Rounding up the quadrennium: Bishop Dr Gordon Wong's final message and Annual Conference Presidents' farewell messages
Celebrating Christmas in a violent world
Greatest Gift
A Christmas Story
Editorial Board
Adviser and Publisher
Dr Anthony Goh
Chairperson, Council on Communications
Communications Manager
Lynn Tan
Managing Editor
Alvin Tay
Editor
Lianne Ong
Communications Executive
Kathrynn Koh
Sub-editors
Lucy Cheng
Janice Khoo
Tan Chiu Ai
Elliot Soh
Proofreaders
Kenneth Lee
Christabel Tan / Bishop’s Message / / News / 3 Presidents' farewell messages
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.
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6 Bishop appoints new ACS Board of Governors Chairperson
/ Feature / 7 Methodist Social Principles: The Bible doesn't talk about global warming and recycling, so what should we do?
15 Grandpa’s Greatest Gift
/ Opinion / 11 Soundings: Celebrating Christmas in a violent world
/ Worship / 13 From crib to cross: Love came down, love so amazing / Outreach / 23 Outgoing MMS leaders contemplate succession and continuity
26 "I wanted to jump off the highest building in Singapore …" –The mental health toll of caregiving / Relationships / 30 At The Well
34 You & Your Family: Mind your neighbours / People / 37 The phone call that saved me Contents
ON THE COVER
The cover art is from this month's Christmas story, Grandpa's Greatest Gift. The story is written by Amelia Leo and illustrated by Nicholas Liem. Amelia, a member of Fairfield Methodist Church, is also the Acting Head (Community Music) at Methodist School of Music. Nicholas, a children's book illustrator, serves in his church's children's ministry in Singapore.
A practical principle on loving our neighbours
For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command:
"Love your neighbour as yourself."
~ Galatians 5:14 (NIV)
The above statement by Paul the apostle seems different to what Jesus said was the greatest commandment in the entire law—to love God with all our heart—in Matthew 22:37-38.
But in the very next sentence Jesus explains what such whole-hearted love for God would mean in practical terms: Love your neighbour as yourself (Matthew 22:39 NIV).
So was the apostle Paul not wrong to quote the second (rather than the first) command that Jesus highlighted as the greatest in God's law?
Yes, Paul correctly understood the Lord Jesus. Jesus did not say that the second command (to love our neighbour) was less important than the first command (to love God). Jesus said that the second command was "just like the first".
But what did Jesus, and Paul, mean by loving others "as yourself"? Did they mean we should give priority to loving ourselves before we can think of loving others? Isn't this somewhat selfish?
No, Jesus was not proposing a priority of self before others. He was providing a practical principle on how to love our neighbours.
It is the same principle that Jesus had articulated earlier as another way of summarising what all the law and the prophets in Scripture had said: "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 7:12 NIV)."
The practical principle is to ask how we wish other people would relate to us in all life's different situations: the tone and manner in which they speak to us, the kindness and respect which they show us, and the help and encouragement they offer to us.
To love our neighbour as we love ourselves is to treat them not in the way they might actually treat us, but in the way we wish they would treat us! This is God's greatest command in all Scripture.
Let us love God with all our heart by loving our neighbours as ourselves, always treating them in the ways we wish they would treat us.
The Methodist Festival Choir Wong Lai Foon, Resident Conductor with the Methodist Festival Orchestra
Featuring Guest Conductor, Dr Michael Burkhardt, Artist-Professor of Organ at Eastern Michigan University, USA
Let heaven and nature Sing
Wednesday, 11 December 8pm
Wesley Methodist Church
Nearest MRT Station: Dhoby Ghaut
Come celebrate Christmas together! Joining the Methodist Festival Choir will be a children’s choir, a 40-member Methodist Festival Orchestra and a contemporary band. Bring your family and friends for a joyous evening of music and celebration, featuring favourites like "Joy to the World", "O Come All Ye Faithful", and "Deck the Halls".
Presidents’ farewell
messages
The three Annual Conference Presidents stepped down in November 2024. These are their farewell messages penned just before the 49th Sessions of their respective Annual Conferences. Rev Dr Gregory Goh, Rev Philip Abraham and Rev Stanley Chua will return to pastoral duties in the new quadrennium.
In Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV), Paul tells us, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me… forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." These three verses anchored me in serving and leading CAC.
In these words, Paul gives us a powerful invitation—not only to let go of the past but to approach each new day with the courage to start afresh, focused entirely on the goal God has set before us. We must always be striving, knowing that there is a prize
Let go of the past and approach each new day with courage to start afresh
Rev Dr Gregory Goh President, Chinese Annual Conference (2017-2024)
waiting for us. Do not let the past successes and failures slow us down or hinder us from moving forward.
I thank CAC for trusting me and giving me this immense responsibility and privilege for the past two quadrennia. It has been my duty and joy to serve God and the Conference as President. I have always sought to discharge the responsibilities of this solemn office entrusted to me for one purpose: to serve the Lord by advancing the Great Commission.
May we all strain towards what is ahead, press on towards the goal our Heavenly Father has prepared for us.
I praise God for the God-given privilege of serving as ETAC President. I never imagined this path, but it has been a humbling and blessed opportunity to serve our great King and his people. My journey began with the assurance of God's promise in Psalm 32:8, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you."
Guided by this hope and promise, I was able to lead by God's grace. My two priorities were the growth of ETAC and the recruitment of new pastors.
However, the Covid-19 pandemic was a challenge and at the start of the quadrennium we were still navigating the effects of the pandemic. On 24 January 2021, our traditional ETAC Thanksgiving Sunday had to be celebrated with a video-recorded sermon. It was on this day that I introduced our ETAC quadrennium theme: "Towards Harvest 2024". The target was to reach 1,000 members in total in 2024, and I know our congregations are working diligently to reach it. Our Lord is the Master of the harvest.
In addition to growth, recruiting new pastors was on my heart. I prayed earnestly for at least two new pastors, trusting God's provision. Amazingly, we were blessed with four new recruits over these four years. In
Our faithful God helped us overcome numerous challenges
Rev Philip Abraham President, Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference (2021-2024)
addition, we have two students currently studying in theological colleges. I give God all the praise for his faithfulness in helping us with our pastoral supply.
