This will be the last time you will hear from me under the heading of Message From The Moderator. The year has gone quickly and I want to take this opportunity to thank congregations, presbyteries, presbyterials, synods and synodicals, as well as individuals for the kindness they have shown me. I have such wonderful memories of my time visiting across the Church. I have been warmly welcomed. I have been truly blessed.
I also want to thank my chaplain, Rev. Thomas Kay, for his care of me, from holding my flowers, to holding my hand when afflicted with food poisoning the last day of Assembly. My home congregation of Knox, Guelph, Ont., have been very supportive and understanding and I look forward to being with them more frequently in the future.
I spent two weeks during April in Taiwan. The Women's Missionary Society also sent a delegation to visit at the same time. There were many highlights during this visit and I will name just a few:
• Representing The Presbyterian Church in Canada at the 52nd General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan. I was invited to address the court on the role of women in Canada and in the church in Canada. The theme for this year's assembly was on gender issues and congregations during the next year will emphasize “Women in the Church.” The Women's Committee presented a covenant for approval at the General Assembly. The women were disappointed that it was not approved. Taiwan's vice-president brought greetings to the Assembly. They had over 40 ecumenical visitors.
• A visit with President Chen of Taiwan. The delegation from Canada along with the PCT's moderator, vice moderator, the Women's Work secretary, and the general secretary joined in the meeting. I was the sole presenter at this event. We were allowed 30 minutes but we spoke together for almost one hour. During our conversations we highlighted the issues of aboriginals in Canada and Taiwan, the role of women in society, the contribution of The Presbyterian Church in Canada missionaries to Taiwan. The President also referred to my involvement in preventing the new Taiwanese Bible from being confiscated during my time helping at the Taiwan Bible Society. The issue was also raised about Taiwan not being allowed membership in the United Nations, as well as their inability to be received as a member of the World Health Organization, even as an observer. This creates serious problems in the event of a pandemic and outbreaks of disease such as SARS.
• A visit to an aboriginal village including overnight hospitality in private homes was provided for the full delegation. We worshipped on Easter Sunday in one of the aboriginal (Bunun) churches. Three days were spent in Hualien and visiting YuShan Theological College and our missionary Murray Garvin.
• Rev. Dr. C. M. and Mrs. Ruth Kao came to Changhua to visit briefly with us. Dr. Kao was the former general secretary of the PCT who spent almost four and a half years in prison. He shared with the group that it was a blessing as it provided the opportunity for him to share the Gospel with the other prisoners. While in prison he read the Old Testament seven times and the New Testament 12 times. This was very special time for me as I had the privilege of working alongside Dr. Kao for almost six years while in Taiwan. It was during a very troublesome and difficult time for the church when Taiwan was under marshall law. As I complete my 11th epistle I want to say thank you for your support and encouragement over the year. May God bless each of you.
Blessings.
