Diocesan Digest July 2019

Diocesan Diocese of Singapore • www.anglican.org.sg DIGEST MCI (P) 057/03/2019 Issue 271 | July 2019 Let Us Go On Proclaiming Jesus 16 A NEW SEASON FOR THE 20 THE BICENTENARY OF 24 CELEBRATION OF HOPE DEANERY OF CAMBODIA ALL SAINTS' JAKARTA SINGAPORE 2019

Contents EDITORIAL TEAM 01 Editorial 02 From The Bishop’s Heart ADVISOR 06 Communion News : Companions In A Journey The Rt Revd 08 Provincial News : Oneness in the Body – Provincial Rennis S. Ponniah Gathering 2019 10 Teaching Article: Cultivating the Heart - A EDITORS Conversation on Discipleship Revd Canon Terry Wong 24 Church in Singapore: Celebration of Hope 2019 Ms Lucilla Teoh from our ministry fronts Mrs Karen Wong Ms Sasha Michael 13 Deaneries and Global Missions 28 Youth and Young Adults DESIGNERS 31 Anglican Schools Ms Joyce Ho 32 Chinese-Speaking Work Mr Daniel Ng 33 Community Services 41 Singapore Highlights email: 44 Diocesan News [email protected] 49 Parish Highlight: Sounds of the Cathedral website: www.anglican.org.sg cover photo: Celebration of Hope Volunteer Photo Pool Printer: Hock Cheong Printing Pte Ltd Diocesan Digest © The Diocese of Singapore All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by an means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, and recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner.

EDITORIAL Strangers and Sojourners by Revd Canon Terry Wong For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. (1 Chronicles 29:15) The recently concluded Celebration of rights and privileges of Singaporeans, they have Hope rallies were amazing in many ways. A the same spiritual rights as everyone else. Each noteworthy aspect is their uniqueness as a sojourner is a person of intrinsic worth, created common forum for foreigners living in Singapore in the image of God. Each one has the right to to participate in a local national event. They were encounter Jesus and become a born-again child involved and present in every rally. of God. We owe them the Good News of God’s love. This year’s bicentennial of Singapore’s founding reminds us that she was a place of hope The local church should be their first ports of for strangers and sojourners who came in search call and havens of shalom. God’s Word teaches of a new beginning and a better life. Many of them us to treat them lovingly as equals and as family: did not have high aspirations beyond the hope of \"I am the Lord, and I consider all people the same, a decent job and a safe place to raise a family. They whether they are Israelites or foreigners living toiled to build Singapura on their backs, literally. among you. (Numbers 15:16 GNT) Some of our city’s historical buildings, for example, were built by convict labourers from India. Some parishes run services and ministries to cater to their needs. The team from Celebration of Today, strangers and sojourners are still Hope plans to continue the momentum that the streaming in to Singapore from every direction. rallies ignited, and forge ways to share Christ’s Like those before them, they contribute to our love with various groups of foreign workers. nation-building efforts in significant ways. As you go about the city, take note of how many King David’s prayer in 1 Chronicles 29:11- sojourners are hard at work building and 14 would be familiar to us because we utter the beautifying our city, keeping it clean and green. same words in the Offertory Sentence. We are At the recent Singapore Anglican Community only passing through and if we think we “own” Services – St Andrew’s Mission Hospital Annual anything, we don’t. We are merely stewards for the Staff Dinner, it was obvious that many foreigners Lord and next generation. God is the owner of all. are working here as care-givers. We owe them a May this awareness inspire us to give and serve tribute of gratitude. everyone whom the Lord brings across our paths and into our lives. While sojourners do not share all the citizenship 1

FROM THE BISHOP'S HEART LET US GO ON PROCLAIMING JESUS By Bishop Rennis Ponniah Is the Celebration of Hope over? By no means! Give thanks for a modest and adequate Yes, the centralised rallies in May 2019 at the Singapore National Stadium are over. But the breakthrough. evangelistic impetus of God’s people has just begun. So let us thank God for bringing personal How shall we respond, now that the rallies are evangelism to the foreground of our lives as God’s over? Let me suggest three lines of response. And people; let us thank Him for uniting 227 churches I share them not only with our parish churches in and Christian organisations in the common mission Singapore but with all our six deanery countries of the Church to reach the lost, and let us thank of Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Nepal and Him for a breakthrough experience of proclaiming Indonesia as well. The three lines of response are: the Gospel and harvesting new lives together. It 1. Give thanks to the Lord with all your heart might not be a breakthrough of the proportions 2. Give thought to the promises of God for COH we imagined, but we do not despise the day of 3. Give time and energy to keep proclaiming Jesus modest but significant beginnings (Zech 4:10). And we have every reason to expect more reaping 1. GIVE THANKS WITH ALL YOUR HEART of the harvest in the months to come. We must always give thanks for every soul that comes to confess Jesus Christ as personal Lord May I also fan the flame of thanksgiving by and Saviour. Salvation is always a miraculous work listing the surprising things God has done in COH: of God’s grace. And we must never fail to thank God with wonder and heartfelt praise for even • The Chinese-speaking rally had the highest one sinner who comes home to the Lord. attendance of 40,000 persons at the Stadium - a tremendous boost to Mandarin evangelism Now, play back in your mind the scene of in our day and age. At the same time, the waves of people streaming down the steps of Tamil and Hindi-speaking rallies held at other the National Stadium as they responded to the locations also registered record numbers not altar call. Our official records tell us that a total of previously achieved. 125,000 persons attended the seven COH rallies and that approximately 6,000 persons responded • The lowest attended rally of 12,000 on Sunday to the altar calls. Of those who responded, about morning for Filipinos as well as other English- 2,000 prayed to receive Jesus Christ for the first speakers yielded the highest percentage time, 1,600 re-dedicated themselves to the Lord, (12.5%) of first time decisions for Christ. God 1,000 expressed a desire to know more about is especially accessible to the poor in spirit. Jesus and the rest responded for healing and a variety of other needs. • The special rally for families with children (aged 4-14 years) as well as children from How does one assess the success of COH? various community groups was creatively It depends on the yardstick(s) you use. Against designed, well executed and achieved the expectation of “a mighty harvest”, the figures maximum audience participation. It was above may not be something to shout about. a first of sorts in terms of a massive gospel However, they are for me a modest but adequate rally for children, and it paid with dividends. breakthrough for all that is to come. What we have The ready response of children (and some reaped at the May rallies is just “the first fruits” accompanying adults) to personally trust of the harvest that has begun as the Church in Jesus was most heart-warming. Singapore is revived in personal evangelism. • The video-clips of testimonies by well-known personalities were very effective in arousing interest and sowing seeds of the Gospel. An 2

FROM THE BISHOP'S HEART Full house at the Chinese rally estimated 1 million people have watched 2018 Year of Prayer these videos, both on the web and on social 2019 Year of Proclamation media. 2020 Year of Personal Discipleship • About 465,000 people watched the live- streaming of the rallies and we had a team As we set about our tasks, we received promises of responders to handle on-line questions of God having to do with brokenness, oneness, or comments on the spot. When we add fruitfulness and revival. We need in the aftermath those who have since tuned in to the rallies, of COH to reflect on these promises, with strong we can praise God that the Gospel message conviction that “the word of God shall not return to has been extensively proclaimed beyond the God empty, but shall accomplish that which God numbers present at the rallies. purposes” (Is 55:11). 2. GIVE THOUGHT TO GOD’S PROMISES I want to focus on two promises of God which Celebration of Hope was birthed as a response affect how we follow-through the rallies in May by several city pastors to what we believe was on 2019. God’s heart for the Church in Singapore at this time. We envisioned COH as personal evangelism The first has to do with the promise that COH on a mass scale. And we believe that the central would be “a step towards revival in the land.” In message to be proclaimed is that Jesus Christ is the grace of God, COH has led to a stepped-up the ONE NAME in which everyone can have solid prayerfulness in the Church in Singapore. This HOPE. It was a message to be shared personally by must continue and increase. There has also been every Christian to those in his or her circle of family, a wonderful coming together of the Church in friends and acquaintances. The rallies were to its several parts to work on the different aspects provide the “harvesting moments” when, through of COH. There has been the coming together of the programme and the inspired preaching of the young and old, of different language streams, of specially-invited evangelist (such as Canon J John local churches and para-church organisations, and for the English-speaking; Pastor Kou Shao En for of church leaders and marketplace lay leaders. the Chinese-speaking; Pastor Mohan Lazarus for Every denomination was represented among the the Tamil-speaking and Pastor Harpreet Singh 227 COH partner churches and organisations. The for the Hindi-speaking), the unbeliever or lapsed combination of local church giving and Christian believer would make a faith decision to surrender benefactors made it possible for COH to meet one’s life to Jesus as personal Lord and Saviour. its no frills $3.8 million budget. The joy of more The mobilising of Christians for COH was to be than 17,000 volunteers from different churches done through local churches and marketplace working together for the rallies was palpable and organisations, with catalytic support coming from deeply felt. the respective apex or umbrella organisations. Most importantly, the whole endeavour was to be Significantly, through COH, the priority and soaked in crying-out, beseeching prayer. urgency of sharing our faith with those who have yet to confess that “Jesus is Lord” has been re- 3

FROM THE BISHOP'S HEART vitalised in the life of the Singapore Church. At the Deuteronomy 16 English Standard Version (ESV) rallies, we have witnessed the power of the Gospel to touch lives and give people new hope. There PASSOVER/FIRST FRUITS is a new \"umph” in personal evangelism among 16 “Observe the month of Abib and keep the Passover to many Christians in Singapore. the LORD your God, for in the month of Abib the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt by night. 2And you Notwithstanding the several things that could shall offer the Passover sacrifice to the LORD your God, have been done better at COH, one marketplace from the flock or the herd, at the place that the LORD will lay leader looked at the positives of COH and choose, to make his name dwell there... commented: THE FEAST OF WEEKS/PENTECOST “Indeed, COH is only the launch of the programme 9“You shall count seven weeks. Begin to count the seven of revival. The infrastructure (of the collective weeks from the time the sickle is first put to the standing Church in Singapore) has been augmented to do grain. 10Then you shall keep the Feast of Weeks to the even more for and in the Lord.” – a marketplace LORD your God with the tribute of a freewill offering lay leader. from your hand, which you shall give as the LORD your God blesses you. 11And you shall rejoice before the That phrase “to do even more for and in the LORD your God, you and your son and your daughter, Lord” will occupy the minds and efforts of the your male servant and your female servant, the Levite band of pastors and leaders that God is raising who is within your towns, the sojourner, the fatherless, up and connecting for such a time as this. What and the widow who are among you, at the place that is immediately clear is that for COH to be an the LORD your God will choose, to make his name dwell important trigger of “revival in the land” the there. 12You shall remember that you were a slave in crop of new believers and the re-vitalised church Egypt; and you shall be careful to observe these statutes. members must be personally discipled to follow Jesus as Lord. Only spirit-transformed and Christ- THE FEAST OF BOOTHS/TABERNACLE centred believers can bring the light of God’s 13“You shall keep the Feast of Booths seven days, when glory to shine in the public squares and corridors you have gathered in the produce from your threshing of everyday life in Singapore (Is 60:1-3; cf 42:1-9). floor and your winepress. 14You shall rejoice in your feast, To move us in that direction, we have marked 2020 you and your son and your daughter, your male servant as the Year of Personal Discipleship. and your female servant, the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow who are within your towns. The second promise to give our attention to is the promise of “a mighty or bumper harvest.” I am convinced that the 6,000 positive responses at the rallies is only the first fruits of the mighty harvest God has promised. I believe that many of them will go on to bear fruit thirty-fold, sixty-fold and a hundred-fold (Mk 4:20). We must trust God for a wonderful ripple effect. I know that God’s word is always true when it is authentically received and acted upon. I am therefore content to let God be God and let Him fulfil a prophetic word in His way and in His time. For me, the prophecy of “a mighty harvest” should spur us on to diligently follow-up on the 6,000 who have responded and also to go on proclaiming Jesus Christ to those who have yet to know Him as Lord of all and the Giver of Living Hope (Phil 2:9- 11; 1 Peter 1:3-5). That brings me to the third line of response in the aftermath of the COH rallies. 3. GIVE TIME AND ENERGY TO KEEP PROCLAIMING JESUS The main COH rallies are over. But the work of discipling new believers has begun. About 196 churches have been given names from the COH rallies to follow-up on. What is equally important to stress is that the work of proclaiming Jesus to those who have yet to believe in Him must continue with holy zest and confidence. Have we 4

FROM THE BISHOP'S HEART seen the full harvest? Not yet. It is still out there in Evangelist Canon J John in action the field! It is still harvest time! We must go on to proclaim Jesus and challenge others to trust him I am also thrilled that several churches as Lord. (including and beyond COH partner churches) will be joining hands to proclaim “hope in the Let me draw a parallel with the agricultural One Name of Jesus” to the guest workers in our practice mandated by God in the Old Testament land. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone (Deut 16:1-2, 9-13). and for all ethnic groups. The many guest workers in Singapore have contributed so much to the The positive response of the 6,000 at the rallies quality of life in this island-state. They are like the can be likened to the harvest of the first sickle sojourners in Deut 16:11 who also need to be (Deut 16:9). In ancient Israel, this takes place included in the joy and blessing of God’s salvation straight after the Sabbath following Passover and in Christ Jesus. represents the first-fruits of the harvest (Lev 23:9- 14; cf. Christ the first-fruits of the resurrection from In about a year’s time, I will step down from the dead – 1 Cor 15:20, 23). The day marks the start the office of Diocesan Bishop. My heart’s desire of the harvesting cycle and culminates with the is to have set in motion an evangelising diocese harvest brought in at Pentecost (Feast of Weeks – for a new team to lead onward towards the day of Deut 16:10; cf. the first harvest of new believers Christ’s glorious return. Such a diocese will be one in Acts 2:1-6, 41). Then after the harvesting comes in which every member enthusiastically engages the period of winnowing, threshing and wine in personal evangelism, new members are solidly pressing (which culminates in the Feast of Booths/ discipled, new congregations and churches are Tabernacle (Deut 16:13; cf. the return of Christ planted, and the spiritual vibrancy of God’s people to gather all His elect and tread the winepress of is experienced both in local church communities God’s wrath upon the enemies of God – Rev 19:15). and the heart of a nation’s life. The evidence, I believe, is that we are still in In God’s plan, we are a diocese of seven the ‘harvesting period’ of God’s time-table for nations. What we experience in Singapore on us. Therefore, we must go on interceding and our bicentennial year, through the Celebration proclaiming. We must go on to sow with tears and of Hope, is meant to be a blessing to all. To God courage for then we shall surely harvest with joy alone be all the glory as we go steadfastly forward (Ps 126:5-6). We must trust God’s promises to us to proclaim Jesus as Lord of all. that the seed we sow will surely grow and bear fruit (Hag 2:19; Jn 4:35-36); and that sowing and Your servant in Christ, reaping will take place almost simultaneously because it is a time of God’s favour (Amos 9:13). Brothers and sisters, let us go “all out” to proclaim the Gospel message that “Christ died for our sins, and was raised for our justification” (Rom 4:25). Let us intentionally devote time and energy to proclaim this ‘kerygma’ (the heart of Gospel proclamation) to those who have yet to know Jesus as personal Lord and Saviour. Let our churches, our small groups and all bands of Christians prioritise personal evangelism and discipleship. God in His mercy has used COH and other important developments in the life of His Church to bring us to this point of experiencing the power of the Gospel to change lives and to taste the joy of a mighty harvest. I was so blessed to receive this testimony from a denominational leader: “My church is still benefitting from (the) call to harvest, as teams ‘go fishing’ regularly in this Year of Proclamation… Every time the teams go visiting the HDB apartments, there has been conversions. Praise the Lord!” – A denominational leader. 5

