Methodist Message: May 2024

The Bible doesn't talk about 21st century family struggles, so what should we do?

MSM's Children in Worship camp teaches kids what worship is all about Vol 126 No 5 MAY 2024

Welcoming

MCI (P) 013/11/2023

children as gifts

Contents

Editorial Board

/ Bishop’s Message /

Adviser and Publisher Dr Anthony Goh Chairperson, Council on Communications

/ News /

Communications Manager

3 One MCS Holy Week services 2024: God of all nations

Lynn Tan

Managing Editor Alvin Tay

Editor Lianne Ong

5 MSM's Children in Worship camp teaches kids

what worship is all about 11 Methodist Preschool students design

solutions to solve environmental problems

Communications Executive Kathrynn Koh

Sub-editors Lucy Cheng Janice Khoo Tan Chiu Ai Elliot Soh

Proofreaders

/ Feature / 13 Leading with faith: A journey in mental health advocacy 16 Methodist Social Principles: The Bible doesn't talk about 21st century family struggles,

so what should we do?

Kenneth Lee Christabel Tan

/ Opinion / 18 Soundings: Welcoming children as gifts 20 Young Voices: A calling to teach the children of God 22 Is Qi compatible with the Christian faith?

The official monthly publication of The Methodist Church in Singapore. Published material does not necessarily reflect the official view of The Methodist Church. All Scripture quoted is based on the English Standard Version unless otherwise stated.

/ Outreach / 24 No longer facing financial and emotional battles alone 26 Dedication Service for Little Candles Methodist School (Primary)

held in Phrao, Chiang Mai

70 Barker Road #06-04 Singapore 309936 6478-4793 | 6478-4763

/ Relationships /

methodist.org.sg/message www.methodist.org.sg

29 You & Your Family:

communications@methodist. org.sg fb.com/Methodist.SG

Utara­—Finding our true north 31 At The Well

@methodist.sg @methodistsg Have something to say or share?

Email us at

communications@methodist.org.sg Layout by Londonbob Design Printed by Adred Creation Print Pte Ltd

/ People / 37 Sowing the seeds of faith

Children as God's gift "Children are a heritage from the LORD …

Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them!"

Psalm 127:3, 5 (NIV)

P

salm 127 concludes in verse 5 by

But, on the other hand, Psalm 127 reminds

saying, "Blessed is the man whose

us that no matter how much we labour and

quiver is full of (children)". It is clear

long for something, the outcome of our

that Psalm 127:3-5 encourages us to

efforts depends ultimately on God. Psalm

regard children as a gift and blessing

127 applies this wise counsel (verse 1) to

from God. But we should not ignore

the blessing of children (verse 3). This wise

the way the Psalm begins: "Unless the

connection is reinforced by the fact that the

LORD builds the house, the builders

words for "builders" (verse 1) and "children"

labour in vain. Unless the LORD

(verse 3) rhyme in the Hebrew language

watches over the city, the guards stand

(bonim, banim).

watch in vain" (Psalm 127:1, NIV).

We pray and plan for the gift of children, On the one hand, Psalm 127 encourages

but always remain content to trust in the

us to have children—a quiver full of

Lord's timing and decision. For "children are

them! Children are a blessing from

a heritage from the LORD …" but "unless the

God! (Singapore's declining birth rate

LORD builds the house, the builders labour

encourages us also.)

in vain."

May 2024 Methodist Message 1

Certificate in Christian Worship 2024 5 Saturdays, June to October* 9am to 12pm Course fees: $327 per participant (incl. GST) Register below or at bit.ly/ msm_ccw24 by 3 June.

A course for worship leaders and teams to gain practical insights and skills to enrich worship experiences, lead with purpose, and navigate contemporary challenges in the worship ministry. *22 Jun \ 27 Jul \ 24 Aug \ 21 Sep \ 26 Oct

News

Tan Yan An is an English student at Nanyang Technological University and worships at Queenstown Chinese Methodist Church. / Photos by Dominique Wang and Kathrynn Koh, MCS Communications

ONE MCS HOLY WEEK SERVICES 2024:

God of all nations (right) TRAC representatives led in a time of contemporary worship on Holy Wednesday (bottom right) The three AC Presidents and Bishop used four languages for the Benediction with Bishop praying in Greek on the first two nights and in Hebrew on Holy Wednesday

H

oly Week services took on a different

house of God regardless of their background

approach this year with the services

or whether they had been baptised. He also

of the first three days conducted under

challenged us to think about the ways we

One MCS, helmed by the three Annual

could receive the people around us that

Conferences from 25 to 27 March. Local

might feel excluded in church. He raised

Conferences did not conduct services

the examples of two churches that had

on these days and instead encouraged

made their "houses" more accessible. One

members to attend the One MCS services.

had placed coffee machines and facilities on the entry level of the church premises

The multilingual services were held at Toa

for anyone to use, while another hosted

Payoh Methodist Church (TPMC) in person

singalongs with prayer.

and also livestreamed. On average, 359 persons attended in person while about 727 unique views were recorded online over each of the three nights. Notably, several in-person attendees were not from the Methodist community.

Over the three services, Bishop Dr Gordon Wong shared reflections on Isaiah 56-58, titling his sermons "God of All the Nations", "God of the Crushed in Spirit" and "God of

On Holy Tuesday, Bishop took us through

the Hungry".

Isaiah 57:15-19, expounding on how our God is holy and righteous and sits with

On Holy Monday, Bishop reminded us from

"the one who is contrite and lowly in

Isaiah 56:7 to welcome "foreigners" into the

spirit". Just as John Wesley, the founder

May 2024 Methodist Message 3

One MCS Holy Week services 2024: God of all nations

CAC Combined Choir rendered two songs during the Holy Tuesday service

of Methodism, said in his sermon "On

On Holy Wednesday, also known as Spy

Zeal", to "relieve the distress of our

Wednesday, Bishop told the story of Judas

neighbour, whether in body or soul" was

Iscariot who betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of

a hallmark of Christian godliness, Bishop

silver. Even Judas, a close disciple and friend

encouraged congregants to do likewise.

of Jesus for three years, could be tempted to

Bishop, who is the patron of Methodist

betray Jesus. The congregation was reminded

Welfare Services (MWS), highlighted the

to check if we were betraying our God by

work of the MWS Family Development

committing the wrong actions because of our

Programme (FDP), which supports lower-

imperfect understanding of the Bible.

income families in getting out of debt and building their assets by transforming

Bishop reminded us that "our God is the God

their attitudes and habits towards their

of the Bible who is a God of all nations" and

finances. A booth was opened at TPMC

prayed that God would "save us all this Holy

on Tuesday for anyone who felt moved to

Week as we fix our hope on Jesus who was

support the FDP.

crucified and died but rose again for everyone".

(top) Organ builder Mr Robert Navaratnam was the organist on Holy Monday (top right) A representative from each Annual Conference read the Scriptures (right and far right) Worshippers at the Holy Week services

4 Methodist Message May 2024

News

Eden Lok worships at Aldersgate Methodist Church and serves in the Children's Ministry and Youth Ministry (Youthphoria). He captains the 33rd Juniors Boys' Brigade company and is currently pursuing a Bachelor in Early Childhood Education. / Photos courtesy of Eden Lok

Children from the three Annual Conferences with CIW instructors

MSM's Children in Worship camp teaches kids what worship is all about "Worship is an expression of

The camp is not like other vacation Bible

reverence, obedience and gratitude

schools or regular church camps, for its

towards God; it is about praising and

objectives are wholly focused on Christian

serving the Almighty God every day.

worship—teaching the right posture of

Ultimately, worshipping God is about

worship, from a position of obedience, in a

wholeheartedly seeking to glorify and

safe environment of fellowship. But more

honour him for all that he has done."

than that, CIW seeks to gather children who worship in Methodist churches across

This reflection was shared by 12-year-old

the three Annual Conferences and raise a

Sahana Lenin, a participant at the Children

generation of children in unity.

in Worship (CIW) camp that took place during the March school holidays. The

The 41 participants, ranging in ages from

two-day camp, organised by the Methodist

6 to 12, will be equipped in the year-long

School of Music (MSM), is targeted at

cultivation of disciplines such as praying,

primary school-aged children, and part

giving thanks, seeking forgiveness, and

of a monthly programme that runs

journalling. With milestones dotting the

throughout the year.

calendar—including an exhortative

May 2024 Methodist Message 5

ACS (International)

ACS (International) Singapore is a distinctive international secondary school open to all Singaporeans & other nationalities, offering an all-round English-based education for students aged 12 to 18 years leading to the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).

