Vol 118 No 12 • DEC 2016
inside
this issue...
ISSN 0129-6868 MCI (P) 117/11/2016
PLMGS celebrates 100 years Re-opening time capsule and museum page 7
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BISHOP’S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
Life and death at Christmas Bishop Dr Wee Boon Hup was elected Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore in 2012, and will retire with the title ‘Bishop Emeritus’ when his term ends on 2 Dec 2016.
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here is a teaching of Jesus missing from many of our pulpits today. It might appear to be out of sync with the mood of this Advent season (but it is not). By its very nature, it is an instruction that makes us flinch, or ignore, if not reject it outright. However, if we pay serious attention to it, we will address the cause of many of the shortcomings we find among Christians today. It is a message that is often missed amidst the merriment of Christmas. Yet by its absence from many pulpits, we allow the proliferation of the cult of celebrity by our leaders and members. The absence of this teaching has been filled by a justification of selfentitlement, and a rejection of pain and suffering. The teaching is plainly summed up by Jesus in Luke 9:23 (ESV): “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” This imperative is diluted when we call it “self-denial”. Naming it that way diminishes the
depth of its effect on the Christian. What Jesus is calling for is not just denial; He is calling for death. The cross is more than a symbol of denial. It is the place where one dies. The apostle Paul sums up a personal way of life that all disciples of Jesus must hold: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20, ESV) This death is of a spiritual nature. To carry the cross daily is to remind ourselves all the time about the fact that we have died to ourselves, our selfcentredness and self-determination. In the words of the Wesleyan Covenant Service, “we are no longer our own”. This is the Advent season, climaxing at Christmas. There is tragedy and death during this period that we mostly suppress. The message of the season includes episodes of fleeing refugees (Joseph, Mary and the infant Jesus), and genocide of children (when Herod decreed that all children below two years
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COMING UP
CCIS 2016 to hold evangelistic concert for the first time Opportunities abound to participate in this inter-denominational effort to share the story of Jesus’ birth in this season: • PRAY for this year’s CCIS. If you would like to join in corporate prayer, attend CCIS’ Prayer Dedication Night on 14 Dec 2016 at St. Andrew’s Cathedral B1 New Sanctuary, 7.30 p.m. (Refreshments from 7 p.m.; email secretariat@ccis.sg by 9 Dec 2016 for catering.) • DONATE towards the cost of running this year’s events – a further $178,000 is needed, and an additional $8,000 for volunteers’ T-shirts. Specially-printed CCIS planners for 2017 are available for at least $10 donation per planner, from the Singapore Every Home Crusade office. • VISIT the booths to learn more about featured social service organisations, and the performance stages at Wisma Atria and ION Orchard to support the performers, from 17-23 Dec 2016. Churches involved include Barker Road Methodist Church, Queenstown Chinese Methodist Church, and Singapore Telugu Methodist Church. • BRING friends to engage with the CCIS performances and displays along Orchard Road, or to the evangelistic concert on 24 Dec 2016 at Cuppage Plaza’s Nexus Auditorium (#05-07/08) from 2.30-4 p.m. Limited tickets for the concert are available for pick-up at CCIS’ site office from 17-23 Dec, 3-10 p.m. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/Christmas.Sg or ccis.sg
Performers sharing the gift of God’s love along Orchard Road in a previous edition of CCIS.
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ven in tough economic times, the call to follow Christ’s example (1 Peter 2:21) rings out, as Celebrate Christmas in Singapore (CCIS) labours in Christ to ‘Touch Lives, Share the Moment and Bless the Community’ for the 13th year at CCIS 2016,” notes Canon Dr Louis Tay, Board and Exco Member of CCIS, in his letter to church leaders, pastors and supporters. For the first time, the CCIS events will include an evangelistic concert, sharing the Christmas story through songs by foreign and local performers. It will be held on 24 Dec 2016 at Cuppage Plaza’s Nexus Auditorium from 2.30-4 p.m., and limited tickets are available for pick-up at CCIS’ site office from 17-23 Dec, 3-10 p.m. CCIS has been unwavering in its cause of “making the real meaning of Christmas known in Orchard Road”, since its conception in 2004. Annually, both local and foreign performers (many travelling at their own expense) give compelling presentations of Jesus’ birth story and its themes, at prime locations along Orchard Road that have the potential to draw many to the gospel through this conversational starter. Here, the eternal value of God’s gift of salvation through Jesus stands out against the backdrop of gift-buying bustle by harried shoppers. CCIS has also been unabashed in its care for the less fortunate at Christmas, with its yearly outreach booths featuring social service organisations. This year, booths will be set up for My Christmas Wish (targeting to provide for the needs of 500 needy children and their families), Youth Guidance Outreach Services (to increase public awareness of youths-at-risk in our community), and Singapore Youth For Christ. Will you play your part to ‘Touch Lives, Share the Moment and Bless the Community’ at CCIS 2016? n
Photo courtesy of Celebrate Christmas in Singapore Ltd
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BISHOP’S MESSAGE
Life and death at Christmas
...continued from page 1
old be killed, Matthew 2:16). Embedded in the story of Christ’s birth is death. The success of God’s intent begun at Advent could only be fully realised with a death on Good Friday. With God, however, death is not the end. After the crucifixion and burial come the resurrection. But as Paul surmises, the risen life is one to be lived by faith in the Son of God. John Wesley paraphrased that line with “I derive every moment that supernatural principle; from a divine evidence and conviction, that He loved me, and delivered up himself for me.” The disciple’s life therefore is prompted by gratitude at what Christ has done and powered by the life of Christ (in the Holy Spirit) at work within. The self is dead; the life that now permeates the disciple is that of the risen Lord. Hence, there is no room for “me, myself and mine” anymore. What mostly purports as Christian spirituality today does not give room for this teaching. Most of our contemporary songs focus on the good things God has done for us, or what we are expecting Him to do for us. When it comes to what we call ministry, it is human-centred in what must happen so as to lift the person out of his predicament or misery. What we regard today as Christian leadership centres on the record of accomplishment by the individual or team. When we celebrate success, it is on the results or what we have been blessed with. Songs, ministry, and leadership from a position where we have been crucified are no longer human-centred. Rather, our hearts’ desire in worship is directed solely to the Lord who is glorified. Our service or ministry to others is so that they may encounter and seek Him as Lord, and that they will depend ultimately on Him and not human intermediaries. Our leaders submit themselves in a self-effacing manner so that only Christ is acknowledged as Lord. As we journey through Advent and climax at Christmas in 2016, let the life of the Christ, whose birth we celebrate this season, be manifested in each of us and in our Christian communities. Let that life, which is not our own but shining through us, raise people up to acknowledge that Jesus is Lord. n
With God, however, death is not the end. After the crucifixion and burial come the resurrection. But as Paul surmises, the risen life is one to be lived by faith in the Son of God. John Wesley paraphrased that line with “I derive every moment that supernatural principle; from a divine evidence and conviction, that He loved me, and delivered up himself for me.” Masthead picture by osw/Bigstock.com Cover picture by Rawpixel.com/Bigstock.com Background picture by speakingtomato/Bigstock.com METHODIST MESSAGE • DEC 2016
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HOME
Developing an Asian Christian theology for modern Asians Chye Shu Yi is a member of Methodist Church of the Incarnation.
