Page 14 - Preservation for the Documentation of Chinese Christianity

A number of steps have been taken in the development of support
for the project. Our application to the World Council of Churches,
made through the Christian Welfare and Relief Council for US$25,000
for planning costs, has been approved and appears in the 1966 Project
List. Many contacts with church leaders have been made in Europe and
in North America. The National Council of Churches (USA) has approved
two grant requests of US$5,000 each for administrative and planning
expenses. In July 1965, Dr. Paterson visited the German Evangelical
Central Agency, and was given assurances that they would enthusiastically
support the project and do all they can for it. We have recently
received a letter from the German Evangelical Central Agency which is
somewhat upsetting, as it indicates they are not in a position, as far
as they can see now, to receive an application in 1966 for this project.
We had been hoping to submit application to them this year for a major
portion of the capital cost. This development may cause some delay.
Hong Kong’ 1965 Women's World Day of Prayer collection was again
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designated for this project, and several gifts have been received from
overseas sources. The mounting interest in this project in so many
places around the world bouys our hopes, and leads us to believe that
this ministry of healing will be accomplished.

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3. Women’ World Day of Prayer Committee
Approximately one thousand women and a few men gethered in the City
Hall to observe the World Day of Prayer Service on February 25th, 1966.
The bilingual service was led in Cantonese by Miss Rita Luk, and in
English by Mrs. V. Vincent. Sections of the service on the theme:
"Ye are My Witnesses" were led by Mrs. Peter Wong, Mrs, Watt Hoi Kei,
Miss Vera Silcocks, and Mrs. Norman Kemp. The Principal of the Silver
Jubilee Middle School Mrs. Wong Tsue Chung Har gave a short meditation
in Cantonese. Mrs. R. Von Kleist of the Salvation Army speaking in
English, urged the women to be "lamplighters of Christianity". In-
tercessory prayers for Europe, Asia, Latin American and Africa were
led by Miss Annie Skau, Norwegian Missionary nurse, Mrs. Malar Chinniah,
a visiting deaconess from Ceylon, Mrs. Enid Giles of the Dominican
Republic, and Mrs. Lau Tai Yue, a local church member. These women,
dressed in their national costume, gave visible witness to the inter-
national nature of our service, and to our concern for the peoples of
the world. The major portion of the speical offering which amounted to
$1,363.80 will be given to the local United Protestant Hospital Fund.
A United Chinese and English Speaking Choir under the direction of Mrs.
Wong led the singing, and sang as an anthem the hymn "Ye Servants of
the Lord".

Our Joint Committee for the World Day of Prayer under the leader-
ship of the Chairman Mrs. H. P. Yew along with the two language
committees have done the planning for the service. The English
speaking committee has functioned under the leadership of Miss Alice
Dickinson, while the Chinese speaking committee has been under the
guidance of Miss Rita Luk. These committees will meet together soon
for a full evaluation of the service and the preparations, necessary
for another year.

WORK OF AUXILIARY ORGANIZATIONS

1. Hong Kong Christian Welfare & Relief Council

In 1965 the Hong Kong Christian Welfare & Relief Council celebrated
its 10th Anniversary along with the Hong Kong Christian Council and the
Audio Visual Evangelism Committee. During those years, the Council
sought to carry out its basic purposes namely, as a meeting place for
27 Protestant Churches and Welfare Agencies, as a channel for co-
ordination and sharing as the avenue through which appeals could be
made to World Council of Churches and contributions allocated to
designated projects.

Through regular monthly meetings and committee meetings these works