CCA-FMU joint executive secretary Hope Antone attended a series of meetings on 14-20 January 2006 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia organized by the Asian Women's Resource Centre for Culture and Theology (AWRC).

First was a two-day meeting of the Young Women Doing Theology network. The second was a workshop on "A Reconstruction of the Early Christian Origins - An Asian Feminist Perspective". The third was the meeting of the Planning Team - consisting of Virginia, Anna Marsiana, Hisako, Malini Devananda, Jessica Richard, Arche Ligo, Yong Ting Jin, Clare Law and Hope Antone.

Speakers at the workshop were Sr. Virgina Fabella, on "What is Asian Feminist Perspective?"; Ms. Nelun Gunasekera, "A Criticial Reconstruction of Early Christian Origins in a Feminist Perspective"; Sr. Pauline Chakkalakal, on "Women's Leadership and Apostleship in Pauline Christianity"; Dr. Hyunju Bae, on "Women's Leadership and Apostleship in Pauline Christianity" and "Women in Apocryphal and Gnostic Writings"; and Dr. Hisako Kinukawa, on the "Discovery of Nag Hammadi and Gnostic Texts".

The writing and/or re-writing of history surfaced as a real issue in the workshop on feminist re-reading of history. For how do we begin to record (or retrieve) the already forgotten memories of the roles of women in the Jesus movement, in early Christianity, in Asian Christianity and the ecumenical movement, etc.? How do we make sure that the history that is going on today will no longer exclude women and other marginalized groups in church and society?

This will certainly have some bearing for CCA especially as we prepare for the 50th anniversary in 2007.

posted by hope at Saturday, January 21, 2006

The series of events that were held in Hong Kong parallel to the 6th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) last December 2005 kept us CCA staff very busy not only during the preparation and implementation of said events but even after all that.

These events provided concrete ways for CCA to work closely with civil society groups and ecumenical bodies who believe that "peace means economic justice". Thus, our involvement in the events was part of our observance of the Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV) Focus on Asia.

CCA-FMU joint executive secretary Josef Widyatmadja co-organized with some civil society groups the Conference on Globalising Economic Justice and Social Sustainability on 8-12 December. The conference was a platform for faith communities to critique their role, reflect on the economic justice aspect of the WTO, and search for alternatives towards social justice and sustainability.

CCA-EGY joint executive secretaries Cora Tabing-Reyes and Chang Chung Chih, together with CCA-FMU joint executive secretary Hope Antone, helped to co-organize the "Ecumenical Women's Forum on Life-Promoting Trade" on 12-14 December. CCA-EGY interns Lo Chia Fang and Ma La Wu Shwe Wut Ye also helped and participated in the forum.

One highlight of both the Conference and the Forum was the chance to join the public assembly and march organized by the People's Alliance on WTO on 13 December.

Very interesting sharing of analyses, theological reflections, and experiences and visions of new alternatives characterized the women's forum.

Following is a prayer that Hope Antone offered at the opening of the women's forum:

Dear God,
We share the groaning, weeping and lamenting
not only of your people,
but also of your whole creation.
It is for this that we gather here.
It is for this that we open this forum.
During this Advent Season, we await your coming
as the source and embodiment of Love and Justice.
In the face of powers and principalities that cause
violence, injustice, and unpeace in our time,
we pray again and again for your
justice to roll down as waters
and your righteousness as an everflowing stream.
May it touch leaders and governments that they
may hear the cries of the suffering peoples.
May it transform structures so there will be
life-promoting and just trade for all.
May it change our lives - so that we become
strengthened by your spirit,
inspired by your compassion,
empowered by your will
to make all things new in your reign of
Love, Justice and Peace for all.

posted by hope at Thursday, January 05, 2006