|
Christian Conference of Asia
|
About CCA
Program Clusters: Special Programs:
|
'16 Days of Activism to End Violence against Women!'From peace in the home to peace in the world: Let’s challenge militarism and end violence against women.” 25 November-10 December 2012
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
We invite you to kindly participate in the '16 Days of Activism to End Violence against Women!' which is a common 16-day global movement of reflection, prayer and action towards overcoming violence against women in church and society, promoted by The World Council of Churches (WCC), The World YWCA (Young Women's Christian Association) and the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF).
The CCA-EGY is also encouraging your participation as it challenges us to reflect on the collective responsibility of every individual, cutting across cultural, social, political and geographic divides, to ensure that violence is eliminated from the world both in word and deed. This also reminds us of the atrocities women have to suffer because of their bold and courageous stands on controversial issues, the latest being young Malala, the Pakistani girl who defended the right of a girl child to education; while some have to suffer in silence, within the four walls of their homes.
The EGY Desk plans to have a collection of prayers, poems and reflections on these concerns. In addition a thought on 'Violence against Women' will be published on the 'Ecumenical Formation, Gender Justice and Youth empowerment page' till International Human Rights Day on December 10th.
Please feel free to send prayers, reflections etc. to Communications desk: <susanjacob@cca.org.hk> or <sunila@cca.org.hk>
(Please read full report on EGY page)
posted by communications on Thursday, November 29, 2012 Tribute to Rev. Harvey L. Perkns
Rev. Harvey L. Perkins
27 November 2012
We regret to announce that Rev. Harvey L Perkins, former staff of CCA, passed away on 25th November 2012, at Canberra. He was 93.
He held the posts of Secretary for Inter Church Aid, 1968-1971, in the early days when CCA was still known as the East Asia Christian Conference, and later as Executive Secretary, Development and Service from 1976-1980.
In a letter to his wife Ms. Jill Perkins and family members, Rev. Dr. Henriette Hutabarat Lebang wrote, "We received with
great sadness, the news of the passing away of your beloved husband, Rev.
Harvey L. Perkins. At this moment, we would like to convey
our deep sorrow to you and all family members, relatives and friends."
She said that the CCA was grateful to God
for the life and rich talents that Rev. Perkins was gifted with, and was certain that "he has used these gifts effectively in his life and ministry, and
has left an indelible mark in the ecumenical world. He
brought to his work a passion to relate biblical theology and social action for
justice and to nurture action groups theologically, as he said:
“To relate biblical theology and social action
for justice is particularly important for Christians who are participating in
community action groups alongside colleagues of other faiths and ideologies,
and in situations where the minority character of Christians makes this
community-based participation socially more meaningful than isolated action by
the churches.” (Harvey L. Perkins, “Roots for Vision:
Reflections on the Gospel and the Churches’ Task in Re-peopling the
De-peopled,” Singapore: WCC-CCPD/CCA, 1985).
She affirmed that his "vision has been
the source of inspiration in the ecumenical work on Churches’ Participation in
Development, both in his time and in the present."
She conveyed heartfelt condolences, prayers and solidarity of the CCA family.
posted by communications on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 Centenary Celebrations
GREETINGS
FROM THE CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE OF ASIA
ON
THE OCCASION OF THE CATHOLICATE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF
THE
MALANKARA ORTHODOX SYRIAN CHURCH
25 November 2012
The 1960 year old Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC), celebrated the Centenary of the establishment of its Catholicate in Kerala, India in September 1912. A grand rally held at Marine Dive in Cochin, followed by a Public Reception, marked the end of the year long centenary celebrations that was held all over India and in dioceses abroad.
The Public Reception was graced by the 14th Dalai Llama H H Tenzin Gyatso, Nobel Laureate for Peace, eminent religious and political leaders, and ecumenical leaders Dr. Henriette Hutabarat Lebang, CCA General Secretary, Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma, Marthoma Metropolitan and former President of the CCA and Dr. Roger Gaekwad, General Secretary, NCCI.
Conveying greetings on behalf of the Christian Conference of Asia, Dr. Henriette said that it was "a great privilege to be invited to this momentous and historic occasion of the centennial celebration of the establishment of the Catholicate of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church." She appreciated the Church for its peaceful co-existence with other religions for the last 1960 years, and commended its contributions to the life of the ecumenical movement in Asia in the past and the present.
