaged. In a CCA Pastoral Letter to the members in Japan released last week, I mentioned that contributions to the emergency relief work of NCC Japan can be channeled through the CCA Emergency Fund account in Hong Kong. I entreat you, friends and colleagues in the ecumenical movement, to continue supporting Japan with ardent prayers as well as financial resources. We need each other especially at this time of despair and fear. Here again is our bank details:
Account name: Christian Conference of Asia Bank: Hang Seng Bank Branch: Hankow Road (4 Hankow Road Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China) Account No.: 295-4–709594 Account Type: Multi-Currencies Account Swift Code: HASEHKHH
The Rev. Claudia Genung Yamamoto, NCC Japan International Churches Liaison officer, in a recent email shared that
"The news from many sources contradicts itself. Worrying will not change things but we can be comforted to realize that we are not alone just as Jesus was never without God in the desert – we, too, have God with us. Lent is a journey and this year is no exception but more a journey than we ever expected or realized. However, we journey towards the cross, the tomb, the empty tomb, and the risen Christ."
Let us remain faithful in accompanying each other in the journey, for indeed we are assured that God journeys with us. The CCA General Committee (GC) Meeting The GC meeting on March 7-9, 2011, took place here in Chiang Mai. The GC spent time to understand the mandate of the KL Assembly, and adopted the Vision and Mission statement and Goals for 2011-2015 based on the mandate of the Assembly, including the CCA Program Thrusts for 2011-2015. It was emphasized that CCA member churches and councils shall be actively involved in the implementation of the mandates of CCA by integrating them in their own programs, especially on issues that are relevant to the context of their ministries. This strategy is expected to strengthen the sense of ownership of CCA members, and facilitate the effective development, implementation and better integration of CCA programs. The GC also adopted the budget for 2011, subject to review in June 2011 if necessary. In the midst of tight financial conditions, it was strongly felt that strict budgetary control needs to be undertaken. The GC also spent time to discuss the recommendations of the CCA Review Process undertaken in 2008-2010, and specifically discussed the recommendations of ecumenical partners on this matter. Some of the recommendations from the CCA Review have constitutional implications. There is thus a need for a constitutional and structural review. The GC formed the Constitutional and Structural Review Committee to address this concern. Prior to the GC meeting, the CCA Round Table meeting with ecumenical partners took place on March 4-5, 2011, also in Chiang Mai, Thailand. CCA partners who participated are from the Church of Scotland, Bread for the World, Evangelisches Entwicklungsdienst c.V. (EED), ICCO-Kerk in Actie, United Church of Canada, Foundation for Theological Education in South East Asia (FTE), National Council of Churches in Australia - Act for Peace, Evangelisches Missionswerk in Deutschland (EMW), Church of Sweden, Global Ministries, and the Christian Church (DOC)-United Church of Christ. The CCA Officers, Executive Committee members and staff were also part of the meeting. We live in a time of transition, a time of challenges. We are challenged to work within the limited resources that we have, hopefully without sacrificing the quality of CCA's work and losing our sense of direction. This situation urges us to develop effective policies and strategies that enhance our efforts to accompany the churches in responding to Asian struggles. It encourages us to consistently do what we say. It may push us to take painful decisions for the sake of CCA. It requires us, especially staff, to be more flexible and realistic about what we can do and cannot do. At the same time, it provides opportunities for us to build and strengthen our network and collaborative efforts with those who share our priorities. Above all, this challenge reminds us to have faith in God and in ourselves that together we come out of this situation wiser, humbled and found faithful to our calling to be prophets, healers and reconcilers. The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (EAA) Meets in Chiang Mai Fifty members and partners of EAA participated in the HIV Consultation in Chiangmai Grandview Hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand on March 20-22, 2011. Majority of the participants came from the host country, Thailand, especially from Chiang Mai. CCA is a member of EAA, and the former General Secretary Dr. Prawate Khid-arn is a member of its Board of Directors. There was one new member from Asia, the National Council of Churches in India and one re-application for membership from The Church of Christ in Thailand (CCT). The staff members of The Church of Christ in Thailand AIDS Ministry (CAM) participated in full force and helped in the organization of the HIV Consultation. Consultation participants divided in four groups participated in the local worship services on March 20. The aims of the consultation were to strengthen the Christian advocacy on HIV