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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Medical team comprising Charis Methodist Church and other Methodist churchgoers bring medical and spiritual aid to the slums in Manila City and Navotas City
She deals with death daily while serving grieving families
Methodist Social Principles: The Bible doesn't talk about tech and AI, so what should we do?
Soundings: AI and the future of work
– what we choose to remember and what we try to forget
Faithfulness at the workplace
She said to her mistress, "Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy." So Naaman went in and told his lord, "Thus and so spoke the girl from the land of Israel."
2 Kings 5:3-4
We don't even know her name, but I'm sure God does.
And God has put her story of faithfulness in the Bible as an example for us to consider how we too might be faithful witnesses of God's love in our places of work. Do we sometimes find ourselves in departments or work situations that we would much rather not have been assigned to? This little girl almost certainly would have preferred to be assigned elsewhere. She was taken away (perhaps even kidnapped) by Syrian soldiers who had invaded her country and home in Israel (2 Kings 5:2). She was made to serve the wife of the commander of the Syrian army that had successfully invaded and plundered Israel.
In what way might she show her devotion and faithfulness to her own God and country? Perhaps she would do it by plotting to contaminate or poison the morning tea of her mistress, or by courageously refusing to lift a finger to serve the Syrian commander who orchestrated the attack against her own people. This would probably lead to her being flogged and consigned to a dark dungeon, but at least her defiance would have made clear where her loyalties lay.
But no, this is not how she demonstrates faithfulness to God and God's people. We see her, instead, offering a prayer and a wish that her captor, the Syrian commander, would seek help from Israel's prophet for his ailment, some form of skin disease. This little
girl, somehow, by her conduct and character, has forged a positive relationship with her boss, positive enough that she felt able to suggest a recommendation to her mistress (2 Kings 5:3). The positive relationship must have been mutual because her mistress does not dismiss the suggestion as senseless or sinister. She raises the little girl's proposal to her husband who also considers it.
To cut the scriptural story short, this girl's faithfulness in a far from ideal work situation played a most significant part in the process by which Naaman, the Syrian commander, came to place his faith in the God whom this little girl worshipped and trusted in. "Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel" (2 Kings 5:15 NIV).
May the faithfulness by which we do our work and build positive relationships with our colleagues and commanders play a positive part in the way people come to trust in the God whom we love, the same God who loves Israelites, Syrians and every nation on earth.
ACS (International)
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)
Mr Christopher Hayward
Vice-Principal
For more information, please contact Joseph Ng or Serene Lim at +65 6472 1477 or admissions@acsinternational.edu.sg
Building Through Belief, this school of choice provides
• Exceptional examination results, 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 200 formal student leadership positions
• Scholarships for four Singaporeans to undertake the IBDP
Achievements include
• Students with perfect score of 45 points in IBDP
• 23 “Top in the World” awards in IGCSE examinations over each of the past twelve 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 GCE ‘O’ Level students obtaining outstanding value-added examination results for the IBDP and improved pathways to good universities
• Successes at national level in Athletics, Touch Rugby, Debating, Orchestra, Volleyball, Taekwondo, Ice Hockey, Fencing, Swimming, Artistic Swimming, Rhythmic Gymnastics and Wushu.
Senior Leadership Team
Mr Gavin Kinch Principal Mrs Tan Siew Hoon Vice-Principal
Dr Kristopher Achter Vice-Principal
Created to be good, to do good
Annual formal portrait of clergy and MCS leadership taken at AldersgateSG 2024
The roots of Methodism can be traced to John Wesley, after his heart was strangely warmed on Aldersgate Street in London on 24 May 1738. We are reminded of God's faithfulness to The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) through our annual Aldersgate celebrations, and how the three Annual Conferences are united as one Church to be a beacon of God's light in our society. This year, we visited the topics of whether the end of Methodism is imminent, and how we can love God by doing good to our neighbours.
The end of Methodism?
The AldersgateSG 2024 celebrations began on 23 May with a lecture about "The end of Methodism?", with an attendance of approximately 200 people who braved the rain to come down to Faith Methodist Church, along with another 1,300 views via livestream. The speaker, Rev Dr Chiang
Ming Shun, a lecturer in Church History at Trinity Theological College and an ordained minister with the Trinity Annual Conference, began the lecture by sharing how MCS is historically affiliated with the United Methodist Church (UMC). He mentioned how missionaries such as James Thoburn, Sophia Blackmore and Benjamin West introduced Methodism to Singapore, though MCS eventually separated from the UMC and has its own Book of Discipline.
Rev Dr Chiang then analysed the health of the Methodist Churches in America and Britain. In America, he commented how Methodism is waning due to the increasing age of and lack of diversity among its congregants, and with schisms within the Church. Likewise in Britain, he cited how the Church has been losing 10,000 members a year and had just 136,000 members in 2022.
Elliot Soh is a Sub-editor of the Methodist Message He worships at Barker Road Methodist Church. / Photos courtesy of Dominique Wang and Daniel Lie
He attributed this decrease to an ageing population, a lack of focus on missions and evangelism and an absence of strong visionary leadership. Finally, he compared the state of these Churches to the Church in Singapore. He commented how there seems to be increasing porosity of congregants moving between the Methodist churches and other denominations.
"I think what may end us is our people not knowing what Methodism is all about. How can we be Methodists if people don't know what Methodism is?" said Rev Dr Chiang.
To this end, Rev Chiang referenced The Character of a Methodist written by John Wesley. He listed three characteristics of Methodists that Wesley highlighted— that we do not assent to any specific set of notions or pay heed to opinions that do not strike at the roots of Christianity, that we are not attached to any mode of speaking or expression and that we always rejoice in the Lord. Rev Dr Chiang concluded that Methodists do not need to labour to distinguish themselves from other denominations. Rather, he argued that Methodists should simply aspire to be the best Christians they could be. Therefore, the desired "end of Methodism" would be when there is "no more need for distinctions
among denominations", once Jesus comes again to unite the Body of Christ.
The Q&A session brought many insightful questions from the floor. One notable question asked how MCS could avoid following in the footsteps of the UMC in terms of losing members. In response, Rev Dr Chiang said that it is vital to know the Bible as we will lose our bearings if we are not grounded in Scripture. Another question was whether it is helpful to focus on denominational affiliation, which could appear to be competitive rather than collaborative, in the pursuit of holiness. Rev Dr Chiang reaffirmed what he shared in his lecture—that it is not necessary to harp on differences. Instead, it is more crucial to focus on what unites Christians, and not what divides us, since our differences are miniscule compared to our similarities. Yet another question was if Methodism should stop being taught or preached, even to the extent that Aldersgate should stop being commemorated. Rev Dr Chiang stood by his belief that it was more important to strive to be the best Christian we can be. The session concluded with a call to action to spur one another on in our faith, equipping ourselves through learning and applying the Methodist Social Principles.
(above left) Presidents of the Annual Conferences and Bishop (above right) Rev Dr Chiang Ming Shun (right) was the speaker at Aldersgate Lecture while Rev Isaac Tan (left) hosted the event
(above left)
Bishop Dr Wong ended his sermon with a song (above right) Congregation at AldersgateSG 2024 Celebration Service
Loving God by doing good to our neighbours
The next day, congregants from the three Annual Conferences packed the sanctuary for the AldersgateSG 2024 Celebration Service which commenced with a triumphant procession of banners into the sanctuary to the hymn "O For a Thousand Tongues", as the congregation praised God. The service continued with music by the Methodist Festival Choir and the Methodist Festival Orchestra as the congregation joined in lustily.
Bishop Dr Gordon Wong shared this year's message in a unique manner—using a conversation between an owl and a lion to explore what it means to love God by doing good to our neighbours. In answer to the question of what the meaning of life is, he shared how Ephesians 2:10 says that we can find such meaning from God's purpose for us—that he created us for good works to share with our neighbours as part of the Great Commission.
Bishop Dr Wong took care to point out that doing good works is not a means to salvation since no one can be saved by doing good works alone. Instead, it is through faith and by the grace of God that we have been saved, with good works being the fruit of our faith.
He further elaborated that when we do good to our neighbours, we are also doing good to ourselves by fulfilling the purpose which God created us for. He shared the example of Wendy, a resident of MWS Bethany Nursing Home, who found joy in making paper flowers for the staff and residents of the Home despite suffering from Parkinson's disease and a degenerative spinal condition which paralysed her legs and an arm.1 To conclude his message, Bishop Dr Wong reminded the congregation of John Wesley's summary of the Great Commission—to "[d]o all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, ... to all the people you can, as long as you ever can."
