Page 69 - Preservation for the Documentation of Chinese Christianity

W orld Day of Prayer (HK) Com m ittee the current economic crisis. The statement was
issued by the Council in January 1999. It called on
Every first Friday of March, more than 170 countries and the government to lay down realistic economic
3.5 million Christians from all over the world participate objectives, to take measures to ease the
in the World Day of Prayer - an ecumenical prayer unemployment situation and to protect labor. The
movement. statement also called on the churches to respond to
the spiritual challenge presented by the crisis and to
The 1999 World Day of Prayer Service was held on take seriously the mission to the poor.
March 5 at the Chinese Methodist Church. The theme
was "God’s Tender Touch”. The worship materials this B. Response to the government report on the
year were prepared by the women of Venezuela and Review of the Comprehensive Social Security
revised to fit the local context by the working group Assistance Scheme
assigned by the Committee. The Committee invited Rev.
Bob LO to deliver the message during the service. The The Department submitted a paper offering
music was provided by a Joint Church Women's Choir comments on the review. While welcoming
from different churches, conducted by Mrs. Josephine proposed steps to help the unemployed go back to
WONG. This year there was also a role play performed work, it objected to the proposed cuts in payments
by cadets of The Salvation Army Training College. The to families comprising three or more members. It
participants also prayed for Indonesia during the Service. also objected to the proposal that single parents
Approximately 350 participants of different nationalities who are recipients of comprehensive social security
were reminded of how to respond to God’s calling assistance look for work when their youngest child
through this meaningful worship. reaches the age of 12 instead of 15 as at present.

In order to promote the Service, a Promotional Meeting C. Statement on the right of abode of mainland-
took place on January 8 to highlight the importance of born children
the Service.
The Department collected support from groups and
The Committee donated the offering to the World Day individuals in issuing a statement on the right of
of Prayer Committee in Venezuela to help develop abode issue. The statement was critical of the
women's work. government's efforts to deprive mainland-born
children of their right to live in Hong Kong by
In addition. Ms. Sheree WONG, the Chairperson of the seeking an interpretation of the Basic Law from the
Committee, represented the Council to attend the Standing Committee of the National People’s
meeting of World Day of Prayer International Congress. It called on Hong Kong to remain a caring
Committee which took place in Cape Town, South and inclusive society. The statement was published
Africa. on June 23rd.

II.Christian Mission and Social Concern D. Preparation for the elections to the Legislative
Department Council in 2000
Rev. Dr. LO Lung-kwong is the Department Head and The Council held meetings to consult church
Rev. Hans LUTZ is responsible for relevant issues of the members on the Council’s role in the election of 7
Department. Protestant representatives to the 800 member
Election Committee. The Council conducted a
The Department involved the former Christian Mission survey requesting congregations to answer 4
Committee, Social Concern Committee, Women's questions:
Committee and youth Committee. Activities included
the following: - Should the Protestants cooperate with the
government to nominate representatives to the
A. Statement in Response to the Economic Crisis Election Committee in the year 2000?

The Department was asked by the Executive - Should the Hong Kong Christian Council accept
Committee to prepare a statement in response to an invitation by the government to act as agent

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