Signing of MOU between Singapore and Egypt (4 August 2009) COMMUNION NEWS The Dioceses of Singapore and Egypt Companions in a Journey Celebrating 10 Years of Partnership By Bishop Mouneer Anis With additional texts by (retired) Bishop John Chew and Archdeacon Wong Tak Meng The journey of partnership between the This partnership culminated in the signing of dioceses of Singapore and Egypt goes back a companionship agreement in 2009, between to the mid-1990s, when Archbishop Moses St Andrew’s Cathedral, Singapore, and All Saints’ Tay and Bishop Ghais Malek came together to Cathedral, Cairo, and St Mark’s Pro-Cathedral, plan for the second Global South Gathering Alexandria. This companionship was announced held in Kuala Lumpur 1997. This gathering had officially during the Primates Meeting held that a great impact on the bishops who subsequently same year in Alexandria, Egypt, during which attended the 1998 Lambeth Conference, because St. Mark’s in Alexandria was transformed into a it led to the great resolution of Lambeth 1.10 on Pro-Cathedral. Human Sexuality. The two dioceses also jointly facilitated In 2000, Bishop John Chew and Bishop exposure visits and links between the Chinese Mouneer Anis were consecrated as the bishops religious authorities and Chinese churches with the of Singapore and Egypt respectively. They worked Christian churches in Egypt and Africa, a historical together with the Archbishop of Nigeria to revive and current centre of gravity of Christianity and the Global South fellowship, which resulted in a Christians. historic gathering for a South-to-South Encounter on a provincial basis, with representations by In addition to the exchange of visits, the primates, bishops, clergy and laity. This gathering two dioceses collaborated in the area of clergy met at Ain El-Sukhna by the Red Sea in Egypt in 2005. Revd Foo Chee Meng facilitating a Supervisory CPE session (25 February 2011) This was an important point along the journey between the two dioceses. At this time, the relationship between the two dioceses expanded beyond just the bishops, to include the clergy, who began forming beautiful friendships with one another. This led to an exchange of visits between the two dioceses and the deepening of fraternal bonds. 6

COMMUNION NEWS Bishop Kuan Kim Seng as Commissary Bishop of the Horn of MILESTONES Africa Episcopal Area with graduating students and faculty of St Frumentius College, Gambela in the 10-year partnership between the Dioceses of Singapore and Egypt training; Archdeacon Wong Tak Meng and Revd Foo Chee Meng visited Egypt several times to train a group of Egyptian November 2018 - Appointment of clergy as Supervisors to provide Clinical Pastoral Education Bishop Kuan Kim Seng as Commissary (CPE) for Egyptian clergy, lay ministers and seminarians in Bishop for the Horn of Africa Episcopal the Arabic language. These CPE supervisors also visited Area (Diocese of Egypt with North Singapore to observe how CPE is integrated with theological Africa and the Horn of Africa) education, parish life and community services. 2018 - The Opening of the Garden We cannot forget the great contribution and financial Conference Centre in Cairo, a fully support from the Diocese of Singapore for the building of equipped mission centre with 40 Harpur Memorial Hospital, Sadat City, Egypt. In addition, St residential rooms, training rooms Andrew’s Cathedral in Singapore donated a mobile clinic for and conference facilities. There is the hospital in Sadat. potential for it to be a centre for youth development projects. It is When Bishop Rennis Ponniah became the Diocesan made possible with donations from Bishop of Singapore in 2012, he was keen to continue Singapore. Singapore also helped to the companionship with Egypt. Bishop Rennis played an conceptualise this centre. important role in the Global South gathering in Egypt in 2016. It is really uplifting to pray over the phone with Bishop 2018 - Dedication of Alexandria Rennis every now and then. Bishop Rennis also sent Revd School of Theology (AST). When William Mok who currently serves in the Diocese of Egypt. completed, this school will provide training for missions engagement. The most recent development is the appointment of Because St Andrew’s Cathedral Bishop Kuan Kim Seng, the former Dean of the St Andrew’s provided funding, the school’s lecture Cathedral and former Assistant Bishop of Singapore, as the hall was named St Andrew’s Hall. Commissary Bishop for the Horn of Africa Episcopal Area. From November 2018, Bishop Kuan will work on behalf of 2017 - Consecration of Bishop Samy our Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa. Shehata as the new Area Bishop for North Africa (Algeria, Tunisia) in We, at the Diocese of Egypt, can go on and on about this February. beautiful partnership in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I dare say that the companionship between the Dioceses of Singapore 2011-2014 - Clinical Pastoral and Egypt is the strongest and the best in the whole of the Education Training. Archdeacon Wong Anglican Communion! Above all, we thank God for arranging Tak Meng and Revd Foo Chee Meng and sustaining this very fruitful companionship. trained and certified Egyptian Clinical Pastoral Education supervisors during Dedication of St Andrew’s Hall, St Mark’s Building, Alexandria this four year period. (26 February 2017) 2009-2019 – Exchanges. Throughout the decade, there have been multi- level symbiotic cooperation between the two dioceses, for instance, when Revd Canon Terry Wong and Archdeacon Wong Tak Meng played significant roles in the Joint Secretariat for the 3rd Global South Encounter that was held in Egypt; when Bishop Samy Shehata participated in the Diocese of Singapore’s Missions Roundtable in 2017; when the Diocese of Singapore seconded Revd William Mok as a missionary priest to Egypt in December 2016. 7

PROVINCIAL NEWS Provincial Gathering 2019 ONENESS IN THE BODY Poolside welcome dinner By Karen Wong The Diocese of Singapore and our Deanery Above: 'Men in Black' - Revd Dr Timothy Chong, Dean of of Indonesia hosted this year’s Provincial Indonesia (with sunglasses), and his deanery team who Gathering, which saw 270 participants organised and hosted this year's gathering from our province gathered at Niagara Hotel on Below: Captain's Ball Finals between Diocese of Sabah and beautiful Lake Toba in Medan, Indonesia from 18 Diocese of Singapore to 21 February 2019. At nearly 3,000 feet above sea-level, the venue offered picturesque views, cool respite and a very pleasant setting for an energetic schedule. These once-in-four-years gatherings are open to all members of our province, including bishops, clergy and laity. In his invitation message, Archbishop Ng Moon Hing urged participants to come with expectations to discover first-hand what God is doing through our churches in the provinces. The four-day programme offered participants abundant opportunities to mingle. The poolside barbeque welcome dinner allowed participants to renew old friendships and make new ones. There was also a bounty of durians that took participants two days to finish eating! An entire afternoon was dedicated to sporting activities that included basketball and captain’s ball matches and an obstacle race. The team from the Diocese of Sabah were happy winners of the Inter-diocese Challenge Trophy! Other activities included a cruise on Lake Toba and a tour of Samosir Island, believed to be the original home of the Batak tribe. The Church of the Province of South East Asia was created in 1996, and comprises the four Dioceses of Kuching, Sabah, Singapore and West Malaysia. It spans the countries of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Nepal, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam. The current Archbishop of the Province is the Bishop of West Malaysia, the Most Revd Datuk Ng Moon Hing. 8

PROVINCIAL NEWS Revd Tony Yeo, the Senior Pastor of Covenant Margaret’s Church said, “At the Tower of Babel, God Evangelical Free Church, was the retreat speaker. destroyed the unholy unity of man by confusing From the book of Haggai, he challenged the their languages. At the Provincial Gathering, Drifted, the Discouraged, the Defiled and the English became the common language that pulled Destined to look out, look up, look in and look the diverse people groups across our Province into beyond. It was a challenge that encouraged many a holy Christ-centred unity.” Revd Jonathan Wong, participants. priest at Church of the Good Shepherd, said, “I look forward to the next Provincial Gathering and From the host team of Gereja Anglican hope that younger leaders from our diocese will Indonesia, Revd Jakobus Chong said, “I thank be there to help develop deeper relationships God for the Word that was shared, which was very across our province.” refreshing for my pastoral ministry and for the challenge to be a united witness for Christ.” Pastor Many other participants from Singapore Untung said, “I was blessed. I experienced the agreed that the beautiful setting of Lake Toba, strength from the unity of the Anglican Church and the camaraderie during the friendly sporting the collegiality of the leaders of our province. I am competitions, and the warm hospitality of the encouraged to continue to minister in Indonesia.” Indonesian deanery made for a very memorable and enjoyable time for all. “This event provided an opportunity for me to fellowship and pray with other Anglican leaders Participants from our diocese with Archbishop Ng from other dioceses. I could feel strength as one Moon Hing (far right) body of Christ,” said Revd Dr Yopie Buyung. “I was also impressed with the work of the organising committee.” Revd Dr Timothy Chong, who led in the planning of this event expressed gratefulness to God for the help from his team and hotel staff, the positivity of the participants and the good weather that made the outdoor plans achievable. “By God’s grace, we were able to bring participants from four dioceses together for four days of bonding, playing, praying and studying Scripture together. I pray that the unity we experienced at Lake Toba will grow and last beyond this event.” Revd Joshua Sudharman, Vicar of St John’s – St 9

TEACHING ARTICLE hy do my people worship so passionately Jesus’ disciples had been criticised twice for on Sundays and live so poorly on breaking the oral law: They failed to fast2 and weekdays?” a pastor asked me one day. they failed to observe the Sabbath law³. The Indeed, it can be a challenge to live out Pharisees were challenging Jesus, “Why are they our Christian faith consistently. Pastors and not following the tradition of the elders?” Jesus theologians have written extensively about this. replied by standing with the prophet Isaiah: “These St Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD), for example, people honour me with their lips, but their heart is wrestled deeply with this issue. I hope this article far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching can provoke some deep conversations as we seek as doctrines the commandments of men.”4 to grow as Christians in this day and age, especially in a global city like Singapore. Jesus turned the question around and put I start with the seemingly innocuous act the Pharisees in the dock. The real issue is not of Jesus’ disciples when they failed to wash about hands but hearts. The Pharisees have let their hands before they ate (Mark 7).1 By now, go of God’s commandments and clung to human traditions. They used the Corban tradition of CULTIVATING THE HEART A conversation on discipleship by Revd Canon Terry Wong Vicar of St Andrew’s Cathedral 10

TEACHING ARTICLE giving to the temple treasury as an excuse for this formation of the heart, the church responds parental neglect, and thus went against the fifth with more teaching and louder preaching, commandment. believing that ideas can somehow douse these flames of passions. As Smith puts it, “While Jesus went on to explain to his disciples in Victoria’s Secret is fanning a flame in our kardia, private5 that the heart is the seedbed of all evil the church is trucking water to our minds.”9 The actions and He listed these down.6 church is pouring water on our heads to put out fire in our hearts. Let’s reflect on the heart for a moment. I should not need to tell you that this is not referring to the But we are not just shaped by ideas. We are blood-pump in our body. In Malay, the equivalent also shaped by worship, music, liturgy, service and is “hati” which means liver. This word carries the community relationships. If you reflect on your own same idea. It is a reference to the inside of you, the spiritual growth and that of those around you, you “real you”, the core of your being. In other words, will agree that truth comes to us holistically, not just the heart is simply YOU. as concepts. I have just returned from a leadership conference where I found myself very moved by We religiously try to wash off the dirt that clings the interviews of Christians who are living out their to our hands. We wash and keep our pots and pans faith in the marketplace. I was encouraged not just squeaky clean in the name of God. Yet, we ignore by their example. I was gripped by the truth that is the true source of evil - the anthropos7. This word being experienced and lived out. occurs quite a few times in Mark 7. No amount of ceremonial washing can keep the anthropos How then should we respond? How should this spiritually clean. affect the way we disciple others? How can we as Christians “grow in our hearts”, and live in integrity10 What do we really want? such that our hearts and actions are “one”? The Let’s take a closer look at ourselves and focus on a phrase “cultivating the heart” is useful as we take word that is closely associated with heart: desire. up this challenge. This is already embedded in the Great Commission.11 It calls us to “go, When I was in Toronto for my sabbatical in make and teach that they may obey.” In familiar 2014, I came across a huge and beautiful temple. evangelical parlance, discipleship is not just about Effervescent light glowed through her glass walls, passing on information – it is about seeking after and thousands flocked in to touch its goddess – an transformation. Beyond mind-learning, we seek image in the shape of a fruit – that stood at the heart-change. The former can happen in seconds heart of this shrine. I am referring to Apple. I have whereas the latter takes years. not met anyone who wanted one of her offerings and did not eventually get it. “The heart wants what Know my heart today it wants,” Woody Allen famously said when he was I would like to suggest some areas for deeper questioned by a CNN reporter about having a reflection. Firstly, if our hearts - the real us - is sexual relationship with his girlfriend’s daughter. our focus, the starting place needs to be self- awareness. Steeped in the Christian tradition is the A few years ago, a missionary friend introduced prayer for God to search our hearts. me to the book Desiring the Kingdom8 by James Smith. It wasn’t light reading but it was one of Search me, O God, and know my heart! the best books I have read in a while. He argued, Try me and know my thoughts! from an Augustinian perspective, that humans are essentially lovers. There is a love pump within us And see if there be any grievous way in me, that is always desiring and longing for something and lead me in the way everlasting! or someone. The effect of the Fall is not humanity ceasing to be lovers. Our love pump was not - Psalm 139: 23,24 turned off. It was merely misdirected away from our Creator and His kingdom. This disordered This is a quest to change what is deep within. love leads to a disordered life. For what we love How can we change if we are unaware of our will ultimately define who we truly are. What we nature and leanings? What we need to do is pray, desire will ultimately shape our lives and destinies. meditate and seek the Lord on a daily basis. This is not a new idea. It is as old as the Bible Change also presupposes a direction. How itself. But we have bought into a post-Reformation do we know where change should be directed? Cartesian model of the human person. We assume James 1:22-25 is a helpful reminder: that the celebral realm of ideas and beliefs forms the core of our being. The truth is we are \"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, affective beings moved by what we see, sense deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of and experience. The world follows these rules the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks religiously. Humans are being shaped and intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks discipled by the arts, by their families, their peers, at himself and goes away and at once forgets what TV dramas and contemporary culture. To counter he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect 11

