Methodist Message: Sep 2021

ISSN 0129-6868 MCI (P) 027/11/2020 THE METHODIST CHURCH IN SINGAPORE Vol 123 No 9 SEPTEMBER 2021 METHODIST SOCIAL PRINCIPLES: The Sphere of Technology

Contents 1 Bishop’s Message 16 Opinion—Bible-based healing in tragic 2 Events—Coming Up and trying times 3 Church life—ETAC Highlights 18 Reach out—Welfare Services 4 Church Profile 22 Reach Out—Missions 5 Church life—Introduction to MCS Social Principles 24 Hymns & Songs 6 News—TRAC VUCA Conference 25 Opinion—Soundings 9 News—National Day Thanksgiving Service 2021 26 Books—Colours of the Kingdom 10 News—Fairfield Methodist Schools’ 135th Founder’s Day 31 What does being a Methodist mean to you? 12 News—The D6 Family Conference 32 Opinion—THINK 14 Opinion—The digital world, addiction and your child 34 Events—Looking Ahead In Memoriam REV DR H. EDDIE FOX (1938–2021) Methodist Message would like to offer our deepest condolences to the family of Rev Dr H. Eddie Fox, who passed away on 28 July 2021 at the age of 83. Rev Dr Fox, a seventh-generation Methodist, led World Methodist Evangelism for 25 years, during which the number of Methodists around the globe increased by about 1 million per year. He pioneered several new initiatives that were popular in United Methodist Church (UMC) congregations, and helped American churches connect with Wesleyans around the world. For a more detailed obituary, please scan Photo courtesy of Mike DuBose 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. Darkness is my closest friend “You have taken from me friend and A Jewish translation (Tanakh) renders the same phrase neighbour—darkness is my closest friend.” as “my companions are out of my sight”. Friends who are in the dark are friends who are out of sight in the (Ps 88:18 NIV) sense of not being near me. Perhaps they avoid me because they don’t enjoy being with someone who T here aren’t sufficient details in Psalm 88 to know doesn’t smile or say anything. Or they have given up the specific nature of the suffering the psalmist on me because they can’t understand why I just don’t was enduring when he put his feelings to paper snap out of my depressive moods. (or parchment). Was it a back-stabbing colleague or boss? Was it cruel treatment from foreign invaders or Whatever the exact nature of the darkness in Psalm betrayal by a friend or family member? Was it anguish 88, what is clear is that God understands. The inclusion caused by a physical ailment or an attack on his of Psalm 88 in Holy Scripture is one way in which God mental wellness? helps us understand that sometimes “it is okay to not always feel okay”. Whatever it was, many identify with the pain expressed in the psalm, not least its final phrase: “darkness The God of the Bible understands. Lord, help us is my closest friend”. Kathryn Green-McCreight is a understand also. AMEN. pastor who often feels exactly like this. She suffers from protracted bouts of mental illness, and she has used this final phrase of Psalm 88 as the title of her book: Darkness Is My Only Companion.1 That final phrase in the Hebrew psalm is so terse and |METHODIST MESSAGE — September 2021 1 broken to be almost painful and incoherent. Perhaps that brokenness itself complements the anguished tone of Psalm 88. It also explains why translators interpret the broken phrase in different ways. “My companions are in darkness” (RSV) conveys the anguish we feel when our friends (or family) seem to be totally in the dark concerning the nature of our suffering. The sort of advice they offer (“Pray harder! Try harder! Just get up and do it!”) shows that they are in darkness and do not understand that “the sick individual cannot simply shrug it off or pull out of it”.2 1 Kathryn Greene-McCreight, Darkness Is My Only Companion (Grand Rapids,MI: Baker, 2015). 2 Ibid., 25.

Events ¢ Coming Up |2 METHODIST MESSAGE — September 2021

Church Life ¢ ETAC Highlights Rev R Prabhu is the Pastor-in Charge of Ang Mo Kio Tamil Methodist Church. Servants together Unity of the body of Jesus Christ “Now you are the body of Christ, We are co-workers for Christ (1 Cor 12:21–26) and each one of you is a part of it.” The problem with the Corinthian church was that they attached too much importance to some gifts and side-lined (1 Cor 12:27 NIV)  (minimised) others. Instead of contributing to the common good, some isolated themselves or tried to dominate over T he world recognises the importance of coming others on the basis of the gifts they possessed. together and corporations merge to try to make the most from the synergy of working together. Building the Church is a collective, not individual, work. Let us remind ourselves that spiritual gifts are not evidence In chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians, Paul the apostle makes a of spirituality or signs of significance. They are given for similar call to the Corinthian church, where members were God’s service and are to be used for His Kingdom alone. split in their allegiances to Paul, Apollos, Cephas and even We are not all the same, but all are important. In God’s Christ (vv.10–12). There was no lack of spiritual gifts in orchestra, everyone—whether seen or unseen, heard or the Corinthian church but the fruit of the Holy Spirit was unheard—can make a difference. missing. Carnality caused disunity and growth was stunted. We need to complement one another (1 Cor Our common ground is Christ (1 Cor 12:27) 12:28–31) The word “body” is used 17 times in 1 Cor 12 to explain the nature and function of the Church. We not only belong As members of Christ’s body, we are interdependent to Christ but also belong to His body (v.1). All believers and need each other. God has distributed gifts and collectively form the body (v.12) and we are baptised into responsibilities in such a way that no-one has a monopoly. the body of Christ (v.13). There is therefore no place for We need to exercise our spiritual gifts and function “for individualism or independence. the profit of all” (1 Cor 12:7). We have one task—building His Church. It is a constructive, The formula for synergy is 1+1>2, and working not destructive, work. There is a reality of functional together in unity produces better results. In the Church, differences based on the spiritual gifts given to individuals. members have their own roles and responsibilities. But this should not pull us apart in different directions or It is a complementary, not competitive, work. We, as separate us. Instead, the diversity should unite and bring Christ’s body, are to contribute to the cause of Christ. the Church to a common ground for the common task of the Complementing one another, we are to carry on His glory of Christ, who is the head of the Church. ministry in the world today. |METHODIST MESSAGE — September 2021 3

Church Life ¢ Sembawang Tamil MC Mrs Susan Thomas and Mr Selvathurai are members of Sembawang Tamil Methodist Church (STMC). / Photos courtesy of STMC Be disciples and make disciples for Christ S embawang Tamil Methodist Church (STMC) has families also appreciated the food hampers distributed a rich history of 87 years. The pioneering work during the COVID-19 pandemic. of the church, under the supervision of Rev J. A. Subramaniam, commenced in 1928 at the Seletar Naval The church faces a big challenge as the lease for its land Base as a house church to minister to Indians residing expires in about four years. We are getting together with around the Naval Base and the Sembawang estate. From our partner churches sharing the church premises to work 1948, worship services were held at a Tamil school at Jalan with HDB to extend the lease for 30 years. We trust in Kechil. In 1999, by the grace of God the church moved to God as our provider as we pray and work to raise funds a new building in its current location at Yishun Street 11. required for the lease extension. Please do pray for us. Our church vision, based on Matthew 28:19, is to “Be STMC members are continuing to draw closer to the Lord disciples and make disciples for Christ” while the theme through prayer and growing in the Word of God. What for 2021 is: “Love the Lord and obey His commands”. God requires of His people and every tenet of right The main aspects of the vision are for each believer to living in the Bible is founded on the commandments: grow in the spiritual disciplines and be a faithful disciple “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with of Jesus, growing in God’s Word and prayer life as well all your soul and with all your mind and with all your as focusing on evangelism and outreach ministry to strength.’  The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour residents in Yishun and nearby estates. as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30–1 NIV). Sharing the Gospel, social outreach and missions are key ministries. Church members regularly visit families in the SEMBAWANG TAMIL neighbourhood and have developed strong relationships METHODIST CHURCH with them. The families warmly welcome us into their homes for times of sharing, prayer, and fellowship. (Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference) The church also regularly blesses families in need with grocery supplies. The month of June 2021 was focused 3 Yishun Street 11 on evangelism. We held an evangelism seminar through (Level 3) Zoom where church members were challenged to make Singapore 768645 concerted efforts and plans to reach out to families and www.stmc.org.sg friends with the Gospel of Christ. [email protected] 6257-0116 By God’s grace, the church has adopted a village of about 140 families in Myanmar. Over the last four years we Please check our website for service timings. have provided financial support for local missionaries to visit the village weekly to conduct Bible classes and provide meals for the children once a month. The |4 METHODIST MESSAGE — September 2021

