Methodist Message May 2020

ISSN 0129-6868 MCI(P) 027/11/2019 THE METHODIST CHURCH IN SINGAPORE Vol 122 No 5 MAY 2020 Loving God, Serving Together with hearts strangely warmed Join the Aldersgate SG 2020 online service as we celebrate as one Methodist Church OUR SPEAKER Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung Sunday 24 May 2020

Church life 2 Contents Methodists in the world 15 1 Bishop’s Message Christian living 17 2 Home—Bishop’s Easter sermon ATorhefhisateyhnwIolefpduislMuwlo4s,he5ilewstlhahlgepnoaiddpvwMieesbaCteonyScolutgohurtweuopttr,hlchtaaheoenneaoskdsrpnfaifoponrtroowtSermtithnynuedoygniuoafintuupgbyt!oeutortroentee?e.r, 4 Church Profile—Pasir Panjang Tamil MC 5 One MCS—ETAC Highlights https:/(a/ndPwLsMEewAnSCdwESitF.sItsLouuLyrIrovNvuerTeHycyhEpumSrhUchoRaVfnsrEieeYkn2eAdTsyt.ocoo)!m/r/ 6 One MCS—TRAC WSCS devotions booklet 7 One MCS—Where two or three are gathered in My name 8 One MCS—Aldersgate SG 2020 10 One MCS—Identity & Destiny 11 News—The Boys’ Brigade in Singapore 90th anniversary 12 Home—From shame to sanctuary 15 Welfare Services 16 Missions 17 You & Your Family 18 Hymns & Songs 20 TRAC Bible Matters 23 Soundings 24 Home—What does being a Methodist mean to you? 25 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 Communications Executive Jason Woo Design & Production by Londonbob Design — Printed by Adred Creation Print Pte Ltd Have something to say or share? Email us at [email protected] and, if appropriate, your contribution could be published.

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. Have an Aldersgate experience Although I am writing this message Among the measures announced was For the Lord is with us where we come on 10 April, the prevailing one that mandated that all forms of together in His name. This is also Jesus conditions of the COVID-19 religious services and gatherings were Christ’s prayer to the Heavenly Father— pandemic have given me cause to assume to be suspended from 7 April to at least that God will give the Holy Spirit to the that we will most likely not be able to 4 May.2 disciples. The Holy Spirit will be with resume worshipping as one congregation the believers, and where the Holy Spirit by 24 May, and will not be able to hold It matters not, however. COVID-19 has is so is our Lord Jesus (John 14:16–20). the Aldersgate SG 2020 Celebration been an enlightening experience for Service at Paya Lebar Methodist Church the Church. The risen Lord is not with So, like you, I will look forward to 24 like we have in the past.1 us physically but through His Spirit. The May, the turning point of our spiritual Holy Sprit indwells and is with every life. Together, let us remember the Since 27 March 2020, all Methodist believer (Rom 8:9–10). The Lord is with Aldersgate experience of John Wesley, churches have suspended their Sunday us always, wherever we may be, and we the founder of Methodism. He was as well as weekday worship services can worship Him and pray to Him. John attending a church service at Aldersgate on church premises, and switched Wesley wrote, “The image of invisible Street in London that day when, at 8.45 to conducting these online. This was God, whom none can represent, but his in the evening, the Holy Spirit moved to continue till 11 April. All churches only begotten son, in his divine nature him and and his heart felt “strangely responded positively with live streaming the invisible image, in his human the warmed”. Wesley subsequently became or pre-recorded worship services. It was visible image of the Father.” a passionate evangelist for God and expected that on 12 April, we would began to undertake works for the relief have been able to celebrate Easter This is Paul’s treatise on Christ in his of the poor and destitute. This is also Sunday in church with congregation epistle to the Colossians. For this what he expects of all Methodists: to numbers kept to a maximum of 120 for reason, I have decided not to cancel love God with all our heart and mind and each service. the annual Aldersgate SG Celebration to love others as ourselves. Service. Even if the sanctuary is empty, However, owing to the continuing our three presidents will take turns to Perhaps we can learn from the plea spread of COVID-19, the government participate in and lead the service. We of Elisha to Elijah: “Let me inherit a announced several new stringent and believe that members of the Methodist double portion of your spirit” (2 Kings stricter restrictions in early April in an Family will worship wherever they 2:9). Pray to the Lord that the Spirit that attempt to curb the spread of the virus. are—in their homes or at other venues. moved John Wesley will move us too. 1 Bishop’s Message was written on 10 April 2020, before the announcement by the government that the circuit breaker was to be extended from 4 May to 1 June 2020. 2 The circuit breaker has since been extended to 1 June. |METHODIST MESSAGE — MAY 2020 1

Home ¢ Methodist Easter Worship Service Photos courtesy of the MCS Communications Team Witnesses of the Lord’s resurrection Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung’s Easter message being videographed at The Garden of Remembrance on 6 April 2020, before the circuit breaker measures were implemented This is an abridged version of Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung’s Easter sermon, which was recorded at the Garden of Remembrance on 6 April 2020. It was available online for churches to live stream on Easter Sunday, 12 April 2020, at https://youtu.be/hU5Db9zX7_E Scripture text: Luke 24:34–48 Introduction (v34) situation and emerge safe and stronger. Today’s scripture passage records In his closing words, PM Lee reminded Christ’s appearance to the disciples After Jesus rose from the dead, His us that many have been working day after His resurrection. These disciples disciples went everywhere proclaiming, and night at the frontline of the fight are the blessed ones of their times, for “The Lord is risen!” Whenever they ran against the disease. These are our they each personally witnessed Jesus’ into each other, they would proclaim, nurses and doctors, those involved in resurrection. Every year we hear the “The Lord is risen! Christ is risen!” And contract tracing and healthcare staff. He story of Jesus’ resurrection, yet there the other party would naturally respond said, “We thank them all for their efforts are always some lessons for us. with, “Christ is risen indeed! Hallelujah, and sacrifices. Now we are all enlisted praise the Lord!” to join them on the frontline.” The disciples went from shock to fear to joy (vv37, 43) This Sunday is Easter! This year, the As members of the big family that is world will awake to an Easter like no The Methodist Church in Singapore, we The disciples watched as Jesus other. Practically all churches will not are strong believers in the resurrection was arrested, crucified and buried. be holding their Easter worship service of Jesus Christ. Jesus triumphed over When rumours surfaced about His on-site! All because of the extraordinary humanity’s final enemy—death. resurrection, they were thrown times we are in. into even greater perplexity, as the To every doctor, nurse, medical specialist, situation had got more complicated. As of 6 April, there are already 203 healthcare worker, counsellor and other The campaign to get rid of Jesus the countries affected, with more than 1.1 brothers and sisters who are there at Nazarene, and those with Him, was million cases of COVID-19 and about the frontline—we salute you and pray not yet over. 60,000 deaths. In Singapore, we have for you. All of us will strictly follow the more than 1,100 cases and six have died. precautionary measures, so as not to add The disciples received different versions to your burden by becoming ill. of the reports. In such a situation marked The prime minister announced on Friday by a lack of clarity and certainty, the 3 April that, to stem the spread of the So, my beloved Methodists, let us respond disciples shared one another’s fear and virus, the government is laying down to the prime minister’s call and comply with confusion. They feared that they would stricter measures. He appealed to all in the temporary ban on church gatherings. be caught by the Roman governors and Singapore to work together and exercise Unite with the whole nation. Each of us, the Jewish leaders, and be crucified and self-discipline. It is a tough and long in our own respective roles and positions, tortured too. Should they continue to battle, but if all Singaporeans unite and must dedicate ourselves to the all-out believe in Jesus? Should they continue pull together, we will be able to beat the efforts to control the viral outbreak. to follow Jesus? |2 METHODIST MESSAGE — MAY 2020

