Methodist Message Feb 2021

ISSN 0129-6868 MCI (P) 027/11/2020 THE METHODIST CHURCH IN SINGAPORE Vol 123 No 2 FEBRUARY 2021 WITH GENTLENESS AND RESPECT

Church life 3 Contents Methodists in the world 21 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 One MCS—A very special Christmas with ETAC 4 One MCS—CAC Highlights 6 MCS 135—Youth Matters! 8 News—A cosy celebration with the CCIS Family 10 News—PLMC Christmas outreach 11 News—GC WSCS Thanksgiving Service 12 News—A new chapter for Methodist preschools 15 Home—Rachel Teo 18 Home—Chen Su Lan Methodist Children’s Home 21 Missions 22 Welfare Services 24 You & Your Family 25 Hymns & Songs 26 Soundings 27 TRAC Bible Matters 32 News 33 Looking Ahead 34 THINK EDITORIAL BOARD The official monthly publication of The Methodist Church in Singapore. Published material does not necessarily reflect the official view of The Methodist Church. Adviser and Publisher All Scripture quoted is based on the English Standard Version unless otherwise stated. Dr Anthony Goh Chairperson 70 Barker Road #06-04 Singapore 309936 Council on Communications 6478-4793 | 6478-4763 message.methodist.org.sg | www.methodist.org.sg Editor [email protected] Sheri Goh fb.com/Methodist.SG @methodist.sg Sub-editor Tan Chiu Ai Design & Production by Londonbob Design — Printed by Adred Creation Print Pte Ltd Have something to say or share? Email us at [email protected] Communications Executive Jason Woo Proofreader Tan Sheng Ling

BISHOP’S MESSAGE Bishop Dr 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. Love God by loving our neighbour “How could the apostle Paul write shall not covet,” and whatever other “So if we were to try to pick one that?” I was once asked by a diligent command there may be, are summed command of all the many different young Christian. up in this one command: “Love your commands that are in God’s Word to neighbour as yourself”.’ (Rom 13:9 function like a summary of all the “Write what?” I asked. NIV) How does this not contradict commandments of God, which would what Jesus said about love for God we pick?” “How could Paul write that ‘the entire being the greatest commandment of law is fulfilled in keeping this one all the other commandments?” “Well, Gordon, I wouldn’t want to pick command: “Love your neighbour as and choose. I would say that all God’s yourself”’?” (Gal 5:14 NIV) “Let me try to explain. Jesus did not only commands are equally important.” say that the greatest commandment “What about that concerns you?” is to love the Lord our God. In the “That sounds like a reasonable answer, very next verse, he went on to say but it isn’t the answer that Jesus “Well, surely if Paul wanted to that there is a second commandment gave. Jesus was prepared to pick one summarise the entire biblical Law, that is just like the first: Love your commandment as being the best way he would have used the summary neighbour as yourself. (Matt 22:39) In of showing that we love the Lord our which Jesus gave: the greatest other words, both commands function God with all our heart. He didn’t pick commandment is to love the Lord your equally well as the best summary of ‘Remember the sabbath day’, or ‘Pray God with all your heart, soul, mind all the laws in the Bible. at all times’ as the best summary of and strength.” (Matt 22:37–38) all God’s commands. Jesus picked “Two different but equally good ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’.” “I see. You are concerned that Paul summaries of the same thing?” appears to be in contradiction with “So Paul is not actually in contradiction what the Lord Jesus taught. But there “Yes. Or let’s try to approach this from with Jesus?” is no contradiction.” another angle. Ask yourself: how does one obey the greatest commandment “Absolutely not. Paul is in perfect “There isn’t? But Jesus says clearly which is to love God with all of our harmony with what his Lord Jesus that the greatest commandment of all heart, soul and strength? taught. And it isn’t just Paul who the commandments in the Bible is to understood Jesus correctly. James love the Lord our God. And Paul says, “Hmm… I suppose we could say we describes the law ‘Love your neighbour just as clearly, that the entire Law love God with all our heart by obeying as yourself’ as ‘the royal law’. It is the can be summed up in the command all his commands.” king of all laws! (James 2:8)” to love your neighbour as yourself. In fact, Paul says the same thing “An excellent answer. And there are “Thank you, Gordon. Perhaps then we again when writing to the Romans: many, many commands in the Bible, could summarise what Jesus said is ‘The commandments, “You shall not are there not?” the greatest commandment of all in commit adultery,” “You shall not the phrase ‘love God by loving our murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You “Yes, there are!” neighbour’.” |METHODIST MESSAGE — FEBRUARY 2021 1

Coming Up TRAC SENIORS MINISTRY PRAYER SERVICE THE AUTHORITY IN THE NAME OF JESUS TRAC SENIORS MINISTRY DVD AND BIBLE STUDY THE ME I WANT TO BE |2 METHODIST MESSAGE — FEBRUARY 2021

News ¢ Wilson Sampath is Chairman of the ETAC Board of Social Concerns. / Photos courtesy of ETAC (from left to right) Christmas meals in bento boxes The migrant workers taking part in team building Christmas- themed games A very special Christmas C hristmas 2020 was a very special one for the The dormitory residents have had a difficult time this year Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference (ETAC) Board of with the COVID-19 lockdown and movement restrictions. Social Concerns and some of the migrant workers After the event, the dormitory management told the who live in dormitories. Bro Solomon (Singapore Telugu organising committee that they were very touched to see Methodist Church [MC]), Bro Barnabas (Tamil MC [Short their residents laughing and having fun together. They Street]) and Bro Satish Abraham (Ang Mo Kio Tamil MC) were grateful to the organising committee and volunteers co-ordinated the outreach programme to bring Christmas for all their hard work, as were the migrant workers. to migrant workers in six dormitories. We thank the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) for giving us this Volunteers from ETAC brought the Christmas celebration to opportunity to share Christmas with those among us who 1,500 migrant workers. They distributed 1,600 bento boxes, might be overlooked and marginalised, while contributing snacks and goodie bags. They shared the Christmas story much to our nation building. We also thank Holy Covenant and played some games together. The migrant workers MC, as well as Sister Janice, for their donations. also had fun in groups of five using craft materials such as construction paper, scissors and scotch tape to make Finally, we want to thank God for His guidance throughout Christmas trees as part of team building activities. The this programme, and for all our volunteers from Tamil MC intention behind the outreach to bring the meaning of (Short Street), Pasir Panjang Tamil MC, Seletar Tamil MC Christmas to the migrant workers, and to get to know them and Ang Mo Kio Tamil MC. in a relaxed and casual setting. (from left to right) Even during Christmas celebrations, social distancing is observed for the safety of the migrant workers The migrant workers taking part in team building Christmas- themed games |METHODIST MESSAGE — FEBRUARY 2021 3

One MCS ¢ CAC Highlights The Rev Nathanael Goh Jun Chuen serves as Assistant Pastor at Sengkang Methodist Church / Photo of the Rev Goh courtesy of the Chinese Annual Conference Celebrating Chinese New Year as a Christian The Rev Nathanael Goh C hinese New Year (CNY), also known as the Lunar New for the flourishing of each individual member and for each Year or the Spring Festival, is the most important of discrete family unit. The strength of the family lies in its the traditional Chinese holidays. The date of Chinese ability to bind the family through good and bad times. Our New Year is determined by the Chinese calendar, based on celebrations this year will be muted by not being able to a combination of lunar and solar movements. This is why welcome more than eight visitors a day to our homes at a CNY falls on a different date each year. This year, it falls time due to COVID-19 government restrictions. on 12 Feb 2021. It starts on the first day of the new year containing a new moon and ends on the Lantern Festival Yet, just as each celebration of Holy Communion is a fourteen days later. picture of God’s final banquet where a whole assortment of seekers, sinners and disciples can gather to eat and be Chinese New Year’s Eve and Chinese New Year’s Day with Jesus forever, so too can our smaller Chinese New are celebrated as a family affair, a time of reunion and Year celebrations be joyful symbols of our larger unity. thanksgiving. The celebration was traditionally highlighted with a religious ceremony given in honour of Heaven and Spring cleaning Earth, the gods of the household and the family ancestors. However, Christians can also rightly identify with many of The annual spring-cleaning can also serve as a time the themes of the CNY celebration and honour God! for spiritual stocktaking. Where are we going? Is there anything in our lives that needs cleansing? With regards The family to the kingdom of God, are our hearts ready to meet the New Year? We should approach the New Year with a quiet The Chinese New Year celebrations typically include the humility based on Christ’s atonement and justifying grace extended family. The extended family provides the basis (Rom 3:23–26). |4 METHODIST MESSAGE — FEBRUARY 2021

New clothes CHINESE NEW YEAR As we begin to shop for new clothes for the Lunar New PRAYER Year, we thank God for His abundant provision. The move from the end of one year to the beginning of a new one— Almighty God, you are Sovereign over especially after an unprecedented year like 2020—should history and time. As we mark the call to mind the profound exchange where God takes up celebrations for Chinese New Year, we are all our pain and suffering into Himself and bestows on us still mindful of the great global trial of “a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead COVID-19. Yet there is much to be grateful of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of for. We thank You for our families; for despair” (Isa 61:3 NIV). physical and spiritual ancestors; for blessings of warm hospitality; for the Feasting providence of the abundant fruit of creation; for seeing us through this At festive times we generally eat too much. Even as you season of our common distress. are feasting, contemplate on the following: In one hand we grasp the burden of this a) Spare a thought for your own body: it is the temple of world, yet with the other we reach for the Holy Spirit (1 Col 6:19). Enjoy the good gifts of God’s the hope of this world’s redemption. creation, but do so while remembering that our bodies also As we celebrate Chinese New Year, belong to God! therefore, let our hearts be surprised by, shaped by, warmed by and remade by the b) Spare a thought too, for the poor and needy, the down same joy that forever dwells within and and out, those with broken families, or no families. Can we radiates from You, O God. In the name of be witnesses to the life-changing Gospel through sharing our Christ, the King of the Ages, Amen. our festive joy with them? |METHODIST MESSAGE — FEBRUARY 2021 5 Ang pows The giving of ang pows is bi-directional: we give downwards to those under us, and we give upwards to the senior members of our family. Similarly, it may be a good time to appreciate our superiors or subordinates in every station of our lives. And, most importantly, what about our God? Instead of simply expecting His blessings, how can we honour our Heavenly Father? Ancestors Ancestral worship is prominent in ancient Chinese traditions. As Christians, we worship God, not our ancestors. But the bible also repeatedly reveres the patriarchs of old. In Hebrew 11, Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and others are listed as a great cloud of witnesses to the running of our race. It is good to remember our forebears: respect them for what they have done for us. Chinese New Year is as good a time as any. We thank God for those who came before us, for without them, we would not have been born, nor would we be where we are today. We also thank God for our spiritual ancestors: our spiritual parents and mentors. Think of our Sunday school teachers, pastors, missionaries and faithful servants in Methodist history like John and Charles Wesley, William Oldham, James Thoburn and Sophia Blackmore. Let us give thanks to God for our rich heritage this Chinese New Year!

