Methodist Message: May 2020

THE METHODIST CHURCH IN SINGAPORE Vo l 1 2 2 N o 5 M A Y 2 0 2 0

Loving God, Serving Together

with hearts strangely warmed

ALDERSGATESG ISSN 0129-6868 MCI(P) 027/11/2019

2020

Join the Aldersgate SG 2020 online service as we celebrate as one Methodist Church OUR SPEAKER

Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung

Sunday 24 May 2020

Contents

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Church life Methodists in the world Christian living

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1

Bishop’s Message

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Home—Bishop’s Easter sermon

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Church Profile—Pasir Panjang Tamil MC

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One MCS—ETAC Highlights

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One MCS—TRAC WSCS devotions booklet

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One MCS—Where two or three are gathered in My name

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One MCS—Aldersgate SG 2020

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One MCS—Identity & Destiny

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News—The Boys’ Brigade in Singapore 90th anniversary

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Home—From shame to sanctuary

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Welfare Services

16 Missions

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You & Your Family

18

Hymns & Songs

20

TRAC Bible Matters

23 Soundings 24

Home—What does being a Methodist mean to you?

25

THINK

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EDITORIAL BOARD

The official monthly publication of The Methodist Church in Singapore.

Published material does not necessarily reflect the official view of The Methodist Church.

Adviser and Publisher Dr Anthony Goh Chairperson Council on Communications

Editor Sheri Goh

Sub-editor

All Scripture quoted is based on the English Standard Version unless otherwise stated.

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Jason Woo

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BISHOP’S MESSAGE Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung was elected Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore in 2016.

He served as President of the Chinese Annual Conference from 2008 to 2016.

Have an Aldersgate experience

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lthough I am writing this message on 10 April, the prevailing conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic have given me cause to assume that we will most likely not be able to resume worshipping as one congregation by 24 May, and will not be able to hold the Aldersgate SG 2020 Celebration Service at Paya Lebar Methodist Church like we have in the past.1 Since 27 March 2020, all Methodist churches have suspended their Sunday as well as weekday worship services on church premises, and switched to conducting these online. This was to continue till 11 April. All churches responded positively with live streaming or pre-recorded worship services. It was expected that on 12 April, we would have been able to celebrate Easter Sunday in church with congregation numbers kept to a maximum of 120 for each service.

However, owing to the continuing spread of COVID-19, the government announced several new stringent and stricter restrictions in early April in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus.

Among the measures announced was one that mandated that all forms of religious services and gatherings were to be suspended from 7 April to at least 4 May.2 It matters not, however. COVID-19 has been an enlightening experience for the Church. The risen Lord is not with us physically but through His Spirit. The Holy Sprit indwells and is with every believer (Rom 8:9–10). The Lord is with us always, wherever we may be, and we can worship Him and pray to Him. John Wesley wrote, “The image of invisible God, whom none can represent, but his only begotten son, in his divine nature the invisible image, in his human the visible image of the Father.”

This is Paul’s treatise on Christ in his epistle to the Colossians. For this reason, I have decided not to cancel the annual Aldersgate SG Celebration Service. Even if the sanctuary is empty, our three presidents will take turns to participate in and lead the service. We believe that members of the Methodist Family will worship wherever they are—in their homes or at other venues.

For the Lord is with us where we come together in His name. This is also Jesus Christ’s prayer to the Heavenly Father— that God will give the Holy Spirit to the disciples. The Holy Spirit will be with the believers, and where the Holy Spirit is so is our Lord Jesus (John 14:16–20).

So, like you, I will look forward to 24 May, the turning point of our spiritual life. Together, let us remember the Aldersgate experience of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. He was attending a church service at Aldersgate Street in London that day when, at 8.45 in the evening, the Holy Spirit moved him and and his heart felt “strangely warmed”. Wesley subsequently became a passionate evangelist for God and began to undertake works for the relief of the poor and destitute. This is also what he expects of all Methodists: to love God with all our heart and mind and to love others as ourselves.

Perhaps we can learn from the plea of Elisha to Elijah: “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit” (2 Kings 2:9). Pray to the Lord that the Spirit that moved John Wesley will move us too.

1 Bishop’s Message was written on 10 April 2020, before the announcement by the government that the circuit breaker was to be extended from 4 May to 1 June 2020.

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The circuit breaker has since been extended to 1 June.

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Home ¢

Methodist Easter Worship Service

Photos courtesy of the MCS Communications Team

Witnesses of the Lord’s resurrection

Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung’s Easter message being videographed at The Garden of Remembrance on 6 April 2020, before the circuit breaker measures were implemented

This is an abridged version of Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung’s Easter sermon, which was recorded at the Garden of Remembrance on 6 April 2020. It was available online for churches to live stream on Easter Sunday, 12 April 2020, at https://youtu.be/hU5Db9zX7_E Scripture text: Luke 24:34–48 Introduction (v34) After Jesus rose from the dead, His disciples went everywhere proclaiming, “The Lord is risen!” Whenever they ran into each other, they would proclaim, “The Lord is risen! Christ is risen!” And the other party would naturally respond with, “Christ is risen indeed! Hallelujah, praise the Lord!”

situation and emerge safe and stronger.

In his closing words, PM Lee reminded us that many have been working day and night at the frontline of the fight against the disease. These are our nurses and doctors, those involved in contract tracing and healthcare staff. He said, “We thank them all for their efforts and sacrifices. Now we are all enlisted to join them on the frontline.”

This Sunday is Easter! This year, the world will awake to an Easter like no other. Practically all churches will not be holding their Easter worship service on-site! All because of the extraordinary times we are in.

As members of the big family that is The Methodist Church in Singapore, we are strong believers in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus triumphed over humanity’s final enemy—death.

As of 6 April, there are already 203 countries affected, with more than 1.1 million cases of COVID-19 and about 60,000 deaths. In Singapore, we have more than 1,100 cases and six have died.

The prime minister announced on Friday 3 April that, to stem the spread of the virus, the government is laying down stricter measures. He appealed to all in Singapore to work together and exercise self-discipline. It is a tough and long battle, but if all Singaporeans unite and pull together, we will be able to beat the

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To every doctor, nurse, medical specialist, healthcare worker, counsellor and other brothers and sisters who are there at the frontline—we salute you and pray for you. All of us will strictly follow the precautionary measures, so as not to add to your burden by becoming ill.

So, my beloved Methodists, let us respond to the prime minister’s call and comply with the temporary ban on church gatherings.

Unite with the whole nation. Each of us, in our own respective roles and positions, must dedicate ourselves to the all-out efforts to control the viral outbreak.

Today’s scripture passage records Christ’s appearance to the disciples after His resurrection. These disciples are the blessed ones of their times, for they each personally witnessed Jesus’ resurrection. Every year we hear the story of Jesus’ resurrection, yet there are always some lessons for us.

The disciples went from shock to fear to joy (vv37, 43) The disciples watched as Jesus was arrested, crucified and buried.

When rumours surfaced about His resurrection, they were thrown into even greater perplexity, as the situation had got more complicated.

The campaign to get rid of Jesus the Nazarene, and those with Him, was not yet over.

The disciples received different versions of the reports. In such a situation marked by a lack of clarity and certainty, the disciples shared one another’s fear and confusion. They feared that they would be caught by the Roman governors and the Jewish leaders, and be crucified and tortured too. Should they continue to believe in Jesus? Should they continue to follow Jesus?

We read in the Bible that the disciples were so frightened that they locked themselves in their homes. When they heard that Jesus had resurrected, they were uncertain whether to believe or to doubt. Fake news was already common in their time. Matthew 28:11–15 says that the chief priests paid a large sum of money to the Roman guards on duty at the grave to spread the story that Jesus did not rise from the dead, but instead, that “His disciples came during the night and stole his body away”.

So, it was no surprise that when the resurrected Christ appeared among the disciples, they thought at first that He was a spirit! They were shocked. It was only when Jesus let them touch Him and see His wounds that they believed they were looking at the resurrected Jesus. At a loss for words, they were speechless with joy— that is what we call unspeakable joy!

Today, do you have that unspeakable joy that Jesus is the Lord who triumphed over death and is the resurrected Lord?

Such unspeakable joy must be broadcast and highlighted, as this is the core of the Christian faith!

For our sins, Jesus was tortured, died and was buried. But, He rose from the dead on the third day—this is what the Christian faith is all about. Easter—not Christmas— is the heart of our faith! Without Christ’s resurrection, we would be the most pathetic of people! Instead, we now live filled with hope and confidence, rather than with exasperation and futility.

A reminder to the disciples about the Messiah in the Scriptures (v44–46) Luke made it a point to remind the disciples that Jesus was the one foretold in the Old Testament—the Saviour who was coming, the one described in Moses’ Pentateuch; the suffering servant that the prophets had written about, the one the writers of the Psalms referred to. Jesus wanted the disciples to remember that the scriptures pointed to Him, that He was the servant whom God had sent; the servant who, for the purpose of the Good News, suffered and was driven out and rejected.

