Ms. Bishnu Rai (left) and Ms. Draupadi Rokaya (right)

2008/12/11
My dear ACWC members and friends:
The ACWC Secretariat Office sends warm greetings to you for Christmas and New Year's from Taiwan. The ACWC October-December 2008 Newsletter will be sent out to you on 26 December 2008.
Some of you have already shared your bountiful life in this year with us by different ways at the end of 2008. From the updates, we can read the messages about how the members celebrated the ACWC Day. The ACWC has presented the 50 ACWC Anniversary Celebration and Seminar to all of you this year. It is a kind of blessing to us that we can celebrate the FLC Jubilee in 2006 and the ACWC Anniversary in 2008.The ACWC Scholars sent their greetings to us. From the letters of thanks from those scholars, we can see the young women have been educated well through the support of the ACWC.
When we look back on this year, we remember how Nepal has become more democratic than before and the Christians there can open the doors of churches to join the communities' activities. We are happy to announce that the ACWC-Nepal has been formed. We still have a lot of worries and concerns about the world--the terrible attack which happened in November 2008 in Mumbai, India/ the political crisis in Thailand/ the Hindu attacks on the Christians in Orissa, India. Our life and the lives of the world was woven together in the lines of sorrow and joy. When we enjoy the happy times, we praise our Lord for His blessings. When we face the plight of hard times, don’t forget that we still have the promises of hope from our Lord.

May God Bless us and lead us to face a new year.

Your sister in Christ,

Shu-Wen Chiang,
ACWC, Ex. Sec.

2008/11/24
Dear Ms. Ester Dalisay’s family and the members of the CWUP:
I write on behalf of the Asian Church Women’s Conference, ACWC.
It was with a great sense of loss that the ACWC heard of Ms. Ester Dalisay's passing away.
The ACWC want to let you know that you have our deepest sympathy; our hearts are truly saddened.
We still remember every detail when Ester stayed with us. Her clever way of thought which helped us to clarify the complicated situation when the ACWC amended the Constitutions at the 12th ACWC Assembly in 2002 in Korea. We have expressed our appreciation for Ester’s excellent leadership during the group discussion at the 13th ACWC Assembly in 2006 in Malaysia. Relying on Ester’s help we could finalize the action plan for the ACWC Jubilee seminar in 2008 in Taiwan.
Ester was more than just a wonderful person; she was always so kind and considerate to us that we always welcomed seeing her at every gathering. Ester will always remain within our hearts, and we have included Ester’s family and the CWUP in our prayers. May God give you strength.
Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with you.
With our deepest sympathy,
Shu-Wen Chiang,
Executive Secretary, the ACWC

*. Our dear Philippines National Representative, Ms. Ester Dalisay, CWUP President, passed away on 13 November 2008 due to advanced cancer in her abdominal area. We can pray for her father, brothers and sisters and the rest of the De Los Santos (that's Ester's maiden name) family during this time of their bereavement over the loss of a loved one. Interment was scheduled for 2:00 PM, 16 November at her hometown in Plaridel, Bulacan--north of Metro Manila.

My dear ACWC sisters:
Greetings from the ACWC Secretariat Office.
I received the sorrow update from the CWUP about our Philippines National Representative, Ms. Ester Dalisay on 13 November 2008:
“Dear Shu-Wen,
With a heavy heart, I am saddened to relay the news that our dear Ester Dalisay, CWUP President, passed away today due to advanced cancer in her abdominal area. Let's pray for her father, brothers and sisters and the rest of the De Los Santos (that's Ester's maiden name) family during this moment of their bereavement over the loss of a loved one. Interment is scheduled this Sunday at 2PM at her hometown in Plaridel, Bulacan--north of Metro Manila.
Many blessings,
Zeny”
Please remember our sister and her father.
With prayers and love.
Shu-Wen

by Shu-Wen Chiang, ACWC
After Cyclone Nargis struck the southwestern corner of Myanmar--the Irrawaddy delta region and Yongon (2-3 May 2008), until the situation in Myanmar was stable, did the ACWC Executive Secretary start her visitation to the Nargis affected areas on 06-10 July. Before the visitation, I had the chance to join the CCA meeting- in Bangkok - the special meeting for the CCA member churches and councils from Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Australia to determine their future plans. At the meeting we decided that the ACWC would focus on missions for women and children. According to the ACWC working plan, the Women's Committee of the MCC is the only channel for ACWC contacts in Myanmar. All of the applications from Myanmar should be endorsed by the current ACWC National Representative in Myanmar. This understanding was also accepted by the General Secretary of the MCC, Mr. Saw Shioe Lin.
Based on the special situation in Myanmar, it was inconvenient to report the details of my visitation then and there. But I can tell people that the churches and the NGOs already tried their best to work together with the Myanmar people.
I am especially glad that our Myanmar members can point out the real needs in the affected areas. They pay attention to the pregnant women (the women who lost husbands are a priority) in the affected areas. Why do many pregnant women need to be cared for? In rural areas, it is very usual for one family to raise 7 to 9 children.
When I was in Yongon, we spent two days to discuss the future plans. So far we have 2 draft steps:
The first step: Our Myanmar members will continue the current program—taking care of the pregnant women until they deliver their babies. At this moment, the MCC is promoting trauma healing and consultation in the affected areas.
The second step: Select the poorest families to give them financial support and economical training to help them be economically independent.
The whole budget is collected from Taiwan Churches. In December, the ACWC President--Nareeboon and I will meet the Myanmar members in Thailand to evaluate the programs in Myanmar.