We read in the Bible that the disciples by the religious leaders; He was driven Each time when we celebrate the Holy were so frightened that they locked out and, finally, He was hunted down to Communion, we also refer to how Jesus’ themselves in their homes. When they be humiliated and whipped. They made life was sacrificed for us, and how His heard that Jesus had resurrected, they him carry a huge cross on His back, and blood was shed to wash away our sins. were uncertain whether to believe or to paraded Him through the town—a horrific So, we all know the gospel and know to doubt. Fake news was already common spectacle for those who lined the streets declare that Christ has died, that Christ in their time. Matthew 28:11–15 says that day, and then He was crucified as the has risen and that Christ will come again! that the chief priests paid a large sum Messiah. But He triumphed over death, of money to the Roman guards on duty and was resurrected. Dearly beloved brothers and sisters, at the grave to spread the story that on the day that Jesus was resurrected, Jesus did not rise from the dead, but This is the earliest original gospel about He appeared to the disciples who were instead, that “His disciples came during Jesus: Jesus is the saviour of sinners, a both fearful and joyful. As He appeared the night and stole his body away”. friend of sinners. He sought the lost, the among them, He said, “Peace to you!” least, and the last, and even the weak So, it was no surprise that when the and vulnerable. Jesus is easily recognised By His presence and His words, the resurrected Christ appeared among the by people from these groups. The Church disciples’ fears were swept away. disciples, they thought at first that He was today must similarly represent Christ on From then on, they no longer feared a spirit! They were shocked. It was only earth, to continue to be friends of all. persecution, nor did they fear death. In when Jesus let them touch Him and see fact for them, to die was gain, for they His wounds that they believed they were Disciples are witnesses for believed without a doubt that their looking at the resurrected Jesus. At a loss Jesus Christ (vv47–48) Saviour Lord is alive! From that day, they for words, they were speechless with joy— preached the good news from Jerusalem that is what we call unspeakable joy! The situation described here is different to all the world. from when Jesus gave the Great Today, do you have that unspeakable Commission in Chapter 28 of the Gospel The Methodist Church in Singapore exists joy that Jesus is the Lord who triumphed according to Matthew. There Jesus spoke so that together with other Christians, we over death and is the resurrected Lord? to the 11 disciples about the Great can become witnesses of the risen Christ. Such unspeakable joy must be broadcast Commission. Here, Luke was saying and highlighted, as this is the core of the that believers must spread the gospel I chose the Garden of Remembrance Christian faith! of repentance and forgiveness of sins, as the background for recording this from Jerusalem to the Gentiles. Easter message. This is to affirm For our sins, Jesus was tortured, died and Apostle Paul’s declaration in 1 was buried. But, He rose from the dead The disciples were witnesses to these Corinthians 15:20 that “in fact Christ on the third day—this is what the Christian incidents. Note this: an evangelist is not has been raised from the dead, the faith is all about. Easter—not Christmas— someone who explains the intricacies first fruits of those who have fallen is the heart of our faith! Without Christ’s of theology, or someone who digs deep asleep”. When Christ comes again, all resurrection, we would be the most into the articles of faith. Instead, the those who have fallen asleep in Christ pathetic of people! Instead, we now live evangelist is someone who preaches will be resurrected just as Christ was. filled with hope and confidence, rather repentance and the forgiveness of sin. than with exasperation and futility. This is what you do when you speak Each urn placed here is a witness to the of your own repentance, belief and life of a saint and the promise that Jesus A reminder to the disciples receiving of God’s grace in forgiveness. Christ has given them, the promise of about the Messiah in the That is our personal testimony. resurrection. By holding strong to that Scriptures (v44–46) promise, they lived life confidently, Even the Samaritan woman at the well secure in their hope, as witnesses Luke made it a point to remind the knew to go into the city to tell everyone for Christ. Even when life’s journey disciples that Jesus was the one foretold her testimony of how her sins had been sometimes got bumpy and challenging, in the Old Testament—the Saviour forgiven. even when going through the valley of who was coming, the one described the shadow of death, nevertheless they in Moses’ Pentateuch; the suffering Conclusion were blessings to many. servant that the prophets had written about, the one the writers of the Psalms We are all witnesses to Christ’s Today, you and I are experiencing referred to. Jesus wanted the disciples resurrection. It does not matter who you an atypical Easter Sunday. In normal to remember that the scriptures pointed are, as long as you live with hope and joy, times, we would have gone to church to Him, that He was the servant whom and are always ready for an opportunity for worship service. Today, we are God had sent; the servant who, for the to witness for Him, when you share your worshipping at home instead. purpose of the Good News, suffered and testimony of how you believed in Jesus was driven out and rejected. and were saved by grace. This makes us even more aware that wherever we are, we can continue to Surely the disciples would also remember The story of Jesus is familiar to us and bless our family, community, schools and living with Him for three and a half years— we can easily recall and recount the neighbours as we share our testimony the Jesus they had got to know as they details. After Jesus rose from the dead of faith and grace, of the hope and joy traversed the length and breadth of Israel and ascended into heaven, whenever that we hold in our hearts. Hallelujah, to bring the good news of heaven, heal his disciples gathered, witnesses would because our Lord Christ is risen! He lives the sick, deliver people from evil spirits, come forward to recount the stories in my heart. He lives in my life. He walks and help sinners and tax collectors. He was of Jesus, and to cover His teachings with me daily, even in these days of the the Lord and Saviour, the friend of those repeatedly. At least once a year, during COVID-19 pandemic. in the lowest rungs in society. He had no the Easter season, the Church would also place to rest His head; He was despised recount the story of Jesus’ crucifixion and Christ is risen. Hallelujah! how He was resurrected on the third day. |METHODIST MESSAGE — MAY 2020 3

Church Profile ¢ Pasir Panjang Tamil Methodist Church Andrew Prabagar is the lay leader of Pasir Panjang Tamil Methodist Church. / Photos courtesy of Pasir Panjang Tamil Methodist Church A church that helps to shape a society Visitation outreach to pre-believers The baptism service held earlier this year The Church is the most important so good that we have members from Missions institution in the world. The assembly other churches attending these classes. The Church is called to proclaim and of the redeemed, the company of manifest the Kingdom of God. Last the saints, and the children of God are Youth Ministry year, a team made a mission trip to more significant than any other group or The youth have been actively taking part Myanmar. What the team observed was organisation. God has not called together in the ministries of the church. Most of that there were so many children in the mere servants or “employees” to work for them are involved in the Sunday worship Dhalla area. Plans are being made to Him. He has raised up children who will service, preparing the worship slides, and help the local church teachers to fulfil participate in the “family business” out of serving as backup singers and musicians. their role as shepherds of Christ to a sense of love and mutual commitment. They also accompany the WSCS on nurture faith in the hearts of children visitations to nursing homes. Every while they are still young. Brief History second Sunday of the month, they gather Pasir Panjang Tamil Methodist Church for Bible study. Our prayers for them are Methodist Men (MC) started in 1927 at Brickworks, near that they will continue to build a stronger The Methodist Men’s fellowship meets Alexandra Road. It was led by lay people network of mentors and lay leadership every third Sunday of the month for a who had a burden to reach out to the for the future. time of prayer, testimony and fellowship. migrant workers from India. This has given an opportunity for the Teck Whye Outreach men to come together and share their In 1972, the church shifted to Pasir The Teck Whye Ministry is now in its life experiences as well as encourage Panjang Road, to the residence of the sixth year. With Methodist Church of one another. late Rev Daniel. For the next four years, the Incarnation providing one of their that was where the Sunday School, our rooms for Sunday service, we now have Women’s Fellowship regular services and even our Vacation sufficient volunteers to lead the worship The women’s ministry is the most active Bible School was held. We grew over service. By His grace, we have seen lives among all the church ministries. During the the years and a pressing need for a turned around, sins forgiven and our Lord year they are involved in many activities permanent building arose. Jesus Christ glorified through the birth of and ministries, not only within the church, His children. To date, we have held four but also in our local community. One of In 1976, God helped us through the baptism services, the most recent one the places they frequently visit is the General Conference to acquire a piece of in February. Such growth continues to MWS Bethany Nursing Home in Choa Chu land at Wishart Road. God continued to motivate our volunteers in the midst of Kang. Talking to the elderly and serving bless us with much growth and in 1986, all the challenges. food are some of the ministries in which a second floor was added. they have actively taken part. Social Concerns Ministries Our Social Concerns Committee has been Healing Service Our Bible Study group meets on befriending the residents who live around Every fourth Sunday is observed as a Wednesdays from 7.30 to 8.30 p.m. This the church vicinity and encouraging healing service. Those who need prayer is a great way for each of us to fellowship them to participate in church activities. are invited to come forward after the with others, grow in our Christian life and They also provide short term financial service to be prayed for individually. understand God’s Word better. Group study assistance to needy families identified gives us the opportunity to ask questions, by church members. Home visitation to Looking back over the years, all we can share experiences, and find support and the poor and needy families identified do is praise God for the blessings He has encouragement to study God’s Word in an by the Methodist Welfare Services is poured on us. With prayer and by the easy-to-understand way. The Rev Prabhu carried out to lend a listening ear, advise power of God we will see great things has been leading us in these studies for on available financial aid and bless with happening in the lives of the members of the past three years. Response has been gifts of daily essentials. Pasir Panjang Tamil MC. |4 METHODIST MESSAGE — MAY 2020