Surely the disciples would also remember living with Him for three and a half years— the Jesus they had got to know as they traversed the length and breadth of Israel to bring the good news of heaven, heal the sick, deliver people from evil spirits, and help sinners and tax collectors. He was the Lord and Saviour, the friend of those in the lowest rungs in society. He had no place to rest His head; He was despised

by the religious leaders; He was driven out and, finally, He was hunted down to be humiliated and whipped. They made him carry a huge cross on His back, and paraded Him through the town—a horrific spectacle for those who lined the streets that day, and then He was crucified as the Messiah. But He triumphed over death, and was resurrected.

This is the earliest original gospel about Jesus: Jesus is the saviour of sinners, a friend of sinners. He sought the lost, the least, and the last, and even the weak and vulnerable. Jesus is easily recognised by people from these groups. The Church today must similarly represent Christ on earth, to continue to be friends of all.

Disciples are witnesses for Jesus Christ (vv47–48) The situation described here is different from when Jesus gave the Great Commission in Chapter 28 of the Gospel according to Matthew. There Jesus spoke to the 11 disciples about the Great Commission. Here, Luke was saying that believers must spread the gospel of repentance and forgiveness of sins, from Jerusalem to the Gentiles.

The disciples were witnesses to these incidents. Note this: an evangelist is not someone who explains the intricacies of theology, or someone who digs deep into the articles of faith. Instead, the evangelist is someone who preaches repentance and the forgiveness of sin.

This is what you do when you speak of your own repentance, belief and receiving of God’s grace in forgiveness.

That is our personal testimony.

Even the Samaritan woman at the well knew to go into the city to tell everyone her testimony of how her sins had been forgiven.

Conclusion We are all witnesses to Christ’s resurrection. It does not matter who you are, as long as you live with hope and joy, and are always ready for an opportunity to witness for Him, when you share your testimony of how you believed in Jesus and were saved by grace.

The story of Jesus is familiar to us and we can easily recall and recount the details. After Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, whenever his disciples gathered, witnesses would come forward to recount the stories of Jesus, and to cover His teachings repeatedly. At least once a year, during the Easter season, the Church would also recount the story of Jesus’ crucifixion and how He was resurrected on the third day.

Each time when we celebrate the Holy Communion, we also refer to how Jesus’ life was sacrificed for us, and how His blood was shed to wash away our sins.

So, we all know the gospel and know to declare that Christ has died, that Christ has risen and that Christ will come again!

Dearly beloved brothers and sisters, on the day that Jesus was resurrected, He appeared to the disciples who were both fearful and joyful. As He appeared among them, He said, “Peace to you!”

By His presence and His words, the disciples’ fears were swept away.

From then on, they no longer feared persecution, nor did they fear death. In fact for them, to die was gain, for they believed without a doubt that their Saviour Lord is alive! From that day, they preached the good news from Jerusalem to all the world.

The Methodist Church in Singapore exists so that together with other Christians, we can become witnesses of the risen Christ.

I chose the Garden of Remembrance as the background for recording this Easter message. This is to affirm Apostle Paul’s declaration in 1 Corinthians 15:20 that “in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep”. When Christ comes again, all those who have fallen asleep in Christ will be resurrected just as Christ was.

Each urn placed here is a witness to the life of a saint and the promise that Jesus Christ has given them, the promise of resurrection. By holding strong to that promise, they lived life confidently, secure in their hope, as witnesses for Christ. Even when life’s journey sometimes got bumpy and challenging, even when going through the valley of the shadow of death, nevertheless they were blessings to many.

Today, you and I are experiencing an atypical Easter Sunday. In normal times, we would have gone to church for worship service. Today, we are worshipping at home instead.

This makes us even more aware that wherever we are, we can continue to bless our family, community, schools and neighbours as we share our testimony of faith and grace, of the hope and joy that we hold in our hearts. Hallelujah, because our Lord Christ is risen! He lives in my heart. He lives in my life. He walks with me daily, even in these days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Christ is risen. Hallelujah!

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Church Profile ¢

Pasir Panjang Tamil Methodist Church

Andrew Prabagar is the lay leader of Pasir Panjang Tamil Methodist Church. / Photos courtesy of Pasir Panjang Tamil Methodist Church

A church that helps to shape a society Visitation outreach to pre-believers

The baptism service held earlier this year

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he Church is the most important institution in the world. The assembly of the redeemed, the company of the saints, and the children of God are more significant than any other group or organisation. God has not called together mere servants or “employees” to work for Him. He has raised up children who will participate in the “family business” out of a sense of love and mutual commitment.

Brief History Pasir Panjang Tamil Methodist Church (MC) started in 1927 at Brickworks, near Alexandra Road. It was led by lay people who had a burden to reach out to the migrant workers from India.

so good that we have members from other churches attending these classes.

Youth Ministry The youth have been actively taking part in the ministries of the church. Most of them are involved in the Sunday worship service, preparing the worship slides, and serving as backup singers and musicians.

They also accompany the WSCS on visitations to nursing homes. Every second Sunday of the month, they gather for Bible study. Our prayers for them are that they will continue to build a stronger network of mentors and lay leadership for the future.

Teck Whye Outreach In 1972, the church shifted to Pasir Panjang Road, to the residence of the late Rev Daniel. For the next four years, that was where the Sunday School, our regular services and even our Vacation Bible School was held. We grew over the years and a pressing need for a permanent building arose.

In 1976, God helped us through the General Conference to acquire a piece of land at Wishart Road. God continued to bless us with much growth and in 1986, a second floor was added.

The Teck Whye Ministry is now in its sixth year. With Methodist Church of the Incarnation providing one of their rooms for Sunday service, we now have sufficient volunteers to lead the worship service. By His grace, we have seen lives turned around, sins forgiven and our Lord Jesus Christ glorified through the birth of His children. To date, we have held four baptism services, the most recent one in February. Such growth continues to motivate our volunteers in the midst of all the challenges.

Social Concerns Ministries Our Bible Study group meets on Wednesdays from 7.30 to 8.30 p.m. This is a great way for each of us to fellowship with others, grow in our Christian life and understand God’s Word better. Group study gives us the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences, and find support and encouragement to study God’s Word in an easy-to-understand way. The Rev Prabhu has been leading us in these studies for the past three years. Response has been

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Our Social Concerns Committee has been befriending the residents who live around the church vicinity and encouraging them to participate in church activities.

They also provide short term financial assistance to needy families identified by church members. Home visitation to the poor and needy families identified by the Methodist Welfare Services is carried out to lend a listening ear, advise on available financial aid and bless with gifts of daily essentials.

Missions The Church is called to proclaim and manifest the Kingdom of God. Last year, a team made a mission trip to Myanmar. What the team observed was that there were so many children in the Dhalla area. Plans are being made to help the local church teachers to fulfil their role as shepherds of Christ to nurture faith in the hearts of children while they are still young.

Methodist Men The Methodist Men’s fellowship meets every third Sunday of the month for a time of prayer, testimony and fellowship.

This has given an opportunity for the men to come together and share their life experiences as well as encourage one another.

Women’s Fellowship The women’s ministry is the most active among all the church ministries. During the year they are involved in many activities and ministries, not only within the church, but also in our local community. One of the places they frequently visit is the MWS Bethany Nursing Home in Choa Chu Kang. Talking to the elderly and serving food are some of the ministries in which they have actively taken part.

Healing Service Every fourth Sunday is observed as a healing service. Those who need prayer are invited to come forward after the service to be prayed for individually.

Looking back over the years, all we can do is praise God for the blessings He has poured on us. With prayer and by the power of God we will see great things happening in the lives of the members of Pasir Panjang Tamil MC.

ETAC Highlights ¢ Pastor Jeremy James is the Assistant Pastor of Tamil Methodist Church, Short Street. / Photo courtesy of the Emmanual Tamil Annual Conference Alagi Muthuraj is the Missions Coordinator and Archives Chairperson of ETAC WSCS. / Photo courtesy of ETAC WSCS

The opening procession

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very year, the Emmanual Tamil Annual Conference (ETAC), under the co-ordination of the Worship & Music Board, gathers to celebrate God’s faithfulness to His Church and receive the vision, direction and plan for the coming year.

On 1 Feb 2020, 300 members of the eight ETAC churches came together to celebrate their Annual Thanksgiving Service at Tamil Methodist Church, Short Street. Each church presented a song of thanksgiving according to the theme and this year, it was “God’s Grace”.

Annual Thanksgiving Service

The service commenced with church leaders, along with WSCS and MYF, carrying their respective banners as part of the procession led by the pastors of the Conference. Emmanuel Praise, the ensemble of ETAC’s musicians and singers, led the congregation in beautiful hymns and songs. Each church rendered their Tamil and Telugu songs in various styles—folk, classical and modern contemporary. At the end of the joyful service, the pastors and their spouses led the congregation in the Benediction song.