Following the Bishop's message, the President of the Chinese Annual Conference, Rev Dr Gregory Goh, led the congregation in the covenant renewal as we ratified our commitment to deny ourselves, take our crosses and follow Jesus. The service concluded with a benediction from each of the Annual Conference Presidents and the Bishop, as the latter encouraged the congregation to say to one another, "Tzetchem l'shalom" ("Go in peace").
1 To know more about the story of about Wendy, you can refer to MWS' Uncommon Voices newsletter: https://mws.sg/uncommon-voices/ living-life-in-full-bloom/
Huang Yifang is a member of Charis Methodist Church. / Photos courtesy of Isaac
Medical team comprising Charis Methodist Church and other Methodist churchgoers bring medical and spiritual aid to the slums in Manila City and Navotas City
From 22-26 May 2024, Charis Methodist Church (CMC) and Cru Singapore organised a medical mission trip to the Philippines. The mission team, comprising 23 members from various churches including Wesley Methodist Church and Barker Road Methodist Church, went to slums in Manila City and Navotas City, united in a shared mission of service and compassion.
The trip is part of a series of medical missions to the Philippines over the past few years: CMC member Isaac Goh, 48, found out through a friend, Joseph Yang, about the local communities' needs. He was subsequently introduced to a pastor from the Vision Help International Care Foundation (VHICF) who was recruiting medical professionals from Singapore to bring care to impoverished areas in the Philippines. "I was shocked to learn that many children in the Philippines were abandoned by their parents and left on the streets or sold
into the sex trade. With no access to medical services, many are left helpless with health conditions that contribute significantly to the high mortality rate among marginalised Filipinos, especially children," said Isaac, who is now the Missions Chairperson at CMC.
Goh
(top left)
Dr Foo Chek Siang conducting a surgical procedure (top right)
Some of the mission trippers who provided health education pictured here with the children they served
(left)
Isaac Goh with two patients
Spurred to action, Isaac contacted Belinda Goh, 66, a Cru Singapore missionary and CMC member, who was instrumental in forming a medical team. Together, they led mission trips to the Philippines in April and November 2019, and November 2023.
During the most recent trip in May, the team distributed water filters in the Tondo slum in Manila City and set up a two-day medical clinic in Navotas City. The clinic featured multiple stations offering medical consultations, dental care, surgical procedures, circumcisions, pain management, prescriptions for glasses, health education and prayer.
At the health education station, team members provided valuable lessons on healthy eating and oral hygiene, distributing toothbrushes and toothpaste to the community. "The residents live in severe poverty and have limited access to basic medical care. A simple pair of glasses costing $2 can drastically improve someone's life, enabling them to see clearly and secure employment," said Isaac.
The team provided care to approximately 1,040 patients and attended to 30 children at the orphanage run by VHICF, a charity focused on fighting human trafficking, exploitation and abuse in the Philippines.
Apart from providing medical aid, the team also shared the gospel. Prayer stations became sanctuaries where patients shared their life stories and challenges. Many of them, moved by the compassion and support they received, also gave their lives to Christ, finding spiritual healing alongside their physical care.
"After being prescribed with her reading glasses from our eye clinic, an elderly lady was very happy she could read the gospel tract. Slowly, she shared about the tragic loss of her family members during Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013. My co-counsellor, Ann, and the lady were both from Leyte Island, which had been badly hit by the typhoon. God had divinely arranged for Ann to counsel her," said Belinda, who co-led the missions team.
The mission trip was a test of faith and perseverance. The team faced the daunting task of packing over ten large bags filled with health supplements, gifts and glasses. The arduous road trip in a rugged van was a physical challenge, with some team members battling motion sickness along the way. Yet, the team's spirits remained unbroken in the face of physical discomfort. The team's joy and dedication shone brightly through it all as a testament to their unwavering commitment to serving others.
(right, top)
A mission tripper, Yong En (with mask), prescribing glasses (right, bottom)
Dr Ng Ting Wei providing medical consultation
Medical team comprising Charis Methodist Church and other Methodist churchgoers bring medical and spiritual aid to the slums in Manila City and Navotas City
Hear from the MISSION TRIPPERS!
"We met impoverished souls that hunger and thirst for God, whose lives have been deeply transformed by the gospel upon encountering the love shown by Christ's disciples."
Dr Tag Wan Yi
Medical doctor Charis Methodist Church
"A mother of nine children needed an eye check. During the consultation, I noticed a 5 cm suture mark on the posterior region of her left forearm. She revealed that she had been stabbed by her husband and dismissed it with a smile. We prayed for her and she started to sob uncontrollably. She shared that she did not feel peace and love at home but felt loved at the medical clinic. It must be the love of God that moved her!"
Lim Ling Li
Served at eye screening station
Charis Methodist Church
"My first mission trip was in 1999 as a junior Medical Officer and I heard the calling again last year. The call was truly irresistible, especially with the opportunity to provide surgical services. I'm drawn to a longer term commitment to return."
Dr Foo Chek Siang
Surgeon Wesley Methodist Church
"We are gifted different talents by God and called to use them for his kingdom and not be slothful and afraid, as the Parable of the Talents teaches us (Matt 25:14-30). Being a dentist, I am thankful for the opportunity to use my talents to serve in multiple medical/dental mission trips over the years. This trip was no different and it will not be my last."
Dr Neil Tan
Dentist Barker Road Methodist Church
Dr Tag Wan Yi providing medical consultation
"I went prepared to provide health education and share the gospel with the children and their parents, hoping to touch lives and help the community. However, God opened my eyes to experience his greater work and witness his providence. Through the service of other co-labourers from different nationalities, I saw humility, unity and leadership. They worked tirelessly behind the scenes—wiping down every chair, setting up the clinic and assisting us at our stations."
Joy Goh Homemaker Charis Methodist Church
NavotasCity
"My biggest takeaway is that we can serve beyond our gifts even with limited resources. A simple prayer can be more powerful than actions because our best human efforts are nowhere close to what God can do. I really enjoyed seeing the kids sing and dance to worship God even if they may not fully appreciate the lyrics. It was a joy to watch them and sing along."
Dr
Ng Ting
Wei Medical doctor Charis Methodist Church
"At the health education station, the children shared their greatest fear: losing their parents and dying young. We shared our testimonies, led Christian songs and presented the gospel using coloured beads. Many of the young boys raised their hands, showing they wanted to believe in Jesus. I am thankful that I could witness this wonderful sight."
Percy Low Social services practitioner Charis Methodist Church
(top)
Group photo of medical mission trippers (left)
Belinda Goh (centre) at the prayer station
WORKPLACE INCLUSIVITY:
Voices from the field
Workplace inclusivity for persons with disabilities (PWDs) has made some strides in Singapore, though there is still a long way to go. Koinonia Inclusion Network (KIN) interviewed three differently abled Christians, all working and thriving in their respective vocations. They share about their workplaces and how their faith has guided them.
Alister Ong , in his 30s, was born with cerebral palsy due to oxygen deprivation at birth, impairing his hands and legs. Despite his challenges, Alister is active and mobile, often seen attending meetings and events in a motorised wheelchair. He serves as the Vice-Chairperson of the Purple Parade and is a recipient of the Goh Chok Tong Enable Awards. Currently, Alister is the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Client Solutions Lead at Michael Page (a professional recruitment consultancy). He also serves as Deputy Chairman of KIN and as a missions ministry leader at City Harvest Church.
Joanne Toi, in her late 20s, has worked as a packer at a floral retail company since graduating from an APSN school. Born with Down Syndrome and enlarged tonsils that initially muffled her speech, Joanne has overcome these challenges with extensive training from her mother, Mrs Felicia Toi. She excelled in swimming, earning gold and silver medals at the Special Olympics at age 12. Currently, she trains with the Special Olympics badminton team. Joanne and her family worship at Wesley Methodist Church. Joanne and Felicia both contributed to this interview.
Teresa Ng , in her 50s, has worked for eight years as a guide and facilitator at a social enterprise and has been a consultant with KIN for two years. Diagnosed with optic atrophy at age 10, an eye condition that degenerates the optic nerves, Teresa has dedicated her life to raising awareness about her condition and advocating for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in church. She is an active member of Covenant Presbyterian Church.