Our ETAC Executive Board and churches have been pillars of support, enabling us to progress our ministries and mission. I've had the joy of visiting each ETAC church, meeting with LCEC members and congregants, and participating in their Sunday services. These experiences brought joy and strengthened our shared bond in Christ.
Working alongside Bishop Dr Gordon Wong, CAC President Rev Dr Gregory Goh and TRAC President Rev Stanley Chua was another blessed opportunity. Their friendship, unity and wise counsel uplifted me greatly. Together as One MCS, we upheld one another in ministry. Attending the Asian Methodist Council in South Korea and Hong Kong, and the World Methodist Council in Sweden were experiences that broadened my vision and enriched my ministry.
I am profoundly grateful for these years of service, and all praise belongs to God alone for his unending guidance, grace and mercy. To God be all the glory!
As I stand at the threshold of concluding my term as President, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude and humility. This journey has been an extraordinary tapestry of challenges, growth, triumphs and trust in God. When I began my term as President, I was deeply convicted on recovering our Wesleyan heritage, inspired by the words of John Wesley when he prophetically warned all Methodists just five years before he died:
"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 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 …"
~ Thoughts Upon Methodism, Works of John Wesley, Vol.13
With this conviction, I proposed to TRAC the following quadrennium theme and direction: "Remember Who We Are: Recovering our Methodist Heritage of Doctrine, Spirit & Discipline". The hope was simple: by relearning our past, our past could instruct us on what to do in the present. Working through our theme, we managed to recover from our Wesleyan heritage some practical proposals and ideas to apply to our challenges in this quadrennium regarding our shortage of pastors, losing our youths in our churches and an ageing congregation.
A grateful farewell
Rev Stanley Chua President, Trinity Annual Conference (2021-2024)
On a personal note, this term has been a period of immense growth for me. The opportunities to be stretched, to step out of my comfort zone and to tackle unprecedented challenges have been invaluable. Each obstacle was a lesson in resilience, humility and trust in God; I experienced firsthand God's grace working through my weaknesses.
As I prepare to pass the baton to my successor, I do so with a heart full of hope and confidence believing that God has chosen him to lead TRAC for the next four years. I pray that TRAC will continue to be guided by faith, be inspired by challenges and united in our commitment to serve one another and to serve our Lord faithfully and wholeheartedly.
Lastly, I extend my deepest gratitude to all our pastors, delegates, our leadership team and to every member of our staff team. Thank you for making this journey one of the most memorable and fulfilling experiences of my life. I also wish to thank my wife, Khim, and our two sons, Samuel and Silas, for their unwavering support and love to me without which I would not be able to carry on in my duties and responsibilities as President. Most of all, I give thanks to God for his immeasurable grace and mercy upon me as without him, I am nothing.
Photos courtesy of TRAC BOWM and Stanley Chua
Lianne Ong is the Editor of Methodist Message. / Photo courtesy of Choe Peng Sum
Bishop appoints new ACS Board of Governors Chairperson
The ACS Board of Governors (BOG) has a new chairperson. Mr Choe Peng Sum will succeed Mr Richard Seow, who stepped down after 16 years of service, with effect from 1 November 2024.
Mr Choe, a current member of the BOG, has been on the Board since January 2020. Mr Choe graduated from ACS in 1976 and was part of the first cohort of students at AngloChinese Junior College.
Mr Choe is the Chief Executive Officer of Pan Pacific Hotels Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore-listed UOL Group Limited. He oversees close to 50 hotels, resorts and serviced suites across the Pan Pacific, PARKROYAL COLLECTION and PARKROYAL brands, comprising 15,000 keys across 30 cities in Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. He joined Pan Pacific Hotels Group in 2019 where he oversees the Group's overall management and global expansion strategies.
He is also a member of several other boards, including SAFRA Board of Governors.
"I thank the Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore for this appointment and Richard for his strong and capable leadership. I have big shoes to fill but with God's grace and strength I hope to carry on the task of shaping the success of the ACS family for God's glory. I would surely need the help and support of all in the ACS family. To God Be The Glory! The Best Is Yet To Be!" Mr Choe said.
Mr Seow had originally planned to retire from this position two years ago but remained as Chairperson at the request of Bishop Dr Gordon Wong, so that he could lead discussions with the Ministry of Education in establishing a new Special Education School in partnership with the Methodist Welfare Services, as well as the proposed relocation of ACS (Primary) to Tengah.
Mr Seow will now serve as ChairmanDesignate of the Special Education School. "His perseverance and vision were instrumental in securing government approval for the new school, making him the ideal leader for this exciting endeavour," said Bishop Dr Wong, who thanked Mr Seow for his outstanding contributions during his tenure, noting Mr Seow's other achievements in establishing the ACS Foundation and cofounding the Oldham Club at the ACS Old Boys' Association.
This article was first published on the Methodist Message website on 1 November 2024.
Mr Choe Peng Sum
Rev Dr Andrew Peh is a lecturer in missions and world religions at Trinity Theological College. He is a diaconal minister in the Chinese Annual Conference and is attached to Bukit Panjang Methodist Church.
Methodist Social Principles
The Bible doesn't talk about global warming and recycling, so what should we do?
Every Christian aspires to obey God, avoid evil and do good. But some modern-day predicaments are not discussed specifically in the Bible. How, then, can we apply biblical principles to our lives? In this 9-part series, The Methodist Church in Singapore shares reflections on its Social Principles which, more than ever before, can help believers live by God's firm principles in today's volatile and complex world. This final instalment discusses The Sphere of Creation Care. Here, Rev Dr Andrew Peh looks at how the Church can respond to the environmental issues of our day through a biblical lens, by the grace of the Holy Spirit.
In 1945, Albert Einstein, J Robert Oppenheimer and University of Chicago scientists who helped develop the first atomic weapons in the Manhattan Project founded the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.
Two years later in 1947, employing the imagery of the biblical Apocalypse, the Bulletin developed a countdown of the state of the world that inches towards a global "Armageddon" (midnight), referred to as the Doomsday clock. In their annual report published in January 2024,1 we are now 90 seconds from midnight on the Doomsday clock.
