Methodist Message Sep 2020

ISSN 0129-6868 MCI(P) 027/11/2019 THE METHODIST CHURCH IN SINGAPORE Vol 122 No 9 SEPTEMBER 2020 METHODIST YOUTH

Church life 4 Contents Methodists in the world 23 1 Bishop’s Message Christian living 26 3 Coming Up—Passing on a Godly legacy MwCWWaiaecthnrehErhItatrilf’eisteyvcRhwceyealeokeEordooutsuah,ocLr:ndtoddaOuchttoneteosetaOint?nwmsvslrhKatidieCatebgyimIegaclNuotnpdMthhntum?GiteuctoIyssDolsbe@nlFeo!veuoPsOseumsshiSyrRstknoduroieesaaltrbVpluvtotsa-gieOho,grwelniroiLornedskt—aUrgds:iept,aNnoitohnwsowenTretyserEr.drpi:ooiEdtsrteattaR:sriohpnwgtbSyeoeeg.o!orsdrc?oscugoiokottDrmhnrarohateirircettvniysibilcmoepudl/ewui!tigsegiDsthnPiapot/tfrokhamoypgoeloooratmafopuekrpshemeehhaoodMsiacdftivsa/oMeee?srv/a?saean:anybtwntoesoyatthtttyhheheeirelnpryg 4 One MCS—Identity & Destiny 6 Church Profile—Pentecost MC 7 One MCS—TRAC Highlights 8 Home—A lasting legacy 10 News—Could you imagine life without the Bible? 12 News—Uplifting lives one step at a time 14 News—TRAC WSCS End Times webinar 17 News—Sheerah Sanjana Pandian 19 News—Joshua Wan 20 Home—Hakka MC befrienders 21 Home—Faith Kindergarten 23 Welfare Services 24 Missions 26 You & Your Family 27 Hymns & Songs 28 TRAC Bible Matters 30 Soundings 32 Home—What does being a Methodist mean to you? 33 Looking Ahead 34 THINK EDITORIAL BOARD The official monthly publication of The Methodist Church in Singapore. Published material does not necessarily reflect the official view of The Methodist Church. Adviser and Publisher All Scripture quoted is based on the English Standard Version unless otherwise stated. Dr Anthony Goh Chairperson 70 Barker Road #06-04 Singapore 309936 Council on Communications 6478-4793 | 6478-4763 message.methodist.org.sg | www.methodist.org.sg Editor [email protected] Sheri Goh fb.com/Methodist.SG @methodist.sg Sub-editor Tan Chiu Ai Design & Production by Londonbob Design — Printed by Adred Creation Print Pte Ltd Have something to say or share? Email us at [email protected] Communications Executive Jason Woo Proofreader Tan Sheng Ling

BISHOP’S MESSAGE Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung was elected Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore in 2016. He served as President of the Chinese Annual Conference from 2008 to 2016. Our precious youth Methodist youth and their impact on Singapore and the world N elson Mandela once said, “The youth of today to adapt to maintain relationships with the youth are the leaders of tomorrow.” The youth are as moral values and biblical truths are still most our hope for the future and they are the most effectively imparted through shared experiences and precious assets of a country. The same rings true for close interactions. the Church, because without her youth, the Church will decline. Many churches in the West have very small congregations, where the average age of the The United Nations defines “youth” as persons members is closer to 70. If our Church is to continue between the ages of 15 and 24. In Singapore, the to be full of vitality and a blessing to society, we definition is extended to those up to the age of 35. will have to be more attentive to our youth—to love, The term iGeneration (iGen) is sometimes used to cherish, nurture, develop, train, equip, engage with describe today’s youth, who have grown up with and empower them. smartphones. Since the introduction of the iPhone in 2007, the smartphone has become a standard item Love and cherish our youth in the lives of many young people. Our youth live in a world that is both virtual and The youth are able to access the latest information real, which can be confounding. Outwardly, they and are learning more expeditiously through may appear to be busily engaged with matters communications technology than through traditional of the virtual world, but many feel isolated. This classrooms, books and print media. The Church needs generation of youths seem to have more friends and connections, but paradoxically are also more likely |METHODIST MESSAGE — SEPTEMBER 2020 1

Our precious youth to experience loneliness. It is through interactions and in the future. Not all young people will become with adults who care that the youths can receive leaders, but all will have a part to play in the future guidance regarding their online experiences and of the Church. understand genuine feelings such as emotional attachment among family members, friendship and Engage and empower them romantic love. They also need to learn from real- life examples of living out one’s devotion to God, The pet peeve of youth is to be underestimated holiness, love, care and concern. in their ability and competence. Admittedly, their experience is limited, but this can be accumulated Nurture and develop our youth through time. When Paul told Timothy, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, The youth are characterised by a strong desire for but set an example for the believers in speech, knowledge, vigour and vitality. They make clear distinctions between who in conduct, in love, in faith and in or what to love or hate, and they purity” in 1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV), he have a strong aversion to despotic also meant for those who are older authority and highhandedness. to show mutual respect to those Their responses are often quick and younger than themselves and be specific when their observations and ready to learn from them. Let us experiences in life are in discord with cherish the youth as part of our their beliefs or views. community, and ensure they are not marginalised. We need to understand modern Let’s ensure that young people influences on Christianity in order to have opportunities today to effectively communicate with them. participate in all levels of the Nurturing and developing the youth ministry of the Church, so that they requires empathy and understanding, and they will can gain practical experience for the future. It is be touched by the warmth and sincerity of the adults through this process that the youth can acquire helping them. a sense of responsibility and have their sense of belonging to the Church reinforced. Train and equip them Conclusion Youth are willing to take risks and if they are clear about the goals of the Church and the hope and Because of God’s heart for the young, the Church’s expectations it has in them, they will face the role is to prepare every youth to realise who they challenges and bear with the difficulties in the process. are in God’s eyes, to help them identify their part But clearly articulated ideals, direction and strategy, in the body of the Church and to help them find and together with progressive and structured equipping, fulfil their calling. For this to happen, we need to will attract the youth and garner their support. establish trusting and exemplary relationships with them while they are still children and pre-teens To continue to grow the Church, we must have those among us. This work requires and deserves abundant willing to support and guide the youths in their walk manpower support and resources. Let us work in with the Lord, helping them to grow spiritually, so concert for the future of the Church; let us take care that they can make an impact for Christ, both now of our youth. |2 METHODIST MESSAGE — SEPTEMBER 2020

Coming Up ¢ One MCS Passing on A GODLY LEGACY One MCS brings Methodists together with meaningful projects. This October, we unite Methodist fathers from all three annual conferences with the mission of nurturing our children as the next generation of the faith and the Methodist Church, and to move fathers to be godly heads of our households. THE ONLINE EVENT INCLUDES Worship by a three-generation family team Exhortation by Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung Three fathers share their journey: Tan Gee Paw; Peter Tan; and John Wu Challenge and call to action: Jason Wong (Focus on the Family Singapore) 17 OCTOBER 2020 (Saturday) 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. www.methodist.org.sg/index.php/component/rseventspro/event/359- methodist-fathers-passing-on-a-godly-legacy (for more information) www.tinyurl.com/MethodistFathers (to sign up) [email protected] 9171-4984 (David Ang, Event Chairman, CAC Board of Family Life Chairman)

One MCS ¢ Identity & Destiny By the Structural Review Task Force Together as ONE body “But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.” 1 Cor 12:24b–26 T he Structural Review Task Force (SRTF) was convened reasons why we have three Conferences organised along in 2017 to review the structure of The Methodist language lines in MCS today. That was a great strategy Church in Singapore (MCS) so that there can be less when missionaries started work in Singapore focusing duplication, more effectiveness and greater efficiency. on the different people groups.” But he also noted that, As discussions followed, it became clear that one of the after 55 years of independence, our children are growing reasons for the current difficulties in our structure arose up in much different circumstances. We engage with, out of the fact that we are four Conferences—a General communicate with and understand each other in our Conference and three Annual Conferences (ACs), each common language, English, and it is the medium in which run by a President and team, quite independently of we serve as one. each other. These layers of authorisation ensure that the Church is well-governed, stays connected with the work That is why many lay leaders feel that the on the ground and remains true to her calling and vision. differences between the ACs have eroded with The flip side is that this has sometimes turned out to be time. Notwithstanding the rich history and splendid more of a encumbrance than assistance. diversity that are precious parts of everything Methodist in Singapore, Richard represents the view As Richard Jeremiah from Tamil Methodist Church of many who feel strongly that “we are now ready (Short Street) explained: “We understand the historical to come together as One MCS, reflecting our unity in |4 METHODIST MESSAGE — SEPTEMBER 2020

