Wesley Tidings

How many 37 years does one have in a lifetime? Yet, that is how long Felix Yeo has devoted to serving at Wesley Methodist Church as a full-time staff member. Felix’s journey at Wesley began on 1 October 1987, a time when Wesley Methodist Church was a much smaller congregation, and cassette tapes were still the common way to enjoy music.

Over close to four decades, Felix has been a constant source of support, love and inspiration to generations of Wesley members. For 32 of those 37 years, Felix served as our Director of Administration. He has been a steady presence behind the scenes, ensuring the smooth operation of our church and supporting our community in countless ways. His leadership and commitment have been instrumental in shaping Wesley Methodist Church into the thriving community it is today.

As Felix now steps down from his role to take on a new position as Senior Pastoral Team Member (PTM), Pastor-in-Charge’s Office at Wesley, Wesley TIDINGS takes this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude for his service and to learn from his insights and wisdom gained from serving at Wesley.

“Felix has had such a profound impact on the church over his 37 years of serving as Director of Administry (the ministry of Administration),” said Pastor-in-Charge Rev Raymond Fong.

“His dedication, leadership and especially his compassionate care for the staff have deeply shaped the way the church has grown in administration over the past years. We are immensely grateful for Felix’s unwavering commitment. He embodies the true spirit of Christian love and service, and his legacy will continue to inspire us for years to come.”

Life of Service, Guided by Faith
Born into a Christian family, Felix was dedicated at birth at the Salvation Army. His father worshipped at Salvation Army’s Balestier Corps, and Felix grew up actively involved in their Youth Ministry. “Although my mother worshipped with the family at the Salvation Army, but she was a member of Christ Methodist Church. So that was the only remote connection I had with a Methodist Church growing up,” recalled Felix.

Married to Geraldine for 42 years, Felix attributes his years of service to his supportive and understanding wife. “It is Geraldine’s support and understanding of my work that has made it meaningful and stress-free at home,” he shared. “She was serving with the WSCS (Women’s Society of Christian Service) breakfast ladies, the coffee lady pre-Covid, but now worships mainly online. My children, Gareth and Gawain, are all grown up and independent and no longer worship at Wesley. I am very proud of who they have become. We continue to be a close-knit family.”

*1988: Felix, together with his wife Geraldine and son Gareth, was featured in the March/April issue of Wesley* TIDINGS

Answering the Call to the Ministry
Felix received the call into full-time ministry during his National Service days. “I wanted to pursue a psychology degree but felt and knew that God had a different path for me,” he revealed. “Instead, I went on to study at Trinity Theological College (TTC) and graduated with a degree in Divinity.”

After graduating from TTC in 1982, Felix served as an assistant pastor at Toa Payoh Methodist Church. Two years later, he left the pastoral ministry and started a childcare centre and a retail business while pursuing a career in advertising. “It wasn’t long before God came knocking on my heart again,” Felix recalled. “I chanced upon meeting Rev Isaac Lim, who was my supervisor when I was serving as a Member on Trial (MOT) at Toa Payoh Methodist Church. He invited me to join him at Wesley Methodist Church to serve as Administrative Officer in the church office, and the rest is history.”

Rising to the Challenge
At the time when Felix started at Wesley Methodist Church, it was experiencing exponential growth, and its staff members were expected to cover multiple roles. Although initially employed as an Administrative Officer, Felix was soon tasked with being the Administrator of the Wesley Centre when it officially opened in early 1988. The Wesley Centre comprised the Wesley Child Development Centre, Youth Centre, and COSC programmes, including support for the poor and needy.

“Within the first two years, I was also tasked to cover Christian education, publications as editor of Wesley TIDINGS, and soon after, oversee Property Management, Lay Personnel and Finance in the early 90s too,” Felix explained.

*1988: Felix was editor of Wesley* TIDINGS

Despite his limited administrative experience, Felix bravely took on these challenges and additional roles. To equip himself, he pursued professional training in Personnel Management and completed an MBA in 2000. This enabled him to “take on greater responsibility for Church Administration, to support and work alongside many committed and qualified volunteers.”

Navigating Change and Growth
In the 1990s, the role of church administration evolved as many churches recognised the importance of proper management of personnel, finance and property. In the 2000s, regulatory and compliance requirements added another layer of complexity. “Volunteer management policies, internal audits, health and safety and corporate governance were introduced,” Felix shared. “I was relieved I had gone for further training to prepare myself for the evolving changes.”

“Looking back, it was God who had gone before me to prepare my path.”

Felix believes that his continual learning kept him engaged in the work. “It was interesting and a challenge to implement new initiatives brought on by the changing external environments,” he added.

Administry: A Ministry of the Church
Felix coined the term “Administry” to describe the work of Church Administration at Wesley in 2000. “I saw the work of administration as one of the ministries of the church and that all staff working in the various functions in administration are called into the church just as were the PTMs and pastors,” he explained.

It was a privilege, said Felix, to work and serve with the many volunteers in Administry and pastors. “Over the years, I have served with seven PICs (pastors-in-charge) and seven LCEC (Local Church Executive Committee) chairpersons and many, many LCEC and Administry committees,” he said. “I learnt so much from them and am thankful for their co-labour.”

*2010: Felix with Rev Wendy Watson (3rd from left) and church staff at the annual Wesley Staff Christmas lunch*

A Legacy of Compassion and Grace
Tina Khoo, who has known Felix for over 30 years, described him as a man of radical compassion. “Felix is the defender of the weak and voiceless. He reminds me and others that Wesley is a church, God’s house, and not a secular organisation, and therefore, love and grace are the uppermost considerations when dealing with any issue. Felix is a gentle, gracious and big-hearted friend and person.”

Wishing Felix well in his new role at Wesley, Tina said: “May you continue to be who you are, to stand strong in your conviction and enjoy your new season of life, Felix. Thank you, you have been salt and light for God.”

*2014: Felix (1st from left, seated) with Rev Michael Tan (2nd from left, seated) and Wesley staff during the church-wide Bible study campaign, Meeting Jesus in the Gospels*

Another co-worker at Wesley, Sally Ang, who knew Felix since the first day he joined, attributed Felix’s ability to connect well with those who served with him to his calm demeanour and impartial attitude when confronted with problems to resolve: “Felix is always calm and objective when faced with pressure and he gives a lot of grace when dealing with everyone. He has a caring and compassionate heart and would go to great lengths to help those in need.”

Finding Balance in Life and Ministry
Throughout his life, Felix has prioritised the importance of leading a balanced life as Christians, whether one is a full-time staff, congregant or active church volunteer. “To avoid burning out and be relevant to our community, we should pray hard and also play hard,” he advised.

To this end, beyond the walls of Wesley, one of Felix’s many hobbies is inline skating. An accomplished inline skater, Felix has received numerous commendations from the government for starting the skate assist programme that promoted park safety. “This was my Judea,” he shared.

“Through it, I met many wonderful people who got to know about the church and, for some, Jesus. I pursued international instructor and examiner certifications that brought me to cities that I would not have visited. I completed the three levels of training in Hawaii, Montreal and Munich respectively. I have coached thousands to skate and certified hundreds of inline skating instructors over eight years.”

*2024: Felix in a photo taken at the Wesley Staff Sports Day*

Reflecting on the Journey
As with everything in life, there have been both happy and challenging moments for Felix during his time serving as the Director of Administry at Wesley. “There are, of course, challenging moments – moments where there are quarrels, causing division and hurt, where we allow our differing views and interests to blind us to the same grace that we all receive,” Felix reflected. “But there were many happy moments too.”

Felix counts the happiest moments as those when he sees individuals, especially staff members he is journeying with, making the effort to emulate Jesus in their lives. “It gives me joy when I witness acceptance, forgiveness and change,” he said. “Sometimes these take years to happen, but when it does, it brings warmth to my heart to see Jesus’s reign beginning to take shape.”

As he transitions to a new ministry role, Felix shared with Wesley TIDINGS a key takeaway from his 37 years of service: “Wesley is more than an organisation; it’s an organism of diverse individuals united in Christ. Each person has a place and purpose, and we should treat each other with that understanding. God works through all of us, in different ways, for our growth and His glory (Romans 8:28).”

“Everyone has a responsibility to the nation and the government,” Felix said. “We serve God, but we also live in this world and must be good citizens, respecting its laws (Mark 12:17). We are called to be salt and light, reflecting God’s values, not conforming to secular ones.”

Sports has a unique ability to transcend differences and bring people together.

Whether it is the thrill of competition, the joy of shared activity, or the camaraderie of teamwork, sports can create a common ground where connections can flourish. Wesley Methodist Church’s Sports and Wellness ministry, under the Witness and Evangelism (W&E) ministry, leverages the unifying power of sports to connect with the community. Recognising the inherent ability of sports to foster camaraderie and shared experiences, the ministry, as part of its witness and evangelism efforts, utilises a diverse range of activities as a means of outreach and relationship building. By providing opportunities for individuals from all walks of life to participate together, Wesley Sports and Wellness ministry hopes to cultivate friendships, builds a supportive community and creates a welcoming environment for all.

Building Community through Sports
Wesley’s sports and wellness team strives to create an environment where everyone feels welcome and connected, by the grace and love of Christ, be it through the inclusive spirit of pickleball, the camaraderie of cycling, or the energy of futsal.

“The sports activities are a great way for Wesleyans to welcome friends and family to our church community,” said Angele Lee, the chairperson of Wesley Sports and Wellness ministry. “They provide a relaxed, welcoming environment in which to build relationships and spark curiosity about what holds such a diverse group of people together.”

Faith, Fun and Fitness in an Inclusive Sport
One of the latest sports additions at Wesley is pickleball. Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. Played on a badminton-sized court with a low net, players use solid paddles to hit a perforated plastic ball.

Imagine 70-year-old grandparents playing a paddle sport with their 15-year-old grandchildren and beating them. Or an able-bodied person playing a paddle game with someone in a wheelchair. This is the inclusivity of pickleball.

*Age is just a number on the pickleball court*

Dr Agnes Wong, chairperson of Wesley AGAPE Pickleball, says the sport’s popularity comes from its unique blend of fun, social interaction and exercise, making it appealing to a wide range of people. “It’s easy to learn, great exercise and incredibly social,” said Dr Wong. “Our tagline ‘Wesley AGAPE Pickleball: Where Love is the Only Score’ reflects our dedication to sharing and reflecting God’s love on and off the courts.”

Started in April 2024, the pickleball group at Wesley has quickly grown into a vibrant intergenerational community of over 30 members, ranging in age from 9 to the mid-70s. The group welcomes players of all backgrounds and abilities, including those who are neurodivergent and hearing impaired.

Lau Lee Fang’s son, Caleb, who has autism, thrives on routine and struggles socially. Joining AGAPE Pickleball was initially a challenge. “He wanted to quit after the first session,” Lee Fang shared. But something remarkable happened. Caleb, who once resisted change, now eagerly prepares for his weekly games. AGAPE Pickleball has become more than just exercise. “He’s found a kind audience for his dinosaur obsessions,” Lee Fang explained. “The uncles, aunties, kor kor (big brothers) and mei mei (younger sisters) embrace him with patience and encouragement.” Lee Fang expressed her gratitude for this unexpected community: “AGAPE Pickleball has become a safe place for Caleb, a community where he feels loved.”

“Everyone is welcome in our group, from seasoned athletes to complete beginners,” said Caryn Lim, a dedicated committee member who helps organise court play. “AGAPE Pickleball is more than just a game, it’s a small community.” Fellow committee member Mandy Phua added: “It’s a welcoming and supportive environment. We’re about building connections.”

*AGAPE Pickleball by Wesley: Where Love is the Only Score*

Do Good Through Fun, Fitness and Fellowship
Wesley AGAPE Pickleball is also committed to outreach and is partnering with Dayspring*, a charity supporting at-risk girls who have experienced trauma and are on their healing journey. “We believe we can share God’s love through pickleball,” said Gabrielle Pek, who leads this initiative with her husband, Vincent Khoo. “It’s an accessible sport that builds confidence and teamwork. We are excited to play weekly with the Dayspring residents.”

Besides fostering social interaction and connection, engaging in sports also offers a wealth of benefits for well-being. Beyond the physical advantages, sports can have a profound impact on our spiritual, emotional and psychological health. It also helps in resilience building.

Sports can involve setbacks and challenges, teaching us valuable lessons in patience, resilience and perseverance. Learning to overcome obstacles and bounce back from defeats builds mental toughness and equips individuals to handle life’s challenges with greater fortitude. It is also important to remind ourselves that God’s grace can be reflected in the way we handle defeat and victories in sports. Wesley Sports and Wellness ministry works to integrate these values into all their fitness activities.

Sports Embody Spiritual Values
Rev Adrian Ng, the pastor in charge of W&E, who enjoys running and cycling himself, explained that the Bible does use sports to describe the Christian faith: “In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Apostle Paul uses runners training their bodies to win a race to describe the need for self-discipline in our Christian faith!”

“A true disciple works hard and strives competitively to be a better version of oneself daily as a follower of Christ. Paul also mentions that one must do so in a way that does not disqualify oneself from the prize (2 Timothy 1:5). The Christian Walk is all about integrity, good sportsmanship, honesty, partnership, teamwork, discipline, perseverance, etc., all of which are central to sports.”

So, step onto the gym, field, court or track, and let your faith be your guide, your sportsmanship, your testimony and your fuel to ignite a fire in others, leading them towards the ultimate victory – a life transformed by the love of Christ.

Join the Fun and Fellowship!
Wherever your sporting interest lies, there is a place for you in Wesley Sports and Wellness! We invite you to join us in our activities or to lead a group to let others experience the joy of connecting through sports. To learn more about the cycling, dragon boat, football, futsal, kayaking, Pilates, pickleball, trampoline or other sports and wellness activities at Wesley Methodist Church, please email wefriends@wesleymc.org.

CYCLING
Sign up at https://wesley.sg/TFOTRRF

FUTSAL
Sign up at https://wesley.sg/Futsalforfun

KAYAKING
Sign up at https://wesley.sg/SPlash

PICKLEBALL
Sign up at https://wesley.sg/pickleball

Share Your Love of Pickleball with Young Women at Dayspring
Are you a pickleball player? AGAPE Pickleball invites you to join our team of volunteers! Spend time playing pickleball with girls at Dayspring, building connections and offering encouragement. If you’re interested in this rewarding opportunity, please email wefriends@wesleymc.org. Kindly note that all volunteers are required to submit a form to MSF (Ministry of Social and Family Development).

About Dayspring*
The Dayspring Residential Treatment Centre (DRTC) by HCSA Highpoint Community Services is Singapore’s first small-group residential treatment facility that offers a caring, safe and therapeutic environment to help teenage girls who have suffered the complex trauma of emotional, physical or sexual abuse, to give them a higher probability of recovery and leading normal lives. HCSA Community Services started operations in 1996 as a halfway house for recovering drug addicts and ex-offenders. Today, their work has expanded to include ex-offenders, teenage girls who have experienced the complex trauma of repeated abuse and profound neglect, single-parent families with limited support, and other at-risk groups in the community. Visit Dayspring by HCSA Community Services for more information.

Photos courtesy of Wesley AGAPE Pickleball

A Poem titled “Sovereign”

Is He sovereign
when Depression’s darkness falls
and threatens to rob her life
and take it all?

Is He sovereign
when Mania strikes its hand
and the brightness she sees
masks a danger’s brand?

Is He sovereign
When she fights an unseen enemy
And struggles with his lies
That clouds her mind endlessly

“Take it away!” I cried
“This is too much to bear.”
“Can you still praise me,” He whispers.
“And believe that I care.”

“Take it away!” I begged
Pleaded, even bribed.
“Will you still praise me,” He asks
“if healing is denied?”

I cling onto You, Lord
Please keep me faithful;
You are my only hope
Help me still be grateful

I cling unto You, Lord
Please let me remember
You are a promise keeper
Even when I falter

And so my journey continues
My wishes yet fulfilled
But you meet me in my valleys
You are Sovereign, still

-Anonymous
*This poem was shared during Hymn and Praise Sunday service.

Photos taken by Jon Chia

More Hymn & Praise photos available here

Wesley Methodist Church illuminated the Singapore Night Festival with its first-ever participation this year! Over seven unforgettable nights, close to 400 dedicated volunteers from the church family welcomed over 20,000* visitors, highlighting the true spirit of community and service. Imagine a church, typically known for its serene worship services, pulsating with vibrant energy under the night sky. That was the scene at Wesley@NightFest from 7 to 11pm each night on 30-31 August, and 1, 4-7 September.

Watch the promo trailer of Wesley@NightFest!

The Singapore Night Festival is an annual celebration of Singapore’s rich cultural heritage and artistic expressions, transforming the Bras Basah and Bugis precinct into a vibrant hub of creativity and community engagement. Held in multiple venues, including the National Museum, Peranakan Museum, Singapore Management University, Stamford Arts Centre, Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, St Joseph’s Church and CHIJMES, the festival celebrated its 15th edition this year.

*Wesley Methodist Church transformed into a vibrant hub of community spirit, showcasing the beauty of service and togetherness under the night sky*

A Nostalgic Kampung Experience
Themed ‘Light on the Hill’, Wesley@NightFest transformed the church grounds into a nostalgic kampung reminiscent of Singapore in the 1970s. Retro props, engaging activities like AR experiences, origami, storytelling, music performances and photo booths, along with warm hospitality, transported visitors back in time. This celebration of Singapore’s heritage amidst a kaleidoscope of lights and colour fostered intergenerational community connections.

*Exploring the enchanting world of Augmented Reality (AR)!*

Families with wide-eyed children, tourists, and people from all walks of life explored the various activities, creating lasting memories. The sanctuary, opened for quiet contemplation amidst the busyness, offered visitors a space for respite and a glimpse into the rich heritage of the oldest Methodist Church in Singapore. Visitors also enjoyed music performances, explored the church’s history at the heritage gallery, and journeyed through the Milestones of Grace corridor, a captivating narrative of Wesley’s legacy.