While there have been various international initiatives to mitigate the effects of anthropogenic climate change (such as the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires, droughts, hurricanes, floods as well as deforestation, rising sea levels and destruction of biodiversity), there is perhaps a severe deficit of courage and fortitude among the world leaders to address the gravity and the urgency of the effects of climate change.
Not surprisingly, the younger generation is seeing the need to rise up and challenge the norms and hopefully bring about real change in responding to the crisis.
What are our environmental ethics?
Regrettably, evangelical Christianity is complicit in this apathy whenever the issue of caring for creation is raised.
For too long, evangelical Christianity has adopted a "default setting", where it is all about us. We are at the centre of it all, where the creation mandate is given for humanity to subdue and have dominion, therefore giving us licence to use (and abuse) all that God has created.
We believe that at the end of time, this "world will melt like snow" and will be no more and hence we should rightly be concerned only with saving souls instead of saving whales or rhinos.
There are evangelicals who contest the view that global warming and climate change is a direct consequence of human action.
Environmental degradation and climate change are seen as the earth's natural response rather than a result of human consumerism and greed.
Evangelicals are generally tacit in their views and are complicit in discounting numerous attempts to make conscious efforts in addressing and arresting the speed of global warming.
Sadly, environmental ethics and caring for creation do not seem to resonate, nor does it have relevance, among Protestants. In our churches, there are many members who think that the bottom line is that we need only bother with saving souls and everything else is peripheral, perhaps even unnecessary.
It may well be that that is the chief end of the mission of the Church. But is that the chief end of the mission of God?
Creation care: A gospel issue
As I began researching on this area through a survey of the Scriptures, God's word is replete with all these references where we cannot ignore creation simply because Christ's work on the cross redeems not only humanity but creation itself.
We need to reread the creation mandate in Genesis 1; to respond to the psalmists' call for creation (yes in all of God's splendid creativity) to praise the Lord; to recount as in Jonah 3 that God's grace is extended impartially to the Ninevites as well as to the animals, contrary to Jonah's personal preconceptions.
We cannot ignore passages in Romans 8, where Paul wrote in hope, that all creation, now groaning, will be liberated from its bondage to decay and also in Colossians 1, that God through Christ, is reconciling to himself all things.
This is well encapsulated in Lausanne's Cape Town Commitment:
The earth is created, sustained and redeemed by Christ. We cannot claim to love God while abusing what belongs to Christ by right of creation, redemption and inheritance. We care for the earth and responsibly use its abundant resources, not according to the rationale of the secular world, but for the Lord's sake.
If Jesus is Lord of all the earth, we cannot separate our relationship to Christ from how we act in relation to the earth. For to proclaim the gospel that says 'Jesus is Lord' is to proclaim the gospel that includes the earth, since Christ's Lordship is over all creation. Creation care is thus a gospel issue within the Lordship of Christ.
Such love for God's creation demands that we repent of our part in the destruction, waste and pollution of the earth's resources and our collusion in the toxic idolatry of consumerism. Instead, we commit ourselves to urgent and prophetic ecological responsibility. 2
In this regard, I am heartened by the addition of The Sphere of Creation Care in the revision of the Methodist Social Principles. It is a reminder that we cannot ignore the rest of God's creation!
While the biblical accounts are inordinately partial to human salvation—the work of saving people from sin and judgement, and that should indeed be an important focus of our partnership with God in his mission—that is not the whole story of God's mission and therefore, that should not be our whole story in our mission emphases as well.
If God is concerned about creation, should we not also be similarly concerned?
This article was first published in Salt&Light on 13 May 2024.
1 See https://thebulletin.org/doomsday-clock/current-time/
2 See Lausanne Movement, The Cape Town Commitment, https://lausanne.org/content/ctc/ctcommitment#p1-7
Celebrating Christmas in a violent world
As Christians all over the globe celebrate Christmas this year, they do so in a world that is in turmoil, with many parts gripped by violence and scarred by unconscionable atrocities.
At the time of this writing, the war between Russia and Ukraine, which began in 2022, rages on, with considerable casualties on both sides and extensive damage to infrastructure. Despite international efforts to broker peace, the end of this war—which has displaced millions and created a humanitarian crisis—remains elusive.
The situation in the Middle East continues to be tense and volatile due to the war between Israel and Hamas, which began in October 2023, and which has brought the region to the brink of full-scale conflict.
In addition, there are political unrest and violent conflicts in many parts of the globe, which are overshadowed by the media's focus on Europe and the Middle East. They include the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Sudan, Myanmar and Latin America.
Besides these war zones and hotspots, an increase in urban violence in major cities such as Chicago, Johannesburg and Rio de Janeiro have also been reported.
According to one report, there have been more than 385 mass shootings across the United States from January to September 2024.1
Another report states that as of 5 September, "at least 11,598 people have died from gun violence in the U.S. this year—an average of almost 47 deaths each day …" 2
Violent extremism associated with terrorist organisations continues to be a global threat in 2024. France, Germany and the UK continue to face the threat of attacks from both Islamist extremists and far-right militants. In Africa, terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and affiliates of the Islamic State (ISIS) continue in their campaigns of terror and violence.
What does it mean to celebrate Christmas in a world that is wracked in so many places by violence, conflict and hate?
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.
Celebrating Christmas in a violent world
For Christians, it must mean that we set aside the childish superficialities and the kitsch that is sometimes associated with the festival and return to the very essence of Christmas. For Christmas reveals this stark reality: that we are a fallen race inhabiting a fallen reality, and desperately in need of a saviour.
The Saviour has indeed arrived on the first Christmas when the world was engulfed by the darkness of violence, hatred and despair —to bring light and salvation. As Isaiah had perceived so many centuries ago, with the Saviour's appearance, "[t]he people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone" (Isaiah 9:2).
Christians can celebrate Christmas in a violent world because Christmas is a powerful reminder that God has not forgotten or abandoned his fallen creatures. In celebrating Christmas amidst the turmoil and distress, Christians proclaim God's love and commitment to his creation, especially the creatures he has created in his image.