Photos courtesy of Alister Ong, Felicia Toi and Teresa Ng
Share your journey of how you landed at your current company and role.
Alister:
My career began at Singtel, where I greatly appreciated their efforts to make the workplace accessible. They not only widened the entry gate for my wheelchair but also automated the doors on my floor and adapted the card access readers to sense the RFID tag I wear, which allows me to move around effortlessly.
As my career progressed, I aimed to have a more direct impact on individuals with disabilities. This opportunity arose at Michael Page when they were looking to form a new team led by then-global CEO Steve Ingham, who, after becoming a permanent wheelchair user due to a nearfatal accident, was deeply committed to advancing equal opportunities for people with disabilities.
Currently, I lead this team, focusing on securing suitable job placements for candidates with disabilities. We support both the new hires and their employers postplacement, ensuring a seamless transition and integration into their new roles.
Felicia (Joanne's words in italics): APSN Delta offered Joanne two routes to learn from—hospitality and horticulture. The hospitality work environment was not suitable for her. When Joanne graduated, MINDS helped to secure her employment at a local flora and horticulture company.
I just want horticulture only. I'm the only packer. I pack fertilisers and pebbles.
Presently, Joanne manages the packing of bulk items. Her responsibilities also include arranging potted plants, cleaning flowerpots and maintaining their cleanliness. On weekends, she assists in the retail section, helping customers as needed.
Teresa:
I started my career as a full-time tutor, a role I held for over 20 years. I made a career switch and joined a media company as a media representative, a role which required extensive travel to manage exhibitions overseas. Since my two boys were young at the time, I resigned after a year.
As my children grew older, I re-entered the job market. Remarkably, opportunities quickly emerged. The first position I secured was with my current organisation, which I discovered by calling the Singapore Association for the Visually Handicapped hotline. Later, I began part-time work as a sensory panellist for a perfumery, and a few years after, an opportunity at KIN also presented itself.
I didn't face too many challenges during my job search, likely because I have a clear understanding of what I want and my capabilities, particularly in roles that involve teaching and facilitating.
What
kind of challenges do you face daily in your work? How do you overcome them?
Alister:
A significant challenge in my work is managing the unconscious bias of colleagues. People often don't realise they harbour these biases, and in our Asian context, colleagues may not openly ask about their doubts. For example, some wonder why I have a room for calls— because I use the hands-free speaker mode as it's hard for me to hold a phone to my ears. Or why I wear shorts instead of formal pants—simply because they make restroom visits easier for me.
Being open, real and vulnerable helps others understand my context better, which may encourage them to show greater empathy and compassion.
Felicia:
Joanne has challenges with understanding instructions. When she doesn't understand, she does the job wrongly. This causes time and resources to be wasted as repacking is required. I often advise her to repeat instructions back to her supervisors to ensure she's understood correctly. When assigned new tasks, Joanne requires more time to learn the procedures. I often help by breaking down the steps, enabling her to perform better.
Teresa:
One of my biggest challenges is the use of technology. Preparing and presenting PowerPoint slides are particularly difficult. Thankfully, my colleagues at KIN assist with the slides, allowing me to focus on speaking and imparting knowledge during workshops.
In another organisation that I work in, many of them are fully blind, while I am partially blind. Because of this, I sometimes receive less support. More attention naturally goes to those with no sight. However this results in a higher risk of falls, which happened to me recently, as I lacked a shoulder to lean on when walking. Communicating about each other's needs can help to avoid such mishaps from happening unnecessarily, creating a safer workplace for everyone.
What key beliefs and promises guide your life, and how have they shaped your perspective towards work?
Alister :
The Bible verse Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV), "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." I remembered thinking, "God, is there even a future and hope for someone like me?" Yes, there is! He has been faithful to remind me of this time and again.
Psalm 139:14 is another; we are "fearfully and wonderfully made" . According to the world's perspective, how am I wonderfully made? But I know that I am created in God's image. Therefore, my life is not a mistake. It will not go to waste.
These verses have transformed my perspective from feeling burdensome to becoming a blessing. Instead of just receiving, I can also give. My workplace is my mission field where I use my ability to connect with others, advocate for the voiceless, and bring hope to the hopeless.
Joanne:
Love, joy, peace. The fruit of the spirit. Patience to the customers. Love my family and neighbours.
Teresa:
Years ago, God gave me a vision that strengthens me to this day. I found myself in a farm where there was a cave nearby. Standing next to the cave was Jesus, who was holding a lamp. As I walked towards him, he beckoned me to go into the cave. Although it was pitch dark inside, I took the lamp from him and stepped forward in faith. As I progressed, I saw a small distant light that gradually became a beam, guiding my way. Eventually, I emerged from the cave to find Jesus waiting, and it felt like stepping into a brand new world. I felt great relief.
This vision teaches me about the importance of having faith. Life may have its dark periods, but with faith, I'm reminded that I am never truly alone. Jesus, the light, is always with me. Whenever I feel excluded or isolated, I reassure myself with this truth and find the strength to overcome any challenge.
How has your current company supported you in your growth and work challenges?
Alister:
During my hiring interview at Michael Page, I proposed redesigning some job responsibilities to leverage my strengths. Specifically, I suggested focusing on roles that require convincing, influencing and bringing people together, as my ability to speak effectively utilises the strengths and skillsets God has given me. Thankfully, they agreed and adapted my role. Now, I lead a team with diverse strengths, allowing us to complement each other effectively.
Felicia (Joanne's words in italics):
I'm delighted that Joanne's bosses and colleagues treat her just like any other employee, allowing her to experience real working life. Going to work daily has made her a responsible individual with a sense of purpose.
Because I'm packing manager.
This designation has greatly boosted her self-esteem. She is proud of this role and eagerly looks forward to her workdays, where she can meet and talk with her colleagues.
I enjoy talking to customers. When they ask me something I don't know, I'll ask my supervisors. When I cannot manage my task, I'll ask my staff to help me. They are always willing to lend me a hand.
Joanne affectionately refers to her male colleagues as her staff. They assist her with physically demanding tasks, such as retrieving heavy boxes from shelves and loading them onto lorries.
Teresa:
I am deeply grateful for the training provided by my current organisation, which has significantly enhanced my public speaking, facilitation and storytelling skills.
Working at KIN has also deeply enriched my spiritual growth and theological
understanding of disability. Initially, my grasp of the Bible was quite superficial, but KIN's emphasis on being doctrinally sound in our teaching has pushed me to delve deeper into Scripture. I appreciate the thorough training that helps us understand God's word better and the supportive environment that allows me to explore and clarify my doubts.
What advice would you give to a person with a disability seeking employment or facing challenges at work?
Alister:
Hold fast to God's promises. Whenever we face setbacks at work, we should spend time seeking him and letting his Word renew our minds. With God's strength, we gain the confidence to try again and start anew. He will make a way for us.
As Christians, we are different because we have God within us. We can view challenges as opportunities to develop the fruits of the Spirit. For instance, during job cuts when everyone is stressed and anxious, as children of God, we can embody the peace that surpasses all understanding. This influences how we respond and interact, allowing us to shine for Jesus.
Felicia (Joanne's words in italics): Admit our mistakes.
Joanne has the humility to admit her mistakes even when she does perform her tasks well. She desires to improve herself and feel more confident of her contribution to the company.
Teresa:
Self-awareness is crucial. Understand your capabilities and limitations. For instance, when interviewed by KIN for the role of Consultant, I told them in all honesty, "You can let me run a workshop, but please don't make me do administrative work; I'm only good at talking." Thankfully, they understood
Workplace inclusivity: Voices from the field
my needs and were supportive of me.
Also, never give up on your job search. Continuously upskill yourself by taking courses and learning new things.
Maintaining a willingness to learn ensures your growth. Most importantly, pray for wisdom. Seek advice from a mentor or confide in a close friend to feel supported. Be mindful not to isolate yourself.
How can employers and employees make the workplace a more inclusive one?
Alister:
An inclusive workplace values everyone as individuals, celebrating each person based on their strengths and gifts. Our worth should not be measured by outcomes, intellect, or job grade. It's also crucial to create an environment where meaningful conversations can take place about a
person's needs and context, especially for those with disabilities, while respecting their privacy. This approach minimises assumptions and enhances understanding.
Felicia (Joanne's words in italics): Good friends. Talk to me.
