CCA News and Updates

To CCA Member Churches and Council in the Philippines

2011-12-23T23:38:00.000+07:00

22 December 2012

To CCA Member Churches and Council in the Philippines

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

It is with so much pain and sadness that we remember you all at this difficult time in your country. Indeed we are overwhelmed by the magnitude of the disaster and how within days villages, cities and communities get wiped out and many people lost their lives and properties. On our knees we offered prayers of supplications and solidarity for the Filipino people, especially for those who lost their families and friends and were badly affected by the destruction caused by typhoon Washi.

We are moved to hear from the Rev. Fr. Rex Reyes Jr., the General Secretary of the National Council of Churches, that the churches in the Philippines began its relief operation in Northern Mindanao. In his letter last night, December 21, he said, “as of today, Php 0.5M has been released through three lead church-based NCCP partners in the region. The NCCP Program Secretary in charge of our relief operation will travel to Mindanao shortly to help set-up the mechanism and to get the comprehensive assessment of our partners. We have chosen as targets the most vulnerable areas in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities pending the fuller report. By most vulnerable, we mean those communities which are remotest from the economic centers and will most likely have the most difficult process for recovery. This means mostly the farmers, indigenous peoples and other marginalized sectors. The NCCP will also gird for the long-term rehabilitation in so far as it is capable of generating support.”

As a token of solidarity CCA shares a small amount to help with the relief work of NCC Philippines, accompanied by continued prayers for energy and joy for those kind helping hands in the service.

My dear sisters and brothers, CCA member churches and councils and ecumenical partners, let us uphold the churches and people in the Philippines in our prayers. You may want to send your letters of solidarity and support to the Philippines through the General Sectretary of the NCCP, Rev. Reyes in this email address: "Rex R.B. Reyes Jr."

May I take this opportunity to appeal to all CCA member churches and councils to support and donate to the CCA Emergency Fund. This fund is intended to respond in the quickest way to emergency needs that may arise. This is also our way of expressing our Unity in Christ as we show solidarity and care for each other in times of calamities. You can send your support to CCA account with the following details:
Hang Seng Bank
Hankow Road Branch
4 Hankow Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Account number: 295-4-709594 (Multi Currencies A/C)
Swift Code: HASEHKHH

If you need further information please do not hesitate to contact us.

As we celebrate Christmas let us pray that the light of Christ will overcome the dark experiences of many people especially our sisters and brothers in north Mindanao. May the peace of God, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep their hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.

With love and prayers,

Henriette Hutabarat Lebang
General Secretary

cc. CCA Member Churches and Councils
Officers, Members of General Committee and Program Area Committees
Ecumenical Partners

ALERT: Typhoon Washi in the Philippines

2011-12-23T23:23:00.001+07:00

December 20, 2011

1. Brief description of the emergency

On December 15, 2011, Typhoon Washi (local code name Typhoon Sendong) with the strength range of 55 to 65 kph and gustiness of up to 80 kph entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility and affected many areas in Northeastern Mindanao and Eastern Visayas. In the three days that Typhoon Washi stayed in the country, it affected thirteen provinces in the seven Regions (Regions VI, VII, IX, X, XII, CARAGA and ARMM) in Southern Philippines as it lashed out strong wind and heavy rains that caused flash floods, landslides and massive flooding.

Typhoon Washi moved out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility on December 18 but left behind severe devastation on hundreds of lives, property and livelihood to hundreds thousands population.

2. Impact

Typhoon Sendong (international code name: Washi) washed away entire villages as it whipped the southern part of the Philippines in the early hours of Saturday, December 17. In its aftermath, Typhoon Sendong left a trail of flattened homes, broken bridges and upended vehicles in the Northern Mindanao Region. The cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan on the island of Mindanao were worst hit when typhoon hit shore late on Friday and early on Saturday, sending torrents of water and mud through villages and stripping mountainsides bare.

Massive flooding that rose as high as 3 meters affected many barangays in the provinces of Capiz and Negros Oriental in the Visayas and the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Lanao del Norte and Misamis Oriental in Mindanao. The serious flooding forced thousands of families to flee to safer grounds in public elementary schools that served as evacuation centers. As of 6am of December 20, 9,742 families or 42, 733 persons are still staying in 62 evacuation centers.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), typhoon Sendong affected a total of number of 63,079 families or 338,415 persons in 259 barangays, in 30 municipalities and 8 cities in the 13 provinces of Region VI, Region VII, Region IX, Region X, Region XI, CARAGA and the ARMM. Death toll mainly caused by flashfloods and landslides which swept away houses into rivers and out to sea induced by Typhoon Sendong has reached 957, mostly were women and children; 1,582 persons were injured; 432 persons were rescued while 800 more persons still missing. As retrieval operations are still going on, thousands of families are still staying in evacuation as their houses were destroyed and swept away by flash floods.

The NDRRMC also reported that a total of 6,917 houses were damaged (with 3,127 totally damaged and 7,218 partially destroyed). On the other hand, 14 school buildings in the CARAGA Region and Region X were partially destroyed as these structures were mostly submerged to more than 5 ft flood water. Initial cost of damage to agriculture as Typhoon Washi destroyed rice and corn crops, livestock and fisheries in the CARAGA region and Region V was estimated at Php1,936,415.

Some villages were rendered “no man’s land” as whole communities were totally wiped out.

3. National and International response

The NDRRMC said that it activated its Operation Center in December 15, 2011 and went on a “blue alert” status to monitor the situation and provide necessary action. In December 16, the response was on “Red Alert” status and instructed respective member agencies to prepositioned respective resources such as supplies, equipment and manpower to the new disaster situation. All departments and agencies that comprise the NDRRMC such as the Department of Education, the PAGASA, DSWD, DILG, DOH, AFP, Coast Guard and others were likewise instructed to render their respective responses to the situation.

The Department of Health through its Health Emergency Management Services (HEMS) prepared assorted drugs, medicines and cadaver bags while the DOH Region X sent Rapid Health Assessment Team to the flooded areas and prepared P50,000 worth of drugs and medicines to the affected areas. The Department of Social Work and Development (DSWD) on the other hand has pre-positioned Php15.21M Standby Funds and Php57.28 M worth of relief supplies in all DSWD-Focal offices while the Department of Public Work and Highways helped in expediting clearing operations in areas affected by landslides utilizing heavy equipment and private contractors.

As of this writing, the national government has set aside PhP1.3 B in calamity fund to help ease the plight of the typhoon victims while other local government unit officials allocated financial assistance to the affected areas. Meanwhile, the governments of US, China and other international donors have pledged support to the Philippine government.

4. ACT Alliance response

NCCP member churches and partner organizations in the affected regions have sent their initial damage, needs and capacities assessment reports. The NCCP has released initial fund from its reserve fund to the Diocese of MOBUCA of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente for initial emergency assistance because IFI-MOBUCA has opened their churches, chapels and facilities to families affected by the typhoon. There is urgent need for food, medicine, potable water, clothing, sleeping paraphernalia and temporary shelter. Psycho-social assistance is also badly needed for traumatized individuals especially women and children.

For immediate response, NCCP has issued appeals for donations to its member churches, friends and benefactors and has open its main building and members’ offices for relief goods. NCCP plans to issue an appeal that would ask support for humanitarian assistance including food, non-food items, hygiene kits and medicines. Assistance for rebuilding and rehabilitation will also be needed and will later be identified when situation will be normalized. Coordination with Lutheran World Relief-Philippines has been initiated. NCCP Staff are set to assist NCCP member churches in the affected areas in conducting damage and needs assessment.

CCA e-Letter - 16/12/11

2011-12-16T13:45:00.001+07:00

CCA e-Letter

16 December 2011

Dear Ecumenical Friends and Colleagues -

Warm advent greetings to you.

Advent is a time to reflect again and again on our readiness to welcome the baby Jesus of Bethlehem, and our commitment to follow his steps in whatever situation we are in our life and ministry. The response of the righteous in Matthew 25:37-39, may guide our meditation as we ponder on our life this year:

"Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing?" Jesus, the king answered firmly: "Truly, I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me."

We are constantly reminded of the church's missionary call amidst enormous challenges for peace and justice to reign in our fragmented world today, where many are suffering in Asia and around the world - those whom Jesus called as "members of my family."

NCCP Convention
The National Council of Churches in the Philippines held its 23th General Convention on 21-24 November 2011, in Batac, Ilocos Norte, the Philippines. Hosted by the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (Philippine Independent Church), it was held with the theme, "Holding High the Tapestry of Justice and Peace in a Broken World."

Retired Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno presented the Bishop La Verne D. Mercado Memorial Lecture entitled "Social Justice in the Philippines: Facts and Law" , tracing the historical developments undergone by the Philippine Constitution of 1935 and 1987, and highlighting the critique of the impact of laws on the marginalized and vulnerable sectors in Philippine society.

Mr. Carlos Ocampo, CCA Executive Secretary for Justice, International Affairs, Development and Service (JID), delivered the distinguished Gumersindo Garcia Memorial Lecture at the 23rd General Convention of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP). Ocampo traced the historical journey of Filipinos in their struggle for justice with the theme, "To hunger and struggle for justice – a continuing journey with the Filipino people".

One of highlights of the convention was the adoption of the Policy on HIV and AIDS, in which CCA helped support the drafting process with the competent assistance of CCA Consultant for HIV and AIDs Program, Dr. Erlinda Senturias.

WCC Members Meeting
The World Council of Churches (WCC) held a meeting of its member churches in Bali, Indonesia, on 11-14 November 2011, where I was invited to attend as General Secretary of CCA. Twenty-eight (28) out of 31 CCA member church in Indonesia are WCC members. The meeting was co-organized by the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) and hosted by the Bali Christian Protestant Church. The opening celebration was held in the middle of the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of Bali Church in the village of Blimbingsari.

In the light of our efforts to strengthen the ecumenical family collaboration is crucial. In a final statement produced at the end of the meeting, the churches proclaimed: "We renew our determination to return to the common commitment in the ecumenical movement as a form of reflection of church faith, to optimize the church response towards the problems being faced by the world today." The statement went on to say: "In relation to this we are determined to support programmes and services of the ecumenical bodies, global, regional and national (WCC, CCA, PGI), as ecumenical institutions which we ourselves helped shape."

Guests from World Vision Asia Pacific and visit to Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN)
CCA very much appreciated the visit of Mr. Ajit Hazra, Director of Christian Commitment of the World Vision Asia Pacific together with two other staff, Mr. Haryati Khristianto who is in-charge of church partnership and interfaith engagement, and Mr. David Fitzstevens who is in charge of HIV and AIDS concerns, to the CCA office on 29 November 2011. The visit was an opportunity to know each other and to explore possible collaboration in addressing common concerns especially in Asia.

Together with guests from World Vision Asia Pacific, the General Secretary visited the Christian Broadcasting Network Siam under the leadership of Ms. Karen Thomson. It was an opportunity to learn about CBN in Thailand and to explore possibilities for collaboration especially around the concern on the role of media and child protection.

CCA Participates in WCC Ecumenical Solidarity Visits and Human Rights Consultation
Dr. Natalie Lin, CCA Executive Committee member from Taiwan and Ms. Janejinda Pawadee of CCA-JID represented CCA to the WCC Program on Ecumenical Solidarity Visits to Bangladesh and Nepal, in which a Consultation on Human Rights of Stateless People will follow, on December 12 – 18, 2011. Some church leaders from CCA member churches were also invited directly by WCC - Commission of the Churches on International Affairs to participate in this program.

The objectives of the Program included: to express solidarity with the churches and communities in both countries; to learn about the situation of Stateless people based in Bangladesh and Nepal; to empower local churches to engage in solidarity, advocacy and ministry to and with stateless people; to identify priorities and advocacy strategies; to assess the human rights situation of stateless people living in Nepal and Bangladesh, and to bring to the attention of international circles – Human Rights Council, UN High Commission for Refugees, etc. – the deplorable condition in which stateless people live, and urge the international community to collaborate to find lasting solutions for stateless people in these countries; and to influence policy at the global, regional and national levels by projecting a Christian perspective rooted in ethical responses.

Christmas Sharing
The CCA staff on behalf of CCA members joined the Church of Christ in Thailand (CCT) in preparing Christmas packages for the flood victims in Thailand who still suffer as flood waters inundate their places to this day. Using the remaining amount available from the CCA Emergency Fund, this is our small way to express care and love to our neighbors terribly affected by the prolonged floods.

Staff Movement
CCA is undergoing a time of change and transition. Some CCA staff has completed their terms of service this year 2011.

On behalf of the CCA member churches and councils, let me take this opportunity to express CCA's heartfelt appreciation to the staff who have contributed to the ministry of CCA in the past years:

• Rev. Dr. Rienzie Perera, Associate General Secretary for Finance and Relationships (March)
• Rev. Freddy de Alwis, Joint Executive Secretary - JID (July)
• Dr. Hope Antone, Joint Executive Secretary - Faith, Mission and Unity (September)
• Ms. Moumita Biswas, Joint Executive Secretary for Ecumenical Formation, Gender Justice and Youth Empowerment (EGY) (November)
• Rev. Dr. Sung Kook Park, Joint Executive Secretary for Faith, Mission and Unity (December)
• Dr. Liza Lamis, Consultant for Communications (December)
• Dr. Erlinda Senturias, Consultant for HIV and AIDS Program (December)

May God faithfully bless them in their life journey. In January 2012 we will welcome a new staff team.

May I take this opportunity to thank all CCA member churches and councils, officers and members of General Committee and Program Area Committees, Ecumenical Partners and friends in Asia and around the world who supported the ministry of CCA in 2011. CCA is looking forward to your continued prayers and support for its ministry in the coming years.

Merry Christmas and have a blessed New Year 2012!

Henriette Hutabarat Lebang
General Secretary

NEWS UPDATES

CCA accompanying churches in peace and human rights advocacy

The last quarter of the year saw the Christian Conference of Asia engaged in supporting its member churches and Councils in advocacy work in peace, (human) security, and human rights advocacy.

Consultation on Asian Realities in Bangkok
In collaboration with the World Council of Churches, CCA held a Consultation on Asian Realities in Bangkok to consult and resource its constituency in engaging in human rights and democratic governance, migration and migrant rights, internal displacement, peace building and conflict resolution, and the exercise of religious freedom.

An analysis of the geopolitical realities in Asia was presented by Dr. Michael Vatikiotis, a visiting fellow with the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, in "The Geopolitical Realities in Asia" in a keynote presentation. Other theme presenters were Basil Fernando (AHRC), Carmencita Karagdag (Peace for Life), Carlos Ocampo (CCA-JID), Matthews Chunakara (WCC-CCIA), and Yin Yin Mau and Shwe Lin (Myanmar Council of Churches). Bible studies were led by Dr. Roger Gaikwad (NCC India) and Dr. Joseph Komar Peter (STM Malaysia).

An exposure visit to refugee camps in Mae Sot by a group of seven (7) church representatives preceded the Consultation and was helpful in setting the tone and in providing the context of ecumenical work in the Mekong region.

CCA Delegation to Jeju island, South Korea

On the invitation of the National Council of Churches in Korea, CCA organized an advocacy visit to support the Korean churches' opposition to the construction of another US navy base in Jeju Island. The Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad, NCC India General Secretary, and the Rev. Alistair Macrae, Uniting Church in Australia President were accompanied by CCA's Carlos Ocampo left for Seoul on 7th August 2011 for briefings and then to the Kangjeong Village in Jeju Island where they visited the site of the proposed navy base, worshipped with the community, and attended a candlelight vigil, all expressions of the growing people's opposition to the naval base.

The CCA delegation was accompanied by representatives from NCCK, PROK, PCK and the Korean Methodist Church to Jeju Island on 9th and 10th August. Back in Seoul on 11th August, NCCK hosted a press conference where the delegation presented a CCA Statement supporting the Korean churches' opposition to the navy base.

Third International Conference on Article 9 and Peace in Asia

On 5th to 7th October, the third "International Conference on Article 9 and Peace in Asia" was held at the Christian Institute in Naha, Okinawa in Japan, hosted by the NCC Japan. More than 220 people joined exposure groups and participated in the Conference. They heard stories of suffering from loss of dignity, native culture and traditional livelihood resulting from the presence of US bases in Okinawa. A peace march was organized through the main streets of Naha, and a press conference was held at St. Barnabas Anglican Church in Kagurazaka, Tokyo, where a panel composed of Cory Bently, Jonathan Frerichs, Takao Takeda, Junaid Ahmad, Jeong Jin Woo and Carlos Ocampo met with the media and reported insights from the Article 9 Conference.

General Assembly of the Korean Christian Church in Japan

From Okinawa, CCA's Carlos Ocampo went to Fukuoka, Japan to represent CCA in the 51st General Assembly of the Korean Christian Church in Japan on 10-12 October 2011. He gave greetings from CCA and shared reflections from the 3rd Article 9 Conference and met with Korean church leaders in Japan and their American counterparts.

CCA Human Rights Advocacy Training Course

The Christian Guesthouse in Bangkok was the venue for a CCA Human Rights Advocacy Training Course from 17-21st October 2011 attended by eleven (11) trainees nominated by churches in Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. The training program introduced the trainees to the UN system in dealing with human rights advocacy, country human rights situations, biblical reflections and practical advocacy experience by resource persons including – Wong Kai Shing (Asian Human Rights Commission), Rev. Revelation Velunta (Philippine Union Theological Seminary ), Debbie Stothard and Anelyn de Luna (ALTSEAN), and CCA's Carlos Ocampo.

The training took place in the midst of the flooding in Bangkok but the training nevertheless inspired the trainees who were coming from situations of conflict and provided opportunities for networking and lessons in advocacy.

North American AGAPE Poverty, Wealth and Ecology Consultation

As a member of the WCC Reference Group on AGAPE Poverty, Wealth and Ecology Program, Carlos Ocampo represented CCA in the North American Consultation on Poverty, Wealth and Ecology, held in Calgary in Canada's Alberta Province. More than 60 church leaders, theologians and social activists gathered at the FCJ Retreat Center on 6-11th November.

The Consultation had hearings on contextual theology, indigenous people, the industrial sector mainly the oil industry, and a study on poverty in North America given by resource persons including Dr. Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty (US Bellarmine University), Dr. John Dillon (Kairos Canada); while the planning committee for the Consultation was led by Joy Kennedy of the United Church of Canada, and Dr. Rogate Mshana and Athena Peralta from the WCC AGAPE Program.

United Church of Canada General Council Executive Meeting

Immediately after the PWE Consultation, Carlos Ocampo went to Toronto, Canada to be at the United Church of Canada General Council Executive Meeting on 12-14th November as a corresponding member. A major decision was taken for the UCC Offices to stay in Toronto after a long period of consultation and looking at alternative locations.

Other major agenda items in the meeting include the UCC Moderator's accountability report, the General Secretary's supervision, nomination of UCC representatives to the 2013 WCC Assembly in Busan, South Korea, and other committees within and outside the UCC, and strengthening the ministry to the Francophone constituency.

In one of the sessions, Carlos Ocampo did a power point presentation on the emerging geopolitical trends in Asia and CCA's role in resourcing and accompanying the Asian churches in conflict situations and invited the churches in Canada's support and solidarity.

Gumersindo Garcia Memorial Lecture in the Philippines

Representing CCA at the 23rd General Convention of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines along with Dr. Henriette Hutabarat-Lebang, Carlos Ocampo was also invited to present the Gumersindo Garcia Memorial Lecture, a public event in every NCCP convention, where he made a presentation, "To Hunger and Struggle for Justice – a Continuing Journey with the Filipino People". The Convention elected a new set of officers for 2012-2015 and gave the Rev. Rex Reyes of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines another 4-year term.

The last quarter of 2011 activities were preceded by a Planning Meeting of the Program Area Committee for Justice, International Affairs, Development and Service in efforts to plan and implement the Assembly program mandates given at the 2010 Assembly in Kuala Lumpur. Present were eight (8) members of JID PAC and two (2) church representatives. Program priorities were identified, focusing on the training for peace and human rights advocates along with supporting and strengthening the member churches' advocacy on ecological justice and migrant workers rights. It was a very participatory and engaging planning process.

Carlos Ocampo
Joint Executive Secretary - JID

Ecumenical Enablers' Training
Kampuchea Christian Council
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
1-5 December 2011

A third batch of 35 pastors, lay, youth and women leaders from member churches of the Kampuchea Christian Council attended the Ecumenical Enablers' Training program organized by CCA-FMU on 1-5 December 2011 at Calvary Church in Phnom Penh. This non-formal Ecumenical Theological Education program seeks to address the needs of new and younger members of CCA, especially where there is a lack of ecumenical theological education, where many pastors are self-made or trained non-formally or do not have access to formal theological education. To prevent them from becoming vulnerable to many types of doctrines brought by enterprising missionaries (including anti-ecumenical propaganda) flocking to their countries, CCA has tried to be proactive in equipping pastors, church leaders, youth workers, women leaders and Sunday School teachers for a more holistic sense of the ministry with a perspective of wider ecumenism, and with the lens of Asian contextual theologizing and Asian biblical hermeneutics.

With the theme, "Living Together in the Household of God," the training tried to present the wider ecumenical vision in a way that Cambodian Christian leaders would be able to affirm the vision of living together in the household of God, take responsibility for the brokenness in God's household, and commit to recover the interconnectedness in God's household through their various ministries. Dr. Hope S. Antone, past Joint Executive Secretary of CCA-FMU, did the overall coordination of the training, including giving a general introduction to the theme, "Living Together in the Household of God", perspectives of people of other races and religions, and of people with disability, and sustaining church organizations. Other resource persons and their topics were: CCA General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Henriette Hutabarat Lebang, mission perspective of living together in the Household of God; incoming CCA-FMU Executive Secretary Rev. Grace Moon, perspectives of creation and women; and Ms. Janejinda Pawadee, program assistant for CCA-JID, perspectives of people living with HIVAIDS and of children and youth.

In their evaluation comments, the participants hoped that CCA will continue to provide more trainings – and to include topics like youth leadership, Sunday School teaching, agricultural skills, strategies for church development and community development, how to make disabled people live stronger, how to make churches more self-propagating, self-governing and self-dependent.

Hope Antone

Social Media for Evangelization

Dr. Liza Lamis represented CCA to the 16th Bishops' Meet of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences – Office of Social Communication (FABC-OSC) in Hualien, Taiwan, on November 14-19, 2011, with the theme, "Social Media for Evangelization".

CCA should seriously consider maximizing the use of Social Media (SM) to communicate its work and agenda. SM is designed to be used and shared through social interaction. It is two-way, interactive, global, low-cost, and can be handled by anyone (no need for a pro). Asia is very well 'connected' as it has 192M Face Book users, for example. Sharing of photos, videos and software is easier using SM.

CCA as a regional ecumenical formation should think of its ecumenical stakeholders in Asia and consider this picture:

"You want me to support the ecumenical agenda?"

Friend me first.
Use popular media.
Listen to me too.
Make it collaborative.
Also entertain me.

If used wisely, social networking can contribute to the satisfaction of our desire for meaning, truth and unity. It can foster solidarity and unity; facilitate dialogue and positive relations; allows sharing in the context of personal exchanges. In the use of SM we must be honest, open, responsible and respectful of others.

Additionally, the use of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) is encouraged for churches to maximize. The use of FOSS is much easier and convenient, cheaper and the software can be manipulated to suit to an institution's needs.

Liza Lamis
Consultant for Communications

CCA Member Churches and Councils Joined in Commemorating World AIDS Day on the theme "Getting to Zero" (Zero Discrimination, Zero New Infection and Zero AIDS-Related Deaths).

The National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) commemorated World AIDS Day on December 3, 2011 by launching the newly approved HIV Policy on "Creating Nurturing Communities of Care with People Living with HIV." Many young people participated in the event. Young people of the Bohol Conference of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines will hold their Christian Youth Fellowship Christmas Koinonia in Bilar, Bohol on December 27-31, 2011 with HIV as one of the topic for their reflection and action, reported Rev. Judy B. Astudillo, one of the participants of the Building HIV Competent Churches held at the NCCP on September 14-16, 2011.

Mr. Jeirry Sumampow, Secretary of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (CCI) AIDS Committee informed that CCI commemorated World AIDS Day at the GPIB Anugerah Jakarta (member of CCI and member of CCA) in the Sunday worship on December 4, 2011. It was attended by 435 congregation member church. In the worship, they used special liturgy for World AIDS Day, and there were also a concert of the Children Choir. After worship they had Seminar on "Getting to Zero: Churches' Role and Responsibility". The speaker were: Rev. Gomar Gultom (General Secretary of CCI), Dr. Abraham Simatupang (Medical doctor - member of CCI AIDS Committee), and Ms. Clara (Women living with HIV).

The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) launched the campaign on Light a Lamp – Pledge for Rights. It is aimed at spotlighting a range of "Getting to Zero" Initiative. The Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad, General Secretary of NCCI and The Rev. R Christopher Rajkumar, Executive Secretary of the Commission on Justice, Peace and Creation wrote that the objectives of the campaign are "to draw the National Ecumenical Movement's attention to the denial of the rights of people living with HIV and vulnerable populations; mobilize support for the protection of the rights of PLHIV and affected by HIV and AIDS in order for them to get access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support, and to combat stigma and discrimination and misrepresentation of sexuality which is a gift of God." Churches are invited to observe the Light a Lamp – Pledge for Rights Campaign in a way they think appropriate during the season of advent.

Activities suggested on December 1 were to create a virtual lamp a light through the social networking sites as their pledge of commitment for the rights of PLHIV+, to organize a Red Ribbon Flag hoisting and ceremony in front of their buildings. In addition, NCCI member churches are invited to symbolically light their church building on December 27, distribute Red Ribbons and encourage members to share them with fellow worshippers, light a lamp as a symbol of pledge and commitment at the altar, invite a person living with HIV/AIDS, and offer special prayers and sermon focused on the theme, "Getting to Zero."

Individuals and communities were invited to lamp a light at 7pm in their own homes to commemorate World AIDS Day on December 1st.

The Myanmar Council of Churches, Myanmar Interfaith Network on AIDS joined the activities of the seven networks of various Key Affected Populations for the candlelight ceremony on World AIDS Day on December 3. A continuation of the seminar on Building HIV Competent Churches was held in Yangon on December 7-8, 2011.

In Pattaya, participants of the Building HIV Competent Churches organized by the Christian Conference of Asia, The Glory Hut Foundation and Baan Jing Jia Foundation joined the rest of Pattaya AIDS Organization in marching on the streets of Pattaya that ended with a program at the Smart Student School in the evening of December 1, 2011.

The Church of Christ in Thailand AIDS Ministry celebrated World AIDS Day and CAM's 20th anniversary at the new CCT building on December 9 with worship, exhibits, and lunch for all participants. Pastor Pornsawan Khankaew of Adonai Church in Pattaya, Elder Prasert Dechaboon, Jutatip Dechaboon and Dr. Alphinus Kambodji sang during the service. It was attended by the top leadership of The Church of Christ in Thailand. Small flaglets were given to participants who planted them in a big heart at the altar to commemorate the lives of those PLHIV+ who have returned to the Creator. Souvenirs were given to all participants.

The St. John's Cathedral (Anglican) HIV Education Center commemorated World AIDS Day with the following activities:

The Manager was invited by The Hong Kong AIDS Foundation at their 20th anniversary charity dinner at the Inter-Continental Hong Kong on 30 November and was interviewed by Standard Newspaper on Monday, 28 November 2011 and interviewed by Health TV, a new TV channel focusing on health related issues in China and Hong Kong SAR on November 30. A radio broadcast on World AIDS Day was aired. Oncert organized by the Red Ribbon Centre at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Plaza C, TST.

Erlinda Senturias
Consultant for HIV and AIDS Program

Social Media for Evangelization

2011-12-15T14:26:00.000+07:00

Dr. Liza Lamis represented CCA to the 16th Bishops’ Meet of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences – Office of Social Communication (FABC-OSC) in Hualien, Taiwan, on November 14-19, 2011, with the theme, “Social Media for Evangelization”.

CCA should seriously consider maximizing the use of Social Media (SM) to communicate its work and agenda. SM is designed to be used and shared through social interaction. It is two-way, interactive, global, low-cost, and can be handled by anyone (no need for a pro). Asia is very well ‘connected’ as it has 192M Face Book users, for example. Sharing of photos, videos and software is easier using SM.

CCA as a regional ecumenical formation should think of its ecumenical stakeholders in Asia and consider this picture:

“You want me to support the ecumenical agenda?”

Friend me first.
Use popular media.
Listen to me too.
Make it collaborative.
Also entertain me.

If used wisely, social networking can contribute to the satisfaction of our desire for meaning, truth and unity. It can foster solidarity and unity; facilitate dialogue and positive relations; allows sharing in the context of personal exchanges. In the use of SM we must be honest, open, responsible and respectful of others.

Additionally, the use of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) is encouraged for churches to maximize. The use of FOSS is much easier and convenient, cheaper and the software can be manipulated to suit to an institution’s needs.

CCA Joins the “Getting to Zero” Campaign

2011-12-02T10:32:00.001+07:00

The Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) joins the World AIDS Day observance on December 1st or nearest Sunday following and calls on Member Churches, Councils of Churches and the Interfaith Communities in Asia to work towards the Global Goal of “Getting to Zero” – Zero Discrimination; Zero New HIV Infection; and Zero AIDS-Related Deaths. CCA commits to support the Global Plan to Eliminate New HIV Infections among Children and to Keep the Parents Healthy and Alive.

In addition, CCA supports the campaign for Zero Gender-Based Violence. Gender inequality is at the centre of gender-based violence which is a pervasive public health and human rights issue. The active response to HIV and AIDS cuts across fair and respectful relationships, human sexuality, gender justice, human rights and universal access.

For three decades now, HIV has continued to spread across all levels of Asian societies, creating stigma and discrimination that is fuelled by ignorance, injustice, denial and hate. All of these are against the teachings of the different faiths in Asia. HIV and AIDS is not just a health issue; rather it is a socio-cultural and development issue closely related to poverty, gender inequity, low level of literacy and lack of knowledge about prevention. HIV is also spread through unprotected sex, unsafe blood or sharing needle.

The UN AIDS reported at the end of 2010 that almost 5 million people are living with HIV in South, East and South-east Asia. Although national HIV prevalence in most Asian countries is relatively low and there are progress made in prevention, the population of some countries like China, India and Indonesia is so vast that these low percentages actually represent very large numbers of PLHIV+. Each country and even within countries in Asia face a different concentration of epidemic. In 2009 across East, South and South-East Asia, only 32% of HIV-infected pregnant women received AntiRetroViral (ARV) treatment to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. HIV infection in Asia is still largely concentrated among members of 'high-risk' groups. The groups most at risk of becoming infected – sex workers, IDUs, and those who engage in sex between men – are still too often being neglected and even criminalized in some countries in Asia.

