Page 64 - Preservation for the Documentation of Chinese Christianity

different races and religions could live together in harmony. The Council not only maintained a close relationship with
In addition to meeting with President Habibie, Minister of our ecumenical partners overseas, but also played an
Defense, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Religious important role in the ecumenical movement, improving
Affairs, etc., the delegation also met with Christian and the ecumenical spirit.
Moslem leaders as well as Chinese Church leaders.
Rev. LI Ping-kwong. our Chairperson, and the General
1999 is a very important year in history. The Council will Secretary attended the 8th Assembly of the World Council
celebrate its 45th Anniversary in September with a series of Churches in Harare. Zimbabwe, with the theme "Turn
of memorable events, expressing our thanksgiving to God. to God - Rejoice in Hope" from December 3-14. 1998
On the other hand, the year 1999 is the last year of the with 4.500 people participating. Rev. LUK Fai and Mr.
20th century, which has historical significance as we YUEN Hoi-park represented the Hong Kong Council of the
prepare and welcome the coming of the 2 Ist Century and Church of Christ in China as delegates. Besides major
the challenges brought by the 3rdmillennium. During the theme presentations, the President and the General

past year, the Preparatory Committee has been working Secretary of the World Council of Churches made their
very hard in planning for the Mission Consultation of the reports on the work of WCC for the past 7 years and
Hong Kong Churches in the 21st Century, with the theme looked to the future. It is hoped that all denominational
"Exploring the Frontier, Facing the Challenge. Fulfilling the leaders would join together based on the principle of unity
New Millennium Mission". Hopefully, the Consultation among diversity, maximizing the ecumenical space to
will bring new vision to Churches in Hong Kong. stand together in Christ.

Hereby, I respectfully share with my brothers and sisters The Assembly also discussed in detail the document on
the programs and activities of the Council for the last year. "Toward a Common Understanding and Vision of WCC".
Sharpest discussions included the relationship between
the Eastern Orthodox Church and WCC, the cancellation
The 44th Annual General Meeting
of national debts, globalization, human rights, etc. One of
The 44th AGM was held on September 18, 1998 at 5:30 the major features of the Assembly was the "Padare".
p.m. at the Hong Kong Methodist Church. Thanks to Rev. There were about 400 "Padare" events and workshops,
MAAK Hay-chun, General Secretary of the Chinese covering a variety of major issues.
Coordination Centre of World Evangelism, who was our
preacher, and to the host for providing a reception prior to Besides, the 'The Ecumenical Decade of Churches in
the meeting. Solidarity with Women" initiated by WCC was also
celebrated before the Assembly, the Decade Festival being
The annual reports were given by the Rev. LI Ping-kwong, the closing activity of the program. There were 7 persons
the Chairperson and by the General Secretary. The representing Hong Kong in attendance.
1997/98 financial report and the budget for 1999/2000
were presented and adopted. For the purpose of promoting the spirit of unity and to
review the past as we move forward into new millennium,
a gathering took place on February 5. 1999 at Ward
Ecumenical Fellowship
Memorial Church to provide the participants of the WCC
It has been already 2 years since the Handover- Assembly an opportunity to share with the Hong Kong
religious freedom is just the same as it was prior to the Churches. WCC and the Assembly have long been
Handover", reducing many worries and concerns towards influencing the development of church unity in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong, especially from overseas people. Hong Kong Some of the presentations were extracted and published in
Churches not only continue to maintain their ties with the March and April editions of "Message".
overseas churches without any interruption, but have
strengthened their relationships. For instance, when the Many ecumenical leaders maintain their good relations
Most Rev. Peter K. K. KWONG was consecrated as the with the Council. Rev. Bruce MENNING, Director of
Archbishop of the Province of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Mission Service of the Reformed Church in America, made
in October 1998. the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most a visit to the Council on September 21, 1998.
Rev. George Carey, came in person to officiate this accompanied by Rev. Wendell KARSEN, mutually sharing
magnificent ceremony, with participation by many bishops our agenda and improving our relationship.
and guests from overseas countries and Hong Kong.

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