Letter from CCA

(“A Letter from CCA” is a sharing message of the CCA General Secretary to update member churches and ecumenical friends about the life and works of CCA. It is electronically published every Wednesday.)

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ!

"Cry for the bleeding and suffering Burma ," said Dr. Anna May Say Pa, Executive Committee member of Myanmar Council of Churches (MCC) and former Director of Myanmar Institute of Theology (MIT), while sharing her deep concern for the victims of cyclone Nargis. The cyclone has affected the lives of millions and has shattered the entire social structure of communities. This poses a great challenge to churches to response to the crisis by rehabilitating the victims and communities.

"Among MCC member churches, the hardest hit churches are Karen Baptist Convention, Pwo Karen Baptist Conference, Myanmar Baptist Churches Union and Asho Chin Baptist Convention. Thirty-nine villages are reported to be completely destroyed in Bassein area only, while thirteen pastors have died. The self-supporting Kayin Baptist Churches have also reported destruction of churches, seminaries and houses," shared Dr. Anna May.

"The MBC Headquarters suffered damages, estimated to be around 150,000 kyats. MCC was about to host MCC Biennial General Meeting from 20-24 May 2008, which now has been postponed till the middle of June," she added.

Dr. Anna May also mentioned that, "MIT needs help with buying twelve computers for BARS program, roofing and other building materials for staff houses in the area of Mahasaung and Ann Judson Villa. There is also an acute need for diesel to run generators, as the water is only available in Mahasaung, and funds are needed to buy food for 180 hostel students."

Let us continue keeping our sisters and brothers from Myanmar in our daily prayers and be a helping hand to them, in whichever way we can.

Frontier Internship in Mission

The International Coordinating Committee (ICC) of the long-established "Frontier Internship in Mission (FIM) met on 22-24 May 2008 at John Knox Center in Geneva. The meeting took place in context of critical time in the life of FIM, as the financial support it received has declined tremendously.

The ICC approved two steps- "renewal" and "phasing out". In renewal plan, FIM aims "to secure the continuation and build the viability of FIM as an international ecumenical missionary program." The ICC agreed for a two-year transitional period from 2009-2010. 

To save administrative cost, the ICC received, with appreciation, CLAI's (Latin American Council of Churches) willingness to host International Coordinating Office (ICO) in Quito , Ecuador . The FIM-ICO will be relocated in Quito in November 2008. 

For "phasing out" plan, the ICC mandated the officers that funding partners will consider a) phasing out FIM; b) integrating FIM into other ecumenical organisations such as World Student Christian Federation, World Council of Churches or other ecumenical organisations.

Vacancy opening at LPI

The Life & Peace Institute (LPI), an international and ecumenical centre for peace research and action, with head office based in Uppsala, Sweden, is seeking a new Executive Director (ED), based at the head office. The ED is appointed for a four-year term, with a possible renewal for a further term. 

For a full job description contact Ms. Ulla Vinterhav at ulla.vinterhav@life-peace.org. More information about LPI is also available at their website: www.life-peace.org. To apply please send a full CV and covering letter, outlining relevant experience, a list of publications and other relevant documents to: Selin Amirthalingam, Sysslomansgatan 7, SE-753 11 Uppsala, Sweden or by e-mail: selin.amirthalingam@life-peace.org. Deadline for application is 1 July 2008.

CCA in Action

28 May: Monthly Staff Meeting, Chiang Mai

23-30 May: JID "Peace Training for Church Workers in Northeast Asia" Korea

Prawate Khid-arn
General Secretary

No. 22/28 May 2008