The ministries of the Churches need to address vulnerable children, orphan children, elderly, young people, women, men and key affected populations. CCA supports the meaningful involvement of People Living with HIV (PLHIV+) and the creation of safe spaces for dialogue with Key Affected Populations. CCA is committed to collaborate with the Asian Interfaith Network on AIDS (AINA), the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (EAA), the International Network of Religious Leaders Living with and Personally Affected by HIV and AIDS (INERELA+) and the World Council of Churches (WCC) in meeting the challenge of HIV and AIDS.

CCA’s policy on HIV and AIDS seeks to act from deep spirituality and theology: loving others as oneself (John 13: 34-35); serving the least of our brothers and sisters (Matthew 25: 31-40); seeing the whole community as part of one body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12;12); nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (Romans 8: 35); Jesus came that we may have life in all its fullness (John 10: 10). Jesus also clearly mentioned the, “other sheep” in John 10:16a and the Church needs to look into the response to these people of God as well.

This policy on HIV is built on the Christian principles of peacemaking, healing and reconciliation, and aims to equip churches in Asia to be “HIV competent”. This year, CCA started the seminars on building HIV Competent Churches in Myanmar, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Philippines, and Thailand. In addition, churches sent representatives from Laos PDR, Indonesia and Vietnam to participate in the Training of Trainers for Building HIV Competent Churches in Myanmar. India developed its HIV Policy in 2008 and started integrating HIV in theological training. CCA commends Member Councils in Indonesia and the Philippines for developing their HIV Policy this year.

CCA also contributes to strengthening interfaith collaboration through sponsoring the Pre International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific Interfaith Conference in Busan in August and the follow-up program in Cambodia. CCA endorses the SAVE toolkit on Prevention of HIV as it does not stigmatize PLHIV+. CCA through the Member Churches and Councils of Churches is committed to ensure stewardship of time, resources and finances in support of the Global Goal of Getting to Zero. Together, we can do more.

“Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matt. 25.40, NRSV)

Henriette Hutabarat Lebang
General Secretary

CCA e-Letter 1/11/11

2011-11-07T14:00:00.001+07:00

CCA e-Letter

1 November 2011

Dear Ecumenical Friends and Colleagues -

The highlights of the month of October are on the strengthening the wider ecumenical relationship of CCA with other ecumenical organizations. The WCC Assembly Planning Committee (APC) meeting was held in Busan, South Korea on September 26 to October 2, 2011, in Busan International Convention Center, the venue where the WCC Assembly in 2013 will be held. As a member of APC, I participated in this meeting. It was a great opportunity to understand the Korean context and to engage with the leaders of Korean churches and the local organizing committee. The APC provides ample space in the planning of the assembly for the sharing of the Korean cultural and spiritual richness and the experiences of Korean churches in their life and ministry. As this assembly will be held in Asian soil, the importance of the input from Asian contextual theological reflections related to the theme "God, lead us to peace and justice" are highly expected.

The second meeting of the Global Christian Forum (GCF) was held in Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia on October 4-7, 2011, under the theme: "Together in Jesus Christ: Empowered by the Holy Spirit." The meeting was attended by 287 participants with 18 young adults, coming from 65 countries. The highlights of the meeting included regular prayer and worship which reflected a deep hunger for unity in Christ in the midst of a fragmented world and the division among Christian churches. The four days of sharing, discussions, trust building between Christian groups that rarely meet together but as wide and varied as the global Christian faith itself - African Instituted, Anglican, Charismatic, Evangelical, Orthodox, Pentecostal, Protestant, Roman Catholic and contemplative communities – in an open space, was experienced as a gift of God. In this gathering, CCA was represented by the General Secretary. On the request of the GCF Secretary, Mr. Huibert van Beek, Dr. Liza Lamis, CCA Communications Consultant, supported the communications work of the gcf meeting.

One of the poignant moments of the four days experience was a panel of churches that have experienced healing and reconciliation in Christ. The GCF renewed its commitment as reflected in its final statement: "We know that God's Spirit draws the body of Christ into unity for the sake of God's mission in the world. So we commit ourselves to nurture the Global Christian Forum, as the Spirit leads, as witness to God's saving and transforming love."

It was encouraged that similar forums take place in the local, national and regional levels. In the final session the Indonesian churches, inspired by their experiences together at the GCF launched the Indonesian Christian Forum which consisted of the Evangelical, Pentecostal, Protestant and Roman Catholic churches as well as the existing ecumenical organization of Indonesian Churches, namely the Communion of Churches in Indonesia. There are some countries in Asia that are having a similar forum such as Malaysia and India.

At the Asia-wide level in 1995 the Asian Movement for Christian Unity (AMCU) was initiated by the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) and the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC). Gradually the Evangelicals and Pentecostals have been invited to participate in the various AMCU programs.

CCA was invited to participate in the Ecumenical Advocacy Coordination meeting which was held in New York, USA, on October 3-4, 2011. Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri, General Secretary of Malaysia Council of Churches and a member of CCA Executive Committee represented CCA in this important meeting. It was organized jointly by the Ecumenical UN Office in New York and ACT Alliance with the purpose to map the advocacy priorities of the participating organizations; explore different possible ways of coordination and cooperation around specific issues and countries by analyzing best practices; and agree on a strategic division of labors and ways of working together at the national, regional and global levels in the coming year(s) around a limited number of countries and/or issues.

I am writing this letter on my way to Malta to attend the meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWC) of the WCC and the Pontifical Council of Christian Unity of the Roman Catholic Church which will be held on November 1-5, 2011. This meeting will be the last of a series which were held since the WCC Porto Allegre Assembly in 2007. It will finalize the documents to be presented to the assembly of each parent bodies - WCC and the RCC - which includes the documents on "Reception" and "The Roots of Ecumenical Spirituality" as well as two papers responding to the issues of "Migrant Workers" and "Youth".

On my way to Malta, I spent a few days in Europe to visit two of the CCA ecumenical partners, namely: ICCO and Kerk in Actie in Utrecht, the Netherlands and Brot fur Die Welt in Stuttgart, Germany. It was a great opportunity to know each other better, especially to update the changes that have been taking place in each organization, and to renew the commitment for collaboration in addressing common concerns in Asia today.

The various ecumenical activities and collaborations as shared above indicated the new emerging landscape of ecumenical collaboration. The importance of providing space for all was crucial for Christians to be able to respond to the call of the Spirit for the manifestation of unity of the body of Christ. The dramatic challenges that we are facing in the changing world of today requires us to review the way we used to define our ecumenical work. The wall of prejudice, even sometimes hostility within the Christian family are challenged tremendously. It is only the grace of God that enables the churches to come together in humility to repent and reconcile to each other for the common call to proclaim the Gospel.

We continue to remember the many people in Asia who are suffering due to the impact of natural disasters, communal conflicts and wars. We especially pray for the people of Thailand who suffer from prolonged floods that caused many deaths and damages in the country. Let us continue to pray for the Church of Christ in Thailand (CCT) as they participate in addressing the disaster. We are grateful for the solidarity that has been expressed by some churches in Asia to assist CCT in this ministry. Our prayers are also for the people of WEST Papua in this challenging time as many people fall victims to violent actions. The Rev. Retno Ngapon, one of the CCA presidents, repesented CCA to the 56th anniversary of the Indonesian Christian Church In Tanah Papua (GKI in Tanah Papua) on October 26, 2011, and the general assembly of this church on October 26 – November 3, 2011. Let us uphold the church in TANAH Papua in our prayers so that they be strengthened by the Holy Spirit in their prophetic ministry leading to peace and justice for all.

Henriette Hutabarat Lebang
General Secretary

NEWS UPDATES

No more bases in Okinawa and elsewhere

More than 200 church and civil society leaders met at the Okinawa Christian University for the 3rd International Conference of Article 9 of the Japanese Peace Constitution.

The Okinawa people have expressed their opposition to any new base construction in their island after years of suffering from loss sovereignty, native culture and traditional livelihood as a result of the presence of US bases in their island.

Speakers from Okinawa who grew up with the bases, Buddhist monks, Christian leaders, and a Pakistani human rights advocate took turns in enumerating the negative impact of any new base on the lives of the people and the threat they pose for peace and people's security.

A peace march along the main thoroughfares of Okinawa City was held by the participants carrying banners saying no to wars and yes to peace.

A press conference was held at St Barnabas Anglican Church in Kagurazaka, Tokyo, where nine participants in the Okinawa Conference participated in a panel and 50 people in attendance with press representatives from Ecumenical News International, The Christ Weekly, Christian Shimbun (Newspaper), The Catholic Weekly of Japan and a number of Buddhist media outlets including Bukkyo (Buddhist) Times. The Christ Weekly published a front page article on Oct. 22nd, which covered the gist of the conference, participating organizations and a rundown of the six demands spelled out in the statement.

The third Conference in Okinawa organized by the National Council of Churches in Japan following two Conferences in Tokyo in 2007 and Seoul in 2009.

CCA attend 51st assembly of the Korean Christian Church in Japan

Representing CCA, Charlie Ocampo, CCA Executive Secretary for JID, read CCA greetings at the opening session of the 51st general assembly of the Korean Christian Church in Japan held in Fukuoka on 10th to 12th October.

The Assembly was attended by 127 delegates. Leadership of the Assembly was provided by the Rev. Choi Youngsin, Moderator,. And the Rev. Hong Songwan, General Secretary. There was a visible and strong participation by Korean church leaders from the US.

The Korean Christian Church in Japan (KCCJ) is an active member of the National Council of Churches in Japan (NCCJ).

Human rights advocates attend Training Course in Bangkok

Eleven (11) human rights workers nominated by their respective churches and NCCs from Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Thailand participated in a CCA Human Rights Advocacy Training Course held at the Bangkok Christian Guesthouse in Bangkok's Silom district from 17th to 21st October 2011.

The training in human rights advocacy featured two sessions on Human Rights and the United Nations, human rights documentation, effective advocacy, country national human rights situations, and two sessions of national and regional preparation of human rights advocacy plans.

Throughout the week of training, Bangkok had been threatened by floodwaters from the Ping River, which had overflowed its banks and many areas outside the business district was flooded. This weather disturbance did not dampen the enthusiasm of the training participants.

The training course was organized by CCA's Justice, International Affairs, Development and Service team led by Charlie Ocampo and assisted by Kajeerat Dongsuwan, Patyayothai Boontama, and Janejinda Pawadee.

Carlos Ocampo
Executive Secretary
JID

Building HIV Competent Faith Communities and Interfaith Collaboration

This October 2011 two countries held the seminar on Building HIV Competent Churches: Dhaka, Bangladesh facilitated by the National Council of Churches in Bangladesh, October 13-16 and in Siem Reap, Cambodia facilitated by the Kampuchean Christian Council, October 26-30.

In Cambodia, there was an active participation of interfaith communities in Cambodia and in Asia. The Salvation Centre Cambodia (SCC) provided the exposure visit to the work on HIV and AIDS. SCC is funded by EED and works through the network of Buddhist monks and nuns in the communities of Siem Reap, Battambang and Phnom Penh. The Cambodian HIV/AIDS Education and Care and the National AIDS Authority provided information on HIV and AIDS and the situation on the ground. The three organizations committed to support KCC's education program among KCC member churches. Thirty pastors and lay people from different churches of KCC participated in the seminar. The different interfaith organizations in five countries of Asia (Thailand, India, Indonesia, Myanmar and Korea) and the INERELA+ members gave reports on their activities. Two pastors (one woman and one man) living with HIV gave their testimonies and led in the Sunday prayers. Rev. Paddy Noble, a Maori theologian based in Phnom Penh gave the Biblico-Theological reflection focusing on the stories of Centurion and the Syro-Phoenician woman. The Bible reflection is a helpful guide in dealing with difficult issues of key affected population and in reflecting on the healing ministry and how Jesus Christ responded to the sick.

In Dhaka, Rev. Dr. Wati Longchar provided the Biblico-Theological Reflection on deconstructing our understanding of God from one strong and mighty to a loving and compassionate God who journeys with people in their suffering. Ms. Keiko Butterworth who participated in the Yangon meeting provided an example of the work of the Catholic Churches in Myanmar in Building HIV Competent Churches. She used the methodology of role play in understanding the responses of people to HIV and AIDS. Dr. Martin Chowdhury provided information on HIV and AIDS. Thirty participants, mostly men attended the meeting in Dhaka. Rev. David Das organized the seminar in Dhaka.

Dr. Erlinda Senturias
CCA HIV and AIDS Consultant

E-letter October 2011

2011-11-01T20:53:00.000+07:00

Dear Ecumenical Friends and Colleagues -

The highlights of the month of October are on the strengthening the wider ecumenical relationship of CCA with other ecumenical organizations. The WCC Assembly Planning Committee (APC) meeting was held in Busan, South Korea on September 26 to October 2, 2011, in Busan International Convention Center, the venue where the WCC Assembly in 2013 will be held. As a member of APC, I participated in this meeting. It was a great opportunity to understand the Korean context and to engage with the leaders of Korean churches and the local organizing committee. The APC provides ample space in the planning of the assembly for the sharing of the Korean cultural and spiritual richness and the experiences of Korean churches in their life and ministry. As this assembly will be held in Asian soil, the importance of the input from Asian contextual theological reflections related to the theme “God, lead us to peace and justice” are highly expected.

The second meeting of the Global Christian Forum (GCF) was held in Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia on October 4-7, 2011, under the theme: “Together in Jesus Christ: Empowered by the Holy Spirit.” The meeting was attended by 287 participants with 18 young adults, coming from 65 countries. The highlights of the meeting included regular prayer and worship which reflected a deep hunger for unity in Christ in the midst of a fragmented world and the division among Christian churches. The four days of sharing, discussions, trust building between Christian groups that rarely meet together but as wide and varied as the global Christian faith itself - African Instituted, Anglican, Charismatic, Evangelical, Orthodox, Pentecostal, Protestant, Roman Catholic and contemplative communities – in an open space, was experienced as a gift of God. In this gathering, CCA was represented by the General Secretary. On the request of the GCF Secretary, Mr. Huibert van Beek, Dr. Liza Lamis, CCA Communications Consultant, supported the communications work of the gcf meeting.

One of the poignant moments of the four days experience was a panel of churches that have experienced healing and reconciliation in Christ. The GCF renewed its commitment as reflected in its final statement: “We know that God’s Spirit draws the body of Christ into unity for the sake of God’s mission in the world. So we commit ourselves to nurture the Global Christian Forum, as the Spirit leads, as witness to God’s saving and transforming love.”

It was encouraged that similar forums take place in the local, national and regional levels. In the final session the Indonesian churches, inspired by their experiences together at the GCF launched the Indonesian Christian Forum which consisted of the Evangelical, Pentecostal, Protestant and Roman Catholic churches as well as the existing ecumenical organization of Indonesian Churches, namely the Communion of Churches in Indonesia. There are some countries in Asia that are having a similar forum such as Malaysia and India.

At the Asia-wide level in 1995 the Asian Movement for Christian Unity (AMCU) was initiated by the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) and the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC). Gradually the Evangelicals and Pentecostals have been invited to participate in the various AMCU programs.

CCA was invited to participate in the Ecumenical Advocacy Coordination meeting which was held in New York, USA, on October 3-4, 2011. Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri, General Secretary of Malaysia Council of Churches and a member of CCA Executive Committee represented CCA in this important meeting. It was organized jointly by the Ecumenical UN Office in New York and ACT Alliance with the purpose to map the advocacy priorities of the participating organizations; explore different possible ways of coordination and cooperation around specific issues and countries by analyzing best practices; and agree on a strategic division of labors and ways of working together at the national, regional and global levels in the coming year(s) around a limited number of countries and/or issues.

I am writing this letter on my way to Malta to attend the meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWC) of the WCC and the Pontifical Council of Christian Unity of the Roman Catholic Church which will be held on November 1-5, 2011. This meeting will be the last of a series which were held since the WCC Porto Allegre Assembly in 2007. It will finalize the documents to be presented to the assembly of each parent bodies - WCC and the RCC - which includes the documents on “Reception” and “The Roots of Ecumenical Spirituality” as well as two papers responding to the issues of “Migrant Workers” and “Youth”.

On my way to Malta, I spent a few days in Europe to visit two of the CCA ecumenical partners, namely: ICCO and Kerk in Actie in Utrecht, the Netherlands and Brot fur Die Welt in Stuttgart, Germany. It was a great opportunity to know each other better, especially to update the changes that have been taking place in each organization, and to renew the commitment for collaboration in addressing common concerns in Asia today.

The various ecumenical activities and collaborations as shared above indicated the new emerging landscape of ecumenical collaboration. The importance of providing space for all was crucial for Christians to be able to respond to the call of the Spirit for the manifestation of unity of the body of Christ. The dramatic challenges that we are facing in the changing world of today requires us to review the way we used to define our ecumenical work. The wall of prejudice, even sometimes hostility within the Christian family are challenged tremendously. It is only the grace of God that enables the churches to come together in humility to repent and reconcile to each other for the common call to proclaim the Gospel.

We continue to remember the many people in Asia who are suffering due to the impact of natural disasters, communal conflicts and wars. We especially pray for the people of Thailand who suffer from prolonged floods that caused many deaths and damages in the country. Let us continue to pray for the Church of Christ in Thailand (CCT) as they participate in addressing the disaster. We are grateful for the solidarity that has been expressed by some churches in Asia to assist CCT in this ministry. Our prayers are also for the people of WEST Papua in this challenging time as many people fall victims to violent actions. The Rev. Retno Ngapon, one of the CCA presidents, repesented CCA to the 56th anniversary of the Indonesian Christian Church In Tanah Papua (GKI in Tanah Papua) on October 26, 2011, and the general assembly of this church on October 26 – November 3, 2011. Let us uphold the church in TANAH Papua in our prayers so that they be strengthened by the Holy Spirit in their prophetic ministry leading to peace and justice for all.

Henriette Hutabarat Lebang
General Secretary

To our beloved Brothers and Sisters in Thailand...

2011-10-21T14:41:00.001+07:00

20 October 2011

Your steadfast love, O GOD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your judgments are like the great deep; you save humans and animals alike, O GOD. (Psalms 36.5-6)

To our beloved Brothers and Sisters in Thailand –

The CCA member churches and councils are in solidarity with you in braving the floods that has already extensively damaged the country. In our supplications we affirm and plead for God’s steadfast love and generosity in responding to the urgent needs of people affected by the floods.

In addition to our faithful accompaniment in prayer and in deed, CCA offers a small token donation for the relief and rehabilitation work of the Church of Christ in Thailand (CCT).

Our plea to CCA members is to help support CCT in its enormous work. Attached please find an update on the flood situation and an appeal from CCT. You may email the Rev. Sayam Muangsak, CCT General Secretary (secretary@cct.or.th), and Dr. Prawate Khid-arn, Acting Manager of CCT Policy Management Office (prawate@gmail.com).

Let us continue upholding each other in prayer.

Yours in Christ,

Henriette Hutabarat Lebang
General Secretary

Encl.: as stated

UPDATE on the Floods in Thailand

2011-10-21T14:30:00.001+07:00

October 14, 2011

Dear Sisters and brothers in Christ,

BANGKOK, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said on Wednesday (Oct. 12) that the floods which hit many provinces in north, northeastern and central regions are likely to last for two months, and that residents should adjust their life to cope with the situation.

The Prime Minister said the flooding in Nakhon Sawan and Ayutthaya is the most critical and many provinces have been declared disaster zones. At least two industrial estates have been flooded, the Saha Rattana Nakhon, Rojana 1, 2 and 3.

The government is pulling out all the stops to rescue the Ban Wa (Hi-Tech) Industrial Estate in flood-stricken Ayutthaya province on Thursday after a section of the makeshift flood prevention dyke was breached and floodwater poured into the facility, according to Minister of Industry, Wannarat Channukul.

Nakhon Sawan is in critical condition after flood prevention dykes failed to divert overflows from the deeply flooded provincial business centre, while Dechatiwong Bridge is now being specially protected because authorities fear that its failure could paralyze travel to the northern region.

Meanwhile, Chiang Rak Road in Pathum Thani is submerged under 80cm of water causing a serious traffic jam after heavy rains in the morning.
This road is at the back entrance of the Thammasat University’s Rangsit campus where its gymnasium is being used as a temporary shelter for flood victims.

Opposition Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and some senators on Monday proposed that the government impose an executive decree for administration actions in emergency situations, or an emergency decree, in flood-impacted provinces to facilitate relief operations.
(Source: MCOT online news)

CCT Response:

The CCT approved an additional 200,000 Baht for humanitarian assistance. In addition, The McCormick Hospital donated medicines and Dara Academy School contributed 50,000 Baht, a truck for loading; and driver and staff to assist the relief operations.

Sixteen members of the CCT Relief Team were scheduled to distribute humanitarian aid to the flood victims in Manorom District in Chainat Province on October 15-16, 2011. A bag containing rice, dried food, crackers, canned food, medicines, mosquito coils, soap, lighter, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc. will be given to 1,200 households.

For long-term rehabilitation, ecumenical friends from Church World Service (CWS), Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), DIAKONIA, Dan Church Aid (DCA), Ecumenical Coalition on Tourism (ECOT) and Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) met with the CCT-Social Development and Service Unit (SDSU) at the CCT-75 Anniversary Building in Chiang Mai on October 14, 2011. Mr. Natapong of SDSU presented pictures of the flooded areas in Chainat Province, one of the critical disaster zones.

The discussion was successful as ecumenical friends expressed concern to the flood victims in Thailand. Mr. Takeshi Komino of CWS will send an alert information to ecumenical organizations. He will also continue further discussion with CCT for future cooperation.

To support CCT in its efforts to provide relief aid to the flooded victims, pleased send your contributions to:

Account name: The Foundation of the Church of Christ in Thailand
Bank name: Siam Commercial Bank, Thanon Phetchaburi Branch (S/A)
Account number: 008-2-61457-4
Swift code: SICOTHBK

Prepared by:

Dr. Prawate Khid-arn
Acting Manager
Office of the CCT Policy Management
Chiang Mai, Thailand

GMIM: CELEBRATING 77 YEARS OF FAITHFUL SERVICE

2011-10-06T11:10:00.001+07:00

Steadfast and ever faithful to her calling, the Gereja Masehi Injili di Minahasa (GMIM or the Christian Evangelical Church in Minahasa), one of the 31 members of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) in Indonesia celebrated its 77th year of service to God and the people of Minahasa in North Sulawesi, Indonesia.
GMIM was born in 1934, a hundred years after the German missionaries were sent by the Dutch Board of Missions to evangelize the people of the northern part of Sulawesi, one of the four biggest islands of predominantly Islam Indonesia.

A worship service on September 30, 2011, was attended by around 300 faithful at Tondano Centrum Church, just a 15-minute drive from Tomohon, the seat of GMIM national headquarters. It was also an ocassion that marked GMIM’s 25 years of partnership with the Evangelische Kirche in Hesse und Nassau in Germany (EKHN).

The Rev. Piet Marthen Tampi, GMIM General Chairperson said that GMIM is currently challenged by urgent pastoral concerns. GMIM is the second biggest Protestant church in Indonesia with a membership of 756,000, but not all members are active. Thus pastoral visits to around 800 congregations in the seven regions of North Sulawesi is a big challenge for its leadership.

Another concern these days is responding to the increasing number of People Living with HIV (PLWH+), where government data says there are now 50 of them in Tomohon. This figure could be increasing and awareness raising is thus urgent as stigmatization and silence about HIV and AIDS are a reality here in Sulawesi. GMIM is working hand in hand with the Indonesian government, the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI), and with some dedicated volunteers in tackling HIV and AIDS.

Rev. Tampi said that people from North Sulawesi go to Papua to find work in ports and economic zones there. This movement of people to find better prospects in life is one main reason that gives rise to HIV cases.

As partners ’living together in common witness to God’s love and transforming mission’, CCA is bound to accompany and equip GMIM in responding to social challenges confronting the churches and society. Thus CCA is working closely with its members in Indonesia under its three-year program on HIV and AIDS, Building HIV Competent Churches and Communities.

GMIM warmly welcomed and hosted the 11^th CCA General Assembly in Tomohon in 2000. It is worthy to note that CCA was born in Parapat, North Sumatra, Indonesia, in 1959, then called the East Asia Christian Conference.

CCA puts a high priority in visiting its member churches to build a stronger sense of ownership towards strengthening further the ecumenical movement in Asia. Being ’called to prophesy, reconcile and heal’, working together is crucial, and staff visits to CCA members is thus important.

On a personal note, my visit to GMIM was an exhilarating experience.

At the worship celebration in Tondano, I met a lot of women Pendeta (or Pdt. for short, Minahasa for Reverend) of different ages. GMIM boasts of 60 to 70 percent women among its around 1,500 ordained ministers. Since its inception, the ordination of women is an accepted tradition of GMIM. However, of the 14 who sits at the GMIM leadership board, only four are women, I was told. (I am still trying to find out an explanation for this disconnect.)

I was graciously hosted by Immanuel Church, a local congregation of around 1000 members in Tomohon city proper which is shepherded by four women Pendetas. I should name them here, as I am truly fascinated by these amazing women. They are: Pdt. Rutheni Wuwung-Darosa, Pdt. Gabby Aruperes-Walangitan, Pdt. Yustin Mangundap-Tumengkol, and Pdt. Dina Ruru-Surentu. Two wonderful women personally took care of me as their church’s guest. They are Ibu (Bahasa for Madame or mother) Mieke Wilhelmina Kuhon-Lantang and Ibu Jane Scipio, both leaders at Immanuel. God’s hospitality in this part of Asia is very womanly. I am happy to call God not just ’Father’ but ’Mother’ as well.

Liza B. Lamis

Communications Consultant

03 October 2011

CCA Pastoral Letter to the Philippines

2011-10-04T13:54:00.000+07:00

03 October 2011

To: National Council of Churches in the Philippines

Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches

Episcopal Church in the Philippines

Iglesia Filipina Independiente

Iglesia Evangelica Unida de Cristo

Iglesia Metodista en las Islas Filipinas

Lutheran Church in the Philippines

United Church of Christ in the Philippines

United Methodist Church

Beloved Sisters and Brothers in the Philippines -

We are deeply worried with you, brothers and sisters in the Philippines as you suffer again another disaster (super typhoon Pedring, internationally codenamed Nesat), leaving in its wake 21 people dead, 33 missing, 5,000 homeless and an estimated Php 982 million in damages to agriculture and infrastructure…this after barely coping with the destruction of previous typhoons.

Beloved in Christ, the CCA member churches and councils around Asia are ardently praying with you, with the assurance that our God is a refuge to the needy in their distress (Isaiah 25.4, NRSV). Be assured of our solidarity and pleadings to God Almighty, that perseverance and abiding faith be yours as we uphold you in prayers. May the needed help and comfort to the afflicted be soon on their way, as we find ways to reach out to you further.

May I appeal again to CCA members to lend support and offer prayers to our Filipino sisters and brothers. You may contact the Rev. Rex R.B. Reyes, General Secretary of NCC Philippines to convey your support (Tel: Tel: +63-2-928 8636/ 929 3745; Fax: +63-2-926 7076; Email – padirex@gmail.com).

I reiterate here our plea for CCA members and partners to continually support the CCA Emergency Fund. (Acct. Name: Christian Conference of Asia, Hang Seng Bank, Acct No.: 295-4-709594, Hankow Road Branch, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR,

China

; Swift Code – HASEHKHH; Account Type: Multi-Currencies Account). This is our way of affirming our being one in God’s household in times of calamities and pain.

We may feel desperate and frightened, but the God of love and compassion embraces us all.

Yours in Christ’s service,

HENRIETTE HUTABARAT LEBANG

General Secretary

cc.: CCA Members, General Committee Members, PAC Members

CCA Ecumenical Partners

CCA PASTORAL LETTER to PAKISTAN

2011-09-26T15:54:00.002+07:00

20 Sept 2011

To the CCA Members in Pakistan:

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ –

We are deeply anxious for you, our dear brothers and sisters in Christ, as you bear the sorrow and misery brought about by the recent floods. We grieve with you – for the 269 people already confirmed dead, six million affected, and half a million having lost everything they have. We grieve with you – for the children dying of diseases and hunger in camps, while food and tents are in short supply. And for this to happen even before those hit by the 2010 floods could return to their homeland…The churches all over Asia uphold you in prayers and assure you of our solidarity.

Let me take this time to appeal to CCA members and friends to pray and express their solidarity to the people of Pakistan. They are the faces of Christ today in our midst – cold, hungry, without shelter, sick and even dying. For concrete expression of care and generosity, you may send your contributions through the CCA Emergency Fund:
(Acct. Name: Christian Conference of Asia, Hang Seng Bank, Acct No.: 295-4-709594, Hankow Road Branch, Kowloon, Hong Kong; Swift Code – HASEHKHH; Account Type: Multi-Currencies Account).

At this most difficult time we plead God’s Spirit of Compassion and Love to abide in us, and to comfort those who are afflicted.

Yours in Christ’s service,

Henriette Hutabarat Lebang
General Secretary

CCA e-Letter - 20/9/11

2011-09-20T16:14:00.001+07:00

CCA e-Letter

20 September 2011

Dear Friends,

Greetings of peace from the CCA office in Chiang Mai.
May the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus!

Each year on September 21 we celebrate the UN declared International Day for Peace. In the ecumenical world, September 21 is International Day of Prayer for Peace. In the midst of many conflicts which cause violence in the life of families and communities in Asia and around the world, let us use this opportunity to reflect and renew our commitment to proclaim peace based on justice which is central to the message of the gospel. We pray and hope that all warring parties are willing to come to the table of dialogue to discuss and pursue the best ways to achieve a sustainable peace for the welfare of the people.

In its meeting on September 8-10, 2011, in Chiang Mai, Thailand, the CCA Executive Committee issued two statements responding to the current situation in Asia. The first statement is CCA Leaders Support the Peace Talks in the Philippines, a response to the reports received from the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) and from the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP) on the on-going peace negotiations in the Philippines. CCA encourages and supports the two ongoing peace talks between the Government of the Philippine (GPH) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP); and between the GPH and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The second statement is the CCA Leaders support Korean Churches' opposition to navy base plan. The Executive Committee endorsed the Statement issued by a CCA delegation that visited Jeju Island, South Korea, in August 2011, and in support of the opposition of Korean church leaders to the construction of a navy base. These two statements reflect the ongoing concerns of CCA to accompany the churches in building peace based on justice in the life of Asian people. Both statements can be found in the website of CCA.

CCA Committees Meet in Chiang Mai

We began the month of September with a series of meetings of the CCA Personnel Committee, and the Finance Committee which culminated in the Executive Committee Meeting. The main task of the Executive Committee meeting was to follow up the implementation of the decisions of the General Committee meeting in March 2011, especially relating to program implementation, finance and new staff appointment. The General Secretary Report, Finance Report and Program Reports presented by each Executive Secretaries and Consultants covered the period starting March to August 2011. Nevertheless, the deliberations and discernments in this meeting helped the Executive Committee to make important decisions as we are moving ahead together in the midst of many challenges that we face in Asia today.