News ¢ MCS 135 The Rev Benjamin Lau has a heart for Discipleship & Evangelism and a passion for mentoring the younger generation. He currently serves on the TRAC Board of Youth Ministry. Formerly the pastor overseeing the Youth Ministry at Christ Methodist Church from 2018–20, he started his new appointment at Wesley Methodist Church in Jan 2021 and is the pastor overseeing the Children Ministry and BeTweens Ministry (11–14 year olds). Speakers and participants Youth matters! As part of the MCS 135 celebrations, the MCS Youth Conference Committee organised an online “Youth Matters” forum on 10 Dec 2020. The Rev Bernard Chao, a lecturer at Trinity Theological College who teaches a “Rethinking Youth Ministry” course to youth workers, moderated the forum together with a panel comprising Pastor Ian Wong, a youth pastor from Kum Yan Methodist Church (MC), Bernice Toh, a youth leader from Paya Lebar MC, and Samuel Wan, a youth from Christ MC. T he panel had an engaging and authentic dialogue 2. Friendship: Making genuine connections with people with youth practitioners and youths from different within the church. Methodist churches in Singapore. Four key questions were brought up for discussion. 3. Feeding: Growing deeper roots by being taught and learning something. Have we prioritised programmes over people? A research paper titled “Youth Ministries Realities in 4. Fruitfulness: Where the learning produces fruit. Singapore” highlights that many ministries are strong in A season of growth where you see a change in the organising large-scale events and programmes. However, person’s character. this strength could also be a weakness, especially when programmes take priority over relationships, resulting in 5. Faith: The place of surrender. You become a disciple people getting lost along the way.1 of Jesus Christ when He tells you to do something and you actually do it. Pastor Ian shared five steps to describe the journey he hopes to see in a person coming into youth ministry. Events are important for bringing a youth into the church 1. Fun: The excitement that someone feels when they but it is hard for anyone to get to the fifth step without first building genuine personal relationships. What matters first get drawn in. to the youths are authentic relationships and not just the programmes per se. 1 Dr Calvin Chong, “Youth Ministries Realities in Singapore: Insights and Wisdom from the Ground” (April 2016), |6 METHODIST MESSAGE — FEBRUARY 2021

Have our pet ideas of church and youth ministry There is a saying, “It takes a village to raise a child”. been disrupted? Likewise, a church is like a “kampung”, a kampung The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted our ideas of what Youth comprised of different generations. Whatever our stage of Ministry has become today. Bernice shared her challenges life, we all need to do our part in laying the foundation for in keeping up with her youths without the weekly face-to- the next generation. face interactions in church. However, this inspired her and her team to do ministry differently. For example, coming up We are stewards of the spiritual treasure God has given with creative online initiatives like worship music videos for us. It is our responsibility to guard this deposit and then youths so that they can worship in their own homes as well invest it in the lives of others. Imagine a Church where as an online dialogue with a missions worker for the young the seniors are investing in the adults, the adults are people to hear and see what is going on in the field. mentoring the young adults, the young adults are leading the youths and the youths are being big brothers or sisters Sam shared: “For me and my friends, the Circuit Breaker to the younger children. Imagine if every single one of was one of the best things that has happened to us. We us reading this article embraces that mandate to be a had almost nightly Zoom calls to worship and pray.” These disciple-maker. Imagine the impact we can make in God’s sessions were what have become the “School Houses of Kingdom in the world today! Prayer” (S.H.O.P.), a weekly meeting connecting prayer groups across different schools to pray, worship and fellowship together online. Who is missing from our churches? The Rev Bernard challenged the group to consider the following questions: “Who is under-represented? Who is not even there? Are we like a club, or are we engaged and connected to our communities?” Sam shared his observation that one of the reasons visitors find it hard to assimilate into a church is because of cliques that have formed within. Personally, this is an issue that we need to be aware of. As much as we want a tightly-knit youth ministry, we always need to be Kingdom-minded and not just look inwardly as a ‘holy huddle’. We need to look out and beyond just our close group of friends and befriend others, especially those who may not seem to fit in with the community. The reason people come may not be the reason they stay. People may be attracted to a programme but what makes them stay is when they are connected to a genuine life community. In fact, “we do not want them to just stay but we want them to change”, PS Ian concludes. What are you waiting for? The Online Youth Matters forum The Rev Bernard closed the session by challenging the held over Zoom on 10 Dec 2020 participants to ponder their personal ownership of the Kingdom and the Church. One of my personal convictions as a pastor is there are many things that we can outsource to different task forces and committees, but we cannot outsource discipleship. We can plan all the programmes for our youths but miss the main point if we are not modelling discipleship. As a matter of fact, discipleship should involve the entire church. |METHODIST MESSAGE — FEBRUARY 2021 7

News ¢ By the Rev Egmedio Equila, BRMC Filipino Ministry Pastor; Chung Chee Kit, BRMC Mandarin Ministry Chairperson; Bernice Lim, BRMC Creative Arts Ministry Chairperson; and Yvonne Foo, Coordinator, TeamBRMC @ CCIS / Photos courtesy of TeamBRMC @ CCIS Our Filipino tambourine dancers The CAM dancers used the filmed at Wesley Park outside powerful tools of flags in their the BRMC Sanctuary proclamation dance Home for Christmas A cosy celebration with the CCIS Family I n 2006, the Rev Oh Beng Khee, one of the founders of Celebrate Christmas in Singapore (CCIS), invited Mrs Irene Tan GP, then Barker Road Methodist Church (BRMC) Lay Leader and Chairperson of Creative Arts Ministry (CAM), to partner CCIS in their Christmas outreach at Orchard Road. Believing in CCIS’ vision and mission, Irene promptly coordinated a team of dancers to perform at CCIS that year. In the 13 years since then, CAM has coordinated a TeamBRMC to participate in almost every CCIS. (We took a break in 2009 for our evangelistic Christmas concert, and in 2011 for BRMC’s 55th anniversary concert and Global Day of Prayer.) We have witnessed several prodigal sons and daughters from the audience telling us they were touched by our performances and wanted to return to God and the Church. Some church friends had also thanked us for bringing love, joy, peace and hope to their pre-believer family members who watched our CCIS performances at designated stages along Orchard Road. Through the years, CAM has collaborated with our Filipino, Glowing Years and Mandarin Ministries, as well as Sunday School youths and young adults, to present TeamBRMC’s Christmas offerings in songs, skits and dances. Our CAM dancers also supported Canadian singer Sheila Ann Smith when she sang at CCIS at the Wisma Atria stage. Our ministry leaders have shared the heartfelt enthusiasm of their members who looked forward to participating in CCIS performances every year. The many weeks of practices helped to bring their members closer together, build joyous community and renew their commitment to God. |8 METHODIST MESSAGE — FEBRUARY 2021

