wesley tidings newsletter issue 03 2015

T I D I N G S

Bi-monthly magazine of Wesley Methodist Church (Singapore)

WesleyISSUE 3 | May - June 2015

MCI (P) 005/01/2015

For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

Wesley Tidings ISSUE 3 | May-June 20152

In High Regard

02 From The Editor

03 So Says Our PIC

on file04 Easter Sunday Services

04 New Electronic Organ

04 Methodist Walk 2015

05 Comms & Archives Ministries Dedication Service

spotlight06 A2C Testimonies

ministries12 Family Life

14 Tributes To Mother

report18 GOOD Programme

19 Transitions

20 Youth A2C Wallpapers

from the editorcontents

Peggie Chan

Conservation International has embarked on a public awareness campaign called “Nature is Speaking”. It features a series of visually stunning videos in which nature

and its elements – nature as a whole, the ocean, soil, coral reef, flower, rainforest, redwood – is each personified. Each element is voiced by a Hollywood star and its message, delivered in tones which range from clinical detachment to arrogance, is the same – that “nature does not need people, but people need nature”.

The video that features Julia Roberts speaking as Nature, has her delivering these lines icily:

I have fed species greater than you and I have starved species greater than you.… I don’t really need people; people need me.… How you choose to live each day, whether you regard or disregard me, doesn’t really matter to me one way or the other, … your action will determine your fate, not mine – I am Nature – I will go on. I am prepared to evolve, are you?

As I deliberated on the ingenuity of this campaign that is designed to give nature a human voice and challenge humans not to destroy her further, I was reminded of how similar and yet, how different nature is as compared to our heavenly Father. Just as nature does not need us, neither does He. And just as we need nature, so do we need Him. But this is where the similarity ends.

Nature as portrayed in the video has NO regard for people. But our heavenly Father loves us so much that He sent His only Son into this world to die for us. And while some of us may not have the desire to be close to Him – He yearns to be close to us. As Jesus said:

… a time is coming and has now come when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is Spirit, and his worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth” (Jn 4:23-24).

Far be it that this is an icy god speaking, one who has no regard for us! Instead, from the beginning of time till now, He has ceaseless, tirelessly reached out to us despite our arrogance, insolence and indifference. He is waiting to receive us as he would his own Son. What a privilege!

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of our soul. It is impossible to diagnose our hearts when we are moving at supersonic speeds.

Recently, I had to go for a CT angiography, a non-invasive test to check on the health of my heart (Praise the Lord for His mercy and for the people who were such a great blessing during the process; my spiritual heart is filled with joy and thanksgiving. Praise God, my physical heart is in good condition too!).

As part of the procedure, it was necessary to slow down my heart rate so that an accurate reading could be taken. The slowing down of my heart rate took quite some time. In fact, the procedure itself took less than 15 minutes but the entire process took a few hours. In those few hours I knew that patience was required if I was to complete the heart check properly.

A spiritual heart check is not altogether different. We, too, need to slow down the pace of our lives if we are to obtain an accurate reading of the state of our soul. Patience and time are needed for our spiritual heart examination.

And we need to be intentional about it too. When I went for the angiogram, I made time for it in my calendar willingly and without much difficulty, because my health was on the line. Since I believe that my spiritual health is even more significant in this life and the next, it is even more essential to put aside time to do a regular spiritual heart check!

Rick Warren is well known for saying that we should “divert daily, withdraw weekly and abandon annually”. To divert daily is to take time every day to pray, read the Bible and wait on the Lord – what’s often called daily devotions. To withdraw weekly is to ensure you keep the Sabbath, a day of relaxation, re-creation and resting in the Lord. To abandon annually is to take time to be in silence and solitude before the Lord; this is one reason why I try to go for a silent retreat at least once a year.

I believe that if we want to grow to become WESLEY disciples, it begins with our spiritual heart checks. Will you join me in having a daily, weekly and annual spiritual heart check?

Pastor Shih Ming

so says our PIC

Heart Check 1HeartHeartHeartHeart Check 1

Recently the Wesley church family began and completed the Acts 2 Church campaign (see page 6), one of which

objectives was to learn what an Acts 2 Church is and how we can grow to become one. In a nutshell, as each one of us becomes a W.E.S.L.E.Y disciple, we will take a significant step towards becoming an Acts 2 Church.

We use the word WESLEY as an acronym to describe a mature disciple of Jesus who:

WORSHIPS GOD wholeheartedly and unceasinglyEMULATES CHRIST in character, obedience and surrenderSTEWARDS GOD’S GIFTS (including possessions) faithfully for His purposeLOVES OTHERS sacrificially and authenticallyEVANGELISES THE WORLD (oikos, community and regions beyond)YIELDS TO THE WORD in life and ministry, certain of His promises and assured of future hope.

The call to become a disciple is not new to us but why do so many of us struggle to live out the traits of a WESLEY disciple? One reason may be our lack of appreciation of where we are in our spiritual journey. We may acknowledge that we are not entirely sanctified in Christ, yet we do not have a clear understanding of where we need to grow. That may be why Scripture urges us to test and examine our ways:

Let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn back to the LORD. (Lam 3:40 NLT)

To turn back to God begins with an examination of ourselves. The apostle Paul urges the same:

Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. (2 Cor 13:5a NLT)

Self-examination is necessary to ascertain the genuineness of our faith. But why do we not examine ourselves? There are many reasons but one of them is the sheer pace at which we live our lives. Our rush through life gives us only a fleeting glimpse


About five years ago, our organ started to break down more often due to wear and tear. It has been with Wesley Church for more than 20 years. The

Worship & Music Committee thus called for some repair works and changed the speaker cones, amplifiers and other parts. However, last year, our organists reported more frequent breakdowns.

The committee discussed the matter and decided that it was indeed time to replace the pipe organ. It made a proposal to the LCEC through the Property Committee and Finance Committee. The proposal was approved and a new organ was finally purchased and installed before Wesley’s 130th Anniversary celebration this year. It was dedicated at the 11.00am 130th Anniversary Combined Service on 15 February 2015.

The new organ is slightly bigger and has more features even though both models cost about the same. It has four manuals and elaborate musical arrangements with different voices can now be made more easily. A new feature, the MIDI Navigator, allows it to combine the conventional organ sound with hundreds of other synthesised instruments like percussions, strings, ethnic instruments, modern instruments and more. In effect, it is a ‘giant’ instrument which can make a whole

range of music like classical, contemporary, ethnic, jazz, and so on. During the organ concert* by Mr Barry Holben on 15 March 2015, these features were on full display and the audience were captivated by the performance and sounds of our new organ.

*You can also see the same performance by Mr Holben through this link https://youtu.be/RdgCgNxA_W4 .