Circle of Prayer is a meditation booklet published every two years by the International Committee for the Fellowship of the Least Coin (ICFLC) to “reaffirm prayer as the vital element of the FLC.” It was started in 1962 as a meditation guide by the women of Hong Kong for use as prayer is offered and the least coin is set aside. Since then Circle of Prayer has been an important part of FLC focused on different themes approved by the ICFLC.
The theme of the Circle of Prayer 2009 Vol. XIX is “Joining Our Hearts in Prayer”.
Introduction to the theme:
We are part of God’s community of believers. We are sisters created in a beautiful diversity and tapestry of skin tones, hair and eye colors, size and shapes. But within each of us there is a heart beating, giving life to our bodies.

Community comes as we reach out in love---as we extend ourselves through caring and embracing one another in a common bond of love and acceptance, hope and bearing each others burdens, giving and receiving emotional and spiritual support. This special community connected through the Circle of Prayer brings us together and provides a sense of belonging despite the individual circumstances or the many miles that may separate us.

Jesus calls us into reconciling ministries through his examples of blessing young children. He celebrated their giftedness and upheld their worth. As the child gave the loaves and fishes the gift was acceptable and more than enough. No gift is too small in God’s community. The woman at the well was treated with respect and Jesus recognized her as one capable of giving. He did not require proof of righteousness or worth, he served and he prayed.

We join our hearts in prayer for each other and for all our sisters and brothers around the world. Our circle invites everyone in and no one is excluded. May God bless our loving outreach.

By Gail Mengel
National President, Church Women United-USA 2004 - 2008

Possible Texts: a) Jeremiah 29: 11-13 NRSV
“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray for me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart.”

b) Philippians 4: 5-7 NRSV
* 5Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
c. Philippians 1: 3-6 NRSV
3I thank my God every time I remember you, 4constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, 5because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. 6I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.
d. Matthew 12: 34b
. . . For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Suggested Guidelines for Writers of Meditations:
The typewritten meditation is around 500-700 words.
Deadline for sending the meditation to ICFLC office <icflcph@gmail.com> is November 30, 2008
Please send a scanned copy of photo and a brief profile of the writer along with the article by email
That the meditation materials share women’s stories and biblical reflections from the respective regions
Each ICFLC member may facilitate at least 3-5 contributions coming from different countries.
Suggested Format:
Title
Biblical Text
Meditation
Prayer

My dear ACWC Gen. Co. members:
Since the end of August, the Office has received prayer requests from Jyotsna (the ACWC 2002-2006 National Representative in India) ; from Shanthi (the current ACWC Gen. CO. member), and from Awala, (the ACWC 2002-2006 National Representative in India).
"Churches and Christians have been attacked again in Orissa, India.[Please see the NCCI Web site
http//:www.nccindia] in the sequence of events. Please pray for the Christians who have fled into the forest or jungle for fear of the attacks; they are without food or water. We are worried about their safety and security. The NCCI and all the Churches in India are appealing to the concerned authorities that the Christian community and their property be protected.
The National Council of Churches in India {NCCI} is also appealing to all the Churches and Christians in India to observe September 6th 2008 as a day of prayer for the people in Orissa, and also for the comfort of the threatened and injured people. Some departed people have been burned alive in the attacks.
We appeal to you to join us in solidarity with the victims.
Please send your support to our sisters and brothers in India. Please list their plight in your prayers.
With prayer and love.
Shu-Wen

1. Date: Arrive 7 October, Depart 12 October 2010
2. Venue: Indonesia
3. Theme: Asian Women Moving Forward
Sub-themes: Non-violent world/ New Earth/ Life in its fullness
4. Topics for General Assembly:
1) Natural disasters in Asia
2) Ecology and Women
3) Family Violence and Gender Relations
4) Youth and Empowerment
5) Human Trafficking
5. Biblical studies/topics:
The group chose not to focus on this area to prevent the speakers being locked in.
Theme accepted by a majority show of hands.
Suggestions:
Distribute an introductory page of information to the Bible study speakers regarding the theme.
Could use 3 sub-themes for Bible study leader(s)

