The author, General Synod Archivist, attended an international meeting in Beijing. "With the help of our church partners in Hong Kong and China I was able to spend three weeks after the conference studying contemporary Christians in China and exchanging information and expertise about modern archives and records management". She visited the Amity Foundation office in Nanjing and spent time with the Rev. Stephen Ting, director of education and son of Bishop K.H. Ting. "The Amity Foundation has adopted the following goals as it moves toward the 21st century: To contribute to China's social development and openness to the outside world; To make Christian involvement and participation more widely known to the Chinese people; To promote friendship and exchanges between Chinese people and other countries, especially exchanges with NGOs of developing countries; To serve as a channel whereby the church involves itself in society and society come to know the church; To open up new paths of social service".
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, and Mrs. Jane Williams, spent 15 days in China (7-23 October 2006), at the joint invitation of the China Christian Council, the Three Self Patriotic Movement and the State Administration for Religious Affairs. Account written by David Urquhart, Bishop of Birmingham, who was a member of the visiting party.
"What we did see were vibrant congregations in urban and rural settings both in Sunday services and mid-week meetings. What we did hear were challenging testimonies of courage when opposed and conversion to Jesus Christ. What we did encounter were expanding buildings for worship, disciple-making and theological training. In addition to the Archbishop's addresses and sermons, lectures and discussion on women's theology and other topics by Mrs. Williams were well received".
A recent British church delegation found `ample evidence' of continued church growth in China and of eagerness among leaders and church members for the Gospel and for community service.
An ecumencial delegation from Canada visited a centre run by the Amity Foundation in southwest China which provides support for drug addicts and HIV-AIDS patients. In this and its other work, Amity has filled a huge void of social services.
A description of the opportunities available to serve as a Volunteer in Mission in China. Almost all VIM openings in China are for English language teachers. All VIMs in China work through the Amity Foundation. "Amity is a Christian, China-based group founded in 1985 to promote international friendships and contribute to China's modernization in areas such as education, health, rural development and social services".
Issue of IAFN Newsletter included as part of the Anglican World double issue for Michaelmas and Advent 2004. An editorial and series of short reports from different agencies and countries on the subject of displaced peoples and migrant workers "moving families". "Much of the abuse of migrant workers goes on behind closed doors and is unknown. In England, the deaths of the cockle pickers made some of it visible. The pictures and reports from areas such as the Sudan also make visible the terrible suffering caused to families displaced by war. We hope that this newsletter adds to the knowledge and understanding of the plight of families forced to move -- including those whose way of life is travelling."