Before dawn, seats were filled rather quickly as many early risers gathered to celebrate

Easter at Wesley Plaza. Rev Gladwin Lee delivered the sermon entitled “Made Alive In Christ” at the Sunrise Service. Subsequently, two Combined Worship Services were held at 8.30am and 11.00am at the Sanctuary and Hall. The speaker was Pastor-in-charge Rev Dr Kow Shih Ming and ‘The Gifts of Easter’ was the title of his sermon.

Easter Services

28 March 2015

on file

Methodist Walk 2015

New Electronic Electric Organ

PHOTOS: HENRY LIM & NICHOLAS TAN

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

“Stepping Out in Service” was the theme of this year’s Methodist Walk. It is based on Philippians

2:4 and reinforced the 130th anniversary theme of The Methodist Church in Singapore, which is “Moving Forward in Service”. The Walk is organised every two years to raise funds for Methodist schools and their students. This year, Wesley Methodist Church being its main sponsor, many Wesley staff participated in it.

5 April 2015

continue on pg 5

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We were all reminded that God sometimes uses the unexpected and inexplicable events to point us to Him. Sometimes it may be just an invitation or an idea, and it may not always be clear what the plan is or where we will end up. But each time, we have to decide whether to say “yes” or “no”.

At this annual dedication, as the ministry members gathered, old acquaintances were reunited and new connections made – all as brothers and sisters serving the Lord as one body.

We received insight into the work of the different ministries, much of which occurs behind the scenes – whether it is collating Wesley Weekly that is given out during the services, capturing church events in photographs, or editing articles in Tidings. After our spiritual bodies were filled, we proceeded to continue our fellowship over a buffet lunch.

Yong Ai Lei

As the event took place five days after the passing of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, it was dedicated to him as a memorial walk. Bishop Dr Wee Boon Hup, in his devotional message, highlighted how Jesus took on the attitude of a servant in giving His life for others, and noted how Mr Lee was indeed an example of one who had given his life in service to others. Bishop Wee then invited participants to walk as a sign of their willingness to give their all as servants of Jesus, and to serve as He did.

Dedication Service 9 May 2015

Wesley Communications & Archives Ministries

on file

Will You Say “Yes”?In exchange for five loaves and two fish, a young boy had an unforgettable adventure, during which he helped to feed the multitude. The first step towards this adventure with Jesus in the Gospels was to say yes – something we should be unafraid to do, said Pastor Shih Ming.

He was speaking at a Combined Dedication Service of the Wesley Communications and Archives & Heritage Ministries. It was attended by some 40 members from various Comms sub-ministries - collators, sermon note takers, photographers, connectors, the Tidings editorial team - and ministry staff.

Pastor Shih Ming illustrated his message with three separate stories on the willingness to say “yes” to Jesus. The story of the five loaves and two fish was the first of three stories Pastor Shih Ming used to illustrate his message on the willingness to say “yes’ to Jesus. The

second story was about Bob Goff, a lawyer who always fell prey to a friend’s pranks. Once, his friend told him to expect a visit from someone from Uganda.

Thinking he was just humouring the friend, he said yes. To cut the story short, he ended up being the Consul to the Republic of Uganda!

This showed that God works in unexpected ways – our response is just to be ready.

The third story was how Pastor Shih Ming himself said “yes” to an unexpected mission trip, and in return, was blessed with a front row seat where he saw God spectacularly opened doors that had seemed shut. This resulted in a rapid succession of events that saw first a church, then a school set up in Cambodia in a miraculously short time.

He also touched on Philippians 2:14-15, reminding us to “do everything without grumbling or arguing…. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.”

PHOTOS: JOHNNY KOH


spotlight

Meeting God’s Church

From 1 February - 22 April 2015, Wesley Methodist Church embarked on a church-wide campaign- the A2C, abbreviated

from the Acts 2 Church, seen to be a logical follow-up from the previous year’s Meeting Jesus at the Gospels (MJC) campaign.

The A2C campaign had the objective of growing these aspects of Christian growth and development in Wesleyans: Discipleship, Fellowship, Ministry, Worship and Outreach. The Bible study materials ran along these lines with each week’s study focusing on these topics, the injunctions beginning with a letter the total of which spells out WESLEY.

The campaign used Acts 2:42-47 as the theme: 42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

As the purpose was to have Wesleyans understand the early church, participants studied Paul’s letters to the early churches to understand the problems they faced.

Accordingly, the memory verses covered not only extracts from Acts but also some from Galatians, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Ephesians and Romans (see memory verses).

Several features that characterised MJC were repeated: during the campaign, sermons were preached along the line of the week’s topics so that the whole church were tuned in to a topic that they studied in the same week when they met in their groups; there were weekly memory verses to remember (see back cover), and there was a weekly reading plan to follow.

In all, some 5,300 Wesleyans took part, (about 4,200 adults and some 1,100 children), gathered in some 260 groups, meeting at their usual meeting places (for SGs) and at church on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for SG@church members.

After the campaign, participants were each given a journal in which they were to continue their journey in Acts by writing their part in it – to make up Acts 29. Additionally, participants were encouraged to contribute to the church initiative- Invest and Invite - by first practising it in one of the weeks’ study falling during the Lunar New Year. They put into practice taking time to invest in family and friends to encounter God through interactions with them during the festive season. Subsequently, participants, especially those who met in the SG@church groups, extended the exercise by inviting their pre-believing group members to the Alpha Introduction Dinner scheduled for 22 May 2015.

The sermons will focus on the various characteristics of the early Church, while the weekly small group

studies help us understand them in greater detail. The studies will offer interactive questions on relevant

Bible passages, reference notes as well as practical tips on how to be the church that lives out the

Great Commandment and fulfils the Great Commission in our generation.

Acts 2 Church Campaign Schedule

Date Sermon Study (Click on the Bible references to read the passage)

31 Jan & 1 Feb Acts 2 Church Acts 2:42-47

7 & 8 Feb Acts 2 Church: DISCIPLESHIP Galatians 5:16-26

14 & 15 Feb Acts 2 Church: LEADERSHIP Love in action (no study this week)

21 & 22 Feb Acts 2 Church: FELLOWSHIP 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

28 Feb & 1 Mar Acts 2 Church: OUTREACH 2 Corinthians 2:14-3:6

7 & 8 Mar Acts 2 Church: MINISTRY Romans 12:3-8

14 & 15 Mar Acts 2 Church: WORSHIP Ephesians 5:1-21

Welcome!Welcome! The 50-Day DiscoveryThe 50-Day Discovery Campaign ResourcesCampaign Resources Praying TogetherPraying Together FAQsFAQs Contact UsContact Us

The 50-Day Discovery (Back-up) | Acts 2 Church http://www.acts2church.wesleymc.org/?page_id=563&previe...

1 of 2 18/5/15 11:34 am

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As might be expected from the diverse group of participants, the feedback was wide-ranging. Some felt that the readings from Paul’s letter covered a lot of ground and hence lack depth; yet others say the campaign, being the second after MJC, put them into the discipline of reading the Word; some comment on the worship session ministering to them while others say these were so badly attended it affected their own worship. But whatever the merits or demerits, there were many who commented on the effort so many have taken to meet to study together the Word, and many facilitators record that some groups express interest in continuing to meet after the campaign. We are thus seeing the beginnings of more Small Groups.