Christ. We have made a great start on this journey by (Focus on the Family). More about the event can be found collaborating on a number of ministry initiatives, and on page 3 (Coming Up). are looking forward to expand on such involvement in the years ahead, cumulating in when we will also be During workgroup discussions with the lay, the mood organisationally one.” was usually that of excitement and an eagerness to work together, because they saw many common concerns Richard was referring to the workgroups that were started such as family and marriage, children’s ministry, social in the course of this review, so that pastors and lay concerns, outreach, and discipleship and nurture. On the members from the three ACs could be brought together other hand, when ministers came together for discussions, to discuss how certain initiatives and areas of ministry the mood tended to be more sombre and cautious. Bishop could be better developed and delivered if they were Dr Chong explained that it was only to be expected as jointly planned and organised. Kwok Wan Yee from Charis the ministers had to grapple with complex issues such Methodist Church (MC) said that the leaders found that as selection standards for pastors, remuneration scales, many were working the same grounds. There was great church property and even differences in pastoral practices diversity in strengths, gifts and resources of the different and shepherding. Recognising that these differences ACs, and all sought to glorify God and make His name are not easily resolved, he asked for understanding known. The question was how we could all work more and patience, as it will take time—maybe years—for closely together and complement each other. the ministers to work through them. So while the laity could focus on common causes, the clergy had to work Some felt that having the support from higher levels on differences. Chan Fook Kay from Grace MC said, “There of leadership would help secure consistent funding and will be a need for a parallel movement for the lay and the participation, while others were of the opinion that more clergy. Whilst it is important to start from grassroots on structure may eventually prove cumbersome. The key the ministries across ACs and local conferences, the clergy was to find a platform for those who are open to having must take steps to address their differences.” others join in and contribute their time and resources. The idea of movements emerged—where like-minded people In conclusion, the SRTF is recommending that the good set on a particular cause or mission can come together work started must continue for the next quadrennium, and serve—as long as the cause remained relevant. If for coalitions to form and movements to grow, and for necessary, this can grow into some form of organisational pastors to work out as many areas as necessary for structure in the future. One MCS. Henry Tan from Wesley MC is spearheading the development of platforms for sharing among local One such example is a group of Methodist fathers churches so that we do not need to work alone, but who saw the importance of paternal leadership to the together find strength and comfort from one another. He spiritual growth and health of their families, and who said, “I am so glad that small progress has been made, came together to move other fathers in MCS in the same and churches and leaders across conferences are talking direction. Comprising fathers from different churches with one another more. Because of COVID-19, businesses across MCS, they are organising an online gathering for have come to realise how powerful collaboration is. It is fathers on 17 Oct 2020, and have invited speakers Tan my prayer that churches collaborate more in their efforts Gee Paw, Peter Tan and John Wu, along with Jason Wong to spread the Gospel.” Articles from the SRTF h t t p s : / / w w w. m et h o d i st . o rg . s g / i n d ex . p h p / a b o u t- u s / m c s- st r u c t u ra l - rev i ew |METHODIST MESSAGE — SEPTEMBER 2020 5

Church Profile ¢ Pentecost Methodist Church The Rev Jonathan Seet is the Pastor-in-Charge of Pentecost Methodist Church. / Photos courtesy of PMC Pentecost Methodist Church Pentecost Methodist Church’s (PMC) inception was on Pentecost Sunday 1932. Our hope is to be a blessing and a testimony to the community around us, bringing the light and love of Jesus to all. 1 2 These were some of the programmes that PMC held over the last year: PENTECOST METHODIST CHURCH 1. The opening of MWS Senior Activity Centre – GoldenLily @ Pasir Ris, (Trinity Annual Conference) a partnership with PMC, on 24 Aug 2019. 2. Sentosa outing and soccer clinic between PMC Committee of Outreach 4 Pasir Ris Drive 6 Singapore 519420 http://pmc.org.sg and Social Concerns, PMC Youths and Tampines FSC children. [email protected] 3. We helped host the 2019 Justice Conference (Asia) on 18 Oct 2019. 6584-0297 4. Christmas evangelistic event, where Mediacorp artiste-turned-taxi On-site services have resumed! driver Peter Yu shared his testimony. 5. Project Koinonia is a ministry to our church members and Registration is required due to MCCY limits. worshippers affected by the COVID-19 economic downturn. The help Sunday Services we have extended includes: financial help, financial and mortgage counselling, resume writing, HR coaching (including interview skills), Peranakan Bible Class : 7.45 a.m. legal advice, job matching, befriending and spiritual counselling. 6. Other COVID-19-related ministries include: English Traditional : 8.30 a.m. / 10 a.m. - gifts of toiletries to migrant workers confined in dormitories English Contemporary : 11.30 a.m. during the circuit breaker - gifts to the cleaners and bus drivers from our youths. Children’s Ministry : 11.30 a.m. 3 Mandarin Service : 1 p.m. / 3 p.m. Register for services at pmc.org.sg/reg 6584-0927 Online worship services continue to be available every Sunday at pmg.org.sg/sundayworship. 45 6 6 |6 METHODIST MESSAGE — SEPTEMBER 2020

One MCS ¢ TRAC Highlights Crystal Tan, a dog-lover, is an intern at Truthmin and worships at Paya Lebar Methodist Church. She loves worshipping God through singing and dancing. / Photos courtesy of Crystal Tan Crystal Truthmin is a conference-wide ministry under the Trinity Tan (left) Annual Conference that seeks to serve the Church and with TRAC local church youth ministries in nurturing Christ-centred President youths in culturally-relevant ways through worship, the Rev discipleship and leadership development. Dr Gordon Wong Our work includes Trackers (a three-month youth discipleship program), Fusion (annual youth conference), ERCO (song-writing competition) and Fuse (bi-monthly prayer meetings). We also provide training for youth, youth workers and youth ministry leaders through our various courses and retreats. https://truthmin.com/ Turn back the battle at the gate W e are called to turn back the battle at the gate The beauty about the journey of seeking God is that we aren’t (Isa 28:6), and the Lord will be a “source of called to get it perfect or right. We are just called to turn back strength” to the one who turns back the battle. the battle at the gate—to be constantly watchful of the things that can displace God in our hearts. And He promises that if We fight many battles on a daily basis: political battles; we keep our eyes on Him, He will sustain us till the end. social justice battles. And some are more personal, such as family, mental and physical battles that we struggle with on We need to purposefully set aside time for Him. Fuse, held a daily basis. But the greatest battle is one happening right by Truthmin every two months, helps TRAC youths devote outside the gate of my heart. two hours of our time to connect to the Father in Spirit and in Truth as we worship God, dive into the Word and pray In the midst of my day, does God only come to my mind together. Discipleship programmes such as Trackers, where when I need to solve a problem, when I have the space we can dedicate three months of our lives to seeking Him to be enthusiastic about Christianity, or when I say grace and learning how to walk a life in step with our God, can before a meal? I constantly battle to have Him remain in the help us cultivate spiritual habits where God takes first place centre of my every waking moment. in every decision we make. During my internship at Truthmin, we read together Faith We can wake up earlier to do quiet time and give our first for Exiles, which suggested that we measure our fruitfulness fruits to the Lord. Or take time during rush hour to surrender not by how many things we do for people, but by being our anxiety to Him. Our Father is waiting to speak and I present with them. We should practise the awareness of pray that we will choose to turn back the battle at the gate, God by being in the moment with Him, seeking His voice refuse entry to the distractions and worries of the world, and heart for the person we are ministering to, instead of and allow only Him to take the throne of our hearts today. treating them like a task on our to-do list. The more we seek Him, the more attuned we will become to our Shepherd’s leading. Crystal (third from right) at FUSION 2017, a Truthmin worship event |METHODIST MESSAGE — SEPTEMBER 2020 7

Home ¢ The Rev Dr Andrew Peh is the Chairperson of the Council of Archives and History of The Methodist Church in Singapore. He is currently a faculty member at Trinity Theological College, teaching Missions and World Religions. His area of research is missions history in East and South East Asia, particularly Singapore, which is the focus of his published dissertation, Of Missions and Merchants. / Photos courtesy of the Methodist Archives and History Library A lasting legacy I n the BBC series, A History of the World in 100 Objects, writer and presenter Neil MacGregor, who is also the British Museum director, commented that he was “travelling back in time, and across the globe, to see how we humans over two million years have shaped our world and been shaped by it, and I’m going to tell this story exclusively through the things that humans have made: all sorts of things, carefully designed, and then either admired and preserved, or used, broken and thrown away.” This novel approach of retelling history has also sparked a new initiative of teaching history with a partnership of the Department of Education in the United Kingdom.1 It is in the same spirit of informing and showcasing our Methodist history that we have embarked on collecting some of the important objects that are pertinent in recounting the story of Methodism in Singapore. Some of the important and priceless artefacts include: |8 METHODIST MESSAGE — SEPTEMBER 2020 The Polglase Bible John Polglase, a British Wesleyan, was one of the three potential lay candidates to hold office at the elections of the first Quarterly Conference held on 23 Feb 1885. Due to the absence of the other two candidates, Polglase was elected to all the offices that had to be filled by laymen, including Sunday School Superintendent, trustee, steward and church treasurer! The Bible that Polglase used through his service is one of the most prized possessions of the Methodist Archives. Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church bell Telok Ayer CMC began in a shophouse in Upper Nankin Street that was converted into a place for Sunday worship services in 1889 by Dr Benjamin West, an American medical doctor and Methodist missionary. When the church was able to acquire land to build a more permanent building, a bell tower was included, where the bell would be rung to remind the predominantly Chinese labourers (and ex-opium addicts) to come for services.

