Tree of Life Newsletter July - September 2015
Transcription
Tree of Life Newsletter July - September 2015
July - September 2015 Edition # 3 T he Tree of Life Theme: Chosen People: Called to proclaim 1 Peter 2: 9 & 10. (based on the Good News translation) Dates: Monday 29th August - 3rd September 2016, Houston, Texas. Get World Assembly update every Tuesday on Federation Web site: wfmucw.org & Weaving Together a Community in Christ Contents 1. Weaving Together a Community in Christ ................1, 4 & 5 (Weaving Together Programme & Area Seminar) Bambelela - never, never give up - Christ is our Hope', was the theme that resounded at the 12th World Assembly of the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women World Assembly at Johannesburg, August, 2011. The message of hope resounded to all the Nine Areas of the Federation. The South Asia Area claimed this promise, Asha... CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY” (Colossians 1:24, 25). (Asha- meaning Hope in the Indian language). Hope is a gift that God extends to us. Thus the source of such a hope is the Power of the Holy Sprit within us. The East Asia Area recognize “WALKING IN THE SPIRIT” (Gal. 5:16). The promise of the power of Christ in us is our only Hope, a firm foundation to walk in the Spirit. ASIAN AREAS 2. Editorial .......................2 EAST ASIA AREA SOUTH ASIA AREA 3. President's Pen ..........2 4. Asian Areas: East Asia AreaAffiliated Units:...1-3 & 4 5. Asian Areas: South Asia Area- Laureen Ong President Rita Doloksaribu Vice President Affiliated Units: Affiliated Units:...1-5&6 Hong Kong : The Methodist Church 6. Exploring the Psalms.......................7 7. Meditation: Mountain Garizm and Mountain Ebal ...........8 Sarojini Nagendran President Indonesia : The Methodist Church Korea : The Methodist Church Malaysia : The Methodist Church: Philippines : United Church of Christ in the Philippines Singapore : The Methodist Church: Taiwan : The Republic of China : Affiliated Units: India Japan : United Church of Christ Contd on..........page 3 & 4 : Church of North India Church of South India Methodist Church in India Myanmar : Methodist Church of Myanmar- (Lower Myanmar) Pakistan : Women's Synodical Church of Pakistan Sri Lanka : Methodist Church of Sri Lanka The Methodist Church: Associate Units Margarette Mu Mu Than Vice President Contd on..........page 5 & 6 The Tree of Life 1 T he Tree of Life Editorial To the many women who cannot attend the World Federation World Assemblies – the Area Seminars are the next best event for them to attend. Each Area has several local Units and Countries providing a beautiful blend of languages, traditions, cultures etc.; and each Area is different but yet is similar in some aspects. One similarity that stands out is the pivotal role of women. Whether in homes, communities, church – yea even the world - their role cannot be taken lightly – for we do make a difference. But we need to ask ourselves if the difference we make works towards a better world? Whilst on one hand there President's Pen I'm sitting at the airport in Houston, Texas, after the World Methodist Council Steering Committee meeting at the Hilton Hotel where our World Methodist Conference and the Federation Assembly will be held next year. My plane has been delayed and I've been put on another flight to get me to LosAngeles in time for my Melbourne flight. I'm feeling fairly miserable! I have just had the paramedics called to assess me after I passed out. Luckily I knew I wasn't well and lay on the floor! During the meeting I apparently had a severe panic attack and became catatonic and was taken to hospital. I have no recall of this. In both of these episodes I have experienced wonderful care. Firstly from Emmy Lou John, our Archivist, who accompanied me to hospital and even paid the bills till my insurance can be claimed! And now at the airport both medical and airline staff have been most attentive and July - September 2015 Edition # 3 is development on all fronts – on the other there are problems and issues that are diverse, complex and so very distressing. THIS IS THE REALITY OF LIFE - the reality of brokenness, stress, hurts, handicaps and/or pain. traumatic childhood, broken family, ill health...” Yes, we can list all that went wrong or is wrong in our lives. Selfrecognition is important and can be a strengthening tool to our determination to take action to bring about change. Perhaps the real task for each one of us is to begin to see and accept that brokenness - our own and of others - and seek God’s guidance to work towards healing. How affected are we at the plight of those who suffer? What