Methodist Message: April 2019

Vol 121 No 4 • APR 2019

0129-6868MCI MCI (P) ISSNISSN 0129-6868 (P)019/11/2017 057/11/2018

DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING? 1 Cor 15:51

message.methodist.org.sg message.methodist.org.sg

COMING UP

COME, LISTEN, SING AND BE BLESSED!

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ome join the Methodist Festival Choir (MFC) to commemorate Palm-Passion Sunday. Prepare your hearts for the Holy Week by encountering afresh—through Scripture and song—Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and His painful journey to the cross.

“To the cross, Lord, lead us singing, singing with the hosts on high, Calvary’s anthem of redemption, ransomed sinners justified.”

—Susan Bentall Boersma The MFC was formed in 2013 as a platform for choristers—Methodist and non-Methodist— to sing together and support one another in the music ministry. It is organised by the Methodist School of Music.

Come, listen, sing and be blessed! n 1 3 Apr 2019 (Saturday), 7.30 p.m.

Pentecost Methodist Church, 4 Pasir Ris Drive 6, S(519420) 1 4 Apr 2019 (Sunday), 5.00 p.m.

Barker Road Methodist Church, 48 Barker Road, S(309917)

Event visual courtesy of Methodist School of Music

www.msmusic.edu.sg Admission is free. All are welcome!

The official monthly publication of The Methodist Church in Singapore. Published material does not necessarily reflect the official view of The Methodist Church. All Scripture quoted is based on the English Standard Version unless otherwise stated.

Design & Production SNAP! Creative Pte Ltd Printer A&D Printhub Pte Ltd

70 Barker Road, #06-04, Singapore 309936 6478-4793 6478-4794 http://message.methodist.org.sg | http://www.methodist.org.sg newmm@methodist.org.sg fb.com/Methodist.SG

@methodist.sg

Editorial Board

Adviser and Publisher

Dr Anthony Goh, Chairperson Council on Communications Editor Sheri Goh Sub-editor Tan Chiu Ai Editorial Executive Jason Woo Cover photo courtesy of Dr Anthony Goh

Have something to say or share? Email us at newmm@methodist.org.sg and, if appropriate, your contribution could be published.

inside

this issue...

Tamar Village On solid ground

Aldersgate SG 2019 Why does God pursue us?

Dr Tan Poh Kiang Running 200k to raise $200k

pages 12–13

page 15

page 19

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 for two quadrennial from 2008 to 2016.

BEFORE I DIE, I WANT TO…

Replica of an empty tomb in Israel.

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” (Jn 11:25)

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eath comes to everyone. Regardless of the differing views of death owing to race, culture and religion, it is the same for all—a cessation of all the body’s vital functions.

How do Christians view death? Let us first understand that God is the creator of life. Death did not come from Him; instead He prepared the Tree of Life for man. Death was the result of man’s choosing sin; it is for this reason death is with us. Death will be vanquished when sin is conquered.

Jesus is the only one in human history who overcame sin and therefore conquered death. He died and was buried.

On the third day, He rose again.

John 11:25 is one of the most important expositions of the Christian faith about life and death. The sins of all who believe in Jesus have been forgiven and the wages of sin paid. They will not be bound by death forever but, like Jesus in whom they believe, will be freed and rise from the dead with a new body.

The Bible tells us death is not the end but what we have to go through before resurrection. Thus, Christians need not be fearful of death for we know the land of glory to be at the end of the tunnel and we will have life again. We may be in a pitch-dark tunnel but we move on with courage.

There is a saying: How can you understand death if you do not know what life is? Conversely, knowing about death should make one value life and strive to live a life that is meaningful and abundant. Christians need not be preoccupied with how to face death because Christ has resolved it for us. Instead, we are to remind ourselves to live well and have a vibrant and radiant life, one that is a blessing to others.

Hallelujah! Christ is risen! n

Picture by lindasj2/Bigstock.com METHODIST MESSAGE • APR 2019

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CHURCH PROFILE Danie Joyson is the Coordinator for Communication and Archivist of Ang Mo Kio Tamil Methodist Church.

ANG MO KIO TMC:

A CHURCH RENEWED IN HIS SPIRIT The Fellowship of Indian Brothers.

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ng Mo Kio Tamil Methodist Church (AMKTMC) is one of the eight local churches that constitute the Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference (ETAC).

Pioneering work in the Tamil community was started

by Tamil Methodist Church (Short Street). In 1976, to meet the spiritual needs in the Ang Mo Kio and Bishan areas, the church germinated in the home of Mr and Mrs Muthiah through the Rev Prabhu Das Roberts. Later, to accommodate a growing congregation and make more space for nurturing souls, it moved to the residence of Mr and Mrs Daniel Poore.

With God’s immense blessings, the Rev Dr Eddie J Thoraisingam, who was then President of ETAC, called for the constituting of the church. It was constituted on 6 July 1980 by Bishop Kao Jih Chung in Mayflower Rise.

In 1984, the church began sharing its current premises at Ang Mo Kio St 21 with Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) and the Chinese Annual Conference (CAC), forming a joint management model with representatives from the three congregations.

We seek to fulfill the mission that the Lord has given our church. This year, our theme is “Renewed in His Spirit”. We have increased our prayers and are seeking God to renew and reform us to walk in His Spirit.

With about 160 regular attendees, the congregation is spread across the island and zoned into four areas. Each group in the four zones gathers with the aim of bonding with other members in the area. Our worship services are led by our choir with traditional songs.

As a part of our new Tamil outreach ministry initiative in Sengkang, the Tamil Ministry @ Sengkang started in 2015.

Since Sep 2017, it has been holding Sunday evening worship services at Sengkang Methodist Church. The vision is for this ministry to become a preaching point by 2020.

The Fellowship of Indian Sisters.

The Fellowship of Indian Brothers ministry is actively involved in reaching out to the foreign Indian brothers working and living in Singapore. Free spoken English and computer classes are offered every Sunday on the church premises.

The ministry of the Fellowship of Indian Sisters, consisting both local and foreign Indian sisters, meet once a month on a Sunday afternoon. They encourage and support each other with God’s love.

