Reach out: Welfare Services

Reaching out to people in their time of need

When Singapore entered Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) in May 2021, many were reminded of the struggles they faced during last year’s circuit breaker.

It is easy for anyone to slip back into despair and selfisolation when faced with repeated difficulties. The call to love God by loving our neighbour by Bishop Dr Gordon Wong during his Aldersgate SG 2021 sermon was a timely reminder that at times like these, Christians should reach out even more to those who are suffering and in need.

Spearheaded by The Methodist Church in Singapore and Methodist Welfare Services (MWS), The Giving Methodist (TGM) aims to galvanise Methodists to perform acts of love. This year, we publicised the need for befrienders to reach out to 500 people in need. To date, only about 47 from the Methodist churches have answered the call. We hope that when you read this, you will be moved to do so as well. MWS will provide befriending training and support to volunteers.

“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.” (Luke 10:2)

So That More Will Come To Know His Love

22-year-old Eunice Chew realised that despite living in a developed country, poverty still exists but is often invisible in our community. Through her past volunteering experiences, she sees that beyond material and financial poverty, people also have emotional, social and spiritual needs.

Despite juggling university studies and adapting to the pandemic, Eunice decided to become a befriender.

“I know that many people don’t have the chance to experience God’s love through their friends or family. I believe His love is for everyone. This is why I signed up as a TGM volunteer as a small step towards reaching out to and forming connections with these people regularly,” said Eunice, who worships at Christ Methodist Church. She is anticipating the day when in-person befriending can resume, having been greatly blessed by the familial warmth she experienced at the MWS Nursing Home where she befriended a resident.

Simply Living In Obedience

52-year-old Lim Bee Leng’s decision to sign up as a volunteer through TGM was motivated by her desire to demonstrate Christ’s compassionate love in concrete actions.

Her short journey so far has not been easy. As a new volunteer, Bee Leng faced several challenges brought about by the pandemic. She faced difficulty in connecting with her befriendee virtually as well as language barriers.

Yet Bee Leng, who worships at Faith Methodist Church, pressed on, believing that her simple acts of giving can touch someone’s life. After her first virtual befriending session with a resident from MWS Bethany Nursing Home – Choa Chu Kang, Bee Leng is thinking of new ways to engage her befriendee.

“Interacting through the computer screen didn’t stop Mdm Leong from sharing her passion for sewing and how she can make her own clothes. I could feel and share her joy. It touched me deeply that she enjoyed our simple conversation and needed just a listening ear,” Bee Leng shared.

If you are encouraged by Eunice and Bee Leng’s experiences, find out more about how you can be The Giving Methodist.

Visit https://thegivingmethodist.sg/

or scan the QR code to sign up as a befriender or find out more about The Giving Methodist.

Registration closes on 30 October 2021.

For further enquiries on The Giving Methodist, please email

tgm@mws.sg.

MWS at 40

An MWS staff shares his former struggles and journey towards empowering others

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

Looking at Benny Thiam today, one would never guess this young man once grappled with problems of drug abuse and gang influence. It was during his incarceration more than 10 years ago when Benny found Christ and his life was turned around. Now, the 37-year-old is focussed on changing other people’s lives as a social worker with Methodist Welfare Services (MWS).

“I started using drugs when I was 14. I was a terrible student and was never interested in school. I didn’t know it then but the drug habit was probably my way of coping with the challenges and disappointments I was facing in life,” shared Benny. “But that just made me arrogant and violent, and ignorant of the people around me.” The law eventually caught up with him twice. He served more than three years in prison.

Through the Christian counselling he received behind bars, Benny confronted his mistakes and began to appreciate his family’s deep love and steadfast support for him.

“And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:32)

“During my second incarceration, it was this Bible verse that greatly encouraged me. I considered how God could use me as a vessel, and that was how I set my mind on becoming a social worker so I can help others upon my release,” shared Benny.

He eventually graduated top of his year in university and received a gold award from the National Council of Social Service (NCSS). He then decided to join a Christian organisation.

“God answered my prayer when I landed the social work internship at MWS Family Service Centre. I had already heard about the good work that MWS was doing, especially the rigour of its clinical work. It felt like a place I could contribute to and develop professionally. I also appreciate how staff can turn to the pastoral care team for support.”

It has been four and a half years since he joined MWS full-time, and Benny is thankful for the opportunities that have empowered him to lead and grow—professionally and personally. “My supervisors and colleagues have been nothing but supportive. I do not feel judged or doubted about my abilities,” shared Benny.

In his work, Benny supports multistressed families who battle with a multitude of issues in their lives, such as domestic violence, homelessness and financial poverty, among others.

“I feel sad whenever I see people settling for something less, feeling like they deserve the abuse or are unworthy of love. MWS’ message of empowerment is important because we want our clients to be empowered and believe that they too can have life to the full”.