Methodist Message Apr 2021

ISSN 0129-6868 MCI (P) 027/11/2020 THE METHODIST CHURCH IN SINGAPORE Vol 123 No 4 APRIL 2021 SACRIFICE

Church life 3 Contents Methodists in the world 20 1 Bishop’s Message Christian living 24 2 Coming Up 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 3 Church Profile—Faith Methodist Church 4 One MCS—TRAC Highlights 5 One MCS—The Rev Stanley Chua (TRAC) 9 Home—Chen Su Lan Methodist Children’s Home 10 Home—The ACS135 Thanksgiving Service 12 Home—Our ACS Milestones 14 Home—Wesley MC celebrates 136 years 17 News—ETAC WSCS Young Women Forum 18 News—TRAC WSCS silent retreat 19 News—TRAC BOSM workshop 20 Welfare Services 22 Missions 24 You & Your Family 25 Hymns & Songs 26 Soundings 28 News 29 Looking Ahead 30 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 Gordon Wong was elected Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore in 2020. He served as President of the Trinity Annual Conference from 2013–2020. Sacrifices that do good “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually And if saying “thank you” seems too little, the writer offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit immediately suggests another example a sacrifice that God would love to receive. of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share “Do not forget to do good and to share with others, with others, for with such sacrifices for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:15-16 NIV) G ood Friday commemorates the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross. The book we call Hebrews compares the death Every Lent and Easter season, we help each of Jesus to the ancient Jewish ritual of an animal other to “not forget to do good” by running sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus’ sacrifice, our “The Giving Methodist” campaign. If you however, was so much more effective in the sense haven’t remembered yet, you may go to that it removed the necessity for the annually repeated rite of animal sacrifices (Heb 10:10­–18). https://thegivingmethodist.sg/ But does that mean we no longer need to offer Let us thank God by offering sacrifices that sacrifices? do good. The biblical writer says “No! We should still ‘continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise’.” (Heb 13:15 NIV). This is the Greek phrase that is translated in the Older Testament as sacrifices of thanksgiving. In other words, our response to the once-and-for-all sacrifice of Jesus on Good Friday should be to express our thanks and gratitude to God. |METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2021 1



Church profile ¢ Faith Methodist Church By the Faith Methodist Church Communications & Media Ministry / Photos courtesy of Faith MC FAITH in Action Visit faithmc.sg to find out more about our church! F aith Methodist Church (Faith) turns 55 this year. Since church life. Personal phone calls, planned visitations and its humble beginnings in the ’60s, Faith has always pastoral care measures were put in place to support the sought to uphold its vision of “transforming lives, drastic lifestyle change, particularly for older folk with changing the world” through practical acts of love and little to no access to technology and online devices. service to others. Its robust outreach and evangelistic programmes include Adopt-a-Block (AAB), G.O.L.D. Going online (God of Love Delivery) food delivery initiative, and In addition to personal pastoral care, one of Faith’s Alpha sessions that target Seekers and pre-believers. priorities was the continuation of our Sunday Service for the congregation, this time via livestream. In recent years, our focus has expanded to include media outreach, with one avenue being the livestream of our The transition to church online was not a novel concept church services on special occasions. Since 2017, the as Faith had already been livestreaming some services church had explored this aspect of online outreach to pre-COVID-19. It was a matter of adapting to the serve the needs of members who were overseas or unable changing restrictions imposed by the local authorities, to come to church physically due to family commitments and gathering the necessary tools, equipment and or health reasons. people to continue church life online. There were many challenges encountered with the weekly livestreams Our first livestream took place at the Wesleyan Covenant but with God’s grace, we were able to pivot quickly Holy Communion Service on 31 Dec 2017. Subsequently, each time the restrictions changed, ensuring that we the church also livestreamed its combined services on Good provided the best online experience to the congregation. Friday, Resurrection Sunday and Christmas. Over time, the livestreams were enhanced, thanks to the equipment and Looking back, we are thankful to God for the leadership at expertise of the staff and volunteers which God provided Faith in supporting the development of the church’s media to the church. capabilities long before COVID-19 struck. Without their foresight, the Communications & Media ministry could not Connecting the Church in COVID have accomplished what it had over the last year, while In Feb 2020, Faith organised a session to share our working together with the other ministries. experience in conducting livestream services. Topics that were covered included media equipment and camera Moving forward angles, the technology behind a livestream, broadcast Today, Faith continues to livestream its 11.15 a.m. Service messaging, as well as copyright and licensing matters. on YouTube every Sunday, and manages the livestream from a dedicated media control room. The volunteers 81 participants from 51 churches attended the session operate the five onsite cameras, doing their best to and more details can be found in the April 2020 issue of “channel” the heartbeat of the church and the presence Methodist Message. This sharing proved very timely as the of God, into people’s homes. world grappled with the pandemic, and churches in Singapore came to a standstill when the shutters closed in March 2020, By the grace of God, Faith is forging a path ahead in its following the restrictions by the local authorities. online efforts and invites you to pray for the church in such times. All glory to God for His provision and strength! Within a short time, Faith rallied as many resources as possible in order to keep members connected to 1 https://message.methodist.org.sg/the-power-of-media-in-a-church |METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2021 3

One MCS ¢ TRAC Highlights The Rev Irene Thung is the Director of the TRAC Board of Seniors Ministry. / Photos courtesy of TRAC BOSM TRAC Board of Seniors Ministry“Even you. you.” I have to your old age and gray hairs I am HE, I am HE who will sustain made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue (Is 46:4 NIV) old age, they will stay fresh and green.” (Ps 92:14 NIV) “They will still bear fruit in A rmed with God’s promises for seniors, the Trinity Annual Conference THE APPOINTED BOSM MEMBERS ARE: (TRAC) Board of Seniors Ministry (BOSM) kickstarted 2021 with a leaders’ Planning Retreat on 15 and 16 Jan. Director: The Rev Irene Thung Chairman: Mrs Choo Lai Eng BOSM chair Mrs Choo Lai Eng led the leaders in a team-bonding game using Secretary: Mr Patrick Teo LEGO Serious Play. BOSM Director the Rev Irene Thung shared the vision of BOSM Treasurer: Ms Melissa Goh and deliberated on activities that are of relevance to seniors, encompassing the spiritual, physical, emotional and social aspects of life. The retreat ended Members: off with a list of activities planned for the year. Mr Reginald Lim Mr Peter Lim The new quadrennium’s first worship service on 6 Jan 2021 over Zoom drew Mr Cheok Cheng Leong 108 participants. The Rev Irene Thung shared on the topic “When God Speaks”. Ms Shirley Koo Ms Mah Koon Sin On 20 Jan, the first prayer service was held. Over Zoom, 104 seniors heard the Ms Wong Kaeyan message by the Rev Anthony Lee, who spoke on “The Prayer of Faith”. Mr Teo Khoon Seng The Rev David Ho Our first on-site worship service was held on 3 Feb 2021 at Faith Methodist The Rev Chia Chin Nam Church with 100 worshippers. The BOSM members and GYM Coordinators were The Rev Joshua Loo dedicated at the service by the TRAC President, the Rev Stanley Chua. TRAC BOSM leaders at the Planning Retreat TRAC BOSM service on 3 Feb 2021 Cheng, assisted by Dr Joy Teo. It was indeed a very interactive session, with many questions raised during the We thank God for 108 seniors who attended the Prayer Q & A segment. Service over Zoom on 24 Feb. The Rev Irene Thung spoke on “Authority in the Name of Jesus”. To address our seniors’ concerns on COVID-19 vaccinations, A TRAC Seniors Ministry Facebook account was initiated to we hosted a talk by Prof Ooi Eng Eong on 31 Jan. Prof Ooi reach out to seniors. led the research team for Singapore’s COVID-19 vaccine development effort in partnership with San Diego-based Moving forward, BOSM seeks to look to its vision and continue Arcturus Therapeutics. He and his family worship at Wesley organising programs for our seniors to equip them spiritually, Methodist Church. We are thankful for an overwhelming physically, emotionally and socially so that they can continue 586 participants. The talk was facilitated by Dr Lenard to serve God in their senior years. To God be the glory! |4 METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2021