Shared Experiences, Dedicated Volunteers, and a Kampung of Memories
“It was wonderful to see the church come alive with such energy and creativity,” said Rev Raymond Fong, the Pastor-in-Charge of Wesley Methodist Church. “This event reminds us of the importance of community and shared experiences. Picture an open and welcoming church that doesn’t just talk about love, but actively demonstrates love through service and outreach on a bigger scale. That is what the Singapore Night Festival offers us; this is what Wesley@NightFest and being the Light on the Hill is all about.”

With roles ranging from ushers and hospitality teams to tailors, talents in costumes, origami experts, storytellers, music performers and medical support personnel, the seamless execution of this seven-night event was a testament to our volunteers’ tireless efforts and months of preparation.

At 86, Dr Eileen Aw was the oldest volunteer serving at the inaugural Wesley@NightFest. Serving alongside her Small Group members from E4J (Eternity for Jesus), Dr Aw shared that she had enjoyed being at the event as much as the visitors, even though she had to be on her feet from 7 to 11pm, with only a short break in between to have a teh tarik. Stationed at the paper ball cart, she said: “All I can say is the event was such a wonderful opportunity for our own church members to bring their friends as well as for the visitors who have never stepped into Wesley Methodist Church before this. Now that I know I was the oldest serving volunteer there, I can tell you I was not tired but was energised by the enthusiasm of my fellow volunteers and the interests of our visitors in our activities.”

*Dr Eileen Aw, the oldest volunteer at Wesley@NightFest, bringing smiles at the paper ball cart*

“I had a lot of fun myself, and it was heartwarming to see the old and young coming together to have a good time. I would like to thank Pastor Chin Nam for playing with the kids and adults who came to the event. Kudos also to the organising team for the great ideas,” she added.

*Pastor Chin Nam playing with a young friend*

Natalie Goh, 23, described her volunteering at the origami team as a happy and eye-opening experience: “My most memorable experience volunteering at Wesley@Night Fest was connecting with people inside and outside the church through our shared interest in origami. Witnessing how doing God’s work brings joy to others and potentially welcomes them into the community was inspiring. I also appreciated the gifts volunteers distributed, even learning to make them myself to share with my Small Group, fostering deeper connections.”

From managing the bustling crowds to taking pictures with visitors, from serving Khong Guan gem biscuits to ensuring the smooth running of events, our volunteers embodied unity in diversity, utilising their unique gifts and talents to create a welcoming and memorable experience for all.

A Labour of Love
The church’s transformation into a vibrant kampung at the event was a labour of love that began at the end of last year. Training for ushers, in-character talents, watchers and origami teams commenced two months prior to the event, ensuring attention to detail. The activities at the event catered to people from all age groups, highlighting Wesley’s dedication to inclusivity.

*A family capturing a moment with beloved characters from the iconic 1960s*

Said Goh Cheng Joo, one of the organising members of the project and a volunteer photographer for all seven nights: “It was a joy to be part of the planning committee. Wesley@NightFest was a journey of hard work and immense joy. Looking through the lens to see how our community came alive made every moment worthwhile. This experience reinforced the profound impact we can make when we unite in service, guided by God’s love. It also brought together like-minded people to serve and fellowship together, just like the team of volunteer photographers.”

Positive Feedback from Visitors
The ‘Light on the Hill’ endeavour underscored the church’s mission to strengthen community bonds and support government initiatives. The positive feedback from visitors, vendors, volunteers and official organisers reflected that Wesley’s participation in the Singapore Night Festival had created a shared experience that resonated with thousands.

Shannon Tan, invited by Wesleyan friends from a pickleball group, was amused to see them dressed in 1960s costumes instead of their usual sports gear. “It was delightful to see my friends from Wesley, who invited us, so enthusiastically welcoming visitors. We even brought our guest from Thailand to ‘Light on the Hill’. The photo booths with volunteers in 60s costumes were fun! Your work reflects God’s love.” Shannon, who worships at Church of Our Saviour, added, “We never know how such simple acts can impact people’s hearts.”

*Enjoying the moment while embodying the strength and tradition of a Samsui woman*

Another visitor, Pauline Sim, wrote this in her social media post: “The retro shop was so authentic and a highlight for me. The storytellers were fabulous. The organ performance was good, and the general vibe was friendly and fun-loving. The history wall was brilliantly done, and my friend Frances was a wonderful guide. So much effort went into every detail of this event and all at Wesley should be very proud and happy about their contributions to the Night Festival.”

*A nostalgic gathering at a 1960s provision shop with Pauline Sim (seated, 2nd from right), Frances Lim (seated, 2nd from left) and friends*

“Wesley@NightFest was so fun and engaging, and I ended up going on multiple nights! I particularly enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere and historical experiences—it felt like going back in time, and the gem biscuits and Bestman bubble balloons were for sure highlights for me. Had a great time with my friends and family,” said Beth Yeo who was at the event visiting her mother (this writer and Chairperson of Wesley@NightFest) and grandmother, both of whom were helping on all nights.

At the event with Beth was her friend Cheong Su Anne, who said Wesley@NightFest transported her back in time with the intricate decorations and characters dressed up in costume. “I had a great time playing with the Bestman bubble balloons and making ‘snowmen’ with my friends. I enjoyed the lively atmosphere very much; it was one of the highlights of the Night Fest for me!”

*Bubbling with joy! A visitor embracing the magic of NightFest with our enchanting bubble balloons!*

A young Wesleyan, Sophia Olopade, shared her favourite part of Wesley@NightFest : “I enjoyed blowing the bubble balloons and playing with the paper balls with my friends. It was a fun way to spend time at church, and to take a break from PSLE revision!”

Daisy Yeo, an organising committee member and team leader who was serving at the event for seven nights, said Wesley@NightFest was a heartwarming trip down memory lane. “It brought back so many fond childhood memories. I grew up doing my homework by the kerosene lamps.”

*The inspiring team at the final night of Wesley@NightFest*

Describing witnessing close to 400 volunteers united to fill 700 slots over seven nights as truly inspiring, Alvin Tay, the Chairperson of the Local Church Executive Committee (LCEC) at Wesley, said: “It showcased the power of willing hearts, hands, and feet coming together to serve both God and neighbour. We, as a church, are delighted to have participated in the Singapore Night Festival for the first time, embodying unity in diversity and actively contributing to our community.”

*Wesley Methodist Church, a beacon of faith and community, beautifully illuminated at night*

A Shining Light on the Hill
Wesley Methodist Church’s ‘Light on the Hill’ shone brightly, illuminating not just the Night Festival, but the very spirit of community, heritage and shared experiences. It was a powerful testament to what God can empower us to do when we unite in His service, reminding us that together, we can create extraordinary moments that touch lives through, with, and in Him.

“It was a hot, humid but happy night,” said Serene Chua who was ushering at the junction of SMU and the National Museum during Wesley@NightFest. “Wesleyans have shone and lit up for Christ.”

*Figure provided by the official organiser

Photos by CJ Goh, Christopher Leong, Melvin Quah and Stanley Yeo
Video by Jacqueline Lok

More Wesley@NightFest photos available here

Are you having difficulties communicating with your teenage children? Is your child going through a difficult season in life? What are some of the challenges Christian parents face today?

Being a parent is one of the greatest gifts God gives to us and one of life’s best privileges. But at times, as the kids grow up and parents start to grapple with communicating with their children, it can also seem like a frightening responsibility for many parents.

On the other hand, our Generation Z and Generation Alpha children today live in the noisiest time in the history of humanity. Everywhere we turn, from phone notifications to social media, we are constantly distracted by noise—by AI (artificial intelligence), through apps, videos, live streaming, blogs, images or messages.

This is why parents today face greater challenges than ever in raising their children as the world continues to evolve technologically, amid increasing mental health concerns across all ages and endless stress about academic and job achievements. Digital natives like our children have to start navigating through a host of ‘noise’ from a very young age. It is increasingly harder for them to separate truth from fake news, fact from fiction and right from wrong.

In response to these complex challenges, the Family Life Ministry at Wesley Methodist Church organised an inaugural Parenting Conversations panel on 26 November to help parents have some practical handles and insights into raising their children in this noisy, chaotic age.

Insights into parenting by panellists

A total of 150 parents turned up for this heart-to-heart panel, where parents hear from five notable panellists and ask questions relating to parenting. The panellists were Mrs Lee Hui Feng, Mrs Aw Meng Yin, Ms Wendy Chua, Ms Vivienne Ng and Rev Michael Tan, and each came with a wealth of experience in their capacity as an educator, school counsellor, psychologist, ministry worker and most of all, as a parent. Moderated by Rev Raymond Fong, they gave their perspectives on some of the questions the parents had sent to Family Life Ministry in advance.

Some topics the panellists addressed included:

-How do you think we can navigate the stresses of Singapore’s education system without compromising each child’s and parent’s unique temperament?

-How do you bring teens back to the faith?

-Kids nowadays talk about panic attacks nearing and during exams. What can they do?

-What do you see as the biggest not commonly discussed challenge for parents today?

and LGBTQ questions.

The panellists, who have seen their children and many of their students or patients thrive eventually no matter how they did academically, shared some takeaways: “A child’s PSLE score does not define the person. How he performs eventually depends on how hard he works going forward,” said educator Aw Meng Yin. “More importantly, as parents, we just have to love our children for who they are, affirm them and build their self-esteem, and the rest will fall in place.”

Another educator, Lee Hui Feng, shared from her anecdote that children need their own time and space to grow: “As parents, we must adjust our way of talking to them according to their personalities and their life stages,” said Hui Feng. “I appreciate the opportunity to share my parenting and educator experiences with the parents at Wesley. I am very heartened to see so many of our parents coming together with open hearts to learn how to reach out to [the] young.”

A clinical psychologist of 32 years, Vivienne Ng, said many parents have complex journeys raising children. Parents do not have to feel they are struggling alone in this arduous and trying stage of life: “We share similar issues in parenting, and these issues, although might be very hurtful to bring up, are important to discuss.”

*(L-R) Mrs Aw Meng Yin, Mrs Lee Hui Feng, Ms Wendy Chua and Ms Vivienne Ng*

Wendy Chua, an education psychologist, gave practical handles to parents with difficulty communicating with their children. She shared that it was important for parents to focus on the children, make time for them and join them in activities they enjoy: “When my kid did skydiving, I went for it too. When they exercised, I did it too. These became shared activities and will eventually be shared memories.”

*Ms Wendy Chua on the topic of engaging children through shared activities*

A youth’s perspective

Parents at the event did not only receive helpful insights and perspectives from the professionals. Before the event’s closing, the parents also heard from Natania Leow, a 19-year-old SMU (Singapore Management University) undergraduate and ministry youth leader from Wesley. She wanted parents to know that sometimes the children reacted so negatively to their parents’ words because: “We take everything you (parent) said to heart because we love you.” (Read a teenager’s message to parents by Natania Leow)

While the first Parenting Conversations discussion panel is over, parenting is an ongoing journey that will never end, and parents have to keep on working on their parenting conversations with their children with, hopefully, lots of Godly wisdom. It may be hard to predict what changes the next ten years will bring to our children’s lives or the local education system, but our children’s values and identity rooted in the gospel and Christ will never change. May we continue to keep our faith as parents and children, and “trust that God will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents as God has promised in Malachi 4:6a,” said Rev Michael Tan, a father of four grown-up sons.

May we also continue to see parenting as part of our own discipleship.

As Caryn Lim, a working mother of three children, aged 13, 18 and 21, who attended the discussion panel shared: “I am reminded to be encouraging despite the children’s slip-ups and not to adopt a ‘I told you so’ attitude.”

Photos by Richmond Tan

Did you miss our inaugural Parenting Conversations discussion panel? If you would like to participate in any future talks or workshops conducted by Wesley’s Family Life Ministry, please look out for announcements on our Wesley publicity channels or our Wesley Family Life Ministry webpage.

Do you feel like a failure as a parent because your child is struggling? Every parent knows the pain, fears, struggles, frustrations and unrealistic expectations of raising children. Are you a teenager or youth stressed by family, relationships or academic issues? Everyone goes through valley moments in life. You are not alone, and you do not have to struggle alone. God accepts us the way we are and desires to walk with us on the journey to healing, reconciliation and wholeness. Here at Wesley, we are committed to walking with our parents, children, youth, young adults and everyone needing a friend or guide to help strengthen families and our inter-generational Church. If you are struggling and would like to talk to us, please get in touch with Wesley Counselling.

On 17 October 2023, a group of nine trippers from Wesley Methodist Church took off from Changi Airport for a trip to Nong Bua Lam Phu Methodist Church (NBLPMC) in northern Thailand, that blessed all involved.

A highlight of the trip was a camp for children and youth titled Jesus Really Loves You (Romans 8:38–39) with the objective of impressing on campers the fact that it is not merely a feel-good catchphrase, but it really IS the character of Jesus to love us TRULY. This was achieved through a series of activities including breaking the theme down to its component parts: Inviting Love, Unconditional Love and Transforming Love, each dealt with in a session led by camp speaker, Daryl Tay.

There were mass games for the 34 campers and trippers to get to know each other, and other activities like craft work, discussion sessions, worship and a skit. The three acts of the skit, complete with props, depicted Jesus’ interaction with Peter, James, John and other disciples before and after His resurrection (Luke 5:1–11, Luke 22:54–62, John 21:1–19)

As recorded in these scenes, the love Jesus had for Peter impacted the campers and also Desmond Yiong, a first-time tripper who acted in the skit:

The part where Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me … feed my sheep”, I felt as if Jesus was speaking to me, and I could feel the impact that must have had on the Apostle Peter. From that moment, the conviction of my discipleship was elevated to the next level. ‎

Day 2 of the camp ended with two altar calls, and it was an emotional time for both campers and trippers. At the first altar call, the campers were visibly stirred to sobs, while the second saw the whole group going to the front to be prayed for. Daisy Tan, who was on her second trip to NBLPMC, says:

It was the first time I saw children as young as six years old being moved by the Holy Spirit and then pouring out their feelings. As I went to pray for them, I was overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit too and started interceding and praying for them.

Besides the camp, the trippers visited 10 households in the Nong San community. Led by Uncle Kuk, an NBLPMC member, we took in the sights of the village—the houses, each with a hammock or two in the compound, a low square table which the residents sat on when receiving us and the rustic surroundings which included a grasshopper enclosure, banana trees and rice fields almost everywhere. Peggie Chan, a first-time tripper to NBLPMC, describes her experience:

The visit to the Nong San villagers was an eye-opener. The villagers, even those who needed help with walking, came out of their houses to receive us, listened to us while we sang, clapped along with us, told us what they would like us to pray for them (mostly health issues and family problems), and waited patiently to be prayed for. A woman who could hardly walk even asked if we had eaten!

Besides these activities, the team, ably supported by the youth worship team from NBLPMC, ran the Sunday service with a sermon accompanied by two testimonies. They also ran the youth, adult and children’s sessions in the afternoon, with sharing and discussion sessions for the first two groups and an English lesson for the third. These gave the trippers more opportunities to connect with the sections of the church community. Joshua Liew, a 15-year-old tripper who was fighting an illness, was games master during the camp. He bonded with the youth through meals together, the sharing sessions, the outdoor games and even unplanned sessions like helping to spruce up the English learning materials. Here’s what he had to say:

It was an eye-opening experience for me to help the church youth prepare the church for service. After setting up the main hall, I watched them practise for worship. Their music was so powerful, it was as if it was a full-on band like what we have at Wesley Youth Ministry. However, all they had was one acoustic guitar, one electric guitar and one drum set, but they played with so much power.

*Joshua (middle) showing how a game is played*

Throughout the visit, the trippers witnessed strong bonds between the pastor in charge, Kluay, and all sections of the flock. Her family came on board to help—her mother and sister came from other provinces to take charge of the cooking, together with her assistant, Mon.

*(L-R): Klaw (Ps Kluay’s sister), Mon and Ps Kluay’s mother, serving a meal*

The youth not only made up the worship team but took turns to wash the dishes after each meal and helped the children with activities. For Peter Teo, a returning tripper to NBLPMC, the trip was far from being a visit to a strange land:

I had a sense of being “at home” upon arrival at the airport at Udon Thani where we were greeted with the overwhelming reception by the church. The daily devotions together, travelling in an open vehicle plus sharing meals together were all memorable. I was “at home” in worship with people young and old, and also with the reception received at the village visitations.

Another resourceful person was Kung, a first-time Thai tripper who doubled up as Camp Mama. Her invaluable help in translation and her affableness with the children and youth was a godsend. She reflected on her role as our second interpreter:

When you allow God to use you, you can do things beyond your own knowledge and understanding. Later, when you learn and realise it, it is not about how much you can do but how much you trust God to use you.

Her counterpart was our Camp Papa, Danny Lin, a first-time tripper to NBLPMC, who wrote, scripted and directed the skit and made the props, among the many things he did at the camp. He described his experience of the camp this way:

Jesus really loves us, knowing what we need in the different seasons of our lives! Our gracious Lord led me to this NBLP trip and gave me the opportunity to exercise my discernment of the Holy Spirit with His joy. I learned to seek the Lord and waited to be inspired, instructed and executed with trust in Him. At times, the Holy Spirit required me to boost my faith, to boldly let go of what I thought was good. Other times, He gently nudged me to surrender my anxiety and to just trust in His timing.

Another form of support was the prayer team back home updated with the trippers’ daily prayer requests and praying for the team tirelessly.

What did some NBLP youth think of the camp?

Fern, 22: I was impressed by the youth learning activities and the fun and insightful games that teach us, giving us insights into living with God.

Hong, 20: The youth learning activities felt very fun and I was happy. Spending time together and receiving encouragement to live with God and have more peace.

Mark, 18: What impressed me was the drama because it was expressed very well. I liked the delicious food in the camp, and the games were very fun. And I like the activities after the youth lessons. It has very good ideas, teaching us to think and grow more with God.

In all, from the trippers’ reflections and thanksgiving at the morning devotions, it is clear that Jesus really loves us, leading us throughout the strenuous preparation for weeks, with its many changes, upheavals in plans and programming, as well as the running of the camp, and through all the activities—planned and unplanned. We were more than blessed—we went to bless the community but were blessed in return.

Trip leader Tao Ai Lei was thankful to have witnessed God at work:

It was truly a privilege to see God’s hand at work on this trip. There were some impossibilities that God made possible. A trip in October usually means fewer trippers as it’s a busy period for many in Singapore, but not only were there nine trippers, it also included a camp speaker and a youth. God also paved the way, removing challenges we faced and providing for all the needs.

