Reach out—Welfare Services

Spur each other on to good works

Run to empower lives

Bishop Dr Gordon Wong is well-known for his golfing skills and has won several local charity golf tournaments. And as every good golfer and sportsman attests, Bishop Dr Wong believes that playing well requires practice and discipline.

“My fitness regime? I play golf once or twice a week with friends and my 99-year-old dad. I also try to fit in tennis once a week with my brother and friends, but doubles only, please!” shared Bishop candidly as he also revealed that he regularly clocks 10,000 steps a day.

“1 Timothy 4:8 tells us that although spiritual health and discipline are the most important, physical health and discipline are also important,” he continues.

As proof of his belief, Bishop accepted the invitation of Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) to take part in MWS Empowerun, a virtual run held in conjunction with MWS’ 40th Anniversary celebrations this year. Participants may choose to complete 20km or 40km cumulatively from 23 Oct to 7 Nov 2021, and fundraise by getting supporters to donate to MWS. MWS hopes to raise $600,000, and all funds will be channelled towards its 20 critical programmes that serve the disadvantaged and distressed. COVID-19 has surfaced new vulnerabilities in society. In addition to their financial constraints, many are struggling with their mental and emotional health. Between April 2020 and March 2021, MWS Family Service Centres saw a sharp spike in the number of people who experienced family violence, financial issues and family issues.

While the virtual run is not a marathon, completing distances like 20km or 40km does require some level of mental toughness. By joining MWS Empowerun, participants demonstrate their own resilience and their enduring support for those in need, and encourage them to persevere through their challenges.

“MWS helps us find ways to Love God by Loving Our Neighbour with acts of kindness and love. This is especially important in the midst of this very distressing and difficult period. I hope my participation in MWS Empowerun will remind us ‘to run the race’ and ‘spur each other on to good works’,” said Bishop Dr Wong.

Bishop Dr Wong (extreme right) with his father and brothers

SIGN UP TODAY

mws.sg/empowerun MWS Empowerun

Event period: 23 Oct to 7 Nov 2021 Run format: Complete a 20km or 40km

virtual run (The distance can be cumulative over the event period) Registration fee: $40/pax Participants will each receive • a runner’s pack consisting • a backpack and a runner’s T-shirt Fundraise $500 per pax and empower 8,000+ people in need For enquiries, please email

empowerun@mws.sg

MWS at 40

An MWS nursing home resident shares her story of faith, receiving dignified care and regaining hope.

This year, Methodist Welfare Services celebrates 40 years of empowering life to the full. This is one of a series of stories from people who felt empowered to empower others through MWS over the years. Get involved and join MWS in empowering lives. Learn more by visiting https://mws.sg/mws40th/

“Hello, how are you? Can I get you a cup of coffee or tea?” asked Madam Loo Jo Lee as she pointed to the menu.

50-year-old Jo Lee is a resident at MWS Bethany Nursing Home – Choa Chua Kang. She is also the cashiercum-front service staff of Café Joy, which is located within the Home.

Rising from challenges for self and service

“I serve as a cashier here once every two weeks. The staff trained me on how to greet customers, take orders and use the cash register,” shared Jo Lee as she cheekily waved a stash of ‘play money’ in different denominations. “I really enjoy serving at the café, meeting and chatting with people. It feels good to contribute. Sometimes, I’ve even found myself cheering up another resident!” Jo Lee said.

Jo Lee came to MWS Bethany Nursing Home – Choa Chu Kang about six years ago. She had suffered a stroke and just woken up from a threemonth long coma.

“I was struggling with my health. My marriage was falling apart. My daughters were teenagers then. I shut myself in and did not want to speak with anyone,” she recalled. “Up till 2019, I refused to accept that this was going to be my life. But the MWS Bethany team really cared for me. Slowly, I turned to Christianity and, with the help of the clinical and pastoral team, I began to see life more positively and feel hopeful again,” Jo Lee said, her radiant face a picture of calm and peace.

Empowerment in all aspects of care

This sense of empowerment—through its physical care environment, programmes and care approach—is precisely what MWS hopes to bring to its beneficiaries.

Café Joy, one of the major additions of the recent Care Remodelling of MWS Bethany Nursing Home – Choa Chu Kang, is an example. Apart from providing a cosy communal space for residents and visitors, it is designed to be run by residents, empowering them with a sense of independence and purpose. This is in line with the care philosophy at MWS Nursing Homes, which is resident-directed. The Homes are also designed to provide a home-like and dementia-friendly environment so that residents’ care needs are addressed in an integrated and holistic manner.

“Serving as a cashier at the café has been meaningful and fulfilling. Who knows, I may be able to return to work in future! I thank God and the MWS Bethany staff for their love, care, concern and patience. It feels like my heart is blooming with hope again,” said Jo Lee.