One MCS ¢ Sheri Goh is the Editor of Methodist Message. / Photos courtesy of the Rev Stanley Chua Meet the Annual Conference Presidents: The Rev Stanley Chua (TRAC) A shepherd of shepherds The Rev Chua receiving his company’s Best Commando Trainee Award in 1981 The Rev Chua’s wife, Khim, and his sons, Samuel and Silas, with the Rev Chua at Asbury Theological Seminary S hepherding a single church is already a major It was seven years later when his then-boss invited him to undertaking—how does one shepherd 21 attend a “Life in the Spirit” course at Wesley Methodist Church of them? This is the challenge for the Rev (MC). He recalled: “I remember that it was during the fourth Stanley Chua, who was elected the President of week [of the seven-week course] that I was asked if I wished the Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) at its 45th to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. At that time, I hadn’t session last November. TRAC is the connection of a clue what it meant—I obliged because I was just trying to Singapore’s Methodist churches where English is the be polite!” He knelt on the floor, with his boss beside him and main language; it has more than 28,600 members another brother laying hands on his head and praying for him, registered as of Nov 2020. but initially felt nothing. The Rev Chua is, in some ways, a reluctant President. “Suddenly, I experienced a warm sensation come over me When asked how he felt about being elected to head and a tremendous peace that flooded my entire being. The TRAC for the 2021–24 quadrennium, his response next thing I knew, I was speaking in another language. In that was: “I can only say, ‘Not my will, but Yours be done instant, whatever doubts I had about God were removed. And [O Lord].’” A career soldier-turned-businessman- since then, I have never looked back. I re-dedicated my life to turned pastor, the path God led him on to becoming God and not long after, I got baptised and began to serve the a pastor and where he is today has been one with Lord actively.” unexpected twist and turns. The call to serve Strangely warmed At Wesley MC, he served actively with the Methodist Adult When the Rev Chua was 14 years old, a classmate Fellowship as vice president and president, and as a worship invited him to a Youth for Christ meeting, and later leader for many years. He was then a full-time soldier, having to his church. No-one at the church took it upon signed on as a regular with the Military Security Department themself to get to know him better, and he stopped after serving as a commando during his National Service. attending after three months. |METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2021 5

A shepherd of shepherds In the late 1980s, after becoming more involved in church as my wife,” the Rev Chua said. “When I shared with ministry, he had an intuition that God was calling him her the Lord’s call for me to be a pastor, there was no into full-time ministry—but it was a call that he initially hesitation on her part. She supported me all the way; in resisted. Thinking he could serve God as a tentmaker, he particular, during the four years I was studying at Trinity ventured into the food manufacturing industry with a Theological College. God couldn’t have provided me with dream of employing ex-prisoners and using his business a more supportive, understanding and loving wife.” profits to fund missions work. A supportive Church But God had other plans for the Rev Chua. Through Proverbs 11:30—“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of In his 23 years of pastoral ministry, the Rev Chua has life, and he who wins souls is wise” (NKJV)—God persisted served at Wesley MC and Ang Mo Kio Methodist Church in his irresistible call for the Rev Chua to join pastoral (AMKMC). One of the most difficult times in his ministry ministry, which he did in 1992. occurred when he was a newly-appointed assistant pastor at Wesley MC in 1997, and the first funeral he had to A supportive family conduct was for an eight-month-old baby who had died of a brain tumour. The Rev Chua met his wife, Khim, formerly from Paya Lebar MC, in 1987 when their respective small groups “It brought back memories of when my youngest sister from their two churches were concurrently having died of a tragic car accident when she was 12 years old,” retreats at Fraser’s Hill in Malaysia. They were married in he recalled. “It affected me deeply because I felt it was 1991 and served together at Wesley MC’s Methodist Adult unfair for young people to die early. It also triggered Fellowship for many years. memories of my own guilt for having not treasured my sister until she was gone from our lives. Khim was a flight attendant but stopped working when their first child, Samuel, was born in 2000. Five years “But what I have learnt is that death is no respecter of age; later, Silas was born, and both boys attended Anglo- we must never take our loved ones for granted because Chinese School (ACS) Junior and ACS Barker Road. we never know when death will come knocking at our doors. While we have our loved ones with us, we must “I am truly grateful to our Lord for giving Khim to me make the best of every opportunity to treasure them.” The Rev Chua conducting Holy The renovated Communion at AMKMC in 2005 AMKMC building in 2012 |6 METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2021 Dedicating the Wesley Youth Centre in 2018

In 2003, he was appointed to AMKMC. While admittedly how to do ministry with our greying populations; how to relatively inexperienced, he was appointed Pastor- reach out to our youths and keep them in our churches; in-Charge (PIC) the following year. Although it was a and how to do ministry post-COVID-19. steep learning curve, AMKMC’s loving and supportive congregation helped him grow as a pastor. “I am forever As TRAC President, the Rev Chua sees his role as that indebted to AMKMC,” he said. of “chief shepherd”. He is waiting on God to give him direction for the Conference and is spending time with the In 2008, the AMK Methodist churches—AMK Chinese MC, pastors and the lay leaders of various churches to get to AMK Tamil MC and AMKMC—got together to build a new know them better. He is also planning sessions with the shared church building for their burgeoning congregations. Conference leaders and pastors to have them listen to God By God’s grace, the three churches raised the $19m needed for His will and direction for TRAC for this quadrennium. for a new building, which was completed by 2012. He said: “Prayerfully, by the end of this year, I will be The Rev Chua left AMKMC in 2014 to pursue further able to present at our AC session what I discerned from studies at Asbury Theological seminary in the US. When these sessions and the feedback received from our he returned in 2016, he was appointed back to Wesley leaders and pastors.” MC as PIC. It was something unexpected and a task for which he felt totally inadequate, as Wesley is the How can we pray for TRAC? largest and oldest Methodist church in Singapore. But being a man under authority, he surrendered his will The Rev Chua says: to God and submitted to his President’s appointment. “Pastoring Wesley was indeed challenging, but I thank “Pray, pray and pray for us God again for the loving and supportive leadership and that we will be faithful to our call congregation there.” as pastors and be good shepherds for God’s people.” Shepherding shepherds The biggest challenges facing TRAC in this quadrennium, he says, are similar for most of the Methodist churches: The Rev Chua being installed by Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung |METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2021 7 in Nov 2020

2022 Admissions Now Open ACS (International) Singapore is a distinctive Building Through Belief, this school of choice provides international secondary school open to all Singaporeans & other nationalities, offering an • Exceptional examination results, very strong value-added achievement and an all- all-round English-based education for students round holistic education aged 12 to 18 years leading to the International General Certificate of Secondary Education • 50:50 mix of local and international teachers who uphold the dual Methodist ethos (IGCSE) and the International Baccalaureate and ACS heritage Diploma Programme (IBDP). • Small class sizes with overall student-teacher ratio of 8.7 : 1 61 Jalan Hitam Manis, Singapore 278475 • 40 different CCAs – 16 Sporting, 12 Visual and Performing Arts, 12 Special Interest Groups • Over 25 overseas trips per year • Over 200 formal student leadership positions • Scholarships for 4 Singaporeans to undertake the IBDP Mr Gavin Kinch Mrs Tan Siew Hoon Achievements include Principal Vice-Principal • Students with perfect score of 45 points in IBDP • 20 “Top in the World” awards in IGCSE examinations over each of the past nine years • Students accepted to Oxford and Cambridge universities for the past eight years • Admissions to top universities in the UK, the US, Australia and Singapore • PSLE and Singapore GCE ‘O’ Level students achieve outstanding value-added examination results for the IBDP with improved pathways to good universities • Successes at national level in Athletics, Touch Rugby, Debating, Orchestra, Volleyball, Taekwondo, Ice Hockey, Fencing, Swimming, Artistic Swimming, Rhythmic Gymnastics and Wushu. Dr Kristopher Achter Mr Chia Choong Kiat What the parents say… Vice-Principal Acting Vice-Principal “ACS (International) ignites students' passion to learn through building strong relationships For more information with deeply devoted and highly experienced teachers and excellent pedagogic and sporting infrastructure. The school has achieved a fine blend of academic rigour and holistic learning. Please contact Joseph Ng The emphasis on CCAs and community service as well as the ample opportunities for student or Serene Lim leadership makes ACS (International) a 'cut above' and the preferred choice for our children.” at +65 6472 1477 or [email protected] Larisa and Shivinder Singh “Sending our daughter to ACS (International) was the best decision we made. She used to be shy and introverted and has now become a confident, caring and motivated student leader.” Debra and Samuel Koh “We deeply appreciate the contribution ACS (International) has made towards making our son confident, capable and thoughtful. The school has provided an environment of personal care, support and encouragement to nurture him into a compassionate young man. We are also very proud of his academic, leadership, co-curricular and public speaking skill development.” Anju Uppal “We like the holistic learning environment of ACS (International). Apart from academics, the school gives the students plenty of learning opportunities outside the walls of the classroom through service trips in continents as far as Africa, school projects and events, CCAs, student leadership roles and more. Our children thoroughly enjoy the IB programme, the holistic environment of the school, and are very proud to be students of ACS (International). The school has helped our children to grow and mature in so many ways, whilst equipping them with the necessary skills needed for their university studies and future endeavours. We are very glad to have sent both of our children to ACS (International).” Steven and Pau Kim Kan