The testimonies below give a sense of the ‘impact’ of the campaign.

Peggie Chan

from Youth Ministry

I’ve found the A2C Campaign to be truly encouraging. Seeing how Christianity spread and how the apostles persisted in the face of adversity and persecution

has made me reflect on my own walk with God and how I respond when faced with challenges. As a facilitator as well as a participant, I think this campaign has helped the youths and me to understand the importance of discipleship, and what it means to take up our cross and follow Him.

- Kevin Wong, 19

A2C made me get out of my comfort zone – I had to discipline myself to read the Bible every day as I would not have otherwise read these passages on

a daily basis. I also benefitted from the group discussions as I was able to hear others’ perspectives, thoughts and feelings. The challenge I faced the most was time management – with homework, tests and CCA competitions, I found it hard to set aside that 10 minutes to do the daily readings. However, through it all, I feel the desire to read the Bible more often and learn more about God

- Gzenn Low, 16

Testimonies

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spotlight

Testimonies

A2C Sunday SG@church saturday group

We were all excited about the A2C Campaign because we wanted to know more about the early churches and how the early Christian

communities live their lives in the spirit of love, humility and unity.

We were also grateful for the opportunity to welcome new seekers or fellow Christians who do not belong to any Small Group. Indeed, a fellow Christian joined us for first time at the sessions. Praise the Lord! Our members were also very excited when Pastor Gladwin and Zone Leader Ai Mei paid us a visit during Week 5. We truly benefitted from their sharing and fellowship.

Lastly, we prayed that the Holy Spirit transform each of us so that we may change our lives and be true disciples of Christ! The apostle Paul says, “For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing” (2 Cor 2:15); hence, may we encourage and minister to each other and pre-believers so that our “aroma” may bring others to Christ.

KFC Small Group

Participating in this study is a calling. My attendance in church is not regular, but somehow I felt led to attend the One Christmas service last

year. And because of that, I met my baptism membership classmate whom I had lost touch with for more than 10 years! It was through her that I knew about A2C, and she hoped we could come together again for Bible study.

Through those few sessions, I have learnt to step out of my comfort zone with the help of the Holy Spirit and the leaders of Group 4. I have also learned to obey the Lord’s commands, to learn to love unconditionally and to understand that no person can live a godly life with his own strength.

I have always wanted to join a Small Group but do not know where to start. I thank God that He has put me in this group. I feel comfortable with its leaders and members and I pray that the group will continue meeting even after the campaign. Although, the A2C period is short, yet its contents have greatly encouraged and moved me to take the next step. God is leading; I’m seeking a breakthrough this year and I know He has begun work in me through the campaign.

Daisy TanSG@ church Saturday group

Andrew Fellowship

I thank God for blessing Andrew Fellowship during the Acts 2 Church campaign. We took the opportunity to use the sessions to equip our

members to facilitate Bible study. With three Bible study groups per week, there was ample opportunity for members to facilitate at least one session during the campaign. I was initially disappointed when only a few stepped up in faith to take on the challenge but was thankful that some agreed to facilitate more than one session. After the session in week 1, more came forward and by the end of the campaign, I thank God for raising 15 more facilitators. I pray that their testimonies will bless and encourage many more to serve as the Lord leads.

Betty Khoo

The sessions have helped me grow as an individual as well as a member of an SG. Re-reading the Bible passages with a focus on what it means to be

a member of a community brought out new insights on how we should use our gifts for the common good. I am now more resolved to play my part in helping our community grow in knowledge and in action.

I witnessed how my group members took up the challenge of leading for the first time and gained greater confidence in sharing their faith. I also experienced how strangers (at the Saturday group in church) bonded together over the course of a few weeks and how their prayers for each other were having an effect on the lives of their group members.

Paul Khoo

Like everyone preparing to facilitate a discussion, I spent additional time and effort to understand the topic in greater detail than usual. I tried to

incorporate different perspectives so as to better guide the discussion. But during the discussion, new thoughts and perspectives came up unexpectedly.

The great advantage of having a group Bible study and discussion is being able to glean from the vast experiences and broad knowledge of group members. Indeed, the dynamics of the discussion brought out perspectives that I had never thought of. The sharing of experiences, especially on how God had intervened in and touched the lives of the members, was enlightening. On reflection, it felt like God was present, guiding and talking to us in our discussion although we may not have realised it then.

Understandably, there were sometimes differences in opinions and interpretations. These could perhaps be different messages God had for each of us, depending on our individual circumstances and His plans for us. They

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also probably reflect the challenges we face when we study the Bible and try to understand God’s will. I now appreciate the complexity of the Bible and the difficulty church pastors and preachers have in reaching out to each and every one of us.

While one can argue that I could have gleaned these by being just a participant, being a facilitator, albeit reluctantly, has ‘forced’ me to focus on the discussion and come away with better understanding of God’s Word.

Lee Keen Whye

Betty, our SG leader, had been asking for volunteers to facilitate at least one of the A2C sessions.

On Friday, 13 February 2015, during an A2C session, I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to volunteer. It had been awhile since the Spirit had prompted me in such a way and I did not respond. However, during the 11.30am service on Sunday, 15 February 2015, the Spirit prompted me again with the same message after Pastor Shih Ming’s sermon.

I was unsure as to what to do because it had been quite some time since I had facilitated a Bible study discussion. As I prayed, I received the assurance that I needed to step out in faith to volunteer and to trust in the Lord. I messaged Betty to tell her I would do it and was asked to facilitate a session on 27 Feb 2015.

I relied on the Lord in my preparations. I also prayed that He would be in charge of the session, and that He would guide me and speak to everyone in the group. The session went well and everyone contributed to the discussion.

This whole episode has been a blessing to me and a timely reminder of the Lord’s faithfulness. Even though I had been through a period when my faith was badly shaken, the Lord reminded me that He was still with me and that He could meet me where I was and use me. I just had to step out in faith to trust and rely on Him.

Twinkle Rajakumari

>

I volunteered to be a facilitator for A2C as I was driven by the desire to be a blessing to the co-leaders of my SG. Week after week, they have tirelessly

prepared and facilitated Bible study sessions, it was time we helped out. This provided an impetus for me to discipline myself and delve deeper in the study of God’s Word. I have been truly blessed and humbled by the experience as it has allowed me to better appreciate another person’s perspective of the same verse but in the context of his or her own experience. Importantly, it has reminded me to be more empathetic, patient and appreciative of differing views. With each session, we have all grown in a deeper understanding of His word. To God be the Glory!

