1 KDN : PP11463/04/2009 (020797) Strictly for Private Circulation Jan-Apr 2009 new diocesan theme launched 1 Youth Camp Reflections • Page 8 CAWC Tamil Retreat in Port Dickson • Page 9 T he launch of the Diocesan Theme “Transformation of Communities in Christ” was held on Sunday, 4 January 2009 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Kuala Lumpur in the setting of Holy Communion. The sermon by the Diocesan Bishop was based on the acronym CARE. The Celebrant at the service was The Very Rev Jason Selvaraj, Convenor of the TransCom Steering Committee. At the launch, care-givers/social workers were acknow- ledged with tokens of appreciation and a certi-ficate by the Diocesan Bishop, as well as re-commissioned in their ministry. As a symbol of their commitment to ongoing caring ministries, Mrs Lydia Wong, Chairperson of Anglican Care and on behalf of all the care-givers present, lighted a candle on the Nave Altar. The aim of the theme is to energize the Anglican Community of West Malaysia to engage with their local communities with the aim of presenting them the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Diocesan Handbook published for this theme was also launched at the service. Edited by Dean Jason Selvaraj, it contains the Biblico-Theological Basis of Theme, Goal and Objectives, Strategies and Approaches, Proposed Liturgy for the celebration of the theme , Proposed Liturgy of World AIDS Day, Modules for Bible Studies, Articles on the Mission of Jesus, the Christian and Politics and Recommended Resources. This handbook also has a CD with a power-point * cont’d on page 11 WHAT’S INSIDE Rev. Peter Young, Dean Jason Selvaraj and Bishop Ng Moon Hing at the launch RESURRECTION by Grace Noll Crowell. FROM LET THE SUNSHINE IN by Grace Noll Crowell 1
Transcript
1
KDN : PP11463/04/2009 (020797) Strictly for Private Circulation Jan-Apr 2009
new diocesan theme launched
1Youth Camp Refl ections• Page 8
CAWC Tamil Retreat in Port Dickson• Page 9
The launch of the Diocesan Theme “Transformation of Communities in Christ” was held on Sunday, 4 January 2009 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Kuala Lumpur in the
setting of Holy Communion. The sermon by the Diocesan Bishop was based on the acronym CARE. The Celebrant at the service was The Very Rev Jason Selvaraj, Convenor of the TransCom Steering Committee.
At the launch, care-givers/social workers were acknow-ledged with tokens of appreciation and a certi-fi cate by the Diocesan Bishop, as well as re-commissioned in their ministry. As a symbol of their commitment to ongoing caring ministries, Mrs Lydia Wong, Chairperson of Anglican Care and on behalf of all the care-givers present, lighted a candle on the Nave Altar.
The aim of the theme is to energize the Anglican Community of West Malaysia to engage with their local communities with the aim of presenting them the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Diocesan Handbook published for this theme was also launched at the service. Edited by Dean Jason Selvaraj, it contains the Biblico-Theological Basis of Theme, Goal and Objectives, Strategies and Approaches, Proposed Liturgy for the celebration of the theme , Proposed Liturgy of World AIDS Day, Modules for Bible Studies, Articles on the Mission of Jesus, the Christian and Politics and Recommended Resources. This handbook also has a CD with a power-point
* cont’d on page 11
WHAT’S INSIDE
Rev. Peter Young, Dean Jason Selvaraj and Bishop Ng Moon Hing at the launch
RESURRECTION by Grace Noll Crowell. FROM LET THE SUNSHINE IN by Grace Noll Crowell
1
2
Editorial
The book of Acts is replete with stories of how communities were
transformed through their encounter with Peter and Paul, who themselves had been transformed through Jesus’ saving grace on the cross.
R Blackaby in his book ‘Expe-riencing the Cross’ says “The cross is more than a doctrine; it’s an experience.”
“The deepest meaning of the cross and its transforming power can only be understood experi-entially... the cross must be ex-perienced to be understood.”
We read in Acts 4 the transforma-tion of a community through the experiential witness of Peter and
John who said “We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” (vs. 20).
In thinking of ‘Transformation of Communities through the Cross’, we need to ask ourselves whether we have grasped the full signifi -cance of the cross and allowed it to change our lives.
Ms Lorna Rode has given us some insight on the Diocesan theme for this year.
Please also read Page 1 and use the resources available by the TransCom Steering Committee.
The Editorial Board wishes all readers a glorious and peaceful Easter.
News Update
The theme for the next issue (May - September 2009) is “Transformation of Communities through Care & Concern”. The Editorial Board welcomes articles and photographs that focus on this theme for the coming issue. Please submit your articles (with soft copies) to the Editor, Anglican
Messenger, Diocesan Offi ce or e-mail to [email protected] by 7 August 2009.
The Synod of the Diocese of West Malaysia (Anglican Church)No. 16 Jalan Pudu Lama, 50200 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel : 03-20312728 / 03-20313213
Editorial Board
• The Rev Matthew Chay Wing Leong was ordained as Deacon and is serving in the Parish of Christ Church Melaka.
• Archdeacon Edward John graduated with a M. A. (Missiology); the Rev Stephen Chan graduated with a M.Div.; Deaconess Ngeoi Ming Ming graduated with M.A. (pastoral studies) from the Malaysian Baptist Theological Seminary.
• The Rev Gerard Emmanuel was ordained as Deacon and is serving in the Parish of St Philip and St James Sg. Petani.
• The Rev Iben Arang was ordained as Deacon and is serving in St Mary’s Cathedral Kuala Lumpur.