Visits to Member Churches in India

In the second part of the month of August, I attended the 175th Anniversary of the reformation in the historic Malankara Church of the first century held in the headquarters of the Mar Thoma Church on August 20, 2011, in Tiruvalla, Kerala, India. I was invited to bring greetings on behalf of CCA. Among the international guests are Rev. Dr. Olaf Fykse Tveit, the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches who delivered an inaugural address; Dr. Mathews George Chunakara, WCC Director of International Affairs; and Bishop Hans Gerny of the Old Catholic Church in Switzerland. The presence of a CCA representative in the special events of members is appreciated and is seen as a sign of care and fellowship with the CCA members. We enjoyed the hospitality of Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan, the Supreme Head of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church. Some of us also attended the opening of an ecumenical museum and library of the Mar Thoma Church located in Santhigiri Ashram, a great idea initiated by Rt. Rev. Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophilus. It was an inspiring moment for me to have joined a Sunday Worship in a local congregation of the Mar Thoma Church, a church tradition different than mine.

Following the celebration of the Mar Thoma Church, I was able to visit two other CCA member churches in Kerala, India, namely: the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church. I was able to meet His Holiness, the Patriarch of the Malankara Orthodox Church, and His Beatitudes Mor Baselius Thomas I, the Catholicose of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church. For Mar Thoma Church and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Indian Church the last visit of the leadership of CCA was in 1998 when the General Committee of CCA was held in Kerala, hosted by the Mar Thoma Church. The Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church appreciated the first visit of the CCA General Secretary. I was also able to visit the Seminary of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, met with H.G. Dr. Kuriakose Mor Theophilose Metropolitan, the Bishop in residence and Rev. Dr. Adai Jacob Corepiscopa, the Principal of the Seminary, and had a brief dialogue session with students and faculty members where I briefly introduced CCA and its ministry.

Visits to the headquarters of each member church and meeting their leadership are always an enriching experience. It is an opportunity to know better the life and the struggles of each CCA member and at the same time, to share the concerns of CCA and our common challenges as a fellowship of Asian churches. I am grateful that through these visits churches have renewed their commitment to CCA towards doing our common responsibilities to support the ministry of CCA.

During this monsoon season, many places in Asia are flooded. Very recently Thailand, Pakistan and some parts of India and Bangladesh have been again flooded causing many casualties and vast destruction. We are also disturbed by the news about the earthquake that hit Nepal and India, and the landslides in China that killed many people. Let us uphold the victims of these natural disasters in our prayers and in tangible forms of support that can assist them in this time of difficulties.

While we all hold our member churches and friends in these countries devastated by floods in our hearts and utter their needs in our prayers, CCA appeals to its members and friends to pray and express their solidarity to those who are cold, hungry, without shelter, sick and even dying. For a concrete expression of care and generosity, you may send your contributions through the CCA Emergency Fund:

Acct. Name: Christian Conference of Asia,
Acct No.: 295-4-709594,
Hang Seng Bank, Hankow Road Branch, Kowloon, Hong Kong;
Swift Code – HASEHKHH;
Account Type: Multi-Currencies Account.

Henriette Hutabarat Lebang
General Secretary

NEWS UPDATES

Floods in many parts of Asia

In western Odisha, India, floods in the Mahanadi basin affected over 170,000 people, with 23 dead in as many as 19 districts of the State. Thirty-six breaches in river embankments marooned almost 2600 villages. At least 2.2 million people are affected that includes 3,505 villages. It is feared that post-flood diseases will reak out. Food aid has reached flood victims of Kendrapada, Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts, with several voluntary organizations and political parties engaged in flood relief activities.

Thousands of homes are destroyed and over 61,000 peoples are evacuated to safer places. The situation is likely to worsen further as there are chances of another low pressure which is coming up in the Bay of Bengal Ocean leading to more rain in next few days. (with reports from Angelious Michael, NCC India)

In Pakistan, at least 269 people are already confirmed dead, six million affected, with half a million having lost everything they have. Children are dying of diseases and hunger in camps, while food and tents are in short supply. And this to happen even before those hit by the 2010 floods could return to their homeland.

Building HIV-competent Churches On-going

CCA and the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) held the second seminar on Building HIV Competent Churches in Asia at the Bishop La Verne D. Mercado Ecumenical Center on 14-16 September 2011. The seminar was participated by 28 people from different member churches of NCCP: Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches, Iglesia Filipina Independiente, United Church of Christ in the Philippines, United Methodist Church, Lutheran Church of the Philippines, Iglesia Unida Ekyumenikal, and the Episcopal Church of the Philippines. The Metropolitan Community Church sent two representatives. Other organizations present were: Batis Aware, a service organization of women Migrant Workers, the Youth and the Board of Women's Work of the United Methodist Church, the Women and Gender Commission of the Association of the Major Religious Superior of the Philippines, and Southern Christian College of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines.

Rev. Fr. Rex R. Reyes, General Secretary of NCC Philippines and a member of the Presidium of the CCA delivered the first Biblico-Theological Reflection during the worship service. He began his reflection with the inspiring story of Pastor Ponsawan Khankaew who gave her testimony in the last worship during the CCA Executive Committee meeting on September 10, 2011.

He shared this reflection on the life of Pastor Ponsawan:

It was a powerful and moving testimony. Moving because it was a first person story – her life story. She told of her blindness and how one eye eventually gained sight. She talked of her isolation from her friends, from the hospital and above all her isolation from her own pastor and the members of her community. She was dismissed as a hopeless case, a sinner and her community talked about rituals and customs related to her impending death. She also told of how her love for her two sons and the apparent love of her sons for her carried her through the painful ordeal. It was powerful because her testimony is a challenge to the church and Christians about our notions of sin, mission and pastoral responsibility. There she was - well recovered singing of her faith in a Jesus who stood by her and healed her. There she was - opening up a ministry for people suffering the suffering she underwent by putting up the Adonai Church in Pattaya and the Glory Hut Foundation out of nothing but her indomitable spirit to minister to people isolated by others. There she was - receiving, without resentment, referrals from pastors who still think they have nothing to do with people living with HIV and AIDS. May she live much longer than the fifteen years she prayed for. There she was - singing of the victory that was hers in Jesus Christ and the joy of watching her two boys grow up in a hostile world. There is no other profound and genuine witness to the love of Jesus and His command to love than the testimony of our own lives.

This story was a fitting start of a seminar to build HIV Competent Church. In a rapid appraisal using the bench mark assessment tool for HIV Competent Church conducted by Dr. Erlinda N. Senturias, only the Metropolitan Community Church, a church of gay people in the Philippines showed elements of HIV Competency. Building HIV Competency among churches is an important step in a society where the HIV epidemic is characterized as low, slow but rising trend of infection by 25% between 2001-2009, as reported by UNAIDS in 2010.

More information on HIV and AIDS were given by Ms. Teresita "Bai" Bagasao, UNAIDS Country Coordinator. There are 7 new infections of HIV everyday and to date there are almost 8000 people with HIV. Pinoy Plus, an organization of people living with HIV+ (PLHIV) shared their experience of stigma and discrimination and isolation. They are advocating for greater access to services and making the government keep their promise. The good news of their advocacy is that PhilHealth, a government health insurance scheme has made a commitment to include PLHIV in a package that will pay for their medication and laboratory examinations beginning next year.

Two more interactive Biblico-theological Reflections were given by Lizette Tapia- Raquel, Cristy Framer Mella, Revelation Velunta and Glorilyn Ostoy, all professors of Union Theological Seminary, and by Darlene Marquez-Caramanzana, NCCP Program Secretary of Ecumenical Education and Nurture. Dr. Senturias gave an input on Building HIV Competent Churches and the Ecumenical and Interfaith challenges in creating safe spaces for HIV and Human Sexuality.

Participants shared that most of their churches do not deal with HIV and AIDS and appreciated the need to build their inner and outer competency and shared some insights on a policy on HIV and AIDS that church leader can act on. They also developed an action plan for the next steps. (with reports from Erlinda Senturias)

New Coordinator for PC (USA)'s mission work in Asia and the Pacific

The Rev. Mienda Uriarte, newly appointed Coordinator for the Presbyterian Church (USA) mission to Asia and the Pacific will begin duties on 19 September 2011.

Uriarte is a Presbyterian minister and a clergy member of Pacific Presbytery, with more than 25 years of experience working in the PC(USA) and other religious organizations. Prior to joining the PC(USA)'s World Mission department, she was the case manager for the Refugees of the World program at Kentucky Refugee Ministries in Louisville, Kentucky, where she successfully resettled more than 1,000 Asian, south Asian and southwest Asian refugees. Uriarte had also previously worked as Coordinator for Youth and Young Adult Ministries at the PC(USA)'s national office.

CCA congratulates and warmly welcomes Rev. Uriarte to the ecumenical movement in Asia. PC (USA) is one of CCA's faithful and enduring ecumenical partners in ministry. CCA wishes her God's blessing in her ministry, and looks forward for a fruitful collaboration in addressing the ecumenical challenges in Asia today.

CCA News a paid subscription

Starting January 2012, CCA News shall be a paid subscription to cover the increasing costs of printing and postage. The August and December 2011 issues will still free. Issues are also available from the CCA website (www.cca.org.hk). Those who wish to continue their hard copy subscription may email their complete postal details and number of years of subscription to cca@cca.org.hk

Payments in cheque can be made payable to Christian Conference of Asia, and sent to:

Christian Conference of Asia,
P. O. Box 1397,
Shatin Central Post Office, Shatin, N. T.,
Hong Kong SAR, CHINA.

The following would be the annual rates for three issues:
Europe – USD 25.00;
North America – USD 25.00;
Asia – USD - USD 15.00.

A note from the CCA NEWS Team

2011-09-20T13:19:00.002+07:00

31 August 2011

Dear valued CCA News Subscribers and Readers –

May we inform you with regrets that starting January 2012, CCA News shall be a paid subscription. This is to cover the increasing costs of printing and postage. The August and December 2011 issues will still free.

Issues are also available from the CCA website (www.cca.org.hk). If you wish to continue your hard copy subscription, please email your complete postal details and number of years of subscription to cca@cca.org.hk

We prefer payments in cheque payable to Christian Conference of Asia, and sent to:

Christian Conference of Asia
P. O. Box 1397, Shatin Central Post Office
Shatin, N. T., Hong Kong SAR, CHINA

The following would be the annual rates for three issues:

Europe – USD 25.00
North America – USD 25.00
Asia – USD - USD 15.00

Thank you very much.

Pray for God's guidance on Constitution of Nepal

2011-08-30T14:39:00.003+07:00

30 August 2011

Dr. Kali Bahadur Rokaya
General Secretary
National Council of Churches of Nepal
PO Box 4875
Kathmandu, NEPAL

Dear Dr. Rokaya:

This message comes with our greetings and felicitations from the Christian Conference of Asia to you as one of its Presidents.

You have called our attention that the last day for the drafting of the Constitution of Nepal, the repository of laws of governance and the rights of the people of Nepal is tomorrow, 31st August 2011.

The Christian Conference of Asia, its General Committee, member Churches and Councils join me in offering our prayers that God will guide those who were entrusted by the state to work on a Nepalese Constitution which enshrines the rights and obligations of the people of Nepal in their exercise of good citizenship.

We are aware of the long years of struggle by the Nepalese people in their journey towards a more participatory and democratic society. These struggles can only find peaceful resolution in the hands of your people and in their resolve to seek justice, peace, good governance, and human dignity.

We also offer our congratulations to your new Prime Minister elect, Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, as he assumes leadership in these difficult and challenging times.

With God’s sovereign blessings and with the prayers of churches in Asia, we trust that Nepal will endure and overcome the challenges before you today.

Yours in faith and solidarity,
HENRIETTE HUTABARAT LEBANG
General Secretary
Cc.:
CCA General Committee and Presidium
CCA Member Churches and Councils
Ecumenical Partners

CCA e-Letter - 10/8/11

2011-08-10T22:54:00.001+07:00

CCA e-Letter

10 August 2011

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ –

Greetings of Peace from Chiang Mai.

Strengthening the relationship with CCA member churches and councils is one of the priorities of CCA at this moment. Between July 19-29, 2011, I visited seven CCA member churches in North Sumatera, Indonesia, namely:

• Batak Karo Protestant Church (GBKP) in Kabanjahe;
• Batak Christian Protestant Church (HKBP) in Tarutung;
• Protestant Christian Church in Angkola (GKPA);
• Indonesia Methodist Church (GMI), Medan, Indonesia;
• Christian Church (HKI) Pematang Siantar;
• Indonesia Christian Protestant Church (GKPI) Pematang Siantar; and
• Protestant Christian Church in Simalungun (GKPS), Pematang Siantar.

Although they are all located in one province the distance from each other is quite far. The visit to the headquarters of each is something special for the member church, as for all of them this is the first visit of the CCA General Secretary (GS) to their headquarters. For me as CCA GS, it was also special as I was able to spend more time learning about each church, their ministries and challenges, and meet more church leaders. In HKBP and HKI for instance, I was able to attend their morning service, thus allowing me to meet most of the staff of the church and introduce CCA. I heard their concerns and suggestions to CCA. We also discussed the present situation of CCA, the financial challenges and the need for support from CCA constituencies.

I am grateful that the churches visited expressed their commitment and will do their best to support CCA. I also learned that some of them are struggling to find financial support for their own ministries. I visited the deaconess school of HKBP in Balige, a training institutions for the deaconesses who will be doing the social ministry of the church. From North Sumatera, I went to Bandung West Java to visit another member church, the Christian Church of Pasundan (GKP).

Then I travelled to Bangkok to attend a consultation on "Peace and Security in Asia: Ecumenical Challenges" organized jointly by the World Council of Churches and CCA's Justice, International Affairs and Development and Service (JID) on August 2-4, 2011. Thirty-five participants from various Asian countries attended the consultation where each shared a paper on their country situation. Resource persons were invited to enrich the discussions. Special attention was given to the situation in Myanmar. The consultation came out with a communiqué which includes a plan of action and will be sent to all member churches and councils to seek their attention and response. It is hoped that each church will address the concerns as they may find relevant to their respective context.

The Program Area Committee (PAC) of JID met immediately after the consultation on August 4-5, 2011, to discuss the JID program for 2011-2013. Mr. Carlos Ocampo, JID Executive Secretary facilitated the meeting and gave an input on program implementation.

Let us remember in our prayers the victims of floods, typhoon and other calamities that hit many places in Asia and the world today. As we are increasingly impacted by various ecological problems, we as churches are called more than ever to work for the healing of all creation.

We need to continuously pray for the church and the people in Norway in their grief as they come to terms with the violence that gripped this country recently.

August 10 is Black Day in India

August 10 is a Black Day in India - in protest of the unjust paragraph 3 in the Presidential Order 1950, which is instrumental in pushing the Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims from the Scheduled Caste list. The huge gathering at the Hunger Strike to demand the repeal of this clause took place in New Delhi in July 2011. It was then decided to observe August 10 as Black Day since in the year 1950 the Presidential Order was produced on this day.
CCA supports this campaign and urges its members to do the same. More details and pictures on the Hunger Strike can be accessed from Face Book under the name, "Commission on Dalits_National Council of Churches in India". You may also visit the NCC India website: www.nccindia.in or email Rev. Sunil Raj Philip, Executive Secretary of the NCC India Commission on Dalits (revsunilrajphilip@gmail.com). (with news from Sunil Raj Philip)

Appeal for food for North Korea

CCA has appealed to its members and friends to respond to NCC Korea's plea for help to extend assistance to people in dire food situation in North Korea. Please send your contributions directly to NCC Korea or through the CCA Emergency Fund (Acct. Name: Christian Conference of Asia, Hang Seng Bank, Acct No. 295-4-709594, Hankow Road Branch, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Swift Code – HASEHKHH; Account Type: Multi-Currencies Account), on or before 31st August 2011.

We offer prayers to our sisters and brothers in North Korea but we would also like to extend our generosity by helping raise funds for the food shipment through the NCC Korea.

In a related news, a joint prayer for peace and reunification on the Korean peninsula was prepared by the NCC Korea and the Korean Church Federation the occasion of commemorating Liberation Day on August 15th. The prayer can be accessed in English and in Korean versions from this webpage - http://ecuforumkorea.org (with news from Carlos Ocampo)

More on the Aotearoa New Zealand visits and lectures

Part of the reason for the visits to churches in Aotearoa New Zealand was for CCA-FMU executive secretary Hope S. Antone to give a seminar on Asian Ecumenical Theology to a group of Presbyterian ministry interns of the Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership. She conducted the seminar with them at Grafton Hall in Auckland on 7 July.

Another part of the reason was for her to make a solidarity visit to Christchurch on 8-10 July, where she was hosted by Garth and Elizabeth Cant. This visit included meeting with the Church World Service staff led by Pauline McKay. On 9 July she listened to an ecumenical panel on the topic, "After the earthquake, churches working together." After listening to the panelists (Katrina Hill of CWS, Bob Anderson of St. Ambrose Church, Bob Turnbull of Baptist Church, and Michael Earle of Anglican Church), she was invited to make a response.

Using the framework of the four shifts towards the wider ecumenical vision, she tried to weave the learning points shared by the panellists:

The disaster can help Christchurch move from competition to cooperation among churches – the idea of doing and being church differently is a good example here. Should Christchurch build a denominational cathedral or an ecumenical cathedral?
The disaster can help Christchurch move from isolation to collaboration with movements for justice and peace – the expressed need to take the government on social justice is a good example – knowing that the most affected by the quake and liquefactions come from the poorer area.
The disaster can help Christchurch move from condemnation to dialogue with other religions. It was shared that some Buddhists in ANZ did give a substantial donation for the quake victims. Knowing that many immigrants to ANZ are people with religions other than Christianity, it is important to consider this component of the wider ecumenism.
The disaster can help Christchurch move from disintegration to integrity of creation – for while we cannot understand why disasters happen, we know that the earth is ageing and has changed so much as a result of our actions. It is time to think of befriending creation instead of conquering it. It is also time to think about our roles as guests and hosts of the household of God – two words which are the two sides of the word 'hospitality'.

The visit to Auckland and Christchurch brought Hope Antone into contact with former officers and staff of CCA, as well as some program participants of CCA from ANZ. (with news from Hope Antone)

South Asian Christian Youth Network

The South Asian Christian Youth Network or SAYCN came into being following the 1st South Asian Christian Youth Conference in May 2002, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It was further strengthened by the second conference in June 2005 in Bangalore, India. Both conferences had around 200 participants from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan.
Key youth leaders from the conference have met regularly since then along with other leaders from partner churches to carry forward initiatives, link up and plan for the future. Some of the key events besides the two major conferences of 2002 and 2005 were various youth leadership development and conflict resolution workshops and joint advocacy for youth on justice and peace issues.

SAYCN aims to motivate and enable South Asian young people from the region' churches to link up, overcome barriers and work together to spread the good news and strengthen the Christian youth movement in South Asia and help South Asian Christian Youth to be regionally and globally connected with other youth, mission, church, faith and advocacy networks and initiatives. SAYCN members come from the Church of South India, Church of Bangladesh, Church of Pakistan, Church of Ceylon, National Churches Fellowship of Nepal, Churches in Bhutan, Church of North India, Presbyterian Church of India – Mizoram Synod, and the Syrian Orthodox Church.

Mr Kasta Dip from the Church of North India and former intern of CCA EGY is SAYCN coordinator. To strengthen SAYCN and link up with other churches in South Asia and other youth networks, Ms Moumita Biswas, Executive Secretary of EGY represented CCA in the SACYN meeting in Bangkok in 2009. Ms Devashrie de Silva, CCA General Committee member represented CCA in the SACYN Core committee meeting held in Colombo on 1-5 August 2011, to further facilitate SACYN linkages with other member churches of CCA in South Asia and enhance ecumenical relations and networking.

CCA-EGY seeks the partnership of SACYN to network with EASY Net in organizing the Asian Students Youth Gathering to be held in India in 2012 where more than 150 youth from all over Asia are expected to attend. (with news from Moumita Biswas)

Ecumenical Lectures

CCA-FMU executive secretary Hope S. Antone carried out some ecumenical lectures at two separate programs of the Association of Theological Education in South East Asia (ATESEA) and the Association of Theological Schools in Indonesia (PERSETIA). Her presentations and workshops at the ATESEA Teachers' Academy held on 13-14 July in Bangkok, Thailand was on the theme, "Teaching Theologians to Teach" while her lectures at the PERSETIA Summer School for Graduate Students held on 25-29 July in Salatiga, Indonesia were on "Wider Ecumenism." (with news from Hope Antone)

World YWCA holds Summit and Council Meeting

CCA Communications Consultant Dr. Liza Lamis, as volunteer Advisor on Feminist Theologies of the World YWCA (Young Women's Christian Association) was facilitator and resource person during the International Women's Summit and 27th World YWCA Council Meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, on July 10 – 17, 2011. She facilitated and gave a synthesis on the break-out session on "Young Feminist Theologians' Perspectives on Sexual, Reproductive and Human Rights, HIV and Violence Against Women (VAW)". She also presented a Theological Reflection on Violence and Justice in another group session with the World Day of Prayer women from the U.K.

On July 17 she and her group of young women theologians from Romania, Indonesia and Argentina proceeded to Geneva where the world headquarters of YWCA is located, to familiarize themselves further with the work of YWCA, and to explore possibilities in helping the YWCA articulate its feminist theologies. Liza learned from the officers and staff of YWCA that it is important for YWCA to articulate its feminist theology\ies in its attempt to mobilize women to create a safe world for women especially for the young. ICCO – Kirk in Actie, also an ecumenical partner of CCA, is supporting YWCA this endeavor.

In 2009 CCA also gladly 'shared' Liza to the YWCA Regional Training Institute in Bali, Indonesia, where she facilitated four morning worships and theological conversations on VAW, HIV and AIDS, and Sexual and Reproductive Rights. That started the partnership between CCA and the World YWCA. (with news from Liza Lamis)

Ecumenical Creative Workshop for Youth and Students

The Ecumenical Creative Workshop of Youth and Students in Asia and the Pacific based on the theme, 'Justice and Peace Now!' was held in Tao Fong Shan, Hong Kong, on 25- 31 July 2011, where 25 youth leaders from CCA member churches and EASY Net participated.

Organized by CCA – EGY in partnership with the Hong Kong Christian Council (HKCC) and EASY Net, the workshop aimed to create a common platform for youth church leaders/students from Asia and the Pacific to articulate and demonstrate peace and justice concerns through alternative creative art forms; develop theological understanding to uphold and affirm life in its fullness in the context of an unjust society (world); strengthen revive/revitalize Asian youth ecumenical networking and promote youth involvement in prophetic ministry of peace, justice, healing and reconciliation; and produce a resource material/book to help mobilize and revitalize ecumenical youth groups in grassroots communities and local churches.

Featured were creative workshops on dance and spirituality for justice art therapy, healing and reconciliation, and participatory Bible studies using Asian contextual hermeneutics in re-reading the Bible. Participants shared how they celebrated the International Year of the Youth and their efforts in advocating for recognition of the youth participation in the decision making processes in church and society. (with news from Moumita Biswas)

Free Space Process Strategy Caucus in Amsterdam

Dr. Erlinda Senturias, CCA Consultant for HIV and AIDS, participated in the Free Space Process Strategy Caucus, organized and supported by the International Civil Society Support at Lloyd Hotel in Amsterdam on 21-22 July 2011. She was requested by the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (EAA) to represent the regional network. CCA is a member of the EAA.

The participants discussed the Strategic Investment Framework and the Theory of Change, and agreed on the following:

The participants support the principles that underpin the strategic Investment Framework. These include:
• the need for more strategic investments in the HIV/AIDS response that move away from a commodity approach;
• the need for a fully integrated and comprehensive approach that recognizes the (scaled up) role of civil society and community mobilization in all response areas: basic programme activities, critical enablers and synergies with development sectors;
• the need for strategic investments that focus on "funding the right thing", which means country specific and evidence-based interventions and activities;
• the need for increased investments (front loading) in order to fundamentally change the course of the epidemic, both in terms of infections prevented as well as AIDS deaths averted.
Participants however expressed concern regarding the potential flaws and/or gaps in the community and civil society components of the framework, including the assumptions in costing models that have been used.
Participants therefore call on Bernhard Schwartländer as head of the Investment Framework Study Group, for a meeting that would look into the concerns expressed in relation to the assumptions and costing models used. The aim of this meeting would be to establish full understanding of the assumptions, costing and other modelling that underpins the framework and to agree on an improved next iteration of the framework if deemed appropriate. Alvaro Bermejo, David Barr and Mat Southwell will prepare a request to this end with support of ICSS.
Participants will express their support for the principles as well as the need for additional work on the framework to UNAIDS (Michel Sidibe) and will call for his leadership in moving this forward. This message will include a request to UNAIDS to financially facilitate the follow up meeting between Study Group and representatives from civil society.
The outcomes of this meeting will determine to which extend participants can fully endorse a next (improved) iteration of the strategic Investment Framework. (with news from Erlinda Senturias)

Asian churches zero in on tourism impact

Two ECOT (Ecumenical Coalition on Tourism) Consultations in Chennai and Shillong in India put a sharp spotlight on the uncritical view that tourism is good for the poor.

The Chennai Consultation responded to ECOT's challenge to incorporate tourism concerns within the theological curriculum of churches. Shillong in North East India deliberated on tourism linked by the Indian government to a high profile 'Look East' development strategy.

The Chennai meeting organized with the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) urged theological institutions including the Senate of Serampore (University) to address tourism within the framework of theology and ethics, pastoral care, creation, and as an important missiological concern in developing societies faced with the effects of commercial tourism driven by profit, pleasure and enjoyment. This curricular work would be shared with other regions in the world.

Rev. Dr. Wati Longchar, dean of the Senate of Serampore (University), said in light of the negative impacts of mass tourism on economy, environment, culture and communities, the belief that tourism is good for the poor is a 'myth'. The consultation with Catholic and Protestant theologians from various parts of Asia called theological communities and civil society in Asia to challenge this myth "from the justice perspective".

In Shillong, representatives of North East Indian churches agreed that the development model pursued needs to be "revisited" by churches, communities, and relevant groups and governments. They stated that "as responsible people grounded in the call of the gospel and its values, we reject the kind of development that is being touted as good for the people of the region." The full statements are available from ECOT (office@ecotonline.org) (with news from Caesar de Mello)

Blessings of peace and joy to you!

Yours in Christ,

HENRIETTE HUTABARAT LEBANG
CCA General Secretary

Emergency food assistance for North Korea

2011-07-24T16:56:00.002+07:00

22 July, 2011

Dear CCA Officers, Member Churches and Councils:

At a meeting of the Ecumenical Forum for Korea (EFK) in Nanjing, China on 16th and 17th June 2011, a second shipment of 480 tons of flour for distribution to children in nurseries and kindergartens in North Korea was discussed and acted upon. This flour shipment follows the first shipment of 120 tons of flour which was transported to Pyongyang with the help of the Amity Foundation in China.

These flour shipments represent a continuing concern and response by the Korean churches in the South to the chronic food crisis suffered by North Koreans. This humanitarian aid will also help improve the present impasse on the Korean peninsula.

At the EFK meeting, pledges have already been received from the United Church of Canada and the Methodist Church in Britain. The Korean churches will be raising the remaining amount necessary to procure the flour and to meet transport costs through the National Council of Churches in Korea. It is for this reason that the NCCK issued an appeal to CCA to help mobilize resources and raise funds from the Asian churches to extend assistance to people in dire food situation in North Korea.

CCA’s Charlie Ocampo, Executive Secretary for Justice, International Affairs, Development and Service represents us in the EFK.

Attached is the letter of request issued by the Rev. Kim, Young Ju, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in Korea.

We offer prayers to our sisters and brothers in North Korea but we would also like to extend our generosity by helping raise funds for the food shipment through the NCCK.

Yours sincerely,

Henriette Hutabarat Lebang
General Secretary CCA

CCA e-Letter - 8/7/11

2011-07-08T15:26:00.001+07:00

CCA e-Letter

8 July 2011

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ –

Greetings from the general synod meeting of Toraja Church in Indonesia.

It is my great joy to be invited on behalf of CCA to the special gathering of my own church, the Toraja Church. This meeting is convened every five years and this time it is on July 2 to 9, 2011, under the theme: "Love in deed and in truth."

Attended by around 1000 participants representing 85 classis or districts of Toraja Church, it consists of 1000 congregations with about 500,000 members. The synod emphasized the importance of building a spirituality among church members rooted in love and truth especially in the midst of the challenges of materialism and deception.

July 3, 2011, was a decisive day for Thailand, CCA's host country. Yingluck Shinawatra, sister of former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra of the Pheu Thai party has won to become the first woman PM of Thailand. She vows to swiftly tackle Thailand's problems with a priority to foster reconciliation.

CCA is hoping and praying for a better future for Thailand and its people as it welcomes a new coalition government to lead the nation.

Rejoice for South Sudan

South Sudan achieves its independence on Saturday 9 July 2011, after four decades of recurring warfare and confrontation in Sudan that caused an estimated death toll of more than 2 million as well as destroying much of the region's infrastructure and eroding resources necessary for a healthy economy.

The WCC, Sudan Council of Churches (SCC) together with the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) member churches have accompanied and remained deeply involved in efforts toward peace in Sudan. The WCC, AACC and SCC were instrumental in the creation of the Sudan Ecumenical Forum through which Christians provide support to Sudanese churches in their advocacy for peace and reconciliation. These undertakings helped bring about the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement which ensured the creation of the Republic of South Sudan.

We praise and thank God for this noble achievement for the people of South Sudan. Let us accompany our brothers and sisters in the future South Sudan with earnest prayers that peace will dwell forever in their land.

Food for North Korea

The Ecumenical Forum for Peace, Reconciliation, Reunification and Development in the Korean Peninsula (EFK), in its June 16-17, 2011 meeting in Nanjing, China, called on churches and the ecumenical community to advocate and lobby governments, the United Nations and the European Union to end the current strategy of using food as a political weapon to isolate the North Korean government and cause its downfall.

The EFK, which is coordinated by the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs (CCIA) of the World Council of Churches (WCC), is composed of representatives from WCC member churches, constituencies and partners from Europe, North America and Asia, including representatives from churches in North and South Korea. CCA was represented in the meeting by Carlos Ocampo, Executive Secretary of CCA Justice, International Affairs, Development and Service (JID) cluster.

Of great concern among the EFK is the lack of international response to the food crisis in North Korea which could threaten peace and security in the Korean Peninsula.

