Introduction

Every year since 1974, the member churches and councils of the Christian Conference of Asia celebrate Asia Sunday on the Sunday before Pentecost. The occasion commemorates the founding of the East Asian Christian Conference (EACC, now CCA) on May 24, 1959. The observance focuses on a theme to highlight one of CCA's major concerns. For the year 2002, Asia Sunday is on May 12 and the theme is "Timor Lorosa'e: Hope for New Life." This material was developed in collaboration with the Igreja Protestante Timor Lorosa’e (IPTL), one of the new members of CCA.

Timor Lorosa'e, widely known as East Timor, is today the youngest independent country in the region. Following the years of painful struggle for independence, there is a great need for rebuilding the nation. Yet in spite of the suffering and the terror that characterized the nation's struggle, the signs of hope are very clear: in the people's determination for life and freedom and in their active participation in the reconstruction of a new nation.

CCA urges its member churches and councils and ecumenical partners around the world to be in solidarity with the young church and the young nation of Timor Lorosa'e. As you celebrate Asia Sunday this year, whether on the Sunday before Pentecost or on another Sunday within the year, please think and pray for the church and the country of Timor Lorosa'e. Please think of ways in which you can show your solidarity with the people.

One way to show your solidarity is through a special offering to the CCA in support of the work of the church in Timor Lorosa'e especially for the education of the young generation.

May God bless our work for peace with justice.

Sincerely,

AHN Jae Woong
General Secretary
ASIA SUNDAY 2002

"Timor Lorosa’e: Hope for New Life"

An overview

"A one-day drive into the countryside introduced us to the tremendous beauty of the island. Soaring mountains suddenly drop down to white sand beaches lapped by crystal clear waters. Valleys seem to grow anything and everything. There is really no shortage of food in East Timor, but the transportation system has been badly damaged so food can not be moved to places quickly and easily." (Max Ediger on his recent trip to East Timor)

Timor Lorosa’e or widely known as East Timor has remarkable story of a hope that refuses to die. Timor is an island at the southern edge of Indonesian archipelago. During colonial times, the western part was Dutch controlled; the eastern part was a Portuguese colony for four centuries (since 1520). When Indonesia gained its independence in 1945, West Timor became part of the new nation, but Portugal hung onto East Timor.

In July 1975, Portugal unilaterally withdrew from East Timor and on 28 November Fretilin declared East Timor independent. Nine days later, on 7 December 1975 Indonesia invaded East Timor. Thousands of East Timorese were killed immediately while resisting the invasion. Thousands more were hunted down and killed. Thousands more died of starvation or diseases in camps where the Indonesian had incarcerated them so the population could be controlled while the military tried to eliminate the remaining resistance. Indonesia has occupied East Timor since then, despite 10 United Nations’ resolutions demanding its withdrawal. In July 1976 President Suharto signed a Bill annexing East Timor as Indonesia’s 27th province although United Nations (UN) did not recognize this claim. When guerillas or civilians found ways to demonstrate that the majority in East Timor still wanted independence, Indonesia reacted with crackdowns and sometimes massacres.

After the fall of Suharto in 1998, his successor, President B.J. Habibie, offered a new deal that would end the military occupation and grant a degree of self-government but maintain East Timor as a province. In January 1999 Habibie announced that if the East Timorese rejected autonomy, they should move to independence. At the same time, the pro-Jakarta militia waged a campaign of terror. In September 1999 more than half of East Timor’s 700.000 population were forcibly removed from their homes, many of which have been burned. Members of the clergy, Protestant as well as Catholic, have been murdered in cold blood by Indonesian troops, some for the simple act of defending refugees. On September 6, 1999 pro-Jakarta militia attacked the residence of East Timor’s spiritual leader, Bishop Carlos Belo. An estimated six thousand refugees sheltering in the compound were flushed out. The house was set on fire and Bishop Belo was taken to Bacau for safety. Many Catholics and Protestant priests fled with their people to the mountains or were forcibly transported to West Timor as refugees.

During the UN-sponsored referendum on 30 August 1999, 78.5% of East Timorese chose independence by rejecting an offer of autonomy within Indonesia. Thousands were killed and 300,000 were forced into trucks and ships to be dumped in squalid refugee camps in West Timor. Nearly all of East Timor's infrastructure was destroyed. International peacekeepers arrived and a UN mission and transitional administration was established in East Timor (UNTAET).