Adviser :The Rt Rev Ng Moon Hing
Members :Gloriosa Rajendran (Editor)Rev Dr Andrew CheahJames CheePrakash Mukherjee
• The new Missionary District of Damai Perdana Anglican Centre, Cheras was inaugurated on the 23 November 2008. Rev Wong Chee Seong is the new Priest-In-Charge effective 1 December 2008.
‘When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realised that they were unschooled ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had
been with Jesus’ – Acts 4:13.
• The Rt. Rev. Tan Sri Dr. Lim Cheng Ean was appointed as Acting Vicar of the Parish of All Saints’ Cheras on 1 December 2008.
2
Calling all Anglicans in the Diocese to take up the challenge to spend
one minute a day to pray for the world, our country, the Diocese, the Church, the family and other issues.
one minute @ 12 noon:
* cont’d on page 3
Printed by: Academe Art & Printing Services Sdn BhdNo. 7, Jalan Rajawali 1A, 47100 Puchong, Selangor Darul Ehsan.
Tel: 03-8070 2802, 8070 4791 Fax: 03-8070 4189
3
The world is moving on at a very fast pace. Models of cars become obsolete within fi ve years. Fashions of clothes and hair styles have changed signifi cantly.
Fashions are outdated every two years. Newer models of computers are out in the market every year. But there is something that will never change quickly. They are the homo sapiens whom we call ‘human beings’.
Everything is changing very fast but human life remains the same as a thousand or million years ago. It takes 365 days to make one year and so on. The mentality of humankind is slow and steady. It often cannot catch up with the fast changing world. We can be a 21st Century person outwardly in fashion but with 20th Century habits and a 19th Century mentality. There are many misfi ts but life just goes on as usual. Usually, we have learnt all the tricks to balance our ‘misfi t lives’ so much so that many do not even notice that they are a misfi t.
We must be moulded consistently by only one set of principles and a lifestyle (that is the CROSS) in order to help us journey through this life without any mishaps. It is at the Cross that we are no longer the main focus but Christ. The big ‘I’ will be bent to become a big ‘C’. It is when we lose ourselves and discover Christ in us that the whole arena of abundant life and the meaning of life becomes a reality. It is only through the Cross that we can be transformed, and in turn we could transform the community around us.
Transformation Of Communities Through The Cross
When we apply the important teaching of Christ: ‘Love our neighbours as ourselves’; we will begin to enter into another phase of adventure in the work of transformation.
There is a constant demand for Christian Spirituality that includes self-denial, fasting, prayer, contemplation, meditation, reading, writing, tithing, solitude, refl ection, fellowship, worship, praise, etc. This exercise of Christian Spirituality should transform us individually as well as corporately. An imitation of Christ’s behavior and lifestyle will certainly draw us closer to God, our neighbours and the God created world.
This Transformation depends greatly on how close we are to Christ, who is the boss in our life, and how much we wish to reveal Christ through our lives. The decision is yours and it is in your hands.
Bishop Moon Hing
Bishop’s Message
• The Rev Lee Kon Yim was transferred to the Parish of St James Kuala Lumpur as curate on 1 December 2008.
• The Rev Tom Cherian was transferred to St John’s Church Ipoh on 1 December 2008 after his sabbatical
• The Rev Joshua Ong was installed and inducted as Vicar of the Parish of All Saints Taiping on 11 January 2009, while Deaconess Woon Ying Peng was licensed Hon. Deaconess of the Parish.
• The Rev David Devapitchai was made Priest-In-Charge of the Parish of Emmanuel Cheras on 14 December 2009.
• Archdeacon Edward John was installed and inducted as Vicar of the Parish of St Christopher, Johor Bahru on 28 Dec 2008.
• The Rev John Kennady was installed and inducted as Vicar of the Parish of St Mark, Butterworth on 11 January 2009.
• The Rev Soong Hoe Pin was installed and inducted as Vicar of the Parish of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Johor Bahru on 28 December 2008. • Assistant Bishop Andrew
Phang was installed and inducted as Vicar of the Parish of the Church of the Redeemer, Butterworth on 7 December 2008.
3
• The Rev Christopher Tan was installed and inducted as Vicar of the Parish of Christ Church Penang on 7 December 2008.
• The Rev Johnsan David was installed and inducted as Vicar of the Parish of Lower Perak on 18 January 2009.
• The Rev Albert Tang has resigned effective 1 Jan 2009.
News Update cont’d
4
I have, through the internet, sent out an appeal one month ago to all the churches and leaders. I am just
reiterating what I have said earlier in the e-mail. We are here not to decide who is right or who is wrong. Both Israel and Hamas are equally wrong in terms of civilian casualties and damages to the masses.
As a church, we are called to respond to the dire needs of the casualties of the Palestinians in Gaza. The Council
Bishop’s Circular
4
PALESTINIAN HUMANITARIAN RELIEF of Churches of the Middle East has
appealed for help and humanitarian aid to the affl icted.
The Anglican Church of Jerusalem and Middle East has two churches and schools and other centres in Gaza. They were all affected when the Israeli government closed the borders and bombed the cities.
This appeal is targeting all of us who can spare a little to help in the relief work and rebuilding of the lives of the Palestinian victims. Homes and businesses need to be restored and reconstructed.
Please donate freely and make cheques payable to THE DIOCESE OF WEST MALAYSIA, and designate it to the Palestinian Relief on the reverse side of the cheques.
I have made this appeal last year and wish to thank all donors for your generosity and love. This Fund is used only for all diocesan staff who have prolonged medical problems where the medical costs exceed the allowable claim from the insurance company. Some of the cases are due to pre-existing medical conditions which the insurance company will not entertain.