To God be the glory! May He continue to keep the NBLP community in His loving arms, see them through uncertain times and may they sow a harvest in His time.

Photos by Desmond Yiong, Tao Ai Lei and Danny Lin

For the last five years, whenever Jenny* (not her real name) in China thought about her mother, Madam Han Hongli in Singapore, she would recall the many times Hongli made her breakfast every morning before she went off to school and when she took her shopping for new clothes.

Jenny was just in her early teens when Hongli left her younger brother and her for Singapore to work as a migrant worker in the food and beverage industry. “Money to feed the children and to support them through school were my top priorities in life then,” recalled Hongli. “Nothing else mattered. How could we survive without money?”

As for Hongli, the memories of the times she cooked for her children back in China, and their happy faces when she brought them home from school never failed to cheer her up.

Hongli and Jenny had long accepted and embraced their long-distance family arrangement as best they could, staying in touch regularly on the phone, with Jenny keenly aware her responsibility was to work hard and help look after her brother while Hongli toiled abroad.

A life devastated by slashing attack

Everything changed on April 14, 2022, when Hongli’s estranged husband slashed Hongli several times in broad daylight outside the Chongqing (Origin) steamboat restaurant at Beach Road, where she worked. The slashing attack turned the family’s lives topsy turvy, and everything just “became a blur,” recalled Jenny. The savage attack took a terrible toll on Hongli, including losing sight in one eye, having one arm nearly severed, and bearing multiple scars across her face and limbs.

Jenny only found out about the terrible attack on Hongli three days after it happened, with her aunt and uncle merely revealing she had been beaten up, recalled the soft-spoken Jenny, who will soon officially graduate from university

“My family members in China did not me much, but the attack on my mother made headlines in Singapore and China.I was terribly shocked and extremely worried for mama; I did not know if she would survive.”

Jenny then began a frantic search online for news on Hongli. Some of the news included eyewitnesses’ gruesome accounts and doubts that she would survive, with comments on the reasons for the attack often wildly speculative, baseless, downright disparaging, and cruel. With Hongi’s news splashed online all over Singapore and China, Jenny spiraled into a world of deep anger, agony and anxiety. “I was filled with so much hatred for that man; I wanted to see my mother, and I was so fearful of losing her. I could not do anything for her, and I kept thinking and thinking about revenge.”

*December 2022: Hongli suffers permanent blindness in her left eye* *from the slashing attack*

Fighting to stay alive

For Hongli, as the pressure of the odds to survive ratcheted up and after that, as the traumatic reality the impact of her injuries road to recovery sank in, started having suicidal thoughts driven by hopelessness, sorrow, anger, over a vivid layer of physical and emotional pain.

Through it all, she held on to the need to survive for her two children: “The thought of my children kept me alive; they spurred me to live on and try to overcome all the adversities and my despair so that I could see them again.”

Anxiety, fear and pain surrounded mother and daughter as they tried their best to make sense of what had happened as they journeyed through that dark, difficult period.

However, in a strange way, after the attacks, Hongi felt somewhat liberated. “The man had always threatened to harm my family in China, but he didn’t get to them; he got to me instead. So, in a real way I was relieved my family was not harmed, because the one harmed was me.”

“Slowly, as I recovered, I was also healed in my heart of my bitterness and hatred. This was because I started to surrender my life, bit by bit, to God”, shared Hongli.

In contrast, Jenny struggled with intense worry and hatred. “I wished he had harmed me instead. I would rather take the blows for my mother and suffer for her; her road was so painful.”

Again, rays of hope began to pour through, courtesy of Hongli’s community. “At the same time, I was also really comforted that mama was supported by many kind people in Singapore, the Salvation Army and the Chinese migrant workers’ community in Singapore. They encouraged and supported her with her emotional and physical healing.”

God’s love through a selfless, authentic and caring community

After five long years, in October Jenny and Hongli finally reunited in Singapore with the generous support of the Salvation Army and their social workers. Fiona Soh, the Corporate Communications Director of The Salvation Army, said they wanted to fly Jenny over for the reunion as mother and daughter had not seen each other for too long, and Jenny was also old enough to travel on her own to Singapore: “It was important for Hongli to connect with her daughter and help her realise how love and forgiveness are still possible in spite of anger and violence. This support through a crisis and beyond really enables God’s glory to shine as well.”

Jenny had tried to imagine many times what it would be like when she eventually saw her mother in person; she had thought she would break down. “But I didn’t, I was just so happy and relieved to be able to see mama again,” she said, a sense of relief and gratefulness just overcoming her. “Were you surprised by my looks when you saw me in person finally, or am I indeed the most beautiful mother?” teased Hongli during the interview.

“You are definitely still the most beautiful mother to me,” quipped Jenny.

A step of faith

Although Jenny had been exposed to the faith by her Christian grandmother in China, she was never really serious about being a Christ follower. After she came to Singapore to visit Hongli, Jenny was instantly struck by her faith, which made a difference in her: “My mother has changed. She used to be very concerned about money, and she had very worldly values. When I stayed with her in Singapore, I realised she had become kinder, and more compassionate. She also no longer harboured bitterness; she suffered an extreme tragedy, yet managed to overcome it because as she told me repeatedly, she saw hope in Christ, and she saw the goodness in humanity through her Christian community in Singapore.”

Over the 20 days she was in Singapore, Jenny was introduced to her mother’s community as she joined them in outings and meals daily. She experienced how Hongli’s community in the Salvation Army surrounded her mother and her with genuine love and affection.

Jenny was very moved by many of Hongli’s Christian friends who did not just care for the both of them, but cared sacrificially for other migrant workers too. “I am surprised that there are so many selfless people who are willing to go all out to help others even though they do not have much themselves,” shared Jenny. “I saw the love of God through all their genuine kindness and compassion. It made me want to be like them, cast my cares upon God, and walk the road ahead as a Christian.” Agreeing with Jenny, Hongli said: “As for me, I too saw how much sacrifices the Christian community in Salvation Army made for the other people.” She shared how coming close to God has lifted her from deep darkness in life and helped her focus more on surrendering all matters to God instead of dwelling on issues and anxieties. “After all the tragedy, hatred and unforgiveness I experienced in my life, I have experienced the love of Jesus, and it has made me realise that only in God can we have true hope. I have also reminded Jenny to turn over her worries in life to the Lord as well.”

From tragedy to triumph

Jenny decided to take the step to affirm her faith in God through baptism while she was in Singapore. Although Hongli did not ask her daughter to be baptised, Jenny wanted to be before returning to China. This was not one of the things that Hongli expected to happen before her daughter came to Singapore, but the timing was perfect and filled her with joy. “It was God’s arrangement,” said Hongli. “I am so comforted that my daughter took the step to hand over her life to Christ.”

After all that she has experienced, Hongli no longer harbours thoughts about riches or success in life. She has renewed her priorities and values: “I have had a tragedy; I nearly lost my life. But I am so thankful I can still be here today, and I have learned to forgive, let go of many things and surrender to the Lord Jesus.” When asked what she would look forward to now, Hongli said all she wants is to move on and be able to see her two precious children grow up happily and healthily: “I want to enjoy a simple life with them, like cooking for them when my daughter is home after work and when my son comes home during the school holidays. I just want to commit my future to the Lord Jesus Christ, knowing that only He alone can direct and make my path straight; no one else can.”

Faced with only two options after the tragedy – give up or live on – never once did it cross Hongli’s mind that something so unendurable and ugly could end up being something still beautiful. However, as the days passed, Hongli realised that God could was really able to turn all things into good: “I have forgiveness in my heart now and I cling on to this verse in Hebrews 12:1-3 – ‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith’”. As she shared this, Hongli’s face lit up as she shared how her testimony in a local church recently led a pre-believer to receive Christ, her joy clearly evident.

“I want everyone to know that our Lord Jesus Christ can turn any situation around. He can turn the most awful and devastating situations into something filled with true hope. Just look at what happened to me,” she affirmed.

For Hongli and Jenny, God truly transformed bad into good, and their mess into His masterpiece.

*Name has been changed to protect the identity.

*Hongli and daughter reunite in Singapore*

Read Chinese version of this article here. Translated by Amanda Low from the Wesley Mandarin Ministry.

Wesley TIDINGS would like to express our appreciation to The Salvation Army for the opportunity to interview Madam Han Hongli and her daughter.

Personal, yet communal

Each floral arrangement is a unique and sacred expression of the person creating it. The very act of designing and arranging is putting something of ourselves, our own being, into the offering. We offer the flowers, ourselves, and our lives to God.

For the three or more hours of preparing, conditioning and arranging the floral offering, we commune with our God.

The delight in arranging flowers has been with one member, Cassandra Leung, since she was a little girl: “I had watched my mum do Ikebana tabletop arrangements. When I was older, I was eager to be rostered to do floral offerings to the Lord myself.

“Floral arrangement is not just a physical aesthetic activity. Through learning to pray and allow God to use my eyes and hands, I am connected to God. It is my form of worship. An expression of creativity like how God created all things beautiful in the six days and He was pleased.”

“It is my joy to share the work to fill the Lord’s house with love and serenity, and an avenue to prepare the hearts to offer worship and receive His Word at services,” she added.

Floral offerings enhance the worship experience for everyone. Their colours, fragrance, beauty and presence draw attention to the altar and the cross. Foliage and flowers bring nature into the house of the Lord, reflecting our Creator God.

Floral offerings are also an important liturgical art form, in service to God.

Worshipful music, the stained glass, the altar, and the flowers, all come together, the congregation celebrates oneness with God.

So, the next time you come to church for worship service, look out for the floral offerings and see that more than just a bunch of cool and beautiful flowers and leaves, they are also an expression of worshipping the Lord for the hands that arranged them!

As one of the Wesley Floral Fellowship volunteers Felicia Toi puts it beautifully: “Our God deserves all the honour and glory from, and through all He has created. The use of flowers in the sanctuary speaks of our respect and adoration to Him. It is a constant reminder that God’s presence fills the sanctuary amid His people.”

About the Wesley Floral Fellowship
The Wesley Floral Fellowship (WFF) is a sub-ministry of the Worship & Music Ministry. Led by chairperson Chia Pee Keng, it currently has 45 members, all rostered to put together the floral offerings every week. Occasionally, the WFF also dedicates additional hours to create special floral arrangements for significant occasions like Easter, Christmas, church anniversaries, baptisms and weddings. WFF was started in 1945 by Mrs Gnana Thevathasan, after the Japanese occupation.

Photos courtesy of Wesley Floral Fellowship

Have you ever wondered how many people it takes to prepare for a Sunday worship service at Wesley Methodist Church? By the time the pastor or worship leader is standing at the pulpit, at least forty people would have prepared the ground for the service to happen. These people would include the worship service team which plans the songs and order of service, coordinates with the staff, ushers, musicians and worship service leader; the Communications team which designs the bulletin and power point slides; the media team which publicises the news on social media; the AV team that works on the sound system and online service; the floral team who arranges the flowers; and finally, the music and choir team.

You get the idea. In short, the Church needs many volunteers.

This was why the Wesley Ministry Fair was back again this year as a great way for Wesleyans to meet and gather information about the various ministries. The ministry fair, held at the rooftop, also celebrates the importance, joy and diverse range of all our volunteer efforts.

Thirteen ministries—Christian Outreach and Social Concerns, Communications, Events, the three NextGen ministries, Glowing Years Ministry, Mandarin, Missions, Prayer and Praise, Witness and Evangelism, Women’s Society of Christian Service, Worship and Music—participated in the second edition of the Wesley Ministry Fair which happened on the Laity Weekend this year. Together, the ministries saw over 200 volunteers who had signed up at the various booths.

*Hey, you. Yes, you! Come serve with us at NexGen to raise the next generation of faithful Christians*

*COSC: A ministry who needs lots of volunteers to bring hope and healing to those in need*

*Serving the Lord and our community through making music, worship and floral arrangement*

Laity Weekend, which happens every October, is an occasion when the Methodist Church celebrates the ministry of all lay Christians. It is a weekend when the lay people plan and participate in the worship service by preaching on the pulpit, and when many Methodist Churches take the special occasion to remember and recognise the servanthood of all Christians who are not pastors or in full-time ministry.

It was, therefore, the perfect weekend on 7 and 8 October for the Wesleyan community to check out the various ministries and hear about their good works as they also enjoyed snacks and drinks, arts and crafts at the Children’s Ministry booth and games for everyone at the Communications booth.

The ministry fair connects the congregation with various Church communities. It is helpful for memberslooking to get involved with the ministries, especially those who might not always know where to start and those who might not be so plugged into the Wesley church life.

It is also an occasion for pastors, volunteer coordinators and other church and community leaders to meet Wesleyans they could not meet from other service congregations.

Alvin Tay, the Chairperson of the ministry fair, says that the ministry fair was organised to help Wesleyans identify their passions, interests, gifts and find ways to use those gifts in ministry: “But the Ministry Fair isn’t just a place for us to invite more volunteers to explore the different ministries as they find the right ministry to serve at Wesley and beyond.”

*(L-R) LCEC Chairperson Alvin Tay, Rev Raymond Fong and Lay Leader Aw Choon Hui*

“It is also an opportunity for the participating ministries to share with our community what they do daily, weekly, monthly and yearly.”

It was a fun-filled day with lots of information set up around the venue, snacks, performances, and presentations by various ministries on the stage, emceed by the vivacious Sandra Mun. Members who visited the ministry fair were encouraged to talk to the ministry representatives and check out as many ministries as possible so that they could find a ministry they resonate with.

*Centrestage: Emcee Sandra Mun interviewing a mother and daughter*

*A lively presentation by the Mandarin Children’s Ministry*

*Different ministries coming together to make music during Ministry Fair*

*Members of the Dawnbreakers choir singing with gusto*

One of the volunteers serving in the Communications ministry, Joanna Tan, shares that it was a very memorable experience serving literally with her hands and feet at this year’s ministry fair: “I was blessed with the opportunity to help ‘build’ the ministry’s booth with my hands and spend time using my feet to ‘walk around’ and engage with various visitors and church friends who come by to say ‘hi’ or to find out more about how they can serve together in Wesley. I am thankful for the opportunity that God has given me to be able to contribute what I have, be it time, talent, treasures to this precious community.”

*Joanna Tan sharing information about serving with Communications ministry*

Another volunteer, Justin Koh, says: “It was a warm weekend, with even warmer hearts. I committed to serving in this two-day fair with trepidation and worries. It turned out to be unfounded, as staff and volunteers all chipped in constantly to make light work. I think we all feel this threshold towards serving, but we should say ‘yes’ to the first step, and let God bring us where He needs us to be. A grain of mustard seed can grow into a large tree.”

*Serve with us, we promise it’s worth the buzz: Justin Koh, a Comms ministry volunteer, with an interested Church member*

The opportunities for volunteering do not stop after the ministry fair though. Members of Wesley can continue to explore the various volunteer opportunities throughout the year.

Rev Raymond Fong, the Pastor-in-charge of Wesley Methodist Church exhorts Wesleyans to serve in Church and our community: “Praise God for the Ministry Fair. Thanks to everyone who has put in so much hard work in putting together this year’s ministry fair. Serving God and others is more than just a volunteer opportunity. It is also a discipleship journey. I sincerely hope you will grow as a follower of Christ as you serve with your five loaves and two fish. As a Wesley family, we will serve together so that many more will be blessed, especially the least, last and lost.”

“Let’s continue to use our gifts to be the hands and feet of Christ in our world.”

Do you know Wesley Methodist Church has over 50 main and sub ministries? We have a place for everyone to serve. Come be a volunteer who serves to help grow the Church and minister to our community. For more information on where and how you can be God’s hands and feet in Wesley and beyond, please go to Serve at Wesley Volunteer Booklet or contact mailbag@wesleymc.org

Photos by CJ Goh and Gaius Ho

Click here for more Ministry Fair 2023 photos!

One of my favourite cartoons when I was a kid was Popeye. For the uninitiated, Popeye is a popular cartoon from the 70’s. Popeye is this scrawny, funny-looking sailor who always saves the day and his damsel in distress Olive Oyl (after he downs his can of spinach). As a child, I used to dislike vegetables, and my parents would encourage me to watch Popeye instead of other cartoons to try to coax me to eat more greens. I loved to watch Popeye because he was such a funny and unlikely hero.

*Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay*

As I grew up, I started liking movies with superheroes who often silently save the day without looking any bit like a stereotypical hero in their ‘real’ lives. Spiderman, with its well-known quote, “With great power comes great responsibility”, is one of them. Superman is another, and I love this quote from it: “There is a superhero in all of us. We just need the courage to put on the cape.”

Have you ever wondered if you might have a superpower too? Perhaps, a talent or an interest that always gives you the spark to pursue, persevere and serve with joy? Do you believe that God has given every one of us a unique gift to serve Him and others? Do you know that He has created all of us with a purpose? Have you ever considered how your unique gift and talent can be used for God? What is the ‘superpower’ God has graced you with?

No matter who, where or how we are, we can all be God’s instruments in our everyday lives, like mini superheroes.

Like many of you, I did not think I possessed any significant talents, skills or gifts. I used to sing in church and school when I was younger, and I served with the Girls’ Brigade which was my school CCA (co-curricular activity) in school, and that was about it. I viewed my skill set then more as hobbies, interests or experiences rather than gifts.

The change in my perspective about serving came during my university days when I started serving in church more actively. During that time, my mentors stressed and demonstrated to us the joy of serving in the Lord. They led by example and helped me discover the meaning of serving. At the same time, I was also taught to discover, appreciate and use the gifts that the Lord has given me to serve Him and my community that season. In time to come, my mentors had told us to view ourselves as little “superheroes”—not to inflate our egos or pride, but to learn to humbly appreciate and optimise the gifts that the Lord has given to us that season in life so that we can serve God with godly intentions, pure hearts and excellence in Him.

Writer (1st on right, front row) *with her church – Chinese Community Church of South Bay in Southern California* – serving homeless people in a Soup Kitchen in downtown Los Angeles in her university days

It did not matter which area we served in. It could be wiping the tables, giving out evangelising tracts, teaching in Sunday school, singing in the choir or folding the bulletins, but each of us “should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10) At the same time, we were told to use the opportunity to learn and fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ as we serve as His hands and feet united as a Body of Christ.