*. 2008 Accepted scholars:
1. Sukti Peya Das, Bangladesh, for 4 year term
2. Yogarajan Susila, Sri Lanka, for 2 year term
*. 2008 ACWC Assistance Fund
1. Humanitarian assistance to the Sidr affected poor women, Bangladesh, submitted by Gloria Kalpona Sarker. $1,000 USD
2. Kindergarten Class, Cambodia, submitted by Saravy Prak. $3,252 USD
*. The Relationship between the ACWC and Nepal
ACWC is not severing its contact with the Bible Society in Nepal, just the previous representative. It is believed that the association with NCCN will be aligned more to ACWC’s requirements of a national body representing the Christian women of Nepal.
To support the restoration of Nepal with ACWC and welcome the NCCN as the association body between Nepal and ACWC.
*. The Preparation of the 14th ACWC Assembly:
1. Travel costs—2 delegates to be paid in full, 3rd and 4th delegates to be paid half costs
2. Limit total number of participants to 200
3. Date: Arrive 7 October, Depart 12 October. Establish a preliminary timetable for General Committee
4. Venue: Indonesia
*. ACWC Treasurer’s matters
Continue to hold the ACWC account in Japan. Thanks expressed for Japanese sisters and their cooperation in operating this account.
Shu-Wen suggested the Executive Committee invite Pauline to be the treasurer. This suggestion was presented to the General Committee.
*. To consider reviewing the amount held in the Endowment Fund from the Signature Collection for the purpose of releasing more funds for projects and scholarships.
To increase the amount of the Emergency Relief Fund to $500 USD where possible and increase the budget amount to $2,000 USD, to be reviewed annually, and release of the funds is subject to approval by the ACWC Executive Committee officers.
*. Promoting the ACWC-Mongolia: The ACWC and FLC Seminar-workshop in 2009. (The World Day Prayer is invited)
President Nareeboon selected to accompany Executive Secretaries of ACWC and ICFLC.
*. Cooperation with the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) for WEAVE in East Timor after 2009.
To defer follow up of WEAVE Project in East Timor until further consultation has been made with Deaconess Dominica and the CCA, and defer decision to the 2009 ACWC Executive Committee meeting.
Shu-Wen explained a two part consideration for ACWC officers to visit East Timor.
i) Does East Timor still need an ecumenical accompanier?
ii) Are they ready to join ecumenical organisations? Are they independent enough to do this?
*. The ACWC History Book
It will be presented in 2010. There are many missing documents which the former Ex. Sec. (1994-2002) didn’t convey to the current Ex. Sec. The current national representatives will be asked to assist with supplying material for the history book. The budget figure of editing/printing History book is $1,000 USD.
The minutes of archive will be kept by scanned.
*. Clarification and discussion of travel reimbursements for all future meetings.
Reimbursement of travel expenses will be paid for: 1) Economy air fare from and to country represented. 2) Taxes. 3) Visa fee. 4) Any necessary overnight accommodation in conjunction with a connecting flight, but receipts for this additional cost must be presented.
If a member country has financial problems then assistance can be discussed.
Travel insurance is a personal expense and will not be reimbursed by ACWC. ‘ACWC and its officers will take due care to ensure the safety of participants during this meeting. ACWC and its officers shall not be liable for any injuries, illness, damage, loss or delay howsoever caused to the participants and/or their belongings whilst in transit and during the length of this meeting.’
If local travel expenses and travel insurance can be borne by the national body it would be appreciated.
*. Set up a team to amend the ACWC Constitution at the General Committee
Normally, but not always, every 8 years the ACWC Constitution is studied by a team and any proposed changes are presented at the General Assembly. The team will investigate any changes during the General Committee meeting and report findings to the General Committee.
ACWC is a higher body than the national bodies and the national body should endorse their national representative to conform with the ACWC Constitution.
Team composition—4 to 5 members and beneficial to have one member who is a lawyer.
Suggested members:
• Ester Dalisay—Philippines
• Kyoko Burger—Japan
• Donna Bryan—Australia (to lead meeting)
• Gloria Kalpona Sarker—Bangladesh

On 20 July, the ACWC Secretariat Office received a prayer request from our Cambodian sisters. They mention the tension between Cambodia and Thailand. They need our prayers for peace.

Please kindly list the situation in your prayer.