ETAC Highlights ¢ Pastor Jeremy James is the Assistant Pastor of Tamil Methodist Church, Short Street. / Photo courtesy of the Emmanual Tamil Annual Conference Alagi Muthuraj is the Missions Coordinator and Archives Chairperson of ETAC WSCS. / Photo courtesy of ETAC WSCS The opening Every year, the Emmanual Tamil Annual Conference (ETAC), under procession the co-ordination of the Worship & Music Board, gathers to celebrate God’s faithfulness to His Church and receive the vision, Annual direction and plan for the coming year. Thanksgiving On 1 Feb 2020, 300 members of the eight ETAC churches came together Service to celebrate their Annual Thanksgiving Service at Tamil Methodist Church, Short Street. Each church presented a song of thanksgiving The attendees of the Methodist Women’s according to the theme and this year, it was “God’s Grace”. Conference from Malaysia and Singapore The service commenced with church leaders, along with WSCS and MYF, carrying their respective banners as part of the procession led by the pastors of the Conference. Emmanuel Praise, the ensemble of ETAC’s musicians and singers, led the congregation in beautiful hymns and songs. Each church rendered their Tamil and Telugu songs in various styles—folk, classical and modern contemporary. At the end of the joyful service, the pastors and their spouses led the congregation in the Benediction song. ETAC President, the Rev James Nagulan, addressed the congregation, inspiring them through the growth of the early Church from Acts 2. He also shared statistics of churches’ growth, and elaborated on the new plans and strategies of the Conference in the year ahead. He explained that though the road ahead could seem daunting and uncomfortable, a paradigm shift in our thinking was necessary in today’s society. Many were motivated and reassured of the potential growth in ETAC, realising the significance of their roles and responding enthusiastically. Methodist Women’s Conference The Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference (ETAC), Singapore, and his wife, Kalaimathi, warmly welcomed the delegates. In and Tamil Annual Conference, Malaysia, jointly organised his message, the Rev James Nagulan encouraged the women the first ever Methodist Women’s Conference from 7 to serve together in the Lord’s vineyard. to 9 Feb 2020. The theme of the conference, “Together We Serve”, provided a platform for leaders from both countries The opening service was followed by a sumptuous dinner and to learn from each other on the ministry opportunities and country sharing by both presidents—Mrs Kalaimathi Nagulan challenges, as well as to network and foster friendship. ETAC and Mrs Kany Jayabal. WSCS, Singapore, hosted and welcomed the 14 delegates from Malaysia. A total of 160 delegates and guests from all The two days were scheduled with a mix of worship, theme our ETAC Churches attended the conference. talks, meetings, a forum and fellowship. The women were also able to make some time for sightseeing at Gardens by Our Malaysian delegates were thrilled to visit The Methodist the Bay and shopping at Little India. Church in Singapore (MCS) at Barker Road as the first stop. They were warmly welcomed by our Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung. The conference ended with TMC Short Street WSCS hosting a farewell luncheon. We praise God for the meaningful time of The opening service was held at Tamil Methodist Church learning and fellowship. (TMC), Short Street. ETAC President, the Rev James Nagulan, |METHODIST MESSAGE — MAY 2020 5

News ¢ Angela Goh is the TRAC WSCS D&N coordinator. / Book visual courtesy of TRAC WSCS. TRAC WSCS DEVOTIONS BOOKLET Our Strength Every Morning The title of the 2020 TRAC WSCS devotions booklet could not be more appropriate as we look to the Lord during this COVID-19 crisis. The Lord indeed is our strength every morning. In January this year, ladies of 10 TRAC churches attended a devotions-writing workshop led by the Rev Dr Gordon Wong. The result of that workshop are the devotions, sketches and a poem, based on Isaiah 33, that have been compiled into this booklet. The Rev Dr Wong writes in the book’s preface that “chapter 33 is one of the more difficult chapters in the book of Isaiah to understand”. Praise God for revealing Himself to us through His Word. It is our prayer that the devotions will bless all ladies in our churches. E-copies will be available in May while hard copies will be distributed when the social distancing guidelines are relaxed. Starting from 1 May, there will be a daily posting of the devotions on the TRAC WSCS Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/tracwscs). All praise and glory to God for His Word and for the privilege of sharing our meditations with others. 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]

News ¢ Sheri Goh is the Editor of Methodist Message. / Photos courtesy of Queenstown CMC, Joel Chng and Faith MC Where two or three are gathered in My name CHURCH IN A TIME OF COVID-19 Joel Chng and his family attending Bedok MC’s Maundy Thursday service at home together The Rev Goh Aik Hiang, Some cell Associate Pastor of groups from Queenstown CMC, Faith MC recording his sermon in meet on an empty hall before the Zoom circuit breaker began on 7 Apr 2020 Methodist Church online services https://www.methodist.org.sg/livestream On 20 March 2020, The Methodist Church in Sign up for #MCS135Prayers and announcements on WhatsApp Singapore (MCS) announced that all church https://tinyurl.com/mcswhatsapp services in their 46 churches would be Subscribe to the onscreen edition of Methodist Message suspended. Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung’s letter stated https://www.methodist.org.sg/mm-onscreen that the suspension was to last for two weeks. MCS updates on COVID-19 https://www.methodist.org.sg/COVID-19 After the government announced on 3 April its Follow us on Facebook and Instagram “circuit breaker” measures to contain the spread of @Methodist.SG for the latest updates COVID-19 , all the churches had to be closed, with all staff working from home, at least till 1 June. This is the first time in living memory that all churches in Singapore have been shuttered. But, thanks to modern technology and apps such as YouTube and Zoom, church services and cell groups have continued online. Even though physically apart, we can worship together. And, as Jesus has promised, “where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matt 18:20). We hope that those who are more tech-savvy will reach out to those who are not, especially to the elderly and disadvantaged. The latter may not have smart phones or wifi, or may not know how to access live-streaming or video links. We want them to be able to partake of the Church community, even from a distance, and make sure they remain connected during this unprecedented church closure. Together (but individually at least one metre apart) in spirit as one Church, God will see us through this! |METHODIST MESSAGE — MAY 2020 7

Aldersgate SG 2020 ¢ The Rev Dr Gordon Wong was re-elected President of Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) in 2016 for a second quadrennial term, but is primarily grateful to God for the gift of his wife Lai Foon and two children Deborah and Jeremy. Worshipping in spirit and in truth I n John 4:24, Jesus is recorded as saying: “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (2011 NIV) Do you notice the minor difference from the following earlier translation? “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” (1984 NIV) The 2011 NIV adds a capital “S” to Spirit, implying that Jesus is referring to the Holy Spirit. It also adds the definite article “worship in the Spirit”. The 1984 edition uses a small “s”, implying spirit as in one’s inner being or soul or spiritual fervour. The earliest Bible texts used large capital letters throughout—no small letters at all. So translators have to guess whether Jesus meant Holy Spirit (capital “S”), or spiritual energy or fervour (small “s”). Unlike the 2011 NIV, most English translators adopt the small “s” for spiritual energy. One supporting reason for this is that the Greek Bible text does not include the definite article “the” before “spirit”. Personally, I think the 1984 NIV and most English

translations are correct to use the small “s” for spiritual on arguing the “truth” component (see John 4:20). energy or fervour. She asked: “Which is the true place to worship? Which True worship, of course, cannot be offered without church teaches the truth? My leaders say it is at the being in harmony with the Holy Spirit (capital “S”). So church on the mountain in Samaria. Others say the there is no significant contradiction at stake between temple in Jerusalem is better and the truer synagogue the translations. But Jesus here in John 4 is making a or church.” not contradictory, but complementary point—that true worship must be offered with our spiritual energy Maybe Jesus knew the woman was too caught up arguing and fervour; it must come from the spirit within us. It doctrinal truth that she had lost touch with “spiritual” cannot be only a matter of correct externals: what we truth. If someone else was prone to major too much on mouth with our lips or do with our hands or how we bow one’s spiritual fervour to the neglect of truth, Jesus might our heads and bend our knees. The worship which God well have said God is truth, and we must worship in truth desires must come from our spirit and soul. This is Jesus’ and spirit. emphasis here. In any case, Jesus here reminds us that God is spirit, I’m not sure why Jesus said only “God is spirit” rather and this is appropriate for Methodists who this month than “God is spirit and truth.” He could, I suppose, just commemorate John Wesley’s Aldersgate Street experience, as easily have said, “God is truth, and his worshippers which was a major turning point in his spiritual life, and must worship in truth and spirit.” Or He could have been of which he wrote: “I felt my heart strangely warmed.” more complete and said, “God is spirit and truth, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and truth.” It is one of the hallmarks of our Methodist heritage. It is a major part of the kind of worship which God our Father Instead, here in John 4, He says only, “God is spirit and his desires. He wants worship that is more than just cold and worshipers must worship in spirit and truth.” clinically accurate statements or professions of truth and doctrine. God desires worship from spirits and souls and Once again, I don’t want to make too much out of this. hearts that are strangely and truthfully warmed. Both statements are equally true: God is Truth and God is Spirit. But perhaps on this particular occasion, Jesus wanted I pray that that the energising flame of God’s Spirit will to emphasise the “spirit” component a little more because warm and move all of our hearts and souls this Aldersgate the woman He was speaking with was majoring too much month. |METHODIST MESSAGE — MAY 2020 9