bold actions are we willing to take or have taken as we struggle against injustices and atrocities committed against women? Do we listen to and empathise with our sisters? Are we willing to be used by God to reach out, to minister to our sisters? Or are we weighed down with our own circumstances and problems; [or even by our own culture and/or traditions], and fearful of rising above all that holds us down? Some may say, “I have nothing worthwhile to offer...” or ”I have too many hurts, a Richard Rohr, a Christian writer says, “the place of the wound is the place of healing. The place of the break is place of the greatest strength.” * Our Christian faith affirms this – that Christ’s wounds are the place where God’s healing touches each of us helpful. Isn't it good when you experience the best of humanity? "When outsiders who have never heard of God's law follow it more or less by instinct, they confirm its truth by their obedience. They show that God's law is not something alien, imposed on us from without, but woven into the very fabric of our creation. There is something deep within them that echoes God's yes and no, right and wrong." Romans 2:14 & 15 The Message. But isn't it awful when you get caught up in your own minor troubles when so many in the world are in life-threatening situations? None of us can have escaped the stories of the refugees heading for safety in Europe. And how wonderful to hear the stories of welcome and assistance that so many have given them. Those of us living in other areas may feel inadequate and overwhelmed by this crisis, but I am sure your churches have ways of responding in which you can participate. And, of course, we are all praying people who know the power of prayer to change lives, situations and events. So, Federation, get praying ( and being informed, proactive where you can be, and generous in whatever way you are able.) I am sure the stress of planning the Assembly from a distance, of coping with the changes the Conference organisers are making which affect our Prayer: Lord all around I see the stark reality of suffering, brokenness, stress, hurts, handicaps and pain. Lord, inflame my heart with your love to reach out, touch and make this world a better place whenever and wherever I can. Amen. *Richard Rohr, Breathing Under Water, audiocassette Dorothy Kumar plans, the difficulties seem to be having in convincing them that the Federation must have its own space and agenda, and the on-going money situation are all small in reality. And we shall get there! My time with the Local Arrangements Committee was profitable and we are well on the way with our preparations. I hope you are reading the weekly updates on line and are getting ready to register! So what has this time taught me? Don't by too concerned with your minor worries. Be grateful for those around you who are so caring. And reach out where you can to those whose needs are far greater than yours. Matthew 6 : 30 & 34 The Message. " If God gives such attention to the wild flowers - most of which are never ever seen - don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." Blessings on you all. Shalom, Ann 2 T he Tree of Life Contd from..........page 1 July - September 2015 Edition # 3 EAST ASIA AREA We give grateful thanks to our Almighty Father in Heaven as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of The World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women. East Asia Area Units remember the passion and obedience of two great women Helen Kim, founder of The World Federation of Methodist Women, and Lucy Wang who was inspired to create the World Federation logo, the Tree of Life. Their actions started a line of splendour across the nations, binding a sisterhood of Methodists and Uniting church women to fulfil the purpose of knowing Christ and to make Him known. We also remember the great women missionaries in our lands so that we may share Christ with our fellowmen. Overcoming natural disasters and poverty is a continuous struggle in some countries in Asia. Women are natural helpers, thus, coming to the aid of victims of earthquakes, typhoons and effects of harmful chemical spills. The women from East Asia Area render financial aid and visits during mission trips thus creating awareness and raising funds for rehabilitation and restoration. Leadership training is an essential process to develop and empower leaders for dynamic leadership. Units c o n t i n u e t o m e e t r e g u l a r l y, encouraging one another to greater works for Gods glory. Young women are innovative to achieve greater heights. On home ground women organise seminar s and conferences to strengthen