Highlights

Embracing the circuit breaker and beyond

Jul 2020 A theological reflection by Bishop Emeritus Robert Solomon “I have destroyed nations; their strongholds are demolished. I have left their streets deserted, with no one passing through. Their cities are laid waste; they are deserted and empty” (Zeph 3:6 NIV). As Bishop Emeritus Dr Robert Solomon viewed photos and surreal...

CYC: 300k Masks for Migrants

Jul 2020 Designer Chia Link Kwee sewing a reusable mask. The team has researched and prototyped many different designs for the best possible fit. A household name since 1935, CYC Made to Measure is a homegrown tailor helmed by managing director Fong Loo Fern, who is also the chairperson of Methodist Welfare...

What does the LORD require of us?

Jul 2020 Wesley MC’s online worship services are a tapestry of the unity between pastors, staff and lay people. Shown: our Traditional, Prayer & Praise and Mandarin Ministry Services. We conduct Youth and Children’s Ministry online as well. Our services are hosted at worship.wesleymc.org. The post-circuit breaker church “And what does the...

Loving God, serving together…with hearts strangely warmed.

Jun 2020 This is an abridged version of Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung’s sermon preached at the Aldersgate SG 2020 Thanksgiving Service. It was pre-recorded and screened by the Methodist churches on their online channels on 24 May 2020. Watch it at https://tiny.cc/AldersgateSG2020 or scan the QR code below. Scripture text: Romans...

“Circuit breaker” reflections

Jun 2020 Care package sent by Min Qhee's boyfriend Strength to fight the war When the Circuit Breaker (CB) period started, it felt like a missile launched into a war zone. As a mother, pastor’s wife, WSCS president and teacher, I was overwhelmed by the demands of every one of my roles....

Worshipping in spirit and in truth

May 2020 In John 4:24, Jesus is recorded as saying: “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (2011 NIV) Do you notice the minor difference from the following earlier translation? “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” (1984 NIV)...

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

May 2020 47th Singapore Company, sponsored by Trinity MC and Serangoon Garden Secondary School With The Boys’ Brigade (BB) having its roots in Scotland, the 1st Singapore Company was founded on 12 Jan 1930 at Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church by Scotsman James Milner Fraser. Before leaving for Singapore to work in 1927,...

Our Strength Every Morning

May 2020 The title of the 2020 TRAC WSCS devotions booklet could not be more appropriate as we look to the Lord during this COVID-19 crisis. The Lord indeed is our strength every morning. In January this year, ladies of 10 TRAC churches attended a devotions-writing workshop led by the Rev Dr...

Where two or three are gathered in My name

May 2020 The Rev Goh Aik Hiang, Associate Pastor of Queenstown CMC, recording his sermon in an empty hall before the circuit breaker began on 7 April 2020 Church in a time of COVID-19 On 20 March 2020, The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) announced that all church services in their 46...

Appreciating the unseen

Apr 2020 Appreciating the Faith MC cleaners “Auntie, jiak ba buay?” That’s my best attempt at making conversation with one of the aunties in our cleaning staff. If the conversation goes on beyond that, I’ll have to steal glances at my co-workers to help me out as my Hokkien really “cannot make...

The power of media in a Church

Apr 2020 Joash Lee of Faith MC Comms Since the first live streaming session for our Watchnight Service 2017, the video team at Faith MC has grown steadily. In the last quarter of 2019, in order to improve the skills of the team, we planned more multi-cam setups and began training the...

What is my purpose?

Apr 2020 Participants at the Asian Young Women's Leadership Development Seminar Asian Young Women’s Leadership Development Seminar Three dozen young ladies from Singapore and nine other Asian countries gathered to ponder over this question: “What is my purpose?” They were participants of the annual Asian Young Women’s Leadership Development (AYWLD) seminar, which...

GC 2020: Call for petitions for the BOD

Mar 2020 General Conference The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) will be holding its 12th Session of the General Conference (GC) from 7 to 11 Sep 2020 and 2 to 4 Dec 2020. This regular session of the GC is held once every four years (a quadrennium), where delegates from the three...

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Mar 2020 "One in Ministry" at Toa Payoh MC 20 to 23 Jan 2020 I am grateful to the Archdiocesan Catholic Council for Ecumenical Dialogue (ACCED) for taking the initiative to bring us together annually to pray for Christian unity. Every year, I look forward to this sacred time when I am...

Faith in a time of COVID-19

Mar 2020 In Feb 2020, several people who attended churches around Singapore were reported to have tested positive for COVID-19, including one who had attended Paya Lebar Methodist Church. On 14 Feb 2020, Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung and other church leaders met with Health Minister Gan Kim Yong and Minister for...

Diversity is not strength – Togetherness is!

Feb 2020 Diversity implies differences or a range of things that differ from one another. Where people are concerned, diversity may be seen in age, religion, ethnicity, socio-economic status, physical abilities, gender, political beliefs and other ideologies. When diversity is discussed in the Church, it is usually with the intention to accept,...

A Most Precious Christmas Gift

Feb 2020 The Rev Irene Thung leads in worship. On 11 Dec 2019, the Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) Seniors Ministry celebrated Christmas at Faith Methodist Church with a record attendance of about 500 senior adults at the festive worship service themed “A Gift”. The shofars announced the beginning of the service, and...

MSM School Concert 2019

Feb 2020 The performers. An SG Bicentennial Special 10 Dec 2019 was a big day for everyone. That evening, approximately 50 students and staff of the Methodist School of Music (MSM) came together to present a concert at the Esplanade Recital Studio. The event was in the form of a musical story...

Christmas at the Fort

Feb 2020 Over four days, 13,000 people came to CATF. A Journey of Faith Twenty-three years ago, at Christmas at The Fort (CATF) 1996, God answered the prayers of Wesley Methodist Church (WMC) and miraculously stopped the rain during the two practices and the three-night event at Fort Canning Park. It poured...

A Season of Songs

Feb 2020 An Advent Presentation by the Methodist Festival Choir Jubilate Deo, omnis terra; servite Domino in Laetitia. Introite in conspectus ejus in exultatione. (Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.) With these joyful words from Psalm 100,...

To be renewed in the race for Christ

Jan 2020 CAC clergy and local church delegates gather for a photo before the 44th session Between 11 and 14 Nov 2019, delegates representing agencies and local churches under the Chinese Annual Conference (CAC) gathered at Bukit Panjang Methodist Church for its 44th Session. Addressing the delegates in his President’s Report at...

A Universal Church

Jan 2020 The ordinands at the closing service “Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere, that Jesus Christ is born,” sang the children of the Hope Voices Choir from Chen Su Lan Methodist Children’s Home at the opening holy communion service that marked the start of the Trinity...

Call for Rebuilding

Jan 2020 ETAC 44th session delegates and visitors On 8 and 9 Nov 2019, the Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference (ETAC) gathered at Tamil Methodist Church, Short Street for its 44th Annual Conference session. The session reviewed accomplishments over the year as well as deliberated on its direction for 2020, which is the...

PMC’s Peranakan Ministry turns 87

Dec 2019 The worship team, accompanied by the Kawan Uke-ta Melody band, leading in the singing On 26 Oct 2019, the Peranakan Ministry of Pentecost Methodist Church (PMC) at Pasir Ris celebrated its 87th anniversary. PMC’s Pastor-in-Charge, the Rev Dr Jonathan Seet, welcomed the guests and opened the celebration with a prayer....

Lim Kopi Time: Ideate and Network

Dec 2019 Board of Witness & Evangelism members (from left) Ps Anthony Phua, Claire Lowe, the Rev Wendy Tay, the Rev Dr Aaron Tay (invited speaker), Nicholas Khoo, Jarold Yeo, the Rev Joshua Low and the Rev Poh Zhi Hui Over the last three years, the TRAC Board of Witness & Evangelism...

Better Together and A Movement Again

Dec 2019 The Structural Review Taskforce (SRTF) wants to convey to our members these two key messages: that we are better together and that The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) needs to be a movement again. Leafing through past issues of Methodist Message reveals our leaders’ sentiment that we are “better together”....

The importance of faith-based kindergartens in our secular society

Nov 2019 Parents and children at Faith Methodist Church Kindergarten’s Family Day. Education has always been an important mission of Methodism, in order to reach out to all levels of society, and through this social gospel, fulfil Christ’s command to spread the good news and serve all people. There was a time...

Five minutes with Michael Tan, Winner of the MCS 135 logo design competition

Nov 2019 1. What inspired you to design the MCS 135 logo in this way? The graphic rendition of a “The Kingdom of Light” through the four arrows coming together to form a cross to represent the Church of Christ. This simple and yet powerful element of the Cross of Calvary signifies salvation,...

Saying “No” to Self and “Yes” to God

Nov 2019 Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung speaking at the service, assisted by Mrs Chong translating the sermon into English The Week of Prayer and Self-Denial (WPSD) was started by the Women’s Society of Christian Service (WSCS) more than a hundred years ago. The women from WSCS wanted to live more like...

Building bridges, breaking walls

Nov 2019 The structure of The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) was instituted 44 years ago, with a General Conference and three Annual Conferences (ACs) along language lines. The demarcation was useful to help focus work, ease communications, and deploy pastors, ministry staff and other resources effectively. This structure has remained unchanged. Four...

Help! I need somebody

Oct 2019 One day while in primary school, I came home to find my mother in tears. A family friend, Tim1, had been so overwhelmed by his struggle with depression that he took a fatal overdose. Tim had been studying at a top university in the UK. Earlier, while still in Singapore,...

Covenant Community MC celebrates 25 years!

Oct 2019 Anniversary Sunday combined service at MGS’s M. E. Lau Hall. In July 2019, Covenant Community Methodist Church (CCMC) began to mark the milestone of its 25th anniversary by embarking on a Community Clay Covenant Project, which serves as a reminder that God is our Potter and we are clay formed...

We are not yet ready, so the work must continue

Sep 2019 Listening to Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung speak at the Laity session on 17 Aug 2019 In the previous issue of Methodist Message, it was reported that we are not ready at the present time for a one-Conference MCS. What all the efforts in these past months have highlighted to...

Join the Micah Conversation

Sep 2019 The Conversation was attended by ~250 persons from 100 churches, of whom a quarter were from 18 Methodist Churches. Together in God’s Mission—this was Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung’s call to the Church in Methodist Message’s May issue. And those who came for the Micah Conversation, which was held from...

Blessed are the Peacemakers

Aug 2019 Imam Syed Hassan Al-Attas (fourth from right, in white) and his family opening their hearts and home to visitors from MCS and other faith communities on 5 June 2019 “We Christians believe in the faith tremendous that in Christ Jesus, God is breaking down the walls, and barriers, and partitions,...

Understanding the Great Commission

Jul 2019 The Methodist Festival Choir and Orchestra. Bishop Emeritus (BE) Dr Robert Solomon rounded off the three-day Aldersgate SG 2019 event with his sermon during the Celebration Service on 25 May at Paya Lebar Methodist Church. As this year’s Aldersgate SG centred around the topic of missions, BE Dr Solomon highlighted...

A Task Unfinished: Together in God’s Mission

Jul 2019 A time to celebrate, praise and learn. Methodists in Singapore gathered from 23 to 25 May 2019 to celebrate our Wesleyan heritage and commemorate what it means to be Methodist. The annual Aldersgate SG event is usually organised around 24 May, the day in 1738 when Methodism’s founder John Wesley...

The Methodist Church in Singapore: Institution or Movement?

Jul 2019 Methodism was a movement, not an institution—we have been reminded of this again and again. Most recently, Bishop Emeritus Dr Hwa Yung, who spoke at Aldersgate SG 2019, referred to a Methodist Message article from June 2016, “Rethinking the Methodist Church in Singapore”, by Mr Tan Gee Paw, member of...

Organising ourselves better for service and growth

Jun 2019 From left: Bishop Emeritus Dr Robert Solomon, Bishop Emeritus Dr Wee Boon Hup and Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung It was a historic occasion. Almost 250 pastors and leaders from the three Annual Conferences (ACs) gathered at Toa Payoh Chinese Methodist Church to listen to the perspectives of three bishops’...

Nurturing the next generation

Jun 2019 Gathering as a family of Methodist schools at the MethodistWalk in 2019 The Methodist schools in Singapore now are a far cry from the humble beginnings of the first one founded 133 years ago. The early schools started in borrowed buildings. In contrast, the 15 Methodist schools today enjoy comfortable,...

Conversations vital in tackling society’s tough issues

May 2019 Panellists taking questions from the audience Dealing head-on with complex issues through discourse and discussions has been a hallmark of the ETHOS Conversations series of events. Organised by the ETHOS Institute for Public Christianity, one such Conversation was held on 20 Mar at the Bible House that saw its auditorium...

Re-organising for the future

May 2019 Organising ourselves better for service and growth Looking towards our Golden Jubilee in 2026 as an autonomous Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS), we thank God for His leading all these years as well as seek His direction for what He would have us do. We are revisiting the way the...

Why does God pursue us?

Apr 2019 The underlying truth behind all spiritual disciplines and missionary endeavours is that God is the Divine Seeker. We seek God only because He has first sought us. At the end of the day, it is God who primarily seeks us; we are the sought. Francis Thompson’s poem expresses this profound...

The Heart of the Matter

Apr 2019 Commemorative plaque at Aldersgate Street in London, United Kingdom. In the spring of 1738, John Wesley had a life-transforming experience. An Anglican priest, he earnestly sought a holy life. As a missionary to Georgia in the United States, he tried to convert the Indians, but returned to England with some...

The Significance of Lent

Mar 2019 Lent—or Lententide—extends over a 46-day period beginning on Ash Wednesday and ending on the eve of Easter. The word Lent probably comes from the Anglo-Saxon lencten, meaning spring, and the German Lenz meaning the time when the days lengthen. The six Sundays in Lent are not actually a part of...

Striving in His perfection

Feb 2019 If you judged him by his appearance, you might never guess Josephus Tan’s actual profession. You might think him a model for hair products with his long silky locks (he is now trying out Shiseido), or a creative, art director archetype who rules with his hipster tumbler from Starbucks. But...

CAC 43rd Session: To Give Is To Gain

Jan 2019 To Give Is To Gain In his President’s Address at the 43rd Session of the Chinese Annual Conference (CAC), the Rev Dr Goh Nai Lat touched on the sacrifices to be made for true discipleship in the Kingdom of God. Crafting his message around the Mandarin phrase, “舍得”, meaning “to...

ETAC 43rd Session: To serve, but not to be served

Jan 2019 “Serve, but not be served” was the theme of Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung’s sermons at the opening services of the recent three Annual Conferences of The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS). Bishop Chong delivered his message first at the Holy Communion service of the Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference (ETAC),...

TRAC 43rd Session: Love God by Loving Our Neighbours

Jan 2019 “I am very happy to be a Methodist,” the Rev Dr Gordon Wong declared at the opening of his President’s Address at the 43rd Session of the Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) held at Pentecost Methodist Church in Pasir Ris from 19 to 21 November 2018. “But what is a Methodist?”...

A mentor; a friend: Christian Ministry in Methodist Schools

Dec 2018 Jenny (top) with SALT Club girls, including Deborah Yong (second from left) As a Christian Ministry Staff (CMS) at Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School (PLMGS) from Jan 2000 to May 2007, and Sep 2009 to March 2014, and at Methodist Girls’ School (MGS) from Sep 2014 to date, I have...

A safe haven for the vulnerable

Dec 2018 Chen Su Lan Methodist Children’s Home (CSLMCH) was founded by Dr Chen Su Lan (1885–1972). A doctor, anti-opium campaigner and devout Methodist, he set up the Chen Su Lan Trust for charitable purposes. It was Dr Chen’s desire to establish a home for orphans and children who were World War...

Finding Christ under fire

Dec 2018 Conducting a combined river baptism service in Siem Reap and Udor Meanchey district At an age when most Singapore youths are preoccupied with pursuing academic success, doing National Service or securing their first job, the Rev Lun Sophy, who was recently elected the first President of The Methodist Church in...

Challenges and Opportunities for the Asian Church 5th Asian Methodist Council General Assembly and Fellowship of Asian Methodist Bishops & Presidents

Nov 2018 The 5th General Assembly of the Asian Methodist Council (AMC) brought together 104 delegates from Methodist churches in the 12 countries comprising the AMC. Organised by The Methodist Church in Singapore, it was held from 18 to 23 Sep 2018. The AMC’s purpose is to strengthen solidarity, improve cooperation and...

Equipping the saints, engaging the world

Oct 2018 The Trinity Theological College (TTC) story was birthed in the crucible of suffering during World War II when Singapore was occupied by the Japanese. While interned as prisoners of war in Changi Prison, some Anglican, Methodist and Presbyterian missionaries and pastors had the idea of setting up a union college...

Making Disciples of All Nations

Sep 2018 Jesus commanded us to “make disciples of all nations” (Matt 28:19). To do so, we must first become disciples ourselves. After all, Jesus did not call us believers, nor did He call us Christians—instead, He called us disciples. “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.” (John...

Labouring for the Lord

Sep 2018 When we think about the head of a Christian denomination, we often imagine an aura of importance bestowed by the mantle of leadership. Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung will have none of that; instead, he sees himself as someone who has been put into his leadership position to serve. So...

Building bridges, not walls

Aug 2018 Singapore is the most multi-religious society in the world, and we have the wonderful opportunity to show, “with gentleness and respect”, Christ’s love to all our neighbours, “regardless of language, race or religion”. —The Rev Dr Gordon Wong, Presidential Address at TRAC 42nd Annual Conference, 2017 In celebration of Hari...