TEACHING ARTICLE law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no Lord, I want to be hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be a Christian in my blessed in his doing.\" heart This is a line from The Word of God acts constantly as a mirror or a classic African- a “canon”, a rule, to provide a point of reference. American spiritual We need to hear what God is saying, not human which some of us may opinions or what our hearts are saying. His Word be familiar with. The whole can search (reveal) and shape (direct) our hearts - chorus is just this one line with a beautiful and haunting “For the word of God is living and active, melody. sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and It reminds us of where it all starts. And what of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and matters most. As time goes by and we get older, intentions of the heart” Hebrews 4:12. life can get more complicated. We theorise, theologise, philosophise, and to continue rhyming, Our brothers and sisters can also be another improvise and compromise as well. Life moves source of “heart revelation”. If you are a part of a from the basic commitments of love, faith, integrity, Bible study or cell group, you will know the power sincerity, humility and faithfulness to that of ideas of Christian fellowship and sharing. Talking about and concepts. And as we progress in ‘maturity’ of our struggles is one way of opening up. We find ideas and our articulation of them, we become clarity as we speak and oftentimes, our friends strangely more immature in our basic behaviour help us just by patient listening. The Bible teaches and life. unceasingly about the “one another” of spiritual growth. As we grow, we seek mastery of life, but we can lose mastery over ourselves, our values and actions Developing a pedagogy of desire that reflect the kardia of our lives. We spend time If we are what we love, then discipleship needs to cultivating our image, but not our hearts. focus on what is shaping our hearts. We need a pedagogy of the heart; or a pedagogy of desire; As church leaders, we desire discipleship so to speak. We need a holistic approach, one that transcends a programme. We seek true that engages our whole being while embedded transformation where we are perfecting our hearts in surrounding culture. I am not suggesting that after Christ. The word perfecting is a verb that we dispense with solid teaching, good books or indicates a process. We desire to be like Christ Bible studies. I will even say that we need more of and focus our energy – labour, as Paul puts it in these. But equally important, we need to worship, Colossians 1:28 – to help one another do so. And learn to cultivate Christian friendships and engage yet, as Paul will say in the same breath in the next actively in serving together. verse, this labour is fuelled by His energy which works powerfully in us. In this regard, I have always found the local church indispensable. The local church builds Difficult as Christian ministry is, it is the stability, healthy habits and mutual accountability, Spirit’s power to work faith in our hearts that assuming that one goes beyond just attending will continue to undergird this ministry. This is Sunday Services. an important conversation that I hope will continue. There is another gift that the local church gives which sometimes modern Christians 1See Mark 7:1-23. What is shared in this article is richly despise: it is the gift of submission to a reflected in this passage. fellow human being, may it be to pastors or 2Mark 2:18 fellow Christians. St Paul said in Ephesians 5:21: ³Mark 2:24 “Submit to one another out of reverence to Christ.” 4Mark 7:6-7, Isaiah 29:13 We get to experience the grace of submission 5Mark 7: 17-20 in our local church communities. The discipline 6Mark 17:21-22 of submission is muddled today because of 7The Greek word for human. the modern emphasis on the individual above 8Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural community. Formation (Cultural Liturgies), James K.A. Smith, available on Kindle too. This book is written with pastors and theologians When we build our lives around the local in mind. After releasing this award-winning book, he released church community, we find a school right at the You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit, a book centre of life – one which we will never graduate which is more accessible. It is not an abridged version of his from - which powerfully shapes our hearts. earlier book but the latter re-articulated in helpful ways. Sometimes “living in church” can get difficult. 9Ibid, p. 127. Don’t let go. Don’t walk away. The pain of 10Integrity comes from the word “integer”, which means one. community living and mutual submission can form While living in integrity has come to mean living honestly, it our hearts. carries a deeper meaning of oneness of thought and action or living “wholly”. 11Matthew 28:18-20 12

DEANERIES & GLOBAL MISSIONS Journeying Through Our Deaneries by Revd Canon Yee Ching Wah, the new director of missions In June 2018, I received the baton from recently consecrated Church of Christ our Hope, Bishop Kuan Kim Seng as the diocesan Takhmau, carefree children run around without Director of Missions. A major responsibility inhibition. Gwendolin Seah, who is here with her of this role is to assist the bishop to support husband, Revd Steven Seah, the resident Dean our deans as they lead missions efforts in of Cambodia, runs an English tuition centre. This our six deanery countries. In the past year, I ministry, as well as the vocational centre at Svay visited our deanery missionaries, pastors and Rieng, helps narrow the gap between village leaders to see for myself what God has been youths and children and their peers from the city. doing in each of these countries.1 Co-workers like Gwen clear a landing in the field, and they invite others to come and share in this I share here a sample of these stories. I thank God life-changing ministry that really matters to those for all the men and women who have stepped with fewer options in life. out in faith before we did, to begin the task of reaching out to the 500 million that populate Indonesia these six nations. With the little that we can offer It took me three trips over three months to cover to the Lord, He takes, blesses and multiplies to the three time zones of Indonesia where our bless many. deanery church planting ministry has a presence. Yet, what I covered was only a portion of the Cambodia Anglican work taking place in this country. In Fifteen kilometres south of Phnom Penh is the order to effectively lead this work and pastor village of Takhmau. Just a 30-minute drive from field staff in 26 locations, our Dean of Indonesia, the mushrooming skyscrapers of the country's Revd Dr Timothy Chong, is away from Singapore capital, Takhmau is a study in contrast in terms of and his family almost 80% of the time. development, opportunity, and education. Within the compounds of the newly constructed and Pastor Jonathan is a local pastor I have met in the past. Meeting him again, this time with his family in his spartan home, gave me a deeper Pastor Jonathan and his family Cambodian children receiving English tuition at Church 1Names of certain people have been changed for their safety. of Christ our Hope, Takhmau. 13

DEANERIES & GLOBAL MISSIONS appreciation for his faith and service to God. He other ministries such as the Hope Centre for has a 11- year old son with cerebral palsy. Seven underprivileged children at risk, and ARDA Skills years ago, the son was dying in the hospital. The Centre which imparts vocational skills to young doctor was going to pull the tubes to let him slip people from remote areas. away. He cried and pleaded to the Lord that if his son survives, it would be a sign for him to return to I was taken to a village and a nearby organic his hometown to minister to his own people. At farm. The farm is an initiative of a few partners, that time, he was working for an NGO in Jakarta, with aims to create jobs and shine God’s light. The worshipping at one of our churches there. His son village was at first hostile to the team’s presence lived. In obedience, he sought the Dean’s blessing during the farm’s five initial years, but the villagers’ and returned to the remote village of Niki Niki2 to attitudes have changed. Through persistent love plant a light near his place of birth. and pastoral care from the team at the farm, this village is now more open to the Gospel. Over time, he befriended the Muslim tofu maker from Java who was supplying him soy pulp I was hosted to dinner by a family who is not for the chicken and pigs that he was rearing to far from the Kingdom. The man of the house had supplement his income. A deep bond developed lost both his legs due to repeated amputations between these men through mutual helpfulness, resulting from insufficient medical care after friendship, and prayer. After getting married an accident. He has also suffered permanent and in preparation to move to another town, this damage to his hearing from the excessive use of Muslim tofu maker taught Jonathan his trade, gave anaesthetics. Without anybody to turn to and in his him all his equipment and handed over his entire most desperate circumstance, this man received business. help from the team, who got him proper prosthesis and helped him rebuild his life. In such everyday Jonathan now makes the best tofu in town acts of kindness, the Good News is making a and sells them in trays to vendors who make a genuine impact in people’s lives. living selling his tofu in surrounding villages by motorbike. As his reputation grew, even doctors Nepal and town folk began driving the distance to his High in the mountains of Nepal are villages whose home to buy tofu. Jonathan and his wife currently access involves many hours of commuting on house 11 boys and girls from villages more remote bumpy dirt roads and strenuous trekking. Yet God than theirs. They are providing these children with has visited these villages and brought many to not just a better education but also the skill of Himself through signs and wonders, and his Word. making tofu. I got to know a local pastor from one of these Praise the Lord for a tofu business that feeds villages. He is not well educated but has been a pastor, his family, 11 underprivileged children, serving God from the time when Christians and the families of numerous tofu vendors. It is a were few and persecution was common; and his business that is building bridges to communities faithfulness has impacted the growth of Anglican and paving the way for possible church plants. work in Nepal. There was a young man from a village that this pastor visited regularly to share the The Deanery of Indonesia has purchased a Gospel. He was a devout Buddhist, a prime mover piece of land 5,000 square meters in size next to to erect statues for worship in the village, who Jonathan's house. This site will house the future opposed this pastor with hostility. On his way home St Andrew's School Niki Niki. And the church that one day, while feeling very angry and discouraged currently meets in Jonathan's house can look about failing the Gurkha selection test for the third forward to conducting their worship services in time, he picked up a gospel tract lying on the road this school building. and read it. He met the pastor, and was ministered to and led to the Lord. He grew under the pastor’s Laos discipleship, gave himself to full-time service, and My most recent trip was to Laos, which, I discovered, they served the Lord together. is a charming place with friendly people. It is also a place where many creative ministries exist, in By the grace of God, funds were made available the form of social initiatives and in the areas of for him to study at Trinity Theological College education, development, agriculture. There is in Singapore. Since completing his theological close networking among Christians from different training, he returned to serve with the team of backgrounds. Nepali pastors and was ordained. He is now one of the key leaders of the deanery. Besides The Church of the Holy Spirit is a church pastoring a network of churches and supervising with an expatriate congregation planted in other pastors, he also heads a training centre for Vientiane. It has set up ARDA Language Centre Christian workers. to bless the community. This ministry has birthed It was a great privilege for me to meet this 2Niki Niki is situated in the middle of East Timor island. Half of pastor and this young man, and to see the pastor’s this island is an independent country called Timor Leste. look of joy and satisfaction at what this young 14

DEANERIES & GLOBAL MISSIONS Church of the True Light, Hanoi, in their new premises purchase came from Give Him a Hundred 2017. Hallelujah! man has become today. Here is a faithful pastor with little education from a small and remote Reflections village who has played such a vital role in forming The pioneering missions personnel have done a national spiritual leader for the Deanery of the hard work of clearing many fields for others Nepal. to land. The English and Mandarin languages that most of us speak are a gift to these countries, Thailand particularly those in the less developed areas of Thailand is familiar territory for me, as the Dean Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Nepal. The Deanery of Thailand. I give thanks to God for the many of Indonesia is planting schools to enable planting faithful servants, both missionaries and local staff, churches. Individuals with teaching experience can who form the backbone behind the development be a tremendous blessing to the less privileged. of the centres in Thailand. We look forward to Would you consider landing in these fields? the possible ordination of two more candidates to the priesthood, God willing, on 26 Oct 2019. Modelling Discipleship - The Great Commission is about making disciples of all nations. In whatever Vietnam capacity we go and serve, our common mission My visit to Ho Chi Minh City in September was my is to live out Christ through how we engage with first, and the large size of the city surprised me. I people, and how we do simple things greatly with had a good dialogue with Revd Hong Chi and a the great love of Jesus. The impact can result in a few of his young adult leaders about how to reach vibrant community of believers and leaders who out to their target group and the likely locations know how to lead with Christ as the focus. for their church in the future. I was impressed with the potential of these young leaders and their Resources - Over the last 26 years or so, hunger for a better life. Let us pray for a crop of missions work in our deaneries has developed leaders who can give their lives to full-time church and grown exponentially. This developmental planting and pastoral ministry. stage requires nurturance, as well as financial and manpower resources. As the work matures towards In Hanoi, we thank God that the Church of financial independence, those who support this the True Light and ABBA Academy finally have a work will shoulder heavy responsibilities. Our permanent home. When the owner of its rented united pledge and concerted contributions to premises gave notice that she would not extend Give Him A Hundred can go a long way to fulfil their lease upon its expiry, the Deaneryof Vietnam our commitment to grow our deaneries into had already decided that they would purchase a independent dioceses in the near future. Legacy property for their ministry. The challenge was to gifts in the form of property, sums of money, or find a suitable place, work through the diocesan proceeds from the sale of stocks and shares, can approval process, secure funding, set up a legal also help our ministries thrive today and continue vehicle to hold the property, transfer the property, into the future, and contribute to the healing, and renovate it in time for the school and the transformation and hope that our diocese aims to church to move in. The favour of the Lord was bring to our deaneries and beyond. Thank you for upon us. The whole process was completed in six your support and generosity! months! Providentially almost all the funds for this 15