AMKTMC also supports missions in India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Our social concerns arm actively supports the needy among the church and the neighbourhood through a food bank. Tamil tuition classes are conducted every Friday to reach out to the children who live nearby.

The church faces challenges in grooming the next generation of leaders, maintaining members’ consistent participation in church activities and reaching out to those in the neighbourhood in an urban setting. We seek your continued prayers and support. n Ang Mo Kio Tamil Methodist Church (Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference) 1 Ang Mo Kio Street 21, S(569383) Sunday Services Morning Service (Tamil): 9.45 a.m., Sanctuary 3, Level 5 Sunday School and Bible studies: 12.00 p.m.

Evening Service (Tamil): 6.00 p.m. (at Sengkang Methodist Church) http://www.amktmc.org/ pastor@amktmc.org 6705-6161 fb.com/amktmc Photo courtesy of Ang Mo Kio Tamil Methodist Church

ONE MCS—ETAC HIGHLIGHTS Kalaimathi James is the Emmanuel Praise Director and Thangaraju Moses serves as Youth Director with the Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference (ETAC).

BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER THROUGH WORSHIP AND SPORTS

Procession of banners at the annual ETAC Thanksgiving Service.

ETAC Thanksgiving Service 2019 ake a joyful noise unto the Lord.” What a privilege it was to sing our Lord’s praises as a family and as a conference at the annual ETAC Thanksgiving Service on 26 Jan at Tamil Methodist Church. With “praise” as the theme of the service, and led by the Emmanuel Praise Choir and Band with their melodious voices and music, a 300-strong congregation worshipped and offered our praises to our Lord and King.

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The service started with a procession of clergy and lay leaders from the eight ETAC churches, each carrying their church banners. They were followed by the ETAC MYF, ETAC WSCS and the Annual Conference banners. All the ETAC churches were represented, contributing their talents through worship and leading for different aspects of the service.

ETAC President, the Rev James Nagulan, preached from Matthew 7:24–27. The President called upon the members to “be wise” and carefully consider the future of the Tamil ministry. In line with ETAC’s theme for the quadrennium—“Renew, Revive, Reorganise and Rebuild”—he urged the congregation to be prepared for changes that would enable us to reorganise and better serve the Indian community in Singapore.

The Tika Taka boys.

Tiki Taka Tiki Taka is not some unknown ancient word but the catchy name the ETAC MYF has given to the boys’ soccer fellowship. This is a quarterly fellowship event organised for boys with a passion for soccer. The organisers, Noel James and his team, want to encourage the boys to adopt a healthy lifestyle through sports, cultivate strong fellowship bonds and make new friends.

The boys, aged 14 to 23, get together for futsal on the Yishun SAFRA futsal court. The young football enthusiasts typically meet for three hours, from 6.00 to 9.00 p.m. They organise themselves into teams and play in a league system.

It is now called the Tiki Taka Champions League with a prize to be won quarterly.

The youths are very excited and they bring their school friends for Tiki Taka. It has indeed provided a way for the youths to reach out to their friends.

The next Tiki Taka Champions League will be held on 10 May at the Yishun SAFRA futsal court. We invite you to bring your friends and join us for an evening of fun and fellowship! n

Photos courtesy of Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference METHODIST MESSAGE • APR 2019

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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.

BROKEN MARRIAGE, NOT BROKEN LIVES

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s a family and marital therapist, I sometimes feel discouraged when working with a client who has decided to end their marriage. Like most of my professional peers, I see myself as helping rebuild marriages, not powerlessly witnessing their breakups.

There is many a counsellor who wonders if they could have done more to help prevent such outcomes.

Over the years of working with couples to try to help them rebuild their marriages, I have worked with some who decided to divorce. But there are some who have surprised me by continuing to ask for help to divorce in a responsible manner, especially when children are involved. I have also been consulted by clients struggling to cope with the pain of their marital breakups. There are also some who want to learn how to move on.

I have come to see that there is life after a divorce. As a counsellor, I can still offer support to help clients on this new journey with all its challenges, uncertainties, and perhaps the hope of a new beginning.

If a divorcee, whether as a single person or someone with children, is to make a fresh start, how should those around them, be they family or friend, respond?

Firstly, I suspect that if some counsellors feel guilt that they may not have helped enough, some family and friends may

also feel the same way. To these guilt-ridden souls, I say channel your energy to giving more constructive support than to mulling over the past.

Then there are others who may wonder why they should be supportive, since the couple had brought their breakup upon themselves, presuming that everyone in a divorce bears some blame. But let us not stand in judgement of others—I say let those who are without sin cast the first stone. Judgement alone does not bring about constructive change. Judgement with compassion can be life renewing.

Family and friends of divorcees can provide the social ecosystem that is so vital for their healthy recovery and growth. We all need a helping hand and words of encouragement every now and then. For believers, it is an opportunity to demonstrate that we have a God who is every ready to show His compassion to and through us.

Finally, a word for those who have had to divorce: there is a time for soul searching, a time to grieve, and also a time to move on. Mistakes may have been made, wrong turns taken, but the days ahead offer new opportunities.

Surround yourself with people who breathe hope and give life, who are more committed to looking ahead instead of being stuck in the past.

Your life can be reborn as ours is a God of resurrection. n Picture by aslysun/Bigstock.com

WELFARE SERVICES By the Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) Communications Team

CARING FOR THE CAREGIVERS

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hen loved ones are struck by serious illnesses and opt for home care, immense pressure falls on informal caregivers, be they spouses, children or domestic helpers.

Although many caregivers hope to give their loved ones the best of care, the demands on them can be physically, mentally and emotionally draining.

Caregiving at what expense?

Caregivers often make sacrifices of time and energy to perform an unending list of seemingly thankless tasks such as feeding, bathing, toilet assistance, dressing, walking, coordinating medical appointments and managing the patient’s finances. Their stress may be compounded by difficult or uncooperative care recipients and by disrupted schedules. If the severity of illness increases, so do the care requirements.

Burnout results when caregivers are unable to cope with the daily grind of caregiving and it takes a toll on their own health or finances.

Supporting and equipping caregivers Caregivers need different types of support to cater to the changing needs and challenges posed by their loved ones. That is why we have developed MWS Circles of Caregiver Support at the family, community and residential home arenas.