Gone Forth. Going Urban.

Aug 2018 Were you there? Did you stand among the over 2,300 participants, as well as hundreds upon hundreds of volunteers and speakers, representing more than 200 churches and Christian organisations? Did you attend the Leader’s Track, where over 350 church leaders gathered to hear wisdom from the line-up of distinguished speakers?...

Regardless of race and religion

Aug 2018 The Forum on Religious Harmony, organised by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), was held on the afternoon of 3 July 2018 at Furama RiverFront Hotel. This was not long after an evangelism conference in Singapore during which an American preacher had made statements that were deemed to create a...

Preserving and safeguarding our local Methodist heritage

Jul 2018 “In books lies the soul of the whole Past Time; the articulate audible voice of the Past, when the body and the material substance of it has altogether vanished like a dream. […] All that mankind has done, thought, gained or been: it is lying as in magic preservation in...

Aldersgate SG 2018 – Just As We Are: God’s Call for Families

Jul 2018 As the yearly keynote event of The Methodist Church in Singapore, Aldersgate SG regularly brings the Methodist family together to celebrate the values of compassion and discipline in our rich Wesleyan heritage, and to inspire us anew to serve God through social action, evangelism, and discipleship wherever we are. This...

A changing and challenging missions landscape

Jun 2018 The Methodist Missions Society (MMS), as the missions agency of The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS), is the resource provider and facilitator in missions for our Methodist churches. In partnership with Singapore Methodist churches, MMS has been sending out missionaries over the last 26 years in obedience to the Great...

The evidence that demands a verdict

Jun 2018 Having doubts and questions about one’s faith is not a sign that one is not a true believer. After all, even Jesus’ disciples themselves still harboured doubts even after witnessing first-hand the miracles of Christ. As believers, we owe it to ourselves to take much effort to know the truth...

Just As We Are: God’s Call For Families

May 2018 Paya Lebar Methodist Church 5 Boundary Road, Singapore 549954 Aldersgate Sunday Celebration 20 May | Sunday | 5.00-7.00 p.m. (doors open 4.00 p.m.) Come worship the Lord as God’s family, and stand united in the Aldersgate SG Prayer of Commitment! Guided by the Methodist School of Music. Speaker: Bishop Emeritus...

SILVER LININGS – AN AGEING POPULATION

May 2018 “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you.” (Isaiah 46:4, NIV) What are the responsibilities of the Church in an ageing population? It is undeniable that a ‘silver tsunami’[1] is rising in Singapore. By 2030, the number of seniors aged 65...

Judicial Council Decision No.1 of 2018

Apr 2018 In a written decision handed down on 6 March 2018, the Judicial Council of The Methodist Church in Singapore affirmed the ruling of the President of Trinity Annual Conference, that a retired pastor who is re-engaged into active service under ¶554A of The Book of Discipline (BOD) is considered a minister in full connection. – Pursuant to BOD...

Safe space to rest and remember

Apr 2018 When Jesus died on the cross some 2,000 years ago and thereafter paid for the sins of man past, present, and future, He removed the sting of death that has so plagued mankind since the Fall. However, the pain of losing a loved one is still ever present, even as...

Living in a ‘selfie’ world?

Mar 2018 The taking of ‘selfies’, and the subsequent display of our beaming faces on social media, has taken the world by storm in recent years. We unabashedly pose, often with cheerful smiles, even if we do not feel cheerful at the moment. When reviewing the photos taken, we invariably focus first...

Changi MC has ‘landed’ in Punggol!

Mar 2018 Seven years ago, Changi Methodist Church (Changi MC) sensed God’s call to plant a preaching point in Punggol. Although we did not then have a location, we responded in faith, and the years since have been spent ‘tilling the field’ in Punggol – persevering service by members of the Punggol...

MSF: In His service, for schools

Feb 2018 The church-school partnership is a cornerstone for the work that the Methodist Schools’ Foundation (MSF) does. As the MSF aids the Methodist schools, it is done so in the spirit and with the support of the Methodist churches, and serves as an extension of Christian service to touch the lives...

The growth God grants

Jan 2018 “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” - 1 Corinthians 3:6 The story of Yun Xia’s conversion reminds us that indeed it is God who brings about spiritual growth. Yun Xia is a fresh graduate from East Asia who has a deep desire to learn new things,...

Loving obedience

Jan 2018 At the beginning of the 19th century, the English poet Percy Bysshe Shelley declared that obedience is the “bane of all genius, virtue, freedom, truth, “for it makes slaves of men, and of the human frame a mechanised automation.” A child of the European Enlightenment, Shelley waxed eloquent in echoing...

A call to renew, revive, reorganise, and rebuild

Jan 2018 On 10 and 11 Nov 2017, Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference (ETAC) met at Tamil Methodist Church (TMC) on Short Street for its 42nd Session – an annual gathering of clergy and lay representatives of its various churches, to recount and evaluate initiatives and their own ministries in the current year,...

Amidst Church growth, remember the Great Commission

Jan 2018 The Rev Dr Gregory Goh Nai Lat (above, chairing the session) began his inaugural President’s Report by thanking the Chinese Annual Conference (CAC), gathered at its 42nd Session at Foochow Methodist Church from 13-16 Nov 2017, for its support and encouragement in his first year of adjusting to his new...

Seeing opportunities amidst challenges

Jan 2018 Presenting his fifth President’s Address at the 42nd Session of Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) that took place at Wesley Methodist Church (Wesley MC) from 20 to 23 Nov 2017, the Rev Dr Gordon Wong highlighted four major challenges that loomed over the ministries of TRAC churches under The Methodist Church...

Lessons from the Reformation

Jan 2018 In the October 2017 issue of Methodist Message, we asked: “What impact and significance could a movement that happened 500 years ago have on us today?” Among several articles, books, and talks that attempted to answer this question, a resounding response was given by Bishop Emeritus Dr Robert Solomon at...

School-building in Timor-Leste

Dec 2017 53% of the population in Timor-Leste is under the age of 19*; therefore, Christian education has immense potential for shaping lives and transforming this nation. Timor-Leste is a country ravaged by decades of war, disease and unemployment. When the conflict with Indonesia ended in 2002, few teachers were left and...

It takes a village…

Dec 2017 “If we had not stepped in to intervene, she would have been the third generation to go into prostitution,” shared Mr Joseph Chean, National Director of Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Singapore, as he talked about their work in reaching out to women who are mired in the flesh trade...

Support the community and society: Stand by our pre-schools

Dec 2017 “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14 The father came at 10 p.m., but the lights were off and the church gates were closed. Anxious, he returned at midnight, again at 2 a.m., and finally...

The Red Roof

Nov 2017 It all began with a dream, a vision from God. I was down with high fever and was praying for healing. I dreamt of a church with a red roof, beautifully decorated, and located beside a vast flowing river. I heard God’s voice saying, “Go and build My church and...

The communion of saints

Nov 2017 A local church applied to be a member of the National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS), and as a result representatives from the church came for an interview. When asked how old their church was, one of the representatives replied, “We have been around since the first century.” True,...

Body Dynamics

Nov 2017 One of the most interesting concepts peculiar to Methodism is ‘connectionalism’, a neologism coined to describe how the Methodist Church is ordered and organised. At the practical level, connectionalism refers to the ways in which Methodist churches support each other by sharing their resources – pastors, leaders, and financial support...

What is a home?

Nov 2017 The phrase “Many are houseless, not homeless” stuck in my mind after meeting the Director of an organisation providing services for women in one of San Francisco’s counties. She had said this in response to my observation of there being many homeless people in the city. This image ended up...

How justice ‘disturbs’ us to prayer and action

Nov 2017 “When Christians deprive others of legitimate rights, the Gospel is brought to disrepute,” was the emphatic opening statement by Dr Philip Satterthwaite, Principal of Biblical Graduate School of Theology (BGST), as he gave the first lecture at the ETHOS Public Conference on 30 Sep 2017. “When the Church fails to...

Growing and serving ‘Together as one’

Nov 2017 Did you know about this? “A member of any local Methodist church is a member of the total Methodist connection.” (¶108 of The Book of Discipline of The Methodist Church in Singapore) What does this mean? Fundamentally, it means: You are not alone. Most of us know this at some...

How are Lutherans commemorating the Reformation anniversary?

Oct 2017 It is 2017! It is the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation! As we approached this milestone, I was asked again and again, “How are the Lutherans in Singapore going to celebrate this anniversary?” Each time I had to explain that we will certainly commemorate this occasion, but we are hesitant...

Reformation 500: Why it matters

Oct 2017 What event is commemorated on 31 Oct every year? A common response, including from Christians, would be “Halloween”. Some, perhaps a little more cognisant of the Church calendar, would reply “All Saints’ Eve”. If the response “Reformation Day” is given, it is usually added almost as an afterthought. Depictions of...

Why doesn’t God keep us from hardships like a good father would?

Sep 2017 A friend asked me an interesting question recently. He said that we parents usually warn our children when we know they are going to face a problem or crisis. Then why does God not warn His children of impending problems and dangers? He does warn us sometimes through different means...

Practical and spiritual support for mothers

Sep 2017 “Being a first-time mum, I was exhausted and depressed,” shared Ms Steffanie Liu, a mother of two boys. “I almost believed that although God would save me spiritually, He didn’t care about how much physical and emotional suffering I was going through.” “Now as I look back, I recognise that...

Learning to live in worship

Aug 2017 At the Methodist School of Music (MSM) Worship Symposium, held from 15-17 June 2017, participants from many different churches, denominations, and countries came to understand more about spiritual worship, experience different forms and styles of worship, train their skills in leading worship, and encounter God together as a community in...

Galvanising Methodists to help the under-served

Aug 2017 “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us...if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do...

Looking forward to build racial and religious harmony

Jul 2017 Race and religion in Singapore took centre stage at the annual Conversation dialogue organised by the ETHOS Institute™ for Public Christianity on 4 April 2017. The dialogue panel consisted of Mr Chan Chun Sing, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC); Dr...

Amidst change, a mission unchanged

Jul 2017 “Your faithfulness endures to all generations” Psalm 119:90 In every aspect of our lives, change is inevitable. The same can be said of missions. People will change and how we do things to achieve our missional objectives may change due to context and circumstances. But what never changes is the...

Scholarship and spirituality in the Wesleyan spirit

Jun 2017 Those who are familiar with developments in Wesleyan studies might have heard of Albert Outler, an outstanding theologian who first taught at Yale before being recruited to teach at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas. Among other things, he was the one who argued persuasively for John Wesley...

CMS – Safe spaces to share, and room to grow

Jun 2017 Every year, as applications open for Primary and Secondary schools in Singapore, most mission schools – including our Methodist schools – experience high levels of interest. Why is this the case? We surmise that alongside academic and extra-curricular excellence, which is not the sole purview of mission schools, another factor...

Life as Worship?

Jun 2017 “Let my lifesong sing to You!” declares American band, Casting Crowns, in their 2005 song titled ‘Lifesong’. The song’s overriding theme – to worship God with all of one’s life – is closely aligned with the theme of this year’s Methodist School of Music (MSM) Worship Symposium: ‘Life as Worship’....

ALDERSGATE SG 2017 ‘Catch the Flame’ and pass it on!

May 2017 Seen our flame-shaped flyers for Aldersgate SG 2017? (If not, they’re inserted in this very issue of Methodist Message.) You may be wondering: “What is this all about?” Firstly, they’re a reminder about the annual keynote event of Methodists in Singapore – and this year, our theme is ‘Catch the...

The insights of history – Wesley’s experience at Aldersgate

May 2017 Edmund Burke, Irish philosopher and statesman, once said: “In history, a great volume is unrolled for our instruction, drawing the materials of future wisdom from the past errors and infirmities of mankind.” Likewise, in our Christian faith, history plays a vital role in continually informing the living out of our...

Feb 2017 THE METHODIST CHURCH IN SINGAPORE When your church’s prayer leader says “Let us pray for the Methodist Church” and you dutifully bow your head over clasped hands, what images come to your mind? Do you see: Your local church and its ministries? The language-based grouping that your church is part...

Two new Principals for Methodist schools

Feb 2017 New Principals have been welcomed at two of our Methodist schools this new school year. They are: Mrs Jennifer Choy (left), Geylang Methodist School (Primary). Mrs Choy began her teaching career in 1988 as a Literature and Language teacher in Si Ling Secondary School. After 10 years there, she moved...

Building the Next Gen: A ‘whole-church’ issue

Feb 2017 “No matter how good a prawn’s internal systems are, it will not survive in an unhealthy environment,” warned Mr Jose Philip, keynote speaker at the Next Generation seminar held on 3 Nov 2016 at St James’ Church. “We are the environments in which our youth are being shaped!” Mr Philip...

Uniquely adding value to local church ministry

Feb 2017 GC WSCS 11TH SESSION QGM The Trinity Annual Conference President greeted them as a “mighty throng” (referencing Psalm 68:11, NIV). They minister to persons with visual impairment, at-risk youths, and home-makers re-entering the workforce. Their goal is to add value to the ministry of local churches. Who are they?...

New Bishop: Let’s grow in ministry, ‘Together as one’

Jan 2017 SPECIAL FEATURE The Methodist Church in Singapore has a new Bishop – the Rev Dr Chong Chin Chung. (Read about his election on P1 of MM Oct 2016, and his consecration in P12-13 of this issue.) Bishop Dr Chong reveals his vision for the Methodist Church, and his motivation for...

Rev Dr Chong Chin Chung consecrated as Bishop

Jan 2017 11TH SESSION OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE METHODIST CHURCH IN SINGAPORE The Rev Dr Chong Chin Chung was consecrated as Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) for the 11th quadrennium in a glorious, dignified consecration service on 2 Dec 2016, witnessed by regional Methodist bishops who had...

CAC, ETAC and TRAC elect leaders for new terms

Jan 2017

New Presidents have been elected for the Chinese Annual Conference (CAC) and Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference (ETAC), while Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) has re-elected its incumbent President for the next quadrennium, at their respective 41st Sessions in November 2016. The CAC’s new President is the Rev Dr Gregory Goh Nai…

PLMGS steps back in time to celebrate 100 years

Dec 2016 The 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...

Developing an Asian Christian theology for modern Asians

Dec 2016 What 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 Institute™ Annual Lecture 2016, held at St. Andrew’s Cathedral on 18...

Building acceptance, offering hope

Dec 2016 “We 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...

Methodist Message celebrates 125th anniversary

Nov 2016 Methodist Message (MM) rejoiced in 125 years of God’s grace and faithfulness with several celebratory initiatives this year, culminating in an appreciation lunch on 1 October. Past MM Editors, MM contributors and Council on Communications members were invited to this joyous occasion at Sophia Blackmore Hall, Methodist Centre. Bishop Dr...

GC 2016: Raising awareness, taking steps to keep pace with social changes

Nov 2016 MCS GENERAL CONFERENCE 2016 Every four years, The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) gathers representatives at its regular session of the General Conference (GC) to elect office-holders, revise church laws, approve work plans and budgets, and adopt resolutions. This year, the September portion of MCS’ 11th Session of the GC...

DISCIPLE Bible Study celebrates 25 years in Singapore

Nov 2016 “Our theme for the day is ‘covenant’. What is our human condition? Let’s read together …” “What are some distinguishing symbols by which people will know that we are part of the faith body of Christ?” “These are familiar sentences I used when I taught two DISCIPLE classes while pastoring....

Christian Worship and the Shortage of Space

Nov 2016 Churches in Singapore have to deal with a reality that is unique, compared to many of their counterparts in other countries. Many of the churches here have been built on land that has a leasehold tenure of 30 years (or are located in buildings that have a similar leasehold arrangement)....

Rev Dr Chong Chin Chung elected new Bishop

Oct 2016 The Rev Dr Chong Chin Chung (above), 61, has been elected the new Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS). He will be consecrated on 2 Dec 2016, taking on the role of spiritual leader for more than 42,000 Methodists. He was elected Bishop on the 8th ballot at the Church’s 11th Session of General Conference...

An invigorating family reunion for Methodists worldwide

Oct 2016 Once every five years, representatives from the Wesleyan, Methodist, United and Uniting church family worldwide, comprising more than 82 million people in 134 countries, gathers for a massive “family reunion” at the World Methodist Council and Conference meetings. Here, one catches a glimpse of how John Wesley’s legacy of social...

A serene space to remember our beloved

Oct 2016 To celebrate the promise of eternal life referred to in John 11:25-26, The Methodist Church in Singapore established The Garden of Remembrance in 1999, a Christian columbarium to house cremated remains of and to honour and remember our beloved deceased family and friends. The Garden of Remembrance is in the final phase of recent upgrading...

Calling prayer warriors – GC 2016 needs YOU!

Sep 2016 Why pray? As the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good,...

Methodist Message through the years

Sep 2016 In October 1891, Editor J. C. Floyd began the very first issue of The Malaysia Message (MM) with “our most graceful bow to the English speaking people of Malaysia, and to our friends in England and America, as we present to them the first number of our paper and request...

Reaching children more effectively

Sep 2016 Her grandfather asked: “Who do you look like?” The four-year-old happily replied: “I think I look like you.” Then her grandfather showed her a mirror and repeated the question. She thought for a while and said, “My Dada.” Her grandfather probed further: “So, whose daughter are you?” Previously, her answer...

Stories, rituals and relationships: building the next generation

Sep 2016 “Don’t think of the ‘good old days’ when things were much more simple, because they’re not coming back!” advised Dr Calvin Chong, key presenter at the Next Generation seminar held on 28 June at St James’ Church. “Get to grips with it and think: ‘How?’ ” Dr Chong, Associate Professor...

