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and  fostering  our  mutual  support  and  sharing.  We   for  reconciliation  and  channels  for  communication.
         gained  a  lot  and  our  hearts  were  touched.  We   Also,  we  have  to  express  our  gratitude  to  the
         thank  the  Lord  for  the  churches  in  China  and  we   churches  and  organizations that have  been  laboring
         believe  that  God  will  continuously  bless  the  church   with  us,  as  well  as  to  the  Executive  Com m ittee
         development  in  China.  Another  special  event  this   members  and  staff  members  for  their  concerted
         year  was  the  30th  anniversary  of the  "Colloquium  efforts.  This  year,  we  especially  thank  our  new

         of Six  Religious  Leaders”.  The  Six  Religions  and  G eneral  S e cre ta ry   Rev.  Po  Kam  C heong  fo r
         representatives joined  together  for  a  tree  planting   his  hard  work.  For  what  we  have  achieved  and
         ceremony  in  Tin  Shui  Wai  Park.  Mr.  Donald  Tsang,    accomplished,  we  hope  that  God  will  gladly  receive
         Hong  Kong  Chief  Executive,  was  invited  to  officiate   our  humble  offering,  and  for  our  shortcomings,  we
         as  guest  host.  Such  a  cerem ony  sym bolized  a   beg our Lord for His supplement and grace.
         growth  opportunity  and  also  brought  a  message
                                                                 Hong  Kong  has  been  facing  various  crises
         of  peace  to  the  residents  of this  so-called  "city  of
                                                            and  its  economy  and  well-being  are  suffering.  The
         sadness",  representing  the  blessing  from  the  Hong
                                                            quality  of  life  has  kept  declining.  Meanwhile,  we
         Kong  religious sector.
                                                            found  that  the  spiritual  and  moral  standards  of
               This year also marked the 55th  anniversary of   society  are  dropping.  Especially  in  matters  related
         the  Hong  Kong  Christian  Council.  Two  days  before   to  com m unity,  fam ily,  education  and  youth,  we

         the Annual  General  Meeting,  the  Council  held  the   are  compromising  with  the  standards  of  our  faith.
         Mission  Consultation  of the  Hong  Kong  Churches   Even  our values  and  church  practices  are  following
         2009.  It not only helped to  review the dynamics and   earthly  standards.  We  have  only  conformed  to  the
         situation  between  society  and  church,  but  it  also   patterns of the world.  When  Mr.  Barack Obama was
         provided  an  opportunity  for  practitioners  to  reflect  elected  U.S.  President,  it gave the world  great  hope

         on  the  future  role  and  direction  of the  church’s  for  change.  In  his  inaugural  address,  he  strongly
         mission. The theme of the  Mission  Consultation was   urged  Am ericans  to  turn  around,  to  reclaim   the
         “To  Whom  Shall  We  Go?”  This  reminds  us  when   spiritual  roots  of the  founders  of  the  nation.  We
         we  face  all  kinds  of challenges  and  difficulties,  we   need  a  turnaround  in  Hong  Kong  as  well.  Let  us
         must still  be faithful  to  our calling,  focused  on  Jesus   renew  and  change  ourselves  to  return  to  precepts
         Christ  and  looking  to  Him  as  our  head,  being  His   of God,  carrying  His fragrance  and  transforming  the

         loyal servants to bring  peace to the people. Also,  we   world.  Therefore,  I  hope  the  theme  of our  Mission
         have to keep transforming and  renewing our society.   Consultation  of  Hong  Kong  Churches  2009  would
         Of course,  we  must  be  very  grateful  to  our  Lord  for   enlighten  our  minds  and  stir  our  hearts  to  move
         His  guiding  and  blessing  the  Council  in  the  past  55   forward.  We  need  to  seek  the  abundant  life,  to  go
         years.  Therefore,  we  are  able to  fulfill  the  calling  to   through  hardships and adversity with  hope, to create
         be  peacemakers  and  channels  of  peace,  actively   a  beautiful  witness  to  glorify  God.  We  have  asked

         promoting  church  unity  and  breaking  down  walls   God:  “To  Whom  Shall  We  Go?”  Let  us  employ  His
         and  bridging  up the gap.  Playing the  role of prophet,   word to plant the fruit that is pleasing  in  His sight.
         shepherd and servant, we have developed platforms


         " May the  God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,  so that you may overflow with hope
         by the power of the Holy Spirit."

                                                                                             (Romans 15:13)
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