of members and to discover how members are working on the theme: "Live the Promise" particularly on the framework for Action (2009-2012): • Addressing the root causes of vulnerability to HIV • Achieving Universal Access • Eliminating stigma and discrimination • Ensuring accountability and sufficient resources. The consultation formally began with welcome greetings from CCA given by Mr. Carlos Ocampo on my behalf, and from the CCT given by Rev. Prawate Khid-arn on behalf of Rev. Sayam Muangsak, General Secretary of CCT. The Opening Worship was led by the staff of CAM. Rev. Michael Schuenemeyer, United Church of Christ (USA) and member of the EAA Strategy Group on HIV lit the Christ candle. Dr. Prawate Khid-arn, a Board Member of the EAA gave the reflection and the red ribbon was presented by Rev. Sanan Wutti. The opening plenary on March 20 was on the Global Response to HIV and AIDS – Where we (EAA) are and where we need to go now. Those who presented were: Mr. Steve J. Kraus, Director, UNAIDS, Regional Support Team – Asia Pacific, Dr. Jean-Louis Lamboray, Chair, Constellation for AIDS Competence, Rev. Johannes Petrus Mokgethi-Heath, Acting Executive Director , INERELA+, and Dr. Erlinda N. Senturias, Consultant of HIV and AIDS of CCA. Mr. Kraus shared the vision of "Zero New Infections", "Zero discrimination" and "Zero AIDS-related Death" in a world where there are more than 33 million people living with HIV. Dr. Jean-Louis shared the success of HIV prevention in Phayao, in Northern Thailand using the constellation approach of building AIDS competency in the village level. Rev. J. P. Heath shared the SAVE approach towards the prevention of HIV promoted by INERELA. This involves Safe Practices, Access to Treatment, Voluntary Counseling and Empowerment instead of the usual ABC approach (Abstinence, Be faithful, and Condom use) that focuses only on sex. Dr. Senturias presented the faith-based responses to HIV in Asia that has around five million people living with HIV to date. The continuing challenge is to harness the potential of faith-based communities in building inner and outer competencies on HIV, rights based approach to programming, theology and HIV and securing a safe space for dialogue on HIV and Human Sexuality. Four case studies were presented: The Christian AIDS Bureau for Southern Africa (Inviting Channels of Hope Facilitators on a Gender Journey presented by Ms. Lyn Van Rooyen; World Association of Christian Communicators (Eliminating stigma and discrimination in Ghana) presented by Ms. Lavinia Mohr; Christian Aid (Promoting the SAVE Approach in Sierra Leone) presented by Ms. Winnie Sseruma; and National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) (Light a Lamp – Pledge for Rights) presented by Mr. Christopher Rajkumar, Executive Secretary for the Commission on Justice, Peace and Creation of NCCI. Mr. Rajkumar presented the poster for Easter: Stigma Nailed and Life Celebrated – a campaign that will start beginning this Lenten period in churches in India. The participants were divided into three groups to visit: "My Story" organized by CAM, a Buddhist monastery to learn about another faith response to HIV and to The Thai Government's Care Center for children affected by HIV. On March 22, there were group discussions to identify priorities for joint action within the "Live the Promise" Campaign Framework and simultaneous group sessions on three areas of concerns of the EAA: Strengthening religious leadership in the response to HIV facilitated by Ruth Foley, HIV Campaign Coordinator, EAA; Deepening theological reflection on human rights and HIV facilitated by Peter Prove, Executive Director, EAA; and Improving faith-based advocacy on access to medicines facilitated by David Deakin, Tearfun UK and Chair of the EAA Pharma Working Group. During lunch time, there was an introductory session to the Global Fund led by Michael O'Connor and after lunch, Dawn Foderingham led in building shared advocacy capacity on Plenary on actions for the United Nations General Assembly 2011, and an input from World Vision by Stuart Kean of World Vision UK and Ruth Foley of EAA. A one- day capacity building workshop on Accessing the Global Fund on March 23 was also held. (with news from Erlinda Senturias) NCCP ready to start their program on HIV The Rev. Fr. Rex R. B. Reyes invited Dr. Erlinda N. Senturias on February 14 to help the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) start conceptualizing and fast tracking the HIV Ministry of NCCP this year. With the rise in the incidence of HIV especially in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, Davao City and Olongapo City, NCCP would like to engage in direct services for the key affected population, among them the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW). Physical bases will be opened up to welcome key affected population to share their stories and get help from experts. Networking and linkages will be established with the St. John's Cathedral HIV Education Center in Hong Kong. The Anglican Center is actively helping in the HIV education and empowerment of the migrant workers in Hong Kong. There is also the interest in building the inner competence of the Member Churches to respond to the theological, ethical, human