Joanne appreciates when her bosses and colleagues are friendly and take the initiative to engage with her. For workplaces to be inclusive, especially for those with intellectual disabilities, supervisors must demonstrate patience and clear communication.
Teresa:
We should consider the needs of others alongside our own. For instance, while I might ask sighted colleagues to accommodate my needs, it's important to consider theirs as well. Everyone has limitations that others can help address.
Eternal Peace
THE AIR-CONDITIONED COLUMBARIUM GARDEN OF
Open daily: 8am-8pm | Public Holidays: 9am-2pm
• Located next to Commonwealth MRT Station
• 99-year lease commencing from 1964
• Clean and peaceful environment
• Transfer of urns or exhumation can be arranged
OPEN TO ALL CHRISTIANS
Single and double niches are available with the following donations:
REGISTER AT OUR COLUMBARIUM OFFICE
400 Commonwealth Drive Faith Methodist Church Queenstown Chinese Methodist Church (Level 5)
Open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm (Closed on Public Holidays)
Tel : 6479 8122 | HP : 9670 9935 Fax: 6479 6960 Email: gepc400@gmail.com
For booking of niches, please contact the columbarium office to arrange for an appointment.
Wendy Heng is the General Manager of The Garden of Remembrance
Grace Tan is a communications professional and worships at Wesley Methodist Church where she serves in the floral ministry./ Photos courtesy of Wesley Loh, Memphis West Pictures and The Garden of Remembrance
She deals with death daily while serving grieving families
When most people think about memorial sites at Old Choa Chu Kang Road, The Garden of Remembrance (TGOR) is not a place that instantly comes to mind. For those who are not familiar with TGOR, it is a private Christian columbarium established by The Methodist Church in Singapore to help those who have lost their loved ones have a place to honour and remember them, and a resting place to house the cremated remains.
When one steps into TGOR, they will be greeted with a sense of peace that can be felt amidst the luscious greenery and the stone-cobbled brick walls that make up the modern facade of the columbarium. It is common to see General Manager Wendy
Heng and her colleagues walking the grounds to address various matters and helping their clients.
Despite the nature of her job, Wendy exudes warmth and a quiet assurance. One wonders how Wendy came into this line of work which requires her to encounter death and grief constantly.
An unexpected calling to change careers
Wendy had not worked in the bereavement service industry before. In fact, she was a general manager in a relocation company and had always honed her skills in sales and marketing. She spent over 15 years in the relocation services after 12 years in the
She deals with death daily while serving grieving families
"We don't turn non-Christians away. We have families who are of mixed faiths, and it is our belief that pre-believers may not stay pre-believers forever."
- Wendy Heng
hospitality industry. But her career path took a different trajectory after she was baptised in 2012.
"Suddenly, I started facing many obstacles in my job. I was burnt out and stress took a toll on my body. It started to make me question if I should take the plunge and do something different, and I did."
Wendy left the relocation services industry subsequently and after a brief stint of trying her hand at a web portal on relocation services with her husband, she wondered where God was leading.
It was around this time in 2016 that a friend from Ang Mo Kio Methodist Church shared with Wendy about a job opening at TGOR and told her to consider applying for the position. Her friend was persistent and kept encouraging Wendy to send in her application.
"I didn't think much of it initially because my impression of someone who worked in a Christian columbarium was that they were probably very staunch Christians. Although
I was a churchgoer, I'm the last person whom my friends and family would expect to work for the Church."
"My friend shared with me that TGOR was looking for someone who could help them rebrand the Christian columbarium after the renovation, and my experience in sales and event management would be relevant for this role. More importantly, death was not a taboo topic for me—I am not 'pantang' (a word that means superstitious)."
That gave Wendy the first push to send in her resume and eventually, she was offered the job. She started doing her calculations as she knew that the new role would likely be a step back in terms of remuneration. Wendy also started praying to God to ask if this was the next season he had in mind for her.
"When they told me the salary for this job, I knew in my heart that this was God's sign to me because it was the exact number I had calculated and it wasn't even a round number."
One of the four headstones from the former Bidadari cemetery at the foyer of TGOR
A realtor who became a client
Since working at TGOR, Wendy has witnessed many situations where God was present. A particular encounter was etched in Wendy's mind.
Wendy's realtor, a young lady, had helped her sell her previous home before she started her job at TGOR. Some two years later, Wendy received a call from her realtor, who shared the devastating news that her husband, in his 30s, was terminally ill and needed her help in "preplanning", i.e. planning for one's funeral and end of life matters.
Both of them were first-generation Christians in their respective families, and Wendy recalled that after her realtor's husband passed away, her in-laws came to the columbarium. It was her husband's wish for his family to accept Christ. "Her father-in-law, a non-believer, had his arms folded across his chest the whole time. He was not able to accept his son's passing and was extremely angry with God for taking his son away so early."
Today, the realtor's father-in-law is attending Bible study. Once a hardened man, he opened up to God and is now a completely different person. Wendy also witnessed how God slowly helped her friend piece her life back together over the years.
Wendy explained that she and her realtor friend were convinced that their paths had crossed for a reason and she could see how all the dots linked. "I see God's hand everywhere and everything made sense."
The facelift that changed mindsets
TGOR went through a facelift in 2017, more than two decades since its establishment in 1995. "The place became brighter and more welcoming, with new toilets, corridors and memorial rooms. I resolved to change the impression people had of the brand, starting with our own Methodist community," said Wendy.
Looking back, Wendy remarked that she realised how her previous stint in marketing was extremely valuable in her new role at TGOR.
"My first presentation was at the General Conference to our own church members and I proposed to use the six memorial hall spaces we had for church retreats, and at no cost. Many people laughed at my ideas and even asked funny questions like 'Oh, so we bring sleeping bags?' However, I was determined to invite people to come take a look at the new revamped Garden. We chartered buses for retreat groups and paid for them to see what a beautiful facility TGOR is."
Wendy's efforts paid off tremendously and the perception of the space changed. It took almost a year to increase foot traffic at TGOR, which was Wendy's goal. Today, an average of 30 to 40 events (aside from funeral wakes)—primarily church retreats— are held at the memorial space each year. TGOR also has a meditation area called "The Way of the Cross" and many Christians visit during the Lent season to meditate.
Walking alongside grieving families
TGOR serves not only the Methodist community, but the entire Christian community, including Catholics. The columbarium can house up to 30,000 niches and to date, approximately 6,000 are occupied.
"We don't turn non-Christians away. We have families who are of mixed faiths, and it is our belief that pre-believers may not stay pre-believers forever," said Wendy.
A unique aspect of TGOR that Wendy initiated is the ability to customise the plaques of their loved ones and it provides a great healing journey for the bereaved families. Some of the plaques show black and white photo collages of the deceased and their loved ones, whilst others are intricately designed to tell the life stories of the people who have passed on.
• Six fully air-conditioned rooms
• Tranquil and peaceful surroundings
• Floor-to-ceiling windows with natural light
• Unobstructed views of lush greenery
• Free high-speed Wi-Fi connection
• Ample free parking spaces
-Elizabeth Tang Every funeral: A beautiful farewell, a lasting memory
• Chapel with seating capacity of up to 150 persons
• Memorial room with a furnished outdoor patio available
• Rooms are also available for private memorial services
• Award-winning Christian columbarium
Part of the service TGOR offers is to assist families in collecting the remains from Mandai crematorium. "If the families purchased a niche from us, there is no need for them to wait at the crematorium to collect the remains; we do it on their behalf. After going through the passing of my father, I decided to change some of the procedures we had to help families and make it easier for them."
Even the urns that were on display in Wendy's office were also beautifully designed and ordered by her and the team. "An urn doesn't need to be just white and plain."
Death not a matter of "if" but "when"
The passing of elderly persons are often seen as a celebration of a long life, but deaths of young persons are always difficult. "I stopped questioning why and know that it is not something I have answers for, that only God would know." For Wendy and her team, their role is to be there for the families and support them in the bereavement journey.
The tension of having empathy while holding her own emotions at bay is a daily requirement. "I have learnt to be more desensitised because it is also unprofessional to be crying alongside the families who are grieving."
Wendy's vision is for TGOR to be the leading Christian bereavement services provider and to bring more families to Christ and educate them about pre-planning.
Wendy also hopes for more volunteer pastors to come on board. "There is a genuine need for families to have volunteer pastors praying alongside them or helping to conduct the memorial services. We welcome pastors to support these families, especially those who may not have a church membership when they pass on."
