November 2003 marked a time of thanksgiving for HKCI as we celebrated our 15th anniversary together with members and friends on November 22 in Hong Kong. As we look back on our past journey, we have been richly blessed by God and the support and prayers of many local and global ecumenical friends and organiations. In order to share our joy and reflection with the wider ecumenical community, we have invited several members and ecumenical partners to share their thoughts and reflections with us. As we face future challenges, the members of HKCI also rededicate ourselves to God by signing a joint mission statement that is printed in this issue.

Let us remember the past with gratitude, but we do not dwell there. Rather, we face the future with new courage and hope.

Linking Theology and Action
Philip Shen, founding member and former chairperson
The Hong Kong Christian Institute (HKCI) began as a fellowship of people with a common commitment to the mission of the Christian Church in relation to current social, political and cultural issues. Through the years, it developed into an educational and resource centre for frontline theological reflection as well as a rallying point of social action which, to some, may be rather inappropriate for formally established religious institutions to take. In this regard, HKCI has made its distinctive contributions and possibly also a unique witness to history in the years of crises and transformations of Hong Kong. I congratulate its accomplishments and pray for its continuous mission under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

An Ecumenical Bridge Spanning the Global and the Local
Ahn Jae-woong, Christian Conference of Asia
It is truly inspiring to know that the Hong Kong Christian Institute (HKCI) has completed 15 years of service to the Church and society. On behalf of the officers, staff and members of CCA, I would like to extend our hearty congratulations on HKCI's 15th anniversary.

HKCI is an ecumenical organisation created by ecumenically minded people in Hong Kong to promote ecumenism in local congregations. We thank God for this initiative.
Its orientation has been to articulate current trends of global issues to Christians in Hong Kong and to help them respond to issues affecting the people nationally and internationally. As an ecumenical research and networking body, HKCI has made tremendous contributions in consolidating the work of the regional ecumenical bodies as well as civil society groups in Asia. Its relation and coordination with local congregations to highlight issues affecting the Church and society has always been greatly appreciated.
HKCI is continuing its search for a new vision and mission for Christians living in interfaith and no faith contexts in Asia and is promoting justpeace for all of God's people and God's Creation. I hope and pray that HKCI will achieve greater heights in its work and activities in Hong Kong in the years to come.
Once again, please accept our congratulations. We are very proud of you.
May God bless us all.

The Joy of Multifaith Solidarity
Mohamed Alli Din, United Muslim Association of Hong Kong
Greetings! Peace be upon you!
I am so happy for the success of your organisation. I am proud that despite our differences we have managed to form an alliance that fights for the same cause. I believe that religion should not separate people from each other. Instead, it should be a tool to help bridge the gap between people because the very core of religion is still humanity.

Every day I watch the primary students at our school and see how united they are. These children have different religious backgrounds, but it is not a hindrance for them to be friends with one another. Their innocence and peace-loving nature rise beyond prejudice, ignorance and fear, and their laughter is my guiding light—my hope that one day the different peoples in this world will live in harmony.
That is why I am very pleased to have known the Hong Kong Christian Institute (HKCI) and Rose Wu. My organisation, the United Muslim Association of Hong Kong (UMAH), has developed a bond with them. It is time to show the world that no matter what religion we embrace we should set our differences aside and focus on how to solve problems hand in hand.

In the early months of 2002, I was called by HKCI under the initiative and tireless efforts of Rose Wu to attend a meeting at their office. Unexpectedly, the people who attended the meeting represented four religious communities in Hong Kong, namely, the Catholic, Protestant, Jewish and Muslim communities. Although it was the first meeting of the four religious communities, there was yet a warm feeling of sharing regarding world peace. After several exchanges of correspondence and meetings, we organised and held an interfaith prayer vigil for peace in the Middle East, and it was a success! Setting aside political agendas and concentrating on prayers and meditations for world peace, this tremendous activity that HKCI initiated provided a greater opportunity for every religious community to understand, recognise and respect each other. As written in the Holy Quran Chapter 49 Verse 13: "O ye, Mankind! We have created you from [a single pair of] male and female] and made you into tribes and nations that you may know one another (not that you despise one another). Verily, the most honoured of you in the sight of GOD is [he who] is most righteous. Verily, God is All-Knowing."