rights, prophetic and pastoral challenges of HIV for the faith communities. Young people and women will be given initial training on building HIV competency. Rev. Fr. Rex Reyes will lead in writing the theological basis for the HIV ministry of NCCP. Ms. Darlene Marquez-Caramanzana attended the HIV Consultation of the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance at the Chiangmai Grandview Hotel on March 19-22. Mr. Ariel Siagan of the Iglesia Evangelica Metodista en las Islas Filipinas (IEMELIF), a participant in one of the HIV workshops conducted by CCA in New Delhi on November 2008, is now part of the staff team that will help in the HIV Ministry. (with news from Erlinda Senturias) Peace advocates planning meeting The Working Committee of the Interfaith Cooperation Forum met at the Brokenshire Convention Center in Davao City, Philippines on February 7 to 9, 2011. Composed of Max Ediger and Bruce Voorhis from ICF, Kohei Yamada from the Asia Pacific Alliance of YMCAs, and Charlie Ocampo from CCA, National (country) Coordinators Hor Hen, Cambodia; Umi Farida, Indonesia; Ait Bahadur Tumbahangphe, Nepal; Nor Samad, Philippines; and Pornpimon Ponprom, Thailand. The different roles of the ICF national coordinators and working committee members were discussed with the national coordinators being responsible for ICF activities within their countries and the working committee members focusing on ICF programs throughout the region. The role of the ICF national coordinators was further defined as holding one or two meetings annually with other SOP alumni and planning and organizing activities in their countries with them, expanding the ICF network in their countries and recommending SOP alumni in their countries for ICF internships. Possible workshops for 2011 discussed at the meeting include a writing workshop to produce a book on indigenous spirituality, a similar writing workshop on the topic of Justpeace education for children and youth and other workshops on faith and gender, how to initiate interfaith dialogue and conducting media campaigns and producing documentaries. CCA runs a School for Peace Advocates in the Churches, a week-long workshop and exposure but also recommends peace advocates to the ICF for longer training period and in efforts at strengthening the role of Muslims, Buddhists and other faith traditions in peace building. Immediately following the Davao Meeting, Charlie Ocampo met with the Rev. Fr. Rex Reyes, General Secretary, National Council of Churches in the Philippines; and Ms Carmencita Karagdag, Coordinator, Peace for Life Foundation, to discuss future collaboration with CCA on peace and human rights. (with news from Charlie Ocampo) The 2011 Asia Sunday The Worship Resource Guide is now out and can be accessed from the CCA website - http://www.cca.org.hk/ We request that this material be promoted and circulated further for wider reach. May God bless our desire to be healers! Yours in Christ,
HENRIETTE HUTABARAT LEBANG CCA General Secretary
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posted by cbs on Thursday, March 24, 2011
Pastoral Letter to members in Japan
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Japan –
Our hearts bleed in unspeakable sorrow for the calamity that befell Japan recently, claiming lives and properties in one quick swoop. The potential meltdown of nuclear reactors like a black mantle descending upon strikes fear in our hearts. And all we can do is trust that
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult . (Psalms 46.1-3, NRSV)Getting down our knees in earnest prayer is what we can do for the people of Japan right now. The entire CCA family is praying with you, and walking with you in this dark moment.
We are coordinating with the National Christian Council in Japan (NCC Japan) in responding to the situation as one Body of Christ. As a gesture of solidarity CCA will send a small amount of USD 10.000 from the CCA Emergency Fund to immediately support the emergency response of NCC Japan, and accompany it with continuing prayers for the work of the churches in helping those in distress.
Sisters and brothers in the CCA member churches and councils, I take this opportunity to appeal to you to support the churches and people in Japan in this time of difficulty, through your prayers and financial support. Intended to respond in the quickest way to emergency needs that arise, this is our small way of expressing our unity as an ecumenical family.
We were advised by the NCC Japan that in order to minimize the currency exchange fee (which is USD 70 no matter what amount involves), it will be better if contributions from CCA members that has not been sent directly to Japan, be sent via CCA Emergency Fund. We will collect them and send them to NCC Japan acknowledging your contributions. The following is the bank details re CCA Emergency Fund:
Account Name: Christian Conference of Asia
Bank: Hang Seng Bank
Branch: Hankow Road (4 Hankow Road Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China)
Account No.: 295 - 4 – 7095
Account Type: Multi-Currencies Account
Swift Code: HASEHKHH You may want to send your letters of solidarity and support to Japan through the Rev. Hiroko Ueda, NCC Japan Interim Acting General Secretary (ueda@ncc-j.org).