“Dear Shu- Wen
Greetings to you from KCCWD in Cambodia.
We would like to share the issue that happens on the Cambodia - Thailand border with you.
The government of Cambodia has agreed to register the Preah Vihear Temple as a heritage of the world.
We would like to request the ACWC to pray for our country. There has been a problem about the Preah Vihea temple, which is on the Cambodia -Thailand border. Because of that issue,
currently there are many Thai and Cambodian soldiers facing to attack each other.
Therefore, we would like to ask all of the General Committee of the ACWC to pray that the Cambodians and Thais stop fighting. We hope that God will reconciliate the two countries to seek love and peace, please pray. Thank you.

God bless you all
Saravy Prak”

On 2-3 May 2008, Cyclone Nargis struck the southwestern corner of Myanmar--the Irrawaddy delta region and Yongon.

In the beginning, the ACWC Office sent our messages of concern to the ACWC Myanmar National Representative, Ms. Zo Hming. Later we received her updates. Still later, the ACWC former Nat’I Rep., Moo Paw and the ICFLC former Ex. Sec., Dr. Esther Byu also sent their updates to us.

From our Myanmar members’ updates and the News we can understand that damage of disasters are over our imagination. So far 78,000 are dead, 56,000 are missing, and there have been over a million people affected, (Rangoon). The U.N. estimates that 2.4 million people were affected by Cyclone Nargis and has warned that more than 1 million people still need help.
When the ACWC held the 2008 Ex./Gen. Co. meeting in May and June in Taiwan, the ACWC and the ICFLC had the opportunity to release our emergency fund to Myanmar. The money was useful to Myanmar. When Zo Hming went back to her country, she promptly sent updates to me. They focused on taking care of pregnant and post natal women patients in the affected areas. To determine future plans in Myanmar, on 05 July the ACWC Executive Secretary will join the CCA meeting- in Bangkok - the special meeting for CCA member churches and councils from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand. According to the relationship between the CCA and the ACWC, we have cooperated with each other in the areas of mission for women and children. After the meeting in Bangkok, the ACWC Ex. Sec. will visit Myanmar (06-10 July) to discuss more details about the future programs in the affected areas. After the visitation, more details will be sent out to the ACWC members.

The Role of Women in Upholding the Dignity and Integrity of All God’s Creation

• Processional with the ACWC banner
• Preparation – Each member representing denominations and Christian organizations will bring water in pots and to pour it into one large vessel placed in the centre.

Leader: Call to Worship – Psalm 103: 1-5
With all my heart I praise the Lord
And with all that I am I praise his holy name
With all my heart I praise the Lord
I will never forget how kind he has been
The Lord forgives our sins, heals us when w e are sick
And protects us from death
His kindness and love are a crown on our heads
Each day that we live, he provides for our needs
And gives us the strength of a young eagle

Prayer
Almighty God, you are the source and creator of all our life, we praise you and honour you on this special occasion as we celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Asian Church Women’s Conference. Gracious Father, we thank you for your faithfulness to us through the past fifty years and for your bountiful blessings on the ACWC through the years. We remember with gratitude all those who have worked tirelessly to carry on the work of the ACWC. Today we worship you, not because it is a duty, but because you have called us to witness to the world our faith in God, to search together for God’s righteousness in our life and words, here and now. For you are the glory and the power, your name be praised now and for ever more. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer – to be sung

Hymn - Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness, Oh God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not
As Thou hast been thou forever will be

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness mercy and love

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside

Prayer of Thanksgiving
Leader : Let us thank God for women all over the world who proclaim
Jesus Christ as their Saviour.
Response : We praise your name O Lord
Leader : For redeeming us and for giving us the fellowship of the Spirit and
for enabling us to work together as women
Response : We praise your name O Lord
Leader : In darkness you have been our light, in adversity and temptation a
rock of strength, in our joys the very crown of joy, in our labours
all sufficient rewards
Response : We praise your name O Lord
Leader : For the opportunity you have provided to each one of us women to
be in solidarity with each other.
Response : We praise your name O Lord
Leader : For the gift of the Good News which challenges and transforms
our social, economic, political and cultural structures and
nstitutions.
Response : We praise your name O Lord

Scripture Reading: Old Testament – Esther 4: 8-14
New Testament – Matthew 26: 6- 13

Hymn: Make me a blessing
Out in the highways and byways of life
Many are weary and sad
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife
Making the sorrowing glad

Chorus: Make me a blessing, make me a blessing
Out of my life may Jesus shine
Make me a blessing, O Saviour I pray
Make me a blessing to someone today

Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love
Tell of His power to forgive
Others will trust Him if only you prove
True every moment you live

Give as ‘twas given to you in your need
Love as the Master loved you
Be to the helpless a helper indeed
Unto your mission be true

Voices of Women (in conflict situations)
Voice 1: I am a displaced woman, living in a refugee camp with no basic facilities, no food, no drinking water, no clothing. My children are starving. We have no proper shelter, no proper sanitation and so many health hazards! My husband is no longer with me and I am vulnerable to many forms of abuse. I am so helpless and lonely and I cannot go on living like this!

