My dear ACWc’s friends:
Greetings in grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a God-blessed 2010.
For me, 2009 seems to pass faster than any other year. This is not just a greetings for Christmas but also a kind of update and prayer request for the ministry of the ACWC:
We are preparing for the 14th ACWC Assembly. It will be special because we will have the Young Women’s Forum before the Assembly meeting. This new program is for the continuation of ACWC from generation to generation. We are to produce a history book for the celebration of the ACWC Anniversary History. Time is limited but we don’t seem to have enough material for work on. We hope that we can present a good history book for the ACWC. Please remember us in your prayers.
Some member countries had civil war and/or hit by natural disasters in this year. We helped them with ACWC Emergency Fund. We are moved to know that other ACWC groups showed support and prayers for them.
By the way, I will finish my second term by the end of 2010. The ACWC is in the process of looking for a new Executive Secretary. It is important for the ACWC and women ministry in Asia. Please pray that our Lord will provide a proper person for this position.
Finally, I would like to ask you join me in prayer:
Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Child of God. Please come into my life and heart and be my Lord and Savior. I want to serve you always.
Amen.
Shu-Wen Chiang,
Executive Secretary, ACWC

The small jet plane was drawing closer to Timor-Leste, and the mountains began to rise up and come into focus before me as I looked out of the small passenger window. Lush, green jungle seemed to cover every inch of the approaching mountains and then suddenly the plane began to descend, and the mountains were now below me as the pilot directed the plane into a broad sweep of the distant ocean. We seemed to travel in a huge circle over the deep blue sea before once again the mountains around Dili came into view.

Far below us could be seen a thin strip of civilisation close to the beachfront. The pilot straightened up his approach and his aircraft descended rapidly to a small runway that shared facilities with the International Stabilisation Force.

Welcome signs and directions seemed to line the runway as passengers disembarked from the aircraft and made their way across the tarmac to the modest immigration and customs building. I had arrived in Timor-Leste and Rev. Albino de Costa, General Secretary of the IPTL (Igréja Protestante iha Timor Lorosa’e -- The Protestant Church in East Timor), was waiting for me as I exited customs.

The purpose of my visit was to be the ACWC link to the CCA (Christian Conference of Asia) and the IPTL during the evaluation of the WEAVE Project. WEAVE had almost finished its two-year term and I was to accompany the evaluator, Mr. Leo Bashyam, engaged by the CCA to ascertain the project’s success in training, supporting and empowering women for leadership in the church. I was to speak with women from the IPTL who were being equipped by the WEAVE programmes, and then report my observations of WEAVE to Leo.

As we travelled the short distance to my accommodation, I was surprised that wherever I looked there were the ruins of conflict. I found it difficult to comprehend that such widespread devastation was still so visible. It was nearly ten years after the Indonesian military and local militia gangs had responded brutally to the people of Timor-Leste when they voted for independence from Indonesia. Added to that initial destruction was the more recent effects of the civil war in 2006.

At the end of my short three-day stay I came to understand that Timor-Leste was impoverished and there had been little money for rebuilding people’s lives never alone buildings. However, change and redevelopment was slowly on its way and a few very large billboards, that advertised multi-storey proposals in the city centre, were evidence of the confidence that investors have in the future of Timor-Leste.

As I looked at the results of war that this small nation had experienced, I was constantly reminded of the worth of a programme such as the WEAVE Project, and its aim to equip women leaders living in and with the results of conflict in their region. My interest was growing in how the local women were participating in this ecumenical project and what steps had been made to equip them as leaders, particularly in a patriarchal and fractured society.

My first opportunity to meet with the Christian women of Timor-Leste and to see the benefits of the WEAVE Project came later that day at a training seminar organised by Dominica Faurillo. Dominica is the CCA WEAVE accompanier who ‘walks with the women’ as she helps to equip them for leadership.

Nearly thirty women had gathered from the various districts for a training seminar on HIV /AIDS. The facilitators of this course were Dr Erlinda Senturias, Consultant on HIV and AIDS / CCA and Liza Lamis, Communications Consultant / CCA. There was opportunity to interview the local women and many said they were grateful for the seminar. They also remarked they would be able to use their training and pass on this knowledge to women in their district.

Throughout my brief stay in Dili I was given more opportunities to speak with the women of the IPTL. I was also fortunate to interview a woman NGO manager from the Philippines who endorsed the WEAVE Project. This lady had also kindly offered her support to Dominica in meeting the WEAVE objectives.

Some achievements of WEAVE in Timor-Leste
Dominica had a plan of action as she visited women and advised and taught them about women’s issues and rights as recorded in Scripture. Bible study for women was a priority and the aim was to conduct this activity whenever the women met for training. This women’s perspective was a revelation for many of her listeners and it has provided them with motivation to become more involved in the church.

The number of women attending local churches has also increased after Dominica visited their region.

Women’s committees have been formed and they have begun to network and visit one another. The local women have begun to recognise that as they cooperate with one another they can be agents of change in their communities.

Women leaders are beginning to receive invitations to participate in other types of training e.g. MYOB financial training.

Sunday School has been introduced and the training of Sunday School leaders is taking place with the aim of developing second-generation leaders.

The project and its objectives have been accepted and commended by the IPTL. Training has gradually been implemented as the benefits of equipping and empowering women for leadership has been recognised. Sustainability of the accomplishments when the WEAVE project concludes has been noted by the IPTL leadership as a priority issue.