One MCS ¢ Identity & Destiny By the Structural Review Task Force. / Photos courtesy of Prof Tan Chew Lim and Henry Tan Henry Tan, Vice President of TRAC and lay leader at Wesley Methodist Church, took this photograph of his 87-year-old mother watching the service on her phone while following the sermon with her Bible and notes Prof Tan Chew Lim, lay leader of Telok Ayer CMC, and his family worshipping together COVID-19: Pulling MCS together 2 020 marks the 135th anniversary of The Methodist It was a moving sight to see Prof Tan Chew Lim of Telok Church in Singapore (MCS). It is also the 55th Ayer Chinese Methodist Church (MC) and his family, all anniversary of Singapore’s nationhood. 2020 will dressed up and standing for the Call to Worship in their certainly also be remembered as the year of the COVID-19 living room. Equally inspiring was a photo of the mother pandemic. of Henry Tan, Trinity Annual Conference Vice President and lay leader of Wesley MC, in full concentration as she bent For the first time in Singapore’s history, all churches are over her phone, with her Bible open and making notes of closed. Easter Sunday has always been celebrated in the sermon streamed by Queenstown Chinese MC. Indeed, churches with worship services. Even during the Japanese we were ministered to by pastors from the different Annual Occupation (1942–45), churches that had not been damaged Conferences. It was MCS without borders: One MCS. remained open and services continued to be held. Suspension of Holy Communion: Together as one This will certainly be a Lent and an Easter to remember—when When it became clear that the suspension of worship we gave up the privilege of corporate worship in our churches services would extend beyond Palm Sunday, the question in for the sake of our neighbours and nation, or as Bishop Chong everyone’s mind was “What about Holy Communion on the put it, “Giving up an act of piety for an act of mercy.” first Sunday of the month?” To conduct Holy Communion in one fashion or another, or to suspend?1 What a stark reminder that the Church is not the building but the people, the body of Christ. So we are out of the buildings, In the end, it had to be a unifying decision. Bishop Dr Chong and in our homes. How did One MCS come through at this disclosed in the pastoral letter to members that he and the time? So far, two things in particular stand out. Annual Conference Presidents had “a lengthy discussion, covering many different perspectives. Each one of us put out Suspension of worship services: worshipping with valuable views and critical considerations, till we reached one another an unavoidable and painful decision: to suspend Holy Churches moved quickly to put together clear communications Communion until the end of April.” A painful decision, but to their members and to launch online worship services. one that held every Methodist together as one body. General Conference Comms staff helped to collate a list of our churches’ online worship services, which were either As the pandemic continues, there will be more challenges. pre-recorded or streamed live. Crisis exposes the true character of people. As the people of the Way, let us learn to emulate Christ in His oneness with Members had a feast of time slots, and visiting one the Father: “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for another’s worship services “virtually”. Many were also able those who will believe in me through their message, that to listen to sermons by more than one speaker. all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” (John 17:20–21) |10 METHODIST MESSAGE — MAY 2020 1 https://www.methodist.org.sg/images/2019-nCoV/Revised_Letter_ from_Bishop_AC_Presidents_28_Mar_2020.pdf

News ¢ 12BR (J) Singapore Company, sponsored by Barker Road Celine Low is the Executive (Corporate Communications) at The Boys’ Brigade in Singapore. MC and Anglo-Chinese School (Primary) The Boys’ Brigade in Singapore The concept behind the 90th Anniversary logo: The salute is an celebrates 90 years expression of honour, respect and of enriching young lives! commendation. The uniform, along with the forward-looking nature W ith The Boys’ Brigade (BB) having its roots in Scotland, the 1st Singapore of the Boy’s posture, is a signifier Company was founded on 12 Jan 1930 at Prinsep Street Presbyterian that the BB seeks to continue to Church by Scotsman James Milner Fraser. Before leaving for Singapore to develop leaders in society for many work in 1927, Fraser had promised his old Brigade Captain that he would start a more generations. The textured BB Company in Singapore as soon as he could. lanyards mark the numeral “90”. The circle of stars represents the At the official enrolment of BB Singapore by the Brigade Headquarters in London NCO Star or Leadership badge for in Aug 1930, the Company had a membership of 40. By 1936, the Singapore holistic development in character Battalion was 200 strong. Since then, the Brigade has been contributing to the and leadership. character development of boys throughout their BB journey. Through the grace of God, BB Singapore has grown to 113 companies in kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, post-secondary institutions, a special education school and an international school. In line with our 90th Anniversary theme—“BB through the generations, for all generations!”—we caught up with Tobias Lee, a rank-and-file BB member who is currently in our Primers Programme. Tobias recalled stories his grandfather, Dr Lee Soo Ann (BB’s Honorary Vice-President), has shared with him since he was a young boy. Tobias said: “They would go to Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church weekly for parades but his friends and he were so close that they would hang out together to study and even head to Pulau Ubin for camps and to have fun. The sense of community is something that has stuck with BB and is what the BB is known for. I can still see it today in my own BB journey as I’ve been blessed to be part of an amazing community where my seniors and Officers have always been there to guide and nurture me. I hope The Boys’ Brigade will continue to provide a nurturing community that will continue to advance Christ’s Kingdom among boys.” 47th Singapore Company, sponsored by Trinity MC and Serangoon Garden Secondary School |METHODIST MESSAGE — MAY 2020 11

Home ¢ Safe Place, currently housed in an SLA Sheri Goh is the Editor of Methodist Message. building leased from / Photos courtesy of Safe Place and Armour Publishing the government From shame to sanctuary If it were up to Jennifer Heng, 44, no “I can”—to learn practical skills such as Freedom in forgiveness woman in Singapore would need an caring for their babies, and also softer skills abortion. That is why she set up Safe such as communication, understanding For years after that, troubled by her Place, a shelter for expectant mothers their strengths, getting and keeping a heavy emotional and spiritual burden, in distress. Safe Place is housed in a job, and maintaining relationships with she wondered what it meant to be Singapore Land Authority black-and- partners and family members. forgiven and to walk with God with white bungalow. a past like that. Surely there were And “I hope”—that they will develop, others who had been through the same In 2017, there were 7,217 abortions over time, a positive perspective of experience, and were suffering as well— recorded in Singapore. This is a their future, not just for themselves, but what hope did they have? staggeringly high number, considering also for their families. “It is possible for Singapore’s low fertility rate, and that [a distressed pregnant woman] not to In 2001, she attended Discipleship there were 39,615 live births that year. remain in this situation repeatedly, in a Training School (DTS), run by Youth with (That number, however, is still much vicious circle,” Jennifer explains. a Mission (YWAM). She came to the lower than in 1985, during which almost divine realisation that the only way to 24,000 abortions were performed.) Walking out of secret shame be freed from her past would be to be forgiven by God for the abortions, Every year, many women resort to Jennifer herself has been through some to forgive herself, and to forgive those abortions because of lack of choice, rocky times. In her book, Walking Out of who had wronged her, such as her ex- such as transient living arrangements, Secret Shame, she recounts her father’s boyfriends and her father. or crowded homes that cannot struggles with bankruptcy and suicidal accommodate a new baby. They may tendencies, and her family’s breakup Later that year, she started working come from broken families, or are when her parents divorced. She went as a pastoral staff at Church of Our escaping abusive situations, or became looking for love in romantic relationships Saviour. Around Christmas in 2001, pregnant out of wedlock or because in her teens, and ended up pregnant at 17. God unexpectedly planted in her mind of rape, or may have been kicked out the thought to start a home for unwed by their families. Some may received Even though she was in a good junior mothers. a poor prognosis of pregnancy, or are college and was attending a church, estranged from their husbands. she did not talk to anyone in her church A surprising call to serve or family because not only was she Each of these pregnant women has a too proud and too ashamed to seek Taken aback, Jennifer was greatly unique and complicated situation that help, she also thought they would not unwilling. She tried to push the thought drives her to seek abortion. Jennifer, understand. At 22 weeks pregnant, alone away, but it only got stronger. Two her team of six staff and about a and wracked with guilt, she secretly weeks later, a strange thing happened. hundred volunteers work with family underwent a painful abortion. She and At church, she met someone whom service centres, hospitals and VWOs to her then-boyfriend never discussed the she had never met before—and whom find solutions for these mothers so that abortion; they broke up soon after and she was subsequently never able to they can keep their babies, and acquire she started serial dating. track down—a man named Adi. Shortly skills to enable them to make a life after, Adi sent her an email titled “Stop together with their child. When she was 19 and a polytechnic abortion: a prayer from heaven”. It was student, Jennifer started a relationship a poem written, from the perspective of I want; I can; I hope that turned abusive. She got pregnant an aborted baby, to her mother, which again and had a second abortion. directly echoed God’s call to start a home. As Jennifer explains, Safe Place wants to enable expectant mothers in distress “The effect [of the trauma of abortion] As Jennifer talked more to a counsellor to be able to say: on your entire being is much deeper and several trusted friends, she felt that and much more destructive than you spiritual call more urgently. “I want”—that they resolve to take can imagine,” she recounts in her book. ownership of their lives and their “[It] never allows you to go back to In 2010, a divine appointment led her decisions. This is difficult because normalcy.” The secret shame, guilt and to the offices of Armour Publishing. She many of them come from unhealthy emotional trauma of her abortions and was by then married with a daughter. relationships and broken families, and tumultuous relationships did not leave When her book was published In 2012, their reflex action is to take flight. her, even after she went overseas for it raised public awareness not just to her her tertiary education. personal experiences, but also to the |12 METHODIST MESSAGE — MAY 2020