Gradually, most of the 300,000 refugees returned to East Timor to start again with virtually nothing. In August 2001 a free election took place to choose an East Timorese provisional parliament under the auspices of the United Nations. The main task of this new parliament is to write the constitution of the country. Fretilin, the main party behind the independence movement, won the election. It is expected that in May 2002 East Timorese will gain full independence of their country, Timor Lorosa’e. This new country in Asia has an area of 14,874 square km with the population of about 800.000. About 96.5% of the population are Catholics, 2.5% Protestant and 1% others. In general, people speak 3 languages, namely Tetum (local language), Portugese and Indonesian.

Yes, East Timor does have a tragic past. There was great suffering, particularly during the reign of terror prior to and immediately after the August 1999 referendum on independence. This new nation will rank among the most backward countries in the world. According to UN data, per capita GDP is estimated at a mere $304. Half of the population live below poverty line of $1 a day. Unemployment stands at 80% and slightly more than 50% of the population are illiterate. Life expectancy is just 57 years. Although the future of East Timorese seems difficult, today there is celebration, hope and plenty of hard work as people set about creating a new future for themselves. A friend who recently visited East Timor described some signs of hope in the life of East Timorese:

"The drive into Dili continued to remind me of Vietnam following the end of the war there….. Over 80% of the city were destroyed by the Indonesian militaries and local militias. Very little rebuilding has been done due to a lack of building materials. The burned shells of houses, offices and businesses are everywhere. Here and there some places have been rebuilt and others have been patched up sufficiently to keep rain out. At the same time, small businesses are springing up everywhere. Small bamboo huts have been built along the streets where people sell fruits and snacks, repair bicycles, sell gas, etc. The city is seriously damaged city, but most certainly not a dead city.

The creativity of the residents of Dili was most clearly shown to us one evening when we were taken to a restaurant with the name of "Burned House Restaurant." The house had once been a fairly large villa surrounded by fruit trees and even a small fountain. After it was burned, only the cement walls remained standing. The former residents gathered some useable tin roofing to protect diners from the rain, and then set up tables among the ruins. They made no effort to cover up the damage done by the fire. Even the graffiti scratched into the walls was left. So there, among the ruins, we had a wonderful meal, prepared and served by the family who once lived in comfort in this villa. It was truly a reminder of the terrible carnage which had gone on only a few years earlier, but also of the tremendous strength and stamina of the people." (Max Ediger)

East Timor's churches, both Catholic and Protestant, bore their share of the suffering. Now they are playing their part in the rebuilding. The Rev. Francisco de Vasconcelos, Moderator of the Igreja Protestante iha Timor Lorosa'e, IPTL (Protestant Church of East Timor), sees reconstruction as the main need. "This," he says, "includes physical reconstruction (to rebuild the country), relational reconstruction (to rebuild relationships among the people) and cultural reconstruction (to rediscover the culture which has been destroyed during 450 years of Portuguese occupation and 24 years of Indonesian invasion)."

The IPTL was received as a member of CCA during its 11th General Assembly in Tomohon, Indonesia in June 2000. This church has congregations spread in all parts of East Timor and is divided into 13 districts. It has a membership of about 17.000 people, many of whom are farmers and fisherfolk. In this time of difficulty, its is a challenge for the church to assist the people to improve their quality of life.

Many schools have been re-opened but the facilities are very limited. Some classes are held under the tree with children bringing their own chair or stool from home. There is an urgent need to assist the people in constructing their health, education and transportation facilities along with the building of a sustainable economy, which in turn can enhance the welfare of the people. It is our earnest hope that Timor Lorosa'e will be a fully independent country around the time when we celebrate Asia Sunday 2002.

Prayer concerns

On Asia Sunday, pray for all in our region who yearn for a future of justice and peace. But pray especially for the people and the churches of Timor Lorosa'e, Asia's newest nation, for whom that future has begun.

For the ongoing political process in Timor Lorosa'e so that a democratic government may bloom in this country.