ETAC President, the Rev James Nagulan, addressed the congregation, inspiring them through the growth of the early Church from Acts 2. He also shared statistics of churches’ growth, and elaborated on the new plans and strategies of the Conference in the year ahead. He explained that though the road ahead could seem daunting and uncomfortable, a paradigm shift in our thinking was necessary in today’s society.

Many were motivated and reassured of the potential growth in ETAC, realising the significance of their roles and responding enthusiastically.

The attendees of the Methodist Women’s Conference from Malaysia and Singapore

Methodist Women’s Conference

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he Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference (ETAC), Singapore, and Tamil Annual Conference, Malaysia, jointly organised the first ever Methodist Women’s Conference from 7 to 9 Feb 2020. The theme of the conference, “Together We Serve”, provided a platform for leaders from both countries to learn from each other on the ministry opportunities and challenges, as well as to network and foster friendship. ETAC WSCS, Singapore, hosted and welcomed the 14 delegates from Malaysia. A total of 160 delegates and guests from all our ETAC Churches attended the conference.

Our Malaysian delegates were thrilled to visit The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) at Barker Road as the first stop. They were warmly welcomed by our Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung.

The opening service was held at Tamil Methodist Church (TMC), Short Street. ETAC President, the Rev James Nagulan,

and his wife, Kalaimathi, warmly welcomed the delegates. In his message, the Rev James Nagulan encouraged the women to serve together in the Lord’s vineyard.

The opening service was followed by a sumptuous dinner and country sharing by both presidents—Mrs Kalaimathi Nagulan and Mrs Kany Jayabal.

The two days were scheduled talks, meetings, a forum and also able to make some time the Bay and shopping at Little

with a mix of worship, theme fellowship. The women were for sightseeing at Gardens by India.

The conference ended with TMC Short Street WSCS hosting a farewell luncheon. We praise God for the meaningful time of learning and fellowship.

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News ¢ Angela Goh is the TRAC WSCS D&N coordinator. / Book visual courtesy of TRAC WSCS.

TRAC WSCS DEVOTIONS BOOKLET

Our Strength Every Morning

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he title of the 2020 TRAC WSCS devotions booklet could not be more appropriate as we look to the Lord during this COVID-19 crisis. The Lord indeed is our strength every morning.

In January this year, ladies of 10 TRAC churches attended a devotions-writing workshop led by the Rev Dr Gordon Wong. The result of that workshop are the devotions, sketches and a poem, based on Isaiah 33, that have been compiled into this booklet. The Rev Dr Wong writes in the book’s preface that “chapter 33 is one of the more difficult chapters in the book of Isaiah to understand”. Praise God for revealing Himself to us through His Word.

It is our prayer that the devotions will bless all ladies in our churches.

E-copies will be available in May while hard copies will be distributed when the social distancing guidelines are relaxed. Starting from 1 May, there will be a daily posting of the devotions on the TRAC WSCS Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/tracwscs).

All praise and glory to God for His Word and for the privilege of sharing our meditations with others.

Registration at our Columbarium Office (Level 5) Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm (Closed on Public Holidays).

Tel: 6479 8122 HP: 9670 9935 or Fax: 6479 6960 Email: veronicalowjmc@yahoo.com.sg

News ¢ Sheri Goh is the Editor of Methodist Message. / Photos courtesy of Queenstown CMC, Joel Chng and Faith MC

Where two or three are gathered in My name CHURCH IN A TIME OF COVID-19

Joel Chng and his family attending Bedok MC’s Maundy Thursday service at home together

The Rev Goh Aik Hiang, Associate Pastor of Queenstown CMC, recording his sermon in an empty hall before the circuit breaker began on 7 Apr 2020

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n 20 March 2020, The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) announced that all church services in their 46 churches would be suspended. Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung’s letter stated that the suspension was to last for two weeks.

After the government announced on 3 April its “circuit breaker” measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 , all the churches had to be closed, with all staff working from home, at least till 1 June.

This is the first time in living memory that all churches in Singapore have been shuttered. But, thanks to modern technology and apps such as YouTube and Zoom, church services and cell groups have continued online. Even though physically apart, we can worship together. And, as Jesus has promised, “where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matt 18:20).

We hope that those who are more tech-savvy will reach out to those who are not, especially to the elderly and disadvantaged. The latter may not have smart phones or wifi, or may not know how to access live-streaming or video links. We want them to be able to partake of the Church community, even from a distance, and make sure they remain connected during this unprecedented church closure.

Some cell groups from Faith MC meet on Zoom

Methodist Church online services https://www.methodist.org.sg/livestream Sign up for #MCS135Prayers and announcements on WhatsApp https://tinyurl.com/mcswhatsapp Subscribe to the onscreen edition of Methodist Message https://www.methodist.org.sg/mm-onscreen MCS updates on COVID-19 https://www.methodist.org.sg/COVID-19 Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @Methodist.SG for the latest updates

Together (but individually at least one metre apart) in spirit as one Church, God will see us through this!

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Aldersgate SG 2020 ¢ The Rev Dr Gordon Wong was re-elected President of Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) in 2016 for a second quadrennial term, but is primarily grateful to God for the gift of his wife Lai Foon and two children Deborah and Jeremy.

Worshipping

in spirit and in truth

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n John 4:24, Jesus is recorded as saying: “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (2011 NIV)

Do you notice the minor difference from the following earlier translation? “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” (1984 NIV) The 2011 NIV adds a capital “S” to Spirit, implying that Jesus is referring to the Holy Spirit. It also adds the definite article “worship in the Spirit”. The 1984 edition uses a small “s”, implying spirit as in one’s inner being or soul or spiritual fervour.

The earliest Bible texts used large capital letters throughout—no small letters at all. So translators have to guess whether Jesus meant Holy Spirit (capital “S”), or spiritual energy or fervour (small “s”). Unlike the 2011 NIV, most English translators adopt the small “s” for spiritual energy. One supporting reason for this is that the Greek Bible text does not include the definite article “the” before “spirit”. Personally, I think the 1984 NIV and most English

ALDERSGATESG 2020

translations are correct to use the small “s” for spiritual energy or fervour.

True worship, of course, cannot be offered without being in harmony with the Holy Spirit (capital “S”). So there is no significant contradiction at stake between the translations. But Jesus here in John 4 is making a not contradictory, but complementary point—that true worship must be offered with our spiritual energy and fervour; it must come from the spirit within us. It cannot be only a matter of correct externals: what we mouth with our lips or do with our hands or how we bow our heads and bend our knees. The worship which God desires must come from our spirit and soul. This is Jesus’ emphasis here.

I’m not sure why Jesus said only “God is spirit” rather than “God is spirit and truth.” He could, I suppose, just as easily have said, “God is truth, and his worshippers must worship in truth and spirit.” Or He could have been more complete and said, “God is spirit and truth, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and truth.”

Instead, here in John 4, He says only, “God is spirit and his worshipers must worship in spirit and truth.”

Once again, I don’t want to make too much out of this.

Both statements are equally true: God is Truth and God is Spirit. But perhaps on this particular occasion, Jesus wanted to emphasise the “spirit” component a little more because the woman He was speaking with was majoring too much

on arguing the “truth” component (see John 4:20).

She asked: “Which is the true place to worship? Which church teaches the truth? My leaders say it is at the church on the mountain in Samaria. Others say the temple in Jerusalem is better and the truer synagogue or church.”

Maybe Jesus knew the woman was too caught up arguing doctrinal truth that she had lost touch with “spiritual” truth. If someone else was prone to major too much on one’s spiritual fervour to the neglect of truth, Jesus might well have said God is truth, and we must worship in truth and spirit.

In any case, Jesus here reminds us that God is spirit, and this is appropriate for Methodists who this month commemorate John Wesley’s Aldersgate Street experience, which was a major turning point in his spiritual life, and of which he wrote: “I felt my heart strangely warmed.”

It is one of the hallmarks of our Methodist heritage. It is a major part of the kind of worship which God our Father desires. He wants worship that is more than just cold and clinically accurate statements or professions of truth and doctrine. God desires worship from spirits and souls and hearts that are strangely and truthfully warmed.

I pray that that the energising flame of God’s Spirit will warm and move all of our hearts and souls this Aldersgate month.

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One MCS ¢

Identity & Destiny

By the Structural Review Task Force. / Photos courtesy of Prof Tan Chew Lim and Henry Tan

Henry Tan, Vice President of TRAC and lay leader at Wesley Methodist Church, took this photograph of his 87-year-old mother watching the service on her phone while following the sermon with her Bible and notes

Prof Tan Chew Lim, lay leader of Telok Ayer CMC, and his family worshipping together

COVID-19:

Pulling MCS together

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020 marks the 135th anniversary of The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS). It is also the 55th anniversary of Singapore’s nationhood. 2020 will certainly also be remembered as the year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the first time in Singapore’s history, all churches are closed. Easter Sunday has always been celebrated in churches with worship services. Even during the Japanese Occupation (1942–45), churches that had not been damaged remained open and services continued to be held.

