9^TH SESSION GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE METHODIST CHURCH IN MALAYSIA

Bishop Hwa Yung re-elected

KOTA KINABALU – The Rev Dr Hwa Yung was re-elected Bishop of the Methodist Church on the first ballot at the 9^th Session of the General Conference of The Methodist Church in Malaysia held in Kota Kinabalu from Sept 15 to 20, 2008.

In his brief speech afterwards he thanked the General Conference for the vote of confidence and affirmation in re-electing him to the office of bishop. He reiterated what he had said in the Episcopal Address for his thankfulness to God’s grace and strength sufficient for the work that had been put into his hands the past four years. He also thanked the Presidents of the Annual Conferences, the GC officers and all the GCEC members for their support.

Bishop Hwa Yung asked for their prayers and urged them to work together to advance the work of the Gospel of Christ through The Methodist Church in Malaysia.

At the closing service of the General Conference, Bishop Dr Robert Solomon of The Methodist Church in Singapore, together with Bishop Roy I. Sano of the United Methodist Church, the US; Bishop Albert Chiew of The Chinese Methodist Church in Australia; and Bishop Amat Tumino of The Methodist Church in Indonesia, officiated in the re-dedication of Bishop Hwa Yung.

In his sermon Bishop Dr Solomon pointed out that the work of a bishop is a noble task. It is an important office where great things can be accomplished. But just as in warfare, often the most strategic places are also the most vulnerable and therefore needs to be guarded all the more. While the office of the bishop is one of elevation, yet it is also to carry the cross.

A prayer of re-dedication for Bishop Hwa Yung. From left, Bishop Roy Sano, Bishop Dr Robert Solomon and Bishop Albert Chiew. – Picture by The Methodist Church in Malaysia.