THE METHODIST CHURCH IN SINGAPORE
ISSN 0129-6868 MCI(P) 027/11/2019
Vo l 1 2 2 N o 3 M A R C H 2 0 2 0
Contents
3
1
Bishop’s Message
2
Coming Up—Lent Prayer and Word
15
3
News—GC 2020 Call for Petitions
4
TRAC Church Profile—Wesley Methodist Church
5
One MCS—TRAC Highlights
6
MCS 135—MCS 135 launch service
9
One MCS—Identity & Destiny
10
MCS 135—Simply Good
13
MCS 135—Eat Share Connect: Reaching Out
15 16 17
Welfare Services
18
You & Your Family
19
Hymns & Songs
Church life Methodists in the world Christian living
19
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Missions News—Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
21 Soundings 22
Book Reviews
24
THINK
25
News—Faith in a time of COVID-19
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EDITORIAL BOARD
The official monthly publication of The Methodist Church in Singapore. Published material does not necessarily reflect the official view of The Methodist Church.
Adviser and Publisher Dr Anthony Goh Chairperson Council on Communications
Editor Sheri Goh
Sub-editor
All Scripture quoted is based on the English Standard Version unless otherwise stated. 70 Barker Road #06-04 Singapore 309936 6478-4793 | 6478-4763 message.methodist.org.sg | www.methodist.org.sg newmm@methodist.org.sg
Tan Chiu Ai
fb.com/Methodist.SG
Communications Executive
@methodist.sg
Jason Woo
Front and back cover design courtesy of Methodist Welfare Services Design & Production by Londonbob Design Printed by Adred Creation Print Pte Ltd
Have something to say or share? Email us at newmm@methodist.org.sg and, if appropriate, your contribution could be published.
BISHOP’S MESSAGE Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung was elected Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore in 2016. He served as President of the Chinese Annual Conference from 2008 to 2016.
Lent Prayer and Word
I
t is the Lent season and we are in the midst of the COVID-19 epidemic, which has rattled the world. While it has exposed human failings, it has also shown there is still human goodness in times of tribulation, as seen in the selfless services of the frontline healthcare workers and mutual help among people affected. All these have deepened the significance of the Lent season. We do not know how the COVID-19 epidemic will unfold, but it is important to maintain good personal hygiene and be updated on government announcements and advisories. Remember, however, that the most important spiritual discipline of the Church is prayer. Prayer keeps our heart focused on the Lord and helps us grow and walk in His will. It enables us to love others as we pray for our friends, for strangers, the community, our nation and the world! We are able to experience God’s miracles through prayer. We celebrate MCS 135 this year and have included “Lent Prayer and Word” sessions to commemorate the occasion. However, in view of the critical time we are facing, I urge you to first pray urgently for the following groups:
Pray for the healthcare workers They are fully aware of the dangers of the epidemic but they also know
it is their task to save lives. The virus spreads rapidly and it can be life threatening. Despite these real and present dangers, they are resolute in fulfilling the expectations that society has of them—that they help to heal the sick and save lives. They bid farewell to their own families and join the ranks of healthcare workers on the frontline. It is not unlike how Jesus Christ walked resolutely towards Jerusalem and to the cross to fulfill the mission of God the Father despite knowing that his life would be endangered.
Pray for the church
Pray for the infected
Pray for self
As of 18 Feb, there are 81 confirmed cases in Singapore. They are understandably worried and afraid. The people who had contact with them— family members, relatives, friends, colleagues and neighbors—are anxious and troubled that they may have been infected. May they be filled with the peace of Jesus Christ, peace that is not of this world.
Crises are a time for self-examination and soul searching, like the psalmist has prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!” (Ps 139:23) I have cancelled all engagements that may prevent me from attending the “Lent Word and Prayer” sessions scheduled for Thursday evenings, 8 to 9.45 p.m., beginning in March. I want to be prepared for them. I know I will experience the beauty of communication of saints in the weekly prayer gatherings held in Methodist churches that are more than 100 years old. At the same time, I will be able to follow the example of the older generations of our Church in their prayer life.
Pray for the general population They have been receiving daily doses of news from official and unofficial sources, as well as rumors and hearsay. All this has spread paranoia and caused panic among the people. They are like frightened sheep without a shepherd to guide and assure them. Many may feel fearful, disturbed and troubled.
The international spread of the COVID-19 virus has exposed the corrupt human nature and the frailty and capriciousness of life. The church has the responsibility to impart the message of respect for life and for all creatures that coexist with man on earth. The church has to call attention to the sinful nature of man and his need for salvation. She has to preach the gospel and share the love and grace of God so that man will revere Him and learn to love and help each other.
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Coming Up
LENT
PRAYER AND WORD
The Suffering Servant
MCS 135
LENT
PRAYER & WORD
of Isaiah 53 ations Dates & Loc
5 Mar | Tamil
MC (Short St
St ar tl e? Sp ri nk le or
12 Mar | Tam
il MC (Short
reet)
Street)
Recall, reflect and realign our hearts to God at our oldest churches this Lent season.
d Si ck ly Sh un ne d an
Sp ea ke r ident TRAC Pres g rdon Won Rev Dr Go
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PM 8P M TO 9: 15
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MC po ng Ka po r 2 A pr | Ka m gn if ic an ce an d Si Su ff er in g
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We want to hear your MCS 135 stories! How has your Methodist church / school / agency / organisation / cell group etc. been a part of your life? How have they celebrated MCS’s birthday? We want to hear from you! Send us your stories / photos / events at 6478-4786 (WhatsApp) communications@methodist.org.sg Tag your social medial posts with
#mcs135
THE PEOPLE OF THE WAY (updated lyrics)
We are the People of the Way, The way of Jesus Christ our Lord; We follow Him in all our ways, As John and Charles did in their day.
We are the people on the Way; When Thoburn, Oldham came to us To preach the Good News of Jesus, And left a spark of Spirit’s fire.
We are the People of the Flame; On us the Lord has placed His claim; His children called Methodists, With others we will spread His Name.
We are the People in the Way, The way of love for God and man; We love our God with all our heart; Together serve and do our part.
Scan here to watch the
MCS 135 video!
https://methodist.org.sg/mcs135 2
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METHODIST MESSAGE March 2020
News ¢
GC 2020
Call for petitions for the BOD The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) will be holding its 12th Session of the General Conference (GC) from 7 to 11 Sep 2020 and 2 to 4 Dec 2020.
T
his regular session of the GC is held once every four years (a quadrennium), where delegates from the three Annual Conferences (CAC, ETAC and TRAC) come together to revise church laws, approve work plans and budgets for church-wide programmes, as well as adopt resolutions on moral and social issues. The GC organises councils and agencies for the general work of MCS,
and during the course of its regular session, elections are held for various officers of the GC and of these councils and agencies to serve in the coming quadrennium. This includes the election of a Bishop to oversee the affairs of MCS and the work of the GC. At its regular session, the GC also receives and debates petitions, which are proposals to make changes to The Book of Discipline (BOD), our rule book that describes how we are organised and administered, and contains our Constitution and Doctrinal Statements and General Rules. While such petitions are normally initiated by the Annual Conferences, any organisation, minister or lay member of MCS may submit a petition in the following manner: Three copies of the petition must be sent to the secretary of the GC. 1.
Each petition must address only one paragraph of the BOD or, if the BOD is not affected, one issue.
2.