Invoking God's blessings for reconciliation, peace and unity, she said "As you
celebrate the centennial of the Catholicate, we earnestly pray that the spirit
of God will continue to inspire you in your journey towards the visible unity
of the church as the body of Christ, particularly in proclaiming the gospel of
Jesus Christ who comes to heal and reconcile in the midst of woundedness and
divisions in our church and society today. I pray that you will not only be effective witnesses to the love of
Jesus Christ, but will also continue to contribute to the noble task of nation
building, and the global need of nurturing a culture of peace."
The Celebrations were attended by thousands of jubilant members from all over India and from the Diaspora overseas.
posted by communications on Sunday, November 25, 2012 Obituary
Bishop
K. H. Ting (Ding Guangxun)
Sept.
20, 1915 - Nov. 22, 2012
The Christian Conference of Asia is
deeply saddened to receive news of the passing away of Bishop K H.Ting, at 10
a.m. Nov. 22, 2012. He was 98 years old. Bishop Ting Kuang-hsun was former Anglican Bishop in mainland China, Chairperson emeritus of
the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) and President emeritus of
the China Christian Council, the government-approved
Protestant Church in China.
May his soul rest in peace.
posted by communications on Friday, November 23, 2012
A Gender awareness workshop on Building an Inclusive Community: Partnership of Women and Men in God’s Mission, is now being held at the Christian Guest House at Bangkok, Thailand. The workshop, which is the first in a series of three workshops scheduled for the years 2013-2015, aims at encouraging and facilitating Asian churches in promoting gender justice and building an inclusive community of God’s people.The Gender Awareness workshop is now in the final phase.
18 Participants coming from the Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka are strongly committed to conducting follow up programs in their own context. Dr. Yong Ting Jin from Malaysia and Rev. Philip Peacock from India, facilitators of this workshop, have been faithfully accompanying the participants in reflecting on this concern and also in drawing their plans of action as they return to their sending churches/organizations.
Rev. Dr. Henriette Hutabarat Lebang, CCA General Secretary led a Bible Study on the first day. Dr. Kambodji, CCA Consultant on HIV/AIDS shared the growing concerns on HIV/AIDS in Asia, including the gender aspect on the spreading of HIV/AIDS, and the call for Asian churches to respond urgently to this pandemic.
(Please read full report in EGY news) posted by communications on Friday, November 23, 2012
21 November 2012
Women Bishops:
Church of England General Synod
votes against
The General Synod
of the Church of England has voted narrowly against the ordination of women as
Bishops. The decision came at the end of a day of debate - and a 12-year
legislative process.
The vote in
the House of Laity was just short by six votes for the required majority; whereas
in the House of Bishops there was a majority of 44 for and three against, with
two abstentions; and in the House of Clergy,148 for and 45 against the motion. The House of Laity is the largest element of
the General Synod, made of lay members of the church elected by its 44
dioceses.
Supporters of
the campaign, though disappointed, are not going to give up. They vowed to
continue their campaign but it could be five years before a similar vote can be
held.
posted by communications on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
20 November 2012
A Day of Reckoning
14 year old Rishma, her
parents, activists and supporters, around the world, found reason to be happy
on Universal Children's Day, as news came in about the dismissal of
Rishma's case by a Pakistani Court. It has vindicated the stand of thousands
of her supporters and has brought relief to all those who agonized and prayed for
her.
Another landmark is in the making as the General Synod of the Church of
England is all set to vote on the issue of Ordination of Women Bishops. In September
2010, the draft legislation allowing the ordination was referred to the
Dioceses for prayerful study. In February 2012 a Report to the Synod showed that only two of the 44 dioceses were opposed to women bishops. In
May 2012, the House of Bishops referred it to the Synod for final approval. Today
on D day, 20 years after the decision was taken to ordain women priests, it is
still not known which way the pendulum will swing on the issue of Women Bishops.
It is indeed prophetic that CCA-EGY is conducting a workshop on "Building
inclusive communities: Men and women partnership in God's Mission" at
Bangkok, when such a significant event is taking place in the Church of England.
posted by communications on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Universal Children’s Day
20 November 2012 
The Christian Conference
of Asia requests member
churches to pray for the well-being of children all over the world, on
Universal Children’s day, celebrated on November 20th every
year. This day is recommended by the United Nations and is celebrated globally
since 1954. It also commemorates the adoption of the United Nations
Convention on Child Rights 20th November 1989.
Heartrending visuals of
children hurt during air raids, hit by bombs or shrapnel, children huddling for
protection- bewildered eyes gazing back at the camera, children queuing up
for food in refugee camps, reminds us that they really need our prayers now, as
never before. Children lose the innocence of their childhood very early in
life.