Celebrating MM 125 With Us

Aug 2016 Methodist Message turns 125 this year, and we are celebrating the occasion with giveaways and special discounts when you participate in any of our organised activities or sign up to be on our mailing list. Special: Discounts on books at Armour Publishing (from 1 Sep to 31 Oct) with Coupon...

Equipping for service in Church and marketplace

Aug 2016 BIBLICAL GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY Established in 1989, the Biblical Graduate School of Theology (BGST) offers training mainly for lay people, in Singapore and from overseas, to help them live out their Christian faith in their vocations and be more effective in serving God. Mr Calvin Lim, who works in...

MM 125th Anniversary

Aug 2016 The faithful service of contributing editors of Methodist Message (MM), formerly known as the Malaysia Message, has borne fruit in seeing MM through a centenary of production – and more. In celebration of 125 years of God’s faithfulness, MM is offering surprise anniversary gifts in its August and September issues....

Aldersgate SG 2016: Why does my work matter?

Jul 2016 Beautiful strains of music filled the auditorium in Kum Yan Methodist Church as the Methodist Festival Orchestra and Methodist Festival Choir led the congregation in worship at the annual Aldersgate Service on 24 May 2016, rounding off four days of lectures, panel discussions and a Worship Festival. From left: GC-WSCS...

Grappling with autism and faith

Jul 2016 The boys enjoying a run with their father as our family gets ready for our annual participation in the Standard Chartered Marathon Kids’ Dash to raise funds for local autism charities. Our family fundraiser movement, which was set up in 2011, has raised over $42,000 for these charities. We are...

Defending Gospel truth with gentleness and respect

Jul 2016 Is it possible to defend our Christian faith without becoming defensive or to present arguments for God’s existence without being argumentative? For Dr William Lane Craig, the answer lies in the attitude we ought to take while defending the Christian faith and truth – gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15)....

MM Turns 125

Jul 2016

Celebrate God’s faithfulness with us as Methodist Message turns 125 this October, and stand to win prizes when you participate in any of the following activities! SIGN UP FOR OUR MAILING LIST to receive free articles on popular topics from MM issues as far back as year 1900. 1 selected…

IN MEMORIAM

Jun 2016 Tan Boon Chiang (4 June 1923 – 28 December 2015) Let there be peace on earth, And let it begin with me Mr Tan Boon Chiang passed away on 28 Dec 2015 at the age of 92. He had epitomised a heart for service –quite literally, having been founding...

Sharing food, heritage and space at Harmony Games 2016

Jun 2016 The ninth edition of the Harmony Games brought a carnival atmosphere to Kovan Hub on 24 April 2016. A giant inflatable slide, various nostalgic games, and delectable cultural snacks were some of the main attractions at this year’ s event. In order to encourage greater participation from Singaporeans at large,...

Christianity in the public square

Jun 2016 Minister for Social and Family Development Mr Tan Chuan-Jin and Anglican Bishop Rennis Ponniah discussed the role of the Christian community in our multi-religious society at the ETHOS Conversation, held at Providence Presbyterian Church on 22 March. Almost 200 Christians from different denominations and churches were present. A responsible church...

A home for every child who needs one

Jun 2016 Home for good - SG “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families...”Psalms 68:5-6a Foster parents Li Ping and Joseph from Aldersgate Methodist Church recently welcomed an eight-year-old boy, L, into their home. “I believe our foster...

ALDERSGATE SG 2016

May 2016 ALDERSGATE SG 2016 Don’t miss the annual keynote event of Methodists in Singapore! What can I expect? * Learning– what the Bible and John Wesley says about work * Engaging with– panellists who have real-life experiences of grappling with issues as Christians in the workplace * Reflecting– on how to...

Methodists in the Marketplace

May 2016 Methodists on the Marketplace 22-23 May: Come hear from Bishop Dr Wee Boon Hup and our panellists on how to make your work matter for God. Accounting: Mr Henry Tan Managing Director, Nexia TS Henry Tan is the Managing Director of a mid-tier international accounting firm. Besides accounting and taxation...

Geared to the times, Anchored to the Rock

Apr 2016 Singapore Youth for Christ (SYFC) started in 1957 in the midst of the growing problem of gangsterism. With nothing fun and meaningful to occupy their time, many youths below the age of 21 joined gangs. The plight of our youths caught the attention of an American missionary named Joe Weatherly...

Serving Methodists since 1891

Apr 2016 Methodist Message (MM) is celebrating its 125th anniversary this October, and will mark this milestone with several initiatives over the next few months. God’s faithfulness has seen MM through continuous production in its first century, covering notable events such as the 16th World Methodist Conference held in Singapore, and the...

The Young Messiah: A compelling tale

Mar 2016 “He’s not just a child.” This line, spoken by one of the characters in the upcoming film The Young Messiah, aptly summarises the impetus behind the film as well as its attraction for viewers, and ultimately speaks to the mystery that lingers beyond the ending credits. The Young Messiah...

PLMGS celebrates 100 years of God’s blessings

Mar 2016 One hundred songs to celebrate 100 years. That was how Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School (PLMGS or PL) kicked off its centenary celebrations this year, with a ‘Praise-a-thon’ where more than 3,000 students, staff, alumnae, parents and friends gathered to sing 100 songs of praise to thank the Lord for...

GC 2016: Interview with GC Sec

Mar 2016 Later this year, The Methodist Church in Singapore will be holding its regular session of the General Conference (GC) – which is held only once every four years. What is it all about? And how will the average Methodist be affected? Methodist Message sits down with GC Secretary and long-time...

ACS turns 130, answers the call to serve

Mar 2016 Specially designed ACS 130 collar pins were given to all students and staff to celebrate ACS’ 130th Founder’s Day The six units of the Anglo-Chinese School (ACS) have come together as ONE ACS to celebrate 130 years of God’s Faithfulness since its founding on 1 March 1886 by Bishop Oldham....

Reconciling science and Christian faith

Mar 2016 In his lecture, Dr Andrew Loke (second from right) challenged the view that science and Christian faith were necessarily in conflict. Photos courtesy of The Bible Society® of Singapore “As a young Christian, I’d always thought that creationism and evolution were opposing ideas,” said Timothy Seow, 19, an attendee at...

We have risen!

Mar 2016 “Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.” (Colossians 2:12, ESV) At Easter, we celebrate not just the resurrection of Jesus Christ, but ours too. In 1 John 5:12 (ESV),...

Celebration of Praise and Thanksgiving Service

Feb 2016 A vibrant Celebration of Praise and Thanksgiving Service where over 1,200 attendees worshipped God with contemporary Christian songs and Wesleyan hymns was held at Paya Lebar Methodist Church on 28 Nov 2015, a befitting finale to a year of celebrations for the 130th anniversary of The Methodist Church in Singapore....

New principals at three Methodist schools

Jan 2016 Three Methodist schools welcome new Principals appointed with effect from 15 Dec 2015. They are: Mrs Chaillan Mui Tuan, Anglo-Chinese School (Junior). She is no stranger to the Methodist community, having served as Principal of Fairfield Methodist School (Primary) for the past seven years. Prior to that, she was Vice-Principal...

Wholly Spiritual

Jan 2016 One of the most spiritual things we must do is to take care of our physical body. There is a deception quite widespread even among Christians that spirituality is all about attending to matters of the spirit. We do not have to dig too deep to see that this is...

The pursuit of hospitality

Dec 2015 For a few months this year, the world was caught up in following the tragedy of migrants seeking refuge as they fled the war raging in their own countries. It was heartbreaking to see the photo showing a toddler from one of the fleeing families washed up dead on the...

Music made by our Methodists

Nov 2015 First-prize winner Dr Andrew Pan explaining the inspiration behind his song Luke and Abigail presenting their song, which won third prize. Beautiful, home-grown music filled the air at the Methodist Centre on 10 Oct 2015, as the top three winners of the MCS 130 Song-Writing Competition received their awards at...

Wheels for GOOD celebrates MCS 130

Oct 2015 A dance item by Anglo-Chinese Junior College titled 'Centre of Asia'. More than 3,000 families, cyclists and beneficiaries celebrated two milestones – Singapore’s Golden Jubilee (SG50) and the 130th Anniversary of The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS 130) – at Wheels for GOOD, a charity event organised by Methodist Welfare Services...

Called to a ministry of comfort

Sep 2015 “You are truly a sincere man doing noble work,” read the note from a grateful family to a staff member of Hosanna Bereavement Services (HBS). “Not only did your professionalism, compassion and dignified handling of the funeral arrangements make a difficult time a little easier to bear; it brought us...

Education: Learning how to live

Sep 2015 “As Christians, we’re all educators,” noted Dr Phillip A. Towndrow, a teacher-educator and educational researcher, at the 14 July launch of his book, Education and Society: A Christian Vision of Public Education in Singapore, the first in the ETHOS Institute™ engagement series. The series addresses pertinent issues in church...

One People. One Day. One Place.

Aug 2015 An enthusiastic crowd of 51,000 Christians gathered in thanksgiving and prayer at the National Stadium on 5 July for the Jubilee Day of Prayer (JDOP), the largest multi-denominational Christian event in Singapore’s history. It was also streamed live on YouTube and attracted over 4,000 views. Bishop Dr Wee Boon Hup...

Aldersgate SG 2015

Jul 2015 The worship team leading the congregation at the start of the first Aldersgate Lecture. This year, Aldersgate SG 2015 was themed “Seeking the Welfare of the City”, based on Jeremiah 29:7. The Convention was held at Faith Methodist Church and Queenstown Chinese Methodist Church, where three invited speakers –...

Methodists, make music!

Jun 2015 MCS 130 Song-Writing Competition Music inspires and moves us into action. The Bible, too, exhorts us to “Sing to the Lord a new song”. If you have a knack for music composition, here is an opportunity not to be missed! The Methodist School of Music (MSM) is organising...

Bishop’s Invitation

May 2015 The theme for Aldersgate SG 2015 is “Seeking the Welfare of Our City”, based on Jeremiah 29:7. Should we be concerned about our city? The answer appears obvious to most: “Yes, of course.” “This is my home.” “I have my family and friends here.” “Here is where my future lies.”...

World Baptists and Methodists meet to dialogue at CCMC

Apr 2015 “Unity is not just being cosy with each other; unity is for the sake of mission!” The Rev Dr Robert Gribben, Chairperson of the ecumenical relations committee of the World Methodist Council (WMC), aptly summed up the goal of the ongoing five-year international dialogue between the Baptist World Alliance and...

Death’s defeat

Apr 2015 While sharing his testimony, a man suffering from terminal cancer pointed out that even though many of us sing this chorus (right) in Sunday School, when the time comes, we show that we do not believe in it. Simply put, we are not willing to die. We are not ready...

Keeping the Methodist spirit alive in SFMS

Mar 2015 Lenie Cho is Principal of St. Francis Methodist School. “We hope to equip every student of SFMS with knowledge and skills, instilling in them the right character and attitude.” St. Francis Methodist School (SFMS) aims to express the mission aspects of the Methodist church through its holistic approach to education and...

Countdown to MethodistWalk 2015!

Mar 2015 Saturday, 28 Mar 2015 marks a significant event on the 2015 calendar for Methodist Schools and their students, as they race against the clock to raise money to fund better facilities and programmes for themselves! The target? $2 million. Organised by the Methodist Schools’ Foundation (MSF) and underwritten by Wesley Methodist...

Jubilee Day of Prayer

Feb 2015 “One day, one place, 50,000 in prayer.” For 2015, Singapore’s Jubilee year, the annual Global Day of Prayer (GDOP) has been designated as Jubilee Day of Prayer (JDOP), jointly organised by the National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS) and the Evangelical Fellowship of Singapore (EFOS). It will be held...

Leadership change at two Methodist schools

Jan 2015 As a new school year begins, two of our Methodist schools will welcome new Principals. Appointed with effect from 15 Dec last year, they are: Ms Audrey Chen, Fairfield Methodist School (Secondary). Audrey spent most of her teaching career as a General Paper teacher in Raffles Junior College before a...

Life ‘above the sun’

Jan 2015 What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:9 (ESV) Déjà vu. Same old same old. We have been here before, at the turn of the year. If we are more than...

Name above all names

Dec 2014 The name “Jesus” was confirmed to Mary by the angel who visited her with the news that she would soon be with child. The naming of a child in different cultures may follow various practices, but the significance is never in doubt. Sometimes, the name may reflect the circumstances in which...

What’s brewing at TRACKERS 2015?

Nov 2014 Calling all youths aged between 16 to 25 who want to inspire and change lives! Grow in your faith with the TRACKERS in 2015. Besides an overseas mission trip and lectures, you will have the opportunity to be part of a special evangelistic musical. Scheduled for 27-28 March 2015, the...

Christian think tank launched

Oct 2014 An integral part of our Christian witness today must be to engage with the many challenges and issues of society. Difficult ethical issues arising from advances in science and technology. Changing norms on relationships, marriage and family. Growing affluence and the pursuit of wealth at all costs. The lure of...

Just Waiting

Sep 2014 During the season when God places foster children with us, we can also deposit into them His love and healing. If every church in Singapore fosters just one child, we can provide foster homes for most of the vulnerable children who can benefit from a family environment. Yet, according to the...

Two evenings that could change your life – for God

Aug 2014 MMS MISSIONS RALLY • 5-6 SEPTEMBER 2014 Larisa Cheng from Covenant Community Methodist Church helping in a field harvest – literally! – in Cambodia in 2011. Calling all young people across our Methodist churches: You’ve encountered Christ – you’ve tasted His goodness, and you’ve been touched by His love. It’s...

FATHERS You can turn the tide

Jul 2014 In 2 Kings 2:9, just before the prophet Elijah was taken up to heaven, his personal attendant, companion and heir-apparent, Elisha, asked to “inherit a double portion of [Elijah’s] spirit”. Similarly, every child hopes to “inherit” a “double portion” of love, encouragement, affirmation and wisdom from those they admire the most....

Eye-openers on marriage

Jun 2014 At some point in our lives, we begin to have questions about marriage: What does it mean to me? When is the right time? How do I prepare for it? How do I know I’m ready? I jumped at the chance to learn more when the Methodist Message invited me...

Growing through ‘tracking’ Christ

May 2014 Team Kroursa (Cambodia) playing with bubbles with children from an orphanage in Cambodia. Team Tumatawa (Philippines) with mothers, from the women’s ministry in Laguna, Philippines, with the team’s self-designed tote bags. Team Tumatawa (Philippines) with some of the youths they made friends with as part of the street outreach ministry...

Easter encounters

Apr 2014 Every now and then, I hear the remark that a person has had “an encounter with God”. This is said to account for the noticeable change that has taken place in that person’s life. Often the conversation refers to a person who had been a nominal Christian, a sceptic, or...

Confronting our weaknesses

Apr 2014 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 Having studied many individuals who have fallen because of particular weakness in their lives, I realise we are all human and weakness matters. Allow me to share two...

Architecture of worship

Feb 2014 Worship architects are wise to truly understand what takes place in worship and who the participants are. “There’s a method to my madness!” Have you ever heard anyone use this little idiom? It’s usually said with a smile when someone is trying to convince someone else that their crazy approach...

Principal moves at three schools

Jan 2014 As schools re-open to a brand new year this month, three Methodist schools will be welcoming new principals. Appointed with effect from Dec 15 last year, they are: Ms Beatrice Chong, Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC). Beatrice holds a Masters of Education from Harvard University, and comes from a family where...

Our calling is about God

Jan 2014 A voice says, “Cry!” And I said, “What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it.” Indeed, the people are grass. The grass withers, the...

Affairs of the heart

Nov 2013 More than 400 youth and young adult leaders were urged to “look at the internal affairs of the heart and to take time for God to search hearts, invite Him to do heart transplants, godly cardiac arrests, fix holes, install pacemakers and implement spiritual cardio exercises”. The Rev Khoo Kay...

‘God’s gifts not limited by disabilities’

Oct 2013 Imagine this scenario: you’re all set to relocate to Italy – but on arrival you hear “Welcome to Holland!” How would you react? You would have to change all your plans – learn a new language, buy new guidebooks, be prepared for experiences that you have not anticipated. Emily Perl...

The business of transforming lives

Sep 2013 More than 400 specially invited guests at the Methodist Mission Society’s (MMS) “My Father’s Business” Banquet on August 25 sat riveted as they watched the telling of a transformed life in the mountainous country of Nepal. Rojina was a street kid, roaming the streets of Kathmandu and moving from house...

Hazardous haze

Aug 2013 IN JUNE, Singapore was engulfed by dense haze with the highest Pollution Standards Index (PSI) reading since 1997. This haze, according to reports, was caused by illegal burning of forests and the traditional slash-and-burn methods used by farmers in Indonesia to clear the land for cultivation. For almost everyone in...

Walking to build foundations of wisdom

Aug 2013 “TELL ME AND I FORGET, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn,” goes a Chinese saying. How true. Indeed, education and the process of going to school is a journey, and like paths in a wooded forest that draw us in, every road that we choose to...

Eagles Communications: A Methodist legacy

Jul 2013 IN 1968, A SMALL BAND of students from the Anglo-Chinese Secondary School at Barker Road rummaged at a construction site and came upon a metal “E” lying amid the debris. Taking the discovery as a sign, they decided to call themselves “The Eagles,” a symbol of power, ferocity, and rebellion,...

