Wesley Tidings Newsletter Issue 03 2016

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Matthew 5:14 (NIV)

T I D I N G S

Bi-monthly magazine of Wesley Methodist Church (Singapore)

WesleyISSUE 3 | May - June 2016

MCI (P) 014/01/2016

WesleyMCI (P) 014/01/2016

Wesley

Wesley Tidings ISSUE 3 | May-June 20162

02 From The Editor

03 So Says Our PIC

marketplace04 Christians In The Marketplace

10 Grace At Work Marketplace Conference 2016

study tour05 Turkey and Greece Study Tour

08 Our Heritage A Thread in the Weaver's Loom – Rev Richard E Ong

on file18 Reflections from Wesley’s Trinity Theological College Students 2016 Graduation

21 Boys’ Brigade And Girls’ Brigade Awards

22 Bible Reading Drive Fun Bookmark Colouring Contest

24 Good Friday Combined Services

25 Easter Sunday Combined Services

ministries26 Family Life Ministry

28 Christian Outreach & Social Concerns

30 Women’s Society of Christian Service

32 Missions

35 Transitions

36 Photo Moment

Recently, a friend asked to borrow a book I had written some 20 years back. I had misplaced my author’s copy so I did a search to find where I could lay my hands on

a copy. I was surprised to see it as an entry in the National Library’s South East Asian print heritage section. Subsequently, I borrowed a copy for my friend.

I had a strange feeling as I turned the pages. After all, it was something I wrote so long ago – I could hardly remember what I penned! It felt like a lost story with strange words and alien ideas.

Another book, also written long ago, but far greater in importance and impact, thankfully will never be lost or misplaced. It is the Bible!

It has been called biggest bestseller in history, and is said to be the most read book in the world. For believers, it holds a dear place in our home, work place and heart! We hide its words in our heart, recite it to praise, encourage and bless, and refer to it to chastise and teach self and others, for unlike other books, it is God-breathed (2 Tim 3:16), alive and active (Heb 4:12)!

It is certainly a one-of-a-kind heritage book – of the legacy one Man left behind for all who would believe in Him.

As you persevere at reading it daily, and as part of the Bible Reading Drive, reflect upon its history, its impact it has had on humanity, on you and your life, and give thanks.

from the editorcontents

Peggie Chan

The Never-Ever-Lost Book

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many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.” He goes on to teach that everyone is needed. Even the ones that seemed to be weaker are indispensable. In a football team, there are different roles for each player and every role is important. Likewise, in the church, every person has a role and every role is important.

The Foxes played for a trophy and a title. The church is involved in something greater. She is involved in the eternal destiny of human beings, the redemption of the world. We at Wesley have articulated this calling in Directions 2020 – Growing in Christ, Building Community, Impacting the World. To fulfil her calling, we need everyone in Wesley to be involved. We need everyone to serve together as a team. The church is not about any individual, pastor, leader or pastoral team member. The church is about all of us fulfilling our role, serving with others towards the same direction.

LCFC won her first Premier League title in her 132nd year of existence. Wesley Methodist Church celebrated her 131st Anniversary in February 2016. Will Wesley’s 132nd year see her moving forward together Growing in Christ, Building Community, Impacting the World?

The answer is in our hands.

Pastor Shih Ming

so says our PIC

Leicester City are champions of England! That’s what it felt like for the fans of Leicester City Football Club (LCFC) when

they won the Premier League title this season. Just one season ago, the Foxes (as the club is known) were struggling to avoid relegation to a lower league. When they started this season, no one gave them a chance to be anywhere near the top of the league table. The pundits put their odds at 5,000 to one!

The Foxes began the season with obscure or has-been players like Jamie Vardy, Wes Morgan, Andy King and N’Golo Kante. Even their Italian manager, Claudio Ranieri, was not expected to do more than to keep the Foxes from relegation. After all, he had come to Leicester in disgrace, after being sacked as Greece’s national coach.

Among the many reasons for their remarkable journey to the title, no one will dispute that teamwork was a critical key to their success. When Vardy was named the Footballer of the Year, he said, “Thanks also to my team-mates who are the reason I’ve been able to achieve anything. It has been an amazing season for all of us at Leicester, based on teamwork, not individuals.”

This was LCFC’s story. This is the story of the church. The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 12:12, “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are

2 20DIRECTIONS

Growing in ChristBuilding Community

Impacting the World

Forward Together


Fulfilling Our Destiny – Let’s Go M.A.D!

marketplace

This is the third in a series of articles on Christians in the Marketplace.

Christians In The Marketplace

I recently searched online for the definition of success and I was overwhelmed by the answers. Here are some examples:

Merriam-Webster defines it as “The fact of getting or achieving wealth, respect, or fame.”

Winston Churchill said, “Success is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm.”

Thomas Edison said,“Success is one percent inspiration, 99 percent perspiration.”

I am quite sure that if we do a survey among our church members, we will have even more definitions of success.

My conclusion is, success is like beauty – it’s all in the eyes of the beholder.

Importance of prioritisingEach of us has different expectations and priorities. Our gifts and circumstances are also different. Therefore each of us may have a different definition of success. But we share something in common, that is, we want to be successful and we seek significance in every stage of our lives.

And the first step to achieving this goal is to understand our priorities and set our expectations accordingly. As Christians, developing our relationship with God must be of the highest priority. And managing our time according to our priority is of utmost importance.

I struggled with the work life balance until I realised balance is not some middle ground but rather, balance is achieved when I am happy. To lead a balanced life, be prepared to make sacrifices and trade-offs according to your priorities.

With the advance in technology, we are promised a better life. But are we really having a better life? With high-speed networks connected to our homes and with smart phones and tablets, the line between office and home is blurred. I have nothing against technology and high-speed Internet. In fact, I was very much involved in the vision of providing connectivity anywhere, any time with any device. However, technology is a means to an end. Discipline is required when we use it so that it does not become our master.

Fulfilling our purpose1 Peter 4:10 says,

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

I believe that God has given us different gifts for different purposes. And it is not just for ourselves but also to serve others. This is our purpose. In order to fulfill our purpose, it will require us to recognise these gifts and be good stewards of them.

Just like Mordecai and Esther in the book of Esther, we are put in certain circumstances or positions so that we may make good use of what He has given to us.

In my career, I wasn’t always given desirable positions and assignments. But I was always ready to make a difference. As mentioned in my previous articles in this series, our work is a form of worship and we are to be the salt and light of the world. This is at odds with today’s culture but it is our calling.

Once I was asked to shut down my entire operation in the company. Instead of looking for another job for myself, my priority was to place everyone in a new job within or outside of the company. I was trying to make a difference by putting my team’s interests before me.

There was another time when I was working in a company with a cold and unfriendly work culture. Its staff did not greet one another even when they shared the same elevator in the mornings. Hence, I started a “smile and greet campaign”. After a while, some of them responded and eventually the elevator rides in the mornings were a lot more pleasant!

Regardless of where we are, there are always opportunities for us to make a difference. And when we give Jesus the highest place of honour in every area of our lives, this will become visible to the people around us.

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Fulfilling Our Destiny – Let’s Go M.A.D!

Lucas Chow was with Hewlett Packard for 20 years before he assumed various chief executive positions in Singtel Mobile, MediaCorp and Far East Orchard. He retired from Far East Orchard and Far East Organisation in Sep 2014. Currently, he serves as Chairman of Health Promotion Board, Vice Chairman of Yellow Ribbon Fund and he is a member of the Board of Trustees at National University of Singapore. Lucas is a recipient of the National Day Public Service Medal in 2015.

Matthew 5:14-16 says, You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Making use of our gifts and making a difference wherever God has placed us brings satisfaction. And in my humble opinion, success is when we are able to give a good account to God as to how we have made use of the gifts He had given us.

So let’s go M.A.D. (Make A Difference) with our gifts, as this is our purpose in life!

Lucas Chow

In The Footsteps of Paul And The Seven Churches of Asia Minor

study tour

On 25 February, 41 Wesleyans set off for Istanbul on an exciting and enriching study tour to Turkey and Greece. Turkey has been described as

“the Other Holy Land” as it was crucial to the development of Christianity. Constantinople (Istanbul in modern Turkey) and its cities became the centre of the Church in the East and were locations for several important early church councils, at which major issues of church doctrine were debated.

TurkeyAntakya, in the south-eastern province of Hatay, was the location of the biblical city Antioch-on-the-Orontes in ancient times. It is situated on the fertile banks of the Asi River (also known as the Orontes). Antioch was once the capital city of the Seleucid kings, who were renowned for their lives of luxury and pleasure. It was also famous as a place of artistic, scientific and commercial activities during Roman times. The city was a centre of Christianity and visited by many believers, including Barnabas, Paul and Peter, and the word “Christian” was first coined here (Acts 11:26). It was Paul’s home church and base for his three missionary journeys (Acts 13-20). It was also here where Paul felt compelled to rebuke Peter for his intolerant behaviour towards Gentile believers (Gal 2:11).

We visited St Peter’s Grotto which is a cave church believed to be dug out by St Peter as a place of worship for the early Christian community of Antioch. The cave was an excellent choice as it was cool during summer and warm during winter, hence providing comfort and shelter to the early Christians.