Senior Leadership Team

Building Through Belief, this school of choice provides • Exceptional examination results, strong value-added achievement and an all-round holistic education • 50:50 mix of local and international teachers who uphold the dual Methodist ethos and ACS heritage • Small class sizes with overall student-teacher ratio of 8.7 : 1 • 40 different CCAs – 16 Sporting, 12 Visual and Performing Arts, 12 Special Interest Groups • Over 200 formal student leadership positions • Scholarships for four Singaporeans to undertake the IBDP

Mr Gavin Kinch Principal

Mrs Tan Siew Hoon Vice-Principal

Achievements include • Students with perfect score of 45 points in IBDP • 23 “Top in the World” awards in IGCSE examinations over each of the past twelve years • Students accepted to Oxford and Cambridge universities for the past eight years

Mr Christopher Hayward Vice-Principal

Dr Kristopher Achter Vice-Principal

For more information, please contact Joseph Ng or Serene Lim at +65 6472 1477 or admissions@acsinternational.edu.sg

• Admissions to top universities in the UK, the US, Australia and Singapore • PSLE and GCE ‘O’ Level students obtaining outstanding value-added examination results for the IBDP and improved pathways to good universities • Successes at national level in Athletics, Touch Rugby, Debating, Orchestra, Volleyball, Taekwondo, Ice Hockey, Fencing, Swimming, Artistic Swimming, Rhythmic Gymnastics and Wushu.

MSM's Children in Worship camp teaches kids what worship is all about

(right) Ann Palaruan demonstrates dance movements (far right) Amelia Leo leads the children through a time of pondering about what it means to worship on Sundays and in our daily life (bottom) Children co-creating a rhythm gleefully with musical notes, symbols and word syllables

Learning to write simple tunes In the immersive gamified programme, children were thrilled to be presented with an adventure map designed to chart their dedication at Aldersgate Sunday in May

discoveries in the four domains of melody

and equipping at the Worship Symposium

and singing, movement, rhythm and global

run by MSM in September—these children

music. Landscapes depicted in the game

will get to try their hand at preparing

segments brought attention to the heartfelt

the liturgy of the CIW Closing Service in

worship of a glorious God, inspired by

November.

Psalm 98:7-8, "Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it!

Returning for the second year of CIW,

Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills

Sahana, who worships at Seletar Tamil

sing for joy together."

Methodist Church, said, "The CIW camp has been a very eventful experience

To teach rhythm, animal names were

for me. Not only did the camp change

integrated with musical notation and

my perspective towards worship, but it

brought to life a "Rhythmic Zoo". It made for

also helped me to understand the true

a dynamic and humourous encounter that

meaning of worshipping God."

all the children loved.

The children began each day with a time of

Then the children were immersed in a

preparation, seeking an understanding of

whole-body experience, engaging in a

worship. With a heart filled with praise, the

repertoire of dance movements led by

song of preparation was sung:

Ann Palaruan, an experienced liturgical choreographer. The excitement and jovial

Come into God’s presence saying Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

exhilaration reverberated in the waves of laughter as children moved to music.

May 2024 Methodist Message 7

MSM's Children in Worship camp teaches kids what worship is all about

(far right) Children working together to solve a puzzle (right) Dr Judith LaoyanMosomos leads in a rhythm exercise

The singing segment included the

A choral finale

scientific exploration of diaphragm

The camp culminated in a resounding

muscles in choral breathing, with the

choral item, containing liturgical elements

children testing out the range of their

of praise, prayer, proclamation and promise

vocal abilities. The global music segment

curated from the four groups. They admired

saw the children play with percussion

the many parts of rhythm, lyrics and

instruments from around the globe, and,

melody of the final product.

were able to perform an instrumental piece within 30 minutes of instruction!

Mithilesh Saravanan, 12, from Seletar Tamil Methodist Church, who participated in the camp with his sister and cousins, said,

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands!

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good!

Create in me a clean heart, O God! We sing, we share, we serve, and care!

"We learnt how to worship God by singing praises and playing various musical

Sahana concluded, "To cultivate a heart

instruments. I also learnt how to create a

of worship in God, we must read the Bible

new song for God and presented it in the

and pray regularly." Indeed this is true not

camp. The experience enabled me to feel

just for these children, but for all children

God’s love in my heart and get closer to

of God.

him spiritually."

May 2024 Methodist Message 9

JOHN WESLEY graphic novel

Methodists worldwide celebrate Aldersgate Day on 24 May to commemorate the turning point in John Wesley’s life and ministry in 1738, where he felt his heart “strangely warmed”.

The graphic novel—John Wesley: The World, My Parish—tells the story of his life in a different yet relatable way.

Get yours today!

This month, buy two copies of the John Wesley graphic novel at $40 and you will receive a complimentary 12-month Methodist Message (MM) subscription worth $30. Promo ends 31 May 2024.

methodist.org.sg/graphicnovel

10 Methodist Message May 2024

News

Chan Yuey Sum is the Senior Manager (Marketing and Promotion) at Methodist Preschool Services Pte Ltd (MPSPL). / Photos courtesy of MPSPL

Methodist Preschool students design solutions to solve environmental problems

(left to right) Solving the problem of dirty water with a robot A little help from a teacher Little innovators creating their prototype Ideas are sketched first

T

oday's preschoolers are growing

This first-in-Singapore preschool

up amidst pressing environmental

Designathon combines elements of play in

challenges like climate change and

a structured process of hands-on learning

pollution. Equipping them with the

for the K2 cohort in the network of six

knowledge, skills and mindsets to navigate

Methodist preschools.

such a complex landscape is crucial for their future and the planet's well-being.

Developed in partnership with Amsterdambased Designathon Works, the curriculum

Mr Roland Tan, Executive Director of

is based on three themes—Plastic, Robots

Methodist Preschool Services (MPS) said,

and Water. Educators from the MPS network

"We believe that teaching preschoolers

attended comprehensive training conducted

about climate change is crucial because it

by Designathon facilitators to equip them to

instils early awareness and understanding

teach and guide their preschoolers through

of environmental issues, fostering a

the Designathon process.

sense of responsibility and stewardship for the environment from a young

The process starts with an interactive

age. Early education also empowers

lesson where age-appropriate knowledge

children to become informed advocates

and environmental challenges related

and changemakers for environmental

to the selected theme of Plastic, Robots

protection and sustainability."

or Water are shared with the children.

The children then work in small teams

To this end, MPS recently introduced

to ideate, visualise and sketch their

a signature programme, Methodist

solutions before presenting their

Preschool Children Designathon

budding ideas to the class. With their

(also known as MPS Designathon), a

teachers' guidance and support, they

programme specially designed to help K2

use recycled materials and simple

children discover and learn about climate

technologies to create prototypes, which

change and environmental sustainability.

they share and present to classmates.

May 2024 Methodist Message 11

Methodist Preschool students design solutions to solve environmental problems

The MPS Designathon draws on the young

kindergarteners with foundational

ones' boundless imagination and creativity

knowledge about environmental

to dream big and to think boldly, critically

challenges, inspire the changemaker

and out of the box to ideate and build

within and imbue values of global

solutions for a brighter future. Adrian Lim,

citizenship. After gaining an understanding

MPS Director of Education Services, said,

about the adverse impact of climate

"We see our children as changemakers

change on animal habitats, the K1 &

and hope they will grow up to be engaged

K2 children are challenged to exercise

citizens and future activists, scientists and

their creativity by using LEGO bricks to

inventors who can take action for a better

build innovative solutions to address the

world they want to live in."

concerns. The programme concludes with the teams showcasing their LEGO

The programme also helps the children

creations during a show-and-tell session to

hone their social and communication

peers and teachers.

skills through working in teams. The opportunity for each project group to present their sketch and built-up prototype also enhances their presentation skills and builds up self-confidence.