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hat will the Asian church look like in a few hundred years to come, and what are we going to do to get there? This was food for thought posed by Dr Tan Gee Paw in delivering the ETHOS InstituteTM Annual Lecture 2016, held at St. Andrew’s Cathedral on 18 Oct 2016. Titled “Theology Amid an Infocomm Technology Revolution – an Asian Perspective”, the lecture expounded on two main points: first, the need for an indigenous Asian theology in the Asian church, and second, the challenge of conveying the Gospel message to the current generation. The need for an Asian theology can be most keenly felt in the fact that while Christianity comprises both rational and relational aspects, its initial introduction to Asia by Western missionaries had focused more on the rational and logical side, which was not the norm for the predominantly-relational Asian psyche. For Christianity to further develop and become deeply rooted in Asia, it cannot merely be a carbon copy of Western Christianity; it must be accessible to more than just the “Western-educated” or those in the upper fringes of society. A truly indigenous Asian Christian theology must take cognisance of the relational and communal Asian culture so that all of its people can understand its truths. Only then will Asian Christian missionaries be able to effectively bring an indigenous Christian theology into an accepting Asian society, and Asian Christians be better placed to engage in dialogue with those from other religions. So what makes up an indigenous Asian Christian theology? We must find a middle ground between the extremes of a detached, almost-forensic rational religion on the one hand and a narcissistic, self-focused experiential one on the other. In this respect, the Asian theology needs to have its own cultural ballast for stability, instead of blindly copying the latest trends from the West which may do more harm than good in the long run. Some
examples of such problems include the infamous prosperity gospel, and modern Christian worship expressions which focus more on the self than on glorifying God. An indigenous Asian Christian theology, developed from a relational perspective to complement – not replace – its rational facets, must be missiological to carry the Gospel to the unreached in Asia, pastoral to serve the needs of people, and contextual to address the needs of people in nations who are emerging from poverty. It must be able to see the upcoming future challenges in Asia, and address these in advance. In this sense, such a theology would go beyond mere education, which equips pastors with the working knowledge to meet the current needs of the church, to theological leadership, which develops and shapes the character of the church for centuries to come. The other challenge apart from developing an indigenous Asian Christian theology is conveying its message. Within the span of a few decades, communications in modern society have changed drastically, and today’s vocabulary may vary depending on “what’s hot and what’s not”. The indigenous Asian Christian theology for the modern audience requires a fresh clarion call, not unlike the Solas of the Reformation which formed the bedrock of the Christianity we know today. It may be challenging to find a way to communicate Christian values such as reliance on God and denying one’s self, especially since modern culture is becoming increasingly focused on selfsufficiency and self-gratification. However, while there is always a risk of incorporating non-Christian elements through using a modern language, spiritual discernment is necessary and the church must find a way to adapt, or risk being unable to reach out effectively to future generations. n Photo courtesy of ETHOS InstituteTM for Public Christianity
SAYS THE CAC PRESIDENT
Advent: Looking back and looking forward The Rev Dr Chong Chin Chung assumes office as Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore upon his consecration on 2 Dec 2016. He had previously been elected President of the Chinese Annual Conference for two terms, from 2008 to 2016. He has been a Methodist pastor for more than 30 years and has been a guest lecturer at Trinity Theological College since 1996.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit!”
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t is December, and we are in the second week of Advent. The end of the year is a time for looking back on what has happened in the months past, and to celebrate and give thanks for what has been accomplished. December, in the church calendar, is the Advent season, during which preparations are made to celebrate the birth of Christ at Christmas. The new Christian year begins with Advent and scripture passages from the gospels are read in Sunday worship services to mark its commencement. In 1755, John Wesley introduced the Covenant Service, which was held on the eve of the New Year or its first Sunday. It has undergone adaptations to become the Watch Night Service of the Methodist Church today. I encourage you to attend this Service in your church for praise and worship, prayer, sharing of testimonies, receiving the Word and partaking in the Holy Communion. More importantly, let us also have time to be alone with God, a time of self-examination, and of renewing the covenant with the Lord. As Isaiah has said, “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” (Isaiah 30:15) In the hustle and bustle of life today, it is imperative for us to have our moments of stillness and calm to reflect and contemplate. Christmas is a reminder to the Church that the day of Christ’s second coming is near. The Church missed its opportunity to welcome the Messiah when He was born – Word becoming flesh – in a lowly manger more than 2,000 years ago. The promise of Christ’s return will be fulfilled and the Church must be ready for it this time, which is why during
Romans 15:13
Christmas we look back in celebration of Christ’s first coming, while at the same time look forward in eager anticipation of His second coming. Among the many Christmas hymns and carols, my favourite is ‘It Came Upon the Midnight Clear’. One phrase in its lyrics, in particular, never fails to stir up my thoughts and feelings: “and ever o’er its Babel sounds the blessed angels sing”. The world situation is ever-changing and unpredictable; the sweeping migrant tides continue unabated, and global economic woes give serious cause for concern. Increasingly deviant and aberrant ideologies, which are also disdainful of the established order, only exacerbate the already precarious situation. Facing such dire circumstances we may wonder if there is hope for the future. Let me tell you, our hope is in God! This is the blessing given in the Bible: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13) May you and your family have a meaningful Christmas full of love and joy! n
Picture by PHOTOCREO Michal Bednarek /Bigstock.com METHODIST MESSAGE • DEC 2016
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YOU & YOUR FAMILY
Turning regrets to plans 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 in 2011 and is a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church.
Having regrets? It may be that it is still not too late.
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y the time this article is read, the year 2016 would be nearing its end. What has this year been like for you? Was it much like previous years or did it hold some surprises? Is its passing felt with regrets, relief or a sense of quiet satisfaction? The passing of each year allows a time for much-needed reflection. Some observers would say that the year 2016 has been like no other. Many times and with different news outlets, the term “unprecedented” was used when referring to this year’s events. The unexpected British referendum vote to leave the European Union and the resulting massive losses in the stock markets was unprecedented. Even so, we have yet to see the full impact of “Brexit”. Extreme weather conditions brought about the highest temperatures, the fiercest wildfires and wettest storms the world has seen for years. Wars in Ukraine and in Syria threatened to bring us to the brink of World War Three. The issues exposed by the bitter and often personal American Presidential campaign will leave societal scars that will take years to heal. Closer to home, and on a not-so-massive scale but just as important, was the heart-in-the-mouth moment when our Prime Minister was taken ill whilst delivering the National Day speech. Many watched in anxious silence to receive word that he was well. Then there were the audacious plans by terrorists in Batam to fire rockets at Singapore. Finally came the tragic news of school boys, in separate situations, who took their lives when faced with stress that was too much for them.