Presently, we have Dss Ming Ming who requires perpetual medication for her
DIOCESAN MEDICAL FUND
kidney transplant condition. Rev Stephen Chan, her husband, has donated a kidney to her some years ago. Both are doing fi ne but only Dss Ming Ming needs constant medication, for which the cost has also increased.
Dss Margaret Chen is undergoing physiotherapy as a result of a stroke. She is also recovering from her operation due to a cancerous growth.
Dss Esther Paidayah has recently been treated for an asthmatic condition. Her case is not entertained by the insurance company as they consider it a pre-existing condition.
All of the abovementioned persons will need constant medication and care. This has added a huge burden to the Diocese. So far the Diocese has been meeting all the bills but it has eaten into our resources. The expenses we incurred are in excess of RM15,000 per year.
Do pray for all our clergy, deaconesses and staff; for healthy bodies and sound lives.
Please donate freely to the Diocesan Medical Fund and make cheques payable to THE DIOCESE OF WEST MALAYSIA, and designate it to the Diocesan Medical fund on the reverse side of the cheques.
I wish to thank all of you for your generosity and love towards the family of the late Rev Pathynathan.
We have raised slightly more than RM200,000 for the family, of which a large portion will be kept for the children. We intend to gradually release the fund to help the family until the children reach 18 years of age.
The late Rev Pathynathan left behind his wife, Susanna and three children ranging from age one to eight. Please pray for them.
THE LATE REV PATHYNATHAN FUND At a special Service
held on 17 January at St Paul’s Church PJ,
the Board of Bahasa Malaysia and Indigenous Ministry was launched by our Bishop, Rt Rev Ng Moon Hing. The Bahasa ministry started with a Committee appointed by Bishop Lim 12 years ago. By 2008, there were about 50 congregations in 20 churches using BM or Bahasa Iban. There are now nine fulltime clergy and pastors and another eight evangelists fully involved with BM and/or Iban congregations. It was decided that there will one Board to cover all Indigenous language ministries, with committees formed to cater for specifi c language groups.
Lembaga Pelayanan Bahasa Malaysia & Indigenous (Jawatankuasa 2009-2011)
There are many ways of fasting. I will attempt to name a few here:
• Total Fast – this is a total absti-nence of food and water. This is not encouraged for beginners.
• Partial Fast – this can be a total abstinence of food but with the consumption of water or other liquid; or skipping one or two meals a day; or a reduced quan-tity of food at every meal; or an abstinence of meat or rice for a period of time.
• Particular Fast – this fasting is done for a particular purpose or request from God, e.g. King Da-vid pleading with God for his son who was born out of wedlock (2 Sam 12: 15-16); Paul in Damas-cus after the confrontation of the Light of Jesus (Acts 9: 9, 19).
• Spiritual Fast – this does not imply that the other fasting meth-ods are not spiritual. It is done purely for the purpose of spiritual warfare, e.g. Mark 9: 29ff; Dan 10: 2.
• Offertory Fast – this is deliber-ately done as a response to offer-ing oneself in obedience to God through reading the Scripture, praying, meditation, contempla-tion, worship, service, solitude, social concern, writing, etc.
What should we do?
• Attempt to reduce the amount of food gradually, from two bowls of rice to one or from one bowl to half.
• Attempt to reduce the amount of meat and heavy food.
• Attempt to reduce the amount of food of one meal a day until you are comfortable with it.
• Attempt to fast one meal a week but do have water or liquid for the whole period of time.
• During fasting, read the Scrip-ture, pray or worship or meditate, do not do vigorous exercise.
• Gradually attempt to fast one meal per half week.
• When you reach fasting one meal a day, keep it to a short pe-riod, say one week.
• Never attempt a total fast or long term fast without proper guid-ance from experts.
• Pregnant ladies, children and sick people are not advised to fast at all.
• You cannot use fasting as a tool to demand what you want from God, or for selfi sh or evil purpos-es. It doesn’t work but will only backfi re.
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own fl esh and blood?....then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and He will say: Here am I.” (Isa 58: 6, 7, 9)
Bishop Moon Hing
What can Fasting do?
There are at least two major purposes of Fasting which is essential for Christian Growth
– self control and discernment. Firstly, we have always been accustomed to or acclimatized by the food we eat. We ‘salivate’ at meal times. Our digestive system tells us that it is time for the intake of food during meal times, so much so, that we are unconsciously controlled by the food or the ‘salivation of enzymes’. The virtue of self-control does include the control of the intake of food to our bodies. We must be able to dictate when to, how to and what to take in as food, and not the other way round. Fasting provides a way for us to exercise self-control over food. Food is made for the body and not the body for food. The latter order will bring destruction to our authority and body system. Fasting helps us to stop in-take or lessen the in-take of food and provide an opportunity to the body system to clear off all the excessive food in our body.
Secondly, when we fast, we are more sensitive and alert to spiritual things. This is the golden opportunity for us to discern the Will of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit. When our stomach is full after a heavy meal, we will normally experience heavy eyes and a sleepy mood. This will certainly cut down our sensitiveness to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. No wonder the Scripture often gathers these two elements together i.e. ‘Fast and Pray’. The Calling of the Holy Spirit to set apart Paul and Barnabas for mission in Acts 13 was set in the midst of a session of fasting and prayer. Moses, Paul, David, Jesus and many great leaders of the past and present have spent much time in prayer and fasting throughout their ministries. Can we imitate them?
Every year the church of God is encouraged to fast for 40 days during the Lenten season. Fasting is a strange and weird
word to today’s 21st century people. Though every Christian has come across and heard of the word ‘FASTING’ very few Christians actually fast.