In this profound sense, celebrating Christmas in a broken world is an act of defiance against the forces of darkness that are at war with the Creator. The celebration is an eloquent declaration that because God is indeed with us (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:22-23), Christians can be joyful in the midst of suffering and demonstrate uncommon love in the midst of hate.
Because of Christmas, therefore, Christians dare to hope. Because of Christmas, Christians can be a people of hope.
For Christians, the birth of Jesus Christ is not simply a historical event but a promise of the future which God had decreed before the foundation of the world.
Through the public ministry of his incarnate Son, his lonely death on the cross and his glorious resurrection, God has made possible for his creation a future marked with his Shalom, not conflict.
Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God has vanquished all his enemies—the evil spiritual forces at work in the world, the principalities and powers that dare to oppose the Almighty One. As the apostle Paul has so arrestingly put it, Christ has "disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross" (Colossians 2:15 NLT).
In celebrating Christmas, Christians not only look back at the humble manger in Bethlehem. They also look forward to God's promised future in the new heaven and the new earth. This is a future made sure by the sacrificial ministry of the Prince of Peace, a future of everlasting peace which Isaiah saw even before the first Christmas:
[T]hey shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore (Isaiah 2:4).
This hope should spur Christians to action. In celebrating Christmas, Christians must also allow God to use them as instruments and conduits of peace: to be peacemakers themselves (Matthew 5:9), and to exercise the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:11-21).
In this way, Christians can truly be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14-16), reflecting that great Light who came into this world of sin and darkness on the first Christmas.
1 "How many US mass shootings have there been in 2024?," BBC, September 5, 2024, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-uscanada-41488081.
2 Kiara Alfonseca, "About 11,600 people have died in US gun violence so far in 2024," ABC News, September 6, 2024, https://abcnews. go.com/US/gun-violence-claimed-lives-5000-people-2024/story?id=107262776.
Dr Judith Laoyan-Mosomos is the Director for Worship & Church Music at the Methodist School of Music and a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church.
From crib to cross Love came down, love so amazing
Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love divine; Love was born at Christmas; star and angels gave the sign.
Love Came Down at Christmas (UMH 242, stanza 1)
Christina G Rossetti, 1885
The world was weary, hoping for a Messiah—a Saviour to bring peace to the chaos. Yet, when God answered, he did so in a way no one expected: not with royal splendour, but in a humble manger. Love arrived unnoticed, wrapped in the vulnerability of a newborn child.
God's love manifests in the simple, the quiet and the overlooked. As the Magi followed the star and the shepherds heeded the angel's call, we discover that true power lies in love, not in might.
When Jesus came to Jordan to be baptised by John, he did not come for pardon but as the sinless one. He came to share repentance with all who mourn their sins, to speak the vital sentence with which good news begins.
When Jesus Came to Jordan (UMH 252, stanza 1)
Fred Pratt Green, 1973
The love that was born in Bethlehem continued to manifest as Jesus entered the Jordan River. He came not for his own repentance but to stand with us in ours. His baptism was an act of solidarity—a moment where the sinless One chose to enter the waters with those who were broken and burdened by sin.
From crib to cross: Love came down, love so amazing
Jesus, in his baptism, began his public ministry by identifying with the very people he came to save. His baptism points us to the kind of love he embodied—a love that meets us where we are, even in our repentance and brokenness, and offers us grace.
Jesus' hands were kind hands, doing good to all, healing pain and sickness, blessing children small, washing tired feet, and saving those who fall; Jesus' hands were kind hands, doing good to all.
Jesus' Hands Were Kind Hands (UMH273, stanza 1)
Margaret
Cropper, 1975
The love that came down at Christmas and was revealed at the Jordan became visible in the hands of Jesus. His hands, tender yet strong, reached out to heal the sick, lift the broken and bless the vulnerable. These hands, filled with kindness, did not just perform miracles; they extended God's love to everyone they touched.
From the manger to his ministry, Jesus' hands were always doing the work of love. He welcomed children, healed the blind and even washed his disciples' feet, showing that true greatness in the kingdom of God is found in humble service.
Just as Jesus' hands were kind hands, doing good to all, we are called to follow his example. The love that began in the manger, manifested in his baptism, and was shown through his ministry, now invites us to use our hands to love and serve others.
Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were an offering far too small; love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, (UMH298, stanza 4)
Isaac Watts,
1707
After witnessing the love that came down at Christmas—the love that was revealed at Jesus' baptism, manifested in his hands, and culminated in his sacrifice on the cross—we are left with one response: to give ourselves fully in return.
The love of Jesus is so profound, so boundless, that even if we could offer all of creation, it would not be enough. His love, from the manger to the cross, calls us to surrender our souls, our lives and everything we have.
This love demands more than words or rituals; it calls for a life lived in total devotion to God and in service to others. Just as Jesus' hands were kind hands, serving and loving, so too must our lives reflect that love in every action, every word and every choice.
As we celebrate the birth of Christ this Christmas, let us not simply marvel at his love. Instead, let us ask how we can respond to that love with our own lives. What would it look like for us to offer our soul, our life and our all to him?
Jesus' love—so amazing, so divine— demands not just our worship but our lives. Let us go forth to love God, giving all we have, living in the light of the love that has been given to us and sharing it with our neighbours and to the world.
Just as Jesus' hands were kind hands, serving and loving, so too must our lives reflect that love in every action, every word and every choice.
Grandpa’s Greatest Gift
Story by Amelia Leo
Illustrations by Nicholas Liem
“December is here!” JJ announced, Excited, he jumped, all around the house.
“Christmas is coming, the season is here For presents, good food and loads of good cheer!”
“It
wasn’t like that when I was a boy, We had so little, not even a toy. Many a time, our meals had no meat; Even an egg was considered a treat.”
“What? No way! Now eggs are aplenty—
With ham, beef and a big, fat turkey!”
“Yes,” said Grandpa, “we didn’t have much, Neither meat, nor clothes, nor presents and such.”
“Our neighbours, who came from so far away, Shared the meaning of this special day. To them, Christmas was such a happy affair; A special time to bless and to care.