• At the family level MWS Home Care and MWS Home Hospice have been set up to provide training and equip caregivers with the skills to manage patients at home. Our nursing staff provide guidance on managing symptoms of illnesses through regular home visitations and a 24-hour hotline. Over time, as caregivers grow in confidence and competency, the nursing team may reduce the frequency of their home visits. The number of hospital visits may also be reduced.

In the event of the patients’ demise, MWS Home Hospice continues to help caregivers with bereavement needs.

For caregivers experiencing burnout and stress, our Family Service Centres provide support through referrals to community services and resources as well as to institutions such as the Institute of Mental Health.

• At the community level To provide respite to caregivers, MWS Senior Activity Centres help seniors with day-to-day tasks such as the reading of mail or the running important errands, and keep them physically and

MWS Bethany Nursing Home – Choa Chu Kang plays an important part in supporting caregivers by offering respite care services.

The Home is currently undergoing Care Remodelling to create a more dementia-friendly environment, brighter and cosier living, and communal spaces to serve the residents better.

Give to our Home at: give.mws.sg fundraising@mws.sg (especially if you are interested to find out more about our donor wall and naming rights opportunities)

mentally active through exercise and activities.

Activities such as family bonding events also help strengthen connections between caregivers and loved ones.

• At the residential home level Caregivers who need respite may consider placing their loved ones in an MWS nursing home, such as MWS Nursing Home – Yew Tee or MWS Bethany Nursing Home – Choa Chu Kang, for up to one month. These homes are staffed with professionals who provide nursing and medical care, allied health care and rehabilitative therapy.

The homes also offer a variety of activities, such as games and outings, to engage the residents meaningfully every day. Counselling provides emotional and psychosocial support.

Doing more for caregivers MWS aims to empower caregivers even more in the year ahead by filling gaps outside office hours and home-based respite care during weekends, providing stronger financial support for caregivers, and setting up caregiver support groups. n Infographic courtesy of Methodist Welfare Services METHODIST MESSAGE • APR 2019

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HOME Dr Tan Poh Kiang is a general practitioner serving the community in the HDB heartland. He has served as the president of HCA Hospice Care since 2014. He worships at Pentecost Methodist Church.

RUNNING THE EXTRA MILE

Dr Tan (extreme left) is running 200 kilometres to raise $200k for HCA, as well as in loving memory of his late brother-in-law, Chin Sim Lie (top right, in blue).

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had always thought that running was an individual pursuit until I began running ultramarathon distances.

That was when I learnt the adage that “if you want to run fast, run alone. If you want to run far, run together.”

In 2014, the Lord gave me a calling to lead Singapore’s oldest and largest home hospice—HCA Hospice Care—as its fifth president. As I am an avid runner, it was natural for me to attempt to raise awareness and funds for this noble cause by running an extraordinary distance. With the loving support of my wife, Joan, and our two daughters, Ella and Alexandra, we embarked on an ambitious project—“100K for 100K”—a campaign to raise $100, 000 by running 100 kilometres.

The moment we committed to that endeavour, we realised we could not accomplish that task by ourselves. We sought help, and were immediately embraced by a larger community comprising other family members, close friends and colleagues from HCA. Collective sacrificial labour was poured out lovingly and selflessly. When I finally crossed the finish line of the 2014 North Face Ultra 100K race, we had raised $152,000 and shared the availability of home hospice service with countless folks.

Ultrarunning (running any distance longer than 42.195 kilometres) requires the runner to start and finish as an individual. However, no endurance runner—even world class elites—ever achieves his goal through his own effort. Many caring people are needed to pace, encourage, replenish the supplies of (such as isotonic beverages, energy gels, hot meals, changes of clothes), cheer on and, most importantly, pray for the runner. Likewise, for hospice care, individuals in their last stage of life’s journey are embraced and supported by a loving community in order to finish well.

Dr Tan with his wife, Joan, and daughters, Ella and Alexandra.

I have been privileged to serve as HCA’s president for five years and, as a fitting farewell, I will run 200K to raise $200K from 29 to 31 March 2019 at the Monster Ultra 200. This gargantuan effort is dedicated to my late brother-in-law, Ching Sim Lie, who died last year, less than five months after being diagnosed with Stage 4 liver cancer.

In our journey with him, Sim Lie demonstrated how his steadfast faith in his Lord Jesus helped him overcome fear, forgive and seek forgiveness, and bless his loved ones with precious words and loving acts. In short, he granted us a glimpse of how the body of Christ operates in suffering.

What we cannot do on our own, we have the privilege to do together. It takes a village to help us overcome, to persevere and to finish well. In ultrarunning, as well as in our earthly sojourn, it is not good for man to be alone. I do not run alone and I will not die alone. n Support the 200K for 200K at https://www.200kfor200k.com https://give.asia/campaign/200k-for-200k Donations will be accepted until the end of May 2019.

Photos courtesy of Dr Tan Poh Kiang

MISSIONS Noel Tam is the Home Director and Area Director with the Methodist Missions Society (MMS). He worships at Pentecost Methodist Church and loves spending time with his grandsons.

E.N.L.A.R.G.E. THE PLACE OF YOUR TENT! Praying together for MMS.

“Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes.” (Isaiah 54:2)

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ince 2016, and most recently at the Country Review and Budget Meeting held in February, MMS has annually reviewed its strategies and ministry plans for its seven mission fields.

Recent improvements include a better understanding of the stages of our field ministries based on the “4 Ps: Pioneering, Parenting, Partnership and Participation”.

These stages guide MMS in optimally managing resources and allocating financial support for ministries and fields with the greatest needs.

As the mission agency for The Methodist Church in Singapore, the mandate for MMS is to partner local churches to promote service opportunities and needs in each mission field, and to ensure the welfare of our missionaries. Additionally, we serve as a valuable resource for local churches in areas that impact missions, such as finance, governance, compliance, and interfacing with government authorities.

Going forward, MMS will focus on three key areas: • Intentional church engagement that builds on the callings of local churches, • Expansion of our intercessory network to pray for and with MMS regularly, • Identification and training of more missionary candidates.