Gary Chia

When we were invited to prayerfully consider facilitating one or more sessions, I was initially apprehensive. I chose to facilitate a later session

in week 5 so that I can learn how to facilitate from earlier sessions. On the actual evening, I prayed (whilst driving) for the Holy Spirit to guide me during the session. I confess that I was not adequately prepared. On arrival, I stayed a good 10 minutes in the car going through the lesson. I thank God that my group members shared their insights enthusiastically and we all learnt much from the sharing. I learnt to depend on the Holy Spirit’s guidance and realised that my worrying was self-focused. I have been taught the truth in Matthew 17:20: “He said to them, ‘Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.’”

Edwin Wong

I chose to lead on the last day so that that I could learn from the other leaders before me. I was most afraid of awkward silences during my facilitation but

the Lord answered my fervent prayers and loosened everyone’s tongue and heart. The sharing was meaningful because in our discussion on purity, we covered many areas such as addictions and gambling. I was surprised at the willingness to share personal anecdotes.

Vivienne Khoo


An easier response would have been “I am not equipped “. However, when I was asked to consider facilitating, I said yes immediately albeit with

trepidation. I had about four weeks’ notice and knew that I should have sufficient time for preparation. As it turned out, I faced one of the most difficult periods in my professional life during the lead up to the session. My faith was put to test – I was very concerned that I would not be able to prepare sufficiently and be an effective facilitator. As always, God answered my plea for help – several people in my SG who became aware that I was strapped for time came forward with offers of reading materials, reference Bibles, etc. to help me with the preparation. In addition, my spouse Raja and I discussed that we would co-lead each other’s sessions. I was reminded once again that God does not need us to be great professors but would indeed use us as vehicles of His words.

The opportunity to facilitate a session created further avenues for Raja and I to be bonded over God’s Word. It was a great way for me to gain deeper insight into the Bible. I would not hesitate to facilitate again!

Linda Kumar

I learnt much from facilitating one session. The experience was rich and meaningful. It was a humbling experience and showed me how much

more I need to learn God’s Word. I thank God for the experienced facilitators at Andrews Fellowship who provided excellent guidance and support, and for enabling and empowering us to stretch beyond our comfort level so as to grow in our faith.

Raja Kumar

I was apprehensive as I felt inadequate to facilitate a session with a group of ‘veterans’ who, in my view, have a much deeper understanding of the Bible

than me. However, God reminded me of Joshua 1 when Pastor Shih Ming preached on “How to have a great year in the Lord” in January. The message was clear. We are to release our fears to God because we can trust Him to give us victory (Joshua 1:5), and we should study God’s word consistently and respond in obedience (Joshua 1:8). I was blessed as fellow SG members did their homework diligently and participated in a lively discussion on Galatians 5:22-26. I was so encouraged by the experience that I volunteered to facilitate another session!

Estella Lau

When I was asked to be one of the facilitators, my concerns were answering difficult questions. I spent much time in prayer seeking God’s

guidance and reading different Bible versions to understand God’s Word. The more I sought, the more I got to see God’s plan. Indeed, I am blessed to be given the privilege to facilitate.

Li-lian Lim

I give thanks for the opportunity to facilitate Study 7 on Worship. The group discussions were encouraging and members offered deeper insights to the

text. Facilitating has helped me increase my understanding of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. The theme Worship was indeed a wonderful way to conclude A2C.

Olive Kan

Facilitating was a daunting task for me especially because this was my first time. I did not know where to begin so I just read the given daily Bible

reading plan and the lesson for the week. While going through the questions, I attempted answering them. Each time, even after praying, I found the answers I wrote to be inadequate. I was really nervous on the evening of the session. But thanks be to God, everyone at the study group was very encouraging and they were forthcoming in sharing during the session. The lesson I learnt is to have faith in Him as He will provide. To God be the glory.

David Tan

Facilitating was a humbling experience for both of us. There was much to read and prepare, and we realised that we needed to depend on the

Lord’s guidance. It was enjoyable when members of the group shared spontaneously and openly during the session. This made it less intimidating for us as fresh facilitators. We are learning to live out our faith, not just know the doctrines – a life-long challenge for us as Christians.

Ng Bee Kuan & Terence Tan

I facilitated one session. Members in my group often provided responses and comments that side-tracked from the main questions, or overlap with other

questions in the lesson. These, nevertheless, provided for interesting and constructive discussions within the group.

Hedy Chua

spotlight

Testimonies

Andrew Fellowship

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As I was reading and preparing the questions for Study 3 (Fellowship), it came to me that A2C is truly being lived out in my Small Group (SG).

My husband and I joined an SG in May 2014. It was purely God’s grace that directed us to it. Since then, our lives have changed significantly. We never thought that we would, at our age, find friends whom we are so comfortable with. In fact, they are more than friends – they are like a family with whom we can share our joy, sorrow, disappointment and concerns. We know we would not be judged but instead have their understanding and support.

Indeed, in a short time of 10 months, our SG members have embraced us with their love and we have established a closer relationship with each other through a spectrum of activities such as Bible studies, outdoor activities, outreach programmes and mission trip. We have also truly experienced the power of prayers. Through praying for each other, we have witnessed God’s love, providence and goodness in our lives. Our relationship with Him has deepened markedly.

It is not easy to live out the Christian life on one’s own. In the past, I was just a number in the church, by joining an SG, I joyfully say I am now a member of the church. We are greatly blessed to be part of our SG, and through God’s grace, it has become an integral part of our lives.

Stella Yong

Why we joined an SG.

There is no such thing as coincidence, only God’s appointments. God has a timing for everything and His timing is perfect.

For many years in Wesley, my husband and I did not participate in or commit to a SG. Our excuses range from a tight work schedule, travelling time to having to raise two kids.

We finally decided to join a SG when during last year’s church camp, an old Sunday School friend invited us to visit their SG. All our concerns disappeared when we experienced the warmth, love and fellowship of the families in the group. Their passion for Christ and their desire for God’s Word impressed upon us and made us realise what we had been lacking in our walk with Christ. We were moved by their openness, gracious hospitality and earnest prayers at every meeting. Their ministry at The Hiding Place also touched our hearts. We now look forward to each gathering and activity. The bonding and fellowship we experienced through Bible studies have not only enriched our family life but also strengthened our faith in Christ. We are truly blessed and we thank God for our Family of God (FOG) SG.

Truly, our experience in small group is summed up in Acts 2:42:

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

May we encourage you to join a SG and experience God’s love and grow in fellowship with one another.

Sherry Leong

During week 4 of the A2C campaign, my car had to be sent to the workshop due to a faulty gearbox. I panicked when I heard that it had to be ‘warded’

for almost a week till the following Wednesday. Furthermore, this time, the workshop did not have a replacement car for me.

My son was having his exams in the following week and with the usual tuition and enrichment sessions for both my kids, I was worried. How would I manage without a car, how was I going to ferry them round?

I prayed to God for a solution. I asked for a miracle. I asked for a quick turnaround. I asked for the availability of a replacement car.

