Taiwan Church News 3240 Edition March 31 - April 6, 2014 Church Ministry News Ecumenical Churches Express Concern About Taiwan Sunflower Movement Reported by Lin Yi-ying In the afternoon on March 30, at the major stage of the assembly named Occupy Katagalan Boulevard, Rev. Lyim Hung-tiong(PCT General Secretary) with his English secretary Ms. Carys Humphreys were invited by the students and citizen groups to delivered messages and concerns from PCT and ecumenical church before 500,000 assembly. Rev. Lyim publicly promised to the assembly that PCT will absolutely stand by the students and Taiwan people via a peaceful and non-violent way fighting against the black box Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement. Lyim said PCT had issued two public statement, one affirmation of the students' protest and the other condemning the violence from the state, sending toward the ecumenical churches and institutes. Up to date, many affirmative response from PCUSA(Presbyterian Church of USA), URC(United Reformed Church of UK) and many other Asian-Pacific ecumenical organizations, confirming PCT's efforts to stand by the students and Taiwan people, has greatly encouraged PCT's witness to this movement. PCUSA also expressed that they would urge UN and American Congress to concern the development of this student movement. Ms. Carys Humphreys said, seeing so many young students standing out on the streets, she felt Taiwan is still hopeful! From her 28 years' experience of social service in Taiwan, even there were indeed rough times on the way from military rule toward democracy, Humphreys remarked that Taiwan always walks in the light from God as so many brave Taiwanese utilizing their flesh and blood to witness the resilient strength of hope. Finally, Humphreys passed the greetings from Rev. Kao Jung-min who were in ill and read the statement from URC : "We pledge to stand with you as partners in Christ's mission of justice and peace. The right to peaceful protest is a cornerstone of democracy and we call upon the Government of Taiwan to listen to the voice of their own people". After this letter was read, the assembly gave their utmost applauds in return. Translated by Peter Wolfe |