Living in Malaysia, the word ‘FASTING’ or ‘PUASA’ (in Bahasa Malaysia) is frequently used. For many Christian people, it is strange for them to listen and act
on. Somehow many subconsciously believe that Fasting is only for the people of the Old Testament and New Testament, and some ‘religious freaks’.
fasting
66
Community Transformation1 is “a condition of dramatic socio-political renewal that results from God’s people entering into corporate
vision, corporate repentance and corporate prayer. During these extraordinary seasons the Kingdom of God pervades every institution of human endeavour.”
The transformation of Communities through the cross must be “presence-based Transformation” where the presence of Jesus Christ is so manifest that He brings about transformation in hearts and in society. The result of this transformation is sustained fruitfulness in the lives of individuals and upon social institutions, because of the abiding manifest presence of God.
A transformed community is a neighbourhood, city or nation whose values and institutions have been overrun by the grace and the presence of God. It is a culture and society that has been undeniably impacted by the full measure of the Kingdom of God.
For the term transformation to be properly applied to a community, change must be evident not only in the lives of its inhabitants, but also in the fabric of its institutions. In the end, it is dramatic social, political, and even ecological renewal that sets the community apart from other communities as a lighthouse for Him in the nation, drawing, guiding and leading other communities in transformation.
Christ calls us into a transforming relationship through our culture, our church and families so that others may be transformed. Christ engages us as living, breathing agents of change who challenge an unbelieving world to love each other in the midst of peace and in the midst of controversy. For us transformation begins through the cross – the message of salvation and redemption.
In Romans 12:2, Paul writes, “Be transformed by the renewing of your minds.” The word transformed is metamorphoo, from which we get the word metamorphosis. Paul uses a variant of that word in Galatians 4:19, “Until Christ is formed in you” The transformation God desires for us is a process of morphing us into Christ-likeness.
We may consider that for the Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia, it is morphing time. When Jesus told us ‘the kingdom of God is at hand’, he wasn’t referring to a someday promise beyond the pearly gates. The kingdom is supposed to be marked by changed lives and by the fruit of the spirit—love, joy, peace, and so on. But our churches and pulpits are fi lled with people who, under the surface, are just as anxious, driven, unsettled, angry, unhappy or ego-fed as anyone outside the church.
Why aren’t we as Christians morphing?
Spiritual transformation is missing in many churches because failure in the pursuit of it has caused us to settle for less. At least two common counterfeits are passed off as transformation.
Counterfeit # 1: Settling for the minimum
Sometimes we mistakenly think the Christian life is primarily about entrance to heaven. We’re content with conversion when God is calling for transformation. Rather than expecting the kingdom of God to revolutionize lives today, we hope it will happen in heaven tomorrow.
Many people’s idea of the gospel is that some day we’ll get to the bridge to paradise and be asked, “Why should you be allowed to cross?” As long as we answer correctly, we make it across. Answer wrongly, and we’re cast into the abyss. The gospel is redefi ned to be the announcement of the minimal entrance requirements for getting into heaven.
Jesus never said, “Now I’m going to tell you what you need to say to get into heaven when you die.” The gospel writers make it clear that Jesus’ good news was that we no longer have to live in the guilt, failure, and impotence of our own strength. The transforming presence and power of God is available through Christ, right here, right now. To live in that power, we must become his disciple, or in more contemporary terms ‘his apprentice’.
Unfortunately, too many apprentices are burning out because they’re seeking spiritual transformation the wrong way.
Counterfeit # 2: Only looking the part
A second counterfeit of transformation is outward appearance.
Churches tend to establish “boundary markers” using doctrines to defi ne membership in a denomination. For example “speaking in tongues”, baptism by immersion” and so on.
Conforming to such ‘boundary markers’ too often substitutes for authentic transformation.
As I was growing up, having a “quiet time” became a boundary marker, a measure of spiritual growth. If someone asked me about my spiritual life, I would immediately think “Have I been having regular and lengthy quiet time?” My initial thought was not “Am I growing more loving toward God and toward people?”
6
“Transformation” is a buzz word among many Christians, from laypeople to pastors. We must avoid the idea that “transformation” is a model to be imported or is the latest “trend” in church programs.
Transformation of
The CrossCommunities through
1 Source: “Journal of Transformation of Communities, Indonesia May 2005”.
Lorna (centre) with two of her Iraqi colleagues
77
Boundary markers may change according to cultures and denominations, but the dynamic remains the same. If people do not experience authentic transformation, then their faith will deteriorate into a search for the boundary markers that masquerade as evidence of a changed life.
Where people are not growing more loving, joyful, truthful and compassionate, Christians have often tried to look different in other areas—disguised as holy differences. Doctrine, behavioural standards, and even sanctifi ed peculiarities often present a façade of pseudo-transformation, masking an unchanged life within.
Authentic transformation happens a different way.
The way to transformation
When Paul writes about being “morphed” in Romans 12:2, he gives a command, but in the passive voice. He doesn’t say, “Transform yourself”; he says, “Be transformed.” We can’t make transformation happen ourselves; it is something God does for us. But what then is our role in it?
1 Corinthians 9:25 says, “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” Here is the reason many people give up on transformation or accept boundary markers as pseudo-transformation: we spend ourselves trying to be transformed, when the Bible calls us to train to be transformed.
There is an enormous difference between trying to do something versus training to do it. Take for example a marathon. How many of us could run a marathon right now? Even if we tried, really, really hard? But many of us could run a marathon eventually, if we trained for it.