Voice 2: I am a victim of the tsunami and I still don’t have a proper home to call my own. I have been moving from place to place hoping to have a permanent shelter but there is no one willing to take responsibility for me and my family. Even now with all the natural disasters taking place around me like floods and earth slides, it is just overwhelming for me to live. The fear and trauma I faced after what happened is hard for me to face. I have nightmares almost every night.

Voice 3: My husband is an alcoholic. He comes home drunk every day and beats me up. He does not provide for me and the children. I live each moment in fear not knowing when he will walk in and start beating me. He abuses me sexually too and I am mentally drained out. I don’t know what to do.

Voice 4: Because I am a woman, wherever I go people look down on me. I am not given a place in society and because of the ethnic war that continues in our land I do not want to reveal my identity for fear of harassment, rejection and abduction.

Voice 5: Because I am a woman, I am not considered for employment. Even if I am selected I am paid less than the men are paid. I have to work from morning till night but do not earn enough to feed my family. I also have to work hard at home to take care of my family but I am not even appreciated. It is a thankless task.

Voice 6: I am a woman who is not beautiful. My parents are poor and cannot afford to give a dowry so I remain single. Even during my growing years my father and brothers always got the best of everything. I did not get a proper education. My father educated only the boys. Because I was a girl I didn’t need an education. I always had to care for my younger brothers and sisters while my parents were away at work. My older sister who is married is also suffering because her mother-in-law is ill-treating her as she didn’t bring a dowry. I cannot understand why this has happened to me.

Voice 7: Being a woman in the Church I have to arrange the flowers, pour the tea, help in sales and bazaars. I also teach in the Sunday School and sing in the choir. But when it comes to positions of leadership I am always overlooked because I am a woman.

Prayer of Confession
Leader : O God, we confess that when you asked for our hands that you
might use them for your purpose, we gave them for a moment,
then we withdrew them, for the work was hard.
Response : God forgive us
Leader : You asked for our mouths, to speak out against injustice.
But we gave you a whisper so that we might not be accused.
Response : God forgive us
Leader : You asked for our eyes, to see the pain of women.
But we closed them, for we did not want to see.
Response : God forgive us
Leader : You asked for our life, that you might work through us.
But we gave a small part that we might not get too involved.
Response : God forgive us
All : God forgive us our calculated efforts to serve you only when it is
convenient for us to do so, only in places where it is safe to do so,
and only with those who make it easy to do so.
Creator God forgive us, renew us, send us out as a usable instrument that we might take seriously the meaning of your Cross.
God of mercy, in your Son you offer us unconditional forgiveness for the sins we truly confess. Grant us your pardon for those sins we acknowledge and those we do not have the courage to confront:
When, by our actions we have impeded your will;
When, through our indifference to others we have taken away their hope;
When, through indifference to the obedience of your laws and through weakness we have not responded in the way you wished, either personally or as communities.
Come to us in your mercy, to repair our broken lives and to hasten the hour of full communion among us, in the name of the love of Jesus Christ. Amen

Message

Hymn – I surrender all
All to Jesus I surrender
All to Him I freely give
I will ever love and trust Him
In His presence daily live
I surrender all
I surrender all
All to Thee, my blessed Saviour
I surrender all

All to Jesus I surrender
Humbly at His feet I bow
Worldly pleasures all forsaken
Take me, Jesus, take me now

All to Jesus I surrender
Make me, Saviour, wholly Thine
Let me feel the Holy Spirit
Truly know that Thou art mine

All to Jesus I surrender
Lord, I give myself to Thee
Fill me with Thy love and power
Let Thy blessing fall on me

All to Jesus, I surrender
Now I feel the sacred flame
Oh, the joy of full salvation
Glory, glory to His name!
Special Prayer for Your Prayer Partner

Offertory

Dedication of offerings

Closing Hymn

Prayer

All – Proclamation of Good News for Women
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is good news to all the women of the world

To those who are weighed down with guilt, it is forgiveness
To those who sin, it is redemption and renewal
To those who are oppressed, it is freedom
To those who live with fear, it is peace
To those who are despised and rejected, it is kinship with the God who endured the shame of the cross
To those who are bound by culture and tradition, it is emancipation by One who treated women as equals
To those who cannot trust, it is dependence upon One who has proven Himself trustworthy
To those who are lonely, it is friendship with the Best Friend women ever had
To those who are devalued, it is a new identity as joint-heirs of the grace of God
As women who follow the Lord Jesus Christ, we are compelled by His love, commanded by His Word, and gifted by His Spirit to share this Gospel with those who have not seen or heard the salvation of our God.
Therefore,
We will radiate His light into the dark corners of women’s experience;
We will bear His life to those who are dying;
We will share our bread with those who are hungry;
We will declare His promise of resurrection to those who have no hope;
We will proclaim His empowerment to those who are powerless;
We will bring affirmation to those who do not know they are made in the image of God;
We will see with the eyes of Jesus, weep with His tears, hear with His ears, speak with His words, touch with His hands, embrace with His arms, and feel with His heart
Until that great day comes
When every woman, man and child will know the glorious grace and goodness of our God.
Amen

Benediction

*. The Liturgy is composed by the National Association of Church Women ( NACW) in Sri Lanka.