Dealing with the passing of a loved one is never easy. Despite all the deaths and grieving that she has witnessed, she knows that God is always there. That is precisely why she chose to place this Bible verse from Psalm 100:5 (NIV) at the front office of TGOR's premises: "For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."
At TGOR, memorial plaques share the life stories of loved ones
Rev Dr Bernard Chao is Lecturer in Practical Theology at Trinity Theological College (Singapore) and a Methodist pastor. He was part of the steering committee for the State of the Church: Singapore 2022 study and has spoken and taught on online worship and churches' response to digital innovation and disruption. He was an editor of Becoming a People of Light: For a Phygital, Hyperconnected and Fragmented World (2023).
Methodist Social Principles
The Bible
doesn't talk about tech and AI, 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. Here, Rev Dr Bernard Chao looks at The Sphere of the Internet, Sciences and Technologies, our struggles of an increasingly digitalised society and how the Church can respond through a biblical lens, by the grace of the Holy Spirit.
/ Part 4 of 9 /
Engaging the post-pandemic Church
What should our attitude towards the internet, science and technology be as Christians and churches?
Should the relationship be one of suspicion, competition or fearful distance?
Or can there be a more hopeful and mutually respectful engagement between the Christian faith and the digital world, scientific knowledge and new technologies?
Globally, churches have been slow and reluctant to engage the digital world for decades. Even as the internet emerged, gaming culture and social media swept the world, online commerce expanded, video content exploded, and entertainment migrated from cinemas to online streaming, churches in general have been hesitant to actively consider how Christian witness and mission may be imagined and experienced through various digital media and platforms.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, few churches had regular online ministry of any sort.
The Covid-19 pandemic forced a seismic shift in attitudes and practices in Singapore churches. As restrictions tightened on physical meetings, churches pivoted to online services and conducting various forms of ministry using videoconferencing and other digital modes and apps.
Our pre-pandemic fears and discomfort with the use of digital modes were quickly jettisoned.
Post-pandemic, the State of the Church: Singapore 2022 study showed that the pandemic was a hotbed for digital innovation and 77 per cent of the 144 churches surveyed continued with livestream services after the pandemic.
When compared to pre-pandemic practices, more than half of the churches surveyed had shifted between 25 per cent to 75 per cent of their activities online.
Although churches have now restarted most of their pre-pandemic in-person activities, the new normal has witnessed changed patterns in both society and church.
There is now a significant preference for working from home, holding meetings online and an emerging exploration of new digital ministry and mission.
However, churches have yet to develop a coherent theology for digital ministry, let alone construct and settle into new liturgies or practices.
Taking digital engagement from superficial to authentic Christian social principles can guide thoughtful, faithful and holy engagement with The Sphere of the Internet, Sciences and Technologies.
Three out of four sections of the Methodist Social Principles relating to this sphere, for instance, recognise the internet's "ubiquitous presence in modern life".
This is an implicit recognition of how the internet dominates our life and how the world is mediated through digital means for most people today.
The digital sphere can be an educational, commercial and social tool that can be used for the good of humanity and even Christian living and mission.
Furthermore, digital or online communication and relationships are not necessarily "superficial or fleeting" and can be authentic, "life-giving expressions of mutual love" even if in-person interactions can never be adequately replaced.
However, the digital environment is also a space in which evil and anti-social behaviour can be easily propagated and accessed.
These include the spread of falsehoods, anti-religious or anti-Christian rhetoric, pornography, paedophilia, hate groups, terrorist ideologies, and the theft of intellectual and financial property.
It is not the source of such social evils. However, evil can be served and propagated via the internet.
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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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Christians should view the digital sphere as they would any other physical space, social context, or tool which can be used for good or evil.
We are not called as Christians to isolation and distancing away from the world, but towards thoughtful and faithful engagement through "patient and faithful public witness to the Gospel", including on the internet.
of society if they are used with spiritual wisdom and not abused.
As such, Christians should engage the sciences in conversation and view technology as a help, subject always to the scrutiny of Scripture and careful spiritual discernment.
Such a hopeful posture towards the internet, science and technology reflects John Wesley's keen sense of God's omnipresence.
In his 1788 sermon, On the Omnipresence of God , Wesley declared that "there is no point of space, whether within or without the bounds of creation, where God is not." Wesley had in mind the words of Jeremiah 23:24 (NLT): "Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?"
A God who is everywhere
Our commission as followers of Jesus in the fast-changing digital space is to actively participate in and shape the thinking about and use of the internet in ways that extend divine design for social holiness, seek the shalom of people, and advance the mission of God.
We seek then, in the words of the apostle Paul, to be the Church of Christ that expresses "the fullness of him who fills everything in every way" (Ephesians 1:23 NIV).
I take the hopeful posture that the internet is our parish, recognising that there is no sphere in which our God is not present and ahead of us in accomplishing his mission to redeem the world.
Christian social principles apply a similar approach of hopefulness to technology and the sciences by regarding all science and technology (including the internet) as a divine gift that can serve the good
To understand that God is present everywhere has profound implications for our understanding of both space and mission. God is present in both physical and digital spaces.
To conceive of divine presence and activity extending into cyberspace challenges the Church to reconsider our tepid engagement with the internet.
To comprehend of God's sovereignty over all creation, knowledge and truth dispels the fear and any inadequacy Christians and churches may feel in engaging scientific knowledge and technological changes.
With such a scriptural, Wesleyan and hopeful perspective, Christians and churches can reimagine and engage with new missional zeal the internet as our parish, the sciences as a conversation partner, and technology as a helper for the mission of God today.
This article was first published in Salt&Light on 15 April 2024.
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.
AI and the future of work
Even a cursory glance at the plethora of articles on online news media platforms will show just how much attention artificial intelligence (AI) technology and its impact on society has been receiving of late.
Enthusiasts are predictably sanguine about the advance of AI and the way in which it will change the world for the better. Others, including many governments, are more cautious, mindful of how this powerful technology can become a very dangerous tool in the wrong hands.
Among the many issues surrounding the rapid advances of AI, one that touches large swaths of society is surely how it will change the nature of human work.
Indeed, in most developed and in some developing countries, AI is on the verge of penetrating every major industry including healthcare, logistics, finance, advertising, and legal practice. Furthermore, it is also true to say that AI is reshaping these industries in surprising and unanticipated ways.
The rapid pace at which all this is happening even as AI continues to evolve can be unnerving.
Some observers wonder what all this would mean for the future of human work. Some even speculate if human work as we know it has a future! They worry that technology will one day replace human labour en masse resulting in
the dawn of a jobless future—with disastrous ramifications for both individuals and society.
Several studies have been done in the past decade to "predict" the impact of AI on the workforce and on human work.
For example, in 2013, Carl Benedikt Frey and Michael A Osborne from the University of Oxford conducted a famous study which grimly predicted that 47 per cent of total employment in the United States was at high risk of disappearing over the next couple of decades.1 The cyber-futurist Ray Kurzweil prophesied that by 2029 there will be almost no human employment in industrial production, agriculture and the transportation industry. 2
However, in a massive study conducted in 2018 by MIT's Work of the Future Task Force, a different picture emerged.
This institution-wide initiative is purposed "to understand how emerging technologies are changing the nature of human work and the skills required—and how we can design and leverage technological innovations for the benefit of everyone in society". 3
Its report, which was published in 2020, concluded that the world will not see a situation where there is not enough work for people to do due to the increasing use of sophisticated automation.
Although the findings of these studies on the scale of disruptions and job losses that we will witness because of AI are inconclusive, the fact remains many will lose their jobs and remain jobless if they are not afforded opportunities to upgrade their skills.
Only time will reveal the true impact that AI will have on human work as new technologies take time to diffuse, to be implemented and to reach their transformative potential.
Job losses and its impact on livelihoods, however, is not the only concern pertaining to the invasion of AI in the workplace.
Some commentators have warned that while the pervasive use of intelligent technology can improve efficiency and increase productivity, it exacts certain costs that we would be wise to avoid. I am referring to more fundamental human loss in aspects such as motivation, skill and creativity.
In 2023, the Humanities and Social Sciences Communications journal published an interesting article which examines the impact of AI on decision-making, laziness and privacy concerns.