“Each Christmas they’d visit, bringing a gift, Some money and food, which brought us relief. They’d sing about God sending His Son To save us from all the sins we had done.
“They meant nothing, the words of these songs. But the tunes were pretty, so I sang along. Soon our friends left, and Singapore grew Into a city, modern and new.
“More years flew by, and life scurried on; I slowly forgot those old Christmas songs. Taking their place were bright lights and shopping, Singing replaced with buying and getting.
“One Christmas Day, I met an old friend; We fondly recalled how things were back then. That’s when I asked him what it all meant: Who was the Son that God said He sent?”
“God our Creator,” my friend explained, “Was brokenhearted by the sin of all men. Everything good, now wasting away; Everything beautiful, facing decay.”
“Sin was the culprit, punishment was due To those who rebelled—that’s me and you. But God, in His mercy, took our place, By sending Jesus for the human race.”
“And so, dear JJ, this is the reason Why we are joyful each Christmas season: The gifts we receive help us to focus On God’s greatest gift—Jesus with us!”
“The lights and good food—should we stop them?” For JJ still wanted his turkey and ham.
“You asked a good question,” his grandfather smiled, “There’s still a good reason to have them, dear child.”
“The lights remind us of Jesus, the Light, Who chases away all darkness and night. That’s the best reason for a great feast, For hope has come to the greatest and least!”
The true Christmas story Grandpa just told Helped JJ to see the season unfold In a different way from how he had thought, Of getting presents, or eating a lot.
Each Christmas present he’d open in awe; Behind each gift, it was Jesus he saw. The lights and the feasts, a celebration Fit for the birth of the King of heaven.
“Thank you, Grandpa, for sharing with me The story of Christmas, so rich and free. I’ll pass it on now to those who would hear, In hopes they’ll know Jesus, who loves us so dear.”
Outgoing MMS leaders contemplate succession and continuity
Alvin Tan has served as the Chairperson of Methodist Missions Society for two quadrennia and will step down at the end of 2024.
Another quadrennium of The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) will end at the close of this year. The leadership at the General Conference, along with those of its councils and agencies, will change.
As an MCS agency, the Methodist Missions Society (MMS) will also see changes in the substantive members of its Executive Committee (ExCo), which comprises two nominees (one lay and one clergy) from each of the three Annual Conferences.
For the upcoming quadrennium, I shall relinquish my position as ExCo Chairman to Collin Tan, who may co-opt other substantive members.
The ExCo composition prescribed by the Book of Discipline ensures a structured succession of people into positions, which addresses one of the key issues associated with leadership change.
A more nebulous issue is the continuity of strategic and cultural emphases from one set of leaders to the next. These may include continuing to consider new initiatives and project proposals in the context of the strategic roadmap, in resource allocation, in engagement and collaboration with the wider community in order to be the missions agency of choice.
A potential strategic and governance risk arising from leadership change is misalignment of ministries and initiatives away from MMS' mandate and strategic objectives. This could lead to conflict and confusion in the decisionmaking process, or worse, reputational loss among partners and supporters and wastage of agency resources.
However, continuity can be preserved at both the ExCo and Home Office levels. For the ExCo, this may be achieved by ensuring substantive members have longstanding involvement with, and intimate knowledge of, MMS' ministry. At the Home Office level, the same applies to the incoming Executive Director and key position holders.
When each new quadrennium starts, a necessary risk mitigation action is a programme to familiarise all new ExCo substantive members and key position holders at the Home Office with MMS' mandate, goals and objectives; field ministries; field development roadmap; governance framework; etc. Much of these have been documented in the Missions Manual.
A loss of momentum is perhaps inevitable with leadership change at every new quadrennium. The transition could, however, be quickened not only by ensuring that there are people to pass the baton to but also by preparing them to run the race well.
(above) Praying for MMS' missionaries
(above right) Phulbari MC overlooking the Himalayan range
Col (Ret) Quek Koh Eng has served in MMS as Regional Director (East Asia/Laos/Thailand /Timor-Leste). He will step down at the end of 2024 after 20 years of service.
But first, pray
We live in a world that is in a hurry, a world fascinated with speed rather than reflection. The late Christian philosopher, Dallas Willard, said, "Hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life in our day. You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life." When we are in a hurry with no time for the spiritual discipline of learning to wait, pray and reflect before God, we tend to run ahead of him.
In MMS, we meet every week to commit and pray for God's direction and empowerment. Our national pastors and lay leaders gather to pray once or twice a month, enabled by the internet. We seek to have a strong sense of our dependence on God in everything we do collectively.
I personally believe and have experienced God's divine intervention whenever we present and submit our ministries and projects to his Lordship in prayer.
An instance was when a few of us were worshipping in a mud hut in Phulbari, Nepal with a dozen Nepali pastors and leaders in 2006. After very vibrant worship, we went into deep prayer and felt the presence of God. Then, I heard his distinct voice: "Upon this rock I will build my church." After I released these words to those present, a brother immediately announced he would donate funds to build a church at the site. The Phulbari Methodist Church was built in 2008 at this site overlooking the Himalayan ridge.
MMS leaders, staff and missionaries; seated from left to right are Col Quek Koh Eng, Alvin Tan, Bishop Dr Gordon Wong, Rev Derrick Lau and (former staff) Noel Tam
I have also seen how God brings people together for his Kingdom work. Pastor Daniel and Sharon Loo from Melbourne contacted me in early 2011 after joining Mettakij Church Association (MCA) as missionaries in Phrao, Chiangmai. Pastor Daniel shared his journey and work in obedience to God's calling to start the Little Candles nursery and kindergarten in 2010. They saw the enormous impact of providing excellent education and Christan values to the young children. He realised that it would be a waste if the children had to continue their primary education in a different environment.
After extended prayer sessions and several discussions to finalise the processes and governance issues, we caught God's vision to build and start a primary school. This was unanimously supported by the LCS School Board of Management chaired by Emeritus Prof Lionel Lee. The primary school was completed and dedicated to the glory of God on 20 March 2024 by Bishop Dr Gordon Wong. It was a very successful building project supported by like-minded Christians.
