Page 44 - Preservation for the Documentation of Chinese Christianity

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After deducting expenses, the remaining net amount has been will be studing at the University of Waterloo working for his master’
put aside as an emergency fund for sudden disasters which require degree in Sociology-Urban Affairs. Rev. Robert Lo of the Tsung
immediate action. For example, in mid July, a massive earthquake in Tsin Church attended a two-week course held in Australia in July at
the Philippines left thousands dead, injured or homeless. The Council the Ecumenical School of Evangelism.
used HK$150,000 from the emergency fund to provide relief for the
victims. In addition, the Council called on the churches of HK to
The Christian Conference of Asia held its 9th Assembly in
donate funds directly.
Manila from 4th to 13th June, 1990. The General Secretary and the
Rev. Ms. Jane Cheung of the Methodist Church were official
representatives of the Council. The Hong Kong delegation also
included Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Kwok, who were especially invited
Ecumenical Fellowship to attend representing the disabled people of Hong Kong, plus Mr.
Through the years the Council has been allocating relief funds
to different parts of the world through the World Council of Churches Armstrong Lee who served as a youth steward from this Territory.
with the exception of funds going into China for similar purposes. After attending this Assembly , I could not help thinking that our
Church in Hong Kong should take a more active role in such
Our relationship with the WCC also extends to other functions
sponsored by this ecumenical organization as well. international functions. We have many people of ability in our
Churches. Christians in Hong Kong should be able to make a much
greater contribution and play a more influential role in regional and
The 7th Assembly of the WCC will be held in February, 1991 in
Canberra, Australia. It is expected that there will be approximately international ecumenical activities. Hong Kong's Christians should
2000 participants from all over the world attending this Assembly. not merely concentrate on achieving commercial and financial
The main theme of the Assembly will be uCome Holy Spirit-Renew success but should also more actively participate in God^ work
the Whole Creation”，with four sub-themes: within the international Christian community.
Giver of Life—Sustain your Creation The CCA also sponsored a number of preparatory meetings
Spirit of Truth—Set Us Free prior to the Assembly. Mr. Au Kin Ming represented Hong Kong at
Spirit of Unity—Reconcile Your People a consultation on “Newly Industrializing Economies” held in Bangkok
Holy Spirit—Transform and Sanctify Us from 31st November to 3rd December, while the Rev. Dr. Alan
Chan attended a CCA Education Committee meeting in Manila from
In order to prepare for this significant event, the WCC has held 5th to 10th February.
a number of pre-assembly meetings in different areas, including
some in Hong Kong. As early as August, 1987, the British Council of Churches
already expressed the wish of sending a delegation to visit Hong
A Consultation on the Ecumenical Sharing of Resources (Asia), Kong. But, due to a change of personnel in our own Cound and to
co-sponsored by the WCC and the Christian Conference of Asia, was other factors witliin the BCC, the visit did not materialize until the
held at the Waterloo Road YMCA, Kowloon during the Chinese New end of February this year. The BCC gave much attention to this
Year from 28th to 31st January. The HKCC Executive Committee visit. Tremendous preparatory work was done by both Councils to
delegated the General Secretary to represent Hong Kong at this ensure that the visit would not merely be a superficial ecclesiastical
meeting. A tea reception for the overseas participants was hosted by exchange.
the Executive Committee on 30th January.
The nine delegates were led by the Archbishop of York, the
For past Assemblies, representatives of other faiths were Most Rev. John Habgood. During their seven-day stay they visited
invited to be present as observers. For this coming Assembly in more than twenty churches and Christian organizations, a Roman
Canberra, a pre-Assembly Multi-faith Dialogue was held at the Catholic group and the Chinese University where they dialogued
Waterloo Road YMCA from 12th to 18th August. Representatives with the Teachers Association. They also visited with the Governor
from various religious traditions (including Buddhist, Moslem, Jewish, of Hong Kong as well as with Christian members of the Legislative
Hindu, Confucian and Taoist) came together to share their thinking and Administrative Councils. ITiey discussed issues such as
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relating to the Assembly’ theme. The HKCC Executive Committee nationality, the right of abode, human rights, the democratic
invited the participants from various countries to a tea reception structure of the future Hong Kong government, etc. Their aim was
during the first day of the meeting. to report the wishes of the people of Hong Kong to the British
Government and to the churches when they returned to the U.K. A
Three persons have been granted scholarships by the WCC 61-page final report well indicates how seriously the BBC delegation
through our Council this year. Miss April Lai will be studying at the took this visit. Because of this interchange, the relationship between
Institute of Social Studies in the Hague, the Netherlands working for the two Councils has been greatly strengthened. We felt the mutual
her master's degree in Development Studies. Mr. Hang-Keung Choi concern and support of the wider fellowship of the body of Christ.

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