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At St Paul's Church, Tarsus

25 February to 11 March 2016


More importantly, it was a good hiding place as the Christians were persecuted by the Romans during that time.

Apostle Paul was born in the city of Tarsus and he travelled extensively through Asia Minor (ancient Turkey) and the Mediterranean region to spread the gospel. We had the opportunity to visit his birthplace and saw the well once used by him. It is still fully functional today!

We visited the sites of the seven churches which received a special word from the Risen Christ in Revelation: • Denizli, modern day Laodicea (the church with lukewarm

faith — Rev 3:14-22); • Alasehir, modern day Philadelphia (the church that had

endured patiently — Rev 3:7-13); • Sahili,moderndaySardis(thechurchthathadfallenasleep

— Rev 3:1-6); • Selcuk,moderndayEphesus(thechurchthathadforsaken

its first love — Rev 2:1-7); • Izmir, modern day Smyrna (the church that would suffer

persecution — Rev 2:8-11); • Akhisar,modern day Thyatira (the church that had a false

prophetess — Rev 2:18-29) and

• Bergama,moderndayPergamum(thechurchthatneededtorepent — Rev 2:12-17). They are all located in the south and south-west of Turkey.

The bus journeys were tiring but enriching for us; we could deeply appreciate the hardship, and love, that Apostle Paul experienced as he pursued his missionary journeys on these difficult and, at times, treacherous road conditions. As we visited these places, the words from the Bible came alive for us. The seven churches in Revelation have spiritual significance for churches and believers today — they are poignant reminders for those who call themselves “followers of Christ”. Of the seven, only Philadelphia and Smyrna, whose churches received praise and encouragement in the book of Revelation, are living cities now.

In Izmir, we visited the St Polycarp Church, the oldest church in the city. It represented ancient Smyrna’s role as one of the seven churches of Revelation. St Polycarp, who became Bishop of Smyrna, was converted by John the Apostle, and was eventually martyred by the Romans.

study tour

Pergamun PHOTOS: DANIEL BOEN

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his first letter to Timothy and the letter to Titus between AD 63 and 66 in Philippi. We visited the jail that he was imprisoned in when he angered the local community after he liberated the servant girl possessed by a spirit of divination.

Thessaloniki (also known as Thessalonica, Salonika or Salonica) is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of Greek Macedonia. Paul visited ancient Thessalonica after Philippi on his second missionary journey. He went to preach in the synagogue for three Sabbath days (Acts 17:1-9). Some of the Jews, proselyte Greeks and chief women believed in St Paul’s preaching (Acts 17:4).

Corinth is known from the two letters, First and Second Corinthians, that Paul wrote to the Christian community there. Ancient Corinth was one of the largest and most important cities of Greece. We visited the Bema of Apostle Paul, where Paul appeared before the Roman governor Gallio in AD 52 (Acts 18:12-17). There is some evidence of the Bema ruins in the Christian church which was later built on its site.

The study tour of the seven churches of Revelation and the biblical sites of Turkey and Greece brought to life the Word of God, and drew us closer to Him and to one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Douglas Goh and Daniel Boen

We also had the opportunity to visit other Christian sites in Turkey, such as Yalvac, which was ancient Pisidian Antioch where Paul introduced Christianity to the world. During Paul’s time, the population consisted of a mix of Jews, Romans and Greeks. Paul and Barnabas visited this city, which was in the region of Phrygia near the border of Pisidia, on their first missionary journey (Acts 13:14). Paul might have revisited the city on his second and third journeys (Acts 16:6, 18:23).

We also visited Hierapolis (whose name means “sacred city”) which was founded by the Pergamun king Telephus and named after his wife Hiera. Its large Jewish community was an important factor in the rapid expansion of Christianity in the city. During the Byzantine period, Hierapolis became the seat of a diocese with a large Christian church dedicated to St Philip who was martyred here in AD 80.

Assos, also known as Behramkale, is perched high on a cliff overlooking the Aegean Sea and the island of Lesbos. On his third missionary journey, Paul walked from Troas to Assos, where he boarded the boat on his return journey to Jerusalem (Acts 20:13-14). This was because the trip by land was shorter than the voyage by sea, so he was able to stay longer in Troas before joining his friends at Assos.

We also went to Troas where, on his second missionary journey, Paul had a vision of a man asking him to “come over to Macedonia and help us” (Acts 16:8-13). He later described the experience as a door that the Lord had opened for him (2 Cor 2:12). Years later, he returned to Troas after his stay in Ephesus (Acts 20:5-6). In total, he stopped and preached here three times.

GreeceIn Greece, we visited Philippi, Thessaloniki, Corinth and Athens. According to the New Testament, Paul visited Philippi on two occasions, and it was here he was believed to have preached for the first time on European soil (Acts 16:12-40). Paul wrote

Tarsus

Istanbul •Istanbul •Istanbul •Istanbul •Istanbul •Istanbul •Istanbul •Istanbul •Istanbul •Istanbul •

• Psidian Antioch• Psidian Antioch• Psidian Antioch• Psidian Antioch• Psidian Antioch• Psidian Antioch• Psidian Antioch• Psidian Antioch• Psidian Antioch• Psidian Antioch• Psidian Antioch• Psidian Antioch• Psidian Antioch• Psidian Antioch• Psidian Antioch• Psidian Antioch

• Colossae• Colossae• Colossae• Colossae• Colossae• Colossae• Colossae• Colossae• Colossae• ColossaeLaodicea •Laodicea •Laodicea •Laodicea •Laodicea •Laodicea •Laodicea •Laodicea •Laodicea •Laodicea •

• Hierapolis• Hierapolis• Hierapolis• Hierapolis• Hierapolis• Hierapolis• Hierapolis• Hierapolis• Hierapolis• Hierapolis• Hierapolis• Hierapolis• Hierapolis

• Philadelphia• Philadelphia• Philadelphia• Philadelphia• Philadelphia• Philadelphia• Philadelphia• Philadelphia• Philadelphia• Philadelphia• Philadelphia• Philadelphia• Philadelphia• Philadelphia• Philadelphia•Sardis•Sardis•Sardis•Sardis•Sardis•Sardis•Sardis•Sardis

• Thyatira• Thyatira• Thyatira• Thyatira• Thyatira• Thyatira• Thyatira• Thyatira• Thyatira• Thyatira• Pergamun• Pergamun• Pergamun• Pergamun• Pergamun• Pergamun• Pergamun• Pergamun• Pergamun• Pergamun

• Smyrna• Smyrna• Smyrna• Smyrna• Smyrna• Smyrna• Smyrna• Smyrna

• Ephesus• Ephesus• Ephesus• Ephesus• Ephesus• Ephesus• Ephesus• Ephesus• Ephesus

• Troas• Troas• Troas• Troas• Troas• Troas• TroasAssos •Assos •Assos •Assos •Assos •Assos •Assos •

•Tarsus•Tarsus•Tarsus•Tarsus•Tarsus•Tarsus•Tarsus•Tarsus

• Troy• Troy• Troy• Troy• Troy• Troy

Philippi •Philippi •Philippi •Philippi •Philippi •Philippi •Philippi •Philippi •Philippi •Philippi •Philippi •

Thessaloniki •Thessaloniki •Thessaloniki •Thessaloniki •Thessaloniki •Thessaloniki •Thessaloniki •Thessaloniki •Thessaloniki •Thessaloniki •Thessaloniki •Thessaloniki •Thessaloniki •Thessaloniki •Thessaloniki •

Corinth •Corinth •Corinth •Corinth •Corinth •Corinth •Corinth •Corinth •Corinth •Cenchreae •Cenchreae •Cenchreae •Cenchreae •Cenchreae •Cenchreae •Cenchreae •Cenchreae •Cenchreae •Cenchreae •Cenchreae •

• Athens • Athens • Athens • Athens • Athens • Athens • Athens • Athens

Neopolis •Philippi •

Neopolis •Philippi •

Neopolis •Neopolis •Neopolis •Neopolis •Neopolis •Neopolis •Neopolis •Neopolis •Neopolis •

TURKEYGREECE

Mediterranean Sea

Aegean Sea

Hatay •Hatay •Hatay •Hatay •Hatay •Hatay •Hatay •

• Cappadocia• Cappadocia• Cappadocia• Cappadocia• Cappadocia• Cappadocia• Cappadocia• Cappadocia• Cappadocia• Cappadocia• Cappadocia• Cappadocia

St Peter's Grotto, Hatay

Philippi

Sardis


A Thread in the Weaver’s Loom –Rev Richard E Ong

our heritage

wrote in the following issue of The Wesleyan2 (a bi-monthly newsletter) that he pledged to uphold the tradition of Wesley Church in its missionary zeal and pioneering spirit in evangelism and social concerns, and to keep faith with colleagues before him who had served with honour to make the church a beacon of light for Jesus Christ the Lord in Singapore.

Rev Richard E Ong, Senior Pastor of Wesley Methodist Church, 1971-1975.

The Church is like a tapestry, and God is the Master

Weaver. Just as the history of His Church is made up of the lives of people who serve and fulfil purposes set by the Almighty One, we are but threads in the Weaver’s loom. Lives built upon lives, threads interwoven together; this is how a masterpiece is created.