What were the news items that caught your attention and stayed in your subconscious mind? What do they say of what matters to you? What about how we have lived our lives this year? As you recall the year that is passing, what events stand out? On a personal note, 2016 has been an unusual year for my family. We were able to take two long family breaks, a nearimpossible task with three working persons. The travels we took were not our usual, as we made the effort to see more of nature and less of cities, whether old and new. There was also a qualitative difference in the amount of time we spent together. What a treat it was to find time in our ever-busy lives for each other. Back to your reflections for the year. Do you recall loose ends in your work that need some tying up, or tasks or projects to be completed? Do these thoughts occupy your mind? Are your regrets more personal in nature, like not spending enough time with loved ones and friends who need your support? Someone once remarked that he had not heard anyone on their deathbed saying they regretted not having worked harder. It seems a paradox that although our work, both in the marketplace and at home, consumes most of our time and energies, they seem to yield less long-term life satisfaction than our time with people and with God. It would seem ultimately that we are made for relationships; that we would find the most fulfilment from them. If indeed we have regrets this year about visits not made, or words not exchanged with family and friends, it may be that it is still not too late. As we draw near to the close of the year, we are also at the threshold of a new year. We therefore have the opportunity to turn our regrets to good plans. n Picture by kkolosov/Bigstock.com
HOME
PLMGS steps back in time to celebrate 100 years Ng Eng Kee is Head of Department (Aesthetics) at Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School (Secondary).
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he opening and re-sealing of a time capsule, and the re-opening of a museum – these were among the highlights of the Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School (PLMGS) Centennial Founder’s Day Celebrations on 14 Oct 2016. It marked the culmination of 10 months of celebratory events which commemorated the 100th year after the school’s founding (see MM Mar 2016 P12-13 for the calendar of events). The day began with a Thanksgiving Service, where Bishop Dr Wee Boon Hup of The Methodist Church in Singapore, the Guest of Honour, shared about “our Unchanging God”. This was followed by the opening of the time capsule in the PL Well. Alumni President Mrs Quahe-Lim Su-Lynn reflected: “In 1987, the first seed of our centennial celebrations was planted when we gathered as a school and sealed a time capsule to be opened in 2016 on the occasion of our 100th Founder’s Day. For all of us there that day, this milestone has since been at the back of our minds. On 14 Oct 2016, many of us returned to school to witness the opening of the well by Mrs Claudette Poulier (one of the school’s longest-serving teachers) and the retrieval of the time capsule from the well.” “The ceremony brought back many memories – the well itself was built using bricks from our old school in Boundary Road. The bell that adorns it used to hang in our old school canteen and was rung to signal the start of the school day and recess time. Among the items retrieved from the time capsule were our former principal Mrs Winnie Tan’s vision for our school, as well as our former Chaplain Pastor Leslie Quahe’s prayer for our school. For all of us witnessing this special event, it was a time of reflection and thanksgiving for God’s faithfulness to our school through all generations.” After taking out the items in the time capsule, new items reflecting current wishes and memories were then sealed in it, to be opened in 30 years’ time in 2046. Natalie Ng of 2Hu from PLMGS (Primary) said: “Witnessing the opening of the time capsule on Founder’s Day (through the live streaming) was very meaningful as I got to know what PLMGS was like in the past. I feel very proud and blessed to be a PL-Lite!”
The third part of the morning’s event was the official re-opening of the PLMGS Museum by nine generations of PL-Lites. Set up for visitors to explore and understand the rich culture and heritage of our school, the museum was renovated and updated to house our own collection of PLMGS artefacts, capturing the memories of generations of girls who have passed through our sheltering walls. In the evening, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was the Guest of Honour at PLMGS’ Centennial Founder’s Day Thanksgiving and Reunion Dinner. PM Lee delivered a speech and launched the 100th Anniversary commemorative book titled In Praise and Gladness. This book captures the hearts and minds of current and former staff and students, and documents life-changing lessons gleaned from their time in school. Organised by the PLMGS Alumni Association and supported by PLMGS, the dinner was attended by 1,200 guests. A reporter from The Straits Times commented that the gathering was like recess time in school, where one could hear laughter and chatter filling up the entire ballroom.
Guest-of-Honour Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong cutting the PL100 cake at the Centennial Founder’s Day Thanksgiving and Reunion Dinner.
PLMGS had just 24 students and three teachers when it first started. Today, that small village school has expanded into two all-girls schools, run by a strong committed family of nearly 300 staff and, together, educating over 3,000 students. We praise God for His faithfulness to PLMGS across the generations. We thank Him for the strong support of our parents, alumni, Board of Management, Paya Lebar Methodist Church and Paya Lebar Chinese Methodist Church. We trust that God will continue to use PLMGS as His instrument of blessing to touch the lives of many who will be part of our PLMGS story, now and in the years to come. To God be the Glory! n
To buy the commemorative book or visit its museum, please contact PLMGS (Secondary) at 6281-6606.
Photo sourced from The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Reproduced with permission
METHODIST MESSAGE • DEC 2016
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MISSIONS
Loving the Timorese: Reflections on MITE programme Eunice Phang worships at Covenant Evangelical Free Church. She loves nature, and enjoys running and hiking.
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embarked on a two-month Missions Internship Training and Exposure (MITE) to Timor-Leste (TL), beginning from 2 July 2016. This was my first trip to TimorLeste and I was captivated by the beauty of this land and her people. The Timorese are friendly, resilient and they have a deep love for their country, which gained independence in 2002. I was privileged to work alongside the Methodist Missions Society missionary David Chan in the area of education and community development. David, together with his family, teaches Grade Seven students at a school in Hera district. These 13- to 15-year-old students will be the nucleus for the planned Methodist School in Dili. The students are energetic and enthusiastic about learning. They value the opportunity to learn English and display much grit and perseverance to achieve fluency. They believe that the knowledge gained and their character development will enable them to be responsible and contributing citizens. It is indeed a tremendous joy to see them progress, slowly but steadily.
On Tuesday evenings, we blessed the children in the Hudi Laran community by singing songs, playing games, sharing Bible stories and distributing food. There is no greater joy when you see the smiles and laughter of these children! Sundermeier Home at Gleno started in January 2016 and is managed by missionaries Joseph and Grace Mannar. It is home to 20 youths studying at a local high school. I enjoyed teaching them English and Mathematics and having devotion time with them. Education would have been impossible if they had stayed on in their remote home districts, as they would have needed to travel for hours to attend high school. Under the loving guidance of their house-parents Joseph and Grace, they learn to live in a community, and pick up important life skills such as discipline, responsibility and empathy for one another. Working alongside missionaries for a longer duration impressed upon me that “the best kinds of ministry are, more often than not, long term and low key,” as Christopher Ash put it. I am amazed and humbled by the missionaries’ obedience to respond to the call, and to give up a secure and comfortable lifestyle in Singapore to serve in TL. They picked up Tetum, the Timorese language, as part of their cultural integration and assimilation. They exemplify the love of Christ by faithfully loving the Timorese and remain convicted in trusting God to bring about results in His time. Their authentic discipleship is evident as they face challenges and remain faithful to God.
Photos courtesy of the Methodist Missions Society
Interacting with the Timorese and the missionaries made me realise that skin colour and language are not barriers to communication and God’s work, if we speak the language of love in Christ. I have been blessed and encouraged by the commitment, compassion and love shown by the missionaries as they serve to transform lives. May God increase our love and capacity to pray, give or serve in the areas He has called us to, as Brian D. McLaren has rightfully pointed that “every Christian is a missionary and every place is a mission field.” n The MMS Missions Internship Training and Exposure (MITE) programme is designed to send believers to the mission fields for a period of between one to three months, and enable them to experience the work and life of a missionary in the field. For more info, call 6478-4818.