families ; thus at such gatherings they build a deeper bond of relationship and are led to pray for one another. Beyond their land the women extend love through social actions and missions to express the glory of God in their lives. We greet our sisters in the World Federation with fond friendship and look forward to meet new friends as we gather at the next World Assembly. May Christ bind us together in Him, as we journey on which ends in victory. Our Hope is in Christ to fill us with the Holy Spirit to be the women God wants of us. Bambelela- Christ is our hope! President EAA Laureen Ong BAMBELELA CHRIST IS OUR HOPE! EAST ASIA AREA World Federation of Methodist & Uniting Church Women Consists: Indonesia, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Taiwan Women leaders from East Asia Unit (Indonesia, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Cambodia) gathered in Singapore in 2014 for the 10th East Asia Area Seminar to renew friendships and to bond for a better future. They shared dreams and current ministries to bring hope to women in their land and beyond. Ministries in Evangelism, Missions, Prayer, Social Action and Leadership Trainings were passionately shared among the leaders to spur one another to greater works. Indonesia Hong Kong Singapore Mrs Chan Hui Min President Taiwan Ms Alice Jawan President Malaysia Mrs Cora de Factor President Philippines Some countries were devastated by natural disasters, typhoons, earthquakes, but God in His sovereignty and mercy, empowered sisters to rise in the midst of crisis to render aid in garnering volunteers, financial aid and skills to help rebuild homes and establish rehabilitation. 3 T he Tree of Life Contd from..........page 3 July - September 2015 Edition # 3 EAST ASIA AREA HOPE AND PLANS FOR LEADERSHIP RENEWAL With continuing leadership trainings across East Asia, young women are encouraged to take up the challenge of leadership in women's ministries and in the church. A highlight of the EAA Seminar was a Dialogue session among the senior and younger leadership, led by Rev Dr Heasun Kim, Scranton Womens Leadership Centre, Korea and Ms Emma Cantor Missionary for Asia UMW, and facilitated by the young women. Rev Hikari Chang Rev Dr Heasun Kim Japan, Wesley Foundation, Japan Director, Scranton Womens Leadership Centre, Korea Young women of East Asia - In the course of leadership trainings for the women and younger women, the awesome experience of being on the ground in mission trips provided golden opportunities for them to show love and compassion. East Area Seminar Choir It was a time of dancing and singing and laughter as the thread of the Spirit weaved the women together. Dance item by Taiwan Unit PRAYER Hallmark of the women were evident in their prayers and perseverance - not to give up hope but to offer hope to those who are in need. Built upon the strong foundation of her predecessors, East Asia continue to move forward in the empowerment, faithfulness and promises of God for the women in Asia. “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love so that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge: - Colossians 2L 2-34 (NIV) All Glory be to God Praise the Lord! Mrs Laureen Ong President East Asia Area 4 T he Tree of Life Contd from..........page 1 July - September 2015 Edition # 3 SOUTH ASIA AREA With praise and thanksgiving to God, we were able to hold the South Asia Area WTP & Seminar from the 22nd 27th January, 2013in Bangalore, India. Both the WTP & Seminar was a success. It was an excellent Venue, large and spacious accommodation, delicious Meals and Rooms for Workshops and Market place. Delegates were from Sri Lanka , Myanmar, All India WSCS, Church of South India and Church of North India and observers attended. Although information and invitations etc had been sent to all the Units in South Asia, a year ahead, it is regretted that Pakistan did not attend the WTP and Seminar. The WTP was held from on the 22nd and 23rd of January, 2013, preceding the Seminar and was conducted , by all the World Officers, and Unit Presidents of MCI, CSI and CNI, India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar, Upper Myanmar and Lower Myanmar Bible Studies and Creative and Instructive Workshops were conducted by experienced Resource persons and all were very well attended. The delegates enjoyed a sightseeing trip to the Historic city of Mysore. The Sunday Worship at the Church of South India, close to the venue brought the proceedings to a close. Sarojini Nagendran President South Asia Area South Asia Area Seminar: Theme: ASHA Christ is our Hope Christ is in you; therefore, you can look forward to