Taiwan Church News 3782 Edition August 19 ~ 25, 2024 Weekly Topical From Urban to Rural, Hsin-Pak-Tau Church Members Expand Horizons in Faith via Learning Indigenous Tayal Culture Reported by Lin Yi-ying To give urban children and adults a cross-cultural experience, 49 students and teachers of Sunday School and Weekend Learning Camp at Hsin-Pak-Tau Church of Taipei Presbytery were invited to visit Stacis Church of Tayal Presbytery in Tatong Township, Yilan County on August 10. Led by Rev Syat Nayuki of Stacis Church, the students and teachers climbed the mountain up to the Stacis old-tribe and learned the Tayal’s hunting skills, such as setting up hunting blinds, observing animal tracks, and making traps. Rev Hong Shuan-geh, pastor of Hsin-Pak-Tau Church, said that all members engaging in this tour felt that this cross-cultural visit was very wonderful and full of fun. Rev Hong expressed that Hsin-Pak-Tau Church held outdoor children activities for years, and this summer the church was very appreciated to have the opportunity to visit the Stacis old-tribe and its church of Tayal Presbytery. Before the cross-cultural visit took off, Rev Hong reminded the participating members that safety first, especially when traveling in the tribes scattered in the mountains. Meanwhile, she said, diverse traditions and different cultures of indigenous peoples, as well as the amazing beauty of God’s creation, should be all thankfully observed and respected. According to Rev Hong, the ages of this cross-cultural visit ranged quite big, not only joined by old sisters aged at 83 and 70, but even two-years-old toddler was included. “A quite incredible group composed of elder-women-children, though, all were able to climb all the way up into the mountains,” said Rev Hong. “This is a tour to showcase the spirit of ‘love one another’ as no one will be left behind,” remarked Rev Syat Nayuki before the tour launched, “you will learn why Jesus wanted us to love each other during the journey of climbing up into the mountains.” When finally reached the Tayal old-tribe, all the church members were stained with dirt and mud, though, they were warmly welcomed by the tribal elders with a big pot of hot noodles. “This is an experience completely different from ordinary urban lives,” shared one church member, “and it is an amazing cross-cultural exchange!” Rev Hong, who once administered the Lu-San church of Changhua Presbytery, said that brothers and sisters from urban Presbyterian churches rarely have the chance to exchange with other PCT rural member-church. Instead, she said, our church often had the opportunities to communicate with urban churches of other denominations. “This time it’s so wonderful to engage in the cross-cultural exchange with the indigenous Tayal church,” shared Rev Hong, “allowing us to gain a broader horizon of Christian faith and understand that the Creator God beyond our languages and cultures is no less authentic than the Spiritual God usually boxed in our familiar ways of charismatic worship!” Translated by Peter Wolfe |