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Newsletter 62 Spring / Summer 2011 ■ Cultural values of the East and West ■ New Leaf Counselling Centre ■ Insights from Chinese students ■ Resource Exchange Network – REN

WWHENWHENHEN EEASTEASTAST CCOMESCOMESOMES WWESTWESTEST

This issue of the FCC Newsletter by Cultural Exchange with , this chaplains, Chinese congregations introduces an initiative to respond to the initiative aims to promote networking and organisations to share ideas, practical and pastoral needs of Chinese and resource-sharing between those who experiences and concerns. The first students in UK, a group which it is now are engaged, or wish to be engaged, section of this Newsletter shares some thought may number nearly 100,000! with Chinese students while they are of the presentations made at this Set up by Friends of the Church in China studying here. We hope that some of our Round Table gathering. and the Churches Together in Britain readers will join this process. A Round and Ireland China Desk, and supported Table meeting last year brought together

Cultural Treasures of the East and West

The Revd Thomas Yap

IT WAS A MONDAY AFTERNOON when generalisations but, I hope this will I met with a Caucasian lecturer who be a useful starter in getting to think, commented to me in passing how he reflect and grow in our understanding of found his Chinese students difficult to working with Chinese students, whether work with. Since I was the university they are from China, Taiwan, Hongkong, Church of England (Anglican) chaplain Southeast Asia, Central Asia or overseas and a British Chinese, I did not hesitate Chinese. to ask what he meant! He said that Different philosophies most of the time he felt that his Chinese students tended to be quiet and passive; The first noticeable interest is how both it was hard to figure out what they the East and West have been shaped by thought or what they felt about their different philosophies. Chinese ideology work with him. is profoundly influenced by Confucius, This initial encounter with my a Chinese philosopher (551–479 BCE). colleague was what prompted my forage During a long period of social upheaval,

Photo: Jon Lewis/Oxford Mail into examining the cultural treasures he brought social and civic order into Chinese students in Oxford celebrate Chinese of the West and East. I am aware in Chinese society. The Confucius way New Year writing this I will have to make gross of thinking permeates every fabric of

FFCCCC 662.indd2.indd 1 112/5/112/5/11 10:08:0110:08:01 amam Chinese identity. The legacy of Confucius Chinese value:1 Situation-orientated Western value: Individual-orientated thinking includes: ■ obedience to parents Group identity Autonomy ■ putting others above oneself Achievement of goal set by others Achievement of individual goals ■ the idea that when the family is Motivation based on obligation Motivation based on feelings alright, then society is alright. In contrast, the West is shaped by a very Duty to others Personal rights different philosophy. One of the most Emphasis on positions in relationships Play down superiority/inferiority prominent was formed by Descartes (1596–1650). It was Descartian Submissive to authority Dislike for rules and control thinking that brought rationalism and Deference and adherence to social politeness Assertive individualism into Western society: ‘I think, therefore I am’. This led to what Emphasis on self-effacement Open and accessible to others we call the Enlightenment period of Western history. The Descartian legacy in the West includes the importance of chaplaincy work, I would like to suggest Firstly, learn to be aware of our own reason, individual thinking and valuing three specific concerns: cultural values and identities so that we freedom of thought. can work closely with differences. For ■ Cultural expectations The two different philosophies have me, in practice, this means sometimes • High levels of pressure, perfect- a tremendous impact on the values of examining, albeit painfully, my own ionism and performance (for which everyday life. See table (above) for some prejudices (we all have them!), fears, failure means shame); being the observations. and hopes so that I can bear other perfect student/immigrant/scholar/ As we can see, understanding the people’s prejudices, fears and hope when ethnic minority. different philosophy and values of the they arise. East and West is vital for life together. • High expectations, not just finance Secondly, curiosity in interpreting Thinking about my white colleague’s but, ideological bearings from the cultural and spiritual landscape of comment about his Chinese students, parents (eg: your mum and dad where I live is really vital if I want to I can see why he would feel they were were immigrants so you have a grow in this area. This means finding ‘difficult’ for him! better chance in life). out answers to questions like, how did 2 the Chinese community in my area come Everyday life ■ Psychosomatic illness about? How does the Christian faith • High levels of incidents where This brings us to the important make sense theologically to a Chinese students unconsciously use question: what does it mean for the person? What does my culture and biological illness as a way of everyday life of Chinese students in values say about my faith? Answering expressing emotional needs (eg: British universities? From my personal these questions helps me to think how backache, colds, headaches) since observations of Chinese students in my I may change my approach to tackling biological illness is perceived to issues. have more potency and legitimate Lastly, the ability to network3 with stance than emotional illness. various groups (both secular and ■ Sociological incongruence religious) is important for the welfare Understanding the • Different attitudes and beliefs of Chinese students. This includes both different philosophy about inter-racial relationships international and national groups that and authority (eg: a Chinese work with Chinese concerns. and values of the East student being told by her parents, The Revd Thomas Yap is a pastoral counsellor and West is vital for ‘One billion Chinese and she can’t and Church of England chaplain at the choose one! She has to have a University of Essex; email: [email protected]. life together white man.’)