DEANERIES & GLOBAL MISSIONS CAMBODIARevd Tit Hieng’s institution and induction as Vicar of the Rural Mission District of Cambodia A New Season for Cambodia The Deanery of Cambodia has churches in the Revd Seah was also installed as the fourth Dean four countryside provinces of Kampong Speu, of Cambodia. He took over from Ven Wong Tak Takeo, Pursat and Svay Rieng, each with small Meng with effect from 7 April 2019. groups of Christian families in the surrounding villages. In recognition of their ministry context, In his thanksgiving speech, Revd Seah said that, distinct from the city churches, our Diocesan like Revd Hieng, he was receiving Bishop’s trust Bishop has approved the clustering together of with fear and trembling but also with thankfulness these countryside churches as it became possible that they have the assistance of brothers and for a group of churches to have her own vicar sisters to fulfill their duties. He is confident that as when they grow and become recognised as a one body, the church and the deanery will grow Rural Mission District. Future rural church plants numerically and spiritually, with God’s help. can be launched and nurtured within the Rural Mission District formed within Cambodia’s twenty A thanksgiving dinner was held on 1 June in four provinces can be incorporated under it, until appreciation for the ministry of the former Dean, they become parishes in their own right. Ven Wong Tak Meng. It was attended by the pastors, staff, missionaries, council members, On Friday, 31 May 2019, Revd Tit Hieng was interns, and Singapore guests who had come for instituted and inducted as Vicar of the Rural the induction. Mission District by Bishop Rennis Ponniah, the Bishop of Singapore, at the Church of Christ Our Ven Wong credits the first dean, Revd Canon Dr Saviour, in Kampong Speu. Also present were John Benson, for casting the vision for the deanery Archdeacon Wong Tak Meng, the former Dean to become a diocese, right from the beginning, of Cambodia; Mr Charles Leong, the Diocesan and emphasising the need to constantly cover Registrar; Revd Hieng’s family; all the pastors and our missionaries, local staff and mission teams representatives from the rural churches, as well as in prayer. He remembers also the lessons he the pastors and lay leaders from the city. learned from the second dean Revd William Mok Wai Mung – sacrificial passion, missional Bishop Rennis exhorted Revd Hieng to see this entrepreneurship, and reliance on the Holy Spirit appointment as ‘a new field’ that would require to lead us in church planting. He believes these new approaches to ministry. He also urged the values are still essential today. rural pastors to work together with their new vicar for the expansion of the work. He recognises that the work in Cambodia Two days later, on Sunday, 2 June 2019, Revd Revd Steven Seah’s institution and induction as Vicar of Steven Seah was instituted and inducted as Vicar CCOP and installation as the fourth Dean of Cambodia of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ Our Peace in Phnom Penh. Revd Seah and his wife Gwen have been full-time missionaries in Cambodia since November 2016. He takes over from Revd Tit Hieng in this city parish, which has Khmer and English congregations in her premises (led by Revd Jesse Blaine and Revd Gregory Whitaker), congregations in Takhmau, Rokakos and the Church of the Good Shepherd, Phnom Penh (led by Revd Chan Peng Wah). 16

has grown because of home base support. For team to see this latest development.” said Canon this, he appreciates the tireless efforts of Revd Ching Wah. “We look forward to have many more Martin Jungnickel and Revd Steven Chong for men and women respond to God’s call to bring rallying congregations to support the work. These good news to the whole land of Cambodia.” congregations include St Andrew’s Cathedral, St Andrew’s Community Chapel, St George’s Church, Ven Wong will continue to be involved in St Hilda’s Church, Church of the Good Shepherd, Cambodia through St Hilda’s Church, which Chapel of the Resurrection, Church of the True actively supports the learning centre and other Light, Chapel of Christ the King, St Paul’s Church, outreach ministries in Svay Rieng. Chapel of the Holy Spirit and All Saints’ Church. His parting exhortation to the deanery team “I also want to acknowledge the faithful and was to remember the centrality of the Gospel, continuing support from partner churches of the danger of temptations, and the need to keep the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), learning and growing. namely St Vincent’s Cathedral (Diocese of Fort Worth), Church of the Resurrection (Diocese of A Precious the Upper Midwest), Restoration Anglican Church Gift for the (Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic) and Christ Church, Whitakers Austin,” said Ven Wong. Mrs Heidi and Revd Gregory Whitaker The Director of Missions, Revd Canon Yee Ching welcomed into their family their fifth daughter, Wah, expressed appreciation for Ven Wong’s Madeleine Sophia, on 25 May 2019. They contributions, “I recall the time when you were could not be happier with this precious gift asked to step into this role and the frequent trips from God. you needed to make to lead the local team. The geographical, cultural and linguistic differences did not make this an easy task. We can celebrate together over the stability of the Deanery of Cambodia and the completion of CCOP’s new building, which is a hallmark of your deanship with Steven and the team. CCOP is well placed to support the continuous growth of the deanery.“ “It has also been a joy for the diocesan missions LISTEN TO CONVERSATIONS ON PHILOSOPHY, SCIENCE, CULTURAL TRENDS AND LIFE STORIES. Subscribe to follow our fortnightly podcasts now! www.cathedral.org.sg/podcast 17

DEANERIES & GLOBAL MISSIONS CAMBODIA Eggshell Cambodia by Mark and Liz Fetherstonhaugh Last October, the Anglican Church of Cambodia made available to Mark and Liz Fetherstonhaugh, founders of Eggshell Cambodia, space in the church extension in the village of Rokakos, for the running of a day-care centre for vulnerable children. Here is their account of the impact God has been making through the centre. We first developed an interest and concern for We also have staff who have come to know Cambodia in 2008 and have been visiting and love Jesus, and some who are actively on and bringing volunteer teams over for the past a journey with Him. Just before Christmas, our eight years. In April 2018 we moved to Phnom senior day-care worker gave her life to Christ - a Penh to set up a pre-school cum day-care for at-risk wonderful Christmas present for us! The staff have children. Eggshell Cambodia provides Christian also recently asked us to run a course for them on care for vulnerable children by showing God’s Christianity. This course is underway and is also love, enablement and empowerment to their helping them learn to speak English. families and communities. The children are taught basic English, Khmer, reading, writing and math We see God move in the village as well. We using practical crafts and fun learning methods. got to know a lady who had given up on life. She They are learning about good hygiene practices, is extremely poor and was drinking heavily to eating good food, and are in much better health dull her pain, while living with three children in than before. the worst conditions we have ever witnessed. We blessed her with basic first aid, some food and Since we opened our doors last October, all our tender smiles. Lately she has started to collect children’s families now have at least one parent or plastic to sell. She appears to be off alcohol, is guardian in paid work; and we have seen a few taking more care with her appearance and is family members attend the small church in the working hard every day collecting plastics to village. recycle. Please pray as we see rays of God’s hope enter her lonely and desperate life. Time will reveal the ripple effect that Eggshell Cambodia is having, not only on the children we care for, but on their families and the village as well. We can’t say thank you enough to our Lord and Saviour and to all who support us in His work - God is changing lives! www.EggshellCambodia.com https://www.facebook.com/eggshellcambodia/ [email protected] 18

DEANERIES & GLOBAL MISSIONS VIETNAMOPEN DOORS by Revd John Lin, Dean of Vietnam Top: Meeting with Mr Nguyen on 20 August 2018 Above: Revd Jacob Vu serving communion at Church of We thank God for two significant events in 2018 the True Light’s worship service at the new premises for the Deanery of Vietnam. Firstly, we had a meaningful meeting at Hanoi on 20 August 2018 teaching programme. The Church of The True with Mr Nguyen Duc Vinh (Director, International Light, pastored by Revd Jacob Vu Hong Thai, held Relations Department, Government Committee its first worship service on 11 November 2018 at for Religious Affairs of Vietnam). Bishop Rennis this new premises. Ponniah, Revd Canon Yee Ching Wah, Revd John Lin, Revd Hong Thai and Revd Hong Chi were received with warmth and friendliness. The discussion was fruitful and engaging. Vietnam had implemented a Law on Belief and Religion in January 2018. This opens the door for the process of registration of the Anglican Church in Vietnam in the near future. Secondly, we praise God for the purchase of our first property in our church planting process – a strata title office unit at Wiwaseen Tower in Hanoi. This 280m2 property was fully funded by the generous giving of our diocesan parishes to Give Him A Hundred. This permanent place of worship will facilitate the registration of the Anglican Church in Vietnam in the future. At the moment, it is also being used by Abba English Centre to run our mission school LAOS Farewell to Revd Mark Dickens, Dean of Laos by Revd Tony Paton, Pastor of Church of the Holy Spirit, Vientiane, Laos Revd Mark Dickens has stepped down from his his dedication and hard work on behalf of the role as Dean of Laos after six years of service. Deanery. We also appreciate having Revd Canon He will be returning with Rosemary to Australia to Philip Sinden as temporary Dean, whose previous support his widowed and frail mother-in-law. experience in the role is standing us in good stead until a new permanent Dean takes up the post. Revd Mark Dickens shared, “I had a very Whoever is appointed will have big shoes to fill encouraging pastoral visit to Vientiane, Laos but we are confident of God's continuing provision in November. I preached a number of times, and are very much looking forward to working including at our international church, Church of the together with the new appointee in furthering our Holy Spirit (CHS), Vientiane. I also had productive Lord's Kingdom work here. meetings and prayer with Revd Tony Paton, the lay leaders of CHS, and the centre managers of all Revd Mark Dickens, with some of the members of CHS of our ARDA (Anglican Relief and Development Vietiane, after he preached his last sermon there Agency) facilities throughout the country. This visit was tinged with much sadness, but I know that the Deanery of Laos will continue to work towards a healthy Lao Church that is firmly rooted in the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” He added, ”I pray that more churches and individuals from Singapore and elsewhere are moved by 2 Peter 3:9, so that they support God’s desire that no Lao person may perish, but all come to repentance and faith in Jesus. This means more workers for the harvest field of Laos and more prayer for God to reach the lost.” We are very grateful to Revd Dickens for 19

DEANERIES & GLOBAL MISSIONS INDONESIA THE BICENTENARY OF ALL SAINTS’ JAKARTA by Revd Alan Wood, Vicar of All Saints Jakarta All Saints’ Jakarta was first established in to cater to the large expatriate population in South Menteng in 1819 as a mission post by the Jakarta. London Missionary Society. The current church building was completed in 1829, after the During his tenure as Vicar of All Saints’ from original bamboo building was destroyed by fire. 1996 to 2004, Revd Andrew Lake wrote Changes It was here in Jakarta that missionaries came to & Chances, a book about the history of All Saints’. learn about the Chinese culture and the Chinese This can be downloaded for a donation at http:// language in preparation to go to China. After China www.sharpiepresents.com/changes.html opened up in the 1840s and a mission base was established in Shanghai, the property in Jakarta Ministry at All Saints’ has changed greatly over was sold to the British Protestant Committee, who the years. Its demography has seen an increase in held worship services in English until the Japanese the proportion of Indonesian families. There has Occupation in 1942. also been a significant number of Afghan refugees attending the service at South Jakarta who are When Indonesia became an independent being discipled and getting baptised. Because nation in 1945, many foreign diplomats public evangelism is not possible here, personal congregated at the only English-speaking church ministry will continue to be our strategy. in Jakarta. This church was named All Saints’ Jakarta, in recognition of the diversity of its A series of events was held this year to celebrate members in terms of the many different nations two centuries of “Mission and Ministry” in Jakarta and Christian denominations they represented. and beyond. Besides special services in February, the main event took place on 3 March where the In 1950 the church came under the auspices of Bishop of Singapore, the Rt Revd Rennis Ponniah, the newly formed Diocese of Singapore. In 1995, a unveiled the bicentenary plaque. The church was second worship centre was set up in Pondok Indah filled to overflowing with dignitaries and guests. Among these guests were seven former clergy 20

DEANERIES & GLOBAL MISSIONS who had served in All Saints’ from as far back as the 1980s. Having the chance to fellowship with them was a personal highlight. A British Garden Party was held all day the following Saturday in the church and its recently landscaped gardens. Outdoor entertainment included performances, games for children and snack stalls. Inside the church, local historians gave a series of talks about the past; and in the old vicarage, the ballroom was converted into a British Pub. After Easter, about 100 members gathered for a Gala Dinner at the American Club in South Jakarta. It was an occasion for all five congregations to gather and celebrate together. The church has also launched a Bicentenary Ministry Fund to help sustain two clergy ministering across our two centres. To contribute, please visit our website (allsaintsjakarta.org). A final event will take place in November, on All Saints’ Day, to celebrate 200 years of mission and ministry in the world’s most populous Islamic nation. Top: Garden party Above: Children from Pondok Taruna Children’s Home entertained guests with traditional dancing and music Helen and Revd Alan Wood All Saints’ clergy past and present, with the UK Ambassador, the Honourable Moazzam Malik. Back row from left: The Rt Revd Tony Nicholas, Revd Greg Olliffe, Revd Philip Sinden, Revd Andrew Lake, Hon Mozzam Malik (UK Ambassador), Revd George Thomas, Revd Dale Appleby, Revd Ian Hadfield, Revd Alan Wood Front row from left: Mrs Christine Olliffe, Mrs Judith Sinden, Mrs Rachel Malik, Mrs Pam Lake, Mrs Joy Appleby, Mrs Narelle Hadfield, Mrs Helen Wood. 21

DEANERIES & GLOBAL MISSIONS Latest updates on ACROSS projects by Revd Michael Teh, Chairman of ACROSS The Anglican Crisis Relief, The ACROSS team with the children of Hands of Hope. Outreach and Support Ms Somphao is pictured here standing on the far right. (ACROSS) helps to mobilise and coordinate support from Besides relief work, ACROSS also provides our parishes to people affected for outreach work. We saw a need to help Hands by natural crises and disasters, of Hope, a Christian ministry to the deaf that was by providing healthcare, founded by Ms Somphao, a daughter of a Laotian education, administration, counselling and other pastor. There are at least 70,000 hearing-impaired community services. persons in Laos. ACROSS supported this important ministry with a S$20,000 contribution. LAOS RELIEF FOLLOW-UP TRIP (JANUARY 2019) My ACROSS team member, Mr Chew Boon Ann, and I returned to Laos where we met up with various mission partners and friends. ACROSS supplied further funding of S$60,000 to ARDA Laos to finance another relief project with Interwoven. The funds will be used for construction materials for home reconstruction, training resources for trauma counselling, provision of clothing and operational costs. Mr Yeow Kok Liang of INSPIRE Language Centre in Laos updated that 13 wells have been completed with the funding of S$20,000 that ACROSS had provided. ACROSS gave further funds of S$25,000 to the centre, through the Lao Evangelical Church (LEC), to support their relief project that helps marginalised Christian villages at ground zero of the July 2018 hydropower dam collapse. Far left: One of the 13 completed wells serving the Above (from left): Revd community affected by the disaster from the broken dam. Michael Teh, Mr Ian Left (from left): Mr Yeow Kok Liang and Ps Jee from LEC, Mr Dierden, Mr Chew Boon Chew Boon Ann and Revd Michael Teh from ACROSS. Ann, and Dr Carolyn Dean who runs World Renew’s drug rehabilitation programme in Laos. 22