Despite being the major donors of food aid to North Korea during the severe food crises following the famine of the 1990s, the U. S. and South Korea have both withdrawn their food aid to North Korea and imposed sanctions in response to North Korea's policy of developing nuclear weapons and its recent military activities.

The Rev. Kim Young Ju, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCC Korea) said that "Christians in South Korea are firmly committed to support food aid to our brothers and sisters in the North who are faced with starvation."

Recently the NCC Korea sent a shipment of 172 tons of food to North Korea with the financial support of the EFK and South Korean churches, despite a South Korean government order prohibiting any civil society and religious organizations from supporting people in North Korea.

The South Korean government criticized the NCC Korea for contacting the North Koreans and went ahead with the aid shipment without getting South Korean government approval. "Even though the South Korean government is prohibiting us from sending food aid to North Korea, we will follow only the order of Jesus Christ, who taught us to love our suffering neighbors," said Ju.

The Rev. Kang Yong Sop, chairman of the Korean Christian Federation (KCF) of North Korea, expressed appreciation for the support and solidarity by the ecumenical family members from around the globe through the coordination of the WCC.

"The NCC Korea will continue to arrange shipment of food to North Korea, and the South Korean churches are committed to continue their support and solidarity with the suffering North Korean people. This will also be our prophetic witness," Ju said. (WCC e-news, and with reports from Carlos Ocampo)

A Hymnal Companion to 'Sound the Bamboo'

CCA is happy to announce Dr. I-to Loh's latest work, a 616-page reference work, Hymnal Companion to Sound the Bamboo: Asian Hymns in their Cultural and Liturgical Contexts. Published by GIA in the USA and released this year 2011, this important reference embodies I-to Loh's life work on Asian church music, and his mature theological reflections on contextualization.

The Hymnal Companion to "Sound the Bamboo" examines the hymns in their historical, cultural, and spiritual contexts of 22 countries - this in addition to the usual background stories of texts and tunes of specific hymns in the related hymnal and the biographies of their contributors. The book is also abundantly illustrated with music examples and photos of native instruments, liturgical spaces, and personages.

The hymnal Companion is now available at Trinity Theological College in Singapore, making its first appearance in Asia this June 2011. For interested parties, you may visit http://www.ttc.edu.sg/.

A Hymn Festival in Thanksgiving for the Ministry of Dr Loh was tendered by Trinity Theological College in Singapore on June 25, 2011, 7:30 P.M. CCA was one of those who gave a tribute to Dr Loh.

Dr I-to Loh was the general editor of the "Sound the Bamboo: CCA Hymnal 2000", with first printing in 1990, published by the Christian Conference of Asia. Sound the Bamboo is available from CCA for USD 15. For orders, email cca@cca.org.hk

A growing grassroots interest in the ecumenical movement

Twelve leaders from local communities from the Philippines were on an exposure visit to CCA on July 6, 2011, on what Asian countries are doing to promote peace in an interfaith setting.

Dr. Elma M. Neyra, SCC Vice President for Community Education, Research and Extension Administration (CEREA) of the Southern Christian College (SCC) in Midsayap, South Cotabato, led the participants in the 2011 South-to-South Study Exposure of
CEREA's Peace and Development Program. This rogram facilitates its involvement together with the Tri-peoples (Bangsamoro, Katawhang Lumad (Indigenous Peoples) and Katawhang Migrante (migrant people) in Mindanao in responding and addressing the needs of the victims of atrocities, the marginalized and the less privileged.

The group joined the CCA Wednesday Staff worship where Pastor Sidney A. Sevilla from the group shared on the mandates of following the example of Jesus Christ and of peace making, especially citing common references from the Christian Bible and the Holy Quran as the group has three Muslim participants.

A sharing on the work and programs of CCA followed, facilitated by Mr Carlos Ocampo, Executive Secretary for JID. The community leaders were glad to learn that CCA promotes not only intra-faith but also interfaith dialogue and collaboration and values working with civil society groups in many urgent issues confronting Asia.

The community leaders also visited the Institute of Religion, Culture and Peace of Payap University to learn more on the program theme, Religion, Gender, Ecology and Peace. They also paid a courtesy visit to the Rev. Dr. Pradit Tankerngrangsarit, president of Payap University. The first part of the program was a visit to Cambodia prior to Thailand.

The following were the participants are CEREA partner-leaders from the communities of Cotabato Province representing a sector or program: Ismael, Misuari, Lanson, Abdulrakman, both Interfaith Leaders, Bangsamoro; Pasante, Sarato, Local Development Worker, Bangsamoro; Sevilla, Sidney, Confederation of Farmers Representative; Mamparair, Alonzo, Farmer Trainers' Representative and an Indigenous Person; Bangcas, Paulita, Women Sector Representative, also an Indigenous Person; Magpili, Martin Jr., CEREA staff for Agriculture; Ugalingan, Analyn Lea T. – CEREA Staff, Children and Gender; and AngSinco, Elvira C., EED Seconded Personnel.

You would be elated to know that Dr. Erlinda Senturias, currently CCA HIV and AIDS consultant was the immediate past president of SCC. (with reports from Liza Lamis)

Ecumenical Youth Trekking

The Ecumenical Youth Council in Korea (EYCK) organized a unique mission summer program for the youth dubbed as Ecumenical Trekking (ET). Twelve youth leaders and students from Korea are participating in this program and will trek Chiangmai (Thailand), Wienchan (Laos) and Hannoi (Vietnam). The program aims to build the youth capacity and spiritual formation in understanding the different dynamics of God's mission in different cultures. The theme of the Program is: 'You are the Living Letter of Christ'.

Sol, Yoonsuk general secretary of EYCK and Byung-chul PARK of the Korean Students Christian Federation (KSCF) accompanied the group. On July 5 they visited the CCA office for dialogue and sharing on the vision, mission of CCA and how ecumenical youth networking can be strengthened, which was facilitated by Moumita Biswas, Executive Secretary of Ecumenical Formation, Gender Justice and Youth Empowerment cluster. Moumita also shared on the various youth activities of CCA and how Korean churches have been partnering with CCA in youth leadership development, and how can EYCK help CCA mobilize the youth for the Asian Students Youth Gathering (ASYG) in 2012. More than 150 youth leaders from churches around Asia are expected to gather to reflect on the theme, 'Justice and Peace Now'. (with reports from Moumita Biswas)

Strengthening ties in Aotearoa New Zealand

Dr. Hope Antone of the CCA – FMU is currently in Aotearoa NZ for a series of ecumenical lectures. On July 5, she had an hour of sharing at the Ecumenical Women's Meeting of the Methodist Women's Fellowship on the topic, "The Role of Women in Developing and Promoting Ecumenism". This was held at the Trinity Methodist Church of New Zealand where the Rev. Prince Devanandan, CCA General Committee member, is the Parish Superintendent.

Dr. Antone also met with John Roberts, president elect of the Methodist Church and his wife, Diana. In the afternoon, she visited the Synod Office of the Anglican Church where she met with Rev. Michael Hughs, the General Secretary.

On July 6, Wednesday, together with the Very Rev. Pamela Tankersley who is FMU Program Area Committee member, met with Rev. Dr. Stuart Vogel who heads the Presbyterian Church of ANZ Asian Advisory Committee. In the evening she gave a public lecture on "Towards a Wider Ecumenism", at the same time introducing CCA. Dr Antone is scheduled to meet more ecumenical leaders in Aotearoa NZ.

Meeting the local people and visiting the CCA member churches in situ is always a connecting and grounding experience. Let us hope and pray to further strengthen ecumenical ties that bind us and keep us tightly bonded together in the service of God's people. (with reports from Hope Antone)

Building HIV Competent Faith Communities

Fifty-four (54) participants attended the Round Table Meeting on Building HIV Competent Faith Communities held at Myanmar Ecumenical Sharing Center in Yangon, Myanmar on June 18-23, 2011.

All the participants from Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, India and Zimbabwe were important resource people who shared their experience and expertise on the subject. They appreciated the sharing of the 7 Networks (Myanmar Positive Group, Myanmar Positive Women Network, MSM Network, Sex Workers in Myanmar (SWIM), National Drug Users Network, National NGO Network, Myanmar Interfaith Network on AIDS) and the active participation and sharing of the Myanmar Positive Christian Network and religious leaders who are living with HIV and AIDS who shared their precious stories to the group.

CCA is deeply grateful for the hospitality of the local hosts from various faith especially those who belong to the Myanmar Interfaith Network on AIDS (MINA) and local donation of food and cash to support other round table expenses from Burnet Institute, Myanmar Catholic HIV and AIDS Network (MCHAN), Myanmar Council of Churches (MCC), Judson Church, and Ratana Metta Organization.

The presence of the Asian Interfaith Network on AIDS (AINA), the Indian Interfaith Coalition on AIDS (IICA), the Indonesian Interfaith Network on AIDS (INTERNA), the Interfaith Network on HIV and AIDS in Thailand (INHAT), the Asian Muslim Action Network (AMAN), the Catholic Commission on Health, and the International Network of Religious Leaders living with and personally affected by AIDS in the Asia Pacific Region (INERELA+) encouraged the other countries to set up their own interfaith networks like Bangladesh.

We thank Rev. Saw Shwe Lin, Rev. Dr. Arthur Kolay, Dr. Soe Naing (UNAIDS) and Dr. Samuel Kyaw Hle, Moderator of Judson Church for their greetings and sharing on the HIV situation in Myanmar. We express our thanks to Dr. Susan Purcell Gilpin (Dr. Sue Parry), consultant of the WCC EHAIA for her inspiring sharing on Building HIV Competent Churches; Rev. Dr. Wati Longchar for his challenging interactive methodology of Theology and HIV which helped interrogate our understanding of a Mighty, Hierarchical God to a God who is Loving, Compassionate, journeys with us in our suffering and in our everyday life where ever we are; and for Ms. Darlene Caramanzana for leading the group on Building HIV Competent Churches in the Bible Study.

Through the very able facilitation of Dr Erlinda Senturias, CCA HIV and AIDS consultant, we are now hoping to echo this to the 7 countries (Myanmar, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, and Bangladesh).
The first seminar already took place in Lashio, Myanmar on June 26-29. Fifteen from Myanmar Baptist Churches, ten from Lashio Council of Churches, and Myanmar Catholic HIV and AIDS Network participated. Rev. Mang Kang Sum of the Myanmar Baptist Convention coordinated the seminar, and the resource persons aside from him are Ms. Julia Aye Thida and Ms. Khine Mar Swe.

The rest of the countries have made plans for meetings from September to October. The participants read the pledge of commitment as developed for the religious leaders by the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance and owned it as their own pledge and promise to ensure zero stigma and discrimination of people living with HIV and AIDS, zero gender based violence and zero new HIV infection.

Let us 'live the promise' and let us meaningfully involve people living with HIV and AIDS.

CCA looks forward to the meeting of interfaith leaders in Busan, Korea on August 23-25, 2011 and in the many initiatives on HIV in our own countries. (with reports from Erlinda Senturias)

"Mission belongs to the very being of the church"

This is the opening statement of the Preamble of the Christian Witness in a Multi-Religious World: Recommendations for Conduct, a document produced by the World Council of Churches, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and the World Evangelical Alliance.

A product of five years of collaborative work, this document is meant to encourage churches, church councils and mission agencies to reflect on their current practices and to use the recommendations in this document to prepare, where appropriate, their own guidelines for their witness and mission among those of different religions and among those who do not profess any particular religion.

I urge all CCA members to study this document in the light of their own practices in witnessing to Christ, both by word and deed. The document can be accessed from the CCA website (www.cca.org.hk)

Fellowship of the Least Coin

CCA is consistently engaged in promoting the Fellowship of the Least Coin, a worldwide ecumenical movement of prayer for peace and reconciliation. Every year CCA in partnership with the Asian Church Women's Conference (ACWC) is responsible for endorsing grant applications to the International Committee of Fellowship of Least Coin (ICFLC) to support women's initiatives for peace and justice in Asia.

This year CCA endorsed applications from the Mulvany Shelter Home serving aged widows and destitute women of the Church of North India (CNI) in Kolkata Diocese; the Conflict Transformation Training of the Women's Fellowship of Toraja Church in Indonesia; and the EASY Net Initiative of Asian Students Youth Gathering in 2012 which will mobilize a big number of Asian youth to reflect on the theme, ' Justice and Peace Now!. (with reports from Moumita Biswas)

Guests welcomed

Mr. Jung, Ryong Jae or Isaac, was CCA's guest on June 30. Isaac is an M. Div. student at the Boston University School of Theology who was visiting the Mekong countries to experience and understand mission work and missionaries in the Mekong Region. He was also interested in knowing about CCA and its work, and was thus given by Mr Carlos Ocampo a briefing on CCA and a quick tour of the CCA Library.

Referred to CCA by the General Board of Global Mission of the United Methodist Church USA, Isaac was hosted by Rev. Gary and Cindy Moon of the United Methodist Church Chiang Mai Mission.

Blessings of peace and joy to you!

Yours in Christ,

HENRIETTE HUTABARAT LEBANG
CCA General Secretary

Asia Communication Sunday 2011: Communicating Climate Justice

2011-06-24T16:58:00.000+07:00

Rev. Dr Samuel Meshack, Chairperson – WACC-Asia introduces the theme "Communicating Climate Justice" for Asia Communication Sunday 2011

I greet you all on behalf of the members of the World Association for Christian Communication – Asia Region. I am happy to inform you that the WACC – Asia Region which met at Yogyakarta, Indonesia from the 15 – 20 May 2011 for its Preassembly and Triennial Assembly on the theme, “Communicating Climate Justice” has proposed that this year’s Asia Communication Sunday could be celebrated on the same theme, making the churches and societies aware of the urgency with which the world is calling for climate justice.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that by the year 2100 the average temperature of the atmosphere will rise between 1.1° C and 6.4° C, resulting in the rise of the sea level, the melting of glaciers and an increase in the number of extreme meteorological occurrences (IPCC, 2007). Current statistics indicate that we are heading towards the upper limit of this scenario. Climate change most likely the greatest threat to the existence of the present and future generations, and to the continued existence of non-human life on earth. It is an existential threat to human rights concerning the food, safety and habitat of hundreds of millions of people. Climate change is increasingly recognized as the central issue in the world.

The UNDP report of 2007 points out that safeguarding the functioning of the biosphere is one of the most important social contributions we can make to the future, and to the fight against poverty. The shortage of drinking water, the desertification and erosion of fertile lands and the climate-related changes to the potential of natural habitats in the 21st century are some of the main causes of poverty, as well as being the consequences of poverty. There is a close connection in global terms between ecological and social problems. There is no justice without environmental protection, and no environmental protection without justice.

The Triennial Assembly also noted that climate change is primarily anthropogenic, caused by humans. Hence, it is not a question of fate, but of justice. The excessive use of fossil fuels in industrial countries is ecological aggression, robbing millions of people in developing countries of their right to life; it should be recognized as a new form of colonialism. In relation to the climate change crisis, conversion is what we need; to convert our attitudes, our paradigms, our ways of life.

An in-depth understanding of Godin-creation, the transparence of God, more than his transcendence, helps to rediscover a forgotten dimension of human-beings’ place in creation. The cry of the earth is also the cry of the poor and vise versa. The 2007 report of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) already recognized the most vulnerable groups and regions who are suffering and will suffer most consequences of climate change. These groups include the poor, indigenous peoples and communities living in low lying islands. To respond to climate change challenges means to consider these communities in particular and act responsibly and audaciously. As A. Honneth points out, … it is not the limits of nature, but the seemingly limitless desire of humanity in connection with the extreme rise in knowledge of its availability which are today the main threats to our future.

WACC points out that, communicators can make a difference, by amplifying the voices of marginalized people and communities. Ensure that equity and mutual accountability are at the heart of any response to climate change. Together we can prevent the ship from sinking!

It is this call that enables us to call for “Communicating Climate Justice” for our Asia Communication Sunday 2011. We invite all those interested and challenged to share your stories, prayers, faith affirmations, hymns and songs, tit-bits, slogans, etc., to generate a worship resource book. We are also calling you to participate with us on 26 June 2011 as the Asia Communication Sunday 2011. Kindly send your materials to Rev. Raj Bharath Patta (Email ID: rajpatta@gmail.com) or Fr. Jerry Kurian (Email ID: (jerryachen@gmail.com) on or before 4 June, 2011.

Let us together celebrate Asia Communication Sunday on 26 June 2011.

With prayers and blessings,

Rev. Dr. Samuel Meshack
Chairperson, WACC-Asia

CCA MESSAGE FOR PENTECOST SUNDAY

2011-06-10T20:30:00.000+07:00

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth…”

A local congregation in Central Java, Indonesia, invites people especially those who originally come from this particular village to return home to celebrate Pentecost. Farmers bring their first harvest of fruits of their labor like rice, fruits and vegetables, chicken, etc. Market vendors bring some of the items they sell and the workers their tithes. There will also be a parade around the community with cultural nuances. Pentecost is a thanksgiving celebration for the many blessings God has bestowed for this community.

This reminds us of the Pentecost event as told in the book of Acts 2 that happened in Jerusalem in the time of harvest attended by people coming from different places with different cultures and languages. As they were all gathered in one place, a rushing mighty wind struck, strong and violent. That was not a tsunami or tornado that kills life, but the Spirit of God which empowers people to speak in diverse tongues in various expressions, yet in a sincere unity of affections. The people were able to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, speaking in languages foreign to them, yet understanding each other. The Holy Spirit filled the entire place and each person, and granted them the ability to go beyond human divisions and overcome segregations.

We are facing many crises in our communities because of the absence of, and the misappropriation of truth. Many people have lost confidence and trust for each other and for their leaders. Even within the family and the churches the spirit of deceit and betrayal has blown strong, infecting and destroying the lives of many.

Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to his disciples when he was about to ‘go to his Father’s house’. He reminded them of the challenges they would face. They will be marginalized, thrown out of their communities and even be killed, and those who kill them “will think that by doing this they are offering worship to God.” (John 16:1-4) This reminds us of the many Christian communities which are isolated and persecuted because of what they believe in, and the many forms of hatred and enmity in human history.

To the disciples who were scared and dismayed in facing life’s turbulence, Jesus promised that on his behalf God will send the Advocate, the Comforter and Healer – to defend them, to console them and to heal their wounds. He assured them that “When the Spirit of truth comes he will guide you into all the truth…” (John 16:13) The Holy Spirit, the Comforter descended upon the apostles also to shake them up from their complacency. Pentecost is God's power over the evils that victimize communities, including the church.

In the midst of the plurality of Asia and our common calling to witness to Jesus Christ today, we need the power of the Holy Spirit to strengthen us to meet the challenges of our time, and help us to understand each other despite the different expressions of our Christian faith so that we can be credible agents of justice and peace in our communities. Despite our alarming realities we are thankful that God continuously invites us to be co-workers in proclaiming the truth.

As we celebrate Pentecost let us be mindful of the many people in Asia who are starving because of drought and poverty, besieged by hopelessness in the midst of continuous conflicts and war, and persecuted because of their faith. Let us pray for those who are preoccupied only of their own interests and who have lost direction and commitment to uphold life for all.

Let us humbly yield to God and boldly pray together: “Come Holy Spirit…, come and guide us into your truth.”

REV. DR. HENRIETTE HUTABARAT LEBANG
General Secretary
10 June 2011

CCA e-Letter - 10/6/11

2011-06-10T12:52:00.003+07:00

CCA e-Letter

June 2011

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ –

Greetings of Peace from the CCA office in Chiang Mai!

Hunger in North Korea
A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping.
Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more. (Jeremiah 31.15)

On May 18 the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCC Korea) sent 172 tons of flour to the Korean Christian Federation (KCF) in North Korea through the help of the Amity Foundation in Nanjing, China.

It took almost two months for Amity to purchase and transport the flour via Shineuijoo, a border city, to Pyongyang. The delivery was carried out as planned at the meeting of representatives from NCC Korea and the KCF in Beijing, China, on March 16, 20011.

We do not hear much about the serious problem of food shortage in North Korea, but KCF and the UN World Food Program representatives are saying there is hunger in North Korea. In the last three years Lee Myung Bak's government has blocked any group from sending food or humanitarian assistance like medicine and milk to the starving people in North Korea.

This determination and action of sending flour through Amity has been widely reported in the Korean media, and has been warmly welcomed and supported by many people and churches. Now the South Korean government is unhappy at NCC Korea's activity. It is even planning to sue for this 'illegal activity', deemed against the law of civilian cooperation and exchange between the North and the South Korea.

The Ecumenical Forum for Peace, Reunification and Development Cooperation on the Korean Peninsula is appealing to all to call on the South Korean government to resume its humanitarian support to North Korea without any condition, if it really wants peace in the Korean peninsula.

More doors of humanitarian aid to North Korea need to be opened. More hearts and arms need to be opened, too, to open these humanitarian doors and corridors.

The Ecumenical Forum for Peace, Reunification and Development Cooperation on the Korean Peninsula released an appeal to support the work of the churches in Korea in response to the humanitarian crisis in the North. CCA thus appeals to all touched by the compassion and love of Jesus Christ, especially for the cold and the hungry ones. You may email the Rev. Mrs. Heawon Chae (heawonchae@hanmail.net), Executive Coordinator of the Ecumenical Forum for Peace, Reunification and Development Cooperation on the Korean Peninsula to offer your support and prayers for humanitarian aid to North Korea, or to ask her what other concrete forms of support are needed – and what you can offer.

In a most recent development, the Rev. Kang Young Sup, Chairman of the Korean Christian Federation (KCF) wrote to Rev. Kim Young Ju, NCC Korea's General Secretary on June 6, 2011, expressing KCF's support to the various efforts of the NCC Korea for justice, democratization, peace and reunification. He also acknowledged the cooperation of member churches and overseas ecumenical partners of NCC Korea.

Rev. Kang Young Sup further said that KCF has started the distribution of the flour that has finally reached the North to the kindergarten children based on an overall distribution plan for 3 townships. About 31,400 children would benefit from this shipment. The KCF asked NCC Korea to send additional humanitarian aid for 8 townships, specifically 480 metric tons of flour needed for 106,800 kindergarten children.

Before we lose our children due to hunger and weep like Rachel, let us do our best to help feed the hungry in Korea. Let us also earnestly pray for the churches in Korea and the entire ecumenical endeavour towards achieving peace in the Korean Peninsula.

The International Ecumenical Peace Convocation in Jamaica

The International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC) in Kingston, Jamaica is an ecumenical consultation that marked the end of the Decade (2001 to 2010) to Overcome Violence declared by the World Council of Churches. The convocation featured Bible studies, reasoning workshop sessions and plenary presentations on Peace in the Community, Peace with the Earth, Peace in the Marketplace, and Peace among the Peoples.

Mr. Carlos Ocampo of CCA – JID helped organize two Reasoning Sessions: 1) Empire, Violence, and Interfaith Responses; and 2) Campaign for a Peace Treaty to Replace the Armistice Agreement in the Korean Peninsula. The first Workshop was conducted in collaboration with the Peace for Life Foundation, while the second Workshop was with the Presbyterian Church of the Republic of Korea (PROK). Both Workshops are identified as priority areas for CCA's Justice, International Affairs, Development and Service Programs.

The churches' theological understanding of peace, market place, and globalization is a significant stride in the active search and advocacy for peace and human rights. Recommendations from the IEPC will be brought to the 2013 WCC Assembly in Busan, South Korea.

Dr. Erlinda Senturias, CCA Consultant for HIV and AIDS organized a Reasoning Session on HIV Competencies in the Asian Churches. She was one of the panelists of the Workshop on "Securing Safe Space – HIV and Human Sexuality" on May 20. She shared the journey of the Christian Conference in creating a safe space for discussing
HIV and AIDS in Asian Churches. (with reports from Carlos Ocampo and Erlinda Senturias)

Ecumenical Lectures series

May 9 -11m 2011, STT Sundermann, Nias, Indonesia
Dr. Hope Antone, CCA - FMU Executive Secretary, delivered a lecture on "Mission in the Context of Asia" for students taking up Missiology with Dr. Tuhoni, to around 60 students from the 4th and 5th years of STT Sundermann. Four church leaders and nine faculty of STT Sundermann attended the afternoon sharing. The afternoon session was with the faculty of STT Sundermann and church leaders.

Each session was followed by a time of questions and answers. The afternoon session ended with a shared meal at the campus attended by the faculty and church leaders.

Reaching out to the remote areas where our member churches are, and where their theological institutions are, is quite an important way of showing them that CCA cares for them. Nias island is located in the west of Sumatera island which was hit terribly by tsunami in 2009.
(with reports from Hope Antone)

May 24, 2011, Duta Wacana Christian University (UKDW)
Dr. Liza B. Lamis, CCA Communications Consultant gave a lecture to around 25 theology students, faculty and church women on "Towards Healing and Wholeness: Ending Sexual Abuses in the Churches" sponsored by the Faculty of Theology. Practical questions were raised during the open forum like what can churches do to respond to abuse cases that are just ignored and continue to be allowed to happen.

To help the local churches, a sample policy on Sexual Misconduct (of the Presbyterian Church – USA, Chicago Presbytery) and the website address of a sample policy on sexual misconduct in the church was shared to the faculty as reference materials to help local churches take action towards ending sexual abuses. Liza also encouraged the school's Faculty of Theology to work closely with local church women's organizations in responding together to the issue of abuses. (with reports from Liza Lamis)

May 25, 2011, Satya Wacana Christian University (UKSW)
Liza gave another lecture on the same topic as above to around 50 graduating theology students of Rev. Dr. Daniel Nuhamara, immediate past president of PERSETIA (organization of theological schools in Indonesia). The participants shared at the open forum that the issue of sexual abuses in the church is not new at all, but cases are always swept under the rug, so to speak. Some questions raised were related to risks in exposing abuses and how local churches should respond especially to victims and their families. Liza also challenged the students who will be pastors soon to be more deliberate and keen in responding to abuses as it is a social justice issue. (with reports from Liza Lamis)

Ecumenical Enablers' Training

On May 23-27, 2011, an Ecumenical Enablers' Training was held in Kathmandu, Nepal, where a total of 34 participants from different independent denominations, including Charismatic and Pentecostal groups participated. A number of them were currently serving as pastors, and many were youth and women students in universities in Kathmandu.

Resource persons were Rev. Dhanbir Rai, a doctoral student at the Serampore University and a faculty member of Clark Theological College in Nagaland, India; Dr. Limatula Longkumer, vice principal of Jorhat Theological College in Nagaland, India; and Dr. Hope S. Antone, CCA – FMU Joint Executive Secretary.

The program contents included daily morning worship led by NCC Nepal with Dr. KB Rokaya as General Secretary giving the reflection. On the first day a general introduction and theme exposition on "Living Together in the Household of God" was made by Dr. Hope Antone of CCA - FMU. This was followed by inputs on the different voices and perspectives – e.g. God's creation, women, youth and children by Limatula Longkumer; people of different races/ethnicity/religions/cultures, the poor and oppressed, the sick and those with HIV and AIDS by Dhanbir Rai; different denominations and ecumenical organizations by Hope Antone.

With the importance of training like this already established, a suggestion was made to bring this training to the more remote areas of Nepal – not only in Kathmandu – in order to reach out to more people.

Having come to this training and listened to all the inputs, a number of the participants shared that they now have a new picture of NCCN and the ecumenical movement. They heard many other things about NCCN before but they now understand why NCCN is so involved in social/political issues.

The good thing is that there were a few participants who did not come from NCCN-related churches and who even had a negative or suspicious attitude to NCCN before attending the training. It is hoped that they will now be more open to relate and work with NCCN. (with reports from Hope Antone)

Basic Ecumenical Course in Indonesia

A total of 40 participants (10 women, 7 international participants from Malaysia and Timor Leste) from member churches of CCA and PGI completed the two-week program on 2-15 May 2011, held at the Guest House and Conference Center of Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana, Kaliurang, Yogyakarta.

Rev. Dr. Tabita Kartika Christiani, professor of Christian Education at UKDW, served as dean of the BEC. Resource persons included leaders of PGI and theologians of Indonesia: Rev. Gomar Gultom, PGI General Secretary; Rev. Stefanus Christian Haryono, spirituality formation facilitator; Rev. Dr. Jozef Hehanussa, presentor on the history of Christianity in Indonesia; Rev. Dr. Andreas Yewangoe, PGI chairperson and presentor on the history of ecumenical movement in Indonesia; Rev. Dr. Kadarmanto Hardjowasito, Christian Education professor at STT Jakarta, presentor on the Global Ecumenical Movement and Contemporary Challenges; Rev. Josef P. Widyatmadja, former CCA executive secretary for FMU (URM) and presentor on Indonesian Realities and Ecumenical Agenda; Rev. Dr. Robert Setio, theology professor at UKDW and presentor on Indonesian Contextual Theologies; Ms. Anna Marsiana, coordinator of the Asian Women's Resource Center for Culture and Theology and presentor on Feminist Theologies; Rev. Retno Ratih Suryaning Handayani, a local pastor from Solor and presentor on interfaith theologies; and Fr. Kirjito, a Catholic priest and presentor on Theologizing on Caring for Creation. Dr. Hope S. Antone, CCA-FMU Joint Executive Secretary, gave an introduction to CCA and Wider Ecumenism.

Ms. Olvi Prihutami, staff of the Koinonia unit at PGI served as co-facilitator. A local host committee consisting of students from UKDW helped during the two-week BEC.

As part of their reflections, participants were asked to personally write down their new understanding of ecumenism and ecumenical movement. Then they went to small groups in two rounds: based on the region they came from, and based on issues they were interested in (religious pluralism, feminist theology, ecology and natural disaster, reading the Bible with new eyes). Finally they personally wrote down their action plans for their church/ institution and presented them to all participants.

Participants from Timor Leste expressed that in all CCA programs they have attended, this was one where they fully understood everything and they felt confident to take back something with them. They also said that it was good for them to come as a team of 4 for it means that they could do more – both at the synod and congregational levels.

Participants from Malaysia said that even though they struggled so much with the language (bahasa Melayu being different from Bahasa Indonesia), it was a humbling experience for them to listen more rather than talk more. They felt that while it was more logical for Malaysians to join the Indonesian BEC (the two countries sharing similar realities), they hoped for a time when Malaysia would be up for its own BEC. They expressed the lack of ecumenical perspective in many churches and the need for more local pastors and seminary students to be exposed to the ecumenical sharing and perspectives. (with reports from Hope Antone)

Asian Christian Communicators Assembly and Forum

Dr. Liza Lamis represented CCA to the World Association of Christian Communicators – Asia Region Pre-assembly Forum and Triennial Assembly on May 15-21, 2011, in Jogyakarta, Indonesia. Fifty-one WACC Asia members, global officers and observers attended. The forum featured various presentations and workshops on "Communicating Climate Justice".

It was CCA's pride to have share at the workshop groups during the forum that it has a climate justice policy for its members and has also initiated a move to integrate ecological justice in church formation and theological education curriculum among the CCA members.