One of the Bible’s most common descriptions of the Church is the Body of Christ: “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” (Romans 12:4–5) Imagine a jigsaw puzzle. It would not be complete if two out of two hundred pieces were missing. It takes all of us to complete the Body of Christ. Everybody, every part, is needed in the Body of Christ. God does not need us to complete His work but wants to shape us through serving Him and others.

When I served together with my friends, I not only grew closer to the friends I served alongside with; I found myself also walking closer with God and my community.

There are so many needs in our community and in our world that cry out in need of a hero.

In the Methodist social creed, we are told to “commit ourselves to the rights of men, women, children, youth, young adults, the aging, the dying, and those with handicaps; to improvement in the quality of life, and to the rights and dignity of racial, ethnic, and religious minorities.” In other words, we are asked to be God’s hands and feet to those who are vulnerable and marginalised: “Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.” (Isaiah 58:10, NLT)

Where would we take our gifts and talents—our ‘superpowers’— gifted by the Lord to extend His kingdom? It could be in our families, communities, workplaces, schools or even beyond Singapore.

Perhaps the short answer we are looking for to a complex question might be found here in Micah 6:8: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God”.

How can you, with your superpowers, make a difference in Wesley and beyond today?

Where might God be calling you to share your gifts today? Come create connections and help spread joy in the community with us. To find out where and how you can serve in Wesley and beyond, please go to Serve at Wesley Volunteer Booklet or contact mailbag@wesleymc.org

About the Methodist Social Creed

1. We believe in God, Creator of the world; and in Jesus Christ the Redeemer of creation. We believe in the Holy Spirit, through whom we acknowledge God’s gifts, and we repent of our sin in misusing these gifts for personal gain.

2. We affirm the natural world as God’s handiwork and dedicate ourselves to its care, preservation, enhancement, and faithful use by humankind.

3. We joyfully receive for ourselves and others, the blessings of community, sexuality, marriage and the family.

4. We commit ourselves to the rights of men, women, children, youth, young adults, the aging, the dying, and those with handicaps; to improvement in the quality of life, and to the rights and dignity of racial, ethnic, and religious minorities.

5. We believe in the right and duty of persons to work for the good of themselves and others; in the rights of property as a trust from God, collective bargaining, and the cultivation of a simple lifestyle; and in the elimination of economic and social distress.

6. We dedicate ourselves to peace throughout the world, to freedom for all people, and to the rule of justice and law among nations.

7. We believe in the present and final triumph of God in human affairs, and affirm that the world is our parish.

For more information please go to: Our Creeds – The Methodist Church in Singapore

The long-awaited Wesley Food Fair was back on 26 August 2023. An annual tradition for over 70 years before COVID struck, this event attracted a substantial group of both young and old who braved the crowds to enjoy their favourite foods and festivities.

The food fair didn’t always go by this name. It used to be called the WSCS (Women’s Society of Christian Service) Annual Bazaar to raise funds for the needy. It started before the Second World War with only half a dozen stalls. It was a four-hour event, starting from four o’clock in the afternoon.

*Crowd starting to form even before the official opening time*

All corners of the church were filled with the aromatic smells of delicious food and goodies from two packed food zones at the atrium and rooftop (Wesley Plaza). There were stalls selling local favourites like mee siam and satay to baked treats like the traditional ‘Wesley Waffles’—an age-old recipe from Mrs HB Amstutz, wife of Dr Amstutz, then pastor, and later Bishop of the Methodist Church in Malaysia and Singapore.

Multi-generational culinary family

The sweet scent of freshly baked Dutch stroopwafels greeted all at the Wesley Plaza thanks to three generations of the Tan-Leong family. Five sisters, one brother, 16 children and more grandchildren came together at the stall to sell freshly baked traditional Dutch goodies like stroopwafels and poffertjes (mini pancakes) with local fillings like gula melaka. With family from the Netherlands, the Tan-Leongs decided to share the unique taste of Dutch desserts.

*The stroopwafels and poffertjes stall run by Ming Tan and his family*

Helping to manage the stall was Ming Tan, a second-generation Wesleyan and a local celebrity chef. “For over 15 years, our family has enjoyed participating at the Food Fair by sharing our special family recipes. It gives us great joy to be able to bond and worship as a family through food,” said Ming.

Flea flea market and festivities

Fun and games awaited all at the Level 2 hall. Families and friends gathered to take photos at a professional photo booth for precious mementos. The NextGen Ministry’s face painting booth delighted the children. At the Plaza Hall, a boisterous band – Creative Expression Ministry – belted out familiar tunes. A flea market was also setup at the hall, selling decorative flowers, clothes, knick-knacks and even furniture!

*Youth with painted face enjoying a bite*

*The Creative Expression Ministry belting out familiar tunes* *at Plaza Hall*

Family, friends and fish

A highlight of the market was a booth selling fish. Hoping to share their passion and give some fishes a new home, David Lim, Theresa Leong, Johnny Seah and his granddaughter Ava Seah sold guppies and aquatic plants. David, who has been worshipping at Wesley for 20 years, has been breeding fish at home as a hobby.

Ava Seah said, “I enjoy spending time with my grandpa and his friends caring for his fishes, and it brings us closer together. Being able to share the joys of raising fish with the Food Fair visitors and seeing their interest was a great experience for us.”

Johnny also shared the ironic coincidence of his son, daughter-in-law and other grandchildren selling nasi lemak and otah at Ann’s Otah in Wesley Plaza.

Another newcomer to this year’s Food Fair was a sketch booth manned by Sandra Hee. Though not a new face at the Food Fair, the sketch booth is Sandra’s first. She sketches from customers’ photos and delivers beautifully framed portraiture.

A big thank you to all

The tireless efforts of all volunteers, contributors and fair goers was much appreciated, and all proceeds were donated to 13 designated charities and non-profit organisations.

We look forward to next year’s Wesley Food Fair!

*Happy customers Pastor Adrian and his wife Serene*

View and download more Wesley Food Fair 2023 photos at Photo Gallery

Photos by Henry Lim, CJ Goh, William Choo, Leong Siew Yin and Gaius Ho

Wesley Methodist Church would like to acknowledge the immense contributions of Mrs Dora Chan, Chair of the Organising Committee of the food fair. Dora, 75, has been helming the work of organising the fair for the last thirty years, giving to it in more ways than one.

She is the longest-serving Chair and in her last stint as Chair this year, she would like to thank all those who supported her in all her years of service in this area.

Her prayer is that we may continue in our good efforts to run this fair, to raise funds for those who need it, which has been the reason she has kept going at it for so long.

We wish Dora the Lord’s blessings as she retires from this service.

May God continue to use her mightily in other areas where her skills and talents will be put to use.

Blessings!

“Jesus loves you”, an often preached and spoken phrase that rings like a slogan for Christians. Rightly so, God loves us so much that He gave us His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). Jesus came to the world to save us through Him. This is one gospel that we can stand on.

Since God loves us so much, what should be our response to His love?

To answer this question, let us consider the purpose of the gospel or Good News. This Good News is of no use if it only stays in the hearts of believers. It cannot be any Good News if it is not brought to those who have not heard them. It will not only be Good News but the Greatest News if the whole world hears it. This news is not only good and great—it is the Truth. When the Truth is heard by those who have yet to know Jesus, it can transform hearts to believe in the One who is the perfecter of our faith and lead them to call Jesus their Lord and Saviour.

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good News!’” (Rom 10:14–15).

In 2 Corinthians 5:19, Paul wrote that God wants to reconcile the world to Himself in Christ and He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. As ambassadors of Christ, we are to be those beautiful feet that would bring the gospel message to the lost to implore them to be reconciled to God (2 Cor 5:20).

Jesus’ parting shot for us before His ascension in Matthew 28:18–20 has never been clearer. If anyone is still asking for God’s will for his/her life, look no further: Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matt 28:19).

Make no mistake, this command termed the Great Commission is meant for everyone who loves God and calls himself/herself disciples of Christ. If we can have this passion of Christ, then “Jesus loves me” would be personified when we put that phrase into action to bring others to Him and impact their lives forever.

Christ also gave us two commands: to love God with all our hearts and to love our neighbours as ourselves (Matthew 22:36–40), as a guide to our daily living for the purpose of our discipleship.

If we obey the two Great Commandments and the Great Commission out of our love for Jesus who first loved us while we were yet sinners, then we live a God-pleasing life of discipleship that does not take Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins for granted. You would be on mission for God.

So what is missions?

It is God’s mission to reconcile men to Himself. From the book of Genesis to Revelation, the same narrative of God wanting to make men His disciples is unmistaken. This is the Missio Dei and we are commanded to partner Him in this work.

Therefore, missions is an extension of God’s love for the world through the Church. Missions would be our act of love as well as an act of discipleship.

Wesleyans, let’s go over to the other side! Will you heed the call to bring light to the lives of those who still live in darkness?

How can each one of us partner God in His Mission in Wesley?

In Wesley, we have many ways for everyone to participate in missions. Our platforms are spelled out in our Missions Policy to provide support to both full-time ministry and short-term trippers. We support both clergy and laity—just about anyone who is available to do God’s work in the missions fields.

1. Full-time Christian vocation
If God has called you into full-time Christian vocation, Missions Comm will come alongside you on this journey, beginning from discernment to nurturing, preparation and sending you out into the field. We provide care and spiritual support for all our missionaries and missioners while they are out in the missions fields. The church also provides financial and ministry support to ensure that you are not alone. If you sense a calling, if you have a local or cross cultural ministry, the church is prepared to journey with you to discern that call and support you accordingly.

1.1 The church supports the following missions platforms:

a) Traditional church planting missionaries are set apart by the Holy Spirit to enter into a cross-cultural environment to spread the gospel.

b) Itinerant missionaries are those called for ministry overseas, but for special reasons cannot be in the field for a long continuous period. The church may support you for shorter stints in the field.

c) Tentmakers serve as missionaries while working full time in a foreign land. They could be residing in the country for study, marriage or any other reason. Their purpose is to make Christ known cross-culturally.

d) Missionary interns are persons who seek to make Christ known or embark on missions endeavours through a specific vocation via a short-term attachment with a Christian organisation, either outside or in Singapore for the purpose of exploring the possibility of long-term vocational service in or with a Christian organisation. Such a period could range from three months to a maximum of 24 months.

e) Missioners are those who serve in Singapore with Christian organisations for the purpose of doing missions at our doorsteps.

f) Business as Missions is not a new platform. It is an opportunity for business people and entrepreneurs who would like to incorporate Christian values and ethics into their businesses and would like to go into cross-cultural communities to use their businesses to minister and impact the life of the local people. It is combining business and ministry together to bring the love of Christ to those who have yet to experience it. This can be a useful platform anywhere but especially handy in Creative Access Nations.

2. Theological studies
If you would like to pursue a course in Christian theological studies with the purpose of entering a full-time Christian vocation, the church has the means to support you with financial assistance. You must be convicted of God’s call and demonstrate spiritual gifts consistent with your calling.

3. Missions trips
Some of us may not receive the call into full-time Christian vocation but have the heart to go on short trips to minister the love of Christ to people. If you belong to this group, come and join other trippers to neighbouring countries. There are vast opportunities to use your skills to either provide a service to impact lives or just bring the love of Christ to others. Missions trips may range from a few days to six months to approved locations or people groups outside of Singapore for the purpose of exploring potential opportunities for sharing the gospel, serving through missions-related activities or assessing the needs of the fields or people groups.

4. Caring for our Christian workers and theological students
Missionaries, missioners and other Christian workers and students need a lot of care as they serve in their respective fields. Missionaries are usually all alone braving cultural differences, languages and practices that are very different from their own. Living in an environment out of their comfort zone can be very stressful. You could be involved in missions by stepping out to care and advocate for them. Be there to look after their physical and spiritual welfare. Well-cared-for missionaries can then focus on giving everything to the kingdom work in the fields.

5. Pray
Be prepared to pray for our missionaries. Missions cannot happen without prayer. The spiritual welfare of our missionaries is as important as their physical needs. They are fighting not against flesh and blood, but against the forces of the principalities (Ephesians 6:12). Adopt our missionaries and give them your spiritual support through prayer; you can do that individually or as a small group.

6. Sacrificial giving
Steward the blessings that God has given you by giving sacrificially to the work of our missions. Your gift will bless our Christian vocationers as well as the missions fields in more ways than can be imagined.

Conclusion
Statistics from the Joshua Project¹ indicate that as of today, there are 17,442 people groups in the world of a population of 8 billion. Of these, there are 7,385 unreached people groups, or 42.3 percent comprising a population of 3.4 billion people. We need Christians to spread the Good News and bring light into others’ lives. In addition, these unreached people groups lack followers of Christ and resources to evangelise their own people .

Going to “the other side” is about revealing God to the nations who have yet to know Christ. It is seeing nations filled with the knowledge of God and bringing the kingdom of God from heaven to them. Then, we will see the Glory of God revealed in them.

Each one of us must partner God in His Missio Dei. Each one of us is called to do missions. This is a mandate. This is a command. This is the will of God waiting for us to obey.

Each one of us can do missions. Be available!

¹Joshua Project is a research initiative seeking to highlight the ethnic people groups of the world with the fewest followers of Christ. Accurate, regularly updated ethnic people group information is critical for understanding and completing the Great Commission.

A group of Wesleyans gathered in one corner of the hotel ballroom with their journal books and pens ready to write reflections. In another corner, a group of Wesleyans were throwing their heads back with laughter listening to the sharing of their friends. For four days and three nights, Wesleyan campers come together to start their day by raising their voices, worshipping God, and praising Him. This is the sight that greeted all who entered the ballroom of the Pullman Hotel in Kuala Lumpur from 10 to 13 June 2023.

*The Worship Team leading campers in praise and worship*

*A camp for one spiritual family, for Wesleyans of all ages*

First Post-Pandemic Camp by Wesley Methodist Church

The Wesley Church Camp returns with a bang after a three-year pause from the pandemic. Organised by the Family Life Ministry, led by Rev Gladwin Lee and Camp Committee Chairperson Kelvin Wong, this year’s Wesley Church camp saw a turnout of over 500 campers ranging from ages 1 to 80, including 32 participants from the Wesley Mandarin Ministry. Numerous members also invited their pre-believing family members to join this family camp with the objective of getting them to experience the warmth and intimacy of a loving church community beyond the usual Sunday church services.

The sentiment – we can learn a lot from the younger generations – rang consistently throughout this year’s intergenerational services and was likewise carried out over Wesley’s 2023 Family Camp, aptly themed “Becoming A Family of God”.

Pastor-in-Charge of Wesley Methodist Church, Rev Raymond Fong, who was there with his wife Grace, welcomed and encouraged all to take the time to know God and bond with one another as a spiritual family.

This year’s guest speaker Rev Dr Gordon Wong, the Methodist Church’s Bishop, added: “Every church should cater to at least one specific group who feels excluded.” He also reminded the campers, “It is natural to feel anguish and betrayed—but we can still be a great blessing beyond our own feelings of unblessedness.” “Think beyond our physical frailty to spiritual fruitfulness; take our great anguish and find great abundance. We can be abundant in our barrenness,” said Bishop Wong.

The camp’s programmes comprise worship, plenary sessions, smaller discussion group sessions, fun and games, and communal meal times.

Said Aw Meng Yin who was at the camp with her husband: “Through our discussion group, I got to know two new friends. Though we spent only a short time together, our deep sharing made it feel like we had known each other for a lot longer. This was over and above the many others I met at meal times!”

The Message by Bishop Dr Gordon Wong: Love of God Transcends All

Bishop Dr Gordon Wong’s sermons focused on four adjectives that could describe a family: inclusive, bereaved, godly and happy. He also touched on how a family should help one another deal with loneliness. The messages, such as to extend the ways in which God’s presence can be experienced and encountered, and to wait on the promise of a new heaven and earth, were relevant to all, reminding us that the love of God transcends age, social-economic status, and everything else.

*Bishop Dr Gordon Wong speaking on the camp theme “Becoming A Family Of God*“

Besides listening to the sermons, there were many other opportunities for the campers to apply what they heard from the sermons and ‘practise’ becoming a family of God, such as through action songs leading by the Childrens’ Ministry, game facilitating by those from BeTween and the Youth Ministry, and more tech-savvy attendees leading the rest of their family or group members to create reels (short videos) of our time at camp to showcase during Agape Night, the final night of the camp where campers ate and fellowshipped together in the ballroom.

Over a few hours, we tested familiarity with the Bible and worship song lyrics, and got active in different team games that required acting, doing arts and crafts, solving puzzles, and much more.

*Playing together during Connect session*

A Purposeful Faith-Forming and Disciple-Making Environment

Campers also had the opportunity to be immersed in a purposeful faith-forming and discipleship-making environment, from the moment they gathered to leave for the camp to the last minute when they departed from the hotel. The activities become a place for campers to rekindle old friendships disrupted by the pandemic, attendance at different services or a long break from small groups. Ongoing spiritual friendships were sustained by spending more time doing life together during the camp. Church camps are not just a time to listen to sermons individually or meet up for 3-hour Bible study sessions. During camps like these, campers can experience a life centred on God’s presence amid the activities of the world.

English and Chinese Congregations but One Spiritual Family

Bringing the inclusiveness of our church family to another level, the Mandarin Ministry led the worshippers in spirit-filled songs that blessed everyone from both the English and Chinese congregations. “We appreciated the opportunity for the Mandarin Ministry to lead a worship item for ‘Agape Night’,” said Justin Ong, who was there with his Mandarin Ministry community. “I enjoyed the time of bonding through the station games that accommodated all skill levels and ages with its main objective of connecting everyone.” Regardless of whether we are from the English or Chinese congregation, we are one big spiritual family at Wesley.”

*Mandarin Ministry leading worship on Agape Night*

Another seasoned Wesleyan camper expressed his delight with the celebration of love during Agape Night: “The sumptuous feast and showcase of the different talents in our Wesley family awaited us. Through the songs, dances and games,coupled with a very good emcee for the night, we celebrated our love for each other and were reminded of the Lord’s love for us. We were “shining” in bright orange, perhaps symbolic of the light we must be and the warmth we should bring wherever we go. The verse from Ephesians 5:8 came to my mind during the feast ‘For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.’”