Each petition must be signed by the person submitting it, accompanied by appropriate identification, such as address, local church, or Methodist board or agency relationship.
3.
Petitions must be received by the secretary of the GC no later than 60 days prior to the opening session of the regular session of the GC, i.e. by 9 July 2020.
PETITIONS MUST BE MAILED TO ARRIVE BEFORE OR ON 9 JULY 2020 TO:
The General Conference Secretary (Petitions) The Methodist Church in Singapore #06-04, Methodist Centre 70 Barker Road Singapore 309936
METHODIST MESSAGE — March 2020
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Church Profile ¢
Wesley Methodist Church
Alvin Tay is the Communications Chairperson at Wesley Methodist Church. / Photos courtesy of Wesley Methodist Church
The Rev Stanley Chua (left) with church leaders at the launch of Directions 2020— Impacting the World in Jan 2019
Going Back to Our Methodist Roots “Milestones or Tombstones: What will become of our church in the next 135 years?” These were the soul-searching words on the cover of February’s Wesley TIDINGS, a special bumper edition to commemorate the 135th Anniversary of Wesley Methodist Church (MC). It’s a serious question not just for Wesley MC members, but for all Methodists, to ponder on as we also celebrate the 135th Anniversary of Methodism in Singapore. Will we as a Church—or as a Methodist movement—scale greater heights and record more milestones in the years ahead? Or will we, like many churches in European countries, unwittingly end up as tombstones? John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, said: “I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid, lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power. And this undoubtedly will be the case, unless they hold fast both the Doctrine, Spirit, and Discipline with which they first set out.” This “Doctrine, Spirit and Discipline” that we are to hold fast to is basically to reform the nation, particularly the Church, and to spread scriptural holiness over the land. Holiness of heart and life, centred on love for God and neighbour, was the orienting goal of the mission. In the opinion of Stanley Chua, pastor-incharge of Wesley MC: “Many Methodists and not just our Wesleyans are not aware of their Methodist roots and rich history. As a denomination, I think we have not held fast to John Wesley’s ‘doctrine, spirit and discipline’. “In a nutshell, if one really were to study John Wesley’s theology seriously, one would find that Wesley’s teachings reflect classical consensual Christianity— orthodoxy that emerged out of consensual 4
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METHODIST MESSAGE March 2020
reflection on Jewish and Christian Scripture in the first four centuries. Our distinctives, such as Witness of the Holy Spirit, Entire Sanctification, and the Class Meeting, among others, are still very relevant today but may be somewhat lacking.” Visitors to Wesley MC would have noticed the mission statement of our church on the atrium wall: “To seek to glorify God in Jesus Christ by loving Him, by loving one another and by loving our neighbours as ourselves.” In recent years, Wesley MC has tried to fulfil this Mission statement, and to spread Scriptural Holiness over the land, through our Directions 2020: • Growing in Christ (2017) • Building Community (2018) • Impacting the World (2019 and 2020). Although each year has a different focus, the three strategies are meant to be carried out concurrently throughout all four years. For Impacting the World, we seek to practise the General Rules of The Methodist Church— Do no harm; Do good; and Attend upon the ordinances of God. We embarked on several Acts of Kindness projects to bless others; organised the churchwide Jonah campaign; and encouraged every Small Group to go on at least one mission trip in 2019–20. We also organised the four-day Christmas at The Fort in December 2019, which saw close to 2,000 Wesleyans signing up as volunteers— the biggest event in our church history—and attracted 13,000 visitors over the four days despite the uncertain weather. This year, we launched 2020 Alpha, at 11-week course to which we hope to draw 2020 participants, both seekers and new Christians. Growing in Christ in 2017 was the practice of Personal Holiness through John Wesley’s Means of Grace—Public Worship, Reading Scripture, Prayer, The Lord’s Supper and Fasting. The church leadership encouraged various spiritual disciplines such as daily Bible reading
and reflections, Devotion in Groups, and the 40-day Prayer & Fasting. The Discipleship & Nurture Committee also launched the Wesley Discipleship Model—a blueprint to guide Wesleyans to grow in Christ and become disciples of Jesus. It even produced in-house a three-year Bible Reading Plan. In Building Community (2018), we tried to cultivate Social Holiness through activities such as the Authentic Relationships Bible Study, Friendship Nights, Wesley Food and Fun Carnival, and the Grace at Work Marketplace Conference. It’s a work in progress. Growing in Christ, Building Community and Impacting the World are a continuing journey till eternity. Going forward Pastor Stanley hopes to encourage our Small Groups to practise the Class and Band Meetings of the early Methodists, which emphasise genuine community and accountable discipleship. “If you look at the Methodist Churches in European countries that are losing their influence, many have lost their Wesleyan doctrine, spirit and practice. Is it a wonder that they are dying?” said the Rev Stanley. Milestones or Tombstones? The answer lies in our Methodist roots. Blessed 135th Anniversary, Wesley Methodist Church! And thanks be to God! Total Membership (31 July 2019) 7,390 No of Services 11 Weekly attendance at all services 5,405 No of Small Groups (SG) 256 No of SG members 2,800 No of mission fields 20 No of missions trips (2019) 41
One MCS ¢
TRAC Highlights
Angela Goh is the TRAC WSCS D&N Coordinator. / Photos courtesy of TRAC WSCS
We Have Chosen What Is Better
M
ore than 70 ladies from 13 TRAC churches spent two Saturday mornings preceding Chinese New Year at a workshop on writing devotions. At a time when many were busy with Lunar New Year preparations, the ladies did what the Lord told Martha when she complained about her sister Mary not helping her: “few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better” (Luke 10:42).
The Rev Dr Wong speaks at TRAC WSCS writing workshop.
The workshop organised by TRAC WSCS was held on 11 and 18 Jan 2020. TRAC President, the Rev Dr Gordon Wong, spoke on both days. He selected Isaiah 33 for participants to reflect on. This far-from-easy chapter was chosen because the 2020 theme of the WSCS’s 11th Quadrennium is based on Isaiah 33:15–16. Through the Rev Dr Wong’s guidance, we considered the comfort and challenge brought by each verse. He used illustrations and examples to clarify difficult sections—portions that many of us would have skimmed over if reading on our own. The workshop’s main purpose was to strengthen our spiritual discipline of meditating on His Word. Such meditations should naturally result in prayer and elicit response to the Lord, whether in praise,
thanksgiving, repentance or petition. This is the essence of writing devotions. As God speaks to us through His Word, we draw near to Him and He comforts and assures, challenges and rebukes us. After the Rev Dr Wong spoke, the ladies were given time to write down what they had received from the Lord. Through their submissions, it was evident that the Lord indeed spoke to us through different verses in Isaiah 33. As expected, the same verse prompted different responses, since the Lord knows our every need. Some shared that they were convicted by an unfamiliar verse. Others disclosed that verses they thought to be “irrelevant to my life” came alive to comfort them. God willing, TRAC WSCS will compile a set of meditations on Isaiah 33 for distribution to all ladies in all TRAC churches in May 2020, either on Mother’s Day or WSCS Sunday. The compilation will be available in print and in soft copy. In 2019, a devotional booklet based on three Psalms was given out, and it is our prayer that the 2020 booklet will bless the readers as much as it did last year. The ladies praise God for His Word and for the privilege of sharing His comfort and challenges with others.
