Typhoon and Tropical Storm Morakot

The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) – 11 August 2009
Typhoon and Tropical Storm Morakot

Following news reports in the international media the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) received several messages from overseas concerning the typhoon and tropical storm Morakot that struck Taiwan the weekend 7-10 August 2009.

Please know the PCT is very grateful for your expressions of concern and in turn wish to give you a brief update. Basically the typhoon itself proved to be quite minimal compared to what Taiwan normally experiences, and it was soon downgraded to a tropical storm but torrential rains came in its wake Saturday and Sunday.

The initial reports and investigations indicate the South of the country incurred most damage, in particular Taitung and Pingtung counties. As we know some areas had their equivalent of one year rainfall in two days and the worst flooding recorded in 50 years in Taiwan.

At the present time, under such critical conditions and until the water level decreases, it is very difficult to fully assess the true and total picture as to extent of loss of life, or damage to the land and property. Broken roads and collapsed bridges not to mention electricity cuts and telephone lines damaged are hampering communication and the assessment process. From what PCT staff have witnessed and based on the media reports there are bound to be villages swept away. It is really devastating - the clean up will be horrendous and it will be necessary to monitor and control any infections that could arise from dirty water, debris, dead animals and so on.

The PCT General Assembly is already active and involved in the national disaster response relief and rescue work doing their part as best as they can. We are coordinating with our numerous Presbyteries setting up relief centers, phone help lines, dropping stations for donations in kind and money. Some of you have expressed concern for PCT churches, again, it is premature to evaluate the loss of lives or the extent of damage to our church members’ homes and church property but as PCT local congregations are in many communities all over Taiwan this is inevitable. Information will be released in time.

On behalf of the PCT and the people of Taiwan we express our deep appreciation for your concern and ask that you hold the victims of this major disaster in your prayers as well as those involved in the daunting task of rescue and relief in the weeks to come.

Rev. Lin Tsung-Jeng (Leonard)
PCT Moderator, 54th General Assembly

Rev. Chang Te-Chien (Andrew)
PCT General Secretary

Harvie Barker's Good Word

Harvie and Liz Barker were in town last week and dropped by the third installment of A Good Word In Season. Harvie was minister here at the PCF from 1974 to 1980. This is a collection of 40 inspirational messages published in the Penticton Herald between January 23, 2007 and July 16, 2008. Proceeds from the sale of A Good Word In Season support the Pathways Addiction Resource centre and the "Be an Angel Fund" of the Penticton Herald. The previous two editions have raised just over $6,000. If you would like a copy call Rob at the church office (753-8439) - only $10.

The Keewatin

Are you interested in getting the news of both the diocese and the national Anglican church then consider getting a subscription to "The Keewatin" for just $10.00 a year. Your diocesan paper is published 10 times a year and comes with the "Anglican Journal" the national church paper. If you are interested in getting a subscription then please send a cheque or money order for $10.00 made out to the "Diocese of Keewatin" and clearly marked with 'subscription' to the following address:
Diocese of Keewatin
Box 567
Keewatin, ON
P0X 1C0

Manitoba Government Grants to United Church Overseas Projects

Did you know that through Manitoba Council for International Cooperation, the Province makes $1 million dollars available for matching grants for overseas development work? Manitoba is one of two provinces that does this. The UCC currently has two projects being funded: Rural Drought Relief in Zimbabwe and a Community Development project in El Salvador. If you speak with your local MLA, be sure to express appreciation for this support.

Conference Weekly News - June 29-July 3, 2009

Archbishop David

Eugene Peterson

"The Biblical fact is that there are no successful churches."

That just jumped out at me when I was re-reading Peterson's 1987 book Working the Angles: The Shape of pastoral Integrity.

"There are, instead, communities of sinners, gathered before God week after week in towns and villages all over the world. The Holy Spirit gathers them and does his work in them. In these communities of sinners, one of the sinners is called pastor and given a designated responsibility in the community. The Pastor's responsibility is to keep the community attentive to God."

The book is a call to return to that responsibility through Prayer, Scripture, and Spiritual Direction. To return to that responsibility not because the church will be successful but because the church needs to be faithful. It's still a pretty radical notion three decades after he wrote these words.

"The Biblical fact is that there are no successful churches."

Bishop David is now "Most Reverend"

Our very own, Bishop David Ashdown, has been elected the new Metropolitan for the Province of Ruperts Land. That makes him an Archbishop and rather than simply the "Right Reverend" David Ashdown he will be addressed as the "Most Reverend."
Congratulations David!

For those of us from other traditions the Anglican Church website explains ...

"Parish, diocese, ecclesiastical province and General Synod are the four main levels of organizational structure within the Anglican Church of Canada.

The local parish is the primary centre of worship and mission in the church. Each parish is within one of 30 dioceses, and functions under the jurisdiction of the diocesan bishop.

Each diocese is within one of four regional groupings known as an ecclesiastical province. One bishop, elected by each Provincial Synod holds the office of Metropolitan and the title of Archbishop.

Collectively, the dioceses created a national body, the General Synod, to act on their behalf in specified areas. Representatives of the dioceses come together every three years in a meeting of the General Synod. Between these meetings, an executive committee, called the Council of General Synod, implements the General Synod’s strategic plan. The Primate, who is also an archbishop, is the chief pastor of the Anglican Church of Canada and President of the General Synod"