We are terrified and are grieving, but God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
HENRIETTE HUTABARAT LEBANG
General Secretary
cc.: CCA Member Churches and Councils
Members of the CCA General Committee
Ecumenical Partners
14 March 2011
posted by cbs on Tuesday, March 15, 2011
From the General Committee
Dear Sisters and Brothers in the CCA Member Churches and Councils:
We, Members of the General Committee of the Christian Conference of Asia, write to you from our second meeting in Chiang Mai, this 7th to 9th of March 2011, to affirm the mandate, recommendations and the proposed programs coming from the 13th CCA Assembly held in Kuala Lumpur in April 2010.
We listened to stories from communities suffering from the impact of emergencies, the violation of people’s rights, freedom of expression and the practice of religion, along with poverty, lack of access to employment and other provisions necessary for decent living for people created in God’s image.
We continue to discern God’s leading as we hear people’s cries and are challenged by the need to accompany them and our Member Churches and Councils as we minister together in our region of Asia.
In this meeting of the CCA General Committee, we have listened and reflected on urgent ecumenical issues and challenges before us –
- We would like to see CCA continue to strengthen the capacity of its members to respond appropriately and in a timely manner to emergencies experienced by Member Churches and Councils in Asia. We heard and prayed for the victims of the recent earthquake that shook Christchurch in Aotearoa New Zealand, taking the lives of more than 160 people and causing massive destruction to homes and public infrastructures. We offer solidarity and prayers to the victims communities as they rise from the rubble and as they gain access to social services and rehabilitate themselves in the aftermath of the earthquake.
The CCA response will be in the form of a pastoral visit by ecumenical leaders to the churches and the affected communities in Aotearoa New Zealand.
- We heard the voices of our brothers and sisters who share the Korean Peninsula, whose security, safety and peace continue to be threatened by their fragile and uncertain situation brought about by hardening positions of their respective governments and the intervention of external powers. We will continue to support initiatives –
2.1. Of both North and South Korea to commit to work for mutual respect and trust in order to overcome differences in ideology and systems;
2.2. For the two sides to agree to create a special peace zone and to reopen a corridor for humanitarian assistance (including food and medicine) into North Korea.
2.3. We support the campaign to replace the current Armistice
Agreement with a Peace Treaty.
We appeal to the Heads of State of both North and South Korea to do everything within their powers to ensure dialogue and the peaceful settlement of the border conflict that has rendered the Korean people captive for many years.
- We are shocked and saddened by the recent assassination of Mr. Shabhaz Bhatti, Minister for Minority Affairs and the only Christian Parliament Member in the Pakistan Government. CCA supports the call for an urgent and impartial investigation of the case and to bring the perpetrators to justice. The churches in Asia offer prayers and solidarity along with ecumenical accompaniment of both Muslims and non-Muslims in Pakistan who have all been rendered victims and would like to see the control of the misuse of the Blasphemy Law that has brought about the killings of innocent civilians with impunity.
- We thank God for the presence of Christians in the Islamic Republic of Iran, where the Christians with other religious minorities, to some extent, enjoy religious freedom. They sympathize with their Christian sisters and brothers all over the world in their struggles for peace and justice.
- We rejoice with the Filipino people for the successful resumption of the formal peace negotiations between the Government of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front, the preliminary talks between the Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and the Tripartite Meeting on the Final Peace Accord by the Government of the Philippines, the Moro National Liberation Front and the Organization of Islamic Countries. We share the hope that principled negotiations to resolve the issues giving rise to the conflicts that will pave the way to just and lasting peace in that country.
We are encouraged by the churches and the ecumenical movement in the Philippines for their steadfast prophetic advocacy of human rights and civil liberties. We support their call for the speedy and impartial investigation of human rights violations in order to render justice to the victims and the perpetrators of human indignity.
As we affirm the ministry and programs of CCA, we also reflect on our limited resources available to carry out our many and urgent tasks. Like the young boy who offered his five loaves and two fish that helped feed the hungry multitude, we pray that our limited resources will be made sufficient with God’s blessings. We prayerfully and collectively offer our deliberations and plans as we respond to the call to be more prophetic and to be active reconcilers and healers in Asia, where we are called to minister and to witness to God’s love, truth, justice and peace.
Yours in faith and solidarity,
For the Members, CCA General Committee:
The Presidium:
REV. REX R. B. REYES, JR.
DR. K. B. ROKAYA
MS. VAN ARUNRASMEY
REV. RETNO NGAPON
General Secretary:
REV. DR. HENRIETTE HUTABARAT LEBANG
8 March 2011
posted by cbs on Tuesday, March 15, 2011
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Christian Conference of Asia
