RISING TO LIFE: CONFESSING WITNESS TO
LIFE FLOURISHING COMMUNITIES
1st June 2021 (Tuesday) at 9:30am-1:30pm (SGT) via Zoom
From top left:
Dr. Zohmangaihi Rokhum (CWM Partner in Mission), Faris Ariffin (CWM), Maria Fe Labayo (CWM), Rev. Julie Sim (CWM), Ms Sarah Phua (CWM Director), Liao Yi-Ho (PCT), Ta Hniang Uk (PCM), Rev. Zomawia (PCM), Mrs. Vanlalhmingsangi (PCM), Dr. Lim Beng-Chu (PCT), Pastor Dawn Tan (PCS), Preacher Lo Hon-Ho (HKCCCC), Elder Lim Kar Hor (GPM), Rev. Dr Peter Cruchley (CWM), Rev. Ramthanga (PCM), Rev. Lau Po-Shan (HKCCCC), Rev. Dr Collin Cowan (CWM), Esther Lui (GPM), Lai Kwong-chak (HKCCCC), Rev. Minwoo Oh (PCK), Chung Wen-Chun (PCT), Jooeun Kim (PCK), Chung Kok Hui (PCS), Rev. Dr Sangdo Choi (PCK), Pastor Sigar Pangiran (GPM), Rev. Dr Chng Hau-sheng (PCT), Stephen Chia (CWM), Rev. Lee Woon-Wah (HKCCCC), Mrs. Li Hsu Su-Fen (CWM Partner in Mission), Rev. Dr Li Hau Tiong (CWM Partner in Mission), Pastor Loi Bih Ju (GPM), Pastor Jerome Li (PCS), Gilia Seo (PCS)
The CWM East Asia Region Members’ Mission Forum was held on Tuesday, 1st of June 2021 on an online platform. It was attended by a total of 33 participants from the six member churches, CWM Board Members, CWM General Secretary, CWM Partners in Mission and CWM staff members. The meeting was organised and facilitated by the CWM East Asia and South Asia regions, supported by Research and Capacity Development Programme Associate.
The pre-meeting segment began with a Pray for Myanmar prayer and solidarity session led by CWM Partners in Mission Rev. Dr Li Hau-Tiong and Mrs. Li Hsu Su-Fen. The purpose of this session was to gather the delegates as one to pray for the current political and social crisis in Myanmar. After sharing a song, the delegates prayed for the peace and reconciliation for the people of Myanmar, with a representative from each member church leading prayer for each prayer point in his/her own language.
The meeting proper began with a welcome and introductions section where each delegate greeted one another in their own language and briefly introduced themselves. This was followed by a briefing on administrative matters for the meeting.
I. KEYNOTE ADDRESS
The Keynote Address was given by the CWM General Secretary Rev. Dr Collin Cowan on the theme of Rising to Life: Confessing Witness to Life-Flourishing Communities. He spoke of the process which eventually resulted in the relocation of the CWM global office from London to Singapore, being registered as a company limited by guarantee and subsequently accorded the status of charitable organization. He expressed his gratitude to the Presbyterian Church of Singapore (PCS) for their integral involvement in the life of CWM since the shifting of the global office, especially that of Elder Wong Pock Yeen and Elder CK Lee.
Following on with an introduction to the establishment of the Members Mission Forum, Rev. Dr Cowan shared about CWM’s new mission statement of life-flourishing communities. This was followed by a call for all to rise to life from life-oppressing forces in all their forms and manifestations. Quoting the book of Isaiah, he shared his vision of the new heaven and new earth where peace and justice reigned. This could take the form of people of all races and ethnicities living in harmony, where everyone is treated with respect and accorded dignity and the environment is protected. Rev. Dr Cowan ended the address with an encouragement to the delegates to offer their support to the CWM General Secretary-elect Rev. Dr Jooseop Keum.
The delegates were then sent to breakout rooms, where they discussed what life-flourishing communities meant to the East Asia Region as well as local churches.
Following this, the delegates gathered back into the main room for a plenary sharing session facilitated by Dr. Natalie Lin of PCT.
Group 1 made reference to the book of Deuteronomy and discussed the issue of migrant workers and refugees. Suggestions to support these people included giving domestic helpers their days off, helping foreign brides settle down by providing education and practical courses and aiding abuse victims by removing them from the abusive environments and providing safe spaces.
Group 2 shared about discrimination and racism within faith communities themselves, as well as how factors like language serve to widen existing divisions in these communities.
Group 3 focused on the civil disobedience movement in Myanmar and how other countries like Hong Kong and Taiwan were handling the COVID-19 situation. Some issues include citizens not taking vaccinations due to mistrust of the government.
Group 4 explored how local churches can become life-flourishing communities by implementing activities such as create call groups for the elderly, online meetings for youth, visitations to physically and emotionally needy people and food distribution to vulnerable groups.
Rev. Dr Cowan closed off the session by his observation that the relevancy of the church is at stake in today’s world, in light of the various issues faced by the region. He reiterated that one of the roles of the church is to challenge systems of power and oppression, raising issues facing HKCCCC, PCT and PCK as examples. Finally, he raised CWM’s Theological Education for an Economy of Life (TEEL) programme as an alternative way to work towards life-flourishing communities.
II. MEMBER CHURCH SHARING
The Member Church Sharing session was facilitated by Elder Lim Kar Hor (GPM).