The participants issued a communiqué on Climate Justice. As climate change in Asia is falling hardest on poor and indigenous communities, Christian communicators should adopt the concept of "climate justice" as a way to advocate for solutions that do not reinforce corporate control and consumerism. Churches should also take a proactive stand on the issue by promoting awareness through traditional media and among congregations.

A new set of officers for the WACC – Asia Region was also elected for the next triennium, with Rev. Dr. Samuel Meshack from India taking a second term as Chair; Ramon Bultron from Hong Kong as Vice Chair, Lydia Ma Hui-Jen from Taiwan as Secretary, Carla Natan from Indonesia and Hla Aung from Myanmar as Members.

The heritage tour on May 18 was a visit and tree planting at the foot of Mt Merapi, where Liza planted two sengwon trees for CCA.

CCA is an active WACC member, and has contributed articles to WACC's previous publications. (with reports from Liza Lamis)

Visit to CCA Member Churches in Central Java, Indonesia

Since Dr. Liza Lamis was already in Indonesia, she took time to visit CCA members in Java. She visited the Gereja Kristen Jawa (GKJ) in Salatiga on May 25, and met Rev. Eben Haezer Lalenoh as Rev. Andreas Untung Wiyono, General Secretary of GKJ had an emergency trip to Jakarta that day. They discussed about the current ministries of GKJ on organic agriculture that includes training of trainors of organic farmers and building farmers' networks on inter-religious cooperation. As a result of the visit GKJ will explore sending students to the Asian Rural Institute for further opportunities on training pastors on life-giving agriculture or LGA. LGA is one of CCA's priority programs under the JID cluster.

Founded in 1923, GKJ has a current membership of approx. 250,000 with 306 churches in 32 districts. GKJ hopes to continue to actively participate in CCA activities as co-organizer or host of CCA activities held in Indonesia.

On May 26 Liza visited Persatuan Gereja Gereja Kristen Muria Indonesia (GKMI or the Mennonites) in Semarang and met its young General Secretary, Rev. Timotius Adhi Dharma. GKMI has a membership of 15,000 (baptized adults only) with 60 mission posts. It has a strong ministry among the youth in the area of peace advocacy. Its diakonia ministry is impressive as GKMI is very much involved in inter-religious dialogue and cooperation and disaster response.

Rev. Adhi Dharma will be contributing an article on the GKMI's Youth for Peace program for the August 2011 CCA News issue focused on youth and children.

Liza connected the GKMI youth leader Mark Ryan to CCA youth leaders, namely Rev. Retno Ngapon and Johanna de la Cruz, and to the NCC India youth department. Mark is very interested for GKMI to reach out to a wider ecumenical youth circle.

In the afternoon of the same day Liza visited the Gereja Isa Almasih (GIA) also in Semarang. She met the General Secretary, Rev. Jairus Hasugian, together with two other pastor leaders. GIA is interesting as it professes to be pentecostal, ecumenical and is also actively involved in inter-religious cooperation.

Rev. Hasugian epxressed his appreciation for the visit, and requested CCA to someday conduct ecumenical lectures at the GIA seminary in Semarang.

Founded in 1946, the GIA has approximately 100,000 members in eight districts with 400 pastors. It has its own seminary located in the outskirts of Semarang with a population of around a hundred. The GIA will be celebrating its 65th anniversary on July 22 this year.

Touching ground gives us an opportunity to hear the sentiments and needs of CCA members, and to strengthen relationships and expand our ecumenical network. (with reports from Liza Lamis)

Ecumenical Consortium for Japan

A Japan Emergency Meeting convened by the Church Forum in Northeast Asia on behalf of CCA was held on May 6 – 7, 2011, in Seoul, Korea. The meeting was chaired by Rev. Andrew Chang, the General Secretary of NCC Taiwan, the incoming chair of the Church Forum in Northeast Asia.

Coordinated by Mr Victor Hsu, the meeting requested NCC Japan to set up an ecumenical consortium. The NCC Japan Executive Council overwhelmingly approved the proposal and as a result, the Japan Ecumenical Disaster Relief Office (JEDRO), housed at the same building where NCC Japan holds office.

CCA was represented by the Rev. Po Kam Cheung, CCA Executive Committee member and General Secretary of the Hong Kong Christian Council.

The meeting presented good initiatives from churches in the region and ecumenical partners. This model of ecumenical cooperation reinforces CCA's future approach in responding to disasters and emergencies in Asia. A statement issued by the meeting participants can be accessed from the CCA website, www.cca.org.hk (with reports from Carlos Ocampo and Victor Hsu)

Recruitment of CCA Executive Secretaries

This is a time of transition in the life of CCA. Some Executive Secretaries will complete their terms of service at different times this year. The recruitment process has already begun. A letter has been sent to the member churches and councils inviting applications for two positions, namely: Executive Secretary for Faith, Mission and Unity (FMU) and Executive Secretary for Ecumenical Formation, Gender Justice and Youth Empowerment. Further information can be found in the CCA website (www.cca.org.hk)

In the recent past, CCA used to have joint executive secretaries for each program cluster. Due to the present CCA financial challenges the General Committee in its March 2011 meeting decided to have only one executive secretary for each program cluster starting January 2011. Likewise, the General Committee has also decided that the position of Associate General Secretary for Finance and Relationships (AGS) will not be filled in the near future.

Let us pray that God will send us persons with integrity who are suitable for these positions and committed to the ecumenical ministry in Asia.

As we celebrate Pentecost, let us also pray that God will grant us the Holy Spirit to empower the churches in Asia to walk in the path of truth in our endeavors to witness to Christ who comes to the world so that all may be healed and be reconciled.

Yours in Christ,

HENRIETTE HUTABARAT LEBANG
CCA General Secretary

CCA e-Letter - 13/5/11

2011-05-16T10:48:00.001+07:00

CCA e-Letter

13 May 2011

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ –

Greetings of Peace from the CCA office in Chiang Mai!

O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come.
Our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home!

God has been our refuge and succor as we help rebuild lives and homes in Japan after the tsunami. And we still witness how God moves us to uphold one another. CCA is elated that the North East Asia Churches Forum have taken the initiative to invite the wider ecumenical family to respond to the urgent need to help Japan recover. A meeting was held at the Christian Academy in Seoul, Korea, on May 6-7, 2011, hosted by the National Council of Churches in Korea. The Statement of the meeting participants is posted in the CCA website (www.cca.org.hk, under JID section).

In the meantime, we still hear more news about more calamities that have happened in various places around the world recently - quakes in Auckland and Spain, floods along the Mississippi River in the USA demolishing many properties and even threatening lives, drought in parts of China destroying farmers' crops.

We are also greatly concerned with the growing tension between Cambodia and Thailand on border issues, the conflict and civil war in some Middle East countries as they struggle to find their way to democracy, and the fragile political situation in Nepal where the on-going peace process is in danger of breaking down.

Let us bring all these concerns to prayer. We specially pray for the churches in the Middle East particularly in Egypt in relation to the recent burning of a Christian church. We also remember and pray for one of our member churches, the Armenian Orthodox Church in Iran in the midst of the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East.

Assembly of the Women Fellowship of GKPS

The Assembly of the Women Fellowship of the Simalungun Christian Protestant Church or Gereja Kristen Protestant Simalungun (GKPS), one of the 21 CCA member churches in Indonesia, took place in Jakarta on 8-10 April 2011. The GKPS headquarters is in Pematang Siantar, North Sumatera, the area where CCA was born in 1957.

For the first time the Women Fellowship of GKPS held a huge assembly attended by around 600 women. Many of the participants came from North Sumatera where majority of the congregations are located. For many of them this was their first visit Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia.

I was invited to deliver a keynote speech at the opening of the Assembly under the theme "The Challenges of the Church in a Changing Situation of Indonesia and the Role of Women." It was a great opportunity for me to introduce CCA as a fellowship of Asian churches to church women from the local congregations. Many of them heard about CCA for the first time. I was grateful to the organizer who took care of my accommodations and paid my travel to Indonesia. I was able to meet and discuss common concerns with the synod of the GKPS under the leadership of Bishop Rev. Dr. Jaharianson Saragih. The idea of a CCA team visit to North Sumatera in the near future was warmly welcomed.

I then took the opportunity to visit the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) and two other member churches located in Jakarta. In the evening of 8 April, Rev. Retno Ngapon, one of the CCA Presidents and my self met the PGI officers, namely: Mrs. Ruth Kadarmanto (Chairperson); Rev. Gomar Gultom (General Secretary); and Rev. Kumala Setiabrata (Treasurer). We shared on the common concerns among members of the CCA family including the financial challenges faced by CCA, and the need for member churches and councils to support the life and ministry of CCA. We also discussed the possible increase in financial support from PGI. Rev. Ngapon and I were so grateful that they responded positively to the challenge and agreed to organize a fund raising activity in Indonesia on behalf of CCA.

On 11 April, Rev. Retno Ngapon, Rev. Citra Timur Sari, a member of the CCA Program Area Committee of Justice, International Affairs and Development and Service (JID), and I visited the headquarters of Gereja Kristen Indonesia (GKI, Christian Church in Indonesia) and Gereja Protestant di Indonesia Bagian Barat (GPIB, Protestant Church in West Indonesia). Both churches responded positively to our request to kindly increase their annual contributions to CCA. These visits have been an enriching experience for us as we were able to know better the situation and challenges faced by our constituents.

I am particularly grateful that the present CCA leadership from Indonesia (Rev. Gomar Gultom, member of the General Committee, Rev. Citra Timur Sari, member of PAC-JID and Rev. Retno Ngapon) graciously joined me in representing CCA and in sharing its concerns to member churches and councils in Indonesia.

The Rev. Mangisi Simorangkir, a PAC member of the Faith, Mission and Unity is now attending the Basic Ecumenical Course held at Duta Wacana Christian University in Yogyakarta, organized jointly by CCA-FMU and PGI on 2-15 May, 2011.

PCT Assembly

The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) held its 56th Assembly in Taipei on 26-29 April 2011, at the Hall of Mackay Memorial Hospital. I was invited to represent CCA to this Assembly and to deliver greetings. Prior to the Assembly, we had the opportunity for an exposure to the Mackay Memorial Hospital, established in memory of Dr. George Leslie Mackay, a missionary from the Presbyterian Church in Canada to Taiwan in 1884, whose special ministry was on healing and preaching. This hospital has become a blessing to the people of Taiwan.

I was so moved by the commitment of the members of PCT to raise funds for the relief work in Japan. It was very successful as they were able to reach beyond the targeted amount.

Visit to members in Hong Kong

From Taipei I proceeded to Hong Kong on 28 April. Mr Augustine Karmakar, the Honorary Treasurer of CCA from Bangladesh and I visited our member churches, met with some church leaders in Hong Kong and shared the joys and concerns of the CCA family. We visited the headquarters of the Salvation Army in Hong Kong and met Lieut. Colonel Samuel Pho, Commanding Officer of the Salvation Army Hong Kong and Macau Command.

We also visited the Most Rev. Paul Kwong, Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church of Hong Kong. We met with Rev. Lo Lung Kwong, the President of the Methodist Church of Hong Kong at the School of Divinity of the Chinese University, where we also met some staff of the university. In addition, we met with Rev. Po Kam Cheong, General Secretary of Hong Kong Christian Council (HKCC) and a member of CCA Executive Committee; and Bishop Thomas Soo, the Bishop of the Anglican Church in Hong Kong, member of the CCA Company in Hong Kong and former Honorary Treasurer of CCA. We discussed matters related to CCA finances and met with the CCA Auditor in Hong Kong.

We visited the office of Amity Foundation and met the Executive Director, Mr. Anthony Tong, and Helene Chan, a former Administrative Assistant of CCA in Hong Kong before who now works with Amity Foundation. It was a way for CCA to strengthen relationships with member churches and council, theological schools and other ecumenical organizations. The visit was enriching as we learned about the life of CCA members and received some suggestions for the enhancement of CCA's ministry. We visited the former CCA Center in Pak Tin Village, Tai Wai, which has been converted into a Buddhist monastery. I worshipped at the Kowloon Union Church, an ecumenical congregation where many CCA staff went to church when CCA was still in Hong Kong.

Theological education in the refugee camps

It was a moving experience for me to participate in a seminar of the teachers of theological seminaries and bible schools along the border of Thailand and Myanmar. It took us 6 hours to travel by car from Chiang Mai to Mae Sot, a city of Thailand located near the border with Myanmar. It was a special privilege to be invited and to have met about 60 teachers from 10 theological seminaries and bible schools located in the refugee camps along the border.

The teachers attended a three day seminar supported by the Presbyterian Church of Korea (PCK) Seosomoon Congregation, organized by Rev. Huh Chun Jung, a PCK pastor involved in the Mekong Ecumenical Program in the past 4 years.

It is heartening to note that in the midst of their struggles and being away from their homes as refugees, they were able to build and maintain a theological education which I believe has stimulated them to develop their theologies of struggle. Most of the participants are members of the Karen community and traditionally they belong to the Myanmar Baptist Churches.

On the way to the refugee camp, we visited the Mae Tao Clinic initiated by Dr. Cynthia Maung in February 1989, who fled from a brutal military crackdown in Myanmar at that time. It is basically a community health center located in Mae Sot, which for over 20 years has developed tremendously. Every day this Clinic is visited by about 500 patients from near and far. Many volunteers served there coming from various countries. Some volunteers are local people who were trained and supported by many organizations around the world. This Clinic certainly has been a blessing for the people especially the poor and the refugees, and is giving them hope for healing.

The 2011 Asia Sunday

June 5 is very near, the day we mark and observe the Asia Sunday. Asia Sunday is our way of lifting up to prayer and worship, the lamentations and cries of people around Asia. If the proposed date is not suitable to your church calendar, please find the best time for your church or congregation.

In desperate and hopeless situations, the questions that often arise in the hearts of those suffering are these: "Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?" (Psalm 77:9, NRSV) When people are hurting, wounded, desperate and lonely, we are called to pray for and with them. We are called to work together so that the healing and the reconciling power of God may transform darkness; so that hope may shine again and become a life-giving power in people's lives. Asia Sunday is our time for worshipping and praying together for Asia.

The Worship Resource Guide for the 2011 Asia Sunday has been widely circulated for your use. It is also available from our website (www.cca.org.hk) under Resources. We will gladly oblige to send you a pdf copy upon request. Simply email us (cca@cca.org.hk). Make use of the resources as you see fit. And kindly remember to share with CCA later, your feedbacks and suggestions, especially for the 2012 Asia Sunday. A special appeal is for us to remember our special dedication of offerings during Asia Sunday for the CCA Emergency Fund.

ACTS IV held

The Fourth Asia Conference of Theology Students (ACTS IV) gathered 31 students from 12 countries in Asia at the Bangkok Christian Guest House in Bangkok, Thailand on 3-7 April 2011. Of this number, 8 were Catholics while the others came from seminaries of Protestant and Independent traditions. The theme of the conference was "Praying and Working Together for Unity in the Household of God." Three biblical reflections were presented on the sub-themes of "The Gift and Task of Unity in Christ", "Unity in the Household of God" and "Praying and Working Together for Unity." Other inputs were on "Theologizing in the Context of Asia", "Tools of Analysis of Asian Reality", "Conflict Transformation", "Dialogue", "Promoting the Integrity of Creation", and "Peace Building: Thai Experience". (with reports from Hope Antone)

Ecumenical Enablers' Training for Vietnam

For the first time, CCA-FMU was able to organize the Ecumenical Enablers' Training in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on 26-29 April 2011. Some 44 pastors, students of Bible Schools or mission institutes from various parts of the country attended the training which focused on the theme, "Living Together in the Household of God." Although there was an initial resistance to interfaith and feminist approaches to doing theology, a number of participants later confirmed the need for these in their ministry. (with reports from Hope Antone)

Indian Churches endorse campaign against endosulfan

The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) expressed deep concern over permitting the use of endosulfan in India's ultimate agriculture.

NCCI endorses the campaign against endosulfan undertaken by the Indian Civil Society's different fora demanding and pressing for a nationwide ban on the deadly pesticide - the use of which over the years left scores dead and forced several hundreds to live with chronic health problems in many parts of India.

NCCI acknowledges and endorses the decision of the Stockholm conference to ban endosulfan. Realizing the grim danger posed by the pesticide to living beings and nature, it had been banned by 80 countries. NCCI demands that the Government of India inform the people as to why the UPA Government at the Centre is still reluctant to take action.

NCCI demands that the Government of India, especially the Ministry of Environment and Forest, should have a perpetual quest for assuring healthy agricultural products and improving the standards by banning harmful fertilizers. It believes that since endosulfan has been declared harmful worldwide, the Government of India should also do likewise and assure the health and safety of the Indian society. More details at http://www.nccindia.in/news/pressrelease/n_224.htm

Yours in Christ,

HENRIETTE HUTABARAT LEBANG
CCA General Secretary

PRAYER

2011-05-03T17:02:00.000+07:00

(by Rev. Claudia Genung Yamamoto)

God of rainbows and resurrection, you are our strength and our salvation. We have entered your gates today ready to sing songs of praise and joy, proclaiming your victory over death on this On this Easter tide, we bring our usual mixture of relief and joy, of doubt and wonder, but most of all, we bring our hope -- that the Risen Christ will also meet us in the garden, breaking through our own confusion, and speaking our own name with tenderness and love. As with Mary, startle us out of the old ways, into the light and new life of Resurrection.

We are grateful for how you sustain and nurture us, from birth to our present lives now, from the rain of the other day to the glory of a perfect spring day.....

Open our eyes to your Resurrection light shining out in the world all around us, giving meaning to what is routine, and burning away what is no longer necessary.

We know there are those here today, and many around the world, who cannot yet look up and see Christ...

If their vision is too blurred with discouragement, it is we who lift them into your presence now.

We pray for those who are ill in body, mind or spirit, especially .....

and for those seeking your special intercession, especially......

We pray for the lonely and the dispirited, for any caught in webs of addiction or abuse.

We weep with the those who grieve this time of year.....

We pray for those affected by the earthquake, tsunami, and radiation. Guide us in ways we can continue to do relief work. Let us also oppose the nuclear power plants so that we can bring healing to our earth.

We pray for the people here and in all parts of the world where there is suffering that they may regain their health and lives.

O Risen Christ, may your Resurrection light shine through all the tears and darkness, surprising us with your goodness and presence.

Even at Easter, especially at Easter, we despair for our needy world; we see how far we are from thy will being done on earth.

Remind us, Holy God, that through your Son's work on the cross, Resurrection light is already here among us.

Remind us that when Mary reached out to Christ in the garden, he re-directed her energies into the world, towards spreading the Good News, so that we are here today, celebrating the Resurrection, praying, loving, and hoping.

Teach us not so much to look for your light from above, or beyond, or from others, but to let it shine forth from our own transformed selves.

Allelulia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

And it is through him that we pray together, Our Creater who art in heaven....

EASTER MESSAGE

2011-04-26T11:17:00.000+07:00

Last week the people of Thailand joyously celebrated the “Songkran” festival, a big, traditional celebration of the new year. Similar events at the same time were also celebrated in many South East and South Asian countries such as Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, India and Sri Lanka - heralding the start of the traditional new year. The Songkran festival in Thailand takes place every 13 -15 of April, and one of the famous celebrations is here in Chiang Mai where the CCA office is located.

The Songkran celebration is a special time for a new year ritual giving much respect to water, the most important element in the agricultural culture of Southeast Asia. Also known as the “water festival” people use water as part of the ritual of cleansing and renewal for the new year, signifying one’s commitment to the renewal of life.

“I am thirsty,” is one of the seven words of Jesus on the cross. (John 19:28) Those words echo the cry of many people in Asia and around the world – those who have no clean water to drink, women walking many miles to find water for their families, communities opposing the privatization of water, children suffering from skin and various diseases due to contaminated water. And our most recent fear is the impact of nuclear leakage in Japan that could contaminate our Asian soil and water. Ironically, this cry “I am thirsty” is strongly heard also in the midst of the devastating power of water in the form of floods and tsunami.

Asia struggles heavily to cope with the impact of disasters that came one after another in quick succession, taking a heavy toll on human lives especially in developing countries. Religious freedom is becoming so fragile that lives were lost and many are in danger especially those of the religious minorities. These times are scary for many in Asia and we ask in fear, “what more is there to come?”

“Do not be afraid...,” said the angel to the women who came to visit Jesus at his tomb. The resurrection account says that the women saw an empty tomb. They were taken by fear, but also by joy. “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.” (Luke 24:5) That experience enabled those women to move from fear to freedom, joy and hope. And they could not keep the good news to themselves.

Jesus arose from the dead and left the tomb. He is alive! This, too, is our hope – that we can overcome the power of death, the same power that denies the people of God’s gift of Life. The risen Jesus calls us the Easter people of today to go and proclaim the power of life: “‘Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15).

As we walk through Easter time, let us be transformed, renewed and strengthened in our commitment to the God of Life. Let us remain persevering in hope amidst fears and disasters. Let us allow God to surprise us in our journey to gain fullness of life for all, especially for the least and the vulnerable.

HENRIETTE HUTABARAT LEBANG
General Secretary

LAST WORDS

2011-04-22T11:11:00.000+07:00

By Revelation Velunta

Last words are important to many of us. Famous last words include Rizal’s “Mi Ultimo Adios” (My Last Farewell) and Antonio Luna’s “P___ -Ina!” (trans., son of a b*** or mother f***) Those of us who watched the coverage of Fernando Poe, Jr.'s wake and burial years ago will remember the variety of remembrances of people who talked about his last words to them. My late mother's last words to me--when we were in the air-conditioned ER of the Philippine Heart Center--were: "Anak mainit, paypayan mo ako" (trans. Child, it's hot, please fan me). And, of course, the most famous last words ever recorded would be Jesus’ Seven as found in the gospels: Mark and Matthew have one; Luke has three; and John has three.

Many Christians do not read the Bible. We read books about the Bible and parts of the Bible. If the Gospels were movies, the way most of us “read” is akin to watching only parts of a movie, not the whole show.

Now, who among us only watch parts of a video--5 minutes of Harry Potter 7 or 10 minutes of Capten Barbell? The Gospels are complete narratives. I propose studying Jesus’s Last Words based on that fundamental assumption.In other words, if Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John were movies or tele-dramas, then Jesus’s dying words play important roles in how the stories play out.

Last Words-- Matthew

If one reads Mark and Matthew from beginning to end, one will discover that both narratives privilege Galilee as locus of God’s activity. Most of Jesus’s healing, teaching, and preaching ministry happen in Galilee. In the Matthean and Markan narrative Jerusalem is bad news. Jesus is betrayed in Jerusalem. Jesus is arrested, tortured, and executed in the Holy City. Jesus dies in Jerusalem. One can even argue that God forsakes Jesus in Jerusalem, thus at the point of death he cries, “Eli, Eli lama sabacthani?” or “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Many of us who grew up in church and in Sunday school remember the countless number of Bible verses we memorized. Many of us hated the ritual. I know I did when I was growing up. We thought those verses were useless until something happened in our lives and then the verses suddenly took on a life all their own.

The Jesus of Matthew was rooted in the Hebrew Scripture. At the lowest point in his life, near death, Jesus was not blaming God. He was quoting Scripture. Psalm 22 to be exact. I have witnessed people pass from this life to the life beyond and quite a few were quoting scripture. Remember that Matthew does not end with Jesus dying on the cross. The gospel ends with God raising Jesus from the dead. Psalm 22 begins with despair but ends with triumph and an affirmation of faith in a God who saves. Go and read it.

Jesus’ last words in Matthew celebrate the promise of Immanuel. In life, in death, in life beyond death, we are not alone. God is with us. Always.

Last Words—Mark

In Mark, Jesus cries, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabacthani” and dies. Unlike Matthew, the risen Jesus does not appear in the ending. Check your Bibles. The gospel ends in 16:8, where we find women silent and afraid. What we have in the story is a young man who tells the women that Jesus is going ahead of them to Galilee and will be waiting for them there. Jesus is not in the tomb. He is not inJerusalem. He is not where we want him to be. He is back in Galilee where his ministry began and he is waiting for us there. And we are afraid. Why? Because we know that this path will eventually lead to the cross. We know that following Jesus will lead to suffering and, yes, death.

Unlike Matthew, Luke, and John where we find beautiful stories of the resurrection—Jesus appears to Magdalene, to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, by the beach and eats breakfast with his followers, Mark offers a young man with a confirmation of a promise – Jesus is risen just as he told you. We do not see Jesus. We are told to believe he is risen. And it is only in going back to Galilee, in places we do not want to go, in ministering among the poorest and the most oppressed, that we will eventually find him.

The last words of Jesus in Mark are dying words. The gospel does not end with Jesus’ triumphant words as a risen Lord but with a young man’s affirmation of God’s resurrection power: that hope is stronger than despair, that faith is greater than fear, that love is more powerful than indifference, and that life will always, always conquer death.

Last Words—Luke

Many Filipinos love the Gospel according to Luke. I read somewhere that our favorite parables are The Prodigal Son and The Good Samaritan. Both come from Luke. A lot of the scriptural support for the Roman Catholic Church’s theology of preferential option for the poor is based on Luke.

God is definitely pro-poor in Luke. Jesus’s birth is announced to poor shepherds. Jesus's first sermon--which almost gets him killed--is a proclamation of good news to the poor. And this God who loves the poor so much is most often described as a loving parent. From Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, to Mary, the mother of Jesus, to the Father of the Prodigal Son who waited patiently for his son’s return, to Father Abraham who takes poor Lazarus into his bossom… the Gospel of Luke reminds us, offers us metaphors of God’s unconditional love as parent. At the cross, two of Jesus’s last three words in Luke are addressed to his father. Jesus says, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” If God is our parent and we are all God’s children, then we should ACT as brothers and sisters. This means not behaving like the older brother in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, or like the Rich Man in the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. This means acting like the Good Samaritan who did not consider the wounded Jew as an enemy but as a brother. Jesus in Luke challenges his followers to love their enemies and to do good to those who hate them. Jesus set the example. We call ourselves Jesus followers but do we really follow? If Jesus is our "Kuya" then our words and our deeds should remind others of our "kuya."

Bombing Afghanistan, invading Iraq, trampling on Philippine sovereignty in the guise of "visiting rights"-- are Jesus's brothers and sisters supposed to do these things? Jesus says to one of the criminals crucified with him, “Today, you will be with me in paradise.” Filipinos are social creatures. The worst punishment for Filipinos is solitary confinement. Many Filipinos turn on radios and televisions when they are alone, not to listen or watch, but simply to create a semblance of community. God’s salvation is a community project. No one can be a Christian alone. When God saves, God saves communities and peoples. To celebrate the incarnation is to celebrate that God has left heaven to be with us. So no one lives and dies alone. God is with us. In the midst of death on the cross, Jesus reminds his fellow victim that he is not alone. Hindi siya nag-iisa.

Then Jesus says, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Luke follows Mark and Matthew’s lead here. Jesus also quotes an Old Testament Psalm. In this case Psalm 31. It is also like Psalm 22, a Psalm of deliverance. Jesus believed in a God who will never forsake. And God does not forsake Jesus. Many of us pray Jesus's prayer before we sleep at night. We commit everything to God, yet we stay up all night thinking of so many things only God has control over. Let us follow Jesus. Even in death, he knew that he was safe in God’s hands. We are never alone. We will never be alone.

Last Words—John

If one reads the Gospel of John from start to finish one will discover that the story celebrates the discipleship of the unnamed. In other words, the most effective followers of Jesus in the story have no names. The Samaritan woman by Jacob’s well, who runs to her people to share her experience with Jesus, is unnamed. The young boy who offers the five loaves and two fish so that Jesus can feed over five thousand people is also unnamed. The beloved disciple who plays a role bigger than Peter’s in the story is also unnamed. But most important of all, the only disciple who we find at the beginning and at the end of Jesus’s life is also unnamed: Jesus’s mother. We find the two—Jesus’s mother and the beloved disciple—at the foot of the cross. Jesus says to them, “Woman behold your son; behold your mother.” Jesus asks that his two faithful disciples take care of each other. Love is the key theme of the Gospel of John. God became human because of love. The world is supposed to be blessed by our love for each other. Jesus in John leaves his followers only one commandment—for us to love one another as Jesus loved us. Mothers behold your sons; sons behold your mothers; parents behold your children; children behold your parents. We are members of the family of God and our primary task is to live in love for each other, like a family: each one willing to offer one’s life for the other.

Then Jesus says, “I thirst.” Again, in the Johannine story, particularly in his conversation with the Samaritan woman, Jesus is the Living Water. Thus, many people find it puzzling that the one who says he is Living Water is suddenly thirsty. And he is given vinegar by his executioners.

Like Matthew’s, Mark’s, and Luke’s quotations, John’s “I thirst” represents a quote from the Old Testament--Psalm 69. Faith draws strength from the past. Like Daniel’s three friends who faced death, yet believed in a God who will deliver them as God has delivered in the past, Jesus affirms the same unwavering faith in a deliverer God. And God did deliver Daniel’s three friends. And God delivered David (who wrote the Psalm). And Jesus believed God will deliver him, as well.

Then Jesus says, “It is finished.” The End. Jesus is dead. Remember the only commandment Jesus left his followers in the Gospel of John—greater love hath no one than this, that one offers one’s life for another? Jesus does
exactly that. His life was an offering. And we are challenged to do the same. At the beach Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Jesus… We are asked the same thing. Can we love as Jesus loved?Jesus was not alone when he faced the cross. And his last words on the cross affirmed his faith in God, in people, in the transforming power of love and life, and empowered him to face death. Psalm 22 which Jesus quotes in Matthew and Mark, Psalm 69 which he quotes in John, and Psalm 31 which he quotes in Luke celebrate a God who delivers, a God who liberates, a God who will always take the side of the poor and the oppressed, a God who will not forsake us. And God did not forsake Jesus.

And God will never forsake us.

[Updated. Originally preached in Tagalog at the Binan United Church of Christ in the Philippines, Good Friday, 2008]

Revelation E. Velunta is Associate Professor of New Testament and Cultural Studies at the Union Theological Seminary, Dasmarinas, Cavite, Philippines.

Greening the Cross - EARTH DAY on Good Friday

2011-04-21T11:47:00.002+07:00

Love Trees: Celebrate our Planet - An Earth Day Call

Each year, ‘Earth Day’ falls on 22nd April and marks the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. In the life journey of humans, Earth is not given Her due place and is usually forgotten. But without Mother Earth nothing can live or move. The entire human community is called to commit on this day to the Billion Green Act, since Earth Day activities help to remind us that the future of the whole ‘earth community’ depends on our planet's future, which is in our hands.