Building bridges Footnotes 1 Jeannette Yep, Following Jesus without dishonouring your In the light of this, what would be parents (Illinois: IVP, 1998). helpful for us as we think of building 2 Evelyn Lee, Working with Asian Americans: A guide for bridges between the two? Here are clinicians (London: Guildford Press, 1997). some of my musings and what I have 3 Shinun Au and Rebecca Tang, ‘Mental Health Services for Chinese people’, Mental Health in a Multi-ethnic Society attempted to do in my work so far. (London: Routledge, 2009).

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FFCCCC 662.indd2.indd 2 110/5/110/5/11 10:47:5910:47:59 amam A Life-Changing Process

Anita Tang

The New Helping you to face life’s challenges and reach Leaf Counselling centre was a project wholeness through counselling! brought to the attention of those at the Round Table 透過輔導， 幫助你面對生命的挑戰， 邁向全人成長！ meeting.

Who we are trauma and trouble. Additionally, some that will help the client at a particular may experience life issues and events state in life’s journey and help the client New Leaf Counselling Service is part of which are just too difficult and painful to ultimately reach wholeness. the social arm of the Chinese Church in to handle alone, such as bereavement, London. Our aim is to help people face Our team divorce, redundancy, health issues life’s challenges and reach wholeness or bullying. Alternatively, one may We are professionally trained and through counselling. experience an underlying feeling of qualified counsellors who abide by The name ‘New Leaf’ is derived from dissatisfaction with life in general, and the Code of Ethics and Practice of the the biblical story of Noah and the flood, the need to find balance between life British Association for Counselling found in Genesis chapter 8 verse 11. and spirituality. and Psychotherapy (BACP), as well Noah sends out a dove when the flood- New Leaf works with people in both as of the Association of Christian waters start to subside and ‘when the short- and long-term arrangements to Counsellors (ACC). We work under dove returned to him in the evening, help bring about effective change and regular supervision. In addition, we are there in its beak was a freshly plucked to enhance well-being. Counselling is a practising Christians from churches in olive leaf.’ life-changing process and is based on a and around London. However, we will We believe that life is full of trusting, supportive, non-judgemental not impose our faith on anyone who challenges and yet at times it seems and mutual relationship. It provides comes to us. static. However, there is always the clients with a safe and confidential New Leaf is available for all of hope that after a bleak winter comes the environment in which to explore the Chinese community regardless of spring; new leaves start growing again, emotional, psychological or social income, religion, gender, disability or representing peaceful new beginnings! problems. type of issue. Our counsellors speak What we do Counselling can assist clients Mandarin, Cantonese and English. to identify personal resources and The three main areas we focus on are: For more information: capabilities which are sometimes lost 020-7602 9092 1. serving the Chinese (but not or buried in times of confusion and 07786 961615 (mobile) exclusively) in London, and its anxiety. It may enable someone to see Email: [email protected] surrounding areas, through Web page: www.ccil.org.uk/newleaf circumstances afresh and with clarity, professional counselling; so that necessary changes can be made 2. providing relevant training courses and workshops for Chinese groups; 3. co-ordinating with other professional Chinese counsellors, and those working in similar fields, in order to support one another, raise standards and promote this ministry. There are times when people experience distress and pressure in their lives, such as complex relational issues, difficulties with living in an unfamiliar culture, unexpected changes, emotional