sharing In God's glory. Col 1:27 (Message) Holding High their Banners & Country Flags, they marched singing “Great is Thy Faithfulness Inauguration of the Seminar: Lighting of the Lamp: Mrs. Ann Connan, President WFMUCW 5 T he Tree of Life July - September 2015 WORKSHOPS Life Enrichment Workshops l l l l l Helps For Leading Bible Study Healthy Eating Healthy Living Women's Basic Medical Health Prayer Life, A Christian's Vital Breath Bringing Justice And Peace Edition # 3 MARKET PLACE Creative Workshops l l l l l Chocolate Making Basic Cake Decoration Jewellery Making Kimchee Making l Laddu Making Ideas to reduce, reuse, recycle. FUN AND FELLOWSHIP THURSDAY IN BLACK THE PARTICIPANTS: SPIRITED CULTURAL DANCES Area President: Sarojini Nagendran Vice President: Margarette Mumu Than Seminar Coordinator: Dorothy S Kumar 6 T he Tree of Life Exploring the Psalms By Joan Stott PSALM 139:13-18a “Counting our responses to God.......” “....You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvellous how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand...!” The psalmist marvels at how intricately The Tender Touch of God Enter Christ’s workshop We s o m e t i m e s l o s e t h e r e a l implications of the loving saying “Come unto me all you that labour and are heavy laden and I shall refresh you”. The exquisite tenderness of the opening words obscures the bracing note on which they end. “I shall refresh” is nearer the original meaning than “ I shall give you rest”. Christ is saying “I shall freshen you up for July - September 2015 he was made: “…Thank you for making me so wonder fully complex…”; and rejoices in God's intimate knowledge and desire to know him perfectly. The psalmist claims that God's loving thoughts about each individual human being are simply beyond counting! We are now in the season of the Liturgical Year that has several titles, depending on one's denomination; and these Sundays are called “After Pentecost”, or “Proper” , or “Ordinary” Sundays, with this term “ordinary” originating from the word “ordinal” which means “counted time”. When we gather each week as a community of faith to worship God, we especially count the Sundays from “After Pentecost” through to the end of the Liturgical Year when we celebrate the “Reign of Christ the King”. The psalmist likened God's loving thoughts about us as like trying to another spell. I shall take away the tired feeling and the strain, but not the work or the weight. I shall give you my yoke to help you bear challenges more steadily and evenly so that they won’t seem so crushing, I will feed you, and make you more adequate to your job.” The words of Christ are not an invitation to holy slackness… If you answer Christ’s invitation, the room into which you are introduced will not be a room in which to rest. It will be a well equipped workshop in which we are shown the right use of our muscles and tools, a room where we work side by side with the One of whom it is said that “wherever He comes, He brings His tools with Him.” That refreshing offer of Christ to His labourers is different to each and is done in secret, according to each need. Tender touch of God.. Esther Ninan, AIWSCS, SAA Edition # 3 count the grains of sand on a beach or desert; yet do we ever attempt to count our responsive acts of worship of God? If God's “thoughts” about each of us are beyond counting, how many of our responsive thoughts of God initiate acts of personal worship? How often during each day are we responsive to God's presence within us? If we did count them, would it be 5 times, 10 times, 20 times; or less than that? Is that a worthy response to God's love? Through your daily living do you proclaim and “....show others the goodness of God...?” (1 Peter 2: 9b) All texts used are from the “New Living Translation” All rights reserved. Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60189 USA. © 2015 Joan Stott 'Exploring the Psalms'. [email protected] www.thetimelesspsalms.net/ Hannah Prayed: I'm bursting with God-news! I'm walking on air..... ……Nothing and no one is holy like God, no rock mountain like our God. Don't dare talk pretentiously not a word of boasting, ever! For God knows what's going on. He takes the measure of everything that happens….. …...The barren woman has a houseful of children, while the mother of many is bereft. God brings death and God brings life,….. .....He rekindles burned-out lives with fresh hope, Restoring dignity and respect to their lives a place in the sun! For the very structures of earth are God's; he has laid out his operations on a firm foundation. He protectively cares for his faithful friends, step by step, but leaves the wicked to stumble in the dark. No one makes it in this life by sheer muscle! 