Conclusion
WEAVE is giving the women a vision for the future and an understanding of the role of women in the church. The local women of the IPTL expressed their thanks for the support they have received and the leadership vision that has been imparted to them.

However, the women expressed concern about the need for a further period of accompaniment as they develop their leadership skills and build on their achievements. They look forward to the day when local Christian women can take on the role of empowering and accompanying other women to fill leadership positions in the church.

Thank you
My sincere thanks to Rev. Moises Antonio da Silva, Moderator of IPTL; Rev. Albino de Costa, General Secretary of IPTL; Rev. Juliana Temparaja, Vice Secretary of IPTL Synod; Dominica Faurillo, CCA WEAVE accompanier; Leocadia’s Jesus, local women’s leader; and Nina Naoyan, WSCF-AP-FIM intern from Indonesia, for their gracious hospitality and openness in sharing their views on the success of the WEAVE Project in Timor-Leste.
Nina Naoyan, WSCF-AP-FIM intern, introduces visitors to the seminar participants. Rev. Albino de Costa, General Secretary of IPTL, in the foreground.

Theme:Asian Women Moving Forward; Non-Violent World; New Earth; Life in Its Fullness
ACWC Day: The third Sunday in November in each year

• Procession of participants carrying the Bible, ACWC Banner and some symbols to symbolize your country (Example: Sprigs of greenery for New Zealand) and placed on or near the altar according to local custom.

Call to Worship
Leader: Micah 6:8 (Suggest to use the New Revised Version for the basic reading)

Leader: We send greetings from Aotearoa New Zealand, the land of the Long White Cloud, and join with our nineteen member countries of the Asian Church Women’s Conference to praise God and give thanks for the gift of Christian Faith which we have received.
We uphold before God, the theme of this Service: Asian Women Moving Forward, Non-Violent World; New Earth; Life in its Fullness.
We praise God for the beauty of the earth: the mountains, the rivers, the sea and the freedom we all have to roam at will. We marvel at the sunrise, sunset and gaze at the Southern Cross Constellation high in our clear night sky.
We ask for the wisdom to care for our country and our people of many nations, Maori and Pakeha who have come to live here; and to share it with others.
Let us pray earnestly today and in the future for the courage to work for the ideals of our theme so that God’s Creation in the fullest sense of human, animal and all nature will be respected.
Let us greet one another as we often do in New Zealand....Haere Mai, Nau Mai....... welcome, welcome.

Hymn: We Are Many, We Are One
We are many, we are one,
and the work of Christ is done
when we learn to live in true community,
as the stars that fill the night ,
as a flock of birds in flight,
as the cluster of the grapes upon the vine;
as the branches of a tree,
as the waves upon the sea,
as the cluster of the grapes upon the vine.

All division is made whole
when we honour every soul,
find the life of God in every you and me
as the fingers of a hand,
as the grains that form the sand,
as the cluster of the grapes upon the vine
as the threads upon the loom,
as a field of flowers in bloom,
as the cluster of the grapes upon the vine.

We will join creation’s song
make a world where all belong,
build as one in peace and loving harmony,
as the voices of a choir,
as the flames within a fire,
as the cluster of the grapes upon the vine;
as the snowflakes in the snow,
as the colours of a bow,
as the cluster of the grapes upon the vine.

Words: Colin Gibson & Music: Colin Gibson

Benedict Aotearoa
Leader: O give thanks to our God who is good:
All: whose love endures forever.
Leader: You sun and moon, you stars of the southern sky:
All: give to our God your thanks and praise
Leader: Sunrise and sunset, night and day:
All: give to our God your thanks and praise.
Leader: All mountains and valleys, grassland and scree,
glacier, avalanche, mist and snow:
All: give to our God your thanks and praise.
Leader: You kauri and pine, rata and kowhai, mosses and ferns:
All: give to our God your thanks and praise.
Leader: Dolphins and kahawai, sealion and crab,
coral, anemone, pipi and shrimp:
All: give to our God your thanks and praise.
Leader: Rabbits and cattle, moths and dogs
kiwi and sparrow and tui and hawk:
All: give to our God your thanks and praise.
Leader: You Maori and Pakeha, women and men,
all who inhabit the long white cloud:
All: give to our God your thanks and praise.
Leader: All you saints and martyrs of the South Pacific:
All: give to our God your thanks and praise.

Explanation:
Maori ~ people of our land
Pakeha ~ non Maori person
rata & kowhai ~ flora
kahawai ~ fish
pipi ~ fish
tui ~ bird

Prayer of Confession
Leader: Loving and merciful God
We come before you, conscious of how often we disappoint you. We want to be like you, to follow you in everything we do, but we get distracted by worldly things.
All: Forgive us and have mercy.
Leader: The world is full of distractions and we often turn away from those things that make us feel uncomfortable. Open our eyes to the needs of people around us and help us to be ready with a kind word of encouragement and practical service.
All: Forgive us and have mercy.
Leader: Help us to recognise our own prejudices and realise the discrimination and exclusion that damages society. Banish all contempt and self righteousness in us and grant us the humility you showed in your Son Jesus.
All: Forgive us and have mercy.
Leader: God of compassion, help us to understand that having material things is not enough. Forgive our greed, our neglect of the environment and help us all to live in your grace and aroha (Maori for love).
May we become a truly loving and healing community.
All: In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Bible Readings (Suggest to use the New Revised Version for the basic reading)
Isaiah 55: 6-12
Psalm 46
John 4: 4-29
Romans 15: 1-13