For a start, I needed to get to my SG meeting on that Friday night. An SG member, C, immediately responded to my request for a ride. God even provided enough space in her car for my family of four as her husband could not make it to the meeting that night. Praise God for His providence.

I then met another SG member, S, at the gate of my leader’s house. As soon as she learned of my plight, she offered me the use of her car without hesitation. The reason was that she would be travelling for business anyway. I could hardly believe my ears. Which Singaporean in the right mind would lend out such an expensive asset (some even call it a liability!)? While I was touched by her offer, I did not accept the offer immediately as I did not dare to drive someone else’s car because being responsible for it was too daunting.

During fellowship, our conversation with my SG members went back to the topic of our car. This time, another couple, WC and St offered us their car too! By then, I was already overwhelmed with emotions. I was touched by S, WC and St’s generosity. I was in awe of God’s providence, not once, not twice, but thrice (including the ride). Most of all, I was greatly moved and humbled by how these dear folks were living out exactly what we were learning in A2C. They had generously shared their resources with my family and me, with no questions asked. I could not be more grateful. I am very blessed to be a member of FOG, to be in the company of godly people. Praise God for this loving family in Him.

Betty Wong

Testimonies from FOG Small Group


family life ministry

I Do For A Lifetime 2A Marriage Enrichment Retreat

Marcus & Adriel

Ben & Sarah

Chee Meng & Sock Hoon

Some 21 couples headed for Le Grandeur Resort in Johor Bahru for

a 3-day marriage enrichment retreat in November 2014. This was the second in the series of “I Do For A Lifetime” couples retreat and it came with a totally new programme from the previous retreats held in 2012 and 2013.

What was the retreat all about? Every two years, we have a different retreat theme. In 2014, the focus was on Discovering Our Couple Time Quotient, Managing Our Time Bandits and Rediscovering Our Spouse.

The retreat was a wonderful weekend getaway for couples to relax in a quiet resort, away from work and household chores. For those who could not leave their kids behind in Singapore, there was even an exciting programme for little ones. The retreat facilitators guided the couples through personal as well as couple evaluation exercises. They had time to reflect on godly principles and the couples were able to learn from one another. They also participated in fun-filled activities and there were romantic moments for intimacy and rediscovery. All the couples also had the opportunity to renew their commitment to God and each other through a meaningful and symbolic act.

In addition, through this annual retreat, we hope to see a community of married couples in Wesley Methodist Church grow and support one another in their marriage journey. Over the three days, the couples formed bonds of friendship. And after the retreat, they have continued to share and encourage

one another through Facebook groups and WhatsApp Chat groups; some couples have also continued to meet up in smaller groups.

Did the retreat cater only to married couples of a certain age and profile?No, all married couple can attend! In our past retreats, we have couples who have been married between two years to 34 years.

Why did some of the couples sign up for the retreat?“Our friends encouraged us to go for the retreat and we went, despite our busy schedule and not knowing what to expect. It turned out to be the most meaningful experience for both of us.” - PC & AN

“We weren’t facing any problems, but we knew that despite things being good between us, it can get better. We were open to letting God work in us through the marriage retreat.” - Daniel & Charis

“As we enter another phase of our marriage with our children growing older, we should have more time to revisit our courtship days. During the past 28 years

of our marriage, we spent so much time on work and raising our three precious children. We realised that ‘rediscovering one another’ becomes very necessary as we tend to change over time. Updates don’t just apply in technologies but also in marriages!” - Mark & Juliet

What did the couples learn through the retreat?“As all married couples will realise, getting married is much easier than building a strong marriage. The marriage retreat was a good time for us to step back from the day to day distractions and focus on getting to know each other once again. It was also a blessing for us to hear how older couples had struggled with similar issues and overcame them by clinging on to Christ.” - Marcus & Adriel

“At the retreat, we got to meet and learn from the experiences of other couples at various stages in their marriage. It struck me then that regardless of where we were in our marriage, everybody desired to have a fulfilling and enriching spiritual marriage. The marriage retreat provided a great platform for both of us to be open and honest with each other.” - Daniel & Charis

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“Having been married for 27 years, we have veered off the romantic path long time ago. We were both busy building our careers. For me, the kids were my top priority in life. Over the years, through our independence, we grew apart unknowingly. We took each other for granted and when we had issues, we did not turn to Christ who should rightfully be the centre of our marriage. Though we are very committed to our faith in Christ, for some reasons, we did not commit our relationship to Him and we handled our differences through our worldly wisdom.” - PC & AN

“This retreat taught us one thing. Christ should be the centre of our relationship. The tying of the cord of three was the most meaningful and symbolic act for us. It constantly reminds us not to act in our own wisdom and strength, but in God’s wisdom and through constant prayers. In all our differences and difficulties, we need to commit everything to Him for deliverance. We cannot do it in our own strength but through His mercies and grace, we can overcome all things. We have a long way to go but with Christ now in the centre of our marriage, as a cord of three strands, we can conquer and overcome our challenges. Our marriage vows have been renewed and it took a new meaning. Together with Christ, we will venture into our golden years together.” - AL & JL

How did the couples feel after the retreat?“We may not agree with each other more after the retreat but we consciously affirm and encourage each other. We are reminded not to take each other for granted. We also make a conscious effort to spend couple time together every one to two months – just getting away alone to recharge as a couple.” - Mark & Juliet

“For Daniel, he felt that the retreat helped him to grow as a husband, by understanding me better through God’s teachings. He also learnt the importance of always putting God first in our relationship, not just in our joys but in our conflicts as well, as only God can keep us grounded. Finally, he was reminded of the importance of always praying and seeking

God’s guidance and grace in our journey together as husband and wife.” - Daniel & Charis

“Our prayer is that the couples in Wesley will be able to support each other through this challenging journey called marriage, whether it is through small groups or retreats such as these. The truth is that when two imperfect people come together, there is bound to be conflict, and it is by God’s grace and the support of fellow saints that we are able to go the distance.” - Marcus & Adriel

How often should we go for marriage enrichment retreats?“We have both been so richly blessed through the marriage retreat that we are already looking forward to attending the retreat again when there is a new programme.” - Daniel & Charis

“This is the second time my wife and I have participated in this Marriage Retreat, and we’ve enjoyed ourselves both times. Apart from being equipped with skills, the special value the retreat gave us was the sharing and bonding, learning about the difficulties other couples face, within a safe environment.

A year ago, our marriage was at the edge of the cliff. Amidst my frustrations, a word of wisdom from the first retreat came to my mind. It wasn’t one of the retreat’s topic, but a fleeting comment made by a facilitator. To make a long story short, it saved our marriage. Today, my wife and I are happy together, loving each other more than we did during the past 16 years. You’ll never know what gift is in store by God for you when you attend a retreat like this.” - AL & JL

When can you sign up for the next retreat in Nov 2015? The next “I Do For A Lifetime” retreat will be held from 21 - 23 November. This will be a re-run of last year’s programme. Registration will begin sometime in August. Do keep a look out for it in the Wesley Weekly. Or you may express your interest by emailing our Family Life Ministry Programme Coordinator, Angeline Hoon at [email protected].