Wesley Methodist Church is one such tapestry - we advance the mission of the church upon the labours of those who have gone before us and preserve the good traditions that define what makes us special. We cannot forget our church leaders of the past, those who availed themselves to God and their fellow believers, trusting that God would enable their work to bear fruit for posterity. One such person was Rev Richard E Ong. At the age of 39, he was appointed Senior Pastor of Wesley Church, at a time when stability was much needed.

In 1971, in the church newsletter The Wesleyan,1 which announced his appointment, Rev Ong wrote that his personal philosophy

was simply that since life is too short, he tried to live according to the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. That was perhaps why he traded law school for the seminary, graduating with a Bachelor of Divinity in 1962 and then becoming an associate pastor in the United States. More than ten years later in 1973, he was conferred a Masters in Divinity by Emory University. While serving as Senior Pastor of Wesley, Rev Ong also acted as District Superintendent of the Singapore-Malayan Annual Conference (SMAC), which later became known as

the Trinity Annual Conference. (TRAC)

At the outset of his service at Wesley, Rev Ong wasted no time in stating his mission. He

Rev Ong’s stint at Wesley was not, however, without challenges. In 1972, he called attention to two areas pertinent to the fruitfulness

of one’s spiritual life, yet much lacking in the church: Christian education and commitment in serving Christ.

Strongly believing in the tripartite responsibilities of the Christian home, the school and the Church, he admonished parents to exercise all godly care that their children be taught the Holy Scriptures and brought up in the Christian faith. He

Rev Richard E Ong (second row, leftmost), with Associate Pastor Rev Dr Ivy Chou (second row, rightmost) with new Wesleyans who became church members on Christmas Sunday in 1971.

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consistently warned of the danger of complacency and exhorted church members to be educated and trained in a host of church concerns such as missions, social needs, stewardship and evangelism in order to be men and women who would help propel the church into the next century.3

When reviewing the church year of 1972, Rev Ong lamented the drop in attendance at services and the reluctance of church members to assume responsibility in church affairs. Equating such inaction to the lack of commitment to Christ, he stressed that “there is nothing too important, nothing too difficult, nothing too urgent that Christ does not have first claim on our time and talent.”4

Perhaps church and ministry issues were not the most challenging things Rev Ong had to face. He was diagnosed with kidney failure and placed on the dialysis programme at the Singapore General Hospital during the last three years of his service at Wesley. Yet, something profoundly beautiful happened in the midst of it.

Rev Ong was hesitant about the Charismatic Renewal Movement that was already ongoing in Singapore in the early 1970s, and the spread of charismatic works in churches. Canon James Wong of the Anglican Church, who knew Rev Ong in 1973, recounted that Rev Ong changed his mind after a personal encounter with the Holy Spirit. This happened after Canon Wong, Rev David Hugh Baker and others prayed

References:1The Wesleyan (January-February 1971)2 The Wesleyan (March-April 1971)3The Wesleyan (July-August 1972)4The Wesleyan (November-December 1972)5Obituary of Rev Richard E Ong, The Straits Times (19 April, 1980), p 26.6Georgie Lee & Galven Lee, Unfolding His Story: The Story of the Charismatic Movement in Singapore (Singapore, Genesis Books, 2015).7The Wesleyan (May-July 1974, October 1975, and April-May 1976).

for Rev Ong’s healing and ministered to him while he was depressed from his illness. Rev Ong was further inspired by the book Nine O’Clock In The Morning by Dennis J Bennett.

Rev Ong responded by opening his heart to the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The spiritual encounter encouraged him to open the doors of Wesley Methodist Church to a Charismatic renewal by allowing evangelists such as Colin Urquhart and David Watson from the UK to speak to the congregation. Rev Ong also opened his home to weekly charismatic prayer meetings where between 20 and 30 people would gather each time. Canon Wong described Rev Ong as a faithful man and a leader who cared deeply for his flock. A shepherd indeed, in his defining moment he opened Wesley’s gates to the call of the Holy Spirit.

Rev Ong left Singapore on 21 August 1975 for a kidney transplant in Hawaii, officially ending his leadership role at Wesley Methodist Church. He and his wife, Ruth (whom he married in 1968), eventually settled in Houston where he could receive ongoing medical treatment. He passed away peacefully at the Texas Medical Center on 15 April 1980.5

Rev Richard E Ong was one thread fittingly placed upon the Master Weaver’s loom. The Weaver shows no partiality to His threads whether they are cotton, gold or linen and neither does He favour one colour over another among

the resplendent array of dyes at His disposal. He conceived the design even before the loom was constructed; each thread is where it is supposed to be. Like the journeys of our forebears, we are to recognise our roles in the kingdom of God, diligently seeking to discover our spiritual gifts and be effectively equipped in the Word for every good work that God has called us for.

Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. One day He will fix the knots on the end of every thread to complete the final tapestry, a celebration of God the Master

Weaver, and His artistry, the Holy Church. Take heart, like Rev Ong we are all a part of His glorious masterpiece.

The author would like to thank Canon James Wong for his precious time and kind sharing about Rev Ong, and Mr David Ong of the Methodist Archives and History Library for advising on research sources.

Joelyn Ong Wesley Archives and Heritage Committee

With additional input from Vanessa Lee,

Lyn Sayers and Jack Lee

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Rev Richard E Ong and his wife Ruth (née Sanchez) in the Holy Land. Rev Ong led a group of 14 Christians to attend the Conference of the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem in March 1974.


marketplace

Marketplace Conference 2016

The speaker for Plenary Session 1 was Rev Dr Tan Soo Inn, a retired dentist.

After a humorous self-introduction, he shared about the early years of his career when he sought to not just “treat teeth”, but also “treat people”. He recounted the cases of youths who were nervous about entering National Service and how their anxiety caused them to grind their teeth at night. Treating these symptoms of stress was thus an opportunity to also speak with them about their spiritual lives.

Rev Tan’s message proceeded along the arc of how there exists a spiritual dimension to our earthly work. He shared some commonly held misconceptions which people have of work:

1) Work is a necessary evil and merely a means to sustain oneselfThere is no reflection on the spiritual meaning of work in such a perception. Immigrants, for example, who tend to treat work as a god, believe that as they bow at the altar of hard work, it would bestow them with security and happiness. Of course, work would prove to be a false idol sooner or later as macro-economic events would easily cause the loss of financial assets and unemployment.

2) There is a sacred secular divide among occupationsRev Tan commented that there is a perceived divide between work within the church and work in the marketplace, with work in the marketplace being as less spiritual. An offshoot of this

misconception is that secular work has meaning only to the extent that it supports sacred work. The result of this mistaken view is that most Christians in the marketplace are not aware of the critical importance of their daily work, and have by default surrendered opportunities for expanding the Kingdom of God.

PLENARY SESSION 1:

The Heavenly Meaning of Our Earthly WorkSpeaker: Rev Dr Tan Soo InnSoo Inn is Director of Graceworks, a training and publishing consultancy committed to promoting spiritual friendship in church and society. He runs this ministry in partnership with his wife, Bernice.

Soo Inn has worked as a dentist, pastored two churches and served in a number of para-church organisations. At

present he sits on the Council of the Biblical Graduate School of Theology (Singapore), and is an adjunct lecturer in various seminaries. Soo Inn has a BDS from the University of Singapore, a ThM in New Testament from Regent College, Canada, and a DMin from Fuller Seminary, United States.

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Rev Tan then proceeded to deliver biblical truths about God and work, emphasising that our concept of God and work will shape our attitudes towards our role in the marketplace.

1) God is a worker and work comes from GodIn examining passages from Genesis 1-2, Job 10:3-12, and Psalms 139: 13-16, we can see that God played an active role in creating the natural world and also mankind, with David ascribing to God, “Marvellous are Your works”. In fact, Jesus held the occupation of a carpenter until the time of His ministry at the age of thirty. Hence, work is from God, and should not be seen as a necessary evil or burden.

2) We are created by God to workFrom Genesis 1:26-31, 2: 4-25, we understand that Man was created in the image of God, and given the mandate to work. “Then the Lord God commanded

the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and keep it.” Hence, work is ordained by God and comes from God, but should never take the place of God in our lives.

3) Work has been distorted and plagued by sinGenesis 3 speaks about Adam and Eve’s disobedience and how work has consequently become “toil”. God says to Adam, “… .Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life” (Gen 3:17, NKJV). Hence, it will not be easy to follow God’s values in a world where sin is prevalent. However, the Church exists to support Christians in following God’s values in a fallen world.

4) We are called to work in ways that reflect biblical wisdom despite living in a fallen worldThe passage about the virtuous wife in Proverbs 31:10-31 can be interpreted as a celebration of wise and diligent work.

“She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms (Prov 16-17, NKJV)” Rev Tan expounded further that profit is not to be viewed in a negative light.

5) Our earthly work is to be done in relationship to God Rev Tan taught from Colossians 3:22 to 4:1 that work we do on earth should be done in worship to God. “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men…for you serve the Lord Christ” (Col 3:23-24). Consequently, the work done by us should glorify God, as we go about our work with biblical values.

Rev Tan further encouraged participants that whatever work they did in the present state of the world would find a place in the New World when Jesus comes again. He mentioned, “What we do on this side of heaven will not be wasted, not just saving souls.”

In closing, Rev Tan shared that the best avenue for Christians to reach out to new people is through their work, especially those with whom they have business relationships. He challenged the audience to let these relationships be marked by the qualities of competence and compassion, as well as being demonstrative of Christ’s presence.