Hymn: Tama Ngakau Marie (In Maori)
Tama ngakau marie,
Tama a t’Atua,
tenei tonu matou
Arohaina mai

Murua ra nga hara:
Wetekina mai
Tenei here kino
Whakaruru nei

Takahia ki raro,
Tau e kino ai;
Kei pa kaha tonu
Ko nga mahi he

Homai he aroha
Mou i mate nei
Tenei ra, e Ihu,
Takina e koe;

Tenei arahina
A tutuki noa:
Puta i te pouri,
Whiwhi hari nui

Tama ngakau marie,
Tama a t’Atua,
Tenei tonu matau,
Arohaina mai. Amine

Words:Traditional Maori & Music:Traditional Maori

Address

Hymn: Let Justice Roll Down

Refrain:
Let justice roll down like a river,
let justice roll down like a sea
let justice roll down like a river
let justice begin with me.

Justice for all who are hungry
crying to God to be fed
left in a world of abundance
to beg for a morsel of bread

Refrain

Justice for those who are homeless
victims of warfare or need
trapped on the borders of no-where
lost in the canyons of greed

Refrain

Justice for all who are powerless
yearning for freedom in vain
plundered, and robbed of their birthright
silently bearing their pain

Refrain

Words: Colin Gibson & Music: Colin Gibson

Collection of Offerings
Lord’s Prayer: to be prayed in your own language.

Prayer for our ACWC Prayer Partner Country
We ask God’s blessing on our Prayer Partner. May the work among our members and their families be fruitful and supportive of their Christian lives. May the Lord Jesus raise their spirit and increase their love for Him and make them strong in diversity and gentle in their relationships with friends and family. May the Lord, the great shepherd of His flock enfold them in His arms.

ACWC Prayer
O Loving Creator, we present ourselves in your divine presence to thank you for all the bountiful gifts of life. We are especially grateful for the ACWC which binds us together in love and supporting around the Asian area. Free us from all doubts and prejudices, we pray. Inspire us to live in solidarity with humankind that we may know the joy of giving and receiving.

Dear God accept our prayers. Let us honour your creation with love as shown through the life and resurrection of your Son Jesus the Christ. Amen.

Creed: We say together in faith
All: Holy, holy, holy,
is the Lord God almighty,
who was, and is, and is to come.
Leader: We believe in God the Father,
who created all things:
All: for by his will they were created
and have their being.
Leader: We believe in God the Son,
who was slain:
All: for with his blood,
he purchased us for God,
from every tribe and language,
from every people and nation.
Leader: We believe in God the Holy Spirit:
All: the Spirit and the Bride say “Come!”
Even so, Come Lord Jesus! AMEN.

Reading: Revelation 22:1-5 (Suggest to use the New Revised Version for the basic reading)

Prayer of Intercession
Leader: Dear Lord God, we bring the needs of others to you now. The sounds of violence and anger are in many places around us. The ground is wounded by the greed and demands of people. In deep sorrow, our sisters and brothers of many lands are suffering. We call on you to send the gentle rains of your mercy where they are most needed. Only you can bring us your gift of peace.
Response: Oh Lord, hear our prayer for peace.
Leader: Dear Father, we know that all our leaders in the Church, in our communities, and in our countries need to be wise. Many problems are world-wide and need trust between nations. Send your blessing of wisdom we pray, on those who have responsibility. Show our leaders the right choices and the right way forward. Only you can bring us the gift of wisdom.
Response: Oh Lord, hear our prayer for wisdom.
Leader: Dear Lord Jesus, there is great illness in the world today. Many are suffering from HIV- AIDS; from serious epidemics of influenza and from local disease. Just as you walked among the sick and touched them with your hands, we ask you today to bring wholeness to your faithful people. Only you can bring the gift of healing.
Response: Oh Lord, hear our prayer for healing.
Leader: Dear Holy Spirit, there is darkness in the world; the cloud of disbelief and the worship of materialism. Many people are filled with despair, and have lost hope in the future. Shine through your word we pray, so that the true light and the true love of God can shower on the shadows of evil in our lands. Only you can win the spiritual battles with your gift of blessing.
Response: Oh Lord, hear this prayer for blessing. Use us to carry your love and compassion we pray, through the power of your name; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Hymn: Where Mountains Rise to Open Skies
Where mountains rise to open skies
your name, O God, is echoed far,
from island beach to kauri’s reach,
in water’s light, in lake and star

Your people’s heart, your people’s part
be in our caring for this land,
for faith to flower, for aroha
to let each other’s mana stand.

From broken word, from conflict stirred,
from lack of vision, set us free
to see the line of your design,
to feel creation’s energy.

Your love be known, compassion shown,
that every child have equal scope:
in justice done, in trust begun
shall be our heritage and hope.

Where mountains rise to open skies
your way of peace distil the air,
your spirit bind all humankind,
one covenant of life to share!

Words: Shirley Erena Murray & Music: Vernon Griffiths

Explanation: aroha–Maori word for “all-embracing love” mana - Maori for “dignity,” “prestige.”