The MPS Designathon stacks on another key MPS curriculum initiative, the LEGO Build the Change Programme. Launched as part of MPS' Extended Curriculum in 2023, it also supports efforts to equip

(right) Presenting sketches before prototype creation (far right) MPS Designathon creators

Visit the MPS website at https://methodistpreschools.org/ to schedule a visit to an MPS centre.

For details of the MPS Methodist Church Members Promotion, go to https://methodistpreschools. org/methodist-church-memberspromotion-2024.

12 Methodist Message May 2024

Feature

Sandra Wee oversees communications at Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) and believes in empowering communication with compassion. / Photos courtesy of SOS

Leading with

faith:

A journey in mental health advocacy

I

n the world of crisis intervention and

to excel in his marketplace career, Gasper

suicide prevention, hope can often seem

found himself struggling to navigate the

elusive, but for one CEO, faith has been

daunting challenges of the corporate

a guiding light, illuminating the path

sphere—a domain where achievement

towards healing and resilience. Gasper Tan

was quantified by tangible rewards and

stands as a testament to this enduring

recognition, and where success was

strength. As the CEO of Samaritans of

measured in material gain and accolades.

Singapore Limited (SOS), he embodies

But the road to success was marred by

the spirit of unwavering faith and hope.

the haunting spectre of his mother's

Under his steadfast stewardship, SOS has

battle with depression. The weight of

transformed both corporately and in its

her suffering bore heavily on him. When

service offerings beyond its well-known

news of her suicide attempts reached him,

24-hour hotline, while keeping to the same

Gasper found himself teetering on the

mission—providing a refuge of solace and

precipice of despair.

empathy to those grappling with their deepest challenges.

A mountaintop experience in the valley

Gasper's journey into the world of mental

Yet, it was within this seemingly

health advocacy was shaped by his

bottomless chasm of despair that

personal trials which led to a turning point

Gasper experienced a profound

in his faith. In the early 2000s, as he began

transformation. In the depths of darkness, May 2024 Methodist Message 13

Leading with faith: A journey in mental health advocacy

he rediscovered God, finding solace and strength in Scripture. This spiritual renewal reminded him that true success is not measured by worldly standards but by the love, peace, and hope found in a life aligned with God's purpose. He discovered the importance of nurturing not just the mind and body, but also the soul, through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

Through Psalm 139:23-24, God revealed that he was intimately aware of Gasper's inner turmoil. In a moment of humble surrender, Gasper prayed for the Lord to search his heart,

As Gasper, who is a member of Foochow

recognising that his trials were not

Methodist Church, assumed the role of

mere obstacles but integral milestones

CEO at SOS, he was struck by a profound

in understanding his true purpose

realisation: SOS was not merely an

under God's sovereign design.

organisation but a conduit for God's love and compassion in a fractured world.

This prompted him to depart from the

Recognising its role as a tangible expression

hustle of the marketplace, to be still,

of hope and healing, Gasper's heart

and surrender his life entirely into God's

resonated deeply with SOS's mission—to

hands. Over the course of four years,

extend hope to those wrestling with despair

God meticulously worked in Gasper's

and isolation. He firmly embraced the

life, speaking to him clearly through his

significance of inclusivity, understanding

Word (specifically the Book of Job) and

that every individual, regardless of their

shaping him for a divine purpose. God

struggles, deserved compassion and

gently steered his journey toward an

support—a principle reflective of Jesus' own

unforeseen calling—joining SOS as its

compassionate nature.

CEO in 2019. Gasper felt unprepared, as his previous experiences appeared to

More than just a hotline

lack direct relevance.

Since his stewardship, SOS has expanded its services and outreach programmes

But the comforting words of Isaiah 41:10

beyond its 24-hour helpline to include a

offered reassurance as he ventured into

text messaging service, crisis intervention,

unfamiliar territory, reminding him of

support for suicide attempters, support

God's constant presence: "Fear not, for

for grieving families who have lost loved

I am with you; be not dismayed, for I

ones to suicide, and extensive training

am your God; I will strengthen you, I

initiatives empowering the community

will help you, I will uphold you with my

to assist individuals in crisis. Reflecting

righteous right hand." Embracing these

on this growth over the last five years,

scriptural truths, he found the courage

Gasper attributes it to God's guiding

to step boldly into his calling, trusting in

hand. "Each step forward is a testament

God's provision every step of the way and

to aligning with God's divine plan and

applying his marketplace experience and

faithfully fulfilling the mission entrusted

talents to the role.

to us," Gasper says.

14 Methodist Message May 2024

(top left) Gasper Tan assumed the role of CEO at SOS in 2019 (above) Gasper Tan speaking at the Christian Mental Health Conference in 2023

During an office renovation three years ago, Gasper stumbled upon archived documents detailing the inception of SOS and its deeprooted connection to The Methodist Church in Singapore. (The founding director of SOS was the late Rev Dr Gunnar J Teilmann Jr, an American Methodist missionary pastor who pastored several Methodist and Anglican churches in Singapore before heading SOS.1) Gasper believed that this

SAMARITANS OF SINGAPORE conducts the "Be A Samaritan" (BAS) programme which aims to equip communities with the

discovery was not a revelation of historical

knowledge and skills to be a first-

facts, but a divine orchestration of events,

responder to anyone facing a crisis.

highlighting how God's hand had been at

Communities who have experienced

work since the very inception of SOS.

a suicide loss may also get in touch to arrange for critical incident stress

For Gasper, his faith has been more than

debrief sessions.

just a belief system; it has been a source of strength and inspiration in his work.

For enquiries or more information

"God's goodness is evident in every aspect of our journey," he shares. "From the tireless dedication of volunteers and staff to the transformative impact witnessed in the

Write in to comms@sos.org.sg 24-hour Hotline: 1767

lives of those touched by our programs, we

24-hour CareText: 9151 1767

witness God's hand at work daily."

(via WhatsApp)

INDIVIDUALS AT-RISK SUPPORTED BY SAMARITANS OF SINGAPORE An increase of 135.9% Service Users with Suicide Risk/Crisis

Total

24-Hour CareText

27,341

Healing Bridge / Healing Within / LOSS

11,107 20,000

CareMail 240

Total

2,289 103

11,591

Specialist Counselling

304

10,000

24-Hour Hotline

2,349 87

13,602

(Data accurate as of Dec 2022)

8,851 0 1

2020

2022

Years

https://www.methodist.org.sg/methodist-message/hello-samaritans-of-singapore-can-i-help-you/ May 2024 Methodist Message 15

Feature

Dr Cheah-Foo Fung Fong is the Vice-President of the Trinity Annual Conference of The Methodist Church in Singapore.

Methodist Soci a l Principles

The Bible doesn't talk about 21st century family struggles, so what should we do?

Every Christian aspires to obey God, avoid evil and do good. But some modern-day predicaments are not discussed specifically in the Bible. How then can we apply its principles to our lives? This essay is from a 9-part series of reflections on the Methodist Social Principles, which will help all Christians live by God’s principles in today’s complex world. / Part 2 of 9 /

A broken world

community. They may even be part of our

Ling* and her sister have grown up in a

church congregation.

home where they have known no material lack. Yet at home, Ling lives with her

Societal norms create tensions and fracture

parents' constant fights and quarrels. On

family relationships. The church community

Ling's 21st birthday, her parents divorced.

is certainly not exempt from the causes and impact of divorces and single-parent families.

Mong* is a young lady who lives in a one-room flat. She ekes out a living as a

Some struggle, too, with sexual brokenness

massage therapist. Her husband left her

and addictions, and others with fertility

after her son was born four years ago.

issues. Some suffer in silence and perhaps in shame. How should the Church respond?

Tiong* is a successful entrepreneur who works long hours to provide a comfortable

Families as God's beautiful plan

lifestyle for his family. He travels often and

We understand, from the Bible, that God

this takes a toll on his relationship with his

has a good plan for families. Marriage was

wife. He hardly has time with his seven-

instituted by God—when "a man shall

year-old daughter.

leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one

These are real stories of people living in our 16 Methodist Message May 2024

flesh" (Genesis 2:24).