In 1970 the celebration of Earth Day went global in mobilizing 200 million people in 141 countries and highlighting environmental issues on the world stage. Earth Day 1990 gave a huge boost to recycling efforts worldwide and helped pave the way for the 1992 United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. As the new millennium celebrations approached it was felt urgent to go for a campaign against global warming and a push for clean energy. With 5,000 environmental groups in a record 184 countries reaching out to hundreds of millions of people, Earth Day combined the big-picture feistiness of the Earth Day - 1990 with the international grassroots activism of Earth Day -2000.

Earth Day 2000 sent world leaders with a loud and clear message that human communities around the world wanted quick and decisive action on clean energy. Much like 1970, Earth Day 2010 came at a time of great challenge for the environmental community. Climate change deniers, well-funded oil lobbyists, reticent politicians, a disinterested public, and a divided environmental community all contributed to a strong narrative that overshadowed the cause of progress and change. In spite of the challenge, for its 40th anniversary, Earth Day Network reestablished Earth Day as a powerful focal point around which people could demonstrate their commitment. The Earth Day Network brought 225,000 people for a ‘Climate Rally’, amassed 40 million environmental service actions toward its 2012 goal of A Billion Acts of Green, launched an international one million tree planting initiative, and tripled its online base to over 900,000 community members.

April 22nd - EARTHDAY 2011:

We the human communities, in our life journey do not give due respect and care to our Mother Earth; in all our activities she is neglected, being considered as a less important organism. However our Mother Earth is the only organism that no academic discipline in the world can entirely conceptualize. Each and every creature that crawls, walks and flies is dependent upon her and the Creator; all will hopelessly perish if the Earth that feeds us dies.

Rising temperatures, erratic weather, migration, and scarce water resources – along with growing civil unrest and skyrocketing food prices are said to put unprecedented stress on people on the planet. For more than 40 years, Earth Day has served as a call to action, mobilizing individuals and organizations around the world to address these challenges. This year, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has come up with the theme “Love Trees: Celebrate our Planet”. This highlights the need for trees on earth. Deforestation is blamed as a driver of environmental problems: Loving Trees is projected as an emerging solution.

On this day the concerned faith communities and individuals are called to proclaim and present the ‘Green Gospel’ to the Church, and Society at large.

The National Council of Churches in India, appeals to all the Members and concerned citizens to pledge for Earth Rights and join UNDP by saying ‘Love Trees – Celebrate our Planet’. Let us as friends from all faith-communities join our hands together in spreading the message of Eco-Justice as we commemorate EARTH DAY on 22nd April 2011 (GOOD FRIDAY).

This year’s Earth Day falls on Good Friday. This is a right and appropriate occasion to remember the cross, which was made out of Trees, that leads us from bondage to liberation, death to life. Let us join the whole cosmic community in commemorating ‘Green Good Friday 2011’.

‘Greening the Cross’ Activities:

Plant tree(s) in your campus.

Facilitate the Sunday School Children to smile at / hug / speak to a tree by saying ‘We Love you Trees: Let us together celebrate our planet!’

Help the youth and other fellowship groups to water the trees and encourage them to pledge to care for trees and forests.

Let us also thank God for Trees and Forests which breathe in our Carbon wastage and produce life-giving Oxygen for us to live.

Commission on Justice, Peace and Creation
National Council of Churches in India

Letter to Pakistan President

2011-04-06T15:03:00.002+07:00

04 April 2011

His Excellency, Asif Ali Zardari
President
Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Your Excellency:

We bring you greetings and blessings from the General Committee of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA), a regional ecumenical organization representing a 100 member churches and 16 National Councils of Churches in 22 Asian countries.

We were shocked and deeply saddened by the assassination of Mr. Shabhaz Bhatti, Minister for Minority Affairs and the only Christian Member of Parliament in the Pakistan Government.

CCA has also received information regarding the killing of two and wounding of Christians after Muslim youths allegedly attacked them outside a church building in Hyderabad last 22 March 2011.

In the past, through the media we have been informed of killings of civilians based on false accusations of desecrating the Qur’an, with the perpetrators using the Blasphemy Laws as justification for the killings.

CCA joins the call from the international community for an urgent and impartial investigation of the case and to bring the perpetrators to justice. We would also like to see more control of the misuse of the Blasphemy Law as justification for such criminal act.

CCA as an ecumenical family in Asia also denounces and condemns the burning a copy of the Holy Qur’an in the United States on March 20, 2011, overseen by Florida pastor Terry Jones. Such act is unbecoming for one who professes love and respect for neighbors. We reiterate here what we said in our statement on the burning of the Qur’an issued in September 2010, stating that

“As a Christian regional organization, CCA exists to promote unity, CCA holds on to the fundamental belief that each faith has gifts to share for our mutual enrichment. Through the years CCA has done its share to be a venue for the discovery and sharing of those gifts and by promoting dialogue and collaboration in addressing the issues that concern people in Asia regardless of the religious faith they hold.”

The churches in Asia offer our prayers and solidarity along with our ecumenical accompaniment of both Muslims and non-Muslims in Pakistan, who have all been rendered victims by a culture of impunity. We enjoin all our Member Churches and Councils in Asia to actively advocate for the rights of minority groups to be respected and protected in Pakistan.

Respectfully yours,

REV. DR. HENRIETTE HUTABARAT LEBANG
General Secretary

Pastoral letter to Myanmar.

2011-03-31T12:03:00.003+07:00

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

CCA e-Letter - 24/3/11

2011-03-24T15:39:00.002+07:00

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

Pastoral Letter to members in Japan

2011-03-15T17:00:00.001+07:00

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:

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

From the General Committee

2011-03-15T16:53:00.003+07:00

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

Solidarity with member churches and councils in Aotearoa-NZ

2011-02-25T15:46:00.002+07:00

24 February 2011

The Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia
The Methodist Church of New Zealand
Christian Churches, New Zealand (formerly the Associated Churches of Christ, NZ)
The Presbyterian Church of New Zealand
Society of Friends, New Zealand

Dear Friends, Brothers and Sisters in Aotearoa New Zealand:

Greetings of Peace from the Christian Conference of Asia.

We are following the events in Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand, in shock and with great dismay. We are also aware of the number of deaths, those gone missing and the extensive damage caused to churches, homes and commercial buildings. At times like this one feels the vulnerability of us humans along with fear, despair, hopelessness and anger. It is unfortunate that these catastrophic events have been taking place in Asia quite frequently to the extent that many people of faith are beginning to raise the question like in the book of Psalms, “Why, O God, Why?” In such situations there are those who even despise God and move away from belief in God.

However, what is commendable and unique is that in these situations of tragedy our faith as a people of God and our solidarity reach out to you because your pain, loss, tragedy, despair and hopelessness are ours, too, as we are one in Christ and because we are the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:27). At the same time, you who have faced this tragedy are also bound together in solidarity and love with those who have faced similar tragedies and have walked through the valley of the shadow of death in spite of geographical distance and differences of ethnicity, color, class, caste, creed and gender.

It is this bonding and solidarity in Jesus Christ which gives all of us the spiritual strength to bring hope to situations of hopelessness, faith to situations of doubt, joy to situations of sorrow; and to accompany those who have lost everything in life. Please let us know what practical ways we can offer to help the Aotearoa New Zealand Churches in this emergency.

We, the members of CCA uphold you in our prayers and stand in solidarity with you as you try to bring life back to the people in and around Christchurch. Please convey our concern to those who have become victims and assure them the churches in Asia are praying for them with regular intercessions.

With peace, compassion and love,

Yours sincerely,

Henriette Hutabarat Lebang
General Secretary

cc.:
CCA Member Churches and Councils
Members of the CCA General Committee
Ecumenical Partners

CCA e-Letter - 11/2/11

2011-02-11T14:47:00.002+07:00

CCA e-Letter

11 February 2011

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

As we begin our journey in the year 2011, it is our confidence and prayer that the Spirit of God will continue to strengthen us in responding to the challenges ahead of us. Our theme for Asia Sunday this year, “Make us Healers, o God” is a prayer that hopefully can guide the life and ministry of all CCA members and the implementation of CCA programs coordinated through the Chiang Mai office.

I wrote this letter in Halmahera, one of the islands in North Moluccas province in the eastern part of Indonesia. I attended the General Committee meeting of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) held on February 3-8, 2011. The journey to Halmahera island is a challenging one. It took me many hours with plane, speedboat and cars from Chiang Mai to Tobelo, the venue of the meeting where the headquarters of the Evangelical Christian Church in Halmahera (GMIH) is located. GMIH is a member of PGI, and also of CCA and WCC. Our tiredness was healed by the magnificent expressions of hospitality that we received from the people in Halmahera. The congregations are so enthusiastic in welcoming us. It is an encouraging experience, as the reality of ecumenical fellowship is lived out not only by church leaders, but right in the life of the local churches and people of Halmahera.

It is even more heartening to have received such hospitality from the community that not long ago went under a horrible communal conflict and war which divided the community along religious differences. Violence was everywhere, committed by both Muslim and Christian communities. Community life in its many aspects was stagnant, many people died. On Sunday, February 6, 2011 I preached in the Duma congregation, a village where the first missionary Hendrik van Dijken from the Netherlands (USV, Utrechtsche Zendings Vereeniging) began his work in 1866, and where the first Christian community in this island began.

On December 26, 1999, Christians in that village were attacked by Muslims. Many died. Religious war was unavoidable and it spread in many places. When the situation calmed down people returned to their normal life. A group of Muslim and Christian women who everyday sat together selling different things in the market, took a courageous action. Out of the experience of brokenness they boldly said ’No!’ to war, and committed to move together toward reconciliation. Their bold step inspired the Christian and Muslim communities to express their gestures of reconciliation. When Muslims rebuilt their mosque destroyed during the war, Christians brought a tifa (a huge gong) normally used as a call to prayer. Similarly, when Christians rebuilt their church demolished during the war, the Muslim community brought a bell normally used for a call to worship. Such experience proves that healing and reconciliation are possible when there is a communal commitment to be the healers.

In view of the recent violence in Indonesia, let us remember in our prayers the suffering of the minority religious communities of Ahamdiyah, West Java and Christian churches in Central Java. It is our earnest hope that the government will protect the religious freedom of all people of Indonesia.

From Tobelo, Halmahera, I visited two CCA member churches in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, namely, the Kerapatan Gereja Protestant Minahasa (Fellowship of the Protestant Church in Minahasa), and the Gereja Masehi Injili di Minahasa (GMIM, Evangelical Christian Church in Minahasa).

Two important meetings took place in January 2011 and need to be highlighted.

The first Preparatory Meeting for the Second Encounter of Islamic and Christian Religious Leaders of Asia was held in Bangkok, Thailand on 16 January. Attending from CCA were the CCA General Secretary and Hope Antone (of CCA-FMU). FABC was represented by its Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, and two Muslim leaders came from the Philippines and Bangladesh respectively. The group agreed on the proposed theme of the Second Encounter to be held in 2012: "A Common Word Between Us and You - a Tripartite Asian Response: Love of God and Love of Neighbor." This theme is based on "A Common Word Between Us and You" signed by 138 Muslim scholars in 2007. This Second Encounter follows what was then called the First Asian Bishops-Ulama Conference held in August 2003 in Manila. The name change is a result of the affirmation that the gathering has involved not only bishops and ulamas but also scholars, leaders and lay people from Christian and Islamic communities.

Right after the meeting Dr. Hope Antone and I were able to meet the new leadership of the Church of Christ in Thailand (CCT). As we all know, CCA is hosted in Thailand by its only member church in this country, the CCT. The new leadership of CCT elected by its Assembly in October 2010 assumed office on January 1, 2011. The new CCT leaders are: Rev. Dr. Boonrat Boayen, Moderator; Rev. Dr. Rung Reungsan-ajin, Vice Moderator; Rev. Sayam Muangsak, General Secretary; and Elder Chusak Wuthiwaropat, Treasurer.

As CCA General Secretary, I was invited to attend and bring greetings to the consultation on "Christian Witness in a Multi-Religious World, Recommendation for a Code of Conduct” a joint program of the WCC and the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue of the Vatican, held in Bangkok, Thailand, on January 26-28, 2011 This was the third consultation with the aim to produce a document to encourage churches, church councils, and mission agencies to reflect on their current mission practices and to use the recommendations in the document to prepare, where appropriate, their own code of conduct for witness and mission to those of different religions and those wo do not profess any particular religion. It is hoped that Christians across the world will study this document in light of their own practices in witnessing to their faith in Christ, both by word and deed.

On February 13 -15, I shall be attending the meeting of the General Secretaries of the Regional Ecumenical Organizations (REO), and to attend to the Assembly of the Ecumenical Coalition of Tourism (ECOT), in Geneva, Switzerland. Afterwards I shall join the Central Committee meeting of the WCC on February 16-17.

There are several important CCA meetings taking place in Chiang Mai on March 3-9, 2011: the Roundtable Meeting with Ecumenical Partners, the Personnel, Finance, Executive and General Committee meetings. These meetings are crucial in determining our organizational direction in this quadrennium. We thus entreat you to uphold us - CCA Officers, General Committee members and Staff in prayers, as we seek God’s guidance and blessing in all our decisions.

Healing and restoration for Kandhamal

The Dalit-Tribal Interface on "Healing and Restoration" was held in Bhubaneshwar on January 17-22, 2011. Highlighted by a Kandhamal day visit, the participants were able to listen to and interact with the people of the Kandhamal from various villages. Bishop of Phulbani Diocese, Bishop Bijay Kumar Nayak, said this interaction was unique. This is the first time that church leaders from different parts of India and from various church denominations and international bodies had the chance to listen to the stories of the Dalit and Tribal communities of the victims of the Kandhamal violence, ever since the violence broke out.

Members of the Council for World Mission, the NCCI-Commission on Tribal and Adivasi, the Presbyterian Church of India and all the participants coming from various Civil Society groups pledged to pursue justice, peace and reconciliation for the victims of gross violence inflicted to the Dalits and Tribals in India and for the community of the Kandhamal in particular. For the full text of the statement issued by the participants, see: http://www.nccindia.in/news/pressrelease/n_207.htm

In October 2010 CCA joined a pastoral delegation to Kandhamal on invitation of NCC India. CCA sent JID Joint Executive Secretary Charlie Ocampo as part of the delegation. He reported that “the victims bemoan the many groups visiting from outside who have listened to their stories and documented their suffering yet very little has been done to ameliorate their broken lives.”

Let us continue working and praying that peace with righteousness will be a reality in Kandhamal soon.

Congratulations to GKPI

CCA conveys its warmest congratulations and felicitations to the new office bearers for 2010 to 2015 of the Gereja Kristen Protestan Indonesia (Christian Protestant Church in Indonesia, one of the CCA member churches in Indonesia. The Rev. Patut Sipahutar was elected bishop, nad Rev. Oloan Pasaribu as its Secretary General.

CCA prays that may God grant the GKPI leadership wisdom to lead, joy and dedication in their commitment, and more love in the service of God and the least of our fellow human beings.

NCC Japan to restructure

Japan's ecumenical grouping of Anglican and Protestant churches and interdenominational organizations, the National Christian Council in Japan (NCCJ) has laid out a proposal for its organizational restructuring by reducing the number of its officials and clarifying its decision-making functions.

"This is really a tentative proposal for a tentative proposal," said the Rev. Isamu Koshiishi, NCCJ moderator, at its executive council meeting in Tokyo on 25 January. "We would like it to be discussed at the executive council meeting in October for its approval and prepared for the general assembly to be held in March next year."

The executive council's official document on the proposal contains three basic policies. The first includes "clarifying the functions, tasks, and responsibilities of the decision-making bodies, the executives, and the secretariat," and "making the scales of the General Assembly and its subsidiary decision-making bodies appropriate, to make decision-makings prompt and appropriate."

The policies also propose that the number of general assembly members be reduced to 61 from 114, and that of the executive council to 25 from 41. The third proposes renaming and restructuring decision-making bodies and titles of the council's leaders by changing the executive council into the board of directors, the general executive council into the permanent board of directors, and the moderator into the board chairperson.

The document also proposes that the general secretary be replaced by the secretary general who heads the secretariat with another full-time and four part-time staff.

The economic downturn in Japan resulted to a decrease in members’ support to NCCJ that consequently reduced its 2011 budget. Koshiishi hopes that “by sharing responsibilities among those [members of the general executive council] who are involved in the NCC in specific activities, we can overcome the (NCCJ’s) budgetary problem." (with news from Hisashi Yukimoto, ENI)

Rev. Hiroko Ueda, NCCJ Interim Acting General Secretary is a member of the CCA General Committee for 2010 to 2015.

CCA supports NCCJ in all its efforts to be a continuing witness to Christian unity and solidarity with the people of Japan.

AICCW X Quadrennial Assembly held

The 10th Quadrennial Assembly of the All India Council was held in Ashirwad Global Learning Centre in Secunderabad on 20-23 January 2011. A hundred and fifty women form different Church denominations, organizations, and women’s fellowships gathered to talk around the theme “Women: Channels to Challenge for a better World”.

The Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) delivered the assembly message, while Dr. Fulata Moyo, Programme Executive on Women of the World Council of Churches gave the keynote address.

The new office bearers of the AICCW for the quadrennium 2011-2014 are: Mrs. Alpana Kumar, President; Mrs. Sosamma Mathews, Vice President, Mrs. Elizabeth Dhinakaran, Treasurer; Mrs. Suguna Ebenezer, Convener, World Day of Prayer; and Mrs. Elizabeth Joseph, Convener of the Fellowship of the Least Coin. (with reports from Rachael Pradhan)

CCA congratulates the AICCW and conveys its full support to the ecumenical women’s movement in India.

Ministers' Spouses Association on reproductive health

The Ministers' Spouses Association of SEMJur (South East Mindanao Jurisdiction of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines) elected Ms. Susan Eleano S. Claro as their President on January 15, 2011.

The organisation’s plan for this year is to go into skills training on reproductive health counseling including voluntary confidential counseling HIV (testing can be referred). Ministers' spouses are close to people particularly church members who may have reproductive health concerns including family planning, sexuality and reproductive tract problems. Ministers' wives, if given education on reproductive health, counseling, HIV and human sexuality can become effective channels of educating and influencing the discussion of these issues in the various church organizations like the Christian Women's Association (CWA), United Church Men (UCM) Christian Youth Fellowship (CYF) and Christian Young Adult Fellowship (CYAF).

Ms. Susan Claro spoke on Reproductive Health during the CCA Pre-Assembly Forum of People Living with HIV in April 2010, in KL, Malaysia. (with news from Erlinda Senturias)

CCA is glad to note that reproductive health justice, an agenda at the CCA Pre-Assembly Women’s Forum, is becoming also an agenda in the grassroots level of the member churches.

Henriette Hutabarat Lebang
General Secretary

Announcement:- Asia Sunday 2011

2010-12-13T15:16:00.001+07:00

Every year since 1974, Asia Sunday has been celebrated in Asia and among ecumenical organizations around the world on the Sunday before Pentecost. The observance is to commemorate the founding of the East Asia Christian Conference, renamed in 1973 as the Christian Conference of Asia.

This year Asia Sunday falls on 5 June 2011. The theme of Asia Sunday 2011 is “Make Us Healers, O God.” This is drawn from the CCA 13th General Assembly theme which will run for five years (2011-15), “Called to Prophesy, Reconcile and Heal.” The theme is a prayer for us to become healers even as we also pray to be healed of our brokenness and division in our personal and communal life, and in relation to the whole creation.

Please mark 5 June 2011 on your church calendar as Asia Sunday, or designate any Sunday you may prefer. Liturgical resources are being prepared by a staff team at CCA and will be made available electronically.

CCA joins the international community in observing Human Rights Day

2010-12-13T10:09:00.001+07:00

Dear Member Churches and Councils, Friends and Partners:

December 10 every year is set aside to mark Human Rights Day the world over.

2010 Human Rights day is dedicated to human rights defenders who act to end all forms of discrimination and violation of human rights. Human rights defenders are those who speak out against violations and abuse, including discrimination, exclusion, oppression and violence. They advocate justice and the protection of victims of human rights violations on the one hand, and demand accountability for the perpetrators and transparency in government action on the other.

The Philippines recently hosted a delegation of church leaders under the Living Letters Program of the World Council of Churches, an ecumenical gesture to accompany churches in situations of conflict and to extend pastoral support.

In many places in Asia, people live in dire and insecure conditions. Many poor, marginalized and disempowered communities suffer from landlessness, lack of access to water, trafficking, and HIV and AIDS. On the Korean peninsula, the threat of war stalks the region while North and South Korean Christians are striving to ensure that peace and reunification will triumph in the end. In many cases, the rights of the civilian populations are violated and compromised by illegal arrests and detention, extrajudicial killings, torture and enforced disappearances. People are displaced and forced to move across international borders due to climate change and environmental degradation in low-lying areas prone to floods and cyclones. Churches, Christians and people of other faiths have a moral responsibility to stand by the victims of economic, social and political turmoil in every society and when human rights are denied and violated.

Today, 10 December 2010, the world marks Human Rights Day with peace marches, prayer vigils, and other forms of affirming the rights of people to live in peace and dignity. Human Rights Day is a day to celebrate the inviolability of human rights and of people’s aspirations to be free from fear and persecution.

Let us take heart in Jesus’ own announcement of his ministry in a synagogue in Nazareth:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”
(Luke 4:18-19, NRSV)

Henriette Hutabarat Lebang
General Secretary

Make Us Healers, O God

2010-12-13T10:01:00.001+07:00

Dear Member Churches and Councils:

Greetings of peace and joy to you this Christmas season!

Every year since 1974, Asia Sunday has been celebrated in Asia and among ecumenical organizations around the world on the Sunday before Pentecost. The observance is to commemorate the founding of the East Asia Christian Conference, renamed in 1973 as the Christian Conference of Asia.

This year Asia Sunday falls on 5 June 2011. The theme of Asia Sunday 2011 is:

“Make Us Healers, O God.”

This is drawn from the CCA 13 General Assembly theme which will run for five years (2011-15), “Called to Prophesy, Reconcile and Heal.” The theme is a prayer for us to become healers even as we also pray to be healed of our brokenness and division in our personal and communal life, and in relation to the whole creation.

Please mark 5 June 2011 on your church calendar as Asia Sunday, or designate any Sunday you may prefer. Liturgical resources are being prepared by a staff team at CCA and will be made available electronically.

God’s blessings be upon us as we continue committing ourselves to God’s work.

Serving Christ with you,

Henriette Hutabarat Lebang
General Secretary

PROK Letter to Partners

2010-11-30T14:59:00.001+07:00

30 November, 2010

Dear Friends in Ecumenical Organizations and Partner Churches

Greetings in the name of Jesus, the prince of peace.

First of all, we, the Presbyterian Church in the republic of Korea (PROK), are deeply grateful for your concern, prayer and solidarity messages and statements to respond to the recent violence in Yeonpyeong Island and the escalation of tension in the Korean peninsula.

Witnessing the current unstable situation in the Korean peninsula, the PROK is immensely concerned about political moves toward bigger clashes. We feel the need to strongly re-affirm that military provocation and retaliation are the way to self-destruction of the two Koreas, and that peaceful approach and dialogue are the only ways to resolve the conflict and to live together in the Korean Peninsula. We claim that a threat to peace and life should not be used to solve political difficulties or gain political points. Therefore, on Nov. 24, the PROK issued a statement to urge the two Korean authorities not to extend the vindictive situation but to resolve it peacefully with the following suggestions:

1. Not to abuse resentments of the victims as a pretext of revenge, to restore humanitarian support to N.K instead of engaging in hard line policies and sanctions, and to resume dialogue and mutual exchanges such as the Six Party Talks and the North-South Red Cross Conference.

2. To establish the ¡®Special Peace and Co-operation Zone in the West Sea¡¯ initiated by North and South Joint Declaration October 4, 2007, and to stop the military drill in that area rather than continue to collide because of the controversial Northern Limit Line.

3. To repeal the 1953 Armistice Agreement and replace it with a Peace Treaty, de-escalating the threats of imminent conflict between North and South Korea and ensuring peace and security not only in Northeast Asia but the whole world.

We are attaching the statement of the National Council of Churches of Korea which well articulated the rationale and explanation of the Yeonpyeong Island Incident, so that you can refer to their analysis and position regarding the issue as well.

We have launched a signature campaign to gather support for the making of a Peace Treaty. We will be sending you a letter and signature form to gather your signatures and support. Please join the campaign, and keep holding peace and reconciliation in the Korean Peninsula in your prayers and supporting our sincere efforts for peace.

In ecumenical solidarity,

Rev. Bae Tae-Jin

General Secretary

The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea

Emmanuel-God with us, God in us, God for us and God for others

2010-11-29T14:25:00.002+07:00

For the last few years and months we have been reading in the papers and watching on television stories of people on the move because of floods, erruption of volcanoes, landslides, draught, civil, ethnic and tribal wars. This list can go on and on to show how people in our day are getting uprooted from their homes, ancestral properties and places they and their ancestors have lived for generations. These are painful stories to listen to, read in news papers and watch on television. As one listens to these stories and see the horror of untimely deaths and destruction thousands of people one tend to wonder what is happening in the world and ask the question: how could a loving, caring and a merciful God allow these things to happen or watch so many innocent die and do nothing about it. In fact these are the questions posed to theologians and pastors by simple and pious people but disillusioned. These are justified questions and questions of this nature have been raised by most pious and faithful women and men through out the human history and some of these faith questions are recorded in the book of Psalms and Job. (Psalm 13: 1-2)

We are also being made aware because of advancement of science and technology that the root causes for most of nature’s irruptions are not the will of God but nature’s reaction to human actions such as deforestation, off shore drillings, testing and detonation of nuclear bombs underground, excess carbon emissions, building of dams and exploitation of non renewable resources. These are carried out by humans to satisfy their greed for profit making and their desire to accumulate more and more. This is the ugly side of human nature and one can say this is the outcome when human beings become slaves to forces of Mammon. Jesus warned us about it when he said “One cannot serve God and Mammon” (Mt.7:24; Lk16:13). In fact this is the power of sin and the power which alienates human beings from God, one another and God’s entire creation and enslaves humans to gods created in their own image.

It is almost impossible to think of Christmas divorced from the painful realities described above. Christmas is a time set apart in the Church’s calendar to celebrate the birth of Jesus. According to the Gospel of Matthew Jesus is called “Emmanuel” which means “God with us” (Mt. 1:23) who through his ministry became God among us, God for us and God for others. The most pertinent question is: who is this Jesus we celebrate during the season of Christmas and who is this Jesus we invoke to inspire and envision our ministries as the Church is called to reflect and reveal God’s character on this earth? Is he the Jesus of the Gospels or the Jesus we have created out of our own imagination?

The birth of Jesus took place in a context like today where the empires or the principalities and powers of the day were enslaving people and treating them as non humans. We know from history how the Babylonian, Persian, Syrian, Roman empires brutalized their people. This is also true of 20th and 21st centuries Empires. God in Jesus the Christ came to this world and took the form of a human being and lived among the suffering people. John records this fact in his Gospel by saying

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth;..(Jn.1:14). This is God’s way of speaking to groaning and suffering humanity and God’s heart is spoken out by Jesus when he said “…and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” (Mt. 28: 20)

This makes it absolutely clear that the story of Christmas is a reminder to all of us that God has not abandoned this world but God in Jesus reveals to the world that God of the bible is a God who feels the pain, the agony and the abandonment of God’s people created in God’s image. The story of Christmas is not a story of a triumphant God but a suffering God. God of the bible is not a God of the Empire but God in Jesus Christ who questioned the authority and the legitimacy of the Empire. In fact the song of Mary affirms it when she says “He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts, he has put down the mighty from their thrones,…”(Lk. 1: 51f). Therefore, the birth of Jesus shook the very foundation of the Roman Empire and over the years inspired his followers to challenge the principalities and powers. This trend continued until Christianity became a State religion during the 4th Century. However, over the years, even as a remnant community, women and men have opted to imitate Jesus by saying no to Mammon and gods of this world.

As stated above Mary, the mother of Jesus sang a revolutionary song (Lk. 1:46-55) when she was carrying Jesus in her womb. Those words of Mary revealed the character of God with us whom we celebrate during the season of Christmas. Herod the Great trembled in fear when he heard about the birth of Jesus and slaughtered hundreds of children thinking that through that act of violence he can eliminate the threat to his life. We also know that the poor and the vulnerable, like the shepherds, rejoiced at the birth of Jesus when the angels announced to them about the prince of peace. (Lk. 2:14f). In that sense, Jesus, God with us, is good news to the vulnerable, lowly and the meek. Jesus the gentle one is also the righteous one who called the Herod “fox” (Lk.13: 32) and turned the tables of the money changers at the Temple Court (Mk.11:15). On the one hand, at the birth of Jesus evil and inhuman powers trembled, and on the other hand, the weak and the meek sang for joy songs of liberation and hope. Prophet Isaiah’s vision expressed through the words “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness, on them light has shined” (Isa. 9:2) is identified with the life of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew (Mt. 4:12-17) in order to indicate that his ministry was an embodiment of the vision of prophet Isaiah.

Therefore, the message of Christmas is not about Santa Claus, merry making and grand celebrations with food and drinks in a world where more than 2/3 of humanity suffer from hunger, malnutrition, lack of drinking water, security and opportunities to be human and live in dignity. In such a world the message of Christmas should be another world is possible because Jesus stood for another world and he demonstrated it through his teachings about the reign of God. Christmas, therefore, is a time to repent and rediscover the authentic Jesus as recorded in the Gospels-God with us- who suffers with those who suffer, mourn with those who mourn and die with those who die. The story of the birth of Jesus devoid of the cross is like taking about the crucifixion without the resurrection. Therefore, the story of Christmas is a story of joy and pain, the story of a savior of the world who also becomes a refugee, one who was hunted to be killed and one who is denied, betrayed, tortured and finally killed by the collaborative act of the agents of the institutional religion and the Empire. In spite of it God raised him from the dead and sent him back to the world to be God with us and in and through us. Hence, the Church which claims to be the Body of Christ must reflect in and through all its actions the mind of Christ and become God’s channel of Emmanuel. This is a sacred task and that is the reason we are called to be the Body of Christ and we are the Body of Christ (1Cor. 12:27).

Rienzie Perera
Chiang Mai, November 19, 2010

Pastoral letter to Cambodia

2010-11-26T10:11:00.000+07:00

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Cambodia:

No words could capture our shock and grief at the tragedy that befell the people of Cambodia recently. The stampede was a regrettable tragedy, claiming and injuring many lives for such a time when people are supposed to be in celebration. We raise our voices to heavens pleading for God’s mantle of healing and peace to descend upon you all soon.

The Christian Conference of Asia is one with you as you grieve for your great loss. Be assured that you are in our prayers and in our hearts, even as we continue to uphold brothers and sisters around Asia who are also suffering due to calamities and conflicts.