Church Life ¢ Rev Dr Daniel K. S. Koh is a retired pastor who is currently re-engaged at Barker Road Methodist Church. He was formerly Chaplain at Trinity Theological College. He formerly served as Chairperson of MWS, where he currently still serves on its Board of Governance. Introduction to the Methodist Social Principles A t the General Conference of the Methodist Section 1 of the MSP states the reasons for our interest Church in Singapore held in 2020, the delegates in social issues: accepted the revised edition of the Methodist Social Principles (MSP). The previous edition had been 1. Christian social responsibility is rooted in the teachings put together in the 1980s. Although that document of the Bible and guided by Christian tradition. It is incorporated certain issues that were generating an integral part of the Gospel which the Church is concerns in Singapore at that time, like the paragraphs expected to proclaim, preserve and practise. on the “Responsible Use of Power” and “In-Vitro Reproduction”, the bulk of the Social Principles was 2. The Methodist Church has a special interest in social largely adapted from the Social Principles of the United concerns because of its desire to be obedient to Methodist Church (UMC) of the USA. Christ in bringing the whole of life with its activities, possessions, relationships and environment into Since the 1980s, UMC has revised its documents a number conformity with the will of God. Such obedience is of times. Many of those social issues that preoccupied exemplified in the life and labour of John Wesley the minds of the American churches and the stands who ministered to the physical, intellectual, spiritual adopted by UMC have become too American-centric. and social needs of the people to whom he preached The revised edition of the MSP of MCS is thus a local the Gospel of salvation. work written by Singaporean theologians, reflecting our local and Southeast Asian context contextual concerns 3. It is out of our gratitude for God’s love and in and offering guidelines that Singaporean Methodists affirmation of our belief in the inestimable worth can understand and identify. of each person and the integrity of God’s creation, that we renew our commitment to become faithful The MSP’s main sections have been re-titled and witnesses to the Gospel and to live a life of personal arranged along the theological idea of “Orders of and social holiness. Creation” found mainly in the writings of Reformed theologians/ethicists. Those who read D. Bonhoeffer The revised edition of the MSP goes on to offer our would notice that he uses “Divine Mandates” in his theological basis for our interest in bringing our faith to Ethics. However, we have opted instead for “Spheres”, bear on the social issues of our time, before getting into which is a broad term because our Wesleyan work the eight “Spheres” of concerns: cannot fit exactly to the classical “Orders” found • The Sphere of the Family mainly in the works of Reformed scholars. • The Sphere of Economics • The Sphere of Politics We expanded some sections and added new subjects to • The Sphere of Community Life take into consideration issues and developments which • The Sphere of the Internet, Sciences and Technologies. were not covered or were not sufficiently covered in • The Sphere of Social Well-being the old edition. We have also deliberately replaced • The Sphere of Creation Care the word “individual” with “person” in most places, an • The Sphere of the Church intentional move to avoid giving ideas of supporting individualism and the culture of entitlement rampant The revised MSP is an important document of MCS. It in the Euro-North American World. is included in our Book of Discipline. More Methodists should familiarise themselves with the teachings of this The new sections which we have added are the Spheres document and our churches should use it for studies of the Internet; Sciences and Technologies; Creation and preaching. The whole document offers guidelines Care; and the Church. for Methodists to know our Wesleyan heritage and our official stand on some contentious issues which we have to deal with in our daily living. |METHODIST MESSAGE — September 2021 5

News ¢ Text and photos courtesy of TRAC WSCS Power in the VUCA World TRAC WSCS Conference V olatile, Uncertain, Complex and TRAC President Rev Stanley Chua Ambiguous (VUCA)! What an apt description of the past 18 months, during which COVID-19 brought the world to a standstill. Amidst this chaos, the Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) Women’s Society of Christian Service (WSCS) organised a women’s conference entitled “Power in the VUCA World”. It reflects what many of us desire—namely, to live in God’s power in these uncertain times. Started in 2017, the annual VUCA conference How appropriate it was that the Rev The BMC worship team was scheduled to take place in April 2020. Chua set the scene with a reminder As many have experienced during this that what is not possible by human pandemic, our human plans were overruled. effort alone becomes possible by the God had a better idea. power of God’s Spirit. When we rely only on our own resources, we are After a delay of more than a year, the weak and helpless. With examples conference was held online on 24 July 2021, from the Bible and Methodist with 516 participants, including some from history, the Rev Chua highlighted the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam and even as far afield as England and Australia. that those who depend on God for His power will accomplish the God’s Word was heard by more people than impossible. Ordinary people are turned into extraordinary ones could have been possible in a physical when we fully trust in Him. conference. The speakers were appointed and anointed Lucy Lim by God, with messages that reinforced the theme of the conference. In the weeks One such “ordinary” person was our first speaker, Lucy Lim. leading up to the conference, many prayer Despite a poor prognosis for her health, she continues to fulfil sessions were held. We committed the God’s calling in her life, intentionally living with joy and for the speakers to our Heavenly Father and prayed glory of God. She has written two books on her journey, the second that He would take control of every aspect of which was also the title of her talk : “When It’s Beyond Me”. She of the proceedings, including good Internet shared about her initial difficulty of “letting go” of family. Faced connectivity and smooth running of the with recurring cancer and still undergoing treatment, she learnt online event. to have a high view of God. She leant to dance with the Lord, who leads and guides. God could have healed her, but instead led VUCA 2021 began with an introduction and her to a deepened faith, allowing her to live each day seeking to opening prayer by Neo Lay Tin, TRAC WSCS accomplish His plans for her. She epitomises the meaning of “to President. A worship team from Bedok live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil 1:21). Methodist Church led us in worship to prepare our hearts for the opening sermon by TRAC President Rev Stanley Chua. He spoke on “Not by Might nor by Power, but by My Spirit” (Zech 4:6). |6 METHODIST MESSAGE — September 2021

Julie Ong Connecting to the conference from New Zealand where she serves as a missionary, Bunty Bunce spoke on “Is There Somebody Out There?” Another battle-scarred speaker was Julie Her message from Romans 15:13 encouraged us to have hope even Ong. She revealed her life experiences in her though the pandemic may have shaken our faith. These uncertain talk “Light Beyond a Difficult Journey”. In her circumstances should not take away our hope. God is bigger than our testimony, she recounted one anguish after circumstances! From His vantage point, He sees and knows all. He is another. She endured broken relationships in control. She challenged us with the questions: When did you last and abandonment. Last year, she was one of let God comfort you? Have you shared your anxiety with Him? God is the early cases of COVID-19 and in the week waiting to use each of us to comfort others. of the conference, she fell and sustained a hairline fracture on her cheekbone. It was Bunty Bunce heart-breaking to listen to her struggling to articulate the pain she had experienced. The last speaker was Ashley Low, who shared her testimony of Julie came to trust God through her trials her long journey with her cancer-stricken husband. She joined the and learnt to forgive. Through all these conference from her hotel in Melbourne where she was quarantined ongoing ordeals, she testified of the reality after arrival from Singapore. Ashley described the desperate ways in of God’s love and the peace He gives. which she had tried to help her husband, including trying to get him struck by lightning as recommended by a medium. In spite of acts of Neither Lucy nor Julie concluded with a ignorance, God mercifully preserved her husband. Through repeated miraculous resolution of their difficult recurrences of the disease, God revealed Himself to them. Dancing circumstances. Instead, they exemplified with God through these storms of life, both Ashley and her husband what God means when He says: “My grace found blessing and mercy through suffering. is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9). Ashley Low Jenni Ho-Huan Even though the ladies had been online for more than four hours, some stayed back to be ministered to in breakout rooms by each of After a short lunch break and a game of the speakers. What better way to end than in an extended period of deciphering emoji, the conference continued prayer to our God of power and might? at 1pm. Rev Jenni Ho-Huan, an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church, spoke We are thankful for the encouraging feedback received. More than a on “The God-shaped W.I.F.E.” Once again, we hundred comments affirmed God’s faithfulness, peace and power as were reminded that if we rely on our own their main “take-aways”. Indeed, that was our objective—always to abilities, or are too fearful and complacent, put God in the spotlight. It is our prayer that the conference inspired we shut out God’s power. We need to let go participants to place all their trust in God alone in navigating the VUCA of trying to rule our own hearts. Instead, world. Arising from many requests after the conference, portions of choose to trust God and the Prince of Peace the conference will be presented again in a Christmas event later this will rule in our hearts. year. Details will be made available in October. The organising committee of VUCA 2021 is thankful to the Lord for the unity and wisdom He gave to us and for the smooth running of the online event. To Him be all the glory. |METHODIST MESSAGE — September 2021 7

ACS (International) Admissions Seminars for 2022 ACS (International) Singapore is a Pre PSLE Seminars distinctive international secondary school open to all Singaporeans & 17 September, 2pm other nationalities, offering an all- round English-based education for 1 October, 2pm students aged 12 to 18 years leading to the International General Certificate of RSVP [email protected] Secondary Education (IGCSE) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Post PSLE Seminars Programme (IBDP). 24 November, 2pm & 4pm Senior Leadership Team 25 November, 9am & 2pm Mr Gavin Kinch Mrs Tan Siew Hoon Principal Vice-Principal 26 November, 9am & 2pm Mr Christopher Hayward Dr Kristopher Achter 27 November, 9am Vice-Principal Vice-Principal RSVP [email protected] Seminars will be held on Campus with school tours where possible. Virtual seminars and tours will be organized instead if there are social gathering restrictions. Attendance is limited and by reservations only. Venue: Oldham Chapel, ACS (International) 61 Jalan Hitam Manis, Singapore 278475 For earlier appointments, please contact Joseph Ng or Serene Lim at +65 6472 1477 or [email protected]

News ¢ Sheri Goh is the Editor of Methodist Message. / All photos are screenshots of the live-streamed service on YouTube. Watch the recording at https://youtu.be/t3TAo-AR0wY National Day Thanksgiving Service 2021 Bishop Titus Chung Bishop Dr Gordon Wong leading The St Andrew’s Cathedral worship team led by delivering the sermon intercessory prayers Rev Christopher Chan F or the second year running—like many annual The NCCS executive committee (ExCo) led in intercessory church events since early 2020—the National Day prayers for Singapore. Among other things, intercession was Thanksgiving Service of the National Council of made for God’s help during this pandemic, for the nation’s Christian Churches (NCCS) was conducted with a limited leadership and for churches to be able to meet together live congregation and streamed online. The event, held again without restrictions soon. There was also thanksgiving at St Andrew’s Cathedral on the evening of 19 Aug 2021, for our nation as it celebrated its 56th birthday, and for the had been planned before the latest easing of restrictions safety and freedom of worship we enjoy. on religious gatherings. The COVID-19 pandemic loomed large over the service, Anglican Bishop Rt Rev Titus Chung, the NCCS President, apparent in how the NCCS ExCo members leading the delivered the sermon, “And to God what is God’s”. It service had to mask up when they were not speaking. The was based on Mark 12:13–17, when the Pharisees and pulpit and microphone also had to be cleaned between Herodians tried to trap Jesus by asking: “Is it lawful to speakers. Even so, as the St Andrew’s Cathedral worship pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” Jesus responded: “Render to team reminded everyone in their pre-recorded opening Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things song, our God is faithful and we have never walked alone. that are God’s.” During the service, the NCCS book, Bishop Chung reminded the congregation that the state Homosexuality, the Bible and the Church, has received its authority from God, and it will one edited by Rev Dr Keith Lai, Rev Terry Kee and day be held to account by God. We are thus to subject Rev Dr Ngoei Foong Nghian was launched. This ourselves to the state’s authority because it has been put collection of essays examines the topic of same- there by God. As citizens, we should have the mindset of sex attraction from the perspective of biblical positively engaging the world and working together with scholarship, theology, pastoral practice, science all parties—including the authorities—to build a peaceful and the law. NCCS hopes that this book will help and harmonious society for everyone, believers and non- Christians understand what Scripture and the believers alike, and seek the common good of the land. Church teach about homosexuality, so that they can wisely and better navigate the issues. “A case in point is the constructive conversation between To order, go to https://nccs.org.sg/ NCCS and MCCY [the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth] in helping the churches and the state better manage the COVID-19 crisis. Another example is the ongoing dialogue between NCCS and MHA [the Ministry of Home Affairs] in addressing religious radicalism and engaging religious harmony in our city-state,” he explained. |METHODIST MESSAGE — September 2021 9