Sex is a beautiful and sacred gift of intimacy

Yet, persons struggling with sexual

shared between husband and wife, through

brokenness are of sacred worth to God and

which they fulfil God's command to be

they need the healing and transforming

fruitful and multiply.

power of God's grace. The Church needs to be a place where persons with sexual

Restoring God's rule for individuals and

brokenness may be "ministered to and

families begins with a relationship with Jesus.

guided with faithfulness, courage and love, so that they may grow in holiness"

But the first family, Adam and Eve, did

(The Book of Discipline of The Methodist

not bring children into Eden. Instead they

Church in Singapore, Methodist Social

brought sin into the world and severed the

Principles, ¶84.3h).

relationship between God and man. Since then, God has been on the path of restoring

The Church is also to be a safe place for

mankind to himself through the completed

those who may be prejudiced against

work of Christ on the cross at Calvary.

in family situations that may not fit the perceived norm, for instance, those

Restoring God's rule for individuals and

who are struggling through the pain of

families begins with a relationship with

divorce, the hardships of single-parent

Jesus, which leads us to complete salvation

families, the societal pressures faced

from our sins and the empowering,

by those who are not married, and the

through the Holy Spirit, to lead a life of

anxieties borne by married couples who

personal as well as social holiness, for

are unable to conceive.

ourselves and for our families.

The Church needs to surround the hurting Rather than a list of do's and don'ts and

with a community that loves, encourages

high-horse statements, Christian Social

and supports them, including coaching and

Principles like the Methodist ones paint for

counselling for those who require it.

us God's plan—that marriage is a covenant of love, commitment and fidelity between

Ultimately, the journey in personal and

a man and a woman; that children are

social holiness begins with a relationship

a blessing from the Lord, with new life

with Jesus Christ.

beginning at conception; that faith is imparted to children by their parents and

When individuals and families begin to

parent-child relationships intentionally

understand what it means to belong to the

nurtured through quality time in worship

Lord, the family transforms radically.

and recreation; and that children honour, respect and care for their parents, especially

The question, then, is whether we believe

in sickness and old age.

God is able to bring the broken and hurting back into a relationship with

We are reminded of the effect that sin has

himself, no matter how impossible that

in distorting our perception of sexuality.

may seem.

This manifests in several ways, including fornication, adultery, exploitation of sex,

If we believe so, then we begin to ask

addiction to pornography, same-sex

ourselves what we can do, as his people

attraction and gender dysphoria. All of

and his Church, to walk with people like

these are distortions of God's original

Ling, Mong and Tiong in practical, life-

design for mankind and cannot be upheld

giving ways that will bring the Kingdom of

in Christian teaching.

God to rule in their lives and in our society.

*Names have been changed for privacy.

This article was first published in Salt & Light on 1 April 2024.

May 2024 Methodist Message 17

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.

Welcoming children as

gifts T

he past few decades have witnessed

care possible. However, Christians cannot

tremendous advances in the field

endorse these tests if they aim to enable

of prenatal genetic screening. The new

parents to "select" healthy children by

technologies that are being introduced

aborting their unborn children who are

promise to be game changers in the whole

predisposed to debilitating diseases for

area of prenatal care. As Ignatia Van den

which there is no cure. Christians also cannot

Veyver explains:

endorse these tests if their broad acceptance and practice would result in the introduction

More recently introduced technologies

of what bioethicists have described as "soft"

such as chromosomal microarray analysis

(i.e. non-coercive and non-authoritarian)

and whole-exome sequencing can

eugenics to society.

diagnose more genetic conditions on samples obtained through amniocentesis

In the early 2000s, Iceland introduced

or chorionic villus sampling, including

prenatal screening for Down Syndrome.

many disorders that cannot be screened

While these tests are not mandatory, the

for non-invasively.1

government ensures that all expectant mothers are informed about their availability

The Christian response to these

and encourages them to get tested.

developments in genetic technology is dependent on several considerations.

According to Landspitali University Hospital

Christians are not Luddites—they are not in

in Reykjavik, about 80 to 85 per cent of

principle opposed to science and technology.

pregnant women choose to take the prenatal

Much, however, depends on what prenatal

screening test. CBS News reports that "the

genetic screening is for, and the purposes it

vast majority of women—close to 100 per

is meant to serve.

cent—who received a positive test for Down [S]yndrome terminated their pregnancy." 2

Christians should have no fundamental objections if these tests are meant to

Iceland can achieve a record-low number

prepare parents to care for their genetically

of children born with Down Syndrome,

compromised children and help society to

with an average of just one or two a year

put in place the support that makes such

for a population of around 330,000. This

18 Methodist Message May 2024

remarkable statistic, however, is not the

pity. They should be welcomed and loved

result of some medical breakthrough

simply because they are children. No matter

in treating Down Syndrome, but the

how compromised they might be, they are

termination of the lives of unborn babies

gifts which must always be accepted with

who are predisposed to the condition.

gratitude. They must never be seen as a

Put bluntly: Iceland's "solution" to Down

"problem" or a "burden" to their parents and

Syndrome is to eliminate children with this

to society.

condition, with the aid of prenatal screening.

Hauerwas again puts this passionately: Christians must categorically reject this approach, not only because they view

What is important is not that we

abortion as the wilful termination of human

Christians have retarded children, but

life, but also because the approach itself

that we know why and to what end we

is highly problematic: it perverts society's

have them. To have them in order to

attitude towards children with disabilities.

witness to what nice people we are is only another subtle way to use them. We

In 1977, theologian and ethicist Stanley

have them because they are children—

Hauerwas wrote a moving and powerful

no special reason beyond that needs to

article (whose title may sound offensive to

be given—but as children they present

some today) called Having and Learning to

special needs that we must know how to

Care for Retarded Children. He argues that

meet responsibly. For we must know how

children must be seen as a gift precisely

to care for them in ways that respect their

because "we do not determine their right to

independence from us as their existence,

exist or not to exist".4

as well as our own, it is grounded in the

3

fact that we are each called to service in Reflecting on the meaning of the gift,

God's kingdom.7

Hauerwas writes: "Insofar as gifts are independent they do not always bring joy

When we see children in this way as gifts, we

and surprise, but they equally may bring

will never subject their lives and their right

pain and suffering … [G]enuine gifts create

to exist to a utilitarian calculus. We will never

needs, that is, they teach us what wants we

see them as a disposable commodity that

should have, as they must remind us how

can simply be discarded when they fail to

limited we are without them."

meet our quality control criteria.

5

Applying this understanding to children, Hauerwas writes eloquently that: children are basic and perhaps the most essential gifts we have because they teach us how to be. That is, they create in us the proper need to want to love and regard another … Children are gifts exactly because they draw our love to them while refusing to be as we wish them to be.6 What about children with disabilities or who are genetically compromised? Why should they be welcomed and loved?

They should be welcomed and loved not out of some twisted sense of heroism or even

Ignatia B. Van den Veyver, ‘Recent Advances in Prenatal Genetic Screening and Testing’, National Library of Medicine, Oct 28, 2016, https://pubmed. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27853526/.

1

Julian Quinones and Arijeta Lajka, ‘ “What kind of society do you want to live in?”: Inside the country where Down syndrome is disappearing’, CBS News, August 15, 2017, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ down-syndrome-iceland/.

2

Stanley Hauerwas, ‘Having and Learning to Care for Retarded Children’, Journal of Religion, Disability & Health, 23 Sep, 2008, 149-159. Originally published in Truthfulness and Tragedy: Further Investigations into Christian Ethics (Notre Dame, In., 1977), 147-156.

3

4

Ibid., 155. / 5 Ibid. / 6 Ibid., 156. / 7 Ibid., 157.

May 2024 Methodist Message 19

Young Voices

Eden Lok worships at Aldersgate Methodist Church and serves in the Children's Ministry and Youth Ministry (Youthphoria). He captains the 33rd Juniors Boys' Brigade company and is currently pursuing a Bachelor in Early Childhood Education. / Photos courtesy of Eden Lok

A calling to teach the children of God From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.

