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In the afternoon of 2nd December, 2016, the Welfare Council  hosted its Annual Meeting 2015-2016 at the H.K.S.K.H. St James' Church and kicked off the Servanthood Leadership Development Scheme. Dr Ko Wing-man, BBS, JP, the then Secretary for Food and Health, was invited to be the officiating guest of the ceremony, which was also attended by the Most Revd Dr Paul Kwong, Archbishop and Primate of the H.K.S.K.H. and Honorary Patron of the Welfare Council, the Rt Revd Andrew Chan, Bishop of the H.K.S.K.H. Diocese of Western Kowloon, the Rt Revd Dr Timothy Kwok, Bishop of the H.K.S.K.H. Diocese of Eastern Kowloon, members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee; and about 1,000 employees. The Council reviewed its  achievements over the past year and looked forward with anticipation to its future development.   Dr Donald Li, SBS, OStJ, JP, Chairman of the Welfare Council Board of Directors, gave thanks for the Lord’s blessings and guidance, enabling the Council to develop into an influential organisation over the past five decades. He also showed appreciation towards the Most Revd Dr Paul Kwong for his leadership and faith over the years. Dr Ko praised the Council for providing a broad range of services and helping the medical sector improve and mature, especially its active role in promoting medical-social collaborations to jointly respond to the needs arising from the ageing public, hence alleviating the burden of the public healthcare services, while tending to the physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of patients.   The Welfare Council invited Dr Ko, the Most Revd Dr Paul Kwong, the Rt Revd Andrew Chan, the Rt Revd Dr Timothy Kwok, Dr Donald Li and Dr Jane Lee, JP, Director of the Welfare Council to kick-start the Servanthood Leadership Development Scheme. Placing the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—onto a model ark, the ritual symbolised the plan to groom leaders with servanthood embodying all nine elements, and the Council’s vow to stand shoulder to shoulder with its staff in the journey towards realising good servanthood leadership.   At the annual meeting, the Welfare Council also awarded 535 employees for their contributions, including 90 staff members who have served at the organisation for more than 20 years, and 3 who have served up to 35 years. The awardees were elated to be recipients of the awards. The Council expressed gratitude to all staff for their commitment to their roles and expressed hope that they would continue to glorify God and serving the masses by walking arm in arm with those in need.

The Thanksgiving Communion Service was held at the H.K.S.K.H. St John’s Cathedral on 20th November 2016. Archbishop and Primate of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui and Honorary Patron of the Welfare Council, the Most Revd Dr Paul Kwong officiated at the service, whereas Bishop of the H.K.S.K.H. Diocese of Western Kowloon the Rt Revd Andrew Chan delivered the sermon. Members of the congregation included Deputy Director of Social Welfare (Services) Mr Lam Ka-tai, JP; members of the Standing Committee and various commissions of the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui; members of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee and staff of the Welfare Council; members of the clergy; and friends of the Council. In addition to a hymn offering by a Sheng Kung Hui choir, a choir comprised of Council staff also sang “Here I am, Lord”. Attendees prayed in unison to thank the Lord for guiding the organisation in providing services for people in need.    Please click the link below for the semon delivered by the Rt Revd Andrew Chan (Chinese only): https://youtu.be/EkSHNKze13Y

On the morning of 5th November, 2016 in Tung Chung, Welfare Council staff and their families participated in a walkathon that was intended to be the perfect opportunity to spend time with their loved ones and to promote holistic health. The Revd Stephen Hung, the priest-in-charge of H.K.S.K.H. Church of the Ascension, the Revd Canon Peter Douglas Koon, BBS, OStJ, Honorary Secretary of the Welfare Council, Mr Loewe Lee, Executive Committee Member of the Welfare Council, and Dr Jane Lee, JP, Director of the Welfare Council, were invited as the officiating guests of the opening ceremony, where they signalled for the walkathon to begin. More than 800 participants took in the lovely views of Tung Chung as they marched on. Booths were also set up along the route to offer entertainment.

Teaming up with the H.K.S.K.H. St Mary’s Church, the Welfare Council kicked off a two-year project on “Caring for Senior Church Members” on 19th October 2016. Social work professional services would be integrated with pastoral care, providing holistic care that features family-based intervention methods for senior members of the church. These services include seminars and workshops on healthy lifestyle, counselling and referral services, as well as volunteer training and services. Volunteering services for the elders also could enhance their active participation in church and activities, develope their potentials, and improve their health and spiritual lives in the church community.   The “Caring Angels” programme is also planned with the aim of encouraging younger church members to care for their senior counterparts to enhance mutual support and kinship in Christ. The project also features a number of hobby circles, such as drawing, knitting and choral singing, to give senior church members in particular the chance to find excitement in post-retirement life and give back to the church and the community; increase their passion for Christ; and improve their physical, psychological and spiritual wellbeing as well as quality of life.

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