Home ¢ Annabel Lye is a Chaplain at Chen Su Lan Methodist Children’s Home. / Photos courtesy of CSLMCH Chen Su Lan Methodist Children’s Home Building lives The dedicated staff of CSLMCH C hen Su Lan Methodist Children’s Home (CSLMCH) was set up in 1968. Originally located in a house in Changi, it was established by the Chen Su Lan Trust by Wesley Methodist Church. Donors, volunteers and staff have played very important roles in the Home from the very beginning. Their giving in the form of time, effort and finance have been important in sustaining the work in the residential children’s home for the past 52 years. We deeply appreciate the numerous generous contributions received over the years and would like to share the encouraging stories of three residents who spent years in the Home. Karin and Raymond Siblings Karin and Raymond came to us when Raymond was still a young boy. He was able to excel in his studies since his early years, thanks to the support and affirmation given to all our children through our Education Department of four full-time staff. He is now doing his national service and was recently awarded the Sword of Honour as an officer in SAF. After his national service, he will be studying in a local university. Raja during At Karin’s wedding in Jan 2021, she shared her gratitude his CSLMCH childcare days to the staff of the Home in making it possible for her to Raja did well enough for get through the difficult years of her childhood. She was his O-level examinations in 2020 to qualify for especially grateful that we brought her into the faith with polytechnic the partnership of Trinity Methodist Church. Karin during her wedding in Jan 2021 Raja Raymond and Raymond is now serving his Karin when they national service Raja came to us when he was five years old. In the morning, were young he went upstairs to attend the childcare in the Home and in the evening, we cared for him as he lived in our Home. Friends, you along with us have made a difference in many children’s lives—they are now building for themselves In the face of adversity, Raja prevailed. In 2020 he healthy new bridges into their futures by the grace of God. performed well enough in his O-level examinations to All of you, along with the staff, have had the privilege to qualify for polytechnic. He was featured in the newspapers witness with gratitude and humility the fruit from the labour and interviewed on television as one of the students who of giving and the labour of love. May all of us continue to overcame difficulties in their lives to do well in the national bask and to be protected under the wings of God’s grace examinations.1 and mercy as we build into the children’s lives. 1 https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/inspired-teachers-classmates-and-social-workers-o-level-students-pull-through-face We seek your prayers and support for the work of Chen Su Lan Methodist Children’s Home and would deeply appreciate your giving to the Home via the website Giving.sg by scanning the QR code here.

Home ¢ Joy-marie Toh (MGS ’89, ACJC ’91) is the 2nd Vice-President, ACSOBA, and the Executive Producer of the ACS 135 Thanksgiving Service / Photos courtesy of ACSOBA; screenshots courtesy of Klaus Tan (ACS [I] ’18) Guest of honour and ACS Old Boy Bishop Dr Gordon Wong Mr Richard Seow, Chairman of the ACSBOG, welcoming delivered the sermon and led “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” ACSians to the ACS135 Thanksgiving Service 135 years on, the best is yet to be The ACS135 Thanksgiving Service Bishop William Fitzjames 1 March is a day deeply etched into the hearts of ACSians— Oldham what those from the Anglo-Chinese School (ACS) family of schools call themselves. It’s a reminder of God’s continued |10 METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2021 blessings upon  our school and causes us to reflect  upon the tenacity and vision of our founder, Bishop William Fitzjames Oldham. ACS Founder’s Day is an institution of its own; the schools celebrate with much pomp and ceremony, and alumni look forward to reliving school days with friends and former teachers. This 135th Founder’s Day was meant to be a grand endeavour. Echoing the celebration held in the Singapore Indoor Stadium in 2011, 10,000 ACSians were poised to congregate at the stadium to commemorate yet another milestone year. Unfortunately, COVID-19 restrictions did not permit that plan to go ahead. The path of least resistance would of course have been for us to blame the pandemic for the disruption and then hope for a better age. But that’s not the ACS nor the ACSOBA way. ACSians find a way—or make one.

Which is exactly what the ACSOBA did. We gathered in a A decade ago, I had the privilege different way, shaped by global events, but in a fashion to work with the late Mr Earnest that was no less meaningful. Lau, former ACS Principal, chief editor of The ACS Story and On 1 March 2021, the ACS family congregated virtually at the archivist at The Methodist Church ACS135 Thanksgiving Service. Produced by the ACSOBA, the in Singapore,  on a comprehensive service was telecast twice that day. The first telecast was at summary of our ACS history through 8.30 a.m. to the eight ACS schools and their 11,000 students the decades to commemorate our and 2,000 staff. The the second telecast was livestreamed at 125th Anniversary.  It gave me 6.15 p.m. on YouTube via the acs135.com website and made an even deeper appreciation of available for replay. Close to 5,000 alumni across the the ACS I thought I knew. And yet, no words will ever world have since watched the service. adequately  capture the ACSpirit that can only be felt by those who have lived it. We were honoured to have Bishop Dr Gordon Wong as the guest of honour. He not only delivered the devotion—“One Affectionately known as the Mr Chips of ACS, Mr Earnest Hope, One Heart, One ACS”—but also led in the much- Lau influenced the lives of thousands of ACSians.  Many loved hymn, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”.  It was heart- older ACSians associate him with the stirring and warming to hear him share about his own experience at nostalgic “40 Years On” that he taught and sang with ACS, its impact on shaping his life and the gift of hope that gusto when he first joined ACS as a teacher in the mid- we have been abundantly given. 1950s, whilst others from the 1977–83 era remember his charismatic leadership when he was principal.  Highlights of the Service included a virtual tour of the ONE ACS Heritage Centre, special greetings hosted by The rich and storied history of ACS has since been captured Singapore’s Number One ACS Fan, Kim Huat (as portrayed by the ONE ACS Heritage Gallery, a gift from the ACSOBA by mrbrown), a drone video of all the seven schools to the ACS family of schools, which presents highlights of campuses entitled “On the Wings of Bishop Oldham’s the history of the ACS family in a contemporary manner. Dreams”, “The Best Is Yet To Be”, a visual odyssey of It also showcases original artefacts from Bishop Oldham’s the ACS journey from 70 Amoy Street to our most recent personal collection and memorabilia from all the ACS campus, ACS Jakarta, and the ACS135 Virtual Choir units. The gallery also provides tablets that contain special consisting of (over) 135 singers. We were also blessed features, videos, interviews and archived photographs, with the angelic renditions of “To God Be The Glory” and as well as The ACS Story in a digital format. The gallery “Be Thou My Vision” by members of the ACJC Alumni Choir was officially opened by Mr Cecil Vivian Wong, Class of and recollections by ACS alumni. ’39 and President of ACSOBA (1958–61) on 27 July 2019 in celebration of the ACSOBA’s 105th anniversary. In celebrating our 135th anniversary, it should be clear that the Anglo-Chinese School is a work in progress, and On a personal note, it has been an honour of a lifetime that our motto of “The Best is Yet to Be” rings true time to serve, and continue to serve, the ACSOBA. It is only and again—that change and improvement have been a through the efforts of committed alumni that we are constant theme, although its stated ideals have remained able to carry on the traditions of ACS from generation as strong as ever. There was no “master plan” for the to generation. Our buildings will crumble, the leadership founding of ACS unless giving an education to as many of our nation and schools will change, but what must who could benefit from it qualifies as one, and the school continue to endure is our commitment to God’s work developed as a private Christian institution in response to through the ACSOBA and the ACSpirit. the educational requirements of Singapore society.  (From left to right) Singapore’s Number One ACS Fan, Kim Huat (aka mrbrown) hosting the special greetings; Opening Hymn, “To God Be The Glory”, by the ACJC Alumni Choir at the Shaw Pool; ACS135 Virtual Choir leading in the ACS Anthem. All levels in each of the seven ACS schools were represented and alumni from around the globe participated |METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2021 11