Isaiah 64:4

and dispositions of each character in the Bible story and how they responded to God. Games, manipulatives like playdough and movements allow them to simulate the Bible story. I enjoy seeking responses from the children and allowing them to figure out the biblical truths with their peers.

One of my favourite days in the season of Kingdomtide is the annual Children's Day celebrations in October, where the children are encouraged to invite their friends and classmates. We see huge turnouts of over 400 children annually and it is an opportunity for outreach and evangelism.

One of the children asks for additional copies of the invitation so that he can invite his whole class of forty. It is indeed inspiring to see children put God first in school and use their influence to draw others to God.

E

ach Sunday, over 120 children in the evergrowing Children's Ministry at Aldersgate

Methodist Church gather for a time of worship. The combination of dance actions, sign language and music engages the senses of the children and their teachers and leads them to worship God. I see a boy invent his own worship dance moves, a girl close her eyes while lifting up her voice in song and siblings hold one another to provide comfort

Encountering God

and assurance. In these heartfelt moments, I

As a young child, I wondered what it

sense joy in these children around me.

would be like to encounter God. I had thought that good works would prompt

We move to the classrooms and the children

God to reveal himself to us. I assumed

retrieve their Bibles and stationery, ready for

that our individual identities were wholly

a time of prayer before the lesson begins.

self-made and self-directed. As a 14-year-

The teachers plan activities that enhance

old, this led me to focus on academic

the lessons—illustrating the motivations

excellence alone. I imagined that I could

20 Methodist Message May 2024

Eden teaching Bible lessons during Aldersgate Methodist Church's camp in 2023

establish myself by my academic prowess

Classroom challenges

and it would lead to success in every

Sometimes it is challenging to bring

endeavour in the future.

across the abstract visions and imagery in the Bible to a young audience. In such

My conviction to teach in Sunday school,

situations, I remember God helps us to

and thereafter to embark on a teaching

understand the Word by his Holy Spirit.

career, did not come with compulsion.

Once, I was teaching a lesson on Isaiah 6,

Rather, it was a gentle prompting

and the description of heavenly beings

during a routine bus ride that God

provoked a chorus of private conversations

revealed himself to me as the God of

on how these heavenly beings looked like,

infinite knowledge. I was doing nothing,

threatening to derail the entire lesson.

pondering nothing, looking forward to

This behaviour occurs frequently in the

nothing. In that moment I was filled with

classroom and it is tempting to call out

an abundance and fullness that was

this behaviour as disruptive. However,

not of my own and felt God calling me

in the Bible account, Isaiah presented a

to commit myself to become a teacher.

willingness to heed God's call, and I drew

God set eternity in my heart, and it was

their attention to this point to redirect

surprising, delightful and overwhelming;

their conversations back to the main

I was filled with conviction.

objective of the lesson.

I have served in the Children's Ministry for

Giving children the time and space

more than a decade. In every moment I

to understand that it is important

am blessed with the full measure of God's

to listen and obey the Scriptures

joy and delight, through every encounter

requires patience. As a teacher, I want

with his children. What has kept me

to seize these teachable moments

labouring in this harvest field is the

and allow them to come to their own

knowledge that I remain in God's perfect

understanding of the truth. I hope this is

plan, covered by his grace and mercy.

how they will begin to be sensitive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

A great responsibility To accept the call to teach is to accept a call of great responsibility. As stewards of God's children, we have a duty to keep them accountable to the truth and build up their faith.

But Jesus called them to him, saying, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, (left) Eden teaching BB boys how to make an arm sling (right) Eden leading Worship and Devotions at the 33rd Juniors Boys' Brigade Company

for to such belongs the kingdom of God." Luke 18:16

If we go before our God Almighty with full sincerity and humility, he withholds nothing and reveals himself to us. This is the truth I wish to convey to the children.

May 2024 Methodist Message 21

Rev Daniel Tong is an alumnus of Trinity Theological College and has served as an ordained Anglican minister for 31 years.

He is a published author on books about Chinese practices and beliefs and is married with three young adult children.

THINK

Is

Qi compatible

with the Christian faith?

S

pend any time exploring Chinese culture

Humanity through the ages has posited various

and practice, and one will without fail come

theories for the creation of life, and the concept of Qi

across the notion of Qi (qi in Chinese pinyin

is part of a centuries-old Chinese philosophy about

or chi in Wade-Giles romanisation). It can be

creation. This is a historical fact we cannot deny. As

variously interpreted as "steam", "breath", "vital

such, the answer to the question of whether the

energy", "vital force", "material force", "matter-

concept of Qi is a philosophy of life is, "yes".

energy", "organic material energy", or "pneuma".

Qi (classical script: 氣, simplified script: 气) is to

This is not to say, however, that we agree with this

the Chinese the intangible power behind the

proposition of creation. For as believers, we hold

creation of the universe, traditional Chinese

that "[i]n the beginning, God created the heavens

medicinal diagnosis and treatment, and the

and the earth" (Genesis 1:1) and that "[a]ll things

practice of Feng Shui. It is the life force that

were made by him; and without him was not any

powers all things, the "psychophysical energies

thing made that was made" (John 1:3 KJV). For us,

that permeate the universe".1

Qi is not the vital animating force which sustains and upholds all living things, but we believe that

As something integral to Chinese heritage, it is

"[t]he Lord is the sustainer of [our] soul" (Psalm

important that we delve into the notion of Qi by

54:4 NASB).

asking the following three questions:

Is Qi a law of nature?

 Firstly, is the concept of Qi a philosophy of life?

 Secondly, is Qi a law of nature?  Thirdly, is Qi a supernatural force?

Is the concept of Qi a philosophy of life?

By "a philosophy of life", I do not mean how we should live life or our purpose in life, but an account of the creation of the world and how it holds together. In Chinese philosophy, "Qi has a material existence independent of subjective consciousness and is the basic element of all physical beings. It is also the basis for the birth and existence of life and spirit … Its concentration gives birth to a thing and its evaporation signals the end of that thing. Qi permeates all physical beings and their surroundings." 2

22 Methodist Message May 2024

While we acknowledge the ancient Chinese concept of Qi as a theory of creation, what about the belief held by many Chinese in the physical and material reality of Qi as a "vital energy", "vital force", and "material force"? In this regard, is Qi a force of nature, or a law of nature like Newton's law of gravitation and three laws of motion?

Years ago, someone asked me what I thought of a machine which could apparently measure the level of Qi in a person. My response was that in order for a machine to measure the level of Qi within a person, the maker of the machine must first have clearly identified and defined what Qi is. If such an identification is available, it would be the discovery of the century and much touted by the Chinese worldwide—but to date, silence. After all these years, the words of James Flowers hold

true, who wrote in his article What is Qi?, "[t]he

directed and captured through actions such as

quest to define Qi continues, with there being no

the orientation of our front door and placement

breakthroughs that we know of." 3

of water features, our ingestion of different ingredients, manipulation of physical points

This should not surprise us, because "Qi embraces

on our bodies and our deep breathing and

all manifestations of energy, from the most

meditation. These can in turn presumably lead to

material aspects of energy (such as the earth

better health and material success.

beneath your feet, your computer, and flesh and blood) to the most immaterial aspects (light,

Now, if Qi is the "Holy Spirit", and the orientation

movement, heat, nerve impulses, thought,

of our front door and placement of water

and emotion),"4 composing "itself in each

features, our ingestion of different ingredients,

being, feeling, thought, deed, or phenomenon,

manipulation of physical points on our bodies

materially as well as mentally." 5

and our deep breathing and meditation lead to Qi, the "Holy Spirit", bettering our health and

How can a philosophical concept encompassing

material success, what does that make us—

every known "material force" and "organic

who are able to orientate, place, ingest, and

material energy" in this world be scientifically

manipulate Qi—in relation to God?

classified and technically measured? It simply cannot be. So, is Qi a scientific law of nature?