*A treat just for the 2023 Wesley Campers: a special duet by Bishop Dr Gordon Wong (R) and Pastor-in-Charge Rev Raymond Fong*

Said Rev Gladwin Lee, the pastor in charge of Church Camp: “It was a beautiful sight to see generations and families coming together to worship, play and grow together. Through the conversations during group time and over meals, I have observed that there is much more in common among the generations than what separates us. I hope that we will continue to embrace and serve each other, regardless of our generation, so that we may become more inclusive as a family of God.”

Photos by CJ Goh

Missed the Wesley Church camp this year? Look out for it again in 2025! The Wesley Church camp is a biennial church-wide event organised by the Family Life Ministry (FLM). Throughout the year, FLM also organises many activities, such as parenting workshops, how to care for ageing parents, and marriage-strengthening seminars, to help build and strengthen families. Keep up to date with all the events organised by FLM here!

Are you part of a Small Group in church? Are you a Small Group leader? Do you sometimes feel you need to do more for your Small Group or juggle too much in your Small Group?

After a three-year pandemic pause, the Wesley Small Group Ministry (SGM) Conference returns this year with the theme “Renewal” and the goal to equip SGM leaders and members across the church with leadership, facilitating, and community-building skills. The conference also encourages members to build authentic spiritual families to edify, help, support, and journey with one another.

Over three hundred Small Group leaders and members gathered for this one-day event at Concorde Hotel, where they connected with other zone leaders and Small Group members, learnt from the speakers and other church members, and build their Small Group goals around the kingdom vision of Wesley’s SGM.

*The women at the SGM Conference this year*

Unlike previous years, this year’s SGM conference was open to not just leaders but all small group members. “We made this decision during our planning as we agreed that everyone needs renewal – not just leaders,” said Rev Gladwin Lee, the pastor in charge of SGM at Wesley Methodist Church.

*Rev Gladwin Lee, the pastor overseeing Wesley SGM*

*The men at the SGM Conference this year*

“It is our aspiration that we see renewal in every aspect of our Wesleyan’s discipleship journey, be it personal, family, workplace, school, and ministry.”

Small Groups Should Be A Safe Space

In his opening remarks, Chairperson Roger Chan thanked SGM’s leaders and members for their support of SGM. He also reiterated the importance of prioritising a safe space in small groups so that members will not feel judged and be open to sharing their difficulties and complicated situations in life:

“Often, ‘I am not okay’ is seen as a weakness for many of us who struggle. We need to create a safe space to be vulnerable. As leaders, we have our own struggles too. Everyone has struggles.”

*Roger Chan, Chairperson of Wesley SGM, emphasising the importance of safe space in Small Groups*

“Christian brothers and sisters in small groups can also form Discipleship Bands* for further support.”

*Zone Leaders and Small Group Leaders, Assistant Leaders, Core Team Members and members all come together at the 2023 SGM conference*

*An inclusive conference for all: six-year-old Dylan Ang was at the conference with his parents Jonathan and Esther Ang*

“I am glad that one does not have to be ‘all put together’ to lead. I am so glad to know that all I need is a heart that is teachable, surrendering myself to God, listening to God’s prompting, and obeying,” said Tan Yen Yen, the assistant leader of the Small Group, New Romans, from Zone 14.

An Opportunity To Recharge, Refresh, Re-learn, and Renew

The day’s programme comprised worship, sharing by the speakers in both the plenary and gender-specific sessions, self-reflection, and breakout sessions. There were also many opportunities for SGM leaders and members alike to recharge, refresh, re-learn, renew, and connect with other church members serving in the same ministry.

*Worship team uniting participants in a time of praise and thanksgiving*

The event included sharing by Wesley’s SGM Chairperson, Roger, our pastors Rev Raymond Fong, and Rev Gladwin Lee, and two guest speakers from Covenant Evangelical Free Church, Pastor Kirk Tan and Lay Pastor Dr Stacey Tay.

Guest Speakers Pastor Kirk Tan and Lay Pastor Dr Stacey Tay

*Pastor Kirk Tan (1st from left) and Lay Pastor Stacey Tay with Wesley’s Pastor-in-Charge Rev Raymond Fong at the Wesley SGM Conference*

During the plenary session by Pastor Kirk Tan, he drew the participants’ attention to four blind spots: our make-up as Singaporeans, busyness, idols in our lives, and our pride. Pastor Kirk reminded all that “in the stillness, we will feel nearness” to God, and to always take pauses in our lives and reflect on where our heart is with the Lord and our relationships with Jesus. (Read about the Q&A with the two speakers and summary of Pastor Kirk’s sermon here A Q&A with SGM Conference speakers).

Small Groups Are Discipleship Communities That Journey Together

This year’s induction ceremony comprises two inductees for Zone Leadership and six inductees in Small Group Leadership roles.

*The new zone and new leaders for Wesley SGM*

Rev Raymond Fong, the Pastor-in-Charge of Wesley Methodist Church, shared his vision and heart for SGM before he invited the new SGM leaders on stage for the induction ceremony. “Small Group forms a discipleship community which journeys together.”

Said Derrick Ng, Small Group Leader of Bread of Life 4 from Zone 5: “We learned that the role of a small group leader is not to lead the group towards God, but to share and ground them in God’s love. We all have different issues and challenges but are on the same journey. God is personal and intimate and will touch us in ways only we understand. Such is the beauty of God’s love and grace.”

Small Group Leader Esther Tay from the group Catalyst in Zone 9 shared, “My biggest takeaway from the conference is ‘Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it’ in Proverbs 4:23, as shared by one of the speakers. Intentionally, I must be aware of the diagnosis of one’s heart, and staying in the Christian community is essential to nourish the hungry heart and reassure and comfort the hurting heart. I also must look out for hardened hearts to bring them back to the right path.

*Small Groups: all about a spiritual family for prayer, thanksgiving, sharing lives, and sharing of celebrations and struggles on our discipleship journey*

The bottom line is that small groups exist within a church to create smaller environments where people can connect at an authentic, vulnerable, and intimate level to build stronger and more lasting relationships within a safe space. “This is why our mission is growing groups that bear lasting fruit. This spiritual fruit is nurtured amongst small groups that encourage spiritual friendship to glorify God,” said Rev Gladwin Lee.

The significance of small groups within a larger church setting cannot be over emphasised. As Roger, the chairperson of the Small Group Ministry exhorted and encouraged all at the conference in his concluding remarks:

“Let’s keep close to God; keep tight to Small Groups.”

Photos by Johnny Koh

Over 300 attended the 2023 Wesley ‘Renewal’ SGM Conference. Hear what some of them said about the conference!

“The event was very well organised, and the welcome team was amiable and approachable. For a moment, I thought I was back in Church. A lot of planning had gone into this, and equally important, well executed by an experienced team. The content was good, and the speakers were able to articulate the messages well, which centers on God and encourages self-reflection. The speakers inspire others in their journey with God. They are relatable; we can see their struggles and how they grew in their journey through their love for God. I enjoyed the sharing of small group challenges and strengths. This is, after all, an SGM conference. At the conference,

I reflected on my journey with God, and how much I still need to grow in my spiritual maturity. I’m comforted that I’m not alone and grateful that fellow Christians have supported me without reservations and judgment. I’m encouraged by their patience and gentleness, and I see their love for God through them.”

–Derrick Ng, Small Group Leader, Bread of Life 4

“The message about brother Lawrence, the monastery chef, who drew spiritual joy and peace while doing simple tasks and chores like preparing food and serving dishes, was a great reminder to all SG leaders and members that whatever we do, we can navigate through any Martha-Mary conflicts/hurdles when we put our focus on God.”

– Edward Leong, Co-Small Group Leader, Kindled Hearts

“I am grateful for the opportunity to attend the SGM Conference. My biggest takeaway is ‘Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it’ in Proverbs 4:23, as shared by one of the speakers. Intentionally, I have to be aware of the diagnosis of one’s heart, and staying in the Christian community is important to nourish the hungry heart and reassure and comfort the hurting heart. I also must look out for hardened hearts to bring them back to the right path. Each small group has its dynamics, like the many characters of the Disney princesses. Some are Snow White with multiple responsibilities, some are Cinderella struggling with relationships, some are Sleeping Beauty waiting for things to change, and some are Ariel, the little mermaid who is trying to be someone else. I have to pray for wisdom and guidance for intentionally serving my group members. I also have to be aware that leadership burnout is real.”

–Esther Tay-Choo, Small Group Leader, Catalyst

“What speaks to me is the three qualities of a leader shared by one of the speakers. A leader should be someone who has a vision from God, who has a team with resonance, and who has a mentor for accountability. The speaker also mentioned the qualities a mentor should possess, such as being prayerful, encouraging, wise, discerning, and speaking the truth in love. I learned that to receive the most out of mentoring; one should be faithful, available, and teachable. The more we receive, the more equipped we will be to lead the team entrusted to us. The speaker also mentioned lessons from disobedience to God’s instruction and quoted Numbers 20: 2-13, where Moses, instead of speaking to the rock, struck the rock to draw water out. He was not allowed into the Promised Land because of this act. We must follow God’s instructions and not react to our emotions.”

–Jeremiah Edward, Core Team Member, GIF (Growing in Faith)

“As an introvert, I used to dislike going to church in my early 20s and much less coming together as a small group, but as I got older, I found the importance of growing with a community, walking together in our struggles, and celebrating our victories. The takeaway that resonated with me a lot is that the condition of our hearts is more important than the façade of a church-going Christian. One with a hardened heart can be actively serving and perhaps even taking on leadership roles in Church but can be so far away from God. So, I’ll need to guard my heart and reasons for serving.”

–Jonathan Ang who was at the conference together with his wife and 6-year-old son, Small Group member, GIFT (Growing In Faith Together)

“God really used the messages of this conference to minister to my heart. The sharing of real-life testimonies by the speakers struck a chord with me. I need to renovate my heart, and I’m so glad I attended the conference.”

– Kok Yew Cheong, Core Team Member, Grace Small Group (within the Living Water family)

“It was nice to meet fellow brothers and sisters in Christ again after a 3-year of hiatus. The authentic sharing by the two speakers and fellow members at my table warmed my heart. It was a good time learning together. I can apply two takeaways from the conference in my small group: Managing a small group will always have ups and downs. Whatever our situations and in different seasons of our lives, we must always look up to the Lord for strength and wisdom to help us manage. The other lesson I learned is to manage the expectations of our members and our expectations of them. Communication is vital to finding common ground that we all can work towards.

– Michael Chiam, Small Group Leader, Treasure in Clay Jars

“My Small group was formed out of MJC (Meeting Jesus Campaign) some years ago when I was the facilitator. At that time, members were in their late 20s. Over the years, there were ups and downs, with members dropping out due to relocation of work, and other personal commitments over the years. However, a miracle happened, and by God’s grace, we joined in the Synchronize Prayer Wednesday during the Covid pandemic in 2020. At the conference, I am reminded we are all here to grow in Christ as we go through life’s journey together, loving God and His people through spiritual disciplines in obeying His Word, trusting Him, and following His calling at the different seasons of life.”

–Shirley Yeng, Small Group Leader, GIFT (Growing in Faith together)

“I am glad that one “does not have to be ‘all put together’ to lead. I am so glad to know that all I need is a heart that is teachable, surrendering myself to God, listening to God’s prompting, and obeying.”

–Tan Yen Yen, Assistant Group Leader, New Romans

The SGM Conference is an annual Wesley Small Group Ministry (SGM) event. Look out for and join us at the next conference!

About the Discipleship Bands*

All Wesleyans are encouraged to form Discipleship Bands—a tightly knit spiritual friendship of three to four fellow Christians who grow in discipleship to Jesus Christ. This is a practice rooted in our Methodist heritage and is simple for anyone to start: just follow the free resources on this page to learn how you can be a part of a Discipleship Band today.

Join a Small Group Today!

Are you currently in a small group? Do you desire to be part of a smaller spiritual family where you can share and do life with other Christian brothers and sisters? At Wesley, we hope that every member of our church can have someone to journey and grow in discipleship with. If you’re looking for a spiritual community to do life with, find out more about Wesley’s small groups here: Wesley Methodist Church – Join a Small Group (wesleymc.org)

Read related article: A Q&A with SGM Conference speakers

A church retreat is one of the best ways to bring congregations together outside the usual church building; it allows for solitude, space and time away from the everyday hustle and bustle of our daily lives.

The latest three-day, two-night Strangely Warmed Retreat (SWR) from 28 to 30 April by Wesley Methodist Church drew 92 participants to Changi Cove Hotel. Just 25 minutes away from the city centre of Singapore, Changi Cove is an oasis for a weekend of serenity and spiritual sharing that does not require elaborate planning or packing.

The retreat, which focuses on encountering God through the five faith environments in the Wesley Discipleship Model (WDM)*, offered Wesleyans a time to draw near to God. It also provided the space and opportunity to explore additional spiritual disciplines and a time to share often-under-articulated struggles in life.

Prior to the retreat, the participants had a church briefing to help everyone mentally prepare for the actual event. Each participant was given a retreat booklet detailing the itinerary, reading and devotional materials and a checklist of things to bring.

*Retreatants with their Strangely Warmed booklet*

“The Strangely Warmed Retreat is a consecrated time that allows breakthroughs in the difficult or the seemingly mundane areas of our lives with God. In the breakthroughs, we pray that everyone will find the amazing joy and peace that our Lord truly desire us to have,” remarked David Mok, Chairperson of the Strangely Warmed Retreat under the Discipleship & Nurture (D&N) ministry.

Each year, the Strangely Warmed Retreat has a different theme that focuses on helping retreatants to encounter God through the pastor’s Word, personal solitude with God and group sharing.

This retreat is the third Strangely Warmed Retreat. The theme of this retreat is “Drawing Near”, and the theme verse is Hebrews 11:6 (ESV): “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.”

“I was in the inaugural Strangely Warmed Retreat as a participant, and this is my second time participating in it as a facilitator,” said Monica Yan, the leader in charge (IC) of the women’s group. “At each retreat, I am amazed how God works in each of our lives and through the testimonies and smaller group sharing of our struggles and challenges and through our mutual sharing and prayers.”

*Opening address by Rev Gladwin Lee, pastor overseeing the retreat*

The retreat was overseen by Rev Gladwin Lee and co-anchored by Rev Clement Ong and Rev Chia Chin Nam.

“As city dwellers, we are constantly overwhelmed by the noise and battered by the demands that scream for our attention, whether our crying child or our deadlines. Many of us are starving for the chance to take a holy and strategic pause in our lives to encounter God personally and to follow Him faithfully in our daily lives,” said Retreat Pastor Rev Gladwin Lee.

He continued: “This retreat has been intentionally designed for men and women from all walks of life to experience God intimately through spiritual practices such as heartfelt worship, practical messages, unhurried solitude and honest friendship. It is my vision that all Wesleyans may share John Wesley’s strangely warmed experience at Aldersgate Street on 24 May 1738 and become sacred companions—discerning God’s voice in solitude and offering our friendship to hear one another’s stories.”

The pastors presented several lessons and shared their life stories to help us reflect on our faith journeys and the areas that need more refining and transformations. Apart from building on the programme, activities and resources from the last two retreats, this retreat also saw two sisters from the laity, Vivienne Mok and Yeo Su Chen, who spoke about ‘Relationships’, ‘Obedience and Disciplines’.

Time with spiritual companions, Rev Chia Chin Nam and Yeo Su Chen, was also offered to those who wished to have someone to listen to and pray with them.

Throughout the retreat, participants circled back to drawing near to God through plenary sessions, sharing at a deep level in a safe space, and learning and practising spiritual disciplines such as lectio divina and solitude.

The overall IC for this retreat, Alex Seow, particularly enjoyed his solitude with God: “A unique segment within the SWR is Personal Solitude with God (PSG). The PSG time was crafted intentionally to allow participants to slow down and spend personal quality time with God in their rooms or outdoors in nature—abundant in the vicinity of Changi Cove. The guided meditation, assignments and articles helped in self-reflection and personal application. We wanted the participants to be free from the hurried pace of life, listen to what God had to say to them, and speak He did to many.”

*Spending Personal Solitude time with God (PSG)*

Besides listening to testimonies by the speakers, retreatants also gathered in a smaller group setting where exchanging of life stories continued. Of course, one of the most important things at the retreat was the conversations around the table during the breaks and mealtimes.

Old friendships were rekindled, bonds were forged, and connections were made as retreatants listened to one another’s joys and pains and shared hopes for the future and their Christian journeys.

Caryn Lim, a Wesleyan who has worshipped at Wesley for over 35 years came to the retreat with her 21-year-old son for the first time and was encouraged by the life stories: “I really appreciated the sharing of the personal stories I heard.”

Aileen Chin, 25, serving as a member of the worship team at the retreat, said she appreciated her facilitators for the additional time they put in outside of the retreat for training and preparation: “I thank them for their gentle guidance to draw us near to Christ as a group. My facilitators had even prepared the meaningful care packs and books for us.”

“I appreciated everybody journeying together through this retreat, for being open and keeping the safe space that allowed us to experience God’s presence tangibly through everyone’s sharing,” she continued.

Cheng Soon Keong, a returning facilitator for the second time, said one of his most enjoyable moments at the retreat is the personal solitude time with God (PSG): “Oddly enough, I enjoyed the PSG sessions when I heard, with my heart, God’s soft voice speaking to me. Under normal circumstances, PSG would not have made my top ten ‘preferred communication model’ as I thrive on multitasking in ‘all-round sound’ or noisy environments. The Strangely Warmed Retreat has allowed me to go to a deeper level of sharing personal difficulties as we come prepared to share or are prompted by the Holy Spirit.”

*Men’s teaching session led by Rev Chia Chin Nam*

As retreatants listened to one another, many shared they heard God speaking life to them and experienced Him shining His light onto their current paths.

Summing up the essence of the retreat, Monica, the women’s group IC, said every young adult and adult Wesleyan should consider attending the retreat at least once to experience how the Lord speaks or moves us through our learning, solitude with Him and spiritual community: “God has called us to bear and build one another up in our faith journey. I hope every Wesleyan will take the time to come and spend that precious three days with God and His people. The friendships formed go beyond the retreat!”