Dr Chan Wai LupRetreat Facilitator & Chairperson of

Marriage EnrichmentFamily Life Ministry

- Daniel & CharisDaniel & Charis


tributes to Mother


“She is clothed with strength and dignity;she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her householdAnd does not eat the bread of idleness.Her children arise and call her blessed;her husband also, and he praises her;

‘Many women do noble things,But you surpass them all.’

Charm is a deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”

- Proverbs 31:25-30

TIDINGS would like to honour all mothers, grandmothers, godmothers and caregivers with the following – lovingly penned tributes to these special individuals, who have made a mark in the lives of their loved ones.

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Mum wasn’t trained in economics nor did she learn to balance books but she ran a family of eleven on a very tight budget – we never not

had food on the table, nor had inadequate clothes on our backs, nor had to go shoeless (sockless maybe!), nor had no money to pay the school fees.

Mum didn’t have fancy cookware, an oven or a microwave; she had never gone for cooking lessons nor exchanged recipes with friends, but she cooked, as most mums know how to, the best dishes in town. These were dishes that enticed us to return home for, even long after we had left home; these were dishes whose recipes we had forgotten to write down, so that after she passed on, we did not know how to reproduce the dishes, nor can we ever hope to.

Mum didn’t have time to read the newspapers – there was always housework that needed to be done – but she read the scrap newspapers that she used as waste paper that held the heads of the ikan bilis (anchovy) she was tearing off, or the bean sprout tails she was plucking off. From these – mostly wet and close to being tattered – she read the news to me, the little kid who was helping her with the 101 kitchen chores. There was always something she wanted us to learn from the news. Don’t steal – you’ll end up in jail; learn your Mathematics – you’ll need it in

Mrs Lucy Chen

15

Grandma was: The English Teacher: she would correct our English, be it written or

spoken. The Hairstylist: you could say that she got her inspiration from a China bowl.The Advocate for zero food wastage: she would not fail to remind us to “think of the starving children in Africa” if we do not finish our food.The Second Advocate on good table manners: she would “tsk” us if we rocked our chair, played with our food or even dropped our cutlery.The Chauffeur: she would happily drive us to tuition or music lessons, and then fetch us again.The Disciplinarian: she would give us numerous lectures for leaving the lights on 24/7 or messing up her bathroom whenever we showered there.The Gardener: she loved to garden and trim her flowers. We will always remember her lovely allamandas and bougainvillea. She also used her garden for special occasions like birthdays. My parents even used her garden as a background for family portraits in the late 80s!The Social Butterfly: she possessed a book filled with pages of her friends’ contacts. Indeed, we grew up being constantly surrounded by her friends, from church and outside church.The Pen Pal: she believed in writing letters to us when we studied overseas. Even though it was easy to contact us via e-mails or text messages, old-school letters were the way to go for her.The Great-Grandmother: when I gave birth to my first child in 2013, she carried her first great-grandchild with pride and love. Grandma was also Mrs Lucy Chen to others. She passed away peacefully on 11 April 2015 at the age of 89. We rejoice that she is now with the Lord and I am blessed that she has taught me life lessons worthy to impart to the next generation. Thank you, Grandma, for everything.

Sharon Lo

My mother was born in Perak on 24 November 1930. She later moved to Singapore with her family. She studied in Nan Hua which happened

also to be my secondary school. She also went to England to pursue a Licentiate in Music. Interestingly, we both had the same piano teacher, the late Mrs Lucien Wong. Music wasn’t in my blood as a kid but my mother made me learn the piano as she was a piano teacher. From there, there was no stopping. I went on to play the drums and guitar with her blessings. I learnt the flute when I was 30 years old. I was with the Prayer & Praise Band 2 from end 1989 to 1990. You might say that my mother started me on the music track.

Madam Lau Wai SiongMadam Lau Wai SiongMadam Lau Wai Siong

>

I used to enjoy saying “I don’t know” to a question my mother would ask, just so that I could get her help. Additionally, I would ask her to help me with lettering on poster that used checked boxes for alignment. This was when I was in the fine arts stream during secondary school days. She helped me a lot.

My mother shared that I used to grow boils on my face as a baby because of the powdered milk formula and I would pinch the doctor who tried to prick the boils. Later, she solved the problem by providing me with milk and bone broth vegetable soup. I also had problems with the domestic workers and in particular one whom I have no recollection of. My mother said I would pee so that she had to wash my nappies because I didn’t like her. Like all kids, I didn’t like being in my cot at night because I wanted to play. Even my mother fell prey to this trick of mine of asking to be allowed to go to the toilet just to get out of my cot, but the domestic helper knew me all too well.

Most importantly at a tender age, my mother brought me to church and exposed me to the Christian faith.

I am truly grateful to God for providing this wonderful and loving mother who has helped me grow in so many ways even though I wasn’t the best child one could have.

Debby Chua

�anks, Mum!


tributes to Mother


My beloved late mother, Ho Ngan Lin, was born in China on 5 January 1915. She came to Singapore when she was very young. She had five

siblings, who had all passed away. These were not her biological siblings because she was adopted by the Ho family. Mother was not educated.

She married my father when she was in her early 20s. She never had a good marriage. Father passed away when she was only 35 years old. I have an older brother and a younger sister. So after the death of my father, Mother single-handedly brought her three children up. She worked in a Government Pharmaceutical Store and with her meagre salary, she strived to give her three children the highest education that she could. So all of us graduated with a Senior Cambridge Certificate. She went through much hardship to bring us up. All she expected of us was that we become persons of value and culture. She had sacrificed greatly for the love for us. She never demanded for anything and was contented with everything that we gave her. She was truly a remarkable and wonderful woman. I am at a loss of words to describe her goodness.

Mother was baptised at the age of 93 by Pastor Michael Tan in our home. She was a very strong Taoist before accepting the Lord. But by God’s grace and mercy she finally accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviour. We

Aunty Joan, as many of you call her, was my grandma. She was not just my grandma, she was also a playmate, friend and disciplinarian.

Though she is no longer around, I am certain she is looking down on us and smiling ever so sweetly.

I’ll always remember Grandma as a lady with a heart of gold. She was also always brimming with a zest for life and many would attest to her feisty, chili padi nature. She was a true extrovert and loved to be surrounded by people.

Grandma will always hold a special place in my heart and family dinners have never been the same without her. Living overseas has really made me appreciate the warmth one gets from just sitting around a table with one’s family, fellowshiping over a home-cooked meal. It is one of the simple joys of life that we should never take for granted. Grandma was a superb chef and there was never something she cooked that I didn’t enjoy. She was a natural in the kitchen. God had blessed her with skills in the kitchen and she, in turn, used them to bless others – whether in the church kitchen on Sunday mornings and during the Church Food Fair or just for her family.