The Holy Spirit cannot be manhandled by us—we

The answer to me is "no".

are humans! The Holy Spirit is not Qi. God is not the source of the supernatural power of Qi. Establishing

The aforementioned machine is probably

the efficacy of Qi to be neither a natural force

a product of Western alternative medicine,

nor the supernatural empowering our Lord God

advocating that the magnetic field or bio-

leaves us with only one other supernatural force

resonance surrounding each individual aids in the

to consider—a force our Father in heaven clearly

diagnosis and cure of certain diseases. There is no

advocates we have nothing to do with!

scientific basis, however, for such a claim.

Is Qi a philosophy or force?

Is Qi a supernatural force?

What can we conclude then regarding the notion

Stating that Qi is not a law of nature does

of Qi? Is the concept of Qi a philosophy of life? It

not end our exploration. How do we address

is, but one at odds with biblical teaching.

Qi as a vital force with real world efficacy, a belief which permeates Chinese traditional

Is Qi a law of nature? No, there is no proof that it is.

practices such as Feng Shui, traditional Chinese medicine, and Qigong?

Is Qi a supernatural force? Qi is not the "pneuma" (spirit) of God. Supernatural forces not of God are

As Christians, we believe in the reality and efficacy

not to be dabbled in.

of both natural and supernatural power. Thus, if we hold that Qi has efficacy but is not a natural force, we must explore the possibility of it being a supernatural power, for which we hold that there are only two sources. Some might posit that the potential source of Qi as a supernatural power is the Holy Spirit. After all, "spirit" in Hebrew is

1 "Qi," Encyclopædia Britannica, March 8, 2024, https://www. britannica.com/topic/qi-Chinese-philosophy.

"Qi (Vital Force)," Key concepts in Chinese thought and culture, accessed March 19, 2024, https://www. chinesethought.cn/EN/shuyu_show.aspx?shuyu_id=2130.

2

Thus, if the Spirit is ruach, which is breath, and Qi

3 James Flowers, "What Is Qi?," Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 3, no. 4 (October 23, 2006): 551–52, https://doi.org/10.1093/ecam/nel074.

is breath, then the Spirit is Qi and vice versa.

4

"ruach", which also means "breath" (Job 12:10).

The logic of this semantic play on words breaks down when you consider the practice of Chinese philosophy, which advocates that Qi may be

Christopher Hafner, "What Is Qi? (And Other Concepts)," Taking charge of Your wellbeing, accessed March 19, 2024, https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/what-qi-andother-concepts.

Jung-Yeup Kim, Zhang Zai's Philosophy of Qi: A Practical Understanding (Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, 2015).

5

May 2024 Methodist Message 23

By the MWS Communications Team.

Outreach

Source: Canva.com

No longer facing financial and emotional battles alone

G

rowing up in a broken family, Irene

Challenges on all fronts

understands the sting of being

Financial strain, worsened by soaring

scorned and marginalised. Even at 51,

living expenses, adds to Irene's burden as

she bears the invisible scars of relentless

the main caregiver for her family of five,

bullying and isolation from neighbours

comprising her husband, her 32-year-

and classmates throughout her

old daughter who is a single mother,

childhood years.

and her two grandchildren, aged 10 and 4. As Irene had to leave her job to care

"They looked down on me and called

for her grandchildren, the family now

me terrible names like 'bastard'. The

relies solely on her husband's income

comments have stayed with me to this

as a delivery driver. They struggle to get

day. I had no friends, and no one to fend

by each month, sometimes resorting to

for me then. When I got bullied, I had to

borrowing from others.

fight for myself," shared Irene, who was raised solely by her grandmother.

Overwhelmed by the burdens, Irene experienced bouts of anxiety and

Lacking guidance, Irene dropped out

depression, exacerbated by her past

of school, haunted by memories of

traumas. "I have attempted suicide multiple

childhood bullying that shattered her

times and sought help at IMH," she

trust in others. Unprocessed emotions

confessed. "I was on psychiatric medication

have only deepened these wounds

for many years, sometimes taking up to

over time, profoundly impacting her

15 pills a day. Even with medication, it was

well-being.

hard to stand on my own."

24 Methodist Message May 2024

It was amid this whirlwind of challenges

significant challenges, individuals can

that she sought support from MWS

overcome these obstacles with support,

Covenant Family Service Centre –

resources and resilience. Access to mental

Buangkok (CFSC).

health services, financial guidance and supportive relationships can help alleviate

Holistic empowerment

the lasting effects of childhood adversity

Navigating a world that felt harsh and

on well-being in adulthood.

unforgiving, Irene finds solace in no longer facing her financial and emotional battles alone.

"When loneliness or depression looms, I reach out to MWS for help because I must stay strong to take care of my family. The

EMPOWER FAMILIES TO WEATHER LIFE'S STORMS TODAY

staff are there to listen and counsel me,

For families like Irene's, the worries

even when I break down. Though we are

of daily living are like a constant

not related, they make me feel truly cared

storm that they cannot find shelter

for," said Irene.

from. MWS journeys alongside families, empowering them to

"But financial strain weighs heaviest.

break out of poverty in its various

Money is tight, and I feel very stressed and

forms, from financial struggles to

helpless. Sometimes, I skip meals so my

poor social support and fractured

grandchildren can eat."

relationships. Your donation helps break the cycle of poverty

Over the years, MWS CFSC has been

that persists across generations,

supporting Irene holistically. Alongside

providing hope and dignity to over

counselling and casework, she receives

11,000 individuals and families

referrals to vital resources like childcare

like Irene's. Join us in making a

centres, schools and financial institutions.

difference.

Irene was also placed on the MWS Family Development Programme (FDP), where every dollar she puts towards clearing debts or saving is matched with $2, helping her move towards financial stability.

To donate, visit mws.sg/empowerfamilies-throughstorms, or scan the QR Code.

An MWS FDP volunteer also journeyed with Irene to build her financial literacy and guide her in managing her finances.

"After clearing my debts and accumulating some savings, my load became lighter. Thanks to this programme, I could finally afford to buy a mattress for my family," Irene beamed.

While childhood trauma and growing up in a broken family can present

If you feel that you are unable to cope and have thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, please contact SOS' 24-hour hotline 1767, or their 24-hour CareText via WhatsApp 9151 1767.

If you feel you may be at immediate risk of harming yourself, call 995 or approach the A&E department of your nearest hospital.

May 2024 Methodist Message 25

Pastor Daniel Loo is the Pastor-in-Charge of Little Candles Methodist Church and is a member of the Board of Management of Little Candles Methodist School. / Photos courtesy of Methodist Missions Society

Outreach

Dedication Service for Little Candles Methodist School (Primary) held in Phrao, Chiang Mai

Unveiling of plaque commemorating the dedication of Little Candles Methodist School

O

n 20 March 2024, an extraordinary

was "Why Phrao?" After all, Phrao is just

milestone in the ministry of the

a small countryside town where the

Methodist Missions Society of Singapore

biggest "shopping centre" is a 7-Eleven

in Thailand was reached. It was the day

convenience store.

the Dedication Service of Little Candles Methodist School (Primary) took place

My wife and I were answering God's call

in the town of Phrao, Chiang Mai, in

to assist a local church in setting up a

north Thailand. The event, presided

dormitory for hill tribe students. When

over by Bishop Dr Gordon Wong of The

that project finished, we stayed on at the

Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS),

request of some parents to provide English

was the culmination of a building project

tuition for their children. This led us to

that began two and a half years earlier in

start a nursery in 2010, which grew into

November 2021 and completed just days

a kindergarten in 2012. In 2016, we joined

before the Dedication Service.

Methodist Missions Society (MMS) and in December 2020, the school's building and

The story of Little Candles Methodist

land was transferred to the Muangthai

School, however, truly began in 2008

Mettakij Foundation, the subsidiary of

when my wife, Sharon, and I first arrived

MMS in Thailand. The plan was to extend

in Phrao as missionaries. The question

the existing school to provide primary

on everyone's mind then, and even now,

school education.