Another major direction resulting from prayer was the amicable decision to leave the Pelican group in building a Methodist school at the potential site allocated in Dili, Timor-Leste. After waiting seven years, the Lord revealed his grand plan and impressed on us to look for an alternative site to lease for building our own school. The process was meticulously executed with the marvellous support of our Methodist churches and the community. St Paul Methodist School would not have gotten off the ground if not for our persistent prayers and God's instruction to take a bold and courageous decision to strike out on our own.
There were also instances when God answered the prayers of our missionaries and their families when they encountered various challenges and calamities. Pastor Daniel's eldest daughter had to undergo two operations in Thailand and Singapore to address her brain seizures over two years. Our missionary in TimorLeste, Joseph Mannar, escaped serious injury when the vehicle he was driving had a head-on collision on the way from Dili to Gleno, Ermera District.
Through prayer, God's spiritual covering and protection are constantly manifested for those who serve and love him, and we have seen this for ourselves in MMS.
"I wanted to jump off
the highest building in Singapore …"
The mental health toll of caregiving
Mdm Sun Chun Yan was just 37 years old when she stepped into the role of fulltime caregiver to her husband, Mr Sim Chek Kwang, after a stroke left him paralysed on his right side.
"My husband was a dental surgeon then. He collapsed in the middle of performing a procedure," Mdm Sun, now 54, recalled. "The stroke was so severe that surgery wasn't an option, and the doctors told me to prepare for his funeral."
Following the stroke, Mr Sim was bedbound and dependent on a feeding tube. "I prayed, 'Jesus, if you give him life, let him enjoy food again," Mdm Sun said. "After 40 days, he could eat porridge, and after 70 days, he was discharged. A hundred days later, he stood and began walking with a stick. But he hasn't spoken since."
"I couldn't see God"
That was back in 2007—six years after the couple had tied the knot. They first met in 1999 while they were doing missionary work overseas.
The tragedy dramatically changed their lives. Mdm Sun found herself now having to assist her husband with daily living activities and cope with his emotional outbursts and tantrums.
"I asked God to either heal my husband or take him away," she recalled. "But God reminded me that my role is to love and honour my husband, and his grace would sustain me."
Faith and resilience have carried Mdm Sun through 17 years of caregiving, especially after her husband's second stroke in 2022.
Mdm Sun
Chun Yan and Mr Sim Chek Kwang in their home
However, when her husband, now 73, suffered a fall earlier this year that hastened his physical decline, the weight of caregiving finally became too much for her to bear alone.
Sinking into deep depression, Mdm Sun confided in her social worker, "I want to jump off the highest building in Singapore." Months passed with her confined to bed, crying for hours each day, utterly drained and overwhelmed by hopelessness.
"It was the lowest point of my life," Mdm Sun recalled. "I felt I'd lost my faith and couldn't see God. I'd always been mentally resilient— with no job and income, even when I had to go hungry, God was my 'light'. But this time, that 'light' went out."
"I saw God's love"
It was then that Mdm Sun confided in a close friend from her church, Covenant Community Methodist Church (CCMC), and a staff member from Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) learnt about her situation.
On the MWS staff's advice, Mdm Sun obtained a polyclinic referral for Mr Sim, leading to his enrolment with MWS Home Care & Home Hospice (HCHH).
Over six months, a multi-disciplinary team provided subsidised home medical and nursing care to manage Mr Sim's
chronic conditions, easing Mdm Sun's caregiving and financial burdens. The medical team stabilised his health, while a physiotherapist helped him regain balance and walking confidence.
MWS medical social worker Yeo Chee Wei also supported Mdm Sun in managing the emotional challenges of caregiving, helping her build effective coping strategies.
"The first time I met Chee Wei, I broke down and cried for three hours. My deepest pain was feeling unseen, but Chee Wei and the MWS team understood my suffering—that alone was healing," Mdm Sun shared.
"Through our sessions, I learnt to selfreflect, recognise unhealthy thoughts that contradicted my faith and adopt healthier thinking patterns. I learnt to trust in God more deeply. They supported me with prayer when I asked, which was a source of great comfort."
The MWS HCHH team also collaborated with the CCMC pastoral staff to provide regular visits and prayer support for the couple.
"During the darkest moment of my life, I saw a glimmer of light and hope through MWS," shared a visibly grateful Mdm Sun. "In the MWS team, I saw God's love when I was broken and weary. I felt like a shattered cup, and they gently pieced me back together."
"Adversity is a gift"
With his medical conditions stabilised and mobility improved, Mr Sim has been discharged from MWS HCHH. Now, with a quadstick and a helper's support, he can walk short distances, attend church and enjoy outings.
Mdm Sun has emerged from caregiver burnout with a renewed commitment to both self-care and caring for her husband. "I take it day by day," she shared. "As Romans 8:28 says, all things work together for good for those who
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love God. Whatever my situation, I know it's for my good. I now feel more prepared to face future challenges, having learnt to prioritise self-care."
Despite financial hardships, Mdm Sun has turned down well-paying job offers to stay by her husband's side. "This marriage is a gift from God, and caring for my husband is my mission," she said. "What he truly needs is love and companionship."
This commitment has meant a frugal life for Mdm Sun, who describes it as "an arduous, tear-streaked journey of trusting God for our finances".
Shine the light of Jesus on those in need
Caregivers like Mdm Sun often endure immense, prolonged stress that takes a toll on their mental and physical well-being. At MWS, we believe supporting our beneficiaries means also caring for their caregivers— attending to their emotional, spiritual and financial needs. Partner with us to bring the unshakeable hope of Christ to those who feel there is no light at the end of the tunnel.
To learn more about our work, visit www.mws.sg , or scan the QR Code to donate.
Yet, she has found beauty in adversity, witnessing God's hand in the kindness of friends and strangers. She recalled a moment in August last year when, with an empty fridge and no food, she prayed and fasted. Days later, a stranger at church handed her a red envelope with a fourfigure sum, saying, "God asked me to give this to you." She hadn't shared her situation with anyone. She brought the envelope home, gave it to her husband and they cried in gratitude.
"Adversity is a gift," Mdm Sun reflected. "Each struggle has brought blessings and provisions from God, teaching me that even in hardship, there is beauty."