Prayer of Commission
All: Together we seek life in its fullness, a non-violent world where we can live in relationship with all people.
Together may we live in a relationship with all creatures, all living things and all of nature where we are not the sole beneficiaries of the earth’s resources.
Together may we live in relationships to God so that our identity and wellbeing is grounded in the knowledge that God is Love.
Leader: Go now in Peace; Moving Forward in God’s Love.

Acknowledgements:
The National Committee Church Women United Aotearoa New Zealand acknowledges with gratitude the following copyright permission:
Copyright has been approved as follows:
Benedict Aotearoa - ”The Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia – Te Hahi Mihinare ki Aotearoa ki Nui Tireni, ki nga Moutere o te Moana Nui a Kiwa.”
Tama ngakau marie - “Te Pihopatanga o Aotearoa gives its approval for A New Zealand Prayer Book including Hymn number 80 Tama ngakau marie”
“Where mountains rise to open skies” Shirley Erena Murray MNZM FRSCMOriginal title “Hymn for Waitangi Day” copyright held New Zealand, Australia and Asia. “We are many we are one,” and “ Let Justice roll down” Colin Gibson

* This order of worship was prepared by the National Committee Church Women United Aotearoa - New Zealand

The ACWC Secretariat Office received a letter of thanks from Columba C. Eclipse, the ACWC Philippines national representative as follows:

September 26 was very memorable date not only for me but most the Filipino people in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces. Rain poured early morning of Saturday and I was busy preparing for our breakfast, baon for lunch then by nine o’clock proceeded to our office in Lemon Square bldg along EDSA. At around ten o’clock the maid of my youngest daughter called up that water is getting inside our houses. She immediately went home only no more buses or jeepneys at that time because almost all the streets going to our place were all under water. She walked to almost waist level of water. After lunch our commercial building was already flooded up to the 1st floor. Luckily we are on the 2nd floor. Lights went off and I could no longer go home because water is already above waist level. News says that, Marikina, Cainta, Malabon, Laguna and other nearby cities and municipalities are all merged under water. People clamoring for help because plenty are up the roof of their houses waiting for helicopter to pick them up. Some were transferred to evacuation centers, mostly in schools.
The following Monday, Ms. Prima Formileza from Novaliches Quezon City texted me asking for help but since I was busy cleaning and drying the wet materials in our house, I didn’t immediately answer her. It was only when Ms. Shu-Wen called me up in my cellphone asking how we are doing. That was the only time I realized that I have a duty as President of the CWUP to help and monitor our members and friends.
Pepeng followed a week after and made the situation worst. Northern, Central Luzon were stricken and were all under water for a week. At this time, I wrote Cora T. Reyes, the secretary of the Fellowship of the Least Coin to please reconsider giving us financial help to assist fellow members.
This must be a wake up call to all of us Filipinos to conserve our environment and to dispose properly our waste. A time to reconsider whether we will allow our people to construct their houses in the riverbanks, esteros and even under the bridges.
Then came 2 more typhoons that hit North Luzon again. With all of these tragedies, we from the Church Women United of the Philippines thru the help of Asia Church Women Conference and the Fellowship of the Least Coin are thankful to God for He is still so kind. We thank all those member of ACWC who have sent their letter of concerns and prayers.With all the help from everywhere and through relentless efforts to extend to our countrymen who are in need, the Philippines can battle these unlikely events and can get up as one nation by God’s grace.

The ACWC service was held on Oct. 24 in Singapore to promote the ACWC. During the Service, the ministry and endeavors of the ACWC and the ACWC quarterly publication was introduced to as many women as possible, in particular the younger ones in Singapore.

Sri Lanka will be having their service on 20 November.

Mongolia and Indonesia also will have the service on 15 November.

Thailand is also preparing it.

Bangladesh did not observed the ACWC Day in November, 2008 for their political situation. This is only happened in Dhaka. So Bangladesh observed that day on 20 February, 2009 and other sisters from different part of Bangladesh observed ACWC Day 2008 at November, 2008. This year Bangladesh could observe ACWC Day 2009 in November.

The KCC- Women's Desk in Cambodia informed the ACWC Office that Cambodia will have 50 participants to observe the ACWC Day on 21 November 21, 2009 in Kampot Province.

Japan had the ACWC Day service in two places this year as usual. The one was in Tokyo on 30 October and the other was on 11 November in Kansai. Both places were expected over 400 participants.

In New Zealand, the ACWC and the FLC Ingathering Service was held on at 10:00 AM, 06 November 2009, Knox Presbyterian Church. It was prepared by the National Executive of Church Women Australia. The Revd. Joohong Kim was the speaker. A warm welcome is extended to attend this Service and morning tea to follow, from the members of the National Committee Church Women United Aotearoa-New Zealand.

The ACWC President, Nareeboon Rachkeeree/ Vice President & Honor Treasurer, Ms. Pauline Yates/ Ex. Sec. Ms. Shu-Wen Chiang will attend the 29th Annual Meeting of the International Committee for the Fellowship of Least Coin (ICFLC) on October 17-24, 2009, Nairobi, Kenya. All of us will leave for Kenya on 16 October and arrive in our own country on 25 October.
Here is an announcement from the ACWC President: We don’t know the situation of communication in Kenya. During the meeting session, if our members have any emergency matter, the President requests the Assembly Secretary, Capt. Donna Bryan to take care of the matter.