DEANERIES & GLOBAL MISSIONS The construction of a water pump project for the Sasak people. ACROSS also met up with Dr Carolyn Dean is needful to offer the villagers an alternative to of World Renew, and heard about the needs of a their laborious efforts of carrying water up the hill drug rehabilitation programme in Laos. ACROSS from ground sources. Funding of S$30,000 has gave funding of S$10,000 towards its outreach been approved to fund labour and the installation objective. of storage tanks, pipes and pumps. The project is expected to begin in mid-July 2019 and to be LOMBOK RELIEF (ADDITIONAL completed by the end of August 2019. RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT) We received an appeal to provide aid to the Sasak INDONESIA – SULAWESI (PALU) RELIEF people - a hilltop village that was affected by the The Dean of Indonesia, Revd Dr Timothy Chong, 2018 earthquake. ACROSS has assessed that it is overseeing our outreach efforts in the aftermath of the earthquake in 2018. There are plans to establish an outreach platform by providing education and other relief support. CEBU RELIEF FOLLOW UP TRIP In line with ACROSS’ ethos of establishing a strong network of partners around our region, a follow up trip was made to congratulate our partner Jun Holaysan of REACT, and his wife Audrie, on the birth of their first child. We also took the opportunity to check in on the Bantayan Education and Skills Training (BEST) Centre set up on Bantayan Island. We were very happy to see that courses are still being run after handing over the centre to REACT five years ago. ACROSS is planning a Volunteers’ Appreciation Night that will take place in February 2020. Do look out for more information. Top left (from left: Audrie and Jun Holaysan, Ms Etheria holding baby Caela, Revd Michael Teh, Mrs Holaysan Snr, Mr Chew Boon Ann and Mr Holaysan Snr). Bottom left: Another cooking course at BEST Centre for the people on Bantayan Island. 23

When the message of Hope rang loud and clear to thousands at the national stadium CELEBRATION OF HOPE 2019 by Karen Tan, Associate Editor, Salt&Light This article first appeared on saltandlight.sg on May 21, 2019. Photos by Celebration of Hope Volunteer Photo Pool. “It’s an unforgettable experience. It was really a good feeling when everyone really feel the power and presence of God. I will remember this for a very long 24

came together and praised God. I could istory was made at the Singapore time,” summed up Nicholas Aishwar National Stadium on the weekend (May 17-19) when thousands convened for one reason only: To fulfil the Great HCommission (Matthew 28:18-20). Over three days and six rallies, more than 100,000 people heard testimonies and messages of God’s power and amazing grace in four languages. At press time, 1,910 people had prayed to receive Christ, another 1,525 rededicated their lives, whilst a thousand more expressed interest to find out more about the Good News. There were specific programmes just for the Chinese, Tamil and Filipino language groups – the first of its kind in Singapore of this scale. The three-day Celebration of Hope, which took two-and-a-half years of planning, saw the coming together of 227 churches. It was jointly organised by the Evangelical Fellowship of Singapore (EFOS) and the National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS). All hands to the plough A total of 18,000 volunteers from the various churches worked shoulder to shoulder to produce six rallies over the three days (Psalms 133:1-3). “It was really a good feeling when everyone came together and praised God.” – Nicholas Aishwar, a student performer. From the dolled up preschool performers, to the youth runners drenched in perspiration. From the ushers who stood for hours, to those who sat for hours in front of computers working the social media and livestream of the rallies. Those who could not make it to the meetings stayed on their knees, praying for the event. Teams of intercessors from different churches took turns to pray, starting at 9.30am daily till the end of the evening sessions. Everyone played their part with a heart prepared to serve, living out Romans 15:6: “… so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”. “It’s an unforgettable experience. It was really a good feeling when everyone came together and 25

Pastor Mohan Lazarus at the Tamil-Speaking COH Revd Kou Shao An at the Chinese-Speaking COH praised God. I could really feel the power and venue. The livestream garnered about 100,000 presence of God. I will remember this for a very unique viewers on the internet, with viewers tuning long time,” summed up Nicholas Aishwar, who in from as far away as Mongolia. performed on the opening night with Drumslight, Lighthouse Evangelism. There was sign language on the video streaming as well. “The network of interpreters Families came together to put their hands to the among the churches is really small so we’ve met plough. Karen Chew from Victory Family Centre each other before but have never worked together. volunteered with her husband and son, all three God is working in His people. It’s been amazing!” serving in different capacities and in different parts said Abigail Chow of Wesley Methodist Church. of the 50,000-seat stadium. “It is always nice to be able to serve the Lord, and even better to be able At the different venues, the message of to do it as a family,” she quipped, quoting Joshua hope was conveyed through song, dance and 24:15. testimonies. All Saints Church reported for duty at 6am When celebrities took to the stage, the on Saturday morning. When asked what time excitement in the stadium crowd was palpable. their shift would end, they chorused: “We don’t While some fans came only hoping to get a glimpse know! We guess, whenever it ends tonight,” and of the stars, they got even more – they rarely heard chuckled. Not a murmur, not a grouse! At 10pm, faith testimonies of how the celebrities’ lives had after a 16-hour shift, they were still upbeat, still turned around. smiling. “Bye! Praise the Lord! All for His glory!” they called out as they finally made their exit from It was no-holds-barred for those who shared on the tunnels in the bowels of the stadium. the public platform. Hong Kong singer, Wong Cho Lam, shared with the Chinese congregation how United in purpose his anger towards God turned to an epiphany. This camaraderie was not lost on our overseas Prabhu Solomon, an award-winning film director guests. “The uniqueness about Singapore is from Chennai, India, shared about deliverance the coming together,” noted Cathie Clancy, an from alcoholism at the Tamil rally. Australian artiste who flew in specially to perform at the “Colours of Hope” rally for families and “Every believer needs to recognise and children. “Hundreds of churches volunteered their remember that their testimony is just as valuable time, their energy, for this harvest. The zeal for the and powerful as those who went on stage,” Lord and the willingness to work together really said Timothy Yeo, a volunteer from Covenant showed.” Evangelical Free Church. Keba Jeremiah, a Bollywood musician who “As believers, we are all called to bear witness was in town just to perform at the Tamil rally, was and testify to the death, resurrection and ascension equally impressed: “It was surprising to see so of our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8),” he reflected. many churches coming together; so good to see harmony in the body of Christ, uniting together The Good News and reaching out.” “Celebration of Hope is about sharing the Good News God has given to you and I, that others will The response to the Chinese rally was come to know the hope, the solid and lasting especially overwhelming. Tickets were booked out hope in the name of Jesus,” said Bishop Rennis weeks before and over 40,000 were wait-listed. Ponniah, the Chairman of COH, in his opening They were not entirely left out as the rallies were address. Many who responded to the appeal and video-streamed on COH’s Facebook page and on brought friends and family to hear the Good News YouTube for those who could not make it to the were moved by their colleagues’ and loved ones’ response. Each rally ended with an altar call, which 26

Abigail was one of the sign language STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS: interpreters who served in the night rallies Chairman: Bishop Rennis Ponniah (Diocese of Singapore) saw hundreds streaming down the bleachers at Co-Chairman: Dr Lawrence Chia each meeting. Some wanted to find out more, (Evangelical Fellowship of Singapore) others rededicated their lives to Christ, and many Executive Secretary: Revd Tony Yeo more received the gift of salvation. To these new (Covenant Evangelical Free Church) believers, Bishop Ponniah encouraged: “It does Assistant Executive Secretary: Revd Lewis Lew not end here for those who have found true hope. (Diocese of Singapore) They must go on sharing this hope.” Treasurer: Revd Ezekiel Tan (Bible Society of Singapore) Members: For the church at large, Celebration of Hope Pastor Daniel Foo leaves a legacy for the next generation of Christians Revd Dr Ngoei Foong Nghian as Singapore celebrates its 200th anniversary Revd Lawrence Khong since the founding of modern Singapore in this Bishop Chong Chin Chung Bicentennial year. Revd Teo Yew Tiong Revd Samuel Gift Stephen “It is really awesome to be able to pass this Bishop Low Jee King hope that we have in Jesus to the next generation. Bishop Terry Kee Maybe, God-willing, they will have something Advisors: even bigger than this in their time,” said David Revd Edmund Chan Leong, from Grace Methodist Church, a 30-year Dr Ernest Chew children’s ministry veteran, who performed at the Working Committee Members: families and children rally on Saturday. Prayer: Revd Barry Leong, Mrs Lai Kheng Pousson The Andrew Initiative: Revd Daniel Wee Bishop Rennis Ponniah’s words lingered even Publicity: Pastor Edric Sng as the stadium lights were dimmed on Sunday Centralised Operations: Mr Paul Samuel night: “This is a vital step towards revival in this Programme: Revd Dr Chua Chung Kai land.” Training/Equipping: Pastor Chua Seng Lee Follow-Up Tracking: Mr Lam Kok Hiang Counselling: Revd Peter Lin Hospitality: Ms Karen Ow Live Streaming: Mr Simon Seow Sign Language: Ms Wang Li-sa Rally Coordinators: 17 May PM English: Ps Henry Lee, Ps John Koh 18 May AM Children & Families: Dr Cheah Fung Fong, Mr David Leong, Koh Chuen Chiat 18 May PM Chinese: Bishop Low Jee King, Ps Raynard Chew 18 May PM Indian: Revd Samuel Gift Stephen, Ps Raynard Chew 19 May AM Filipino/English: Pastor Angelito Mojico, Revd Canon Terry Wong 19 May PM English: Revd Poh Wee Long 19 May PM North Indian: Pastor Santar Singh Partner Churches: Anglican: 26 AOG: 16 Baptist: 14 Bible-Presbyterian: 3 Brethren: 8 Christian Nationals’ Evangelism Commission: 2 Christian Organisations: 24 Church of Singapore: 4 Evangelical Free Church: 8 Independent: 76 Lutheran: 5 Marketplace Organisations: 4 Methodist: 18 Presbyterian: 16 The Salvation Army: 1 Theological Schools: 2 Total: 227 27

YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS SERVE 2019 By Cherlie Cheong and Ivan Ong, Diocesan Youth Board Coordinators For us as Diocesan Youth Board (DYB) staff, the Top: Home visit in Batam first three months of each year are typically Above: Prayer the busiest, but also the most fulfilling, as we and our youth mentors run our annual SERVE Programme. Most of the youths who commit to this three- month programme are in a transitory phase. Ann Chua (Church of the Good Shepherd) said, “Since I had a 4-month break after my O-Level exam, I decided to spend this time learning about God's Word.” As a second generation Christian who grew up in the church, she still had doubts about God and wanted to know more about the Christian faith and saw the importance of being rooted in God’s Word. This year’s cohort consisted of 19 youths from 11 parishes. The youths (SERVErs) had five-day weeks filled with teaching sessions and group discussions targeted at cultivating their spiritual walk with God. On Saturdays, many of these youths were also serving in their parish youth ministry, under the supervision of their pastors. Gabriel Tan (Chapel of Christ the King) shared that the teaching session on prayer left an impact on him. “In the past, prayer felt like a transaction, but I learned that prayer is a conversation. Through prayer, God can reveal things to us through the Holy Spirit and when our words become limited, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us.” Part of SERVE involves a retreat and this year, during ministry time, the SERVErs were given an illustration from the famous painting The Return of the Prodigal Son by Rembrandt. Irvin Lum (Holy Trinity Parish) identified himself as a prodigal son, “I’ve committed all sorts of atrocities. But despite all of my sins and failures, God welcomes me back with open arms. He never gives up on me and will always wait for me to come home.” 28

YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS SERVE also provides the youths with practical with various members “it hit me that the road to learning. This year, the youths had two-week local recovery can be very long.” Her experience serving attachments to various Anglican schools and the community at the care centre reminded her community services, as well as a one-week mission of Matthew 25:31-46 which states that “when we trip overseas. serve those in need, we are serving the Lord.” This year was the first time that DYB partnered The youths were sent to Batam and Tanjong with a few of our Anglican chaplaincy teams and Pinang for a short-term mission trip this year. Irvin the DYB team was delighted to receive positive Lum (Holy Trinity Parish) who was part of the team feedback from both the chaplaincy staff and the in Tanjong Pinang shared that his team was amazed youths. “My attachment to the chaplaincy team at at how the locals sing praises to God. “Despite St Hilda’s Primary School and Secondary School being the minority, they were not ashamed of was an eye opener! As someone who received their faith. During a cell group visitation, everyone Christ as my personal Lord and Saviour through was singing with all their hearts - the whole a student camp in secondary school, I knew that neighbourhood could probably hear us!” this is an important ministry”, Joey Kwok (All Saints’ Church) explained. Through this two-week We give thanks to God for what He has done in attachment, she experienced God using herself as the lives of these youths during this short period. a vessel to minister to both parents and students. It is only by the grace and strength of God that the team could sustain the rigour of the programme. Ann Chua (Church of the Good Shepherd) who was attached to Anglican Care Centre (Hougang) Revd Christopher Chan, Chairman of DYB learned about what people with psychiatric thanks all the mentors and speakers who have conditions go through. Through her interaction contributed to SERVE 2019. SERVE session by Rev Hambali TOPIC SPEAKER Heart of a Worshipper Revd Calvin Wee, Deacon @St Andrew’s Cathedral Evangelism Mr Amos Tan, Youth Pastor @Chapel of Christ the Redeemer Disciple Making; Revd Christopher Chan, DYB Chairman and Priest @Chapel of the Holiness and the fear of the Lord Resurrection Personal Bible Study Revd William Tham, Vicar of Light of Christ Church Woodlands Christian Community Mr Calvin Tan, Youth Pastor @St Hilda’s Church Conflict Resolution Mr Justin Ho, Associate @Churchlife Resources Old Testament Study - Jonah Revd Charles Tewer, Vicar @My Saviour’s Church Anglicanism Revd Bertram Cheong, Priest @St Andrew’s Cathedral Worldview and Counter Cultural Living Revd Daniel Tong, Vicar @St Andrew’s Community Chapel Character Formation Mrs Cherlie Cheong, DYB Coordinator The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit Revd David Lee, Vicar @Chapel of the Resurrection (SERVE Retreat) Lordship of Christ Revd Hambali Leonardi, Deacon @St Andrew’s Cathedral Prayer Revd James Singh, Lecturer @Tung Ling Bible School Homosexuality Mr Ian Chew, Youth Pastor @Chapel of the Resurrection Biblical Overview I & II Dr David Miller Apologetics Ravi Zacharias International Ministries Sexual Purity Revd Martin P Jungnickel, Associate Vicar @St Hilda’s Church New Testament Study - Galatians Revd Jonathan Wong, Priest @Church of the Good Shepherd 29

YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS GAMES DAY 2018 by Cherlie Choong & Ivan Ong, DYB Coordinators Games Day 2018 was held on 17 November of the Ascension said, “Good move! Jumbling up 2018 at the St Andrew’s Junior College the inter-parish grouping into different groups Sports Gallery. Jointly organised this reduces over-competitiveness and allows for better time by the DYB staff team and the 2018 cohort cohesiveness and bonding among youths from of SERVErs, it drew a crowd of 144 enthusiastic different parishes. That’s the true purpose of the youths from 10 parishes. Diocesan Youth Board.” Based on a new format, this year’s Games The day ended with a riotous mass water bomb Day did away with inter-parish competition, and game. It was a joy for us to see youths come together organised the youths in groups that represented a to fellowship over games; catch up with one another mix of parishes, age groups and genders. The aim and forge new friendships. was to give the youths the opportunity to interact and make new friends from other parishes. We For SERVE 2018 alumni Melinie Christopher were encouraged to see pastors and leaders take (Parish of Christ Church), being part of the planning part as well. Revd Christopher Chan, Chairman committee was a rewarding experience. “We got of the Diocesan Youth Board was also present to to brainstorm and connect our ideas and at the mingle and cheer the youths on. same time bond with each other.” She added, “The event ran smoothly and it was encouraging to see Only one competitive game, Captain’s Ball, our teamwork benefitting others.” Fellow SERVE was featured this year. Prior to it, icebreakers and alumni Natalie Lim (St John’s – St Margaret’s Church) novelty games were played to foster camaraderie. said, “Being on the planning committee was great Those who participated seemed positive about because I got a chance to reconnect with my SERVE the new format. “I quite enjoyed talking to new batch, and work together for another project. I was people,” said Paul Allwood from Church of the thrilled to see how the youths from different parishes Good Shepherd. “The previous years focused could play together so happily.” more on competition than fellowship. With the emphasis on making new friends, it definitely gave For us, the DYB team, Games Day 2018 ended more meaning to attending DYB Games Day” with much positivity and we are looking forward to the upcoming Games Day 2019. See you all soon! Many felt that the competition was healthy and friendly. Glenn Liang, a youth leader from Church Games Day 2018 Planning Committee 30

ANGLICAN SCHOOLS Anglican High School’s Season of Change In January 2018, Revd Dr Ivan Ee Huat Peng took at first very daunted by feelings of inadequacy due over from Bishop Low Jee King the dual role to the heavy responsibility that comes with this of Vicar of All Saints’ Church and Chaplain to role. But after much prayer and advice from family Anglican High School. Revd Ee shared that he is and friends, he accepted the position and spent excited about this new journey. He recognises that the next few months adjusting his schedule to fit in this mission field that comprises more than 1,600 this new responsibility. students and over 100 teaching staff cannot be handled by just the few pastoral staff and student Mr Tan is mindful about giving special attention workers. He thanks the former school principal, and assistance to students who are struggling Mdm Maureen Lee, the school board, as well as academically. He believes God created each his church leaders, church workers and church one with different gifts, and would like to see volunteers for their labour and sacrifice. He education tailored for the individual student to especially thanks God for His guiding hand and have more space to grow and develop. He says, provision. “I highly regard Anglican High as both a Chinese school and a Christian school… Respect for our Revd Ee offered this verse as an teachers is an example of Chinese values that is encouragement: “Therefore let us be grateful for still distinctive in Chinese schools and churches. It receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and is my hope that Anglican High will build a strong thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with foundation in Chinese education, to pass on to reverence and awe.” (Hebrews 12:28) He said, the next generation the religious faith and cultural “Since we have received a kingdom that cannot be values of a Chinese Christian school. shaken, All Saints’ Church is committed to being a church that is holy, and a co-labourer with Anglican Mr Khoo Tse Horng feels blessed to have this High School. Beyond academic and character “second tour of duty within the Anglican family” development, the spiritual development of the after being Principal at St Hilda’s Secondary school shall continue to be shaped according to School for the past seven years. He says, “The the Bible, which is the Word of God, and reflect staff at Anglican High has been most warm and values such as holiness, righteousness, respect for welcoming, and I am humbled by their competency teachers, servant leadership, and nurturance of and strong sense of commitment. The students the whole person.” are sincere and respectful; they have a positive attitude towards learning and growing, and are Before agreeing to take over from Mr Chan very driven both in the classroom and in their co- Sui Him as the new chairman of the school’s curricular activities. Management Board, Mr Alden Tan Siang Hin was “God has, in His way, brought about this new School chaplain Revd Dr Ivan Ee Mr Alden Tan Siang Hin, Chairman of School principal Mr Khoo Tse Horng the Management Board 31

ANGLICAN SCHOOLS season for Anglican High, with the change of Change of School Chairman for the Board, Chaplain and Principal. Principal for Moving forward, we want to continue emphasising our school motto: “Holiness And Righteousness ST MARGARET’S (圣洁公义)” and nurture the whole person. PRIMARY SCHOOL “I am reviewing the school’s three outcomes of The diocese wishes to express heartfelt Bicultural Scholars, Accomplished Achievers, and appreciation and thanks to Ms Pang Wee Mian, Honourable Leaders so as to chart a new direction. who was the Principal of St Margaret’s Primary One of the elements I want to prepare our students School from 2012 to 2018, for her dedication for is to be honourable leaders who contribute in and invaluable contributions. We wish her shaping the future of Singapore. To be ready for the God’s blessings as she serves Him in Beacon future, they need to acquire the attitude and skills Primary School. to Learn for Life. At the same time, they need to be critical thinkers and inventive to shape the future. The diocese also welcomes warmly Mrs Ko-Tan We will want to marry technology and our Special Li Ling, who started her tenure as the school’s Assistance Programme (SAP) status and harness new principal on 15 December 2018. our partnership with the Singapore University of Technology and Design to expose our students to technology advancements by China. “Anglican High is also unique in that it is the only Protestant mission school with SAP. We will explore how we can introduce elements of Christianity to advance and contribute towards Chinese culture to bridge our unique heritage of being a mission school and a Chinese medium school. This makes our strong emphasis on character and holistic education foundational.” Excerpts from the article 圣公会中学-交替之季 which first appeared in Anglican News, Issue 442 (April 2019). Edited by Karen Wong and Lucilla Teoh from translations by Priscilla Chong CHINESE-SPEAKING WORK JOSEPH’S IMPOSSIBLE CHALLENGE A Multi-Parish Children’s Camp Joseph’s Impossible Challenge was a joint experience that could be repeated in the future Children’s Camp organised by the Chinese with continued cooperation and synergy between congregations of Holy Trinity Church, Marine our churches and children’s ministries. Parade Christian Centre, St Andrew’s Cathedral, St Andrew’s Community Chapel, St James’ Church, Excerpts from the article 挑战不可能的约瑟which first and St Matthew’s Church. Held in November 2018, appeared in Anglican News, Issue 442 (April 2019). the event drew a crowd of 60 children and adults Edited by Karen Wong from translations by Lee Jialing for two days of fun and activities that highlighted the story of Joseph and how God saw him through very difficult situations and used him to bring God glory in a foreign land. The children thoroughly enjoyed the games that St James’ Church prepared, and displayed impressive creativity in crafting fridge magnets and colouring technicolour robes. They also got to prepare the props and costumes for a play about the life of Joseph, and put on a lively performance for their parents and guardians. Under the supervision of Revd Koh Hock Soon (St Matthew’s Church) and Revd Luke Ting (St James’ Church), the event was a rewarding 32

COMMUNITY SERVICES ONE Mission, ONE Heart Giving thanks for Senior Care volunteers by the St Andrew’s Senior Care Team In Ephesians 4:16 Paul wrote, out about the need for volunteers “From Him the whole body is at a new senior care centre, she fitted and held together by every managed to rally her friends at supporting ligament; and as each church. Together, they help at St Andrew’s Senior Care (Tampines) individual part does its work, the as befrienders and as music teachers, teaching the seniors to body grows and builds itself up in play the ukulele! Being a great cook, Leticia also bakes up a storm love.” This verse fittingly describes with the seniors on festive sessions. the volunteers who support St St Andrew’s Senior Care (Tampines) also receives a Andrew’s Senior Care (SASC), 12-member team from Chapel of Christ the Redeemer’s Chinese an initiative that was started by congregation, who come once a month to engage the seniors with St Andrew’s Mission Hospital in songs and board games. They have also been empowering the 2015 to provide community-based Mdm Leticia Chan (in dark blue) seniors with knowledge about self- warming the hearts of seniors at care. senior care services. Coming from SASC (Tampines) with delectable cookies. As a couple, retirees Royston the various local Anglican parishes, Mdm Sandra Yee, a volunteer with Chua and Mdm Tay Hui Gek from SASC (Tampines), connecting with Church of the Good Shepherd have these volunteers have responded a senior through music. been volunteering at St Andrew’s Mdm Tay Hui Gek dishing out Nursing Home (Henderson) and St to God’s call and share a common hoops for seniors during a games Andrew’s Senior Care (Henderson) session at SASC (Henderson). since December 2017. “With mission to serve our seniors at the little that we give to God, He blesses us with the exceeding SASC. They bring with them their joy of sharing their smiles and happiness,” shared Mr Chua and individual gifts and talents and a Mdm Tay. Like so many other volunteers, they express a strong deep compassion to demonstrate affinity towards the seniors and residents they spend time with. in action God’s ministry of love. They make it a point to visit at least twice a month to maintain the Serving alongside staff members, rapport, and speak very fondly of the meaningful time they spend they strive to meet the needs of there, and the warm welcome they receive each time they go. our SASC communities. St Andrew’s Senior Care is very At St Andrew’s Senior Care thankful for the miracle that is God’s love, and is very grateful to (JOY Connect), Mdm Betty Wong the faithful volunteers who serve alongside our team, as we serve to from Holy Trinity Parish volunteers meet the needs of our communities together. by accompanying a senior to the centre for rehabilitation sessions, and helps out at the centre by engaging seniors with mild dementia. Since she started volunteering in 2016, Mdm Wong has become part of the family, and shows her love for the staff with her delicious desserts. Another volunteer, businessman Mr Shih Kim Chwee from St Andrew’s Cathedral, takes a few days from work each week to serve in church and at St Andrew’s Senior Care (Joy Connect). He attends to the centre’s seniors by reading the news to them, by affirming and encouraging them as the Spirit leads him, or by simply sitting with them and lending a listening ear. Other volunteers serve as a group. When Mdm Leticia Chan Mr Shih Kim Chwee building friendship with seniors at SASC from St Andrew’s Cathedral found (JOY Connect). 33

COMMUNITY SERVICES Creating A Home Away From Home St Andrew’s Adult Home (Sengkang) welcomes its first residents by the St Andrew’s Autism Centre Corporate Communications Team “Every day is a new challenge,” expressed Sammy, to make the transition smooth. a healthcare assistant at the newly launched St Even as SAAH prepares to welcome and Andrew’s Adult Home (Sengkang) [SAAH]. Like Sammy, teammate Tetei feels similarly challenged. receive more residents in the months ahead, every Besides supporting adults with autism, they day is a new learning experience for the care staff are adapting to a new job and adjusting to the team. “After interacting with the residents, the way culture in a new country. To Tetei, each day is an I treat each person with autism is changing…Even opportunity to “experience new things”. though it is challenging every day, I’ll try to keep it up,” said Healthcare Assistant Mimi. Together with 20 other healthcare assistants and four nursing aides from various parts of Above: Both SAAH’s first two north east India, Sammy and Tetei had arrived in residents, Kelvin and Don Singapore on 22 January, just a couple of months engaged in individualised activity ahead of SAAH’s opening. For an entire month, this in the shared space between two pioneering team of frontline care staff underwent clusters at SAAH. daily intensive training, job attachments and tests to prepare for their work in Singapore’s first-of- Right: SAAH welcomed its first its-kind residence for adults with autism — a home resident, Kelvin Ong on Thursday, away from home that St Andrew’s Autism Centre 4 April 2019. (SAAC) has been working hard to create since its From left: SAAC CEO Dennis appointment in 2015 by the Ministry of Social and Ang, Resident Kelvin Ong, Family Development to co-develop and operate Accompanying staff from IMH SAAH. and SAAH Executive Director Marcel Semaun By mid-March, care staff were simulating daily routines and standard processes on site in the THE NEW DAY ACTIVITY CENTRE residential clusters on levels four to eight, and Co-located in SAAH, Day Activity Centre working in shifts to get used to the 24/7 care (Sengkang) opened its doors on 1 April 2019 required. For many staff at SAAC and new SAAH with 25 clients. Most of these clients are from staff who had joined at various points last year, Day Activity Centre (Siglap) who transferred the day SAAH received its first residents on the because of distance, and are adjusting well to morning of Thursday, 4 April 2019, was special their new classrooms. and significant. As the Chaplain to SAAH, Pastor Wilson Sie The first resident to arrive was Kelvin. In his late conducts daily chapel services for the clients thirties, the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) has and residents, and weekly staff devotions in been his home for a long time. To help him make addition to other responsibilities. He reflected, this transition and adjust to his new environment “I recognise that persons with autism have the and routine, Kelvin’s spent just a few hours a day at ability to know who God is, draw close to God, SAAH during his first week. He is now comfortably and express their knowledge of God in their settled. own special way.” The second resident, Don, is in his mid-twenties. St Andrew’s Cathedral is the anchor parish He surprised everyone by relaxing immediately for SAAH and Day Activity Centre (Sengkang). in his new bed and taking to his new home very quickly. It was heartening for the staff to see that SAAH is off to a good start after working tirelessly 34

The centre celebrates birthdays quarterly. The seniors Volunteers Huang Zhang, Margaret, and Su Zheng (left are happy and feel special that the centre remembers to right) cooked and served soup to seniors in one of the their birthdays. Share-a-Pot sessions. AGEING GRACEFULLY with Anglican Senior Centre (Tampines) by the SACS–SAMH Corporate Communications Team Anglican Senior Centre (ASC) (Tampines), a with 30 regular volunteers from the anchor parish partnership between Singapore Anglican All Saints’ Church, who befriend the clients and Community Services (SACS) and All Saints’ engage them in the centre’s daily programme. The Church (ASC), serves the elderly residents in daily programme comprises physical exercises, Tampines Changkat. arts and crafts activities, as well as ukulele and dance classes. On 12 January 2019, a dedication service for staff was conducted by the Assistant Bishop and At the official opening of the centre, guests were Archdeacon of Singapore, the Rt Revd Low Jee impressed as seniors from the centre’s ukulele and King. This was followed by the centre’s official dance interest groups showcased their talents with opening ceremony with Mr Desmond Choo, performances. Various activity booths at the event Mayor of North East District, Adviser to Tampines exhibited an array of services and programmes Grassroot Organisation (GROs) and Member of available at the centre. These include the Share- Parliament for Tampines Group Representation a-pot programme, a collaboration with Khoo Teck Constituency (GRC), as the Guest-of-Honour. Puat Hospital (KTPH) to enhance the wellness of Representatives from government and partner elderly residents through physical exercises and agencies, members of the Tampines Grassroots social conversations over a bowl of nutritious soup Organisation and residents, were among the specially selected by KTPH’s nutritionists. Also guests present that morning. showcased was the centre’s community health post, a partnership with Changi General Hospital To promote graceful ageing, ASC (Tampines) (CGH) where community nurses from CGH provide serves as a social and recreational hub for the consultation sessions and health talks at the centre elderly to come together, develop their social twice a month. network and discover the joy of pursuing their interests with fellow peers. The centre is blessed Unveiling of the plaque to mark the official opening of ASC (Tampines). From left to right: Revd Dr Ivan Ee, Vicar, All Saint’s Church; Dr Arthur Chern, Group Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Anglican Community Services and St Andrew’s Mission Hospital; Mr Andrew Goh, Vice President, St Andrew’s Mission Hospital; Mr Keith Chua, Vice President, Singapore Anglican Community Services; the Rt Revd Low Jee King, Assistant Bishop and Archdeacon of Singapore; Mr Desmond Choo, Mayor of North East District, Adviser to Tampines GROs and Member of Parliament for Tampines GRC; Mr Joseph Ong, Chairman, Tampines Changkat Citizen’s Consultative Committees; Mr William Kwek, Chairman, Tampines Committee; and Ms Irene Lee, General Manager, North East Community Development Council. 35