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FFCCCC 662.indd2.indd 3 110/5/110/5/11 10:48:0010:48:00 amam Post-Graduate Perspectives

The Round Mandy Xiaoman Chao She has struggled with how far she Table attracted over 20 should adapt to the lifestyle in the UK Mandy is studying for a Masters Degree participants and among and has found it difficult to balance in Education, Gender and International them were two Chinese Western culture and her own Chinese Development in London and has been in scholars now in the UK who culture. the UK over three years. gave insightful presentations A network of friends is something She introduced herself as a Catholic, about their experiences. They very important to her particularly during from a ‘not rich’ family in rural come from very different key Chinese festivals, such as friends northwest China. Her presentation backgrounds. celebrating Chinese New Year, Mid- was on ‘Cultural integration and self Autumn Day, etc. adjustment’ and she shared about Chinese people have difficulty her background and experience as it daring to be creative and questioning Zhenggang pertained to her topic. the authorities; this might be from Different to other Chinese students, the boundaries of traditional Chinese Zhenggang, who came to UK in 2003 Mandy was born into a Catholic family culture, gender roles, etc. to do a PhD and is now doing scientific and so became involved in a Catholic Cultural integration and self post-doctoral research in London, community when she came to the UK as adjustment can be a long process. At shared his journey towards becoming a she was sponsored by a Catholic priest different periods, students may face Christian. Invited to a New Year event to study in a Catholic school. There she different difficulties and have questions, by the Chinese Church in London, he met students from different countries began to explore Christianity and was and got to know people from different baptised at Easter 2006. At the Round cultural backgrounds, but it still took Cultural integration and Table he gave a compelling summary of her a long time to get adjusted to self adjustment can be a the impact of Christianity on his life, see British, specifically English, culture. the table below. long process

Before After

Belief system A little bit of Confucius, Daoism, Buddhism, and modernism. Christian belief. Believing in the one true God. But, not fully believing them. Believe nothing or anything. Vulnerable.

About humans Evolution from animal. Physical, emotional, psychological, Created by God. Bearing the image of God. Physical, not spiritual. emotional, psychological and most importantly spiritual.

About success Money, power, reputation. To fulfil God’s will. Great failure in life is to have been successfully doing things that do not matter (with God’s will).

About security Based on material possession, other people’s evaluation or The Lord is my shelter. When I am facing storms, I know God judgements. is with me and will rescue me if I obey God’s words.

About Satisfying my selfish motivations. To love, protect and free her heart. To lay down my life for marriage/ her in order to make her holy. relationship

About It is safe to only tell 30 percent of my real thoughts. Being Speak the truth in love. Yes is yes; no is no. communication afraid to let people know all my thoughts.

Goals in life Not very clear. To fulfil some dreams (a kind of American To glorify God and enjoy Him forever. dream proclaimed by Hollywood films).

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FFCCCC 662.indd2.indd 4 110/5/110/5/11 10:48:0110:48:01 amam but trying new things, being open to the new culture, trusting their own judgement, will certainly have a positive influence on students’ personal development and ability to live happily. Mandy also thinks it is inappropriate to generalise on some Church issues, as she feels so much information has been misunderstood, misinterpreted, or politicised between what is happening in China, what are the social realities and how Westerners understand the same issue.