The ladies at work
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MCS 135 ¢ Photo courtesy of the MCS Communications Team
Loving God and Serving Together This is an abridged version of the sermon that Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung preached at Wesley Methodist Church’s 135th anniversary on 16 Feb 2020, which also marked the launch of the MCS 135 celebrations.
Bishop Dr Chong greets worshippers at the MCS 135 launch service at Wesley MC on 16 Feb 2020
L
uke 10:25–29 is John Wesley’s favourite passage to show why a Christian would relentlessly pursue perfection or holiness, both scriptural and social.
As we launch our MCS 135 celebrations, let this Scripture remind us of this important confession of every Methodist: to love God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind, and to love our neighbour in the same way. These statements were in the response given by a lawyer to a question he himself had put to Jesus: “Which is the greatest commandment of all?” While the encounter is also recorded in Matt 22:36–40 and Mark 12:30–31, it is only in Luke’s account where we learn that Jesus turned the question back to the lawyer by asking: “What is written in the law? How do you read it?”
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How the lawyer answered his own question (v25–26) Every devout Jew would have memorised these scriptures: Shema—listen, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (Deut 6:5) and “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Lev 19:18). The lawyer had come ready with an answer and recited these verses confidently. When Jesus said, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live,” the lawyer must have been very pleased and proud of himself. In fact, this episode revealed his rather literal and clichéd understanding of the Law. As far as he was concerned, inheriting eternal life depended on one’s actions and behaviour.
A long-standing principle that is easier said than done (v27–28) To the lawyer, to love God means that one must “do or perform” adequately all the required religious rituals. This would not only be enough to demonstrate and satisfy the greatest commandment, but even add to one’s credit and merit for loving God. With such teaching by their religious leaders, the Jews strove to follow the Law carefully as the way to eternal life. This may seem simple and straightforward, but is in fact very difficult to do. This is an age-old tenet that is easier said than done. As for loving one’s neighbours, this is probably even harder than loving God. This is because it is harder to get along with those we can see than the God we cannot see. Even if we come from the same background or the same family, we all have different personalities and temperaments. How then can we love our neighbour as ourselves? What more when there are no rules or guidelines to define or classify who counts as a neighbour. In the lawyer’s mind was a rather conventional and rigid understanding of loving one’s neighbour. This exposed a blind spot and inconsistency in his beliefs—that is, a neighbour was entirely by his personal choice and decision.
In asking “Who is the neighbour of the man who was robbed?”, Jesus was actually asking the lawyer to consider “Who is [your] neighbour?” He could just as well have asked: “Whose neighbour [are you]?” If the Samaritan could become the neighbour of the man who was assaulted, then could not the lawyer also become the neighbour of someone in need? Jesus is also reminding us not to ask: “Who is my neighbour?” Instead, we are to ask: “Whose neighbour am I?” He is also saying to us that “Loving a neighbour requires the same kind of effort that we put into loving God, that is with all our heart and all our mind”. This then is the spiritual formation that John Wesley sought to fulfil in his life. He constantly persuaded his congregation towards a lifetime of pursuing holiness. And this holiness is both inward and outward. Inward holiness means to believe, trust, love, worship, imitate and obey God with our whole heart and mind and strength. Outward holiness is to love our neighbour—which includes anyone and everyone. John Wesley often emphasised that outward holiness must be seen in our responses towards our neighbours.
That is why he went on to ask: “And who is my neighbour?”
In his tract, “The Character of a Methodist”, Wesley highlighted eight traits: 1. Always joyful
What shall I do? (v29)
2.
Gives thanks in all circumstances
In response, Jesus told the parable of the good Samaritan, which is not recorded in any other gospel.
3.
Prays unceasingly
4.
Loves God and loves his neighbour
In this story, after the man was beaten up by robbers, the first characters to come onto the scene were a priest and a Levite. From young, they had learnt to recite the Shema scriptures in Deut 6:5 and Lev 19:18. The Bible says they “saw”, and they “passed by on the other side”!
5.
Is pure in heart
6.
Does the will of God
7.
Does no evil, by word or action
8.
Does good to all men, including neighbours, strangers, friends and enemies.
Only the Samaritan’s heart was moved by the sight. He came forward to pick the man up, put him on his donkey to bring him to an inn and took care of him. In Jesus’ time, Samaritans were in the group labelled “Not my neighbour”. Being a people of mixed blood and apostates, Samaritans were not part of God’s elect. They were not under God’s blessing, and certainly not on the list of neighbours for the likes of the lawyer. But when Jesus asked the lawyer, “Of these three—the priest, the Levite, the Samaritan—who is the neighbour to the man who was robbed and beaten?”, the lawyer was able to say: “The Samaritan, the one who had mercy on him.”
As members of The Methodist Church in Singapore in 2020, our daily lives must demonstrate the spiritual fruit of a life pursuing inward and outward holiness. Wesley acknowledged that this is a discipline requiring others to provide mutual support and accountability. He suggested two ways: Firstly, the believer must live in the grace of God. Only God’s infinite grace can renew and sustain us spiritually to live holy lives. By such means of grace, including the study of Scripture, prayer, fasting, the communion of saints, the breaking of bread, private and corporate worship, Christians may train to live godly lives. We are then able to have grace in abundance, sufficient to love and care for others through what John Wesley called “works of piety”.
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MCS 135 ¢ Secondly, believers must have others journeying with them in holy living. Wesley stressed that Christians must be in connection with others for healthy spiritual lives and growth. John Wesley said that unless we engage in works of mercy—meaning good works done to others, including neighbours, strangers, friends and enemies—devout worship on its own is quite meaningless. When Methodists are connected, many things that individuals or small groups are unable to accomplish become possible and can be done well. Only then can we demonstrate a more fruitful and abundant Body of Christ.
Whose neighbour am I? John Wesley and many of his followers lived their lives caring for the poor, weak and sick, regardless of whether they believed in the Lord or not. As we Methodists celebrate 135 years of church planting in Singapore, we must remember that it is God who put us in Singapore that we may become good neighbours with its citizens and residents. Therefore, MCS 135 is not just our own celebration with fellow Methodists. We must include our neighbours of 135 years—people from all walks of life and friends of different faiths, races and languages, from near and far—to share God’s blessings on the Methodist Church. We want to share these rich blessings with our neighbours. Let us love God and serve together. May God bless our neighbours and our nation.
For the full video of Bishop Dr Chong’s sermon, go to https://youtu.be/-4gVutTZ_-Y or scan the QR code.
One MCS ¢
Identity & Destiny
By the Structural Review Task Force / Photos courtesy of Lynn Tan
BRIDGING A GAP IN UNDERSTANDING ONE MCS GATHERING: METHODIST LEADERS’ FELLOWSHIP
O
n 5 Feb 2020, Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung and the three AC Presidents gathered pastors and laity as One MCS at the Methodist Leaders’ Fellowship. The objective was to strengthen our sense of identity and belonging as Methodists so that we may share one another’s visions and uphold each other in prayer. COVID-19 notwithstanding, 83 pastors and leaders from 36 local churches and WSCS came together at Toa Payoh Chinese Methodist Church (MC) for a time of worship and fellowship.
Bishop Dr Chong speaks at the One MCS: Methodist Leaders’ Fellowship, with the Rev Raymond Fong translating
Henry Tan, lay leader at Wesley MC and member of the core team of the Structural Review Task Force, recounted, “Spirits were high as we worshipped with one voice.” As the gathering was held during the Lunar New Year period, there was a lo hei session, followed by dinner. Toa Payoh MC member Dr Seow Bee Leng facilitated the World Café activity, where participants shared their thoughts and feelings about One MCS as they moved among different groups. In such a setting, participants said they felt able to voice their opinions freely.