26 Methodist Message May 2024

(top left) Guests at the Dedication Service (top right) Presentation of gifts (below) Little Candles Methodist School is located in the Phrao Valley

Col (Ret) Quek Koh Eng, Regional Director

The Dedication began with a ribbon

for East Asia, Laos, Thailand and Timor-

cutting ceremony by Bishop Dr Wong,

Leste in MMS, coordinated the proposal

His Excellency Nirat Pongsitthithaworn,

for a primary school in Phrao, known as

the Governor of Chiang Mai, Mrs Jinda

Little Candles Methodist School Primary

Kamlangprasit, Deputy Provincial

Building Project, that was passed at the

Education Officer of Chiang Mai, and Mr

General Conference of MCS in 2020. MMS

Suchad Chiaranussati, Chairman of the

then appointed a school board led by BG

Muangthai Mettakij Foundation. The

(Ret) Prof Emeritus Lionel Lee to steer the

guests were then ushered into the new

school through its transition to primary-

multipurpose hall to be captivated by

level education and lead the fund-raising

Thai dance performances by the school

committee. A building committee, led

students. This included students from P1,

by Lip Jin Ho, was selected to oversee

the first cohort of primary enrolments

the construction of the school which was

(numbering 42) who commenced in May

completed within budget and only six

2023, and students from K3 who will form

months late, despite being constructed

the second cohort (expected to be at least

during the Covid-19 pandemic.

39) commencing in May 2024.

May 2024 Methodist Message 27

Dedication service for Little Candles Methodist School (Primary) held in Phrao, Chiang Mai

Similar to the Methodist schools in

primary school is to walk with the children

Singapore, there is a strong partnership

on their journey of faith to a higher level—

between church and school. Little Candles

which was not possible with a kindergarten

Methodist Church (LCMC) runs Christian

alone. That this goal is already being

programmes for the students and provides

achieved is evident among the new

pastoral care for the school staff. LCMC is

Primary 1 students who have shown a

regarded as the heartbeat of the school, so

growing intellectual ability to ask deeper

it was only right that the LCMC team led

questions about God, with some even

the worship.

joining the Sunday worship at church.

Drawing from the name of the school for

Praise God for Little Candles Methodist

his sermon, Bishop Dr Wong challenged

School!

the staff and students at the school to always be "little candles of light" by doing good deeds and showing kindness to those around us every day (Matthew 5:16).

Next was the unveiling of the plaque, and then tours of the school, followed by lunch which was a scrumptious selection of Thai dishes including pig trotters. To top off the excitement of the day was a taster of burgers and drinks from our very own Daniel's Burgers restaurant, which supports our ministry and has become an iconic feature of Phrao.

Reflecting on the past two years, it has been a long journey for the staff of both Little Candles Methodist School and LCMC. The challenges in opening the first private primary school in Phrao have brought us closer together and more dependent on God. We have also learnt gratefulness from the generosity of those who gave to the building of the school. Besides providing quality education, the purpose of the

28 Methodist Message May 2024

(top left) Ribbon cutting ceremony with the Governor of Chiang Mai (top middle) Children's performance (top right) Bishop Dr Wong sharing his message

(left) Bishop Dr Wong with members of the school board (below) GC-WSCS team with Rev Derrick Lau (first from left), Pastor Daniel Loo (second from left) and Bishop Dr Wong (first from right)

You and Your Family

Benny Bong has over 40 years of experience as a therapist, counsellor and trainer. He also conducts regular talks and webinars.

Benny has helmed the You & Your Family column for more than 17 years and is a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church.

Utara: Finding our true north

Y

ears ago, when Singaporean

Sadly, many who entered the field wanting

families went on holiday, it often

to "do good" leave feeling defeated and

took the form of a road trip to Cameron

thinking that they did not make any positive

Highlands or to Kuala Lumpur. The

contribution to their clients' lives.

road then was an undivided two-way road that snaked up north and was

I have sometimes been asked what has kept

periodically signposted with signs

me on this vocational path for over four

that read "Utara" (or North in English).

decades. Some of my enquirers probably are

Regardless of the occasional detours,

unaware of the detours I have taken. Like the

twists and turns, if you followed the

year where, after more than 10 years working

Utara signs and stayed on the road, you

as a counsellor, I left to join the corporate

would eventually reach Kuala Lumpur.

world. It was there that I saw the focus was not on helping the individual but on

Social work and counselling are

maximising shareholders' gains.

vocations with their fair share of "twists and turns". The unexpected detours

That difficult year away taught me some

and logjams often leave many travellers

valuable lessons, such as discovering which

feeling lost, tired, discouraged and

things would give my life meaning and

disillusioned. Just like travellers who

satisfaction. I concluded that helping others

found themselves on a wrong train, many

gives me real joy. The helping does not

wonder if they made a wrong choice in

need to involve doing big things like saving

their journey for a meaningful career.

a marriage; it could even be as simple as buying tissue paper from the old aunty in

Some suffer burnout from the emotional

the hawker centre. Doing good deeds gives

stresses that come from helping clients

me a "kick", a sense of meaning and purpose.

with chronic and multiple needs. Some plod on day after day, with each step

Realistically, not all of us are able to do jobs

leaving them feeling tired physically and

that help others, like being teachers or

emotionally. They question how their

nurses. I do believe, however, that in every

noble and well-intentioned decision

job are opportunities to show compassion—

has been translated into doing "soul

like helping your colleague when her

numbing" tasks of following protocols

computer crashes or when you have a plaster

and procedures.

for someone with a blister.

May 2024 Methodist Message 29

Utara: Finding our true north

As for those well-intentioned but

that is aligned with my values and beliefs.

disillusioned social workers and counsellors,

This I found is the true north that has

are they not involved in doing good? Being

guided my career decisions and informed

in a position that allows you to do some

some of my day-to-day choices. It breathes

good is often not enough. Intention needs

life into my work. As long as I go by my

to be coupled with appropriate actions

Utara, keeping close to my true north, I

and outcome. As many in the helping

know that I am close to watering holes

professions know, good outcomes are not

where my soul can be replenished.

always achieved. Much depends on so many factors other than the helper's competency.

What are the personal values that define

What is more, the growth and change we

you? Some of us might have to dig deep,

are targeting often happen in slow and

maybe as far back as our school years.

oftentimes imperceptible degrees.

Perhaps, they were shaped by your parents, major life experiences or your faith? Some

Another factor that eats away at one's

of us feel strongly about justice, fairness,

idealised optimism is that the helping

compassion, etc. These values are

professions are often governed by more

often life- and energy-giving.

than good intentions. There are procedures

Other values like getting ahead,

to follow, criteria to be applied and red tape

personal gain, efficiency, etc.

to be navigated.

are sadly self-diminishing. If you know of someone who has

Fortunately, for most of my working life, I

lost their way, perhaps it is time

have been allowed to do my work in a way

to point them back to their Utara.

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Benny Bong has over 40

years of experience as a therapist, counsellor and trainer. He also conducts regular talks and webinars.

Benny has helmed MM’s You & Your Family column for more than 17 years and is a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church.

Rev Tay Li Ping is currently

pastoring at Christalite Methodist Chapel. Trained as an Industrial-Organisational Psychologist before becoming a pastor, Rev Tay is particularly interested in the intersection of Psychology and Theology. She is married and has five sons.

Koh Ai Jin is a registered

clinical counsellor with extensive experience in marriage and family counselling, mental health concerns and psychological trauma. She runs her own practice and currently serves as Vice-President of the Association of Christian Counsellors (Singapore).

Need advice? Scan the QR code or visit https://www.methodist.org.sg/mm-atthe-well/ to submit your question. Due to space constraints and repetition of topics, we may not be able to feature all questions submitted.

Friendships

Can't click with my cell group mates who are older

Li Ping says Dear Friend, Have you shared your concerns with your cell group leader(s) and sought his/

I've been attending cell group for a few years

her/their advice? Let me address two

but the level of interaction is at acquaintance

assumptions I hear in your question

level and we usually just talk about the Bible.

about building intimate relationships:

I'm the youngest in the cell group and the rest are clearly in a different phase of life. The

You are right about it taking more than

topics the elderly talk about always centre

just Bible study! Relationships are built

around bodily pains and the married ones talk

primarily through activities that build

about their kids. I'm the only single and while

relational joy and attachment, such as

I empathise with them, I feel like we do not

eating, playing and doing life together.

have the same interests. It's very difficult to

While these can be part of a cell group

click with them in a more intimate manner.

meeting, much takes place in informal

I've tried visiting another cell group with

occasions in between. Do attend these

people closer to my age, but it felt awkward.

activities if your cell group has them or

How do I build intimate relationships with cell

you can initiate them.

group mates?  Friend May 2024 Methodist Message 31

At The Well

Your other assumption about relating more easily with others in the same life phase is not necessarily true, as your own experience in the other cell group has shown. Much depends on members' intentionality to nurture relationships and show genuine love.