COMMUNITY SERVICES Serving the Taman Jurong Community St Andrew’s Nursing Home (Taman Jurong) opens its doors by the SACS-SAMH Corporate Communications Team Operated by the Singapore Anglican the residents in the wards. The event ended with Community Services (SACS), St. Andrew’s volunteers of ACI Singapore connecting with our Nursing Home (SANH) (Taman Jurong) opened its residents over a lunch reception. doors to residents in February this year to serve the needs of the Taman Jurong community. We are grateful for God’s providence in bringing corporate and community partners to On 12 May 2019, our residents got to enjoy journey with SANH (Taman Jurong) as we provide the nursing home’s first community event, support, care, and rehabilitation for our residents. organised by ACI Singapore, an association of foreign exchange traders, as part of their corporate social responsibility efforts. Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies, and Advisor to Jurong GRC Grassroots Organisations, graced the event as the Guest-of-Honour, together with his wife. Accompanying Senior Minister Tharman were grassroots leaders of the Taman Jurong Constituency. Highlights of the event included a dance performance choreographed by the nursing staff; a magic show by the President of the Singapore Association of Magic, Mr Roger Lim; and songs by local singing duo The Unemployed. A site tour was also conducted for Senior Minister and Mrs. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, grassroots leaders, members of ACI Singapore, who interacted with Left and above: Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies, and Advisor to Jurong GRC Grassroots Organisations, interacted with our residents during a tour of the nursing home facility, together with Mrs. Tharman, friends of ACI (Singapore), and Taman Jurong community leaders. Top and bottom right: Residents of SANH (Taman Jurong) enjoyed the entertaining performances during the community event. Below: Local singing duo, The Unemployed, delighted residents with a medley of pop songs. 36

Serving With Love And Humility by the SACS–SAMH Corporate Communications Team The Healthcare Humanity Awards (HHA) acknowledges and pays tribute to healthcare workers and volunteers who exemplify dedication in helping others. Congratulations to St Andrew’s Community Hospital (SACH) Nurse Manager Ms Karen Seng, SACH Associate Chaplain Ps Justin Tan, SACH volunteer, Mdm Chan Miew Leng, and St Andrew’s Nursing Home (Buangkok) volunteer, Mr Peter Gan, who were presented the Healthcare Humanity Award by Minister of Health, Mr Gan Kim Yong at the HHA Ceremony held on 25 April 2019. Healthcare Humanity Award Winners For enquiries, please call 6586 1000 or (from left to right): email: [email protected] Mr Peter Gan, Ps Justin Tan, Ms Karen Seng, Ms Chan Miew Leng (Monday to Friday, 9.00a.m. - 5.00p.m.) 37 Please scan the QR code for online registration or register with your church directly.

COMMUNITY SERVICES CHAPLAINCY in our community services by Revd Foo Chee Meng, Senior Chaplain Chaplaincy as a ministry within our diocese through the proclamation of the Word of God. began as far back as 1928. At that time, We are called by God to care for the whole pastoral care was provided through St Peter’s Church to leprosy patients from Trafalgar Home person comprising the body, mind and spirit. and through St Luke’s Hospital to Woodbridge Our chaplains seek to care for the emotional and Hospital patients with mental illness. Since then, spiritual well-being of the people we serve. We play providing chaplaincy care has been an integral an important role as members of a care team that part of our community services. provides holistic care to our clients and patients. We endeavour to embody the comfort and love After Archdeacon Wong Tak Meng was of Christ, and to offer friendship and a listening appointed Senior Chaplain in 2010, the ear not just to our clients and patients, but also to Chaplaincy Ministry was formally inaugurated with staff, caregivers and volunteers. We try to do this the commissioning of our chaplains during the without criticism or judgment, and without regard opening service of the May 2011 synod meetings. to race, language or religion. In times of emotional Currently, we have full-time chaplains and honorary stress or distress, physical or mental illness, loss chaplains at our various care centres and agencies. or bereavement, our chaplains are there to affirm They are assisted by non-ordained associate the individual’s value and dignity, and to journey chaplains who are theologically educated and alongside. trained in clinical pastoral care. Listed in the table are our community service agencies, their anchor We practise person-centred pastoral care parishes and their chaplaincy team members. Do that is respectful and sensitive to the needs of uphold them in prayer and support them as they the individual. When a non-religious approach is mediate God’s love to those in need. more appropriate, emotional support is provided through friendship, words of encouragement and Our vision is to be an authentic witness for warmth of a caring presence. Jesus Christ in the community where God has placed us. The ministry of chaplains is threefold: Those of us in the Chaplaincy Ministry are very it encompasses the pastoral, by offering love and grateful to the parishes and church members who compassion to all; the priestly, through prayers for support us in prayer, giving and voluntary help. our clients, volunteers and staff; and the prophetic, We need our Anglican parishioners to continue to stand together with us to pray for our clients, visit them as befrienders, and help out at the centres. We often ask ourselves why we do what we do. The reason is not just about doing good works - it is because this is God’s work! As chaplains we get to demonstrate God’s love through our actions and proclaim God’s truth in our service to those in need. Let us join our hearts and hands together to fulfil God’s mission to “seek the welfare of the city” (Jeremiah 29:7). (A version of this article first appeared in The Anglican News, Issue 441, October 2018. This Chaplaincy work is supported by parishes and donations to the Chaplaincy Fund. For enquiries on how to support this work, please email Archdeacon Wong Tak Meng at [email protected]) From left: Revd King Chiew Kwang (Chaplain of Anglican Care Centre (Hougang) and (Yishun)), Revd Peter Manimuthu, (Chaplain of St Andrew’s Nursing Home (Buangkok); Revd Foo Chee Meng (Senior Chaplain), Revd David Teo (Chaplain of St Andrew’s Autism Centre) and Revd Gilbert Wong (Chaplain of Anglican Care Centre (Simei) and (Pasir Ris)). 38

COMMUNITY SERVICES Our Community Services Chaplaincy Altogether we have six full-time chaplains, eight full-time and one part-time Associate Chaplains, as well as 15 honorary chaplains. NAME OF CENTRE ANCHOR PARISH NAME OF CHAPLAIN /ASSOCIATE CHAPLAIN St Andrew’s Community Hospital St Andrew’s Revd Daniel Tong (Hon) Community Chapel Revd Eric Yong Ps Justin Tan Ps Leong Pei Yu Ps Serene Wong Ps Sheria Sum St Andrew’s Nursing Home (Buangkok) St Paul’s Church Revd Jeremy Ponniah (Hon) Revd Peter Manimuthu Revd Daniel Wee (Hon) St Andrew’s Nursing Home (Queenstown) Church of Our Saviour Ps Abraham Yap Revd Huang Ao You (Hon) St Andrew’s Nursing Home (Henderson) Church of the Good Shepherd Ps Jeannie Ng Revd Bertram Cheong (Hon) St Andrew’s Nursing Home (Taman Jurong) Westside Anglican Church Revd Barry Leong (Hon) Revd David Teo St Andrew’s Autism Centre Marine Parade Christian Centre Revd Canon Terry Wong (Hon) Ps Wilson Sie St Andrew’s Adult Home (Sengkang) St Andrew’s Cathedral Revd Lim Kek Wah (Hon) (on trial from Sept 2018) St Andrew’s Senior Care Chapel of Christ Our Redeemer Revd William Chee (Hon) (Our Tampines Hub) Revd King Chiew Kwang Anglican Care Centre Yishun Christian Church Ps Charis Mah (Hougang and Yishun) (Anglican) Revd Daniel Tong (Hon) Revd Gilbert Wong Anglican Care Centre St Andrew’s Community Chapel Revd Winston Tan (Hon) (Simei and Pasir Ris) Revd Bertram Cheong (Hon) Anglican Care Centre Church of True Light (Farrer Park) Revd Ng Wei Liang (Hon) Anglican Care Centre Westside Anglican Church Revd Ang Soo Sung (Hon) (Bukit Batok) Revd Ivan Ee (Hon) Anglican Senior Centre Yishun Christian Church (Yishun) (Anglican) Revd William Tham (Hon) Anglican Senior Centre Jurong Anglican Church Revd Jeremy Ponniah (Jurong West) (Mandarin) Anglican Cluster Operator Bp Low Jee King (Hon) Anglican Senior Centre All Saints’ Church Revd Canon Terry Wong (Hon) (Tampines) Ps Toh Soon Kok Anglican Senior Centre Light of Christ Church Revd Foo Chee Meng (Woodland) Woodlands Assisted by Revd Gilbert Wong and Revd King Chiew Kwang Anglican Family Centre St Peter’s Church Revd Foo Chee Meng PEACE-Connect Cluster Holy Trinity Church Operator CITY Community Services St Andrew’s Cathedral Mission to Seafarers Church of the Good Shepherd Integrated Employment Services NA Senior Chaplain 39

COMMUNITY SERVICES Charity Transparency Award 2018 awarded to Singapore Anglican Community Services by the SACS - SAMH Corporate Communications Team Singapore Anglican Community Services was presented the Charity Transparency Award on 29 November 2018. An initiative by the Charity Council to promote exemplary disclosure and transparency practices in the charity sector, this award recognises charities which excel in nine dimensions of disclosure, such as financial management and internal control, conduct of fundraising activities and management of conflict of interest. As accountability and transparency remain important values to donors and the public, SACS will continue to uphold these values in its best practices Mr Keith Chua, Vice-President of Singapore Anglican Community of charity governance as it serves the Services, receiving the Charity Transparency Award from Mr Gerard Ee, Chairman of the Charity Council (left). community! Photo courtesy of the Charity Council. Blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of the LORD. ‘He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.’Psalm 1:3 ST ANDREW'S CATHEDRAL, SINGAPORE Thursday 7.30pm – 9.30pm DIOCESAN CERTIFICATE OF Cathedral New Sanctuary BIBLICAL Friday STUDIES 12.30pm - 2.00pm DCBS B1 Prayer Halls Please visit cathedral.org.sg/dcbs for course details and registration This Biblical Studies Programme enables participants to systematically study, book by book, all 66 books of the Bible. 40

SINGAPORE HIGHLIGHTS From left: Mr Abraham Manimuthu, Revd Christopher Chan, Revd David Lee, Bishop Low Jee King, Revd Canon Steven Asirvatham, Revd Paul Xavier, and Mr Anthonysamy James (COTE's People's Warden) Church of the Epiphany’s De-consecration Service & Ground-Breaking Ceremony By Revd Canon Steven Asirvatham 6April 2019 was a historical moment for the vision, dedication and relentless efforts of Church of the Epiphany (COTE) - it marked the late Canon Baboo when he realised that the de-consecration of its existing 53-year many worshippers at the Parish of Christ Church old church sanctuary as well as the ground- were travelling long distances from Jalan Kayu, breaking ceremony for a new four-storey church Seletar and its surrounding vicinity. In celebration building. of their parish’s 25th anniversary 53 years ago, Christ Church provided and offered to God the Gathered for the de-consecration service church building along Jalan Kayu. This marked were members of Epiphany’s Tamil congregation, the beginning of its church plant - Church of the Century Christian Fellowship’s (CCF) English Epiphany. congregation, as well as Standing Committee members, clergy and friends. For many Tamil The de-consecration service and the ground- congregants, it was an emotional experience breaking ceremony were led by the Rt Revd Low because they and their families have worshipped Jee King, the Assistant Bishop and Archdeacon of in this building for 53 years. Singapore, and Revd Canon Steven Asirvatham, the Acting Vicar of COTE. They were joined by Church of the Epiphany was birthed from Revd Paul Xavier, priest at COTE; Revd David Lee, Vicar of Chapel of the Resurrection (COR); and Revd Christopher Chan, priest at COR and CCF. With its new church building, COTE has a vision to establish multi-lingual worship services to reach out to the communities in the Jalan Kayu, Seletar, Sengkang and Punggol areas. By the grace of God, the November 2018 Synod gave approval for this $7million project. As of November 2018, funds raised stand at $5.25 million. There is still a balance of $1.75 million still to be raised. May I ask that we all pray and support this redevelopment work (Haggai 2:9). 41

SINGAPORE HIGHLIGHTS Bishop Rennis Ponniah signing the sign of the cross at the Ground-Breaking Ceremony Church of the Good Shepherd’s Ground-Breaking Ceremony By Karen Wong The ground-breaking event on 27 classrooms and new offices. Revd Jonathan Wong, November 2018 was a joyful culmination of priest of the English congregation, said, “I believe redevelopment plans that date back more that everything happens in God’s good time. As than ten years for Church of the Good Shepherd. we look around us in Queenstown, many HDB and It represented fervent prayers, concretised plans, private condominium housing blocks are being and bold vision for the future. With concerted constructed. The completion of our building effort, united hearts and sacrificial pledging by next year will be just in time to welcome many leaders and members of both the Chinese and new neighbours to our new facilities! This is an English congregations, 75% of the funds was excellent opportunity to reach a new generation raised and formal approval was granted by Synod of Queenstown residents who are arriving on our in November 2018 for the $14.1m project. The door-step.” vicar, Revd Huang Ao-You said, “这一路走来，关 关难过关关过。上帝的供应远超我们所想所求。“ About 150 people attended the eventide [Translation: We have faced tough challenges on ground-breaking ceremony, which included the this journey; yet we have managed to overcome building consultants and contractors, Standing each one. God’s provision has exceeded what we Committee members, clergy and church members. asked for.] Mr Koo Eng Khoon, the Vicar’s Warden said, “Church of the Good Shepherd members have Set to complete by May 2020, Church of the given sacrificially to the rebuilding fund out of a Good Shepherd members are eagerly looking profound desire to share the love and blessing forward to consecrate for God’s use an urbane that God has bestowed on us. Our obedience in four-storey building that will house a 500-seat giving brings joy and enlarges our faith. To God sanctuary, a 300 seat multipurpose hall, spacious be the glory!” View from Dundee Rd