The Rev C. E. Fang’s calligraphic notes This comes from a personal family collection of the handwritten exhortation of “This is My Body, This is My Blood of the New Covenant” (based on Matthew 26). It is likely from the pen of the Rev Fang himself. Long before the ubiquitous printed or photocopied materials, handwritten portions of the Bible were often circulated in ensuring biblical literacy as well as doctrinal orthodoxy. More than simply collecting and storing these artefacts, Memory, like history, is rooted in archives. the undergirding principle is that our history is important Without archives, memory falters, knowledge of and needs to be transmitted to future generations. It accomplishments fades, pride in a shared past brings to mind the Reformers’ call of ad fontes (back to dissipates. Archives counter these losses. Archives the sources) as well as the Chinese proverb, 饮水思源, contain the evidence of what went before. This is that is, to give thoughtful consideration for the source of particularly germane in the modern world. With the water from which we drink. the disappearance of traditional village life and the extended family, memory based on personal, Not unlike Israel, we are a forgetful people and we live shared story-telling is no longer possible; the in a context where theological amnesia and historical archive remains as one foundation of historical dementia are increasingly common. This underscores the understanding. Archives validate our experiences, relevance and the significance of the place and ministry of our perceptions, our narratives, our stories. archives and history in both the local churches as well as Archives are our memories.2 in the Annual and General Conferences. Archives are akin to “raising an Ebenezer”—in 1 Samuel 7:12, Samuel took And more than merely refreshing fading memories and a stone and raised it as a memorial between Mizpah and recounting past glories, these objects in our archives Shen, to serve as a reminder of the great victory God gave should catalyse and ignite a renewed vigour in living out to Israel, lest Israel forget God’s covenantal faithfulness. the lasting legacy of the people called Methodists. And like Ebenezers, archives serve as a reminder that “thus far the Lord has helped us”—lest we forget! Chronicling history, collecting archival materials and conserving records are regrettably tasks and responsibilities about which not many are particularly enthused. Yet such historical myopia undoubtedly leads us to be ill-informed, impoverished and incapacitated. It may well be that most people think of archives and history as matters that relate to the past. This perhaps creates a dissonance in appreciating the importance of archives. We need to understand that archives and history are NOT only about the past; they are about giving to and empowering posterity with a rich historical legacy. Historian Jonathan Hill, in A History of Christian Thought, reminds us that “a society with no grasp of its history is like a person without a memory”. Elsewhere, Joanna Schwartz and Terry Cook write: 1 http://www.teachinghistory100.org 2 Joanna Schwartz and Terry Cook, “Archives, Records, and Power: The Making of Modern Memory,” Archival Science, vol. 2, nos. 1–2 (March 2002), 18. See https://www.nyu.edu/classes/bkg/methods/schwartz.pdf |METHODIST MESSAGE — SEPTEMBER 2020 9

News ¢ Sheri Goh is the Editor of Methodist Message. / Graphics and photos courtesy of SIL International Could you imagine life without the Bible? Help to eradicate Bible poverty in this generation with illumiNations Asia “After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands.” Rev 7:9 NLT D id you know that throughout the history of the Given this situation, illumiNations Asia, the Asian arm printed Bible, there have been an estimated of an alliance of Bible translation partners, has launched 900 English translations and paraphrases of the an online campaign, “Imagine Life Without the Bible”. It Bible?1 About 12 are commonly known and used by aims to motivate and encourage followers of God’s Word Protestants today.2 But of the 7,360 known languages by supporting the translation, publication and distribution in the world today, over 4,000 do not have a translation of the Scripture in every language in which it is not yet of the full Scripture, with more than 1,600 not even available in Asia. The goal is that by 2033, 95 per cent having a single verse. of the world’s population will have a full version of the Mountain province in the Philippines |10 METHODIST MESSAGE — SEPTEMBER 2020

Community dialogue with Community dialogue public school teachers in with the first evangelical the Philippines pastor from Northern Catanduanes Bible available to them; 99.96 per cent will have the New as they continue to do their work. We need to slowly wean Testament; and 100 per cent will have a large enough ourselves away from our dependence on our brothers and portion of the Scripture to understand what the Gospel is. sisters from the West, who have helped us tremendously in the past few hundred years. Asian churches now have Francis Chan, author and pastor, reminds us that part of a large amount of resources within our own nations. Asia loving our neighbours as ourselves is bringing the Word needs to step up to reach out to Asians.” of God to every ethnic group, each with its own language and culture. While missionaries might be able to share Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung agrees: “As the global the Word through verbal translation, there is nothing like translation agencies unite together to fulfil God’s purpose reading the Word of God in one’s mother tongue or “heart in Asia, they will need our partnership and prayers. May language”, and being able to engage directly with the the Lord bless this work and may every nation, tribe, Bible’s life-giving words. The priceless gift of salvation people and tongue in Asia by illuminated by His Word.” can come through one’s own reading of the Bible, as was the experience of American pastor Craig Groeschel. The illumiNations Asia “Imagine Life Without the Bible” campaign runs from Aug to Nov 2020. Visit https://www. Language groups of whom you might have never heard, illuminations.asia/imagine-public.html and register such as the Kimyal people from West Papua, or the to watch the digital campaign, so that you can better Roblomanon and Lubuagan language groups from the understand the power of the Bible in one’s heart language. Philippines, have already had their lives irrevocably transformed by the translation of portions of the Scripture What can you do to help the 1 billion in their own language. Many more are still waiting. people in the world who are trapped in Bible poverty? 745 languages in Asia do not have any Scriptures 523 languages in Asia are in the process of having Give a chapter—if 1189 of us give a chapter the Bible translated each, together we can give one full Bible to a 558 languages in Asia have the Bible language group in Asia Bishop Emeritus Dr Wee Boon Hup, who is a member of the Host a video gathering for your family, friends illumiNations Asia advisory board, elaborates on how you or cell group—illumiNations Asia will provide you can be part of the Bible translation movement: “Besides with all the resources you need financial support, [you can give] emotional support, prayer support, and [be] present to encourage the Bible translators Invite your friends to join this movement by sharing it. 1 This number is according to the American Bible Society, and includes translations that are not a complete Bible or Testament, but of a group of books or even a single book. https://news.americanbible.org/article/number-of-english-translations-of-the-bible. 2 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/why-are-there-so-many-different-versions-of-the-bible.html. |METHODIST MESSAGE — SEPTEMBER 2020 11

News ¢ By the Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) Communications Team / Photos and visuals courtesy of MWS Team One MCS Sharing Love and Concern Uplifting lives one step at a time The team at Telok Ayer I n a joint effort to raise funds for Methodist Welfare Services (MWS), Chinese Methodist five teams consisting of the MWS Board of Governance, MWS Patron Church, the final Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung, Presidents of the Annual Conferences checkpoint and General Conference Women’s Society of Christian Service (GCWSCS) President took up the challenge to collectively walk 1.35 million steps and raise $135,000 each by 31 Aug 2020. To amass steps, one of the teams, Team One MCS Sharing Love and Concern, completed a unique trail on 1 Aug 2020 in commemoration of The Methodist Church in Singapore’s (MCS) 135th anniversary. The team comprised Bishop Dr Chong, MWS Group Executive Director (GED) Junie Foo, as well as MWS Board Members and Board of Social Concerns Chairpersons Samuel Tay (Chinese Annual Conference), Wilson Sampath (Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference) and Albert Lim (Trinity Annual Conference). The trail, which traced the historical origins of the Methodist faith in Singapore, included some of the oldest Methodist churches in the nation. Walking for Love The heritage walk challenged the team’s resolve right from the start as it began to pour at 8.40 a.m., just after they had moved off from the starting point at Tamil Methodist Church. Undeterred, they decided to wait for the rain to stop by having an early breakfast. Rejuvenated by the food and fellowship, they continued their journey. Along the way, they passed by significant buildings such as the original location of the Anglo-Chinese School (the first Methodist school in Singapore) and the Methodist Book Room. |12 METHODIST MESSAGE — SEPTEMBER 2020

Bishop Dr Chong and MWS GED Junie Foo enjoying breakfast while waiting for the rain to stop Bishop Dr Chong and MWS Board Member Albert Lim at Mohamed Ali Lane The walk not only allowed the team to appreciate the MWS Board rich Methodist heritage, but also the warm fellowship Member as they learned more about one another, shared laughs Samuel Tay and, of course, took lots of photos together. clocking steps in the Time flew by, and before they knew it, they had reached evening with their final checkpoint at Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist his family Church, clocking a total step count of 40,850! Support our team—One MCS Sharing Reflections on the Challenge Love and Concern—as we join in MWS’ mission to empower the disadvantaged Looking back on how it started, Mr Samuel Tay recounted and distressed by donating 10 cents, or that a few team members had come together to discuss any other amount, towards every step what they could do to uplift those in need during walked! We thank you, and are looking this COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, when the idea of the forward to your support! challenge was suggested by a fellow board member at a MWS Board of Governance meeting, they welcomed it Donate today at and got Bishop Dr Chong as well as MWS GED Junie Foo https://www.giving.sg/campaigns/ to be a part of their team. onemcssharingloveandconcern or check out As part of the challenge, the team was required to clock https://bit.ly/SFGdonations as many steps as they could between 10 July and 31 Aug. for alternative modes of payment. This has not been without its challenges. |METHODIST MESSAGE — SEPTEMBER 2020 13 Samuel shared that on the days he had back-to-back meetings, he could only squeeze some time to catch up on walking in the evenings. Junie confessed to having to step out of her comfort zone and purposefully set aside time to walk every day. Like Samuel, she also found it challenging to find time on days packed with meetings. Undeterred nonetheless, Junie likened her effort to that of growing her faith in Christ. “The challenge got me thinking about what it means to be a disciple of Christ. We have to be intentional in reading the Word, in setting aside time to be with the Lord. I’m on a lifelong journey to serve and share Christ,” she explained.