1 Samuel 2:1-10 New English Translation (NET Bible) 7 T he Tree of Life July - September 2015 Meditation: Mountain Garizm and Mountain Ebal PROMISES “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 “He will love you, bless you, and multiply you. He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your wine and your oil, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock, in the land that he swore to your fathers to give you.” Deuteronomy 7:13 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” Malachi 3:10 This is the mountain where children of Israel sat while Joshua read out the whole law, and what would be the blessing for obedience to the law. This is the mountain where the children of Israel after carrying the bones of Joseph from Egypt where he died created a burial place for him at Shechem. (Josh 24: 32) Mt Gerizim was also the mountain at which Jesus met the Samaritan woman who was married to five men and was living with the sixth one, she referred the mountain as a place where her forefathers worshipped. Jesus told the Samaritan woman who worshipped at Mt. Gerizim that " a time is coming when you will worship the father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem, true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth. MOUNT EBAL. Josh 8 : 30, Deut 27 : 4 - 26 When we read through the Bible there is a significant symbolism that we get from mountains. Apart from being high places, mountains were use full and strategic for battle. Mountains were used for fortification of cities. Cities surrounded by mountains were usually considered strong because they were able to spot the enemy before they could get to the city. This is why Babylon was called strong because it was surrounded by mountains. MOUNT GERIZIM Deut 11: 29, John 4: 20 When the Lord your God has brought you into the land you are entering to possess, you are to proclaim on Mt Gerizim the blessings, and on Mt Ebal the curse (Deut 11: 29) The Joshua built on Mt Ebal an altar to the Lord, The God of Israel. (Josh 8: 30) where half the people would stand and pronounce the consequence of disobedience to the law. This mountain is in the vicinity of Mt Gerizim on the north, these two mountains stand side by side, one being taller than the other. RELEVANCE TO US From these mountains we can see how God would always choose the high places to speak to his people. How God would constantly want his people to come to His Holy Place to be reminded of the Blessing of obedience and the curse of disobedience. When we look and consider this for today's church, although there are no more mountains God still expects us as Jesus said in John 4:20 that the time is coming and has now come for those who worship God no longer need to go to the mountain in search of God' s presence, but rather that God has placed the most high place in us, Dorothy Sampath Kumar: Editor "Estelle" # 35, Trinity Christina Layout, Opp. SAIACS, Kothanur BANGALORE - 560 077 - INDIA M: +91-09483505359 T: +91-80-28445359 E: [email protected] Edition # 3 through the Holy Spirit and now all we need to do is worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. When we look at these mountains we also notice that they were Holy Places, the Bible says we ought to be Holy because God is Holy. We are called to live Holy lives that mean us becoming mountains; our holiness should affect those that are around us. When people come into our company or presence the Holiness of God in us should reflect and affect them. Mt Gerizim was where the law was read and Mt Ebal was where consequences were made known to the people. In our time all these mountains are represented in us. We need to live Holy lives as the carriers of the Holy Spirit, we need to feed ourselves and study the word of God. The Bible says we should study to s h ow o u r s e l ve s a s a p p rove d workman. Then Joshua says we meditate on it day and night so that we can have good success. This is Mt Gerizim occupying ourselves with the word of God, and Mt Ebal knows clearly that while God loves, He is a just God, He will not with hold punishment for sin. We cannot continue in sin because grace abounds. God has laid before us life and death and it is down to us to choose life. And Jesus said it's no longer about mountains but true worship from the heart, this is what we ought to do as we remember His mighty works and His character which is sovereign, holy, wise, glorious, loving and unchangeable. Sipiwe Chisvo Vice President South East Africa Area 2006-2011 designed by creativedesignspoint@gmail .com 99862 72813 8