News ¢ Text and photos courtesy of Fairfield Methodist Schools (Primary and Secondary). Bishop Dr Gordon Wong bringing greetings T he Fairfield Methodist Schools (Primary and Secondary) celebrated 133 years of its founding on 4 Aug this year. Usually, the schools celebrate Founder’s Day with Founder’s Day services in the respective schools and then the celebratory dinner in the evening. But this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, instead of hosting the dinner, the Fairfield Methodist Schools Alumni Association commemorated this special day with a live stream on its Facebook page in the evening. The genesis of the idea of celebrating in this way came from the foreword penned by one of its former principals, Mrs Tang Poh Kim, in the Fairfield Song Book that had been distributed to students to mark the “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

Alumni and current students recording part of the live stream in the studio The production team on the ground school’s centenary in 1988. She wrote that “among its Fairsians. An all-time favourite of the nation, “Home”, many traditions, Fairfield is known as a singing school—a originally sung by Fairfield Primary alumni Kit Chan, school that delights in singing, be it singing the praises was also sung by current students, teachers and of the Lord, singing National songs or singing pop songs”. parents. The Fairfield Musical Journey was produced by The production also included special appearances by committee members of the Alumni, Cho Pei Lin, former Principal Mrs Tang Poh Kim, Bishop Dr Gordon Sharon Liat, Hannah Tan and Joel Tan (with the help Wong of The Methodist Church in Singapore and of our alumni Dale Cheong’s production company, High Education Minister Chan Chun Sing, all of whom gave Notes). The aim was to have a programme that would the Fairfield Community their well wishes. reach out to Fairsians of all generations—from those who had studied in Fairfield Girls’ School at Neil Road As a whole, 2021 has been a difficult year. Although to those who had studied or are currently studying at we were not able to gather together physically, our live the Fairfield Methodist Schools at Dover Road. This stream allowed us to reach an audience beyond that of was the motivation behind showcasing songs from the schools, its stakeholders and the Alumni Association. billboard charts from different generations, performed Alumni of all generations enjoyed the evening, using by alumni over the years. the live stream as a virtual gathering to catch up with classmates and friends, and learn more about the rich Besides songs from different generations, the history of our school. programme also highlighted milestones of the school’s history—from her founding, to the war years and the relocation to Dover Road—charting God’s faithfulness in the school’s last 133 years. The production featured our alumni Selena Tan from Dream Academy belting out “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, a song that won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1939. This song is in the Fairfield Songbook and has been taught in all music classes from Neil Road to Dover Road. Alumni from different generations presented popular The production team campfire songs such as “Top of the World” and “Hokey Pokey”, which brought back fond memories to all |METHODIST MESSAGE — September 2021 11

News ¢ Dr Morgan Zhou is the Chairperson of the TRAC Board of Children Ministry and the Children Ministry Coordinator at Fairfield Methodist Church. / Screenshots courtesy of the D6 Family Conference NEXT: Next Steps, Next Level & Next Generation THE D6 FAMILY CONFERENCE T he D6 Family Conference was held online on 30 and COVID-19 pandemic by forming new habits of intentionality 31 July 2021 with the theme “NEXT: Next Steps, Next such as finding daily teachable moments and connecting Level & Next Generation”, dedicated to equipping across generations through worship, studying Scripture and the Church, leaders, ministers, volunteers, families, creating heart-to-heart conversations. grandparents and parents with practical next steps and next level strategies for discipling the next generation. “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is Dr Ron Hunter Jr. sharing how the COVID-19 pandemic offers one. You shall love the Lord your God with all families incredible opportunities for connecting and practicing your heart and with all your soul and with all Deuteronomy 6 in their homes. your might. And these words that I command Tim Goodyear, COO, HomePointe and Discipleship Pastor of you today shall be on your heart. You shall Valley View Bible Church, led in the first plenary session: teach them diligently to your children, and “Creating a Culture of Intentional Families”. He challenged shall talk of them when you sit in your house, participants to redefine their views on “parenting success” and when you walk by the way, and when you and to recognise that their primary parenting purpose is for their children to have a heart oriented towards glorifying lie down, and when you rise.” God. He then reminded us of the command to act as God’s (Deut 6:4–7) agents of authority in the lives of our children by means of instruction and discipline. If we only influence our children The D6 Family ministry movement, which was started by to strive for “better” lives instead of living for God’s glory Randall House,1 is premised on applying the principles of and purpose, then we are turning them away from God. Deuteronomy 6 (hence D6) and urges the church and home to work together to implement generational discipleship After a short tea-break, the conference participants within the churches, homes and families and to pass on a returned for the first Panel Session, a Worldview spiritual legacy for future generations. Conversation with Jason Wong and Jillian Lee, and moderated by Ps Eric Chan. Jason shared that a Christian The D6 movement has been active in Singapore since 2016. worldview protects us from a sick culture and prepares The D6 Family Conference is led by The Bible Society of us to shape culture; he encouraged us to not only ground Singapore and supported by the Board of Children Ministry our philosophy in Christ but to know how to respond to (Trinity Annual Conference of The Methodist Church in the arguments of other worldviews by offering better Singapore), Faith Methodist Church and The Evangelical arguments. Jillian talked about integrating faith and Alliance of Singapore. The 2021 conference planning life at home and in church, and the need to renew our committee was co-chaired by Dr Cheah Fung Fong (TRAC minds, reclaim conversations, recover space and time for Vice-President) and Ps Eric Chan, and assisted by committee solitude, as well as to remain in community. members Rev Carrie Chan, Rev David Chee, Ps Simon Say, Ps Elaine Kwok, Christina Ong, Carol Loi, Anne Soh, Jason Jillian Lee Goh, Joyder Ng, Sarah Chok and Celestine Tan. advocating for a The conference began with energetic greetings to more wraparound than 400 participants led by Christina Ong, an opening community prayer by Rev Reuben Ng, Pastor-in-Charge of Faith to equip Methodist Church, and an uplifting time of worship led by the next Elvin and Esther Foong, founders of The Treasure Box SG. generation This was followed by an opening welcome message by Dr with a faith Ron Hunter Jr., co-founder of D6, during which he exhorted for all of life participants to do church and home differently during this |12 METHODIST MESSAGE — September 2021

The second day began with Both afternoons of the conference were reserved for worship led by Samat Jaimon parallel breakout sessions: and family before an opening • “Confident Parenting and Family Discipleship in an welcome message by Rev Ezekiel Tan, General Secretary of The Bible Age of Unprecedented Digitalisation” by Chong Ee Jay Society of Singapore. Tim Goodyear continued with the second plenary • “Marriage and Communication” by Ps Simon Say session: “Creating a Culture of Intentional Marriages”. He spoke • “Biblical Sexuality: Building a home as the safest of how most believers are called to worship God through space for conversations on God’s design for love, sex the intimacy of marriage and the blessing of children, and and gender” by Carol Loi and Nicole Soh to show Christ by reflecting the marriage between God and His people, raise believers by inspiring and nurturing • “Raising Missional Families by Job and Anne Tan next generation faith, and to be Jesus to attract and point our neighbours and the next generation to Christ. • “Family Faith Journey” by Ps Elaine Kwok and Dorcas Li • “The Joy of Grandparenting: A Vision for the Generations” by Dr Andrew Goh • “Next Steps in Your Family Ministry Pursuit” by Ps Matthew Ling • “How to Raise Mentally Tough Children in this New Normal” by Edgar Tham Peter Tan and Dr Daniel Fung providing practical handles to build From the numerous testimonies and positive authenticity in relationships feedback received, we give praise and thanks to God for enabling the 2021 D6 Family Conference to The second panel session, “Raising Resilient Kids in a Post- guide participants to communicate better, especially Pandemic World” by A/Prof Daniel Fung and Peter Tan, to the NEXT generation, and to be equipped with was moderated by Dr Cheah Fung Fong. Daniel shared that practical strategies for effective family discipleship faith in God is foundational to allowing for perseverance in trials, which would ultimately lead to the strengthening and ministry in these uncertain times. of the child. Relationships are also crucial to developing resilient children; parents must enable children to learn Sign up today for the competence and empower them to develop responsibility. 2022 D6 Family Conference: From Proverbs 22:6 (“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it”), RECALIBRATE @ www.d6family.sg. Peter highlighted the importance of influencing children’s spiritual development by filling the vessel; feeding the 1 www.randellhouse.com body, soul and spirit; focusing on friendships and family; and having faith in God. He also extracted findings from scientific research to underscore the need to establish systems and structures to build resilience.