London's Chinatown

Student Groupings

During ■ The majority are no longer funded ■ Some need to take part-time jobs the Round Table by scholarships. Most are funded by to help fund themselves. This can meeting a complex picture parents. This has changed the kind impact on their studies and leaves of the student population of student that comes to Britain (eg: less time for extras such as church- from China in the UK emerged. their lifestyle). going. Below are some helpful ■ Some have come to Britain and ■ A big divide between rich and observations which surfaced Ireland for pre-university study and poorer students can lead to envy about the different groupings, so already have a circle of Chinese and pressure to conform to the ‘big- including contact with friends when they go to university. spenders’. Christianity. Some forms of hospitality are no ■ Chinese exchange programmes and longer a novelty. twinning arrangements create groups of students that stick together, but these are not as homogeneous as they may appear from the outside. ■ Mature students are more willing to explore Christianity as part of overseas experience early in their stay before pressures of study increases. ■ Post-graduates looking for work in the UK may be lonely and anxious and open to contact with Christian communities. ■ Students from broken families sometimes embrace the church if they find warmth and love that they have lacked at home. Chinese students on guided walk

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FFCCCC 662.indd2.indd 5 110/5/110/5/11 10:48:0210:48:02 amam TheThe ChineseChinese CommunityCommunity I inin thethe UKUK The Chinese community in UK is one of the largest and oldest in Europe. The 2001 census gave the Chinese population as being just under 250,000, then 0.4 percent of the total population. By 2006, the estimated number had risen to 400,000. Current estimates put the figure at around 600,000, including almost 100,000 students, but excluding irregular migrant workers. This figure includes the rapidly expanding number of British-born Chinese.

FROM THE EARLY 19TH CENTURY, from areas of mainland China without Chinese sailors who had been employed previous migratory links. by British shipping companies settled in the port areas of London and Liverpool. These self-contained communities MANY CHINESE CATHOLICS will grew slowly but steadily between the worship in their local Catholic church, 1850s and 1920s. From the 1950s, and there are just a few city-centre these communities were replaced by a parishes that cater specifically for rapidly growing population of Chinese Chinese worshippers. Some Chinese from Hongkong, and the restaurant Protestants attend a local church, but trade expanded rapidly. In the 1960s there are a large number of Chinese and 1970s, they were joined by Chinese congregations across the UK, which, economic migrants from former British with notable exceptions, are mainly colonies Malaysia and Singapore. independent, without denominational From the 1980s onward, a significant affiliation and are conservative number of students from mainland evangelical in nature. Some are linked China began to arrive, initially mainly through the network of Chinese post-graduates, but more recently larger Overseas Christian Mission (COCM), numbers of undergraduates. There has set up in the 1950s. The response to also been a flow of economic migrants Chinese students is very varied across

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FFCCCC 662.indd2.indd 6 110/5/110/5/11 10:48:0310:48:03 amam FROM THE 1950S, there have been new waves of migrant workers of Chinese origin and the Chinese are the fastest-growing ethnic group in UK. The profile of this group has changed: from earlier regions of origin in Hongkong and Southeast Asia, to newer areas of mainland China, including Fujian and Dongbei. It has also changed in terms of educational background, skills and status. It is estimated that there may well be 150,000–200,000 Chinese migrant workers who are undocumented or have irregular status. Of the 1,000 workers in London’s Chinatown alone, one-third are thought to be illegal. the UK, with a few chaplaincies and churches offering significant Chinese- language services and activities, and 1855 SAW THE FIRST Chinese student some local congregations offering graduate as a Doctor of Medicine in welcome and hospitality. Edinburgh. Small numbers of students followed and by the time of the First World War, there were more than 350 THE UK CHINESE POPULATION is not Chinese scholars recorded. From the Whyte’s paper on ‘The Chinese Community a cohesive integrated community but 1960s, increasing numbers of students in UK and the Response of came from Hongkong and in the last a complex mix with ethnic, class and the Churches’ is available professional differences. On the one decade or two, significant numbers have to download from the FCC hand, it is perceived as a successful started to come from mainland China. In website: www.thefcc.org. group in business, academic and hi-tech 2005, it was estimated that there were spheres, but it is also characterised as 50,000 Chinese students in UK; today having a sector traditionally confined to that number is probably nearer 100,000. low-paid, low-skilled occupations in the Chinese students are the largest single niche catering market. Issues that are ethnic group amongst the overseas commonly felt to be of concern, some students, though varied in origin, status especially to the lowest paid and most and prospects. vulnerable include: ■ lack of English-language skills, which prevents good access to public services, especially health and housing; ■ language barriers which restricts employment opportunities; many feel trapped in the long hours and low wages of the traditional restaurant sector; ■ isolation, especially for the elderly and those living in areas without an active Chinese community; racism and prejudice; ■ inter-generational issues, especially for British-born Chinese.