“The best kinds of ministry are, more often than not, long term and low key.”
– Christopher Ash
WELFARE SERVICES
Changing lives with $1 a day By the Methodist Welfare Services Communications Team
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hristmas and New Year festivities are joyful times for many of us but for some, celebrations and cheer are far from their minds. Faced with poverty, physical disabilities, family conflicts, illness, and unemployment, it is hard to be thankful and hopeful when they see that other people seem to have better lives. At Methodist Welfare Services (MWS), we reach out to more than 13,500 of them. They are our reasons to come in to work every day. Each reason has a name – a disadvantaged child, a hardworking family who just cannot make ends meet, a couple torn apart by marital strife, violence or substance abuse, a troubled girl who took the wrong path, an elderly person who is frail and sick, a homeless person, or someone forgotten and alone. The gift of walking again Mr Koh Gim Hock, 61, wondered whether he could ever walk again
after suffering a stroke. An electrician for more than 40 years, he had to stop work after his stroke. He had also lost contact with his family, and could not afford the medical treatment. When Mr Koh was admitted to MWS’ Bethany Methodist Nursing Home, the staff helped him to apply for financial assistance to cover the hefty medical bills. This gave him the peace of mind to get better. Mr Koh was motivated to improve his physical functions. Through intensive rehabilitation, he is now able to walk with the help of a broad-based quad stick. “I go for my gym sessions regularly because I want to get well and walk on my own one day. I have made some good friends and we encourage and motivate each other,” said Mr Koh with a smile. Give $1 a day towards creating change This Christmas, do something to change lives. If you can bless someone with a dollar a day, you can make a difference. Mrs Jenny Bong, MWS Group Executive Director, said: “A regular gift is important because it enables us to sustain critical services for people in need. As a charity, we rely heavily on donations. It is our responsibility to ensure that our critical services are in full swing even when the economic outlook
“I am only one, but I am one. I can’t do everything, but I can do something.
–Edward Everett Hale
is not that promising. We hope Methodists will consider setting aside just $1 a day for people who need our services.” By faith, MWS has committed to doubling its eldercare services from five to 10 by mid-2017, including a new MWS Nursing Home in Yew Tee. We need your help to execute the plan with boldness and conviction. Visit mws.sg today to find out more. To commit to giving $1 a day, contact ce@mws.sg May the Lord’s blessings be upon you and your loved ones abundantly this Christmas. n
Image courtesy of the Methodist Welfare Services METHODIST MESSAGE • DEC 2016
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CHURCH PROFILE
Foochow MC:
119 years of blessing the community The Rev Christopher Louis Kong is Associate Pastor of Foochow Methodist Church (FMC). This article was put together with valuable input from Mr Dui Seng Cheong, Chairperson of FMC’s Archives Committee.
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oochow Methodist Church (FMC) celebrates its 120th anniversary in 2017. It has its roots during the time when many Foochow- and Hock Chia-speaking worshippers longed for a pastor who could speak and preach to them in Foochow, and God answered their prayers. Officially inaugurated in mid-December 1897, FMC became the second oldest church in the Chinese Annual Conference of The Methodist Church in Singapore, with the Rev Ling Ching Mi appointed as its first pastor. (See P21 for more on the Rev Ling.) In the rich tradition of Methodism, the church takes its social responsibilities seriously. During the early 1930s, FMC organised moral and religious talks and taught rickshaw coolies “The Thousand Characters” - a key to reading anything in Chinese. The coolies were also taught simple Bible lessons, and housed at Evangelical Hall, Townshend Road to help them
avoid surrounding temptations, and give them a clean place to live. FMC moved from one location to another and finally, in 1936, purchased the existing property at 90 Race Course Road. With a permanent home, ministries and outreach activities were organised to reach out to the neighbourhood and the Foochow-speaking members. The Neighborhood Tuition Program started in 1989 has reached out to hundreds of families by providing free tuition. FMC pioneered its Tamil fellowship in 1995, an outreach to the scores of Indian foreign workers congregating at our doorstep every Sunday, fulfilling Jesus’ commission. This Tamil service continues every Sunday evening. The Pentecost Fellowship, started on 16 Aug 1998, caters to the elderly and dialect-speaking friends and relatives of FMC worshippers. Regular programmes include worship, devotion and testimonies, as well as
We continue our series of profiling local churches from our three Annual Conferences of The Methodist Church in Singapore. As we come to have a better understanding of each other’s history and ministry, we may discover more opportunities to forge cross-church partnerships and collaborations.
Foochow Methodist Church (Chinese Annual Conference) 90 Race Course Road, Singapore 218577 Sunday Services: 9 a.m. (Mandarin) 8 a.m., 9.45 a.m., 4.30 p.m. (English) 10.45 a.m. (Foochow) 7 p.m. (Tamil) Contact us: 6293-8757 Website: www.foochowmc.org.sg; www.facebook.com/foochowmc
practical services such as medical assistance and therapy, held every Tuesday morning. This later transformed into an outreach to lonely senior citizens in the Redhill area and some elderly care centres’ residents. A group of doctors who worship at FMC banded together to open the Caring Community Clinic on the church’s premises in June 2003 to serve the older people in the Pentecost Fellowship, the community around the church, and foreign workers. The clinic runs every Sunday from 4.30 p.m. to 6 p.m., with a mere $5 fee to cover medication cost. The Foochow-speaking population has been aging but is not growing. As the only church in Singapore with Foochow dialect Sunday service (interpretation only when external speakers deliver the message in Mandarin), FMC sustains this ministry not only because it started FMC, but also to serve the Foochow-speaking group, especially elderly pre-believers. FMC focuses on making all members disciples of Jesus Christ through the pursuit of holiness and divine love to God and the people. With deeper bonds in Christ, there will be greater fruit and harvests in the years to come. n Photos courtesy of Foochow Methodist Church
METHODIST MESSAGE • DEC 2016
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CHRISTIAN OUTREACH TO THE HANDICAPPED
Building acceptance, off Thomas Handoyo is the Assistant Executive in Marketing and Corporate Communications for Christian Outreach to the Handicapped.
In line with our philosophy, we value every client in COH as an individual who bears God’s image, with God-given potential.