Opinion ¢ Dr Daniel Fung is the CEO of the Institute of Mental Health and the President of the International Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions. He worships at Pentecost Methodist Church. The digital world, addiction and your child Q: Hi, Dr Fung, can you please tell us about Internet Q: Do addictions only occur with harmful substances addiction from a psychiatrist’s point of view, and also like alcohol and drugs of abuse? from a Christian perspective? A: Let us first understand the mechanism of addictions A: We are now living in a digitally enabled world that has that is linked to a brain chemical called dopamine. greatly affected the way we work, play and worship. This Dopamine is released when an enjoyable activity pandemic has made us pivot to online platforms so much occurs in what is termed as the “reward system” in our that we might say we are “addicted” to technology for brains. This dopamine-related activity links pleasurable work and everything else. experiences to an internal motivation to re-experience the behaviour. This will create the cravings to release Many socially acceptable behaviours such as shopping, more dopamine until the brain is saturated with it, and watching movies or even eating durians can, in extreme what used to be triggers for release of dopamine may situations, be misconstrued as addictions. “Addiction” not produce the same amount. This means higher doses has become a pejorative term to describe any behaviour of the behaviour are needed to satisfy the need for that is seen as excessive and unnecessary to some. But to dopamine, which leads to tolerance. the shopaholic, the movie buff or the durian lover, these are merely jealous folks who don’t know what they are This mechanism is believed to be the underlying cause of missing. However, we would not say the same for someone addictive behaviours, whether it is to drugs and alcohol or who chain-smokes, drinks in excess every day or enjoys other social behaviours like shopping or sex. “chasing the dragon” with heroin. Q: Wait a minute. Didn’t you just say that shopping, So how do we differentiate an addiction from other social movie watching and eating durians couldn’t be behaviours? For anything to qualify as a medical condition, addictions? some basic tenets must be met—it must first be harmful to the individual and cause some dysfunction. Next, it should A: Based on the mechanisms associated with dopamine, cause cravings for the addictive behaviour that can be they can become addictions if they fulfil some of those triggered by some cues; for example, at a party when people elements of dysfunction, cravings, tolerance disinterest are smoking and drinking, these addictive behaviours can be in other activities and loss of control. In fact, compulsive aroused. It subsequently requires an increasing dose to get buying disorder is described in the scientific literature. the same good feeling associated with it. This is described But addiction as a disorder must be problematic. Normal as tolerance. As the addiction develops, it will make other shopping, movie-watching and durian-eating are part of interests diminish and one may become disinterested and the human experience, but they should not become the no longer enjoy what one used to. Finally, there will be loss centre of everything. In other words, a good principle for of control resulting in all kinds of problems such as school most social behaviours is for the Christian to be in the failure, job loss, family breakup, etc. world but not of the world (John 15:19). |14 METHODIST MESSAGE — September 2021

Q: What about Internet addiction? An OECD study from 2018 showed that many developed nations have increasingly had their children exposed A: By the same token, use of computers is fairly ubiquitous. to inappropriate sexual and aggressive content online. Like television did several decades before when it first Other studies have shown that without training, children arrived, all technology offers new benefits as well as can fall prey to these negative influences. My advice to problems. In the 1980s, computer addiction was described parents is to keep a close eye on your children and make using most of the five behaviours I explained earlier. yourself a digitally literate migrant. Learn about gaming There was even a book by Margaret Shotton describing the and understand terms like MMOG, RPG and FPS. Only lives of 106 individuals spending in ordinate amounts of when you understand the technology can you learn to use time with the computer.1 Later, video gaming in the form it positively in beneficial games that can train memory, of game machines in video arcades became all the rage organisation and even social skills. The technology is not and, in Singapore, the government placed a ban on such the enemy; it is how it can be used or abused. gaming, citing worries and concerns by parents. With the widespread advent of Internet usage from the 1990s, the Q: What can I do if my child is already addicted? Is it same concerns about addictions arose. too late? Like compulsive buying disorder, addiction to Internet A: No, but some intervention will be needed. Because gaming is being considered for American Psychiatric of each individual’s unique family and social situation, a Association’s Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental variety of treatments may be needed that are catered Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) which is a classification to the child, such as individual counselling, group system used by psychiatrists. It uses the tenets that I support and family therapy. The most important aspect have mentioned in which the person is preoccupied with of treatment is to identify the internal motivation of the gaming, experiences withdrawal when the game is taken individual to change and appeal to the rational thinking away and needs to increase gaming to satisfy the urge with of the young person. an inability to stop. Other activities become less important, and this may affect school, jobs or relationships. Behavioural strategies in terms of rewards and punishments can be additional measures. A well-known psychological Q: What can we do about this? We can’t ban the use intervention called cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has of the Internet! been shown to have good short-term gains. The focus of CBT is to help the young person understand that their thinking A: We are all now living in the digital world with more digital (or cognitions) dictate how they feel and what behaviours natives than digital migrants. The young person and video will occur. Some of the problematic thinking revolves around gaming is part of this world. A parent needs to determine over-valuing the benefits of gaming such as the rewards when a child should be introduced to computers and the within the game and the online character (or avatar). At Internet, and how to monitor the responsible use of it. the same time, the youth may develop maladaptive rules for playing the games such as playing for long periods and A local study in Singapore also showed that addiction not keeping regular hours. This will often lead to becoming to games is inversely proportional to adult supervision. over-reliant on the game and success within the game as a This means that in some youths, gaming can become source for self-esteem and social acceptance. CBT attempts addictive if there is not sufficient parental monitoring and to help the young person increase their awareness of their involvement. Train the child in the way he should go, and problematic behaviour, work through these issues and find when he is old, he will not depart from it (Prov 22:6). healthy alternatives. Family and social settings would also need to be helped to create a supportive environment. But Q: What should Christian parents do? this will take time and effort. A: The age-old idiom that “prevention is better than There is no instant solution and in a volatile, uncertain, cure” is an important first principle. For addictions, it is complex and ambiguous world, we need to make an also very scientific since it is overindulging in a particular effort to help our children and adolescents find harmony. activity, like playing video games non-stop, can create that This cannot be done by surrogate parents such as dopamine saturation which leads to addiction. If there was teachers or coaches. Parents must step in and spend time supervised monitoring by responsible adults—especially understanding their children and their needs for love. They parents—this behaviour would not have occurred in the need to hold their children’s hands when they are young, first place. Parents should decide when children get hold walk with them as they reach the cusp of adulthood and of computers, including mobile phones. These are not share with them the love of their heavenly Father. just phones but extremely powerful devices that work as miniaturise computers that can become addiction enablers. 1 Margaret Shotton, Computer Addiction? A Study of Computer Dependency (London: Taylor & Francis, 1989). |METHODIST MESSAGE — September 2021 15

Opinion ¢ Rev Chan Mei Ming is a pastor at Faith Methodist Church, where she oversees the Enlarge Pillar comprising Missions, Witness & Evangelism, Outreach & Social Concerns, and Chaplaincy Ministries. Bible-based healing in tragic and trying times W hen tragedy strikes, or when we have to live with Another activity is to help them to name their losses by broken lives or broken dreams, it can be hard to thinking about how a tragic or intensely trying event has move forward, stay motivated or want to go on. interrupted their life, such as in their plans and fears for We may have lost someone close to us or someone we the future, not knowing when this “life-on-hold” feeling love. We may find ourselves feeling all alone and afraid, or is going to end or what the “new normal” will bring (as in struggling emotionally to deal with difficult circumstances. this coronavirus pandemic). There may be, in other tragic We may face an uncertain future wondering how long or trying situations, the death of a loved one or friend, things will be like this and whether life will ever get better. relational loss because of a broken relationship, seeming death of an academic dream because of disappointing All of us go through trying times. And perhaps none are examination results, or deeper things like personal welfare more silently and deeply vulnerable than the younger ones and safety. After they have indicated what they have lost, in our midst. By God’s grace, we can, as concerned adults, encourage them to write down how each loss made them be better equipped to help them process the effects of feel or to draw a face showing that feeling(s). trauma, their emotional and spiritual pain, so that through it all, they come to experience God’s love for them. This Pointing To A Bible Spotlight journey would include, at the appropriate time, helping Jesus understands feelings. In John 11:1–44, Jesus them process why they are feeling what they are feeling. cried with Mary and Martha, who must have had WHY THEY ARE FEELING WHAT THEY ARE FEELING many feelings like sadness, loneliness, anger, When we experience bad things, our hearts and minds can regret, hopelessness, fear and maybe others. be wounded. It’s important to take care of heart wounds so that inner healing can take place. One way a heart wound WHAT THEY CAN DO WITH THESE FEELINGS can be healed is through telling someone about what Having experienced such losses, the feelings they have happened and how it felt. God is the One who heals, but named are connected to the grief they are feeling because time and again He uses people in the process. of those losses. Loss always leads to grief. Grief is normal and healthy as it helps us deal with the loss we feel. It We learn to listen well to them by gently asking three is the emotional response we feel when we have lost “listening questions”: someone or something that means a lot to us. 1. “Can you remember what happened?” This helps to We can facilitate their grieving process by helping them build rapport, and to establish facts and timeline. understand the grief journey as a “street” with “bus stops” along the way. 2. “How do/did you feel?” Healing takes place at the level of emotions. Enabling them to name their Bus stop one: denial and anger. Our first response to feelings helps them give clarity to what may otherwise losing something or someone important to us is often be vague emotions. A possible activity is to provide a to not believe it is happening. Along with doubting that list of words that describe feelings they may have and it’s true, we can feel angry about the loss and try to find encourage them to circle those they have experienced someone or something to blame so we can aim our anger because of this tragic or intensely trying event. There there. Sometimes, we feel it’s easier and safer to express are no wrong feelings! Help them understand that anger than to express sorrow. feelings are a natural response to things that happen in our lives. It is normal to have difficult feelings when Bus stop two: no hope. Eventually, our denial and anger difficult things happen to us. begin to fade and we face the reality of the loss. We feel hopeless, as if nothing will ever be good again. Some 3. “What was the hardest part for you?” Each person people show this stage by crying, withdrawing, or being is different. We need to know the answer to this from depressed. They may not feel like taking care of themselves, them individually. This can also help to clarify which doing schoolwork or their usual activities. They may resort feeling is the strongest for them right now. It can also to numbing the pain with activities that harm themselves. help to discover what the young person does when he/she feels this way. |16 METHODIST MESSAGE — September 2021