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FFCCCC 662.indd2.indd 7 110/5/110/5/11 10:48:2110:48:21 amam REN Resources Exchange Network

Following on from the Round Table last year, one initiative being and orientation, etc, for Chinese developed is the creation of an online resource of shared materials students. as a means of exchanging ideas and stimulating new action. There ■ Ongoing support, addressing are a variety of activities and programmes already going on in issues, planning for return. Again, we would be pleased to hear about different parts of the UK and the experience built up through these existing schemes of general support, could well be the impetus for someone else in a different location to counselling, mentoring, etc. Or try something new! perhaps you know of programmes aimed at discussion of any concerns MANY OF YOU will be familiar with published materials under the following with those about to return home. the word play on the acronym REN. headings. ■ Specific events. If you have details ‘Ren’ (人) in Chinese language means ■ Welcome, orientation, and of relevant forthcoming events, people—and it is people we hope to initial contact. Please send please let us know so that we can connect with one another! REN hopes details of any information packs, publicise details. that readers of the FCC Newsletter will introductory meetings, methods of We aim to start making these resources contribute articles and notes details of making contact, national or local available online over the summer, relevant groups, activities, websites and organisations involved in greeting initially on the websites of: ■ FCC (www.thefcc.org) ■ CTBI (www.ctbi.org.uk) New Leadership for Catholics in China ■ CEC (www.cecuk.org). Looking ahead, we hope to be able offer In December 2010, the Eighth National briefing sessions to chaplaincies, local Congress of Catholic Representatives churches or ecumenical groups where met in Beijing and elected new leaders desirable, and would be glad to hear to oversee the work of the Catholic from anyone who would like to know Church in China. more about this possibility. Vatican-recognised Bishop Fang Xingyao Also, if your local congregation would of Shandong province is the new like to offer a welcome or hospitality to chair of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Chinese students in your area, we would Association (CPCA). Bishop Joseph Ma see if we could help to establish a link Yinglin of , who was consecrated with local higher education institutions. without approval of the Holy See, is the Fu Tieshan who died in 2007, while the last We hope that more people will get new president of the Catholic Bishops’ head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference was involved with this project, so that we Conference of the Catholic Church in China Liu Yuanren who died in 2005. Liu Bainian, can respond more effectively to the (CBC). The appointment of both recognised former vice-chair of the Catholic Patriotic needs of this growing group! and unrecognised bishops to top posts has Association and its de-facto head in the If you would like to be included confused long-term observers of the Catholic interim period, has been named honorary on our REN mailing list, or have Church in China. The appointment of Fang president of the CPA, while the equally information you could add to and Ma to these top positions fills vacancies elderly Monsignor Jin Luxian of the Shanghai the resources or have any other that have been in place for several years. diocese is the honorary president of the enquiries, please contact Maggi Whyte The last president of the CPCA was Bishop Catholic Bishops’ Conference. ([email protected]).