Our Filipino Liturgical dancers Our Filipino Choir Chung Chee Kit’s Nativity painting This year, we were pleasantly surprised to be invited by Moneena, our Filipino pastors, Ps Jun and Ps Hannah, and Kelvin Tan, CCIS Programmes Chair, to participate in CCIS’ our friends, Victor and Peter. Fellow Methodists Kelvin Tan, first virtual Christmas performance. Themed “Home for CCIS Programmes Chairperson, and Victor Ng, CCIS Logistics Christmas”, it was to be streamed on social media on 21 Chairperson, provided invaluable help and guidance. Dec 2020. While mindful we would face some challenges in our first virtual performance due to COVID-19 restrictions, Performances included a testimony skit and song by our our leaders in CAM, Filipino and Mandarin Ministries gave Mandarin Ministry team and artwork of the Nativity scene their thumbs-up for their teams’ participation. by Chung Chee Kit; our talented Filipino Choir’s rendition of an original Tagalog song, “Maligayang Pasko” (Merry We had to adopt new ways of performing this year. For Christmas) by Arnel de Pano; an upbeat dance by our example, we had to split our choir members and dancers Filipino Tambourine dancers, “Hope Was Born This Night” into groups with a maximum of five members. Practices by Sidewalk Prophets; and another dance, this time by our were held in homes, squash courts and parks. We used to graceful Filipino Liturgical dancers, “The Christmas Hope”. perform on our preferred stages along Orchard Road; this The Creative Arts Ministry (CAM) dancers joyfully proclaimed time, we filmed videos of our performances at our homes or the good news of the newborn King, Jesus, in “Hark The at the BRMC/ACS campus. We also ensured that our filming Herald Angels Sing”. Two CAM ladies, Suyin and Michelle, and audio recording were in compliant with IMDA guidelines. danced powerfully yet gracefully to the song “Messiah”, Even though the days on which we filmed were super hot, and asked the audience to consider inviting a very special we thank God that captured on video were the joyful faces guest—Jesus Christ, our Messiah—to their Christmas meal. of our dancers, instead of their profuse sweating! CCIS 2020 was a new way for us to serve the Lord. As Chee We give special thanks to our dedicated Filipino Choir Kit shared, “We were reminded that, where the heart is Director, Faith Loscos, who spent much time on her Sundays willing, God will find a way to bring forth His message, off to train her choir members in four separate groups. pandemic or not.” We also thank all who assisted us in audio recording and video filming: BRMC AV staff Hillary, church members Watch “A Christmas Performance”, organised by CCIS, at Yew Meng, Eden, Yvonne, Siang Ngee, John, Koon Siong, https://youtu.be/eU02kob7qXU Celebrate Christmas in Singapore (CCIS) is a registered charity and Associate Member of the National Council of Churches, Singapore. It was birthed in 2004 when a handful of Christian pastors and leaders wanted to bring the message of the peace, hope and joy of Christmas back into an otherwise heavily commercialised festive occasion. Believing that many may have lost sight of the true meaning of Christmas, this annual event, that became a hallmark at Orchard Road at Christmas time, aims to rally the Christian community in Singapore to reach out and bless the community with the message of love. |METHODIST MESSAGE — FEBRUARY 2021 9

News ¢ Amy Cheong is the Director for Corporate Communications at Paya Lebar Methodist Church. / Photos courtesy of PLMC It is more blessed to give than to receive! Preparing gifts for the residents in the neighbourhood around PLMC Christmas at your doorstep Some of the beautiful results F rom 16 to 20 Dec 2020, worshippers from Paya Lebar of PLMC’s Methodist Church (PLMC) visited more than 1,700 volunteers’ hard families, bringing gifts of love, joy and hope. Unlike work the Christmas Carnivals we organised in previous years, the COVID-19 pandemic gave us the opportunity to think outside the box; instead of the residents living in the neighbourhood around the church coming to our carnival, we brought Christmas to them, living out the 2020 theme of “Christmas at Your Doorstep”. From early November right through to December, groups would meet, with all safety measures adhered to, to assemble, sort and pack the gifts. More importantly, they prayed for these beloved of Christ whom we would be meeting. One of the gifts were plastic balloons with LED lights. Each balloon had to be stretched manually, and after hundreds of balloons, the volunteers ended up with bruised and blistered hands. Yet they testified that these wounds were nothing compared with what Jesus suffered for us, and they felt blessed to be part of “A Family Blessed to Bless the Community and the Nations”, which is PLMC’s Mission and Vision. There were countless stories of the joy and fulfilment felt by the volunteers as they sought to bring Christ’s love to our neighbours, and it clearly brought home Jesus’ point that it is more blessed to give than to receive! |10 METHODIST MESSAGE — FEBRUARY 2021

News ¢ Mary Ann Chua is the Secretary of GC WSCS. / Photos courtesy of GC WSCS The Pentecost MC WSCS ladies Bishop Dr Gordon Wong Mrs Kalaimathi Nagulan performing “Nandri Yesuvea” GC WSCS Thanksgiving Service “Wives, submit to your husbands, as for the quadrennium 2020–24, “Divine 2020 was not an easy year for most, is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love Order in God’s Family”. but we are reminded to give thanks in your wives and do not be harsh with everything and in all circumstances. them. Children, obey your parents in The passage from Colossians was read The testimonies of Ms Ong Tham Kwee everything, for this pleases the Lord. by Mrs Daisy Ling in Mandarin, Mrs on God’s provision and Mrs Doris Wong Fathers [Parents], do not embitter Kalaimathi Nagulan in Tamil and Ms on God’s faithfulness encouraged all your children, or they will become Neo Lay Tin in English. At the start to truly rely on the Lord who listens discouraged.” (Col 3:18–21 NIV) of the service, GC WSCS President Dr and works all things for the good of (Mrs) Teo Li Bee warmly welcomed His children. Mrs Nagulan’s song, These were Paul’s instructions for Bishop Dr Wong, the Rev Dr Gregory “Nandri Yesuvea” (Thank You, Jesus), Christian households and was the Goh (President of the Chinese Annual filled our hearts with gratitude for Scripture that Bishop Dr Gordon Conference), the Rev Philip Abraham God’s goodness in the past year and Wong referenced in his message on (President of the Emmanuel Tamil with hope for 2021. to some 250 women who attended Annual Conference) and overseas the General Conference of Women’s guests, namely the Rev Dr Heasun Kim Indeed, the closing hymn by Pentecost Society for Christian Service’s (GC (Korea), the Rev Hikari Chang (Japan), MC’s WSCS ladies expressed what WSCS) Thanksgiving Service, held Mrs Ngui-Ting Sing Hong (Hong Kong) was in the hearts of all—“Count Your online via Zoom on 9 Jan 2020. These and Ms Evelyn Sim (Malaysia). All Blessings”! We are also grateful to Mrs “family rules” ushered in the theme brought greetings to the body. Angela Tan for being the translator. |METHODIST MESSAGE — FEBRUARY 2021 11 Some of the attendees of the GC WSCS Thanksgiving Service on 9 Jan 2020

News ¢ Dr Michael Lim is the General Manager of Methodist Preschool Service Pte Ltd (MPSPL) / Photos courtesy of MPSPL Let the little children come A new chapter for Methodist preschools M ethodist Preschool Service Pte Ltd (MPSPL) held (from left to right) The Rev Khoo Kay Huat (PIC of Bedok MC), its first Thanksgiving and Dedication Service on Bishop Dr Gordon Wong, Patsy Wee (Principal) and Joseph Lee 28 Dec 2020 at Bedok Methodist Church (MC). (Vice Chair of Bedok MC Kindergarten Management Committee) The service was live-streamed to the other four centres at Faith MC, Foochow MC, Sengkang MC and Toa Payoh MC. These five Methodist kindergartens are the first batch to come under the umbrella of MPSPL. A plaque was unveiled at each centre by the respective Pastor-in- charge and witnessed by a MPSPL board member. We thank the Lord for bringing us from the germination of the idea, more than two years ago, to bring Methodist preschools under a central organisation, through the many discussions among various committees and councils, and culminating in the approval by the General Conference Executive Council (GCEC) of The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) on July 30 last year as well as the allocation of seed money for MPSPL’s formation. “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

On 4 Sep 2020, approval from the Agency (ECDA) for the transfer of on why we are doing all these—so Accounting and Corporate Regulatory licences from the local churches to that little children can continue to Authority (ACRA) was obtained. We MPSPL, was received on the morning come to Him. He encouraged us to were confronted by a long list of of 31 Dec 2020. find joy in knowing that our work is things to be done within an extremely very significant in the eyes of Jesus tight timeline to meet the target The Rev Niam Lai Huey (left, PIC of SKMC) for as we provide an environment date of 1 Jan 2021 for the Transfer and Dr Moo Swee Ngoh (MPSPL Director) where little ones can experience the of Licence. The administrative tasks loving welcome of God, we welcome included gaining approval from each The Lord smoothed the rocky path, and honour the Lord Christ Himself. local church LCEC, applying for the and we were blessed along the way The work of loving and shaping pre- Transfer of Licence, and working out by so many people—from individuals schoolers in His likeness is tough and the terms of the agreements with giving of their time and expertise tiring work requiring much patience the five churches for the transfer and to guide us to those who facilitated and perseverance, but Jesus would the subsequent lease of premises for the many processes required before say that such work is among the the next few years. ECDA could approve the transfer. greatest service, even if the status Many who were involved as part of and material rewards do not reflect Bishop Dr Wong (left) and Henry Tan, their jobs went out of their way to its importance. Chairperson of MPSPL help prod us and facilitate efforts that had to run concurrently. We have also learned that our job is In addition, there were meetings simply to trust and obey. Along the with the kindergarten staff to win The Rev Ling Tien Ngung (left, PIC of way, the Lord will send helpers to them over to join MPSPL, as well as TPCMC) and the Rev Reuben Ng (PIC bring us forward. The significance virtual meetings with the parents of of TPMC) of obtaining final approval only on the children registered for 2021 to We are thankful that we are not the last day of 2020 was not lost persuade them to stay on by sharing alone in this venture to help bring on us. It has taught us to continue with them what their children would the little children to our Lord. The to rely on Him and His strength, enjoy under MPSPL, including the local churches know that this local especially when things get tough new four-hour curriculum. ministry is important, perhaps as and the obstacles seem impossible much as their overseas mission to surmount. As one pastor shared in Supervised by their principals, the ministry. Here is the opportunity to a New Year’s day sermon, we should teachers worked hard to prepare to sow into the lives of little children as “Look Up” to God, and see the Lord in implement the revised curriculum. well as to reach out to non-Christian action; “Look Out” for others around Renovation work proceeded to give families and homes, to which they us; and “Look Inwards” to see our the preschools’ premises a refreshed might otherwise not have access. inner selves are right with God. It is look and feel. Not only were HDB and a poignant reminder that we need to URA clearances required because of Bishop Dr Gordon Wong’s exhortation continue to depend on Him. For this, the unique situation of some of the during the 28 Dec Thanksgiving and we humbly covet your prayers and kindergartens, numerous operating Dedication Service was especially help in whatever form. contracts also had to be transferred meaningful as it helped us focus to MPSPL so that operations could With all the blessings experienced begin safely and smoothly from 1 along this journey with a seemingly Jan 2021. The final approval, from impossible deadline, the Lord showed the Early Childhood Development that with Him, nothing is impossible. (left to right) Lim Boon Chuan (LCEC Chair), Liaw Chun Huan (MPSPL Director), the Rev Raymond Fong (PIC of Faith MC), Veronica Low (Faith Preschool Accounts Executive) and Tan Chow Boon (Faith Kindy Chair) |METHODIST MESSAGE — FEBRUARY 2021 13