According to the article, "[t]he findings show that 68.9 per cent of laziness in humans, 68.6 per cent in personal privacy and security issues, and 27.7 per cent in the loss of decisionmaking [sic] are due to the impact of artificial intelligence in Pakistani and Chinese society".4
In the arena of healthcare, while AI-powered systems such as diagnostic algorithms can assist in the diagnosis of medical conditions, there is a growing concern that over-reliance on such technologies can erode and diminish the diagnostic skills of physicians.
In the realm of the creative arts, there is a concern that generative AI, which can produce remarkable pieces of art, music or literature, can also induce what some have described as "creativity complacency": the erosion of the motivation to imagine and create.
The disruptions that AI introduces have serious implications on what the Judeo-Christian tradition regards as fundamental principles associated with human work and the human worker. These principles include work as a divine vocation, the worker as the created cocreator because he bears the divine image, and the fact that it is humans, not machines, who are mandated by God to exercise dominion.
However, this does not mean that the Christian faith demands that we should all be Luddites, shunning all technological advances including AI. But it does mean that we must exercise profound prudence and control.
As the co-authors of the insightful book The Age of AI put it:
Ultimately, individuals and societies will have to make up their minds which aspects of life to reserve for human intelligence and which to turn over to AI or human-AI collaboration … Our task will be to understand the transformations that AI brings to human experience, the challenges it presents to human identity, and which aspects of these developments require regulations or counterbalancing by other human commitments. Charting a human future turns on defining a human role in AI.5
1 Carl Benedikt Frey and Michael A. Osborne, "The Future of Employment: How Susceptible Are Jobs to Computerisation?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change 114 (17 September 2013), https:// www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk/downloads/academic/ The_Future_of_Employment.pdf.
2 Ray Kurzweil, The Age of Spiritual Machines: When Computers Exceed Human Intelligence (New York, Penguin Books, 2000), 17-39.
3 "MIT Work of the Future", IPC MIT Industrial Performance Center, accessed May 9, 2024, https:// workofthefuture-taskforce.mit.edu/.
4 Sayed Fayaz Ahmed, et al., "Impact of artificial intelligence on human loss in decision-making, laziness and safety in education", Humanities and Social Sciences Communications 10, 311 (2023), https:// doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-01787-8.
5 Henry Kissinger, Eric Schmidt and Daniel Huttenlocher, The Age of AI (Great Britain: John Murray Publishers, 2022), 183.
Outreach
"God pulled my mum out of death's jaws"
"God, can you stop taking everyone I love away from me?" Karen Tang recalled praying this on the morning of 13 November 2021, after learning that her 75-year-old mother, Lilian, critically ill from a Covidinduced heart attack, had suffered another attack while in the hospital.
The 43-year-old described facing the possible loss of her mother as her "biggest nightmare", having already lost three family members in 20 months: her father, her sister and her grandmother.
On the brink of death
It all started after Lilian recovered from Covid-19 on 24 October 2021. "The very next day, my mum's workplace called, saying she looked 'as white as a sheet'. I told them to call an ambulance and send her to A&E right away," Karen shared. While waiting to be admitted, Lilian was put on oxygen support due to breathing difficulties.
Two days later, with her oxygen level dangerously low, Lilian was intubated. That same day, she suffered a heart attack, which doctors said was likely due to Covid-19. Despite oxygen support, Lilian required sedation.
"While in the ICU, my mum caught pneumonia and suffered a stroke. An MRI revealed a blood clot and bleeding in her right brain," recalled Karen. "The doctors said she could pass away anytime. I was distraught and prayed to
the Lord not to take my mum because she is all I have left."
On 30 October, Lilian's condition worsened, and she was placed on the dangerously ill list.
"The Lord impressed three songs on my heart when my mum was in the ICU: 'I Am The God That Healeth Thee', 'God Will Make a Way' and 'Give Thanks'. I wondered how I could give thanks to God while my mum was still in the ICU," Karen shared.
Two weeks later, her mum, due for a tracheostomy, suffered a second heart attack. "I was devastated," Karen said. "Nonetheless, I decided to entrust my mum to Jesus and kept reminding myself to believe in miracles and Jesus' healing power."
That day at the hospital, Karen asked her mum three questions: "Do you believe Jesus will heal you?" Lilian nodded. "Do you believe Jesus will get you out of here?" She nodded again. "Do you believe you will go back to work?" She nodded a third time.
A healing miracle
The next day, Karen learned her mum had not suffered any heart damage. "A nurse said she was the only patient to survive two weeks in the ICU," shared Karen. "God pulled her from death's jaws."
From there, Lilian embarked on the fast track towards recovery, and was discharged on 24 December.
(above left) Lilian and Karen Tang (above middle) Lilian in the ICU (above right) Lilian (second from left) attends weekly colouring sessions at MWS Active Ageing Centre –Teck Ghee Vista
God's healing power was evident in subsequent health tests. In March 2022, a coronary angiogram showed no heart blockages, and appointments with her neurologist and physiotherapist confirmed she had recovered.
"The neurologist decided to release her after reviewing her CT scans from the ICU and post-discharge. The post-discharge scan showed the blood clot had dissolved," shared Karen.
"He said he had never seen such a rapid recovery from a stroke; it was as if the stroke never happened! My mum returned to work after two months, and the physiotherapist noted her recovery was exceptionally fast compared to typical stroke patients, who usually take years to recover even with rehab."
A second ordeal
Unknowingly, Lilian was entering a second ordeal.
After being replaced at her former job, Lilian found a six-month position elsewhere. However, her subsequent job search turned futile, forcing her into retirement.
Once kept occupied by work, Lilian now felt overwhelmed by grief, hopelessness and inadequacy.
"I spent most of my time at home feeling useless and life seemed meaningless," recounted Lilian. "I cried often, missing my late husband and elder daughter, and felt very down all the time."
Karen, who lives with her mum, noticed she was "showing signs of depression and becoming very clingy and emotionally needy".
Power of purpose
It was then that her sister's friend from Ang Mo Kio Methodist Church recommended visiting MWS Active Ageing Centre – Teck Ghee Vista. There, Lilian discovered joy and purpose in an array of activities like sewing, colouring and exercise programmes.
Despite her health setback, Lilian has made progress in regaining strength. "After being discharged from the hospital, I was very weak and needed a wheelchair. Thanks to daily exercises at the Centre, I can now stand up on my own and don't tire as easily. While I still use a walking aid, my strength and confidence have improved," she said.
Over time, Karen noticed her mother becoming happier and dwelling less on her bereavement. "That helps me stay positive too," she said. "Despite feeling the loneliness after our losses, the Centre has been instrumental in easing my mum's pain."
These days, Lilian's life is filled with purpose and fulfilment. "Since joining the Centre, I feel more alert and energised with a variety of activities filling my days," she shared. "I have something to look forward to each morning, and my life has meaning again."
Karen expressed gratitude, saying, "I thank God for this Centre; it has truly supported my mum and given her a new lease of life."
Social isolation among elderly is a growing concern in ageing Singapore. Many older adults struggle with loneliness due to factors like bereavement, retirement, and health issues. In line with the Healthier SG initiative, MWS empowers seniors to take charge of their own health and well-being through a wide range of activities at our seven Active Ageing Centres islandwide.
Visit www.mws.sg to learn more about our work and partner us to combat elderly loneliness and enhance their social support for better quality of life.
Grace Chung is MMS' Stakeholder Engagement and Home Director. She is the Chairperson of the MMS Banquet 2024 Committee. / Photos courtesy of MMS
Annual MMS fundraising banquet aims to raise $700k
Funds raised will support Mittaphab Methodist Church, Thung Yao Preaching Point and top up field deficits
Methodist
Missions Society (MMS) will be hosting a fundraising banquet on 25 August 2024 at the Fullerton Hotel. The annual "My Father's Business" banquet has been titled "Ask of Me" this year, based on the Bible verse in Psalm 2:8, with the focus on galvanising support for the mission in Thailand and other MMS mission fields. The cost of the banquet has been fully sponsored by a donor, so that all funds raised can be channelled towards church planting work and community development efforts. The fundraising target for the banquet is $700,000, which MMS hopes to raise from its supporters in the Methodist community. Bishop Dr Gordon Wong will be the guest-ofhonour for the banquet.