War, natural disasters,
poverty, injustice, urbanization, migration and a general apathy towards little
children has led to violence, negligence and in extreme cases even desertion of
children. Over 600 million live in abject poverty, 8.1 million children die before
their 5th birthday, and many grow up unhealthy, uneducated and
unprotected.
The World day of Prayer
and Action for children, an international movement of interfaith and secular
people, that combines prayer and action for the well-being of children, started a three year campaign from 2011-2013, titled “Stop Violence against
Children.”
A typical World Day event may have two parts:
a celebration of faith at a house of worship, and an action and advocacy
component to promote child survival and safety.
Please join in with
prayers and action to uphold the dignity of children!
"Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
Nelson Mandela
posted by communications on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
17
November 2012
Enthronement
of
His
Holiness Bishop Tawadros II
as the
118th Pope of Alexandria and
Patriarch
of All Africa, on the Holy See of Saint Mark
Bishop Tawadros will enter the cathedral using a large
ceremonial key, symbolizing the Pope’s new responsibilities and leadership
role, and enter with metropolitans, bishops, and all members of the Holy Synod
behind him. He will also wear the papal crown for the first time and sit
on the throne in the cathedral.
In a congratulatory letter addressed to the
Pope elect, on the occasion of his Enthronement as the Pope of the largest
Church in Egypt and Middle East, Rev. Dr. Henriette Hutabarat Lebang wrote:
"It is with great happiness and
prayerful thanksgiving that the Christian Conference of Asia received the
news of your enthronement.
We pray that you will continue to be
endowed with the wisdom, courage and steadfast faith as you prepare to receive
the mantle as the successor of St. Mark the Evangelist, Holy Apostle and
Martyr, on the Holy Apostolic Throne of the Great City of Alexandria.
We will continue invoking God’s blessings
on you, for guidance, strength and wisdom, in
these challenging times, when you will be taking over the leadership
of 18 million people, encouraging them to learn to ‘live consistently within
the spiritual boundaries’ and at the same time ‘live in harmony,
integrating with society, as Egyptians.'
We pray at this juncture, that under your
able leadership, the Coptic Church will continue to actively participate and
uphold the ecumenical fellowship of Christians all over the world, in the best
traditions of a Church that has played very important roles in the famous and
ancient Ecumenical Councils of Nicea, Constantinople, Ephesus and Chalcedon."
She concluded with blessings and wishes for
long life, spiritual strength and good health in the years to come.
posted by communications on Sunday, November 18, 2012 15 November 2012 61st General Assembly of
The National Council of Churches in Korea
The National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) will be
holding the 61st General Assembly from 18 - 20 November 2012, in Seoul. The
theme for the General Assembly will be "God of Life, lead us to justice
and peace - for the recovery of the Korean Church’s public image."
In a letter to Rev. Kim Young Ju, General Secretary of NCCK,
Rev. Dr. Henrietta Hutabarat Lebang felicitated the NCCK, wishing them 'peace
and joy on the occasion.
Congratulating the NCCK on its ecumenical commitment and
tradition of being a strong presence within the community at all times, she
wrote "At this juncture, in your 89th year of existence,
you can look back with pride at all that NCCK has symbolized and
achieved, in terms of being a movement of solidarity and unity among member
churches; of being a strong presence in the midst of struggles of the Korean
people for democracy and human rights; in being a united voice in the
realization of social justice within society, especially in promoting peace and
unification."
The theme for this General Assembly ‘God of Life, lead us to
justice and peace - for the recovery of the Korean Church’s public image,' she
said, "is indeed a call for introspection and self-assessment. It is a
humble affirmation that, in the midst of human frailty and limitations, turning
to God’s redeeming grace in hope and prayer will transform and lead us to peace
and justice in all its dimensions".
Referring to the assembly, she said, "We are with you
in spirit and prayers as you journey through the proposed ‘Ecumenical
pilgrimage; your encounters in the present within the fellowship of churches
and with sisters and brothers of other faiths; and in the discussions and
planning of your visions and aspirations for the future,’ during the General
Assembly."
Conveying greetings of the CCA family, she said that the CCA deeply
valued the friendship and support of the NCCK to the ministry of CCA, and hoped to learn
more from their vision, spirit, courage and steadfast faith."
posted by communications on Saturday, November 17, 2012
Promoting Ecological Justice: Asian Churches’ Response
Consultation on Ecology, Economy and Accountability
31 October-5 November 2012
Participants
of a 6-day Consultation on the Asian Churches Response to Promoting Ecological
Justice, urged Asian Churches to create awareness about the perils of the
ecological crisis among local congregations and mainstream ecological concerns
in the life and ministry of the Church.