Bus stop three: new beginnings. We come to a place of HOW THEY CAN LIVE FORWARD resolution recognising that things will never be the same, The Lord Jesus knows all the pains they are carrying. It’s but we learn we can live with the loss. We can talk about important for them to be able to bring these pains to Him our loss without the sharp pain that we felt when the so He can bring healing to their wounded hearts. We enable loss was new. We accept that we can’t get those people their journey of wound bearing and pain bearing to Jesus. or things back, and we can accept this “new normal’ in the face of the loss(es). We even begin to dream again, Step one: Write down their worst pain(s). Pray with to plan, to step forward to map our goals, no matter how each person asking God to show him/her the most painful small the step. things buried deep in their heart. Encourage him/her to write these down on a piece of paper or they might prefer Grief Street Bypass. Sometimes people want to skip to draw a picture of these things instead of using words. the “stops” and try to take a bypass directly to “new Give him/her time to do this and assure them no one will beginnings”. They don’t allow themselves the time or ever see what they have written. space to be sad or angry about their loss. There may be people in their life that tell them that to “just get over it”. Step two: Bring their pains to the cross. Encourage him/her Or sometimes, they hear in church that they must “praise to talk to Jesus about the pains they have put on their piece of God for everything all the time”. The Bypass is not healthy. paper. Give him/her time to do this and when they are ready, Going through the stages of grief is important so we can encourage him/her to take their papers, to go and to put them deal honestly with our loss. at the foot of the cross in the small box provided. Riding the bus. The grief journey is often not direct. Many Step three: Burn the papers (optional, but recommended). times, when we think about what we have lost, we find When the paper(s) have been deposited, take them outside our feelings going back to a stage we thought we had and read Isaiah 61:1­–3. Thereafter, burn the papers to already passed. We might go back to denial and anger (bus show and explain the suffering each one has experienced stop one) and/or to feeling no hope (bus stop two). Over has become like ashes. Pray with the person that they will time, we are able to move forward again, and one day to experience Jesus healing their wounded or broken hearts. stay in “new beginnings”. HOW THEY CAN RELATE TO GOD IN TRAGIC AND POINTING TO A BIBLE SPOTLIGHT TRYING TIMES David grieved with his men about their losses, Sometimes, living through tragic and trying times force us to evaluate what we believe about God and to decide what but found his solace and strength in God. is really important in our lives. (Psalm 13) We encourage them to hold fast to the Word of God. Teach them to remember important truths such as: 1. What if I’m afraid? “The  Lord  is my  light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Ps 27:1) 2. What if I think I’m all alone and God has left me? “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Josh 1:9) 3. What if someone said that I have no future, that I’m hopeless? “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jer 29:11 NIV) Resources Hill, Harriet, Margaret Hill, Richard Bagge, and Pat Miersma. Healing the Wounds of Trauma. Philadelphia: American Bible Society, 2016. McCombs, Margi and James Covey. Unstuck: A Teen Guide for Living In Uncertain Times. Philadelphia: American Bible Society, 2020. |METHODIST MESSAGE — September 2021 17

Reach Out ¢ Welfare Services By the Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) Communications Team / Photos courtesy of MWS Honours 40 years of “heartwork” in volunteering. O n 30 July 2021, over a hundred invited guests witnessed the powerful performance of “The Prayer” by 18-year-old award-winning soprano soloist Lauren Yeo. Lauren’s performance was one of the highlights of the inaugural Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) Empowering Life Awards (ELA) for volunteers, which was held over Zoom. The ELA recognises volunteers who have made MWS CEO Junie Foo giving significant contributions in serving and empowering the her opening address disadvantaged and distressed under the care of MWS. The Awards were launched in a special year, MWS’ 40th year of empowering life to the full. MWS was founded in 1981 by a group of young Methodists who were moved by the struggles and hardships that they saw in the community. Two years later, we served our first six elderly residents in the Methodist Home for the Aged Sick. Today, volunteers continue to serve actively in MWS, planting new seeds for generations to come. Mr Danny Goh and Mrs Lois Goh, recipients of the MWS Empowering Warmth Award |18 METHODIST MESSAGE — September 2021

Award-winning soprano soloist Lauren Yeo Mr David Wong, former MWS Chairperson (2011–15), with her soulful rendition of “The Prayer” was also honoured with the MWS Empowering Lifetime Award for his years of distinguished service to MWS. Over 70 nominations from MWS’ network of 20 centres David is respected as a visionary and compassionate and programmes were received for 12 award categories. leader, and whose services to the community and MWS The awards are named Hope, Strength, Warmth and are deeply grounded in his Christian faith. Under his Positivity in recognition of the volunteers’ efforts in leadership, MWS services grew in breadth and depth. bringing these to the beneficiaries. Patron of MWS, Bishop Dr Gordon Wong of The Methodist One might be surprised that the average age of the seven Church in Singapore, as well as other sector leaders such individual award recipients was 74 years old and 20 award as Mr Gerard Ee, Chairman of The Charity Council; Ms recipients were over 80 years old. It was heartening that Melissa Kwee, CEO of National Volunteer & Philanthropy our seniors have found a new purpose in volunteering, Centre; and Mr Tan Kwang Cheak, CEO of Agency for a strong demonstration that making a positive impact Integrated Care also took time to grace the occasion. can be done at any age. More than 200 volunteers also In addition, Bishop Dr Wong, Ms Kwee and Mr Edwin received Long Service Awards, including five individuals Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, and who were recognised for 40 years of volunteering service! Second Minister for Law, appeared in recorded messages to encourage and thank all volunteers for their services. One such volunteer is 92-year-old Mrs June Cheong, Music performance by leading not-for-profit Singaporean founder of the Sunshine Group, who has been arts company, The TENG Ensemble, and a tribute video volunteering at MWS nursing homes for the last 40 years. by MWS Staff rounded up the programme for the day. She said, “I recall a resident who was highly critical and did not always get on well with others. But we As Junie Foo, CEO of MWS said in her opening address, continued to be patient with her, loved her as God had “There’s an old African proverb that says, ‘If you want to commanded us to, and showed her how to accept love go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’ from others. The MWS Bethany Nursing Home team was These challenging times are a stark reminder that we also very dedicated in their care for her. Twenty years must go together, and certainly we hope to go far, for on, this resident told us she wanted to get baptised. We another 40 years, God willing.” were overjoyed! This really showed us that God’s love can overcome all obstacles.” As MWS continues to expand to meet the growing needs in the community, many more volunteers will Despite their advanced age and physical frailty, Sunshine be needed. Keen to get involved? Visit mws.sg to learn Group never allowed anything to hinder their outreach. Even more. You can also watch a recording of the ELA on our during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, they sent MWS 40th Anniversary microsite at https://mws.sg/ recorded videos to engage MWS nursing home residents. mws-empowering-life-awards-2021/. Mrs June Cheong, recipient of Mr David Wong, former MWS MWS Empowering Long Service Chairperson and recipient of MWS Award (40 Years) Empowering Lifetime Award |METHODIST MESSAGE — September 2021 19

14 METHODIST MESSAGE, JULY 2013

Reach Out ¢ Welfare Services By the Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) Communications Team / Photos courtesy of MWS MWS at 40 A former MWS beneficiary looks back on his journey of change. This year, Methodist Welfare Services celebrates 40 years of empowering life to the full. This is one of a series of stories from people who felt empowered to empower others through MWS over the years. Get involved and join MWS in empowering lives. Learn more by visiting https://mws.sg/mws40th/ M r Yan Yuelong was working Family Service Centre (FSC) – Hougang. couple in parent-child interaction as a cook in a hawker centre MWS FSC first helped the family with therapy after observing that they and was badly affected their pressing financial issues by had difficulties parenting their when the COVID-19 pandemic struck applying for subsidies to cover the children. In line with MWS’ person- in 2020. But he did not give up or transportation costs of sending Mr Yan’s centred approach that recognises fall into despair. Instead, he made mother-in-law for dialysis treatments and taps on clients’ strengths, MWS the difficult switch to work as a and medical appointments. The family Social Worker Ms Lynette Tan would warehouse worker to support his was also given cash vouchers and encourage the couple whenever they family. placed on a food ration programme applied the skills they had learnt that provided milk and diapers for his on how they interact with their His strength and resilience was younger children. children. The couple has since grown however not developed overnight. In more confident in managing and 2013, Mr Yan was struggling as a sole Besides attending to the family’s disciplining their children. breadwinner for his family of seven, immediate needs, the FSC also consisting of his wife, mother-in-law referred Mr Yan to the MWS Family Looking back on his journey today, Mr and four children. Although he worked Development Programme (FDP) that Yan is thankful and appreciative for long hours, the 44-year-old barely helped the family work towards the timely support he had received made enough as a cook to cover his financial stability and build assets from MWS. His wife is also currently family’s basic needs. Mr Yan’s financial to buffer against crises. Starting working part-time at a school and situation worsened when his mother- out with zero savings, Mr Yan contributing financially. MWS’ holistic in-law was diagnosed with kidney committed to save $100 a month. approach not only empowered him failure. The severe stress he was under For every dollar that he saved, MWS to face pressing financial issues also affected his relationship with his FDP matched it with $2. After being then, it has also prepared him to wife and children. Desperate for help, on FDP for two and a half years, manage the challenges during his wife approached MWS Covenant the family eventually accumulated the current pandemic. “I am very savings of more than $9,000 to use grateful towards MWS for all the help for emergencies and their children’s extended to us during our time of education. need. I hope many more will be able to receive such support and know Recognising the family’s holistic that they need not walk this journey needs, MWS FSC also enrolled the alone.” |METHODIST MESSAGE — September 2021 21