2021 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 ¢ Gracia Lee is a writer at Salt&Light, an independent, non-profit Christian news and devotional website with a passion for kingdom unity, and a vision of inspiring faith to arise in the marketplace. / Photos courtesy of Rachel Teo God made sure I lacked no good thing Still, her recovery was not an easy one. With her body wrecked by the accident, it was impossible for her to even do simple tasks like walking, writing and dressing herself. She dropped out of university to focus on recuperating and spent a full year going in and out of the hospital for a variety of consultations and surgeries. As a result of her brain injury, she also struggled to control her own body. For example, she would sometimes suddenly burst out laughing or crying for no reason. These difficulties were compounded by the emotional pain of watching her friends moving on with “normal” life without her. Rachel Teo her life irrevocably altered after meeting with a Rachel (right, horrific accident in 2011. But God was at work putting new in white) was purpose into her future excelling in her first semester of T he last thing Rachel Teo remembered was making her university before way to meet a friend. Then everything went black. the accident happened When she opened her eyes, the 21-year-old found herself in an unfamiliar room, with her body in casts and “Imagine at the age of 21, all my friends are back in bandages. This is a hospital, she was told. You’ve been in school, going out, dating, feeling happy, and what am a coma for two months. I doing? My days are busy with being in the hospital meeting my neurosurgeon, my orthopaedic, going for She had been hit by a van while crossing the road. Her surgeries,” she said. arms, legs and ribs were broken. Her jaw was crushed. A long scar—from a brain surgery done while she was in a coma—ran across her shaven head. She also struggled to think straight. Later, she was told Keeping the faith that she had suffered a severe traumatic brain injury that would be permanent. Choking up with emotion, Teo remembered asking God: “Why didn’t you just let me die?” Then a first-year psychology student who had just received While others were singing praises during worship, she gleaming results for her first semester, Teo found her life recalled hurling vulgarities at the God she had come to now irrevocably altered. know in her days at Hwa Chong Institution. “Why did you let this happen? You are God Almighty. Why didn’t “I lost many things because of the accident,” said Teo, now you stop the van? I just want to be a simple person and 31. Without missing a beat she added: “But God always go through a normal life. Why did you let me go through made sure I lacked no good thing (Ps 34:10).” all this?” she railed. |METHODIST MESSAGE — FEBRUARY 2021 15

God made sure I lacked no good thing “In my heart—I don’t even dare to say this—but I hated God. Though she was not earning as much as her contemporaries, I questioned God. I was angry with God,” she confessed. “it was always sufficient”, she said. “But I needed God.” Furthermore, her colleagues were understanding of her He was the only one that she felt could understand what condition and took great care of her, she added. she was going through. She knew that He was listening to her cries (Ps 66:19). She believed He is a wonderful “God knew that I needed to be in a very welcoming, loving counsellor (Isa 9:6) who can fully empathise with her pain. and supportive community because I couldn’t process emotions or read people like a normal person, and I didn’t So while she railed at Him, she also knew this: “I’m His understand how to behave in situations,” she said. daughter. I need to hold His hand.” Teo also found that God cared even about her tiniest Being a children’s ministry staff desires, like travelling again and attending a fancy D&D at CCMC was a dream come like her friends in corporate jobs. true for Teo, who had always wanted to work in a church Experiencing God’s care Rachel (third from right) yearned to travel again after her accident, and her prayers were answered after she went on a And so she did, even as she went back to university and company retreat to Vietnam failed her first semester back—twice. She eventually dropped out of university and took up a diploma in child psychology instead. Though she was resigned to the fact that her life would At CCMC, she got an opportunity to go to Vietnam for a no longer look like that of her friends, watching them company retreat. And in her next job at a social service graduate with their degrees was particularly painful. organisation, she was given the chance to organise and attend a charity gala dinner. During that period she got off social media and spent her days blasting praise and worship songs in her room. “I Still excited when she recounts these little answered knew that God knew how I felt and He could deal with my prayers, Teo said: “God really took care of me. He never emotions,” she said. deprived me of anything.” She sought comfort in verses like Psalm 139:16 that The battle belongs to the Lord showed how intimate her relationship with her heavenly Father is: “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days However, she was still fighting a huge battle on the legal ordained for me were written in your book before one of front, where she was embroiled in a lawsuit against the them came to be.” driver of the van to claim damages. Her faith in God’s nearness and kindness was not Her lawyer appeared to be less than sympathetic and misplaced. While she worried about being able to find was often impatient with her inability to grasp what was employment due to her cognitive impairment, God sent going on. Her parents, being unable to speak English, her a job opportunity to work as a children’s ministry staff were unable to help her. Her lawyer would scold and at Covenant Community Methodist Church (CCMC)—a job shout at her, she said. She had little choice but to bear she had always dreamed of as a young girl. with it as her family—her father is a hawker and her mother is a hairdresser—did not have many connections. |16 METHODIST MESSAGE — FEBRUARY 2021

“I feared losing my lawyer more than I feared losing my Giving hope case. Because if my lawyer [was] gone, who else would I go to?” she said. Teo’s experience spurred her and husband, who is an artificial intelligence (AI) scientist, to set up an online It was during this time that she cultivated the habit, platform, CDike, to help connect people to lawyers. one that she still has today, of kneeling by her bedroom window and taking it all to the Lord in prayer. “It was just “How many people out there are like me? They may me and God,” she said. “But I believe that God hears us.” not necessarily qualify for pro bono services, nor have sufficient knowledge and connections to get a suitable Her faith proved not to be in vain. One day a colleague heard lawyer,” she said. Teo’s lawyer shouting at her over the phone and linked her up with another lawyer, whom Teo said was kind to her. Teo, who is running this platform full-time, finds out each clients’ need, budget and expectations, and links them The lawsuit lasted an arduous six years, during which up with the right lawyer. The matching is done virtually, Teo often felt helpless. But she exchanged her fears which Teo said helps to protect clients’ privacy. for worship and took courage in Bible stories that demonstrated the mightiness of God. In particular, she The service, which was formally launched in August, is clung to 1 Samuel 17:47, which reminded her that the free for clients, while lawyers who wish to join their battle belongs to the Lord. community have to pay a small membership fee. After much prayer, there was eventually a “good closure” “I know how it feels like to feel hopeless in a situation. I to the lawsuit, she said. “God really took care of me.” know the pain of those who are not so educated and who don’t have many connections. I’m not a lawyer. I cannot fight their lawsuit for them. But I can try my best to help them.” While she once cursed God for letting the horrific accident happen to her, she now knows that God’s hand of care and love was always with her. “I believe God already had everything planned out—even w life after my accident, what I would do, what I can do with my life experiences. Because He knows just what we need before we say a word and He can do beyond what we can imagine!” Rachel and her husband About CDike taking their wedding vows C stands for community, compassion, clarity Dike is the goddess of justice and the spirit of moral order and fair judgement. CDike believes in supporting the community with compassion, bringing them clarity on their problems and they receive justice and fair judgement in their problems, restoring moral order in our world. w w w. c d i k e . c o m fb.com/cdikepteltd @cdikelegal Rachel and her husband with their daughter, Ariel This article originally appeared at https://saltandlight.sg/faith/ her-young-life-stalled-after-a-horrific-accident-yet-god-made-sure-i- lacked-no-good-thing |METHODIST MESSAGE — FEBRUARY 2021 17

Home ¢ Dr Chen Chi Nan, a son of Dr Chen Su Lan, was a leading Methodist layman in Wesley Methodist Church and a consulting psychiatrist in Vancouver. He went home to the Lord in September 2020. / Photos courtesy of MCS Archives and History Library, Dr Feng Chen and Chen Su Lan Methodist Children’s Home Chen Su Lan Methodist Children’s Home An inspiring, uplifting story A pioneering Social Concerns project of Wesley Methodist Church, Chen Su Lan Methodist Children’s Home provides needy children between ages four and 14 years from broken homes with Christian nurture and prepares them for useful citizenship in a home atmosphere. It is a registered charity administered by a committee that includes a number of Methodist laymen, and began functioning in 1968. Today, it continues in an expanded ministry at Serangoon Garden Way after the original chalets in Wing Loong Road were acquired by the Government to build the Changi Airport runway. A version of this article first appeared in the Feb 2002 issue of Methodist Message. Chen Su Lan Methodist Children’s Home today T he words inspiring, heartwarming and uplifting are so hackneyed that they have largely lost their meaning, and yet they sum up the story of Chen Su Lan Methodist Children’s Home (CSLMCH). Ms Lim Cheng Kiok, its first matron, took early retirement from the Singapore General Hospital where she had been a nursing sister in order to “serve God”. This was the more notable, as she had nothing specific in mind. She waited. She was offered a salary of $250 a month—not a princely sum even in 1968. Her initial reaction was that it underestimated her worth, almost a slight to someone who has been in the highest grade of nursing. At a deeper level, she felt that since this job could be the way she could serve God, what the pay was did not really matter. |18 METHODIST MESSAGE — FEBRUARY 2021