Selfishness, greed and lust for power and pleasures are taking over the whole globe. Societies and cultures are in disarray. There are many problems in the world today. There are spiritual problems, moral problems, social problems, economic problems, in which HKCI has taken steps to gather the different religions and believers in Hong Kong to share its sentiments for the well-being and interests of the community.
As leaders of religious organisations, we should not misrepresent each other. We must wish for others on what we wish for ourselves. We should encourage dialogue and cooperation rather than prejudice and confrontation. People of religion should be in the forefront of the movement of moral and spiritual reform. Peace and justice for all people, human rights for all people, the protection of families, protection of the environment, the elimination of weapons of mass destruction from the whole world should be our priorities. Instead of talking about a clash of civilisations, let us preserve and develop peace, justice, tolerance in our families, in our neighbourhoods, in our places of work, among the people we know and do not know.
On behalf of UMAH, I wish to extend my warm congratulations to HKCI on its 15th anniversary. I pray to Almighty Allah to bless us all, and let peace and harmony shine on this earth and all mankind.
Wa salaam.

Promoting the Ecumenical Agenda in Hong Kong
Hans Lutz, Hong Kong Tsung Tsin Mission's Social and Service Division
I can hardly believe that the Hong Kong Christian Institute (HKCI) is celebrating only its 15th anniversary! It has become such an important element in the life of the Church and society in our city that I simply cannot envisage a Hong Kong without it. We owe our thanks to Kwok Nai-wang, Rose Wu and their staff for all the work they have done over the past 15 years.

In my opinion, HKCI fulfils a very important function. There are not many places in Hong Kong where the agenda of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) are taken up. Of course, the role of the Hong Kong Christian Council (HKCC) in this respect is indispensable. However, as a representative of denominations and Christian organisations, it operates by broad consultation and consensus. It offers ordinary Christians and church workers limited opportunities to get involved. It is in this respect that HKCI offers opportunities.

The institute has done much in organising courses and publishing books. My own experience in cooperation with HKCI has been more in taking up current concerns, such as the promotion of democracy and human rights and building relations with other religions. I have always appreciated the willingness of the institute's staff to take up new causes and to serve as a catalyst among Christian frontline organisations. May HKCI and its staff continue their essential work and obtain the recognition they deserve!

HKCI—A Catalyst of the Ordinary Folk
Basil Fernando, Asian Human Rights Commission
My thoughts about the Hong Kong Christian Institute (HKCI) are very much connected with its two directors, Kwok Nai-wang and Rose Wu. They are both people who have left a significant impression on me and have given me a glimpse of what the organisation is all about. They are deeply reflective people who see a deep commitment to people as a core component of their faith. In their writing, they have reflected the anxieties and hopes of the people of Hong Kong. Christian hope, as they have expressed it, takes historical contradictions seriously and sees the role of ordinary folk in making their own histories. Recent events, such as the massive protest generated against the proposed Article 23 legislation, proves that their understanding of local people and the local reality is very sound.

The recent history of China, of which Hong Kong is part, has been colossal. World opinion has not yet given sufficient attention to the enormous changes that will continue to take place in this region. Stereotypical images formed during the Cold War still hold sway. The voices of local people and organisations, such as HKI, need to be heard more often. How do the ordinary folk here think at the present time? What are the implications of their thoughts for the future? These are very vital questions. To ignore the people and only speculate on the moves of the political elite is no way to understand any country or place.
In a visit to China this October, some young students of Wuhan University posed the following question: "We do not feel much anxiety in saying or doing many things, but our lecturers are often very cautious in saying anything. Can you explain this?" The question shows the students' perception of a gap in communication between the younger generation and the rest of civil society. This is not very surprising, given the nature of this new generation that has had the benefit of many positive changes and that is therefore less retarded by negative experiences. Culturally also they are unique in that they are products of the one-child policy and have experienced the world in that context. Here in Hong Kong the present generation of youth is also unique in terms of their sophistication and enjoyment of freedoms.
It is in such a tradition then that people, religious traditions and commitments have to be rearticulated in an authentic manner. With the experience gained in the last 15 years, HKCI has new challenges to face in the coming years. The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) wishes the institute well on this important occasion.

