June 2010 Newsletter
Baptists Speaking Out
In 1890, an ordinance was passed by the Board of Supervisors of San Francisco and signed by the Mayor, to move Chinatown to a remote point many miles away, in South San Francisco, and making it a misdemeanor for a “Chinaman” to live or carry on business in any other part of the city, i.e., Chinese property owners, among others, are ordered, within sixty days, to vacate their own property, ranging in value from $5,000 to $90,000 each, and to remove to a remote part of the city where they own no property and where there are no adequate buildings, under pain of fine and imprisonment if they fail to do so. This was known as the “Geary” law. “Geary Boulevard” in the Richmond District is named after California Congressman Thomas J. Geary.
Anti-Chinese sentiments raged on the national agenda as well as locally in San Francisco. In the late 1800s (1882—denied Chinese citizenship; 1884—compelled Chinese merchants to close; 1888—violated the 1880 treaty between the U.S. and China, and 1892—unless Chinese laborers procure proof to establish their right to remain in the U.S., they will be expelled), certain congressional representatives persistently misrepresented the Chinese with great injustice. They claimed that the Chinese cheapen labor; that they come as slaves; that they do not consume the products of this country; that they send their money back home to China, thus draining the country of its wealth; that they displace white labor, driving white people to pursue lives of beggary, prostitution and crime; that they are immoral, the embodiment of all that is evil; that they do not purchase real estate, do not become citizens and do not come to stay. Such charges and many more became a daily diet of newspaper articles.
Baptists spoke up against these proposed measures in Congress as “a disgrace to this nation.” In April 1890, the California Baptist Convention held in Oakland adopted a ringing protest against this action, declaring, “that all legislation should be equal and fair for all classes and conditions of men, without regard to race, color, or condition, protecting always the principle of equity and religious freedom.”
In 1892, Mr. Dong Gong, a member of Chinese Baptist Church of San Francisco wrote a letter of defense against these charges against the Chinese to Rev. Dr. Jesse Hartwell, the Superintendent of Chinese Work on the Pacific Coast. This article was published in the Baptist Home Mission Monthly as a “Chinaman’s views on this most important question of the day.” Dong Gong challenged all the charges as false. He became an American Baptist home missionary colporter spreading the Gospel in the west coast by distributing tracts and preaching messages.
By 1892, nearly all of the Baptist weekly papers spoke out for the repeal of the anti-Chinese laws. Baptist ministers’ conferences in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Detroit, Chicago, Rochester, and elsewhere called upon Congress to repeal the law. “American Christianity is on record against the obnoxious and cruel provisions of the Geary act. We want the world to understand the difference between American Christianity and American politics” as recorded in the Home Mission Monthly.
One of the most influential American Baptist leaders of his time and Executive Secretary of the American Baptist Home Missionary Society, Henry Morehouse wrote, “To America, woe! If “the Chinese must go,” By might against right. It must never be so.”
The “Chinese Question” became the “Oriental Question,” when anti-Japanese legislation was proposed in California in 1909. By 1943, Congress repealed all the laws that discriminated against the Chinese as unconstitutional.
As we celebrate our 130th Church Anniversary in 2010, we are reminded of the courageous stand that Baptists took to protect the civil rights of Chinese in the U.S. over 100 years ago. There are still injustices in our society when decent human rights are denied. There are tragedies and problems facing people that exist in other countries. As American citizens and residents of this country today, we must do our part to bear witness to doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with our Lord. It’s our heritage and call to continue to strive for a more peaceful and righteous world.
Pastor Don Ng
Summer Series
For 7 Sundays, 11:30-12:30 at Culbertson Hall, Cameron House, this year’s Summer Series will highlight, “Taking Your Work to Church”—an opportunity to learn about interesting work done by people at our church. God created each person with unique and special gifts and what better way to celebrate those gifts than to hear from seven friends about what they are doing with theirs. In our discussions, you will be able to reflect on how God is using your gifts for your vocation too! Plan to attend all 7 sessions!
July 11 Steve Lessler on Networking
July 18 Shannon Kong on Editing and Publishing
July 25 Don Lam on Interior Design & Architecture
August 1 Curtis Poon on Solar Energy
August 8 Evan Lessler on Running a T-Shirt Small Business
August 15 Nelson Wong on Public Works & Engineering
August 22 Jon and Joyce Ng on Running a Massage Small Business
In Ephesians 4:11-13, Paul wrote, “The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.”