May God continually grant us all the strength and the good will to be in solidarity with each other, and to remain hopeful in times of despair.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:7)

Very sincerely in Christ,

Henriette Hutabarat Lebang
General Secretary

cc.:
CCA Member Churches and Councils
Members of the CCA General Committee
Ecumenical Partners and Friends
CCA Staff and Consultants

CCA e-Letter - 24/11/10

2010-11-24T16:24:00.002+07:00

CCA e-Letter

24 November 2010

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Ecumenical Movement,

Greetings from the island of Creete, where the first meeting of the 2013 WCC Assembly Preparatory Committee (APC) is being held on November 19 to 24, at the Orthodox Academy in Chania, Creete. We were warmly welcomed by the Moderator of APC, His Eminence, Metropolitan Gennadios of Sassima, from the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople. After discussing the Term of Reference of the APC, the APC received the presentation of the Korea Local Planning Committee (KAPC), as the WCC 10th Assembly is planned to be held in Busan, Korea, on 2-13 October 2013.

The APC discussed, among others, the following: vision, ethos and character of the Assembly; possible themes for the Assembly; and style, size and shape of the Assembly. To familiarize the participants with the site of the Assembly the KAPC represented by Rev. Dr. Sam-whan Kim (Moderator), and Rev. Dr. Jong-hwa Park (Vice Moderator), presented information about the Assembly site, facilities available, as well as the extent of involvement of Korean churches in welcoming ands hosting the Assembly.

The discussion on the possible theme of the Assembly began with an introduction of the results of the preparatory process conducted by the WCC staff at different occasions and with different groups by Rev. Theo Gill, It was followed by presentations of the contribution of Korean hosts and the Asian region.

Dr. Jhong-wha Park presented the contributions of the Korean hosts, which were developed through a series of seminars and hearing sessions organized by the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCC Korea) through its Faith and Order Committee. The proposed theme was: “Now Choose Life.” (Deuteronomy 30:19)

The presentation from Asia region is basically the result of a Theological Consultation organized by KAPC in partnership with CCA and the WCC Asia Desk which was held in Seoul, Korea, on 10-12 November 2010. The fifty-two participants invited came from Australia, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Korea, including seven Asian members of the WCC Central Committee, seven from CCA, resource persons, theologians, delegates from WCC member churches in Korea, delegates from NCC Korea member churches that are not members of WCC, and some theologians from the Evangelical and Pentecostal churches in South Korea.

A theme proposal from the Faith and Order Commission of NCCK, “Now Choose Life!,” a presentation of different theological perspectives on Asian contextual challenges, interfaith initiatives, struggle for justice, and Asian spiritual traditions, enabled an extensive discussion resulting to an agreement to propose the following theme for the 2013 WCC Assembly: “Living Together in God’s Justice and Peace.”

It is a privilege for me as General Secretary of CCA and as a member of the APC, to present the report of the above-mentioned consultation on behalf of Asian churches. The result of this APC meeting will be presented to the next Central Committee meeting to be held in Geneva in February 2011, when the theme of the WCC 10th Assembly and other related matters on this Assembly will be decided.

These recent ecumenical meetings from Korea to Creete provided an opportunity for various ecumenical encounters. It was an enriching experience in my faith journey that on Sunday November 12, I was part of the worshipping community in Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul. On November 19, I joined the worshipping community of the Orthodox Church in Creete. Those worship experiences allowed me to taste the richness of the worship life of Christian communities around the world.

At the last day of the APC meeting yesterday, Nov 23, we were struck by the sad news about the rising military tension in Korean Peninsula. North Korea shelled the disputed Yeonpyeong island in South Korea on Nov 23, resulting to the death of two South Korean marines, and injury to 16 South Korean marines including three civilians. This incident immediately attracted the attention of the international community.

Let us hope that this tension will not escalate. In our prayers, let us remember the people of North and South Korea. May God strengthen the churches in North and South Korea to discern God’s guiding light and wisdom as they strive to achieve peace for all Koreans.

We were also disturbed by a bridge stampede during the Water Festival on Diamond Island in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The chaos on November 22 killed 375 and injured 755 people. seen as the biggest tragedy for Cambodians since the Pol Pot regime. This is according to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

We yet have to hear from our member in Cambodia, the Kampuchea Council of Churches. Let us get down to our knees seeking God’s help and comfort as the people of Cambodia face this tragedy and loss. We extend our hand in solidarity and prayers that brothers and sisters in Cambodia will keep faith even in mourning and be able to move on in hope.

The GCF Asia Regional Meeting

CCA was a strong presence at the Global Christian Forum (GCF) Asia Regional Meeting on 12- 16 November 2010, hosted by Yoido Full Gospel Church and held at Yoido’s Choi Jasil Memorial Fasting and Prayer Mountain in Kyunggi Do, Paju Shi, an hour’s ride outside of Seoul, Korea.

Together with Joint Executive Secretary of CCA-FMU Dr Hope Antone, I represented CCA to this meeting. A number of NCCs and churches which are members of CCA were also represented – e.g. NCC Australia, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Cambodia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Laos and Thailand. Three CCA Executive Committee members were present there: Dr. K B Rokaya of Nepal, Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri of Malaysia, and Rev. Po Kam Cheong of Hong Kong. There were around 60 participants.

The meeting included the sharing of faith journeys; hearing reports from four countries (Philippines, Nepal, India and Indonesia) on efforts that have brought together ecumenical, Catholic, Evangelical and Pentecostal groups. Part of the meeting was also to share ideas for the forthcoming GCF to be held in Indonesia in 2011, during which around 200 participants from all over the world are expected to attend.

Time was given for brief sharing by the four main groups represented in the GCF: CCA, FABC, AEA and Asia Pentecostal Society (a regional body of the Pentecostals). Dr Antone gave the sharing on behalf of CCA using a powerpoint presentation.

This GCF meeting affirmed the efforts of CCA and FABC to foster unity through the Asian Movement for Christian Unity (AMCU) since 1996 and through the subsequent gatherings in1998, 2001, 2007. They were happy to note that this program has been open to the Asia Evangelical Alliance since 2007, following the Asia Regional Meeting of GCF in 2006, which CCA hosted at the Bangkok Christian Guest House. They recommended that the next AMCU gathering (1-5 December 2010) should be open also to the Pentecostals in Asia.

CCA have sent an invitation to the Asia Pentecostal Society (the only regional structure so far among the Pentecostals) through Rev. Dr. Joseph Suico to send someone to the AMCU V in Bangkok, Thailand on 1-5 December 2010. We hope that they can indeed send someone to be a voice of the Pentecostals at this gathering despite the short notice.

CCA has a lot to do to disseminate its understanding of wider ecumenism among its constituents and also with others. There is a need to share our understanding of wider ecumenism – and to expound the rich meaning of OIKOUMENE as the whole household of God, including the whole humanity and the whole creation. There is also a need to point to the danger of making ecumenism captive to the church – it should be beyond the church and beyond all the expressions of the ecumenical movement. (with reports from Hope Antone)

Free Space Process Strategy Caucus agreed to a Common Advocacy Agenda

The Steering Group of the Free Space Process that has existed since five years held a Strategy Caucus involving Country, Regional and Global level participants of the ten networks: Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (EAA), World AIDS Campaign (WAC), Global Network of People Living with HIV (GPN+), Global Network of Sex Workers Projects (NSWP), International HIV/AIDS Alliance, International Council of AIDS Service Organizations (ICASO), International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS (ICW), International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC), Global Forum on MSM (MSMGF), International Network of People who Use Drugs (INPUD). The partnership is supported by the International Civil Society Support based in Netherlands.

There were 37 participants in the meeting that was facilitated by an independent consultant, Robin Gorna and rapporteur, Mr. Jeff Hoover. The Strategy Caucus was held at Swissotel Nai Lert Park on November 21-22, 2010. The Steering Group, which set the agenda met on November 19, 2010 and as of this report is currently meeting to refine the outcome of the caucus.

The aim of the meeting was to develop a shared, comprehensive, global civil society HIV/AIDS advocacy agenda and to map activities to identify opportunities for collaboration, establishing synergies and efficiencies as well as removing redundancies.

The HIV/AIDS Advocacy Priorities which the ten networks could subscribe are:

1) Positioning HIV/AIDS as a key priority within a rights-based movement for Universal Access and Global Health;
2) Accessing and sustaining Anti Retroviral Scale Up;
3) (Protection of) Human Rights as a leading concept in the development and implementation of HIV/AIDS services;
4) Community-led combination prevention that is targeted, holistic, comprehensive and that fits the needs of key populations, e.g. women, sex workers, people who use drugs and MSM; and
5) Strengthen community systems at global, regional and country level.

CCA is a member of the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (EAA). Dr. Erlinda N. Senturias, Consultant on HIV and AIDS in CCA is a member of the HIV Strategy Group and represented the regional concerns of EAA in the Strategy Caucus of the Free Space Process. (with reports from Erlinda Senturias)

Meetings of INERELA+ and AINA

INERELA+, the International Network of Religious Leaders Living with and Personally affected with HIV and AIDS, convened the first meeting of the Asia Pacific Regional Reference Group at the Bangkok Christian Guest House on November 19-20, 2010. It also hosted the meeting of the Governing Committee of the Asian Interfaith Network on AIDS (AINA) on November 21, 2010.

The first agenda was to prepare for the Interfaith conference prior to the 10th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP), in Busan, Korea on August 26-30, 2011. CCA, that facilitated the birth of AINA helped organize two interfaith pre-interfaith conference events in Colombo in 2007 and in Bali in 2009.

The INERELA meeting was attended by Dr. Erlinda N. Senturias, CCA Consultant on HIV and AIDS and invited member of the Regional Reference Group of INERELA, two Salvation Army soldier and officer active in HIV work in Seoul, Korea, INERELA secretariat, Dr. Asavari Herwadkar, Fr. Philip Kuruvilla and Mr. Baiju Joseph, and members of the reference group from India. Rev. J. P. Heath, Actiing Executive Director of INERELA+ facilitated the process of the meeting. Present also in the meeting were Ms. Dawn Foderingham of UNAIDS Regional Office in Bangkok, Dr. Myun Hwan Cho, Co Chair of the 10th ICAAP in Busan and Mr. Sungchal Yu, Executive Secretary for the ICAAP secretariat.

The theme of the 10th ICAAP is "Diverse Voices, United Action". Strategic advocacy for the Interfaith Participation in the ICAAP were raised to the congress organizers such as providing a visible and meaningful presence of faith communities in the Plenary Sessions, Prayer Room for multi faith participants and an Interfaith Space in the Asia Pacific Village. Religion is one of the tracks for the 10th ICAAP.

Early registration already started on 1 November 2010 and will end on 28 February 2011 and late registration is on 1 June 2011 - the time of the ICAAP. The cost of early registratino is USD 450 and late registration is USD 650.00. The regular registration period is on 1 March 2011 - 31 May 2011 and the cost is USD 550.00. Young People from 16-26 years old can apply for scholarship and a youth forum is planned for August 24, 2011.

INERELA+ of the Asia Pacific Region and the Asian Interfaith Network (AINA) will organize a multi-faith event prior to the ICAAP and will also participate in community fora organized before the 10th ICAAP to listen to the voices of key populations. The importance of contacting the churches and pagoda in Korea was considered a priority.

On November 20, the INERELA+ Asia Pacific Regional Reference Group met. Dr. Erlinda N. Senturias was voted by the Asia Pacific Regional Reference Group of INERELA+ to the Global Board of INERELA, which will hold a meeting in Nairobi on January 6-8, 2011. Dr. Prawate Khid-arn, immediate past general secretary of CCA, was voted as the new Chair of AINA. (with reports from Erlinda Senturias)

NCC Korea elects new GS

The Rev. Dr. Kim, Young Ju, an ordained minister of the Korean Methodist Church(KMC) was recently elected general secretary of the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCC Korea) at its 59th General Assembly that took place on Monday, 15th of November, 2010, for a four-year term.

Prior to being selected as the General Secretary of the NCCK, Rev. Kim Young Ju has been working for the Korea Peace Foundation, a civil organization pursuing and preparing unification of Korea since 2007, as director of its board. He was director of the NCC Korea Human Rights Committee for 1989-1992; Church Unity Committee for 1992-1998; The North and South Sharing Movement; the Planning Committee for Jubilee Celebration toward peace and reunification on the Korean peninsula, and the North and South Human Chain Movement for Peaceful Reunification. He worked for the Korean Methodist Church as director of the KMC Education Center (2000) and as the General Secretary of the Education Department of the KMC Assembly office (2002-2006).

He graduated from the Graduate School of Theology of Methodist Theological University in 1984 and further studied and received a Ph. D. at the University of North Korean Studies. Ordained as a minister on 1980, he has a long years of experience as local pastor at the Gasoowon Church, Hwachun Church, Songak Church, and Hyungjae Church (1975-1989).

CCA warmly welcomes Dr. Kim, Young Ju, and prays that God’s continuing benediction of grace and wisdom be his for this enormous task.

ACISCA re-elects Chair

Dr. John Zechariah was re-elected Chair of the Association of Christian Institutes of Social Concern of Asia (ACISCA) for 2010 - 2014 in its recent General Assembly held in Bangkok, Thailand, on November 10, 2010.

ACISCA is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2010. It has been working closely with CCA and Global Oikosnet. The composition of ACISCA includes Academies, Lay Centers and others (Rural Development Centers, Promoting Community Health, Education, Agriculture, Secularism and People’ movement). Its primary focus is on Lay Training, Leadership Formation and Ecumenical Learning. ACISCA believes in balancing spiritual action and social action.

There are many challenges for ACISCA to face like funds and drop in membership. Let us remember Dr Zechariah and the new Executive Committee members in our prayers as they strive to make ACISCA a vibrant organization in Asia and in the global Christian community. (with news from John Zechariah)

Annual FABC – OSC Bishops’ Meet

The 15th Annual Bishops’ Meet of the FABC Office of Social Communications was held in Bangkok, Thailand, on 15 – 20 November 2010, with the theme, “Communication Formation for Priestly Ministry in Asia”. Dr. Liza B. Lamis, CCA Communications Consultant represented CCA at the meeting, where she briefly shared on the communications work of CCA.

The challenge for the ecumenical movement in Asia is foundational need to articulate a communication theology and for an integration of this theology in theological formation and in our ecumenical work. Additionally, effective communication happens when we are truly a ‘communicative’ community that cares a lot about how the ‘good news’ is being communicated, what to do with the communicated message received, and how to maximize the use of high communication technologies in the service of the least and the afflicted.

CCA and FABC have various partnerships and collaborative works that started in 1993, aimed at promoting Christian unity in the Asian region. Areas of cooperation between CCA and FABC include the Asian Movement for Christian Unity (AMCU), the Asian Ecumenical Committee (AEC), the Congress of Asian Theologians (CATS), Joint Asian Ecumenical Courses, Asia Conference of Theology Students (ACTS), and Joint Staff Meetings, among others. (with news from Liza Lamis)

Welcoming the refugees

MEPP or the Mekong Ecumenical Partnership Program, together with SDSU-CCT (Social Development and Service Unit, the Church of Christ in Thailand) provided emergency assistance to Burmese refugees who fled to Thailand at the Three Pagodas Pass, Sangklaburi District of Kanchanaburi.

Prior to a national election in Burma on 7 November 2010, conflict broke out between the Burmese Army and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army. The fighting affected the people living in Myawaddy town of Burma, opposite Mae Sod town of Thailand. Twelve thousand people fled, crossed to Thailand in Maesod. Within 48 hours most of them were repatriated back to Burma on Nov 9.

However, the situation further south remained tense as fighting continued in Pyaduangsu, the town opposite Three Pagodas Pass, causing another exodus into Thailand. Around 3,000 refugees stayed in school, temple and church premises.

Thailand already shelters over 150,000 Burmese refugees who fled the fighting in their homeland over the past 26 years. It also has about 2 million migrant workers from Burma.

MEPP and SDSU-CCT were able to raise an emergency fund of USD 700 to buy food, milk, mats and tents for about 300 refugees welcomed by a local church. Most of them were children, women and elderly people.

MEPP and SDSU-CCT met with TBBC (Thailand Burma Border Consortium), COERR (Catholic office for Emergency Relief and Refugee) and CWS (Church World Service) to discuss the situation in Burma and the concerns in preparing emergency assistance to be provided for future refugees. (with news from Janejinda Pawadee)

Meeting with Act for Peace

The CCA Staff, through the leadership of Rev. Dr. Rienzie Perera, AGS for Finance and Relationship, met with Ms Janet Cousens, International Program Coordinator of Act for Peace (AfP). AfP is the international aid agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia, and works to reduce poverty, prevent conflicts, protect refugees and empower communities.

The meeting on 22 November 2010 at the CCA Office was mainly about knowing more about AfP and its work, and sharing on CCA programs that could be areas for potential partnership between CCA and AfP.

CCA looks forward to a fruitful partnership in mission with AfP by 2011.

Henriette Hutabarat Lebang
General Secretary

NCC Bangladesh Press Release

2010-09-13T10:23:00.001+07:00

To
All Electronic and Print Medias

Dear News Editor/Director

Greetings with Peace from the National Council of Churches-Bangladesh! Please print or broadcast this Statements to your renowned Media.

You may aware the news of attempt to burn the copies of the Holy Quran by some misguided and communal Christian groups at the Dove World Outreach Centre in the United States on the 11 September, 2010.

The National Council of Churches-Bangladesh strongly condemning the intention and plan of the persons connected with this ill-motivated and ultra-communal attempt. Never this kind of action can be supportable by any genuine Christian, as it demonstrate a intolerant and aggressive attitude to other religious sentiment.

We strongly urge to the Administration of US Government not to allow them to do this unwanted activity or to take drastic measures to stop it. At the same time we strongly appeal to refrain themselves, people who are attempting to do this.

To attack any religion in the United States is to do violence to the religious freedom of all Worlds and religious harmony. We are anxious about their intention while the Eid-Ul-Fitr has been celebrated by our Muslim brothers and sisters.

We deeply express our sense of solidarity and the mutual respect to our Muslim brother and sister here in our country and all over the world, as specially we have a long tradition of a peaceful Communal harmony. We also request you to take necessary measures in your level for about any unexpected situation in our communities.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely yours,

David A. Das
General Secretary

Joyanta Adhikari
President

CCA joins condemnation of the burning of the Qur’an to mark 9/11

2010-09-10T10:06:00.001+07:00

As the world prepares to remember the thousands who died in New York on 11th of September 2001, CCA joins the voices of condemnation from leaders of Christian churches and other religious faiths against plans by members of the Dove World Outreach Center to burn the Quran on the anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks.

We believe as Christians that burning the Qur’an does not reflect the mind of Christ.

Youth representatives from the Council of Churches in Malaysia handed a memorandum of protest to the officials of the United States Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. The Rev. Sivin Kit, Bangsar Lutheran Church Pastor and Ms Chrisanne Chin, Youth Moderator of the CCM voiced their protest before Jeremy Nathan, US Embassy Deputy Political Counselor. They expressed their protest in the Memorandum and reiterated that the act of burning the Quran do not represent the sentiments of Christians in Malaysia and that they consider the burning of the holy scriptures of any faith as disrespectful, provocative, insulting, harmful and is contrary to the fundamental Christian belief to love our neighbors as ourselves and to be peacemakers. They also expressed their conviction “that any proposed act of banning or burning another faith’s holy text is tantamount to a form of hate crime that must be dealt with utmost severity”.

The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA joined leaders of other faiths in condemning the proposed plans of the Dove World Outreach Center to stage the burning of the Quran to mark 9/11 in the US. In a public Statement, issued on 2nd September, they affirmed -

“As religious leaders in this great country, we have come together in our nation’s capital to denounce categorically the derision, misinformation and outright bigotry being directed against America’s Muslim community. We bear a sacred responsibility to honor America’s varied faith traditions and to promote a culture of mutual respect and the assurance of religious freedom for all.”

“The threatened burning of copies of the Holy Qur’an this Saturday is a particularly egregious offense that demands the strongest possible condemnation by all who value civility in public life and seek to honor the sacred memory of those who lost their lives on September 11. As religious leaders, we are appalled by such disrespect for a sacred text that for centuries has shaped many of the great cultures of our world, and that continues to give spiritual comfort to more than a billion Muslims today.”

Asia is home to more than 60%, the world’s largest Muslim population, with 670 million living in countries with CCA member churches and Councils. Indonesia, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh have the largest Muslim population in the world. And for centuries, Muslims were living in peace and shared values of community, tolerance and hospitality with Christians and people of other faiths.

The Christian Conference of Asia calls the world religious communities to observe September 11, 2010 with prayers calling for peace, reconciliation and healing in Asia and the rest of the world. We also call on all our member churches and Councils to continue sharing and learning from adherents of Islam and other faiths their various ways of witnessing to peace and justice in their particular religious traditions.

CCA will also join the World Council of Churches and Christians worldwide in celebration of the International Day of Prayer for Peace on 21st September calling people to prayer, mediation and other forms of spiritual observance.

CCA is an Asian regional ecumenical organization with member churches, Councils and inter-church bodies in Aoteroa/New Zealand, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Hong Kong SAR China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Laos, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Timor Leste.

Yours faithfully,

Henriette Hutabarat-Lebang
General Secretary

Rev. Rex R.B. Reyes
For the Presidium

CCM Youth Hands Over Protest Memo On Threats by Dr Terry Jones of Dove Outreach Center to US Embassy Officials in Kuala Lumpur

2010-09-08T10:33:00.001+07:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Wed, 8 Sept 2010: Representatives of the Youth Wing of the Council of Churches Malaysia (CCM Youth) handed a memorandum of protest to the United States Embassy today calling on the US government to stop a church in Florida from burning the Quran this 11 Sept 2010.

The group of five people were led by Bangsar Lutheran Church pastor Rev. Sivin Kit, and CCM Youth Moderator and Executive Council member Chrisanne Chin, who handed the memorandum to Jeremy Nathan, the Deputy Political Counselor of the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

CCM Youth is strongly against threats by Dr Terry Jones of The Dove World Outreach Centre, a small congregation of 50 people in Gainesville, Florida, to burn the Muslim holy text, the Quran, on the anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks, condemning attempts to ban or burn another faith’s holy text as tantamount to a form of hate crime that must be dealt with utmost severity.

CCM Youth reiterates that The Dove World Outreach Center’s intentions do not represent the sentiments of Christians in Malaysia, and considers the act of burning the holy scriptures of any faith a disrespectful, provocative, insulting and harmful act that is contrary to the fundamental Christian belief to love our neighbours as ourselves and to be peacemakers.

After handing over the memorandum, the group was invited into the embassy for a private discussion with the officials. Kit and Chin were assured by Jeremy that this matter is being taken very seriously up to the highest levels of the US Government as both the White House and the State Department have issued statements of warning and criticism against Jones and his church.

The group was encouraged to learn that Americans have stood up to condemn the act, and at least two dozen counteractive measures have been made by the grassroots of the American interfaith community – from synagogues to churches to mosques – working together in solidarity against Jones’ plan.

CCM Youth believes that there are better constructive ways to commemorate September 11, and will endeavour to promote to the Government of the United States, as well as the United Nations, to turn this day of grief and sadness into an international day of reconciliation and just peace, upholding the rights of every single human life created in the image of God Almighty, henceforth building an equal place for all under the sun.

http://ccm-youth.blogspot.com/2010/09/ccm-youth-hands-over-protest-memo-on.html

Thousands flee as Pakistan flood spread

2010-08-09T10:56:00.002+07:00

06 August 2010

Dear Victor and Friends in Pakistan

It is with shock and sadness we watched on television and read in the daily news papers the destruction and havoc caused to lives and property of hundreds of people in your country. Please be assured that we are praying for you and also making a request to the member churches and councils of CCA to uphold the victims of the floods and your nation in prayer.

We believe this is also a time for you to pool all your human and material resources and to work as far as possible ecumenically and even with people of your sister faiths.

It is at times like this we can demonstrate to the world that our faith which is nurtured by the mind of Christ can transcends all divisions base on religion, class, caste, ethnicity, color, gender and politics to ease the pain and suffering of the people and become a beacon of strength and hope to those who have lost almost everything in life.

By this letter we are also making an appeal to all member churches and councils to share their solidarity in this hour of your pain and despair by contributing in cash, even in a small way, to the relief and rehabilitation work which will commence almost immediately.

Once again we want to assure you that all those who have become victims of the flood and all who volunteer to minister to them are remembered in our prayers.

With Peace and blessings,

Yours in Christ

Dr. Prawate Khid-arn
General Secretary
CCA

Rev. Freddy de Alwis
Joint Executive Secretary JID

A Letter from CCA - 4/8/10

2010-08-04T15:48:00.002+07:00

A Letter from CCA

No. 24/4 August 2010

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

CCA Executive Staff Recruitment

CCA invites applications for two executive positions:

Associate General Secretary for Finance and Relationship
Joint Executive Secretary for Ecumenical Formation, Gender Justice and Youth Empowerment - Youth Concerns

For details, see www.cca.org.hk
Applications can be submitted online to ccagensec@cca.org.hk
Last day of submission is
10 August 2010.

Appeal for Nuclear Peace Day

August first and second weeks are dedicated to the Cause of Nuclear Peace. Hiroshima and Nagasaki cities in Japan continue to remind us of the horrors of the nuclear holocaust. Hiroshima is the first city in the world to suffer nuclear attack. The nuclear bombs dropped on August 6, 1945, directly and indirectly victimized around 140,000 people.

Churches and people’s organisations are encouraged to observe Nuclear Peace Day in their localities in one of these days. Let as say NO to nuclear bombs and nuclear installations, and ensure a safe environment for the present generation and those yet to be born.

Let us be reminded that peace is a legacy of all humankind and the whole world. Let us then pray and work for a nuclear-free world.

Ecumenical Lectures at PERSETIA

Dr. Hope Antone, CCA Joint Executive Secretary for Faith, Mission and Unity (FMU), was one of the resource persons for the Ecumenical Lectures of the PERSETIA Summer Program for Graduate Students on 19-23 July 2010 at the Universitas Kristen in Tomohon (UKIT), in Tomohon, Indonesia.

Almost 80 graduate students participated in this summer program, an annual intensive course for graduate students coming from various seminaries and universities of Indonesia. From outside Indonesia, the resource persons included a former president of the Pacific School of Religion (Dr. William McKinney), an Old Testament scholar from Philadelphia (Dr. Robert Robinson). A number of Indonesian faculty were also invited as resource persons, including a Catholic priest. Facilitating the program was the Rev. Dr. Tabita Kartika Christiani, project officer of PERSETIA, Rev. Dr. Daniel Nuhamara, chair of PERSETIA and Mr. Andreas Christanto, director of PERSETIA.

Hope Antone’s presentations included (a) a framework for wider ecumenism, its historical and biblical foundations, and its implications on mission, evangelism and conversion; and (b) a framework for Asian feminist theologizing, with a practical application of the spiral of feminist theologizing in the participants’ own contexts.

CCA-FMU got involved in this annual program of PERSETIA because of the Ecumenical Theological Education which is now lodged with CCA-FMU. Since not all the universities and seminaries in Indonesia teach Ecumenism and Asian Feminist Theologizing, including these topics in the summer program has enriched the courses that students take in their respective seminaries.

Following the summer program, PERSETIA held its General Assembly in Jayapura Papua where they were to elect their new set of officers and together envision the direction of theological education in Indonesia.

While in Tomohon, Dr Antone was invited to lead two Bible Studies on eco-feminism at the pre-women’s meeting of the World Student Christian Federation Asia-Pacific Region held in Manado, and one Bible study on men and women partnership at its Regional Committee Meeting in Tomohon.

She also visited the new Synod office of GMIM (Christian Evangelical Church in Minahasa). She was able to meet their new office bearers who were having a meeting; shared lunch with them and gave a set of materials from the CCA General Assembly. Dr Antone also thanked them for their warm hospitality of the 2000 CCA General Assembly, which many people still warmly talk about not only in Asia but throughout the world.

Greening the churches

The Ecological Commission of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church (MJSOC) will be inaugurated on Friday, August 6, 2010, at Piravom, Ernakulam, Kerala, India. H. B. Catholicose Dr Baselios Thomas I will be presiding. The Kerala Minister of Agriculture, Mr Mullakkara Rathnakaran will do the honour of inaugurating the Ecological Commission. Metropolitans of the MJSOC will also be present. (http://www.shlomo.in/)

In a related news, churches in India have been urged to promote ‘earth citizenship’ by Vandana Shiva, an Indian environmentalist honoured for placing women and ecology at the heart of development discourse. "We have to protect the earth to uphold our right to food and to ensure our own survival. Then only, can we exercise our fundamental rights and democracy," said Shiva, delivering a lecture in Bangalore in honour of M. A. Thomas, the founder of the city's Ecumenical Christian Centre. (Ecumenical News International)

CCA congratulates the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church for her commendable efforts in taking ‘earth citizenship’ very seriously. These times ‘greening’ the churches is not an option but a faith mandate. We pray that Asian churches will be inspired to start and/or sustain their work for ecological justice.

IFI 108th Anniversary

Almost a thousand people attended the Eucharistic Celebration marking the 108th founding anniversary of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI), founded by Father Gregorio Aglipay on May 8, 1902.

The IFI traces its beginnings from the struggle of the Filipino clergy against racial discrimination and monastic dominance over the country. This struggle blended with the nationalistic aspirations of the Filipino people during the Philippine revolutionary struggles against Spanish colonialism. The establishment of IFI on August 3, 1902 concretized the Filipino clergy's demand to secularize and Filipinize the Church in the Philippines.

Father Gregorio Aglipay was the church's first Prime Bishop or Obispo Maximo, who served from 1902 to 1940, followed by a string of ten bishops with the Most Reverend Godofredo David as its current head.

The celebrations also included the launching of the IFI Hymnal, which incorporated contemporary as well as best loved hymns, including some taken from CCA's Sound the Bamboo.

Charlie Ocampo, CCA's Executive Secretary for Justice, International Affairs, Development and Service joined the Rev. Fr. Rex Reyes, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) and Bishop Constante Claro, who represented Bishop Reuel Norman Marigza, General Secretary of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) in addressing and greeting the parishioners and guests at the centennial celebration.

New WSCF/AP leadership

Mr. Jahartap Yustin Pasaribu, a Senior Friend of Indonesia Student Christian Movement or SCM (GMKI) was recently elected chair of the World Student Christian Federation – Asia Pacific (WSCF/AP), at its Regional Committee Meeting in Tomohon, Indonesia on July 22-27, 2010. Yustin succeeded Ms Yin Yin Maw of SCM Myanmar.

CCA congratulates and offers prayer and support to Yustin for this new and challenging post. Let us pray that WSCF/AP and its ministry will thrive in faith and increase in membership.

Prawate Khid-arn
General Secretary

Uniting Church concerned about welfare of Rohingyas

2010-07-05T15:37:00.000+07:00

THE Uniting Church raised the plight of a Muslim minority group from Burma with Immigration Minister Chris Evans last month because of lengthy delays in processing their claims for asylum.