Called together at Aldersgate, by God’s grace

Jul 2013 The congregation: United in voice and action, even in something as small as sharing a songbook. The combined children’s choir from the three Annual Conferences was a visible reminder of our oneness in Christ through their different coloured gowns. ATTENDING THE ALDERSGATE HYMN FESTIVAL this year brought a thought to...

The art of battling homelessness (ACS (International) raises funds for Habitat for Humanity)

Jun 2013 WHAT CAN CHILDREN IN URBAN Singapore do about housing for the homeless? 25 per cent of the world’s population or 1.5 billion people live in sub-standard housing or with no shelter at all. This year, youths from Anglo-Chinese School (International) did their bit to raise funds and awareness for Habitat...

Face to face with Nicky Gumbel

May 2013 The Rev Nicky Gumbel turned the Alpha Course around after he took charge of it in 1990. Alpha was meant for new believers, but he realised that it could also appeal to non-churchgoers. Methodist Message caught up with Nicky in an interview facilitated by Alpha Singapore, and also sat in...

Cross the road to be better neighbours

May 2013 “We become neighbours when we are willing to cross the road for one another. There is so much separation and segregation: between black people and white people… between Muslims and Christians, Protestants and Catholics… There is a lot of road-crossing to do. We are all very busy in our own...

Social media – Can we use it for God?

Apr 2013 “SOCIAL MEDIA is the devil… and I’m getting old!” This tongue-in-cheek title of an article by blogger Gem Nicholls could easily describe the apprehension with which cautious Christians approach social media. Is this claim substantiated? And is it true that some of us are “too old” for social media? Firstly,...

God’s Grace and imperfect parenting

Apr 2013 IT HAS BEEN ALMOST thirty years of parenting. I am amazed at how my two children have turned out as adults, and I am grateful to God. They are not perfect children, and neither are my wife and I perfect parents. But I am happy with how they are shaping...

Alive, raised and seated with Christ

Mar 2013 “BUT GOD, BEING RICH IN MERCY, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved – and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in...

GC women encouraged to continue in outreach, prayer

Feb 2013 The newly-installed Conference Officers making a covenant to consecrate themselves for God’s service in the General Conference Women’s Society of Christian Service. Conference delegates and ovservers posing for a photo at the meeting venue, Thistle Johor Bahru Hotel. Story by Grace Toh - GC WSCS pictures A STRONG CALL...

Rev Dr Wee Boon Hup consecrated 5th Bishop

Jan 2013 The Rev Dr Wee Boon Hup being consecrated by Bishop Dr Robert Solomon, assisted by Bishop Roy Sano (partially hidden) and Bishop Dr Hwa Yung. Standing behind him are his wife Catherine and son Luke. The newly-minted Bishop Dr Wee Boon Hup making his first address to the congregation. THE...

Bishop’s call to young Methodists: Step forward to serve MCS

Dec 2012 BISHOP DR ROBERT SOLOMON has made a clarion call for “younger, godly and able people” to step forward to serve in strategic leadership roles in The Methodist Church in Singapore and to take on ministry responsibilities. In a farewell interview with Methodist Message (MM), Bishop Dr Solomon, who retires this...

How we can participate in God’s nature

Nov 2012 THE REV STEWARD DAMAT, President of the Sarawak Iban Annual Conference, Malaysia, spoke on Sept 5, the third day of the 10th Session of the General Conference. Basing his sermon on John 1:43-51, he posed the question: How can we participate in God’s nature? “We receive God’s nature when we...

God’s beautiful gift: Holiness

Nov 2012 10TH SESSION OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE METHODIST CHURCH IN SINGAPORE: SEPT 3-8, 2012 GOD’S DIVINE NATURE is one of in God’s nature godliness and holiness, emphasised the Rev Lily P. Twist, Chairman of the Scotland Synod of The Methodist Church in Britain, in her sermon on Sept 6 –...

Glorifying God with the character of Christ

Nov 2012 10TH SESSION OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE METHODIST CHURCH IN SINGAPORE: SEPT 3-8, 2012 Indonesian Methodist Bishop Amat Tumino’s exhortation JESUS’ CHARACTER is manifested in the qualities of love and forgiveness. “Do people see this in us?” asked Bishop Amat Tumino, Chairman of the Council of Bishops of the...

Bishop Dr Solomon conferred Bishop Emeritus

Oct 2012 THE GENERAL CONFERENCE (GC) has decided unanimously to confer the title of Bishop Emeritus on Bishop Dr Robert Solomon when he retires from the episcopacy in December 2012. The proposal to confer him the title was made by the Rev Dr Chong Chin Chung, President of the Chinese Annual Conference...

Bishop cautions against weakening of our connectional relationships

Oct 2012 10TH SESSION OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE METHODIST CHURCH IN SINGAPORE: SEPT 3-8, 2012 The change in name happened in 1968 when the word ‘Doctrines’ was dropped. “This has resulted in our BOD focusing more and more on the mechanics of running the church. If there is any reference...

Rev Dr Wee Boon Hup elected new Bishop

Oct 2012 THE REV DR WEE BOON HUP (above), 61, has been elected the new Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS). He will be consecrated on Dec 7, 2012. Currently serving his second term as the President of Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC), he was elected Bishop on the 6th ballot...

Tamil Methodist Church hits 125 years: A history of caring and sharing

Sep 2012 AT SOME POINT IN TIME, a fellow Christian or even an acquaintance may have asked you this question: “Which church do you attend?” Without hesitation the answer is given. Would it have made a diﬀerence if you were asked, “To which church do you belong?” I believe it would. I...

Seventh pilgrimage focuses on our Wesleyan heritage

Sep 2012 And finally in Jerusalem we walked the 14 stations of Via Dolorosa (“Way of the Cross” or “Way of Suﬀering”) through the narrow streets of old Jerusalem, the path taken by Jesus carrying the cross to His crucifixion. As we paused and prayed at each station, we remember the love...

Teachers do make a difference

Sep 2012 THERE IS A BEAUTIFUL LEGEND about a king who decided to set aside a special day to honour his greatest subject. When the big day arrived, there was a large gathering in the palace courtyard. Four finalists were brought forward, and from these four, the king would select the winner....

To Master, To Grow, To Serve’ – MGS’ continuing mission

Sep 2012 Methodist Girls’ School celebrates 125th Founder’s Day A FATHER-DAUGHTER DUET during the Methodist Girls’ School’s (MGS) 125th Founder’s Day Service and Graduation Ceremony became a serendipitous illustration on the importance of listening carefully. Dr Kevin Ong and his daughter, MGS student Nathania Ong, sang “ The Prayer” at the school’s...

Holland Village Preaching Point is now a local conference

Aug 2012 It is our 45th Methodist church FIVE YEARS AGO, on July 8, 2007, the first worship service of a fledging preaching point in Anglo-Chinese School (International) or ACS (Int) was held. is year, also on July 8, that same preaching point was constituted as Holland Village Methodist Church (HVMC), the...

Citizens in a foreign land

Aug 2012 “In many of the developed nations today, the demands of the global market economy have created a deeply unsettling influx of hordes of foreigners. Singapore has its fair share of this phenomenon in recent years. The better-oﬀ citizens are often sheltered from its direct impact, but the average citizen feels...

‘Tell the world … ’

Jul 2012 Aldersgate Rally 2 WHAT WOULD YOU DO if you found a cure for cancer? The Rev Duleep Fernando related how this question was posed by Dr Leslie Weatherhead, a famous British minister, to a congregation member devoted to research on cancer. Expecting the researcher to have plans for taking a holiday,...

The Spirit empowers sanctification

Jul 2012 Aldersgate Rally 1 “BEFORE HIS CONVERSION, John Wesley got it the wrong way round,” opined the Rev Duleep Fernando, referring to Wesley’s attempts to be holy through reading the Bible, praying, and doing good works through his own eﬀort. However, Wesley’s Aldersgate experience assured him that he had been justified...

There may be wrong interpretations, but … ‘Do not deny the truth of biblical doctrines’

Jul 2012 ALDERSGATE CONVENTION SPEAKER Rev Duleep Fernando has reminded Methodists that they cannot deny the truth of biblical doctrines just because there are wrong interpretations. Sometimes mainline church Christians speak disparagingly of those who claim to be “born again” Christians, he said. is is partly because of the shallow meaning those...

MSM continues to educate church musicians despite fresh challenges

Jun 2012 Methodist School of Music celebrates 15 years of God’s blessings “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain.” – Psalm 127:1. FIFTEEN YEARS AGO, the founders of Methodist School of Music (MSM) had a vision – to reach out to educate, inspire and encourage people...

Joy for Tamil Methodist Church as it celebrates 125 good years

Jun 2012 Other Methodist churches celebrate anniversaries of note TAMIL METHODIST CHURCH (TMC) in Short Street is celebrating its 125th Anniversary this year with a series of events. It was the second Methodist church to be established in Singapore, two years after the founding of Wesley Methodist Church in 1885. It is...

Top science student active in community work

May 2012 CHEN JING YI is the top ACJC student and the top science student, scoring eight distinctions at the 2011 GCE A-Level Examinations including a distinction in H3 Contemporary Physics. In addition to her stellar academic performance, Jing Yi made positive contributions both within and beyond the college. She was selected for...

ACJC Class of 2011 surpasses previous A-Level results

May 2012 ANGLO-CHINESE JUNIOR COLLEGE (ACJC) is happy that the class of 2011 has achieved excellent results for its GCE A-Level,outperforming the previous four cohorts under the revised curriculum. Based on the Ministry of Education (MOE) indicator of “percentage of candidates obtaining at least three H2 passes, with a pass in GP...

Dedication, opening of Vineyard Methodist School in Chiang Mai

May 2012 Bishop Dr Solomon cutting the ribbon after the Dedicating Service for Vineyard Methodist School. He is flanked by Mr Panadda Diskul (left), Governor of Chiang Mai, and Mr William Tan, Deputy Chief of Mission and Counsellor of the Embassy of Singapore in Thailand. – MMS picture. 7th Annual Meeting of...

Bishop’s Lunch Fellowship with church leaders

Apr 2012 A CLEAR GUIDE Having a standard order of worship or liturgy in the MCS would provide a clear guide for its clergy and members on how to conduct worship services, baptise, administer holy communion, dedicate houses, marry people, conduct funerals, ordain persons, consecrate and dedicate buildings and so on, as...

Commemorative Book to be launched at Founder’s Day Service

Mar 2012 Methodist Girls’ School celebrates 125th Anniversary Through the ages … Message from Mrs Fang Ai Lian Chairman, MGS Board of Management “ON AUGUST 15, 1887, Methodist Girls’ School was founded by Miss Sophia Blackmore who came to Singapore with a mission – to provide girls with an education. During the...

A legacy founded on love, excellence and hope

Mar 2012 Methodist Girls’ School celebrates 125th Anniversary AS METHODIST GIRLS’ SCHOOL (MGS) commemorates its 125th Anniversary this year, it celebrates 125 years of a legacy founded on love, excellence and hope. When Miss Sophia Blackmore planted the MGS seed in a modest shophouse in Short Street on Aug 15, 1887, her...

36th Sessions of Annual Conferences: November 2011

Feb 2012 Bishop Dr Robert Solomon sending greetings to ETAC on the opening day of their Session on Nov 11, 2011. He is flanked by ETAC President James Nagulan (left) and ETAC Vice-President Stephen Shadrak. – Picture by DANIEL LIE. Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference (ETAC) delegates responding to a suggestion by their...

Hinghwa MC hits a century

Feb 2012 The RevYu Li Chan, former pastor of Hingwa Methodist Church (HMC), blowing out the candle on the Centennial Cake. He is accompanied by pastors and leaders of HMC. Picture by Benjamin Yu. Celebrations include Centennial Thanksgiving Service and Banquet “HOW OLD WAS ABRAHAM WHEN ISAAC WAS BORN?” is question, posed...

‘Do the work of an evangelist’

Jan 2012 The Rev Reuben Ng Lee Keong and the Rev Loretta Lim Swee Gek being acknowledged by the congregation after their ordination as Elders. – TRAC picture by Daniel Lie. THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST is not outside a pastor’s role. is conclusion was drawn by the President of Trinity Annual...

Riding the challenges of a new social milieu

Jan 2012 In his annual President’s Report, the Rev Dr Wee Boon Hup referred to several challenges TRAC faces. – TRAC picture by DANIEL LIE. “THE REALITY WE MUST FACE is that growth is not as rapid as it was in the last few decades,” stated the Rev Dr Wee Boon Hup,...

Charity walk raises $120,000 for the needy in Lavender

Dec 2011 HINGHWA METHODIST CHURCH (HMC) and the People’s Association Staﬀ Club (PASC) raised more than $100,000 for the needy in the Lavender community with a jointly-organised charity walk on Sept 3, 2011. At the cheque presentation ceremony, the Rev Dr David Koh, Pastor-in-Charge of HMC, announced that a total of $119,825...

The Two Names

Dec 2011 ‘Jesus’ and ‘Immanuel’ have profound meaning and say something of the identity of the baby THE EYES SAY IT ALL “The eyes of her baby confirmed all that Mary saw – for she saw in them the majesty, holiness and love of God.” THERE WAS SOMETHING about the baby that...

Intent + content = disciple-making churches

Nov 2011 Bishop’s Lunch Fellowship with Lay Leaders HOW CAN OUR METHODIST CHURCHES become disciple-making churches? The answer simply is: ere must be intent (on our part) and we must have good content (to help us achieve our goal). Stating this, Bishop Dr Robert Solomon said: “Unless we intentionally strive to be...

More than 15,000 visits to distribute $1.8m to the needy

Nov 2011 MCS 125th Anniversary Community Outreach Project round-up AT THE END OF THIS YEAR, one of the largest initiatives involving all the Methodist churches in Singapore will draw to a close. e 125 th Anniversary Community Outreach Project of e Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS), which was launched in February 2010,...

Conference participants pack 100,000 meals for children

Oct 2011 20th World Methodist Conference in Durban DURBAN (South Africa) – Members of the Singapore delegation to the 20th World Methodist Conference held here from Aug 4 to 8, 2011 were among the many delegates who helped to pack 100,000 packets of food for African school children. The packing for the...

A vision for mission

Oct 2011 20th Anniversary celebrations of MMS Why we should be sent out to the harvest field TWENTY YEARS OF GOD’S GRACE AND FAVOUR. That was how a video presentation by the Methodist Missions Society (MMS) described its journey and growth these past 20 years, expressing the workers’ appreciation to God at...

Celebrating God’s provision and transforming work

Sep 2011 1st Anniversary Service of the International Christian Fellowship-Ho Chi Minh City HO CHI MINH CITY – For a man whose heart and liver had failed at the same time just two weeks before, landing him in the Intensive Care Unit in hospital, Mr Albert Low looked remarkably hale and hearty...

Sawubona! South Africa brings hope and God’s love to all

Sep 2011 20th World Methodist Conference in Durban THE 20TH WORLD METHODIST CONFERENCE opened in Durban, South Africa on Aug 4, 2011 with inspiring, worshipful singing accompanied by the vibrant African beat and a kaleidoscope of colours from the participants’ national costumes and their church banners. Out of the International Convention Centre...

Walking together in the Light

Aug 2011 MethodistWalk2011 WITH WHOM DO YOU WALK?” Bishop Dr Robert Solomon put forward this question as he shared a meditation with close to 5,000 participants from Methodist schools and churches shortly before flagging them oﬀ on the MethodistWalk2011 at Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC) on July 9. The biennial Walk, which was...

On gratitude to God and giving back to society

Aug 2011 Official opening of new Anglo-Chinese School (Junior) campus “TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN, much is expected,” acknowledged Mrs Kathryn Koh, Principal of Anglo-Chinese School (Junior) or ACS(J), as she welcomed guests and well-wishers to the consecration and oﬃcial opening of the school’s new campus at Winstedt Road. The combined themes...

Ambassadors of God’s Kingdom

Jul 2011 Aldersgate Service “I AM AN AMBASSADOR!” Congregants consisting of clergy and laity at the Aldersgate Service 2011 were encouraged by the speaker, the Rev Dr Eddie Fox, to say this phrase to each other, and they complied with much convivial laughter. Being ambassadors of God was the main theme throughout...

Saying ‘Yes’ to God’s promises

Jul 2011 Aldersgate Convention 2011 One simple message – and 21 respond to the altar call at Evangelistic Rally TWENTY-ONE PEOPLE RESPONDED TO CHRIST at the Aldersgate Evangelistic Rally at Toa Payoh Methodist Church (TPMC) on May 21. is was all the more cause for celebration as it was the first time...

Hellfire, brimstone and John Wesley

Jun 2011 NASHVILLE (Tennessee, US) – The debate over hell that has heated up Christian blogs and Facebook pages recently is almost as old as Christianity itself. And it is a dispute Methodism’s founder John Wesley in particular knew well. Bishop William H. Willimon of the North Alabama Annual (regional) Conference said:...

MSM anniversary dinner a warm fellowship

Jun 2011 SOME 450 PEOPLE were treated to an evening of music and food over a warm fellowship at the 14th Anniversary Banquet of the Methodist School of Music (MSM) on April 16. The theme for the celebration, held at Raﬄes Town Club, was “One Call, One Mission”: People with varied gifts,...

Singapore Methodists rejoice with Thai counterparts

Jun 2011 Ordination of three Thai pastors and Dedication Services for two churches CHIANGMAI – It was a time of rejoicing in Thailand when Bishop Dr Robert Solomon and Methodist Missions Society (MMS) directors and church leaders from Bukit Panjang Methodist Church and Wesley Methodist Church arrived here for a series of...