Rev Derrick Lau, Executive Director of MMS, said, "We are reaching out to our valued supporters and members of the Methodist community, to actively pray for and support
our efforts to develop national church leaders and provide resources for churchbuilding projects in our mission fields. MMS church building projects are a testament to the goodness of our heavenly Father, your bountiful generosity and our commitment to mobilising the Methodist community in Singapore to make disciples and multiply indigenous churches in this region."
The evening will bring together church partners, donors, leaders and representatives from the mission fields. Methodist School of Music will provide the worship and music segment for the evening, while a group of Shan youth will present a traditional dance item. There will also be an update on the status of St Paul Methodist School, which has been built from funds that were raised at an earlier fundraising banquet in 2019.
(top) Site of Thung Yao Preaching Point
(above left) Mittaphab Methodist Church Family Day
(above right) Thung Yao Paddy Plant Children's Club which operates on Saturday mornings during the school term
The funds raised will directly contribute to the following three areas.
1. Mittaphab Methodist Church
A Shan service was started on 12 June 2016 as a preaching point under Shineforth Methodist Church (SFMC), located in Chiang Mai, Thailand. In 2019, the Shan group officially established a local church—Mittaphab Methodist Church (MPMC), which operates at the multi-purpose hall of Vineyard Methodist School. MPMC currently has about 10 Wa families, with local preacher Ah Chan Surin teaching in the Wa language. There are plans to start a Wa service for the Wa people who are an ethnic group originating from the northern part of the Shan state in Myanmar.
MPMC has outgrown its current space and facilities. More facilities are required to cater to MPMC's present membership needs and future growth. MMS missionary Angela Sng and her husband are now spearheading this ministry.
Mittaphab, which means "friendship" in Thai, will be a church that connects with the Shan community, works with the village heads, and establishes God's presence through sharing the Word of God and community services, with the aim of introducing them to the greatest friend of all, our Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Thung Yao Preaching Point
SFMC, together with Rev Cassandra Lee, a missionary from MMS, started the Paddy Plant Children's Club in June 2012 at the invitation of the Thung Yao village chief. The Club uses Thung Yao village's multi-purpose hall to hold its activities. In January 2016, Thung Yao Preaching Point (TYPP) started to reach out to and make disciples of the Paddy Plant children, their parents and guardians. TYPP is led by Pastor-inCharge, Rev Niwet Jawwin Naikham, and supported by Rev Cassandra Lee. In March 2020, TYPP purchased a piece of land with an area of 1,600 square meters near the present Children's Ministry area, with the intention to build a church building.
In Thai culture, a visible place of worship is essential, as it symbolises God's presence in an area where the majority are Buddhists. The acquired land has about seven villages within a 2 km radius with 5,000 residents. These villages are located near Wat Mae Kaed Noi School, which has about 1,000 students, and Mae Cho University in Chiang Mai, providing further opportunities for outreach and evangelism.
3. MMS General Fund
To maintain the stability and continuity of the MMS fields' church planting and community development efforts, the mission fields rely on annual financial top-ups from the MMS General Fund to cover operational deficits. These top-ups are crucial in ensuring that outreach work can continue without disruption.
For more information on how you can partner MMS, contact Grace Chung at grace.chung@methodist.org.sg or call MMS at 6478 4818
You and Your Family
Benny Bong has over 40 years of experience as a therapist, counsellor and trainer. He also conducts regular talks and webinars.
Benny has helmed the You & Your Family column for more than 17 years and is a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church.
Memories: What
we choose to remember and what we try to forget
My German friend pointed out seven brass objects shaped as cobblestones in front of a house. Inscribed on them were the names of the seven members of a Jewish family who once lived there. They were evicted and sent to concentration camps, never to be heard of again.
This is just one of several reminders of the tragic events of Hitler's "Final Solution" when millions died.
I asked my friend how it felt to be reminded of such events—to have this sense of collective guilt stirred up again and again, especially when the perpetrators were from another generation. His answer was that while it made him feel uneasy, there is concern that if such memories are forgotten, history might repeat itself.
This conversation set me thinking about memories—how they serve us and how
they afflict us. How we try to treasure some and how they so easily slip away. How they hold important lessons for us and yet are so quickly forgotten.
The topic of memories is especially important in my work as a counsellor. Some clients are dealing with memories of traumatic events they went through. Although the events may be from many years ago, the effects still haunt them. For example, children who grow up with abusive and neglectful parents may develop difficulties trusting others. They may also have very negative views of themselves and feel unworthy of being loved and treated decently. Such individuals can live under a cloud of self-loathing and social anxiety.
Painful events can shape the way we view the world and even ourselves. The difficulty of dealing with painful memories is that our memories can sometimes be unreliable, biased and incorrect. They are based on our recollection and perception of things which may be very personal.
In the early 80s and 90s, there were cases of individuals who were helped to recover memories of some past trauma. In so doing, they found greater self-awareness of their struggles and gained better control of their lives. But being able to uncover some of these "repressed memories" can be tricky as overly enthusiastic helping professionals may either uncover these memories or implant false ones. This is why the mental health community is very cautious about working with unclear or unstable memories.
The other important point about memories is that they lie in past events that we cannot change. What we do have some control over is the present. Even though one may have been raised in a way that made us feel insignificant, now that we are older, we can take control over how we view ourselves. No longer do we have to see ourselves through the eyes of others. We can deliberately choose to reflect more accurately on our good points. Remember, the key word here is accurate, rather than just focusing on either our positives or our negatives.
Going one step further, after developing an accurate and unbiased view of yourself, you may give some thought to how your parents raised you. Most of the time, I find parents generally do the best they can, even if their ways are not always right nor helpful. Being caned for minor faults or humiliated in front of our peers is seen as harsh and cruel by today’s standards. But some of our parents did not know any better.
Seeing painful events in a new way does not make them more acceptable but hopefully, it reduces their toxicity. If, however, you are troubled by some things that may have happened to you in the past, do see a counsellor.
Finally, we can choose what we want to recall and how to remember the past. If nations and generations of people must live with a painful past, surely, as individuals, we can too.
Benny Bong has over 40 years of experience as a therapist, counsellor and trainer. He also conducts regular talks and webinars. Benny has helmed MM’s You & Your Family column for more than 17 years and is a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church.
Rev Tay Li Ping is currently pastoring at Christalite Methodist Chapel. Trained as an Industrial-Organisational Psychologist before becoming a pastor, Rev Tay is particularly interested in the intersection of Psychology and Theology. She is married and has five sons.
Koh Ai Jin is a registered clinical counsellor with extensive experience in marriage and family counselling, mental health concerns and psychological trauma. She runs her own practice and currently serves as Vice-President of the Association of Christian Counsellors (Singapore).
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
Should I date my boss?
My boss has been hinting that he is interested in me and has asked me out more than once.
I have politely declined up to now because I'm not sure about how it will look and affect my relationship with teammates. To his credit, he has been professional at work. What should I do?
Love Actually
Benny says Dear Love Actually,
Relationships with someone at the workplace can be exciting and complicated affairs: exciting, that is, if you welcome it and it is a legitimate one; complicated, because in some work settings, it is discouraged, even forbidden, to be romantically involved with a colleague, much less between a superior and a subordinate. Some employers might see such relationships as possibly compromising personal judgement, fair play or putting company or clients' interests at risk. Under such circumstances, do not enter into this relationship. If there is strong mutual attraction, then only pursue it when one of you leaves the company.
If strict prohibition does not exist, you are right to be concerned that your colleagues may perceive favouritism. Some may wonder if you are going along with the attention of a superior only because you feel pressured to do so. I take it that in your context, this thankfully might not be so.
If the above circumstances are not applicable, and if you are open to exploring this possibility, how should you approach this? May I suggest doing so, slowly. You have a wonderful chance to observe and study each other at a distance. See how he interacts with others, with those in power and those of humbler status. How does he respond to stressful situations? In summary, consider proceeding only when it is permissible and desired.
Dating and Marriage
My wife is discouraged by our lack of success with IVF
My wife and I have been trying to have a child for several years. We have tried IVF but so far have not been successful. The whole process has not only been costly, but also emotionally draining and stressful for our relationship. She has mood swings and is depressed. It has come to a point where she refuses to come into contact with any children or pregnant women. Whenever she attends family gatherings with children around, she would come home angry and wallow in self-pity, while venting her anger at me. I now attend family events on my own and give excuses whenever my relatives ask where she is. I feel helpless and frustrated. What can I say to her to help her?
John
Li Ping says
Dear John,
Allow me to use the biblical story of another couple in a similar situation (1 Samuel 1:1-18) to frame my advice.
