Rev. Ray Adams (An Lé-bûn 安禮文)

Dec. 30. 2010

Dear Sek-iong

感謝你和 TCCCNA的聖誕賀卡與支票。

很高興聽到TCCCNA的大會在芝加哥舉行。我們知道您關心的貧富差距問題,不僅是台灣,在世界不同地區富人與窮人的差距一直不斷地擴大。尤其是在目前經濟衰退的社會,每一個人都很難適應,希望美國能很快從經濟衰退的情況中復甦。至於那些失業者,如英國,在這裡我們的政府大量削減公共開支的結果,使得大學的費用大幅的上漲。最近我寫了一封牧函給我曾經牧會過的三座教堂:“基督教的希望寄託在上帝的愛,上帝的愛勝過一切,即使它被嘲笑,甚至長年被強硬試圖消滅。它卻以不同的面象,感染著每個人的生命,並帶領我們進入一個包容性的世界,讓我們有一個共同的責任意識,得以持續地去關懷這個世界。

這可能涉及一個思維的轉變,特別是那些在最近幾年被鼓勵去追求滿足自己慾望的人,他們一心追求自己的人生目標,沒有時間去關懷周遭的事。未來所謂'清醒'的世代,可能需要有更多的合作和更多的志工,使我們的社會得以正常運轉。

但它也提供了一個機會,當我們在試圖規劃未來的一年,如何實踐基督徒的社會責任時,讓我們自省,上帝在這一切所扮演的角色和我們如何在現在的生活當中去落實上帝國的跡象。 “

現在,我的妻子曼迪和我,真誠的問候所有TCCCNA的朋友。感謝您們對我們的關心。

安禮文 

Dear Sek-Iong
I am writing to say a big thank-you to the TCCCNA for your Christmas Greeting and cheque.

It is good to hear of the TCCCNA's assembly in Chicago. We share your concern about the growing disparity between the wealthy and the poor in different parts of the world, not least in Taiwan. We are aware that during the present economic recession it is difficult for everyone, and hope that the situation in the U.S. will soon recover in a tangible way for those who are unemployed, as in the U.K. Here our government cuts in public spending are affecting school leavers hoping to go to university as fees will rise considerably. I wrote recently in a Pastoral letter to the members of the three churches where I minister: " Christian hope rests on the victory of God’s love over all and for all, even though it is derided, and suffers hard-line attempts to extinguish it. It has a universal dimension, touching everyone with life, and drawing us into an inclusive vision where people are sustained by a sense of mutual responsibility and care.

This may involve a shift in thinking for those who have been encouraged in recent years to satisfy their own desires without much thought for others, and to pursue their own life goals. What has been called the ‘sober’ decade ahead of us will probably require greater cooperation and more volunteers to make society work.

But it also provides an opportunity for us to ask where God is in all of this, and what we can do to celebrate the signs of God’s future in our lives now, as we try to put them into practice in the coming year".

My wife, Mandy, and I send our greetings to all in the TCCCNA with our thanks

Yours sincerely Ray

The Rev Ray Adams (An Le-bun)