The ACWC Secretariat Office sends the concern, prayers and support to you and our Philippines members.
From News people know that Typhoon Ondoy battered Metro Manila and 25 provinces on last Saturday 26 September 2009. The National Disaster Coordinating Council put the death toll at 240. The disaster was the worst the capital had experienced in nearly half a century. Typhoon also poured a month’s worth of rain onto Manila in just 12 hours. More than 300,000 of those affected are now housed in roughly 200 evacuation centers.
The ACWC Secretariat Office sends this mail to all ACWC members as a prayer request for the Philippines. The Emergency Fund will release to our Filipino members as soon as we can.

My dear ACWC Gen. Co. members:

Greetings from the ACWC Secretariat Office.
ACWC July-September 2009 Newsletter is ready which will be sent out to all of next Thursday.

To the people, English is not their first language so it is difficult to identify the difference of various prepositions and how to use them properly. For example, sometimes I am confused about “between” and “among”. When I mentioned the member countries, my proofreader always suggests that I use “between”.

I like the term of “between”--God is our bridge to link us together; sometimes I or other members are our channel to link the ACWC as a big family, so we can share and support each other in different situations. From the column of “Our Concerns”, the Christians’ situation in Pakistan is worse who are attacked by others. For Taiwan, the unexpected disasters, which were caused by Morakot Typhoon on 08 August were strongly and deeply struck eastern and southern Taiwan. Our sisters' and brothers’ sufferings were already confirmed by your prayers and support.

From the session of “Mission, Program and Project” you can read many reports about the ACWC’s work during these months. In Cambodia, we strengthen the structure of the Women-Desk of the KCC to promote the programs for women, youth and children. In Mongolia, the ACWC, the ICFLC and the ACWC-Japan worked together to accompany our Mongolian members to develop the ACWC and promote the FLC prayer movement in Mongolia. In East Timor, the ACWC was invited by the CCA to evaluate the gender issue in this new country. The National Federation of Kyodan Women’s Societies (NFKWS ) shared their celebration of their 40th Anniversary National Assembly in Japan with us.

Here is another reminder: it is time for ACWC Day. Basically, the ACWC Day is on the third Sunday of November, but member countries could modify the date to fit the different situations in your country. The Liturgy for 2009 is presented in the Newsletter. Please say thank you to our Australian sisters for their hard work to design it.

May our Lord lead us to be a sisterhood and be tied together for missions.

Shu-Wen Chiang

The National Federation of Kyodan Women’s Societies (NFKWS) Chairperson Michiko Narimatsu and member Kimiko Ibaraki were invited by the Women’s Ministry of the PCT to visit Taiwan on 11-14 August 2009. The ACWC Executive Secretary Shu-Wen Chiang hosted a day long trip and dinner with Rev. and Mrs. C.S. Yang at the Sheraton, Taipei on 13 August.

The former ACWC Treasurer Rev. Susan Chung (1994-1998) took them to visit Mackay Memorial Hospital on 14 August.

From left to right: Ms. Kimiko Ibaraki, Rev. Susan Chung, Shu-Wen and Ms. Michiko Narimatsu.

From left to right: Rev. Hu Hong-Chi (Program Secretary of the Research and Development Center, Ecumenical & International Committee, Information Center of PCT), Saw Shwe Lin, Rev. K D Tu Lum, Shu-Wen and Yu-Wen (the ACWC part-time staff)

My dear ACWC sisters:

Greetings.

Our Pakistan sisters are quiet for a while. Today the ACWC Secretariat Office received a prayer request from Ms, Neelam Ernest, the ACWC Pakistan national Representative as following:

In this time of disaster on behalf of Pakistani Christian Community I wish to share the burden with Taiwan sisters of going through turbulence, disaster pain & Christian persecution as it is always in Pakistan. For the third time in a month villages & Churches were burnt all Christian houses people burnt alive for blasphemy as they say. This time just last week almost 50 houses burnt in Gojra Village . Earlier in another village known as Kasur. People are scared & destitute. It is painful but a great testimony as well as the community dares to fight back & raise voice against those who create the whole scenario. May God prepare us all to stand firm as we go through this difficult time.

Kindly request all ACWC sisters to pray for Pakistani Christian Community as we all stand in solidarity shoulder to shoulder to support one another in Jesus Christ.

Neelam Ernest

Since the Church Conference of Asia, CCA and the ACWC cooperated for the “Women’s Ecumenical Accompaniment for Vision and Empowerment WEAVE” in 2005 for Cambodia, it is a good model for two Ecumenical Organizations to work together on any Women’s issue. In 2007, the CCA invited the ACWC again to promote WEAVE in East Timor. Then, Ms. Corazon Tabing-Reyes, Joint Executive Secretary, EGY/ Ms. Chiang Shu-Wen, Executive Secretary, ACWC/ Ms. Nina Nayoan, WSCF-AP- FIM intern at Timor Leste where the team to visit East Timor on April 13-19, 2007 (For Details see the ACWC April-June 2007 Newsletter).

When the CCA had the Round Table Meeting with Global Partners on 10 July 2009, Ms. Moumita Biswas raised the East Timor issue at the meeting. The partners from U.S.A and Canada also shared that they supported it and are keen in regarding help to the CCA review process of the accompanying Program.

Therefore there is a revaluation team to visit East Timor from 11 August 2009.

