Page 27 - Preservation for the Documentation of Chinese Christianity

The Committee met four times between September and March in
preparation for the World Day of Prayer Service. In January a
Promotion Meeting was held when two representatives from each member
churches were invited to attend. We were honoured to have a visit
of Mrso Browne-Mayers of the International World Day of Prayer
Committee, who was in Hong Kong for a very brief visit. The
Committee met with her and had a lively and stimulating discussion.

The first Friday in March, is now set for the World Day of
Prayer. This year, on that Friday, March 6th the bi-lingual service
was held in St. John's Cathedral. It was well attended. The
singing was led by a united choir, which also anthems related to our
theme. Four leaders, together with the soloist, led the service
with its theme, "Take Courage" and the words of the solo "Oh, that
I knew where I might find Him." weaving through the service. The
stewards at the service were representatives of many churches.

The offertory $1,212 was given to the building fund for the
United Christian Hospital in Kwun Tong.

During February, on the four Friday preceding the service, 7.35
Radio Hong Kong was used to direct the thoughts of the Community
to the World Day of Prayer - its history, its meaning, its theme
for this year. In other programmes, opportunity was given to direct
attention to the service and to the World Day of Prayer. Posters
were well prepared and well circulated - Good coverage was given
by newspapers both Chinese and English. We are grateful to all
members of/Committee and all who arranged and shared in this
joint effort.

Some members were able to lead prayers in schools, arrange for
prayers in school assembly to be on the World Day of Prayer theme.

Hong Kong Christian Industrial Committee

Context

Hong Kong in 1969 witnessed tremendous economic progress. Wages
increased, so did worker's expectations. The several well-publicized
disputes attested to two facts: that workers are more ready to stand
up for their rights, and that existing laws are not adequate to give
full justice to the working class. The Government introduced
several labour legislation on maternity leave, compensation and rest
days. They are not thorough but on the whole in the right direction.

In the churches a gradual social awareness has begun to take
shape. This development has enabled industrial mission to move
with relative ease.

Personnel

Under the Chairmanship of Rev. Francis Yip and the Executive
Committee, a relatively young staff launched programmes described
below. The staff force consists of Raymond Fung (Director), Hans
Lutz, Robert Snow, Jayne Wong and since March, Philip Lam and John
Shura.

Programme

1. Workers

Day to day contact with workers mostly in Kwun Tong. It
takes the form of casual contacts, discussion groups of which
they are 5 in plants, dormitories and other centres, and
certain involvement in disputes. This type of work yields
no big events. But it is our main thrust.

Trade union seminars.