taboo subject of abortion and pregnancy for children, youth and seniors. Safe SAFE PLACE out of wedlock. Her story was covered Place is fully privately self-funded, with by the media, and the book’s first print Lakeside providing corporate services https://safeplace.org.sg/ run of 1,000 copies was sold out even support and governance. [email protected] before its official launch. 6817-4202 (office) It provides case management and 8891-4214 (WhatsApp) A culture of life counselling for its clients, by teaching them parenting and life skills, and HOW YOU CAN HELP Jennifer says, “As a Church, we should helping them to make and effect not just be known for what we are are concrete plans for the future. Safe Give money: Safe Place is fully privately against, but what we are for. We need to Place also provides temporary self-funded be solution providers.” That is why, for accommodation for up to eight women Sponsor a gift: contact Safe Place to see her and her team at Safe Place, it is not in their centre—from the time they seek what they currently need just about being against abortion, but help until their babies are four months Volunteer: to help the new mothers with also about supporting life and providing old. All services are provided free. their babies, provide respite care, office expectant mothers in distress with admin work, ad hoc cleaning, packing tangible solutions. At any one time, Safe Places handles of donations, fund-raising. Couples are about 40 cases. It has served more than encouraged to help together, to provide The same year her book was published, 110 women since its inception. the mothers with a strong model of Jennifer started the Life Network, marriage and family that they might not an informal group of individuals and Abortion: also a Christian have seen close-up before. organisations with a similar ethos— problem Pray: for God’s protection over Safe Place, people involved in the adoption and and for the mothers and babies it serves fostering of children, and caring for Jennifer tells of a pastor of a large pregnant women. They began to meet church who called her because a church Walking Out of Secret Shame and pray about what they could do to member had become pregnant out of by Jennifer Heng build a culture of life in Singapore. wedlock. This member had been kicked Published by Armour Publishing (2012), out of her home, and the pastor asked 112 pages In 2014, Jennifer, in partnership with Jennifer if she could take her in. ORDER AT HCSA Community Services, started Dayspring New Life Centre to empower Jennifer asked the pastor why no one in http://www.armourpublishing.com unsupported women to make life- her church of several thousand members $14.98 giving choices. She was surprised could put her up. Sadly, no one was (paperback, in English & Chinese). at the amount of media coverage, willing or able to. “What if this woman Enjoy 20 per cent off the price ground support and societal awareness is ostracised? What if people look at her of Walking Out of Secret Shame that the centre evoked. By 2016, differently?” was the pastor’s reply. But by using the promo code they had helped 39 women through pregnant mothers in distress are just one WOOS042020MM at the their unsupported pregnancies. In of so many groups of vulnerable people: webstore’s checkout page many cases, the centre mediated so ex-offenders, sex workers, drug addicts, (valid from 1–31 May 2020). that women estranged from their rebellious teenagers. parents and families because of their |METHODIST MESSAGE — MAY 2020 13 unplanned pregnancies were reunited. “Don’t you think,” Jennifer asks, “that the church community should be the best “Whenever we looked at these children place to provide such help? A loving and we had saved—these people who might supportive community is the solution not have existed if not for our work—if to lowering the number of abortions. all we had done was to save just one A life-giving culture, which doesn’t just of these children, all the time and effort say ‘don’t abort’, which isn’t so quick to we spent would have been worth it,” condemn, but which promotes family, says Jennifer. love and sacrifice, and everything that the Christian faith espouses.” Providing a safe place Jennifer’s hope is that there will no In 2017, after Dayspring New Life longer be need for homes like Safe Place. Centre closed, Jennifer was connected To eliminate the need for abortion, the with Lakeside Family Services, which solution is not found in an organisation runs family services (case work and like hers—it is found in the community counselling, financial assistance, and the Church. Everywhere, she says, information and referral services for should be a safe place. families in need) as well as centres

14 METHODIST MESSAGE, JULY 2013

Welfare Services ¢ By the Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) Communications Team / Photo courtesy of Methodist Welfare Services Many of the families MWS serves are households from the bottom 10 per cent income group who struggle with the costs of daily living Let our light shine during the COVID-19 crisis As Singapore battles the COVID-19 outbreak, new measures Donate to Bring Relief to Vulnerable Groups are being introduced throughout the country at quick succession to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Almost The COVID-19 situation that we are currently in has resulted in overnight, Singaporeans find ourselves living a new reality with extreme anxiety within the community. Distressed and low- many working, learning or staying in touch remotely. income families may be facing more hardship when they earn less during this time or when they lose their livelihoods, aggravating But for the vulnerable who have limited financial resources, the already trying circumstances. Having little to no savings will likely impact of COVID-19 is devastating. Many low-income families rely cause them to experience more stress and go into debt. on part-time jobs or do work that cannot be handled remotely, and the closure of physical workplaces or non-essential services Please donate generously to provide financial assistance to 1,000 means a drastic fall in income or even a loss of livelihood. Some low-income families from the bottom 10 per cent income group. do not have the option of working from home. These families These funds will support them in meeting their basic needs, and may be forced to choose between putting food on the table and helping them have the resources to better prepare for and handle keeping themselves and their families safe. the direct impact on their lives brought about by COVID-19. We hope to raise $1.35m by Nov 2020 to bless each family with With schools moving to full home-based learning, some of these $1,350 over one year. MWS is only processing the donations for parents are also concerned that their children may fall behind as tax exemption. 100 per cent of the funds raised will go DIRECTLY they are unable to supervise their children adequately. Seniors, to support families in need. especially those who live alone, may experience decline in their mental health as all social and health programmes in the Let’s stand together with the struggling families in our community! community and at senior activity centres have been suspended. Make a difference with a donation that will be The impact of COVID-19 on these vulnerable used to better the lives of vulnerable groups. groups goes beyond lifestyle changes and We are appealing for either a regular contribution inconvenience—it is a matter of survival. of $1 a day ($30 monthly), or a one-time contribution of $1,350 or any other amount that No pandemic can stand in the way of showing can bless a family in need. Every dollar matters. Christ’s love In celebration of MCS’s 135th anniversary, Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) had organised the Eat Share Connect movement, a communal dining outreach to bless the community, and had encouraged table fellowship. Even though physical interactions are no longer possible with Visit https://www.giving.sg/methodist- today’s safe distancing measures, let us not allow a pandemic to welfare-services/donate-to-bless-COVID19 stop us from being the Church that Christ has called us to be—to or scan the QR code to donate. reflect His love for those in need. “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink… the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” (Matt 25:35–40, ESV) |METHODIST MESSAGE — MAY 2020 15

Missions ¢ The Rev See Swee Fang is an MMS missionary in Timor-Leste. She and her husband, See Jin Hoe, are serving as house-parents at Dunamis House in Dili, Timor-Leste. / Photos courtesy of the Rev See Swee Fang The Dunamis House hostelites The free tuition ministry for the neighbourhood children A missionary’s heartbeat M ethodist Missions Society (MMS) started its hostel Recently, we started a community service/blessing ministry in Timor-Leste with the setting up of through giving free tuition to Grade 1 to Grade 6 children Sundermeier Home in Gleno, Ermera District, in living near us. This takes place on Tuesday and Thursday 2016. The home serves to provide high school youths with nights. Our hostelites are learning the ropes of teaching a safe and healthy environment to continue their education and communicating with children as they do so. and to grow with the right spiritual values. This tuition ministry was birthed from empowering the Joseph Manner is our missionary serving as house-parent, hostelites to “fish”, rather than to be “given fish”. All with his wife Grace, in Sundermeier Home in Gleno. Joseph hostelites come from Gleno and, most of the time, money wanted to help graduates of Sundermeier Home transit from their families does not reach them regularly because from high school to tertiary education and vocational of the distance between Gleno and Dili. With this tuition training in Dili. ministry, they now have the ability to earn pocket-money from sponsors who provide them with financial support After much prayer and the full support of Bedok Methodist for their efforts. This helps to free their minds from Church, who shared Joseph’s heartbeat, Dunamis House monetary concerns, enabling them to concentrate on their was established in 2019 as a ministry of the MMS in Dili. studies better. Dunamis House provides accommodation as well as Christian nurturing and discipleship training for Sundermeier Home We thank God for the partnership in ministry with individuals graduates as they continue their education in the university who stepped forward to sponsor this tuition ministry. The or vocational training centres in Dili. hostelites are taught to go beyond giving tuition to the children, to also pray for their salvation and well-being. Dunamis House is aptly named as it represents a desire to We pray that we will be the light that shines for God in see God’s miraculous power at work and also connotes “a this community where He has placed us. We believe that powerhouse”—to mould the lives of the youths while they God’s miraculous power will be at work to change lives and continue with their studies and to prepare them for service transform communities. to the community and the church. PLEASE PRAY We have 15 hostelites—six studying in the university, eight pursuing a one-year vocational study with EIROS, and one • for the Rev See and Jin Hoe for God’s covering as who is working. The hostelites live a disciplined life by they minister to the youths in Dunamis House carrying out their daily chores according to a roster that includes cooking, doing marketing and house-cleaning. • for the hostelites, for their studies and their They are also rostered to facilitate the twice-weekly Bible ministry to the younger children study on Monday and Wednesday nights. We also have a worship session on Friday nights. • for God’s continued provision for the operations of the House If you are interested to help in this ministry, • that God will provide a new place for our please contact MMS at [email protected]. hostelites |16 METHODIST MESSAGE — MAY 2020