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FFCCCC 662.indd2.indd 8 110/5/110/5/11 10:48:4710:48:47 amam principles of social development. These include working with people regardless of their religious or political background; accountability at every level and on all sides; the emphasis of partnership; discipline; the need for grassroots participation alongside international contributions. Professor Guan Xinping of Nankai University delivered a key note address where he pushed for the integration of social development reforms alongside Cultural performance at Amity's 25th anniversary celebrations an economic development that must address social inequality. There has to be, he said, an equalisation of public service and an economic model that also Amity:Amity: 25years25years andand relies on technology, not just one that is overwhelmingly labour-intensive. While there is greater acceptance for the work of non-governmental organisations in growinggrowing China and even encouragement by the government, there are also restrictions and obstacles which present challenges, The Amity Foundation celebrated its 25th anniversary with a week of especially in the area of advocacy for sensitive issues such as workers rights. project visits and conference on social development from 1–9 November Social development was defined 2010. Representatives to the event included Amity’s local benefactors, throughout the conference as the government officials, and representatives from churches in China. promotion of human flourishing International participants came from Europe, North America, Asia and through social transformation, economic Africa. Representing Friends of the Church in China were Simon Brown, growth and political participation. Chair, and Clare Nobbs who for the last several years has coordinated Christianity’s contribution to China’s FCC participation in Amity’s Summer English Programme. modernisation, as discussed in one of the four panel workshops, was through the development of 7,382 schools, Project visit and Miao ethnic minorities. Through 14 universities, 800 hospitals, work Amity’s micro-finance training, women Through example—project visits to four with the elderly, blind/deaf/mute, and were finding both voice and power as locations—the first part of the 25th anti-footbinding and anti-concubinage they managed their own income with Anniversary programme highlighted the campaigns. But, it was also pointed their pig farms or small tea plantations areas of work that Amity’s has become out that Christianity does not have the and used pig manure for biogas fuel. known for both within China and monopoly on good works and that a Water projects were maintained by the internationally: compassionate response to poverty is community, roads were built by people ■ rural development true in other religions as well. from the villages where the projects are ■ heath care New challenges which face Amity are located. In all it does, Amity continues ■ many, not the least how to apply itself education to practice a three-fold partnership to the widening disparities between ■ relief where local residents, the government rural and urban, rich and poor and how ■ rehabilitation. and Amity are stakeholders. In Guangxi province, the projects to address the widening environmental that Clare visited included ecologically- Issues and challenges crises facing the nation. As one of the first truly non-government organisations responsible sources of energy (bio-gas), The Amity Foundation originated in and a continuing champion of them, terraced slopes to prevent flooding and 1985 at a time when a key political Amity faces an ironic challenge erosion of soil, and tree-planting on slogan was ‘practice is the sole criterion where the fast growth of charitable slopes to prevent landslides. Many of of truth’. And so Amity started with organisations in China means competing these projects worked in communities practice, not with theory. But throughout for both resources and recognition. that were predominately Zhuang, Yao its 25 years Amity discovered the

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FFCCCC 662.indd2.indd 9 110/5/110/5/11 10:48:4910:48:49 amam Migrant workers, especially from ethnic minorities, learn new CNIECNIE farming techniques

Upon the initiative of the Amity Foundation, FCC was invited to participate in a two-week exposure visit to social development projects offered by the China NGO Network for International Exchange. FCC vice-chair, Canon Stephen Sidebotham, was FCC’s representative in the December 2010 visit and filed this report.

