January 27, 2006

As the new lunar year 4703-4704 dawns on Sunday, January 29, many Asian communities worldwide will mark the occasion with traditional observances – centuries-old customs that now unfold in an era of unprecedented globalization.

The significance of Asian contexts – and corresponding ministries in the Anglican tradition – increases with population growth: India's 1-billion-plus populace is forecast to surpass China's current 1.3 billion mark by the year 2050, according to several research sources. Moreover, economic expansion – including China's current boom market and preparations for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games – also creates major international impact.

Meanwhile, women's voices in particular are being upheld increasingly in various Asian-Anglican settings. The upcoming World Mission Sunday, February 26, and the closely related Anglican Women's Empowerment gathering in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women are among examples. (Please see the related article below with reflections from Phoebe Griswold of New York, a leader in these initiatives who recently shared in a two-week visit to Asia with her husband, Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold.)

In the Episcopal Church and across the Anglican Communion, numerous congregations, dioceses, provinces and institutions share in ministry in Asian cultural contexts. An overview of people, places and initiatives is offered online through the following links:

The Office of Asian American Ministries, http://www.episcopalchurch.org/asian_american.htm, led by the Rev. Winifred "Fred" Vergara, missioner for Asian American ministries, is part of the Episcopal Church's Ethnic Congregational Development program. This site also includes links to the numerous local Asian-American congregations of the Episcopal Church.

The Office of Anglican and Global Relations, http://www.episcopalchurch.org/agr.htm, led Margaret Larom, director of Anglican and Global Relations for the Episcopal Church, is assisted by Peter Ng, Asia/Pacific officer.

The Presiding Bishop's Office, http://www.episcopalchurch.org/presiding-bishop.htm, the Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold III. Recent ENS articles related to the Presiding Bishop's visit to Asia can be found online at: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_71248_ENG_HTM.htm.

The Episcopal Diocese of Taiwan, http://www.episcopalchurch.org/taiwan.htm, led by Bishop David Lai.

Episcopal Relief and Development, http://www.er-d.org/, led by Robert Radtke (who was previously senior vice president for Programs at the Asia Society, http://www.asiasociety.org/.)

Anglican Communion Office, http://www.anglicancommunion.org/.

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/.

Anglican Listening & Learning, http://www.anglicanlistening.org/ (a website of the Episcopal Church).

The Church of Bangladesh, http://www.anglicancommunion.org/tour/province.cfm?ID=B, led by Bishop Michael S. Baroi.

The Anglican Church of Hong Kong (Sheng Kung Hui), http://www1.hkskh.org/, led by Archbishop Peter Kwong.

The Anglican Church of Japan (Nippon Sei Ko Kai), http://www.nskk.org/, led by Archbishop James Toru Uno.

The Anglican Church of Korea, http://www.skh.or.kr/, led by Archbishop Matthew Chul Bum Chung.

The China Christian Council, http://www.amitynewsservice.org/.

The Church of the Province of Myanmar (Burma), http://www.anglicancommunion.org/tour/province.cfm?ID=M3, led by Archbishop Samuel San Si Htay.

The Church of North India (United), http://www.cnisynod.org/, led by Archbishop James Terom.

The Church of Pakistan (United), http://www.anglicancommunion.org/tour/province.cfm?ID=P, led by Bishop Alexander John Malik.

The Church of the Province of South East Asia, http://www.anglicancommunion.org/tour/province.cfm?ID=S2, led by Archbishop Datuk Yong Ping Chung.

The Episcopal Church in the Philippines, http://episcopalphilippines.net/, led by Archbishop Ignacio Capuyan Soliba.

The Church of South India, http://www.anglicancommunion.org/tour/province.cfm?ID=S3, led by Archbishop Badda Peter Sugandhar.

Episcopal News Service