*A light-hearted moment during group photo-taking*

*The Wesley Discipleship Model (WDM) comprises five faith environments including Significant Circumstances, Scriptural Obedience, Spiritual relationships, Spiritual Disciplines and Sacrificial Service (CORDS). To find out more about the WDM, please go to https://wesleymc.org/ministries/discipleship/discipleship-nurture

Hear what some of our retreatants have to say about the Strangely Warmed Retreat on 28 to 30 April 2023.

Alice Ling, Participant:

“I wanted to take a break from my hectic schedule and yet be in a spiritually uplifting environment. The authentic sharing touched me the most. I enjoyed the opportunity to practise the spiritual disciplines of silence and solitude in a guided manner and the safe space for sharing amongst strangers where everyone is equally vulnerable without feeling judged. Sometimes because of the familiarity in a small group, it may be more difficult to share what is weighing heavily on my heart. The retreat deliberately has fewer participants in smaller groups in a local, cozy setting which makes it feel warmer. God spoke through His Word, through songs and the sharing by various people. I realised that I am not alone in my challenges and that God has always been present with me though I may be that wayward child running wild. I am encouraged to “speak Jesus” wherever God places me.”

Doris Hui, Facilitator:

“I have been blessed by the retreat and will always treasure the fellowship. This is not the end but only the beginning of a beautiful spiritual friendship together. Let us continue to encourage and spur one another onwards in our faith journey.”

Eddie Liew, Participant:

“I was very touched by the authentic sharing by the pastors and my group members. Being vulnerable in our sharing enabled us to build deeper relationships with one another. I learned I was not alone in many of my struggles, and the testimony of older members who went through similar challenges strengthened my faith in God for a future I only dared to hope for. It’s truly a privilege to do this apart from the busyness of my life. Practising lectio divina and the examen discipline helped me connect with God and listen to what He is saying to me.”

Lily Wang, Participant:

“My small group leader, Patricia, had encouraged me to come to the retreat. She shared with us that she was healed after the retreat. All the speakers’ testimonies touched me. I enjoyed knowing new friends in Christ during the group sharing. On the last day, we went to Changi Village beach to view the sunrise together as a small group. The sharing is quite authentic in a safe place. It focuses on an individual’s thoughts and relationship with God, not small group bible study or family study at church camp. I felt that I was not alone on this faithful journey when I listened to the speakers and group sharing. I have been encouraged in this spiritual family. We also prayed for each other. The facilitator and Su also prayed for me and strengthened me. Finally, I would like to thank the organising committee, worship team, pastors, facilitators and church for putting this retreat together.”

*An uplifting time of worship* *unto the Lord*

Serene Ho, Facilitator:

“After attending the inaugural Strangely Warmed Retreat last year, I am happy to return this time as a facilitator. It’s my way of paying forward the blessings I’ve received. Most of the ladies in my group from the first strangely warmed retreat volunteered as facilitators this time, as we have all been richly blessed by our first retreat. I was moved by the testimonies of both the pastors and participants. I was just floored by their courage to share vulnerably in front of a large audience, setting the tone for our small group conversations. My group bonded and shared authenticity from the get-go knowing that we were in a safe space. We shared, prayed, laughed and shed tears. The retreat has connected us upward, inward and outward spiritually! Thanks be to God!”

Sharon Ong, Facilitator:

“I have always wanted to go for a retreat as a couple. My husband and I couldn’t join the July 2022 Strangely Warmed Retreat as we had already planned a family trip. During the publicity of the second run, I was praying to God about going for the retreat as a couple when a brother encouraged my husband to join the retreat in December 2022. And we did; we went, and we heard. Through the worship, teachings, group sharing, and personal solitude time, I was reminded that I am not alone in my suffering and that my spirit is being ministered to, as did my husband. So, after our first retreat, we were invited to serve as facilitators in our second retreat, and we both agreed to take up the invitation because we recognised that this could be a safe space for God’s people to enter (if everyone keeps what is heard and seen among retreatants and God). We benefited from the programme and would like to see more people attend the retreat, take time off from the cares of the world and sit at His feet. I find rest, I find peace, I find courage and God found me.”

William Loke, Participant:

“The personal sharing with people we met at the retreat was initially challenging. But the leadership shown by the pastors who took the lead to share their vulnerabilities personally created an open environment, assuring us that it’s okay to freely share without judgement, as all the sharings were done in a closed group and safe space setting. I enjoyed the programme lineup. The timing of each session was just right; overall, the Strangely Warmed Retreat was well organised and thoughtfully planned. I love the location of Changi Cove, which is very near to nature, which helped me to refresh my mind and soul and draw near to God. I have also enjoyed the worship. I want to mention we enjoyed the food catered. Overall, I have experienced the warmth and friendliness of the organising committee and the facilitators and participants during the retreat. It is simply an amazing experience, and I will look forward to experiencing it again.”

(All photos by Jacqueline Lok)

Focus on God. Faith-based Conversations. Fellowship

Do you desire to encounter God through listening to His Word and the sharing of other fellow Christians? Would you like honest conversations with Christian brothers or sisters who can encourage and empower you to share in a safe space?

Come encounter God at the next Strangely Warmed Retreat happening 8–10 September 2023, Friday to Sunday, at the Changi Cove Hotel at 351 Cranwell Road, Singapore 509866. Come and feel refreshed, re-energised, or to re-commit your spiritual walk in the Lord.

To find out more about the Strangely Warmed Retreat, please visit our website: https://wesleymc.org/dir2025-swr

To register, please use this link: http://www.wesley.sg/IDR (Registration will begin end May to end June 2023)

How timely and appropriate it is in today’s global socio-economic landscape, for Wesley Methodist Church to launch Learn Digital@Wesley (LDW), an initiative of Wesley Communications in collaboration with Wesley Glowing Years Ministry (WGYM). Coming into Dorscon Green after three years of Covid-19 restrictions, and the way things are moving so rapidly, every resource Singapore has will go a long way to help our tiny nation chart turbulent times encountered now and ahead. Such resource includes seniors who can communicate, respond independently, and contribute to society – by becoming familiar with digital technology.

Making Digital Headway in Wesley

From the feedback received, it is evident that senior participants at Wesley are indeed overcoming once perceived fear of the digital, to emerge as more confident users of online platforms. They are enthusiastic to learn how to access information and carry out everyday tasks more expediently online. As Koh Geok Cheng, vice-chairperson of WGYM says, “We’re delighted to partner Wesley Comms in this instructive, educational project. The main challenge for seniors to overcome is the fear of making mistakes, and falling prey to scams. We hope that through LDW, they will be more confident in obtaining information, accessing their personal data on government sites, and communicating digitally with others.”

To help seniors take their first-steps confidently, lessons are conducted through well-paced training and group peer-learning support. According to Kevyn Lai, Wesley’s Pastoral Team Member (Communications), “We want Wesleyans and friends to gain confidence and not feel left behind – but to use digital technology confidently in their daily lives, to support their discipleship journey.”

Discussion and planning for LDW started as early as 2019, led by then Communications Chairperson, Alvin Tay. It was halted when Covid-19 set in, and resumed at the end of 2022 in partnership with SG Digital Office (SDO), which engages seniors at SG Digital Community Hubs and roving counters to teach them digital skills – to communicate online, access digital government services, make e-Payments, and learn about cybersecurity. LDW has been customised to include modules specific to Wesley. Packaged in four sessions over three months, the workshops scheduled from 10am to 4pm, are led and facilitated by SDO’s Digital Ambassadors. (Visit sdo.gov.sg to find out more about SDO and its programmes.)

*Participants giving their full attention*

*An SDO Digital Ambassador on hand to assist a participant*

Designed For Seniors

Echoing the need to help Wesleyans navigate the digital landscape with confidence, WGYM’s Geok Cheng elaborates, “Seniors may become increasingly isolated if they do not go digital – not only socially, but also in their daily living, as seen by how the Covid-19 pandemic has evolved and transformed the way we do things.”

To support the communication needs of the church ministries, LDW participants learn to access Wesley’s website and other church platforms such as its Telegram channel for information and to perform online registrations. Besides being aware of cybersecurity issues, they also learn to connect to Wesley Wi-Fi while in church. In addition, the participants also familiarise themselves with government websites such as SingPass and Health Buddy; and the use of communications platforms like email, WhatsApp and Telegram.

“Just as church staff gather for micro-learning sessions under the Wesley Learning Circle workshops to support each other with software solutions relevant to ministry work, the same concept is applied to the objectives and facilitation of LDW,” says Kevyn.

Approved By Seniors

Fully subscribed soon after it was offered, the programme’s hands-on practice and on-the-spot consultation were especially welcomed. Claris Keong, who serves in Worship & Music Ministry, appreciates the ‘30-persons’ cap which “allows enough personnel to attend to the participants.” Adding that the SG Digital Office’s digital ambassadors and Wesley Comms staff were very accommodating, she elaborated, “Their explanations were clear and accompanied by videos. I now appreciate and make better use of WhatsApp, and know the difference between Android and iOS applications.” During the session on Cybersecurity, the SDO partnered with the Neighbourhood Police Centre from Tanglin Division to give participants a clearer picture of scams, and the latest ways to counter them. Said Claris, “I’m glad the SDO invited these very kind experts. I hope anyone who is interested, not only the seniors, will join LDW to benefit from the lessons.”

*An NPC Officer (foreground) along with colleagues and WGYM Digital Ambassador Ng Chai Seng (background) actively answering queries about cyber safety on mobile devices*

Hoping that participants who have taken part in the first run will share with others the experience they have gained, Geok Cheng shared, “Through Wesley Tidings and the weekly Wesley Highlights video, we hope to feature Wesley seniors as digital role models who will encourage fellow seniors to take a leap forward if they have not already done so.”

Future Plans

Registrations for Part Two of the first run of LDW will open soon for Wesleyans and friends, who seek to learn in a group setting, skills that will help them access online platforms. This is planned for July 2023, and will further include practical applications such as Digital Transactions, Google Translate, Transport, Food, and Media Channels.

Meanwhile, WGYM is blessed to celebrate the appointment of their own team of Digital Ambassadors, John Lim and Ng Chai Seng, who have been actively supporting the learning and administration of LDW workshops – by mingling with participants onsite to provide immediate solutions to their digital teething difficulties. They also help the LDW team to gather feedback, and work on improvements for future sessions.

*WGYM Digital Ambassador, John Lim, helping a participant to create a poll on WhatsApp*

Midway through the series, the programme has received more encouraging feedback from participants.

“The cybersecurity session made me aware of the different types of scams, and how to handle them – there’s no need to panic! I learnt to download the ScamShield app, how to report scams, and how to block unwanted numbers. I now have stronger passwords for my different accounts. I’ve also learnt many WhatsApp tips and functions. The Q&A sessions were very helpful!” ~ Cathryn Tan (serves in Wesley Women Cancers Support Group)

“Learn Digital @Wesley is welcoming and fun. I feel very comfortable to ask questions, and approach the trainers who make all the difference – they are patient, explain clearly, and give us one-on-one assistance. This workshop has widened my digital understanding in an unthreatening manner. Thank you, Wesley!” ~ Doris Chow (serves in Small Group Ministry)

“I’m pleasantly surprised and glad that Wesley cares for ‘computer-bodoh’ people like me – to arrange this helpful series of talks. They have been very enlightening. ~ Tan Kee Cheong (serves in Discipleship & Nurture Ministry)

*Confident participants of the inaugural batch of LearnDigital@Wesley 2023*

Photos by Marjorie Tan

When onsite worship services resumed after the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, a first-time visitor shared with Rev Raymond Fong, Pastor-In-Charge Wesley Methodist Church, that he recognised him from the online videos he had been following. The sermons had brought him closer to Jesus and his life was changed “because of Wesley’s livestreamed services!”

*Worship bringing everyone to focus on God*

This is one of the reasons why Digital Wesley was launched. The hybrid launch event “re:Imagine – Christianity in the Digital World” was attended by more than 500 people, of which over 100 were onsite and close to 400 participated via livestream. It comprised both a “tech talk” with a panel discussion, and the official launch of Digital Wesley.

*Pastor Ray launching Digital Wesley – Ministry For The Digital World*

Digital Wesley was the culmination of two years’ prayer, effort and deliberation on how we could continue extending, enriching and enhancing the Church’s mission to make disciples. While the genesis was a practical question of how the Church could be brought to those unable to attend in person, it developed into thinking deeply about reaching those who are better reached via digital space.

Pastor Ray, as Pastor Raymond is fondly addressed, reflected that this was no different from the mission of John Wesley, the father of Methodism who brought the gospel to thousands outside the physical church – those who needed it most.

As John Wesley said, “The world is my parish”. The digital world is now Digital Wesley’s and the church’s parish.

In his keynote address, Mr Edric Sng, founder and editor of Salt & Light and Thirst Collective, highlighted the pervasiveness of technologies into every aspect of daily living. “Digital has impacted and infiltrated all realms of life,” he said. “What about the Church?”

*Edric Sng, Founder of Salt & Light and Thirst Collective, telling everyone how technology features in every aspect of his daily living*

Edric challenged the Church to align what it “should do” (its core purpose and what is of first importance) with the “could do” (gifts, talents, resources with digital innovations) and “would do” (spiritual direction, passion, inclination) to fill the gaps in discipleship and outreach through digital means.

“Be not shackled but open our minds to the [things of] core and first importance, and do them.” Edric focused on the principle of first importance as expressed in 1 Corinthians 15:1–3, that is the gospel of salvation, “that Christ died for our sins.” Technologies allow the universally essential gospel to be proclaimed to more people, and with the confluence of giftings in the Church, that can be uniquely expressed in digital space.

“The message doesn’t change, but the medium can change,” said Rev Chris Lee, Vicar of St Saviour’s Church, UK, and popular influencer on social media. He reminded us that we are missional people called in the Great Commission to make disciples (Matthew 28).

When his Instagram following grew exponentially, Rev Chris received God’s prompting to use the reach to speak the gospel to his 180,000 followers. Through short 60-second sermon videos, he tries to get people “to think about the gospel and shine a light in this digital age.” He claimed that despite known issues and concerns, social media offers tremendous opportunities in missions.

*Rev Chris Lee, Vicar of St Saviour’s Church, speaking from UK about bringing glory to God on social media*

He likened social media to the Areopagus in the city of Athens, where many gathered and where the apostle Paul proclaimed the gospel (Acts 17). “We are to build boats and nets, and go to where the people are,” said Rev Chris, and “be fishers of men.” Every individual of the Church could and should engage in digital mission.

“God’s call for us is to bring an unchanging gospel to our changing generation,” said Mr Simon Seow, co-founder of Indigitous and Senior Digital Strategist at Cru. He shared the stories of those who have found their place in the digital mission field and those whose lives have been changed.

*Simon Seow, co-founder of Indigitous and Senior Digital Strategist at Cru, sharing how Indigitous partners overcame obstacles to bring the gospel to remote places in Africa*

“The online church in the Middle East has more than 200 million followers on their Facebook page and 850,000 views on their YouTube channel,” shared Simon. Bringing the point home, he highlighted that “behind the number is a person who needs God and is hungry for truth.”

Simon emphasised that we need to bring the gospel to where the people are, and to reach those that no one else has reached, we must do what no one else is doing. Quoting Pastor Ray Davis, he shared that “relational or social connectivity is the present-day equivalent of the compass; it has opened up the world to every disciple.”

Ms Abigail Tan, Head of Operations at Endowus, paralleled Digital Wesley’s mission to how technologies have led to better and fairer services provided by Fintech companies.

*Abigail Tan, Head of Operations, Endowus, talking about how her colleagues are living out the gospel in the workplace*

She also highlighted three principles from her experiences in Fintech startups. The first is to be “radically generous” in placing due consideration for the needs and care of those that the Church engages and ministers to. The second is seeking to reach the unreached and demonstrate God’s love in doing so. The third principle is the undertaking has to be carried out for the long term as it is a testimony of the Church as well.

At the final segment of the event, all four speakers fielded questions in a lively Q&A session hosted by Mr Charis Lim, Chairperson of Digital Wesley ministry. The queries were varied, raised by attendees from a wide range of professions and across different seasons in life—from students to retirees, homemakers to IT professionals and business owners, full-time church staff and those “available and awaiting God’s direction.”

*Speakers fielding queries during the frank and light-hearted Q&A Session hosted by Charis Lim (1st from left), Chairperson of Digital Wesley*

In wrapping up the evening’s event, Edric said that “no one is gifted to do everything” but everyone should get involved as a start. Simon added that “everybody can do something and God has called us to be onboard,” while Abigail encouraged all to embrace digital and “start with the community that Digital Wesley is trying to build.”

Gracefully acceding to an impromptu request for a 60-second sermon, Rev Chris reminded all that God loves us and “our identity is found in Christ,” not contingent on likes or success. “We also have a God who is creative. Ask ourselves how we could also be creative. Use it for His glory and we’ll see great things come.”

The reception of Wesley’s online streaming services that Pastor Ray shared is testament to the ministry’s relevance today. The event was a milestone for Digital Wesley and well-received. Hear from our some of the participants:

“It was truly a Spirit-lead session of individuals willing to embrace Digital Outreach as the newest talent for spreading His Word. Young people today are looking for relevance and authenticity in the digital world of the future, and we need to communicate and evangelise within their dimension.” ~ Stephen Fong

“Shared with my Small Group! Lots of great insights applicable to other aspects of my ministry and work! I kept ‘rewinding’ to be amazed by the testimonies.” ~ Jess K

“Thanks for the digital webinar tonight. It comes timely to help in giving Christ to the Gen Z population during this hi-tech era.” ~ Pauline Lim

“Amazing talks and panel. Called to reimagine what the calling is for us and for the church.” ~ Stanley Lim

The common, unwavering message was clear: everyone can and should play a part in the Church’s digital community. And the quote from John Wesley, shared by Edric during his address, remains relevant to everyone in the community:

Do all the good you can,

By all the means you can,

In all the ways you can,

In all the places you can,

At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,

As long as ever you can.