Before he left, he gave participants something to consider, “What does it mean that the Kingdom of God has come to your profession?” Such a question not only stimulated further thought among participants, but a demands of a response of participants with regard to their workplace.

Ivan Lim

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PHOTOS: NICHOLAS TAN


marketplace

Work is not just about making money or about profit and loss. Work

and the purpose of our existence are closely tied together, said Tim Costello, who spoke on the topic of “Getting Our Faith to Work” during the second plenary session.

“At the heart of work is connecting with existence, love and purpose. Work needs to be more than maximising shareholder value,” said Costello. When our work lives and spiritual lives are not integrated, we can become fractured as individuals and our workplaces, society and the global village will suffer.

Our work is also closely tied to God’s creative work, which was purposeful. God was the first to show in his work in creation that work is about connecting with this existence, love and purpose as seen in John 1:1-4.

John Wesley, filled with God’s spirit, had a deep sense of the purpose and meaning of work.

It is no surprise that Wesleyanism or Methodism actually led to the growth of trade unions and the British Labour Party. This is the Methodist Church’s heritage, which views each worker as having dignity and God’s image.

“John Wesley had said, ‘Work as hard as you can, save as much as you can, give away as much as you can.’ He understood that the poor in Great Britain needed purpose in work and that it is integrated with our faith,” said Costello.

To Wesley, “The world is my parish”, and he preached outside of parish churches and beyond parish boundaries, in the marketplaces, the fields, gin houses and where the poor gathered. In contrast, many today view the marketplace as separate from God’s purpose, a place with a different set of rules – productivity and efficiency.

Work connects us with peopleWork should also connect us to others to achieve a bigger purpose, to do things

together that we cannot do alone. For many, the communal experience of creating wealth for ourselves, and products and services for others is the dominant experience of the world’s workers.

Hence relationships are fundamental. We are made for relationship with God and others, similar to the Trinity – Father, Son and Spirit. Being made in the image of the Trinitarian God, when we say that

PLENARY SESSION 2:

Getting Our Faith To WorkSpeaker: Rev Tim CostelloTim Costello is Chief Executive of World Vision Australia since 2004 and is one of Australia’s most recognised voices on social justice, leadership, ethics and global poverty.

Besides being a prominent speaker at international business conferences, Tim also serves as Chair of the Community Council of Australia, the Australian Churches Gambling Taskforce and the National Australia Bank’s Social Responsibility Advisory Council.

A trained solicitor, Tim is also a graduate from the International Baptist Seminary in Rueschlikon, Switzerland, and holds an Honorary Doctorate from the Australian Catholic University. Prior to joining World Vision Australia, Tim served as a Baptist Minister, Executive Director of a Christian non-profit organisation, Australian Mayor, as well as National President of the Baptist Union of Australia.

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work is something we do together, we are confessing a Trinitarian logos.

Herb Kelleher, CEO of Southwest Airlines (SWA) had said, “It’s very important that this be continued. And we want you to be a missionary and an ambassador. We want you to carry the spiritual message….” He was speaking the language of love and faith, it is management language with parallel overtones of evangelical conversion. SWA is not just using the language of religion and spirituality, it is also applying their principles. The airline was the only carrier to weather the industry downturn in the 1990s and not lay off any staff, even after September 11. It is consistently voted one of the best companies to work for in the US and a typical employee comment found in surveys is, “Working here is truly an unbelievable experience. They treat you with respect, pay you well, and empower you. They use your ideas to solve problems. They encourage you to be yourself. I love going to work!”

Responding to our calling But in our search for a well-integrated life, is there a balance in our work and faith lives or are they simply separate spheres?

One perspective is to see our work lives as having two ladders: the career ladder and a vocation or calling ladder. The vocation ladder is about why we are here, what it is all about and our passion.

“One of the best ways to find out your vocation is ask: ‘What is it if I don’t do it, the world is going to be poorer and I’m going to be poorer?’ Your vocation is the intersection of your bliss and the world’s need,” said Costello.

Nevertheless climbing the rungs of the career ladder may promise more pay. However, it may also mean less time for our calling. This calling may be mentoring, music, arts, volunteering, serving in church youth group, parenting or helping others in need. Some of the most faithful, wonderful Christians are going to be poor all their lives.

“Most of us have jobs that are too small for our spirits,” wrote Studs Terkel in his book titled Working. For the book, Terkel interviewed Americans whose voices are rarely heard: check-out attendants, hospital cleaners, gravediggers and labourers. But what was most surprising was that the interviews began with mandane details of the workplace and then quickly moved on to existential thoughts. “Work”, Terkel observed, “is about a search for daily meaning as well as daily bread, for recognition as well as for cash, for astonishment rather than torpor”. In short, there is a search for

work that makes life worth living rather than a “Monday-through-Friday sort of dying”.

God created work and family structures to be beautiful and meaningful. God has made our calling a central part of who we are and we can integrate this into all parts of our lives. The Gospel is really about redemption and wholeness, whether in homes, politics or family.

Peter Drucker, one of the greatest management gurus of our day showed us how to view work. He turned down chairs at Stanford and Harvard, because the schools wanted him to concentrate on business case studies in his teaching. And he viewed management as a vital role in all spheres of life, not just in business, that it is as “important for universities, churches, or charities as it is for soap-powder manufacturers.”

For Drucker, true management, which requires good leadership, is a practice that makes the world worth living in. Benevolent leadership and good management have brought about the positive aspects of civilised society. He saw this purpose as central to his work and went about connecting this purpose with people and living a life worthy of his calling.

It is so powerful when we see the effects of life-saving work. This is right at the heart of being made in the image of God. He has made us for community and has given us the mandate of working together. That is the meaning of work – to connect with existence, love and purpose.

Yong Ai Lei

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PHOTOS: NICHOLAS TAN


marketplace

"God's Kingdom is seamless," intoned Datuk Edward. With his opening

statement, he dispelled the notion of a reputed divide between the sacred and the secular. He explained that God does not compartmentalise life into heavenly work and earthly jobs.A self-effacing property titan, Datuk Edward lives out his faith in the business world and attributes his success to God. He believes that "all of us are wonderfully created to glorify His name". He exhorted the conference participants to trust in the Lord completely for He will direct their paths.

Sutera Harbour ResortIn 1993, Datuk Edward heard the call to embark on the Sutera Harbour Resort project in Sabah. When others asked how he knew that it was God’s will, his cryptic reply was, “I know, I know and I know but I don’t know.” Naysayers thought that

he was out of his mind as he was financially well-off and totally debt-free then. Moreover, the site conditions were unfavourable for development.

Datuk Edward wrestled with this issue. This was because he:• did not want to get out of

his comfort zone; • led a prayerless life

and depended on man’s advice;

• was ill-equipped with the word of God.Since then, Datuk Edward has resolved

to be a follower (not just a believer) and obey whenever God calls. He quipped, “It is exhilarating when we depend on God.”

Conference participants were reminded that fervent prayers move God’s hand and the result is an increase in faith

(it is impossible to please God without faith). They were also encouraged to “diligently, not casually, seek Him”.

Datuk Edward advocated being well-versed with God’s Word for “it is sharper

PLENARY SESSION 3:

Great Things For A Great GodSpeaker: Datuk Dr Edward Ong

Since then, Datuk Edward has resolved PHOTOS: NICHOLAS TAN

Edward is founder of the Sutera Harbour Resort and is an accomplished builder and property developer. By the age of 40, Edward had been involved in highly acclaimed projects including the Singapore General Hospital, Apollo and Adelphi hotels, Regency Park Condominium and civil engineering works in three MRT Stations.

Edward has been awarded the “The Minister’s Special Award” in Sabah, an “Entrepreneurial Leaders Award” in Vancouver, Canada and has received an Honorary Doctorate from the NYACK College in May 2015. He is currently starting a new journey of faith to develop an integrated resort in Dili, Timor-Leste.

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than any two-edged sword”. Moreover, it is “a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our paths”. He also cited 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NRSV) to emphasise this point:

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Datuk Edward considers Joshua 1:8 as a essential conditions for success in God’s Kingdom:

This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful.

In 1997, Datuk Edward was asked to take a loan of US$330 million. Little did he know that the Asian financial crisis would strike after that. The ensuing depreciation of the ringgit hung over him like a sword of Damocles. He recounted that the darkest moment of his life was when he lost RM450 million in one day during the third week of September that year. Subsequently, his wife walked out on him. He was devastated and wondered why he had such a raw deal though he had served God faithfully.

Datuk Edward was faced with two options — deny God and give up his faith or totally surrender to God, broken as he was. Amidst the wreckage of his life, he chose the latter. It was the passage Romans 8: 38-39 (NRSV) which ignited hope in him:

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

Since the initial stages of development, the Sutera Harbour Resort had been beset with difficulties.

Today, Sutera Harbour Resort has a staff strength of 1800, making it the second largest employer after the civil service. Datuk Edward sees his resort as a pulpit where the love of Jesus is proclaimed. As such, the whole of the top floor of the convention centre is for the exclusive use of a church. Four intercessors have been engaged to pray for every guest, business associate and staff, as well as the city and the nation.