When I fi rst went to the Arab World I could not speak Arabic, no matter how hard I tried. But I could be transformed into a fl uent Arabic-speaker with training. I needed to pass my eyes before a new alphabet over and over again and recite with my mouth and with my mind a new vocabulary. Eventually, the training allowed me to become a speaker of Arabic and further continuous daily training transformed me into a fl uent speaker of Arabic.
Authentic spiritual transformation begins with training and discipline. As we train ourselves in godliness, we begin to overcome the limits of sinful patterns. The purpose of that discipline is always freedom—training myself to be free of the obstacles that hinder my transformation.
The training required varies from one person to the next, depending on maturity and the particular sins that need to be addressed. Sins can be loosely divided into two categories: sins of omission (not doing what I ought) and sins of commission (doing what I shouldn’t).
Spiritual transformation is a long-term endeavour. It involves both God and us. Some people try, day after day, to be good, to become spiritually mature. That’s like taking a rowboat across the ocean. It’s exhausting and usually unsuccessful.
Others have given up trying and throw themselves entirely on “relying on God’s grace.” They’re like drifters on a raft.
7
They do nothing but hang on and hope God gets them there.
Neither trying nor drifting is very effective in bringing about spiritual transformation. A better image is the sailboat, in which if it moves at all, it’s because of a gift of the wind. We can’t control the wind, but a good sailor discerns where the wind is blowing and adjusts the sails accordingly.
Working with the Holy Spirit, which Jesus likened to the wind in John 3, means we have a part in discerning the winds, in knowing the direction we need to go, and in training our sails to catch the breezes that God provides.
The church today needs a fresh challenge to look to Jesus, whose whole life pattern and ministry was a testimony of God’s transformation in a sick and broken world. We need to look to Jesus, who gives us the victory. A victory that is transforming. With Jesus as Transformer, the world can never be the same again neither can our communities and our churches.
His victory radicalized and transformed the disciples from men of fear to powerhouses of courage to make a difference on their society. This same Jesus challenges us to go forward, and make a difference in our communities and in our churches. It is morphing time for us throughout the Diocese.
There is a tendency in the Church today to reduce “transformation” to a certain aspect of human life and spirituality. Just as poverty is multi-faceted, so Christian transformation has multiple dimensions to address various problems.
In Walking with the Poor, Bryan Myers suggests several dimensions of Christian transformation that address different aspects of human life.
• A lost soul needs to be transformed into a saved soul.• A dying body needs to be transformed into a nourished
body.• A sick body needs to be transformed into a healed
body.• A broken mind needs to be transformed into a restored
mind.• An unjust social system needs to be transformed into
just social relationships.• Violence needs to be transformed into reconciled
relationships.• Decaying creation needs to be transformed into a
sustaining world.
What aspect of Christian transformation does your church tend to emphasize? Does it emphasize it to the neglect of other dimensions of transformation? If so, why?
Lorna Rode
Lorna is a graduate of STM and since August of 1994 has been a partner with Interserve, Malaysia. She is currently working among Iraqi Refugees in the Arab World. Her home Church which is also her sending Church is St. Paul’s Church, Petaling Jaya
8
CHILL Camp was awesome!!! And I can say that it has really brought me back closer to God. I’ve not attended Christian camps for a long time, and it felt great joining this camp as you can really feel the love of God surrounding each of us - the fellowship that we had there was great! I’ve learnt a lot through this camp.
I’ve learnt a few Swahili words like “Wahabu”, “Umoja”, “Jammi”, and each word has a meaning and a teaching to it. “Wahabu” means God of Love, “Umoja” means unity & harmony, and “Jammi” means one family.
These words best describe our Christian family and this camp. As brothers and sisters in Christ we are surrounded by the love of God and we love each other. We live in unity and harmony, and as one family.
During the camp, we had theme talks on discovering and using our talents. To sum it up, every one of us should use our gifts and talents for God’s glory. Use it or lose it! We should also fi nd joy in the talents that God has given us and be thankful. “And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17.
Before this camp, I struggled a lot with my relationship with God and neglected his Word. But during the camp, I was reminded that the Lord is most important to me and cares
Youth Camp Reflections
8
greatly for us. His love is indescribable and I know this camp had a purpose - to remind me that He is always there for me no matter what; encouraging me to keep walking with him everyday, to hang on to Him, not to give up on Him easily and to use the gifts and talents he has given me for His glory. I am thankful that I got to join this camp and will want to join the next Diocesan English Youth camp organized by the Diocesan Youth Council (DYC)! God Bless.
Elucia Yong All Soul’s Church, Cameron Highlands
Attending youth camps in the past seven years is defi nitely something for me to be proud of. But none of that can be compared to the amount of friends that I have met in all the camps. Attending these Anglican youth camps have built me up spiritually and mentally. If I was able to attend these camps again, I would not miss the chance.
One thing about the camp is that it instils discipline. Waking up early in the mornings, exercising and having devotion together is a refreshing and energizing to start the day. Besides, workshops are always something the campers look forward to. It is where they have fun and interact with others as well as develop their talents. Theme talks are sometimes interesting but campers will somehow doze off during talks... But that is part of the fun right?