135 years on, the best is yet to be ACS at Coleman Street ACS (Independent) The original ACS (Barker Road) ACS at Amoy and ACS (Primary) Street Our ACS milestones Mr Earnest Lau was the principal of ACS from 1977–83. This article originally appeared in the ACS 125 Commemorative Magazine. I n 1886, the immediate initiative preparation for the Queen’s Scholarship, created by Dr Yap Pheng Geck, and came from Chinese businessmen and introduce the Cambridge Junior the House system to encourage sports who asked the Rev William F. Oldham and Senior examinations by the turn of and healthy rivalry among students to teach their sons. In fact, Mrs Marie the century. during annual Athletics championships. Oldham, in a magazine article published The Houses were named after Bishops in 1907, said that “there ought not In the 1910s, an ambitious educational Thoburn and Oldham, the Rev Goh Hood to be any discrimination between innovation was introduced by the Rev Keng, Mr Tan Kah Kee and Mr Cheong evangelistic and educational work; each J. S. Nagle, whose mission was the Koon Seng, all of whom showed great can be as educational or as evangelistic transformation of the ACS into the passion for ACS. The House system, as the one in charge chooses to make Anglo-Chinese College, a job for which which all our ACS schools observe, it”. At that time, the school provided Bishop Oldham specially selected has since expanded to include houses instruction in English in the morning and him. Although the project itself named after Dr Lee Seng Gee, Dr Shaw Chinese in the afternoon, and that was failed to materialise, the preparatory Vee Meng and Tan Sri Tan Chin Tuan. how it came to be called by its present arrangements begun by the Rev Nagle name. The first 13 scholars studied at encouraged him to raise the quality The Pacific War years and the Occupation 70 Amoy Street, but the enrolment of teaching staff through foreign forced the closure of the School until rapidly outgrew the shop house, forcing recruitment, thus providing the School after the war. The immediate post-war the first removal of the school to a new with an unprecedented intellectual period saw a burst of activity, including purpose-built school house adjoining edge. It was also under the Rev a massive building programme that the Methodist Church which the Rev Nagle’s leadership that the Old Boys’ transformed the Barker campus into Oldham had built at Coleman Street at Association was set up in 1914. a fully equipped secondary school the junction of Armenian Street. Here with its iconic clock tower, a sentinel the ACS was to stay for many years until The 1920s and 30s saw another of Bukit Timah. Together with this redevelopment in the 1950s obliged milestone reached when some of the was the expansion of the Primary/ the School to rebuild. most prized and enduring traditions Junior Schools both at Coleman Street of ACS were introduced. The Principal where the original buildings were torn An important educational philosophy from 1929–47, Mr T. W. Hinch, who down and rebuilt to cater for a much introduced by Oldham strove not to is widely considered the tradition enhanced enrolment, and Barker Road confine his scholars’ learning simply builder of ACS, played a central role in where the boys were taught in classes to the Standards but sought to spread cultivating a distinctive School tradition which had been temporarily occupied it over a larger area, “that it may be that lay the foundation of what we now by the Secondary classes. useful to them in all their after life”. call the “ACS Spirit”. These traditions Education should cultivate the man and included the ACS Anthem written by In 1950, Post School Certificate Classes, transcend the making of a livelihood. H. M. Hoisington, which bonded and later known as Pre-University classes, With well-qualified missionaries with continues to bond ACSians together, were set up and the first batch of college degrees, it was possible to offer the ACS Crest and Shield designed and female students were enrolled in ACS.

ACJC ACS Jakarta ACS (International) ACS (Junior) Two years later, Mr Thio Chan Bee, an resuscitation of Oldham Hall in 1985 In welcoming the exciting opportunities Old Boy, became the School’s first Asian to house both foreign scholars and and challenges of the 21st century, Principal. On 7 Jan 1955, ACS became ACS students. In addition, the Junior we are reminded of William Oldham’s the first Methodist school to have a School moved out to a refurbished vision of an education that transcends Board of Governors. With the formation school building at Peck Hay Road mere preparation to earn a livelihood. of the BOG, the Old Boys were able with more space and facilities. On a Rather, it should broaden the mind and to provide even better service to the grander scale was the transformation nourish the soul, thus enabling one school as the Board, as it still does, of Anglo-Chinese Secondary School to to live a full life. comprises representatives from the ACS (Independent) in 1988. The school Methodist Church, the ACSOBA and the was first located at Barker Road, then in At the dawn of the 21st century, the ACS family. January 1992, made its move to its new ACS Family welcomed its sixth member, campus at Dover Road with outstanding ACS (International), which opened its The attainment of self-government facilities and boarding school. The site doors on 3 Jan 2005 to a multinational and political independence of the was officially opened by Dr Richard Hu, cohort of students. To reinforce the 1950s and ’60s were a powerful force Minister of Finance of Singapore, on 1 unity of the ACS Family, the ONE ACS which raised educational horizons March 1993. ACS (Independent) was initiative was launched in 2006 to re- and made desirable significant new recognised as an IB World School in evaluate the mission and core values facilities. The first of the famous ACS 2005 and was the first national school of our rapidly growing family. In Fun-O-Ramas was held on the Barker in Singapore to offer the International 2007, STB-ACS (International) Jakarta Road campus in 1956 to raise funds Baccalaureate Diploma. Two years later, became the first Anglo-Chinese for the Pre-University block (“Lee in January 1994, ACS (Barker Road) was School outside Singapore. The newer Hall”) which was fully equipped with established as a full government-aided members to the ACS family promise to science laboratories and a library. secondary school. The purpose of ACS be further innovations in the history Another breakthrough was the design (Barker Road) was to provide the feeder of “Our ACS Forever”. To accommodate and building of the Sports Complex and pupils from the two ACS primary schools the further growth of our student gymnasium and the first Olympic-sized with an additional option to continue population, Anglo-Chinese School school swimming pool in Singapore. with an ACS secondary education. (Junior) moved to its current premises at Winstedt Road in Dec 2008. The ACS In the half century since the 1970s, ACS ended the 20th century with a family looks to the future of our school educational expansion and upgrading massive construction programme—this with great anticipation for many more saw even more dynamic changes to time, the complete rebuilding of the years to come. the School. ACS embraced the trend of Barker Road campus to provide the new introducing Junior College education and Barker Road Secondary and Primary In welcoming the exciting opportunities it established our Anglo-Chinese Junior School with an associated auditorium and challenges of the 21st century, College in 1977. ACJC also had the first and performance theatres that set we are reminded of William Oldham’s full-sized football field and 400m running new standards in school architecture, vision of an education that transcends track that an ACS unit ever enjoyed. appropriately winning a prestigious mere preparation to earn a livelihood. award for innovation and excellence. Rather, it should broaden the mind The 1980s were yet another memorable The completely new Oldham Hall stands and nourish the soul, thus enabling period, with the building and as yet another feather in the cap of ACS. one to live a full life.

News ¢ Yeo Su Chen is a writer for Wesley TIDINGS. / Photos courtesy of Wesley MC. This article originally appeared in the March 2021 issue of Wesley TIDINGS. Bishop Dr Gordon Wong preaches at the anniversary service The opening prayer and welcome by Pastor-in-Charge the Rev Raymond Fong 136 years of blessings through thick and thin W esley Methodist Church (MC) celebrated its church that has overcome challenging circumstances; 136th anniversary with a special Sunday and a compassionate and relevant church that has been Combined Worship Service on 21 Feb 2021. The helping our community with many acts of kindness. service was a milestone in Wesley MC’s history as it was the first time the respective services from both the Hall The montage also reminded us that while Wesley may have and Sanctuary were integrated on site, and streamed started from very humble beginnings, it has emerged as a online to those who worshipped at home. church that is a light on the hill, which has brought together a large faith community in Singapore over the years. With the church having gone through a challenging year in 2020 since the COVID-19 pandemic started, the 136th The service commenced with an opening prayer and anniversary has given Wesleyans even more reason to welcome by Pastor-in-Charge the Rev Raymond Fong. come together to celebrate this joyous occasion on this God-appointed day. Thanking the Lord for seeing us through another year, Pastor Raymond was also “humbled by another Heritage and Unity anniversary” of Wesley MC. Like the opening song, “You Are the Everlasting God”, we were reminded of the Lord Before the service commenced, everyone was treated to lifting us like eagles. a photo montage that gave us a glimpse into how far we have come together as a church since its days of yore. Both on-site and online worshippers were invited to exchange greetings with those around them through safe For many Wesleyans, the montage presentation brought distancing peace gestures or with their friends by sending to mind Wesley’s heritage as the first Methodist church a simple text message of shalom. in Singapore. Pastor Clement Ong then prayed for the church to be For over a century, Wesley has been an obedient church “in unity in love”, which was followed by prayers led by that disciples many; a faithful church that brings the LCEC Chairperson, Philip Oh. As Philip thanked God for His gospel to many in our midst and the region; a resilient |14 METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2021