News ¢ Angela Goh is the TRAC WSCS D&N coordinator. / Event visuals and photos courtesy of TRAC WSCS God’s purpose prevails over Covid-19 obstacles WSCS webinar on End Times events “We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God’s purpose prevails.” Prov 19:20 The Message Dr Aw Swee Heng, the online speaker T he Trinity Annual Conference Women’s Society of Christian Service (TRAC WSCS) invited Dr Aw Swee |14 METHODIST MESSAGE — SEPTEMBER 2020 Eng in 2019 to speak on events of the End Times. He agreed and based on Matthew 24:37, suggested the title “The Endtime events of the present days of Noah”. By February 2020, the COVID-19 situation had worsened. As COVID-19 numbers increased, the TRAC WSCS executive committee prayed about whether the talk should be held. The venue was changed to Pentecost MC to ensure safe distancing for participants, and all 250 registrants were notified. On 11 March, the World Health Organisation declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic and Dr Aw advised that the event be postponed. However, God’s work and Word can never be kept down by any obstacle. In early June, there emerged a plan to take Dr Aw’s talk online. Dr Aw was game to try. At the time, we had little experience and co-opted various people to help. Eventually, 11 July was decided upon and posters were sent out for TRAC WSCS’s very first webinar. To our surprise, registration climbed to the point where the webinar licence had to be increased from 500 to 1000. As the webinar was free, those who registered for the March event generously donated their registration fees to Methodist Welfare Services’ Donate-to-Bless project. Other obstacles, including technical ones, came our way, but they were nothing for our Almighty God. He brought Lum Chee Kin to help with the recording. Advice on streaming licenses, copyright issues and credits of the worship songs came from Lynn Tan, MCS and TRAC staff, the Rev Kow Shih Ming and Ralph Chua of Paya Lebar MC, and the Rev Benjamin Lee of Wesley MC. Pianist Kaeyan Wong;

Those who paid registration fees when the event was first scheduled for March generously donated the fees to MWS’ Donate-to-Bless project A worship session at the beginning of the webinar singers Raquel Cardano, Joanne and Samantha Ho; and encouragement and comfort from Scriptures such as Justin Cheong provided lovely music while Jasmine Wong Romans 8:35, John 10:28, 29, and 1 John 5:19–21. Dr Aw and Chris Cardano ably handled post production. repeated warnings of false teachers who speak “perverse things, to draw away disciples after themselves” (Acts When the day came, nearly a thousand had registered. 20:29–31) and those who “will turn their ears away We continued to face difficulties as quite a number could from the truth and turn aside to myths” (2 Tim 4:4). not log in. Praise God that more than 600, some from as Concluding with the parable of the ten virgins, Dr Aw far away as the USA, UK and Australia, were able to join highlighted that it is almost midnight—we must watch the webinar. If the talk had been in a physical location, and pray (Matt 25:6). the overseas participants would have missed out. Shortly after the webinar, numerous requests for a Dr Aw spoke for close to two hours. In the first part, quoting recording were received. It was decided for the webinar Scriptures and showing photos, Dr Aw recounted natural to be repeated later, on 25 July. Despite the short notice disasters in the news. Earthquakes, volcanoes, sinkholes and limited publicity, more than 800 signed up. and tsunamis form one category of end times events. Also, climate change causes floods, droughts, forest fires, We are thankful to the Lord for speaking through Dr Aw, which in turn lead to conflicts and wars over food and who spent many hours with us preparing for the webinar. water. Locusts and plagues, including COVID-19, are yet It is with grateful hearts that the TRAC WSCS ladies give another sign. Then there are terrorism, societal unrest, God all the glory. He is forever faithful! fake news, information overload and various addictions. Feedback from participants In the second part, Dr Aw moved on to the call to faith and perseverance. Based on Matt 24:37—“As it was in the days “Excellent presentation by Dr Aw. Very insightful of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man”—Dr information with lots of warning signs. Equally good Aw shared that great sins on earth start with the desire to is the overall flow of the programme. Thank you, create immortal super humans to usurp the throne of God TRAC WSCS.” the Creator. One reason for the flood of Noah’s day was the genetic manipulation by the Nephilim. Such manipulations “Time with God and His servants is better than are happening today. Dr Aw described attempts to modify time spent elsewhere. Thank you for organising this human beings through genetic engineering. Transhumanism webinar and thank you, Dr Aw.” and efforts to achieve immortality are part of a sinister side of science. “It was an awesome and insightful sharing by Dr Aw.” Persecution and contempt of Christianity are all signs of |METHODIST MESSAGE — SEPTEMBER 2020 15 the times. Rather than despairing, Christians can draw

ACS (International) Admissions Seminars for 2021 ACS (International) Singapore is a distinctive Seminar 11 September, 1pm international secondary school open to all in Korean 16 October, 1pm Singaporeans & other nationalities, offering an RSVP [email protected] all-round English-based education for students Seminar aged 12 to 18 years leading to the International in Japanese 12 August, 3:30pm General Certificate of Secondary Education 22 September, 3:30pm (IGCSE) and the International Baccalaureate RSVP [email protected] Diploma Programme (IBDP). School Senior Management Team Mr Rob Burrough Mrs Tan Siew Hoon Seminar 25 August, 1pm Principal Vice Principal in Chinese 23 September, 1pm RSVP [email protected] Seminar in Vietnamese 29 August, 10am RSVP [email protected] Mr Gavin Kinch Dr Kristopher Achter Seminar 21 August, 2pm Vice Principal Vice Principal in Taiwanese RSVP [email protected] Seminars will be held on Campus with School Tour 22 August, 9am & 11am 5 September, 9am & 11am Attendance by Reservations Only 8 September, 9am & 11am 10 September, 9am & 11am Each session is limited to 45 participants 26 September, 9am & 11am 10 October, 9am & 11am Venue: Oldham Chapel, ACS (International) Seminar in English 17 October, 9am & 11am 61 Jalan Hitam Manis, Singapore 278475 for Singaporeans & RSVP [email protected] Please contact Joseph Ng or Serene Lim Other Locals at +65 6472 1477 or [email protected] Post PSLE Seminar 26 November, 1pm & 3pm for Locals 27 November, 10am, 1pm & 3pm 28 November, 9:30am & 11:30am RSVP [email protected]

News ¢ By the MCS Communications Team / Photos courtesy of Sheerah Sanjana Pandian Sheerah with her parents An aspiring artist, Sheerah has been attending classes since she was seven Totes full of thanks S heerah Sanjana Pandian, 11, will forever remember This year’s NDP has provided Sheerah with an opportunity the thrill of receiving the news that her artwork for her to give recognition and show her appreciation to would be featured on the National Day Parade (NDP) the forgotten members of our society through her winning Singapore Together Pack tote bags. tote bag design. NDP fun packs have traditionally only been given to When asked how she thought others in Singapore could those who attend the annual parade and the rehearsals, appreciate the foreign workers, Sheerah, a member of Tamil but this year, because of the scaled-down parade and Methodist Church (Short Street), points to John 13:34—35 the COVID-19 epidemic, one fun pack has been made (NIV): “A new command I give you: Love one another. As available for each of more than a million Singaporean I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this and permanent resident households. everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” This year’s packs feature 10 designs on the bags by aspiring artists with disabilities from seven organisations, “A simple smile and thank you,” she says, “will go a long in collaboration with SG Enable, as well as 10 designs way.” To the foreign workers in the community, Sheerah by Primary 5 pupils, in collaboration with the Ministry of says, “Thank you for being that silent unsung heroes in Education. The packs contain items such as hand sanitiser, helping to build our nation. Sorry that we might have a thermometer, face masks, snacks and canned drinks. forgotten your contributions. But this National Day, I would like to dedicate my personal tribute to every one of you.” Sheerah’s artwork was one of those selected from among 1,200 Primary 5 students who participated in the NDP Singapore Together Pack artwork competition. In her design, the image of a strong heart represents life and hope, while the people in it represent a diverse society comprising of our four main races and foreign workers, working together to overcome challenges. Last year, Sheerah got to know two foreign workers who Sheerah’s design, which will be helped to paint her family’s house. She heard about the featured on some of the Singapore long hours they had to work, and how they were unable to Together Pack tote bags go home for many months or even years in order to work to support their families. It made her realise how foreign |METHODIST MESSAGE — SEPTEMBER 2020 17 workers have been our “hidden heroes”, playing a very important role in the progress of our country, and how their efforts and contributions have oftentimes gone unrecognised.

14 METHODIST MESSAGE, JULY 2013

News ¢ By the MCS Communications Team / Photo courtesy of Joshua Wan “Everything I Am” T his year’s National Day Parade (NDP), themed Dr Tan liked the ideas behind this ode to family, “Together, a Stronger Singapore”, was rather different togetherness, kindness and gratitude, and so Joshua was from those we had been accustomed to—the large commissioned to write the NDP song. Joshua shared: “The large-scale events with thousands of performers and tens songs I write tend to convey my point of view, so this of thousands of spectators either at the Floating Platform, year I’m writing as a father, a husband, a teacher and a the National Stadium or the Padang. musician, all of whom live in Singapore in 2020.” But due to COVID-19 social distancing restrictions, In the same spirit, the music video of “Everything I Am” Singapore’s 55th birthday celebrations on 9 Aug were focuses on the stories of everyday Singaporeans, 55 of scaled down. The organisers of NDP 2020 hoped that whom are featured in this year’s NDP. Singaporeans would stay home and celebrate with their families instead, and watch the features on live broadcasts When asked what his birthday wish for Singapore was, on free-to-air television and internet platforms throughout Joshua said, “Get well. Get back on your feet. But don’t the day. The mobile columns, flypasts and fireworks were forget the lessons you have learnt from this COVID-19 viewable from the heartlands. experience: spend more time with family and loved ones, learn to cook at least three dishes yourself so you can Joshua Wan, who is an Anglo-Chinese School (ACS) alumnus survive at home without repeating your menu more than and attends Church of our Saviour, composed “Everything twice a week, and take your dog for a long walk at least I Am”, the NDP 2020 theme song. It was performed by once a day.” Nathan Hartono, who also attended ACS. Joshua wrote the theme songs for NDPs in 2003 (“One United People”) and 2006 (“My Island Home”), and was also the parade’s musical director those years. Joshua and Dr Sydney Tan, the NDP 2020 musical director, used to be part of All Good Gifts Ministries, a para-church music ministry during the 1990s–2000s. Earlier in the year, before COVID-19 became a global emergency, sending into our homes and behind our masks, Joshua had coincidentally been thinking about how, if he were to write an NDP song, it would be about “how blessed we were in Singapore, how freely we can pursue opportunities, and how we sometimes take these freedoms for granted. How, if we are given a thing of value that we did not earn or pay for, and continue to be given it year after year, we tend to start to view it as an entitlement and not as a blessing. Worse still, it starts to lose its inherent value in our eyes. “I wanted to remember the blessings of those that went before us and, in turn, remember to be blessings to those who come after.” |METHODIST MESSAGE — SEPTEMBER 2020 19

