wfn.org | Taiwan Church News Short Notes from Issue # 2754

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Taiwan Church News 2754, 6 to 12 December 2004
Selected, translated & rewritten by David Alexander

Alumni from Two Seminaries Jointly Fete Returnee
(Reported by Lin Yi-ying and Yang Shu-hao)
In an historical moment, alumni from Taiwan Theological College in Taipei and
Tainan Theological College in Tainan, both schools associated with the
Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT), held a joint dinner which was attended
by
more than 100 people.  Ostensibly to celebrate Christmas, they also welcomed
the Rev. Dr. Hsiao Ching-fen, former president of Tainan Theological College,
back to Taiwan from his retirement home in the USA.  Rev. Carl Chen, pastor
of
North Gate Church in Taipei (and an alumnus of Tainan) said that this was the
first time in his memory that such a joint meeting was ever scheduled.	The
Rev. Tsai Hsing-seng, pastor of Ta-chr Presbyterian Church (and an alumnus of
Taiwan Theological College) spoke of the strangeness and wonder that
accompanied these two schools' alumni getting together socially.

Dr. Hsiao returned to Taiwan to support his daughter, Hsiao Bi-khim, who is
running for a seat in Taiwan's parliament in the election slated for December
11. Ms Hsiao herself attended the banquet and, among other comments, thanked
PCT associate general secretary Lim Chong-cheng for his advice and support in
her campaign. The assembled alumni joined in prayer for the daughter of a
fellow pastor as she seeks office and prayed that God will also protect
Taiwan's current democratic society.

For More Information: Hsiao Ching-fen  hsiaocf@interserve.com
		      Hsiao Bi-khim ly10976b@ly.gov.tw

Taiwanese Churches Ecumenically Mark AIDS Sunday
(Reported by Gu Hao-jan)

Baptists, Roman Catholics, Anglicans and Presbyterians marked AIDS Sunday in
a
simple ceremony of music, prayers and candle lighting on December 5th.
Taiwan's AIDS Education Foundation organized the event.

A choir composed of women from Presbyterian Churches in Taipei sang, "I Come
Before you in Prayer." Protestant and Roman Catholic clergy led prayers, and
laypeople, including a representative of Taiwan's Department of Health, lit
candles.

For More Information: AIDS Education Foundation www.aidscare.org.tw
		      mercyh@ms42.hinet.net

Aboriginal Presbytery Celebrates 40th Anniversary
(Reported by Tong Chun-hwa)

The Paiwan Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) celebrated
its 40th anniversary with a grand assembly on 28 and 29 November under the
theme of "Promote the Flame of Mission."  On the first day there were
presentations of Paiwan church history and testimonies of God's mercy,
salvation and love.

The second day's celebration's included athletic contests between church
teams
and a large-scale act of worship and thanksgiving.  The Rev. Yang Chi-shou,
former General Secretary of the PCT and former president of Yushan
Theological
College (where many Aboriginal clergy took their theological degrees), spoke
on Unity and Gospel Promotion.	He said that the event should not just mark
forty years of history but also a proclamation of repentance. Churches must
be
communities of mutual live, concern, and proclamation of the love and gospel
of Jesus Christ.

During the service of worship 42 persons received baptism.

Following the benediction, prizes for the athletic contests were awarded. The
Der-wen Church team took first prize in volleyball. The tug-of-war was won by
the Ping-ho Church team.

For more information:  Paiwan Presbytery z2547@ms47.hinet.net

Leader of Taiwan's Independence Movement Receives Christian Baptism

(Reported by Li Hsin-ren)
Mr. Huang Jau-tang, leader of the Alliance for Taiwan Independence, was
baptized at Ki-kwang Presbyterian Church on 5th December. Many political and
church dignitaries were in attendance for the event.  Mr. Huang expressed a
hope that his initiation into the church will be followed by close and
continuing guidance by the Holy Spirit and by clear choices on his own part.

In testimony regarding his decision, Mr. Huang reflected that both as a youth
in school and during his years of exile in Japan (from where he led the
independence movement) he had received care from Christians. Now aged, he has
joyfully decided to present himself for baptism as a sign of his conversion.
He said, "Apart from the sermons I hear, what most gives me peace and joy in
church is the singing, which moves me.	I think this is a sign of the Holy
Spirit's work in me."

When the time came for the water to be sprinkled on his brow clergy and
church
elders who had struggled with him for Taiwan's independence surrounded Mr.
Huang.	The Rev. Hsu Cheng-tao administered the sacrament.

For more information: Ki-kwang Presbyterian Church gigong@netwon.org.tw
						  www.gigong.disciple.com.tw

Presbyterians Participate in Rally for Taiwan's True Name and a New
Constitution

(Reported by Li Hsin-ren)
Several members and ministers of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT)
joined a parade and demonstration calling for the drafting of a new
constitution for Taiwan and the use of the nation's true name on 5th
December.
Former General Secretary Dr. C.M. Kao, who joined the march, said that under
the previous leadership of the Chinese Nationalist Party Taiwan had become a
second-class state.  He said that the constitution and legal structures of
the
Republic of China had been imposed upon Taiwan's people, who must now break
these shackles by means of recovery of the nation's true name and the
drafting
of a new constitution.

The General Assembly of the PCT neither endorsed the demonstration nor sent
an
official delegation to participate therein.  A letter announcing the event
from the Church and Society Committee had been sent to several congregations
in the Taipei area. Church members who attended were self-motivated.  William
J. K. Lo, the current General Secretary, was present as a member of a
delegation of grassroots organization officers, not as a church
representative.

The parade ended in front of Taipei's presidential office building. Chen
Ing-tsan, a member of the Taipei City Council, made introductory remarks
before Dr. Kao gave an address.  Chen said that the PCT's faith showed people
how to care for Taiwan's democracy. He related how the church had made
statements in the 1970's, while Taiwan was under an authoritarian,
martial-law
government, on the subjects of the nation's future and even called for the
establishment of anew and independent country as early as 1977.  In this way,
he said, the PCT was a leading group in the struggle for the restoration and
use of Taiwan's true name.

When Dr. Kao finally was allowed to speak, he mentioned surveys that indicate
84% of Taiwan's people oppose the unification of this country with China.  He
said that drafting a new constitution is necessary in order to assert the
nation's independence and identity.

For more information: C. M. Kao  FAX +886 6 2995075

Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Taiwan's local languages.
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