Activities like the following (mentioned in The Other Half of Church: Christian Community, Brain Science, and Overcoming Spiritual Stagnation by Jim Wilder & Michel Hendricks) can also build relational intimacy in any group. Consider introducing them to your group.

A. Build relational joy. Select one member and have others share something they are grateful for in this person. When all have shared, repeat with another member and so on.

B. Practise sharing and receiving weakness.

Go round in the circle and share: •

A physical weakness (e.g. backache, illness). Everyone responds by saying together "Lord Jesus, help us." Repeat until all have had a chance to share.

•

A relationship weakness (e.g. broken friendship, family problem). Everyone responds by saying together "Lord Jesus, help us." Repeat until all have had a chance to share.

•

A character weakness. This is the most challenging, so begin with a low or

Family

Is it normal that my daughter's boyfriends last a short period of time before she moves on to the next?

My daughter has always been popular in school. Now that she has started dating, I've noticed her relationships last for short periods of time, about 3-6 months, before she moves on to the next guy. Is this normal or should I be concerned?  mummy

Benny says

medium level character flaw.

Dear mummy,

1. Spend one minute in silence asking

The topic of boy-girl relationships is a concern of many parents of adolescent children, especially when they are girls, and when it is in the early stages. Are you worried that she is initiating too many new relationships at a young age, that her choices in boyfriends have proven unsound or that she is taking this whole experience too casually?

Jesus to show you something he likes about you.

2. Spend another minute asking him to reveal a character weakness he wants you to share with the group.

3. Go around the circle and share what God revealed in (1) and then (2).

4. Everyone responds by saying, "Lord Jesus, help us." Do not comment or give advice.

32 Methodist Message May 2024

Dating is an exciting phase in one's life. It does require an ability to manage many competing priorities and to have a healthy dose of self-esteem. The fact that your

daughter seems to be popular and that it is she who initiated the breakups suggests that she is not lacking in self-esteem.

Is the concern that she may have a sense of self that is too inflated and that she is insensitive to others? Being popular may mean that she has a choice of suitors (not a bad situation) but if she is not seriously interested in them, should she encourage them in the first place? If the interested parties are her peers, then their emotional maturity may lag as girls seem to mature a little ahead of their male peers. What this means is that their ability to manage the highs and lows of a relationship may be untested. The rejection and breakups they experience can be rather painful.

Friendships

I keep paying for meals out with my friend My new friend and I are from vastly different cultures, but we see eye to eye on most things. We are both students and when we go out, we are supposed to take turns to pay for meals. But I've noticed that I am always the one paying. Should I say something? It's not that I don't want to be generous. I just don't want to be taken advantage of.

Furthermore, he comes from a much wealthier family than I do.  creditcard

Remember that the dating norms of our youth today compared to those of their parents' generation is vastly different—it looks more "casual" these days. This is not to say that they lack commitment and loyalty but these things are more quickly established. Perhaps it reflects the pace of the world they live in.

It might be time for a good motherdaughter conversation to talk about the value of friendship and taking one's time to grow a relationship. After all, they have their whole life ahead of them.

Ai Jin says Dear creditcard, If you have both agreed on taking turns, you can assume that this rule is in place and to be effected. How then did you end up paying for the meals again and again?

Let's explore what could have happened, aside from cultural differences. Perhaps one's upbringing and a lack of a gift in hospitality can make one oblivious. Or could it have slipped his mind? Or are you faster at offering to pay? Regardless of the many possible reasons, the fact of the matter is that the plan to take turns to pay can stand ground only if you abide by it as well.

Honour your own values: while you can be generous, you believe in respect and doing the right thing. Follow through what you believe in. The next time if it's your friend's turn to pay, practise taking the role of a receiver, wait and let your friend act first and thank him for the meal.

May 2024 Methodist Message 33

Walking alongside you with compassion and care

ESTABLISHED SINCE 2000

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38–39

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This workshop is conducted by Jim Moore, the Managing Director of Kalaam Media.

Organised by Wycliffe Singapore

THE SIGNIFICANT WOMAN (TSW) COURSE 16 July – 8 November 2024. Choose from evening classes (Tue/Wed/Thu), 7.30 p.m. – 9.30 p.m. or morning class (Thu), 9.30 a.m. – 11.30 a.m.

Hybrid. 9 sessions, primarily on Zoom with three on-site sessions at Cru Centre, 18 Verdun Road #03-01, S207280 Register before 11 July 2024 via https://www.cru.org/sg/en/train-and-grow/the-significanceproject/the-significant-woman.html Course fee is $80; participant book is $38.90, to be purchased separately (prices inclusive of GST) NOTE: Attendance at the Course Preview on 4 July 2024 (Thursday), 7.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. at Cru Centre

is required for those who sign up.

The Significant Woman is a discipleship course and represents a new kind of learning process. By utilising life-coaching methods, caring facilitators and personal peer coaches, this unique course provides a method of personal discovery like no other. It combines the Word of God with biblical life principles and is presented in a warm, caring and secure environment, allowing you to apply what you are learning to your daily life.

Organised by Cru Singapore

D6 FAMILY CONFERENCE 2024 26 & 27 July 2024 (Friday & Saturday), 9.30 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.

Paya Lebar Methodist Church, 5 Boundary Road, S549954 Register before 30 June via https://d6family.sg $140 per person and $650 for a group of five D6 is an annual family ministry conference focusing on generational discipleship in churches and homes.

The goal of the D6 movement is to equip families and churches to pass on a spiritual legacy to future generations. The keynote speaker for this year is Dr Scott Turansky, Professor at Concordia University, Pastor at GraceWay Bible Church and co-founder of National Centre for Biblical Parenting, USA. Organised by Sower Institute for Biblical Discipleship May 2024 Methodist Message 35

Celebrating 25 years of service

C E L E B R AT I N G

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The Garden of Remembrance is a Christian columbarium wholly owned by The Methodist Church in Singapore

Shermaine Vong serves in the Children's Ministry in Bukit Panjang Methodist Church as part of the worship team. / Photo courtesy of Shermaine Vong

Sowing the seeds of faith

I

love children so it was only natural that I joined the Children's Ministry. This ministry lays the

foundation of a child's faith and walk with God. As children grow and face many challenges in life, the lessons learnt in church act as the seeds of faith planted by the Sower. Watching children exercise their childlike faith is a great reminder for us adults to find hope in God's goodness and grace, even in the simplest of ways.

Singing worship songs is one of the many ways for children to remember and hold on to God's promises easily. I remember a song I learnt in Sunday school about the "Fruit of the Spirit". It really helped me to remember all the different "fruits" to this day!

The Bible says, "As for what was sown on good

Shermaine and her husband, Pr Jason Lee and their son, Nathan

soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty" (Matthew 13:23). I pray that these seeds fall on good soil and that children will remain rooted in God's word and continue to walk in his ways throughout their lives.

Kopi kakis by Lau Peng Leong, Yen Tun I and Zachary Yong

May 2024 Methodist Message 37

Love God by Loving Doing Good to Our Neighbours Based on Ephesians 2:10

23 & 24 May 2024 Faith Methodist Church Lecture—“The End of Methodism?”

Thu 23 May | 7.30p.m. - 9.30 p.m. | Worship Hall Speaker Rev Dr Chiang Ming Shun In English | Livestream is available

Celebration Service Fri 24 May | 8.00 p.m. | Sanctuary Speaker Bishop Dr Gordon Wong In English with Mandarin translation

Scan here to register or find out more

Dinner begins at 6.00 p.m. Registration is required for dinner.

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