IF YOU NEED MENTAL OR EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, REACH OUT VIA THESE HELPLINES, ONLINE SERVICES OR SUPPORT CENTRES
MENTAL WELL-BEING
Samaritans of Singapore (SOS): 1767
SOS CareText: 9151 1767 (via WhatsApp)
Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800 283 7019 Institute of Mental Health (IMH): 6389 2222
CHAT by IMH (for ages 16 to 30): 6493 6500 / 6493 6501
Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386 1928
SUPPORT FOR SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL ISSUES
Family Service Centres (FSCs): You can locate your nearest FSC by entering your postal code on this website: www.msf.gov.sg/our-services/directories
FAMILY COUNSELLING AND MARRIAGE/DIVORCE SUPPORT
Online Counselling on Family Assist: https://familyassist.msf.gov.sg/content/resources/ programmes/online-counselling/
Strengthening Families Programme@Family Service Centre (FAM@FSC): You can locate your nearest FAM@FSC by entering your postal code on this website: www.msf.gov.sg/our-services/directories
For emergency assistance or medical services, please contact Emergency Medical Services at 995
Mdm Sun reads the Bible to her husband daily
Rev Joey Chen is currently pastoring at Paya Lebar Methodist Church, and oversees the Family Life, Youth and Young Adult ministries. Prior to pastoring, Rev Joey had stints in the public and private sectors doing communications work. She is married to Andrew, whom she met in seminary.
Benny Bong has over 40 years of experience as a therapist, clinical supervisor and trainer. He also conducts regular talks and webinars. Benny has helmed MM’s You & Your Family column for more than 18 years and is a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church.
Sue-Lynn Teo is a registered psychologist with the Singapore Psychological Society and is trained in Educational and Developmental Psychology. She specialises in assessments and therapy work with children who have learning, behavioural or special needs. She worships at Toa Payoh Methodist Church with her family.
Need advice? Scan the QR code or visit https://www.methodist.org.sg/mm-atthe-well/ to submit your question. Due to space constraints and repetition of topics, we may not be able to feature all questions submitted.
At The Workplace
Double standards of WFO/WFH implementation
I'm one of 12 heads of department (HODs) in a 200-staff organisation. We have a hybrid arrangement and work from home two days per week. However, there are teams not following this corporate rule and which come to the office once or twice a week. The HODs have agreed to enforce this rule but only half are doing so. Meanwhile, the rule abiders are demoralised by the double standards and management's ineffectiveness. In fact, one of the bosses seems to be condoning the flouting of rules. The senior management is aware but nothing's been done. I feel conflicted as a believer because I want to show integrity, strong work ethics and values, but I can't help but identify with the unfairness. What should I do? Conflicted
Joey says
Dear Conflicted,
You may wish to speak with the department responsible for enforcing this arrangement (I'm assuming it's not yours) and let them know how this is affecting staff morale on the ground. What they do with that information is their responsibility. This is something that will have to be tackled at a leadership level and is outside your domain.
As an HOD, your task is to manage the people in your department to comply with the corporate rule and to motivate and lead the people under your charge. This, I believe, is how you show integrity, strong work ethics and values as a Christian. As the one overseeing your department, you can build a culture of agape love within the team, where there is trust, transparency and mutual support in the common pursuit of excellence. Put people first: care for your staff, nurture their growth, and help them to be the best they can be. If you do your job well and manage your department and your people well, it will be a good testimony to the rest of the organisation.
Family Too close for comfort
My 12-year-old son is very close to me. As his mother, I love him but I do not like the way he clings to me sometimes. Some days when he wants my attention, he grabs my arm and pulls me towards him. As he is getting bigger, I feel tired trying to resist the force of his movements. When he is chastised for disobeying instructions for instance, instead of rectifying his behaviour, he asks me to hug him first. It feels like he's trying to evade or delay punishment and sometimes I tell him to do what he has to do before coming for a hug. This makes him upset and he has told me before that he feels hurt when I refuse to hug him. I am tired from the physical and emotional demands even though I love him. What can I do to make him understand that I would like some personal space without making him feel rejected?
Drained
Sue-Lynn says
Dear Drained,
Firstly, explain to your son that as he gets older, there are some reasons why he might not be able to hug you whenever he wants. Assure him that you still love him very much and love can be expressed in many ways. Consider completing the "5 Love Languages of Children" quiz (https://5lovelanguages. com/quizzes/love-language) to identify his love language. Aside from physical touch, there is quality time, words of affirmation, acts of service and gifts.
There are other types of physical affection he may enjoy as well (e.g. sitting next to
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For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38–39
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you, pats on the back, high-fives, side hugs, hand-shake routines). You could also set aside specific "hug times" at home. Show him an alternative way to get your attention (instead of pulling you) like tapping your arm or asking for you. You may have to hold back your hugs until he gets into the habit of using these alternative ways of getting your attention.
Secondly, explain that while you understand that he wants to be comforted by hugs when he is scolded, the hugs can only happen after he understands what he did wrong and deals with the consequences. Explain that you are not rejecting him when you're not hugging him but are teaching him to understand that there are acceptable and unacceptable behaviours. Thirdly, explain the concept of personal space (i.e. the amount of space one needs around them to feel comfortable) and help him to distinguish between actions that respect and do not respect one's personal space.
Marriage
My wife does not want more children, but I do
My wife and I have a three-year-old son. I was hoping to have another child so that my son may have a companion and someone to share his burdens with, especially when we are in our old age. However, my wife is not keen on it due to various reasons. I am concerned that by the time she might be ready to have a second child, it would be too late as we are both in our late 30s. What should I do in this situation? How should I adjust my thinking to accept that we would only have one child?
Concerned Dad
Benny says Dear Concerned Dad,
The topic of becoming a parent can be one of the more challenging issues a couple faces. There are some couples who choose not to have children, while others may want children but are unable to. The latter may lead to considering whether to start a family by adoption or to have one with medical assistance. For those who can have children on their own, there is the question of how many and when.