MUIS and mosque leaders visit Methodist Heritage Exhibition

May 2011 A GROUP OF 66 MUSLIM LEADERS from 15 mosques and the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) visited the Methodist Heritage Exhibition at our Methodist Centre on March 15 to learn about the history and mission of The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS). Led by Dr Albakri Ahmad, Dean of...

Rearrange musical scores, contemporise hymns to ‘appeal to more people’

May 2011 “We must let the younger generation know the value of singing hymns, and encourage them to sing more hymns. Perhaps we may have to contemporise some hymns so that they will appeal to the younger set.” – Mr Yip Fook Yoon, Lay Leader of Trinity Methodist Church. Mr Lee Han...

Value of singing Methodist hymns underscored by Bishop, leaders

May 2011 Bishop’s Lunch Fellowship with Lay Leaders “It is important that we know and sing our Methodist hymns because they are so meaningful and rich in Wesleyan doctrine. Many of the younger members in our churches may not enjoy singing hymns, but we have to educate them on the importance of...

Bishop on why generations of ACSians thrive

Apr 2011 ACS 125th Anniversary Combined Thanksgiving Service ■ Christian values ■ Holistic education ■ ACS spirit of excellence and service GENERATIONS OF ACSIANS have thrived in the special environment of sound Christian and moral values, holistic education, and the ACS spirit of excellence, service and loyalty. Stating this, Bishop Dr Robert...

The Lamb of Heaven

Apr 2011 IF WE WERE TO CHOOSE the best symbol for Jesus as He reigns in heaven, we would probably choose the symbol of the lion. Jesus as the Lion of heaven would be, to our minds, a most appropriate picture – what with the majesty, power and ultimately victorious roar of...

MCS today continues to serve the community, regardless of race or religion

Mar 2011 “As the Methodist Church grew with the development of Singapore, its mission expanded. The Methodist Welfare Services (MWS), formed in 1981, provides a wide variety of services to about 5,500 people every month to alleviate their financial, physical, social and psychological problems. While the MWS coordinates the work of looking...

125 years of serving the community

Mar 2011 MCS rendering financial and other kinds of aid to help transform society THE METHODIST CHURCH IN SINGAPORE (MCS) has been involved in community work for the past 125 years. From its early days when the missionaries arrived in February 1885, the MCS has been rendering financial and various kinds of...

At the 35th Sessions of the Annual Conferences

Feb 2011 Pictures by Daniel Lie

It’s their ‘most memorable’ Christmas ever

Feb 2011 DECEMBER 18 and 19, 2010 will long be remembered by some 4,000 residents from the Lavender area who attended the Christmas Carnival organised by Hinghwa Methodist Church in partnership with four community organisations. To many of them, it was their “most memorable” and “best Christmas” ever, and this delighted the...

Our membership is at a plateau: TRAC President

Jan 2011 35TH SESSION OF TRINITY ANNUAL CONFERENCE: NOV 22-25, 2010 TRINITY ANNUAL CONFERENCE (TRAC) PRESIDENT Rev Dr Wee Boon Hup has revealed that increase in membership has been uneven, and hovered between 1and 3 per cent over the past decade, while the overall percentage ratio of attendance over membership was 87...

ETAC President: Address pastor shortage problem now

Jan 2011 35TH SESSION OF EMMANUEL TAMIL ANNUAL CONFERENCE: NOV 12-13, 2010 IN 10 YEARS when the current pastors at Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference (ETAC) reach retirement age, there may be a shortage of pastors to serve in the conference’s churches, warned ETAC President Rev James Nagulan. Calling the conference to address...

ORDINATION-CUM-CLOSING SERVICE OF 35TH SESSIONS OF CHINESE ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND EMMANUEL TAMIL ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Jan 2011 Bishop tells new Deacons and Elders: You are God’s messengers, total commitment to Him is necessary NEWLY-ORDAINED DEACONS AND ELDERS have been told by Bishop Dr Robert Solomon that they are God’s messengers and total commitment to the One who sends them is necessary. He reminded them that the Methodist itinerant...

Methodist Heritage Day: A Picture Special

Dec 2010 Methodist Message pictures by Daniel Lie

PM Lee lauds Methodist Church’s contributions to Singapore

Dec 2010 Methodist Heritage Day celebrations MCS ‘a valuable partner in Government’s community engagement efforts’ “LIVE AND LET LIVE” “Live and let live is our guiding principle and that’s how we have lived in peace and harmony for so many years.” – Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. PRIME MINISTER LEE HSIEN LOONG...

MGS to go the Integrated Programme way

Oct 2010 IN HIS NATIONAL DAY RALLY SPEECH, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced that the Ministry of Education (MOE) has extended the Integrated Programme (IP) to seven more schools. Methodist Girls’ School (MGS) is among the seven schools selected. The MOE, which launched the IP in 2004, has reported on its...

Methodist Heritage Day: Latest update

Oct 2010 There will be a Heritage Trail by Bus and a Heritage Fair THE METHODIST HERITAGE DAY, to be held at the Old School (former Methodist Girls’ School site at Mt Sophia) on Oct 31, will have two main events – an Opening Ceremony incorporating a main Heritage Exhibition and a...

Young Methodist Leaders’ Conference 2010 On how to be a strong leader and a caring shepherd

Sep 2010 TRINITY ANNUAL CONFERENCE PICTURES TAKEN AT LAST YEAR’S SESSION AS PART OF THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION of e Methodist Church in Singapore, the Young Methodist Leaders’ Conference 2010 will be held at Pulai Springs Resort in Johor from Sept 9 to 12. The conference is open to those between the...

THE KINGDOM’S GOAL: 1-0

Sep 2010 THE ULTIMATE GOAL “The Christian has only one goal to achieve and that is running the “race” and completing it with the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. We are coached daily to “seek after the heart of God”. This goal surpasses all others.” ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FOUR GOALS were...

We must pass on our faith to the next generation: Bishop

Sep 2010 THERE IS A FEAR that we are losing our young – to values and lifestyles foreign to us. They live in a new world, both exciting and dangerous. Stating this in his sermon “ rough All Generations” at this year’s National Day anksgiving Service at St Andrew’s Cathedral’s New Sanctuary...

Picture Special – Combined 125th Anniversary and Aldersgate Thanksgiving Service

Aug 2010 Methodist Message pictures by Daniel Lie

WANTED: 1,600 Befrienders to visit chronically poor families

Aug 2010 MCS 125th Anniversary: Community Outreach Project THE METHODIST WELFARE SERVICES (MWS) NEEDS 1,600 more Befrienders urgently to disburse funds to chronically poor families and to visit them. To date, almost 800 volunteers from Methodist Churches all over Singapore have committed to visit these families under e Methodist Church in Singapore’s 125th...

The three challenges MCS faces

Jul 2010 Lively exchange at 125th Anniversary Dialogue THE METHODIST CHURCH IN SINGAPORE (MCS) faces three challenges today as it celebrates its 125th Anniversary. It needs to: • Acknowledge God’s absolute authority and supremacy in our lives, both personally and corporately; • Strengthen our “togetherness” both as a spiritual reality and as...

125th Anniversary joy sets mood for unity of MCS

Jul 2010 MORE THAN A THOUSAND VOICES SANG and praised God as a people called Methodists worshipped Him at the Combined 125th Anniversary Thanksgiving and Aldersgate Service at Paya Lebar Methodist Church on May 22, the highlight of Aldersgate Convention 2010. The large turnout of Methodists from churches of the three Annual...

To be a Methodist is indeed a high calling

Jun 2010 LAY LEADERS’ FELLOWSHIP WHAT DOES IT MEAN to be a member of the Methodist Church? Methodists often think of membership in terms of privileges, but they also need to remember and fulfil their responsibilities which are clearly spelt out in e Book of Discipline. Those who want to become members...

Methodist Heritage Day Walk to round off 125th Anniversary joy

Jun 2010 CAN YOU IDENTIFY this historical site? (above). And do you know what will take place here on the afternoon of Sunday, Oct 31? This is the site of the former Methodist Girls’ School (MGS) and the former John Wesley Centre in the surrounding area of the “Holy Hill” on which...

IT’S ALL ABOUT GRACE

May 2010 Quadrennial Pastors’ Retreat GRACE. JUST WHAT IS GRACE? In three talks over three days, Dr Richard Heitzenrater, William Kellon Quick Professor of Church History and Wesley Studies at Duke University, dwelt at length on this topic as he engaged with some 120 pastors from the three Annual Conferences of The...

A special Aldersgate Convention 2010

May 2010 As part of MCS’ 125th Anniversary celebrations it will have added features THIS YEAR’S ALDERSGATE CONVENTION will be extra special as it will be held as part of the 125th Anniversary celebrations of The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS). The theme for the year-long celebrations is “Together in God’s Mission”. The...

‘N’ Level: Four Paya Lebar MGS students among Singapore’s top

Apr 2010 THERE WAS GREAT REJOICING at Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School (Secondary) on the day the results of the 2009 GCE “N” Level examinations were released. Four of our PLLites were among the top Normal Course pupils in Singapore. They are Hazel Cheok, one of the top three pupils in Singapore who...

Look carefully at the Crucified Jesus

Apr 2010 The Bishop’s Easter Message IF YOU VISIT JERUSALEM TODAY to trace the footsteps of Jesus on the Via Dolorosa and other places, it is diﬃcult to ignore the physical and psychological torture that Jesus endured before He was strung on the cross. One such place is the Church of St....

125th Anniversary celebration of MCS gets underway …

Mar 2010 … with churches’ use of common set of liturgies and launch of Community Outreach Project FEBRUARY 28, 2010 was a special Sunday for our 44 Methodist churches when they used a common set of liturgies during their worship services and viewed a video clip encouraging church members to come together...

Buona Vista residents blessed at Christmas get-together

Mar 2010 CHRISTMAS@BV EVENT MR LIM SWEE SAY, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Oﬃce, and Buona Vista residents came to a Christmas gathering at ACS (International) on Christmas Day and bonded with members from two churches in the vicinity. Earlier, more than 800 worshippers attended the Combined Christmas Service there. Barker Road...

34th Sessions of CAC, ETAC and TRAC: Photo highlights

Feb 2010 NOVEMBER IS THE Annual Conference month, and last November, the three Annual Conferences held their respective 34th Sessions in diﬀerent churches. The Chinese Annual Conference (CAC) held its Session at Paya Lebar Chinese Methodist Church from Nov 9 to 12, 2009. It was chaired, for the first time, by the...

Character lives even beyond the grave

Feb 2010 In this day and age, it is almost quaint to refer to “character” as an important attribute that makes a person what he is, and it is refreshing to read a schoolboy more than 70 years ago sharing his thoughts on the subject. Lim Hong Thou, who was studying in...

Together in God’s Mission

Feb 2010 The Methodist Church in Singapore celebrates 125 years of blessing METHODISM FIRST SET FOOT IN SINGAPORE 125 years ago when Bishop Thoburn and three others arrived on Feb 7, 1885. Within two weeks, following evangelistic meetings, the first Methodist church was constituted on Feb 23. We have come a long...

34TH SESSION OF EMMANUEL TAMIL ANNUAL CONFERENCE: NOV 6-7, 2009

Jan 2010 ETAC looking at new opportunities IN THANKING GOD for the privilege of serving Him and His people as President of Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference (ETAC), the Rev James Nagulan reiterated the Conference theme for the Quadrennium 2008-2012: “Building a Community of Saints” (Jude 1:20-23) and the theme for 2010: “Established...

The Methodist Church in Singapore’s 125th Anniversary Programme

Dec 2009 Spreading joy and blessing to the poor IT IS A BLESSING to be able to bless. It is with this in mind that we celebrate the 125th Anniversary of The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) by reaching out and blessing the community in need. Though not as visible as the...

A tale of two histories

Dec 2009 The old history of Adam and the new of Jesus AS WE CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS, we must get to know one word. That word was important in the early church, but its significance has largely been forgotten. The word is Recapitulation. The word was used by the second century church father...

Small groups and accountability play pivotal role in church life: Bishop

Nov 2009 Lay Leaders gather to discuss importance of Christian formation in the Wesleyan tradition THE IMPORTANCE OF SMALL GROUPS, whose composition has a biblical basis, was underscored by Bishop Dr Robert Solomon when he met church leaders from the three Annual Conferences at Methodist Centre on Oct 3. He reminded some...

Thousands of China workers ministered by Fairfield MC

Nov 2009 267 baptised in last two years, Sunday meetings draw 580 every week 30 HELP IN WEEKLY MINISTRIES Ten of them have begun to do a correspondence course in theology, while 30 others have helped in the weekly ministries. They represent a growing number who have found the church a community...

Former Geylang Methodist School boy is top physics student at Oxford

Oct 2009 Dedicated teachers and school environment helped Shyam Srinivasan fulfil his potential IT WAS THE YEAR 2006. We had recently received news of an ex-student of Geylang Methodist Secondary School who had been awarded the Public Service Commission (PSC) Overseas Merit Scholarship to study at Oxford University. There was a buzz...

A call to our Methodist men

Oct 2009 THE PIONEERS “Though informal groups of Methodist men might have started meeting and praying together in the past, the first of the formal groups, who called themselves Men’s Small Groups or MSG, was formed at Barker Road Methodist Church in 2001, initially with only seven members.” THERE ARE MANY CHURCHES...

120 years of God’s blessing … and still counting

Sep 2009 As Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church celebrates its anniversary it is reminded of the need to continue spreading God’s goodness AFTER 120 YEARS OF REACHING OUT FAITHFULLY to the people at Telok Ayer and beyond, Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church (TACMC) is still called to be a blessing to others....

Regardless of race …

Sep 2009 As Singapore becomes increasingly multi-racial the threat of racial conflict becomes more pronounced ALL HUMANS ARE EQUAL “From the standpoint of the Christian faith, racism is sin because it chooses to ignore the fact that God has bestowed equal value and worth to all human beings.” ONE OF THE CHIEF...

Asian WSCS women united in the Love of Christ

Aug 2009 First Joint Asian Area Seminar of World Federation of Methodist & Uniting Church Women MEDAN – WOMEN FROM THE REGIONS of East Asia, South India and Sri Lanka of the World Federation of Methodist & Uniting Church Women (WFM&UCW) gathered in Medan from April 14 to 18 to be united...

Praying Proverbs 31 for our Nation

Aug 2009 WE THANK OUR LEADERS PAST AND PRESENT “Singapore celebrates its 45th year as a nation, and we give thanks for leaders past and present who have played their part in bringing prosperity, peace and progress. If the mother of Proverbs 31 had been Singaporean, she would pray for our President,...

John Wesley’s teachings ‘still very relevant today’

Jul 2009 Spread of scriptural holiness remains Methodism’s core mission says Aldersgate Convention keynote speaker HOW CAN the writings and theology of a man who died in 1791 be relevant to us today? This is a question to be faced as Methodists honour the memory of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism....

Youth Myth-nistry?

Jul 2009 The challenge of ministry to youth in the Methodist Church today WITHIN the last 25 years, our world left behind the typewriter and Cyclostyle machine, and embraced the social tsunami waves of the personal computer and Photostat machines, the Internet and email, laptops and broadband, mobile phones and PDAs. Today...

5,000 raise $900,000 for our Methodist schools

Jun 2009 MethodistWalk2009 WHAT a sight to behold at 7.15 am on Saturday, March 28, 2009! A sea of eager and bright faces of more than 5,000 students and church members gathered at the ACS (I) Astroturf in anticipation of the biennial MethodistWalk. Everyone was sporting a white T-shirt with the colourful walk...

Downcast by the downturn, dads? Do not despair! MWS can help

Jun 2009 FATHERS who have lost their jobs or are facing difficulties in the current recession can get help from the Methodist Welfare Services (MWS). The MWS has Family Service Centres in five districts which can help those in need to obtain financial aid and direct them to relevant agencies for other...

Class of 2008 at ACJC surpasses predecessors’ benchmark

May 2009 The class of 2008 that excelled at the A-Levels. ACJC Principal Mrs Kelvyna Chan (in pink blouse) is in the centre with the students. – ACJC picture. THE class of 2008 at Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC) has surpassed the benchmark set by their predecessors at the A-Levels. March 6, 2009 saw...

Rev Henry Yeo ordained as Elder of The Methodist Church in Thailand

May 2009 He has given 20 years of faithful missionary service ON MARCH 14, 2009, Bishop Dr Robert Solomon affirmed what we have known for a long time. He ordained the Rev Henry Yeo as an Elder of The Methodist Church in Thailand. This young church now has two Elders and three Deacons. The...

Ground-breaking for ACS (International)

Apr 2009 ON MARCH 2, 2009, representatives of the ACS Board of Governors, The Methodist Church in Singapore and the Methodist Schools’ Foundation joined members of the Board of Management, staff, students and parents of ACS (International) for the ground-breaking ceremony for the new Sport Complex. The Guest-of-Honour was Mr Peter Lim,...

God’s appointments in our disappointments

Apr 2009 Bishop’s Easter Message IMAGINE how disappointed Jesus must have been when He died. His own inner circle of friends had abandoned Him. One of His disciples, in cold calculated fashion, betrayed Him to His enemies who were delighted at the opportunity that knocked at their doors. Another, a leading member of...

Gordon Wong appointed Professor of Old Testament

Mar 2009 ON THE evening of Feb 4, the air in Trinity Theological College (TTC) was charged: there was another special induction service. The Rev Dr Gordon Wong of Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC), seconded to lecture at TTC, had been appointed the first Bishop William F. Oldham Professor of Old Testament. He...