If you have any feedback or comments, please write in to
onemcs@methodist.org.sg
Bishop Dr Chong drew much empathetic laughter as he explained why he found it more challenging to discuss One MCS with the clergy than with the laity. Laity, he said, tended to be much more enthusiastic in their discussions as they considered collaboration on matters of outreach and ministry such as evangelism; family life and children; and care for the needy. Clergy, on the other hand, had to consider more complex issues: the selection of pastors; standards of shepherding and pastoral care; remuneration and development of pastors; and church property and priorities. It was a time for Methodist leaders to gather, praise, lo hei, eat and share
Expectations from members may also differ between Annual Conferences. For this reason, One MCS cannot progress as quickly as some would want. But Bishop Dr Chong urged that the discussions must continue, especially regarding ministry areas, while conditions remain favourable. One participant shared that before he became a leader, he was concerned only about his church, and had no idea of the larger Methodist family. This was something that Bishop Dr Chong said he could empathise with. As bishop, he has had the opportunity to visit and preach at all three Annual Conferences, and join them in their worship. He wished that all Methodists could share in that “wonderful feeling, as if finding and being welcomed to one’s extended family”. Moving forward, there were calls to build a stronger sense of identity in and belonging to the larger MCS family. There were suggestions of a Methodist Anthem, of pulpit exchange across Annual Conferences on a more regular basis, and of joint ministries by churches that are in close proximity. Chan Fook Kay, who gave an update on the progress of workgroups, observed that, by the end of the session, “People are ready to start doing something to bring One MCS to the next level.” One MCS will take a lot more work and resolve but participants say that they look forward to the day. God, hear our prayers!
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MCS 135 ¢ Laureen Ong-Tam served as President of the General Conference Women’s Society of Christian Service (GCWSCS) from 2000 to 2008. She is a fifthgeneration Peranakan cook, a mother of three and a grandmother of two. She teaches Peranakan cooking and healthy cooking in the community. / Photos courtesy of WSCS
Simply Good HEALTHY FAMILY MEALS Why did you, Gnanamany and Lai Keng write Simply Good? We wanted to help families plan and prepare healthy meals in a short time, as many find home cooking challenging and resort to convenience food, which may not provide a balanced and nutritious meal. We also hope that this cookbook will encourage more families to enjoy the benefits of cooking at home, and enjoying the pleasure of eating, sharing and connecting with each other.
This book, written by Laureen Ong-Tam, Gnanamany Philip and Chan Lai Keng, was produced as part of the MCS 135 celebrations to raise funds in support of MWS’s Eat Share Connect campaign. It will be available from MWS and local churches. Laureen Ong-Tam, one of the books behind Simply Good
What was the process behind the co-writing of the cookbook? I worked with [Dr Teo] Li Bee and Lydia [Sng] to produce the cookbook—Li Bee cast the vision, Lydia managed the provisions and I worked with the team of passionate cooks and with God’s grace we made it happen. The challenge was in choosing which recipes to include. We received more than 70 recipes! They were all very interesting but we had to, together with the Working Committee, whittle it down to 30 recipes that would capture the interest of the reader.
What’s so special about these 30 recipes? They are nutritious, delicious, simple to cook, and the ingredients cost under $10 for four people. Gnanamany, Lai Keng and I worked on Chinese, Indian, Malay and other recipes that are familiar favourites. These traditional recipes have been streamlined for fuss-free preparation and were tested by friends to ensure they work. A dietician, Liow Min Choo, and a nutritionist, Ralph Ong, verified that the recipes are nutritious and healthy. We also had invaluable inputs from Eck Kheng, our producer from Landmark Books.
Which is your favourite recipe, and why? The sweet sour chicken: the ingredients are easily available; it looks great on the plate; and it’s such an incredibly tasty dish that’s good for you—even children love it! And it’ll take you just 40 minutes to get it on the dining table.
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d i st et h o t M t ecos odis Pe n t i c t M e t h t as a r r st hIw che c a a r e y u r b h c lp a ny ised d i st loca a s ra et h o d i n s o m i n as a w M w I e r d m in th e Go at h e k Go i st o Hi My f rienc than rshipper thod ice t e I e v p . r M x h e e c o s e Chur n as in th s a w t u n i t y to y d u r i n g SCS ome r nt . A n. ll W w o e a i r p e e c a p p th k n ow . Th spe eo e s e h e r m t i s , a s I H e n ay 40 y g i ve t i o n — to m a k e ul w than nis a derf a e n nd g r o r o w m no i st a S fo r u s t a n ow C h r j C S t o W n k s to ch is nism Chur a g r go livin METHODIST MESSAGE March 2020
Sweet Sour Chicken
ea sy to co ok ! Nu tri tio us , de lic io us an d
Preparation Time: 40 min / Difficulty: medium INGREDIENTS 1 chicken breast, skin removed, cut into 3-cm cubes ¼ tsp salt ½ cucumber, pith discarded, sliced into 3-cm wedges 2 tbsps vegetable oil 1 tsp chopped garlic 2 big tomatoes, cut into wedges 1 small bowl diced fresh pineapple
SEASONINGS
1 big onion, quartered
A. B. C.
1 yellow capsicum, sliced into 3-cm lengths 1 stalk coriander leaves, plucked
2 tbsps vinegar and ½ tbsp sugar 2 tbsps plum sauce and 3 tbsps tomato ketchup 1 tbsp cornflour, 2 tsps light soya sauce, 2 tbsps water
DIRECTIONS 1. Marinate chicken with salt. 2. Marinate cucumber with seasoning A. 3. Pan-fry chicken with oil and garlic until chicken is brown on all sides. 4. Add the tomatoes, pineapple, onion, capsicum and stir-fry for 2 minutes. Add marinated cucumber together with its seasoning, and seasoning B. Stir-fry for 5 to 10 minutes. 5. Thicken the gravy with seasoning C. Stir-fry for another 2 minutes. 6. Taste and adjust to your preference. Dish out and garnish with coriander leaves. Serve hot with brown rice.
METHODIST MESSAGE March 2020
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OPEN HOUSE
Saturday 28 March 2020
ACS (International) Singapore is a distinctive international secondary school open to all Singaporeans & other nationalities, offering an allround English-based education for students aged 12 to 18 years leading to the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).
Mr Rob Burrough Principal
Building Through Belief, this school of choice provides
Achievements Include
• Exceptional examination results, very strong value-added achievement and an all-round holistic education
• Students with perfect score of 45 points
• 50:50 mix of local and international teachers who uphold the dual Methodist ethos and ACS heritage • Small class sizes with overall studentteacher ratio of 8.7 : 1 • 40 different CCAs – 16 Sporting, 12 Visual and Performing Arts, 12 Special Interest Groups • Over 25 overseas trips per year • Over 200 formal student leadership positions • Scholarships for 4 Singaporeans to undertake the IBDP
Mrs Tan Siew Hoon Vice Principal
• 20 “Top in the World” awards in IGCSE examinations over each of the past nine years • Students accepted to Oxford and Cambridge universities for the past eight years • Admissions to top universities in the UK, the US, Australia and Singapore • PSLE and Singapore GCE ‘O’ Level students achieve outstanding valueadded examination results for the IBDP with improved pathways to good universities • Successes at national level in Athletics, Touch Rugby, Debating, Orchestra, Volleyball, Taekwondo, Ice Hockey, Fencing, Swimming, Artistic Swimming and Rhythmic Gymnastics.
