WEEKLY TOPICAL

On October 10, according to ChinaAid, the Chinese authorities launched a systematic raids and arrests against a renown underground church - Zion Church, located across China’s cities and provinces among Beijing, Guangxi/Beihai, Chongqing, Zhejiang/Jiaxing, Fujian/Fuzhou and other places. Rev Jin Mingri, chief pastor of Beijing Zion Church, and Rev Yin Huibin were detained at home, while Rev Wang Lin, pastor of Shanghai Zion Church, was arrested on a trip to Shenzhen on October 9, and no body knew where he was jailed up to date. In addition, it’s very likely still more pastors, preachers and church co-workers of Zion Church were arrested without notice.

Due to a Guangfu Township inundation, caused by a flood of barrier lake at Fata’an River upstream on September 23rd, the PCT Church and Society Committee held a press conference on October 2 to plead for local indigenous ‘Amis tribes of Fata'an and Tafalong. Calling on central and local governments to carry on rescue jobs to rehabilitate and rebuild their households, PCT urged the rescue operation shall adhere to principles of “run away from troubled waters, but not tribal villages.”

The strong Typhoon Ragusa brought into Taiwan a super swirl of rain, causing a disastrous overflow of the land-slides-lake formed at Mataian Creek in Hualien County. On September 23, the overflow waters ran down ferociously with sands and stones, causing the Mataian community, Kuang-Fu Town, and Atamo community of Tong-Fu Village inundated. Up to Sept 29th, 18 people were killed and 7 missing.

Bearded, short-sleeved and always biked around Penghu island is the impression of people on Doctor Davide Luigi Giordan, a brother of Order of the Ministers of the Infirm. Published by the Taiwan Church Press (TCP), a picture book, entitled as Doctor Beardy: The Story of Davide Luigi Giordan and also numbered as vol no. 37 of the Beautiful Footprints Series, was launched at the Hong Geun-shen Art Museum in Magong City, Penghu County in the morning on September 13.

To facilitate the youth of Taiwan church with an ecumenical vision, enhance their faith and self-identity, PCT’s "Ecumenical Youth Exchange Program" (abbreviated as EYEP) sends youth annually to visit PCT’s ecumenical partner churches. The other way around, PCT also receives ecumenical church youth to Taiwan through EYEP exchange program.

To celebrate PCT 160, a mission forum entitled as "Diversity of PCT Ministries”, was held at Presbyterian Bible College in Hsinchu from September 1 to 3. Highlighting cases of local church ministry in main sessions, the participants were invited to explore the missionary potentials from current Taiwan contexts. A total of 210 pastors and co-workers attended the forum.

To commemorate the first indigenous Rukai Christian, Elder Drepelrange Thalimarau, after 5 years of her death, a bilingual picture book, entitled as "The First Indigenous Rukai Believer of Jesus” in both Chinese and Rukai languages, is finally launched in August, 2025. The picture book is edited and self-published by Elder Drepelrange Thalimarau’s son-in-law, Rev Pelenge Rusudramane, an veteran PCT pastor.

On August 23, a referendum on Nuclear Plant No. 3 will be held. To express a resolute stance for nuclear-free homeland, a big march to protest the re-starting of Nuclear Plant No. 3 was held on August 16 in Taipei. The march is attended by hundreds of citizens and many civil groups, including Taiwan North Society, Union of Taiwanese  Teachers, Association of Parent Participating Education in Taiwan, the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan(PCT), Koo Kwang-Ming Foundation, Taiwan Obasang Political Equality Party and etc.

On August 23, a national referendum on the question, ”if you agree to re-start Nuclear Plant No. 3”,  will be held across Taiwan. Eight civil organizations, including Taiwan Environmental Protection Union(TEPU), PCT, Taiwan Society North and etc, held a joint press conference on August 8.

To celebrate the Indigenous Peoples’ Day and connect indigenous cultures to the evangelical mission amid Bunun churches, including Panitaz, Takluk, Si-sui, Hu-nungaz, Izukan, Tatana,  a thanksgiving service was held in the Izukan tribe on August 3rd. More than 350 PCT members attended the service.