The purpose of the China NGO Network However, a highlight for me was families were persuaded to form a new for International Exchange is to help the visit to a primary school for the community. The government provided international non-governmental children of migrant workers in Beijing. the infrastructure and each family had organisations (NGO) have a better The school is managed by an NGO a grant to build their own house. All understanding of China, to promote whose aim is to meet the needs of worked to communally farm the land friendship between us and in particular disadvantaged people in Beijing. This while at the same time they kept their to share in the amazing development significant educational breakthrough own personal plot round the ancestral of NGOs in China. The CNIE programme recognises the needs and tenuous home. The villagers decide on the priority visit consisted of talks and seminars situation of migrant workers and their of their needs, electing a committee to about the role of NGOs coupled with families. Technically illegal as they coordinate activities. Accountability is visits to specific projects in and around don’t have official residency status, ensured in that the projects are itemised Beijing municipality, Jiangxi province they are without access to medical care, and government grants are listed for all and Shenzhen. education, job security and other needs. to see including how the money has been All the visits were exciting. I could There were 54 children in each class or is being spent. elaborate on the splendid work being (several classes), all learning Mandarin, The second Jiangxi project is a 200 undertaken by Women’s Federations in their ethnic minority language, and hectare organic vegetable farm. In this addressing women’s needs and providing English. This is all under the leadership venture families from the ancestral Springback Education by opening of an inspiring head teacher whose villages let three-fifths of the total schools for girls who for a whole variety philosophy is one of encouragement, land of the project and retained one- of reasons have been forced to drop out ‘Yes, you can make it in life’ and who fifth for their own use. The remaining of education. Government policy now couples this approach with instilling land was offered as public space for ensures nine years’ compulsory, free a sense of responsibility to nation and roads, utilities, etc. The villagers all education for all children. society. work for the project, receiving rent for Even more exciting were two projects the land, payment for the work they that involved rural poverty alleviation do, and thereby are guaranteed regular in Jiangxi province. The government income. They are immediately lifted has great concern about the vast out of poverty while learning a whole inequalities in wealth distribution variety of skills. Migrant workers, across the country and between eastern especially from ethnic minorities, learn seaboard cities and areas of extreme new farming techniques, experience poverty in rural communities. The first the benefit of working together and can project we visited was a new modern take their knowledge back to their home village for farming families. With careful communities. preparation in explaining the benefits I am truly grateful for the CNIE of coming together, and with sufficient experience and to the Amity Foundation School for children of migrant workers inducements to move, five small hamlet for making my attendance possible.

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FFCCCC 662.indd2.indd 1010 110/5/110/5/11 10:48:4910:48:49 amam FOCUS ON … facts

YUNNAN PROVINCE ■ is home to half of China’s 55 ethnic Yunnan minorities ■ is China’s 6th largest province ■ has a population of about 45 million Book Review ■ was once a place of banishment for Strangers in disgraced officials Chaotung ■ is home to the highest number of flora and fauna in China, including 2,500 species John Pritchard of wildflowers and plants ■ created crossing-the-bridge FRANK AND WINNIE TOVEY were, 1946. They were married by Special (guoqiao mixian), a bowl of hot broth briefly, Methodist missionaries in Licence after the Missionary Society covered with a thin layer of oil into which Yunnan before working from 1951 to gave him two weeks’ notice of sailing to thin shavings of raw meat and vegetables 1967 in Mysore. Now in her 90s, Winnie China. are slipped in followed by egg and noodles has published an account of her early The account of the next two years is life, Strangers in Chaotung (Little illuminated by letters they wrote home Knoll Press, 2010), the old Wade-Giles from the ship, from Hongkong, from transliteration of . Hankou where they spent seven months complicated business and no wonder Winnie grew up in Bedford and starts doing both language study and hospital there were nurses’ strikes to contend the book with a vivid, closely observed work, from the hill resort of Kuling with. and remarkably well remembered and eventually from Zhaotong. Kuling Winnie, for the nine months she account of her early life. She was six figures in other missionary memoirs but, was in Zhaotong, was the hospital years old when her mother, aged 27, here is a description of the place. accountant, assistant radiographer and was left a widow with two children and The turbulence of those times, as the anaesthetist. In addition to which she a pension of 5/- a week. They move Peoples’ Liberation Army gradually took gave birth. Letters home saying ‘Please in with her parents: seven people in a control of the country, is well-known; don’t worry about us as we are quite small terraced house with an outside less known, the economic backcloth. The safe here’ were hardly reassuring, and privy. Home, church, school, and first rate of inflation was phenomenal. In the time came when she and the baby job are related, followed by training August 1948 there were, on the official had to leave. Frank flew to Hong Kong for nursing. She was found unsuitable market, 12 yuan to the pound; by March and home by boat. because she was ‘too susceptible to 1949 there were 36 million yuan to the Available from Amazon at £14.99 infection’ but, she became a medical pound! Charging appropriate fees and secretary and met young Dr Tovey in paying adequate salaries became a very