Mr Gavin Kinch Vice Principal
Dr Kristopher Achter Vice Principal
INFORMATION SESSIONS 9:00am
Principal’s Address
9:30am – 12:00pm
School tours & presentations by staff & students
Oldham Chapel, ACS (International) 61 Jalan Hitam Manis, Singapore 278475
For more information, please contact Joseph Ng or Serene Lim at +65 6472 1477 or admission@acsinternational.edu.sg
ACS (International) - Building Through Belief
MCS 135 ¢
Eat Share Connect
By the Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) Communications Team / Campaign visuals courtesy of Methodist Welfare Services
Reaching Out to Someone in Need Starts With a Smile
A S T R A N G E R I S J U S T A F R I E N D Y O U H AV E N ’ T M E T
W
hen reaching out to the underprivileged in the community, many of us tend to feel nervous and uncertain. For Emmanuella Cheng, who worships at Faith Methodist Church, her experience befriending an underserved group in the community showed her that sometimes, a smile is all you need!
leaving their families behind to come to a foreign land. I’ve come to learn and understand that they have their stories too.”
When the Faith Methodist Church building was undergoing renovations, a group of young adults took the opportunity to bless the migrant workers involved in the construction works. Emmanuella was part of the committee that arranged a dinner for the workers.
This is also the inspiration behind the Eat Share Connect movement—a communal dining outreach organised by Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) to mark MCS 135, the 135th Anniversary of The Methodist Church in Singapore. Eat Share Connect is a platform to connect with low-income groups in our midst—such as families or individuals, both locals and foreigners—over a meal. When the Methodist community engages in such an intentional manner to truly understand others and their circumstances, it shows that we genuinely care and respect their needs and challenges.
“I thought it was a really cool movement,” she recounted. “It was heart-warming because, despite their tiredness, the workers were so willing to open up to us.” Emmanuella admitted that she was initially apprehensive due to the language barrier and potential awkwardness. She was also worried that she would not know what to talk to them about. But despite her fears, as the young adults started serving the dinner, the migrant workers quickly warmed up to them. The conversations over a shared meal gave Emmanuella the chance to get to know the migrant workers beyond their occupation. “For most of them,” she said, “it really wasn’t easy
Reflecting on her befriending journey, Emmanuella was moved by how open and appreciative people can be when you make the effort to get to know them.
Drawing from her experience, it would seem that breaking the ice is not so difficult after all. “A smile is all you need, and a ‘how are you?’ is sufficient for people to open up and know that you care,” said Emmanuella. As a member of the Methodist family, how about taking the first step to build a more inclusive community by getting involved in Eat Share Connect today?
Tips
ON BEFRIENDING
Body language and interaction •
Sit at a comfortable angle and distance
•
Lean slightly towards the other person, maintaining a relaxed but attentive posture
•
Listen attentively
•
Maintain eye contact
•
Allow time for responses
Respect and trust •
Practise empathy—be nonjudgmental
•
Avoid imposing your views on their decisions and actions
•
Ask instead of assume—give them respect and control over the environment
•
Be sensitive to the impact of your response
•
Provide others with an opportunity to share their stories
Engagement •
Share your hobbies/interests
•
Avoid asking personal questions such as those about family history, financial background or marital status
EAT SHARE CONNECT is organised by MWS in celebration of MCS 135. See the back cover to find out how you can get involved!
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METHODIST MESSAGE, JULY 2013
Welfare Services ¢
Sharing meals brings people together—a place to connect, celebrate and bless others
By the Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) Communications Team / Photo courtesy of Methodist Welfare Services
BRIDGING THE GAP, PROMOTING UNDERSTANDING THROUGH TABLE FELLOWSHIP
EAT SHARE CONNECT With the Less Fortunate
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hink about the lowest point of your life—it could have been the passing of a loved one, a broken relationship or a critical illness. How did the stress you experienced affect your work, relationships and decision-making? Over time and with the support of loved ones, you eventually got over your crisis. But for those who live in poverty, the stress that they go through is an everyday experience with no end in sight.
The Household Expenditure Survey 2017/181 reported that the monthly household expenditure of households in the lowest 20 per cent income group exceeded their income by an average of $335— the only income group where income was lower than expenditure. Some of the households in this income group will face a deficit every month, driving them to cut back on expenses and, in turn, compromising their health and well-being. One researcher highlighted that people with lower income already forgo spending on needs that those in higher income groups consider basic, such as tuition, nutritious food, healthcare, and leisure and social activities important for overall well-being.2 This Lent, let’s take the first step to befriend a family trapped in poverty. When we make intentional efforts to understand their circumstances, it shows that we genuinely care about and also respect their needs and challenges.
1 Department of Statistics Singapore, “Report on the Household Expenditure Survey 2017/18,” https://www. singstat.gov.sg.
As a Methodist family, let’s Eat Share Connect to impact lives 2020 marks the 135th anniversary of The Methodist Church in Singapore. To commemorate the milestone, MWS is organising the Eat Share Connect movement, a communal dining outreach to bless the community. Eat Share Connect aims to reduce the perception of inequality by using food to bring people together. Research has shown that dining together can reduce people’s perceptions of inequality as diners tend to view those of different races, genders and socioeconomic backgrounds as more equal than they would in other social scenarios.3
The Biblical basis of table fellowship The dining table is a place where people come together to connect, celebrate and bless others. It is also where brokenness is shared and harmony restored. Table Fellowship was Jesus’ way of connecting with the marginalised. He went against the traditions of His time by eating, sharing and connecting with ordinary folks, the Gentiles, the outcasts and the poor. He unconditionally accepted all, tore down social boundaries and related to them as equals.
“When you give a banquet, invite the poor... you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Luke 14:13—14 (NIV)
“Unable to make ends meet on their own, low-income households find ways to get by,” TODAYOnline, 24 Aug 2019, https://www.todayonline.com/big-read/big-read-unablemake-ends-meet-their-own-low-income-households-findways-get. 2
Cody C. Delistraty, “The Importance of Eating Together: Family dinners build relationships, and help kids do better in school,” Atlantic, 18 July 2014, https://www.theatlantic. com/health/archive/2014/07/the-importance-of-eatingtogether/374256/; Alice Julier, Eating Together: Food, Friendship, and Inequality (Champaign, IL: University of Illinois P, 2014).
3
See the back cover to find out how you can get involved! Partner us in blessing the community during MCS 135. If you would like to organise an Eat Share Connect activity or volunteer as a befriender, please email tgm@mws.sg. Visit https://thegivingmethodist.sg or scan the QR code for details on Eat Share Connect and to find out how to give. METHODIST MESSAGE March 2020
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Missions ¢ The Rev Teresa Wilborn is the MMS Area Director for Cambodia and Timor-Leste. She worships at Aldersgate Methodist Church. / Photos courtesy of Methodist Missions Society
WHAT IS GOD DOING IN TIMOR-LESTE? AN UPDATE ON ST PAUL METHODIST SCHOOL
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n support of the St Paul Methodist School (SPMS) Development Project, donors have generously given about S$3m so far.