Datuk Edward elaborated that the resort subscribes to five core values: integrity, passion and creativity, customer focus, professionalism and community service. Indeed, Kota Kinabalu has been blessed with newly-built public toilets and restoration of a memorial site, courtesy of Sutera Harbour Resort.

Due to Datuk Edward’s fine reputation, the Chief Minister of Sabah proposed that a UNESCO site (which included five properties) be put under his charge for development. Datuk Edward stated that when one seeks the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, He will give him/her the ability to see the invisible and do the impossible for His glory.

Timor-LesteIn 2005, Datuk Edward felt that his calling in Sabah was over and it was time for him to move on. Three years later, he headed to Timor-Leste when he felt that it was the right calling. Although World Vision had ranked the country as the worst place in the world to do business, he determined to walk by faith as he believed that God would open doors.

Datuk Edward was taken to view four sites where he could invest. At one of them, he broke down and declared Psalm 121 (NRSV):

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Purpose in Life and Work

marketplace

I lift up my eyes to the hills —from where will my help come?My help comes from the Lord,who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;He who keeps you will not slumber.He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;the Lord is your shade at your right hand.The sun shall not strike you by day,nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil;He will keep your life.The Lord will keep your going out and coming in from this time on and forevermore.

Datuk Edward felt led to pick that site. The then Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmao, was surprised at his choice as it was an unattractive site. Not knowing about the existence of pelicans there, he aptly named his new company ‘Pelican

Paradise’. He expounded that in medieval Europe, the pelican was thought to be particularly attentive to her young, to the point of providing her own blood when no other food was available. As a result, the pelican became a symbol of the Passion of Jesus and of the Eucharist.

During a site visit, Datuk Edward noticed 33 pelicans. As there were three lakes at the site as well, he was prompted to recite Jeremiah 33:3 (NKJV):

Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.

Before long, damaging allegations in the media impugned Datuk Edward’s motives for investing in the country. The government wanted the land to be returned as no development had taken place. He was vindicated and finally after seven and a half years of waiting, permission was granted for development works to begin.

God’s protection and wisdomIn May 2015, while touring the United States, Datuk Edward and his extended

family (a total of 15 people) were involved in a horrific train crash. However, God’s protection was upon all of them and they were all safe. He shared that the enemy was ever ready to assail Christ’s disciples.

Datuk Edward shared that, in June 2015, he was advised by an insurance company to purchase earthquake insurance. This was highly unusual as insurance coverage for earthquakes was unheard of in Sabah. Wanting to bless this particular company, he obliged. Unbeknownst to him, God was protecting him — an earthquake struck five days later on 5 June 2015.

In conclusion, Datuk Edward quoted his mentor, Pastor Edmund Chan: “The ultimate goal in the marketplace is to glorify God. Indeed, our work is defined by our worship, distinguished by our walk and directed by His words.”

Mervin Tan

If there is no integrity, it’s dangerous to allow a person creativity.

If we seek Matthew 6:33, God will give us the ability to see the invisible so that we can do the impossible for Him.

The will of God will never lead you to where His grace cannot keep you.

God gives all of us potential but we have to step out in faith to manifest our potential.

Success without purpose is life without meaning.

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One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple. For He will hide me in His shelter in the day of trouble; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will set me high on a rock. Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord. Psalm 27:4-6 (NRSV).

Datuk Edward enumerated a myriad of differences between man’s folly and God’s wisdom, as shown in the table below:

Man’s Folly God’s WisdomWalk by sight Walk by faith (2 Cor 5:7)

Feasibility studies and reports (1 Cor 3:19-20) God-given vision and the promises of God (Prov 3:5-6)

What man says; seek counsel from What God says; seek counsel from God (Prov 3:5-6)clever people Intelligence and facts (1 Cor 1:20, 2:14) Wisdom in Truth (Jn 8:31-32)

Rush, scheme and plot with human (Zech 4:6) Wait upon the Lord - pray, obey and trust (Isa 40:31)intelligence, rationale and strength in God’s timing

Vision limited by available resources Vision based on faith in God (Phil 4:13)

Stay within comfort zone (Mk 10:21-22) Get out of comfort zone (Gen 12:1, 2 Tim 3:12)

Result in stress, fear, anxiety, (Matt 6:34) Result in complete rest in God (Ps 46:10, Jn 14:27,doubt and worry Phil 4:6)

Bottom-line = Profitability (Lk 16:13) Bottom-line = Building God’s Kingdom (Matt 6:33) according to His will

Complain about or avoid suffering; (Matt 7:13) Embrace suffering; choose the narrow or (Matt 7:14)choose the broad or easy way righteous way Focus on man’s opinions Focus on God’s opinion (Matt 6:1)

Glorify man Glorify God (1 Pet 4:11)

Tolerate unrighteousness and corruption Speak against unrighteousness and corruption— (Deut 16:19)in order to remain popular and in favour silence in not indifference; it is consent

Do good things out of the natural self Do the perfect will of God (Rom 12:2)

Make excuses Achieve because “with God, all things are possible” (Matt 19:26)

End product is a good business at best End product is the transformation of a nation (Matt 6:33)


The Conference saw a turnout of close to 400 participants. They were put into 50 groups during lunch according to their workplace locations. Some 20 groups are still meeting up for lunch as Marketplace Support Gathering (MSG) to support each other to be witnesses for Christ in the marketplace.

The next Grace At Work Marketplace Conference will be held on 6 May 2017.


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Pastor Benjamin Fong Master of Theology

When I graduated from TTC in 2014, I asked the Lord if that was the time for me to enter the pastoral ministry. The answer that I got was “not yet”, and that he was still

preparing me for the road ahead. This led me to pursue a second theological degree - a Master of Theology - which would allow me to specialise in an area of theology. I thus entered TTC again, spending 18 months diving into the field of Christian Ethics. A large part of my research centred on the theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a man whose faith and life inspired me. In the process, I developed a deeper understanding of what it meant to be the body of Christ, and found myself loving the Church more than ever, in spite of our many failures and flaws. Specialising in Christian Ethics has also enabled me to better understand and respond to the ethical issues Christians face in the world today, which has been invaluable in my ministry as a pastor.

Pastor Benjamin Fong

Congratulations 2016 TTC graduates!Trinity Theological College (TTC) is the oldest

theological college in Singapore. Since 1948, it has served many Christian churches and denominations by educating and equipping Christian leaders for various church ministries across Asia.

Wesley's 2016 TTC graduates reflect on their experiences in the college... PHOTOS: LIN XUNLIANG

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Benjamin Lau Bachelor of Divinity

Stepping into formal theological education was a desire that the Lord

had placed in my heart for a very long time. My faith adventure with the Lord began more than 11 years ago, when God transformed me as a young 16 year old at a Wesley youth camp on 9 December 2005. After a series of leadings and burdens that the Lord placed in my heart, I responded to that call to serve Him full-time ‘vocationally” on 17 Jan 2009 at a Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) Retreat. After National Service, the Lord gave me an opportunity to have a taste of full-time ministry in 2011, by serving as a Youth Worker in Wesley for a few years before finally applying to TTC in 2013.

In the last three years, “Spiritual formation” is one key learning point that I took away. Through this journey, I have been broken, disappointed and discouraged, yet fully challenged. I realised that Spiritual formation is more of the attitude of the heart compared to just what we do. Besides the main curriculum that we had to go through, there were many “side curricula” that God taught me in this journey.

Having said that, there were also many highlights and fond memories, where I enjoyed the time to simply immerse myself in the community life of activities with so many like-minded schoolmates from different churches in Singapore and other parts of the world.

Secondly, as many of my classmates and I can attest to, we actually come up with more questions than answers. However, I am thankful for these questions as they keep me humble and compel me to continue to pursue learning, growing and developing a theological framework for ministry. In this way, I can love God and His people even more each day and live a life that is worthy of the calling of the Lord.


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Joey Chen Master of Divinity

Prior to entering TTC, I was doing media relations at DBS. My call began as an inkling that it would be an honour if God called me into full-time service in church. Over the next few years, it grew into a sense

of certainty - I felt it was only a matter of time. The confirmation came one day when God gave me two words: pastoral care.

I don’t think I have even begun to grasp how my time at TTC has grown me as a person. The academic rigours of theological training has challenged my understanding of God and who I am in relation to Him. One of my transformative moments came during a lecture on Job - does Job fear God for nothing? (Job 1:9) In other words, do we love God for who He is, or for what He can do for us? It is an important question to reflect on.

Equally significant is God’s “special” curriculum outside of classes. I remember vividly the times when God reminded me to lean on Him and not on my own understanding. God showed me things about myself that (in the words of P!nk) “weren’t all that pretty but with every touch [He] fixed them”. Mutual edification, mutual admonishment, conflicts and reconciliation were part and parcel of being in a community of like-minded Christian brothers and sisters being equipped for God’s kingdom purpose. Truly iron sharpens iron.

Looking back, I see God’s boundless grace. It is only by His grace and mercy that I have been able to complete my studies and grow in Christian maturity. And I know this same grace and mercy will continue to sustain me as I continue to grow and serve in Christ.