~ John Wesley

*All smiles (and two thumbs up!) for a group photo after the successful event*

If you have missed the event or would like to watch it again, the video recording is accessible on YouTube via the following link: https://youtube.com/live/RylC062M-zs

Photos by Gaius Ho.

After a three-year COVID-induced gap, the Wesley Befrienders to Older Persons (WBOP) ministry was able to resume our annual evangelistic Christmas celebration for Berseh and Indus clients on 10 December 2022 at Holiday Inn Atrium Hotel with the theme: Faith, Hope, Love.

On that day, many of our clients arrived early at the meeting points, eagerly anticipating the start of the event. Volunteers were already enthusiastically preparing the venue and completing other logistical matters from earlier in the day. Attendance was about 100 people, around half of whom were our clients and the rest were our volunteers.

The programme started with a lively sing-along session led by Creative Expression Ministry (CEM). The audience actively participated in belting out Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese and Mandarin songs. A bonus act was the duet between guest speaker Rev Dr Koh Nam Seng (one of the pioneers of the Xinyao movement back in the 1980s) and our Pastor-in-Charge Rev Raymond Fong.

*Event guest speaker Rev Dr Koh Nam Seng (left, front row) and Pastor Raymond (right, front row) blessing the seniors with a Mandarin gospel song*

Following that, Rev Koh presented the message. He asked us, in the midst of the seasonal gaiety, what happened during the moments when we were alone after the festivities. Did we have faith, hope and love in our hearts? He beautifully wove in a few of his songs which addressed the topics of loneliness and second chances, and gave an invitation for the audience to accept the true gift of Christmas, which is our Lord Jesus Christ.

*Rev Koh sharing a compelling message on ‘Faith, Hope, Love’ in Mandarin with the seniors*

After the spiritual feeding, we were treated to an 8-course meal. Our clients commented that they enjoyed the food and the quality was better than previous years. Tree of Blessing (TOB) vouchers were distributed to our clients during the meal.

*WBOP clients and volunteers soaking in the Christmas festive mood*

*Rev Koh (2nd from left, front row), his mother (1st from left, front row)* *with Pastor Raymond (2nd from right, front row), COSC leaders and WBOP volunteers*

The last part of the programme was a coach ride to view the Christmas lights at Orchard Road. Traffic was heavy, but it provided more time to soak in the festive atmosphere and to share thoughts and responses from the event.

We thank God that a few clients have asked for prayer and expressed interest in baptism. Sincere thanks to the committee that planned this event and the volunteers who cheerfully gave of their time and talents to serve our elderly friends. To God be the Glory!

If anyone is interested to explore volunteering with WBOP and experiencing the joy of serving the elderly in our community, we welcome you to write to us at cosc@wesleymc.org

‘Tis the season to be jolly! For many, Christmas is a fun time of the year for parties and merriment. Christmas celebration parties are fun and meaningful to mark another celebration.

However, to some, this may be particularly challenging, and sometimes, impossible. For many individuals with special needs as well as for their families, there are added anxieties, especially for those suffering from autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and limited physical abilities in social settings.

“We constantly worry about the behaviour and safety of our son when we go out,” said Ling Sheue King, mother of 14-year-old Xin Wei who has autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Together with her prayer partners Lavinia Lim, Sandy Mantik, and Suzan Tjandra, Sheue King founded Royal Kids Worship, a Christian outreach group for individuals with special needs.

“For us, it may be a challenge to enjoy a celebration.”

Thus, Sheue King and her husband Goh Kheng Guan decided to bring the festive sparkle to the “Royal Kids” and their families this holiday season.

*(L–R) Sheue King, Sandy, Suzan, and Kheng Guan*

*Part of the Christmas decoration at the Royal Kids Worship Christmas Thanksgiving Celebration*

“We were blessed by God who helped us to find a suitable place in Goodwood Park Hotel to host our very first Royal Kids Worship Christmas Thanksgiving Celebration,” said Kheng Guan, who organised the celebration with Sheue King.

God’s Blessings through Kind Sponsors

After a two-year hiatus from the pandemic, Royal Kids Worship is thankful to God that 28 “Royal Kids” and over 60 family members were treated to a very special party on 30 December 2022 at the hotel’s café lounge. This was made possible by the generous support of two major sponsors, and many friends, including friends from Wesley Methodist Church.

It was a festive gathering for all: “We want the Royal Kids and their families to come and celebrate in this non-judgemental space with peace in their hearts,” said Kheng Guan.

Festivity and Feasting

The programme commenced with a short message and prayer from Rev Raymond Fong, the Pastor-in-Charge of Wesley Methodist Church. He thanked the Gohs for their tenacity in the Royal Kids outreach, saluted the strength and stoicism of the parents present, and spurred the families on with his words of encouragement. Pastor Raymond also went around to pray for every family.

*Pastor Raymond Fong giving a message of encouragement*

*Pastor Raymond Fong praying for every family at the party*

The guests enjoyed a fabulous buffet, gifts, games, presentations, testimonies, and live vocal and violin performances. Laughter and joy filled the gorgeously decorated café as lunch was served!

*Volunteers preparing gifts for arriving guests*

The sumptuous feast

There were also treats to be brought home! After lunch, each family received special Christmas cookies and a double chocolate mud cake from the hotel, gifted by a sponsor.

Said a volunteer, Tina Khoo, who is from the Goh’s Small Group: “We appreciate all the hard work by Sheue King, Kheng Guan, and their friends in organising this party. As a volunteer, I am granted a window into these families’ lives.”

Gerald Ng, another volunteer, shared similar sentiments: “It was great catching up with some of the families again. In my interactions with them, I have got a glimpse of their untiring love for and the abilities and talents of their children. God has impressed upon me that truly everyone is unique and wonderfully made in His eyes. I am blessed to meet them and hope that every special needs person and caregiver can receive the love and support they need.”

*A presentation by Kheng Guan on Royal Kids Worship*

The Gifts of Hope and Grace

A few parents were amazed at how God had kept their kids calm the whole afternoon; they were not fidgety amid the noise, singing, and music, and their parents could enjoy the food and fellowship.

In her testimony, Sheue King reminded everyone that in God there is hope for all: “Our God is the most powerful God, and He loves us very much. It is God who makes it possible for us to enjoy this Christmas Thanksgiving Celebration lunch together. He journeys with us, so we should never give up and always trust in Him. As Christians, we are blessed to have God by our side. Thus, we must share His love so that others may experience it too.”

Of the few who testified about the goodness of God was a grandmother of a teenager with autism. “To others, my granddaughter might just be a little girl, but to me, she is an angel. Through her, God has taught me to be patient, to love people, and to persevere in trusting our Lord. Yes, my family has faced many trials; we have shed many tears and gone through challenges with my granddaughter, but we never gave up. After the initial period of caring for a special needs child, I am now learning to meet daily challenges with the grace of God. I still trust in God, and I still believe in Him. He is with us no matter what may come.”

A Toast to Each Special Needs Individual and Every Persevering Parent

At Royal Kids Worship, special needs individuals and their parents or caregivers did not have to stay home and miss all the parties this holiday season. As the sponsor of the Royal Kids Christmas party, Ms Kim Khoo, said:

“Parents of special needs children, we want you to know that you, your kids, and family members can have a good time this holiday. Be proud of all that you are doing. We are happy we can contribute in a small way to be part of your world this holiday.”

“What a wonderful party!” exclaimed Pastor Raymond. “My heart is deeply encouraged at the sight of such an authentic, inclusive community, where we love each other by making an effort to celebrate the goodness of God in the lives of these families with special needs children. We celebrate the courageous and persevering love of the parents. We celebrate the unique gift each of these children is to their loved ones.”

“We are indeed all royal kids; children of God, loved by the King. May our good Lord continue to bless and strengthen each of these families as they find their joy and hope in Jesus Christ.”

About Royal Kids Worship

Royal Kids Worship is a Christian fellowship and worship gathering for individuals with special needs. It was founded by four ladies: Sandy, Susan, Lavinia, and Sheue King. About 30 members of all ages meet on Zoom every Friday evening at 8.00pm to worship and fellowship together. Royal Kids Worship is an inclusive group that welcomes individuals with special needs and caregivers to special needs persons to join them. Both Sheue King and her husband worship at Wesley Methodist Church.

To sign up for Royal Kids, please go to: Royal Kids Registration Form

About Wesley PSCom—Ministry to Individuals With Special Needs

Founded in 1992, the Praise Special Community (PSCom) meets on Sundays at Wesley Methodist Church at 5.00pm. Our community currently consists of over 20 children, youth, and young adults with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, or intellectual disability.

We are a community in which persons with special needs can come just as they are to worship God together with the congregation without being misunderstood or judged. If you would like to find out more about Wesley PSCom, please reach out to us at cmteam@wesleymc.org.

A Parenting Talk by Dr Tan Lai Yong

Ever wondered what the local delight, popiah, has got to do with parenting? That got me really intrigued to sign up for the session. Some 41 participants got to learn that and more when they attended the parenting talk on Saturday, 26 Nov. The guest speaker was none other than Dr Tan Lai Yong, who is well known for his fourteen years of missions in China to alleviate poverty, develop the community and train village healthcare workers. Supporting Dr Tan in the workshop were also members of the Wesley Youth Ministry (YM).

*Participants listening attentively to Dr Tan’s sharing*

After the opening prayer and worship led by members from the YM and Family Life Ministry, Dr Tan asked for three gentlemen to step forward to show their skills in wrapping popiah. All three were seemingly seasoned DIY popiah rollers, with a gentleman giving the tip to use two popiah skins as added insurance so the ingredients would not break out of the skin. As participants looked on eagerly, each gentleman took extra care to put in as many ingredients as they could fit, without breaking the popiah skin. Next, Dr Tan asked that the volunteers wrap their popiah blindfolded while taking instructions from others as guidance. Not surprisingly, doing it blindfolded in the next round was much more challenging, as the volunteers had to grapple with putting in enough ingredients at the right spot while listening to the instruction of others. Chuckles and amused comments could be heard as they rolled up the popiah, some of which ended up looking more like an interesting fusion between a taco and an Asian burrito.

With no playbook on hand, parenting is akin to one preparing the popiah blindfolded. Parents do their utmost to provide the best for their children, just like trying to fit as many ingredients as possible in the popiah. Parents are also ever ready to listen out for guidance from experienced counterparts who have done it before, but sometimes at the expense of forgetting that every child is different. Just like how a good popiah seller would check in with each customer on their unique preferences– chilli? peanut allergy? less sweet sauce? Similarly, parents should bear in mind that different children may require different parenting strategies.

*Sharing on Wesley Youth Ministry by Small Group Cluster Head Song Tao*

Dr Tan shared Luke 24:13-35 with us next. This is the passage on the Road to Emmaus, where Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke the bread and gave it to his disciples. He likened this to the posture of parenting that Christian parents need to model after, which is to appreciate what we are given and develop our children to bless the community.

Dr Tan drew the analogy that parenting is like the case where Jesus asked the disciples to feed the five thousand with the bread, and that the disciples are to trust by faith that the bread will be adequate to feed everyone. So similarly, parents should prayerfully trust that God will develop our children to be used powerfully by Him.

Throughout the session, Dr Tan candidly shared his own parenting experiences. He emphasized that the most important ‘e’ in parenting is that we should aim to engage our children and not entertain them

Jessica, a participant who serves at Children’s Ministry, shared: “Dr Tan gives very good perspectives which I can take away to share with my family and friends, who are both believers and non-believers. This is because the parenting tips he shared are universal. In fact, his teaching can be applied to not just children, but also adults. The key takeaway is the importance of role modelling.”

Three youths from YM had been invited to attend the session as well. Dr Tan asked each of them to share something that their parents did that stood out as encouraging and affirming. The authentic sharing by our Wesleyan youths was powerfully received and touched the hearts of parents in the room.

*Sharing by Marvus on his growing up experience*

Claudia, one of those who spoke, shared thereafter: “It was a good session overall. I thought and reflected on the journey I had with my parents and I hope the sharing by the three of us was able to provide a different perspective from the child’s point of view.”

May shared that she was very impressed by the sharing of the three youths: “They provided wonderful insights of what teens think and feel. It really gave us parents another perspective and allowed us to understand them better. Hearing their experiences, it encouraged me to think of how I can better tweak my parenting.”

*Sharing by Enya on what she found most affirming from her parents*

Participants then shared their parenting journey. They were grouped together with parents of children of similar ages and the conversation was facilitated by volunteers from the Family Life Ministry. This was followed by a 30-minute Q&A session. Participants fielded a wide range of questions such as how parents should guide their charges in this new age of social media, how to react when children do not uphold their promises, when parents need to tighten the reins and when to learn to let go. It was a testimony of the wonderful session of sharing as many participants stayed on after the talk to ask Dr Tan for more parenting tips.

Finally, let me end by sharing the following quote from Dr Tan: “Parenting has been a journey of listening – and ‘unlistening’.
Listening to the sighs, laughter, anxieties, silences and chats in our family. Listening to the Lord. And ‘unlistening’ when in our anxieties and agitation, we push, compare and complain because we think we have no choice”.

There was a time when I stopped going to Church.

That was in the senior year of my university days. Week after week, I would come up with excuses to skip attending church so I could hang out with my friends on Saturday nights and sleep in on Sunday mornings.

I would rationalise away why I did not have to attend church to be a Christian: “Church is just a building,” I would tell myself. “I could read the Bible at home by myself; I could pray on my own. I could listen to Christian songs at home. And I could save money on petrol.” (My Church was a 50-minute drive each way from home then). It took many phone calls and prayers from my group leader and Church friends to get me back to Church eventually.

Now that physical Church has re-started, do you sometimes feel you are coming up with excuses to skip attending it?

Some of us have found it harder to come back to Church. Some of us have become comfortable with online Church, while others have lost momentum or interest in returning to physical Church. After all, tuning in to a live stream makes things easier for those who prefer to have a lazy Sunday morning or must look after their elderly parents or young children. Not to mention, we don’t have to jostle for car park lots, and we can now watch a live service from the comfort of our couch at home while eating our breakfast in our PJs.

With online Church here to stay, physical Church may look like an option. But is it?

Let’s get it straight. Online services are never meant to replace onsite Churches. The physical Church is still relevant and vital to our discipleship journey today. Here’s why.

1.Corporate Worship

We are made to worship God collectively. As a Church, we are called to gather together. Coming together as a Body of Christ to worship Him is not to fill the pews. It is to grow our faith.

Corporate worship is the heart and soul of our journey. God creates us to commune with and worship Him together with other believers.

We can praise, thank, listen to, and seek God through worship. We break bread together during services. We are encouraged in our souls by listening to what God says to us through sermons, prayers and songs.

Hebrews 10:25: “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

Acts 2:42: “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s supper) and to prayer.”

2. Spiritual Discipline and Discipleship

Going to Church forms part of our discipleship journey. It is a spiritual discipline that puts us on a gradual transformative journey that is always a work in progress.

Someone once said, “our thoughts become words, words become actions, actions become habits, and habits become our character”. It takes discipline to cultivate a spiritual rhythm and healthy spiritual habits.

Spiritual disciplines help fortify our discipleship journey, shaping and transforming us to become more Christ-like and focused, not just on Sundays but in our homes, workplaces, communities, and personal lives daily.

As Rev Raymond Fong, Pastor-in-Charge of Wesley Methodist Church, said, “Coming to the house of God to worship together is a spiritual discipline, and it is your costly sacrifice.”

Luke 9:23: “Then he said to the crowd, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily and follow me.”

Galatians 5:24: “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.”

3. Spiritual Friendships

Community is a vital part of the Church. A Church is not merely a building, though the Church family meets in one. We are spiritual friends that gather in Christ to lift and encourage one another.

Meeting in person helps us to open up and have meaningful conversations and interpersonal interactions that deepen our understanding of one another and God.

We need spiritual friends for accountability, wise counsel, to bounce ideas, share our joys and sorrows with, and come alongside us to remind us that God loves us and wants the best for us. God helps us to strengthen one another in fellowship.

There is nothing like meeting with someone for a conversation, discussion, meal, or drink to share life.

Even Jesus Himself had a community in His disciples.

Galatians 6:2: “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way, obey the law of Christ.”

Proverbs 27:17: “Iron sharpens iron.”

4. A Body of Christ

The Body of Christ is a spiritual family.

Each of us has a purpose and plan given by God to fulfill in the Body of Christ. Therefore, the Church comprises many parts, and the different parts must come together and unite to edify one another, work together, serve others and reflect Christ. It is often through meeting in person that we live out the purpose and unity as the Body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:27: “All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.”

Romans 12:5: “So it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to one another.”

5. Priority

It’s all about priority. Period.

Waking up every Sunday and getting ready to go to Church to worship Him with our community is a commitment. It is a sign of our love and reverence for God. It is also a sign of giving our top priority to God.

Attending church faithfully helps remind us of our priority to God and cultivates our proclivity to put God first amid our busyness.

Matthew 6:33: “Seek the Kingdom of Godabove all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

6. Spiritual Gifts

God gives us different gifts to share and contribute as a Body of Christ. We are to use these gifts to serve Him and one another.

Many of these gifts can only be best used when we meet in person. Gifts such as praying for others, teaching Sunday School, leading in worship, singing in the choir, playing in a worship band, hospitality, and befriending the elderly are most beneficial when we meet face-to-face.

Say what you like, but a personal touch and face-to-face interaction sometimes is the key to authenticity and building relationships and trust. It makes a real difference when we do counselling and visit the sick physically.

Hebrews 10:24, 25: “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. spiritual gifts to exercise to serve Him and the community.”

1 Peter 4:10: “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.”

7. Serving God and the Community

Coming back to Church will give us more opportunities to serve God.

Whether teaching, making coffee for your Church friends, arranging chairs and flowers, organising Church activities or helping the sound crew at the service, your physical acts of kindness help bind our Church community together.

Sure, you may be able to do many things online or remotely, but nothing beats actual acts of kindness to extend physical help and support strangers and friends in our midst. God desires us to serve one another.

Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

Romans 12:13: “When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.”

8. Encourage Our Pre-believer Friends and Community

Have you ever had friends asking you about a Bible study you have attended because they are curious about it?

Nothing influences more or works better than seeing someone in action.

