wfn.org | Presbyterians Participate in Bishop Ting's

[PCUSA_NEWS@ecunet.org]

26-Sep-95

95335       Presbyterians Participate in Bishop Ting's 
                      Birthday Celebration  
 
                         By Julian Shipp 
 
NANJING, China--Fresh from attending the United Nation's Fourth World 
Conference on Women and the Non-Governmental Forum in Beijing, 35 people in 
the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) travel/study seminar to China shared in a 
birthday celebration Sept. 7 for Bishop K.H. Ting, president of the China 
Christian Council. 
 
     Ting, who was born Sept. 20, 1915, prematurely observed his 80th 
birthday at Nanjing Union Theological Seminary. The historic seminary 
reopened in 1981 after being closed nearly 50 years during China's 
"cultural revolution." Ting was elected first president of Nanjing Seminary 
in 1952. 
 
     "I am delighted to have you all here," Ting told the group of 
Presbyterians, seminary students, administrators, teachers and Amity 
Foundation representatives. "We are extremely happy to welcome visitors 
from abroad because your presence stresses the unification of our faith in 
Jesus Christ." 
 
     As the postdenominational Christian movement grows in China, Ting 
said, one of the seminary's key responsibilities is to ensure the 
continuance of strong leadership training. He said there are about 30,000 
public buildings in China used for worship, yet not all are accessible to 
the masses. 
 
     Consequently, Ting said, tens of thousands of Chinese worshipers meet 
in homes, a trend, he said, he expects will continue. 
 
     Organized in 1952, Nanjing Union Theological Seminary is a Protestant 
church-related institution offering professional, academic education for 
the ministry. It also trains theological teachers, research workers, and 
Christian writers, musicians and artists. 
 
     Established through the union of 12 theological colleges and schools, 
and united with Yenjing Union Theological Seminary in 1961, Nanjing 
Seminary has trained hundreds of Christian workers who are now serving the 
church in several Chinese provinces. 
                  
     Following his remarks, Ting was given several gifts by the 
Presbyterians and had the honor of cutting his birthday cake. 
 
     Jean Woo, special assistant for the Worldwide Ministries Division's 
China Program, based in New York City, said Ting's appearance marked a high 
point in the group's visit to China, especially considering his busy 
schedule. 
 
     "We were fortunate and blessed to have met him," said Ann Hale 
Johnson, one of the travel/study seminar participants from Washington, 
D.C., in National Capital Presbytery. 
 
 

------------
For more information contact Presbyterian News Service
  Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Louisville, KY 40202
  phone 502-569-5504            fax 502-569-8073  
  E-mail PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org   Web page: http://www.pcusa.org 

--