This amount exceeds the approved budget for land acquisition and phase one of the construction, which include: a two-level classroom building with six classrooms; a two-level hostel building that will accommodate missionaries; local teachers and up to 40 students; a canteen staff rooms cum multi-purpose hall; centralised mechanical and engineering requirements; and portions of public and external works.
Celebrating Restoration of Independence Day with our traditional headwear and tais Kawaii with the Faith Methodist Church team
The balance of the funds raised, along with future donations, will be used for the second phase of construction: a school chapel; additional classrooms; a hostel; and a library. Construction will commence as soon as the government issues an official property title, which is expected later this year. Although a delay in the issuance of the official property title has held back construction of the permanent school, God has blessed SPMS with amazing growth in its temporary location. In 2016, SPMS opened one class for 21 students in grade 7. A year later, a class of nine first-graders opened in Missionary Principal David Chan’s home. This year, there are 171 students enrolled in nine grades, 55 per cent more than last year. The school has also employed 14 local teaching and non-teaching staff. Donations have enabled the purchase of three school buses and a modular classroom to support the rapidly growing student population. Singaporean educators continue to volunteer their time and expertise in curriculum development and ongoing teacher training. Over the past 12 months, four members of the Methodist community boldly answered God’s call to serve as MMS missionaries in Timor-Leste: Rasanya Gnasegaran from ETAC; the Rev See Swee Fang from TRAC and her husband See Jin Hoe from Queenstown Chinese Methodist Church; and Cheryl Chen, wife of missionary Rudy Wong and a member of Aldersgate Methodist Church. We praise God for His abundant blessings, and continue to trust in His timing and provision. Please continue to uphold SPMS students, teachers and staff, as well as all our missionaries who labour for the Lord in Timor-Leste, in your prayers.
If you sense the Lord is calling you to support the MMS school ministry, please email mms@methodist.org.sg or call 6478-4818 for more information. 16
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Reading with my teacher
News ¢ The Rev Gabriel Liew is a pastor of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church. / Photo courtesy of Stephen Fong
WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY 20 TO 23 JAN 2020
“One in Ministry” at Toa Payoh MC: (from left to right) Fr Justin Lim, the Rev Dr Noel Goh, Sr Leticia Candelario Lopez, Msgr Philip Heng, the Rev Dr Gordon Wong, Sr Elizabeth Lim, the Rev Joshua Loo, Rev Ming Feong Ching, the Rev Malcolm Tan, the Rev Poh Zhihui
I
am grateful to the Archdiocesan Catholic Council for Ecumenical Dialogue (ACCED) for taking the initiative to bring us together annually to pray for Christian unity. Every year, I look forward to this sacred time when I am inspired and enriched by our siblings from the traditions of the various Christian denominations.
This year, the theme was “Unusual Kindness”, which was how the Apostle Paul and his fellow shipwreck survivors described the hospitality shown by the islanders of Malta towards them (Acts 28:2). Toa Payoh MC, Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, Mar Thomas Syrian Church and Church of the Holy Cross were the host churches. The liturgy was meaningfully crafted and articulated. The host pastor read: “Divisions among Christians have existed for many centuries. This causes great pain and is contrary to God’s will. We believe in the power of prayer. Together with Christians all over the world, we offer our prayers as we seek to overcome separation.” Then we confessed our sins, listened to God’s Word, affirmed our common faith using the Apostles’ Creed and offered our prayers to God. Our Lord Jesus prayed that we might be “ONE” (John 17:11). We have been entrusted with a gospel of peace and reconciliation for Jesus Christ is our peace who has broken down every wall (Eph 2:14). As Christians, we are both evangelical and ecumenical, akin to an eagle’s two wings, without which we cannot fly. Together, we appreciate the beauty of unity in diversity. Together, we build bridges of friendship and tear down man-made walls. Together, we overcome our prejudices and see the many-fold gifts of the Holy Spirit manifesting in our faith community. Together, we call out pride, bigotry and superior attitude which are divisive and anti-community. Together, we resist the temptation to be provincial and parochial. Together, we move from exclusiveness to inclusiveness. Together, we seek to build the kingdom and kin-dom (kinship) of God and not our own religious empire. Together we choose the power of love instead of the love for power. When we are ONE, the world will believe that God did send His Son. (John 17:21)
I am delighted that Protestants and Roman Catholics are coming together to pray and fellowship.” —Dr Lim K Tham, former general secretary of National Council of Churches of Singapore
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You & Your Family ¢ Benny Bong has been a family and marital therapist for more than 30 years, and is a certified work-life consultant. He was the first recipient of the AWARE Hero Award, received in 2011, and is a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church.
ROOMS, DRAWERS AND BOXES What do we hide away?
D
uring a recent session with a couple, the wife used a metaphor to describe her view of her in-law troubles. She saw the parties involved as living in separate rooms and her husband as shuttling from one room to another. Their doors remained tightly shut and no-one else was to enter. Her husband quickly latched on to the metaphor. He added that whilst everyone had a room, he lived in the corridor that linked the rooms. He felt he had been doing so for many years and this was his fate largely caused by some bad decisions on his part.
My “rooms” couple had a troubled relationship around the strained ties between the wife and her in-laws. Her father-in-law had served as a buffer between his wife and elder son on one side and my client on the other. However, after the father-in-law passed away suddenly, the couple was at a loss as to how to resolve the undesirable state of affairs. The status quo avoids confrontation but is not sustainable. The wife fears that one day, her spouse might collapse in the corridor from physical and emotional exhaustion. Who would come to his aid and, in the worst-case scenario, who would claim his body?
Metaphors and symbols can be very powerful. Salvador Dali, the Spanish surrealist artist, used a number of symbols to communicate his ideas. One of them were drawers to depict hidden desires, often sexual in nature. While these desires remain unseen and locked away, they nevertheless assert an influence on the individual. Another client, in his first session with me, declared that he stopped going to his previous counsellor because the latter kept trying to pry open the “boxes” in his mind where he had kept all his unpleasant and difficult-to-deal-with feelings.
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There is a glimmer of hope for them, though. The wife indicated that although she is not yet ready to welcome and make peace with her in-laws, she is opening her door ever so slightly. She is willing to talk and try to be understood as well as to understand. This couple set me thinking about the dark secrets and difficult issues we may have locked away. There may be some misunderstanding, a hurt that has grown deep or a dark secret hidden away from others. Is it time some of our rooms, drawers or boxes get aired and, hopefully, resolved?
Hymns & Songs ¢ Judith Laoyan-Mosomos is the Director for Worship and Church Music at the Methodist School of Music, and a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church.
Out of the Depths I Cry to You
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e are now in the season of Lent: a time of penitence and self-reflection; a time when we realise the depth of God’s love and mercy; a time to ponder upon its implication on us and how we live.
Here is a hymn we may sing for our reflection as we enter our Lenten journey. It is based on Psalm 130, a profound text that is used as a prayer during times of devastation and contemplation.
OUT OF THE DEPTHS I CRY TO YOU Out of the depths I cry to you; O Lord, now hear me calling. Incline your ear to my distress in spite of my rebelling. Do not regard my sinful deeds.
We hear the cry of the singer who acknowledges his rebellion and sinfulness. He humbles himself and admits that without God, he is nothing. He therefore appeals to God for mercy and grace.
