After the exhibition in Los Angeles and
Atlanta, the Bible Ministry Exhibition of the Church in
China came to its last stop, i.e. the Cathedral Church of
the St. John the Divine in New York.
Rev. Gao Feng is presiding the opening ceremony
Different from the two precious ones, the Cathedral Church
of St. John the Divine is the largest Gothic church in the
world. In the evening service of June 4, the Very Rev. James
Kowalski, the dean of the church extended warm welcome to
CCC delegation for bringing the exhibition to the church
and said that they want to learn from the churches in China.
Guests at the opening ceremony
At 16:00 of June 5, the Grand Opening of the Bible Ministry
Exhibition of the Church in China was held in the Sanctuary
of the Cathedral Church of the St. John the Divine. Mr.
Tung Chee Hwa, Vice Chairperson of Chinese People’s Political
Consultative Conference, Mr. Wang Zuoan, Vice Minister of
the State Administration for Religious Affairs, Mr. Zhang
Yishan, the Minister Counselor of Chinese Embassy to the
Unites States of America, Mr. Kuang Weilin, Acting Consul
General of General Consulate of P. R. C. in New York and
about 200 representatives from churches and church organization
in U.S.A. and other countries were present at the Opening
Ceremony. The vice-chairperson of National TSPM Rev. Gao
Feng and the Very Rev. James Kowalski, the dean of the church
hosted the opening ceremony together. Rev. Dr. Cao Shengjie
delivered greetings at first. She said that this Bible Ministry
Exhibition of the Church in China being held in U.S.A. is
to witness God’s abundant blessings and grace, and it’s
a great historical event in the exchanges between churches
in our two countries. Through this kind of exchanges, our
both sides can make contribution to world peace and can
better fulfill the mission of spreading Gospel and building
up the church.
Mr. Wang Zuoan, Vice Minister of the SARA,
is signing in the Bible made for the exhibition
On evoking the memories of the past at the sight of the
present, Vice Minister Wang Zuoan of State Administration
for Religious Affairs said it’s a miracle for the Bible
Ministry Exhibition of the Church in China to be held in
U.S.A. He also said that many American friends can obtain
the real messages from the churches in China through this
exhibition. This is a masterpiece jointly created by churches
in our two countries and is sure to be recorded into the
history of the friendly intercourses between the churches
in our two countries. He also expressed his willingness
to support the friendly exchanges and sincere cooperation
between churches in China and U.S.A.
Adorning a flower to Bishop Mark Sisk
The Rt. Rev. Mark Sisk, Bishop of Episcopal Church New
York Diocese expressed his gladness to have the Bible Ministry
Exhibition held in the Cathedral Church of St. John the
Divine which is built for people's prayer and harmonious
life. The visit to China a few years ago enabled him to
know about the situation of Bible publication and distribution
in China. The exhibition held in U.S.A. today is a great
fruit born after many years efforts by churches in China
and will enhance the mutual understanding and respect between
the people and churches in our two countries, and will also
facilitate the development of the harmonious relationship
in order to accelerate world's peace.
The ribbon cutting ceremony
Rev. Calvin O. Butts III, President of CCCNY and Rev. Paul
G. Irwin also addressed in the ceremony. They and their
organizations all have given enormous support and help for
the exhibition. Later on, Rev. Cao Shengjie, Mr. Tung Chee
Hwa, Mr. Wang Zuoan and other VIPs cut the ribbons together
for the exhibition. Led by Rev. Cao Shengjie, all the guests
were shown around the exhibition hall. Mr. Tung Chee Hwa
said that he was very happy to attend this exhibition while
being interviewed. He said that the Bible Ministry Exhibition
of the Church in China is very helpful to American people
to know China and to strengthen the friendship between our
two countries.
The choir is performing in the welcome Sunday Worship
The Opening Ceremony was followed by a tea reception. The
Rt. Rev. Andrew Hutchison, Bishop of Anglican Church of
Canada, and Rev. Miller Milloy, General Secretary of United
Bible Societies, etc. extended congratulations on the Bible
Ministry Exhibition being held in USA.
Mr. Michael R. Bloombergs, Mayor of New York City, also
sent a congratulation letter to CCC delegation as follows,
THE City OF NEW YORK
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
NEW YORK, N.Y 10007
Dear Friends:
I am proud to welcome everyone to the Cathedral church of
St .John the Divine for this exciting exhibit of more than
100 Bibles and religious artifacts from china.
New York City, which has long been a center of Christianity
as well as a popular destination for Chinese immigrants,
is proud to host “The Bible Ministry of the Protestant Church
in China: A Lamp to My Feet, A Light to My Path.”Organized
by the China Christian Council and sponsored by the Episcopal
Diocese of New York, American Bible Society, and the Council
of Churches of the City of New York, this exhibit is a valuable
opportunity for New Yorkers to explore the relationship
between faith and culture. I encourage everyone to attend
this exhibit and broaden their understanding of the world's
most populous country.
Please accept my best wishes for a wonderful exhibition
and continued success.
Sincerely,
Michael R. Bloomberg
Mayor