Dr Chen Chi Nan, writer of the article and son of Dr Chen Su Lan Dr Chen Su Lan, after whom the Methodist The front view of the home Children’s Home was named Ms Lim was clear about the three emphases she had for the Furthermore, even her only request was granted, for home. The first priority for the children was their spiritual permission for her friend Ms Lee Soo Yong, who was the life, then their physical health and their education. The matron of a hospital, to move in to help out in running the daily routine for the children reflected this. home. As it turned out, she held the job for nine years, the last three of which were without pay at her own request. The usual programme for the day began with preparations for school, being driven there in a van, back for lunch, It was not just a job, a nine-to-five sort of posting. It meant free time for play, homework, dinner, a half-hour service moving to the countryside in the midst of a kampong to of worship and bed. For those with the ability and the be “mother” to up to 30 children who would soon move in interest there were piano lessons for which the home with her. The new home was in Ayer Gemuroh in Changi subsidised their fees. on a piece of land located a hundred yards from the sea beach. On it were three brick chalets designed by Mr One of the girls played for the evening services which Edwin Chan whose architectural flair matched the vision everyone attended, including the cook and the driver of for the home being a real home and not just an institution the van. Ms Lee recalled that the service was the best part to warehouse unwanted children. of the day. Years later, Jasmine, one of the girls singled this out in a letter as one of what she was most thankful One of the chalets would be home to a dozen or more boys for. The cook and the driver in time became Christians. and another for the same number of girls, each with a housemother. Ms Chew Ah Chok and Ms Beatrice Lim were The children attended the Hokkien-speaking Telok Ayer the first housemothers. The third chalet housed the kitchen, Church Sunday School, choosing to be baptised in the the pantry, the office and rooms for Ms Lim and for Ms Lee, churches they attended after leaving the home. When the who helped out while keeping her day job at the hospital. time came for them to choose their spouses, they chose fellow Christians and some are still active members of When word spread that there was such a home, donations their churches. of food came, some from unexpected sources, such as food which had been confiscated by the police from unlicensed hawkers. No one questioned the ethics of accepting such food! The policemen who made the deliveries were obviously pleased to do so as they were greeted by the kids as visitors were being called uncle this or uncle that. They had in season loads of melons and durians. Gifts of fish and meat called for a new freezer. The airport kitchen sent fresh unutilised food. Oliver Twist could only have dreamt of all this as “food, glorious food”. Clearly, this was not an old-style “orphanage”. |METHODIST MESSAGE — FEBRUARY 2021 19

Chen Su Lan Methodist Children’s Home: An inspiring, uplifting story Most of the children stayed on till they finished schooling Chairman was Mr Koh Seat Wee and the Vice-Chairman or till the age of 16. This in itself was remarkable for a was Dr C. N. Chen. Mr Kon Choon Kooi was the Honorary household of more than two dozen adolescent boys and Treasurer and a seat kept for a representative from the girls whose behaviour gave no real problems, and this was Social Welfare Department was filled by Mrs Chai. Mr Tan attributed to their Christian code of conduct. While others Boon Chiang, who was the next Chairman, did yeoman found work either in the workforce or at home, one went on service during the setting up of the home and served to study at the university, graduated and became a teacher. faithfully for many years. So by any measure the home was fulfilling the purposes In 1968 the home was officially opened with a ceremony with for which it was founded. the Rev Christopher Smith presiding. Present were members and dignitaries of the church as well as Radio Singapore, When interviewed more than 30 years later, Ms Lim and Ms which indicated the good wishes of the Government. Dr Chen Lee recalled many happy memories of the home and the Su Lan, having suffered a stroke, did not attend. children but they still sighed when they thought of how some of them were when they first arrived. There was Donations in memory of obvious satisfaction in the knowledge that the children had been given a good start and had outgrown their initial Dr Chen Chi Nan difficulties, in a Christian home setting, a satisfaction no doubt shared by the Church and all those who devoted so CSLMCL is saddened to learn of the loss of Dr Chen much of their time, imagination, money and their prayers Chi Nan, the third son of our founder Dr Chen Su Lan. to this project. He passed on peacefully on 28 Sep 2020 and would have turned 98 in October 2020. How did the home get started and what went into its establishment? Apart from just building a home for Guided by the ethos of exemplifying faith and love children who were deprived of parental care for one through action, Dr Chen Chi Nan worked closely with reason or another, the hope was that this one home could his father to create and establish this residential be a model for others to follow. Accordingly, the proposal home in 1968. His vision was to provide children from was made to the Wesley Church Official Board. broken homes a safe, caring and loving environment guided by Christian values. He carried out the work Another factor was a casual comment made by a doctor to from its initial concept and design, through to the Ms Lim that since she was so fond of children, why did she development of the small group homes model for the not start an orphanage? It was then an impossible idea but original Home in Changi. Dr Chen laid the spiritual she did not forget it and it fell in place. foundation that continues to sustain our Home to this present day. Involving Wesley Methodist Church as the sponsor would give the church an outreach programme, an In remembrance of his life and contribution, the avenue to express its professed message of love for all family have suggested that friends and well-wishers of God’s creatures. It could provide support and talent may wish to make donations to the Home, in memory for management. It had the advantage of being a long of Dr Chen Chi Nan. Funds from these donations will established congregation which would provide a continuity be used towards the cost of further education for our that was not contingent on the commitment of a single children and youth from disadvantaged families. individual or two. To make a donation in the memory of Besides, the Chen Su Lan Trust offered a two-acre parcel Dr Chen Chi Nan, please go to of land and an initial sum of $100,000 for the buildings. http://www.cslmch.org.sg/donation.html Although the Wesley Church Board debated it long and hard, hesitant about making a long-term commitment, with some dissent to attaching the name of Chen Su Lan while he was living, it adopted the project, passed its constitution and elected its first committee members. The |20 METHODIST MESSAGE — FEBRUARY 2021

Welfare Services ¢ By the Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) Communications Team / Photo courtesy of MWS Keen to make a positive difference in someone’s life or know someone who is? To find out more about job opportunities in MWS, please visit mws.sg/join-us or scan the QR code. Jamie (centre), celebrating World Social Work Day 2020 with her colleagues Why social service is more important than ever With the COVID-19 pandemic and put in place support for new workers,” various tools to aid in our assessments, and economic slowdown continuing recalled the 25-year-old, who joined focus on the importance of self-care. These to bring uncertainty to our lives, the organisation as a Social Worker in have helped me to be more competent we can be sure that there will be more February 2020. and be able to manage the complexities of disadvantaged and distressed people cases we handle.“ explained Jamie. requiring social service support. Today, as an advocate for clients at MWS Family Services Centre – Yishun (MWS FSC A Fulfilling Experience For Methodist Welfare Services (MWS), the – Yishun), she empowers them through Jamie finds the work fulfilling in many social concerns arm of The Methodist Church co-constructing solutions and helps them ways, especially in being able to bring in Singapore (MCS), this means an even overcome challenges. about positive outcomes in her clients and more critical need to equip and strengthen grow as a result. our team professionally so as to serve the “I work with individuals and multi- growing numbers of people in need. stressed families. Some of the issues “After a session, a client spoke about I’ve helped these families address seeing a shift in her life through the One important employee group in MWS is include financial difficulties, family course of our working relationship. that of social workers. They are essential conflicts, abuse or violence, emotional When I pointed out how important to lifting vulnerable families, youths and issues with self-harm or suicide risks, as she was as an individual, she cried seniors out of various types of poverty well as parent-child management and and thanked me as nobody had ever through their work on the ground. interpersonal issues. affirmed her existence before. I was encouraged by the impact I had made A Meaningful Career “A typical day includes meeting clients in her life and it reminded me of why Ms Jamie Dela Cruz is a prime example to conduct casework and counselling, I chose social work—to build and utilise of an individual who has stepped up to adhering to documentation requirements, our therapeutic relationships as a this task. doing risk assessments and safety vehicle of change. These experiences planning, and partnering stakeholders in have become my practice wisdom and Sparked by youth volunteer work she had the community,” elaborated Jamie. have helped me grow as an individual,” done during her polytechnic days, Jamie she recounted. discovered what she wanted to do in life She is grateful for the supportive while working as an accounting intern. environment of training and supervision More importantly, Jamie’s experiences in MWS that allows her to thrive in her job. have opened her eyes to the critical role “To me, a meaningful career is about social service plays in society. working with people and building “At MWS, it is very important that we be relationships. I could not imagine myself equipped to meet competency standards. “Our role is to help needy individuals building deeper relationships in the So we get sent for training in areas that and families cope with various finance industry! This spurred me to join are seeing growing concerns, such as challenges in their lives and link them the social service sector. how to better address family violence. to appropriate community resources. I also attended induction training for six I’m thankful that my work contributes “I like that MWS highly believes in months, which helped me to understand to building stable and resilient families trauma-informed practices and has my role in the FSC, learn how to use in Singapore,” she concluded. |METHODIST MESSAGE — FEBRUARY 2021 21

Missions ¢ By Team Puhada / Photos courtesy of the Methodist Missions Society (MMS) Crafting communities P uhada began by the grace of God—it has Hence, we thought that if they could be provided never been about our human abilities. with a job, they would be able to earn their own income and take care of their families in a more Conceptualised in 2008 as a means for Thai sustainable manner. In return, they would also women to earn a much-needed income for be able to bless others. their families in Chiang Mai, Puhada supports mainly single mothers who face difficulties in Having learned to sew at a young age, many of making ends meet. These women struggle to these women were already skilled in the art of find work that pays a decent wage and at the embroidery and stitching. They were delighted to same time allows them to take care of their be able to put their talents to good use at Puhada. children and household needs. In fact, many of them earn well below the minimum wage By the grace of God, He has continued to pave set by the Thai government—a paltry 320 baht the way for Puhada on both the production front (roughly SGD14) per day. and the customers’ end, enabling us to offer high-quality products based on our customers’ Beyond encouraging and praying for these needs. We thank God for all our customers, and women in need, the primary aim of Puhada brothers and sisters in Christ, for supporting was to help them out practically by finding Puhada since the very beginning. jobs for them. Initially, several jobs were found and recommended to these ladies, It humbles us to know how God multiplies but not many were suitable because of the the little that we have for His people and His women’s family circumstances. ministries, and all we have to do is to continue to be faithful with the little that we have. Another possibility would have been to buy food for them or give them some money, but May God continue to encourage us to spur one that was unsustainable in the long run. Yet, the another on to love and good deeds. “A friend burden that God had placed in our hearts was loves at all times, and a brother is born for too great to ignore. adversity.” (Prov 17:17) |22 METHODIST MESSAGE — FEBRUARY 2021