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e believe that each person, including those with disabilities, have a God-given right to be heard; recognised and appreciated as people of inherent worth; and respected for the potential they carry.” This is the philosophy behind the work of Christian Outreach to the Handicapped (COH). COH is an interdenominational organisation that provides day activities to adults with intellectual disabilities whose IQ is less than 70. Their ages range from 16 to 55, and they come from all races, religions and financial backgrounds. These beneficiaries also have accompanying conditions such as Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), speech impairment, hearing impairment and epileptic fits. The COH ministry was started by an American Baptist missionary, the Rev Alice Shae, in 1979. In line with our philosophy, we value every client in COH as an individual who bears God’s image, with God-given potential. COH focuses on clients’ physical, mental and spiritual well-being, providing holistic care and showering them with God’s love. By engaging our clients actively in our day activities, we aim to build acceptance of and offer hope to them. Our day activity centres plan different programmes for the clients, guiding them in community living skills and activities of daily living. These programmes aid the clients in integrating and contributing back to the society. We aim to tap the skills and talents of the clients and harness their potential. Our centres do not only support the clients in their development. We also hope to manage and correct any challenging behaviours. We hope to be able to inculcate and instil in them confidence and the necessary skills to lead lives as normally as possible. With clients actively involved in our centres’ activities, respite is provided for their caregivers, allowing caregivers to get the rest they need. By guiding the clients to gain independence, we hope to alleviate the stress of their caregivers as well. Top left: A teacher, Harjit, training his client in bowling. Left: The North East Community Development Council funds drawing and water painting lessons for clients by a professional artist. Bottom left: Clients proudly displaying their artwork. Below: A volunteer and a teacher guiding a client with Down Syndrome in making lemon curd.
fering hope
Christian Outreach to the Handicapped HQ
Blk 414 Tampines Street 41, #01-301, Singapore 520414 Tel: 6787-3200 Fax: 6787-6990 Website: coh.sg Email: admin@coh.org.sg Tampines centre: Block 414 Tampines Street 41, #01-311, Singapore 520414 Tel: 6787-3200 Toa Payoh centre: Block 171 Toa Payoh Lorong 1, #01-1146, Singapore 310171 Tel: 6253-5116 Open Mondays to Fridays, 9.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.
Get involved:
COH participates yearly in St George’s Church Missions Fair.
Our work in reaching out to these beneficiaries requires the help and expertise of volunteers. Besides having individual volunteers helping out at our centres, we also collaborate with corporations, churches, schools, the National Library Board and People’s Association. They facilitate different community events which involve our clients. This allows them to be independent and acquire the necessary social skills to help them integrate into society. Shared a 16-year-old volunteer from Cedar Girls’ School: “I came to COH to volunteer because I wanted to find out more about people with special needs. Volunteering in COH is meaningful to me because it gives me a sense of satisfaction and happiness. Even though the clients in COH have their disabilities, they are still special in their own way and they are not useless. Through this volunteering opportunity in COH, I understand more about people with intellectual disabilities, the struggles of caring for them and I can now appreciate what I have in my life.” Will you join us in recognising the inherent worth and potential of persons with disabilities, as cherished children of God? n
Our centres do not only support the clients in their development. We also hope to manage and correct any challenging behaviours.
• Volunteer with us – befriend and engage our clients with activities such as arts and crafts, or sports. • Donate – your donation will help sustain us in our long-term work for people with special needs. Financial donations are taxdeductible at 2.5 times the amount donated. • Be an advocate – connect us with potential donors or volunteers. • Adopt us – adopt us as the beneficiary of your fundraising events. Upcoming event next year: COH’s Flag Day on 25 Nov 2017 (Saturday), 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Please mark your calendar and be part of making a difference in our clients’ lives.
Students from Raffles Institution playing games with our clients.
Photos courtesy of Christian Outreach to the Handicapped METHODIST MESSAGE • DEC 2016
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ACS International
Rob Burrough
A Methodist Institution
Principal
ACS (Interna,onal) Singapore is a dis,nc,ve interna,onal secondary school open to all na,onali,es (including Singaporeans), offering an all-round English-based educa,on for students aged 12 - 18 years leading to the Interna,onal General Cer,ficate of Secondary Educa,on (IGCSE) and the Interna,onal Baccalaureate Diploma (IBDP).
Gavin Kinch Vice Principal (Academic) with effect from 1 Jan 2017
This school of choice provides:
• Excep,onal examina,on results; very strong value added achievement; and an all- round holis,c educa,on
• 50:50 mix of local and interna,onal teachers who uphold the dual Methodist and ACS Heritage • Small class sizes with overall student : teacher ra,o of 8.7 : 1 • 40 different CCAs – 16 Spor,ng; 12 Visual and Performing Arts; 12 Special Interest Groups
Richard MacLean
Vice Principal (Pastoral)
• 25+ overseas trips per year • Over 200 formal student leadership posi,ons • Scholarships for 4 Singaporeans to undertake the IB Diploma programme
Tan Siew Hoon Vice Principal (Student & Staff Development)
Achievements include:
• 15 Top of the World awards in IGCSE examina,ons over each of the past seven years • 98.7% pass rate in 2015 IB Diploma examina,on and first perfect 45 point score • O Level High Value Added: All 7 students with raw scores of 18+ passed the 2015 IB Diploma with average of 34.5 points • Outstanding ‘value added’ examina,ons results from PSLE to IB graduates • Four students accepted to Oxford and Cambridge universi,es for 2015 / 2016
• Top university admissions in the UK, US and Singapore • Successes at na,onal level this past year in Archery; Touch Rugby; Cycling; Swimming; Chinese Drama; Deba,ng; Fencing; Football; Golf; String Orchestra; Taekwondo; Volleyball; Cheerleading
The interna,onal senior management team has over 55 years of combined senior management experiences in Britain, Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
For more informa<on please contact Joseph Ng or Stephanie Hanrahan at +65 6472 1477 or admission@acsinterna<onal.com.sg What the Parents and Students Say… "First and foremost, we do value the school’s deep heritage and strong values. This is a school where we, as parents, could really partner with the teachers and school leadership in developing and educa<ng our son who, in turn, values the small class sizes and the camaraderie not just among students but also with his teachers. Their holis<c approach provides an encouraging learning environment and we wanted to expose our son to an interna<onal setup in prepara<on for the real and increasingly globalized world.” Winnie Cruz-Ding “The school has changed our daughter. She’s become more confident, self-mo<vated, self-disciplined, resilient, driven, ar<culate, analy<cal and absolutely loves to go to school. She is now in Year 3 doing a double science combina<on, taking on leadership posi<ons and in just 3 years, has become a very different person. She’s become a person that we feel is ready for the world – socially, emo<onally, intellectually and spiritually. Of course, enjoying being in school also means that her grades have – WITHOUT TUITION, risen to the upper percen<les of performance markers.
We sat down to calculate what we spent for tui<on during her PSLE year and were delighted to find that the fees at ACS Interna<onal worked out to be about $500 less per month! So if asked whether an educa<on at ACS Interna<onal is worth considering? We’d say a resounding YES! It’s worth every penny.” Keith and Nancy Tan “Having witnessed the posi<ve transforma<on in our younger daughter at ACS (Interna<onal), we decided to also transfer our older daughter in Sec 3 from a top class in an elite and pres<gious girls’ school to ACS (Interna<onal). The different teaching methods, the high quality of teaching, the promo<on of individual character and personality, and the obvious enjoyment of school at ACS (Interna<onal) made the transfer most worthwhile. Her first equal academic placing in IGCSE last year was wonderful confirma<on of the move.” Vincent and Germaine Leong "We love the smaller class sizes, the wide array of CCAs and the many approachable, friendly, passionate and dedicated teachers in the school which makes the whole experience a great one for our boys.” Cecilia Chau
HOME
Four bishops ministered at 4th Ecumenical Charismatic Healing Service The Rev Dr Lorna Khoo is Pastor-in-charge of Aldersgate Methodist Church.