Reach Out ¢ Missions Dr Christopher Cheah is a Methodist Missions Society (MMS) ExCo Member and a member of Fairfield Methodist Church. A retired medical doctor, he was Chairman of Singapore Centre for Global Missions and currently chairs the board of Pioneers in Asia, a mission agency sending  missionaries to UPGs worldwide. He is married to Fung Fong and they have three adult children, one of whom is working in a country where MMS sends missionaries to. This article first appeared in Harvest Force 2021, issue 2. Extending the scope to reach the unreached T he Methodist Missions Society (MMS) Vision 2025 is to “Enlarge the Tent of God” among the world’s unreached people groups (UPG) so that “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isa 11:9). The Lausanne Committee defined a people group in 1982 as “the largest group within which the Gospel can spread as a church planting movement without encountering barriers of understanding or acceptance”. The Joshua Project estimated that there are about 10,400 people groups (or 17,400 if country boundaries are considered) worldwide, with about 4,600 UPGs (or 7,400 if country boundaries are considered) today. We praise God for the seven field countries where MMS is currently involved. As it enlarges the tent going forward, MMS could first look at the UPGs in the seven field countries and see how they can be reached with the Gospel. Next, MMS could look at the UPGs in ASEAN countries as they are our closest neighbours. Finally, MMS could look at UPGs further afield in other Asian countries in South Asia and East Asia as the Lord leads. UPGs in MMS field countries Table 1 provides a summary of the 988 UPGs in MMS’s seven field countries. Cambodia, Laos, Nepal and Thailand have large percentages of their population living among UPGs and should receive the greatest attention and resources. The Khmers remains the largest UPG in Cambodia with about 14 million, predominantly Buddhists. So are the 60 million Thais in Thailand, and the 3.5 million Laos in Laos. The picture is more diverse in Nepal with more than 275 UPGs waiting to be reached, especially among the Brahmins and Chhetris. Timor-Leste* has the least number of UPGs, presumably because it is considered a Roman Catholic country. Table 1: UPGs in MMS Field Countries |22 METHODIST MESSAGE — September 2021

UPGs in other ASEAN countries Table 2 shows that the other ASEAN countries where MMS is not present have fewer UPGs (total of 406) as the churches there are older and more active in outreach and evangelism. The Philippines* also has fewer UPGs as it is also considered a Roman Catholic country. Apart from Brunei, all four other countries have a strong Methodist presence. While MMS does not need to send missionaries to these countries, it can partner the Methodist church there to reach the UPGs, especially in countries like Indonesia and Myanmar where the percentages of their population living among UPGs are higher. Table 2: UPGs in the Other ASEAN Countries UPGs in other Asian countries Beyond ASEAN, the picture is grimmer, as shown in Table 3. All six countries listed have large numbers of UPGs (total of 3,367) with more that 90 per cent of their population living among them. These are also big countries with huge populations. Again, MMS need not send missionaries there as most already have a Methodist presence, but can work with the Methodist church there to reach the UPGs. Table 3: UPGs in Selected Asian Countries The above 18 countries account for 4,761 or 65 per cent of all UPGs today. While they are closer to home, there are obviously UPGs in other countries that are equally in need of the Gospel. The harvest is truly plentiful. May we heed our Lord’s advice to ask the Lord of the harvest to send forth labourers into the harvest field! (Matt 9:37–38) *https://joshuaproject.net. All following tables and statistics are taken from the same site. |METHODIST MESSAGE — September 2021 23

Opinion ¢ 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). In the shadow of the pandemic “Soundings” is a series of essays that, like the waves of a sonogram, explore issues in society, culture and the church in light of the Gospel and Christian understanding. I n a media release in December 2018, the Institute On March 16 this year, the Straits Times reported that of Mental Health reported that one in seven people mental health professionals in Singapore have attended in Singapore has experienced a mental disorder to more cases in the past year amid the raging COVID-19 in their lifetime.1 This situation is exacerbated by pandemic.2 This has prompted the National Council the COVID-19 pandemic, especially with the recent of Social Service to launch its national anti-stigma resurgence of community cases following a lull for a campaign, “Beyond the Label”, last year to raise public few months. awareness and help those affected.3 The pandemic has, in many different ways, given Although there is generally an increasing awareness rise to stress and anxiety. Many are worried about of mental health issues in Singapore, the Church their health, the health of their loved ones and their can arguably do much more not only to educate its livelihood. Necessary measures that are meant to keep members, but also to think of how best to minister the population safe such as imposed limits on social to and support the mentally ill and their families. gatherings can result in isolation and loneliness, and The Church’s ministry to its members struggling with generate even more anxiety. mental health should be multi-pronged because of the complexity of the phenomenon. |24 METHODIST MESSAGE — September 2021

For many Christians, dealing with depression, chronic Now, beyond changing mindsets and attitudes and anxiety and other forms of mental illness plunges them exorcising prejudices and fears, the Church must into a deep spiritual crisis. All sorts of questions will also encourage its members to help in concrete and invade their minds, some of which present formidable tangible ways. These include practical acts such as challenges to their faith. accompanying the person with mental illness for his doctor appointments or raising funds to help defray the Questions such as whether they are being punished by cost of medical bills. God for some past sins they might have committed. The answers they (and others) give to such questions could The Church can also start special groups to support either assure them of God’s unconditional love or drag people affected by mental illness. These groups can them into the abyss of guilt and despair. create for them a safe space where they can freely share their stories in an environment of love and trust. In helping its members to properly understand issues related to mental illness, the Church must provide According to Amy Simpson, this ministry has a subtle a robust theology of suffering based on Scripture but profound impact because it “will alert people that and tradition. In addition, the Church must help its they are not alone within the body of Christ and that members to appreciate the stigmatisation that people the church is a safe place to be sick. This message can with mental illness often suffer. Stigmatisation of the have more healing than we might ever know”.4 mentally ill is not just found in society—it is also found in the Church. In many cases, the stigmatisation is not But most importantly, the Church must pray with only confined to the person with mental illness; it often and for people with mental health issues. Prayer can extends to the members of their families as well. bring comfort and peace because it ushers us into the presence of the God of love and grace. Stigmatisation is a corrosive social evil that not only dehumanises its victim, but also the community that “Prayer,” writes theologian Kathryn Greene-McCreight, tolerates it. For a bit of our own humanity is eroded who is struggling with mental illness herself, “will when we fail to recognise and honour the dignity of a bring health—even for the bent and broken mind of the human being created in God’s image. mentally ill”.5 As I have written elsewhere, the Church must learn to 1 Institute of Mental Health, “Latest nationwide study shows 1 in 7 people in welcome and value believers who are suffering from Singapore has experienced a mental disorder in their lifetime”, 11 Dec 2018. mental illness or disability as indispensable members 2 Eliz Wang and Natalie Tan, “More needed help during Covid-19 pandemic, say of Christ’s Body (1 Cor 12:21–27). We must love them mental health experts”, Straits Times, 16 March 2021. and minister to them because they are our brothers 3 Rei Kurohi, “Mental health anti-stigma campaign back for 3rd year”, Straits and sisters in the Lord. Times, 25 Sep 2020. 4 Amy Simpson, Troubled Minds: Mental Illness and the Church’s Mission (Downers This ministry, however, is never a one-way street. Grove, IL: IVP, 2013), 195. Brothers and sisters with mental illness can and often 5 Kathryn Greene-McCreight, Darkness is My Only Companion: A Christian do contribute to the life and ministry of the Church. Response to Mental Illness (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Brazos Press, 2015), 137. God does bless the Church through the presence of its sick and disabled members. |METHODIST MESSAGE — September 2021 25

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. WE ARE CALLED The Methodist School of Music (MSM) TO TELL THE STORY equips and edifies both the individual and the church through music and the performing arts. E ach of us has a story: one that defines who we are; where we come from; and how we relate to others. While some may be Find out more at msmusic.edu.sg. willing to share their stories, others dare not for reasons we may or may not understand. WE ARE CALLED TO TELL THE STORY What strikes us are untold stories that we learn of only when We are called to tell the story, something sudden and unexpected happens. Narratives are often passing words of life along, related to people’s mental health, and we are hearing of such struggles more and more often. This is a concern that is calling us to then to blend your voice with others be more sensitive and to pay closer attention to those around us who as you sing the sacred song. may need our ears. Christ be known in all our singing, This month, we give tribute to our teachers. Also called the second filling all with songs of love, parent of each child, they are essential in nurturing children, students— the future of our society. But along with these responsibilities that We are called to teach the rhythm they shoulder with us, there is weight they carry on their own. of the dance that never ends, then to move within the circle, What is the possibility of using God’s story to walk alongside the teachers to whom we entrust and our children? hand in hand with strangers, friends. Christ be known in all our dancing, The hymn, “We Are Called to Tell the Story”, was originally written as “You are called to tell the story”. Originally written for an ordination touching all with hands of love. service, this hymn summons the ordinand(s) to narrate and use God’s story to mould his own, as well as the congregation’s. We are called to set the table, blessing bread as Jesus blest, God’s narrative are true stories about helplessness and hope, then to come with thirst and hunger, emptiness and grace, lament and mercy, harshness and compassion, needing care like all the rest. sin and salvation. The hymn summarises God’s story with love—a love Christ be known in all our sharing, that becomes the premise and core of our way of life. This love is feeding all with signs of love. “embodied” by parents, teachers and the community at large. May the One whose love is broader As the hymn ends, may we find words to encourage each other to than the measure of all space sing, dance and move to the rhythm of God’s story, making it our give us words to sing the story, own. Doing so, we make Christ known in our living, then our people move among us in this place. and our children are formed and shaped to do the same. Christ be known in all our living, The music was set to a contemporary tune by Justin Chan, a filling all with gifts of love. Programme Executive at Methodist School of Music. Words: Ruth Duck |26 METHODIST MESSAGE — September 2021 Music: Justin Chan (MSM 2021) Words © 1992 GIA Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduced by permission of GIA Publications, Inc. Any further reproduction requires permission from the publisher. For congregational reprint licensing, contact ONE LICENSE: http://www.onelicense.net The music was set to a contemporary tune by Justin Chan, Programme Executive at Methodist School of Music. Scan the QR code to listen.