My name is Mae Pon, and I am a single mother of two sons. I also have an elderly mother at home whom I have to take care of. As I have to be home all the time, it is difficult for me to find a suitable job, hence leading to some financial difficulties. I have worked with Puhada since 2015. I thank God for the consistent work from Puhada, which has helped my family in the past several years. I also give thanks that the stresses of life are gradually being lifted from me. My elder son has graduated and is now serving God in church. My second son’s health has not been well in the past year, but he is stronger now, and is entering university next year. My name is Puu. I am a part-time sewer with Puhada as well as a housekeeper for families. I thank God for being able to earn extra income from Puhada, especially in the early days when I separated from my husband, who was abusive and adulterous. My son has also been accepted into the foundation’s hostel and is able to study in a better environment now. My worries have lessened and I am beginning to be able to deal with my problems better, holding on to the hope I have in Christ. ABOUT PUHADA: PRAY: Puhada was started as a way for Thai • Thank God for sustaining us through difficult times. women in Chiang Mai to earn a much- • Pray for perseverance and faithfulness in the work we needed income for their families. Many of them are single mothers who have been given to do. face difficulties in making ends meet. • Pray that our ladies and community will see and Visit puhada.com to view the experience the genuine love and touch from God daily through working with us. products made by our ladies! • Pray that each of us in the team will be able to discern God’s direction, and walk in it together. |METHODIST MESSAGE — FEBRUARY 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. Before the bridge is burnt To “burn one’s bridges” is a arriving at this point, apparently of no Look at Jacob when he was about commonly-used phrase for a return, is what I want to examine. to meet Esau, his brother whom he situation of no turning back from had offended (Gen 32:20). Unsure if one’s commitment. For instance, when As you might have guessed, they were his brother was going to kill him in a general orders his troops to burn or not too attentive to their wives and revenge, Jacob sent gifts ahead, not demolish a bridge that they had just family. To be fair, both men were not so much to “bribe” his way out but to crossed, he is saying that there is no indulging in their own recreational show his contrition. retreat—they have no choice but to fight pursuits. They were mainly busy with the enemy or die. work commitments. So absorbed were I advised the men that, while doing they with their work and maybe, all this, they had to persist and pray. The phrase came to mind as I reflected in their mission to provide for the Their wives and children may have on two men who came to me over the family, that other priorities were heard many unfulfilled promises before last month. Already separated from their over-shadowed. Besides year-end and thus be sceptical as to whether families, both had been told by their holidays, there was no time to give anything would change. respective spouses to prepare for divorce to the family. Their families reported and that mediation was not an option. that even when time was spent with I have a word for those in the spouses’ them, their fathers seemed distant and position. I hope and pray that they As I listened separately to these men, I emotionally unavailable. will not harden their hearts. It is realised that their wives had laboured possible that in the depths of their over their decision for years and they In both cases, I focused less on what disappointment, bitterness has choked had tried for some time to get their went wrong (there is a time and place off any remaining goodwill or feelings husband’s attention and response. After for this) and more on what should for their offending spouses. failing repeatedly, they had all but now be attempted. My advice was to given up. When we tried to schedule “leave no stone unturned” to make Finally, should the couple consider sessions with the wives, one attended it clear that they got the message giving reconciliation a chance, I just to reiterate her intention to divorce from their wives and children. To recommend working with a third while the other refused to come. communicate this, they would have party for support, guidance and to use various channels such as other accountability. Both sides need to Have these bridges truly been burnt? family members, close friends, pastors, know that real change can and indeed Or have the disappointed spouses etc, making sure these emissaries are must follow to get through the crisis. hardened their hearts so as not to hope acceptable to the other and supportive and be hurt again? What these men did of both parties. The time for “saving or could have done earlier to avoid face” and shame was over. |24 METHODIST MESSAGE — FEBRUARY 2021

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. Help Us Accept Each Other E ach of us is unique. Our differences are marked by our race, HELP US ACCEPT EACH OTHER culture, language, denomination and religion. These are (UMH 560) manifested through our individual disposition, mindset and opinions on various contexts and issues surrounding our Help us accept each other everyday lives. as Christ accepted us; teach us as sister, brother, How do we navigate our lives with so many people different each person to embrace. from us? Be it at home, work, church, or anywhere, diversity Be present, Lord, among us is just before us. and bring us to believe: we are ourselves accepted At least once a week, we gather as a Christian community to and meant to love and live. express our faith and celebrate God’s goodness. Is worship a time or place when we can reconcile our differences? Teach us, O Lord, your lessons, as in our daily life Diversity is an issue of worship. When we want to encounter we struggle to be human God, that also means we want to encounter the people who and search for hope and faith. are so different from us, all of whom God has made in His Teach us to care for people, image—not just those we meet on Sunday, but also the rest for all—not just for some, of the week. to love them as we find them or as they may become. We need songs to inform us about Jesus’ character and goodness; to form, shape and help us navigate through the Let your acceptance change us week’s journey. so that we may be moved in living situations The hymn “Help us Accept Each Other” is an example of a to do the truth in love; powerful hymn that teaches us to have grace and generosity to practice your acceptance with people who are different from us, or people whose until we know by heart opinions we might not agree with. Dr Michael Hawn, a the table of forgiveness renowned American church musician, theologian and lecturer, and laughter ’s healing art . describes the hymn as one of the most powerful hymns on reconciliation and forgiveness composed in the last half of Lord, for today ’s encounters the 20th century.1 with all who are in need, who hunger for acceptance, The hymn points us to Ephesians 4:25–5:2; summarised by N. for justice and for bread, T. Wright in his lecture on the Epistle to the Ephesians: “so we need new eyes for seeing, you should be imitators of God, conduct yourselves in love new hands for holding on: just as the Messiah loves us, and gave himself for us, as a renew us with your Spirit; sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice to God.”2 Lord, free us, make us one! Text: Fred Kaan, 1974 (Jn 15:12) Here are two contemporary settings of the hymn that might be simpler to sing than the one in the hymnal. https://youtu.be/49zFSbxS37Y https://youtu.be/ANPim80beOA If you prefer the hymn setting but sung in a contemporary style, here is one from Ang Mo Kio Methodist Church. https://youtu.be/vp3WklXSAJ4 1 C. Michael Hawn, “History of Hymns: Help Us Accept Each Other,” Discipleship Ministries, The United Methodist Church, June 2013, https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/ history-of-hymns-help-us-accept-each-other. 2 N. T. Wright, “Paul and His Letter to the Ephesians,” https://www.udemy.com/course/ paul-and-his-letter-to-the-ephesians/learn/lecture/9054450#overview |METHODIST MESSAGE — FEBRUARY 2021 25

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) Convicted civility Arefrain often heard in our world For example, Paul exhorts the Christians “If you understand the gospel rightly, plagued with unceasing conflict in Rome to “Live in harmony with one don’t think that the matter can be done is “let’s agree to disagree”. another. […] If possible, so far as it without revolt, offence and unrest. You According to the Merriam-Webster depends upon you, live peaceably with can’t turn the sword into a feather. […] Dictionary, to agree to disagree is to all” (Rom 12:16, 18). In a similar vein, the The Word of God is a sword.” decide “not to argue anymore about the apostle instructs his protégé, Titus, “to difference in opinion”. It is a declaration speak evil of no one, to avoid quarrelling, Luther has a point. If we read carefully of a truce of sorts—a resolution by the to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy the New Testament passages that deal parties concerned to leave the unsettled towards all men” (Titus 3:2). with civility, we will notice important dispute aside for the sake of peace. nuances balancing civility and truth. Although civility is a widely accepted To agree to disagree is therefore a strategy and prized virtue, it nonetheless has its Writing to the Christians dispersed for conflict resolution, which requires detractors. throughout Asia Minor, Peter exhorts his the parties to tolerate their opposing readers to “honour all men” (1 Pet 2:17). positions. It is an acknowledgement These sceptics believe—and for good But, as Richard Mouw has perceptively that dissent does not have to lead to reason—that in contemporary society, pointed out: “‘Honouring’ here means hostility. It is a pledge to be civil in spite civility can all too easily fall prey to having a regard for someone’s well- of fundamental disagreements. And the tyranny of the culture of political being. Not that we are simply to give civility is seen by many today as the key correctness. In the face of pervasive people what they ask for or tell them to an un-murderous co-existence of the falsehoods and gross injustice, to agree only what they want to hear. The apostle disputing parties. to disagree—they point out—is no is not prescribing convictionless civility.” different from turning a blind eye. It is But what do we mean by civility? tantamount to complicity. In his letter to Timothy, Paul urges his protégé to teach the Word of God with Civility is much more than superficial And when this happens, civility is very unfailing patience. Yet, in the same breath niceness and politeness. As James quickly transformed from virtue to the apostle warns the young pastor about Calvin Davis explains, it is “the exercise vice. Civility becomes the means by church members who have “itching ears”, of patience, integrity, humility and which lies are tolerated and injustices “who will not endure sound doctrine”, mutual respect in civil conversation, condoned. but are constantly searching for “teachers even (and especially) with those whom to suit their own likings”. we disagree”. To this already impressive It is therefore extremely important to list of qualities we may add gentleness clarify the relationship between truth and Paul admonishes Timothy never to and kindness. civility. Christian civility should never be pander to his congregation’s whims and practised at the expense of truth. Neither fancies by compromising the gospel. He The discerning reader will immediately should civility be used as an excuse to instructs Timothy to continue preaching notice that the virtues that make up water down the truth, to remove its sting the unadulterated truth of God’s Word, civility are the very same ones that the and make it less offensive. and, if necessary, even to rebuke them Christian faith upholds. They are the (2 Tim 4:1–4). traits that every disciple of Jesus Christ In the 16th century, the great humanist should aspire to possess. Desiderius Erasmus accused Martin Christian civility can never be practised Luther of violating the standard of apart from the truth. It must never accede There are a number of New Testament civilitas by his politically incorrect to the dictates of political correctness. passages that encourage Christians to language (Luther had labelled the pope This is because genuine Christian civility conduct themselves with civility. a heretic). This is how Luther replied: is always a convicted civility. 1 James Calvin Davis, In Defense of Civility: How Religion Can Unite American on Seven Moral Issues that Divide Us (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2010), 159. / 2 Quoted in Teresa M. Bejan, Mere Civility: Disagreements and the Limits of Toleration (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2019), 23. / 3 Richard Mouw, Uncommon Decency: Christian Civility in an Uncivil World (Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP, 1992), 44. |26 METHODIST MESSAGE — FEBRUARY 2021