The CCA- EGY requests the solidarity of ACWC again in this process – so that in future we can work in partnership to support women and youth leadership development in East Timor. Ms. Moumita Biswas requests one of ACWC member to join them in this Endeavour.

After the discussion between the ACWC Officers, we decided that Captain Donna Bryan (Australia) be the ACWC Representative for the visitation.

In the beginning when the CCA asked the ACWC to work together with the CCA to develop the Church Women’s mission in East Timor, the former ACWC Ex. Co. already thought to ask the Australia Church Women to aid this plan. So the ACWC participants of the first visitation were Ms. Pat Walker (Australia) and Ms. Shu-Wen Chiang. But because of the chaos in East Timor in 2005, the visitation was canceled then. By the way, the relationship between Australia and East Timor is very close. If we can have an Ex. Co. member from Australia to be the team member, it will be helpful for a future plan.

The date and schedule for East Timor was decided in a rush. The ACWC appreciates it that Donna responded to our request promptly. Now she is busy preparing for the East Timor meeting. Please pray for her future journey.

For supporting Cambodia, the ACWC Executive Secretary/ Ms. Shu-Wen Chiang can meet the General Assembly Secretary of the Kampuchea Christian Council and the Kampuchea Christian Council Women Desk on 09-31 July 2009 in Cambodia.

The National Federation of Kyodan Women’s Societies held the 40th Anniversary National Assembly on 02-03 June 2009 in Chi-Ba City, Japan. The ACWC Ex. Sec., Shu-Wen was invited to attend. After the Assembly, Shu-Wen also had a lunch meeting with the ACWC-Japan members on 04 June. All details about the Assembly and the lunch meeting will be presented in the July-September 2009 ACWC Newsletter.

For promoting the ACWC-Mongolia, the ACWC Office, the ACWC-Japan and the ICFLC worked together to hold the ACWC/ FLC seminar in Mongolia on 06-12 July 2009. The details will be reported later.

The ACWC Ex. Co. member--Rev. Ni-ling Lin finished her terms (1998-2009) for the Program Secretary of the Women’s Ministry of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) in June 2009. Rev. Hsing-Ling Lee will be her successor after June 2009.

A position exists in the Asian Church Women’s Conference (ACWC) for an executive secretary. The executive secretary is the implementing officer of the Asian Church Women’s Conference. The person selected for this position will be able to use their skills to ensure the proper management and administration of the affairs of the Asian Church Women’s Conference in consultation and coordination with the Executive Committee of the ACWC.

Key Selection Criteria

Present
President—Nareeboon Rachkeeree (Thailand)
Vice President/Honorary Treasurer—Pauline Yates (Aoteraoa-New Zealand)
Assembly Secretary—Captain Donna Bryan (Australia)
Executive Member—Gloria Kalpona Sarker (Bangladesh)
Executive Member—Revd Ni-Ling Lin (Taiwan)
Ex-officio Member —Shu-Wen Chiang (Executive Secretary ACWC)
Ex-officio Member— Corazon (Cora) Tabing-Reyes (Executive Secretary ICFLC)

Apologies
Executive Member—Revd Rosmalia Barus (Indonesia)

Proposal for fundraising
1. Send the request to other ecumenical organizations for more support. But the priority is that our ACWC member countries should support our own needs.
2. From 2009, the ACWC raises affiliation fee from $100 USD to $150 USD or greater.
3. Encourage some member countries to fund their delegates’ airfares and any local travel expenses incurred within the country that the delegates represent.
4. Encourage the member countries to ‘adopt’ the projects and scholarships.

Amending the Constitution at the 14th Assembly continued
Details for discussion will be sent out to the members by the end of October 2009. The finalization will be decided at the 14th ACWC Assembly, 2010.

The process of new Ex. Sec. 2011-2014
1. The search committee is comprised of the President, Vice President and Assembly Secretary.
2. Search Committee will follow ACWC By-Laws in writing up the job application. (Any changes to ACWC By-Laws brought about by updating job description to be presented at General Assembly e.g. website updating.)
3. Applicants require endorsement of their national ecumenical body and their church.
4. The form and advertisement was announced by the ACWC Secretariat Office on 16 June 2009.

Cooperation with the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) for WEAVE in East Timor after 2009
The WEAVE in East Timor is on hold until the situation in East Timor is stable.

The process of editing the ACWC History Book
Ex. Co. members to ask for photos of Assemblies and past officers, especially before 1998.

A form for the scholars’ reports
The final version of the form was sent out to the Gen. Co. members on 26 May after the Ex. Co. meeting.

Young Women’s Committee
Revised ‘Proposal for Setting up Young Women’s Committee in the Asian Church Women’s Conference’.
The young women will be included in the ‘reflections on ACWC’section of the history book. The ACWC Secretariat Office will add time for reflection to the Assembly timetable. The process of setting up the YWC will also be recorded in the ACWC History Book.

Future themes/member countries for the ACWC Day
Add the ongoing projects and scholarships to the ACWC Day liturgy.

2012 ACWC Day
Agreed that Singapore prepare the liturgy for 2012.
The future themes and countries responsible for preparing the liturgy will be announced by the end of August 2009. (It already was announced in 2009.)