Home ¢ By the MCS Communications Team / Photos courtesy of Hakka MC Friends for life The befrienders with some of the FDP families S ocial action has always been an integral part of being a Methodist. For Jimmy Chua and his team of volunteers from Hakka Methodist Church (MC), they have decided to give back by collaborating with Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) as befrienders in the MWS Family Development Programme (FDP). This team from Hakka MC first came together in 2016, and they now have 22 volunteers in their 30s to 60s from all walks of life—working adults, retirees and housewives. As MWS befrienders, the Hakka MC volunteers start their first visitation by getting to know the families in need and helping them to apply for the FDP. Once the application has been approved, the volunteers visit the families every month, over the course of one year, to help them with their financial management. This involves helping them plan how to pay their bills with their current available finances, as well as debt repayment and savings matching, so that they may eventually break out of the poverty cycle. The help is not just practical. While journeying with the families as befrienders, Jimmy and his team are able to lend them a listening ear, and share their concerns and needs. In the process, the befrienders have developed patience and tolerance, and become less judgemental. They have learnt to share the perspectives of those from all races, language groups and religions. Their commitment as befrienders also requires them to have passion, integrity and team spirit. Although Singapore might be considered an economically developed nation, there are still many underprivileged members of society who get left behind, although the inequality is often not visible. Jimmy’s wish is to see more Singaporeans, as volunteers and organisations, reach out to the underprivileged. Methodists, he says, can do their part by exploring more in areas of outreach, and to offer their time and resources if they can. Befrienders attending a Other than becoming a mentor training session before they or befriender, there are many ways in which you can help MWS go out to visit families beneficiaries, depending on your skills, time and resources. Visit https://mws.sg/volunteer for more information. |20 METHODIST MESSAGE — SEPTEMBER 2020

Home ¢ Glynisia Yeo is a member of Faith Methodist Church and a proud mom of a pre-schooler. She tries to remain sane while balancing her work and parenthood duties and invites anyone with helpful tips to email her at [email protected]. / Photos courtesy of Faith Methodist Church Love beyond education Health checks, masks and Learning through play sanitisers are the order of the day, as the country recovers from COVID-19 “Train up a child in the way he should go; Even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Prov 22:6 W hen it was time to choose a pre-school for their One Family children, Jeremy Ang and his wife instinctively knew that they would favour a Christian-based Pauline Chia is the principal of Faith Kindergarten. She has kindergarten. Just as he and his wife had benefitted from been in the childcare education industry for 30 years, and is a Christian education at a young age, they wanted their herself an alumni of Faith Kindergarten. She describes how sons to be likewise blessed. They eventually selected Faith the relationships between teachers, parents and children Kindergarten, a church-based pre-school belonging to Faith have intertwined over the years: “We are like a big family.” Methodist Church. When she first became a teacher at Faith Kindergarten, her Apart from Faith Kindergarten’s convenient location along teaching mentor was the same teacher who had taught her Commonwealth Drive, what meant a lot to them was as a student, and this same teaching-mentor also taught the school’s focus on shaping their children’s characters. Pauline’s daughter. Some teachers have been with the It brought the Angs a great sense of joy and fulfilment school since 2004, back when it was housed in the old when one of their sons reminded them to say grace before church building before its reconstruction. meals—it was one of many good habits that had been cultivated at Faith Kindergarten. Their three sons have “Parents feel comfortable with our curriculum,” Pauline passed through the doors of Faith Kindergarten, with the continues. “We have built rapport and trust with the parents youngest one graduating at the end of this year. over the years, and they put their trust and assurance in the teachers and staff to make Faith Kindy a nurturing and The teachers also played a major role in helping Diana caring environment for their children. Many of the students Ng select Faith Kindergarten for her two children. “Every here are the siblings of ex-students, or the children of teacher seemed to know the names of all the children in alumni parents.” the school, and not just of those from their own classes. They greet each child by name at the morning health Registration is open check, and this gives the child a sense of identity and belonging,” says Diana. “They also teach a lot about the for Faith Kindergarten 2021 intake! Word [of God].” Diana also recounts how her daughter, who was still in Nursery at the time, was able to recite Psalm For more information on Faith Kindergarten: 9:1–2 in fluent Mandarin. [email protected] |METHODIST MESSAGE — SEPTEMBER 2020 21

Registration at our Columbarium Office (Level 5) Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm (Closed on Public Holidays). Tel: 6479 8122 HP: 9670 9935 or Fax: 6479 6960 Email: [email protected]

Welfare Services ¢ By the Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) Communications Team / Visuals courtesy of Methodist Welfare Services WHO are you a neighbour to? T he COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect our lives, also stepped up to care for rough sleepers who are rehoused despite the easing of control measures. For those who in Buangkok. have fewer resources and are more likely to lose their jobs, the impact is substantially heavier. MWS is committed to maintaining our high level of service and care to everyone we serve as well as the new clients From a Christian perspective, the current pandemic is who come through our doors. We are: providing followers with ample opportunities to obey • ensuring that our medical and protective supplies are Christ’s command to “love your neighbour as yourself” (Matt 22:39b), with our neighbours being the struggling replenished, and adopting new safety services to keep men, women and youth in our community. our residential facilities and frontline services safe for both beneficiaries and staff; One such person is Ms Lyra Loh. The sole breadwinner of her family of three, which includes her four-year-old daughter • providing financial support to families and individuals; and elderly mother, Lyra already had enough on her plate before COVID-19 struck. • hiring more staff to support youths and low-income families; Despite being diagnosed with several mental disorders in the past, Lyra is committed to overcome her condition, work • equipping seniors with digital skills to stay engaged hard to support her family and save up for her daughter’s with the community; and future. When the pandemic broke out, Lyra had to take a significant pay cut, which drained her savings and made it • ensuring that our care teams who are pulling extra more challenging to make ends meet. She is also fearful of shifts commute safely to their workplaces every day, contracting the virus and putting her young daughter and and caring for their mental well-being so that they can elderly mother at risk. continue to give the best to the clients they serve. In the face of these mounting problems, Lyra found herself All these have increased our costs while donations have not feeling helpless and hopeless. Yet, motivated by her love for risen in tandem. In the meantime, we continue to care for her daughter, Lyra picks herself up each time and reaches close to 12,000 existing beneficiaries through our 20 critical out to her case workers whenever she needs help. centres and programmes. Be the neighbour we need. Please donate generously to keep MWS going! Lyra is one of the many people who have come to Your donation will be used to better the lives of Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) to seek help for COVID- the disadvantaged, especially those who need it to 19-related problems. weather the COVID-19 storm. Please consider donating the Solidarity Payment given by the government if Our Neighbours are Suffering you do not need it. Every dollar matters. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MWS has seen a higher https://mws.sg/product/who-are-you-a-neighbour-to/ caseload of families whose livelihoods have been affected, or scan the QR code to donate. like Lyra’s, or who have lost their livelihoods. The need for daily and constant sanitising of our facilities and medical supplies to keep beneficiaries and staff safe have intensified. Our seniors are feeling more isolated as they are unable to participate in social and wellness activities like before and more has to be done to engage them individually. MWS has |METHODIST MESSAGE — SEPTEMBER 2020 23

Missions ¢ Dr Lionel Lee is a retired SAF Brigadier-General and a former Professor with NTU. He was the Chief of the SAF Medical Corps, Director of the Defence Medical and Environmental Research Institute and the Executive Vice Dean of the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine. A member of Charis Methodist Church, he has been involved in the Education and Missions ministries of The Methodist Church in Singapore serving on the Boards of Geylang Methodist Schools, Vineyard Methodist School and Little Candles Methodist School. Education as a missions endeavour “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Prov 22:6 J apanese gardens provide a stunning visual This was the aspiration of Singapore Methodist Missions experience—trees are beautifully shaped in ways that when the Rev William F. Oldham set up Singapore’s first are very pleasing to the eye. The clever gardener Methodist English language school in 1886, giving birth can envision the potential beauty of each young sapling to the educational mission of The Methodist Church in and guide its growth so that eventually each tree will be Singapore (MCS). Today we have 14 Methodist schools and shaped differently yet be equally pleasing. To achieve this these schools have impacted many generations of students effect, gardeners prune and sculpt the trees during their and brought many young pupils to Christ. early growth, and shoots are guided around wires. The twists and turns of the young tree’s stems and branches This is also the aspiration of the educational mission of are supported until the trunk is stronger. In the end, these Methodist Missions Society (MMS) in Chiangmai. The Bible trees are shaped to their natural inclinations and bents. teaches that every child should be given the chance to start right. We aim for this in our two schools, the Vineyard We could view the nurturing of children in the same way. Methodist School in Sansai district at the outskirts of Wise teachers and parents will teach and guide their Chiangmai and the Little Candles Methodist School in Phrao, children, understanding the latter’s natural inclinations a two-hour journey to the north. and “bends”. They can recognise and support desirable tendencies whilst smoothing the rough patches and shaping When Bishop Emeritus Dr Robert Solomon asked me to out undesirable attributes. set up a School Board for the Vineyard Methodist School |24 METHODIST MESSAGE — SEPTEMBER 2020