Send me the grace my spirit needs;
Even as the singer pleads for mercy, he sings of God’s goodness. With confidence, he declares that God is our stronghold; our Saviour to whom we can entrust our lives; our God without whom our work will be in vain.
All things you send are full of grace;
The singer recognises his human limitations, and therefore puts his hope in God. He submits himself and knows that he can rely on God’s Word, and claims the promise of the Holy Spirit—that with and by the Holy Spirit he will be kept strong and sure. The final stanza resounds with eschatological hope. The singer hangs on because he knows that Jesus Christ will come again, and he “praise[s] God for endless mercy”.
without it I am nothing.
you crown our lives with favour. All our good works are done in vain without our Lord and Saviour. We praise the God who gives us faith and saves us from the grip of death; our lives are in God’s keeping. It is in God that we shall hope, and not in our own merit;
This hymn, said to have been composed by Martin Luther in 1523, was one of his first hymns that he introduced to his congregation at Wittenberg. Translated into English in 1535, it has long been associated with funeral and memorial services, including Luther’s.
we rest our fears in God’s good Word and trust the Holy Spirit, whose promise keeps us strong and sure; we trust the holy signature inscribed upon our temples. My soul is waiting for the Lord as one who longs for morning; no watcher waits with greater hope than I for Christ’s returning. I hope as Israel in the Lord, who sends redemption through the Word. Praise God for endless mercy. Text: Martin Luther, 1524; trans. by Gracia Grindal (Ps 130; 120:1–2) Music: Attr. to Martin Luther, 1524
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Registration at our Columbarium OďŹƒce (Level 5) Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm (Closed on Public Holidays). Tel: 6479 8122 HP: 9670 9935 or Fax: 6479 6960 Email: veronicalowjmc@yahoo.com.sg
Soundings ¢ Dr Roland Chia is Chew Hock Hin Professor of Christian Doctrine at Trinity Theological College and Theological and Research Advisor at the Ethos Institute for Public Christianity (http://ethosinstitute.sg)
Silence and Watchfulness in Prayer “Soundings” is a series of essays that, like the waves of a sonogram, explore issues in society, culture and the church in light of the Gospel and Christian understanding.
C
hristians of every stripe and from all traditions—Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant—have maintained that prayer is absolutely central to the spiritual life of the true believer in Christ. Many readers would, I am sure, be familiar with this statement, attributed to the Reformer Martin Luther: “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” Throughout the history of the Church, many spiritual writers have penned tomes on this subject, and together, their works are a rich and almost inexhaustible resource for Christians today. Regrettably, many modern Christians are not aware of these important spiritual texts and therefore have not benefited from the wisdom they contain. Silence and watchfulness, specifically in prayer, are two important themes found in the works of the spiritual writers who belong to the Eastern Orthodox tradition. Prayer in the modern Church can sometimes display the insatiable acquisitiveness that mirrors the consumerism and materialism of the prevailing culture. The works of the spiritual masters of the Orthodox tradition—especially those whose writings are included in the Philokalia—may perhaps provide a useful counterbalance to our current habits of prayer. “Prayer,” writes fourth century monk and ascetic, Evagrius Ponticus (Evagrius the Solitary), “is communion of the intellect with God.”1 According to him, prayer is first and foremost a relationship between the believer and God, made possible by divine grace. Put differently, prayer is the believer’s personal encounter with God, the Creator who brought the world into being out of nothing, and the Saviour who reaches out to sinners in mercy.
In prayer, we stand before the fearsome God who is love. The appropriate response on the part of the wretched sinner in the presence of the holy and almighty God is not incessant chatter but silent adoration and profound gratitude. The Eastern fathers have much to say about the verbosity of prayer, which, regrettably, is a characteristic predilection of the prayers of many Christians today. The sixth century monk, John Climacus, says that “intelligent silence is the mother of prayer. […] The friend of silence draws near to God and, by secretly conversing with Him, is enlightened by God.”2 This silence, the theologians of the east tell us, has to do, not with passivity, but rather with vigilance, attentive alertness and, above all, with submissive listening to the still, small voice of God. The eastern fathers have always taught that prayer not as a monologue—where the pray-er talks endlessly, making one request after another.
prayer and adoration, God Himself. “The beginning of prayer,” writes Climacus, “consists in banishing by a single thought the thoughts that assault us at the very moment they appear.” 3 The practice of silence, stillness and watchfulness that is cultivated in prayer should follow us throughout the day, in the busyness of our activities and various occupations. Among the three, the fathers emphasise watchfulness, because it is key to being mindful of God’s presence and to being on guard over temptation and sin. Prayer is the privilege of being in intimate fellowship (koinonia) with the most holy God. It should never be reduced to a technique or turned into a perverse game of quid pro quo.
Rather, it is always understood as a dialogue in which the believer comes humbly before the Almighty—yes, to bring his requests and articulate his concerns, but more importantly, to wait upon him and to hear what he has to say by his Word and through his Spirit. Finally, in the stillness and silence of prayer, the Christian learns how to be watchful. This theme occupies a significant place not only in the writings of the Orthodox monks, but also in the works of Western mystics, like St John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila. To be watchful is to be ever alert to the thoughts and distractions that floods one’s mind during prayer. It is to learn how to brush aside these intrusions and to focus the mind on the task at hand, or, more accurately to the object of our
Evagrius Ponticus, On Prayer 3, in Philokalia 1, ed. and trans. GEH Palmer, Philip Sherrard, and Kallistos Ware (London: Faber and Faber, 1979), 57. John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent 11 (Brookline, MA: Holy Transfiguration Monastery, 2012). METHODIST MESSAGE March 2020 21 3 John Climacus, On Watchfulness and Holiness 121, in Philokalia 1, 183. 1 2
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Sheri Goh is the editor of Methodist Message. / Book cover visual courtesy of Landmark Books
ACCIDENT? ACCIDENT? LING KIN YEW
l
Book Review ¢
When life takes an unexpected turn
? T N IDE
ACC n life
Whe
takes
’S A SON
Ling
cted
expe an un
turn
BY
ew Kin Y
UNT ACCO
I
s anything ever an accident? The Rev Ling Kin Yew, pastor at Fairfield Methodist Church, ponders this question in his book Accident? When Life Takes an Unexpected Turn.
One early morning in May 2005, the Rev Ling received a harrowing phone
g
call from his sister, Dawn, who was in Mobile, Alabama in the US. Their parents had been visiting her when the car they were in was involved in a horrific accident with a train. While Mrs Ling tore a knee ligament and Dawn escaped unscathed, the accident left Mr Ling Swee Chan, then 58, with a severed spine, collapsed lungs and a jaw broken into three parts. He was paralysed from the chest down and spent more than half a year in hospital.
Accident? When Life Takes an Unexpected Turn—A Son’s Account
Earlier in his life, the Rev Ling had had many questions and doubts, like
By Ling Kin Yew
“Why can’t life be free from pain and suffering? What is the purpose of
Published by Landmark Books (2019), 68 pages
suffering? What is life all about anyway?”
ORDER AT
Even though life had taken a difficult turn because of the accident, the Rev
https://tinyurl.com/sxkxg77 or SCAN the QR code.
Ling came to realise that “some questions may never be answered. Some things about God, God’s creation and plans, we’ll never understand. Many times, the more we know, the more we realise we don’t know.” But because of the accident, his parents had opportunities to share their testimony whenever they could, such as at churches and community gatherings. The Rev Ling, as the Assistant House Master at Oldham Hall and later through the Methodist Missions Society, shared about the accident and its aftermath to encourage others.