Action Plan

We members of the Asian Church Women’s Conference and the Bridgebuilders International attending the consultation in Kaohsiung, Taiwan May 29th to May 31st resolve to continue to promote the “Dignity and Integrity of All God’s Creation.”

1. By working to inform our churches and communities about the huge amount of people trafficking especially of women and children taking place in the world today.

2. By challenging attitude and behaviors which deny females the same opportunities, privileges and respect as are given to males.

3. By taking measures to prevent trafficking of women and children during the Olympics or any other international gatherings.

4. By networking with other groups to gain support for anti-trafficking activities.

5. By encouraging each member group of ACWC and Bridgebuilders to organize at least one anti-trafficking workshop or seminar in their local area.

6. By providing educational material to help bridge the gaps between the generations.

7. By initiating educational programmes for young men and women on building better gender relations.

8. By promoting the publishing and distribution of women’s stories and information about women’s church organizations.

9. By initiating programmes which are relevant to the age and situations faced by the younger generation.

By Kyoko Burger, Japan

The ACWC Day in Japan this year was somewhat different from previous years because the liturgy was prepared by the members of our ACWC-Japan, and the theme was “Seeking Christ’s Peace.”

The seminar in Kansai was held on October 12th, and 292 people attended. Rev. Chon Yon Won from the Osaka Korean Church in Japan gave a message on “People Who Make Peace and Reconciliation.” The referenced scripture was Ephesians 2:14-18.


There were two speakers in the seminar in Kansai. One was Dr. Yasuyo Matsumoto who works at Yodogawa Christian Hospital, which was built with donations from the Southern Presbyterian Church in America in 1955. Yodogawa was a very poor area in terms of medication and medical facilities immediately after World War II. But as Japan grew bigger economically, Yodogawa Christian Hospital also grew bigger. Thankfully, they received help when they were small, and now, thankfully also, they are big enough to help smaller hospitals in Bangladesh. They donate to Christian hospitals every year and help train doctors and nurses. Dr. Matsumoto, a gynecologist, actually worked in Bangladesh from 2000 to 2001, and, since that time, she has been back and helped people every year. Her work contribution is not huge, but she is thankful that she is able to work for her neighbors in Asia.

The other speaker was Mr. Hidesuke Kanda who works for Japan International Food for the Hungry (JIFH). He quoted 2 Chronicles 7:14, which says, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and restore their land.” He spoke of how sick society is nowadays. People want to fix blame; some blame terrorists; some blame politicians, some don’t know who to blame. What we need to know is who has the solution. According to 2 Chronicles 7:14, we are told that if we, God’s people--who are called by God’s name, Christians--will humble ourselves and pray and seek God’s face and turn from our sinful ways, then will God answer from heaven and heal our land. One sign of this sick and ailing world is the problem of starvation which is spreading all over the world. About 1 billion people suffer from hunger, and there are 17 people dying every minute; twelve of those are children. Starvation is not just because of lack of food, but also because of developed countries overeating and not sharing with needy/starving countries. Having been to Ethiopia to supply food to the poor, Mr. Kanda speaks from experience.

The seminar in Tokyo was held on November 9th, and 422 people attended. Rev. Kashiko Go gave a message on “Seeking Christ’s Peace.” She talked about how the members of ACWCJ enjoyed the testimony of Suzuko Numata, a Hiroshima storyteller, who has been telling people visiting Hiroshima about the importance of peace and the misery of war. She is an atomic bomb victim, but at the same time, by the fact that she is Japanese, she has recognized herself as a perpetrator of war. Accordingly, she has made apologies while on several international exchange trips to Okinawa, Korea, China, Malaysia and others. Rev. Go talked about the exchange trip which she and ACWCJ members made several years ago to Singapore, where she had found many scars left by the Japanese during the war. With tears in her eyes, she apologized to the church women for what Japan had done to their country. The following year at the 12th ACWC Assembly, she was relieved and happy to hear that the representative of Singapore said, “We have been reconciled through the interchanges.”