It was a moving sight to see Prof Tan Chew Lim of Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church (MC) and his family, all dressed up and standing for the Call to Worship in their living room. Equally inspiring was a photo of the mother of Henry Tan, Trinity Annual Conference Vice President and lay leader of Wesley MC, in full concentration as she bent over her phone, with her Bible open and making notes of the sermon streamed by Queenstown Chinese MC. Indeed, we were ministered to by pastors from the different Annual Conferences. It was MCS without borders: One MCS.

Suspension of Holy Communion: Together as one This will certainly be a Lent and an Easter to remember—when we gave up the privilege of corporate worship in our churches for the sake of our neighbours and nation, or as Bishop Chong put it, “Giving up an act of piety for an act of mercy.”

What a stark reminder that the Church is not the building but the people, the body of Christ. So we are out of the buildings, and in our homes. How did One MCS come through at this time? So far, two things in particular stand out.

Suspension of worship services: worshipping with one another Churches moved quickly to put together clear communications to their members and to launch online worship services.

General Conference Comms staff helped to collate a list of our churches’ online worship services, which were either pre-recorded or streamed live.

Members had a feast of time slots, and visiting one another’s worship services “virtually”. Many were also able to listen to sermons by more than one speaker.

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When it became clear that the suspension of worship services would extend beyond Palm Sunday, the question in everyone’s mind was “What about Holy Communion on the first Sunday of the month?” To conduct Holy Communion in one fashion or another, or to suspend?1 In the end, it had to be a unifying decision. Bishop Dr Chong disclosed in the pastoral letter to members that he and the Annual Conference Presidents had “a lengthy discussion, covering many different perspectives. Each one of us put out valuable views and critical considerations, till we reached an unavoidable and painful decision: to suspend Holy Communion until the end of April.” A painful decision, but one that held every Methodist together as one body.

As the pandemic continues, there will be more challenges.

Crisis exposes the true character of people. As the people of the Way, let us learn to emulate Christ in His oneness with the Father: “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” (John 17:20–21) https://www.methodist.org.sg/images/2019-nCoV/Revised_Letter_ from_Bishop_AC_Presidents_28_Mar_2020.pdf

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METHODIST MESSAGE MAY 2020

News ¢ Celine Low is the Executive (Corporate Communications) at The Boys’ Brigade in Singapore.

12BR (J) Singapore Company, sponsored by Barker Road MC and Anglo-Chinese School (Primary)

The Boys’ Brigade in Singapore celebrates 90 years of enriching young lives!

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ith The Boys’ Brigade (BB) having its roots in Scotland, the 1st Singapore Company was founded on 12 Jan 1930 at Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church by Scotsman James Milner Fraser. Before leaving for Singapore to work in 1927, Fraser had promised his old Brigade Captain that he would start a BB Company in Singapore as soon as he could.

At the official enrolment of BB Singapore by the Brigade Headquarters in London in Aug 1930, the Company had a membership of 40. By 1936, the Singapore Battalion was 200 strong. Since then, the Brigade has been contributing to the character development of boys throughout their BB journey.

Through the grace of God, BB Singapore has grown to 113 companies in kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, post-secondary institutions, a special education school and an international school.

In line with our 90th Anniversary theme—“BB through the generations, for all generations!”—we caught up with Tobias Lee, a rank-and-file BB member who is currently in our Primers Programme. Tobias recalled stories his grandfather, Dr Lee Soo Ann (BB’s Honorary Vice-President), has shared with him since he was a young boy.

Tobias said: “They would go to Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church weekly for parades but his friends and he were so close that they would hang out together to study and even head to Pulau Ubin for camps and to have fun. The sense of community is something that has stuck with BB and is what the BB is known for.

I can still see it today in my own BB journey as I’ve been blessed to be part of an amazing community where my seniors and Officers have always been there to guide and nurture me. I hope The Boys’ Brigade will continue to provide a nurturing community that will continue to advance Christ’s Kingdom among boys.”

The concept behind the 90th Anniversary logo: The salute is an expression of honour, respect and commendation. The uniform, along with the forward-looking nature of the Boy’s posture, is a signifier that the BB seeks to continue to develop leaders in society for many more generations. The textured lanyards mark the numeral “90”.

The circle of stars represents the NCO Star or Leadership badge for holistic development in character and leadership.

47th Singapore Company, sponsored by Trinity MC and Serangoon Garden Secondary School

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Home ¢ Sheri Goh is the Editor of Methodist Message. / Photos courtesy of Safe Place and Armour Publishing

Safe Place, currently housed in an SLA building leased from the government

From shame to sanctuary

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f it were up to Jennifer Heng, 44, no woman in Singapore would need an abortion. That is why she set up Safe Place, a shelter for expectant mothers in distress. Safe Place is housed in a Singapore Land Authority black-andwhite bungalow.

In 2017, there were 7,217 abortions recorded in Singapore. This is a staggeringly high number, considering Singapore’s low fertility rate, and that there were 39,615 live births that year.

(That number, however, is still much lower than in 1985, during which almost 24,000 abortions were performed.)

Every year, many women resort to abortions because of lack of choice, such as transient living arrangements, or crowded homes that cannot accommodate a new baby. They may come from broken families, or are escaping abusive situations, or became pregnant out of wedlock or because of rape, or may have been kicked out by their families. Some may received a poor prognosis of pregnancy, or are estranged from their husbands.

Each of these pregnant women has a unique and complicated situation that drives her to seek abortion. Jennifer, her team of six staff and about a hundred volunteers work with family service centres, hospitals and VWOs to find solutions for these mothers so that they can keep their babies, and acquire skills to enable them to make a life together with their child.

I want; I can; I hope As Jennifer explains, Safe Place wants to enable expectant mothers in distress to be able to say: “I want”—that they resolve to take ownership of their lives and their decisions. This is difficult because many of them come from unhealthy relationships and broken families, and their reflex action is to take flight.

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“I can”—to learn practical skills such as caring for their babies, and also softer skills such as communication, understanding their strengths, getting and keeping a job, and maintaining relationships with partners and family members.

And “I hope”—that they will develop, over time, a positive perspective of their future, not just for themselves, but also for their families. “It is possible for [a distressed pregnant woman] not to remain in this situation repeatedly, in a vicious circle,” Jennifer explains.

Walking out of secret shame Jennifer herself has been through some rocky times. In her book, Walking Out of Secret Shame, she recounts her father’s struggles with bankruptcy and suicidal tendencies, and her family’s breakup when her parents divorced. She went looking for love in romantic relationships in her teens, and ended up pregnant at 17.

Even though she was in a good junior college and was attending a church, she did not talk to anyone in her church or family because not only was she too proud and too ashamed to seek help, she also thought they would not understand. At 22 weeks pregnant, alone and wracked with guilt, she secretly underwent a painful abortion. She and her then-boyfriend never discussed the abortion; they broke up soon after and she started serial dating.

When she was 19 and a polytechnic student, Jennifer started a relationship that turned abusive. She got pregnant again and had a second abortion.

“The effect [of the trauma of abortion] on your entire being is much deeper and much more destructive than you can imagine,” she recounts in her book. “[It] never allows you to go back to normalcy.” The secret shame, guilt and emotional trauma of her abortions and tumultuous relationships did not leave her, even after she went overseas for her tertiary education.

Freedom in forgiveness For years after that, troubled by her heavy emotional and spiritual burden, she wondered what it meant to be forgiven and to walk with God with a past like that. Surely there were others who had been through the same experience, and were suffering as well— what hope did they have?

In 2001, she attended Discipleship Training School (DTS), run by Youth with a Mission (YWAM). She came to the divine realisation that the only way to be freed from her past would be to be forgiven by God for the abortions, to forgive herself, and to forgive those who had wronged her, such as her exboyfriends and her father.

Later that year, she started working as a pastoral staff at Church of Our Saviour. Around Christmas in 2001, God unexpectedly planted in her mind the thought to start a home for unwed mothers.

A surprising call to serve Taken aback, Jennifer was greatly unwilling. She tried to push the thought away, but it only got stronger. Two weeks later, a strange thing happened.

At church, she met someone whom she had never met before—and whom she was subsequently never able to track down—a man named Adi. Shortly after, Adi sent her an email titled “Stop abortion: a prayer from heaven”. It was a poem written, from the perspective of an aborted baby, to her mother, which directly echoed God’s call to start a home.

As Jennifer talked more to a counsellor and several trusted friends, she felt that spiritual call more urgently.

In 2010, a divine appointment led her to the offices of Armour Publishing. She was by then married with a daughter.

When her book was published In 2012, it raised public awareness not just to her personal experiences, but also to the

taboo subject of abortion and pregnancy out of wedlock. Her story was covered by the media, and the book’s first print run of 1,000 copies was sold out even before its official launch.

A culture of life Jennifer says, “As a Church, we should not just be known for what we are are against, but what we are for. We need to be solution providers.” That is why, for her and her team at Safe Place, it is not just about being against abortion, but also about supporting life and providing expectant mothers in distress with tangible solutions.