Complete Miao Bible At Last

AFTER 100 YEARS OF WAITING the the China Christian Council teamed up Miao people can finally read the with the United Bible Societies in the complete bible in their own language. early 1990s and began translation of Translation of the bible into the Miao the entire bible in earnest. Over the language began in the early 1900s years teams of translators were trained when Methodist missionary Samuel using the Today’s Chinese Version as a Pollard was the first to develop a written base text with reference to the Chinese script for the Miao which until that Union version. Finished work was check Members of the Miao Bible translation team time had been an oral language only. over and over again by biblical scholars While the Miao New Testament was first who compared it to original biblical Christians in Yunnan province who now published in 1917, a translation of the languages. The China Christian Council can have the complete bible and hymn Old Testament was never possible until estimates there are over 80,000 Miao books in their own language.

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FFCCCC 662.indd2.indd 1111 110/5/110/5/11 10:48:5010:48:50 amam FCC news

Amity’s Tan Hua

2011 We have been delighted to host Ms Tan Hua, vice-director of the Amity ANNUAL MEETING Foundation’s Disaster Management Team, for a three-month English The 2011 FCC Annual Meeting will language study programme, part of be held slightly earlier this year in FCC’s contribution to Amity’s staff hopes of avoiding the bad weather capacity building programme. This 2011 which has been characteristic of our period is jointly supported by FCC, the AGMs in the past few years! Scottish Churches China Group and the General Board of Global Ministries The FCC Annual Meeting will be United Methodist Church. From February throughout the country. Ms Tan also held 12th November, 11am–4pm to the end of May, Ms Tan combined made a number of professional visits at St Martins in the Fields, Trafalgar advanced English studies at Golders and gave a series of presentations on Square, London. Details will be Green College, London, with individual Amity’s work in disaster relief. Readers sent to all FCC members nearer the tuition. During her time in the UK, Tan may remember that in 2009 FCC date, but now is the time to mark Hua stayed with Barbara and Antony sponsored Amity’s Ling Chunxiang in a your diaries. Rose and over weekends visited FCC similar programme. members and local church communities

FCC contacts Teaching in China with the Amity Foundation CHAIR Canon Simon Brown VICE CHAIR Stephen Sidebotham

TREASURER Walter Houston Full time teachers… Saltwell, Claire Brook and Bob Kenyon MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Ann Bagnall are due to return this summer. Andrew MacLeod has become a new (for all membership matters and changes of address) Amity teacher but is no stranger to …and those joining the SEP 74 Redford Loan, Edinburgh, EH13 0AT China having taught with Amity from Friends of the Church in China are CTBI CHINA DESK Lawrence Braschi 2005 to 2007. He joins Ian Groves, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, coordinating an amazing 13 persons Alison Capey, and Angela Evans in 39 Eccleston Square, London, SW1V 1BX in three teams to participate in Amity’s China, all sponsored by the British Email: [email protected] Summer English Program from 4 July and Irish Amity Teachers Group. Kath Tel: 020 7901 4890 – 1 August, 2011. FCC members Clare FCC WEBSITE www.thefcc.org and Christopher Nobbs and Peggy Sidebotham, and veteran SEP volunteer EDITORIAL TEAM Diane Allen, Maggi Whyte ([email protected]) Jane Coates will lead teams of five, four and four, respectively. Jane will DESIGN Wingfinger Graphics be returning to Sichuan, while at the The FCC Newsletter is published twice a year and time this Newsletter has gone to press, sent to all members. Membership costs £15 per Peggy, Clare and Christopher have yet to year (£10 unwaged). For further details, and receive the locations to which they’ll be information about the organisation, please contact the Membership Secretary (address above). assigned. Our thoughts and prayers for a Register Charity no 1004221 joy-filled adventure goes to all SEP volunteers, to Andrew, and to the Chinese students and teachers with Share the future Andrew MacLeod, new Amity teacher whom they will engage.

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