provision of “abundant resources” over the years, he “This is the picture of Christian faith presented to us remembered that Wesleyans could only be a blessing to in Psalm 131—a relationship of dependence and trust the least, lost and last because of the Lord Himself. as that of a weaned child, resting on his mother. The wise Christians neither do too little nor too much,” A canorous rendition of the hymn, “In My Life Lord Be said Bishop Dr Wong. Rest entails “a deliberate and Glorified”, accompanied by the orchestra, was put up by determined effort to compose and give rest” to one’s the Wesley Combined Service Choir in English, Chinese soul. “This is the secret to contentment and peace: trust. and Tagalog. Put your hope in the Lord. The secret to a soul at rest is learning to hope in the Lord.” The three languages this beautiful hymn was sung in underscored the different communities that our church Bishop Dr Wong’s sermon encouraged us “to rest and to ministers to. The rendition reminded us that no matter be composed in God” and to have a balanced attitude the languages we speak, where we come from, we are all in all aspects of our life by applying the spiritual in His Church. Wesley MC belongs to God Himself. perspective of a weaned child depicted in Psalm 131. Bishop Dr Wong highlighted the distinct differences Another beautiful performance was put up by the between “healthy aspiration” and “harmful ambition”. Sunbeams Children’s Choir. Their youthful enthusiasm to He encouraged us to have the wisdom and insight to lift Jesus high was unmistakeable. know when we “have gone too far” (a quote from a traditional Irish blessing). Dedication and Service The message of a weaned child was a strong reminder for The church staff is the cornerstone of our daily church Wesleyans to rest and trust in the Lord in a year when we activities and ministries, and it was befitting to dedicate embark, as a church, to rest, reflect and renew in God. over 90 of Wesley’s staff members on this special occasion. With the conclusion of the uplifting sermon and prayers, While it would have been previously impossible to get a the Wesley 136th Anniversary Combined Service glimpse of all the faces of the Wesley staff at a physical closed with the hymn of dedication, “By My Spirit”. It service, the online service this year made it possible for emblematises the grace Wesley MC has received from the us to be able to take a closer look at all the staff dedicated Lord to come so far, through thick and thin. at this service on Zoom. As the hymn of dedication, which was composed by the Pastor Raymond thanked the Wesley full-time staff for their Rev Melvin Huang and Leong Wai Meng, goes: “By My “readiness to serve, commitment to be faithful and the Spirit, says the Lord, not by strength or might; This mighty sacrifices made that are sometimes unknown but only to mountain will be removed.” God”. Although “the past year has been very challenging”, Pastor Raymond said the church is “thankful for the team “As we work with Jesus hand in hand.” of dedicated staff who have served tirelessly, adapted creatively and persevered joyfully in serving God”. The dedication of Wesley’s invaluable staff members Message of Rest and Hope |METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2021 15 The highlight of this year’s anniversary service was the sermon delivered by Bishop Dr Gordon Wong. On behalf of our 45 sister churches, Bishop Dr Wong extended greetings and well wishes to Wesley on its anniversary. In line with our church theme for this year, Bishop spoke on Psalm 131. Psalm 131 is deemed by some as one “which takes a few seconds to read but a life time to learn. Its wisdom is most appreciated by those who are at their twilight years”. The psalmist here speaks of a humble heart, a weaned child who rests in God and ceases over-striving and pursuing.

“Serving families for a decade and more...” 24-HR HOTLINES PAUL & DANIEL +65 8321 3355 TOLL-FREE 1800-777-2422 www.AmazingGraceFunerals.com Amazing Grace has prepared these few measures to allow families to have a meaningful and dignified farewell for their loved ones: A. Online Ticketing Complimentary online ticketing system to allow visitors to reserve a visiting time slot and plan their visits, allowing families to keep within the regulated maximum number of persons at any one time with minimal coordination. B. Online Memorial allows friends to find updated information and offer their sympathies to bereaved families C. Live Streaming this option is available to enable friends and families to participate in the wake/vigil and funeral services online D. Donations families may appoint a PayNow account of a family member to receive donations. This will be posted on the online memorial. Christian Funeral Packages • International Repatriation • Pre-Planning Seminars A t some point in time, grief touches every one of us. It is a time when we all need special help, comfort and guidance. But God has not left us helpless and hopeless because HE TREASURES US, Ps 116:15 “Precious in the HE COMFORTS US, 2 Cor 1:3 “Praise be to...the Father of comp sight of the LORD is the death of His saints” and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles...” With the assurance of God’s eternal Word we are confident that death is only a temporary parting. One day we shall meet up with our loved ones again in heaven to spend eternity rejoicing with Him. - Paul & Daniel -

News ¢ Mrs Ryna Raaj is a member of Tamil Methodist Church Short Street / Photos courtesy of ETAC WSCS Zoom screenshot from the online ETAC WSCS Young Women Forum ETAC WSCS Young Women Forum 2021 T he ETAC WSCS Young Women Forum was held on per cent of the overall ETAC membership. There is thus 27 Feb 2021 via Zoom. It was attended by women much potential for more women to come on board WSCS between the ages of 26 and 35 from the various to serve. Over the years, WSCS women have been serving ETAC churches and facilitated by women who have been faithfully through four pillars of ministry: Discipleship serving in WSCS ministries over the years. & Nurture; Witness & Evangelism; Outreach & Social Concerns;, and Missions. The objectives of the session were two-fold. Mrs Kalaimathi Nagulan, President of ETAC WSCS, elaborated: “Firstly, to The Young Women Forum was also a platform for sharing network with young women and hear their opinions on by Miss Darshana Daniel (Tamil Methodist Church, Short church and women ministry. Secondly, to share and raise Street) and Miss Deborah David (Seletar Tamil Methodist their awareness about the ministries of the WSCS and Church) about their experience at the Asian Young Women areas they could potentially be involved in.” Leadership Development Programme. In planning the event, five young women worked with The session then moved into breakout rooms with WSCS members of ETAC WSCS to craft the programme, conduct ladies as facilitators. Facilitators led a discussion on how ice-breakers, register participants and serve as co- WSCS can remain relevant to young women at various facilitators. These roles served to give these young women stages of life. There was recognition that women today an opportunity to work with the WSCS and to spur them to juggle various commitments at work, home and church. join future programmes. The young women raised the need for the WSCS to cater to various groups of women including singles, newly-weds The session began with a series of ice-breakers for the and young mothers. women to get to know each other. This was followed by Mrs Tamilkodi Arthur sharing a brief history of the The groups expressed a common goal on how the WSCS, particularly its roots in and heart for serving the community can grow and serve in Christ through regular community and church. bible study, prayer and sharing of testimonies. Many also expressed interest in the ministries of the WSCS. It is Mrs Kalaimathi Nagulan shared that the current hoped that in this process of building bridges that more membership of women in the ETAC WSCS stands at 44 women will come to know Christ and make Him known. |METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2021 17

News ¢ Angela Goh is the TRAC WSCS D&N coordinator. / Photos courtesy of TRAC WSCS TRAC WSCS ladies at the Singapore Botanic Gardens Another group at Lakeside Be still A group at East Coast Park A fter nearly a year without physical meetings, the next hour and a half, we each found a quiet spot 99 TRAC WSCS ladies gathered for a morning of to worship and mediate on God’s Word by ourselves. silence and solitude. No, we did not contravene Suggested passages for meditation on the theme of any COVID-19 safety regulations—the ladies met in 15 stillness were: Psalm 46, Psalm 62, Exodus 14:10–31, groups of at most eight persons over two weekends in Zechariah 2:10­–13 and Habakkuk 2:18–20. Ladies were the Singapore Botanic Gardens, Jurong Lake Gardens and encouraged to write devotions on passages on which East Coast Park. Zoom-fatigued, we relished the time they had reflected. spent with the Lord and with each other. The fact that it was just before the busy Chinese New Year period made The final hour was spent sharing with the group lessons the time of quietness all the more precious. learnt in the silence. This sharing proved to be encouraging and uplifting. Common themes in the sharing were revived The example of our Lord going to places of solitude while attention to listening to God and seeing His creation right on earth to commune with His Father motivated us to do before our eyes. likewise. The spiritual discipline of silence is something many ladies found difficult. However, we prayed that the Participants came from 16 Methodist churches. Not only Holy Spirit would guide us as we put aside all distractions did we have a wonderful time communing with God, and anxiety. We gathered in anticipation of God coming we also had the opportunity to make new friends from to meet us in that place in our hearts. Despite the Circuit sister churches. Breaker being an opportunity to pause and reflect, many have felt more stressed and frazzled as home became Many devotions have been collected and will be compiled a place for work and home-based learning. With spouse to be shared with our sisters in all TRAC churches on WSCS and children at home, finding time to be still became Sunday in May. Included will be drawings and sketches, more difficult. Thus, a morning alone with the Lord led poems and prayers, revealing the talents among our ladies. many to join this WSCS event. We thank God for the time of rest and renewal. We Each group had a facilitator who introduced Lectio Divina praise Him for sisters who hunger and thirst for a deeper and gave practical tips on how to remove distractions. For relationship with the Lord. All glory to Him! |18 METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2021