The concern of an only child having to face the future alone once both his parents have passed is a growing one. But this concern assumes that siblings will be close and capable enough to care for each other. Communities today and in the future are relying more on care networks that extend far beyond the immediate family members. And what our society will be like in thirty years is beyond our imagination.
What are your wife's reasons for her decision not to have more children? It is good to determine if they amount to a "firm no", "never" or under the present circumstances, "not now". I understand that time and procreation wait for no man or woman (to appropriate a saying). But a rushed or long-term commitment entered into reluctantly is ill-advised.
In the meantime, enjoy the gift of your present child. Who knows, it may be an experience one wants to repeat again and again!
You and Your Family
Benny Bong has over 40 years of experience as a therapist, clinical supervisor and trainer. He also conducts regular talks and webinars.
Benny has helmed the You & Your Family column for more than 18 years and is a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church.
Mind your neighbours
An elderly Chinese lady, whom we shall call Sally, contacted the social service agency she frequented for exercise classes to report a concern. Sally said that she had not seen her neighbour—a single, Indian lady a few years younger—for a few days and efforts to call on her went unanswered.
Having been neighbours for a few years, Sally enjoyed a cordial relationship with Mdm Mani. Three years earlier, the latter was divorced by her husband, who left the home with their two sons. After that, she withdrew and would pull her curtains shut.
Accompanied by social workers, Sally went to Mdm Mani's flat. After some persistent knocking, she opened the door. She appeared somewhat frail and confused. They later learnt that most of her days and nights were spent lying on the sofa in the darkened living room. In the early days after her divorce, she would occasionally go out to buy groceries and cooked food. These forays out of the flat became increasingly infrequent as she lost her energy and appetite.
The same social service agency had another case where a woman in her thirties approached it for support for an elderly couple. The couple had lost their only child six months before and the mother's grief was overwhelming. She had previously managed a small convenience stall in the market, but two months into their loss, the couple closed it as she was unable to attend to customers. Her husband became her main caregiver but he too had health issues which made standing and walking difficult.
The younger woman, the grieving mother's niece, would look in on her aunt and uncle as often as she could after work. Having to juggle care for the elderly couple and her own family with two young children, it was clear that in spite of her valiant efforts, she could not continue doing it on her own indefinitely.
These two cases are, unfortunately, not isolated ones. Over the years that I have worked with this agency, more and more seem to be uncovered. Even as Singapore has made significant strides in providing the basics for its population, there remain pockets of need.
Is it, can it be or even should it be the government's responsibility to care for each and every one of its citizens? I do not think so. This is because care at a personal level cannot be solely a public policy issue.
The government can ensure that affordable health care is available to all and that a basic structure of amenities is accessible for the frail or infirm. It may even establish outreach programmes to contact those who may be isolated and shut in. But all these brick-and-mortar efforts must run in tandem with human beings reaching out to fellow human beings.
We all need and long for human connection. In the past, families and closely-knit communities provided this connection. Today, as families shrink and many are trying hard to make a living, there is little time or energy to build meaningful connections. Family visits to elderly parents are limited to dropping off and picking up the grandchildren or to occasional visits during festive periods.
To complicate this is the stoic attitude of some elderly who feel that their own needs are not to be voiced lest they inconvenience others. Reinforcing this self-imposed silence may be the sense that they are no longer able to contribute and are therefore only a burden and a drain on resources.
I want to add a quick word here that the need for meaningful connection is also felt by those who may be hale and hearty and blessed with sufficient resources. Money may give us greater autonomy and enable us to buy services but it cannot purchase care and compassion.
The two cases provide some reasons to be hopeful. As our immediate families shrink in size, the wider family network may be called upon to play a role.
Informal and formal community carers may also take on a bigger and bigger part in the care of individuals. This may mean neighbours breaking free from the idea that minding your own business is a way of being respectful and neighbourly. It is heartening that formal communitybased helping services have begun attending to residents' emotional and mental health needs as much as their needs for physical sustenance.
Finally, I am reminded of our Lord being asked a deep theological question: "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" The ensuing discourse entrenches the imperative to love and care for our neighbour, which includes anyone we know is in need (Luke 10:25-37). Only then can our faith be seen as genuine in expressing God's love.
As our immediate families shrink in size, the wider family network may be called upon to play a role. Informal and formal community carers may also take on a bigger and bigger part in the care of individuals. This may mean neighbours breaking free from the idea that minding your own business is a way of being respectful and neighbourly.
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Sakuntala Jackson serves as ETAC's WSCS President and WSCS Social Concerns Coordinator at Pasir Panjang Tamil Methodist Church. / Photo courtesy of Sakuntala Jackson
The phone call that saved me
Trigger warning: Suicide ideation is mentioned.
I was born and raised in a Hindu family. As a teen in the 1980s, I had no knowledge about Christ nor did I have any Christian friends. I even told my mother that I would never marry a Christian, but God had different plans for me.
I married a Christian and started going to church weekly, but nothing changed in me. I was not paying attention to the worship or the Word. There were days I dragged myself to church. When my daughter was young, I had to care for my sick mother who was living with me. It was too much to bear, and I thought of ending my life together with my daughter who was just three years old. At that moment, I received a phone call from my aunt.
"Just be patient for a while, everything will be fine. Don’t make any hasty decisions," she said. I knew then it was Jesus speaking to me through her—he rescued me and my child. Instantly I broke down and cried uncontrollably.
That was the turning point in my life. I started going to church with my family, with a sincere heart. My church elder Mrs Puspa Stephen shared the gospel and led me to Christ. She encouraged me to serve the Lord wholeheartedly. I started my ministry in Pasir Panjang Tamil Methodist Church with the WSCS. I came as a visitor, joined as a member and was groomed by my church to be a servant leader.
Sakuntala Jackson (first from right) with her husband, D Jackson CS and daughter Charlotte Abigail
Kopi kakis by Lau Peng Leong, Yen Tun I and Zachary Yong
From choral concerts to Christmas villages, check out our list of events held by Methodist churches and agencies this month and make plans to visit with your friends and family!
Scan the QR code or visit https://www.methodist.org. sg/methodist-message/ christmas-2024
Check back often as the list may be updated.
wishes all readers a blessed Christmas!