People ¢ Sharon Koh* is one of the contributors to Colours of the Kingdom, the third book in the Good News for Bruised Reeds series, where this story originally appeared. Reproduced with permission. / Book visual courtesy of Graceworks When race and faith collide Confrontations that wound The door slammed. Right in my face. I have never had someone do that to me before; this was the stuff of Hollywood dramas, but this drama was only just beginning. That was the response I encountered when my father asked me point-blank if I was seeing Pravin*. It marked the start of a downward spiral in my relationship with my father, two years of what my father called the “dark night of his soul”, and two years where the family walked this tightrope of keeping the various relationships in balance. My mother, who often disagreed with my father on many things, stood firmly together with him on this one issue. The whole episode caught me by surprise. This was the twenty-first century! I had always thought my parents were liberal-minded. Beyond that, I knew them to be God-fearing and devout Christians who took their faith seriously and exhorted us as their children to do likewise. Both my parents had served as deacons in church and were actively involved in lay ministries of different sorts. I held them in high regard, which is what made their reaction all the more shocking to me. I could not square their faith with much of what I was hearing from them, and I certainly could not square that with how I saw them treat Pravin, a fellow believer in Christ, never mind someone whom I had grown to love. I was also disappointed and deeply wounded to realise that racial prejudice could run so deep, it would cause a parent to be willing to sever a relationship with their own child simply because they could not accept a mixed-race relationship. *not their real names |METHODIST MESSAGE — September 2021 27

When race and faith collide Yes, it was as drastic as that. Both Pravin and I kept a lot of what we were going through private. For one, it was not something that It is not profitable to recount everything that was said could be easily or openly talked about. It was not easy and done, but so as to provide a picture of the ugliness because I did not have the words to convey what I was that occurred, I offer one example to illustrate the nature going through; I could not make sense of it, I could not of comments that were being exchanged. In one of the rationalise what was right or wrong nor discern what was many emotionally charged conversations I had with my good and true. There was too much internal conflict and parents, where we tried to hear each other out, my dissonance, too many layers of emotions that added to the mother blurted out something so horrifyingly offensive confusion, too many treasured relationships entangled in that—if I am not mis-recollecting—I couldn’t help but this web, and it all seemed to just be one colossal mess. yell, “You are racist! How can you call yourself a Christian In addition, we wanted to be discreet about what was with such racist views!” happening because we were embarrassed, considering that reputations were at stake. It was not a pretty sight and there were character assassinations of various sorts. And yet, these were Perhaps we just did not know how to talk about this in effect the thrust of the conversations that we had, with empathy, kindness and grace. We were especially when we even spoke to each other. Much of the time, careful to keep this private from Pravin’s family who especially with my father who is introverted like me, were non-believers. This would not only have been it was a silent war. And just like any other war, it was impossible for them, as parents, to stomach (which pointless and painful. During this time, I learnt through parent would want to see their child rejected for no my siblings that it pained my parents when they saw other reason than their ethnicity!), but worse still, it Pravin and myself in church together. For that reason, would have smeared the name of Christ. we decided that it was best that we left the church and worshipped elsewhere. Home and church should Throughout this ordeal, we were grateful for our be spaces where we find peace, comfort, unconditional siblings and friends who rallied around us and provided love and acceptance, but for me, they had become companionship and encouragement. I appreciated that sources of tension, judgement, fear and anxiety. they largely abstained from putting any pressure on us to make a choice, one way or the other. No sides were taken. Comfort for the weary At any rate, it was not a war to be won, but a war we wanted to put an end to; reconciliation was what we were It is true that if we are one Body and one Family, when all hoping for. I believe that we were all jointly waiting on one member hurts, the rest hurt with it. We were all God to work the miracle of changing minds, healing hearts hurting—my parents, my siblings, Pravin, myself and our and restoring relationships. In the meantime, our siblings closest friends whom we trusted and shared this with. and friends journeyed alongside and walked with us The hurt was as much from whatever offences we felt through the valley. We were provided havens in the form were being committed against self or the person we of homes being opened up to us where we could freely cared about, as well as the pain of seeing someone we “be a couple” and hang out in the company of friends, cared about hurting. I felt both—I was hurt by how I was where we could laugh and have fun even in the midst of being treated by my parents, and how they were treating trouble, where we were given the space to vent and share Pravin, but I was also pained to see them hurting. To our fears and frustrations when we needed to, where we some, it may seem as though it came down to making a were prayed over and prayed for, and so much more. We “simple” decision about whether to end the relationship felt as though they were building a hedge around us, and for the sake of keeping the family together, or to stick we found safety and comfort within those spaces. with the relationship and cause a rift in the family. The fact of the matter was that relationships were already Conscientious waiting broken, and the weight of all that brokenness was crushing. I believe that God was hurting too. Pravin and I have been married for almost 13 years now. We were in a relationship for four years before we |28 METHODIST MESSAGE — September 2021

Books ¢ got married—it took about two years Good News for before my parents began to slowly Bruised Reeds: come around, another year before Pravin went to seek their blessings Colours for us to get married, and one more of the year following that before my father Kingdom walked me down the aisle. That was a day of rejoicing, and those who T his book presents true stories and reflections of Christians in knew the backstory to our marriage Singapore about grappling with issues of ethnicity or nationality in rejoiced along with us, and marvelled the Church. We hear from individuals who have been on the receiving at the miracle they were witnessing. end of racism as well as inclusive hospitality, individuals who have been Till today, it remains a mystery to me convicted by the Lord to repent of their prejudices, and church leaders as to what caused my parents to turn who are working on intentionally creating inclusive spaces that celebrate around; we have not directly spoken ethnic and national diversity. Contributors also share theological, pastoral about it. I only know that they had and practical approaches to this issue. poured themselves into searching the Scriptures and praying through this The primary audience of this book is Christians, whether in leadership or crucible moment. The Word of God not, for reflection, encouragement, and equipping on this topic. This is not truly has the power to change the a book to shame or blame local or majority ethnicity Christians, but a call hearts of men. out of love for the whole Church to reflect and work towards becoming a more united and inclusive gospel community reflecting the biblical vision On my part, it was a lesson of waiting of multi-cultural diversity. upon the Lord and learning to trust in the Father-heart of God. Through “It is likely that some racial prejudice lurks within every one of us, and we need those torrid years, there were many the eyes and tears of others to help us see. This book provides us with the tears moments of despair and desperation, of frustration and discouragement, of those who have suffered racial prejudice, sometimes from blatant attacks, of doubt, and also of anger. I often but more often from persons who unintentionally inflicted pain and offence. felt that my earthly parents were not Let’s read, reflect and let God’s Spirit reduce the racial prejudice within us.” coming through for me. While I knew that my Heavenly Father was there —Bishop Dr Gordon Wong for me, it was hard to have faith that things would work out for good. I Good News for Bruised Reeds: wanted it to work out for good right here and now, and not just in some Colours of the Kingdom eternal realm. I do not know what I would have done nor what would Edited by Nicole Ong, Ng Zhi-Wen, Ronald JJ Wong, Prarthini have happened if the situation with M. Selveindran, Jonathan Cho and Tan Soo-Inn. my parents did not change. I am only Published by Graceworks Pte Ltd (2021), 128 pages grateful that the Lord spared me from that, and my faith was never tested https://graceworks.com.sg/store/ beyond what I could bear. category/pastoral-resources/good-news- for-bruised-reeds-colours-of-the-kingdom/ Thirteen years on, our wedding verse rings as true as it has always done $16 to $50 across the ages. “He is before all things and in Him all things hold together” Enjoy 10 per cent off the price of Colours of the Kingdom (Col 1:17). with the promo code MMCOLOURS10 at the webstore’s checkout page (valid from 1–30 Sep 2021).



People ¢ Mrs Gnanamany Philip worships at Pasir Panjang Tamil Methodist Church. She is one of the advisors of the GC WSCS. She was also one of the chefs for Simply Good: Healthy Family Meals, a recipe book by GC WSCS. / Photo courtesy of Gnanamany Philip What does being a Methodist mean to you? Mrs Gnanamany Philip with her husband, “I am determined to be a Bible Christian not almost but altogether.” ETAC President Rev Philip Abraham This remains my goal in my Christian life. I grew up in Sembawang—Jalan Sembawang Kechil to be exact—where Sembawang Tamil Methodist Church stood before it shifted to Yishun. It was there in the Sunday School I accepted Jesus as my personal Lord and Saviour. Since then, the Methodist Church has been the ground of my Christian foundation, where I have grown my roots in the knowledge of Christ. I love the Aldersgate season. Through the series of special talks and services conducted then, I have come to better understand the Wesleyan way of approaching God. The songs we sang at the services have brought much meaning to why and what I am doing as a child of God. It was during these meetings, many years ago, that I came to understand what holiness (scriptural and social) is and my role in building social holiness in the community that I am part of. Personal holiness starts in redemption by Christ and works towards transformation by the Holy Spirit, so that I can be shaped to look more and more like Jesus. And as God’s chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and God’s special possession, we need to move as a community whose presence and practice influence and impact the family, neighbourhood, nation and the world. To me, being a Methodist is to be the salt of this earth and light to this world by demonstrating faith working by love. This is what I share in the various Bible study sessions that I conduct at Sunday School, with the youth and in WSCS. As a Christian community, we need to strengthen ourselves by standing firm in the word of God; we rally fellow athletes to complete the race by encouraging each other, comforting the injured, and cheering the weak and tired to continually walk steadily on the highway of holiness and the path of righteousness. With Jesus as our chief Shepherd, we strive to become not almost but altogether Christians.