Our church engagement team will be visiting local churches to share about the ministries and plans of each mission field, highlight areas of need, and garner support. We welcome feedback on how MMS can best support the churches.

Our mission fields have become more challenging and complex, requiring MMS to look into new and creative approaches for bringing the gospel to unreached people groups, whilst remaining sensitive to the safety our field staff. To achieve our ministry objectives, we need the collaborative participation, partnership and prayers of ALL our churches.

The cornerstone of overseas ministry will be staying true to our Father’s heartbeat and remaining faithful to the One, True and Sovereign God! n Based on Isaiah 54:2, the MMS’ Vision 2023 will seek to: Extend the scope of our mission fields by country or people group Nurture a vibrant network of prayer intercessors Launch an aggressive initiative to enlist more Methodists to serve overseas Adopt a clear and contextualised Discipleship Framework for every field Ramp up training /equipping for all missionaries and short-term trippers Glean towards sustainability of ministries governed by sound financial processes Engage more local churches in collaborative partnerships

Please pray for: • greater partnerships and collaboration with our local churches • more missionaries to be sent to the mission field • MMS leadership and the Home Team • our missionaries and national workers in the field Photo courtesy of The Methodist Missions Society METHODIST MESSAGE • APR 2019

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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

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.

EASTER ALLELUIA

O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing (UMH 317) Refrain: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

The refrain is sung at the beginning, before stanza 1, and after stanza 5. It is sung twice in the beginning: first by the soloist and then with the congregation.

Solo O sons and daughters, let us sing!

The King of heaven, the glorious King, o’er death and hell rose triumphing.

Alleluia!

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any of us would be in the midst of our Lenten journey for this year. This journey varies from one person to another, depending on the discipline each has chosen to practise. One thing remains the same: we are all moving in one direction, guided by the same faith and led by the Holy Spirit.

By the time this issue of Methodist Message is released, the Holy Week will be two weeks away. If we attend the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services, our journey will be “complete” come Easter.

Our participation in the life, suffering, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ through this journey will bring us to a renewed understanding of the heart of our Christian faith.

But where is this renewed understanding leading us? The Church calendar points us to yet another journey: a journey through Easter. Although Eastertide is celebrated for 50 days, practising or living the resurrection is a life-long journey. It is through telling and retelling the stories of the life and teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ that we grow in love for Christ and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. As we grow, we learn to live responsibly, towards both God and our neighbour.

Here is a hymn that narrates the Easter story. Stanzas 1 through 5 document the Easter narrative, while stanzas 6 through 9 tell of Thomas, who doubted Jesus’ resurrection. It is a great hymn to begin worship on Easter Sunday as it sets the tone and theme for the day.

It may also be sung as the hymn of preparation before the message is preached.

This hymn was originally written by a Franciscan monk, Jean Tisserand.

There are many translations of the hymn but the most popular English translation was done in 1851 by John Mason Neale, an Anglican priest, scholar and hymn writer.1

May we continue our Lenten journey with deep reflection, celebrate the good news of Easter with great joy, and live our lives with the hope of the resurrection. n 1

arlton Young, ed., Companion to the United Methodist Hymnal (Nashville, TN: Abingdon C Press, 1993), 528.

That Easter morn at break of day, the faithful women went their way to seek the tomb where Jesus lay.

Alleluia!

An angel clad in white they see, who sat and spoke unto the three, “Your Lord has gone to Galilee.”

Alleluia!

That night the apostles met in fear; amidst them came their Lord most dear, and said, “My peace be on all here.”

Alleluia!

On this most holy day of days our hearts and voices, Lord, we raise to thee, in jubilee and praise.

Alleluia!

When Thomas first the tidings heard, how they had seen the risen Lord, he doubted the disciples’ word.

Alleluia!

“My pierced side, O Thomas, see; my hands, my feet, I show to thee; not faithless but believing be.”

Alleluia!

No longer Thomas then denied; he saw the feet, the hands, the side; “Thou art my Lord and God,” he cried.

Alleluia!

How blest are they who have not seen, and yet whose faith hath constant been, for they eternal life shall win.

Alleluia!

Refrain: Alleluia, alleluia. Alleluia.

Text: Jean Tisserand, 15th cent., trans. John Mason Neale, 1852 Tune: O FILII ET FILIAE (French melody, 15th cent.)

Picture by paul shuang/Bigstock.com METHODIST MESSAGE • APR 2019

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HOME Lemuel Teo is dedicated to restoring and building lives so that they can become godly pillars of strength in their communities. He is a staff member of Tamar Village.

SOLID GROUND

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amar Village was founded in 2010 by two women in their fifties. As they prayed, week after week, while walking the lorongs of Geylang, God opened their eyes to the injustices faced by those in the red light district.

This led them to start a restoration centre in the heart of Geylang to reach out to and journey with individuals and families from out of the sex trade towards wholeness.

Now into its ninth year, Tamar Village has been supported by various individuals and organisations from different backgrounds, churches and nations. It is a “body of Christ project” where believers with similar passions band together to journey with the men, ladies, youths and children of Tamar Village. Today, the ministry is led by Mercy Ho, with Rachel Chow as her assistant.

“I have learnt that it is worthwhile to give a lot of time, energy and care to just one person. Maybe we won’t see a lot of ‘big changes’, but we do see gradual improvements in the way they live their lives,” says Mercy. “We need volunteers who are ready to stop and help one person for a long time—not just for months, but for years.”

Restore, Rebuild, Renew The heart of the ministry is the restoration of individuals and their family units. People from the red light district need a new community to surround them for years no matter how many times they fall, make bad decisions or get into trouble with the law. They receive healing from abandonment by being in community with people who will model good values through their actions and words, such as being quick to say sorry when they are wrong and to forgive when wronged.

Self-worth and value are rebuilt in the lives of the men and ladies when they experience love, even in small and mundane things. In Tamar Village, birthdays are big affairs where individuals are celebrated by everyone else. Staff and volunteers also take time to listen to them as they share their past experiences and struggles.

The ministry also seeks to provide a stable environment where they can renew their life goals. Having spent years surrounded by chaos and uncertainty, it is difficult to dream and plan for the future. “It is the simple things in life that matters most. Having one’s own bed and table for the first time is deeply healing,” Mercy adds.