Jonathan Huang Master of Divinity

My journey in TTC has been an amazing demonstration of God’s grace to me. There is a Swedish proverb that goes, “The longest

journey you will every take is the one within yourself”, and so it has been. In these three years, I have been amazed and humbled, filled and made empty, broken and made whole. As a communications professional in the financial industry, I had known in my heart that I would one day answer the call to study in theological college, but nothing would prepare me for the work that God would do in my heart. My view of God and His Kingdom has been greatly expanded as I learned more, but it has also been deepened as I drew close to Him. I now appreciate His beauty in all people and things - great and humble, happy and sad, new and old. But what I have also found is that the Christian life is a journey that we do not have to walk alone. I have found friends who have given more of themselves than I deserve, mentors to guide me, and ministry supporters from the most unexpected of places. Best of all is, I have found that God Himself is always with us! Indeed, “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Philippians 3:7-8). May this be true of all our lives. Amen.

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Congratulations to our 3rd Boys’ Brigade Company and 6th Girls’ Brigade Company for

the following achievements.

Girls’ BrigadeOur 6th Company, Guangyang Secondary School (GYSS) achieved the following awards in March 2016:•CompanyAward–Gold Given for The Girls’ Brigade (GB) Company's performance

and achievements in the preceding year. Depending on the points achieved, a GB Company could attain a Gold, Silver, or Bronze.Company Awards.

•SustainedAchievementAward Given for attaining five Golds and two Silvers within the

seven years.•GBFortnight–Top10highestcollection Given to Companies for funds raised during the annual

GB Fortnight.•DrillCompetitionAward–Bronze Given for achievements in the biennial Drill Competition

held in March 2016.• “Best Uniformed

Group” Award Given by the GYSS

in May 2016

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Boys’ Brigadeand Girls’ BrigadeAwards

Boys’ BrigadeOur 3rd Company, Stamford Primary School achieved the following awards in March 2016:• JM Fraser Award Named after the founder of The Boys’ Brigade (BB) in

Singapore, Mr James Milner Fraser, CBE, this award aims to spur BB Companies towards excellence in the areas of Company life and work.

Tan Wan Ling Master of Divinity

I was working as a programme coordinator in YM before TTC and it was at Young Methodist Leaders Conference that I heard God telling me it was

time for me to pursue theological education for future ministry. It had not been too long since my university days and so I thought it would be easy to settle into TTC. However, it turned out that the three years of theological education had been my toughest academic endeavour ever. God taught me so much. Throughout my journey, He kept showing me my blind spots and gently challenged me to become more Christ-like. Needless to say, my theological understanding of God deepened in the process, and His nature and character became a reality to me, sustaining me throughout my studies. As I became more aware of my weaknesses, God humbled me and caused me to realise how gracious He is with every semester I passed. The most important lesson for me, however, is how great God’s sovereignty and love is. Nothing can separate us from Him – the same sovereign and loving God I serve today, is the same God of the Israelites in the Old Testament, the God of the disciples and apostles in the New Testament, and the God of the early church. Yet, this great God chose to serve me first, when He died on the cross for me. That is the basis of my existence, and I pray that I will not hold back- instead, to love and serve others faithfully, as He did for me.


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Goh Wei En Natalie Yong Reuven Lim

Emily Chan Wei En Sandra Leong Kai Qi

CONGRATULATIONS

Category 1 – Children (12 years and below)Goh Wei EnNatalie YongReuven Lim

Category 2 – Youths (13 to 21 years old)Emily Chan Wei EnSandra Leong Kai Qi

Fun Bookmark Colouring For All Agesto the winners:

Category 2 – Youths (13 to 21 years old)

Category 1 – Children (12 years and below)

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Category 3 – Adults (22 to 55 years old)Cheong QingJunLoke Wing HonTeoh Cheng Ping

Category 4 – Seniors (56 years old and above)Khoo Beng KeowNg Geok YanWong Sook Koo

Fun Bookmark Colouring For All Ages

Cheong QingJun Loke Wing Hon Teoh Cheng Ping

Khoo Beng Keow Ng Geok Yan Wong Sook Koo

Category 4 – Seniors (56 years old and above)

Category 3 – Adults (22 to 55 years old)


Good FridayCombinedServices25March2016•8.30amand11.00amMessage by Rev Dr Albert Clavo: “Six Hours, Seven Last Words”

onfile

PHOTOS: CHRIS LEONG

More photos at www.wesleymc.org - Life@Wesley!

Rev Dr Albert Clavo

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Easter CombinedServices27March2016•8.30amand11.00amMessage by Rev Dr Kow Shih Ming: “The Day In-Between”

PHOTOS: CHRIS LEONG

More photos at www.wesleymc.org - Life@Wesley!


Marriage Time Bandits

family life

Reflectionsfrom“IDo-ForALifetime”MarriageEnrichmentRetreat•21-23November2015

“The convenience of technology has taken away some quality time from our family and marriage life. My husband said, “I wish you’ll spend as much time with me as you spend on your iPad.” And I replied, “I wish you’ll look at me as often as you look at your Facebook.” Let us reclaim more quality couple time!” (Jorge & Angie) Children“Children take up much time of the couples we know. Our friends supervise their children’s homework and send them to and from enrichment or tuition classes. It is the same for us. We worry about our children’s studies, wellbeing and safety.” (Ben & Sarah)

Commitments“Some of us are very committed in church ministries. But our commitments may have impacted adversely on the time we have with our spouses. So while there are so many needs in our church and in our community, we must remember that God is the one who calls us to serve. Seek Him. Ask for wisdom as to when to say no. We may not be the right person for the particular ministry.” (Wai Lup)

“Time bandits may take the form of people, work, hobbies, ministries that require our time and attention. Very often, the things or people that take up our time are not foes. It is thus useful for the couple to do an objective assessment of how they have been spending their time on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. This will give them a more accurate idea of how they have been spending their time.” (Joy Chan)

Other time bandits“The other marriage time bandit is unfinished housework, like laundry and ironing.” (Geok Cheng)

“Frequent business travels and bringing work back home can also be marriage time bandits.” (Wai Lup)

Relish life with the spouse you love each and every day of your precarious life. Each day is God’s gift. It’s all you get in exchange for the hard work of staying alive. Make the most of each one!” - Eccles 9:9 (MSG)

Yes, life is precarious because we do not know how much time we have on this earth. Hence, each day is God’s gift to

us. We want to make the most of our time. Most of us have very busy lives. Many things require our attention, important things like our jobs, our church ministries, our children. Yet the one person who means the most to us very often gets the leftover of our time: our spouse.

So how do we relish life with the spouse we love? Can we do this without giving our spouse the best of our time? Is there really quality time without quantity time?

Last November, 17 couples from our church attended a weekend marriage retreat in Johor Bahru and they had the opportunity to examine how they have been spending (or not spending) time with their spouse. Did they enjoy regular couple time as much as they would have liked? Or have other seemingly important or urgent things robbed them of precious time together? What are the common time bandits that steal our couple time? How can we arrest these time bandits in our marriage?

Several participating couples and retreat facilitators share what they have discovered about their marriage time bandits.

Modern technology and social media“We discovered that there were time bandits that take away our time as a couple even when we were physically together. The biggest culprit was our hand phone which is always with us. We would be reading WhatsApp messages and emails, and looking at Facebook postings while we were together.” (Henry & Geok Cheng)

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So how do we arrest our marriage time bandits?

Communication and Commitment“Arresting time bandits in marriage requires open communication, commitment and intentional effort from both husband and wife.” (N&T)

Agreeing on Couple Time“Before looking for the bandits that steal their time, the couple has to agree on the amount of couple time that is desirable for them to nurture their marriage. Husband and wife may have different ideas as to what is a desirable amount of couple time. This calls for a godly perspective on what is good or adequate for the couple because there are many competing needs and demands in their everyday lives. Then, each spouse can consider if there is anything they can do on their part to change the amount of time or priority of tasks. Hopefully, the agreed couple time is the motivation for them to take concrete steps to make changes to their lifestyle.” (Joy Chan)

“We agreed to make time for each other on Saturdays. We are getting better at it. We would go for walks, meals and movies together every week. We would chat about our lives, what matters to us, our children, so that we know what’s happening in each other’s lives and how we are feeling.” (Henry & Geok Cheng)

“Certain time bandits can actually be turned into ways to bond couples. For instance, we used to exercise separately and working out was a time bandit for us. Now, I sometimes attend my wife’s Zumba or Pilate class with her and she will exercise in the gym with me while I weight-train. We also cycle or take long walks together. In addition, we read a book together or read the same book separately and have discussions after reading it.” (N&T)

“To make the best of their time together, some couples we know go for spas, afternoon teas or long walks together. One couple has no help to babysit their child. We suggested that they befriend other couples and take turns to babysit each other children so that they can have a night or day out together.” (Ben & Sarah)

Setting Priorities“When it comes to work, we can make alternative arrangements which would allow us to spend more time together. Some examples include working from home and bringing my wife along for overseas working trips if possible, and sending each other to work.

I now try to be present and engaged with my spouse when we are together. I will try not to use the phone, whether for emails or social media networking, when we are together” (N&T)

So after the marriage retreat, have we kept our marriage time bandits in jail?