Rev. Kim Pilsun from the Korean Christian Church in Japan gave a message using Psalms 144:1-15. Toward the end of the message, she talked about an earlier experience of her father in Japan when he was discriminated against simply because he was Korean. Then she talked about who are our brothers and sisters. She said our brothers and sisters were also foreigners/strangers who live in a foreign country. She quoted Psalms 144:15 which says, “Happy is the nation of whom this is true; happy are the people whose God is the Lord!” She told us that there shouldn’t be any discrimination, any oppression or rejection in a rich country like Japan.

In the afternoon, we enjoyed a special Korean music and dance program. Then two more speakers shared their experiences. The first speaker was Ms. Kaoru Yoshida, a member of the Salvation Army, and also is a member of ACWC-Japan. Having visited and worked in 16 countries, she shared some of her experiences in a Power Point presentation about England, Australia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Myanmar, China, Papua New Guinea and North Korea. In closing, she talked about Japan and how that on the surface, Japan appears to be rich with high technology. And, while Japan supports other countries economically and with volunteer work, inside its own country, people are in disarray and are treated with indifference, accounting for over 30,000 suicides every year and about 200,000 reported cases of human trafficking.
How can we spread the good news in this country? Ms. Yoshida quoted Ephesians 2:14 which says, “For Christ himself is our peace, who has made the two one, and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.”

The second speaker that afternoon was Ms. Naw Lee Myar from Myanmar Pekon Baptist Church, and she is a 1998 graduate of the Asian Rural Institute in Tochigi, Japan. Eighty-seven percent of the population is Buddhist and four percent are Christian in Myanmar. In 2001, there were 4313 male ministers; of those, 1794 were ordained. There were 1482 female ministers, but only 9 of them were ordained. There is discrimination against women ministers regarding their being ordained, and that may be because, particularly with young ministers who have menstruation periods, they are considered polluted or unclean during those times. For this reason, it is also true that some male members of their congregations don’t accept communion from female ministers. According to Ephesians, “At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ, everything in heaven and on earth, according to his plan.” Ms. Myar said that, since we are God’s people, we have a duty to bring about solidarity, cooperation and unity among churches, communities and even families to fulfill God’s will.At the closing of the meeting, we had a beautiful hymn sung by members of the Myanmar Revival Christian Fellowship. I’m thankful that we were able to hear from different countries and various denominations in these seminars. And I’m also thankful that we have ACWC Day every year where many church women get together and share our concerns, our hopes and our prayers.

With great pleasure, the ACWC would like to inform you that we will have the celebration of the ACWC Jubilee during the coming ACWC Ex. Co./Gen. Co. meeting in 2008 in Taiwan.
Meanwhile the celebration will be a joint program with the Bridgebuilders International: the Joint Gathering of the Celebration for the ACWC Jubilee and the 5th Bridgebuilders International Consultation. The Theme of the Seminar: The Role of Woman in Upholding the Dignity and Integrity of All God's Creation.

1. Duration:
Ex. Co. Meeting, 26-29 May 2008, Taipei, Taiwan.
Seminar: 30-31 May 2008, Kaoshiung, Taiwan.
Gen. Co. Meeting: 01 -03 June, Kaoshiung, Taiwan.
2. The Host:
The Women's Ministry Committee of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT), Program Secretary, Rev. Ni-Ling Lin, the ACWC Ex. Co. member.
3. Contact information:
1) Contact person in Taiwan:
Ms. Faith Chen, women@mail.pct.org.tw
3, Lane 269, Roosevelt Road, Sec. 3, Taipei, 106 TAIWAN
Tel: 886-2-2362-5282 ext 254 /Fax: 886-2-2363-2669
2) The ACWC Secretariat Office
3, Lane 269, Roosevelt Road, Sec. 3, Taipei, 106 TAIWAN
Tel: 886-2-2366-0775 / Fax: 886-2-2369-9274/ acwc@seed.net.tw

May our Lord bless us with enough energy and wisdom to welcome the Jubilee and coming meeting.

The Meeting of Asian Women's Summit

The meeting of Asian Women's Summit was held on 10 March 2008. It was an interfaith meeting in collabora-tion with World Conference of Religions for Peace (New York) and Buddhist organization in Bangkok. The ACWC President, Nareeboon was invited to attend it.


CWUP Welcome the IFCLF Chairperson

The ICFLC Chairperson, Mrs. Jill King visited the Philippines ( 26 Feb. to 04 Mar. 2008 ). Jill came on behalf of the ICFLC to witness the blessing of the new ICFLC Executive Secretary's ( Ms. Cora) office in Union theological Seminary in Cavite.
During Jill's visitation, the ACWC national body in the Philippines--CWUP, had a chance to show her Estrella's house in Tagaytay (Estrella was the ACWC 1998-2002 and 2002-2006 Filipino Nat'l Rep.) They had dinner with her later in a nice restaurant in the Cavite area. The next day, they had a full day with two celebrations: the FLC service in the morning and WDP in the afternoon. Cora Reyes wanted Jill to witness how we celebrated the two events. Of course, World Day of Prayer was more extensively celebrated all over the Philippines during the first Friday of March.