‘Hello, Samaritans of Singapore, can I help you?’

Mar 2009 FOR the past 40 years, Samaritans of Singapore or SOS has been providing confidential 24-hour emotional support to people in crisis, thinking of suicide or affected by suicide. This kind of service was first launched in the United Kingdom in 1953 by the Rev Chad Varah, a young vicar who...

400 YMCA volunteers from Singapore build road in Cambodian village

Feb 2009 SIEM REAP (Cambodia) – Villagers from the Proyouth Village in Siem Reap are now able to walk on the newly-constructed concrete “Grace” Road which officially opened on Nov 28, 2008. Through the YMCA International Service Programmes, 400 volunteers from schools and corporations formed teams and made regular trips to the...

33rd Sessions of the Annual Conferences: Picture highlights

Feb 2009 THE Chinese Annual Conference (CAC), Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference (ETAC) and Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) held their 33rd Session at Hakka Methodist Church, Ang Mo Kio Tamil Methodist Church and Paya Lebar Methodist Church respectively in November 2008. Methodist Message captures some moments in pictures here. The Combined Choir singing...

No downturn at MWS, ministry to needy families continues

Feb 2009 JESSICA CHAN’S desire to help improve lives is the booster shot that keeps her on top of her multifaceted role as a social worker at Kampong Kapor Family Service Centre (KKFSC). She heads a seven-member children and youth team at the FSC. The team helps children from low-income families who are...

Pastors expected to conduct themselves well: Bishop

Jan 2009 33RD SESSION OF ETAC: NOV 7-8, 2008 33RD SESSION OF CAC: NOV 10-110-14, 2008 THE pastoral calling is a high calling, and pastors have been reminded of four challenges that will help them maintain the high standards expected of them. Stating this unequivocally, Bishop Dr Robert Solomon said pastors are...

Rev Dr Wee Boon Hup re-elected TRAC President

Jan 2009 33RD SESSION OF TRINITY ANNUAL CONFERENCE: NOV 17-20, 2008 THE Rev Dr Wee Boon Hup was re-elected President of Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) at its 33rd Session at Paya Lebar Methodist Church. He received 86 votes on the second ballot on Nov 18, the second day of the session. Shortly...

Bishop Dr Robert Solomon re-elected for third term

Jan 2009 GENERAL CONFERENCE: SEPT 8-13, DEC 4-5, 2008 BISHOP Dr Bishop Solomon has been re-elected Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) for a second time. He was first elected Bishop in 2000 for a four-year term and re-elected for a second term in 2004. This means that he will serve...

Church preserves Nativity built by German POWs

Dec 2008 ALGONA (Iowa) – A symbol of peace – and a piece of history – has been preserved by members of Algona First United Methodist Church. A concrete-and-plaster Nativity, built by German prisoners of war (POWs) housed in a World War II camp at Algona, draws more than 2,000 visitors each year....

WHAT’S UP WITH ANGELS?

Dec 2008 What should we make of them in the 21st Century? IT IS the Christmas season, and the heat of debate subsides for a time – the hard-headed clashes over politics, war, science, fashion and society. In the extended dark of these winter-solstice nights, believers tilt an ear to new possibilities....

KEEPING CHRISTMAS

Dec 2008 The following observations about the real spirit of Christmas and how they relate to the Christian life are worth considering. The excerpts are taken from Henry Van Dyke’s “Keeping Christmas” and appeared more than 40 years ago in Methodist Message. THERE is a better thing than the observance of Christmas...

JESUS AND JACOB

Dec 2008 One has divine identity, the other a deceptive nature AS WE celebrate Christmas, it is important to remind ourselves of the identity and character of Jesus, the one whose birthday we celebrate. The Gospel of Matthew begins with the genealogy of Jesus – His earthly family tree (Mt. 1:1-17). If...

GC decides on major decisions and elects key officers

Nov 2008 A general view of the 9th Session of the General Conference Methodist Message picture by DANIEL LIE. THE General Conference (GC) of The Methodist Church in Singapore has taken several significant decisions during the first part of its 9th Session from Sept 8 to 13, 2008. The GC – the...

9TH SESSION OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE METHODIST CHURCH IN SINGAPORE

Nov 2008 Bishop reminds Methodists of our Connection with God, Connection with one another, Connection with a needy world BISHOP Dr Robert Solomon has spoken at length of the paramount importance of our connection with God, our connection with one another, and our connection with a needy world. In his Episcopal Address...

Remember, faith is not a commodity

Oct 2008 PERHAPS the greatest heresy of 20th-century American religion was to make faith into a purely personal matter and a private affair, which went neatly with the rise of the consumer society. With the advent of the television preachers, faith was turned into an occasion for conspicuous consumption and effective fund-raising....

Human school crest kickstarts Fairfield’s year of joy

Oct 2008 A total of 4,237 students from both schools, parents, teachers, the alumni and other stakeholders set a new record in the Singapore Book of Records for the largest human formation of a school crest at the secondary school field in Dover Road. FAIRFIELD CELEBRATES 120 YEARS: 1888 – 2008 FROM...

9th GC Session to continue on Dec 4 & 5

Oct 2008 Gather around Jesus for holy conferencing: Bishop Dr Solomon THE 9th Session of the General Conference of The Methodist Church in Singapore, which was held at Methodist Centre from Sept 8 to 13, has been adjourned to Dec 4 and 5, as originally scheduled. Forty-two delegates, 14 from each of the...

GYM members learn what it means to be ‘Above Sacrifices’

Sep 2008 Group reflection: Participants break into groups to reflect on the speaker’s message GLOWING YEARS MINISTRY CONVENTION 2008: PENANG PENANG – The TRAC Board of Seniors Ministry held a five-five-day GYM Convention 2008 in Penang from June 30 to July 4 with the theme “Above Sacrifices – The Marks of Genuine...

First Telugu Methodist Church formed in Singapore

Sep 2008 It is the 8th ETAC church and the 44th of The Methodist Church in Singapore SINGAPORE has its first Telugu church. July 28, 2008 is a significant day in the life of the Telugu Ministry in Singapore as well as that of Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference (ETAC) when the Singapore...

Aldersgate Convention ‘worth attending’

Aug 2008 PICTURE HIGHLIGHTS Soothing music from Wesley Dawnbreakers. MOST of the people who came for the Aldersgate Convention 2008, held at Wesley Methodist Church from May 19 to 24, found it “worth attending”. Not everyone, however, agreed totally with what the two speakers had presented, but most of the attendees said...

Asian Methodists to develop 3-prong strategy to boost mission work

Aug 2008 SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF ASIAN METHODIST COUNCIL: JOHOR BAHRU 􀂾 Cooperate in mission endeavours 􀂾 Minister to migrant workers 􀂾 Plan programmes for young Methodists THE Asian Methodist Council (AMC) will be developing programmes in the coming years to enhance its mission in three areas. The AMC will: ■ SEEK...

Could your Christianity be disqualified?

Jul 2008 UNTIL 1988, the fastest man who ever lived was Ben Johnson, a broad-shouldered Canadian sprinter. In the Seoul Olympics of 1988, he ran the fastest 100 metres in history, clocking 9.79m seconds. But do not look for his name in the record books because he was disqualified. Not because he...

ACJC Faith Centre for Performing Arts opens

Jul 2008 A roaring applause to a musical performance at the amphitheatre. It marks another milestone in history of college THE ACJC Faith Centre for Performing Arts (CPA) was officially unveiled on May 23, 2008, which marks yet another milestone in the history of the college. The CPA is the culmination of...

Worship ‘not a performance for people in the pews’

Jul 2008 It is giving to God what He desires and requires of us WORSHIP is a matter of giving to God what He desires and requires of us. It is not, and never was, intended to be a spectator sport or the performance of the few for the benefit of the...

Be wise – by God’s standard

Jun 2008 MENSA is an exclusive organisation composed of those who are deemed to be geniuses. Only the truly intelligent need apply. They have meetings where they express their erudition and a newsletter of the same name that is, presumably, full of intelligent and brilliant insights. Doctors and scientists and members of “think...

‘Be foster parents, and care for kids from disadvantaged families’

Jun 2008 THE Methodist Children and Youth Centre (MCYC) has been appointed by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) to help recruit foster parents to join the Fostering Scheme. Methodists have always answered the call to social action, to express God’s love in practical ways. This is one more...

Bishop on the importance of being a connectional church

May 2008 Lay Leaders Fellowship LAY LEADERS and Local Church Executive Committee (LCEC) heads learned about Methodist connectionalism at the Bishop’s Lunch Fellowship on March 29. Bishop Dr Robert Solomon shared with the 55 lay leaders about the importance of being a connectional church. He pointed out that, unlike some other Protestant denominations in which each congregation is independent, Methodists share...

Bishop ordains the fi rst Methodist Elder in Thailand

May 2008 CHIANG MAI – In December 1994, a small seed was planted here. The Methodist Church in Singapore sent Mr Lim Chong Heng as a missionary supply pastor to Thailand. Today that tiny seed has borne much fruit. Our Bishop Dr Robert Solomon led a delegation of Singapore Methodist pastors and members...

MGS masters the 2007 ‘O’ Level Exams

Apr 2008 THE Class of 2007 at Methodist Girls’ School (MGS) has made its mark in the community with its outstanding achievements in the GCE “O” Level Examination. When the examination results were announced on Jan 24, the school found that it had excelled at the national level – five of them...

A tale of two ‘siblings’

Apr 2008 How Faith and Queenstown Chinese Methodist Church walk in faith and inherit their Father’s blessing ASTORY was told of two “siblings” walking in faith, to tell of the love of their Father and bid others to go to Him. They welcomed their neighbours in a makeshift shed built on muddy soil,...

ACS (Independent) IB students among world’s best

Mar 2008 School’s first batch of candidates rakes in 99.7-per cent pass rate ANGLO-CHINESE SCHOOL (Independent) has been ranked among the top three schools in the world when results of its students who took the International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations were announced in January. The other two are a British school and an...

The message of the cross

Mar 2008 EASTER MESSAGE FROM BISHOP DR ROBERT SOLOMON THE cross is a key Christian symbol. And it can only be fully understood or experienced if we remember and consider the Person on the cross – our Lord Jesus Christ. It is the cross of Jesus that the Bible speaks about and...

Eight Deacons, six Elders and a Diaconal Minister ordained

Feb 2008 32ND ANNUAL CONFERENCE SESSIONS: PICTURE HIGHLIGHTS THE Methodist Church in Singapore reaped a bumper crop of eight new Deacons and six new Elders at this year’s 32nd Session of the three Annual Conferences. In addition, a Diaconal Minister, the Rev Jimmy Wong Phin Thau, was ordained during the Trinity Annual...

Telugu ministry expanding and reaching out to more people

Feb 2008 THE Telugu people are an ethnic group primarily located in the south-eastern state of Andhra Pradesh in India, and Telugu is the official language spoken by them. Telugu is the second most spoken language in India after Hindi (including non-native speakers) and one of the 23 national languages of India....

32ND SESSION OF TRINITY ANNUAL CONFERENCE: NOV 19-22, 2007

Jan 2008 Our families face threats, Church must work to ward them off: TRAC head OUR families are under threat, and as Christians, we know that the Devil is constantly waging war against our families. Stating this in his President’s Address at Pentecost Methodist Church on Nov 20, 2007, the Rev Wee...

Pastors with integrity and skill ‘can be shepherds after God’s heart’

Jan 2008 Bishop tells Church at Ordination-cum-Closing Service of 32nd Session of CAC BEWARE OF THE EVIL ONE ‘Integrity can be affected by temptation, and also by suffering and trials ... Satan does not like upright men of integrity. He will use evil people to persecute and torment people of integrity. In...

O little town of Bethlehem …

Dec 2007 How still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark street shineth The everlasting light; The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight.

The Bishop’s Christmas Message

Dec 2007 The God who became a baby A LEADER of the early church insisted, “I cannot see how a baby can be the God who created the heavens and the earth.” He was referring to Jesus who was born in Bethlehem. Later this church leader went on to relentlessly pursue his...

Methodist schools get-together 2007

Nov 2007 Bishop to school staff: Share God’s ‘hospitality’ with others TEACHERS and those in authority need to look upon their jobs as “a calling” to share God’s “hospitality” with others, and they could do this by being “harsh towards self” and “tender to others”, said Bishop Dr Robert Solomon. The school,...

Methodist international conferences enhance missional cooperation

Nov 2007 Importance of our connectionalism shines through issues METHODIST connectionalism – that important link which is inherent in our tradition – was pushed to the forefront in the last few months by several international conferences held in Singapore and the region. There was plenty of sharing of ideas and experiences and...

One ACS, One Nation, One Singapore

Oct 2007 On parade: The Singapore flag. ON AUG 8, 2007, all six schools of the Anglo-Chinese Schools Family gathered at the Queenstown Stadium to celebrate National Day as ONE ACS. This was the first time that ACS has come together as one family to celebrate National Day. The stadium was filled...

A Public Service Medal for Rev Seow

Oct 2007 NATIONAL DAY SPECIAL THE Rev Seow Choon Seng has been awarded the Public Service Medal (PBM), making him the first Methodist pastor ever to receive such a National Day award. He is serving as an elder in the Chinese Annual Conference of The Methodist Church in Singapore. The Rev Seow,...

Future of The United Methodist Church

Oct 2007 DURING a recent interview, I was asked, “What is the future of The United Methodist Church?” The question reflects a widespread anxiety that is not groundless. There has been a steady decline in the membership and average worship attendance in our church in the United States for decades. The reality...

A nation that is blessed …

Oct 2007 WHICH is the most blessed nation in the world? Is the Lord the God of our nation? How can we be a blessed nation? These questions were raised in a sermon preached by Bishop Dr Robert Solomon to a rapt congregation at the St Andrew’s Cathedral on the evening of...

BRMC launches Preaching Point at ACS (International)

Sep 2007 AFTER several months of faithful preparation and fervent prayer, the Barker Road Methodist Church (BRMC) Preaching Point at ACS (International), off Holland Village, held its first regular 10.30 am worship service in the school’s Multi-Purpose Hall on July 8, 2007. The Preaching Point was first envisioned two years ago when...

Methodist women discuss their role in today’s missions

Sep 2007 GC-WSCS hosts Asian Christian Women’s Leadership Training and Dialogue ASIAN Methodist and United Methodist Women leaders from 14 countries, including Singapore, met here from July 27 to Aug 3, 2007 to pick up leadership skills and to dialogue on societal issues and the role of Christian women in missions today. The...

Aldersgate Convention 2007: Picture highlights

Aug 2007 METHODIST MESSAGE PICTURES BY DANIEL LIE

Beautiful Words of Life

Aug 2007 1. ANGER is a condition in which the tongue works faster than the mind. 2. YOU can’t change the past, but you can ruin the present by worrying over the future. 3. LOVE ... and you shall be loved. 4. GOD always gives His best to those who leave the...

New compositions bring creativity and diversity of Asian church

Aug 2007 Anthem Collection Review Methodist School of Music Choral Series Lim Swee Hong, Editor Evelyn Lim, Associate Editor Singapore: Methodist School of Music, 2007 FEW Christian traditions have a legacy of hymns written by their founders. Martin Luther wrote and adapted about 30 German chorales that are still important to many...

‘Beware of gambling’ programme gets off to good start

Aug 2007 Youth Gambling Prevention Road Show, organised by Methodist Children and Youth Centre, hits off with students in schools A PROGRAMME to warn youths of the dangers of gambling has got off to a good start. The Methodist Children and Youth Centre (MCYC) officially launched the Youth Gambling Prevention Road Show...

ALDERSGATE HYMN FESTIVAL at Victoria Concert Hall

Jul 2007 Aldersgate Hymn Festival 2007: Let the music begin! The MSM Ringers leading a procession down the aisle, handbells chiming the start of the Hymn Festival. A lovely evening – and a thousand tongues thrilled THE Aldersgate Hymn Festival, a jubilee of Wesleyan poetry and song, thrilled a thousand tongues and ears...

Aldersgate Convention 2007 sees livelier participation

Jul 2007 Speaker David Wilkinson peppered with many questions IT WAS the most well-attended Aldersgate Convention to date. It also saw much more participation from the participants in terms of interaction and questions asked. And many of the questions were “profound”, in the words of the speaker himself. The Rev Dr David...

Turning problems into opportunities

Jun 2007 “Is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems.” (James 1:2, Living Bible). A PROBLEM gives your life a jolt and knocks...

27 TRACkers, One God: A journey of faith

Jun 2007 Youths dedicate two months of holidays to God to grow closer to Him JOURNEYS. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Elijah, Jesus, Paul … all made theirs. All of us make ours. For 27 youths, their journeys crossed paths as they reached a crossroads of their lives. They all made the same...

Fund-raising MethodistWalk 2007 also focused on Holy Saturday

Jun 2007 ON HOLY SATURDAY, April 7, 2007, about 4,500 students from the 15 Methodist schools and some 1,000 members from the Methodist churches came together as a Christian family to “Walk for Love and Walk for the School”. MethodistWalk 2007 was organised by the Methodist Schools’ Foundation (MSF) for the students...

Aldersgate Hymn Festival to premiere 10 new Asian musical settings for Wesley’s hymns

May 2007 Event celebrates Charles Wesley’s 300th birthday New arrangements composed by seven Asian musicians HOW better to celebrate the 300th birthday of Charles Wesley than to hear and sing his hymns in fresh new Asian settings? Singaporeans will have the chance to do just that at the Aldersgate Hymn Festival on...