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. Surviving social distancing S ocial distancing is one of the strongest tools available to slow down community transmission of the COVID-19 virus. People are not to gather in groups, all nonessential movement outside of one’s home is curtailed, and schools and workplaces, unless deemed essential, are closed. These measures were unheard of barely three months ago. Now, whole cities and even countries are under lockdown. Whilst essential to reduce the spread of the virus, social distancing is not without cost. Many businesses are hit hard and many individuals have lost jobs or taken severe wage cuts. At the interpersonal level, not being able to socialise means Thirdly, create routines and try to stick to them. They may that outlets to de-stress and to get support are unavailable. be boring but routines ensure things get done. So, when life At the same time, while contact with friends and colleagues is turned upside down because work schedules are altered is down, time with the family has gone up. For some, this and children’s timetables are upended, it is good to work is a blessing. For others, this increase can be too much of a out a routine, even if only for a week at a time. This gives good thing. Tempers flare when we get into each other’s way; us a sense of control over our lives. being cooped up at home can cause one to be more irritable. Fourthly, create special moments. Working from home Here are some tips for surviving social distancing. allows us to shed work clothes and dress casually. However, there is no reason to be sloppy and stop looking pleasant Firstly, social distancing does not have to mean being and attractive to one another. Sending thoughtful texts even relationally cut off from others. There are other ways of though you could be working together in the same room is keeping in touch. This may be a good time to spruce up another way to express affection. our letter writing skills. Yes, I am referring to the ancient practice of “snail mail”. There is something magical about I have been working with a couple to improve their marital receiving a handwritten note, even if it requires deciphering relationship. They found that with both working from home, the squiggles. If your excuse is that you have lost the address their marriage had become more humdrum. Although of your close family member or friend, there is also the they had opportunity to spend more time together, being telephone. And if you must, you can connect via WhatsApp, together day and night gave them little to look forward to Facebook or whatever your favourite technology tool is. The with respect to each other. I suggested that they put in extra important thing is to stay in (virtual) touch. And instead of effort to make the other feel special, such as preparing or waiting for that call or message, why not initiate one today? ordering food that the spouse likes for a meal. Secondly, reach out to those who may be lonely or need Finally, let us use this opportunity to spend more time with a helping hand. Being helpful to others has the benefit of ourselves in meaningful contemplation. In our busy lives, giving us a sense of control over our lives. We can also offer we tend to rush around doing one thing after another. This friendship and support. Giving support to one another is part may be a good time to re-evaluate what we value and what of what defines us as human (social) beings. we hold as essential and important. My family was surprised when a neighbour unknown to us This crisis has shaken our world at both the personal and offered to get us groceries when they found out that my global level. However, if we can give and draw strength from daughter was serving her Stay-Home Notice. The offer was one another, we can ride through it and emerge mentally, repeated when another friend got to know of her situation. emotionally and relationally stronger. The spontaneity and the kindness of the offers gave us a sense of being in a caring community. |METHODIST MESSAGE — MAY 2020 17

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. God Whose Will is Health and Wholeness E veryone is deeply concerned about COVID-19. This The Rev Gillette begins with an assurance that “God’s will virus has caused so many changes and adjustments is our health and wholeness.” As the hymn progresses, to our daily routine. It is causing so much anxiety it highlights the importance of intercessory prayer and and fear. The leaders of the world are working around the spiritual discernment. clock to find ways to address several issues surrounding this crisis. Citizens have been told, “Stay home!” But Through the hymn, we intercede for those who face illness, many are bored and tired. Some families are bonding those who grieve, and those they love; the people who really well, but others are finding it a challenge to make work for healing and the leaders of society; and for the so many adjustments. Many are finding creative ways to workers so that they can keep up with the demands of life. make working from home more fun. Others explore ways Even as we intercede, God has gifted us with minds, that we to defuse boredom like baking, making art, working out, may know how to use them for the common good. creating online content or even writing funny songs. The question is, “When will this end?” The hymn concludes by asking God: “Give compassion, love and kindness as we serve your people here.” We We Christians know that the only way is to turn to God. No may holler to God at any given time even as we are one else understands this crisis better than He. But what emboldened to practise Jesus’ commandment to “love do we say to Him? This hymn by the Rev Carolyn Winfrey your neighbour as yourself”. How does that resound to us Gillette, written in response to COVID-19, may help us with in light of COVID-19? words we may want to say, sing, pray or meditate upon.

The Rev Gillette suggests singing the hymn to the tune IN BABILONE: UMH 325 (Hail Thou Once Despised Jesus). If the suggested tune is unfamiliar, we can use alternate tunes such as CONVERSE: UMH 526 (What a Friend We Have in Jesus) or PROMISE: UMH 707 (Hymn of Promise). The hymn may also be used as a prayer or a devotional, or quoted in a sermon. God Whose Will Is Health and Wholeness 使人整全 安康之主 God whose will is health and wholeness, hear your people as we pray: 使人整全安康之主，请听祢民的呼求： Many now are facing illness; more face sickness every day. 多人面临疫情肆虐，日益增多患病者。 我等哀歌上达天庭，求祢施恩亲引领 — As we lift our song toward heaven, may we use the gifts you give— 科学医疗公义怜悯，藉此助人得安康。 science, justice, and compassion— to help others safely live. 救主耶稣教导我们，用心遵行主诫命; Jesus taught that your commandments call for us to use the mind. 作主忠仆善用科学，谋求世人众安康。 May we use the gifts of science to seek health for humankind. 求主赐福医疗人员，赐福医务制定者： 精心建构医疗系统，保护社会得安稳。 Bless the ones who work for healing; bless the ones who seek to be Builders of a health care system that protects society. 上主要求慈爱公义，我们有愧远不及： 民众缺乏良好保障，医疗保健不充足。 God, you call for love and justice, yet our laws are far from wise: 人们日夜不停劳作，面对生计叹无策 ， Many don’t have good insurance; lack of health care threatens lives. 主啊叫我快速回转，免因贪婪陷深渊。 Many workers must keep working, sick or not, to pay the bills. 慈爱上主垂怜病患，顾念他们及家人; Turn us round when we have sanctioned greed that leads to greater ills. 求主记念哀恸之情，垂听他们哭诉声。 忧患四面环绕我们，疾病恐慌重心头， Loving God, we ask your blessing on the sick and those they love, 求赐我们爱心关怀，殷勤服事祢子民。 And we pray for those now grieving as they lift their cries above. 词： © 2020, Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. There is trouble all around us; illness causes pain and fear. Used and translated with permission. Give compassion, love and kindness as we serve your people here. 翻译：陈淑萍，钟光勉；（修词）严家慧 Tune: Traditional Dutch melody Text: © 2020 Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved. Permission is given for use of this hymn for local church use. |METHODIST MESSAGE — MAY 2020 19