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bout 1,200 people attended the Ecumenical Charismatic Healing Service held at St Andrewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cathedral on 26 Sep 2016. It was the fourth service of this series - the first two were held at Aldersgate Methodist Church in 2013 and 2014. Last year, it was held at Church of St. Mary of the Angels. While the first service had a Roman Catholic priest and a Methodist pastor giving a dialogue sermon, the subsequent services had the Most Rev Archbishop William Goh of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore and Bishop Dr Wee Boon Hup from The Methodist Church in Singapore as preachers. This year, Bishop Terry Kee of the Lutheran Church in Singapore preached the sermon. For the first time, one of the bishops of the Anglican
Church, Bishop Low Jee King, was present as well. All four bishops partnered one other and ministered to the sick, along with around 58 pairs of prayer ministers from both the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches. As members from multiple Catholic parishes and Protestant churches poured in for ministry, we experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit while worshipping as one Body of Christ. The Ecumenical Charismatic Healing was jointly organised by Alpha Singapore, the adhoc Committee of Protestants
Archbishop William Goh of the Roman Catholic Church and Bishop Dr Wee Boon Hup ministering together at the service.
(predominantly Methodist) and Singapore Archdiocesan Catholic Charismatic Renewal (SACCRE) representing the Roman Catholic Archdiocese. n Photos courtesy of the Rev Dr Lorna Khoo
METHODIST MESSAGE â&#x20AC;˘ DEC 2016
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HYMNS & SONGS
Be born in us today O Little Town of Bethlehem (The United Methodist Hymnal, #230)
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie; above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above,while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love. O morning stars together, proclaim the holy birth, and praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth! How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given; so God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heaven. No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in. O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!
Dr Yeo Teck Beng is Principal of the Methodist School of Music, and a member of Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church.
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earn and understand the life of Jesus by walking where he walked. When you have seen where Jesus ministered, you will never read your Bible the same way again!” This is one of the many catchphrases in publicity brochures for Holy Land tour packages. I personally have not been to the Holy Land, but I am sure those who have been there returned with lasting, if not memorable, experiences of having been to our Lord’s birthplace in Bethlehem, His area of ministry in Galilee, and the place of His death and ultimate victory in Jerusalem. That was what happened to Philips Brooks (1835-1893), then a rector of Holy Trinity Church, Philadelphia, when he returned from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 1865. On 24 Dec, Christmas Eve, Brooks travelled from Jerusalem to Bethlehem on horseback and wrote in his diary: “Before dark we rode out of town to the field where they say the shepherds saw the star. It is a fenced piece of ground with a cave in it, in which strangely enough, they put the shepherds.”1 Later that night, Brooks attended a midnight service in the Church of the Nativity that lasted five hours and left a moving and memorable experience with the young clergyman. But it was not until three years later that the seed planted on that trip would finally bear fruit. Brooks had wanted to have a special carol for the children of his Sunday school to sing. Recalling the peaceful scene out in the open field, Brooks completed the writing of the text in just one evening.2 Brooks had his church organist, Lewis H. Redner, set it to music, and the children sang it for the first time on 27 Dec 1868. ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’ was set against the sleeping town of Bethlehem (stanza 1) and gave poetical expression to the story of the first Christmas night and the wonder of God’s entry into human life in the child born of Mary (stanza 2). But no matter how silently this wondrous gift was given, when “no ear may hear”(stanza 3),3 Brooks’ prayer was that what began with Christ being born in Bethlehem would end with Christ being born in our hearts (stanza 4). From that time on, this carol has been a favourite with children and adults around the world. n
rnest K. Emurian, Living Stories of Famous Hymns (Grand Rapids, MI: E Baker Book House, 1955), 97. 2 Kenneth W. Osbeck, Amazing Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions (Grand Rapids, Mich: Kregel Publications, 1990), 355. 3 Frank Colquhoun, A Hymn Companion: Insight into Three Hundred Christian Hymns (Wilton: Morehouse Barlow, 1985), 61. 1
Words: Philips Brooks, 1868 Music: Lewis H. Redner, 1868
Picture by enterlinedesign/Bigstock.com METHODIST MESSAGE • DEC 2016
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SOUNDINGS
The betrayal of medicine Dr Roland Chia is Chew Hock Hin Professor of Christian Doctrine at Trinity Theological College and Theological and Research Advisor for the ETHOS Institute™ for Public Christianity (http://ethosinstitute.sg/).
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ne of the reasons that the National Council of Churches of Singapore gave for rejecting physician-assisted suicide (PAS) and euthanasia in its 2008 statement is that these actions are “against the very ethos of medical practice”. The betrayal of medicine’s noblest purpose that the growing acceptance of PAS and euthanasia signifies and accentuates is of course the result of many different but profoundly related developments. The first of these is the subtle shift of the focus of medicine away from the patient. According to Edmund Pellegrino, the Hippocratic Oath that has served European and American physicians since the dawn of modern medicine is now under attack both from without and within the medical profession. This is because some are of the view that the values it upholds are unable to address the complex ethical issues presented by emerging medical technologies. But the rejection of the patientcentric tradition exemplified by the Hippocratic Oath exacts a heavy price because it changes the very character of medicine itself. As philosopher Dianne Irving has rightly observed, once this tradition was weakened, “bioethics began to replace it with medicine practiced for the greater good of society rather than for the individual patient. That threatens patient welfare and denigrates medicine into a business rather than a profession”. Another possible contribution to medicine’s betrayal is the secularisation of ethics, as a result of which moral reasoning is bereft of the very assumptions and principles that are supposed to govern it.
To be sure, some ethicists – like Leon Kass and Gilbert Meilaender from the Jewish and Christian traditions respectively – still regard human life as sacred and insist that physicians should be committed to the bodily life of their patients. But such views are gradually going out of vogue, supplanted by a utilitarian ethic couched in heady rhetoric about “the greater good” of society, and about individual autonomy and rights. Edmund Pellegrino and David Thomasma offer a penetrating diagnosis of the modern predicament in medicine as well in other fields when they write: “Much of the moral desuetude [state of disuse] into which we believe the professions – medicine, law, even the ministry – have fallen is the consequence of ethical claims without a moral philosophy on which to ground them.” “Moral arguments based on utility, cost-benefit analysis, contract law, economic restraints, unbridled individualism are all symptoms of ‘moral malaise’, ” they add. Utilitarianism has indeed become the new orthodoxy in biomedical ethics. “All [leading] bioethicists,” writes Anne Maclean, the perceptive critic of bioethics, accept “some version of utilitarianism”. University of Cambridge Law Professor John Keown agrees. In an interview, he asserts that “in modern bioethics, nothing is, in itself, either valuable or inviolable, except utility”. Ethicists must therefore shoulder some responsibility for the erosion of moral acumen and for the betrayal of medicine’s noblest ideals. Theologian Richard John Neuhaus put it starkly: “Thousands of ethicists and bioethicists, as they are called,
professionally guide the unthinkable on its passage through the debatable on its way to becoming the justifiable, until it is finally established as the unexceptional.” We see this happening in so many areas in biomedical ethics, from stem cell research to gene therapy, and from the criteria for ascertaining death to the hydration of PVS patients. We also see this in the debate surrounding PAS and euthanasia. For example, Peter Singer and utilitarian ethicists like him are constantly pushing the envelope with regard to euthanasia. Singer envisions an ideal world where all terminally-ill patients would be routinely euthanised. He writes: “Perhaps one day it will be possible to treat all terminally-ill and incurable patients in such a way that no one requests euthanasia and the subject becomes a non-issue; but this is now just a utopian ideal, and no reason at all to deny euthanasia to those who must live and die in far less comfortable conditions.” For the Christian, medicine is a gift of God, the outworking of His common grace in this fallen world. The true goal of medicine is always to help and to heal, never to harm or to kill. The utilitarian calculus that is so pervasive in the practice of modern health care is not only alien to the character of medicine. It has also seriously undermined and subverted medicine’s true and highest purpose. n
“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. Picture by tibor13/Bigstock.com METHODIST MESSAGE • DEC 2016
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EARLY METHODIST PREACHERS
We come to the end of our series of paired articles on early Methodist preachers from the UK and Singapore, aiming to trace the movement of the Holy Spirit in grassroots evangelistic preaching, reminding us of the evangelistic fervour of Methodism worldwide, and demonstrating the fruitfulness of the Gospel when preached with spiritual power and integrity. The previous instalment was published in MM Aug 2016 (P20-21). As you read the biographies of our Methodist forebears, may you too be inspired to preach the Gospel – not only within the church, but going beyond to reach our community.