A free-will offering will be collected at point of delivery. All profits will be channelled to charity.
The Rev Ling is able to, in this slim volume, bring the reader through his roller coaster of emotions during and after his father’s accident, and then to the realisation that “what had initially seemed like a terrible accident paved the way to much unexpected blessing”. The questions at the end of the book are helpful for readers to reflect on God’s purpose in their lives.
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Book Review ¢ Sheri Goh is the editor of Methodist Message. / Book cover visual courtesy of The Group
IRREVOCABLE GIFTS How do our gifts help make sense of who we are?
What does a Christian Creative do with their gift? This is the question that Irrevocable Gifts, a collection of essays by six Christian creative practitioners, addresses. “Creating is making meaning of life,” Dawn Fung writes in the Introduction. “For Christians, the process and fruit are meditative, so much that we often blur the lines between divinity and expression.” Often, they are torn between staying true to biblical principles while expressing themselves freely. The book title is based on Romans 11:29: that whatever the gifts God has given you, they are irrevocable. The six creatives—Dawn, a songwriter; Bernice Lee, an editor; Emily Lim-Leh, a children’s book author; Madeline Ang, a poet; Favian Ee, an artist; and Calvin Chong, a musician—lay bare their struggles to reconcile their gifts with their calling in life.
Irrevocable Gifts By Dawn Fung, Bernice Lee, Emily Lim-Leh, Madeline Ang, Favian Ee and Calvin Chong Published by The Group (2019), 96 pages ORDER AT
Creativity is sometimes not just an art, but a science, as told by Calvin, who is a keen collector of ethnic flutes from the world over. Being able to play requires not just passion, but technical know-how. “Good art,” he relates, “like good ministry, requires much preparation, patience, and persistence.”
https://graceworks.com.sg $14.90 (no GST, free shipping within Singapore) Enjoy 10% off the price of Irrevocable Gifts by using the promo code irrevocable10 at the webstore’s checkout page (valid from 1–31 Mar 2020).
Especially touching is the chapter by Emily, an award-winning children’s book writer who lost her voice to a rare disorder and was later diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in 2016. But in losing her ability to articulate vocally, she discovered a gift for storytelling that helped her and her family through the difficult period of cancer recovery. While the book arrives at no simple answers, it closes with reflection questions crafted by each the authors for readers to come up with their own. Whether the reader’s spiritual gift is of the creative variety or otherwise, the writers hope that their sharing will stimulate deep conversations in readers’ lives and ministry.
THINK ¢ Dr Anthony Goh is Chairman of the Council on Communications and Prior of the Order of St Luke (Singapore Chapter). Prayer helps him grow into a better Christian, husband, father, mentor and dentist.
A Prayer Pilgrim’s Progress F
or the last eight years, I have been writing a new prayer or psalm every weekday.
As a Christian, I often struggled with prayer; I felt it was either a wishlist that I had to “upload” to God, or a sense of guilt when I made that empty promise of “I’ll pray for you” and didn’t follow through. As part of my spiritual journey, I decided that I was no longer going to be an empty gong nor clanging cymbals. I decided to develop the discipline to pray regularly over the day, starting with Lauds (sunrise prayer) and Sext (midday prayer). Sext was easy, since I work in Mt Alvernia Hospital and have access to two chapels on-site. I spend my lunch hour in one chapel to pray and reflect on the word; I skip lunch for the solace and solitude of that sweet hour. It’s become such a habit that people ask after me when they do not see me in the chapel for a period. Once it became part of my routine, it was no longer a fast but a lunch treat; a pleasure and a privilege. Lauds was the next step. Since I had to leave at 7.10 a.m. each morning to send my children to school, I decided to wake a little earlier daily and go through each
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METHODIST MESSAGE March 2020
person on my prayer list individually before we set off. What started as a list of about 30 people has grown to one of about 90 today. I had to get up earlier and earlier each morning so that I could complete the list, as well to pray for the other items weighing on my heart. After I pray for each person, I send a WhatsApp of the prayer I wrote the afternoon before to them, so I have a “checked box” of whom I’ve already prayed for. These days, I wake at 4 a.m. to start praying. This is despite the increased busyness and tiredness of the day from being a healthcare worker in the current coronavirus outbreak. It helps to come to Christ to calm myself before the coming chaos of the day—my daily coffee with Christ! This is the discipline of a disciple, to wake early to seek his Master’s words and will. In the busyness of my job, the responsibilities of being a husband and father, serving in church, mission trips and the like, it is so tempting and easy to claim that there isn’t time to pray. The times that we aren’t busy, we want to unwind and relax, and labouring in prayer is not foremost on our task list. However, carving out a fixed divine appointment
in my daily routine has been a source of comfort and strength for me. My penned prayers have become a prayer diary, and the recipients have commented on my spiritual journey, keeping me accountable to them. Others have forwarded the daily writings to their own list of prayer beneficiaries. My family compiled the list from the first year and published a book, Poetry, Psalms and Prayers; if they had continued, it would be in volume eight now. In modern parlance, my lunchtime rendezvous is called quiet time, and my morning walk-with-the-Master is my daily bread. Martin Luther said that he had so much to do every day that he had to spend the first three hours in prayer; I couldn’t agree more. At the end of the day, an hour reflecting in Examen Prayer is a good way to spend Compline, but that’s another article for another day. Morning prayer is something I encourage you to do; as we observe Lent in MCS, spend an extra hour at the start of each day to meet with God. I pray that it will invigorate your soul as much as it does mine.
News ¢ By the MCS Communications Team
FAITH
I
in a time of COVID-19
n Feb 2020, several people who attended churches around Singapore were reported to have tested positive for COVID-19, including one who had attended Paya Lebar Methodist Church. On 14 Feb 2020, Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung and other church leaders met with Health Minister
Gan Kim Yong and Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu. This is a summary of MCS’s response to COVID-19: 1. Church services are to continue
In a Ministry of Health (MOH) press release following its meeting with church leaders, it advised that “worship services may continue, but with appropriate precautionary measures. As churches are places where large numbers of congregants come together to worship, it is important to put in place precautionary measures and emphasise personal hygiene practices to reduce the risk of transmission”. MCS will adhere strictly to directives issued by MOH.
2. Precautions should be taken MOH has advised churches to take the following precautions: temperature screening; reducing mingling; as well as suspending or deferring non-essential programmes. Other measures that can be adopted include increasing the frequency of cleaning of commonly used areas; minimising sharing of common items where possible; maintaining good ventilation of event venues; recording the contact details of worshippers; avoiding the shaking of hands; adjusting the way we perform some of our rites in the liturgy. Any visitor, member of the church, pastor or staff with fever, cough or flu-like symptoms may not be allowed onto church premises and will be advised to see a general practitioner immediately.
3. Be socially responsible Practise good personal hygiene. If a worshipper is ill, on a leave of absence or lives in a house with someone under home quarantine orders, please be responsible and stay home. If, for any other reason, they decide not to come, it is not a lack of faith, and we understand, love and bless them and continue to pray for and minister to them.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. —John 14:27
INFORMATION ACCURATE AS AT 19 FEB 2020. FOR THE LATEST UPDATES ON MCS’S RESPONSE TO COVID-19, go to https://www.methodist.org.sg/COVID-19 or scan the QR code.
METHODIST MESSAGE March 2020
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