Taiwan Church News

3322 Edition

October 26 - November 1, 2015

Church Ministry

Blazing Yet Not Consumed, PCT Urged To Proclaim The Spirit of Lord God Is On Us

Reported by Chen Yi-fan, Lin Jia-jin

At 4:00 p.m. on October 25, after three teams PCT members have finished their city parade, over 10,000 peoplegather at Tainan Municipal Gymnasium holding a sending service of Tainan Church Day. As there are several thousands PCT members from different aboriginal people, including Pai-wan, Rukai, Bunun, Amis, Tayal, Seediq, Tsou and etc, together with PCT members from various presbytery like Taichung, Changhua, Chayi and Tainan, the language of service is therefore designated as the Chinese, which is acquainted by all, in order to be inclusive and respectful to all.

The sending service is initiated by a marvelous pestle chorus by Bunun aboriginal farmers. Then, the audience areled to sing Maljimalji ti Yisu sama (Praise Lord Jesus Christ, No. 311 of PCT Hymnal) in the language of Pai-wan. In his prayer, Rev. Sud Tada, Deputy Moderator of PCT General Assembly, proclaims that "Don't be afraid! As Lord God is with us". Rev. Ismahasan Niang lead the audience to sing the responsive readings in lyrics. And the scriptures of Luke 4:16~30 are read in relay by 8 pastors in their own mother tongues.

Rev. Christopher Ferguson, General Secretary of World Communion of Reformed Churches, encourages theaudience to follow Jesus' courage daring to speak against the powerful, standing by the oppressed and bringing forward the spirit of peace, reconciliation, healing and liberation. Up to now, Rev. Ferguson says, there are still oppression and sufferings prevailing in this world, including the economical inequality and the marginalization of the poor. Since the gospel has come to Taiwan for 150 years, he asks the audience to think whether we have the courage to bravely proclaim: "The spirit of Lord God is on us!"

Responding the sermon, the audience sing How wonderful God's grace is (Nanu iyal huway Yaba, No. 314 of PCTHymnal) in the melody of Tayal. And the audience read the Apostles Creed in their own mother tongues as the confessions. In the time of welcome and report, Dr. Mathews George Chunakara(General Secretary of CCA), Rev. Heath Rada(Moderator of PC(USA)), Tainan City Mayor Lai Ching-te and DDP chairwoman and presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen all give their greetings and messages to the assembly.

Mentioning on the brute execution of Dr. Lin Mosei and the heinous 228 massacre, Ms Tsai Ing-wen cites 1 Corinthians 13:7 ("[Love] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endure all things") as a solution toward the question that how Taiwan society could overcome the conundrum of plural historical memories and identities. "First, we have to recognize our differences indeed exist. And then, we have to mutually understand and accept each other", says Ms Tsai.

Finally, quoting the famous poem of Rev. Dr. George Leslie Mackay:"I should like to find a resting place within sound of its surf, and under the shade of its waving bamboo", Ms Tsai emotionally appeal to the audience:"Brothers and sisters, no matter where we come from, whatever kinds of sound and fury exist among us, Taiwan is our final resting place. And let us love her and take care of her with all our hearts and souls!"

Translated by Peter Wolfe