Hari Ini Dalam Sejarah Methodist

The First Session of Sarawak Provisional Annual Conference

The Biggest Job is Ahead

Earnest effort and pleasant anticipation were everywhere apparent when the Sarawak Provisional Annual Conference was organised and set up for work at Sibu, December 3-7, 1952. The pace and tenor of the Conference was set during the morning hour of worship on the first day, when Bishop Raymond L. Archer’s spiritual and compelling message prepared the way for Holy Communion.

Attentive ears listened to the reading of the Enabling Act, passed by the General Conference in session at San Francisco, which gave authority to organise the Provisional Conference in Sarawak. The need for a separate Conference was imperative, but during the days following organisation, the experienced hands of the Malaya Conference were greatly missed.

Elders ordained at the first session of the Sarawak Provisional Annual Conference. Representing three national groups, they are: Lucius Memora of the Batak Church, Sumatra; Martha Graf of Switzerland; Lau Kie Ngie, of China. Bishop Archer is at the right.

The ecumenical growth of the Church in Sarawak was a significant first impression at the Conference. For the first time in the history of our Church there, Dyak Christians took an active part in the work of the Church outside their local communities. Four Dyak delegates, two of whom are Penghulus and one a local preacher, were introduced to the Conference. A burst of applause greeted and welcomed them. Also delegates were two Batak missionaries from Sumatra who are working among the Dyaks in the upper Balleh River area.

Later during the Conference, at the ordination service, three races from as many different countries were represented. A Chinese, the Rev. Lau Kie Ngie, from Fukien, China; a Batak, the Rev. L.D. Mamora from Sumatra; and Miss Martha Graf, European from Switzerland, were ordained elders.

The evening of the first day was given to emphasizing the work of the Woman’s Society of Christian Service. Mrs. Archer noted the progress of the WSCS work in Sarawak in the past and challenged the organisation to excell its past efforts through a more devoted Christian service for Christ in the next Conference year. The work of this most important body of the Church received hearty congratulations from the Conference. It is only since the visit of Miss Louise Robinson, Associate Secretary of the Woman’s Divison of Christian Service, New York, late in 1951, to Borneo, that it has been officially recognized as an area for WDCS work. To date there have been three WDCS missionaries assigned to Sarawak, Misses Blanche Apple, Emma Palm, and Martha Graf, all fomerly of China. They were introduced at this evening programme, which was concluded with a pageant, “The Challenge of the Cross."

On the afternoon of December 5, during a short and impressive ceremony, Fiftieth Anniversary Memorial Hall - was dedicated. A Conference dinner and reception were held in Memorial Hall on the evening of the same day.

The youth work was brought to the fore on Saturday, when the Methodist Youth Fellowship concluded a day of activities in the first Chinese MYF Conference of Sarawak. The officers for the new year were installed at a candle-light service by Bishop Archer. Later, addressing the group, the Bishop used the words of the Apostle Paul, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”, for his theme. The on-going programme of the Church needs the daring of youth as well as the cool deliberation of age to hold its course, and at the same time reap success during these most difficult times.

The closing service of the Conference on Sunday evening echoed a pattern of thought that reflected the summary of each of the morning worship hours conducted by Bishop Archer. A busy Conference came to its inevitable close, feeling more sure of itself and of the future after the week’s experience, and ready to address itself to the high task of labouring more ardently for Christ. The closing message of the Bishop contained words from Philippians, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended, but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” With appointments read, the Conference was over. But everyone knew in no uncertain terms that the biggest job was over. But everyone knew in no uncertain terms that the biggest job was yet to be done - the proving in the years ahead.

By Thomas A. Harris
Malaysia Message
February 1953