2010 Senior Retreat
Redwood Glen
Sponsored by First Chinese Baptist Church, 1 Waverly Place, San Francisco, CA 94108
October 5-7 Starting with lunch on Tuesday and ending with lunch on Thursday
“The Abundant Life: Nurturing Relationships, Accepting Mortality, Cultivating Spirituality”
Come and Experience
> Warm Fellowship > Chi Gong with Ray Tom
> Spirited Singing > Legal Matters with Paul Fong
> Theme Development > Good Food
> Engaging Worship > Comfortable Accommodations
> Informal Conversations > Talent Show
> Small Group Sharing > Rest and Recreation/Field Trips
> Interest Groups > Personal and Spiritual Renewal
Theme Presenters:
- Walter Owyang, Ph.D., “Nurturing Relationships”
Formerly Professor of Psychology, Canada College
- John Chuck, M.D., “Accepting Mortality”
Family Physician, Kaiser Permanente
- Rev. Donald Ng “Cultivating Spirituality
Senior Pastor, First Chinese Baptist Church
Planning Team: George Lai, Joel and Linda Jang, Victor Low, Wally and Josie Poon, and James Chuck
Registration Form: 2010 Senior Retreat. Return to Joel Jang, registrar, in person or by mail to 2575 Maraschino Court, Union City, CA 94587-4920
Name (s) ____________________________Phone___________ Email______________
Address______________________________________________ Zip ______________
__ Registrations received by May 31, 2010, $240.00 per person, two to a room. $120.00 deposit per person at time of registration; the balance $120.00 due by Sunday, September 19, 2010.
__ Registrations received after May 31st, $260.00 per person, two to a room, $130.00 deposit per person due at time of registration; the balance of $130.00 due by Sunday, September 19, 2010.
Make checks payable to First Chinese Baptist Church.
Questions? Contact Joel Jang at (510) 471-6147 or email joeljang2@sbcglobal.net
FCBC Golf Tournament
This year’s golf tournament at Monarch Bay in San Leandro will once again raise funds to support scholarships for children and youth attending our summer programs. In our 6-week Day Camp, over 100 children and over 30 counselors will learn about Jesus Christ through Bible studies, fun activities, field trips and worship times. Many of these children are from our Chinatown community seeking financial assistance. In August, we’ll have our annual weeklong Youth Camp at Redwood Glen on the theme, Live it Loud! By playing in the tournament and/or making a contribution toward our summer scholarships, you will help enable children and youth to come to camp! To register for FCBC Golf Tournament on Monday, June 21, contact Byron Chan or Joel Jang.
One Great Hour of Sharing
The unexpected and sometimes human-created disasters around the world know no boundaries. Whenever there’s a human cry for assistance, Christians all over the U.S. respond by contributing generously to alleviate suffering and to bring relief and rescue as soon as possible. In June, you are invited to donate to the One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) Offering to raise $4200. In the past, our church has responded sacrificially in helping others in crises. You can make a check to FCBC, marked for “OGHS” or place your donation in the offering at Sunday worship. When the next earthquake or hurricaine happens, God’s people will be ready to help out again because you have given. Thanks!
Family News
Welcome to Naomi Hannah Chin born to Leslie and Chris Chin on April 28th! May God bless this little one in our church family.
Our sincere sympathy and prayers to the family of long-time church member, Ng Lok Yu who returned to the Lord on April 28th.
Welcome home to the 34 pilgrims who visited the Holy Land of Israel and Jordan (May 1-14) and came back with a deeper understanding of the Christian faith by visiting many biblical sites and hearing the Scriptural texts related to those sites. When the group was in Cana where Jesus and his mother attended a wedding and Jesus changed water into fine wine, 6 couples renewed their wedding vows!
June
5 CCU Sports Kick-Off, 6:30
6 9—C
10—D
11—Dr. James Chuck
Teachers Appreciation Luncheon, 1:00
10 Staff Meeting, 10:00
13 9—C
10—D
11—Pastor Jane Lam
Trustees, 1:00
Deacons, 1:30
14 Day Camp begins until July 23
19 FCBC Tennis Tourney, San Bruno, 11:00
20 Father’s Day
9—D
10—D
11—P
21 FCBC Golf Tournament, San Leandro
26 Men’s Fellowship
Sojourners
27 9—D
10—D
11—P
CE, 1:30