Asian WSCS women united in the Love of Christ

First Joint Asian Area Seminar of World Federation of

Methodist & Uniting Church Women

STORY BY RACHEL NG

PICTURES: EAST ASIA AREA, WFM&UCW.

MEDAN – WOMEN FROM THE REGIONS of East Asia, South India and Sri Lanka of the World Federation of Methodist & Uniting Church Women (WFM&UCW) gathered in Medan from April 14 to 18 to be united in spirit as sisters in the Love of Christ.

It was an eye-opening and exciting experience to see and be a part of this meeting of 360 women from 11 countries – Korea, Malaysia, Hongkong, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, India, Myanmar, Indonesia and Sri Lanka – and be immersed for a few days in different cultures, sharing, learning and appreciating each other, thus being enriched in the body of Christ.

It was extremely heartwarming to see the love of Christ transcending different cultures and societies, and uniting us together as sisters-in-Christ as I attended the various United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals and Creative Workshops.

Being at the seminar enabled me to witness the Spirit of God working in the hearts and lives of these women, and I could experience the touch of God as I received precious lessons from the Word of God that was preached and studied during the seminar and Bible Study sessions.

Moreover, many new and close friendships were made. It was a meaningful and memorable experience for me as I interacted with more mature Christian women, who gave me the opportunity to learn from their experiences, exchange ideas with them and gain global understanding and perspectives.

After receiving much encouragement and such warm hospitality from the women whom I have met, I am inspired to make a difference in all circumstances and situations that God has given and placed me in. I feel a greater sense of conviction to encourage fellow young women to come together, as my belief is strengthened by each other’s presence and the sharing of the blessings and challenges in our lives.

I gained much exposure and developed greater understanding and appreciation of the livelihood of fellow women in various countries in Asia. As I learned of women’s work driven by each country in missions and community, I am determined to break the barriers that hinder my growth in the Lord’s work, and I look forward to playing a bigger and more proactive role in building lives in my community and beyond. 

As I listened to the stories told by the women in their respective areas, I learned that there are many women in the world who are suffering, marginalised and oppressed. The various workshops at the seminar covered the roles and hopes of women in family life and the world.

The motto of the World Federation of Methodist & Uniting Church Women, “To Know Christ and To Make Him Known”, became evident from the many testimonies that were shared at the seminar.

New East Asia Area Officers were elected at the Business Sessions for the term 2011-2016. Mrs Laureen Ong (Singapore) was elected President and Mrs Rita Doloksaribu (Indonesia) was elected Vice-President respectively of East Asia Area, WFM&UCW.

Rachel Ng is a Helen Kim Scholar sponsored by the General Conference-Women’s Society of Christian Service to attend the seminar. She is a member of Pentecost Methodist Church.