The journey of restoration is a holistic one. Through the centre’s various work skill programmes (WSP)— which include sewing, woodcraft, coffee making, cooking, gardening, among others—they learn to develop a healthy work ethic and positive habits.

Counselling helps them deal with addictions and personal issues. Many of them have fallen through the gaps in the social service system and need to be plugged back in. They are also matched up with skills upgrading courses available in the market, such as hairdressing, hospitality or business administration.

Brewing coffee, building lives The Barista WSP started in 2017 with a simple espresso machine. Those involved in the programme came alive when they tried their hand at crafting gourmet coffees under the mentorship of Glen Lim (Prodigal Cafe) and Ong Jun Long (Steadfast Coffee).

After months of prayer, Beatrice Wee and Bevelyn Tan, together with Mercy Ho, decided to take the WSP further. As staff of Tamar Village, all three do not take a salary and raise

their own financial support. They launched Ark Coffee as an independent company. Those who attended the TRAC 43rd session in November 2018 might remember the wonderful coffee they enjoyed from the Tamar Village baristas on site.

The business aims to build lives by living out the values of integrity, humility, respect, excellence and teamwork within the company. On top of imparting coffee-making skills, Ark Coffee helps them integrate into the workforce while building up their CPF accounts. This provides a place of transition for some, or long-term employment for others—giving hope of a different future from where they came. n Find out more about Ark Coffee: fb.com/arkcoffeesg @arkcoffeesg Tamar Village staff (with glasses) and individuals from their Restoration Centre serve coffee at a wedding reception.

Photos courtesy of Tamar Village

Community Communications Manager The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) is a connectional church comprising the General Conference, three Annual Conferences, local churches, and various agencies and organisations. The General Conference (GC) is the highest body of the MCS, responsible for legislation, policy, and the overseeing of its various agencies, including the programme agencies responsible for education, missions, and welfare services.

We have a vacancy for Community Communications Manager. This position oversees the Communications Department.

Responsibilities and duties • Formulate an integrated communications and engagement strategy in close alignment with the goals of the MCS. • Oversee and supervise the Communications team, with an overview of day-to-day operations.

• Produce MCS’ official publication, Methodist Message.

• Oversee the content and messaging of MCS websites, and other online platforms.

• Provide publicity and communications support for events as directed by the Bishop.

• Provide counsel to the Bishop and the Chairperson of the Council on Communications in the area of secular developments and trends in the community, and crafting appropriate responses where relevant, including any official positions which the Bishop may be appointed to.

• Keep abreast of developments in the Methodist sector in Singapore and overseas, and in other faith communities, as well as societal trends and lifestyle practices, and prepare, where appropriate, responses where necessary, subject to the guidelines of The Book of Discipline of The Methodist Church in Singapore.

• Prepare and monitor the budget of the Council on Communications.

• Disseminate information to the Annual Conferences, churches, agencies, and schools.

For job requirements and application information, please go to: https://tinyurl.com/MCSCommsManager

2020 Admissions Now Open ACS (International) Singapore is a distinctive international secondary school open to all Singaporeans & other nationalities, offering an all-round 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).

Building Through Belief, this school of choice provides

• Exceptional examination results, very strong value-added achievement and an all-round holistic education • 50:50 mix of local and international teachers who uphold the dual Methodist ethos and ACS heritage • Small class sizes with overall student-teacher 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

Achievements include

Mr Rob Burrough Principal

Mrs Tan Siew Hoon Vice Principal

• Students with perfect score of 45 points in IBDP • 19 “Top in the World” awards in IGCSE examinations over each of the past eight years • Students accepted to Oxford and Cambridge universities for the past eight years • Admissions to top universities in the UK, the US, Australia and Singapore • PSLE and Singapore GCE ‘O’ Level students achieve outstanding value-added examination results for the IBDP with improved pathways to good universities • Successes at national level this year in Archery, Touch Rugby, Cycling, Swimming, Chinese Drama, Debating, Fencing, Football, Golf, String Orchestra, Taekwondo, Volleyball and Wushu

What the parents say…

Mr Gavin Kinch Vice Principal

Dr Kristopher Achter Vice Principal

For more information Please contact Joseph Ng or Serene Lim at +65 6472 1477 or admission@acsinternational.edu.sg 61 Jalan Hitam Manis, Singapore 278475

“ACS (International) ignites students' passion to learn through building strong relationships with deeply devoted and highly experienced teachers and excellent pedagogic and sporting infrastructure. The school has achieved a fine blend of academic rigour and holistic learning.

The emphasis on CCAs and community service as well as the ample opportunities for student leadership makes ACS (International) a 'cut above' and the preferred choice for our children.”

Larisa and Shivinder Singh “Sending our daughter to ACS (International) was the best decision we made. She used to be shy and introverted and has now become a confident, caring and motivated student leader.”

Debra and Samuel Koh “We deeply appreciate the contribution ACS (International) has made towards making our son confident, capable and thoughtful. The school has provided an environment of personal care, support and encouragement to nurture him into a compassionate young man.

We are also very proud of his academic, leadership, co-curricular and public speaking skill development.”

Anju Uppal “We like the holistic learning environment of ACS (International). Apart from academics, the school gives the students plenty of learning opportunities outside the walls of the classroom through service trips in continents as far as Africa, school projects and events, CCAs, student leadership roles and more.

Our children thoroughly enjoy the IB programme, the holistic environment of the school, and are very proud to be students of ACS (International). The school has helped our children to grow and mature in so many ways, whilst equipping them with the necessary skills needed for their university studies and future endeavours. We are very glad to have sent both of our children to ACS (International).”

Steven and Pau Kim Kan

ALDERSGATE SG 2019 Bishop Emeritus Dr Robert Solomon will be speaking at the 2019 Aldersgate SG celebration.

WHY DOES GOD PURSUE US?

T

he underlying truth behind all spiritual disciplines and missionary endeavours is that God is the Divine Seeker. We seek God only because He has first sought us. At the end of the day, it is God who primarily seeks us; we are the sought.

