wfn.org | Small Rural Church Rebuilds and Reopens in Taiwan

["pctpress" <pctpress@ms1.hinet.net>]

Taiwan Church News 2728, 7 - 13 June 2004
Reported by Yang Shu-hao. Translated and Rewritten by David Alexander

With songs of thanksgiving and praise the Hbun Presbyterian Church, an
Aboriginal congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, celebrated the
dedication of new facilities in Ulay Township near Taipei a week ago.  The
Rev. Temu Beho, retired already from nearby Rahaw Presbyterian Church, led
the
congregation through its rebuilding program. At the ceremony he encouraged
church members to reflect on their experience of God's abundant grace in
their
recent endeavor, reaffirm their faith in themselves, and help the church to
stand up as a self-governing congregation soon.

Temu Beho says that Hbun Church is the most precariously situated of five PCT
congregations in Ulay. It has long been without a resident minister; its
members' faith at times appears to be very weak and its old stone chapel had
deteriorated.  With only 20-some members it suffers financial straits.
Because
the building fund was empty, little thought was given to reconstruction.  So
a
Korean Presbyterian Church in Taipei stepped in and supported the rebuilding
project from beginning to end.

That unselfish action inspired the members to renew their faith in God and
their feelings of responsibility for their congregation and its facility.

The new building has three floors. Education facilities are on the ground
floor with a worship hall above.  The purpose of the top floor is not yet
determined, but suggestions of equipping it to be used as a guest-house have
been made.

As the renewed congregation worships and prays it hopes for a plains
(non-Aboriginal) church to come alongside as a partner in ministry to the
poor
of Ulay.

For More Information: Temu Beho +886 2 26616466
Tayal Presbytery tayal.batu@msa.hinet.net
Taipei Korean Presbyterian Church FAX +886 2 2521 1004
Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Taiwan's local languages.
Visit our web site: www.pctpress.com.tw