TRAC Bible Matters ¢ 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. This response to the question below is in his personal capacity. Why do Bible translations differ? Unless otherwise noted, the italics and bold font in the verses below have been added to highlight differences. Abbreviations used for the various English translations are listed at the end of this article. W hy do Bible translations differ, and which Bible expression considered appropriate and comprehensible to translation should I use? This article outlines their readers (in the 20th and 17th centuries respectively). several reasons contributing to differences The NIV omits any interjection that might highlight the between Bible translations. surprise element. 1. Substance and style Similar considerations underlie the different translations of Judges 14:18. Translators must decide how to convey the substance and style of each sentence. Compare these three translations of Judges 13:5. NIV: If you had not plowed GNB: If you hadn’t been with my heifer, you would ploughing with my cow, NIV (1984): not have solved my You wouldn’t know the because you will become pregnant and have a son. riddle. answer now. ISV (1995): because—surprise!—you’re going to conceive and give birth The NIV rendering has provided what has been called a to a son! “formal equivalence” of the meaning of the words. The KJV (1611): Hebrew word for “riddle” used in the second line rhymes For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son. with the Hebrew for “my heifer/cow”. GNB abandons any formal equivalent to the Hebrew words for “my riddle” and The substance of the sentence is not in dispute. However, introduces instead the very different “answer now” to create each translator’s decision on what style best conveys the a rhyme with “my cow”. (This has been called “dynamic substance results in observable differences. In the statement or functional equivalence” as opposed to a word-by-word that promises the birth of a son, the ISV (“surprise!”) and “formal equivalence”.) KJV (“lo”) convey an element of surprise, each choosing an |METHODIST MESSAGE — FEBRUARY 2021 27

TRAC Bible Matters: Why do Bible translations differ? Should conveying the stylistic rhyming function take precedence b) Modern sensitivities: Gender-neutral language over providing the formal substantive meaning of the words In many 21st century societies, the use of gender-neutral in the original? Bible translations differ because translators language is considered a mark of sensitivity and respect for answered this question differently in different verses. women. This is reflected in the fairly consistent adoption of gender-neutral pronouns in NIV’s 2011 edition. 2. Modern sense and sensitivities Isaiah 33:15-16 NIV 2011: Those who walk a) Modern sense: Ancient terminology righteously and speak Translations differ on whether to express the Bible’s ancient NIV 1984: He who walks what is right, who reject terminology (formal equivalence) or substitute a (functional righteously and speaks gain from extortion and or dynamic) equivalent for the modern reader. what is right, who rejects keep their hands from gain from extortion and accepting bribes, who stop Matthew 14:25 NIV 2011: Shortly keeps his hand from their ears against plots of before dawn he went accepting bribes, who murder and shut their eyes NIV 1984: About the out to them, walking stops his ears against against contemplating fourth watch of the night on the lake. plots of murder and evil—they are the ones he went out to them, shuts his eyes against who will dwell on the walking on the lake. contemplating evil—this is heights, whose refuge will the man who will dwell on be the mountain fortress. First century Roman terminology divided time from sunset the heights, whose refuge Their bread will be to sunrise (approximately what is our 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.) into will be the mountain supplied, and water will four “watches” (6 to 9 p.m.; 9 p.m. to midnight; midnight to fortress. His bread will be not fail them. 3 a.m.; 3 to 6 a.m.). The 1984 NIV retains the ancient Roman supplied, and water will terminology (“fourth watch of the night”) but the 2011 not fail him. edition uses a modern phrase (“shortly before dawn”), as does the CJB (“around 4 o’ clock in the morning”). 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]

3. Idioms and puns The uncertainty in Psalm 35:13d is not the formal (or dictionary) English equivalents to the Hebrew words. Those The way a translation resolves the tension between a formal can be rendered simply, as with the KJV, “my prayer returned (dictionary) or functional (dynamic) equivalent is obvious in into mine own bosom”. But what does it mean to say that the treatment of ancient idioms and word play (puns). one’s prayer has returned to one’s own bosom? We do not know. The translator, therefore, must either do as KJV has done In modern English, we sometimes use “heart” as a metaphor (i.e. make no attempt to clarify) or provide modern readers or idiom for our feelings. “You have moved my heart.” Ancient with a reasonable guess, as in the following translations. Hebrew and Greek would more often use terms relating to one’s intestines (bowels) to convey feelings and compassion. • NIV: my prayers returned to me unanswered • ESV: I prayed with head bowed on my chest The 1611 KJV offers the formal or dictionary equivalent • HCSB: and my prayer was genuine term “bowels” for the ancient Hebrew and Greek metaphor • TNK: may what I prayed for happen to me! “intestines” in several verses. Here are some (for us, quite amusing) examples: • KJV Philemon 1:20 Refresh my bowels in the Lord. 5. Punctuation • The young lady in Song of Songs 5:4 longs for her The most ancient manuscripts of the Hebrew and Greek Bible lover, and says—in the KJV (and Hebrew)—“my bowels did not include punctuation marks. Translators sometimes were moved for him”. differ in their judgement as to where to include, for example, an English comma or question mark. • KJV Philemon 1:12, Paul says: “Thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels.” In Acts 26:28, was King Agrippa telling Paul that he was almost persuaded to become a Christian (KJV, NAS, NJB) or • Instead of the formal dictionary equivalent word was he asking a rhetorical question to the effect that he was “bowels”, most other translations choose a functionally nowhere close to being persuaded (NIV, ESV, NRSV)? dynamic equivalent such as “heart” for the verses cited above. The same Greek word for “bowels” is used in Acts 26:28 NAS: Agrippa replied to Matthew 9:36, and we may be thankful that on this Paul, “In a short time occasion, KJV decided against the rendering: When Jesus NIV: Then Agrippa said to you will persuade me to saw the multitudes, his bowels were moved! (Instead, Paul, “Do you think that become a Christian.” KJV tells us that Jesus “was moved with compassion”.) in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Amos 8:2 offers another example. Christian?” Amos 8:2 NAS: He said, “What do NIV: “What do you see, Similar differences occur in the Hebrew Bible over the you see, Amos?” And I Amos?” he asked. “A question of question marks. said, “A basket of summer basket of ripe fruit,” I fruit.” Then the LORD said answered. Then the LORD Hosea 13:14 NAS: Shall I ransom to me, “The end has come said to me, “The time is them from the power of for My people Israel. I will ripe for my people Israel; NIV: I will deliver this Sheol? Shall I redeem spare them no longer.” I will spare them no people from the power of them from death? longer.” the grave; I will redeem them from death. NAS has used the formal dictionary equivalents to the Differences over where to place a full stop or comma also Hebrew words for “summer fruit” and the “end”. What account for translation differences. In Romans 9:5, does Paul is lost in this translation, however, is the pun or rhyme equate the Christ as the God who is over all things? that exists in these two Hebrew words (qaytz and qetz). NIV provides a dynamic or functional equivalent to the Romans 9:5 RSV: to them belong Hebrew pun by substituting the English words “ripe fruit” the patriarchs, and of and “the time is ripe”. ESV: To them belong the their race, according to patriarchs, and from their the flesh, is the Christ. 4. Unknown idioms and words race, according to the God who is over all be flesh, is the Christ, who blessed for ever. Amen. Other translation differences occur because it is not is God over all, blessed known how ancient readers understood certain ancient forever. Amen. phrases or idioms. |METHODIST MESSAGE — FEBRUARY 2021 29

TRAC Bible Matters: Why do Bible translations differ? 6. Textual Variants contrast, KJV translators opted for different variants found in other ancient texts referred to as Kethib and Vulgate. The materials on which the original texts of the Bible In this particular verse, the vast majority of English Bible were recorded have perished. By God’s providence, several translations have opted for the same textual variant as the ancient copies have been preserved up to our day. When NKJV, i.e. the joy has been increased! comparing these ancient hand-written copies with one another, it is hardly surprising that there are—what we Jesus’ parable in Matthew 21:28–31 of two sons who could call—typographical differences. The term that scholars respond, and act, differently to their father’s request, use is “textual variants”. These variants (or variations) mean provides a very interesting variant.1 Whilst the main point that a translator must decide which variant to translate! of the parable is unaffected (viz. active obedience is more Textual variants are, therefore, another reason that Bible important than the confession of one’s lips), there are translations differ. variants in whether it is the first or second son who finally obeys. Compare the different translations offered by the For example, was joy increased (NKJV) or not increased (KJV) 1977 and 1995 translators of the NAS. in Isaiah 9:3? Isaiah 9:3 NKJV: You have Matthew 21:28-31 NAS 1995: A man had two multiplied the nation And sons, and he came to the KJV: Thou hast multiplied increased its joy*; NAS 1977: A man had two first and said, ‘Son, go work the nation, and not sons, and he came to the today in the vineyard.’ “And increased the joy. first and said, “Son, go work he answered, ‘I will not’; today in the vineyard.’ “And but afterward he regretted NKJV translators have included a footnote for modern he answered and said, ‘I it and went. “The man readers:*Following Qere and Targum; Kethib and Vulgate will, sir’; and he did not go. came to the second and read [not increased joy].” This footnote informs us that “And he came to the second said the same thing; and he there are textual variants for this verse, and NKJV and said the same thing. answered, ‘I will, sir’; but translators have opted to translate the variant as found But he answered and said, ‘I he did not go. in the ancient texts referred to as the Qere and Targum. In will not’; yet he afterward regretted it and went.