“It started out fine after the retreat but after a while, some of our old habits returned. We received a letter from Family Life Marriage recently. In it was the action plan we agreed on at the retreat. It was a timely reminder to seriously put in place what we had agreed to do although we had to tweak some of the agreed steps. We set aside specific periods when we would and would not use our hand phones. It’s not easy to completely remove time bandits in our marriage. We are still trying and we pray that with God’s help, we will be able to arrest all the time bandits, have regular meaningful couple time each day and grow in our marriage.” (Henry & Geok Cheng)

“Having a buddy couple or a mentor couple will help the married couple stay on the course of their plans. After all, marriage is a lifelong journey.” (Joy Chan)

The weekend marriage retreat has helped the 17 couples identify their marriage time bandits and take steps to arrest them. But it is important to constantly review if our marriage time bandits have ‘stayed in jail’. If they have, it would evince in the desired outcome – having more time with our spouse. This would in turn lead to greater intimacy and a stronger marriage. Quality time has to begin with quantity time.

Dr Chan Wai Lup

Wai Lup and his wife, Joy serve as facilitators in the Building Marriage on His Word (BMW) Course and the “I Do for A Lifetime” marriage enrichment retreat in Wesley Methodist Church. For more information on these Family Life Ministry programmes, please email Angeline Hoon at [email protected]


cosc Christian Outreach & Social Concerns

Ministry Weekend

23-24 April 2016

This year, during Wesley’s annual Christian Outreach & Social Concerns Weekend (COSC), the COSC ministry launched

its new booklet. It contains information on COSC’s various sub-ministries and how individuals or groups can serve in them. Volunteers and staff were also at the atrium giving out delicious muffins and answering questions from members of the congregation.

During the services, volunteers and staff shared the joy of serving the Lord by reaching out to others, and encouraged church members and friends to take a leap of faith to allow

God to use them in a mighty way (see next page for list of sub-ministries).

That Sunday, COSC’s 400 volunteers were dedicated at the 11.30am Traditional service in the Sanctuary. This was followed by a time of fellowship over a hearty lunch.

Anthony Yeap, volunteer with Crisis Relief Wesley sharing during Prayer & Praise Service.

Dedication of COSC Volunteers at the 11.30am Traditional Service.

Michelle Ho, Small Group Huios member sharing her testimony about serving at Christalite Methodist Home with Wesley Community Ministry. Volunteers giving out COSC muffins after church services.

Impacting Communities Through Service

PHOTOS: CHRIS CHUA

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“A few years ago, I began serving in our Cambodia Outreach Programme. Its objective is to reach out to deaf Cambodians who have yet to be transformed by Christ, and to strengthen our relationship with non-governmental organisations, local churches and missionaries. We teach deaf Cambodians social skills and moral values, raise deaf awareness in local churches and interact with the Boys and Girls Brigade. Last month, I led a mission team to Cambodia for the first time even though I had been there three times as a mission team member. It was a blessed and fruitful trip for my team and we hope to continue strengthening our relationship with them. “Ministry of Hearing Impaired (MHI) Volunteer, Neoh Yew Kim (deaf at two years old)

“There are different areas of service…. Ask God to lead you to where He wants you to serve and He will give you the capacity needed to carry out that service.”Anthony Yeap, Volunteer, Crisis Relief Wesley (CRW)

“Along the way, there were times when my mind tries to convince me to focus more on my work. However, I believe that God’s strength has sustained me and has made it possible for me to serve at Wesley Youth Centre despite my increasing workload in school. Although I am physically & mentally drained after a day’s work, I feel more spiritually alive now.” Christopher Lim, Chairperson, COSC Wesley Children & Youth Ministry

“I strongly encourage you to take the small steps and let God use you to be a blessing to others, especially among the less fortunate. God only needs our willing hearts and hands.”Michelle Ho, Huios Small Group, Volunteer, Wesley Community Ministry (WCM)

“Let me invite you to live out the knowledge you have attained from God’s Word, the Holy Spirit’s guidance, the sermons you have heard about loving God and loving your neighbour and serving in the church. We are the body of Christ and we can impact the world and grow in Christ-likeness day by day.”Alvin Chua, Vice-Chairperson, COSC Elderly Ministry, Chairperson, Wesley Befrienders to Older Persons (WBOP)

“Our volunteers, by their acts of kindness and love to others, bring Christ into their lives. They share with their own lives as living testimonies, providing that same hope that each believer has in the risen Christ.”Kwok Sian Yee, Supervisor, COSC Elderly Ministry

COSC staff and volunteers share...

Volunteers and staff giving information to church members.

“We are not merely seeking to do good in our world; we are seeking to be the hands and feet of Jesus so that the world might know Him. Our goal is not merely to alleviate suffering; our goal is to introduce the world to the Suffering Servant, Jesus Christ. That is why it is called “Christian Outreach”. All Christians must be involved in Christian social concerns. Our involvement is evidence that we have received the love of God through Christ.”Pastor Shih Ming, PIC, in his message in the new COSC booklet

Christian Outreach & Social Concerns Sub-MinistriesShare God’s love by reaching out to help the needy and disadvantaged and providing opportunities for volunteers to serve.

Elderly Ministry Wesley Befrienders to Older PersonsWesley Seniors Activity CentrePartnerships with :- St Luke’s Eldercare- Golden Years CentreSt Luke’s HospitalBethany Methodist Nursing HomeAgape Methodist Hospice

Wesley Youth & ChildrenWesley Youth CentreOwl Reading Club

Crisis Relief Wesley

Ministry of The Hearing Impaired

Wesley Community MinistryWesley Financial AssistanceWesley Community Projects •OutreachtoMigrantWorkers •OutreachtoKampong •OutreachtoHomes

We are called to love our neighbour – and the Word also teaches Christ-followers to put their faith to work.

Kwok Sian Yee Supervisor, COSC Elderly Ministry


Sparks Ahead - How to Maintain Cognitive WellnessA Talk by organised by WSCS • 27 February 2016 • Level 2 Hall

wscs Women’s Society of Christian Service

They came, they heard, they laughed … and they learned how to keep their brains healthy by making just a few

simple lifestyle changes. Indeed, the participants who attended the Saturday talk organised by Wesley’s Women’s Society of Christian Service felt that it was a most entertaining, informative and empowering session. Who would have thought that a talk

about our brain and dementia could be such an interactive, lively and enjoyable event?

The session was led by two guest speakers – Ms Fong Yoke Leng and Ms Han Huey Charn – nursing professionals from The Care Library. Their talk focused on the importance of cognitive wellness in the process of ageing. It was infused with activities to engage the audience, and Bible verses, for reflection.

As a person grows older, a healthy mind will help him or her to feel positive, to connect with others

more effectively and also enhance the ability to deal with life’s stresses. It will enable the elderly to think clearly and make rational decisions. Hence it is paramount that we take good care of our brain so as to reduce cognitive impairment and slow the onset of dementia.

The speakers highlighted nine areas which are vital to cognitive wellness. They are: brain, body, social life, health checks, a good diet, sleep, maximising our senses, stress management and prevention of head injuries. The speakers further explained their importance and suggested activities in relation to each:

BrainKeep the brain active by engaging in brain-boosting activities. Cognitive enriching activities include picking up a new skill such as learning to use a computer or picking up a new language. We could also take up a new hobby or keep at our existing ones like numerical games or challenges, word search and crossword puzzles. However, if we choose to embark on a new activity, it is advisable to start small and keep it simple – we should train but not strain the brain. Other suggested activities include visits to museums, art galleries and attending concerts. Reading, writing

and conversing regularly are also important for our brain health.

BodyRegular exercise may lower the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. These conditions are associated with an increased risk of developing dementia. We should engage in aerobic exercises at least 20 to 30 minutes a week. Some other recommended exercises are balancing and resistance or weight training exercises which strengthen muscles and improve coordination. As the saying goes, “We do not stop exercising because we grow old; we grow old because we stop exercising.”

Social LifeWe can maintain a healthy brain by having an active social life. It can be as simple as enjoying conversations or leisurely activities with our family, friends and neighbours. We could also join cultural and social groups and organised activities. We should also consider serving as volunteers.

The speakers further advised that it is unhealthy to bottle up our thoughts and feelings. Instead, we should always express and try to share them with someone whom we are close to or comfortable with.

Health CheckFollowing the medical advice of our doctors and having check-ups are important for general and brain health. We should not underestimate the importance of regular health checks. They help detect chronic diseases early as sometimes there may not be any manifestation of symptoms. We should also watch our body weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels on a regular basis.

The speakers Ms Han Huey Charn (left) and Ms Fong Yoke Leng, nursing professionals from The Care Library, have extensive experience in dementia care.

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Sparks Ahead - How to Maintain Cognitive Wellness

Good DietA well-balanced diet promotes brain health. It is important to discuss our diet with our doctor or dietician. We should avoid excessive caffeine or alcohol, choose low-fat or no-fat products, eat lean meat and take sufficient vitamins. A good diet also means drinking sufficient water and keeping hydrated.

Sleep Adequate sleep is vital to good mental and physical health. It also helps to maintain daytime wakefulness and concentration. It is essential to have at least six to eight hours of sleep every night.

Notably, outdoor activities, and exposure to natural sunlight can promote better sleep. Having increased physical activity in the day and a relaxing bedtime routine also helps to maintain a healthy sleep-wake pattern.

We should avoid long naps in the day and taking caffeinated drinks after 12 noon. We should also limit our fluid intake in the evening. The speakers further reminded us that it is important to consult a doctor for sleep-related problems such as obstructive sleep apnoea.