News ¢ The Rev Irene Thung is the Director of TRAC Board of Seniors Ministry (BOSM). / Photos courtesy of TRAC BOSM Handling anxiety A TRAC BOSM class Class participants I n December 2020, the Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) Board of Seniors Ministry (BOSM) organised a class to help our seniors handle anxiety. The eight sessions were based on the LifeGuide Bible studies on anxiety by Skip McDonald. After completing the class, participants realised the Bible is the only and best guide for all life’s problems. Meditation classes and medication are quick fixes, but nothing beats resting in our God with simple faith. Regardless of how we feel, the sovereign God is with us and will give us His peace and strength. SOME PARTICIPANTS’ REFLECTIONS “When I saw the word ‘anxiety’, I “This course showed me how I can find “I learned that God loves me so much that thought a professor from the Institute of comfort and rely on God in times of whatever anxiety I have, I should not take Mental Health would cover meditation anxiety, both for mental and physical things into my own hands but to commit it techniques or medication. To my surprise, health. The course contents led me to immediately to God in prayer, be still and I found Pastor Irene conducting the understand that I need to do my part to wait upon Him. I enjoyed Pastor Irene’s class. I was awed by her teaching. She commit the keys of understanding God’s class very much. She is very encouraging shared countless testimonies without help and reassurances to live a God- and transparent, sharing her personal reservation, especially when covering blessed, anxiety-free lifestyle. testimonies and miracles, which always the topic of ‘forgiveness’. I have been uplifted me. So, whenever I am anxious, edified and encouraged by her sharing In short, this course is compact, easy I remember her sharing and teaching. I and teaching, and share with others and helpful for guiding us to walk closer am then able to experience peace that whenever I have the opportunity with God for His comfort and hope in our God is in control and He will deal with my to do so.” times of need!” situation in His time.” Lim Gek Ee Wong Chow Ling Jenny Tan (Trinity Methodist Church [MC]) (Aldersgate MC) (Toa Payoh MC) “I thank God for giving me the time and “It’s a very good recap for me, especially “My take home from each lesson is akin strength to go through this study. I am for Psalm 23. I am also very much to having a booster jab of encouragement grateful to Pastor Irene for her openness inspired and encouraged by Pastor from the truths hidden in the Bible. I in ingesting her past and present Irene’s teaching and testimonies shared appreciate the sharing of authentic, real testimonies to make the study so lively, during lessons.” life experiences and fine examples of how applicable and transforming with all the decisions were arrived at after prayer tips for how to take hold of God’s Word Melissa Goh and waiting on God and applications of to deal with different life situations.” principles in God’s Word.” (Living Hope MC) Rosalind Hia Ng Tik Tiu (Living Waters MC) (St Andrew’s Cathedral) |METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2021 19

Welfare Services ¢ By the Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) Communications Team / Photo and visuals courtesy of MWS 2021 invites you to be a friend to someone in need E very year, The Giving Methodist, spearheaded by The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) and Methodist Welfare Services (MWS), provides a platform to galvanise all Methodists for acts of love. Against the backdrop of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s theme encourages every Methodist to “Persevere in Doing Good”. As part of the Methodist family, we have the opportunity to do good by giving generously especially during the current circumstances. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Gal 6:9). Let us answer the call to do good by rallying our family and friends to reach deep into our hearts and extend warmth and friendship to someone in need during these tough times. We invite you to join MWS’s Persevere in Doing Good campaign by befriending those who are disadvantaged and distressed for a period of six to 12 months. MWS will connect you with distressed families and individuals, socially isolated seniors, and disadvantaged children in need of meaningful, longer- term friendship, advice and emotional support in their lives. Go to https://thegivingmethodist.sg/ or scan the QR code to sign up as a befriender or find out more about The Giving Methodist. JOIN THE GIVING METHODIST CAMPAIGN IN THESE THREE WAYS: GIVE TIME Volunteer your time to be a befriender and walk alongside our beneficiaries who need help. You can offer some  companionship to someone in need. Journey with a befriendee from a participating MWS centre or Methodist church ministry today! GIVE A DONATION Uplift those whose circumstances remain dire with a regular giving of $40 a month, or a one-time donation. Your giving could potentially impact the lives of more than 8,000 we serve through our MWS centres and programmes. GIVE VOICE Lend your voice to the disadvantaged and distressed by spreading the word about The Giving Methodist on your social media channels or group chats. Do get others involved too! For further enquiries on The Giving Methodist, please email [email protected]. |20 METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2021

A friend in need is a friend indeed A bout 18 years ago, Mr Yong Jimmy Chua (right) has been Teck Kin was involved in a car journeying with Mr Yong Teck Kin accident, which left him with a debilitating neck injury. As he could not to help him stay debt-free afford the high cost of proper medical and build savings treatment back then, Mr Yong suffers from pain in his back and hands today, and is unable to stand for too long. After the accident, he opened a Methodist Welfare Services (MWS).  Under the scheme, MWS matches $2 for every hawker stall, but the long hours and $1 cleared by families on their own, so as to help them get out of debt more quickly. weak demand soon forced him to give up the business. So when he befriended Mr Yong in 2018, the church volunteer’s first priority was to help the former hawker clear his debts through MWS FDP. Through monthly Since then, Mr Yong, a loving father of visits, Jimmy, a financial consultant by trade, imparted financial literacy skills three school-going children, has been to Mr Yong and helped to process administrative matters related to the scheme. unable to hold a full-time job, often Jimmy’s perseverance paid off, and Mr Yong was able to settle all his outstanding relying on part-time odd jobs that pay payments within 18 months. a meagre $150 per month to feed his family. Although his wife works as a “He was very diligent in submitting his bills and was always very apologetic sales assistant, the couple’s combined whenever he misplaced one. His determination to get out of debt made me want household income was hardly enough to journey with this family. for the family of five to make ends meet. “Mr Yong’s struggles remind me of those I experienced when I was younger. This Home is a one-room flat crammed with is why I persevere in walking with him even during this pandemic to see that the family’s belongings, with barely the family is well taken care of,”shared Jimmy, who also managed to provide the enough space to move about. Making family with dry rations and NTUC Fairprice vouchers to meet their daily needs. matters worse is the fact that Mr Yong’s eldest son is not Singaporean, and the Today, Mr Yong has begun saving. His eldest son was recently accepted into a school fees cost $1,000 every month. course at the Institute of Technical Education. With Jimmy’s help, Mr Yong was able to tap on his savings to pay for the school fees. With school fees and utilities bills mounting, and Mr Yong soon found Jimmy also stepped in when he realised that Mr Yong’s two younger children himself in debt. Left with no choice, were struggling in school. Today, the children are provided free tuition that helps he borrowed $7,000 from his personal them to do better in school. line of credit to pay off the items. When he could not make the repayments, he As a faithful Methodist, Jimmy gives thanks to God for being able to serve as a spiralled deeper into debt and despair. volunteer to the vulnerable in the community. A call from God to help the “When I was given this job, I wanted to do it well and do it right. I hope that more needy Methodists are able to rise up and reach out to the needy. As God calls us to care Mr Jimmy Chua, the Outreach and for one another in the Scriptures, I feel that giving our time, our voice and our Social Concerns (OSC) Chairperson of money to those in need is our act of worship unto God,” he shared. Hakka Methodist Church, is familiar with the MWS Family Development Programme (FDP), a debt clearance and savings matching initiative by |METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2021 21

Missions ¢ David Chan is the MMS Country Director of Timor-Leste and the Principal of St Paul Methodist School (Timor-Leste). / Photos courtesy of David Chan By His grace, grow in L.O.V.E. G rowing in love is expected of those who have experienced the grace of God in their life. The students of St Paul Methodist School (SPMS) have not been an exception, for the grace of God has abounded upon each of them in many ways, especially amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. As love should be shown not only with words but with actions and in truth (1 John 3:18), the school embarked on SPMS L.O.V.E. Projects 2020, in the hope of growing the students in Leadership, Obedience, Vision and Excellence. Growing in Leadership: Dignity Project SPMS’ Dignity Project was conducted in partnership with Liman Hamutuk, a rehabilitation centre for the disabled started by a Brazilian missionary Pastor Branca. The project saw the students planning and running three days of activities for participants who are wheelchair- bound, with Down’s Syndrome, are mute or have other disabilities. Choosing suitable activities to involve these individuals required the students to be sensitive to their needs and abilities. This is L.O.V.E.! To LEAD is to serve the needs of people. Growing in Obedience: Garden Project The Garden Project took the students to a farm about a 20-minute drive away from the school. Under the hot afternoon sun, the students were put to work on the farmland. For three days, they pulled out weeds, tilled the ground and planted kangkong seeds and dragon fruit seeds. The toughest job of all was erecting stone structures to grow the dragon fruit. Listening to and following the instructions of the four resident farmers in preparing the ground and not being able to enjoy the “fruit” of their labour taught the students to persevere in obedience in doing good to others. This is L.O.V.E.! To OBEY is to do good to others without expecting any return. |22 METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2021