Francis Thompson’s poem expresses this profound human experience of a God who pursues us relentlessly.

I fled Him, down the nights and down the days; I fled Him, down the arches of the years; I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways…

From those strong Feet that followed, followed after.

But with unhurrying chase, And unperturbed pace…

The story of Jonah is an account of how God pursued not only the Ninevites, but also the sailors and Jonah himself with fatherly love and missionary persistence.

Why does God go into such great trouble in pursuing us?

Why does He not simply reject us when we are stubborn or stupid?

In the contemporary song “My Worth Is Not in What I Own”, there are a few beautiful lines: Two wonders here that I confess My worth and my unworthiness My value fixed—my ransom paid At the cross Picture by Alvaro German Vilela/Bigstock.com METHODIST MESSAGE • APR 2019

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ALDERSGATE SG 2019 The two wonders mentioned here explain why God pursues us. Firstly, our unworthiness—we know we have sinned and stand condemned. God pursues us to save us from what would be our default destiny. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:8).

God also pursues us because we are His creatures, created in His image (Gen 1:27), and carry the dignity of being His handiwork. Like the heavenly Potter that He is, God picks up the broken pottery and remakes it with gentle loving hands.

It is thus for this dual truth—that we are both unworthy and worthy, that God pursues us with such persevering endurance, with a love that refuses to give up. A theologian used the phrase “noble ruins” to describe human beings, thus capturing this dual truth of both worthiness and unworthiness.

We should also pursue those who do not yet know God in the same way He does and for the same reasons. Our attitudes must be those of the God who uses us to reach others. This means that we should keep in focus both the Great Commission (to proclaim the gospel of Christ to every soul) and the Great Commandment (to love everyone as God-made people).

God’s pursuit of us should make us realise the foundational truth that God loves us. But we must be careful that we do not preach a truncated gospel that ignores God’s holiness and transcendence.

Experiencing God’s love is not antithetical to learning to fear Him. In the first chapter of Jonah, the fear of God is a central idea. When confronted and questioned by the sailors, Jonah professed, “I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land” (1:9). Jonah was guilty of not practising what he professed. In his actions he did not fear God. It was the sailors who were terrified (v 10) because they recognised the implications of what Jonah had said. The men, who had cried out to their own gods, started crying out to the Lord (v 14). They were at first afraid of the violent storm (v 5), then terrified when they heard about God. As God worked in their hearts, they developed a great and healthy fear of the Lord that led to worship (v 16).

The fear of the Lord is always the proper response to realising the love of God. To know that God pursues us should help us to recognise His undying love for us and should create in us a holy fear of the God who pursues us day and night. n

Paya Lebar Methodist Church

A TASK UNFINISHED:

Together in God’s Mission SAVE THE DATE! MAY 23 7:30 (Thursday)

P.M.

ALDERSGATE LECTURE 1

MAY 24 7:30 (Friday)

P.M.

ALDERSGATE LECTURE 2

Mark your calendars for our yearly Aldersgate Lectures and Celebration Service, to be held from 23 to 25 May, and find out your role in God’s mission in our world today.

Register at aldersgate.methodist.org.sg

MAY 25 4:00 (Saturday)

P.M.

ALDERSGATE CELEBRATION SERVICE

FROM THE ARCHIVES—ALDERSGATE SG Bishop Emeritus Dr Robert Solomon will be speaking at the Aldersgate SG 2019 celebration. This article first appeared in the May 2001 issue of Methodist Message.

THE HEART OF THE MATTER

Commemorative plaque at Aldersgate Street in London, United Kingdom.

I

n the spring of 1738, John Wesley had a lifetransforming experience. An Anglican priest, he earnestly sought a holy life. As a missionary to Georgia in the United States, he tried to convert the natives, but returned to England with some level of defeat and frustration. He met a group of Moravian Christians, whose pietism attracted him and made him want more of the conversion experience.

A few months before the eventful day of 24 May 1738, he had deep discussions with a friend on the Protestant doctrine of justification by faith. He began preaching sermons on the subject. This was to prepare him for his Aldersgate experience in May. Three days before May 24, his brother Charles, who shared his earnestness, had a

profound experience of conversion and assurance. When John heard about it, he became depressed and more restless in his search for a deeper experience of God's grace.

He found it on 24 May. In his own words: “In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.”

Continued on page 19...

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons METHODIST MESSAGE • APR 2019

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FROM THE ARCHIVES—ALDERSGATE SG

THE HEART OF THE MATTER ...continued from page 17 Thus was born the amazing public ministry of John Wesley. What exactly was this “heart-warming” experience that he experienced? Much has been written to interpret this Aldersgate experience. For some, this was Wesley’s conversion experience, for Wesley himself wrote, soon after this event, that before 24 May he was not a Christian.

However, later in his writings, he would modify his views and see stages in his experience as a Christian, even before his Aldersgate experience.

This did not mean that sin was eradicated in his life, for he would later write: “I saw not then that the first promise to the children of God is, ‘sin shall no more reign over you’; but thought I was to feel it in me no more from the time it was forgiven. Therefore, although I had the mastery over it, yet I often feared it was not forgiven, because it still stirred in me, and at some times thrust sore at me that I might fall: because, though it did not reign, it did remain in me; and I was continually tempted, though not overcome.”

Using Wesley’s later writings, some have argued that he may have been converted in 1725 at the age of 22, when in his own account, after his reading of the spiritual writer Thomas a Kempis, he was “set in earnest upon a new life”.

His later reading of another spiritual writer, William Law, led him to testify that “the light flowed in so mightily upon my soul that everything appeared in a new way”. All this happened before Aldersgate.

Complete freedom from the presence of sin awaits us on the other side of eternity. Perhaps the best way to understand Aldersgate is to remember Wesley’s own interpretation, that he had the faith of a servant before Aldersgate, but the faith of a son after it. By that he meant that he trusted his works more than God’s grace before Aldersgate. Or to put in another way, his primary motivation was fear. Aldersgate helped him to be touched by love. As Scripture puts it, “perfect love drives out fear” (1 Jn 4:18).

What, then, happened at Aldersgate?