(VMS), I leapt at the chance to do what our Methodist Little Candles Methodist School (LCMS) (https://www. schools in Singapore have achieved, for the education of thesurinfoundation.com/little-candles-school) was Thai children. On 28 Sep 2018, I was appointed to chair established in 2012 for the purpose of Christian outreach the VMS Board and have never looked back. It will always through education. It stems from a vision to bring the be a privilege to start a young Thai child in the way they Gospel to the Thai people when Ps Daniel and Sharon Loo ought to go. arrived in Phrao as missionaries in 2008. They had a heart for church planting but where the local Thais fight shy of The VMS was the brainchild of Mrs Yeo Sungwan, a former joining a church, they readily embrace the idea of Christian MMS missionary who had a passion for the education of education even if it means praying to God, singing praises young children in Thailand. Together with her husband, and studying the Bible. the Rev Henry Yeo, currently the district superintendent of the Mettakij Church Association in Thailand, she The school has grown, and in 2019 enrolled 165 students started a nursery, a student hostel, a kindergarten and at kindergarten level and 40 students at nursery level, the VMS Primary School. making it the biggest kindergarten in Phrao. In 2004, the Vineyard Kindergarten was officially dedicated LCMS has provided a platform for effective Christian to the glory of God by Bishop Dr Robert Solomon, with the outreach to the students, staff, parents and community Governor of Chiangmai, Mr Suwat Tantiphat, as the guest over the years. This has included Christian teaching to of honour. In April 2011, it expanded into a primary school the students through weekly bible activities, praise and and was renamed the Vineyard School of Chiangmai. worship during assembly, and prayers before meals. The teachers attend a weekly bible study class, and are In 2012, the school was named the VMS. A new building required to join LCMC’s church service (conducted on the was officially declared open by the Governor of Chiangmai, school premises on Sundays) once a month. Mr Panada Diskul, and dedicated to the glory of God by Bishop Emeritus Dr Solomon in Feb 2012. The school’s overall success, reflected by its awards and students’ achievements, have made a positive impact on The VMS (https://www.vms.ac.th/en/home) has consistently the community. This has enhanced the image of Christianity won awards as an outstanding school in the Chiangmai and the Church in Phrao. Province and is well sought out by parents to enrol their kids. The LCMS will be starting a primary school, which will The VMS will be starting a Secondary School and renovations require a new building on site. Donations to the LCMS to accommodate the new school will be required. Donations Primary Building Fund will be most welcome. to the VMS Building Fund are most welcome. |METHODIST MESSAGE — SEPTEMBER 2020 25

You & Your Family ¢ Benny Bong has been a family and marital therapist for more than 30 years, and is a certified work-life consultant. He was the first recipient of the AWARE Hero Award, received in 2011, and is a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church. Raising successful children in an age of uncertainty C hampion runners like Sebastian Coe and Usain Bolt The merit of this strategy is that the prize of success can are famous. Ivan Fernandez is less known. Whilst be significant. Society does acknowledge and reward the first two are known for setting world records, winners. Its downside is also substantial. To get to the Fernandez’s claim to fame is coming in second in a pinnacle, sacrifices are often required. Some talk of a race—when he could have been first. “lost childhood”. It can also be lonely at the top. And for every success story, there are scores who do not make In that race, he had been trailing the frontrunner, a it. They lie by the wayside defeated and demoralised. Kenyan named Abel Mutai. As Mutai neared the finish line, he slowed down, thinking that he had already The second strategy is to aim for excellence but without crossed it. Fernandez caught up but instead of surging a “at-all-cost” mentality. In other words, strive for forward for the gold medal, he motioned Mutai to keep excellence but not necessarily success. If excellence on running. Fernandez said after the race that winning brings success, that is well and good. is not everything—how one wins also matters. This strategy is consistent with the question, “What The race of life presents many challenges. How do we as does it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, and adults and parents prepare our young for this race? This suffers the loss of his soul?” (Mark 8:36) It focuses question is pertinent in a competitive society—where the not so much on the outcome but on the process, principle of meritocracy is applied as a key driver and the which does not require surrendering our humanity or workplace can be a dog-eat-dog contest. This question is losing compassion for others. Ivan Fernandez felt that all the more important amidst the current uncertainties. winning through his rival’s mistake would have been a hollow victory. There are two strategies parents can adopt. Parents adopting this strategy must build a firm The first is what I call a win-at-all-cost strategy. Give foundation of unconditional positive regard. This can your child an early head-start in life. For instance, be demonstrated by willingness to catch one’s children register them early in the best enrichment programmes when they fail and fall, assuring them that failure is and cover the broadest possible range of skills—from neither fatal nor final, and helping them learn from languages to numeracy, ballet to wushu, robot-building their successes and mistakes. When children are raised to drama training. Put them in the best schools and in such an environment, they grow up not fearful about ensure that they join CCAs that get them ahead of the trying new things, failing or suffering setbacks. This pack. Get them to volunteer to help the less privileged fearlessness is so necessary in times of uncertainty. and receive recognition for being well-rounded. |26 METHODIST MESSAGE — SEPTEMBER 2020

Hymns & Songs ¢ Judith Laoyan-Mosomos is the Director for Worship and Church Music at the Methodist School of Music, and a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church. Love beyond measure T his is the fifth stanza of the hymn, “We Were Once We cannot, however, take comfort and enjoy the security that as You Are”, included in Book III of the Olney Hymns, we have been granted, and just go on with life. The hymn written by John Newton (1725–1807) and his friend reminds us that it is our duty, as people of hope, to go out into William Cowper (1731–1800). I was introduced to it two the world to love and serve God with every ounce of our energy. weeks ago after receiving a question on the origin and As we grapple with the “new normal”, our responsibility of nature of the hymn. It had been quoted in a sermon by caring for our environment, each other, the less privileged, Timothy Keller, which piqued the interest of someone and, the poor and the needy is even greater. As Wright puts it, we subsequently, mine. cannot be spectators nor simply be beneficiaries of the beauty we see in God. We have to be active participants in the work Not much has been written about the hymn. Hymns in that God has purposed us to do.3 the Olney Hymnal were used for worship or other Sunday or weekday meetings. Newton and Cowper did not write For this text, I suggest we use hymn 502 of the United tunes for these hymns but were mindful of the meter they Methodist Hymnal (tune name: BRED DINA VIDA VINGAR). It used. The meter determined which tune may be fitting to is a beautiful Swedish folk tune that is easy to catch. Listen to accompany the text. the tune by scanning the QR code. The tune has an AABA form, where B prepares the singer for the crux of the text. As I read the text, I wondered: might this be our response to COVID-19? But what beauty have we seen about God in this 2 N. T. Wright, God and the Pandemic: A Reflection on the Coronavirus and Its time of distress? Aftermath (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2020), 42- 43./ 3 Ibid, 51. N. T. Wright, in his book God and the Pandemic: A Christian Reflection on the Coronavirus and Its Aftermath, points us Stanza 5 of to Romans 8, which he was of the opinion is full of faith, hope and love. He further states that the chapter captures “WE WERE ONCE AS YOU ARE” that the world we live in is full of darkness, but we are secured all because of God’s love outpoured in the death of Our pleasure and our duty, Jesus (Rom 8:37–39).2 This is the beauty of God we ought Though opposite before; to see, be thankful for and take delight in. Since we have seen his beauty, The world may be in turmoil, but that does not separate us Are joined to part no more: from the love of God. It is our highest pleasure, No less than duty’s call; To love him beyond measure, And serve him with our all. Words: John Newton (1725–1807) and William Cowper (1731-1800) The S11 foreign worker dormitory in Punggol, the |METHODIST MESSAGE — SEPTEMBER 2020 27 largest cluster of COVID-19 cases as of Aug 2020

TRAC Bible Matters ¢ Ps Joey Chen has been the Assistant Pastor at Methodist Church of the Incarnation since entering Trinity Annual Conference as a Member-on-Trial in 2018. She enjoys good movies, good coffee and good books. Singing in the spirit Does the practice of “singing in the Spirit” in charismatic that they exercised, than the community of the Spirit. Such worship services contravene the Bible’s instruction in 1 actions were symptomatic of a bigger problem: their lack of Corinthians 14:13—20?1 love for each other was what made them act in selfish ways that were not conducive to building community (cf. 1 Cor Several years ago, I visited a charismatic church. Halfway 13). Paul needed to recentre the Corinthian church on what through the contemporary worship set, the congregation mattered in God’s eyes: building a loving community. was invited to sing in tongues. Everyone broke out in glossalalic singing for a minute or so. That was my first So in 1 Corinthians 14, after establishing the centrality experience of what is commonly known as “singing in of love, Paul described what that love looked like when the Spirit”. I had just that afternoon received the gift of practised in community. He established the importance of angelic tongues (not at the charismatic church but at my love in pursuing and practising spiritual gifts (1 Cor 14:1– own church), and coming from a church that did not permit 12). He instituted rules for worshipping in community (1 speaking in tongues without interpretation during services Cor 14:24–40). Worship was to be (i) accessible to everyone (and rightly so), I found the experience refreshing. and no one would feel excluded, and (ii) useful for building up all believers. But how does the practice of singing in the Spirit square with Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 14:13—20? How does Paul’s words for the Corinthian Christians apply to our Christian context today? Let’s start by noting a Before diving into this passage, it is important to get one major difference between worship in the Corinthian church thing straight—Paul recognised both human tongues (i.e. and worship in the church today. Historical descriptions of a foreign language) and angelic tongues. In 1 Corinthians secular gatherings show a pattern of eating together, and 13:1, Paul referred to “speaking in tongues of men or of then guests taking turns to lead in song.6 It is likely that angels”. In case you think Paul might have been granting the worship of the early Christians followed this format, sans them a point and not actually affirming angelic tongues, bawdy jokes and free flow of wine. These Christians would he went on to say in 1 Corinthians 14:2 that “anyone who have written or rehearsed spiritual songs (“spiritual because speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. they are inspired by the Spirit and manifest the life of the Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by Spirit”7) and sung them to one another for the purposes of the Spirit.” Too often, sincere Christians have dismissed the edification.8 This is different from most modern day worship biblicity of angelic tongues by referring to the episode of (both traditional and contemporary) where a select group speaking in human tongues at Pentecost in Acts 2. Paul also of people lead in the worship service. Paul’s concern with expressly said, “Do not forbid speaking in tongues” (1 Cor not speaking in tongues during worship—in a context where 14:39), so he was definitely not against the practice. When worship can be “led” by anyone in attendance—is ensuring it comes to human tongues and angelic tongues, it is not that worship is always orderly and accessible. either or—it is both/and. In other words, if we go by the spirit (as opposed to the Paul’s letter to the Corinthians was a corrective to a church letter) of what Paul said, it is not that singing in tongues that had not fully learnt how to follow Christ: amongst its is verboten, but how it is done that is key. For Paul, the problems were the overemphasis on personal rights and principles of worship that cannot be compromised are: ecstatic experiences. The Corinthians lived in an era where it was universally accepted that spiritual gifts accompanied (i) worship must never be self-indulgent because it is for those who were “specially in touch with the divine…Their the edification of one another (1 Cor 14:1–5, 12, 17); ‘enthusiasm’4 was the mark of the presence of the divine spirit within them”. The Corinthian Christians eagerly sought (ii) worship must never be individualistic—we worship as a spiritual gifts as evidence of their spiritual maturity, and were united body (1 Cor 14:6–11); practising their Christian faith in an emotional and enthusiastic manner, engaging the spirit but bypassing the mind. Some (iii) we must be sensitive to those amongst us (pre-believers spiritual gifts (such as speaking in tongues) were elevated or those who do not speak in tongues) who may be over others. Those who had the “better” spiritual gifts were stumbled by strange practices or feel awkward because lording it over others, creating division in the church (cf. 1 Cor they are excluded (1 Cor 14:16); 12). They were more concerned about the power of the Spirit (iv) worship must engage spirit and mind so that it is fruitful for the believer (1 Cor 14:13–15); and (v) worship must be orderly (1 Cor 14:40). |28 METHODIST MESSAGE — SEPTEMBER 2020