The Different Due Days of the ACWC Programs and Projects

1. For the application of the ACWC Scholarship/ACWC Assistance Fund will be 30 April 2008.
2. For the application of the FLC Grant Fund will be 30 May 2008.
3. For the 2008 meeting in Taiwan:
-Return the registration form by Email: women@mail.pct.org.tw or Fax: 886-2-2362-8096 no later than 29 Feb 2008.
-Please inform Ms. Faith Chen: women@mail.pct.org.tw and the Se-cretariat Office of the ACWC about your schedule of Arrival/Departure in Taiwan by 30 April 2008. Airport pickup will be arranged.
-Send the Travel Expense Applica-tion Form for 2008 ACWC Ex. Co./ Gen. Co. meeting to the ACWC Treasurer by 30 April 2008. The form was already sent to you with this mail.
-Kindly send to the Office by 15 April 2008 your country report or any materials that need to be com-piled in the handbook; otherwise bring your own photocopies (30) for distribution. Please include the interaction with your prayer partner in your report.

The Continuing Support from the GBGM

The ACWC appreciates it that the GBGM continually supports the ACWC programs in 2008. It is indicated for the expense, projects and programs for Cambodia. The report of 2007 to the GBGM is done. I have listed the expense for Cambodia and the items (scholarship, projects fund) we sup-ported in Cambodia in 2007 in the report with photos.

Mongolian Women's Gathering stating from Bible Study

Since the ACWC-Mongolia was formed in 2007, the members have regular meeting. For example, the boarding members are meeting every Monday for Bible study and prayer which brings many issues and chal-lenges us to move forward. Now they are reading the book of ¡§Daniel¡¨. They always remember their prayer partner-Japan at their prayers.

Having the Nice Time with the ACWC Good Friends

Since the ACWC Secretariat Office was set at the PCT Office, we always receive a lot of support from different ways from the PCT, local churches and the missionaries in Taiwan. For ex-ample, Dr. Edward Senner (served in Taiwan for 25 years and retired in 1998 and went back to U.S.A.) and Mr. John E. Geddes (Served in Taiwan for 45 years and retired in 2003 and went back to Canada), and Ms. Carys Humphreys (from Wales, has served in Taiwan almost 25 years) always share their ecumenical experience with the ACWC Ex. Sec. and encourage her to open the vision in mission. In the 6 years, Mr. Geddes is the volun-teer to help Shu-Wen to improve the ACWC official letters and articles. In January 2008, Dr. Senner and Mrs. Janie Senner came back to Taiwan to help the PCT for half year. In March, Mr. John E. Geddes and Mrs. Betty Geddes came back to Taiwan for one-month visitation. On 6 March, it was the privilege of the ACWC to treat them the lunch to present our appreciation to them.

Background of ACWC

In 1956, the Presbyterian Church Women of the USA invited churchwomen from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe to their Assembly at Purdue University. At this meeting in Stony Point, many Asian church women leaders met for the first time, and they realized how little they knew about their own Asian situations. Miss Felicia Sunderal from India challenged other Asian women delegates to have as big a meeting as the one at Purdue.

With this discovery of a new Asian selfhood, there was an urge for ecumenical fellowship among the Asian Church Women. It was their prayerful wishes and beautiful dreams to have a fellowship gathering in Asia arranged by Asian sisters. God listened and heard their prayers and made it possible to have a conference in Hong Kong on November 12, 1958.

Since then, ACWC has continued to meet every four years. These women have been bound or sheltered too long by tradition and culture and have taken the role of the second-class citizens at home, in church and in society. Currently, in some countries, the women still struggle with the above plight. The ACWC has been a supportive fellowship in Christ. These women can reach out and share what is most dear in their hearts with their sisters in faith.

Vision of ACWC

The Asian Church Women’s Conference envisions itself as a full partner with individuals and organizations that are dedicated to the enabling of women and the whole of humankind in the struggle towards the creation of a society where there is more meaningful peace, justice and love.

As an organization, ACWC envisions Asian women in unity become more capable of discovering themselves, and realizing their gifts and potentials, they contribute more forceful and sustained efforts towards the development of a stronger family and community, rooted in faith and sustained by the Holy Spirit so the Shalom may finally be attained.

As an advocate of women’s rights and welfare, ACWC sees itself working beyond the boundaries of culture and creed, color and race so that stronger regional networks of women leaders and organizations may emerge that together and in unity recognize in action their role and responsibility in the family, the society and the church.

Address: PROK Office Building, Academy House, San 76, Insu-dong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, South Korea 142-714

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