The
Consultation that was organized by CCA-JID, coordinated and hosted by the
Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI), and the Simalungun Protestant
Christian Church (GKPS); was held in Pemantangsiantar, in North Sumatra,
Indonesia, from 31 October-5 November 2012; focusing on the theme
"Promoting Ecological Justice: Asian Churches Response."
In the
Opening Worship that was enriched by a Traditional dance recital and Indonesian
songs by students, Rev. Jaharianson Saragih, General Secretary of the GKPS,
emphasized God's lordship over the earth and called for a “profound commitment
to fulfill our human vocation to be earth-keepers to serve the earth" and
"be different so that we can make a difference for God's sense to glorify
God in our life in caring for all creation."
Mr.
Favor A. Bancin, Executive Secretary, PGI's, warmly welcomed the participants
and shared the organization's ecological concern and information on its
"Green Church" program in the Methodist Church, Medan, North Sumatra.
Addressing
the participants, Rev. Dr. Henriette Hutabarat, General Secretary said "We
will hear more stories from some of our friends but also from you all of your
experiences in addressing the issues of calamities, natural disasters in their
places. But we want to look deep into the causes of the problems and what our
responses are as churches."
Giving
an overview of the consultation she said that the process will include
re-reading the Bible, evolving a theoretical framework to look into the
ecological problems and develop a concrete plan of action. She called on the
participants to communicate with each other saying, "The most important
issue is how do we as Asian churches share each other's experiences, empower
each other, and strengthen each other."
The
consultation that was attended by 50 participants from Indonesia, India,
Philippines, Thailand, Korea, Sri Lanka and Japan, issued a statement calling
for increasing awareness on eco-reformation, the concept of green churches,
resistance to development projects like dams, nuclear plants that endanger and
put all forms of life to risk, discourage global investors that monopolize the
markets, strategies that preserve local resources, and adopting a social praxis
that leads to self-reliance, sustainability and accountability.
Giving
a serious and concerted call for networking, unity of thought and action, and
solidarity among churches, the participants also stressed on the need for a
Christian commitment towards establishing "Eco-Justice" in preserving
God's entire Creation.
(Reported
from Pematangsiantar, North Sumatra, Indonesia,
by
Hisashi Yukimoto, Japan)
posted by communications on Thursday, November 08, 2012
Living
letters to China Christian Council
26-28 October 2012
The
CCA General Secretary conveyed her heartfelt greetings on behalf of the CCA
members to CCC, thanked CCC for their warm hospitality and expressed a strong
desire of the CCA to strengthen its relationship with CCC. She further mentioned
that as a fellowship of Asian churches, CCA needs to be closely related to the
churches in Asia beyond its present membership. She noted the important role
that was played by the church leaders in China especially in the beginning of
ecumenical movement in Asia. Further she underlined that a strong bond of
churches in China with the rest of Asian churches is considered crucial
especially in this juncture of time when we as churches in Asia are facing
interrelated issues that have emerged in our Asian communities. The changing
Asian realities demands, more than before, to strongly collaborate in
responding to common challenges of globalization in Asia today and in
accompanying the Asian churches to witness Christ from within Asian experiences
and spiritualities. The leadership of
CCC expressed their openness and shared the same need to relate with the
churches in Asia, and welcome the visit of their sisters and brothers in Christ
particularly from Asia.
It
was a delightful opportunity to meet Rev. Dr. Cao Shengjie, a former President of CCC,
and to worship together with the local congregation at Grace Church on Sunday, 28th
October. This congregation has around 10,000 members, served by 5 pastors and
supported by a strong lay leadership and a team of elders.
The
team was able to visit East China Theological Seminary and meet with the
President, a few faculty members and students in the midst of their sports day
activities. They said that it was an enriching time to get to know more about
theological education in China and their focus on preparing pastors for local
congregations, as there is a need for more pastors. They also discussed
possible collaborations of the theological institutions in China and the rest
of Asian countries in the near future. Another visit was made to the International Church in Shanghai, a congregation
which retains its uniqueness as an international Christian fellowship.
Though
it was a brief visit the team felt that it meant a lot in strengthening further
co-operation of CCA and CCC. It is hoped
that in the near future CCA can be instrumental in building the fellowship of
churches including theological institutions in China with the rest of Asia, in
their journeying together, to manifest and witness more clearly the oneness of
the body of Christ in life.
posted by communications on Thursday, November 08, 2012 |
