March 14~20, 2011
3081 Edition
Headline News
PCT churches reach out to Japan in wake of earthquake and tsunami
Reported by Sam Lee
Written by Lydia Ma
PCT General Assembly contacted partner churches in Japan in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and tsunami on March 11th, 2011, to inquire about everyone’s well-being and express solidarity. Associate General Secretary Lyim Hong-tiong said his office also contacted PCT missionaries currently ministering in Japan through calls and e-mails, as well as several partner churches in Japan, to convey concern and lend moral, medical and material support. All PCT missionaries in Japan are doing well, but some PCT partner churches from United Church of Christ in Japan have suffered structural damages.
PCT General Secretary Andrew Chang will pay a visit to partner churches in Japan in the following days to coordinate relief efforts while Church and Society Secretary Huang Che-yen just returned from a 5-day preliminary survey in Japan on March 19, 2011.
To help streamline relief efforts, PCT has set aside a special account for donations from across the country toward helping Japan’s rebuilding efforts.
In a related effort, the General Assembly convened a meeting on March 14, 2011, to discuss possible aid and rebuilding strategies. Chang underscored that Japanese churches were quick to come to Taiwan’s aid in the aftermath of 921 Earthquake and Typhoon Morakot, thus current efforts were opportunities for PCT churches to express gratitude during Japan’s time of need.
Chang also reminded churches that nuclear power plant explosions or nuclear waste leakages can be just as traumatic and dangerous as earthquakes and tsunamis. He went on to implore the Ma administration to re-evaluate Taiwan’s nuclear energy and petrochemical energy policies in addition to reassessing the safety and operations of the 3 nuclear power plants currently in operation in Taiwan.
Churches and Christian organizations nationwide join relief efforts
Many Christian agencies are rising up to lend a helping hand in the aftermath of the quake and tsunami. For example, Chinese Christian Relief Association (CCRA) donated 100 generators and NT$1 million up front and is currently discussing with partner organizations in Japan on what items to send in the next shipment.
In addition, Taiwan Christian Service is collaborating with Japan International Food for the Hungry in a fundraiser, while Chinese Christian Baptist Network is issuing an open letter urging all Baptist churches in Taiwan to pray and donate money for rescue efforts in Japan. World Vision Taiwan has called for emergency relief efforts and has urged all Christians in Taiwan to join in prayer and financial assistance.
In response to the recent freak fire in ALA Bar in Taichung that claimed 9 lives and the earthquake and tsunami in Japan that claimed thousands of lives, newly founded Taiwan Justice Action Church in Taichung held a memorial service to honor these victims and pray for Taiwan and Japan. The church, founded on February 27, 2011, has a mission and a structure resembling Taiwan Justice Action Church in Taipei.
This service, held in the afternoon of March 13, 2011, was attended by many members from local social organizations. Rev. Chiang Meng-che from Changhua Presbytery led everyone in prayer, asking God to comfort the families of the victims in Taichung and Japan.
Rev. Tsai Chu-chieh gave a sermon highlighting actions humans have taken to harm both the environment and one another over the years. He spoke against the inadequacy of current safety mechanisms to counter nuclear disasters and also referenced recent public criticisms over the ineffectiveness of safety inspections, which precipitated in an overcrowded nightclub bursting into flames when a dancer’s fire torch touched the ceiling.
Tsai added that payback time has now come upon humanity and those in positions of authority must be held responsible for their action because many times, it’s “acts of humans” – rather than acts of nature or acts of God – that precipitate deadly disasters that kill indiscriminately.
