Page 43 - Preservation for the Documentation of Chinese Christianity

General Secretary's Report

H eyw ard W ong

Foreword In order to strengthen our relationship, members of the
During last year's Annual General Meeting I remarked that the Catholic Ecumenical Committee were invited by the Council^ own
history of the Council could be compared to a large scale musical Committee for a tea reception on 24th April to share and to have
composition with sections or movements. We might say that this past fellowship with each other. Our Catholic friends reciprocated by
year was like an episode leading into a new movement. The inviting our Committee for a joint worship service followed by a
enactment of a new Constitution at the Extraordinary General fellowship dinner. We sincerely believe that such contacts will
Meeting held on 7th September, 1989 signaled the commencement certainly help us take bigger strides towards united action in the days
of this episode. During this year we experienced Gods abundant to come.
grace and were conscious of His guidance. He prepared a new
Begun in 1887, the international “World Day of Prayer”
General Secretary for us who is going to lead the Council into a new
movement observed its 103rd year of activity this year. The local
era. The following is a report of the events which took place within
World Day of Prayer service was held on 2nd March at the Kowloon
the year under review.
Methodist Church under the theme "A Better Tomorrow~Justice
for All”. The Rev. Ms. Leung Shau Shan gave the homily. Mrs. Watt
Annual General Meeting and the 35th Wong Bik-yin, Headmistress of Kowloon Methodist School, formed
Anniversary Thanksgiving Service a joint choir to sing for the service. The offering collected on that day
1989 saw the Council commemorating its 35th Anniversary. was donated to the Barnabas Charitable Service Association Ltd. to
help minister to women living a marginal existence in Hong Kong.
The Executive Committee decided to hold the Annual General
Meeting and a 35th Anniversary celebration at the Kowloon
The International World Day of Prayer Committee meets once
Methodist Church on the same day, 20th October. Colourful banners
every four years. This year's meeting was held in Jamaica, Latin
representing each member church and organization surrounded the
America, from 28th July to 6th August. The Chairperson of our Hong
nave of the church illustrating the spirit of unity. Rev. Li Ping Kwong
gave the sermon on the topic “Follow up the Past, Usher in the Kong Committee, Mrs. Joni M. C. Lo, was delegated to attend the
Future”. Musical items were provided by a joint choir from various meeting in order to exchange experiences and to discuss future plans
for the World Day of Prayer with other international delegates.
churches organized especially for the event, the Church of Christ in
China Chorale and the Hong Kong Salvation Army Command Band.
The whole service was conducted in a solemn but joyful atmosphere.
This was followed by a thanksgiving dinner at the Federal Restaurant The Five Loaves and two Fish Campaign
where, for the first time in the history of the Council, members had 1990 marked the 16th year since this Campaign was started in
an opportunity to fellowship with each other at such a festive
1975. The “Five and Two” Campaign has now become a prevalent
occasion. activity supported by the entire Christian community in Hong Kong
to respond to charity appeals from all over the world. Donations from
churches and individuals have increased annually. The total amount
Unity Activities of money raised, including the sale of Christmas cards, for 1989 was
The Unity Committee carried on its usual activities in
$1，820,000. The money was used to support the following projects:-
promoti ng unity among the churches of Hong Kong. The Week of
Prayer for Christian Unity was observed from 17th-24th January,
1990 under the theme “United in Christ so People may Believe”. An 1. Ethiopia: Famine Relief HK$234,000
2. Mozambique: Relief and Rehabilitation HK$156,000
Ecumenical Communion Service was held on 18th January at the
3. Armenia: Earthquake Rehabilitation Project HK$250,000
Shamshuipo Tsung Tsin Church. This large majestic new church had
4. Sichuan: Flood Rehabilitation Project HK$246,000
just been dedicated on 1st January. The Council was very fortunate
5. Bangladesh: Flood Relief HK$234,000
to be able to make use of this magnificient house of worship for this
6. Romania: Emergency Project HK$156,000
function and to have Rev. Yau Yuk-ling,the Mininter-in-charge, to
7. Guangdong: Tai Tin Tau Reforestation Project HK$100,000
deliver the sermon entitled," We must Try Our Best to Keep the
8. Sri Lanka: Jaffna Self Supporting Programme HK$78,000
Spirit of Unity”. The Service was well attended by representatives
9. Kalimantan: Dayak Rural Development Project HK$78,000
from major churches, some from independent congregations and a
10. India: Integrated Rehabilitation Project for
number of Catholic brothers and sisters. They meditated together
Ex-Leprosy Patients HK$48,882
on the teaching of the Lord concerning unity and enjoyed a time of
fellowship in Christ. As in previous years, a joint statement was
Total: HK$1,580,882
issued by the Unity Committees of the Council and the Roman
Catholic Church calling on all local churches to pray together for
Christian unity.
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