The preparation of the 14th ACWC Assembly
1. ACWC officers will meet in Indonesia with the local hosts in January 2010.
2. Participants: 200. Up to 4 delegates and up to 7 observers from each country. That is, a maximum of 11 participants from each member country. Any additional local people attending will not receive Assembly materials e.g. handbook.
3. Guidelines, rough schedule, forms for the Assembly. Forms will be sent out to the Gen. Co. members by the end of October 2009.
4. Small group leaders at the Assembly.
Proposed leaders:
1) Natural Disasters in Asia, Devika Ukwatte (Sri Lanka) and Zohming Thang (Myanmar)
2) Ecology and Women, Shakuntala Abraham (Malaysia) and Oranat Katue (Thailand)
3) Family Violence and Gender Relations, Gloria Kalpona Sarker (Bangladesh) and Rev. Mei-Li Huang (Taiwan)
4) Youth and Empowerment, Shanti Mathai (India) and Thain Molly Lazarus (Singapore)
5) Human Trafficking, Kyoko Burger (Japan) and Jyotsna Rani Patro (India)
Guidelines will be supplied for group leaders and will be sent out to the leaders by the end of August 2010.
5. ACWC Souvenirs
Suggestions:
· Pin
· Fan/voting card
· Pen

Future Prayer Partner 2010-2014 will be announced at the 14th ACWC Assembly.

Hong Kong membership
The HKWCC suggested the ACWC change the National Body from the HKWCC to the HKCC. The ACWC Secretariat Office will contact Hong Kong about the General Assembly and ask if they want to attend and observe.

Scholar accepted for 2009
Ani Mondal, Bangladesh, for 4 year term
Others (four) subject to meeting application requirements.
Executive Committee members agreed that the National Representatives need to send an official letter to ACWC stating the amount received each year for each scholar.
There are now 11 (eleven) scholars including the current scholars. In the future reports to the General Assembly highlight the number of scholars supported by other bodies. Emphasise that more funds need to be raised to support scholars.

Projects accepted for 2009
Bangladesh—Safe drinking water for hill tract people
Cambodia—Health education training
Nepal—Trauma awareness training
Sri Lanka—Humanitarian services to the internally displaced persons of the north and east due to the civil war—is accepted as the emergency fund.
Noted that projects need follow up and a report to be submitted from the National Representative re: projects. Report must include expenses.

ACWC Accounts
ACWC monies need to be kept in safe accounts. The risks for ACWC monies was demonstrated recently because of the global economic crisis. Question asked: Does the Executive Committee have the authority to move the funds to another bank?
Treasurer asked if she could prepare a proposal re: the budget and present it at the General Assembly to keep members informed.

This year, the ACWC received 6 application forms from the ACWC member countries.
Three projects are accepted:

Bangladesh — Safe drinking water for hill tract people
Cambodia — Health education training
Nepal — Trauma awareness training

The budget for each project is 1000.00 USD.
The Project from Sri Lanka —“Humanitarian services to the internally displaced persons of the north and east due to the civil war” is qualified for the emergency fund not project assistance fund. The ICFLC also plans to release the emergency fund to Sri Lanka.

Theme: Visioning the Future

*Preparation:
While the prelude music is being played, some women carry symbols of faith and life to the altar: an open Bible to be placed at the center, one big lighted candle, a potted flowery plant and the banner of the ACWC.

*Call to Worship
Leader: For the living of these days,
let us heed promptings of possibility,
let us evoke creativities of compassion,
let us be poised for flight on soaring wings of faith and love.
O come, let us worship!

*Hymn of Praise

*Prayer of Invocation: [Psalm 24:4, 6-7] In Unison
Powerful God, we praise you for Jesus Christ,
who entered the ancient gates in peace,
whose glory was shown on the cross,
whose power was shown in love.
We come before you,
not with pure hearts,
not with clean hands,
yet we seek your blessing,
we seek your face.
Grant us your grace and your peace,
Glory be to you, O God! Amen.

Litany of Confession
Leader: Here, God, we are yours. Silent now, but filled with new awareness of all our possibilities. Still now, yet full of energy for your reign of justice. Prayerfully we come to hear your Word and celebrate the Gospel, which makes us the new beings we are only just discovering inside ourselves. With hope we approach you in worship that we may celebrate the community we have become.
Great and gracious God, we have known your presence in our midst through calls to personhood, to faith, to justice, and to action. We turn humbly in confession to acknowledge that we have failed you, and each other, and ourselves.
Voice 1: O God, our Creator, we confess that we have turned away from the startling reality of our creation in your image. In fear, we have turned our backs on the dominion granted us at the beginning of time and have accepted cultural definitions of femininity and masculinity. We recognize now that by these sins we have distorted your image upon this earth. O merciful God, forgive us for failing to be with you the co-creators we were called to be.
People: Forgive us and make us free!
Voice 2: O God of all Wisdom, confronted by injustice and the awesome powers and principalities of our day, we recoil in fear and take refuge in our powerlessness. Frozen into passivity and hiding behind complexity, we pray for others to take action at moments when our leadership is necessary. O merciful God, forgive us for forgetting that your Spirit brings wisdom to those who must step forward at times like these.
People: Forgive us and make us bold!
Voice 3: O God of all the universe, we confess that we have permitted the happenstance of birth to divide us not only from, but against, each other. We celebrate our differences, and yet we fail to create that unity which the gospel demands. O merciful God, forgive us for closing ourselves to your Spirit which would unite and empower us for mission.
People: Forgive us and make us one!
Voice 4: O God of all time, forgive us. We live in a society which wastes resources and people. We have become accustomed to such waste. We value the young and the new and the shiny. Yet you, God, promise to make all things new. O merciful God, forgive us for our willingness to be every kind of new creation but yours.
People: Forgive us and make us new!
Leader: Come close, God, and hear the inner yearnings of these your people who seek to be faithful, who long to live justly and to live for justice. We seek your loving forgiveness, as surely as we are a people of faith. For in this prayer, we confess not only our wrongdoing but also our faith. Come, God our Creator, who is known in Jesus Christ. Come through your Holy Spirit and free us of these burdens.
People: Amen
-Prepared for the first National Meeting of Women, UCC, USA