Two youths, Elucia Yong and Jared Tan share their views of CHILL Camp (Diocesan English Youth Camp 2008) held in St. John’s Education
Centre, Ipoh from 8-12 Dec 2008 while Loria ak Mickey refl ects on the Bahasa Malaysia Camp held in St. John’s Church, Ipoh from 28- 30 November 2008
English camp
Bahasa Malaysia camp
9
CAWC Tamil Retreat At Port Dickson
The Central Archdeaconry Women’s Committee (CAWC) organized its 2nd Tamil Retreat at Golden Sands Baptist Centre, Port Dickson, from 31 January-
2 February 2009. We were delighted to have 46 ladies from eight churches participating in this retreat.
The theme speaker was Rev Canon John Ganapathy, the Diocesan Missioner. He spoke on “Transformation of Communities in Christ.” At the end of every session, Canon Ganapathy led the ladies in a time of prayer and many were slain in the Spirit. The ladies were given a 15 minute time slot each to share their problems or seek advice and counsel individually. They were given an opportunity to pray with Canon Ganapathy for their particular needs. This proved useful as our objective was to guide the ladies in their spiritual life.
Mr. Johnny Savarimuthu led the ladies through three sessions of self assessment and self development using various assessment tests to help them ‘discover’ and analyze themselves. The sessions enabled the ladies to plan their short term and long term goals. With this ‘discovery’, many felt equipped and motivated to serve God and the Church in a more meaningful way.
The retreat included a Holy Communion Service on Sunday
which was offi ciated by Rev Canon John Ganapathy.
Feedback from participants was positive as they benefi ted from this Retreat. Many shared that they had never been to the seaside in their life. Some of them said that they really deserved this ‘break’ from their normal routine. They felt very refreshed and geared up to return to their churches to encourage other sisters and bring further progress in their respective Women’s Fellowship.
Mrs Nesamani AlexandorCAWC Tamil Programme Coordinator
Di kem ini, saya dapati memberi kesaksian dalam apa yang telah saya alami tentang mujizat Tuhan. Disamping itu, saya amat gembira kerana dapat berkenalan dengan kawan baru dari seluruh Malaysia. Pengalaman ini tidak akan saya lupakan. Rancangan saya selepas pulang dari kem ini ialah saya ingin berkongsi fi rman Tuhan kepada orang lain yang masih memerlukannya dan saya berharap kem Bahasa Melayu ini dapat diteruskan pada masa akan datang.
Di sini saya ingin menyampaikan ucapan kepada semua penganut Kristian iaitu semua perjalanan yang jauh bermula dengan langkah pertama. Jadi seharusnya kita merangcang perjalan yang jauh itu sejak dari langkah pertama lagi. Justeru itu, kesedarang yang tulin daripada semua penganut kristian dipupuk untuk memastikan agama Kristian dapat lebih dihormati oleh agama lain. Disamping itu, peranan dari semua pihak adalah diperlukan bagi memastikan agar gereja sedunia lebih maju suatu hari kelak.
Oleh itu, semailah harapan untuk berjaya dalam fi rman Tuhan. Jadi bermula dari sekarang dan lipat gandakan usaha agar hidup kita lebih diberkati. Semoga nasib kita pada masa hadapan akan lebih menyinar.
Akhir kata, saya sudahi rencana saya dengan satu fi rman Tuhan, “Cahaya itu akan bersama-sama kamu sebentar sahaja. Teruskanlah perjalanan selama cahaya itu masih ada, supaya kamu tidak ditimpa kegelapan. Tidak tahu kemana dia pergi. Percayalah kepada cahaya itu selama cahaya itu bersama-sama kamu, supaya kamu menjadi anak-anak cahaya. (Yohanes 12:35-36)
Loria ak MickeyGereja Angglikan Gerik.
9
Among all the camps that I attended, I enjoyed the seventh one the most. I’m glad that I met a lot of new friends during the worship sessions and workshops. I feel blessed to have talented young Christians around me with the realization tht if we get together, we can do anything for the Lord. The previous camps are fun and memorable too, but the last one will hold a special place in my heart.
I hope more young people will attend the DYC camp in future, so that the number of campers will grow and the facilitators will make the camps better and more interesting year by year. God is good all the time.
Jared Tan Thuan Hoo St Paul’s Church, Slim River.
Kem Bahasa Malaysia
Aluan tentang perjalanan saya semasa kem Bahasa Melayu di St.John Church, Ipoh pada 28 hingga 30 November 2008 untuk renungan kita bersama.
Sepanjang kem Bahasa Melayu ini, saya telah dapat banyak pelajari tentang fi rman Tuhan yang diajar oleh Pastor Lily. Pelajaran yang telah saya pelajari dalam kem Bahasa Melayu ini ialah tentang keselamatan Tuhan, fi rman Tuhan, berkat Tuhan, menjadi berjaya dalam mata Tuhan dan bersaksi kepada dunia tentang mujizat Tuhan Yesus.
Kem ini telah memberi kesedaran kepada saya agar tiada yang lebih penting daripada Tuhan Yesus kita. Saya amat bersyukur kepada Tuhan yang telah memberi saya peluang untuk menyertai kem Bahasa Melayu ini walaupun kem ini adalah kali kedua yang telah sertai.
10
History of the Anglican Mission in South East Asia
1850 - One Diocese of Singapore, Kuching & Labuan1900 - Three dioceses were formed: Diocese of
Singapore (which includes Malaya), Diocese of Kuching (for Sarawak), and Diocese of Labuan (for North Borneo)
1968 - A separate Diocese of West Malaysia was formed.
It was only in 1996, that the four dioceses came together to form the Province of South East Asia: Diocese of Kuching (covers Sarawak and Brunei), Diocese of Sabah, Diocese of West Malaysia, and the Diocese of Singapore.
PROSEAMS (Province of South East Asia Mission Services)
AIM: To form dioceses in other SEA countries especially in Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos (and Nepal). At present the Anglican churches in these countries, called Deaneries, are under the Singapore Diocese.