After visiting some of the Rohingyas detained at Christmas Island, the church and the Coalition for Asylum-Seekers, Refugees and Detainees discussed their concerns with Senator Evans

“We raised the issue of the length of time that people had been processed, given that one of (the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s) detention values is to do things in the shortest amount of time,” coalition chairwoman Rosemary Hudson Miller said.

She said the Rohingyas were concerned and upset by the long time they had been detained and had no idea how much longer their claims would take.

Ms Hudson Miller said it was known that the longer people were detained, the more they were prone to mental illness.

A spokeswoman for Senator Evans said all asylum seekers were subject to rigorous identity, health and security checks before a final assessment of their refugee status could be made.

Nearly 250,000 Rohingyas fled from western Burma into neighbouring Bangladesh in the 1990s to escape persecution.

“To be a minority group in Burma is to draw a short straw in the world,” Pamela Curr, campaign co-ordinator for the Asylum-Seeker Resource Centre, said.

She said the minority had faced horrific persecution by the Burmese government, which had tortured them and used them as weapons carriers for the military.

The Burmese government has refused to recognise the minority, making them virtually stateless in their own country.

The UN High Commission for Refugees says many of the Rohingyas in exile in Malaysia are targeted by immigration authorities.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship says there has recently been a rise in the number of Rohingyas claiming asylum in Australia.

[Source: The Australian: Burmese minority left to languish – Debbie Guest Fri 2 Jul 2010]

Greetings to CCM Assembly

2010-07-02T16:36:00.001+07:00

Greetings shared by Rev. Dr. Rienzie Perera the Associate General Secretary of CCA at the 13th Triennial General Assembly of the Council of Churches of Malaysia held in Sibu from June 21-24, 2010.

On behalf of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA), and in my capacity as the Associate General Secretary, I bring greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. It is important that I say a special word of thank you to the leadership of the Council of Churches of Malaysia and the member churches of the CCA for playing a major role in the local preparations to hold the 13th General Assembly of the CCA in April 2010. We know that it was not an easy task to work out the local planning and preparations but you did a great job and may God’s name be praised for it and may God bless you. Please convey our thanks to each one of those who helped in the preparatory work. If we on our part had done something to hurt or offend you please accept our apologies in the name of Jesus Christ who thought us to forgive and reconcile.

We are glad that you have chosen “Upholding the Truth in Love” as the theme for the 13th Triennial General Assembly. It was Vincent Churchill who said in times war the truth becomes the first casualty. Today we can say that under dictatorships/national security states truth has become the causality and those of us who try to defend the truth have also become casualties or forced to leave ones country.

Churches in many Asian countries live under these adverse circumstances and suffer a great deal. We are aware that you face many issues of this nature and have faced negative consequences for speaking for the truth and trying to defend the truth. Therefore, you know how difficult it is to live the truth, to witness to the truth and to take a stand for the truth.

I believe to live/witness and die for the truth is the central message of the Gospel of Jesus the Christ and the entire life and ministry of Jesus the Christ was a demonstration to that message. In other words Jesus lived what he preached and that is the meaning of the incarnation.

Hence, the Church is called by God to re-enact the story of the Gospel and that is the Mission of the Church. The task of evangelism is to re-enact the story of Jesus the Christ by living for the truth, witnessing for the truth and even dying for the truth. Jesus the Christ was the greatest evangelist and spelt out his evangelistic mission when he said “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind and to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19)

I am aware that this message of Jesus has been spiritualized by some of us and we who teach theology are partly responsible for softening the earth shaking message of Jesus the Christ.

Today we live in a divided world, divided Asia, and divided nations. Our divisions are mostly based on religion, ethnicity, gender, ideology, caste, class, rich and poor etc. God has placed us as God’s people or called us to be and become God’s people in order to be a witnessing and a healing community in this broken world. But, it is with sadness I say that all divisions which I mentioned above are in the Church and therefore The Church is also divided as the world! Therefore, we are called to repent and seek the guidance of the Trinitarian God for healing, renewal and to walk the path of unity. May God bless this Assembly and may the mind of Christ enlighten you and the Spirit lead you to discern the truth from falsehood.

Thank you.

PHILIPPINE CHURCH LEADERS’ STATEMENT FOR JUST PEACE IN PALESTINE

2010-06-08T11:42:00.002+07:00

“Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” Deuteronomy 16:20, ESV

We church leaders in the Philippines express our great shock and indignation at the act of terrorism perpetrated by the apartheid state of Israel on hundreds of international peace activists aboard the Mavi Marmara, the flagship of Gaza Freedom Flotilla, a six-vessel fleet carrying 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid to the blockaded Gaza Strip.

We condemn the disproportionate use of lethal force by Israeli naval commandos that killed at least ten and injured dozens of civilians armed only with sticks and metal bars and a tenacious resolve to deliver relief supplies to the besieged people of Gaza.

It is now more than 60 years since the partition of Palestine hardened into a permanent nightmare for Palestinians. It’s been more than 40 years since Israel’s forcible occupation of East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza.
Just peace in Palestine is long overdue.

It’s time to end Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian lands.
It’s time to do away with apartheid and double standards.
It’s time for healing to begin in the land called holy.
Now is the time for each one of us to speak out and act

Read full statement here

CCA reaffirms commitment to peace and security on the Korean Peninsula

2010-06-07T13:53:00.000+07:00

The Christian Conference of Asia, the member churches and National Councils of Churches in Asia join the World Council of Churches in expressing deep concern over the precarious situation the people on the Korean peninsula are facing, getting more serious by the day.

The sinking of the navy ship Cheonan last March 26^th near Baekryungdo in the West Sea resulted to 48 soldiers losing their lives, a grieving people, and the endangered prospects for peace in the peninsula.

The National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) and the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK), one of its constituent members have issued statements challenging the findings of the Joint Civilian-Military Investigation Group, which they claimed has not established the culpability of North Korea, leaving more questions than answers.

They propose a call for an independent investigation group which includes civilian experts and opposition party representatives to get to the truth of what transpired and to recommend follow up measures.

Church leaders also urge the South Korean Government to take a broader perspective on the unfortunate incident to avert any possibility of a military confrontation and demand strong diplomatic efforts towards dialogue and reconciliation in place of confrontation. They also ask the US Government to take a more active role in the investigation and in resolving this crisis peacefully.

CCA, which co-organized the International Consultation on Korean Reunification, which culminated the celebration of the 25 years of the Tozanso ecumenical process, joins the international ecumenical community in condemning all types of violence and support all efforts aimed at peace negotiations and dialogue. The Tsuen Wan Declaration contains the calls and recommendations from this Consultation.

The Declaration states, “The Korean people have suffered for too long from their forced division. They are one people, one culture, one nation, yet they remain divided. Justice demands that they be reunited in peace and in common commitment to one another. The rest of the world needs to step back from policies, prejudices and pressures which hinder the Korean people from moving forward in the process that will lead to their peaceful reunification and from shaping their future together.”

The Declaration also affirmed, “It is the fervent hope and prayer of all participants at the Tsuen Wan Consultation that the divided people of Korea will be reunited soon. We long for the day when the people of the Korean peninsula, together with the rest of the world, can join together in thanksgiving and joy to celebrate that they are again one people and one nation.”

CCA enjoins all member churches and NCCs to continue to pray for peace in the Korean peninsula and to actively work to mitigate the suffering of the people, particularly in North Korea, who have suffered far too long from the economic sanctions and the continuing threats of war on their divided nation.

“My peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you” (John 14:27)

Sincerely,

PRAWATE KHID-ARN
General Secretary

Cc: CCA Officers and Members of General Committee
Member churches and NCCs

Pray for Thailand

2010-03-16T14:29:00.001+07:00

CCA condemns illegal arrest of community health workers in the Philippines

2010-02-18T10:58:00.000+07:00

16th February 2010

Her Excellency
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
President of the Republic
Malacanang Palace
JP Laurel Street, San Miguel
Manila, Philippines

Your Excellency:

Following our letter of 10th February 2010, the Member Churches and
Member Councils of the Christian Conference of Asia in nineteen
countries in Asia is joined by churches in many parts of the world in
condemning the illegal arrest and continued detention of forty three
(43) community health workers in the Philippines.

The churches also express grave concern about reports of torture
inflicted on the detainees and the denial of full visitation rights to
members of their families.

Of particular concern to the churches is the case of Dr. Alexis Montes,
a lay leader in the United Church of Christ in the Philippines who has
devoted his services in furthering the healing ministry of the UCCP.
Employed by the Community Medical Foundation (COMMED), Dr. Montes along
with the rest of the forty-two (42) arrested health workers have been
engaged in the promotion of basic health rights of the majority of
Filipinos with no access to basic health services.

While the 43 health workers are being kept in detention, a meeting of
the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform is being held at the
Brokenshire Convention Center in Davao City, attended by bishops and
leaders of Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches in support of the
peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines
(GRP) and the National Democratic Front (NDFP), an expression of the
churches' commitment to the peace process in the Philippines.

The Christian Conference of Asia calls on the Philippine Government for
the immediate release of the detainees and to uphold the rule of law and
respect for the rights and dignity of every Filipino citizen.

Faithfully yours,

PRAWATE KHID-ARN
General Secretary

Cc: General Avelino Razon, Ret PNP
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP)
Pasay City 1605, Philippines
osec@opapp.gov.ph

Mr. Norberto Gonzales
Secretary, Department of National Defense
Camp Aguinaldo, EDSA
Quezon City, Philippines
osnd@philonline.com

Atty. Agnes Devanadera
Secretary, Department of Justice
Padre Faura Street, Manila, Philippines
soj@doj.gov.ph

Atty Leila De Lima
Chairperson, Commission on Human Rights
UP Complex, Commonwealth Avenue
Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
chr.delima@yahoo.com

Bishop Eliezer Pascua
General Secretary
United Church of Christ in the Philippines
Malate, Manila, Philippines
uccpnaof@yahoo.com

International church body asks gov't to take swift action

2010-01-15T15:08:00.000+07:00

MalaysiaKini: Jan 15, 10 8:06am

The World Council of Churches has called on the Malaysian government to take immediate action to end attacks on churches sparked by a row on the use of the word 'Allah'.

The WCC said in a letter to Malaysian churches: "we hope that immediate measures will be taken to resolve the problem and that all perpetrators of these acts of violence will be brought to justice."

Eleven churches have been been fire-bombed or vandalised in the past week, after the High Court decided on Dec 31 to lift a government ban on non-Muslims using 'Allah' as a translation for 'God' in the Bahasa Malaysia section of a Catholic publication.

Pointing out that Christians living in neighbouring Indonesia - the world's biggest Muslim-majority country - has been using the word 'Allah' for centuries, the WCC said it was "very disturbing to hear about this new controversy generated by a small sector of Muslims."

"In fact, this action will only challenge tolerance and restrict religious freedom as well as negatively affecting the 'One Malaysia' policy commitment made by the government..." said the church group.

Gov't accused of stoking Malay nationalism

The Malaysian government has strongly criticised the attacks, but has been accused of stoking Malay nationalism so as to protect its voter base after the opposition made unprecedented gains in 2008 elections.

After the latest attacks, Prime Minister Najib Razak said yesterday that probes were underway to bring the perpetrators to justice and that "several" suspects had been identified.

The WCC brings together 349 Protestant, Orthodox and Anglican churches representing more then 560 million Christians in about 110 countries.

URGENT!

2010-01-15T13:30:00.000+07:00

Dear Churches and Ecumenical Partners:

The year 2010 began with another catastrophe in human history. A 7.0 magnitude quake struck Haiti last Tuesday (January 12, 2010) shattering buildings and forever changing lives. While authorities still do not know the extent of the damage, it is estimated that 3 million people may be affected by Haiti’s worst earthquake in 200 years. One survivor reports there are thousands of people roaming the streets, looking for shelter.

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, with 80 percent of its people living with less than day 2 US Dollars a day. Thus the humanitarian assistance needs are greater than ever before.

CCA has received information from ecumenical organizations, namely: Church World Service (CWS), Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), and the ACT Alliance, which are actively providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Haiti. Many of them are already in Haiti.

CCA encourages member churches, councils and ecumenical partners to extend support in any form and in whatever way to help the people of Haiti. They are really in desperate need.

This natural calamity reminds us again what we, in the global community, have the responsibility together in responding to the cries of the suffering people affected by grave disasters.

CCA urgently calls for immediate humanitarian assistance to the people affected, and for a systematic and sustainable remedy to the aftermath of the calamity. Please send your contribution/s directly to organizations which you deem convenient to work with.

I humbly appeal to member churches and councils, ecumenical partners and friends to remember the afflicted in your daily prayers.

May God continue to sustain and strengthen us in love and compassion as we uphold each other.

Prawate Khid-arn
General Secretary

Announcement from NCC Bangladesh

2009-11-09T11:33:00.001+07:00

To
All Concerned,

Ecumenical Greetings from the National Council of Churches, Bangladesh [NCCB]!

We are pleased to inform you that by the Grace of the Lord we have successfully completed the 58th Annual General Meeting of the NCCB dated 31 October, 2009. Thank you for your prayer and cooperation with the Council.

The Councillors of NCCB had shared how to reflect the following contextual issues by 2009-2011:

1. Promoting Ecumenical relationship and initiatives between all Churches in Bangladesh
2. Building national network to reflect contemporary issues as communal violence, youth empowerment, climate change, women and indigenous people's rights, national food security system and HIV/AIDS prevention etc.

We have a new Executive Committee with Mr. Joyanta Adhikari as the President, including 15 Officers and Executive Members from our 11 Member Churches. Please thank God that this year the Bangladesh Christian Church and the Bawm Tribal Baptist Church had been accepted as Member of our movement. At present the number of our family membership is thirteen, including six others Associate Members.

We do need your prayer and support to activate the ministry of the Council and participate together with you towards our Ecumenical journey in Asia. We do pray to the Lord to maintain active cooperation and solidarity with you to reflect different contextual issues in Bangladesh.

Together with all who are weak and helpless!

Thank you,

Sincerely yours,

David A Das
General Secretary

TSUEN WAN COMMUNIQUE

2009-10-26T14:43:00.001+07:00

International Consultation on
Peace, Reconciliation and Reunification of the Korean Peninsula:
Towards an Ecumenical Vision beyond the Tozanso Process

TSUEN WAN COMMUNIQUE

1. One hundred and thirty-seven church leaders from across the world have today recommitted the ecumenical community to the goal of Peace, Reconciliation and Reunification of the Korean Peninsula.

2. Marking the 25th anniversary of the Consultation convened by the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs of the World Council of Churches and by the Christian Conference of Asia held in Tozanso, Japan in 1984 - the first ecumenical gathering to take steps towards the peaceful reunification of the divided Korean peninsula - the World Council of Churches and the Christian Conference of Asia brought together church leaders and participants from the two Koreas and from across the world in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong, 21-23 October 2009. The Tsuen Wan Consultation included presentations from the churches of North and South Korea, a keynote address from WCC general secretary Rev Dr Sam Kobia, an overview of developments over the past 25 years, input from political analysts, a joint celebration of the Eucharist led by North and South Korean church leaders, and engaged in worship, Bible study and prayers for God's guidance and inspiration towards the goal of peaceful reunification.

3. The healing and reconciling spirit of the Tozanso process was affirmed by participants throughout the Tsuen Wan Consultation. They recalled the 1989 WCC policy statement on "Peace and the Reunification of Korea". This statement commenced by referring to the WCC 1983 "Statement on Peace and Justice" and then went on:

"The yearning for peace, justice and unity converges most poignantly and in a unique manner in the case of Korea. The Korean people have been divided by foreign forces, and remain divided by force and have been submitted to coercive systems of control which perpetuate this division and are justified by it. Opposing conceptions of justice have been created and systematized in Korea, where "security" imposes a continual state of confrontation. A so-called "peace" is maintained at the cost of the largest concentration of military force in the world." (1989 WCC Statement)

4. The Consultation recognised the many positive developments since Tozanso, including:

opportunities for visits by Christian leaders to North Korea and for North Korean Christian leaders to visit other countries, especially the opportunity for North and South Korean church leaders to meet and to gain in understanding and trusting each other;
the governments of North and South Korea committing to a process towards reunification in the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration (2000), and in the October 4 Declaration (2007) which further spelt out the steps towards reunification;
increasing contact between the people and the governments of North and South Korea through people to people exchanges, family reunions, tourist visits, the sharing of resources and economic cooperation;
growing understanding and trust between North and South Korea.

5. However, in recent years difficulties have emerged which have challenged the process towards reunification. These difficulties include:

hostility towards the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on the part of other countries, especially from the USA and also from Japan, leading to even greater reliance on military power and military threats;
the change of government in South Korea in February 2008 which brought a sharp change in outlook and policies towards North Korea;
the cessation of tourism into the North and the downturn in economic co-operation.

6. Participants in the Tsuen Wan Consultation strongly affirmed that the gospel of Jesus Christ commits Christians to work against evil, injustice and suffering in all its forms, and to pray and work for God's justice, peace and unity in the world. The Korean people have suffered for too long from their forced division. They are one people, one culture, one nation, yet they remain divided. Justice demands that they be reunited in peace and in common commitment to one another. The rest of the world needs to step back from policies, prejudices and pressures which hinder the Korean people from moving forward in the process that will lead to their peaceful reunification and from shaping their future together.

7. In the spirit of the Tozanso Conference, and seeking to advance the principles and tasks declared at Tozanso, the Tsuen Wan Consultation offers the support of the ecumenical community for new steps towards reunification by:

North and South Korea fully implementing the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration and the October 4 Declaration;
calling for the lifting of all sanctions against the DPRK under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1874, while also noting that Resolution 1874 allows for assistance for humanitarian aid and for sustainable development;
promoting the concept of "reunification as a process" which could involve progressive steps for peaceful co-existence, further economic co-operation, and inter-Korean confederation, leading to complete reunification;
establishing immediate bilateral negotiations between the DPRK and the USA in order to reduce current tensions;
calling for the normalizing of relations between the DPRK and Japan;
urging the USA to withdraw its hostile policies towards the DPRK, and advocating for the cessation of all multinational military exercises in and around the Korean peninsula;
encouraging the international community to allow space and time for direct negotiations between North and South Korea towards a lessening of tensions between them and towards peace, reconciliation and reunification;
supporting the WCC's statements and initiatives towards a world free of all nuclear weapons;
encouraging the Christians of North and South Korea to celebrate a turning point in their endeavours for peace and reunification at the 10th WCC Assembly in Busan, Korea, in 2013.

8. It is the fervent hope and prayer of all participants at the Tsuen Wan Consultation that the divided people of Korea will be reunited soon. We long for the day when the people of the Korean peninsula, together with the rest of the world, can join together in thanksgiving and joy to celebrate that they are again one people and one nation.

"In the name of Christ Jesus, our peace, in whom we are made one, who has broken down the wall of hostility, creating in himself one new people, reconciling all people to God in one body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end…" (from Ephesians 2:13-16).

Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong
23 October 2009.

CCA calls for support for people displaced by continuing violence in Pakistan

2009-10-14T16:46:00.001+07:00

12 October 2009

Mr. Victor Azariah
General Secretary
National Council of Churches in Pakistan
P.O. Box 357
Lahore 54000, Pakistan

Dear Mr. Azariah:

In the just-concluded Meeting of the General Committee of the Christian Conference of Asia, concerns have been raised on the continuing violence in Pakistan.

In August, CCA received information on the killing of Christians in Central Punjab Province. The Christians who have been killed and the families whose houses have been burned based on false accusation of desecrating the Quran; with the perpetrators using the Blasphemy Laws against the Christian community is a high price that Pakistani Christians continue to pay in the name of the so-called blasphemy.

The killings and burning of places of worship have continued and the Christians continue to suffer the brutality and displacement resulting from the violence in the northern region of Pakistan.

Recent spate of violence have again rendered Pakistanis victims in other cities, including Lahore, Shanti Nagar, Sangla Hill, Gojra and Sialkal, while the Pakistan Government claims it is finally defeating the Taliban forces in the Swat Valley. Sporadic violence in the meantime has spread to different parts of the country in Punjab, Sind, Peshawar and Baluchistan.

The churches in Pakistan continue to respond in appropriate ways to the population rendered victims by the on-going violence.

The churches in Pakistan call on Asian churches through the CCA to support the call of the World Council of Churches for the Government of President Asif Ali Zardari to take necessary action to bring the perpetrators of such violence to justice and to ensure the safety and security of the civilian population at all times.

CCA continues to call on member churches and Councils to offer practical support for the humanitarian needs of the population displaced by the continuing violence. Solidarity support and prayers are also offered to the families of the victims and the churches in Pakistan.

This letter was passed by the CCA General Committee at its meeting in Bangkok, Thailand on 1st October 2009.

Yours faithfully,

PRAWATE KHID-ARN
General Secretary

cc:
Members, CCA General Committee
Member Churches and NCCs

CCA prays for peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka

2009-10-14T16:41:00.001+07:00

12 October 2009

The Rev. Dr. Jayasiri Peiris
General Secretary
National Christian Council of Sri Lanka
Colombo, Sri Lanka

Dear Dr. Peiris:

At the just-concluded meeting of the General Committee of the Christian Conference of Asia, in which you are in attendance, concerns were raised about the situation of Mr. Santha Fernando's continuing detention and the political situation in Sri Lanka.

You have informed the General Committee of continuing efforts to minister to the needs of Mr. Fernando and the work for his release. The NCCSL is also engaged in responding to the relief and rehabilitation work going on those who have been internally displaced in the aftermath of the long war that has raged in Sri Lanka.

CCA and its member churches and Councils remain committed to the protection of the rights of the Tamil minority and the final settlement of the conflict, including full rehabilitation of the victims.

Members of the CCA General Committee have offered their prayers and support for the continuing work of peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka through the NCCSL and member churches.

Yours faithfully,

PRAWATE KHID-ARN
General Secretary

cc:
Members, CCA General Committee
Member Churches and NCCs

CCA Letter to UNFCC, Bangkok

2009-10-07T17:09:00.002+07:00

September 30, 2009

Mr. Yvo de Boer
Executive Secretary
UN Framework and Convention on Climate Change

Dear Mr. de Boer,

Greetings from the General Committee of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA), a regional organisation of churches representing 5 million Christians in more than 20 countries. CCA is happy to present the attached Statement on Climate Change as our contribution to the on-going two-week consultations in Bangkok. The CCA General Committee, meets in Bangkok at the same time that representatives of governments, at least 20 United Nations agencies and hundreds of non-governmental and civil society and activist observers gathered for a two week consultation to agree on negotiated terms for tackling climate change beyond 2010 ahead of the UN Climate Conference to be held in Copenhagen in December 2009.

The issue of climate change and consequently global warming and its effects on our planet are urgent concerns that need the attention of the leaders and common people alike, world-wide. In Asia we are constant victims of the severe consequences of climate change and global warming – massive flooding in the Philippines from heavy rains brought about by typhoons, the most recent of which is the devastating effect of the Ketsana (Ondoy) typhoon; flash floods in Taiwan and China, the floods caused by the Nargis cyclone in Myanmar, the perennial floods in Bangladesh and other parts of Asia, as well as the tsunami which hit Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Maldives, India, and Sri Lanka in 2004. At this meeting, we were also informed of the earthquake that hit Indonesia and the tsunami that devastated American Samoa. Increased droughts or the El Nino phenomenon is also a constant threat in many parts of Asia affecting water tables and food production. The changing climate has also had a negative effect on natural flora and fauna in Asia.

Human greed, the obsession for profits and indifference to nature have led to the abuse and mismanagement of the environment and its natural resources.

It is our hope that you as world leaders will commit to address the root of these problems – cut down carbon emissions, prioritize afforestation and limit commercial logging, develop renewable and clean energy sources, promote sustainable life that will help mitigate the negative impact of these ecological issues on populations and communities worldwide.

The CCA and its member churches and Councils in Asia are committed to the global campaign on climate change as a matter of faith.

Yours sincerely,

PRAWATE KHID-ARN
General Secretary

CCA Statement on Climate Change

2009-10-07T17:06:00.001+07:00

ASIA AND THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE

The occurrence of natural disasters around the world in the last few decades has caused significant human and economic losses with worsening trends quantitatively and qualitatively. In 2008, there were 354 natural disasters that killed 235,000 people and affected 214 million people with economic costs reaching over 100 billion US$. Despite the lesser number of disasters in 2008 compare to the yearly average number of disasters for the period 2000-2007, which is 397 with 66,813 people killed, the death toll in 2008 was three times higher and the economic cost is more than twice the 82 billion US$ annual average for 2000-2007.^{^[1]} Another tsunami and an earthquake on September 30, 2009 brought new concerns and challenges.

Asia is the world's most disaster prone region with the largest population in which all kind of natural disasters occur. Statistically, hydro-meteorological hazards contributed higher number of disasters compared to geophysical hazards. The disastrous impacts of floods, long droughts, storms, cyclones as well as other weather-climate extremes are predominant. This condition is strongly influenced by the exaggerated demands of energy consumption within the region. On current trends, energy related emission of carbon-dioxide9(CO₂) and other green house gases will raise inexorably, pushing up the average global temperature by as much as 6^OC in the long term.^{^[2]} According to Chevron, the world consumes two barrels of oil for every barrel discovered and it took 125 years to consume the first trillion barrels of oil – the world will consume the next trillion in only 30 years. By 2030 the world will consume 47% more oil than it did in 2003.

Geophysical disasters require serious attention and efforts in disaster risk reduction as they have a devastating impact on human life, economy, and nature; an example of which is the tsunami disaster that struck Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and Indonesia in 2004. In Indonesia, the 2004 tsunami killed more than 165 thousand people and economically has created losses in excess of 4 billion US$ as well as a loss of private sector property valued at more than 3 billion US$^{^[3]}. This disaster has raised government awareness across the region to change their policy orientations from disaster response strategies to disaster risk reduction management. Furthermore, it has even lead some countries to ratify the Hyogo Framework of Actions (2005-2015) that aims at substantial reduction of disaster losses, in both human lives as well as the social, economic and environmental assets of communities and countries. Meanwhile, there are massive efforts in local, national, and international levels to reduce disaster risks by a systematical integration of policies, plans and programs for sustainable development and poverty reduction. ^{^[4]}

It has been internationally acknowledged through several international platforms such as the Yokohama Strategy 1994 and the current operating frameworks known as the Hyogo Frameworks of Actions (2005 – 2015) that reducing risk of disasters requires immediate and urgent action. A paradigm shift from response to risk reductions has been widely introduced in many countries. The role of civil society organizations and churches in facilitating this change is vitally important.

The World Council of Churches has been working on climate change since 1990. Meanwhile, the Christian Conference of Asia have been showing a strong commitment and concern in fostering the Earth as our habitat which God has entrusted us in caring for and protecting from the beginning of creation. "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof" (Psalm 24:1) is a scriptural call for environmental stewardship. Scripture clearly states that God created, blessed, protected and made a covenant with nature and all the species in it. As stewards of God's creation, we are likewise^{^[5]} called to answer this duty, therefore maintaining the ecological integrity of our biosphere, which for Churches has indeed both a spiritual and ethical dimension. However, there is still a gap between policies and actual actions to incorporate Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction ( DRR ) in the Asian Region. The urgency of the threat of climate change requires our generation to take immediate action and go beyond simple declarations and statements. New alternative models of life are called for.^{^[6]} Meanwhile, it is also important to have an effective mechanism of action frameworks of the DRR and Climate Change Adaptation incorporated by Churches in Asia.

^{^[1]} Annual Disaster Statistical Review 2008, The numbers and trends; Jose Rodriguez - Femke Vos - Regina Below - D. Guha-Sapir; Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters

^{^[2]} World Energy Outlook 2008, Executive Summary, International Energy Agency

^{^[3]} Estimasi Dampak Ekonomi Bencana Tsunami; Dr. Bustanul Arifin; Economic Review Journal No. 199 (March 2005)

^{^[4]} Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: I S D R International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (www.unisdr.org/wcdr) *Extract from the final report of the World Conference on Disaster Reduction (A/CONF.206/6)

^{^[5]} Christians Celebrating World Environment Day 2009, Freddy De Alwis, CCA-JID, http://www.cca.org.hk/clusters/jid/

^{^[6]} http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/jpc/ecearth-climatechange.html

An Urgent Appeal

2009-09-30T11:30:00.000+07:00

A Letter from CCA

No. 36/30 September 2009

An Urgent Appeal

RE: Typhoon Ketsana (Philippine name: Typhoon Ondoy),
its victims and the pastoral ministry of the Churches in Asia

Dear Member Churches and Councils,
Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

It is with shock and sadness that we watched on television and read in the newspapers the destruction and havoc caused to lives and property of thousands of people in the Philippines. We are aware that it is a moment of challenge and a pastoral responsibility to all of us who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Saviour to minister to the victims and mourn with the bereaved, and accompany those who are still searching for missing friends and relatives.

These are times which test our faith and also empower us by God's grace to be with the Filipino people and witness to our faith either by word, action or by being a silent presence.

We believe this is also a time for us to pool our human and material resources and to work as far as possible ecumenically, and even with people of our sister faiths. It is at times like this that we can demonstrate to the world that our faith which is nurtured by the mind of Christ can transcend all divisions based on religion, class, caste, ethnicity, colour, gender and politics, to ease the pain and suffering of the people and become a beacon of strength and hope to those who have lost almost everything in life.

We are making an appeal to all member churches and councils to share their solidarity in this hour of pain and despair by contributing in cash, even in a small way, to the relief and rehabilitation work of the Philippine Churches through the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) which will commence immediately.

For your donations and support, please send them to:

REV. REX R.B. REYES
General Secretary
National Council of Churches in the Philippines
879 EDSA, West Triangle, Quezon City 1200
Tel.: + 63-2-9293745; Fax: + 63-2-9267076
Email: "Rex R.B. Reyes Jr." <padirex@gmail.com>

Account name: National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP)
Account No.: 3054-0162-89 (Dollar Savings)
Bank: Bank of the Philippine Islands
QC West Triangle Branch
1587 Quezon Avenue
Quezon City 1104 Philippines
SWIFT CODE: BOPIPHMM

Kindly send communications regarding donations/support to Rev. Reyes including your postal address so that NCCP can duly acknowledge receipt.

For NCCP's appeal and updates on the aftermath of the typhoon, visit http://nccplibrary.blogspot.com/

CCA assures you that all those who have become victims of Typhoon Ondoy and all who volunteer to minister to them are remembered in our prayers.

With peace and blessings,

Yours in Christ,

Dr. Prawate Khid-arn
General Secretary

Rev. Dr. Rienzie Perera
Associate General Secretary

Cc: Rev. Rex RB Reyes, General Secretary, NCCP
Member, CCA General Committee