The same year her book was published, Jennifer started the Life Network, an informal group of individuals and organisations with a similar ethos— people involved in the adoption and fostering of children, and caring for pregnant women. They began to meet and pray about what they could do to build a culture of life in Singapore.

In 2014, Jennifer, in partnership with HCSA Community Services, started Dayspring New Life Centre to empower unsupported women to make lifegiving choices. She was surprised at the amount of media coverage, ground support and societal awareness that the centre evoked. By 2016, they had helped 39 women through their unsupported pregnancies. In many cases, the centre mediated so that women estranged from their parents and families because of their unplanned pregnancies were reunited.

“Whenever we looked at these children we had saved—these people who might not have existed if not for our work—if all we had done was to save just one of these children, all the time and effort we spent would have been worth it,” says Jennifer.

Providing a safe place In 2017, after Dayspring New Life Centre closed, Jennifer was connected with Lakeside Family Services, which runs family services (case work and counselling, financial assistance, information and referral services for families in need) as well as centres

for children, youth and seniors. Safe Place is fully privately self-funded, with Lakeside providing corporate services support and governance.

It provides case management and counselling for its clients, by teaching them parenting and life skills, and helping them to make and effect concrete plans for the future. Safe Place also provides temporary accommodation for up to eight women in their centre—from the time they seek help until their babies are four months old. All services are provided free.

At any one time, Safe Places handles about 40 cases. It has served more than 110 women since its inception.

Abortion: also a Christian problem Jennifer tells of a pastor of a large church who called her because a church member had become pregnant out of wedlock. This member had been kicked out of her home, and the pastor asked Jennifer if she could take her in.

SAFE PLACE https://safeplace.org.sg/ safeplace@lakeside.org.sg 6817-4202 (office) 8891-4214 (WhatsApp)

HOW YOU CAN HELP Give money: Safe Place is fully privately self-funded Sponsor a gift: contact Safe Place to see what they currently need Volunteer: to help the new mothers with their babies, provide respite care, office admin work, ad hoc cleaning, packing of donations, fund-raising. Couples are encouraged to help together, to provide the mothers with a strong model of marriage and family that they might not have seen close-up before.

Pray: for God’s protection over Safe Place, and for the mothers and babies it serves

Jennifer asked the pastor why no one in her church of several thousand members could put her up. Sadly, no one was willing or able to. “What if this woman is ostracised? What if people look at her differently?” was the pastor’s reply. But pregnant mothers in distress are just one of so many groups of vulnerable people: ex-offenders, sex workers, drug addicts, rebellious teenagers.

“Don’t you think,” Jennifer asks, “that the church community should be the best place to provide such help? A loving and supportive community is the solution to lowering the number of abortions.

A life-giving culture, which doesn’t just say ‘don’t abort’, which isn’t so quick to condemn, but which promotes family, love and sacrifice, and everything that the Christian faith espouses.”

Jennifer’s hope is that there will no longer be need for homes like Safe Place.

To eliminate the need for abortion, the solution is not found in an organisation like hers—it is found in the community and the Church. Everywhere, she says, should be a safe place.

Walking Out of Secret Shame

by Jennifer Heng Published by Armour Publishing (2012), 112 pages ORDER AT http://www.armourpublishing.com $14.98 (paperback, in English & Chinese).

Enjoy 20 per cent off the price of Walking Out of Secret Shame by using the promo code WOOS042020MM at the webstore’s checkout page (valid from 1–31 May 2020).

METHODIST MESSAGE MAY 2020

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METHODIST MESSAGE, JULY 2013

Welfare Services ¢ By the Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) Communications Team / Photo courtesy of Methodist Welfare Services

Many of the families MWS serves are households from the bottom 10 per cent income group who struggle with the costs of daily living

Let our light shine during the COVID-19 crisis

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s Singapore battles the COVID-19 outbreak, new measures are being introduced throughout the country at quick succession to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Almost overnight, Singaporeans find ourselves living a new reality with many working, learning or staying in touch remotely.

But for the vulnerable who have limited financial resources, the impact of COVID-19 is devastating. Many low-income families rely on part-time jobs or do work that cannot be handled remotely, and the closure of physical workplaces or non-essential services means a drastic fall in income or even a loss of livelihood. Some do not have the option of working from home. These families may be forced to choose between putting food on the table and keeping themselves and their families safe.

With schools moving to full home-based learning, some of these parents are also concerned that their children may fall behind as they are unable to supervise their children adequately. Seniors, especially those who live alone, may experience decline in their mental health as all social and health programmes in the community and at senior activity centres have been suspended.

The impact of COVID-19 on these vulnerable groups goes beyond lifestyle changes and inconvenience—it is a matter of survival.

No pandemic can stand in the way of showing Christ’s love In celebration of MCS’s 135th anniversary, Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) had organised the Eat Share Connect movement, a communal dining outreach to bless the community, and had encouraged table fellowship.

Donate to Bring Relief to Vulnerable Groups The COVID-19 situation that we are currently in has resulted in extreme anxiety within the community. Distressed and lowincome families may be facing more hardship when they earn less during this time or when they lose their livelihoods, aggravating already trying circumstances. Having little to no savings will likely cause them to experience more stress and go into debt.

Please donate generously to provide financial assistance to 1,000 low-income families from the bottom 10 per cent income group.

These funds will support them in meeting their basic needs, and helping them have the resources to better prepare for and handle the direct impact on their lives brought about by COVID-19. We hope to raise $1.35m by Nov 2020 to bless each family with $1,350 over one year. MWS is only processing the donations for tax exemption. 100 per cent of the funds raised will go DIRECTLY to support families in need.

Let’s stand together with the struggling families in our community!

Make a difference with a donation that will be used to better the lives of vulnerable groups.

We are appealing for either a regular contribution of $1 a day ($30 monthly), or a one-time contribution of $1,350 or any other amount that can bless a family in need. Every dollar matters.

Even though physical interactions are no longer possible with today’s safe distancing measures, let us not allow a pandemic to stop us from being the Church that Christ has called us to be—to reflect His love for those in need.

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink… the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” (Matt 25:35–40, ESV)

Visit https://www.giving.sg/methodistwelfare-services/donate-to-bless-COVID19 or scan the QR code to donate.

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Missions ¢ The Rev See Swee Fang is an MMS missionary in Timor-Leste. She and her husband, See Jin Hoe, are serving as house-parents at Dunamis House in Dili, Timor-Leste. / Photos courtesy of the Rev See Swee Fang

The Dunamis House hostelites

The free tuition ministry for the neighbourhood children

A missionary’s heartbeat

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ethodist Missions Society (MMS) started its hostel ministry in Timor-Leste with the setting up of Sundermeier Home in Gleno, Ermera District, in 2016. The home serves to provide high school youths with a safe and healthy environment to continue their education and to grow with the right spiritual values.

Joseph Manner is our missionary serving as house-parent, with his wife Grace, in Sundermeier Home in Gleno. Joseph wanted to help graduates of Sundermeier Home transit from high school to tertiary education and vocational training in Dili.

After much prayer and the full support of Bedok Methodist Church, who shared Joseph’s heartbeat, Dunamis House was established in 2019 as a ministry of the MMS in Dili.

Dunamis House provides accommodation as well as Christian nurturing and discipleship training for Sundermeier Home graduates as they continue their education in the university or vocational training centres in Dili.

Dunamis House is aptly named as it represents a desire to see God’s miraculous power at work and also connotes “a powerhouse”—to mould the lives of the youths while they continue with their studies and to prepare them for service to the community and the church.

We have 15 hostelites—six studying in the university, eight pursuing a one-year vocational study with EIROS, and one who is working. The hostelites live a disciplined life by carrying out their daily chores according to a roster that includes cooking, doing marketing and house-cleaning.

They are also rostered to facilitate the twice-weekly Bible study on Monday and Wednesday nights. We also have a worship session on Friday nights.

If you are interested to help in this ministry, please contact MMS at mms@methodist.org.sg .

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Recently, we started a community service/blessing through giving free tuition to Grade 1 to Grade 6 children living near us. This takes place on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Our hostelites are learning the ropes of teaching and communicating with children as they do so.

This tuition ministry was birthed from empowering the hostelites to “fish”, rather than to be “given fish”. All hostelites come from Gleno and, most of the time, money from their families does not reach them regularly because of the distance between Gleno and Dili. With this tuition ministry, they now have the ability to earn pocket-money from sponsors who provide them with financial support for their efforts. This helps to free their minds from monetary concerns, enabling them to concentrate on their studies better.

We thank God for the partnership in ministry with individuals who stepped forward to sponsor this tuition ministry. The hostelites are taught to go beyond giving tuition to the children, to also pray for their salvation and well-being.

We pray that we will be the light that shines for God in this community where He has placed us. We believe that God’s miraculous power will be at work to change lives and transform communities.

PLEA SE PRAY •

for the Rev See and Jin Hoe for God’s covering as they minister to the youths in Dunamis House

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for the hostelites, for their studies and their ministry to the younger children

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for God’s continued provision for the operations of the House

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that God will provide a new place for our hostelites

You & Your Family ¢ Benny Bong has been a family and marital therapist for more than 30 years, and is a certified work-life consultant.