Hymn of Faith or Thanksgiving

*Greetings and Passing the Peace of Christ
Leader: Let us rise to welcome and greet each other with a handshake or hug of fellowship, saying to one another, “The peace of Christ be with you.”

*Scripture Readings
Old Testament: Isaiah 65:17-25
New Testament: Luke 4:14-21

Meditation

*Prayer for the Journey to the Future
Leader: Our lives are a journey, and the road goes ever on. It’s a road that began with our birth, that winds its way through meadows and mountains that crosses rivers and canyons.
People: For the bread that has sustained us on our journey, for the guides who have led us, we offer thanks and praise, O God.
Leader: We pray for those whose journey ends mere moments after it has begun.
People: We pray for those who do not have the strength to travel on.
Leader: We pray for those whose path seems continually to wind back upon itself, spiraling through poverty, pain, prison of soul or mind or body,
People: And for those whose path is in the coils of malice until joy and power and life itself are crushed out.
Leader: In the landscape of your abounding love we know there are paths leading into tomorrows yet unfathomed. There are days ahead when all our children shall walk upon a green and fruitful earth,
People: Unafraid of war, unbeset by want,
Leader: Untouched by pain or loneliness, selfishness or uselessness.
People: Help us to shape such a world through the ACWC…that through the prayers and women gathered, we become agents of change, moving the world towards real peace, reconciliation, forgiveness and justice for all.
Leader: Let our paths not be narrow and self-preoccupied.
People: Let us build broad highways, where all may walk together in beauty, tending the gardens along the way.
Leader: As we journey on through pleasure and pain, commitment and betrayal, keep us mindful that we do not walk alone;
People: That you are a Presence in our midst;
Leader:That in Jesus of Nazareth you came and shared our common lot;
People: That you walk beside us and dance ahead of us into the future.
Leader:Deliver us, we pray, from the mire of grudges and regrets. We yearn to break away from all that, to come running to your open arms, to your arms that are spread wide with mercy and acceptance.
People: All these things we pray in the name of Jesus, whose story brings life to a dying world, hope to a despairing people, justice and love to a realm of strife. Amen.

Offertory Music

The Gathering of the ACWC

*Prayer of the Asian Church Women's Conference In Unison
O loving Creator, we present ourselves in your divine presence to thank you for all the bountiful gifts of life. We are especially grateful for the ACWC, which binds us together in love and supporting around the Asian area. Free us from all doubts and prejudices, we pray. Inspire us to live in solidarity with humankind that we may know the joy of giving and receiving.
Dear God, accept our prayers. Let us honor your creation with love, as shown through the life and resurrection of your Son, Jesus the Christ. Amen.

*Closing Hymn

*Affirmation of Faith
Leader: Isaiah said:
“It shall come to pass that the peoples
shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war anymore.”

People: This is our vision:
That a world of harmony and peace
will replace our world
of injustice and war.

Leader: Jesus said:
“Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.”

People: This is our calling:
To know God’s ways of peace,
and so to make peace,
in our family and community,
our nation and world.

Leader: Paul said:
“In Christ, God was reconciling the world..
not counting their trespasses against them,
and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.”

People: This is our faith:
That in Jesus,
we meet the God who makes peace
with our wayward and hurting world;
and that by this reconciling love,
we are moved to bridge the chasms
of fear and estrangement.

All: May it be so. Amen

*Benediction
Leader: The way is long, let us go together.
People: The way is difficult, let us help each other.
Leader: The way is joyful, let us share it.
People: The way is Christ’s, for Christ is the Way, let us follow.
Leader: The way is open before us, let us go:
All: with the love of God,
the grace of Christ, and
the communion of the Holy Spirit.
Let us journey together. Amen.

*Postlude

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*AT THIS SIGN, the congregation please rise.
*This was a joint effort of the special committee which the Church Women United of the Philippines, CWUP Board constituted composed of Zeny Maturan, Prima Formillosa and Coralie to draft. Zeny is the head of Philippines World Day of Prayer Committee and Prima is the National President of the Federation of Baptist Women. The ACWC national representative, Estrella del Mundo, of course also contributed to the ideas.

• Worship centre/focus: Include symbols of faith important in your culture/local customs e.g. Scriptures (a Bible); Baptism (shell/jug/bowl of water/font); Symbols of Eucharist/Communion; Cross; Candle; Drapes f colour, flowers. If culture allows, images/photos of known people of faith.
• WELCOME to everyone, young and old, taking part in this service. Welcome to country by indigenous people within Australia. A recognition of the traditional owners/carers of the land.
• Processional with ACWC banners