‘We are God’s stewards’

May 2007 THE Permanent Secretary of the Public Service Division in the Prime Minister’s Office, Ms Lim Soo Hoon, was named Her World’s “Woman Of The Year” on March 6, 2007. Ms Lim, who worships at Barker Road Methodist Church with her family, is a mother of two teenage boys. Older son...

Re-tuning Charles Wesley: Nurturing a Singapore Methodist identity

May 2007 CHARLES (top) AND JOHN WESLEY: They created many thousands of hymns in their life time THE Wesley brothers, as we are all familiar with, never did leave behind for their constituents a crystallised systematic theological understanding of their faith expressions. Unlike John Calvin who wrote Institutio Christianae Religionis (Institutes of...

‘The Jesus family tomb’: Experts dismiss wild claims

Apr 2007 THERE is yet another attempt, with media hype and all, to try to destabilise the foundations of Christianity. In a new Discovery TV documentary, Hollywood producer James Cameron who made the movie “The Titanic”, and Jewish director Simcha Jacobovici attempt to prove that Jesus’ burial cave and body were discovered...

Methodist School of Music celebrates 10 years of God’s blessing

Apr 2007 A DECADE passes with the blink of an eye … or so it seems. “Sent Forth by God’s Blessing” was the herald for the evening’s celebration of the Methodist School of Music’s 10th anniversary on Feb 3, 2007. The Gala Dinner held at Raffles Town Club was graced by Bishop...

The angels at the tomb

Apr 2007 HE FOUND the place easily enough. Well, so much of the Master’s recent work had been focused on this nondescript Palestinian town that all the others had been talking about it and gave him detailed directions. He himself hadn’t been asked to do anything specific, until now. Rather, his own...

UNITED WITH CHRIST

Apr 2007 The Bishop’s Easter Message Truths of Good Friday and Easter must be internalised in our personal experience THE rhythm of Christian worship has a pattern. It is shaped after the life and ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. The church year closely follows the life of Jesus – His birth,...

Speaker is theologian and astrophysicist

Mar 2007 Rev Dr David Wilkinson Enjoys meeting up with youth. ASTROPHYSICIST- THEOLOGIAN David Wilkinson is the keynote speaker for the six-day Aldersgate Convention 2007, addressing the theme “The Heavens Declare His Glory: Science and Christian Faith”. He received his Ph.D in Theoretical Astrophysics in 1987 at Durham. He went on to...

31st Session of the Annual Conferences: Pictures

Mar 2007 Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) in session at Living Hope MethodistChurch at Tampines. The session was held from Nov 20 to 23, 2006. The second day (Nov 11, 2006) of the 31st Session of Emmanuel TamilAnnual Conference (ETAC) in progress at Seletar Tamil Methodist Church at Cranwell Road. Mr Jusuf Kam...

Seminar to help youth see relevance of Christianity to science

Mar 2007 Youth Seminar a first for Aldersgate Convention IS FAITH in Jesus still relevant for today’s youth? The upcoming seminar, “Jesus vs Aliens: A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Galaxy”, at Faith Methodist Church on Saturday May 19, 2007 beginning at 1.30 pm, will provide Singapore youth the opportunity to explore this...

A milestone event: All 7 ACS schools

Feb 2007 ANGLO-CHINESE SCHOOLS’ STAFF DEDICATION SERVICE Principal and staff from ACS (International) Jakarta attend service for first time FOR the first time, all seven units of ACS schools came together on Saturday Jan 6, 2007 for the Staff Dedication Service. The difference this year was that the service saw representatives from...

Book of Discipline 2006: Laymen and ministers should get a copy

Feb 2007 Latest edition of MCS’ rule-book published THE latest edition (2006) of The Book of Discipline of The Methodist Church in Singapore has been published recently and is the rule-book of the denomination. It is a guide for Methodist ministers, laymen and officials in their various ministries. A hefty volume of...

Watch your life and doctrine closely, new Deacons and Elders told

Jan 2007 HOW do you measure a minister? Who is a good minister? And what is the shape of success in ministry? According to Paul, a minister has to watch closely his life and doctrine, and his teaching and ministry. Notice the importance of taking care to ensure faithfulness in one’s inner...

Fairfield schools’ musical reflects God’s faithfulness

Dec 2006 Transforming ‘A Bright New World’ from book to musical IT WAS a musical with a difference boasting an original script and music, and an exciting collaboration between Fairfield Methodist Secondary School and Fairfield Methodist Primary School. More importantly, it traced the rich history of Fairfield’s 118 years, spanning traumatic global...

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

Dec 2006 “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted, is God with us.” ~ Matthew 1:23 (KJV) On Christmas Day ON Christmas Day a long time ago, A baby was born to save the world. His...

Children’s choirs to present ‘Festival of Lessons & Carols’

Dec 2006 A FESTIVAL and worship service involving children’s choirs from Methodist, Presbyterian and Baptist churches and congregational singing of Christmas carols, accompanied by piano/ organ, brass ensemble and other instruments will be held at Paya Lebar Chinese Methodist Church at 299 Upper Paya Lebar Road on Dec 16, 2006 at 7.30...

ROOM FOR JESUS?

Dec 2006 “O COME to my heart Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for thee”, we sing at Christmas time. These words are our response to the words in Scripture, “She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the...

THE HEART’S TREASURE

Dec 2006 A Christmas Message from our Bishop ✰ Jesus came not to help angels but human beings ✰ It was because God wanted to save us from sin and death that He had to become a man IN THE cold Judean night, the new mother kept looking lovingly at her fresh-born son....

CHURCH’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY SERVICE AND DINNER

Nov 2006 Trinity MC’s Jubilee: A day of joy and a new beginning AFTER months of planning, rehearsals, coordination, and prayer, the day finally arrived – Sept 10, 2006 – the Jubilee celebration service of Trinity Methodist Church (TMC). Members and guests started arriving an hour early in order to get a seat...

Jubilee celebrations at Barker Road Methodist Church

Nov 2006 For such a time as this Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever CELEBRATING God’s goodness together with more than 2,000 church members, friends and guests at the Singapore Expo on May 14, 2006 was a far cry from the first gathering of a handful of students who made...

MMS gives fishing equipment to tsunami-hit families in Thai village

Oct 2006 THE Methodist Missions Society (MMS), through its social and welfare unit in Thailand, Muang Thai Mettakij Foundation, has presented fishing nets and equipment to fishermen affected by the December 2004 tsunami in a village to the north of the resort island of Phuket. Twenty-one families, comprising about 100 people, in this small fishing village in...

Political leaders join in this year’s National Day Thanksgiving Service

Oct 2006 CARRYING on an annual tradition, the National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS) held a Thanksgiving Service on Aug 14, 2006 to mark Singapore’s 41st National Day. The congregation in the New Sanctuary of St Andrew’s Cathedral was joined by a number of political leaders who included Mr Teo Chee...

Methodist women can make a difference

Sep 2006 WORLD METHODIST CONFERENCE ABOUT 850 women leaders from 71 countries gathered at the 11th World Assembly of the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women (WFMUCW) on Jeju Island, South Korea, from July 11 to 17, 2006. The Singapore delegation of 13 members was led by Mrs Laureen Ong,...

19TH WORLD METHODIST CONFERENCE

Sep 2006 METHODISTS from around the globe have been urged to be “agents of reconciliation and peace” in this fragmented world. The clarion call came from world Methodist leaders at the 19th World Methodist Conference in Seoul from July 20 to 24, 2006 in the midst of heightened tension on the divided...

Aldersgate Convention a blessing to many people

Aug 2006 ALDERSGATE CONVENTION 2006 brought blessings to many people, including visitors from various parts of Malaysia, Indonesia, India and England as well as new friends from Christian churches outside our Methodist denomination. The four-day annual convention saw more than 1,000 people of God coming together from May 24 to 27 to give...

The gift of unanswered prayer

Aug 2006 Sometimes God’s ‘no’ is exactly what we need IT IS every mother’s worst nightmare. Her three-year-old son, Kostya, is dying of an incurable disease. The mother believes that God can heal her little boy. She alternates agonisingly between hope and despair, fighting and giving up. Still, she prays, “imbuing her...

‘A Christian’s Response to Addiction’ conference

Aug 2006 EVERYONE is a potential addict, even a Christian. When a person focuses obsessively on an object or compulsively searches for something and is exhibiting a strong attachment beyond the point of enthusiasm, chances are he is an addict. Many people struggle with drugs like caffeine in coffee or soft drinks...

How discipleship is to be ‘shaped by the Word’

Jul 2006 ALDERSGATE CONVENTION 2006 was celebrated by Methodists at the Aldersgate Service on May 24 at Barker Road Methodist Church. This was followed by three evening talks given by the Rev Dr M. Robert Mulholland Jr, Professor of New Testament at Asbury Theological Seminary and a leading voice in biblical spirituality. The...

Christianity Explored set to be widely accepted by churches

Jul 2006 THE Christianity Explored (CE) evangelistic course looks set to be widely accepted by our local Methodist churches. Nearly 290 pastors, church workers, leaders and members were richly blessed by the CE course project team at a full-day seminar at Oldham Hall in the ACS (Barker Road) Campus on May 27....

Pentecost: God’s answer to communication problem

Jun 2006 painting of Pentecost Day by Joseph Ignaz Mildorfer. Used with permission PENTECOST reveals God’s answer to the problem of communication. We may be naturally wired for fellowship with each other, and even with God, yet we often get our wires crossed. As urbanised people, we now live within the matrix...

DEDICATION SERVICE OF CHEN SU LAN METHODIST CHILDREN’S HOME

Jun 2006 Chen Su Lan Home an expression of Methodists’ call to discipleship CHEN SU LAN Methodist Children’s Home is an expression of Methodists’ call to Christian discipleship and service. “It puts a human face on the church as we seek to serve our community and those who need our help,” said...

MWS and GC-WSCS holding a two-day conference on addiction in June

May 2006 Equipping Christians to help those with addiction problems A GROUP of professionals working with groups addressing addiction concerns and issues will share their experiences and offer their expert advice at “A Christian’s Response to Addiction” conference here next month. They include Dr Munidasa Winslow, Head and Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, Community...

Christianity Explored: Response is rising

May 2006 WITH less than a month to go before Aldersgate Convention 2006 opens at Methodist Centre on May 24, response to its full-day seminar is on the rise. Interest has come from as far as East and West Malaysia as well as Indonesia, besides our local churches. The seminar, to be...

Lost Christianities? Myths of The Da Vinci Code

May 2006 I CAME across two books in the National Library recently. The first one is written by Joseph Atwill, a former businessman turned self-taught student of Christian origins. His book Caesar’s Messiah tries to argue that Christianity was invented by intellectuals serving the Flavian Roman emperors (Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian) who...

World conference to open to music of 400-voice choir

May 2006 19TH WORLD METHODIST CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN SEOUL IN JULY SEVERAL thousand Methodist leaders from all parts of the world will gather in Seoul from July 20-24, 2006 to attend the 19th World Methodist Conference. The conference will open to the resounding music of a 400-voice choir and full...

Great joy for ACJC as it reaps record-breaking ‘A’ level feats

Apr 2006 MARCH 1, 2006 was an unusual day for Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC). As the college celebrated its 120th Founder’s Day, a team of teachers were receiving and analysing the 2005 GCE “A” level results to get them ready for distribution to the Class of 2005 on that day. It was...

THE EMPTY TOMB

Apr 2006 The entrance to the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem: He is not here, for He is risen. — Methodist Message picture by PETER TEO. Ref: John 20:1 The empty tomb Speaks of the power of God. He rolled away the stone, He raised His Son to life, To bind our wounds,...

What’s a Christian to do with the Easter

Apr 2006 NASHVILLE – There will come a time in the life of every parent when he or she will have to decide what to do with the Easter Bunny. For most it will come sooner rather than later, especially if you have young children. What is the right thing to do with...

THE EMPTY CROSS

Apr 2006 Who can fully appreciate the agony of Jesus who was separated from the Father for the sins of the whole world? THE danger of trivialising the cross of Jesus is ever real – when people treat it lightly or superficially. It is not a new problem though. In 1945, a collection...

Christian faith-based prison rehab programme to be launched

Mar 2006 PICTURE this. It is February 2007. About 100 people rise at the sound of the bell at 5.30 am. At 6 am, they are gathered in song and prayer at the morning devotion. After breakfast, they are off to their Bible classes till it is mid-morning and time for work. At...

ACS (Junior) and Madrasah Al-Irsyad foster bonding

Mar 2006 ANGLO-CHINESE SCHOOL (Junior) in Peck Hay Road and the nearby Madrasah Al-Irsyad in Winstedt Road are busy building bridges — of a special kind. They are promoting community bonding as well as racial and religious harmony among their pupils. Their joint efforts to create larger common spaces and foster bonding...

MCS launching evangelistic course Christianity Explored

Mar 2006 THE Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) will launch the highly successful evangelistic course, Christianity Explored, here. The 10-week programme will be introduced to Methodists at a full-day seminar at the Aldersgate Convention 2006 at Methodist Centre, Barker Road, on May 27. The DISCIPLE Agency of the MCS, which is headed...

Passionate for God? Or addicted to mediocrity?

Feb 2006 DR AJITH FERNANDO I WAS once at a meeting of preachers, and they were discussing the problem of having inadequate time to prepare their sermons. One person said that given all the things he had to do, it was impossible for him to give much time for preparation, and therefore he usually went to preach without much...

Picture Special: 30th Session of Annual Conferences

Feb 2006 The Rev Dr Clarence Lim (right) and his family at his Retirement Service at Trinity Methodist Church. — TRAC picture by DANIEL LIE. TRAC delegates at morning devotion. — TRAC picture by DANIEL LIE of Barker Road Methodist Church. THIS issue’s Centrespread provides some highlights, in pictures, of the 30th...

Geylang Chinese MC hits a century

Feb 2006 NOVEMBER 13, 2005 marked the 100th Anniversary of Geylang Chinese Methodist Church. Thanks be to God for He blessed us with a clear blue sky that day amidst the monsoon season which began early that month. The congregation and guests came early in the afternoon with the purpose of giving...

The real ST★RS of the world

Jan 2006 American journalist Ben Stein’s last column … HOW can someone who lives in insane luxury be a star in today’s world? As I begin to write this, I “slug” it, as we journalists say, which means I put a heading on top of the document to identify it. This heading...

TRAC turns 30 and marks several milestones

Jan 2006 30TH SESSION OF TRINITY ANNUAL CONFERENCE: NOVEMBER 21-24, 2005 THE 30th Session of Trinity Annual Conference, which was held from Nov 21 to 24, 2005 at the newly renovated Trinity Methodist Church, marks several milestones. Firstly it marks 30 years as an Annual Conference. As the conference commenced, Bishop Dr...

30TH SESSION OF THE CHINESE ANNUAL CONFERENCE: NOVEMBER 14-17, 2005

Jan 2006 IT IS no small thing to serve the Living God, and the core duties of pastoral ministry are prayer and the ministry of the Word. So saying, Bishop Dr Robert Solomon reminded Chinese Annual Conference (CAC) ministers that the pastoral ministry is an especially heavy responsibility and a great privilege....

Centennial joy and two new bishops for Indonesian Methodist Church

Dec 2005 GENERAL CONFERENCE OF GEREJA METHODIST INDONESIA GEREJA METHODIST INDONESIA (GMI) — The Methodist Church in Indonesia — celebrated its 100th Anniversary in October and elected two new bishops for the quadrennium beginning now and ending in 2009. At its General Conference in Lembang, outside Bandung in West Java, 316 delegates...

Christmas carols and the American Civil War

Dec 2005 THE American Civil War sparked revival on both sides of the Mason-Dixon Line. Between 100,000 and 200,000 Union soldiers reportedly converted to Christ, as did about 150,000 Confederates. Many soldiers’ quarters featured chapels, and it was during this conflict that military chaplains became common. The same era saw a flurry...

The true spirit of Christmas

Dec 2005 IT WAS only four days before Christmas. The spirit of the season had not yet caught up with me, even though cars packed the parking lots of our local discount store. Inside the store was worse. Shopping carts and last-minute shoppers jammed the aisles. Buying for someone who had everything and...

The God who burned His bridges

Dec 2005 ‘Jesus came to earth not only because of obedience to the Father but also because of His profound love for human beings and His creation.’ IT MUST have been a momentous event in heaven. All heaven must have held its holy breath as it witnessed a most astounding event. The Treasure of heaven, the...

Methodist Mission in Cambodia milestones

Nov 2005 PICTURE SPECIAL — CELEBRATION OF GOD’S GOODNESS IN CAMBODIA SEPTEMBER 1 and 2, 2005 were milestones in the annals of The Methodist Mission in Cambodia. On those two days, it held its historic Second Annual Meeting at Toul Kork Methodist Church in the compound of The Methodist Centre in the...

Bishop: Christians need to respond intelligently to new challenges

Nov 2005 LAY LEADERS’ FELLOWSHIP GATHERING THE Church is faced with new and significant threats to the core of its beliefs, Bishop Dr Robert Solomon told a gathering of Methodist church leaders, and Christians need to be more aware of the issues in order to respond appropriately. Speaking at the gathering of lay...

