In celebration of the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council’s 50th anniversary, a thanksgiving banquet with 140 tables was held at the AsiaWorld-Expo on 12th December, 2016. Mr Leung Chun-ying, GMB, GBS, JP, Chief Executive of the H.K.S.A.R, was invited as an officiating guest at the event while more than 1,700 employees and guests from Hong Kong and overseas gathered in the joyous celebration.
At the thanksgiving banquet, officiating guests namely Mr Leung Chun-ying, Chief Executive of the H.K.S.A.R. and the Most Revd Dr Paul Kwong, Archbishop and Primate of the H.K.S.K.H. together with Dr Donald Li, Chairman of the Welfare Council’s Board of Directors, were accompanied by Dr Jane Lee, Director of the Welfare Council, and 9 members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee to host the kick-off ritual for the Welfare Council’s 50th anniversary celebrations. Counting to three, officiating guests pushed the ceremonial button and the Welfare Council’s 50th anniversary logo appeared in the backdrop, symbolizing and promoting the virtues of faith, hope and love. The Revd Kenneth Lau, Chaplain of the Welfare Council, officiated the toasting ceremony with the management team of the Welfare Council and thanked the Lord for watching over and guiding the Welfare Council through a steady development over the years. He also gave his blessings to the Welfare Council so it can continue serving the Lord and the community as a Prince of Peace in the days to come.
The Welfare Council’s childcare, children and youth, rehabilitation and elderly service units also staged a series of fantastic performances, including lion dancing, singing and dancing, filling the atmosphere with love and passion. To thank the Most Revd Dr Peter Kwong Kong-kit for his valuable contribution to the Welfare Council, the Welfare Council presented to him an exclusive photo album named “On earth as it is in heaven”. The album contains photos from the time when the Most Revd Dr Peter Kwong walked with the Welfare Council and was created to show gratitude for his contribution.
The Most Revd Dr Paul Kwong, the Rt Revd Andrew Chan, Bishop of the H.K.S.K.H. Diocese of Western Kowloon and the Rt Revd Dr Timothy Kwok, Bishop of the H.K.S.K.H. Diocese of Eastern Kowloon performed a song, “I cannot tell”, to celebrate the Welfare Council’s golden jubilee at the banquet. Through the song, they hoped to encourage the Welfare Council’s staff to follow God’s will and serve as messengers of love to support the underprivileged. Staff were blown away by their elaborate performance and shouted for an encore! The trio then invited Dr Moses Cheng, Board Member of the Welfare Council, to sing an old classic, “Below the Lion Rock”, for the staff and guests. Last but not least, members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, management team and guests sang in unison the theme song for the 50th anniversary of the Welfare Council, “The Song of Life”, to conclude the celebratory event.