Which Bible translation should I use? Every translation provides a valuable service to readers unable to read the ancient Hebrew and Greek Bible. One main reason why translations differ has to do with whether they aim to provide readers with more formal, literal translations or more functional, less literal equivalents. (Sections 1, 2 and 3 above have offered some examples of these differences.) The differences caused by textual variants (section 6 above) may also guide your choice of translation. Some translations include more footnotes to alert the reader to these textual variants; other translations aim at readers not likely to have much interest in knowing this extra information. So, which translation is best depends on the need one hopes to meet. Translators usually indicate their translation principles in the Preface and Introductory Notes. As a (very) rough guide, I would characterise the following translations in order of being more formal (literal) to more functional (less literal): KJV, NAS, ESV, NIV, GNB, MSG. A (also very) rough guide for footnotes (from less to more) would be MSG, KJV, GNB, NIV, ESV, NAS, ISV, NLT. More important than the question of which translation to read is the habit of actually reading any available translation of the Bible. Abbreviations used for different Bible translations CJB Complete Jewish Bible ESV English Standard Version GNB Good News Bible HCSB Holman Christian Study Bible ISV International Standard Version KJV King James Version MSG The Message NAS New American Standard Bible NIV New International Version NJB New Jerusalem Bible NKJV New King James Version NLT New Living Translation NRSV New Revised Standard Version RSV Revised Standard Version TNK Tanakh (New Jewish Publication Society Translation) 1 It may suggest that some copies of the Bible included a stage of reproduction through an oral tradition rather than a completely hand-written process. But that is another debate! The views expressed in this article are personal and may not reflect the official position of The Methodist Church in Singapore. This version of the article has been edited for brevity. A full version of the article can be found at http://www.trac-mcs.org.sg/ index.php/resources/bible-matters?layout=edit&id=270 |METHODIST MESSAGE — FEBRUARY 2021 31

News ¢ Melvin Dineshraj Balakrishnan is the General Conference Treasurer of The Methodist Church in Singapore. He worships at Barker Road Methodist Church. Melvin Dineshraj Balakrishnan What does being a Methodist mean to you? B eing a Methodist means that I am part of a large and exciting movement that believes that Christ died for all of humanity, and not just for a select group. This simple truth brings meaning to what John Wesley’s famously said: to “do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can”, as there is hope for all. A Methodist is then called to be a conduit of love for those around us. That is why we place strong emphases on social concerns, charitable works, helping the less fortunate and staying inclusive. Being a Methodist also reminds me of the great musical legacy that we have inherited. It is said that Methodism was born in song. Charles Wesley’s wrote more than 6,000 hymns, including “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing”, and “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”. There are others like the 8,000 others by Fanny Crosby such as “To God Be the Glory” and “Blessed Assurance”. It is because of this rich musical history that our services can be a fine balance of eloquent traditional hymns as we honour the past and contemporary songs as we embrace the new.

Looking Ahead ¢ Scan to see events online! FEBRUARY X-CULTURE_DIGI 20 Feb 2021 (Saturday), 9.30 to 11.30 a.m. Live online workshop via ZOOM Register at tinyurl.com/x-Culture-Digi. Registration is free. [email protected] Come, hear, interact and explore how you can realistically start and enhance your missions ministries over the Zoom platform as “cross-cultural ministries” from the Singapore Methodist community share their journeys in various nations in the past few months involving and engaging children, youths, millennials, professionals, church leaders and seniors! Who should come? • Pastors and church staff • Missions and ministry leaders • Marketplace ministers • Professionals • Young adults and youth Organised by Methodist Missions Society in partnership with CAC Board of Missions, ETAC Board of Missions and TRAC Board of Missions MARCH FRESH EYES ON ONLINE TOOLS FOR CHILDREN’S MINISTRY 6 Mar 2021 (Saturday), 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Live online workshop via ZOOM Register at bible.org.sg/fresheyesonline. Registration closes 26 Feb 2021. $10 per participant 6304-5286 (Joyder Ng) Following the successful NextGen online conversation held last October, we now present Fresh Eyes on Online Tools for Children’s Ministry—a workshop on the use of online platforms such as Flippity and Wordwall to create interactive learning games. This is a fresh and fun way to engage children by grabbing their attention and holding it for the duration of class! Participants will also get the chance to create simple games on the online platforms during the session. ZOOM details will be released closer to event. Organised by The Bible Society of Singapore and Evangelical Alliance of Singapore MARCH ETHOS CONVERSATION 2021: RELIGION AND POLITICS IN SINGAPORE JULY 20 Mar 2021 (Saturday) 9.45 a.m. to 4.15 p.m. Bible House (7 Armenian St, Singapore 179932) if situation permits or via ZOOM as an alternative Register at ethosinstitute.sg/conversation2021 Attendance is free. Registration is required. Love offering will be collected. 6304-3765 In 2018, the government made some amendments to the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act (MRHA), a Singapore statute which was enacted by the Parliament on 9 November 1990. What are these amendments and how will they impact the ministry and mission of the churches in Singapore? What is the relationship between religion and politics in Singapore as set out by the MRHA? Does the separation of religion and politics imply that the Church has no role in public debates and that religious leaders have no right to comment on societal issues? Organised by ETHOS Institute for Public Christianity 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 ¢ Kwok Wan Yee is currently serving as Local Preacher in Charis Methodist Church and also in Discipleship & Nurture (D&N). She is also serving as a member of the CAC Executive Board, and as a CAC delegate to the General Conference Executive Council and General Conference. / Photo courtesy of Kwok Wan Yee Kwok Wan Yee (middle) with incoming Conference Lay Leaders Reflections of a conference lay leader F rom 2014–16, I was Vice President of General Conference (GC) Executive The Conference Lay Leader needs to have the Chinese Annual Conference (CAC) Board. I was also elected to the GC their finger on the pulse of the members of The Methodist Church in Singapore Executive Council and the General so as to lead more empathetically. For (MCS), and subsequently was elected as Conference, as well as acting as CAC’s example, the Conference Lay Leader could the 2017–20 CAC Conference Lay Leader. Lay Representative to the Inter-Annual join in the Lay Ministry Staff Retreat and I have just stepped down as Conference Conference Structural Review Task Force also find opportunities to get to know all Lay Leader for the next Quadrennium. led by Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung. the pastors better, and to love them as Through these various discussions, we you love your own pastors. During my tenure as Conference Lay represent CAC’s participation in the Leader from 2017–20, my focus was various inter-AC dialogue and display An important role for the Conference Lay on raising the capabilities of the lay the spirit of One MCS. Leader is in the Board of Appointments, leaders in our local churches, and where we are able to focus on matching building closer relationships amongst We also opened our lay leadership the needs of the local churches with the the lay leaders of our 17 CAC churches, training programmes to the other talents of the pool of pastors. to support one another and to build a Annual Conferences and it was especially stronger and better CAC. By encouraging enriching to learn together with the Trinity As leaders, we often face situations communication and open discussions, lay Annual Conference (TRAC) and Emmanuel that are grave and complex where our leaders can pray more meaningfully for Tamil Annual Conference (ETAC) leaders, secular experiences will be an inadequate each other’s churches and rally support for example in the Local Church Executive reference. At such times, only Christ, the through manpower or donations. Committee (LCEC) Induction Programme, Way, can bring us peace. Seek the Lord which was described as “kilat” (excellent) always and stay close to Him. May God For example, we rallied behind the by Kim Seah, the TRAC Conference bless you in all you do in His name! Fundraising Dinner for Punggol Preaching Lay Leader. We now have training for Point in 2018, and also encouraged stronger Nominations Committee, Pastor-Parish “Therefore, my dear brothers participation in CAC programmes such as Relations and Staff Committee (PPRSC) and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing the annual CAC May Day Seminar by the and Lay Leaders. move you. Always give yourselves Board of Laity and the annual Day of Prayer fully to the work of the Lord, because for Families by the Board of Family Life. With the support from the Executive Board, I also urged the setting up of the you know that your labour To effectively represent the laity, the Same-Sex Attraction (SSA) Task Force to in the Lord is not in vain.” Conference Lay Leader also sits on the educate, equip and engage pastors and Conference Executive Board (EB), the lay persons. We organised systematic (1 Cor 15:58 NIV) Boards of Appointments, Nominations, training for pastors and laity. It will Finance, Human Resource and the need an inter-disciplinary approach.