Growing in Vision: Compassion Pack Project With donations from friends of SPMS, the school gave out 430 compassion packs of basic necessities, namely rice, oil, biscuits, milk, sugar, flour and noodles to needy families living in Hera (where SPMS is located) and in Lebutum (a mountain village in Metinaro). The students spent four days delivering the compassion packs to families identified by Pastor Branca as being in need of food security, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. As for the 20 families known to be very lonely due to lack of family support, the students not only delivered the packs but also spent time fellowshipping with them, praying for them and helping clean their homes. The visits to these families opened the students’ eyes to see what God sees and their hearts to feel what God feels. This is L.O.V.E.! To have VISION is have a heart of compassion for the world without vision. Growing in Excellence: Kitchen Project WhSLta.POttMpc.Vhs.SE:tl./hoPe/vrovteiijdepnecrytoosujo2refl0.cS2ctP0ofMimanSta/l An elderly couple living near the school has been cooking their meals in a dilapidated kitchen. They have no one to help and no means to have it repaired or rebuilt. Knowing about the couple’s plight, the older students took up the challenge to bless the couple with a new kitchen. Under the supervision of a local builder, they built the kitchen from scratch, starting with the foundation and finishing with a zinc roof. Within three days, not only did they manage to build the kitchen, they also painted the house and fixed a broken door for the couple. The project taught the students to give their best, even if it is only for one couple, for they are doing it for God. This is L.O.V.E.! To be EXCELLENT is to give your best to the least and the last. I covet your prayers for SPMS that by God’s grace, every student will Grow in L.O.V.E. and, in so doing, they will be a purpose-driven generation, committed to loving God passionately and to loving people practically so as to make a difference in Timor-Leste and beyond. |METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2021 23

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. Sacrificing well A s I reflect on the topic of sacrifice, especially in the On the other hand, there are times when people sacrifice context of family relationships, let me begin with a everything for other family members. While putting others simple definition. Sacrifice is giving up something to before self is usually perceived as good, I have also seen gain something else. What is sacrificed may be tangible, like individuals who put up with abusive spouses just to keep giving up your seat on the train for an elderly passenger. Or the family together. I have seen women sacrificing  their it could be intangible and the gain could be unpredictable, careers, friends, their parents and siblings, and even their such as giving up playing computer games in order to study personal identity on the altar of another’s demands and for upcoming tests in the hope of getting better grades. self-interests. Motives for a sacrifice can be varied and unclear to others, There are also parents who are overly indulgent and and sometimes even to the individual. There is also a placate their demanding children for fear of losing their related notion that the value of a sacrifice is greater if it is children’s goodwill, only to nurture individuals who are selfless than if it is for personal gain. Perhaps this is why never satisfied. Then there are those who dig deep into we are told not to let our left hand know what our right their savings repeatedly to bail out their siblings from one hand is doing (Matt 6:1–4). gambling debt to another. Such sacrifices, although starting out as well-intentioned, produce no good end. Sometimes, the sacrifice and its related costs is not being obvious to the person making it. For example, a professional We should, however, be thankful to God for His example pursuing success, who works long hours every day, may be of what it means to sacrifice well. God Himself paid the sacrificing opportunities to build close family relationships. ultimate sacrifice for the ultimate end—our salvation. He They may at times be aware of giving up personal interests knew the exact cost and was fully ready to pay the exact like meeting friends or golfing. But at other times, they may price. However, we will never be able to fully repay such be oblivious to the fact that that they are sacrificing time with a sacrifice. But we may, in following Him, be willing to their family or neglecting to look after their best interests. sacrifice for others’ sakes; to give without thought of our own gain. And to have the wisdom to give well—to give Not all sacrifices produce good effects for everyone. and not to hurt ourselves or others in the process. |24 METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2021

Hymns & Songs ¢ This is Amazing Justin Chan is a Programme Executive at Methodist School of Music, Grace Worship and Music department. As a reformed rock musician, he believes hymns and heavy metal can co-exist for the glory of God. This is Amazing Grace T he “Memories” feature of Facebook allows users to Who breaks the power of sin and darkness revisit posts from yesteryear. Some treasured memories Whose love is mighty and so much stronger get retriggered, allowing us to relive the associated The King of Glory the King above all kings significant moments. Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder This is somewhat like the liturgical calendar, which revisits And leaves us breathless in awe and wonder significant moments in salvation history. In the season of The King of Glory the King above all kings Easter, Jesus’ sacrifice—His death and resurrection—comes into focus. However, like our memory that gets hazy after a This is amazing grace while, the longer our Christian walk, the more we may take for This is unfailing love granted of the some finer details of what it meant for Jesus to That You would take my place be the sacrificial lamb of God. That You would bear my cross You laid down Your life This is where songs can help fill in those details to foster long- That I would be set free term “liturgical memory”. If we were to ask the questions “What Oh Jesus I sing for all that You’ve done for me did Jesus do on the cross? Why is His sacrifice important?” we can find some answers in Phil Wickham’s “This Is Amazing Grace”.  Who brings our chaos back into order Who makes the orphan a son and daughter What is particularly refreshing for a modern praise & worship The King of Glory the King of Glory song is that Wickham and his co-writers balance soteriological anthropocentricity (the narrative of God saving us by the blood Who rules the nations with truth and justice of Christ) by magnifying God’s power and majesty throughout Shines like the sun in all of its brilliance creation history. In the verses, the God in Genesis who created The King of Glory the King above all kings the stars, spoke the world into existence and brought order out of chaos is the same God who sought to make sons and Worthy is the Lamb who was slain daughters of the Kingdom through the incarnation of His son. Worthy is the King who conquered the grave The chorus then rallies us together to marvel in praise and wonder, “This is amazing grace!” Music and lyrics: Phil Wickham, 2012 The bridge then invites us to sing the song of the angels in © 2012 Phil Wickham Music, Seems Like Music, Revelation 5:11–12 (NIV), “Then I looked and heard the voice Sing My Songs, WC Music Corp., Bethel Music Publishing of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne |METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2021 25 and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!’” What an amazing future to behold!  In this one song, we have so much material to foster our long- term liturgical memory. We remember what our wonderful God has done in all phases of history: the past, present and future. May continue dwelling with deep introspection from our time in Lent to sing with wonder, as Wickham puts it, “Jesus, I sing for all that You’ve done for me.”

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). Unselfing F or many, the prominent biblical theme and practice We find, in the Old Testament, numerous accounts of of sacrifice first appeared in the Bible in Genesis 4, the sacrifices offered by God’s people, ranging from the which records the sacrifices of Cain and Abel. But, sacrifices of Noah (Gen 8:20) and Abraham (Gen 12:7– as some scholars have rightly pointed out, the earliest 8, 13; 4:18; 22:13) to the elaborate sacrificial system hints of sacrifice precede this account and is found in the described in Leviticus. These sacrifices culminate in the previous chapter where God provided Adam and Eve with ultimate sacrifice offered by the incarnate Son of God, coats of skin after the Fall (3:21). Jesus Christ, when he died for sinful humanity on the cross of Calvary. 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]