One way to understand what happened to Wesley at Aldersgate is in terms of the assurance that is given to us when the Holy Spirit testifies to our spirits that we are the children of God (Rom 8:16). This assurance is not mere sentiment which we psyche ourselves to feel. It is based on God’s Word brought to us powerfully by God’s Spirit.

Wesley’s mind had been prepared by his thinking through the Protestant doctrine of justification by faith. It was in the context of hearing Luther’s preface to his commentary on Romans that it all came together for Wesley when his heart was “strangely warmed”. The seed planted in his mind brought fruit in his heart.

Wesley not only understood the doctrine of justification by faith but also experienced it personally. He had the assurance of the free grace of God bringing him forgiveness, freeing him from the penalty of sin. Wesley’s Aldersgate experience also had to do with his discovery of freedom from the power of sin.

His long quest for holiness led him to a satisfying solution.

He was set free in a decisive way not only from the law of death, but also from the law of sin, through assurance of forgiveness and a new discovery of the power of grace.

Our life of discipleship really gets going when what we understand with our minds is experienced in our hearts.

And what we experience in our hearts, as Wesley did at Aldersgate, is God’s love. It will stop us on our busy and convoluted tracks, show us the foolishness of our own vain attempts at impressing God, and urge us to rest in God's love made freely available in Christ.

Experiencing this divine love will then be the springboard of a life lived in gratitude and love, and not in fear. It is the fear in our hearts that is manifested in so many ways—fear of others, of failure, of rejection, of being abused, and so on. Much of our lives may be spent trying to manage these fears. In reality these fears have the upper hand; they rule people and shape their lifestyles and agendas.

It is the love of God that sets us free from our human condition. It brings us rest (not to be confused with passive inactivity), assurance and holiness. Aldersgate is an invitation to be embraced by our loving Father God and to receive our true identity.

If we respond in faith, our hearts will be strangely warmed. n

METHODIST MESSAGE • APR 2019

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FRIDAY, 17 MAY 2019 7.30PM ENGLISH NATIONAL STADIUM

SATURDAY, 18 MAY 2019 10.30AM ENGLISH (CHILDREN & FAMILIES) NATIONAL STADIUM

7.30PM CHINESE NATIONAL STADIUM

7.30PM TAMIL OCBC ARENA

SUNDAY, 19 MAY 2019 10.30AM FILIPINO/ENGLISH NATIONAL STADIUM

7.30PM ENGLISH NATIONAL STADIUM

From 17 to 19 May 2019, the church across Singapore, across every denomination, will unite in the spirit of personal evangelism on a mass scale, inviting our loved ones — no matter their age, nationality or language spoken — to the National Stadium to hear the Good News of Jesus.

Admission is free, but by tickets only.

For reservation of tickets, visit celebrationofhope.sg/tickets @celebrationofhope.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).

FORCED EXIT

I

n 2008, Khaw Boon Wan, who was then Minister for Health, made a number of cryptic statements to the local press about the possible legalisation of euthanasia in Singapore.1

The National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS) issued a statement on 6 Nov 2008 that categorically opposed physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia because these practices are a violation of the sanctity of human life.

Responding to the minister’s veiled suggestion with enthusiasm, the Straits Times editorial ludicrously equated the legalisation of euthanasia with “social progress”. Its author audaciously predicted that “euthanasia is looking like a candidate whose time is nearer than most people would imagine.”2

Recent months, however, have seen several attempts to revisit the issue.

The ensuing debate on the possibility of legalising euthanasia in the nation-state was vigorous but shortlived. It tapered off as bodies like the Singapore Medical Association and some faith communities voiced their objections to this move.

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.

For example, another Straits Times letter-writer argued that euthanasia ought to be viewed in a positive light; that we should “harness its usefulness in reducing unnecessary suffering for those who are dying”.3 For some people, euthanasia may seem like a viable solution to the related problems of alleviating the suffering of the terminally ill and the scarcity of medical and financial resources. This is because we are shaped by the S alma Khalik, “New Healthcare Model Needed,” Straits Times, 17 October 2008.

2 “Euthanasia Not That Unthinkable—Some Day,” Editorial, Straits Times, 23 Oct 2008.

3 Yam Meng, Seah, “View Euthanasia in a Positive Light,” Straits Times, 1 Nov 2018.

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Picture by digitalista/Bigstock.com METHODIST MESSAGE • APR 2019

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SOUNDINGS culture we inhabit, which is profoundly pragmatic and utilitarian.

This pragmatic utilitarianism is given voice by philosopher John Hardwig when he argues that “it is sometimes the moral thing to do for the physician to sacrifice the interests of her patient to those of non-patients—specifically to those of the other members of the family”.

Hardwig regards the proposition that the needs of the family should trump that of the patient as something of an undisputed axiom. There are many cases, he writes, when “the interest of family members often ought to override those of the patient… Only when the lives of family members will not be importantly affected can one rightly make exclusively or even predominantly self-regarding decisions.”4 Christians can never evaluate the ethics of assisted suicide and euthanasia purely from the pragmatic and utilitarian standpoint. This is because the Bible compels us to ask deeper questions about what it means to be human, and about the value of the life that we by God’s grace have come to possess.

We find in Scripture the remarkable assertion that human beings—in contradistinction to the other animals—are made bearers of the divine image by the grace of God (Gen 1:26–28). According to Paul Jewett, the concept of the divine image is of paramount importance because it “confers on the human subject with the highest possible distinction”.

It is precisely because human beings are made “in the image and likeness” of their Creator that human life is sacred. However, it must be emphasised that just as humans are the bearers of the divine image because of divine grace, so human life is sacred because it is a gift from God.

As Richard Gula explains, “the sanctity of life, or human dignity and value, is not intrinsic to human life as such, nor is it dependent on the evaluation of other human beings or on human achievement. Rather the sanctity of human life… is ultimately conferred by God”.5 Because human beings are created in the divine image and human life is a divine gift, the Bible prohibits murder—the wilful and pre-meditated taking of human life (Exodus 20:13). This includes suicide or self-murder, of which euthanasia is a form.

