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
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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.
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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
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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
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T he Tree of Life
July - September 2015
WORKSHOPS
Life Enrichment Workshops
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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
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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
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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)
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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
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