He was the first recipient of the AWARE Hero Award, received in 2011, and is a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church.

Surviving social distancing

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ocial distancing is one of the strongest tools available to slow down community transmission of the COVID-19 virus. People are not to gather in groups, all nonessential movement outside of one’s home is curtailed, and schools and workplaces, unless deemed essential, are closed.

These measures were unheard of barely three months ago.

Now, whole cities and even countries are under lockdown.

Whilst essential to reduce the spread of the virus, social distancing is not without cost. Many businesses are hit hard and many individuals have lost jobs or taken severe wage cuts.

At the interpersonal level, not being able to socialise means that outlets to de-stress and to get support are unavailable.

At the same time, while contact with friends and colleagues is down, time with the family has gone up. For some, this is a blessing. For others, this increase can be too much of a good thing. Tempers flare when we get into each other’s way; being cooped up at home can cause one to be more irritable.

Thirdly, create routines and try to stick to them. They may be boring but routines ensure things get done. So, when life is turned upside down because work schedules are altered and children’s timetables are upended, it is good to work out a routine, even if only for a week at a time. This gives us a sense of control over our lives.

Here are some tips for surviving social distancing.

Firstly, social distancing does not have to mean being relationally cut off from others. There are other ways of keeping in touch. This may be a good time to spruce up our letter writing skills. Yes, I am referring to the ancient practice of “snail mail”. There is something magical about receiving a handwritten note, even if it requires deciphering the squiggles. If your excuse is that you have lost the address of your close family member or friend, there is also the telephone. And if you must, you can connect via WhatsApp, Facebook or whatever your favourite technology tool is. The important thing is to stay in (virtual) touch. And instead of waiting for that call or message, why not initiate one today?

Secondly, reach out to those who may be lonely or need a helping hand. Being helpful to others has the benefit of giving us a sense of control over our lives. We can also offer friendship and support. Giving support to one another is part of what defines us as human (social) beings.

My family was surprised when a neighbour unknown to us offered to get us groceries when they found out that my daughter was serving her Stay-Home Notice. The offer was repeated when another friend got to know of her situation.

The spontaneity and the kindness of the offers gave us a sense of being in a caring community.

Fourthly, create special moments. Working from home allows us to shed work clothes and dress casually. However, there is no reason to be sloppy and stop looking pleasant and attractive to one another. Sending thoughtful texts even though you could be working together in the same room is another way to express affection.

I have been working with a couple to improve their marital relationship. They found that with both working from home, their marriage had become more humdrum. Although they had opportunity to spend more time together, being together day and night gave them little to look forward to with respect to each other. I suggested that they put in extra effort to make the other feel special, such as preparing or ordering food that the spouse likes for a meal.

Finally, let us use this opportunity to spend more time with ourselves in meaningful contemplation. In our busy lives, we tend to rush around doing one thing after another. This may be a good time to re-evaluate what we value and what we hold as essential and important.

This crisis has shaken our world at both the personal and global level. However, if we can give and draw strength from one another, we can ride through it and emerge mentally, emotionally and relationally stronger.

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Hymns & Songs ¢ Judith Laoyan-Mosomos is the Director for Worship and Church Music at the Methodist School of Music, and a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church.

God Whose Will is

Health and Wholeness

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veryone is deeply concerned about COVID-19. This virus has caused so many changes and adjustments to our daily routine. It is causing so much anxiety and fear. The leaders of the world are working around the clock to find ways to address several issues surrounding this crisis. Citizens have been told, “Stay home!” But many are bored and tired. Some families are bonding really well, but others are finding it a challenge to make so many adjustments. Many are finding creative ways to make working from home more fun. Others explore ways to defuse boredom like baking, making art, working out, creating online content or even writing funny songs. The question is, “When will this end?”

We Christians know that the only way is to turn to God. No one else understands this crisis better than He. But what do we say to Him? This hymn by the Rev Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, written in response to COVID-19, may help us with words we may want to say, sing, pray or meditate upon.

The Rev Gillette begins with an assurance that “God’s will is our health and wholeness.” As the hymn progresses, it highlights the importance of intercessory prayer and spiritual discernment.

Through the hymn, we intercede for those who face illness, those who grieve, and those they love; the people who work for healing and the leaders of society; and for the workers so that they can keep up with the demands of life.

Even as we intercede, God has gifted us with minds, that we may know how to use them for the common good.

The hymn concludes by asking God: “Give compassion, love and kindness as we serve your people here.” We may holler to God at any given time even as we are emboldened to practise Jesus’ commandment to “love your neighbour as yourself”. How does that resound to us in light of COVID-19?

The Rev Gillette suggests singing the hymn to the tune IN BABILONE: UMH 325 (Hail Thou Once Despised Jesus). If the suggested tune is unfamiliar, we can use alternate tunes such as CONVERSE: UMH 526 (What a Friend We Have in Jesus) or PROMISE: UMH 707 (Hymn of Promise). The hymn may also be used as a prayer or a devotional, or quoted in a sermon.

God Whose Will Is Health and Wholeness

使人整全 安康之主

God whose will is health and wholeness, hear your people as we pray:

使人整全安康之主，请听祢民的呼求：

Many now are facing illness; more face sickness every day.

As we lift our song toward heaven, may we use the gifts you give— science, justice, and compassion— to help others safely live.

Jesus taught that your commandments call for us to use the mind.

May we use the gifts of science to seek health for humankind.

Bless the ones who work for healing; bless the ones who seek to be Builders of a health care system that protects society.

God, you call for love and justice, yet our laws are far from wise: Many don’t have good insurance; lack of health care threatens lives.

Many workers must keep working, sick or not, to pay the bills.

Turn us round when we have sanctioned greed that leads to greater ills.

Loving God, we ask your blessing on the sick and those they love, And we pray for those now grieving as they lift their cries above.

There is trouble all around us; illness causes pain and fear.

Give compassion, love and kindness as we serve your people here.

Tune: Traditional Dutch melody Text: © 2020 Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.

Permission is given for use of this hymn for local church use.

多人面临疫情肆虐，日益增多患病者。

我等哀歌上达天庭，求祢施恩亲引领 — 科学医疗公义怜悯，藉此助人得安康。 救主耶稣教导我们，用心遵行主诫命;

作主忠仆善用科学，谋求世人众安康。 求主赐福医疗人员，赐福医务制定者： 精心建构医疗系统，保护社会得安稳。 上主要求慈爱公义，我们有愧远不及： 民众缺乏良好保障，医疗保健不充足。

人们日夜不停劳作，面对生计叹无策 ， 主啊叫我快速回转，免因贪婪陷深渊。 慈爱上主垂怜病患，顾念他们及家人;

求主记念哀恸之情，垂听他们哭诉声。 忧患四面环绕我们，疾病恐慌重心头， 求赐我们爱心关怀，殷勤服事祢子民。 词： © 2020, Carolyn Winfrey Gillette.

Used and translated with permission. 翻译：陈淑萍，钟光勉；（修词）严家慧

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TRAC Bible Matters ¢ Gilbert Lok is a Local Preacher at Aldersgate Methodist Church. He graduated from Trinity Theological College and is now undertaking further training in New Testament at Oxford University. Upon his return, he hopes to serve in the pastoral ministry.

Should we distrust a Bible which commands genocide?

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enocide, as defined by the United Nations, is action intended “to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group”. Reading about genocide in Nazi Germany (1939–45), Cambodia (1975– 79), and Rwanda (1994) will make the stomach churn and the mind reel.

The human toll of natural disasters like tsunamis or pandemics is difficult enough to bear. What more genocide, where humans wilfully slaughter other humans?

Now read some of these passages: Ex 23:23–33; Num 21:1–3; Deut 2:31–35, 3:1–7, 7:1–6, 9:1–5, 12:29–32, 20:16–18, 25:19; Josh 6:21, 8:24–29, 10:40, 11:12– 14; 1 Sam 15:1–33.

Our moral intuitions tell us, rightly, that we should feel sorely troubled by these texts. Before leaping to defend God, it is important to acknowledge how truly horrendous genocide is. Only then can we move from moral gut reaction to mindful reflection: are these genocide texts reason to distrust and disregard the Bible and the God it presents?

When reading the Bible, we are thrilled by the miracles and awed by God’s love and grace. But then we run into difficult texts like these. We start to feel disturbed.

“Reject everything” is a simple way to resolve the moral distress arising from the genocide texts. Some strident atheists conclude from such passages that the Bible is untrue, dangerously toxic, and must be rejected wholesale. Others relegate these uncomfortable passages to a lower tier. In the 2nd century, Marcion rejected the Old Testament because its violent and angry God seemed too different from the Father of Jesus. All these would upset a Christian who takes Scripture seriously.

Others have tremendous respect for Scripture and seek to obey every command in it. Unfortunately, the genocide passages have served as a backdrop or an after-the-fact justification

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for violence (see Hofreiter, chapter 6).

