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!

This is the Week of International Disarmament. Every year since 1978, the United Nations has called on governments and NGOs to play an active part to promote peace through disarmament.

"We acknowledge that disarmament alone will not produce world peace. Yet we also maintain that the elimination of weapons of mass destruction, illicit arms trafficking, and burgeoning weapons stockpiles would advance both peace and development goals. It would accomplish this by reducing the effects of wars, eliminating some key incentives to new conflicts, and liberating resources to improve the lives of all the peoples of the United Nations and the natural environment in which they live." (Vision Statement, UN Department for Disarmament Affairs)

Disarmament efforts focus on two basic types of weapons -- small arms and weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear, biological and chemical weapons.

Much attention has been spent on working to halt the nuclear arms race, but there are still more than 30,000-50,000 nuclear warheads - enough to destroy the entire planet many times over.

Disarmament Week, October 24-30 (which begins on October 24 -- the anniversary of the UN's founding) is an important occasion to raise the crucial need to recognize disarmament as a key element in creating a more peaceful, just and sustainable world.

In a letter from CCA, No.39/24 September, 2008, I encouraged and called churches and religious organizations help eliminate the use of cluster bombs and save innocent lives by urging governments to sign the disarmament treaty. Dr Villumstad said, "A minimum of thirty states must ratify the treaty for it to enter into force." More information can be access at www.acrp.org.

Theological Roundtable Workshop on Emerging Issues

CCA is planning the "theological roundtable workshops on emerging issues" in 2009. A preparatory meeting was held at the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, Manila, Philippines last October 7, 2008 in Manila.

Rev. Dr. Sung Kook Park, Joint Executive Secretary for Faith, Mission and Unity (FMU) reported that the group discussed on the theme covering the following:

  1. Proclaiming Christian identity in inter-religious, inter- and intra-faith dialogues and encounters.
  2. The role of the church in situations of natural calamities.
  3. The church as mediator in conflict situations - its mandate and its limits.
  4. Faith communities in a multi-cultural society - possibilities and meaning of a 'leading culture'?
  5. Vulnerability of church and faith.
  6. Preaching the Gospel in a situation of facing HIV/AIDS.
  7. Dealing with Gender issues
  8. Theological reflection on marriage and family.
  9. Theological reflection on: etc.

It was also agreed that the coming roundtables in 2009 keep the theme of the CCA General Assembly "Called to Prophecy, Heal and Reconcile" as a discussion ground.

APAY on the move

We received message from Dr. Park Jai Chang, President of Asia-Pacific Alliance of YMCAs the resignation of Mr. Yip Kok Choong, General Secretary of the APAY due to severe illness. His resignation will be effective in
March 2009.

We have been informed that Mr. Yip is currently warded in the Kwong Wah Hospital in Hong Kong. His condition is weak but stable and continues to be on the respiratory system. Let us continue to pray for Mr. Yip's recovery and also for members of his family who are with him in Hong Kong.

Vacancy in ATESEA

The Association for Theological Education in South East Asia (ATESEA) is looking for a new Executive Director with the following criteria:

  1. Asian Christian who is theologically trained (preferably with a doctoral degree)
  2. Fundraising ability
  3. Good in community building
  4. Managerial and administrative experiences and ability
  5. Good English communication skills
  6. Not more than 57 years of age (at the time of application)
  7. Ecumenical experiences

Interested applicants may contact the Search Committee headed by the Rev. Dr. Huang Po Ho

Rev. Dr. Huang, Po Ho (pekhohuang@yahoo.com)
Associate Dean, ATESEA
Vice President, Chang Jung Christian University
396 Chang Jung Rd. Sec. 1
Kway Jen, Tainan 71101
Taiwan

CCA in Action

Ms. Moumita Biswas, Joint Executive Secretary for CCA-EGY, is now attending the meeting of the International Commission of the Fellowship of the Least Coins held in Toronto, Canada. She will return to Chiang Mai next November 4, 2008.

New CCA Staff

We welcome Mr. Carlos Ocampo as the new Joint Executive Secretary for CCA-JID. Mr. Ocampo is from Australia and is well-known to many of us in ecumenical movement as "Charlie". Charlie has been appointed for a period of 4 years beginning 1 November and he will be based in the CCA office in Chiangmai. Prior to joining CCA, Charlie was working for the National Council of Churches Australia. His e-mail address is charlie@cca.org.hk.

Charlie was in Chiang Mai last Monday on his way to attend the consultation on Article 9 to be held at YMCA in Tokyo, Japan from October 29-November 1, 2008.

Prawate Khid-arn
General Secretary

No. 45/29 October 2008