SINGAPORE HIGHLIGHTS THE BOYS’ BRIGADE & GIRLS’ BRIGADE JOIN HANDS by Celine Low, Executive (Corporate Communications at The Boys’ Brigade in Singapore) and Karen Wong An inaugural thanksgiving service held jointly strengthen each other’s ministry. between The Boys’ Brigade in Singapore Revd Daniel Tong, Vicar of St Andrew’s (BB) and The Girls’ Brigade Singapore (GB) took place on 20 October 2018 at Christalite Community Chapel and Brigade Chaplain to Methodist Chapel. Over a hundred guests BB reflects, “The Boys’ and Girls’ Brigades have attended, including BB and GB Brigade Executive been working alongside each other for decades Committee members, officers and alumni. The and impacting generations of students. Like all Rt Revd Terry Kee, President of the National siblings, we have had our differing approaches Council of Churches in Singapore and Bishop and little rivalries, but we have the same goal to of The Lutheran Church in Singapore, presided touch young lives with God’s love. We are grateful over the service and witnessed the signing of a for the continued goodwill and support of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between various government ministries and agencies; and it the two brigades regarding their joint Explorers is a special joy that we are today jointly developing Programme: a new community development the Explorers’ Programme for pre-schoolers. programme that caters to five and six-year old boys and girls in kindergarten. “Both brigades are looking ahead and planning for the future, to continue engaging the young in Stressing the importance of unity, Bishop Terry character development, faith, and nation building. Kee highlighted the common purpose that binds The future is challenging but bright, and our trust BB and GB together and urged the two brigades is in our Lord Jesus, who continues to guide, to remain undaunted by any differences or strengthen and bless our efforts for His glory. Won’t challenges they may face, and to work in unity to you join us today in this most fulfilling ministry of reaching and impacting young lives?” BB and GB Brigade Executive Committee members and BB Brigade Chaplain Revd Daniel Tong (far right) with Lutheran Bishop Terry Kee (front row, centre) 43

DIOCESAN NEWS INSTITUTION AND INDUCTION OF VICARS DEANERY OF NEPAL – ST MARK’S GOLGOTHA DEANERY OF NEPAL – CHURCH OF CHRIST THE CHURCH NAZARENE Revd Shyam Nepali was inducted as Vicar of St Revd Rinzi Lama was inducted as Vicar of Church of Mark’s Golgotha Church on 17 November 2018. Christ the Nazarene on 19 November 2018. Revd Revd Shyam Nepali holds a Bachelor of Theology Rinzi has a Master of Ministry from the Kathmandu from the Asian Evangelical Seminary. He was Institute of Theology. He was ordained as a deacon ordained as deacon in 2010 and priested in 2011. in 2010 and priested in 2011. Revd Rinzi Lama is He planted St Mark’s Golgotha Church in 1995, an experienced church planter: he planted Church and has since then continued to plant daughter of Christ the Nazarene in 1994 and has gone on churches. to plant many Anglican congregations across the country in the last 25 years. DEANERY OF NEPAL – CHURCH OF CHRIST THE LIVING HOPE CHAPEL OF THE RESURRECTION Revd Prem Tamang was inducted as Vicar Revd David Lee was inducted as Vicar of Chapel of Church of Christ the Living Hope on 18 of the Resurrection on 27 January 2019. Revd Lee November 2018. Revd Tamang holds a Bachelor holds a Master of Divinity from Trinity Theological of Theology from the Nepal Evangelical College College (2010), was ordained as a deacon in 2011 in Kathmandu, a Bachelor of Divinity from Trinity and priested in 2012. He was previously serving Theological College in Singapore, and a Master of as priest at St Andrew’s Community Chapel Theology from Asia Graduate School of Theology and St Hilda’s Church. As Vicar of Chapel of the Kathmandu. He was ordained as a deacon in May Resurrection, Revd Lee is also the Chaplain to St 2015, and a priest in May 2016. Revd Prem Tamang Andrew’s Junior College. planted Church of Christ the Living Hope in late 2011, after graduating from TTC, and has gone on to plant daughter churches in the last few years. 44

DIOCESAN NEWS ST PAUL’S CHURCH DEANERY OF CAMBODIA – Revd Jeremy Ponniah was inducted as Vicar of CHURCH OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST OUR St Paul’s Church on 5 May 2019. He has a Master PEACE, PHNOM PENH (CCOP) of Theological Studies from Trinity Theological Revd Steven Seah was inducted as Vicar of CCOP College (2010), and was a pastoral worker in All on 2 June 2019. He holds a Master of Divinity Saints’ Church (2010 to 2015) before his ordination from Trinity Theological College (2006). He was as deacon in 2015 and as priest in 2016. After ordained as deacon in Nov 2007, and priested in serving as Deacon at All Saints’ Church (2015 to 2008. He was appointed Chaplain of St Margaret’s 2016), and as Priest at Chapel of the Resurrection Primary School (2009) and Vicar of Chapel of Christ (February 2018 to January 2019), Revd Ponniah the King (October 2010); as well as Associate Dean was appointed Vicar-Designate of St Paul’s Church of Cambodia (2011) and Warden of Lay Readers in February 2019, and Vicar in March 2019. As (2013). Vicar of St Paul’s Church, Revd Ponniah is also Honorary Chaplain to St Andrew’s Nursing Home DEANERY OF CAMBODIA – (Buangkok). RURAL MISSION DISTRICT, CAMBODIA Revd Tit Hieng was inducted as Vicar of Cambodia’s Rural Mission District on 31 May 2019. He holds a Diploma in Theology from Phnom Penh Bible School (1998) and was ordained as a deacon in 1998 and as a priest in 1999. He was appointed Vicar of CCOP, Phnom Penh in 2007 and Chairman of the Anglican Church in Cambodia in 2008. 45

DIOCESAN NEWS GAZETTE ORDINATION 2019 Congratulations to the following Ordained to the Diaconate: 1. Canon Mervyn Moore and deacons from the Deanery of Mr Chan Phy Canon Dr Michael Poon were Nepal who were ordained as (Deanery of Cambodia) appointed Honorary Fellows of priests on 18 November 2018, St Peter’s Hall with effect from at Church of Christ the Nazarene Mr Josepha Tarigan 1 October 2018 until the end (Anglican) in Kathmandu, Nepal: Mr Marphen Gultom of the current session of Synod Revd Bishwa Ram Rai Mr Welly Jonathan Mbau (May 2020). Revd Norpu Lama (Deanery of Indonesia) 2. Revd Peter Manimuthu Congratulations also to the Mr Beg Lama Tamang was appointed Chaplain to following who were ordained as Mr Chandra Bahadur Pun St Andrew’s Nursing Home priests and deacons on 7 July Mr Dhanakaji Tamang (Buangkok) and Honorary Priest 2019, at St Andrew’s Cathedral: (Deanery of Nepal) at Church of the True Light, with effect from 1 November 2018. Ordained to the Priesthood: Mr Samrerng Thakerngsuk Revd Adrian Chong Kum (Deanery of Thailand) 3. Revd Derek Lim retired on 15 Cheong November 2018. (St Andrew's Cathedral) Mr Glenn Chan Jian Wen (St James’ Church) 4. Revd Augustinus Titi (Deanery Revd Hambali Leonardi of Indonesia) retired on 31 (St Andrew’s Cathedral) Mr Ian Chew Houng Meing December 2018. (Chapel of the Resurrection) Revd Calvin Wee Eng Huat 5. Revd Henok Hariyanto (St Andrew’s Cathedral) Mr Ezra Sivakumar s/o (Deanery of Indonesia) resigned Sathiasillan with effect from 31 January Revd Tay Hong Ern (Light of Christ Church 2019. (Church of the Good Shepherd) Woodlands) 6. Bishop Low Jee King was Joint Ordination with The Mr Ian Dudley Dierden appointed Acting Vicar of Holy Church of the Province of (St John’s-St Margaret’s Church) Trinity Church with effect from 1 Myanmar to the Diaconate: February 2019. Mr Moses Israeli Mr Lew Kiat Lern (St Andrew’s City Church) 7. Revd Lim Kek Wah was appointed Priest-in-charge of Mr Thomas Jacob s/o Isaac the Chinese Congregation of (My Saviour’s Church) Chapel of Christ the Redeemer with effect from 1 February 2019. 8. Revd Alvin Toh was posted as 11. Revd Philip Sinden was 14. Revd Timothy Ewing-Chow Curate to St John’s-St Margaret’s appointed Acting Vicar of St was appointed Acting Vicar of Church with effect from 1 George’s Church, as well as Chapel of Christ the King with February 2019. Acting Dean of Laos, with effect effect from 17 April 2019. from 1 March 2019. 9. Revd Calvin Wee was posted 15. Revd Norman Jones was as Deacon to St Andrew’s 12. Revd Tit Hieng (Deanery of appointed Acting Vicar of Christ Cathedral with effect from 1 Cambodia) was appointed Vicar Church Bangkok (Deanery of February 2019. of the Rural Mission District of Thailand) with effect from 1 May the Deanery of Cambodia with 2019. He takes over from Revd 10. Revd Jeremy Ponniah was effect from 5 April 2019. Timothy Eady, who ended his appointed Vicar Designate of St time there as Vicar on 30 April Paul’s Church with effect from 13. Revd Steven Seah was 2019. 1 February 2019, and as Vicar appointed Dean of Cambodia of St Paul’s Church with effect and Vicar of Church of the Lord 16. Revd Andrew Yap was from 1 March 2019. He was also Jesus Christ Our Peace, Phnom appointed Acting Dean of appointed Honorary Chaplain Penh with effect from 7 April Thailand from 1 June to 31 to St Andrew’s Nursing Home 2019. October 2019. (Buangkok) with effect from 1 March 2019. 17. Revd Freddy Lim retired on 8 June 2019. 46

DIOCESAN NEWS 18. Revd Ng Koon Sheng retired PARISH WORKER/PARISH 8. Ms Wong Yoke Lin, Parish on 14 June 2019. ASSISTANT LICENCES Worker at St James’ Church 19. Bishop Kuan Kim Seng was appointed Acting Warden of St Parish Worker / Parish Assistant 9. Ms Lyu Yang, Parish Worker Peter’s Hall from 1 July 2019 to licences were issued on 14 June at St John’s Chapel 31 August 2020. 2019 to: 1 Mr Choo Cheng Leong, Parish 10. Mr Ang Wen Hao Ezekiel, 20. Revd Rinzi Lama (Deanery of Worker at All Saints’ Church Parish Worker at Church of Our Nepal) was appointed Associate Saviour Dean of Nepal with effect from 2. Ms Teo Kah Hong, Parish 1 July 2019. Worker at All Saints’ Church 11. Mr Chew Houng Meing Ian, Parish Worker at Chapel of the 21. Revd Lui Choo Huat 3. Ms Teo Yi Xuan, Parish Resurrection was posted as Priest to St Assistant at All Saints’ Church Andrew’s Cathedral Mandarin 12. Ms Chay Gah Yan, Parish Congregation with effect from 4. Mr Alvin Chee Ming Wei, Worker at St Andrew’s 1 July 2019. Parish Worker at Church of the Cathedral Good Shepherd 22. Revd Adrian Chong was 13. Mr Wong Choon Yew, posted as Deacon to Holy Trinity 5. Mr Toh Soon Kok, Parish Parish Worker at St John’s St Parish with effect from 1 July Assistant at St George’s Church Margaret’s Church 2019. 6. Mr Jason Teo Kiat Seng, Parish 14. Ms Taing Ping Esther, 23. Revd Steven Chong Seng Assistant at St James’ Church Parish Worker at St John’s St Chee was posted as Priest to Margaret’s Church Church of the Good Shepherd 7. Mr Chan Chew Hoong James, with effect from 1 September Parish Worker at Holy Trinity 15. Mr Wong Zhin-Hua Andrew, 2019. Parish Parish Worker at St Peter’s Church 24. Revd Tay Hong Ern was posted as Priest to Chapel of DIOCESAN OFFICE STAFF ANNOUNCEMENT the Holy Spirit with effect from 1 September 2019. Ms Divina Lee joined on 1 April 2019 as Administrative Officer (HR) Ms Kong Yuen Ling joined on 8 April 2019 as Records Management Officer (Contract) Bishop Low Jee King and Bishop Rennis Ponniah with clergy who retired this year: (from left) Revd Freddy Lim, Revd Michael Lim, and Revd Ng Koon Sheng 47

DIOCESAN NEWS FRESHNESS FOR LONG TERM MINISTRY Diocesan Clergy Retreat 2019 by Revd Koh Hock Soon Retreat Planning Committee Chairman and Vicar of St Matthew’s Church It was a privilege for the clergy to have Mr Ajith Revd Joshua Raj (St Andrew’s Cathedral) Fernando as this year’s retreat speaker. As the shared a Tamil worship song that had these words: current Teaching Director of Youth for Christ I am a broken vessel and God you know that very (YFC) in Sri Lanka, he is responsible for teaching, well; yet You still use me, who can understand mentoring and counselling YFC’s staff and this. He shared, “Why does the Lord use someone volunteers. His many written contributions include like me – with all my flaws and struggles? I do the award-winning books Call to Joy and Pain; and not understand. It is mind-blowing to know how Sharing the Truth in Love. a perfect God uses imperfect vessels to fulfil His perfect plans.” Teaching from the Book of Acts, Fernando used the apostle Stephen’s spirit-filled ministry and Revd Noppadon Hattayanont (Deanery of suffering as an example of Christian leadership. Thailand) said, “Last year, my wife and I were so blessed to attend the clergy family retreat for He also exhorted us to invest our the first time. This year’s retreat was different time to raise up new generations and memorable. The teaching was amazing, but of church leaders. what made the retreat special was the fellowship among the band of clergymen.” He said, “Since The Hilton Double Tree Hotel I am located in Thailand, this once a year event in Johor Bahru was a very pleasant gives me the opportunity to experience Anglican backdrop for this getaway. I brotherhood. I got to know a few individuals, share believe my fellow clergy from my story, and listen to theirs. There was mutual Singapore and from our six respect, trust and bonding. I experienced grace, deanery countries had a good rest and restoration. I appreciate the opportunity time of fellowship and went home to join in this year’s clergy retreat” with useful learning points. Retreat speaker Mr Ajith Fernando 48