Thomas Olivers
From prodigal to preacher The Rev Dr David Lowes Watson is an eminent Wesleyan scholar, author and Methodist minister of the Tennessee Conference, the United Methodist Church, USA. He was keynote speaker at the Aldersgate SG 2014 Convention.
I
t has been a privilege to have these biographical sketches of early Methodist preachers published in Methodist Message alongside those contributed by Dr Tong Hoo Ing. They reveal the same contrasts and similarities in the history and tradition of Methodism in Southeast Asia and the UK, making clear that these preachers were truly missional, evoking the New Testament journeys of Paul and the sacrifices made by Christian missionaries across the centuries down to our own day and age. They also make us aware of the contrast between their pioneer labours and those of our present congregational life and work, where the church faces the challenge of ecclesial management while still seeking to embody the missional priorities of our spiritual forebears. The biography of Thomas Olivers is a good example of this challenge as it emerged in pristine Methodism. He was born in 1725 in a small town in Wales, and both his parents died when he was only four years old. His father’s uncle took care of him and left him an inheritance: the interest from which was to cover his education, and the principal to pass to him when he came of age. He took advantage of this as a young man, living irresponsibly and
moving from town to town, leaving debts behind him. But he kept encountering Methodists who urged him to change his ways, and in 1749 was brought to conviction and conversion under the preaching of George Whitefield. He began attending a Methodist society and reading the Scriptures, especially the letters of Paul. “Will God have all men to be saved?” he asked himself. “Then I am not excluded.” This led to a call to preach which he at first resisted, feeling that he was running before he could walk in the faith. But one of his fellow Methodists urged him to answer the call and he became a local preacher, to be followed by a severe testing when he fell ill with smallpox. He was blind for five weeks, his body covered with scabs, but he finally recovered and came of age when he received his inheritance, which he then used to repay all the debts he had incurred during his earlier years. His preaching brought him to the attention of John Wesley, who appointed him to Cornwall in the West of England in October 1753, where he met with the opposition that typically confronted Methodist preachers. But he also encountered the exigencies of polity and practice in the growing Methodist movement. When he was stationed in Newcastle upon Tyne, Wesley insisted that he remove 35 members from the Methodist society for absence from meetings and failing to follow the General Rules. “I lost many of my dearest friends,” writes Olivers, “who from that time became my bitterest enemies.” Olivers ended his itinerancy in London where he was responsible for preparing Methodist publications, again running into the growing pains of the movement. Wesley wrote in his journal for
Line engraving by unknown artist, published 1778 © National Portrait Gallery, London Licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) and accessed via http:// www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/ person/mp57333/thomas-olivers
8 Aug 1789 that he had been obliged to drop Olivers as editor of the Arminian Magazine. “The errata are insufferable. I have borne them for these twelve years, but can bear them no longer.” Even so, Olivers retained a deep affection for Wesley, and on Wesley’s death in 1791 he wrote an elegy with 82 stanzas, including this tribute: “For this, let us, like him, the world disdain; For this, like him, rejoice in toil and pain; Like him, be bold for God, like him, our time redeem; And strive, and watch, and pray; and live and die like him.” Olivers continued his ministry in London until his death in March 1799. Along with Wesley, he is buried behind the City Road Chapel in London. n
The Rev Ling Ching Mi
Pioneer pastor of three churches Dr Tong Hoo Ing contributes to Methodist Message as a volunteer writer. A retired neurologist, he worships at Wesley Methodist Church, and volunteers with medical mission teams to Third World countries.
“Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” John 12:24, ESV
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ing Ching Mi was born in Minhow, Fujian, China. He was the son of well-known parents in the Ching dynasty, according to Mr Diong Woong Ding of Foochow Methodist Church. He served as a pastor in the field of Christian Education in various parishes of Gutian province, was appointed District Superintendent, and gained the respect of all. In November 1896, Dr H. L. E. Luering was directed by the Methodist Mission to go to Fujian to request a “Foochow-speaking” pastor for Singapore. Dr Luering recruited the Rev Ling, who arrived in Singapore in 1897. Foochow Methodist Church was founded in December that year by the Rev Ling and a group of Foochow immigrants from China who were mostly trishaw riders and labourers. They first set up a chapel at the junction of Middle Road and Waterloo Street. When the chapel building was sold in 1924, services were held on the premises of Anglo-Chinese School Coleman Street and also Tamil Methodist Church in Short Street. In 1936, the church purchased its own building in Race Course Road. After rebuilding, a new building now serves about 1,200 members. (See P11 of this issue for the church’s latest updates.) Bishop Warne, on returning from Sibu in 1901, dispatched the Rev Ling to Sibu (also known as New Foochow) in May 1901, to help the immigrant Christians in the new settlement. The Rev Ling left Singapore on 28 May and returned on 23 July 1901, after harrowing experiences along the way. He wrote an informative report in the September 1901 issue of The Malaysia Message. In May 1903, the Rev Ling was directed by the Methodist Mission to join Dr Luering on a trip to Fujian, to recruit Foochow Chinese settlers to set up an agricultural colony in Sitiawan. He was the best man available, having worked in Singapore’s Foochow church for five years, having first-hand
experience in the pioneering work in Sibu, and most importantly, being a Foochow himself. He left his wife and children in Singapore, and set sail for Fujian with Dr Luering. For the next three months, they travelled through the towns and villages recruiting Foochow settlers who were of the Christian faith or pre-believers. They left with about 500 people, some of whom died from cholera while on board the SS Hong Bee from Mamoi, Fuzhou, to Singapore. The settlers were quarantined on St. John’s Island before proceeding to Sitiawan. A Christian settlement was established and a church building was erected, although it was only a thatched-roof shed. The Rev Ling was the pastor – a third-time founding pastor. After pastoring five months in Sitiawan, the Rev Ling requested a transfer back to China in December 1903 because of the failing health of his wife, who had by then lived in the tropics for seven years. On his return to Foochow, the Rev Ling was appointed pastor in Linsen and later taught at the Anglo-Chinese Theological College. He retired in 1913 and made his way back to Sitiawan. In a secluded corner some 30 metres from the roadside of Kampong China Road is the tomb of the Chinese pioneer who led the Foochow settlers in 1903. The name inscribed on the tombstone is Ling Lik Jen, another name for the Rev Ling, who died on 5 Jan 1915 at the age of 58, and was laid to rest in the Pioneer Church Cemetery, Kampong Koh. Most of his descendants are in Sitiawan, with a few in Singapore. The Rev Ling Ching Mi will long be remembered for his pioneering work in Singapore, Sibu and Sitiawan, and for the three Methodist churches he planted there. Jesus said: “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (John 12:24, ESV) The Rev Ling certainly exemplified being that fruitful grain of wheat. n References: 1. The Foochows of Sitiawan: A Historical Perspective (2004), Shih Toong Siong, Persatuan Kutien Daerah Manjung. 2. Heralds of the Lord (1988), T. R. Doraisamy, The Methodist Book Room Pte Ltd. 3. The Malaysia Message, September 1901. 4. The Malaysia Message, February 1904. 5. Foochow Methodist Church page on Chinese Annual Conference website, www.cac-singapore.org.sg/foochow-mc/ Photo from From Mission to Church (2008), Earnest Lau, ARMOUR Publishing Pte Ltd. Used with permission from the Archives and History Library, The Methodist Church in Singapore. METHODIST MESSAGE • DEC 2016
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POEMS
Joy “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love… These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:10-11, NKJV
Leong Kwok Thye is a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church and has been involved in the ministries of Scripture Union, the Bible Study Fellowship and the pastoral care programme of Anglo-Chinese School (Primary) and Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road).