For the reconciliation process among the East Timorese who were in conflict due to political differences. May the truth be the source of strength and hope of the people.

The churches in Timor Lorosa'e who are struggling together with the people to overcome hardship and to facilitate social reconstruction in the community.

Practical suggestions

According to tradition, Asia Sunday is held each year on the Sunday before Pentecost Sunday to commemorate the founding of the Christian Conference of Asia. For 2002, Asia Sunday is on 12 May. In case the suggested date is not suitable to your church calendar, please feel free to adjust the date accordingly.

We encourage you to distribute this material as widely as possible and, if necessary, to translate it to local languages to enable more parishes to join the celebration of Asia Sunday.

We will appreciate it if you can give a special attention to the suggested theme so that all of us will join hands in praying for and expressing our solidarity with the people in Timor Lorosa’e. If you feel the need to revise the liturgy to fit your own situation, please fee free to do so. We, however, do hope that you retain the theme, base the homily on the proposed scripture readings, use the prayers and litanies, and sing the suggested hymns.

We are aware that many congregations are trying to learn more Asian songs. The choir members or one of the parish members may be asked to lead the congregations in learning the songs prior to worship. Another possibility is to select a few of the hymns suggested and use a few other hymns that are known to your congregations.

We would like to draw your attention to the part on Voice from Timor Lorosa’e. It is hoped that through listening to the situation of people in this country and a powerful story of their struggle for reconciliation, we will be inspired to commit ourselves to acts of reconciliation in our own communities. You can read the portions with different voices, present a drama, or you may have other ways to make the presentation more creative.

It is advisable to include people of different ages and backgrounds, including children, to participate in the liturgy, such as in the reading of different ‘voices’ and the portions from Scripture. It maybe helpful to form a small group to assist in preparing, adapting, translating and making the liturgy familiar to the congregations.

Offering

We suggest that a special offering be collected during this service to go into supporting the education of the children in Timor Lorosa’e. This collection will be channeled through the Protestant Church in Timor Lorosa’e (IPTL). This is a small way for us as churches in Asia to express our concrete support to the efforts of the church in Timor Lorosa’e for the transformation of their society. Any contributions could be sent to the following:

The Associate General Secretary for Finance
The Christian Conference of Asia
96, 2nd District, Pak Tin Village,
Mei Tin Road, Shatin, N.T. Hong Kong

via

Check payable to: CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE OF ASIA

or via

Account Number: 295-259766-001 (HKD plus all other currency)
295-9-916715 (USD)
Hang Seng Bank, Hankow Road Branch
4 Hankow Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong

"Timor Lorosa’e: Hope for New Life"

Order of Worship

(The leader may invite the congregation to bring to mind the concerns for this Asia Sunday: "Timor Lorosa’e: Hope for New Life". The new hymns may be learned at this time.)

(A moment of silence)

All:

God is with us, steadfast in love and mercy!
How good it is to come together and praise God!
God calls the people to live in faith, hope and love!
How good it is to come together and listen!
All those whose hope is in God alone, come worship God!

"Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth;
break forth, O mountains, into singing!
For the Lord has comforted his people,
and will have compassion on his suffering ones." (Isaiah 49: 13)

3. Hymn of Praise "O Many People of All Lands" (Sound The Bamboo # 21)

Blue, like the vast blue sky and the deep blue sea, stands for hope.
Green, like the color of the plants and trees, stands for life.

5. Hymn of Praise (stand): "In Great Thanksgiving" (Sound The Bamboo # 31)

During the reign of fear under the militias, many villages were divided. Some village members called for independence while others joined the militias and violently tried to put down the independence movements. When independence did come to East Timor, the militia members fled to West Timor.

After several years of living in exile in West Timor, some members of these militia units wished to return to their villages in the east. But after having been involved in burning the houses of their neighbours, killing village livestock and often physically brutalising other members of the village, would they be allowed home?

In one village three former militia members fearfully returned and asked the village leaders if they could stay and return to their farming. They were homesick, hungry, and above all, they were afraid. The village leaders called the entire village together. The former militia members sat on one side of the village square and the villagers all sat on the other. The tension was high as the villagers remembered how these three men had killed their precious livestock and burned down some of their houses along with the village meeting hall. One of the elders stood up and addressed the three militia members.

Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near.
Let us bow down before our God in prayer, confessing our individual and collective sins.

For unrighteous thoughts that break our lives and our sense of community.

For the hardness of our hearts to ways of truth and reconciliation confront us, O God. Your thoughts are not our thoughts, your ways are not our ways.
Have mercy on us, forgive us and change us through Jesus Christ and the empowering presence of your Spirit.

"Peace, peace, to the far and the near, says the Lord; and I will heal them (and you)." (Isaiah 57:19)

Listen to me, you that pursue righteousness,
you that seek the Lord.
Look to the rock from which you were hewn,
and to the quarry from which you were dug.
Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you;
for he was but one when I called him,
but I blessed him and made him many.
For the Lord will comfort Zion;
he will comfort all her waste places,
and will make her wilderness like Eden,
her desert like the garden of the Lord;
joy and gladness will be found in her,
thanksgiving and the voice of song.

Listen to me, my people,and give heed to me, my nation;
for a teaching will go out from me,
and my justice for a light to the peoples.
I will bring near my deliverance swiftly,
my salvation has gone out
and my arms will rule the peoples;
the coastlands wait for me and for my arm they hope.
(silence)

Very Truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy. When a woman is in labor, she has pain, because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world. So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

We lift our hearts to you, O God.
You are the great I AM.
We believe that you are the wellspring of all that is:
The heavens and the earth declare your glory.
You have shaped us in your own image.
It is our duty and delight to work with you in the rhythm of creation.

We lift our hearts to you, O God.
You are the almighty Word.
You spoke before time began.
You spoke to every race and nation.
You clothed yourself in our flesh as Jesus the Christ.
Through his birth and his life you became one with us.
Through his suffering and death you declared the Easter
Triumph of evil confounded and hope restored.
It is our duty and delight to witness to his resurrection,
to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

We lift our hearts to you, O God.
You are Spirit and Truth.
You are the bond of love holding all things together.
You have breathed your peace upon us,
and release us into the fellowship of your Church.
You send us to be light even in the darkest places.
It is our duty and delight to proclaim the coming Day,
and the joy of a new creation brought to birth.

1. Jesus Hakarak Hau Atang
Naroman ba Nia
Iha jatin ne be dei
Hau halo Nia haksolok

2. Jesus hakarak hau atang
Hare ema seluk.
Ibu midar, laran diak
Respeitu ba malu.

3. Hau husu tulun ba Jesus
Tau matan ba hau nia an
Para hau atang nia laran mos
Halo tuir Nia dalan

Ref. Naroman, naroman.
Ne mak Nia husu ba hau.
Naroman, naroman
Hau naroman nafatin.

4. Hau hakarak fo naroman
Foti as Nia naran
To loron ikus hau sempre
Haksolok ho Jesus.

[a translation of ‘Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam’ in Tetum language, the language of the people in Timor Lorosa’e. Translated from Bahasa Indonesia (Yamuger 1982) by Merry de Vasconcelos, 1992]

They are the signs of our love for you and the world, especially for our brothers and sisters in Timor Lorosa’e. Amen.

Let us pray for courage for the people of Timor Lorosa’e to rise above the terrors, pains and struggles in life and work for a better future of an independent nation.

Let us pray for wisdom for the people of Timor Lorosa’e to use their cultural and spiritual resources for truth and reconciliation, and to build a peaceful country based on justice.

Let us pray for love among the people of Timor Lorosa’e to permeate their minds so that they can work together beyond their differences in the past and in the present time.

Let us pray for friendship among the people of Timor Lorosa'e to fill their hearts so that they can walk together to overcome hatred and enmity towards each other and towards other people in their surrounding.

Living God, we ask you to bless us.
We wait expectantly for the renewing energy of your love for usand for the world.
We open ourselves to the power of your healing.

(silent prayer)

O God, we are deeply concerned about the people and situations which we now bring before you. We ask your blessing on them.
(the people name their concerns)

Gather us under the wings of your love as a mother hen gathers her chickens.

That we may stand free and take up our life with new courage and faith.

May the God of peace be found within you;
The God of love surround and hold you;
And the God of liberation lift you and bring you new life.