What does this mean for our context today? Here are some (v) Does my singing in the Spirit during worship cause questions we can ask ourselves when considering whether disruption to the service? there is room for singing in tongues in worship services: If done in a fitting and orderly way (1 Cor 14:40), a case can (i) Does my singing in the Spirit during worship come be made for singing in the Spirit during worship. For example, from a self-indulgent spirit? Is it symptomatic of an it is okay if it is done quietly without disrupting the singing individualistic faith? of hymns or worship songs, or the congregational prayer. Another possibility is when the worship leader goes into a In worship, we are not just worshipping God. The purpose non-protracted time of “free worship”, as a congregation of worship is also to encourage and build up one another. member I can sing in tongues so long as it does not make it My faith is not just between God and me, but held together difficult for those around me to worship. in community. We worship as a community of faith, and not a collection of individuals who happen to share the Paul’s words in 1 Cor 14:13–20 are more about the big picture of same faith. loving your neighbour and less about the parochial debates about angelic tongues. The problem with angelic tongues was not that (ii) Does my singing in the Spirit during worship make those they were angelic tongues but what it did to the community who have not received the gift of angelic tongues feel of believers. Paul’s words are a corrective for Christians today like outsiders? Will it make pre-believers feel awkward who over-emphasise the individualistic, experiential aspect of or stumble them? Does it prevent participation? Sunday services. As Gordon Fee said, “The point of everything in corporate worship is not personal experience in the Spirit, but The key here is love, and we have the choice to love others building up the church itself.”9 by curtailing our freedom to worship out loud in angelic tongues. Who is doing it is also important: if the worship When we come to worship on Sundays, we ought to prepare our or service leader were to pray audibly in tongues for an hearts and minds to engage with God and with one another. It extended period of time, there’s no way for the people to is the engagement with one another in worship that we often say “Amen” to what (s)he is saying. forget. In the words of bible scholar Andrew T. Lincoln, “Being filled with the Spirit involves not simply private mystical experiences (iii) Does my singing in the Spirit during worship engage but corporate worship and relationships…the fullness of the Spirit my spirit and my mind? Can I sing in the Spirit and still can only be properly experienced in community.” engage all of myself (mind included) in the worship of God? The other danger to avoid is a “flesh-led” attitude to worshipping in the Spirit. On the Day of Pentecost, the people spontaneously The engagement of spirit and mind does not need to be broke out in tongues when the Holy Spirit descended upon simultaneous: it will suffice so long as there is adequate them. When we are singing in the Spirit we must ask ourselves room given to both during worship. As Paul himself said, whether we are responding to the move of the Holy Spirit or we “I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my are willing ourselves to do it. understanding.” We can do both! There is certainly room for the congregant to sing in tongues at intervals (e.g. Finally, we also need to understand and respect the traditions in between worship songs, during musical interludes, of different churches. Perhaps what is more important than during “free worship”). Engaging the mind happens when examining and critiquing another church’s beliefs or practices we read the lyrics in the hymnbook or on the projection that differ from ours, is that we have the humility to examine screen, proclaim God’s truth through song, and we hear and critique our own in the light of the Gospel, and to learn it proclaimed by our own voice intermingled with other from other churches. voices. Singing in the Spirit should not be a substitute for engaging one’s mental faculties. 1 Since Paul was addressing speaking in angelic tongues during worship in 1 Corinthians 14:13-20, we will be focusing on the angelic tongues aspect of “singing in the Spirit”, and not the “free (iv) Does my singing in the Spirit during worship make it worship” in intelligible words aspect of it. / 3 Hans Conzelmann, 1 Corinthians: A Commentary difficult for my brother- or sister-in-Christ to engage on the First Epistle to the Corinthians, Hermeneia—a Critical and Historical Commentary on the his/her spirit and mind? Does it edify my brother- or Bible (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1975), 14. / 4 Not to be confused with the more contemporary sister-in-Christ? use of the word to mean “a feeling of energetic interest in a particular subject or activity and an eagerness to be involved in it”. “Enthusiastic” comes from the Greek word enthousiasmos, In a group context where everyone has the gift of angelic meaning “inspiration or possession by a god”. Someone who was enthusiastic in those days would tongues, a period of singing in the Spirit together may have “behaved in unpredictable ways, threw themselves about, spoke in a frenzied manner, not be out of place. The group may feel edified at the and so on.”(Leon Morris, 1 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 7, Tyndale New end of it because tongues do edify (1 Cor 14:4). However, Testament Commentaries [Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1985], 161.) / 5 Morris, 161. / 6 we must be mindful of those who do not have the gift of Alikin, Valeriy A. “Singing and Prayer In the Gathering of the Early Church,” The Earliest History of angelic tongues, and ensure that adequate time is devoted the Christian Gathering: Origin, Development and Content of the Christian Gathering in the First to engaging the mind fruitfully. to Third Centuries (Leiden; Boston: Brill, 2010), 211–54. / 7 Andrew T. Lincoln, Ephesians, vol. 42, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1990), 346. / 8 It is worth noting at this point that Ephesians 5:19 (in particular the phrase “songs from the Spirit”) does not provide the basis for the practice of singing in angelic tongues. This phrase could just as easily mean “songs composed with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit”. This latter interpretation becomes even more likely when one considers that the terms “psalms”, “hymns”, “songs from the Spirit” have been used interchangeably to mean the same thing in the Septuagint (an early Greek translation of the Old Testament that predates Ephesians by about 300 years, which the writer of Ephesians would have had access to). In my opinion, 1 Corinthians 14:15 provides a far stronger scriptural support for singing in angelic tongues. / 9Gordon Fee, The First Epistle to the Corinthians, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1987), 667. The views expressed in this article are personal and might not necessarily reflect the official position of The Methodist Church in Singapore. This version of the article has been edited for brevity. A full version of the article can be found at http://www.trac-mcs.org.sg/index.php/resources/bible-matters?layout=edit&id=262 |METHODIST MESSAGE — SEPTEMBER 2020 29

Soundings ¢ Dr Roland Chia is Chew Hock Hin Professor of Christian Doctrine at Trinity Theological College and Theological and Research Advisor at the Ethos Institute for Public Christianity (http://ethosinstitute.sg) Redeeming work “Soundings” is a series of essays that , like the waves of a sonogram, explore issues in society, culture and the church in light of the Gospel and Christian understanding. I n an article published on the Gallup website, Amy Whatever one may wish to make of Adkins’ Adkins writes rather unflatteringly about Millennials’ characterisation of Millennials, it is perhaps true to say attitude towards work.1 that all of us need to rediscover the true significance of work because we live in an age where it has been all too “Millennials have a reputation for job-hopping,” she banal and vapid. declares. “Unattached to organisations and institutions, people from this generation—born between 1980 and Christians who wish to discover the true meaning of 1996—are said to move freely from company to company. work must return to the paradisiacal Garden described More so than any other generation.’ in Bible’s first few pages. Adkins cites a recent Gallup report which “reveals that 21 For it was there that humans, having been fashioned in per cent of Millennials say they’ve changed jobs within the image of their Creator, were given the extraordinary the past year, which is more than three times the number mandate to “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth of non-millennials who report the same”. and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea 和散那治丧服务 Hosanna Bereavement Services Your one-stop bereavement and funeral-related services For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 Hosanna Bereavement Services Pte Ltd (A Subsidiary of the Methodist Co-operative Society Ltd) Block 4 Toa Payoh Lorong 8 Industrial Park #01-1333 Singapore 319056 Tel: 6259-4560 Fax: 6259-4095 Email: [email protected] Web: www.hosannabereavement.com.sg 24-Hour Helpline: Contact Ricky Guok @ 6352-7797