Maximise SensesVisual and hearing impairments can reduce a person’s opportunities for cognitive stimulation and social interaction. It is important to have regular check-ups for eyes and ears, and use appropriate sensory aids when necessary, such as spectacles or hearing aids

Stress ManagementExcessive stress can affect our mood and this in turn affects concentration and memory. One way to minimise stress is to appreciate our strengths and weaknesses. Think positively and accept yourself. It also helps to engage in de-stressing activities – from taking up a hobby to something as simple as deep breathing exercises.

It is also helpful to maintain a good support network and have adequate rest. Importantly, having a sense of humour helps to reduce stress – don’t take life too seriously.

Prevent Head InjuryTake protective measures to protect our head from injury as this will reduce the risk of dementia. When in a vehicle, always use a seatbelt. Use good headgear when cycling, skating and other activities when necessary. Be extra careful as a pedestrian.

Making a few lifestyle changes and cultivating good habits in these nine areas could reduce the risk of cognitive impairment and make a difference to our mental health. Indeed, do this and add a glow to our golden years, for as the speakers stressed, “every elder is still inspired to aspire with dreams and goals of their own season.”

Yoki Wong

The talk was peppered with quizzes, memory games, coordination exercises, jokes and witty quips. Here are two jokes:

“I won’t forget”An elderly couple is getting ready for bed. She says, “Oh, I’m just hungry for ice-cream and there isn’t any in the house.”He says, “I’ll go get some.”She says, “Vanilla with chocolate sauce, with whipped cream and a cherry on top.”She adds, “Please write it down, I know you’ll forget.”He says, “I won’t forget; vanilla with chocolate sauce, whipped cream and a cherry.”Away he goes. Hours later he comes back and hands her a paper bag.In it is a ham sandwich.She says, “I told you to write it down! You forgot the mustard!”

“I am NOT old”I woke up,I lifted my armsI moved my kneesI turned my neck…Everything made the same noise:“CrrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaccccccccccK!”

…I came to a conclusion:I am not old,I am crispy!


A Farm Full of Dreams

missions

Davao is one of the Philippines’ most progressive and important cities. Yet 13 percent of the population, or about

200,000 people, live below the poverty line. Surrounding Davao are cities with many more who find it hard to survive on less than two US dollars a day.

Yeoh Seng Eng, who founded a charity called Care Channels International, wants to change this – by building a special resort-cum-farm in Davao.

“Davao Care Farm has two major purposes,” he said. “One of them is to provide a place where people can rest. Teams can come and really be surrounded by nature and enjoy God’s creation.

The second purpose, which is very critical, is to provide a place where people can come and learn and see how technologies are used in organic farming.”

Retreat and rejuvenateSeng Eng and his team designed Davao Care Farm to be an inviting getaway for pastors, missionaries and world-weary Christians, as well as families and individuals looking for a unique holiday experience.

Guests can enjoy quiet moments reading, praying and meditating. They can also explore the lush compound that includes a herb garden, vegetable patch and pens that house goats, rabbits and free-ranging chickens.

Learn and make a livingBut this special place is more than an agri-retreat centre. It’s also a model farm for locals, many of whom own small plots of land, yet lack the know-how to maximise their precious resource.

The staff team provides experiential training programmes to equip locals with the knowledge and skills to manage their farms profitably and sustainably. Those without land are likewise trained to become sought-after farm hands.

In other words, Davao Care Farm offers the poor a much needed lifeline which would hopefully break the poverty cycle.

Spanning just 1.8 hectares, Davao Care Farm may be small, but one Singaporean has big dreams for it. Deacon Yeoh Seng Eng believes it can change the destiny of communities across the Philippines.

New way of doing missionsThe farm, which opened in March 2015, is a key part of Care Channel’s work in Mindanao, Philippines’ southernmost major island.

Since 2012, the team has been reaching out to many communities through initiatives such as a mobile clinic and a larger model farm that provides fresh water supply to a nearby school. In the long run, Seng Eng aspires to create more employment opportunities for Filipinos, as well as to meet their health, spiritual and other critical needs.

A relaxing resort

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Who says crafts are for kids? The first Crafts for Missions

workshop saw 20 grown-ups excitedly trying their hand at making paper and bead items alongside young ones. Three men were even spotted among the crowd.

“I was really surprised to see guys,” said Pamela Loh, a paper craft trainer. “One father came with his family. I think it’s nice that the workshops transcend gender. The men were receptive and didn’t feel out of place.”

She added, “Paper art is a very accessible art form. You don’t need much training. All the materials are just there. With a little imagination, you can come up with something nice. It’s a very therapeutic, aesthetic experience.”

Indeed, in three hours, the group had fun making cards, photo layouts, journals, gift boxes and gift envelopes from paper, as well as jewellery and phone charms from beads.

More of such workshops will be organised in June. The handicrafts made will go on sale at the Missions Pasar on 17 July. Proceeds from the sale will be given to missionaries, missioners and Bible School students supported by Wesley.

Crafts for Missions Workshop30 April 2016

>

His innovative, holistic approach to helping communities can be summed up in two words: transformational missions.

Sharing what motivates him to do this life-changing work, Seng Eng said: “Jesus’ words in John 10:10 – I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

If you are keen to find out more about Davao Care Farm or to explore missions opportunities in the Philippines, contact Cate Choo at [email protected].

Sheryl TeoMissions Prayer and Awareness Sub-committee

A living classroom

SHORT-TERM MISSIONS OPPORTUNITIES 1. Medical doctors to run clinics in remote villages2. Healthcare workers to provide community health

training 3. Teams to work alongside locals to build animal pens 4. Trainers and teachers to equip pastors, Sunday School

teachers, youth leaders, etc.5. Teams to conduct house visits to encourage and pray

for families


Rita Chay, who was at the inaugural workshop, quipped, “I didn’t want to leave! The trainers were very patient and encouraged us to be creative by trying different embellishments, colours and designs. I’ve signed up for subsequent workshops.”

Keen to spend a relaxing Saturday afternoon learning a new skill? Do consider signing up for the upcoming paper craft workshops!

Sheryl TeoMissions Prayer and Awareness Sub-committee

CORRIGENDUM In Issue 2, the wrong photo was used to identify the wall where the memorial plaques of Merrill G. Miller and Otto A. Carlson were relocated. Here is the photo of the wall where the plaques are installed.

missions

Sign up for upcoming workshops 11 & 25 June, 2.00-5.00pm.

Email Pat Wong at [email protected] to register.

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Wesley Tidings is published bi-monthly by Wesley Methodist Church, Singapore for internal circulation to members of the Church | Views expressed in the Wesley Tidings are the contributors’ and do not necessarily reflect that of the Church or the Editorial Board. | Materials in the Wesley Tidings may be reproduced with permission from Wesley Methodist Church or the authors. | Unless stated otherwise, all scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Contributions and enquiries are to be addressed to: The Editor, Wesley Tidings, 5 Fort Canning Road, Singapore 179493

The Editor reserves the right to make changes to the contributions if necessary.

Printed by Man Cheong Printing Pte Ltd

Pastor-In-ChargeRev Dr Kow Shih Ming

EditorPeggie Chan

Editorial TeamJulie EeKevyn LaiCatherine LimLui Yan ZhenOng Joo HiangTan Kee CheongTham Soo Hian

ContributorsRev Dr Kow Shih Ming, Lucas Chow, Douglas Goh, Daniel Boen, Joelyn Ong, Ivan Tan, Yong Ai Lei, Mervin Tan, Pastor Benjamin Fong, Benjamin Lau, Joey Chen, Jonathan Huang, Tan Wan Ling, Dr Chan Wai Lup, Kwok Sian Yee, Yoki Wong and Sheryl Teo.

Photo ContributorsDaniel Boen, Nicholas Tan, Lin Xunliang, Chris Leong and Chris Chua.

T I D I N G SThe Magazine of Wesley Methodist Church, Singapore

Wesley Tidings is available at www.wesleymc.org/Tidings

transitions

Marriages

APRIL 2016 30 Mr Tan E Guang, Eugene and Miss Toh Ningxin, Priscillia

MAY 2016 28 Mr Tan Zhow Yeow, Roger and Miss Cen Xinling

MAY 2016 05 Lukas Wong Wei Han

Son of Mr & Mrs Wong Choong LiongBirths

APRIL 2016 02 Mdm Nancy Kok

09 Mr Huan Tzu Hong 09 Mr Lin Kuo Sing

10 Mdm Lilian Ho Ai Chu17 Mr Alvin Lim Kian Teck

21 Mr Ong Kim Whatt22 Mr Chen Nee Sian

28 Mdm Eileen Chia Yoke Mui

Wesley Tidings is available at www.wesleymc.org/Tidings

Mr Tan E Guang, Eugene and Miss Toh Ningxin, Priscillia

CONDOLENCESto the family & loved ones of those who were called home.

DeathsDeaths

MAY 2016 01 Mdm Jennifer Ng04 Mr Wong Tien Poh

13 Mdm Wong Shin Yee16 Mr Derek Lim Cher Chye

17 Mrs Evelyn Loh-Ong Ping Cheng19 Mdm Lee Weng Mei

31 Mdm Judy Wee Siok Lin31 Mr Ho Kum Wah


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Documents

Wesley Tidings Newsletter Issue 03 2016