Opinion ¢ THINK Sheri Goh is the Editor of Methodist Message. / Photos courtesy of Sheri Goh QODiary of a It was late on Monday night that I finally received a text notification from MOH that M was to be under QO until noon on 11 August, or until we received a second negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, whichever was later. The same night, Certis Cisco called to inform us that since everyone in our abode (i.e. my husband, my helper and myself) were fully vaccinated, M was eligible for home quarantine. Praise God! However, we all had to sign a legally-binding undertaking to be quarantined with her. “Oh no,” I said to my husband, my heart plummeting My parents had had the foresight to ask my 14-year-old, E, to stay with them when we learned of the case in M’s as I read the text from the teacher of my younger kindergarten. E had been very upset at the prospect of daughter, M, on Sunday, 1 Aug 2021. M’s kindergarten missing so many days of school. E’s school (a mission classmate had tested positive for COVID-19, and everyone school) had told us that the Ministry of Education in the class, as well as their teachers and non-teaching guidelines were that once M received a negative result staff, was to be issued a quarantine order (QO). on her PCR test, E would be able to return to school, much to her relief. She would however not be allowed to That classmate had last been at school the Wednesday return home until M’s QO expired. In the meantime, the prior. I tried to quiz M: “Were any of your classmates school made provisions to have schoolwork sent to her absent on Thursday and Friday? Do they sit at the same grandparents’ house and for her sit in on some of her table as you?” Five-year-olds, however, make terrible lessons over Zoom. witnesses. Getting swabbed was The Ministry of Health (MOH), we were told by M’s school, not much fun would be calling us. In the meantime, I shed many anxious tears. Was her classmate very ill? What would Days 2 to 3 happen if M tested positive too? Would she and I (her primary caregiver) have to go to hospital or a community The intercom rang at about 11 a.m. “Swabbing man is care facility? How about my parents and in-laws who had here!” announced the security guard. “I don’t want to cared for her over the course of the past week? get swabbed!” M wailed. I hugged her and assured her I would hold her for the duration of the procedure. If she tested negative, could we quarantine at home, or would she (and I) be shipped off to a hotel? What on The swabber was incredibly kind and gentle. He has kids earth would I do to keep a five-year-old entertained in of his own, so he knew how to talk M through the two a hotel room for 10 days? The waiting game and the swabs: the Antigen Rapid Test (ART), which produces uncertainty were agonising. instant results, and the PCR test, which needs to be taken back to the lab but produces a more accurate We were having dinner with my parents when we heard result. Surprisingly, M was very brave and did not cry the news, and we prayed together before we bade when she was swabbed. goodbye. “Don’t worry,” my mom said, giving me a hug. “God will provide. Trust in Him.” We watched with bated breath as the fluid travelled up the ART test kit. Only one line appeared—which meant a QO Day 1 negative for COVID-19. In the afternoon of the third day of QO, her PCR test results came back negative as well. I was added to a WhatsApp chat group of parents of M’s classmates. It was comforting to be in the (virtual) company of those equally as anxious. And there was so much hopefulness within the group! One of the moms drafted uplifting notes (that we all signed off on) to the children’s principal, their teachers and the family of the classmate who had tested positive. |32 METHODIST MESSAGE — September 2021

Days 4 to 10 M occupied the 10 days After dinnertime on the fourth day, a Certis officer finally with books, arrived to serve us our quarantine papers. Having been on the ground since 8 a.m., she looked exhausted. The toys and recent rise in local cases had led to more people having to too much be quarantined, and the various agencies were working device time overtime to cope with the increased load. First World problems I had been fraught with anxiety since the previous weekend; it was only that night, after official confirmation I am so grateful that, despite my initial anxieties, our that we could serve M’s quarantine with her at home, that quarantine experience turned out so painless. This was I finally managed to get a decent night’s sleep. probably the most time I had spent at home with M since I was on maternity leave. We had air-conditioning, Wi- The next few days passed in a blur. My husband and I Fi, Netflix, toys, books, games, food delivery services, continued to work from home, while my helper took care and friends and family supplying us with comforting of M. We ordered meals once a day, and my mother, who treats. There are so many people who were quarantined lives in the same building, brought us the other meal or in far more difficult conditions, such as foreign workers it was cooked by my helper. M occupied herself reading, in cramped dormitories, or large families in small flats. playing the piano, doing crafts and spending way too much Thousands have been hospitalised, have been separated time watching television or playing games on the iPad. from their loved ones due to border controls, or had their finances decimated by the pandemic. Our family had planned to go on a staycation over the National Day weekend to celebrate my husband’s birthday. When asked to write about my QO experience for We had to cancel the hotel stay (for the third time due Methodist Message, I was stumped. Did having to stay to various COVID-related government restrictions), much home for 10 days deserve to have an article being written to the children’s disappointment. So, on National Day, I about it? Once we knew M was free from COVID-19, it ordered a meal from my husband’s favourite Japanese was just a matter of waiting out the quarantine. There restaurant. I also got a cake, and we blew out candles was no earth-shattering Saul-on-the-Damascus-road- while video-calling his family and our elder daughter. type epiphany from this experience. On the morning of day 8, M was swabbed for her exit Instead, what God has quietly assured me, time and PCR. That afternoon, we were notified that she was again in my life, is that while He does not give me negative for COVID-19. At noon on day 10, our freedom everything I want, He has always given me everything was restored when we were allowed to leave the house. I need. However, like the Israelites whom God liberated Most importantly, all M’s classmates (other than the from Egypt and whose every need He provided for in first case) also tested negative. the wilderness, I constantly fret and complain, and forget how God has seen me through some truly terrible M and I prayed every night during the QO period: that her periods in my life. And like the Jews, who saw Jesus classmate and family would not be too sick and would performing miracle after miracle but still doubted He recover soon; that M would continue to test negative for was God, I still often fail to recognise His sovereign COVID-19; and that God would watch over all of us in the control over my circumstances. family and keep us safe. And that we would “survive” 10 days of being trapped at home together! This time, I was reminded that my salvation must be worked out with fear and trembling (Phil 2:12); that my Home-baked cookies, bubble faith is not just a singular epiphany, but that it wavers tea and chocolate were some and needs constant renewal; that like a silly wandering of the goodies friends and sheep, I frequently need to be shepherded back to family sent over the fold. And that I need to be stronger and more courageous, and not be afraid or discouraged, because My husband’s sister made my God will always be with me in all things (Josh 1:9). him a chicken rice cake for his birthday. |METHODIST MESSAGE — September 2021 33

Events ¢ Looking Ahead Scan to see events online! SEPT WEEK OF PRAYER AND SELF-DENIAL Week starting 12 Sep 2021. Closing service on 18 Sep 2021 at 2 p.m. via Zoom Register at: https://tinyurl.com/WPSD21 (ZOOM details to be provided separately) The Week of Prayer and Self-Denial (WPSD) was started by WSCS women in the early 20th century. Fasting and praying are two of the spiritual disciplines that enable WSCS ladies to grow in Christ-likeness. Such an ageless goal remains relevant in 2021. During WPSD, ladies set aside funds to bless the poor and needy. Throughout the week starting 12 Sep 2021, meditations written by seven Methodist churches will be shared. The week culminates with a closing service via Zoom on 18 Sep. Organised by TRAC WSCS SEPT - NOV EQUIP MODULE: NEW TESTAMENT SURVEY 21, 28 Sep / 5, 12, 19, 26 Oct / 2 Nov, 7.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. via Zoom Register at https://tinyurl.com/v7vb3z7r $100 per head. Fees waived for TTC alumni and matriculated students. With accounts of the life and teaching of Jesus, the spread of the gospel, and issues faced by various New Testament (NT) writers that provide foundations for the life and theology of Christians and the Church throughout history, the importance of the NT cannot be overstated. This NT Survey course will provide an orientation of the various books of the NT by locating them in their social and historical contexts. Students will also be involved in discussions on the relevance of the NT in their daily lives, churches and the world today. Organised by EQUIP OCT THE GIVING METHODIST 2021 Till 30 Oct 2021 [email protected] https://thegivingmethodist.sg    Every year, The Giving Methodist, spearheaded by The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) and Methodist Welfare Services (MWS), provides a platform to galvanise all Methodists for acts of love. Against the backdrop of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we encourage every Methodist to “Persevere in Doing Good”.   You may join the campaign in these three ways: • Give Time Be a Befriender to a child, a senior or a family in need, from a participating MWS centre or Methodist church ministry today! • Give A Donation Uplift those whose circumstances remain dire with a regular giving of $40 a month, or an one-time donation. • Give Voice Encourage someone to give or get involved. Pray for the last, lost and least. Organised by Methodist Welfare Services 2021 BUILDING UP YOUR FAMILY: STEP BY STEP Last Thursday of every month till Dec 2021, 8 p.m. to 9.15 p.m. Online via Zoom https://tinyurl.com/FamLifeWebinar (Registrants will be emailed the Zoom link before the webinar) Organised by the Chinese Annual Conference (CAC) Board of Family Life (BOFL), the Family Life Webinars 2021 themed “Building Up Your Family: Step-by-Step” feature a series of talks by CAC pastors and experienced speakers covering the areas of: marriage; parenting children; parenting teens; fathering; and mothering. Organised by Chinese Annual Conference Board of Family Life