Emmaus ‘a place where the Risen Lord meets us’

Oct 2005 Dedication Service for Emmaus Women’s Centre in Cambodia PHNOM PENH — Bishop Dr Robert Solomon has expressed the hope that Emmaus Women’s Centre in Cambodia’s Beung Anchagn Village may truly be like an “Emmaus of new beginnings, where the Risen Lord ministers and encounters people”. Speaking at the Dedication Service...

Nong Bua Lamphu Methodist Church: A ‘lamp in the darkness’

Oct 2005 Consecration Service for first Methodist church planted in northeastern Thailand by MCS “LAMPU” in Malay means lamp. Although not a Thai word, it is an apt imagery used to describe The Methodist Church in Singapore’s first church planting project in northeastern Thailand in the Isaan region – the Nong Bua...

Methodist Mission in Cambodia holds historic Annual Meeting

Oct 2005 Four-in-one celebration brings blessings to many people A FOUR-IN-ONE celebration of God’s goodness in Cambodia brought multiple blessings to many people, including Singaporeans, Malaysians, Hong Kongers and Americans besides the Cambodians. First, The Methodist Mission in Cambodia held a historic Second Annual Meeting at Toul Kork Methodist Church in the...

Is www changing our ethics?

Sep 2005 NASHVILLE – A boss peeks at an employee’s e-mail. A straight-arrow college student rushes to draft a term paper by cutting and pasting entire paragraphs from Internet sites. A teenager who never would shoplift a CD has no problem downloading music without paying for it. A Colorado woman awaiting a kidney transplant tracks down her own donor through the...

Christalite Methodist Chapel is 19th TRAC church

Sep 2005 The Methodist Church in Singapore now has 42 churches CHRISTALITE METHODIST CHAPEL has become the 19th church of Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC). This means The Methodist Church in Singapore now has 42 churches. Christalite achieved Local Conference status on July 31, 2005 when a Church Constituting Conference was held at...

Relief aid brings reconciliation to Sri Lankans

Aug 2005 THIRUKKOVIL (Sri Lanka) – The two waves of last December’s gigantic tsunami in this one-time paradise island caused many deaths and much destruction. But, in a twist of irony, the “third wave” – that of relief and rehabilitation initiated by The Methodist Church in Sri Lanka – led to reconciliation...

TRAC gives 16 fishing boats to Sri Lankan tsunami families

Aug 2005 It also earmarks 2 sites for building of low-cost houses VALAICHENAI (Sri Lanka) — Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) of The Methodist Church in Singapore has given 16 fishing boats to families affected by last December’s tsunami in the eastern provincial district of Batticaloa in Sri Lanka. The boats are for 16...

Bible ‘a vital tool in shaping an enduring liturgy’

Jul 2005 ‘METHODIST WORSHIP IN CONTEXT’ SEMINAR THE Bible is the narrative of God’s dealing with the world past, present and the future. So saying, Wesleyan scholar Rev Dr Geoffrey Wainwright emphasised the importance of a comprehensive reading of Scripture and the use of lectionaries in worship. “This one book gives rise to...

Addiction is a pathological illness

Jul 2005 THE recent decision to build two Integrated Resorts in Singapore by the Government has drawn a wide range of responses from enthusiasm to numbed disbelief and anger that this could be happening in Singapore. One thing for certain, it has drawn attention to the issue of addictions as never before. When...

Aldersgate Convention comes of age

Jul 2005 THE Aldersgate Convention has come of age.More of our church members as well as Christians from other denominations are now more aware of this annual event. And more Methodists in the region are also looking forward to this convention which commemorates the contributions of John Wesley and celebrates the Methodist...

PICTURE SPECIAL — CELEBRATION OF GOD’S GOODNESS IN THAILAND

Jun 2005 ‘Much more could be done for Chiangmai’ PARTICIPANTS of the six-day Celebration of God’s Goodness in the Thailand mission trip from March 15 to 20, 2005, had a good understanding of our various missions work in Chiangmai. The last day of their trip was spent worshipping with the local believers...

Regional Methodists join us in our 120th birthday celebrations

Jun 2005 METHODISTS from as far as the Philippines and East Malaysia to the east, Sri Lanka to the west, and Myanmar and West Malaysia to the north, came and participated in the 120th Anniversary celebrations of The Methodist Church in Singapore. Their presence lent an international flavour to the week-long Aldersgate...

The Gift of Love

May 2005 ■ Real beauty lies not in the physical appearance, but in the heart. ■ Real treasure lies not in what that can be seen, but what that cannot be seen. ■ Real love lies not in what is done and known, but in what that is done but not known....

Celebration of God’s goodness in Thailand

May 2005 ON MARCH 19, 2005, 57 Methodists from Singapore witnessed three very significant and historical mission events in Chiangmai, Thailand – the Ordination Service, the Formation of the Methodist Mission in Thailand (now known as Wesley Methodist Church in Thailand), and the Dedication and Opening of the Muang Thai Mettakij Foundation Centre....

Strengthening our inner environment

May 2005 Some thoughts concerning the casinos THE Government recently announced that Singapore will have two casinos. This decision, after much private and public debate, came as a great disappointment to many, including churches and Christians, who were opposed to the setting up of a casino in Singapore. The fear remains that...

Tharman praises ACS for having ‘a rich and enduring tradition’

Apr 2005 ACS COMBINED 119TH FOUNDER’S DAY CELEBRATION Holistic ACS education should direct students back to God: Bishop OUR Hearts, our Hopes, our Aims are One” – this was the spirit that filled the entire Singapore Indoor Stadium on March 1, 2005. It was a joyous and momentous occasion as the six units...

Combined services kick off Wesley MC’s 120th birthday joy

Apr 2005 Its history intertwined with Methodism in Singapore AS THE first Methodist church to be established in Singapore, the history of Wesley Methodist Church is closely intertwined with the beginnings of Methodism in Singapore. A year-long season to celebrate its 120th anniversary commenced on Feb 20, 2005 with two combined services...

A Prayer from a Heart in Pain

Mar 2005 NASHVILLE – The tidal waves that struck countries along the Indian Ocean prompted the Rev R. Randy Day to set aside an earlier text he had developed for a New Year’s message. Instead, the General Secretary of the General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church, wrote his 2005...

Punctuating our lives with a , . ; ? !

Mar 2005 WORSHIP services are the punctuation marks of our lives. Like punctuation marks, the worship service can be an indication of the end of a thought and the beginning of a new idea. A mark is also something significant; we mark our calendars with public holidays, birthdays and anniversaries. A worship service is...

Understanding teens in today’s environment

Mar 2005 ARE you happy if your teenaged son or daughter is compliant, obedient, sporty, diligent, exercises regularly, dresses decently? Do you become unhappy when he or she presses for independence, is rebellious, too fashion conscious, too generous with pocket money, take too much junk food, easily distracted and lazy, friendlier with the...

If Christ had not died…

Mar 2005 A GROUP of eminent historians got together to share what they imagined would have happened if certain well-established historical events had turned out differently. In their book What If and its sequel More What If they use their imagination and expertise in history to entertain history buffs. What if Socrates had died in...

Aldersgate 2005 a highlight of our 120th birthday joy

Feb 2005 METHODISM came to South-east Asia when the Rev Dr James Thoburn, leading the mission team, arrived at Keppel Harbour on the S. S. Khandalla on Feb 7, 1885. Although their arrival was unplanned and unheralded, they were met by Mr Charles Phillips, “a godly Wesleyan” and head of the Seamen’s...

Celebrating our 120th Anniversary

Feb 2005 THE Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) celebrates its 120th Anniversary this year (2005), and as part of its anniversary programme, it plans to initiate four major projects. They are: 1. The publication of a “Faith-Sharing New Testament with Psalms”; 2. The launch of a “Methodist Heritage Tour”; 3. The launch of...

TRAC elects Wee Boon Hup as new President

Jan 2005 29TH SESSION OF TRINITY ANNUAL CONFERENCE: NOV 22-25, 2004 Isaac Lim chairs conference for the last time HOSTED by Faith Methodist Church at its new sanctuary and worship hall at Commonwealth Drive, the 29th Session of Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) was chaired by its President, the Rev Dr Isaac Lim,...

God calls us to be a ‘Holy, United and Missionary People’

Jan 2005 EPISCOPAL RE-DEDICATION SERVICE FOR BISHOP DR SOLOMON WHAT is in God’s heart? Bishop Dr Robert Solomon believes that there at least three things that the Word of God points us to as God reveals His heart to us through His Word: ■ We are called to be a Holy People;...

8TH SESSION OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE: OCT 18-22, 2004

Dec 2004 GC session adjourned to Dec 8 Episcopal Re-dedication Service at BRMC on Dec 9 THE 8th Session of the General Conference of The Methodist Church in Singapore, which was held at Sophia Blackmore Hall, Methodist Centre from Oct 18-22, 2004, has been adjourned to Dec 8 at the same venue....

Mary’s Little Lamb

Dec 2004 Jesus was born among the lambs THE birth itself was clearly a miracle. The mother was a virgin. We profess this in the Apostles’ Creed when we declare that Jesus “was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary … ” What is also special about the birth...

Hwa Yung: From teacher to pastor, to lecturer, to principal, to Bishop

Nov 2004 8TH GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE METHODIST CHURCH IN MALAYSIA: SEPT 20-25, 2004 KUALA LUMPUR THE REV Dr Hwa Yung, who has been elected Bishop of The Methodist Church in Malaysia, grew up in Penang and studied at Pykett Methodist School and Methodist Boys’ School. From 1967-71, he studied at the...

Rev Dr Hwa Yung elected Malaysian Methodist Bishop

Nov 2004 8TH GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE METHODIST CHURCH IN MALAYSIA THE Rev Dr Hwa Yung, Director of the Centre for the Study of Christian-ity in Asia at Trinity Theological College, Singapore, has been elected Bishop of The Methodist Church in Malaysia. The election was held on Sept 22 during the 8th Session...

A capsule for ACSians of all times

Oct 2004 AUGUST 6, 2004 was indeed a day of momentous joy as all the five institutions of the Anglo-Chinese School (ACS) family and The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) gathered at ACS (Barker Road) for the laying of a time capsule. The Guest-of-Honour was the Acting Education Minister, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam,...

Need to know how the church should respond to cultures

Oct 2004 Need to know how the church should respond to cultures THERE is a need to consider how the church should respond to the cultures existing in Singapore. Stating this at an international conference for Chinese church lead-ers, Bishop Dr Robert Solomon said “Stephen Neill has provided for us a helpful...

Christians pray for leaders and nation

Sep 2004 NEWS IN PICTURES ■ PICTURES BY WONG CHEUNG SOO, NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES OF SINGAPORE

Christians celebrate Singapore’s 39th National Day with Joy and Thanksgiving

Sep 2004 CHRISTIANS celebrated Singapore’s 39th National Day with special prayers for the nation and its leaders and a resounding vote of thanks to God for His goodness and blessings on our Republic. Worshippers from many churches turned up at St Andrew’s Cathedral for the “Prayer for the Nation” — the National...

Discipleship a relationship with Christ, says seminar speaker David Watson

Aug 2004 ALDERSGATE SEMINAR ON ACCOUNTABLE DISCIPLESHIP DISCIPLESHIP is a relationship with Christ, said the Rev Dr David Lowes Watson., who conducted a seminar on “Accountable Disciple-ship” at the Aldersgate Convention at Methodist Centre in May this year. The seven-session seminar was part of the Aldersgate Convention 2004, whose keynote speaker was...

METHODIST MESSAGE

Jul 2004 METHODIST MESSAGE PICTURES BY CHIA PAK YUEN

A HEARTWARMING EXPERIENCE

Jul 2004 Inspiring Aldersgate Service enhanced by sterling performances of singers and musicians THE beauty of Wesleyan songs was evident. The singing of the Method-ists was stirring. The joy was bursting. And there was passion in the way the choir, the musicians, the conductors, together with the congregation, went about giving praises in songs....

Meeting of Asian Methodist Bishops

Jun 2004 Bishops enjoying tea and a chat with President Nathan at the Istana. In the background in military uniform is Major Andy Yun, the President's Aide-De-Camp. THE Methodist Church in Singapore hosted the Annual Gathering of the Fellowship of Asian Methodist Bishops (FAMB) at the Garden Hotel from March 13 to...

12th Company Boys’ Brigade to hold 50th anniversary dinner

Jun 2004 THE 12th Company, The Boys' Brigade will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a Thanksgiving Dinner at the ACS (Barker Road) Auditorium on Sept 4, 2004 at 7 pm. It will give thanks to God's grace in producing pastors for ministry and Christian work in the Methodist and other Christian churches...

ACS (International) to open in January 2005

Jun 2004 Anglo-Chinese School family to have 6th new school THERE will be a sixth Anglo-Chinese School (ACS) next year. Come January 2005 Anglo-Chinese School (International) - ACS (International), a private school - will open at the Buona Vista area near Holland Village. It will cater to Singaporeans and foreigners who are...

Aldersgate Convention 2004 is here!

May 2004 IT'S here - the Aldersgate Convention 2004. And registration is still open for the Aldersgate Day Seminar on "Nurturing Religion of the Heart" to be held at Sophia Blackmore Hall on the 6th floor of Methodist Centre on May 21 and 22, 2004. The early-bird concession of $50 per person...

Voices from Scripture: Alexander

Apr 2004 Methodist Message is introducing a new series of articles focusing on the less prominent biblical characters. It is written by Kwa Kiem Kiok, a Local Preacher at Trinity Methodist Church who is now on sabbatical at Asbury Theological College in the United States. Her articles follow the text in Scripture,...

The mystery of God dying

Apr 2004 I WAS invited recently to watch the film The Passion of the Christ which has already created much discussion even before being released for public screening. On the one hand, there has been much excitement about the positive impact of the film. Many Christians, including pastors and evangelical leaders, have...

Landscape award for ACS (BR) Campus

Apr 2004 THE Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road) Campus has won a top award for landscape design (Institution Category). It won the hearts of the judges at a competition conducted by SILA, the professional body for qualified landscape architects in Singapore, at the 2003 competition. Every two years SILA (Singapore Institute of Landscape...

Worship and songs in Spore’s four official languages

Mar 2004 KAMPONG KAPOR METHODIST CHURCH CELEBRATES 110TH ANNIVERSARY KKMC to share joy with less well-visited welfare homes KAMPONG KAPOR Methodist Church (KKMC) celebrated its 110th Anniversary on Jan 25 this year with worship in song and dance in Malay (Peranakan), Mandarin, Tamil and English - the four official languages of Singapore....

How to cope with loss and grief

Mar 2004 THE Centre for Development of Christian Ministry, Trinity Theological College, is organising a seminar on "Coping with Loss and Grief". It will be held at Fairfield Methodist Church, Main Sanctuary (Level 2) on March 6, 2004 from 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm. The speaker is Mr Anthony Yeo, Clinical Director...

Aldersgate Convention 2004

Feb 2004

ALDERSGATE SERVICE 2003: Double joy celebration

Jul 2003 The Call to Worship and Aldersgate Service begins. In the front row are the special guests, Methodist Church leaders and their spouses. At extreme right is Mrs Malar Solomon, wife of Bishop Dr Robert Solomon. - Methodist Message picture. John Wesley's 300th birthday and Dedication of new Methodist Centre marked...

The Aldersgate Experience

Jun 2003 A window in Wesley's Chapel commemorating the "conversion" of the Wesley brothers. John and Charles with two friends are singing Charles' conversion hymn "Where shall my wandering soul begin?" - Picture from Flame John Wesley's 'conversion' LONDON -- Wednesday May 24, 1738 - the date that John Wesley's heart was...

Aldersgate Convention 2003 trimmed

May 2003 This book avoids going through "dry" history: It paints a broad and absorbing picture for the average reader. Worship Seminar and public talks cancelled, but Aldersgate Service will go on and will see launch of new book THE Aldersgate Convention 2003, scheduled to be held from May 21 to 24...

98 Cambodians baptised in river

Mar 2003 A teenaged girl and an elderly man being baptised by the Rev Kevin Lowe (left) and the Rev Khoo Cheng Hoot (right) while five other youths await their turn. WHAT started as a solemn, serious affair of the soul turned into joyful fun in the sea. And who could blame...

The new Methodist Centre

Feb 2003 An aerial view of the new Methodist Centre (top left). The ACS (Barker Road) swimming pool is in front of Barker Road Methodist Church. Oldham Hall is in the centre (background), and Lee Kong Chian Auditorium of ACS (BR) is at right (background). The Bishop's Office. The Administration Department on...

Anglicans, British Methodists move towards unity

Apr 2002 LONDON -- British Methodists and Anglicans have announced a proposed covenant for greater unity between their two communions that church officials liken to an "engagement to be married". The proposed agreement is part of a December report resulting from formal conversations between the two traditions since 1998. For the first...

ETAC challenged to bring in more members

Jan 2002 The Rev R. Prabhu (left)and the Rev James Nagulan presenting a joint report at the ETAC Session. - ETAC picture by RAJA NAGURAN of Toa Payoh Tamil Methodist Church. 26th SESSION OF TAMIL ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Nov 9-10, 2001 MEMBERS of Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference (ETAC) have been challenged to increase...

REACH OUT

The Laity and Its Place in The Church

Jul 2020 A disciple is one who responds to Jesus’ call to follow Him. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). The challenge is for all who are called by God to take their faith seriously,...

As we obey, He enables

Jul 2020 When Edmund Tan was approached by a friendly face at the nursing home where his wife, Winnie, was serving as a volunteer befriender, to serve as well, he gently protested. “No, no, I can’t do it. I don’t have any experience in healthcare. Besides, I’m quite shy myself,” It has...