Three Taiwan Churches Join Neighbours to Meet Local Needs
Taiwan Church News 2828 8-14 May 2006
Reported by Lin Wei-tao. Written by David Alexander
Concern for the needs of Aboriginal people dwelling in Chia-yi City on the plains in Southern Taiwan are being met through an alliance of three local Presbyterian Churches and local neighborhood associations. On the 7th of May a joint activity, including a service of Christian worship and a flea-market, was held on the Hong-dou neighborhood. It was partially sponsored by Chia-en Presbyterian church, Chia-shan Aboriginal Presbyterian Church and the Chia-yi City Christian Social Welfare Charity Foundation. The occasion was a week-early marking of Mother¡¦s Day (which is observed on the second Sunday of May in this nation).
The first ¡§item of business¡¨ was an act of Christian worship. It was led by the pastor of Chia-en church, and the Rev. Mo¡¦o Ucna of Chia-shan church preached the sermon. An elder who is head of the foundation¡¦s board led the prayers. A special ceremony was observed for all mothers over 70 years of age in the neighborhood. A list of their names was obtained through cooperation from the district government, and all who attended were presented with an electric cooker. Though most of these women are not Christians, they, nonetheless, were happy to attend an event at which they would be so honored.
The event was also used by Chia-shan Aboriginal Presbyterian Church to lay its own history and needs before the neighborhood residents. The congregation is composed of people from the Tsou Aboriginal tribe, one of Taiwan¡¦s smallest. Since it was established in the city many years ago, it has moved 4 times, originally between rented locations. Eventually the Tsou District of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan and the Christian Social Welfare Foundation teamed up to help the congregation purchase a fixed home, but the church still owes 3 million Taiwan Yuan (US$95,470) on its mortgage.
For more information: Chia Shan Presbyterian Church TEL +886 5 2744275
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