Thus in his wide-ranging encyclical entitled The Gospel of Life (Evangelium Vitae), Pope John Paul II roundly condemns euthanasia because it is a “grave violation of the law of God, since it is the deliberate and morally unacceptable killing of a human person”.6 By legalising euthanasia, society is in fact saying that certain human lives are “unworthy of life” (Lebensunwertes Leben in German). It is exerting enormous, if unseen, pressure on the sick, the vulnerable and the disabled to believe the murderous lie that it is their “duty to die”.

Thus, beneath the heady rhetoric of compassion, which gives euthanasia a veneer of nobility, lurks something insidiously sinister. As Pope John Paul II puts it: “…what might seem logical and humane, when looked at more closely is seen to be senseless and inhumane”. n

J ohn Hardwig, “Is There a Duty to Die?” Hastings Center Report, Mar–Apr 1997.

5 Richard Gula, What Are They Saying About Euthanasia? (New York: Paulist Press, 1986).

6 Pope John Paul II. Evangelium Vitae, 25 Mar 1995, http://w2.vatican.va/ content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_25031995_ evangelium-vitae.html 4

LOOKING AHEAD THE GIVING METHODIST 6 Mar to 13 Apr 2019 https://bit.ly/2FqmE0S tgm@mws.sg

Scan here to see events online!

The Giving Methodist is an initiative to gather and galvanise Methodists to perform acts of love. It takes place during the season of Lent, a period of reflection for Christians—because giving is part of a life that exemplifies Christ. Come together as one Methodist family as we give of our voices, time and donations towards the last, the lost and the least amongst us.

Organised by The Methodist Church in Singapore and Methodist Welfare Services.

mar

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TRAC SENIORS MINISTRY WORSHIP SERVICES

17 Apr, 15 May 2019 (Wednesdays), 2.30 p.m. to 4.00 p.m.

Faith Methodist Church L4 Worship Hall, 400 Commonwealth Dr, S(149604) 6478-4754 (Priscilla)

TRAC Seniors Ministry welcomes you to their monthly Seniors Ministry Worship Services. Join us for a time of worship, fellowship and food, and catch up with other seniors and retirees from various TRAC churches.

Organised by Trinity Annual Conference.

apr

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SPIRITUAL FORMATION: PRINCIPLES & PRACTICE Talks by Bishop Emeritus Robert Solomon

1 May 2019 (Wednesday, a public holiday), 9.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.

Barker Road Methodist Church (Main Sanctuary), 48 Barker Rd, S(309917) Admission is free but registration is required. grace45gumi@gmail.com 9740 4803 (Grace Chiam)

Failure to grasp that to be born again is to go on to grow into spiritual maturity in Christ, or failure to appreciate that such growth is a lifelong process of faith, obedience and spiritual discipline, are the reasons for the lack of spiritual growth among so many Christians.

The first talk, “Understanding Spiritual Formation”, will explore what spiritual formation is and the key areas involved in the process. It is important to know God and ourselves, and to understand God’s purposes and His work in our lives.

The second talk, “The Practice of Spiritual Formation”, will then explore the practice of spiritual disciplines and why they are vital for Christian formation, especially in our fast-paced and distracted world.

Bishop Emeritus Robert Solomon’s new book, Till Christ is Formed in Us: Spiritual Formation Explored (Armour Publishing), will also be launched that day.

may

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CELEBRATION OF HOPE

1 7 to 19 May 2019 (Friday to Sunday, see website for timings) National Stadium, 1 Stadium Dr, S(397629) https://celebrationofhope.sg/ Admission is free but tickets are required. Download the Celebration of Hope app via Google Play Store or Apple App Store and reserve/confirm your tickets by 23 April.

Celebration of Hope is about Christians in Singapore rallying together and reaching out to share Jesus Christ with friends and relatives. The message we are proclaiming is that Jesus Christ is the one name in which everyone can have solid hope. The vision is of personal evangelism on a mass scale, culminating in Gospel rallies at the 50,000 capacity National Stadium over the three days between 17 and 19 May. Organised by National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS) and Evangelical Fellowship of Singapore (EFOS).

may

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METHODIST MESSAGE • APR 2019

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THINK Wendy Heng is currently serving as General Manager at The Garden of Remembrance—a Christian columbarium owned by The Methodist Church in Singapore. When she is not evangelising about the importance of pre-planning and helping grieving families in their time of need, she enjoys cooking, running before sunrise and is always up for a good laugh.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE?

B

efore I die, I want to travel the world. Learn to play the piano. Race down the Autobahn at 200km/h. I could go on and on. And then it hits me. I’m running out of time. I’m at the point in my life where the years before me are fewer than the years behind me.

Where did my time go?

Before I joined the team at The Garden of Remembrance, death was a concept I put off thinking about as it was unpleasant to contemplate. Being Chinese also means that open conversations about death and dying are taboo; we avoid thinking or talking about death unless it is absolutely necessary.

Is there any thought scarier than death?

My time with The Garden of Remembrance has re-shaped my perspective on death. I have come to understand the truth of the cliché “a person is not ready to live until he is ready to die”. Coming into contact with death daily has made me realise that it is not just a concept—death is real, inescapable and certain. The only uncertainty is exactly when it will occur.

But as Christians, we can take comfort in the fact that death has no power over us. God sent his only begotten Son to die for our sins and Christ defeated death when He rose from the dead. Jesus said: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never

die” (John 11:25–26). His death gives us eternal life and a place by His side. We can contemplate death but ultimately rest in Hope.

For the Christian, to die is gain. Death frees us from earthly labours, trials and temptations. Death in itself is emancipation from the bondage of death. “Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Cor 5:8).

While holding fast to this belief, there is no denying that death, like a thief in the night, will rob us of our loved ones. We will hurt and we will grieve, but we can also rest in the hope of His promise of eternal life.

And because of this promise, Christians would seem better equipped to cope with the loss of loved ones who believe in Jesus. We know that they are safe in the loving arms of our Father in heaven.

With the assurance of eternal life and a place at God’s side, my perspective of what I want to accomplish with my remaining years has changed too. I want to spend the rest of my days getting to know Him intimately, seeking more of His presence, discovering what His plans for me on earth are and carrying them out to the very best of my ability.

What about you? What do you want to do? n Picture by Joykid/Bigstock.com