Grandma was also a lady who loved us deeply. As I look back fondly, I will always remember how she would spoil me at mealtimes when I was young. She always fed me before she had her own dinner even though she could have been hungry. Her selfless nature has truly played a pivotal role in my life. She was also a firm disciplinarian who did not condone any nonsense. As a child, it was hard for me to understand or

accept her strict ways; but I can say from the bottom of my heart that she had no malicious intent and she truly wanted me to grow up well. As Proverbs 22:6 reminds us: “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not turn from it” (ESV), so Grandma, thank you for showing me what proper conduct is and for teaching me how carry myself as a girl. I hope I have made you proud.

Now, I don’t mourn with deep grief. I am glad that though she is physically not with us, she is in a place where there is no more suffering – where she will find true joy in the arms of her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Romans 14: 8 says, “For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s” (ESV).

Grandma had truly fought a good fight, finished the race and kept the faith (2 Tim 4:7). May we too remember that life on earth is temporal and we should never take it for granted. Instead, we should live the life Christ commissioned us to: to be the light and salt of the earth. Luke shared in Acts 20:24: ”However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task of testifying to the Good News of God’s grace.”

I would like to leave you with these words: It’s not how grandma died, but how she lived,It’s not what grandma gained, but rather what she gave.

Rachel Boen

every job; don’t wander off – someone will sell you off to Shanghai! Mum wasn’t terribly well-educated but she was always spouting

wise words to guide us on our journey of life, some of which are reproduced here, translated directly from Cantonese:,“You go up to the hills often, you’ll meet tigers; if you compare yourself to those above you, you fall short, if you compare yourself to those below you, you’ll be in excess.”

Mum didn’t go to church but when the time came, she became a Christian. She never heard of angels except through shows and films that featured them, but she met with one when she was in hospital, close to her last days. She recounted how someone in a white robe came by her bed – no, it was not her doctor whom she said had dropped by already that morning, but someone else.

It’s not a cliché to say that we would not have made it if not for mum. She lived a hard life but that did not stop her from giving each of us everything she had. To me, her name is love and her middle name, sacrifice.

Peck Kei

A Tribute To My Beloved Late M�her, Madam Ho Ngan Lin

Mrs Joan Boen

1717

�e bling � having a m�her to see the world with

There are many things that I am thankful to our Lord for, and only He knows how many other things I often overlook when I count my blessings. One of

the blessings I am most grateful for, and one that I hope I would never forget to give thanks for, is the blessing of a mother to see the world with.

There are actually several blessings within this one blessing. I am grateful for the physical and mental health that our Lord has granted my mother. I am also grateful for her love and her curiosity for the world and the people we have had the opportunities to meet and interact with. I love the fact that she steps boldly in faith, sometimes without really knowing where we are going, and just trusting in our Lord to see us through moment by moment. In these blessings, I have learnt a great deal from my mother.

So it is that whenever I step into the kitchen at home, and catch a glimpse of the magnets on the refrigerator, I am continually reminded of the blessings of time and of adventure that our Lord has given my mother and I. It is a blessing all too easily taken for granted, and hence I would like to share part of it with you, the reader. So, for example, in Boston, I remember the ducks and ducklings in the greenery of Boston Common, through which we would walk every Sunday on our way to Park Street Church. I remember getting stuck on the train with Mum midway between Cambridge and Boston, overlooking the Charles River.

I remember landing in crosswinds in Zürich, and trudging carefully with Mum along the ice and snow in the Swiss Alps. I remember catching the last rays of sunset as the sun dipped below the Alpine valley. In Iceland, I remember ordering a portion of lobster and chowder for her lunch, and how she would wait in the bitter cold with a warm fluffy towel while I took a dip in the outdoor geothermal springs. Mum would wait, too, on the boat in the Great Barrier Reef, while I snorkled; whenever I returned to the boat, there she would be with another great fluffy towel to keep me dry.

I remember the wonderful train journeys we have taken together – speeding towards the south of France, or on a leisurely overnight journey from Geneva to Berlin. I remember looking out the window with her as the train snaked its way through the montane passes between Italy and Austria. I remember visiting Moscow with her, and how she trusted in the Lord, and – through Him – in my faltering ability to speak a little Russian, to get from Point A to Point B in a totally foreign land.

All the while, on practically all my adventures, Mum has been there to marvel with me at our Father God’s wondrous creation – and this is something I continually give thanks to our Lord for. Whether it’s in the thundering majesty of Niagara Falls, or in the quiet of a centuries-old church in Venice, Mum and I have found the strength to put one foot ahead of the other, trusting in our Lord alone.

Kenneth Lim

rejoiced because salvation had finally come to her. Mother lived to 100 years old. She had never been hospitalised for any major sicknesses. She never had high blood pressure or diabetes, etc. She lived up to a glorious ripe old age with no medication at all. Her almost divine good health could only have been brought about by God’s wonderful blessings upon her.

I have been with my mother from the time of my birth till the time of her departure on 24 January 2015. We always stayed together because my brother and sister are married and have moved out from our flat. Mother was my constant companion until I met my husband. Then her sudden death came on 24 January 2015, shortly after she celebrated her 100th birthday. She died in a shopping mall. There was no pain and no struggling. She just breathed a heavy breath and within two minutes she slipped into eternity. No farewell words were spoken, there was no time to say goodbye. She was gone before I knew it and only God knew why. God has been most gracious to bring her home in this manner.

Even though she died at a ripe old age, her sudden departure brought me much pain and sorrow. When she died, I felt as if a part of me had gone. I had never been so grief-stricken in my life till then. If tears could build a stairway and memories were a lane, I would walk right up to heaven to bring her home with me again. Yes, I would have wanted her to stay but I know it was time for her to return to her Lord. In time I will grow to accept fully and believe this was the plan for her. For now, my heart still aches in sadness and secret tears still flow. What it means to lose her, no one will ever know.

No matter how old we are, losing a mother is one of the deepest sorrows a heart can know. But my mother’s goodness, her caring, gentle and quiet spirit, her sense of humour, her smile, her laughter and her wisdom will live on … like a legacy of love that will always be with me.

Elizabeth Huan


GOOD Outcomes• Motivate beneficiaries blessed with a Fresh Start to take

concrete steps out of the poverty cycle such as cancel more debt, get rid of bad money habits, and start to save, budget and plan forward.

• Empower beneficiaries to have life to the full. As the burden of debt falls away, beneficiaries may feel more optimistic and confident. With a more positive outlook on life, family harmony can be restored and work life enhanced.

A GOOD StoryEarning just $700 as a cleaner every month, Mdm Kong, a single mother of two school-going children, was unable to keep up with her bills, and racked up more than $1,300 arrears for utilities and rent.

