Letter from CCA

(“A Letter from CCA” is a sharing message of the CCA General Secretary to update member churches and ecumenical friends about the life and works of CCA. It is electronically published every Wednesday.)

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ!

Let us continue remembering the people of Myanmar in our daily prayers. The UN described the situation as a "major catastrophe", where more than 100,000 have lost their lives due to the recent Nargis Cyclone. It is 
another ethical challenge for churches and ecumenical movement in responding to Jesus calling, "As you've done to the least of these, you've done to me" (Matthew 25: 42-45).

Recently we have received a message from the Council of Churches in Malaysia (CCM) and the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) urging support for immediate relief to the victims of cyclone in Myanmar.

"For many years the Uniting Church has stood with the Burmese people and many refugees as they have suffered at the hands of, or fled the repressive military junta. We commit ourselves anew to supporting them in this moment of need," said Rev Gregor Henderson, President of the Uniting Church National Assembly.

"Nearly all homes were destroyed in the villages I assessed today and the survivors have virtually no access to clean drinking water," says Gordon Bacon, emergency coordinator for International Rescue Committee, speaking from Yangon. "With each passing day, we come closer to a massive health disaster and a second wave of deaths that is potentially larger than the first."

Rev. Mar Gay Gui, the General Secretary of Myanmar Council of Churches (MCC) will be in Thailand next week. He will visit CCA on 20 May.

CCA is also accepting contributions to support emergency relief programs and long-term recovery assistance in Myanmar. Donations can be sent by calling +66-53-243906, 243907, or e-mail: ccagensec@cca.org.hk.

Earthquake in China

As the situation in Myanmar is still critical, on 12 May the 7.8-magnitude earthquake devastated the cities and towns in south-western Sichuan province in China. According to BBC 10,000 people have been killed, with many more still trapped. CCA expresses concern for the people affected in the earthquake and appeals to churches, ecumenical partners and friends to remember the victims of earthquake in their prayers.

New office for Missionary Society

The Missionary Society of St Columban has shifted its administrative office from Dublin, Ireland to Hong Kong SAR. It started functioning officially on 1 May 2008.

The Rev. Tommy Murphy, the society's superior general, said, "The general council has had its offices in Ireland since the society's founding in 1918, so the decision to move to Hong Kong was not made lightly." He also added, "The move reflects the society's 90-year commitment to cross-cultural Catholic mission work" (Source: ENI-08-0376).

WSCF General Assembly and the Senior Friends Gathering

Alice Hageman and Christine Ledger, coordinators of the Senior Friends Gathering (SRG) of the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF) updated the practical matters and list of the resource persons for this important event taking place in Canada. The SRG will be meeting at the College Jean-de-Brebeuf, Moetreal, Canada from 4-8 August 2008.

More information is available at:

World Student Christian Federation - WSCF
5 Route des Morillons
1218 Grand Saconnex, Switzerland
Alice: alh@theworld.com
Chris: chrisledger@netspeed.com.au

CCA in action

Prawate Khid-arn
General Secretary

No. 20/14 May 2008