TRAC Bible Matters ¢ Gilbert Lok is a Local Preacher at Aldersgate Methodist Church. He graduated from Trinity Theological College and is now undertaking further training in New Testament at Oxford University. Upon his return, he hopes to serve in the pastoral ministry. Should we distrust a Bible which commands genocide? Genocide, as defined by the United for violence (see Hofreiter, chapter 6). However, the same passages which Nations, is action intended “to Sometimes misapplying Scripture can be command genocide also state that God destroy, in whole or in part, a far worse than not applying it. would drive the Canaanites out from the national, ethnical, racial or religious land (e.g. Ex 23:28–31, Deut 9:1–4), which group”. Reading about genocide in Nazi This principle holds true: not every Biblical implies non-annihilation. Provisions were Germany (1939–45), Cambodia (1975– command has timeless applicability. also made for the survival of Rahab’s 79), and Rwanda (1994) will make the Look at Deut 20:10–15, and then Deut family (Josh 6:21–25) and the Gibeonites stomach churn and the mind reel. 20:16–18. These passages are clear—the (Josh 9:3–27). Further, some passages annihilation command was limited only about Joshua’s annihilation of entire city The human toll of natural disasters like to specific groups, in a specific time populations (e.g. Josh 10:38–39), are tsunamis or pandemics is difficult enough and place. The eradication of enemies followed just a few chapters later with to bear. What more genocide, where is simply not the norm for all Israelite descriptions of how those cities remained humans wilfully slaughter other humans? warfare. Since, outside of a limited to be conquered (Josh 15:15–16). The context, the genocide commands did not Amalekites were depicted as both Now read some of these passages: Ex apply even for ancient Israel, then all the annihilated by Saul (1 Sam 15:7–20), and 23:23–33; Num 21:1–3; Deut 2:31–35, more so, they definitely do not apply to yet still present to fight against David 3:1–7, 7:1–6, 9:1–5, 12:29–32, 20:16–18, Christians today. (1 Sam 27:8, 30:1). Read holistically, 25:19; Josh 6:21, 8:24–29, 10:40, 11:12– the occurrence of genocide seems less 14; 1 Sam 15:1–33. Hence, we cannot simply assume the direct extensive than first impressions suggest. relevance of every Biblical instruction. Our moral intuitions tell us, rightly, that Rather, we must first understand each Are the Biblical narratives simply we should feel sorely troubled by these passage in its proper context and in light deceitful fabrications then? No. While the texts. Before leaping to defend God, it of the whole Bible, under the guidance Bible is more than mere folklore, we also is important to acknowledge how truly of other faithful, wise Christians who recognise that taking Scripture seriously horrendous genocide is. Only then can have preceded us. We must also consider does not always mean taking it literally. we move from moral gut reaction to not just the letter of the commands but mindful reflection: are these genocide the principles underlying them, and be Consider passages such as Isa 19:1, Lk texts reason to distrust and disregard the certain that the contemporary and Biblical 14:26, Mk 1:4, and Acts 2:5. God does Bible and the God it presents? situations are comparable. not literally ride on a cloud, nor is Jesus commanding us to hate our parents. When reading the Bible, we are thrilled In sum, the genocide commands are Neither did every single person in Judea by the miracles and awed by God’s love not applicable today, nor do they justify and Jerusalem visit John the Baptist. Nor and grace. But then we run into difficult contemporary acts of violence. were Yayoi or Mayans (ancient peoples texts like these. We start to feel disturbed. of present-day Japan and Central America This in no way implies that all biblical respectively) present in Jerusalem at “Reject everything” is a simple way to commands are irrelevant. It is a logical Pentecost. The point is: the Bible contains resolve the moral distress arising from fallacy to go from “some of these do not hyperbole, which is an exaggerated figure the genocide texts. Some strident atheists apply” (a truth) to “all of these do not of speech used for the sake of emphasis conclude from such passages that the Bible apply” (a falsity). Numerous commands or poetic expression. Taking hyperbole is untrue, dangerously toxic, and must be in both Old and New Testaments retain literally would be to misinterpret the rejected wholesale. Others relegate these a timeless quality, including “pray intent of the human and divine authors uncomfortable passages to a lower tier. In constantly” (1 Thess 5:17), “bless those of Scripture. Respecting the genre and the 2nd century, Marcion rejected the Old who curse you” (Matt 5:44), “we ought context of a passage is key. To have a Testament because its violent and angry to lay down our lives for one another” high view of Scripture means knowing God seemed too different from the Father (1 Jn 3:16). These directives may also when not to take it literally. of Jesus. All these would upset a Christian cause us discomfort, but for an entirely who takes Scripture seriously. different reason—following them entails There does seem to be some evidence that countercultural sacrifice on our part. the genocide passages were hyperbolic, Others have tremendous respect for given the plurality of descriptions above Scripture and seek to obey every “Hang on,” someone might protest, and the fact that hyperbolic war rhetoric command in it. Unfortunately, the “even if the command doesn’t apply was commonplace in that region and genocide passages have served as a today, genocide did occur in the time of era. Several recent authors (Wolterstorff, backdrop or an after-the-fact justification the Israelites, and that’s still a problem.” Copan and Flanagan, Webb and Oeste) |20 METHODIST MESSAGE — MAY 2020

argue for this, and while no interpretation was given as an explicit reason for the The views expressed in this article do not is without problems, their views are genocide and expulsion commands (Deut necessarily reflect the official position of The worthy of serious consideration. 9:4–5, 12:29–31, 18:12). Further, the Methodist Church in Singapore. This version of Israelites themselves were not exempt the article has been edited for brevity. The full The hyperbole view is also an important from God’s judgment. The severity of article can be found at http://www.trac-mcs. alternative to the proposal that Joshua’s God’s punishment fell on His own people org.sg/index.php/resources/bible-matters/26- conquest and the associated genocide too, on account of their sins (Lev 26:14– resources/245-should-we-distrust. was simply a fictional construction. Based 33, Deut 28:15–68, Jer 9:10–16). God is on archaeological findings, some scholars indeed a loving Father, but He is more REFERENCES assert that the conquest (and hence than just that. genocide) never occurred at all, but was The Genocide Commands simply a grand tale created to bolster We must likewise avoid thinking of God Copan, Paul, and Matthew Flannagan. Did Israel’s national identity. This may evade as merely a vengeful punisher. When God Really Command Genocide? Coming the genocide problem, but creates a new God first revealed himself on Mount Sinai To Terms With The Justice Of God. Grand one concerning the nature of Scripture. (Ex 34:6–7), elements of both mercy and Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2014. justice were present, with noticeably More recent archaeological studies seem more emphasis on the former (see Webb Hofreiter, Christian. Making Sense of to indicate fewer inconsistencies with and Oeste, chapter 14). God is indeed a Old Testament Genocide: Christian the Biblical account than earlier research judge, but He is more than just that. Interpretations of Herem Passages. suggested. Overall, the data remain far Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2018. from conclusive and there is no perfect fit In the end, mind boggling as it may with any explanatory model. initially seem, we can acknowledge Kennedy, Michael T. “Canaan, Conquest that the severity of God’s judgement is Of.” In Lexham Bible Dictionary, edited Regardless, it is recognised that the congruent with His loving mercy. The by John D. Barry, et al. Bellingham, WA: Bible is not a history book in the modern Bible itself holds this tension throughout Lexham Press, 2016. sense, but is a theological account which its pages, and nowhere is God’s kindness interprets events via the lens of faith. and God’s justice more closely intertwined Meier, S.A. “History of Israel 1: Scripture, is not purely historical in genre, than when God himself suffered on a Settlement Period.” In Dictionary of the but neither is it entirely ahistorical. Roman cross. Old Testament: Historical Books, edited These passages do not need to be read by Bill T. Arnold and H. G. M. Williamson. as mere fabrications ex nihilo (out of This article has outlined only the most Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2005. nothing), but as literary and theological basic elements of this complex issue. reflections of pivotal moments in the Much more could be said; the interested Webb, William J., and Gordon K. Oeste. history of Israel as God’s people. reader is directed to the references below. Bloody, Brutal, and Barbaric: War Texts That Trouble the Soul. Downers Grove, IL: There is a third difficulty: even if Nevertheless, we have seen, firstly, how InterVarsity Press, 2019. hyperbole was present, a good amount the genocide command was a specifically of harsh warfare still occurred. And even limited one which is absolutely not Wolterstorff, Nicholas. “Reading Joshua.” if genocide was not fully executed by the applicable today. This does not invalidate In Divine Evil?: The Moral Character Israelites, does it not remain a problem other Biblical principles which retain a of the God of Abraham, edited by that a good God commanded such an timeless applicability. Michael Bergmann, et al. Oxford: Oxford atrocious deed? University Press, 2010. 236–65. Second, we have appreciated that the For Marcion and others, the genocide commands of annihilation sit side- Reading, Interpreting, texts are simply irreconcilable with the by-side with less severe instances of and Applying Scripture compassionate, gentle, and loving Jesus expulsion and assimilation. Some degree Brown, Jeannine K. Scripture as of the Gospels. Yet, numerous passages of hyperbole may be at work in the text, Communication: Introducing Biblical (Mt 10:34–36, Mt 23:1–36, Mt 24:45–51, and hyperbole is not the same as fiction. Hermeneutics. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Lk 19:11–27, Jn 2.13–17, Jn 5:26–30) Academic, 2007. show that Jesus was remembered by the Third, we have gone beyond the earliest church as more than just a mild genocide texts to consider what the Cosgrove, Charles H. Appealing and serene sage. Similarly, Revelation whole of Scripture says about God’s to Scripture in Moral Debate: Five depicts Jesus as both victim and ultimate mercy and His execution of judgment. Hermeneutical Rules. Grand Rapids, MI: victor (Rev 5:6–14, 19:11–16). Since God is both lover and judge, we Eerdmans, 2002. can hold this tension. Taken together, We must avoid thinking of God as merely these indicate that the genocide Fee, Gordon D., and Douglas Stuart. How a doting parent. He is also a warrior passages need not result in a distrust to Read the Bible for All Its Worth. 4th ed. and a judge. The Canaanites’ sinfulness of the Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2014. Hollinger, Dennis P. Choosing the Good: Christian Ethics in a Complex World. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002. Strauss, Mark L. How to Read the Bible in Changing Times: Understanding and Applying God’s Word Today. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2011. |METHODIST MESSAGE — MAY 2020 21