GPM shared about the impact of COVID-19 on the small nation of Malaysia and how they were into their 4th lockdown. The migrant workers, refugees and indigenous tribes were raised as particularly vulnerable groups during the pandemic. Hardly any provision was made for the migrant workers and refugees. Indigenous churches were also closed and suffered loss of livelihood. Food distribution was done among the local indigenous communities and indigenous education centres were set up for the indigenous children who could not attend schools. Challenges faced include unreached indigenous villages and lack of online support for indigenous children.
HKCCCC presented on several of its ministries, including pastoral ministry, COVID-related aid distribution and the chaplaincy ministry in schools. Their COVID-related interventions include resource sharing, support for victims of violence and emotional abuse and distribution of masks and disinfectants. Fellowship and church services have largely moved online. Finally, the situation in Yau Ma Tei was raised as an example of HKCCCC’s work among the elderly, homeless and sex workers. Like other countries, Hong Kong has faced many challenges during the pandemic. Yet the church has been involved in outreach to marginalised and forgotten groups.
During this pandemic, PCK developed COVID-19 guidelines for services and activities and shared it with local congregations, and attended consultations with the government. Church in the digital world, ecological justice and the value of women were brought up as challenges faced in the society. PCK is taking steps in preparation for the future by establishing digital platforms, practicing carbon fasting during Lent and suggesting missional training for women.
PCM gave a brief introduction to the history of the church, its relocation to Tahan and its 10 synods. PCM has an Assembly Mission Board a theological college and a Children Development Centre. Both COVID-19 and the military coup have seriously affected the country in recent days. In particular, the military has ordered artillery and airstrikes against their own citizens. Civilians have been killed and banks have been closed, preventing deposits and withdrawals. PCM’s Agape Hospital has been doing much to are for the injured. Yet, there is joy in the midst of hardship.
PCS shared how 9 out of its 37 churches engage in migrant worker ministries to equip and enrich them. Chen Li Presbyterian runs a Thai school curriculum endorsed by Thailand’s Ministry of Education as a form of ministry. PCS focuses its missional work mainly on Cambodia and Nepal, among other countries. In particular, PCS raised funds for the flood relief work in Cambodia in partnership with PCT. When churches function as a body of Christ, the positive effect spills over to the community at large.
PCT shared about its commitment to all segments of its population. Language and identity are constantly shifting, and the migration of young people is also a current issue. PCT’s missional context has been guided by SARS (2003) and COVID-19 (ongoing) - the entire ecumenical community hurts when a member of Christ’s body suffers. Regional concerns include military tension around Taiwan, isolation, authoritarian leaders and security. With 6 stories from young evangelists and pastors, PCT shared about their journey to developing life-flourishing communities. Finally, PCT shared suggestions for possible mission programmes, such as more support for a More Able Church of health and missionary in addition to greater cooperation between EAR and Pacific churches.
III. THEMATIC EXPRESSION BY WOMEN
The Thematic Expression by Women was facilitated by Rev. Lee Woon-Wah.
Pastor Loi Bih Ju shared on behalf of the women. Some of the issues faced by women of the region include gender-based violence through sexual exploitation (related to cyber bullying), declining birth rate in some countries, unemployment, insufficient access to the internet among tribal groups, domestic violence (including mental health) and political and military conflict.
IV. THEMATIC EXPRESSION BY YOUTH
The Thematic Expression by Youth was facilitated by Chung Kok Hui (PCS).
During the Thematic Expression by Youth, Gilia Seo (PCS) presented on the 3 most pressing issues – sharp decline of youth in church, socio-political oppression and spirituality (pastoral care) and freedom and guidance. The youth proposed the need for more mental health and emotional support channels. Churches were also encouraged to reach out to their members and create safe spaces in which listening is a priority. Sharing of church history was the final suggestion to help young people become more rooted in their church identity. This suggestion was seconded by other delegates, who emphasised the importance of teaching and training in church history. Other delegates shared on identity and a low sense of belonging as issues driving decreasing involvement of youth in church.
V. CWM LEGACIES OF SLAVERY
The final session was the CWM Legacies of Slavery, led by Rev. Dr Peter Cruchley.
A video introduction of the roots of racialized injustices was shared, in which LMS’ involvement in the slave trade was brought up, and how the slave trade coupled with colonialism formed the basis of subsequent injustices. These legacies of an institutional and systemic nature have political, theological and cosmological branches that still manifest themselves today. The Legacies project is an ongoing process (until 2028) committed to systemic justice, anti-racism and reparation. In his presentation, Rev. Dr Cruchley shared that racism is a virus that has not spared the East Asia region.
With examples drawn from around the region, he demonstrated how black people have been discriminated against in East Asia and how East Asians have themselves been discriminated against in white-majority nations. The Act of Repentance and Apology, scheduled for 23rd of August 2021 (on the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition), seeks to break the silence around CWM’s past, to make reparation and speak up against the legacies of slavery. This is the beginning of ongoing commitments to work against racism and colonialism in all its forms. Rev. Dr Cruchley concluded his session by making reference to the mistreatment of indentured Chinese workers in olden Singapore, challenging all the delegates to carefully consider what non-black and non-white racism look like in East Asia.
VI. CLOSING PRAYER
Dr Zohmangaihi Rokhum offered the closing prayer, after which all delegates participated by praying The Franciscan Blessing out loud together.
The meeting ended at 1:20pm (SGT).
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