SKH Bodies Collaborations

In collaboration with Sheng Kung Hui parishes, Act of Love organised activities designed to improve physical and mental wellbeing and encourage mutual care. Supported by the Diocses of Western Kowloon Pastora Care Fund, our “STUDYCATION” scheme offered schoolchildren equal learning and developmental opportunities for greater self-confidence.

The Diocese of Western Kowloon of the H.K.S.K.H. launched the "Walk in Grace” Project in June 2020 to encourage churches, schools and social services units to reach out and care for the needy residents and families in the district by distributing lucky bags and sharing love and care with disadvantaged families. So far, 10 churches, 5 primary schools and 10 social service units have participated in the project. By the end of March 2021, the project team has distributed about 3,000 lucky bags with the Walk in Grace pamphlets (sharing community messages and church information), gospel booklets, cash coupons and rice rations.

To encourage church members to respond to their calling, extend concern to their parishes and help develop a harmonious society, the H.K.S.K.H. Ming Hua Theological College teamed up with the L.E.A.D. Professional Training Centre to run the "Being a Companion—Pastoral Care Certificate Course” in 2019. 27 church members from 15 parishes enrolled in the course, which included 4 segments—“Theology”, “The Intrinsic Value of Care”, “Caring Skills” and “Service Practicum”—delivered by pastors and registered social workers. After the classes, participants were asked to apply their newfound knowledge at social service units in their parishes in completing 20 hours of visits and service training.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, we operate the “Act of Love — Pandemic Hotline” and provided low-income persons and families with financial assistance and social service referrals. During 2022-2023, we approved 64 applications for emergency financial aid and 329 applications for food assistance.

In January 2020, the Welfare Council and the H.K.S.K.H. Diocese of Eastern Kowloon organised the “Angels’ Candlelight: Bless Hong Kong Charity Concert”, which was held at the Yip Kit Chuen Concert Hall at Diocesan Boys’ School, to raise funds for the Council’s grief counselling services for children, stroke rehabilitation services, the Diocese of Eastern Kowloon and pastoral care work at the H.K.S.K.H. Holy Carpenter Church, and to express goodwill for Hong Kong. Renowned vocalists Mr Jimmy Chan and Ms Rao Lan took the reins as music director and artistic director, while the Most Revd Dr Paul Kwong, the Rt Revd Andrew Chan, the Rt Revd Dr Timothy Kwok, Dr Moses Cheng and other veteran singers and members of the Sheng Kung Hui community sang and participated in the concert. I would like to thank Sino Group and Sun Hung Kai Properties for their generous sponsorship. The concert was ultimately a full house and raised more than HK$3.4 million of funding.

The Life Building Project, a missionary ministry run by the H.K.S.K.H. Holy Nativity Church, has been providing young people with all-rounded care and pastoral care since 2011, with the support of other S.K.H. churches, schools and social service units. Through various experiential and church activities, the project helped young members adapt to the early years of secondary school, build confidence, self-love, responsibility, and ability to tackle challenges. Since its inception, the project has received positive results: in 2019, the H.K.S.K.H. St John’s Cathedral started the same initiative at its Life Enrichment Centre. With the support of the Welfare Council, the mentorship programme was held to prepare church members to be the mentors of some students from St Paul’s Co-educational College.

The H.K.S.K.H. Standing Commission on Social Service teamed up with the Welfare Council in the year 2015 to 2016 to launch the 3-part “Rejoice Always” Training Programme for Cognitively Impaired Church Members, which aimed to raise awareness towards the cognitively impaired patients and the families among the S.K.H. church members. Church members who completed the training programme provided members of the Western District Elderly Community Centre with activities such as cognitive training based on real life and reminiscence, aided by “Rejoice Always” teaching materials. They also visited members of the Lok Man Alice Kwok Integrated Service Centre and the Tseung Kwan O Aged Care Complex—Jockey Club District Elderly Community Centre cum Day Care Unit, where they played board games and online games to help train members’ memory and cognition.