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) “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. Religion of the heart I n his letter to Titus his protégé, the Orthokardia, or the right heart, prevents But those who love God will be drawn Apostle Paul exhorts the young pastor the Christian faith and Christian to divine things. They will “think of, to “Teach what befits sound doctrine” discipleship from succumbing to that relish, love things invisible, eternal; the (Titus 2:1). Orthodoxy (right belief) is subtle erosion which some theologians things which the Spirit hath revealed, important for the Christian faith because have described as “externalism”—a which he works in us, moves us to, and Christians believe that God has revealed religion that is reduced to outward promises to give us.”3 something about Himself and His conduct and ritual performances, devoid purposes for the world in Scripture. of real life, vitality and conviction. The religion of the heart must be cultivated. Holy affections and holy However, even a cursory reading of Paul’s For Wesley, the “heart” represents the tempers, once formed by divine grace, letter would show that “right doctrines or true centre of the person—it defines who must be nurtured. beliefs” alone are not enough. Orthodoxy he is, the essence of his character. The has implications in the way we conduct “heart” therefore reveals the true self of This can be achieved through the various ourselves and relate to one another. In an individual, more than do his outward spiritual disciplines of the Christian faith, other words, orthodoxy must lead to actions, which can be hypocritical and which Wesley has given sacramental orthopraxis (right action). deceptive. status by describing them as the means of grace, that is, as the vehicles or John Wesley understood the importance The heart, Wesley says repeatedly, conduits by which the Holy Spirit works of both orthodoxy and orthopraxis. He discloses the “tempers” of the individual.1 in the life of the Christian. embraced the truths revealed in the By “tempers”, Wesley does not mean Bible and summarised them in the an emotion or a person’s state of mind. This means that the Christian must Church’s ancient creeds, such as the Wesley uses this word in its more archaic immerse himself fully in the life of the Nicene Creed. And he believed that sense to refer to the enduring disposition Church if he is to mature spiritually. certain actions are required if one is to of a person. Thus, it is through his participation in the consider oneself a Christian. rhythms of the worshipping community— Wesley also speaks of “religious prayer, liturgy, Eucharist, service—that Wesley helpfully divided these affections”, and often uses this expression the Christian cultivates orthokardia. “necessary actions” into “works of piety” interchangeably with “heart” and (e.g. participating in corporate worship, “tempers”. Again, affections should not be For Wesley, the importance of taking the sacraments, praying and confused with emotions. They have to do understanding the Christian faith as “the Bible study) and “works of mercy” (e.g., with the things are profoundly important to religion of the heart” cannot be over feeding the poor, clothing the naked and us, the things that we desire and long for— emphasised. visiting those imprisoned). our ultimate concerns. For without holy affections, Christian But beyond these two “orthos”, Wesley Like Augustine before him, Wesley brings worship and service will be reduced introduced a third, which he gleaned love and the affections into the closest either to mindless activism or a from his study of the Fathers of the early possible relationship with each other. suffocating legalism. Without holy Church. Besides “right beliefs” and “right Very often our affections are for the tempers, orthodoxy will not only be actions”, Wesley insisted, the Christian things we love. “dead”. It will also become a dogmatism must also cultivate the “right heart” that is harsh, cold and unforgiving. (orthokardia). Thus, those who love the world, Wesley explains, will have affections for carnal Although Wesley did not himself use and worldly things. They will “have their the term “orthokardia”, the idea that thoughts and affections fixed on such the Christian faith is the “religion of the things that gratify their corrupt nature: heart” pervades his entire corpus, and namely on things visible and temporal: became increasingly prominent in his on things of the earth, on pleasure (of matured work. sense or imagination), praise, or riches.”2 1 See Sermon 9, “Spirit of Bondage and Adoption,” Works of John Wesley |METHODIST MESSAGE — MAY 2020 23 2 Wesley’s comment on Romans 8:5, Explanatory Notes Upon the New Testament (London: Epworth Press, 1976). 3 Ibid.

Home ¢ Mrs Kalaimathi Nagulan is the President of ETAC WSCS / Photo courtesy of Mrs Kalaimathi Nagulan What does being a Methodist mean to you? Tofemlloew, bsheiipnganadMfertuhitofduilstmmineisatnrsy aexsetrrocnisginfgaisthcr,ipgtrueraatl hFmocaMhlFioeiaeetAunMfaohntlrelFnlahndcd:ewrosbtsohloeetuoIswweoThudn.rgirillRmstaortiesiieeffgseAhydcMseuetitaveCssisihnlspeteCi.iessetw’vtM:htrsIserheshnbIuisirmetdtaonaievrhnbtncdasieirChCinhsedlviindhschesdti’yissoartrcueiotiytifrelnhWcrnsnrfmel:cshyetiejcdceehoSeureaihbssCeinyarnnnlutuohcnhnehtdcttrihuutayshlhceapertrwahseetltcsaIuanhhgoT.msgMcnpbaa.irtsoavgoets,imepnvnehungtIwieniinhiraablsptiehogntthembpcre.cdeeliitehmoneriesisdtrou,nsythiaInr.gcItncCphaofSththafaolegooeehiurrerptlsetvrmaehttpicrihlchnoliyaiajitaenop,grtarrtifuuaaggouaiEwrtnnneeninneTtidrisAitehdyotthyfhCy.oytfaiih,—upntMamotahItoCnttwhytiehhAdlhwyieaCaetovarnhredikn

THINK ¢ Khee Shihui shares about Bring Your Own (BYO) and low waste practices on her Instagram account, @tabaogirl, to show that it’s possible to make the appreciation of God’s creation part of our daily lives. Nature reminds her very much of God’s creativity and sense of humour. Love in the time of COVID-19 “We are faced not with two separate crises, one environmental and the other social, but rather with one complex crisis which is both social and environmental.” Pope Francis, Laudato Si, 139 T wo weeks ago, I sent my friend her favourite fruit I could have made those fruit shakes myself, or bought shakes via a delivery service and requested that the them in reusables from the store and personally delivered delivery person hang the package on her door as my it to my friend’s place, but that would have involved me friend was serving a quarantine order due her exposure to travelling a long way, which would enlarge my carbon a confirmed COVID-19 case. footprint and consume energy. In the event she became a new confirmed COVID-19 case, I might have inadvertently Hours later, I received a very polite and carefully worded become part of a new cluster of cases due to my message that asked, “I’m genuinely curious—how does zealousness to show care, instead of respecting what was this [i.e. ordering food and having it delivered] square prudent in the current context. with your zero waste and zero plastic lifestyle?” All things considered, delivering food from a local F&B Since 2017, I’ve been using an Instagram account, outlet (an industry that needs support during this current @tabaogirl, to journal my daily zero and low waste efforts, circuit breaker) to my friend, and which is less than 10 as well as my challenges and successes with being more minutes from her place, would be more energy-efficient, environmentally responsible and caring for God’s creation. kind and thoughtful. It would also prevent non-essential Like-minded friends, old and new, have been drawn physical contact. I don’t think I can ever be completely together by our common love and care for this one earth zero waste and zero impact, but living well is to constantly we have. strive to be more responsible and take more care.” When I first read the message from my friend, my Let’s not be too quick to judge a person or a situation, immediate reaction was, “Ouch, I didn’t realise that my but take a step back to discern what can truly be for the actions were being so closely watched.” The second thought greater good. that crossed my mind was, “I do quite a lot daily to care for the environment compared to most others. Shouldn’t I get At a deeper level, this parallels our relationship with God cut some slack? Doesn’t my consistency over the past three and lifelong discipleship. God is not a discipline master years show sincerity and commitment?” who demands our absolute perfection, allowing no missteps. Instead, He sees the wholeness of who we are After moving past the hurt, I realised that this could be even in our brokenness; He’s always reminding us whom a valuable opportunity for a conversation that I wished He’s made us to be, and holds compassion for where we more people would have. I responded, “There is this myth are currently at. that caring for the environment means we cannot care for people, or we will leave people worse off or deprive In that space between who He’s envisioned us to be and ourselves of a decent quality of life. I’ve noticed that what the work in progress we are, He is a loving Father who puts people off is a militant and extreme environmentalism, is with us every step of the way, delights in our victories that’s a zero sum game. and comforts us during our struggles. He only asks for our desire to seek Him out daily, and may we grow in loving True care for the environment or people is not like this Him and all of His creation more steadfastly each day. at all. At the heart of our human experience, in every circumstance, we have complex and shifting priorities or Shihui was one of the contributors to God’s Gardeners: responsibilities. So, moment to moment, I do my best to Creation Care Stories from Singapore and Malaysia, which discern what I can do that would be most in service. How was reviewed in the April 2020 issue of Methodist Message. do I love someone in a way that would honour God? How do I live in a way that best demonstrates discipleship? |METHODIST MESSAGE — MAY 2020 25

John Wesley’s spiritual experience at Aldersgate on 24 May 1738 is a significant moment in our Methodist heritage. As MCS celebrates 135 years in Singapore, let us rediscover what it means to love God and serve together, and with hearts ignited by the warmth of God’s spirit. w w w. m e t h o d i s t . o r g . s g /A l d e r s g a t e S G 2 0 2 0