The New Testament (NT) also uses the language and Jesus demands this same self-surrender from those who metaphor of sacrifice to describe the Christian life. would follow him. “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Writing to the Christians in Rome, the apostle Paul exhorts For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever his readers to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matt 16:24–25). and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Rom 12:1). Christians are required to offer nothing less For the Christian, unselfing is part of that on-going process than their very lives to God in response to the unmerited called sanctification, the transformation actualised by grace of salvation they have received in Christ. the indwelling Spirit of God. It is a spiritual process that cannot be accomplished by our own efforts or strength. It is in this profound sense that the NT presents the Christian life as a sacrificial life. The Christian worships This is because fallen human beings are “curved in” God by offering everything that he or she is and does on themselves (homo incurvatus in se), to use an to him. This is made clear in Paul’s exhortation to the expression by Augustine. Because of our sinful nature, Colossian Christians: “And whatever you do, in word or we are hardwired to be instinctively self-serving. deed, do everything in the name of Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col 3:17). The fallen culture also exemplifies the incurvatus in se insofar as it promotes self-sovereignty as the greatest To be sure, in the Christian tradition, spiritual disciplines good, and champions self-determination and self- such as prayer and praise are often described as spiritual promotion at the expense of the welfare of others. sacrifices. Thus, for example, in Psalm 141:2, David uses the analogy of incense used in the sacrificial ritual of The Christian life travels in the opposite direction, from Israel to describe the prayer he offers to Yahweh. the “I” but outward towards the “Thou”. It is characterised by unselfing—by that self-forgetting and self-giving love The NT stresses all these spiritual activities must be called agape. undergirded by a life that is totally surrendered to God. The Christian always seeks to honour God and is The renown British philosopher and novelist Iris concerned for the wellbeing and good of his neighbour Murdoch has, in another context, coined a clumsy but (1 Cor 10:24). arresting word that helpfully describes this kind of self- abandonment: unselfing.1 Unselfing is a transformative process in which the Christian acknowledges that he is not the centre of the universe, and that he is created and redeemed in order to serve God and neighbour. The relentless first-person singular, the “I”, which has hitherto been so loud and demanding, now falls silent. Attention is now directed at the “Thou”. We see this self-surrender, this unselfing, very evidently in Jesus Christ, the example of self-forgetting obedience par excellence. In the Garden of Gethsemane, before his arrest and crucifixion, Jesus prayed: “Father, if thou art willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but thine be done” (Luke 22:42). 1 Iris Murdoch, The Sovereignty of the Good (London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1970). |METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2021 27

News ¢ Melody Lim a member of Wesley Methodist Church, where she serves in the Ministry of the Hearing Impaired, in the cradle roll ministry and as a small group leader. What does being a Methodist mean to you? A lthough I’m a first-generation Christian, when I was a child, my uncle told me many stories from the Bible, and my younger sister shared the songs she had learnt from her Christian kindergarten. By God’s grace, I dated a Methodist and joined him in his church’s youth ministry during our dating days. We got married, and now we have two daughters attending a Methodist school.  I feel that the Methodist blood has been within me always—I feel the spiritual closeness between fellow sisters and brothers in Christ, especially in times of need, when everyone rallies together to cover one another with prayer. I felt the call to serve in the Ministry of the Hearing Impaired to be God’s tool in reaching out to the hearing impaired to spread His Word. I volunteer in my girls’ school to the best of my ability because it’s indeed by His miracle that my girls are able to receive a Methodist education. God has shown me in so many ways how loving and giving He is even though I am unworthy. As a recipient of His everlasting love, how could I not go forth and serve Him with all that I have? Every time God is the centre of what I do, my heart is strangely warmed and filled with joy. Being a Methodist, to me, means being a part of His family. To God be the Glory, always and forever.

Looking Ahead ¢ Scan to see events online! APRIL RUNNING THE LAST LAP (TRAC SENIORS MINISTRY) 17 Apr 2021 (Saturday), 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Live online via ZOOM Register at https://tinyurl.com/5rvuakrd (ZOOM links will be sent later) [email protected] 9220-8954 (Priscilla Low) Discover how we can run the last lap of our lives on earth and how we can help our loved ones care for us with speakers Bishop Emeritus Dr Robert Solomon and Ms Chee Wai Yee. Talk 1 by Bishop Emeritus Robert Solomon Our earthly lives will one day come to an end. As we grow older, the runway is getting shorter and we often sense it. How then do. we prepare for the end? How do we run the last lap of our lives on earth? We are encouraged to keep our eyes on Jesus, and live with faith, hope and love. We can run the last lap, knowing that we will enter into a reality in Christ that is beyond our imagination. Talk 2 by Ms Chee Wai Yee We need a lot of support when we are living with an advance illness. Doctors are not the only people to care for us and make decisions for us. Advance care planning is the process of planning for your future health and personal care before you face any difficult medical situations. In this one-hour interactive talk, you will learn the different types of care for your future needs, how to select the right person to communicate with the healthcare team and take a further step in achieving peace of mind for you and your family members. Organised by TRAC Board of Seniors Ministry MAY—JUNE LIFE TRAINING: A SUICIDE PREVENTION WORKSHOP 25 May 2021 (Tuesday), 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. / 29 May 2021 (Saturday), 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. / 26 June 2021 (Saturday), 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. / 29 June 2021 (Tuesday), 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. via ZOOM Attendance is free. Registration is required. Register at https://www.bible.org.sg/life 6304-5286 (Joyder Ng) Calling out all church and ministry leaders, volunteers, befrienders and everyone who is keen on becoming a community carer to someone with suicide ideation. This is a four-hour workshop that helps participants identify potential suicide cases and introduces the basic principles of suicide identification and prevention via the LIFE Care Model (LIFE). Organised by Sower Institute for Biblical Discipleship APRIL HOW TO OVERCOME AND OUTLAST PORN (HOP) 13 Apr 2021 (Tuesday), 8 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. Via ZOOM Register at https://www.cru.org/sg/en/train-and-grow/courses-and-events /outlast-and-overcome-porn-apr21.html (ZOOM links will be sent later) Admission is free Feeling tossed around by your failures in your fight against porn? Feeling beaten and battered, on the verge of giving up hope of ever overcoming porn? Discouraged that you are always taking three steps forward and two steps back? Join Josh Lam to HOP (How to Overcome & Outlast Porn) out of porn and your addictions in this upcoming webinar on “Breaking the Addiction Code” as he interviews Alvin Cheong. Alvin will share with you the origins of your addictions, what makes you susceptible to them and ways to outsmart them.  Organised by Cru Singapore JULY D6 FAMILY CONFERENCE 2021 30 to 31 July 2021 (Friday and Saturday) Faith Methodist Church, 400 Commonwealth Drive, S(149604) d6family.sg (Registration opens Jan 2021) fb.com/d6familysg [email protected] 6304-5286 D6 is based on the principles of Deuteronomy 6 and it urges the church and home to work together to implement generational discipleship within the churches, homes and families. The objective of D6 Conference is for the attendees to understand how they can best apply the principles of Deuteronomy 6 in their lives in order to pass on a spiritual legacy for future generations. The D6 Conference 2021 is a place where parents, pastors, church and ministry leaders can look to be equipped with practical next steps and strategies in discipling the next generation. Organised by Sower Institute for Biblical Discipleship

THINK ¢ Dennis Tan firmly believes that the Church can do more to care for creation. He one of the founders of Creation Care SG, an initiative that aims to equip fellow believers to care for creation by transforming their lives and churches. He worships at Sengkang MC. Loving God by having less “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to Jesus started that work on the cross through a sacrifice—are dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all we willing to make those sacrifices for His ministry too? Being a responsible steward of God’s resources requires us things, whether on earth or in heaven, making to give up many things that we are accustomed to. For peace by the blood of his cross.” instance, John Wesley tells us in his sermon on the use of (Col 1:19-20) money that we are to “save all we can” and reject indulgent lifestyles. Caring for creation also involves consuming T he story of Lent and the need for creation care are less—food, clothing, materials—to reduce our impact on the intricately intertwined. When God first created the environment. By doing so, we minimise the clutter in our world, He entrusted Adam and Eve with the stewardship lives distracting us from God, and we can also give more to of creation and to rule over the multitudes (Gen 2:15). Just God’s ministry. as they were created in God’s image, they were to rule as our King rules over all: justly, joyfully, compassionately and, Believe me when I say that I don’t find it easy to make most importantly, lovingly. these choices. Every day, I struggle with giving up the little conveniences—washing one less cup by using disposables, However, with the Fall came the breaking of our relationships enjoying the car instead of public transport, not having to both with God and the rest of creation. Our stewardship over look silly balancing my groceries in my hands when I forget creation has become a dictatorship. Humans have significantly my reusable bag. But at those moments, I remember that damaged God’s earth, abandoning His will for us to care for it. when the devil offered Jesus a shortcut to the kingdoms of And what is sin, if not going against God’s will? the world, He didn’t take it (Matt 4:8–10). The Christian life is not straightforward. The road to Calvary was certainly not Yet, just as we praise Jesus for His sacrifice that cleansed our convenient. sins and restored our relationship with God, so too should we praise Him for reconciling to Himself all things on earth and And I think we can all rejoice that Jesus did not take the easy in heaven (Col 1:20). As we remember Jesus’ sacrifice this road. Instead, He made the ultimate sacrifice for the world Lent, we remember His sacrifice for the whole of creation. that He loves. When we make these sacrifices in our lives When we start to right our relationship with the rest of God’s to restore our relationship with the rest of creation, let us creation, we are advancing Jesus’ ministry of reconciliation. remember who we do it for: our loving Creator. |30 METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2021