Deanery of Thailand: Although Christ Church Bangkok has been in existence since 1864 and has served the expatriates in the city, the Anglican work among the Thais started only in 1991. The church now has about 130 members, with two daughter churches in Ban Chang and Sawang Daendin Districts. A new plant was started in Korat in 2002. There are also six churches among the hill tribes in northern Thailand. A popular kindergarten was also established in 1999 in Bangkok. The ACT (Anglican Church of Thailand) also ministers to the Karen refugees from Myanmar along the border. Rev Yee Chin Wah is the current Dean who can speak fl uent Thai. The Diocese of West Malaysia has been asked to start Anglican work in South Thailand.
Deanery of Cambodia: The fi rst Anglican Church, approved by King Sihanouk, is The Church of Christ Our Peace which was opened in 1993. Since then, the work has extended to 5 provinces in Cambodia, namely Kandal, Svay Riena, Takeo, Kampong Speu and Pursat. Altogether there are about 20 congregations and outreaches across three language groups - Khmer, English and Mandarin. The Chinese-speaking church serves the local Chinese and expatriates from China. Rev Isaiah Chaw has been posted there for more than a year. There is also a boarding school run by St Andrew’s Cathedral. Rev Mok Wai Mun, with his wife, was serving there for more than 8 years and can speak fl uent Khmer.
Anglican Mission In South East Asia
In July 2007, a local Khmer, Rev Tit Hieng, was appointed Chairman of the church. Deanery of Laos: Since there are government restrictions on the formation of a church, an NGO called ARDA (Anglican Relief and Development Agency) was licensed in 1992 to operate in the fi eld of education with language centres in Ventiane, Luang Prabang in the north and Pakse in the south. There are also vocational training facilities provided by expatriate Christians from several countries and various denominations.
Deanery of Vietnam: Given the unclear policy on foreign missions, the work consists of a kindergarten
and an English language centre in Hanoi and assisting a medical clinic run by Vietnamese Christian staff in a poor area. It also seeks to help teens with unwanted pregnancies and sends mobile teams to rural areas.
Deanery of Nepal: The Anglican Church of Nepal was founded in 1999 when several churches joined the Diocese of Singapore. At present, there are 1500 baptised members who gather in 35 churches. Most of them are tribal peoples in the mountains. Four churches are in the capital city of Kathmandu. The Deanery seeks to create
social services to address the poverty and provide leadership training to strengthen the churches.
(Myanmar has its own Province with four dioceses. However our province has made several links, at both diocesan and parish levels especially after the tragic cyclone in May 2008. Mission trips have been made regularly to help the rehabilitation of the victims.)
Deanery of Indonesia: The fi rst English-speaking church is the All-Saints Church in Jakarta which became a colonial chaplaincy and an international church for the last 50 years. Since 1993, when the Deanery was established, GAI (Gereja Anglikan Indonesia) has 6 churches and 25 congregations in Batam and Bintan (Riau Archipelago), Medan, Jakarta, Bandung, and Surabaya. In 2004, a training centre called Institut Anglikan Indonesia was started in Bandung to equip GAI pastors and workers. With the help of the Diocese of Kuching, a church was started in Pontianak (West Kalimantan) and with the help of the Diocese of Sabah, two churches were formed in Tarakan and Nunukan (East Kalimantan). The Diocese of West Malaysia will be assisting the work in Medan.
Canon Dr Teoh Soong KeeNext issue: Ministry in Medan
11
be Rev. Wong Kim Kong, Dr. Denison Jayasooria and Ms. Elizabeth Alfred.
At the Archdeaconry Level there are Bible Study Modules in the handbook which can be used. There will also be Public Lectures/Symposiums by Dr. Lim Kar Yong from STM in each Archdeaconry. There is also the Fish Pond project in March 2009 at an Orang Asli Village.
The Parish & Individual Level is where communities often get their fi rst glimpse at what Christian living and charity is about. Observances include World Environment Day (5 June 2009) and World AIDS Day (1 Dec 2009).
A special liturgy from the Handbook is encouraged for use on every fi rst Sunday of each month. Church members are encouraged to hold “Open House/Rumah Terbuka” for special feast days, for example, at Easter & Christmas.
Parishes are also called to challenge local churches to engage or adopt at least one communal service or project. For example, there is a project to create a Fish Pond for the Orang Asli in a remote kampong near Gopeng to help them become self-suffi cient. Those involved come from auxiliary bodies of St. Mary’s Cathedral, St. Barnabas (Klang) and possibly St. James (Sentul).
Other suggestions for local churches include encouraging members to choose a day each month when they will not drive cars, organise Corporate Prayer walks and Praise Concerts and work with local Members of Parliament for the community.
The Diocesan Handbook with the CD together can be purchased at RM10 each from St. Mary’s Cathedral, Jalan Raja, 50050 Kuala Lumpur (Tel: 03-26928672)03-26945470).
presentation in English, Mandarin and Tamil by the Dean that can be used in church services on the theme.
In his foreword, Dean Jason says “The 2009 theme, ‘Transformation of Communities in Christ’, comes full circle following the trail of the previous years’ themes that focused on transformation of individuals, families and congregations. All these themes were primarily concentrated on the community of the faith. 2009’s theme is much more challenging as it will focus on engaging the community of faith with society, which has always been both a thorn and an inspiration for the Church. The community is our fi eld and that is where the Church should be. Historically, the wider community has always posed strong challenges to the faithful from the perspectives of mission and evangelism.”