and over the birds of the heavens and over every living activity through which human beings can find meaning thing that moves on the earth” (Gen 1:28). and fulfilment. The first humans were told to be “fruitful”. They were But in order to achieve this, it is important that we see commanded to “subdue” the earth, and exercise the work that we do as a way in which we can fulfil our “dominion” over it. In other words, they were given the calling, a vocation through which we offer our service to task of tending the Garden, of participating in the work of both God and neighbour. the Creator as His co-worker and partner. As Dorothy Sayers has so eloquently put it, with the As Stanley Horton puts it, “Adam was given work right perspective, daily work is seen “not as a necessary to do, such as cultivating, trimming and caring for drudgery to be undergone for the purpose of making the garden.” By this mandate, God made Adam “a money, but as a way of life in which the nature of man responsible being sharing in part of the work of taking should find its proper exercise and delight and so fulfil care of God’s creation”.2 itself to the glory of God”.4 Work is an activity that is befitting of God’s special When it is understood as a means by which we can fulfil creatures who alone are given the privilege to be the our calling, daily work is transformed from drudgery to bearers of the divine image. In fact, it is in performing doxology—an act of praise, thanksgiving and worship to daily work that human beings reflect the Creator, for the God. We offer the work of our hands to God by giving our God in whose image they are made is Himself a worker. very best and by making sure that God is honoured by it. This has led theologians such as Pope John Paul II to But our daily work does not only bring glory to God. As maintain that work sets human beings apart from the the great Reformer Martin Luther has tirelessly stressed, other creatures that God has brought into being. “Work” in performing our daily work diligently and responsibly, writes the pontiff, “is one of the characteristics that we are in fact also serving our fellow human beings. We distinguishes man from the rest of the creatures, whose are responding to the call to love our neighbour. activity for sustaining their lives cannot be called work. Only man is capable of work.”3 Human work is sacred because it was ordained by God before the Fall. This means that all human work, however Work is thus God’s intention for human beings and lowly, is capable of glorifying God. should never be seen as divine punishment resulting from the Fall. And although human sin has made it into In addition, work is the means by which we participate something irksome, tedious and even dehumanising, in the life-giving activity of the Creator himself. By it we daily work remains a divine mandate and therefore an fulfil our calling to love both God and neighbour. 1 Amy Adkins, “Millennials: The Job-Hopping Generation,” Gallup, https://www.gallup.com/workplace/231587/millennials-job-hopping-generation.aspx. 2 Stanley M. Horton, The Old Testament Study Bible: Genesis, The Complete Biblical Library: The Old Testament, Vol. 1, ed. Thoralf Gilbrant (Springfield: World Library, 1994), 29. 3 https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-_iienc_14091981_loborem-exercens.html. 4 Dorothy Sayers, Creed or Chaos? (Manchester, NH: Sophia Institute Press, 1974), 89. |METHODIST MESSAGE — SEPTEMBER 2020 31

Home ¢ Lois Chng is a member of Toa Payoh CMC and the artist of CAC News’ “I Am John Wesley” cartoon (www.cac-singapore.org.sg/cac-cartoon-i-am-john-wesley). What does being a Methodist mean to you? AAJsoWltWdahlaiInheoenfrteewdethrustwpensvWolnetsIbaaergtadtaidwdbathseesabyhaaspwoharIiyoatcrspoatotaaoyooffkilMoesuuasvvaota.onerrshrtgorettsnrltcreegygTkrctnehse,mlhohudhthCiruceeaearntwhntooiicAeouneshsnrcrrnngkofwfenCmrhtodm.oef—didcmeaatanon,iscrhbNWeahiennudmseelhsdeyawbaeraegudctoenit-metsiiohsrwcogrlhcnhsdseihfuyhuswsbeoefihies,ospieacaptwe,,cisnaeeotbtwh.nlbmBriltorwodsIeaheeruiiesoBissssrrnlibottmwhruteohlaulWdtyosteyloemahaatn.tiethhr,imf,epvengiatanr,aeoyatanedahswihhtaditbhnntflntnt,regotyeottueegtoddnlohenblmhygcptsyhuntesreoeoCeeeMthoaareopatarhmycataaevlCaitoeerhslnlsrtrjnteulhkwniudecliottephecc.sdlbihuhessersorianiootIidmt,ngroninvcraagtcnglaighdeahdaoeadsdelhlooinsbbbwipiialvontsasmntol,bchooioeirhytsnsirogneoaouuutgeeihdmahnotIiadanutrtadotadsneprhsrlvhhmworecyttdsooeMnsaeotahohtbn,mhhuoewhebwscnememeetaernartaveriud.estototanimtmeeorthclttyahrcahisnnWypbrhfoiciue,eedteedeunpehwdoewlnI.ysasal“oirtisihsinopsaPoheolsatrlclggletyitfigraraagoboMvhl.urerkywerlrleooewettJnalytoeCohytsuduedsiciulShIonuhcatpp.ytihftydelftcntocosueo,hratrnbItbdoonotesaa”oofiismbuntolrge

Looking Ahead ¢ Scan to see events online! SEPTEMBER PRAY FOR THE 12TH SESSION GENERAL CONFERENCE 7 to 11 Sep 2020 and 2 to 4 Dec 2020 Join us in prayer for God’s guidance as important decisions are being made during the 12th Session General Conference of The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS). Items you can pray for: • Logistics and preparation for online or on-site meetings, including all technical details and measures required • Elections of major office-holders such as the Bishop, and Chairpersons of various Councils that oversee the church’s work over the next four years • Decisions made on behalf of MCS, such as matters of church law and policy, including amendments to The Book of Discipline, which are debated and discussed before being accepted • Delivery of reports on work done the last four years and the plans for the coming four years and beyond • Good health, protection and alertness of the delegates and supporting staff, that the proceedings may be carried out smoothly and thoroughly SEPTEMBER TRAC SENIORS MINISTRY WORSHIP SERVICE: THE CHANGING TIMES 9 Sep 2020 (Wednesday), 2.30 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. 9220-8954 (Priscilla Low) [email protected] Join Bishop Emeritus Dr Wee Boon Hup via ZOOM as he shares on Hebrews 13:1–10. ZOOM meeting details will be sent separately upon registration. Organised by TRAC Seniors Ministry OCTOBER ETHOS ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2020: GOD AND CREATION 2020 3 Oct 2020 (Saturday), 10.00 a.m. to 12.45 p.m. Wesley Methodist Church or via ZOOM (To be confirmed closer to the date) https://ethosinstitute.sg/godandcreation/ 6304-3765 (Ms Florence Kang) [email protected] The doctrine of creation is a central tenet of the Christian faith. It is found in the first pages of the Bible (Gen 1:1–31) and enshrined in the ecumenical creeds of the Church, such as the Apostles’ and Nicene creeds. This conference will explore this doctrine as it is presented in Scripture and tradition. It will also examine the place of this doctrine in the Church’s theology and worship, and its significance for Christianity’s dialogue with the natural sciences and the current ecological crisis. Organised by ETHOS Institute™ for Public Christianity. MCS WHATSAPP BROADCAST GROUP In this unpredictable and spiritually challenging time, MCS will send updates, information and prayers when you sign up with our latest Whatsapp Broadcast Group! Here’s how. First, please save +65 6478-4786 in your phone contacts as “MCS”. (Please note that you will not be able to receive broadcast messages without saving the number.) Then complete the form found here: https://tinyurl.com/mcswhatsapp, and you are done! :)

THINK ¢ Jason Wong is Chairman of Focus on the Family (Singapore) and also of Elijah7000, a Christian movement to turn hearts of Christian fathers to their children. He is one of the speakers at “Passing on a Godly Legacy” (see page 4). “If you see me, you see the Father” I t has been said that fathers are like “God in human skin”. gave their lives to Jesus that day. As our children call us “father”, we call God “Father”, which is both a privilege and a burden—a burden because how How he loved God and how God loved him created a deep we father our children will affect their view of God the Father, hunger and desire in me to press in further into the Lord’s and have a spiritual and eternal impact. Fathering is a heavy presence. I want to have the same intimate relationship with responsibility God has entrusted to men. God that my father had. A study by the Swiss government published in 2000 reported some Once, a mentee of mine kept complaining about his father, by astonishing facts about the generational transmission of faith and whom he had been deeply hurt when growing up. God led me to religious values:“If both father and mother attend regularly, 33 ask, “Do you know how your father was fathered by his father?” per cent of their children will end up as regular churchgoers. If He replied, “My grandfather was a bad father to my father.” the father is irregular and mother regular, only 3 per cent of the Immediately, the Holy Spirit spoke through me: “We cannot give children will subsequently become regulars themselves. And if what we had not received.” If our fathers had received love, the father is non-practicing and mother regular, only 2 percent of they can give us love. But if all they got was pain, they could children will become regular worshippers.” not help but pass down some of this pain. That day I told the young man this, he forgave his father. In short, “it is the religious practice of the father of the family that, above all, determines the future attendance at or absence Even if our earthly parents did not give us enough love, our from church of the children”. heavenly Father has more than enough love for us, for God is love. And when this love overflows, we may even offer some to In John 14:9, when a disciple asked Jesus to show them the our father and others in our family. Father, Jesus answered, “He who has seen me has seen the Father.” Do our children see God the Father in us? Do our words I have for some time been sensing that a second wave of the and actions show that God is real in our lives and that we enjoy fathers movement in churches is coming. Miraculously, since a deep relationship with Him? the beginning of this year, a number of church leaders have looked me up, either informing me that they had started a I led my father to Christ when he was in his 60s. Though I fathers group or seeking advice on how to start one. Individual had been in the faith for longer than he, his childlike faith fathers from different churches have also written asking me for and desire to share the Gospel never failed to inspire me. information on joining the Elijah7000 movement. During his last weeks on earth, before he passed at 87, though he could hardly walk or breathe because of lung cancer, he My own church has started an Elijah7000 father community. Our accepted his oncologist’s invitation to share his testimony with tagline is “If you see me, you see the Father”. You may want to a group of cancer patients and their families. Three of them do the same for your church.