Sometimes misapplying Scripture can be far worse than not applying it.

This principle holds true: not every Biblical command has timeless applicability.

Look at Deut 20:10–15, and then Deut 20:16–18. These passages are clear—the annihilation command was limited only to specific groups, in a specific time and place. The eradication of enemies is simply not the norm for all Israelite warfare. Since, outside of a limited context, the genocide commands did not apply even for ancient Israel, then all the more so, they definitely do not apply to Christians today.

Hence, we cannot simply assume the direct relevance of every Biblical instruction.

Rather, we must first understand each passage in its proper context and in light of the whole Bible, under the guidance of other faithful, wise Christians who have preceded us. We must also consider not just the letter of the commands but the principles underlying them, and be certain that the contemporary and Biblical situations are comparable.

In sum, the genocide commands are not applicable today, nor do they justify contemporary acts of violence.

This in no way implies that all biblical commands are irrelevant. It is a logical fallacy to go from “some of these do not apply” (a truth) to “all of these do not apply” (a falsity). Numerous commands in both Old and New Testaments retain a timeless quality, including “pray constantly” (1 Thess 5:17), “bless those who curse you” (Matt 5:44), “we ought to lay down our lives for one another” (1 Jn 3:16). These directives may also cause us discomfort, but for an entirely different reason—following them entails countercultural sacrifice on our part.

“Hang on,” someone might protest, “even if the command doesn’t apply today, genocide did occur in the time of the Israelites, and that’s still a problem.”

However, the same passages which command genocide also state that God would drive the Canaanites out from the land (e.g. Ex 23:28–31, Deut 9:1–4), which implies non-annihilation. Provisions were also made for the survival of Rahab’s family (Josh 6:21–25) and the Gibeonites (Josh 9:3–27). Further, some passages about Joshua’s annihilation of entire city populations (e.g. Josh 10:38–39), are followed just a few chapters later with descriptions of how those cities remained to be conquered (Josh 15:15–16). The Amalekites were depicted as both annihilated by Saul (1 Sam 15:7–20), and yet still present to fight against David (1 Sam 27:8, 30:1). Read holistically, the occurrence of genocide seems less extensive than first impressions suggest.

Are the Biblical narratives simply deceitful fabrications then? No. While the Bible is more than mere folklore, we also recognise that taking Scripture seriously does not always mean taking it literally.

Consider passages such as Isa 19:1, Lk 14:26, Mk 1:4, and Acts 2:5. God does not literally ride on a cloud, nor is Jesus commanding us to hate our parents.

Neither did every single person in Judea and Jerusalem visit John the Baptist. Nor were Yayoi or Mayans (ancient peoples of present-day Japan and Central America respectively) present in Jerusalem at Pentecost. The point is: the Bible contains hyperbole, which is an exaggerated figure of speech used for the sake of emphasis or poetic expression. Taking hyperbole literally would be to misinterpret the intent of the human and divine authors of Scripture. Respecting the genre and context of a passage is key. To have a high view of Scripture means knowing when not to take it literally.

There does seem to be some evidence that the genocide passages were hyperbolic, given the plurality of descriptions above and the fact that hyperbolic war rhetoric was commonplace in that region and era. Several recent authors (Wolterstorff, Copan and Flanagan, Webb and Oeste)

argue for this, and while no interpretation is without problems, their views are worthy of serious consideration.

The hyperbole view is also an important alternative to the proposal that Joshua’s conquest and the associated genocide was simply a fictional construction. Based on archaeological findings, some scholars assert that the conquest (and hence genocide) never occurred at all, but was simply a grand tale created to bolster Israel’s national identity. This may evade the genocide problem, but creates a new one concerning the nature of Scripture.

More recent archaeological studies seem to indicate fewer inconsistencies with the Biblical account than earlier research suggested. Overall, the data remain far from conclusive and there is no perfect fit with any explanatory model.

Regardless, it is recognised that the Bible is not a history book in the modern sense, but is a theological account which interprets events via the lens of faith.

Scripture, is not purely historical in genre, but neither is it entirely ahistorical.

These passages do not need to be read as mere fabrications ex nihilo (out of nothing), but as literary and theological reflections of pivotal moments in the history of Israel as God’s people.

There is a third difficulty: even if hyperbole was present, a good amount of harsh warfare still occurred. And even if genocide was not fully executed by the Israelites, does it not remain a problem that a good God commanded such an atrocious deed?

For Marcion and others, the genocide texts are simply irreconcilable with the compassionate, gentle, and loving Jesus of the Gospels. Yet, numerous passages (Mt 10:34–36, Mt 23:1–36, Mt 24:45–51, Lk 19:11–27, Jn 2.13–17, Jn 5:26–30) show that Jesus was remembered by the earliest church as more than just a mild and serene sage. Similarly, Revelation depicts Jesus as both victim and ultimate victor (Rev 5:6–14, 19:11–16).

We must avoid thinking of God as merely a doting parent. He is also a warrior and a judge. The Canaanites’ sinfulness

was given as an explicit reason for the genocide and expulsion commands (Deut 9:4–5, 12:29–31, 18:12). Further, the Israelites themselves were not exempt from God’s judgment. The severity of God’s punishment fell on His own people too, on account of their sins (Lev 26:14– 33, Deut 28:15–68, Jer 9:10–16). God is indeed a loving Father, but He is more than just that.

We must likewise avoid thinking of God as merely a vengeful punisher. When God first revealed himself on Mount Sinai (Ex 34:6–7), elements of both mercy and justice were present, with noticeably more emphasis on the former (see Webb and Oeste, chapter 14). God is indeed a judge, but He is more than just that.

In the end, mind boggling as it may initially seem, we can acknowledge that the severity of God’s judgement is congruent with His loving mercy. The Bible itself holds this tension throughout its pages, and nowhere is God’s kindness and God’s justice more closely intertwined than when God himself suffered on a Roman cross.

This article has outlined only the most basic elements of this complex issue.

Much more could be said; the interested reader is directed to the references below.

Nevertheless, we have seen, firstly, how the genocide command was a specifically limited one which is absolutely not applicable today. This does not invalidate other Biblical principles which retain a timeless applicability.

Second, we have appreciated that the commands of annihilation sit sideby-side with less severe instances of expulsion and assimilation. Some degree of hyperbole may be at work in the text, and hyperbole is not the same as fiction.

Third, we have gone beyond the genocide texts to consider what the whole of Scripture says about God’s mercy and His execution of judgment.

Since God is both lover and judge, we can hold this tension. Taken together, these indicate that the genocide passages need not result in a distrust of the Bible.

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official position of The Methodist Church in Singapore. This version of the article has been edited for brevity. The full article can be found at http://www.trac-mcs. org.sg/index.php/resources/bible-matters/26resources/245-should-we-distrust.

REFERENCES The Genocide Commands Copan, Paul, and Matthew Flannagan. Did God Really Command Genocide? Coming To Terms With The Justice Of God. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2014.

Hofreiter, Christian. Making Sense of Old Testament Genocide: Christian Interpretations of Herem Passages.

Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2018.

Kennedy, Michael T. “Canaan, Conquest Of.” In Lexham Bible Dictionary, edited

by John D. Barry, et al. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016.

Meier, S.A. “History of Israel 1: Settlement Period.” In Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books, edited

by Bill T. Arnold and H. G. M. Williamson.

Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2005.

Webb, William J., and Gordon K. Oeste.

Bloody, Brutal, and Barbaric: War Texts That Trouble the Soul. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2019.

Wolterstorff, Nicholas. “Reading Joshua.”

In Divine Evil?: The Moral Character of the God of Abraham, edited by Michael Bergmann, et al. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010. 236–65.

Reading, Interpreting, and Applying Scripture Brown, Jeannine K. Scripture as Communication: Introducing Biblical Hermeneutics. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2007.

Cosgrove, Charles H. Appealing to Scripture in Moral Debate: Five Hermeneutical Rules. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2002.

Fee, Gordon D., and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth. 4th ed.

Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2014.

Hollinger, Dennis P. Choosing the Good: Christian Ethics in a Complex World. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002.

Strauss, Mark L. How to Read the Bible in Changing Times: Understanding and Applying God’s Word Today. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2011.

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Soundings ¢ Dr Roland Chia is Chew Hock Hin Professor of Christian Doctrine at Trinity Theological College and Theological and Research Advisor at the Ethos Institute for Public Christianity (http://ethosinstitute.sg)

“Soundings” is a series of essays that, like the waves of a sonogram, explore issues in society, culture and the church in light of the Gospel and Christian understanding.

Religion of the heart

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n his letter to Titus his protégé, the Apostle Paul exhorts the young pastor to “Teach what befits sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1). Orthodoxy (right belief) is important for the Christian faith because Christians believe that God has revealed something about Himself and His purposes for the world in Scripture.

Orthokardia, or the right heart, prevents the Christian faith and Christian discipleship from succumbing to that subtle erosion which some theologians have described as “externalism”—a religion that is reduced to outward conduct and ritual performances, devoid of real life, vitality and conviction.