December
IS THE MONTH FOR
ATTENDING ‘REMEMBER, BEHOLD, YEARN: AN ADVENT SERVICE’
4 Dec (Sunday), 7 p.m.
Paya Lebar Chinese Methodist Church, 299 Upper Paya Lebar Road The Methodist Festival Choir will be performing during this season of Advent, which anticipates the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Come for an enriching worship experience as we are invited to remember the coming of Jesus Christ, behold God’s glory, and yearn for Jesus’ coming again. Organised by Methodist School of Music. Free admission.
dec
For more info, visit www.msmusic.edu.sg, or call 6767-5258
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REGISTERING FOR COURSES WITH CENTRE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHRISTIAN MINISTRY (TTC) Course A – Ecclesiastes: The Paradoxes of Life
4, 11, 18 & 25 Jan 2017; 1, 8 & 22 Feb 2017; 1 Mar 2017 (Wednesdays), 7.30 – 9.30 p.m. St Andrew’s Cathedral, North Transept Hall (Level 2, Main Sanctuary)
The Book of Ecclesiastes addresses the human quest for immortality and eternal significance through the things we do in life. It reflects to us the futility of many things we do and opens our eyes to see the many paradoxes in life - such as how tragedy can be more constructive than pleasure, or how endless pursuit of our personal goals leads to meaninglessness. Above all, it points us to the true significance of human life and of what is truly and eternally worthwhile. It tells us that all that is lasting and meaningful is found in a life lived with God as our centre. Instructor: The Rev Dr Soh Guan Chin (Joshua YJ Su), founder and international president of The Joshua Mission, a preaching and teaching ministry for leadership and discipleship development.
Course B – Church in Mission: Lessons from the Book of Acts
5, 12, 19 & 26 Jan 2017; 2, 9, 16 & 23 Feb 2017 (Thursdays), 7.30 – 9.30 p.m. Trinity Theological College, Lecture Room 2, Level 3
The Book of Acts records the miraculous birth and dynamic growth of the early church. Join this course to study the book as a whole but also focus on a few key chapters in detail and extract principles that can be applied personally as well as in a church context. Particular attention will be paid to the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering individuals and communities to fulfil Christ’s mission to make disciples of all nations. Participants may ask questions and discuss issues that may arise from their reading of the book of Acts and formulate their own personal mission statement in the light of the Great Commission. Instructor: The Rev Dr Norman Wong, previously the Executive Director of the Methodist Missions Society and currently the Chaplain of the Methodist Welfare Services. Organised by Centre for the Development of Christian Ministry. Fees: $100 ($80 for returning students within a year of the last CDCM course attended. Free for TTC alumni and TTC full-time students, but registration required.) For registration and other info on courses available, visit www.ttc.edu.sg, call Ms Esther Lee at 6761-3624, or email cdcm@ttc.edu.sg
jan
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METHODIST MESSAGE • DEC 2016
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THINK
Rights, right and righteousness David Ang serves as the LCEC Chairperson in Kum Yan Methodist Church. He is married to Amy and they have three children. He is also a business owner, and on a consulting assignment with Focus on the Family.
G
od has given us a capacity and yearning to live beyond ourselves, an innate desire to do good by our conscience: where our actions, decisions, words and expressions are guided by our framework of values, beliefs and moral expectations. This framework could be based on religious beliefs, cultural heritage, family traditions, and law. As Christians, we can be motivated by three different but distinct notions: 1. Acting on our rights 2. Doing what we deem to be right 3. Living right from a position of being made righteous in and through Christ Acting on our rights Rights are an entitlement accorded by society, usually through its laws, to regulate certain behavioural patterns for the sake of the common good. A man queueing to board a bus does so when his turn comes, and hardly feels any need to look around to see if anyone might need to board before him. He acts out of the social ‘rights’ accorded to him based on the convention of ‘first come, first served’. While queuing is a pragmatic and systematic way to negotiate competing needs, it often tempts us to rush to be first in queue since it is the place of privilege. We end up focusing on our selfinterest at the expense of others, while still feeling we are doing right by it. Here, legality, legalism, do’s and don’ts are the rule of the day.
Doing what is right “Doing the right thing” is a close cousin of the first notion of rights. The engine behind this is the mental construct of our conscience, expressed as a moral choice for a certain course of action. It’s a function of what and how we think, largely arising out of an intellectual process.
Consider what the Lord said to Samuel regarding David: People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). What goes on in our heart matters as much as, if not more than, our actions. Our hearts are our consciences, the seat and wellspring of our being, and reflects who we really are. We can perform a ‘right’ act and yet feel nothing in the heart about it. What proceeds as a cut-and-dried form of religiosity or cold discipline can have the semblance of ‘doing good’ but is a mere product of our mind and will. Living as righteous The final notion of “acting from the place of being made righteous” is the most powerful, history-making position we can ever take. Second Corinthians 5:21 explains that none can arrive at a state of righteousness except through the appropriation by faith of Christ’s atoning sacrifice, and we become fully submitted and conformed to the person of Christ. Rights are a human construct, while being right is based on personal judgment. Both represent man’s efforts in striving to do good, and are imperfect works of the flesh. Instead, the righteousness of Jesus is about dying to ourselves: our ideas, desires, agendas and earthly treasures, denying our rights and becoming fully alive to the Spirit, so that Christ Himself is the one who causes us to act. It’s no longer about simply matching ourselves against a certain societal, moral or legal standard. When we let go of ourselves, Christ takes over and we give room for the Spirit to lead what we do. In the process, we inch closer towards the likeness of Christ. Letting the old lady behind you board the bus first can be a considerate once-off event, or the evergreen fruit of righteousness that proceeds from a life of listening intently to the Spirit, and acting promptly on what is revealed. n
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20 (NASB)
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