One day, the power and water supply to her home was cut because she defaulted on one too many payments. She was constantly anxious of being caught in that situation again, checking on her water and electric meter several times a day.

This turned around when she approached MWS’ Covenant Family Service Centre for help with her debts.

Life is much better for Mdm Kong and her two sons now as her debt is reduced. She looks forward to clearing the arrears, and start saving for a rainy day.

“The burden (to provide for my sons) isn’t that heavy now that my debts are lesser,” she said.“(When my debts are cleared), what I can spare, I will save. The extra money will come in handy whenever things break down at home.

GOOD stands for GETTING OUT OF DEBT and is launched by Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) to commemorate the 130th anniversary of the Methodist Church in Singapore, and the 50th year of Singapore’s Independence in 2015. Through the GOOD programme, MWS hopes to partner with the Methodist family to bless needy families by helping them clear chronic debt.

Biblical basis of the JubileeEvery 50 years, all monetary debts would be cancelled and slaves set free so that all had the chance to start anew in the Jubilee year, as prescribed in the Law of Moses.“And you shall consecrate the 50th year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants.” Leviticus 25:10

Why Clear Debt?• Lowest 10% of wage earners are earning less, despite

Singapore’s economic growth.• Give beneficiaries the chance to experience inter-generational

social mobility when their debts are cleared.• With debts cleared, beneficiaries can start saving to cushion

their families against crises.

S$1.7 million is needed to help 850 families clear an average of S$2,000 of chronic debt per household.

Our GOOD BeneficiariesIncome• Gross per capita income of $1,500Housing Type• HDB 1 to 4-room rented or purchased flatsOther criteria • Singapore citizen / Permanent resident • Chronic debt of 6 months • Debts are incurred from daily living (e.g. housing rental/mortgage, Town Council bills, utilities, essential household items bought on hire purchase)

The Helping ProcessClearing of DebtPayments will be made directly to the creditors of the beneficiaries.Debts will be cleared in August 2015.

Financial educationThe families can learn how to better manage their debts and finances through educational workshops.

Church engagement programmesMethodists can reach out and befriend beneficiaries and their families through church-level engagement events.

AS A METHODIST FAMILY,WE IMPACT LIVES!

report

Reprinted from the GOOD Programme brochure

WE IMPACT LIVES!WE IMPACT LIVES!

To make an online donation, please log on to www.mws.org.sg.

70 Barker Road #05-01, Singapore 309936

In celebration of:

DOINGAS A

METHODIST FAMILY

AS A METHODISTFAMILY, WEIMPACT LIVES! AS A FAMILY, LET’S

CHANGE LIVES FOR GOOD.

For more information, check out updates

from facebook.com/methodistwelfareservices

or email us at [email protected].

Here are the 3 ways to get involved:

Be A GOOD Giver and donate

towards the GOOD Programme. Donations

qualify for 3 times tax deduction.

Be part of the GOOD Advocate team

in your church to run fundraising

and coordinate engagement activities.

Join us at our educational workshops and

fundraising event, Wheels for GOOD. Check out

our Facebook page for more information and updates.A GOOD StoryEarning just $700 as a cleaner every month,

Mdm Kong, a single mother of two

school-going children, was unable to keep up

with her bills, and racked up more than

$1,300 arrears for utilities and rent.

One day, the power and water supply to her

home was cut because she defaulted on one

too many payments. She was constantly

anxious of being caught in that situation

again, checking on her water and electric

meter several times a day.

This turned around when she approached

MWS’ Covenant Family Service Centre for

help with her debts.

Life is much better for Mdm Kong and her two

sons now now as her debt is reduced. She looks

forward to clearing the arrears, and start saving

for a rainy day.

“The burden (to provide for my

sons) isn't that heavy now that my

debts are lesser,” she said.

“(When my debts are cleared), what I can

spare, I will save. The extra money will come in

handy whenever things break down at home.”

Mdm Tan, a MWS

beneficiary pictured

with her son.

Wesleyans generously supported the GOOD Programme from 19 April to 3 May 2015. As at 10 May 2015, a total of $202,419 was collected.

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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 Craft Print International Ltd

Pastor-In-ChargeRev Dr Kow Shih Ming

EditorPeggie Chan

Editorial TeamJulie EeKevyn LaiCatherine LimOng Joo HiangTan Kee CheongTham Soo Hian

ContributorsRev Dr Kow Shih Ming, Yong Ai Lei, A2C participants, Dr Chan Wai Lup, Sharon Lo, Elizabeth Huan, Rachel Boen, Peck Kei, Debby Chua and Kenneth Lim.

Photo ContributorsNicholas Tan, Henry Lim and Johnny Koh.

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

Wesley Tidings is also available at www.wesleymc.org

transitions

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

DeathsDeaths

APRIL 2015 11 Ryan Joshua Pang Tien En

Son of Mr & Mrs Roy Pang Ping Jing

20 Eleora Tan Si Ying Daughter of Mr & Mrs Kevin Tan Meng Kiat

MAY 2015 08 Emily Goh Shu En

Daughter of Mr & Mrs Aaron Goh Yi Lun

15 Jairus Png Kai Rui Son of Mr & Mrs Melvin Png Choong Kiat

APRIL 2015 07 Mdm Lily Lim Kheng Lay

10 Ms Ngooi Chwee Neo11 Mrs Lucy Chen nee Lim Seok Hui

12 Ms Inparani James17 Mdm Mabel Yeo

18 Mr Lim Hock Chye 18 Mdm Tang Kum Hoo19 Mdm Thng Lek Im

20 Mdm Mary Tan Koon Huan24 Mr Tay Seck Luan

28 Mr Eddy Chua Boo Yong30 Ms Teng Sze Yia Sharmaine

Births

Marriages

MAY 2015 01 Mr John Khoo Boon Seng01 Ms Annie Koh Chye Sian

03 Mdm Lim Peck Neo04 Mr Lim Tian Joo05 Mdm Lay Lai Fun

09 Mdm Margaret Syn Wai Ching10 Mdm Ang Bee See18 Mr Tan Eng Chuan26 Mdm Lee Meng

28 Mr Allan Kwok Chee Seng

MAY 2015 18 Mr Loh Aik Khoon and Miss Wendy Hong Wei Ling

23 Mr Derron Tan Wei Sheng and Dr Lianny Tjoa

Mr Loh Aik Khoon and Miss Wendy Hong Wei Ling

Mr Derron Tan Wei Sheng and Dr Lianny Tjoa


Week 1 - 7 Wallpapers created by Beatrice Yong, Elizabeth Chan and Charis Ng, the rest by YM 12 Stones.

WEEK 2 WEEK 3

WEEK 6 WEEK 7

WEEK 4 WEEK 5 WEEK 5

WEEK 1

The work featured on this page are a handiwork by youths who created them as wallpapers to be uploaded to phones as a

reminder of the weekly memory verses.

wesley tidings newsletter issue 03 2015

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