However, even a cursory reading of Paul’s letter would show that “right doctrines or beliefs” alone are not enough. Orthodoxy has implications in the way we conduct ourselves and relate to one another. In other words, orthodoxy must lead to orthopraxis (right action).

For Wesley, the “heart” represents the true centre of the person—it defines who he is, the essence of his character. The “heart” therefore reveals the true self of an individual, more than do his outward actions, which can be hypocritical and deceptive.

John Wesley understood the importance of both orthodoxy and orthopraxis. He embraced the truths revealed in the Bible and summarised them in the Church’s ancient creeds, such as the Nicene Creed. And he believed that certain actions are required if one is to consider oneself a Christian.

The heart, Wesley says repeatedly, discloses the “tempers” of the individual.1 By “tempers”, Wesley does not mean an emotion or a person’s state of mind.

Wesley uses this word in its more archaic sense to refer to the enduring disposition of a person.

Wesley helpfully divided these “necessary actions” into “works of piety” (e.g. participating in corporate worship, taking the sacraments, praying and Bible study) and “works of mercy” (e.g., feeding the poor, clothing the naked and visiting those imprisoned).

But beyond these two “orthos”, Wesley introduced a third, which he gleaned from his study of the Fathers of the early Church. Besides “right beliefs” and “right actions”, Wesley insisted, the Christian must also cultivate the “right heart” (orthokardia).

Although Wesley did not himself use the term “orthokardia”, the idea that the Christian faith is the “religion of the heart” pervades his entire corpus, and became increasingly prominent in his matured work.

Wesley also speaks of “religious affections”, and often uses this expression interchangeably with “heart” and “tempers”. Again, affections should not be confused with emotions. They have to do with the things are profoundly important to us, the things that we desire and long for— our ultimate concerns.

Like Augustine before him, Wesley brings love and the affections into the closest possible relationship with each other.

Very often our affections are for the things we love.

Thus, those who love the world, Wesley explains, will have affections for carnal and worldly things. They will “have their thoughts and affections fixed on such things that gratify their corrupt nature: namely on things visible and temporal: on things of the earth, on pleasure (of sense or imagination), praise, or riches.” 2

See Sermon 9, “Spirit of Bondage and Adoption,” Works of John Wesley Wesley’s comment on Romans 8:5, Explanatory Notes Upon the New Testament (London: Epworth Press, 1976).

3 Ibid.

But those who love God will be drawn to divine things. They will “think of, relish, love things invisible, eternal; the things which the Spirit hath revealed, which he works in us, moves us to, and promises to give us.” 3 The religion of the heart must be cultivated. Holy affections and holy tempers, once formed by divine grace, must be nurtured.

This can be achieved through the various spiritual disciplines of the Christian faith, which Wesley has given sacramental status by describing them as the means of grace, that is, as the vehicles or conduits by which the Holy Spirit works in the life of the Christian.

This means that the Christian must immerse himself fully in the life of the Church if he is to mature spiritually.

Thus, it is through his participation in the rhythms of the worshipping community— prayer, liturgy, Eucharist, service—that the Christian cultivates orthokardia.

For Wesley, the importance of understanding the Christian faith as “the religion of the heart” cannot be over emphasised.

For without holy affections, Christian worship and service will be reduced either to mindless activism or a suffocating legalism. Without holy tempers, orthodoxy will not only be “dead”. It will also become a dogmatism that is harsh, cold and unforgiving.

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Home ¢ Mrs Kalaimathi Nagulan is the President of ETAC WSCS / Photo courtesy of Mrs Kalaimathi Nagulan

What does being a Methodist mean to you? re a t g fa it h , g n o tr s a t m ea n s c ri p tu ra l M e th o d is rc is in g s a e x g e in y e b tr in is o m e, u it fu l m ip a n d fr h s w o ll fe d th a t li ho ness . h u rc h , a n C t is d o it h . M y th e M e th to m y fa d C h ri s t in th e ir iv b e c e v re f th e t ga Fa it h : I e ri ta g e o u rc h th a h h h C c e ri e th th is il t u p o n m e a n s it s ic a ll y b u a b is ir fe p s it . c h u rc h li We s le ya n ’s h rc u h C t r fa m il y M e th o d is to a la rg e g n lo e b I at C — C AC m e a n s th s in E TA o e h ls a rc u It h : c e ip u r Ta m il te d in th F e ll o w s h eyo n d o p a rt ic ip a b I n rs e e h e v w e o th r t, o f b e li ce n t p a s th e r w it h re e g e to th d In e p . it y a n d a a n d T R AC d w o rs h ip fe lt a u n rv ice s a n I e , s s e te g a a g A ld e rs n t la n g u in d if fe re ts is d o th Me u rc h . in th e C h h it w s s y, I h a v e onene h jo u rn e it fa y m and gan in y o u th in ce I b e g S in : y rv r e t S is in in is tr ie s . to w o rk F r u it f u l M o rt u n it y c h u rc h m p p in o d n e a rv e e m it h in a lwa y s s h a s g iv e n o n s h ip w ti s la ie tr re is l a n m in o n n e c ti o w o m e n ’s jo y th e c n e d n a to g e th e r rc h e s . o d is t c h u o u r M e th

T

THINK ¢ Khee Shihui shares about Bring Your Own (BYO) and low waste practices on her Instagram account, @tabaogirl, to show that it’s possible to make the appreciation of God’s creation part of our daily lives. Nature reminds her very much of God’s creativity and sense of humour.

Love in the time of COVID-19 “We are faced not with two separate crises, one environmental and the other social, but rather with one complex crisis which is both social and environmental.”

Pope Francis, Laudato Si, 139

T

wo weeks ago, I sent my friend her favourite fruit shakes via a delivery service and requested that the delivery person hang the package on her door as my friend was serving a quarantine order due her exposure to a confirmed COVID-19 case.

Hours later, I received a very polite and carefully worded message that asked, “I’m genuinely curious—how does this [i.e. ordering food and having it delivered] square with your zero waste and zero plastic lifestyle?”

Since 2017, I’ve been using an Instagram account, @tabaogirl, to journal my daily zero and low waste efforts, as well as my challenges and successes with being more environmentally responsible and caring for God’s creation.

Like-minded friends, old and new, have been drawn together by our common love and care for this one earth we have.

When I first read the message from my friend, my immediate reaction was, “Ouch, I didn’t realise that my actions were being so closely watched.” The second thought that crossed my mind was, “I do quite a lot daily to care for the environment compared to most others. Shouldn’t I get cut some slack? Doesn’t my consistency over the past three years show sincerity and commitment?”

After moving past the hurt, I realised that this could be a valuable opportunity for a conversation that I wished more people would have. I responded, “There is this myth that caring for the environment means we cannot care for people, or we will leave people worse off or deprive ourselves of a decent quality of life. I’ve noticed that what puts people off is a militant and extreme environmentalism, that’s a zero sum game.

True care for the environment or people is not like this at all. At the heart of our human experience, in every circumstance, we have complex and shifting priorities or responsibilities. So, moment to moment, I do my best to discern what I can do that would be most in service. How do I love someone in a way that would honour God? How do I live in a way that best demonstrates discipleship?

I could have made those fruit shakes myself, or bought them in reusables from the store and personally delivered it to my friend’s place, but that would have involved me travelling a long way, which would enlarge my carbon footprint and consume energy. In the event she became a new confirmed COVID-19 case, I might have inadvertently become part of a new cluster of cases due to my zealousness to show care, instead of respecting what was prudent in the current context.

All things considered, delivering food from a local F&B outlet (an industry that needs support during this current circuit breaker) to my friend, and which is less than 10 minutes from her place, would be more energy-efficient, kind and thoughtful. It would also prevent non-essential physical contact. I don’t think I can ever be completely zero waste and zero impact, but living well is to constantly strive to be more responsible and take more care.”

Let’s not be too quick to judge a person or a situation, but take a step back to discern what can truly be for the greater good.

At a deeper level, this parallels our relationship with God and lifelong discipleship. God is not a discipline master who demands our absolute perfection, allowing no missteps. Instead, He sees the wholeness of who we are even in our brokenness; He’s always reminding us whom He’s made us to be, and holds compassion for where we are currently at.

In that space between who He’s envisioned us to be and the work in progress we are, He is a loving Father who is with us every step of the way, delights in our victories and comforts us during our struggles. He only asks for our desire to seek Him out daily, and may we grow in loving Him and all of His creation more steadfastly each day.

Shihui was one of the contributors to God’s Gardeners: Creation Care Stories from Singapore and Malaysia, which was reviewed in the April 2020 issue of Methodist Message.

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ALDERSGATESG 2020

John Wesley’s spiritual experience at Aldersgate

on 24 May 1738 is a significant moment in our Methodist heritage. As MCS celebrates 135 years in Singapore, let us rediscover what it means to love God and serve together, and with hearts ignited by the warmth of God’s spirit.

w w w . m e t h o d i s t . o r g . s g /A l d e r s g a t e S G 2 0 2 0