In verse 8, Elkanah tries to console his childless wife, Hannah, by asking if he was not worth more to her than ten sons. Unfortunately, words like these that appeal to logic cannot change a person’s desires. Instead, sincerely acknowledge your wife’s pain without trying to change how she feels.
In verse 14, the priest Eli assumes that Hannah’s fevered prayer is the result of drunkenness. Similarly, we often assume
we know the exact problem (and hence solution) the person is facing. While your wife is clearly distressed about being childless, her strong emotions suggest that more could be swirling beneath, such as what being childless means to her. When she is calm, invite her to share with you why this means so much to her.
In verse 10, we learn that Hannah intercedes directly with God, knowing that only he can grant her what she yearns for. If faith is part of your relationship, pray together about this, and truly surrender the outcome to God. To that end you may find it helpful to seek
support from a pastor or trusted Christian friend. Hannah herself was no longer downcast after Eli exhorted her in verse 17 to go in peace, trusting that God has heard her prayer.
Finally, you mentioned the stress that this has caused your marriage. When your wife is not distressed, you may gently ask how you can tackle this together as a couple, including sharing in a non-judgemental way how this has been affecting you, as well as exploring other options such as adoption. Again, the support of a pastor, Christian friend or counsellor may be helpful if you find it hard to do this on your own.
Family
Dealing with my son's sex-change
My only adult son, who is single and lives with me, is undergoing a sexchange surgery to become a woman.
I am a committed Christian who has been attending church for many years. I know what the Church's view is on such matters. As a mother, my heart is broken. I can see his features becoming more feminine and dread the day where I will have to call him "daughter". I wonder how I will face my relatives and church friends who have seen him grow up. I have decided that I will still love him, but I know it will come at a price. Perhaps I will have to leave the Church as I do not want to be judged further by the Christian community.
Struggling
Ai Jin says Dear Struggling,
It must have been overwhelming trying to grasp and understand your son's psychological struggle with gender identity, as well as coming to terms with the decision he is making to undergo sex-change surgery.
Your decision to still love him is important and helps you stay focused on the parentchild relationship and protect familial bonding and acceptance. You are not responsible for the decisions made by your adult son, and you should not need to leave the Church or feel ashamed. Instead, be open that you would be able to find God's comfort, empathy and support from the Church. You do not have to journey alone. I hope you can find a trusted friend, pastor or counsellor who can support you in addressing any unhelpful emotions such as self-blame, guilt or shame, and to find ways to help you overcome your fears in facing your relatives and church friends.
Kathryn Cheng is an Assistant Programme Executive at the Methodist School of Music, Worship and Music Department. She is a member of Foochow Methodist Church.
Using art to balance technology's dominance in worship
Technology is an inescapable part of life. Zoom conferences, artificial intelligence, image generation—much has been said about its merits and drawbacks, questioning whether technologies intended to make our lives more connected and convenient are stunting our hearts and minds.
Philosopher Marshall McLuhan foresaw this when he wrote his General Theory of Media . He described a pattern: "When a form of media is pushed to its extreme, it eventually reverses in on itself and works in direct opposition to the very human capacity it was originally intended to
enhance." He gave the smartphone as an example, pointing out how a device intended to improve communication has also caused a rise in isolation as people grow increasingly addicted to their devices.
So what can we do? Surprisingly, art may offer the answer. Tactile experiences are one thing that technology is currently not able to substitute. In the digital age, genuine human connection is a rarity.
In his book Analog Church , Jay Y Kim suggests that art could be the key to balancing out technology's dominance. "I am simply stating the need for a shift away from our carefully manicured, perfectly professional digital presentations that come across as far too pristine and not nearly personal enough. The quality of creativity and artistry is key. We must consistently engage the creatives and artists in our communities to lead the way and tell the story of God alongside us."
Within the context of worship, art allows for unique ways of storytelling, providing congregants with the chance for authentic emotional expression. Through interactive art installations, mass dance, videos created to accompany the prelude and aesthetically pleasing PowerPoint slides, incorporating art into worship fosters a sense of participation in the congregants.
The integration of art into worship offers a tangible medium through which people may connect on a deeper level. The physical act of creating or engaging with art requires a presence of mind and body that digital experiences often lack.
This engagement encourages mindfulness and a sense of grounding, countering the disconnectedness that can come from excessive screen time. After all, discipleship to Jesus is not possible if we are unable to empathise with others.
Art also has the power to evoke emotions and provoke thought in ways that technology often cannot. Within corporate worship practice, when art is used with thoughtfulness and careful creativity it can invite contemplation and reflection.
While technology undoubtedly offers numerous benefits, its overuse can lead to unintended consequences such as isolation and superficiality. By incorporating art into worship, we can cultivate deeper connections and foster genuine human interaction. It might be worth exploring how art can provide a necessary counterbalance to technology.
The integration of art into worship offers a tangible medium through which people may connect on a deeper level. The physical act of creating or engaging with art requires a presence of mind and body that digital experiences often lack.
Nicholas Ho worships at Living Hope Methodist Church and serves as a member in the nominations committee and co-leads a cell group. / Photo courtesy of Nicholas Ho
Finding my calling in social work
Iwork in the social work arena as a Social Assistance Officer. I attribute my social work calling to Christ because I would not have taken this route otherwise.
Christ showed compassion to the last, the least and the lost. This struck a chord in me, so I decided to sign up for an internship with a non-profit organisation in my final year of polytechnic studies. After that internship, I confirmed my calling to work in this field.
This was tough news for my parents to take. As their only son, they questioned if I would get paid or be paid well enough to support my family.
I clung to this verse, Proverbs 3:5-6, which says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
I prayed and asked God to convince my parents, just like how he had convinced me. I thank God my parents eventually gave me their blessings. Almost 15 years has passed since I received my calling.
This vocation is challenging. I have been burnt out many times because I relied on my own understanding. I have often asked God if this work was really meant for me, but he has never failed me and has provided what is needed for me to persevere and continue living out my calling.
Kopi kakis
by Lau Peng Leong, Yen Tun I and Zachary Yong
ODB MINISTRIES BIBLE
CONFERENCE 2024 | THE DAUNTING PRIVILEGE: REACHING CHILDREN WITH THE GOSPEL
13 July 2024 (Saturday), 9.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m.
Bartley Christian Church Register by 6 July via https://odb.sg/events/the-daunting-privilege/
Want to impart the gospel to your child—but don’t know how or where to start?
Whether you are parents, grandparents or spiritual parents, you may, at times, feel ill-equipped, unprepared or simply overwhelmed with the tasks and responsibilities of parenting. Yet, God has called us to this daunting privilege of raising our children to know, love and serve God. If you have a passion to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the next generation, join us for a time of encouragement and equipping from God’s Word.
The speaker for this event is Mr Lim Chien Chong, a preacher and educator with over two decades of experience in youth evangelism and development. Zoey & Robey’s Big Fix , a picture book designed for parents to share the good news of Jesus Christ with their children, will also be launched at this conference.
Organised by Our Daily Bread Ministries
MISSIONS FOR EVERYONE | STORIES ARE EVERYWHERE
27 July 2024 (Saturday), 9.00 a.m. – 12.00 p.m.
Online via Zoom Register by 13 July via https://www.wycliffe.sg/events
Free
Storytelling has been regarded as a ministry for Sunday School children or elderly people. Come and learn how it, in fact, applies to everyone, everywhere, all the time. Listen to an expert and ponder the role of stories in your own lives, as well as with your family and friends, and in the Bible. You will learn good storytelling techniques and get to try them out!
The instructor for this session is Marcus Choo from Wycliffe Malaysia.
Organised by Wycliffe Singapore
TTC OPEN HOUSE 2024
21 August 2024 (Wednesday), 8.30 a.m. – 2.00 p.m.
Trinity Theological College, 490 Upper Bukit Timah Road, S678093
Pre-registration is required. Register by 18 August via https://www.ttc.edu.sg/english/open-house/
Do you desire to be equipped to serve God in the church and the world? Is God calling you to be theologically trained for ministry? As the oldest seminary in Singapore, Trinity Theological College has been engaged in equipping Christians for ministry since its founding in 1948. Join this Open House and discover how TTC can help equip you for more effective ministry.
This Op en Hou se follows a structured programme, best experienced in full.
Organised by Trinity Theological College
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