In his powerpoint presentation, the Dean explains that the main emphasis of the theme will be on Mission & Evangelism and the overriding theme will be under-girded and formed by Scripture, shaped through worship and prayer, ordered for communion and fellowship and above all, directed by God’s commission.
The objectives of the year are to promote the theme, set the appropriate Biblical framework in engaging with communities, create awareness among churches in identifying and meeting the needs of their respective local communities and develop a Christian model of church-based community work that can be replicated.
Strategies and measures identifi ed have been categorized into four broad levels: Provincial, Diocesan, Archdeaconry and Parish & Individual.
At the Provincial Level, two mission trips are planned for our members to visit Nepal. These will be from 29 May-6 June (led by Mr. James Chee with spiritual leadership from Canon John Ganapathy) and from 5-13 June (headed by Canon Fred David supported with spiritual leadership from Rev David Rajiah). At the Diocesan Level, initiatives will include the continuation of exchange programmes with the Lichfi eld Diocese, promotion of a Resource Book: “The Gift of Daily Bread” by Rev. Peter Young and a Diocesan Lenten Booklet on the theme (written mainly by Rev. Peter Young) which is also being translated into Chinese and Tamil.
All Diocesan bodies are asked to strictly adhere to the Diocesan theme. Approaches could include visits to various community-based services nearby especially those ministered to by the Anglican Church. In addition, “12 noon intercessions” plus the tolling of the church bells (if applicable) may be held.
There will also be a Diocesan Conference for Community Workers/Care-givers at St. Mark’s Cozy Home, Sungai Buloh from 30 April-2 May 2009. Speakers will
St George’s Penang Closed For Restoration
* cont’d from page 1
St George’s Church Penang will be closed for one year for restoration and conservation as
a heritage building and Malaysian monument. A de-commissioning service was held on 8 March 2009 at the 9.30am service. Church furniture and other heritage items are currently being inventoried and sent for storage, while appliances and fi xtures such as air-conditioners, sound systems, electrical wiring, are being removed. This will enable the architect as well as conservationist experts appointed
by Badan Warisan to carry out detailed site documentation/studies and prepare the tendering drawings and documents.
Tenders will be called in early April, and physical renovation is targeted to start by June. While the restoration project is scheduled to be completed by July 2010, this is only a projection as contingencies should be expected. In the interim, Sunday services and Sunday School will be held on the ground and fi rst fl oors respectively of the renovated Parish Hall.
New Diocesan Theme
Some of the recipients of the tokens of appreciation
11
12
ResurrectionHe is risen!Three brief words so poignant in their meaningThat none in any language can compareIn wonder and amazement: three words utteredBy a million throats, and loosed upon the airIn a triumphant shout of joy and gladnessWherever great cathedral choirs standTo voice that rapture, or where hymns are liftedIn small and simple churches of the land.
He is risen!The echo from that far-off Easter morningSounds out today like some clear silver bell,And we are back within an ancient garden,The living Christ is there, and all is well.We cry the words aloud one to another,So sad we were, so desperate was our needThat now we meet with this our joyous greeting:“The Lord is risen! The Lord is risen indeed!”
Grace Noll Crowell
There is love at the cross of Jesus, an everlasting loveThat could leave the courts of heaven and the glory of God above,That could come to a world of evil for the sake of the sinners lost,That could drain the cup of anguish and never count the cost.
There is light at the cross of Jesus, though dark is the world around.It was there he opened heaven and the way to God was found.It was there the tempest gathered and broke his thorn-crowned head,When he bore our stripes and sorrows, and suffered in our stead.
There is peace at the cross of Jesus where God was reconciled,Where we know our sins forgiven, and hear him say, “My child,”Where he bore the world’s transgressions and all our debt was paid,Where the weight of the Father’s anger on his tender heart was laid.
There is life at the cross of Jesus where the victory was won,Where sin and death were conquered by the sinless, deathless One.O grave, where is thy triumph? O death, where is they sting?For the Lord of Life and Glory passed through thy gates a King!
Annie Johnson Flint
At the Cross of Jesus
diocesan events in 200914 – 17 April 2009
Joint WM – Singapore Chinese Clergy Retreat,Kuala Trengganu
30 Apr – 2 May 2009
First Diocesan Care-Givers Conference, St Mark’s Cozy Home, Sg. Buloh
1 – 2 May 2009 Chinese Board AGM & Seminar, Sunway Damansara Anglican Church
8 – 9 May 2009 Tamil Board AGM & Prayer Conference, Butterworth
1 – 3 June 2009 Diocesan Women Conference, Cheras Kuala Lumpur
1 – 5 June 2009 Tamil Youth Camp, Banting
5 – 7 June 2009 Tamil Young Adults’ Conference, Penang
3 July 2009 Ordination Service, St James’ KL
4 July 2009 Diocesan Men’s Conference, KL
11 – 14 July 2009 Persidangan Belia Anglican
18 July 2009 Diocesan Prayer Conference
28 – 31 July 2009
Provincial Special Synod, Kuala Terengganu
6 August 2009 STM 30th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service, Seremban
7 – 9 August 2009
Diocesan Golden Circle Conference, Kota Baru Kelantan
25 – 27 August 2009
Diocesan Synod, Hotel Empress, Sepang
29 - 31 August 2009
Diocesan Iban Conference, Kemaman
19 – 21 September 2009
BM Seminar, St Mary’s Cathedral KL
15 – 17 October 2009
Mission Conference (Tamil)
26 – 28 October 2009
Senior Clergy & Standing Committee & DSIC Retreat
20 – 22 November 2009
Second Diocesan Lay Pastors’ School, Cozy Home Sg. Buloh