The Canaanite Woman in Hong Kong
John Gravley, American Baptist Mission
There is a question students of philosophy often like to ask: "If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?" This may seem like a funny question. Of course, falling trees make noise—branches break, limbs are crushed and there is some type of impact—there is noise. Our philosophy friends though wonder if no one hears the sounds do the sounds have any significance. In our world today, some of God's children cannot get a hearing; they go unheard. Often this unhearing means they are disregarded or discounted.

It takes courage to hear. It takes courage to voice the stories of those who are being crushed under unjust burdens. But sometimes people like the troublesome Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:21–28 demand to be heard. She knew God offered hope for her daughter. However, even Jesus does not hear her. Those around Jesus only see the woman as a nuisance. Yet this woman who has no "right" to bother Jesus pushes for a dialogue with him. Jesus tries to dismiss her. She is not his concern. She is not of interest to him. But the woman continues and miraculously Jesus' eyes are opened to the faith of this woman. Jesus hears her voice. She becomes real to him. Of course, God cares for her also.

We need people like this woman. We need to hear the voices of those silenced among us. The American Baptist Mission is honoured to support and encourage the work of the Hong Kong Christian Institute (HKCI). You have been a voice for human rights throughout your ministry. You have spoken out for the inclusion of more parts of society in the governing of Hong Kong. You have advocated for the rights of those seeking abode here. You have brought different religious groups to dialogue on peace. You have worked to protect the rights of Hong Kong's people. You have offered a voice to some of those rendered silent. Thank you!

Hong Kong Christian Institute
15th Anniversary Mission Statement
Identity
We are a community of Christian believers from different denominations who are striving to uphold our faith and be loyal to God.
We recognise the importance of freedom of religion and freedom of conscience. Faith not only relates to the private domain, but it also concerns the public sphere as well.
Based on our Christian faith, we endeavour to establish a humane, just, equal and caring society in Hong Kong.
Context
We express our deep concern about the segregation of the community and the dehumanisation and suppression of civil society since the return of our sovereignty to the mainland.
We care about the minorities in our midst who have borne the brunt of the economic downturn and are blamed as the scapegoats for the problems of our society.
While many people suffer from the economic decline and continued deflation of the past few years, we care about the monopoly enjoyed by the business magnates and international corporations. While they have large reserves of capital, they have exploited the remuneration of their low ranking employees and have diminished the space for the survival of small shop owners.
We care about the recent policies of the government (e.g., the legislation to implement Article 23 of the Basic Law) that have posed threats to our freedom of expression, association and religion.
We care about the weakness and lack of legitimacy of the present government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), which is not elected by universal franchise and cannot effectively protect the foundation of the rule of law and the human rights of the people of Hong Kong.
We care about the recent economic slump, the shrinking of space for citizens to participate in politics, the segregation and exclusivity that exist in the community. Hong Kong's people need space for spirituality and communal care in view of the pressures they face from politics, the economy, work and family.
After the Sept.11 incident, we also care about the conflicts that have emerged from the intertwined factors of religion, race, history and politics. Because of the hegemony of world powers, their threats and even military attacks on their "enemies" have resulted in unnecessary casualties and have deepened the hatred among different religious faiths, cultures and races. The "war on terrorism" that was born after the Sept.11 tragedy not only cannot stop terrorism but will further spread violence as many people and organisations have been labelled as terrorists at will.
Response
We believe that in establishing a just, equal and caring Hong Kong we need to liase with different groups in the community.
We endeavour to bring together individuals and groups of the Christian faith to contribute to Hong Kong society.
We endeavour to liase with the Church and various community organisations to promote the development of democracy, the spirit of mutual accommodation and the formation of a lively civil society.
We endeavour to promote dialogue and cooperation among different religions and to clarify misunderstandings and work together toward peace.
We endeavour, through education among lay people, to discuss and exchange views in sincerity, to encourage young people to think about the meaning of civil society and to stimulate believers to do contextual theological reflection and practice.
We undertake actions of social concern through which our voice as well as the voice of the weak is heard.
We explore models of pastoral practice through the perspective of social concern.
We manifest the spirit of unity in Christ through organising community retreats, ecumenical worship services and actions of social concern.

HK Christain Insititute, 11 Mongkok Road, 10/F, Ngai WOng Commercial Building, Kowloon. Tel 6100 3564 email: hkci@netvigator.com www.hkci.org.hk