In the same way, our act of going to Church faithfully is a living testament of Christ’s place in our lives to others. When we show our commitment to the church, we testify for God.

When our pre-believer friends see us going to Church, they might start to wonder what keeps us going to Church and whom we worship; they would be encouraged to learn more about Christ. If we stay home to listen to online sermons, we might not be able to provide the same visibility as going to Church on-site.

Let’s build up one another, put our faith into action, and make Christ known in our community.

I Thessalonians 5:11: “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”

9. Encourage our Children by Our Examples

We teach our children many values and lessons through how we live our lives and what we do daily. Children are very observant of parental behaviour.

We can say a lot and cite many life experiences and Scripture, but nothing comes close to setting an example ourselves to the young ones.

Titus 2:6-7 “In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.”

Ephesians 6:4: “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.”

10. Encourage the Pastors and Staff in Church

Lastly, returning to physical Church will encourage the pastors and staff.

Our Pastors and the Church staff team work tirelessly throughout the week so that we can all come to a well-organised and welcoming Church to enjoy fellowship with one another and commune with God. They spend time preparing the Sunday ground for us and planning fellowship activities, Church events and Bible classes to grow our faith on other days of the week.

Our presence in Church would greatly encourage and spur them on.

1 Thessalonians 5:12: “Dear brothers and sisters, honour those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.”

Acts 16:5: “So the churches were strengthened in their faith and grew larger every day.”

Returning to Church may not always be the most convenient. But Psalm 27:4 tells us: “The one thing I ask of the Lord — the thing I seek most — is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.” And in no circumstances is this truer than physical Churchgoing in the post-pandemic world we are in now.

Perhaps you have been busy or have felt much inertia about returning to Church. Perhaps you have gotten used to listening to sermons at home. Consider taking the initial small steps.

Said Rev Raymond Fong in his message to the Wesley Church members: “For those who can return to Church, you can begin by committing to attending onsite services at least once or twice a month.”

Wesley has lined up some events for you and decked up the atrium to welcome you back to our Church family this season.

Will you consider praying, participating and be present at our services and year-end activities?

Will you consider coming home to Wesley this Christmas?

For a December to remember, please check us out at Wesley Methodist Church – Christmas 2022 for more information on the events and services this season. You can also listen to a message by Rev Raymond Fong at the same link.

Faith Journey of Philip Yuen, a Champion for Wesley Small Group Ministry

Have you ever wondered how much a church volunteer would go to serve God and others?

At 74 years old, Philip Yuen is a spiritual marathon runner for the gospel. He has been sowing, nurturing and blossoming many Small Groups (SG) at Wesley Methodist Church for eight years.

“I’m merely an instrument for God’s work. He alone equips and enables,” said the cheerful and vivacious Philip.

Philip has been a champion for the Wesley Small Group Ministry (SGM) for the past eight years.

As Assistant Pastoral Care Zone Leader of Zone 11 in the SGM, Philip is the liaison between the SG members under his care and the ministry. He facilitates SG meetings, plans activities, solves problems, strategises on improving communication and curriculum, and prays for his SG members and leaders. Philip oversees the Living Water SG and 11 other SGs.

Under his initiation and purview, Philip has started no less than 12 SGs, all of which he is still a part of and actively serving.

It is no wonder that he is known as the unofficial SGM spokesperson. “Philip is one of the most active and enthusiastic SG members in Wesley. We know we can always count on him to make anyone feel warm and welcomed,” said Gerhardine Foo, the pastoral team member (PTM) for SGM at Wesley.

But that is not all.

Besides serving in SGM, Philip also serves in the Welcome Corner. He is also the team leader of the Watchers at The Saturday Service (TSS), a Communion Steward, a facilitator for the Alpha Programmes, the Baptism and Membership Classes (BMC) and other church-run series such as the Jonah Studies and the current weekly lunchtime Roman Sermon Series.

Not one to idle, Philip had also served on the PCC (Parochial Church Council) of Yishun Christian Church (Anglican/ Lutheran). He had been the Synod Representative at the Anglican Diocesan Board for several terms. He had also sat on a couple of school advisory boards (SACs) and chaired a parent-teachers committee. He is also an active community leader.

Philip’s heart for serving started five decades ago, in the1960s, when he was just a young boy.

Growing Up Years

Like any young boy around his age, Philip was an active and playful boy when he was in primary school.

As the youngest of eight children, Philip was often doted upon and brought up prim and proper by his father, a renowned tailor. The elder Yuen ran a successful tailoring business called Tai Heng and had ensured that all his children look spiffy and dapper, even at a young age. “I was already spotting a suit and tie at a young age,” recalled Philip. His father then opened Universal Tailors at the then British Naval Base, at Sembawang. Philip was then known as the Sailor-Tailor!

Philip’s mother was a Catholic, while his father attended St Andrew’s Cathedral for a short time. As Philip’s father was a busy businessman, the family was cared for by their ma cheh (girls or women employed by a family to clean, look after children and perform other domestic tasks).

Nevertheless, Philip’s elder siblings had always insisted that he did his fair share of housework Therefore, Philip learnt to cook and was very independent at a young age. As his parents had passed away when he was in school, Philip’s elder sisters, Lilian, Mary, Joyce and Lily, had to take on their mother’s role of looking after their youngest brother.

Philip’s sisters, Joyce and Lily, and their elder brother, Jimmy, had brought Philip to Wesley Methodist Church. They started with Sunday school before Jimmy roped in Philip to join the fun and games of the Life Boys, which was the junior section of the Boys’ Brigade (BB) in 1956, when he was just eight years old.

“Boys’ Brigade had blessed me with the rich values inculcated in us by our captain and leaders. It also taught me to serve the Lord with whatever I can offer Him.”

By the prevenient and justifying grace of God, Philip had accepted Christ at a Sunday School Camp when he was in Primary Five, responding to an invitation by Henry Khoo, his Sunday school teacher in the 1950s.

“It was so apt that my spiritual eyes were opened when I received Christ at the School of the Blind at this Sunday School camp.”

In his teenage years, besides BB and church, Philip was also active in Youth For Christ (YFC) and Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF).

God’s Hands Are Never Short

Philip attended Anglo-Chinese School (ACS) until he had to leave pre-university to help manage his family’s booming businesses — by then the family had a chain of shops all over Singapore.

The Coleman Street area — where Philip grew up — was also a neighbourhood overrun by rival gangs battling to control their territories in the 1950s and 60s. The area was near the present-day Clarke Quay, and it was rife with gang fights and rivalries, gambling and opium activities then.

Philip had his fair share of excitement and experiences during the 1950s and 1960s around the gambling and opium dens and aggressive, rowdy drunken soldiers and sailors. He also watched and befriended the local sam seng kia (a Hokkien dialect term for gangster or hooligan) who used to rule over Hock Lam Street, Chin Nam Street and Coleman Street.

“I didn’t know better then, and there were many hooligans and gangsters in the area. Gang fights were common occurrences. These gangsters had no fear and no mercy. Vice activities were going on all around me as I was growing up. It was just part of daily life then.”

“I could have become a sam seng kia myself if not for the fact that I knew the Lord.”

Although Philip did not join any gangs or get involved in their activities, he knew many who also lived or ‘worked’ in the area. He and his many friends had looked up to a gang leader, Michael, in particular, who never hesitated to stand up for his friends. “I used to stand up to bigger sized bullies to ‘protect’ my ‘brothers’ and took up various martial arts. Some neighbours used to call me ‘Chilli Padi’.”

However, Philip’s impression of Michael changed one day when he saw how Michael landed in hospital when he was attacked viciously in a street fight. Michael had gone from a hero to zero. “Michael had looked so helpless and weak, battling for his life on the hospital bed.”

“It was an instant wake-up call for me. I decided that I must follow Jesus faithfully in my life. Over the years, I have reflected and wondered what I would have turned out to be had it not for God’s merciful hands upon me. I realised that having head knowledge of the Lord is never the same as humbly serving and practising what Christ commands.”

God’s Providence through Career

In 1968, Philip decided to join the teaching service as he felt led by God to teach the younger generations. He was appointed to several schools, including National Junior College in 1976. A year before that, he married a beautiful young lady, Helen Mah, who later started and captained the 13^th Company of the Girls’ Brigade.

“Helen has been my pillar of support since the day we were together to this day. We celebrate our 47th anniversary this November,” shared Philip.

“I am always grateful to Helen and my children for their support as I had spent much time away overseas and then doing voluntary work in the community and the church. I could not have served so actively without my family’s understanding and support.”

Philip had spent several years working in International Schools in Singapore, China and other countries before returning to Singapore in 2014.

*Philip, a lover of sea sports, at Pulau Tekong*

Back to Home Ground – Wesley Methodist Church – in 2011

After spending years based abroad teaching in and running international schools, Philip came home in 2011 to continue on project basis till 2014.

“Life came full circle, and at 64, I find myself back in my beloved Wesley Methodist Church again.”

After participating in the Meeting Jesus In The Gospels campaign he was invited by his facilitator, Albert Lim, to form a SG which brought about the start of the Living Water SG in May 2014.

Although Philip came back to his home church in his 60s, his enthusiasm for the Lord had not dimmed, and in fact his zeal and devotion for the Lord and His people were renewed from his experiences with the International overseas churches and various missions trips and stays overseas. Besides serving fervently, Philip also makes time for his own spiritual self-development. Over the last few years, Philip has attended the DISCIPLE Programme at Wesley and a series of leadership competency sessions at Tung Ling Bible School and St Andrew’s Cathedral.

Philip also received his training for overseas missionary trips with the international NGO, OMF, Grace AG and the Anglican Diocese. He served on missions, educational and training trips to India, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, China and Cambodia.

He said, “I have always remembered what one of my spiritual mentors quoted from the scriptures: ‘What good is it for someone to gain the whole world yet forfeit their soul?’”

*Philip at a teachers’ training for Vietnamese educators*

*Serving at one of our local community outreach services, Yellow Ribbon Project*

*Recruiting volunteers for Medical and Educational Trips to ASEAN at a missions fair*

*Philip (extreme left) with young pastors at a Bible college in Tamil Naidu*

Gathering, Nurturing and Flowering Ministry

These days, Philip mainly focuses on serving in SGM. “The objective of Wesley SGM is to gather, nurture and flower Small Groups, which aligns with what I feel God has led me to.”

“Although I have served and am still serving in various ministries, I am most active right now in SGM. Small Groups are all about sharing lives. It is about journeying with our Christian brothers and sisters to eternity. I think that it is so important to be able to have someone to journey with. Life is never smooth, and there are always ups and downs. But Christ also promised us that He would not give us beyond what we can bear. Our friends in Small Groups can make what we are going through easier to bear through our community fellowship, deep sharing, and authentic reflections.”

A Church is never about a building – a Church is a Christian Community of Believers faithfully practising God’s love and care and Small Groups are the essence and the practical demonstration of Christ’s presence here on earth, within our midst! If only all who attend church services are members of Small Groups (or Care Cells), no one would ever feel lost or left behind!

“I am also reminded the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few from Luke 10:2.”

Frances Lim, Pastoral Care Leader of SGM (Zone 11), described Philip as a gentle God-fearing man: “Philip is very busy with family and community work, yet always finds time to listen with much patience to his members. He has a real gift for encouraging and building up his Core Team members, often servicing and counselling individual members, even at inconvenient times. The Living Water SG grew from strength to strength and is now a vibrant, cohesive community!”

Lim Wee Lee, another member who works closely with Philip, said, “I met Philip during the Devotion in Groups campaign (DIG) in 2016. He had subsequently invited me to visit the Living Water SG.”

She continued, “What impresses me is Philip’s deep commitment to the church and his zeal for God’s ministries. He has a good grasp of the scriptures and sound discernment of biblical precepts. His energy and dedication are amazing. Often, Philip will encourage my friends and me to get involved in church outreach projects such as the Jalan Berseh outreach and Wesley food fairs.”

“Philip cares about and focuses on people authentically. He often urges us to have fellowship meals, in small groups, to build relationships and conduct short mentoring and sharing sessions. His presence at our Small Groups sessions provides a balanced view of the Scripture, often clarifying contentious points.”

*The Living Water SG over Zoom, with Rev Lilian Ang, the Mentoring Zone 11 Pastor visiting the session*

*May 2022: Philip with members of Cephas (The Rock) SG, a newly-formed SG, after BMC 2/2022*

Said Gerhardine, PTM, “A person like Philip, who serves so humbly and wholeheartedly, is hard to come by. We thank God for a brother like him.”

Once in a while, we meet an exceptionally enthusiastic, encouraging and edifying servant-shepherd of the Lord. He perseveres and patiently stays on the course for the extension of His Kingdom. Philip is a faithful beacon of humble servanthood for God’s service.

When asked what propels him to step out to start the Living Water SG and then go on to ‘gather, nurture and flower’ the current 12 Small Groups, Philip had this to say with a laugh:

“Just two words — Trust God.”

“And I still try to attend each of my 12 SG sessions whenever possible.”

Are you looking for a group of like-minded individuals to journey and do life together? Find out more on Wesley Methodist Church – Small Groups. Come, join a Small Group today! Scan this QR code to join a Small Group. To contact us, please email smallgroup@wesleymc.org.

The 95^th Anniversary of the Girls’ Brigade Singapore (GBS) was celebrated on 24 September 2022 with a thanksgiving service held at the GB Hall@GB Centre, located at 795 Upper Serangoon Road,

As GBS celebrated its significant milestone, the guest-of-honour for the service themed ‘Rise Above’, Reverend Pastor Chris Chia, the senior pastor of Adam Road Presbyterian Church and Moderator of the English Presbytery, reminded guests that Girls’ Brigade (GB) has a “rich heritage” in the ministry of sowing.

Indeed, GB is a significant ministry and co-curricular activity (CCA) in many schools in Singapore today. GB equips young girls with practical handles and skills in life, provides them with opportunities to work at resilience and builds community and lasting friendships that could see them through their lives.

This year marks the 73^rd year Wesley has supported the 6^th Company of GB.

The GB’s mission is to develop “each Girl and Officer to her fullest potential by equipping, empowering and enabling: every Girl a Leader, Every Officer a Servant Leader”.

Currently, the GB 6^th Company helps over 50 secondary school girls at Guangyang Secondary School acquire practical handles and skills, learn more about fortitude in life and make friends for life.

Underscoring the importance of helping and supporting teenage girls to build up good life values, Chow Yuen Peng, Officer of the 6^th Company of GB, said GB’s mission is to help build girls to their fullest potential.

“We want to invest in the lives of these girls. We want to journey alongside them and help to build them up in resilience and leadership. We understand that these teenage years in their lives come with challenges and confusion. Yet, we also see that these learning years can be optimised for them if they are given the right opportunities and social and emotional support. We try to facilitate open communication, motivate them to rise above their challenges, and encourage them to make a difference in the lives of others.”

An Officer with GB for more than 30 years, Yuen Peng has seen many GB girls who have thrived and blossomed in GB, including two girls from the 6^th Company who eventually went on to serve as the vice-president and treasurer of the GBS, and lead GBS in their own right.

Learning in GB extends beyond just regular CCA activities in school. Through practical actions, the girls learn about kindness and building up one another and others in the community. Many such community-building opportunities are provided through various activities organised by GB.

On 7 July this year, the GB 6^th Company responded to the ‘wishes’ of the elderly at the TOUCH Senior Activity Centre in Geylang Bahru. Organised in conjunction with the Girls’ Brigade Friend-in-Deed campaign, this was part of the GB national event in which every GB company in Singapore could participate.

After putting up a short musical performance on the kalimba, a lovely Malay musical instrument, 50 GB girls presented the elderly at the centre with gifts according to their respective ‘wish list’. Some items on the wish list included new stoma bags, rice cooker, electric kettle, toaster oven, radio, standing fan and mattresses.

*The GB girls at TOUCH Senior Activity Centre at Geylang Bahru*

“It was a great opportunity to serve and bless the elderly. The joy spread was palpable,” said Rev Lilian Ang, Chaplain of the GB 6^th Company, who has been with GB since 1993 . “We are thankful for all the sponsored items and, more than that, the sustained sponsorship of the programmes for our girls. We can all play a part in nurturing the next generation of young leaders.“

Very often, charitable work helps the girls pick up other communication skills. In participating in such events, the girls often have to overcome their reluctance and learn to initiate conversations with the elderly. The girls learn to speak up and step out of their comfort zone.

Another event earlier this year was held at the Bishan SBS Bus Interchange on 20 May.

*GB girls hard at work packing goody bags*

The girls helped to pack 345 goody bags to bless the bus drivers and staff. They also helped SBS to distribute their SBS Kindness-themed pens to the public that same day, allowing SBS to spread their message of kindness to members of the public at the bus interchange that day.

“The girls also learned to show appreciation to the hardworking bus drivers and be more confident when speaking to strangers,” said Pastor Lilian. “We are very proud of them.”

*Yuen Peng (first from left) and the GB girls help spread some goodwill cheer at the Bishan Bus Interchange with help from the mascot*

The 6^th Company of the Girls’ Brigade currently has 56 members. The members’ age range from 13 to 16, and they are students from Secondary One to Four. They meet every Thursday afternoon from 3 to 6 pm at Guangyang Secondary School, spending time practising drills, doing recreation and badge work such as arts and crafts, creative gift wrapping, writing reflections, and picking up communications, time management and first aid skills. During their annual adventure camps, they also learn fun team building and basic survival skills.

“We run annual camps, help prepare them for participation in the National Day Parade, and work with them to plan what to do on special occasions like GB Friendship Day,” said Yuen Peng.

Pastor Lilian shared her thoughts about supporting the GB girls in an increasingly complex world today:

“Being a teenager nowadays is much more complex. Their pressures are enormous. They may have many self-identity issues, pressures in school and stress from the comparisons that can come from social media. Hopefully, we can be of some practical help and a source of emotional and mental support to them. My co-workers and I have been here for the long haul because we believe in the girls. We want to help them lead and serve by example.”

If you are interested to find out more about volunteering opportunities with the 6^th Company of the Girls’ Brigade, such as imparting age-appropriate and relevant skill sets or conducting badge work to help the GB girls earn their various badges, we want to hear from you! Please get in touch with yuenpengc@wesleymc.org.

For more information on the Girls’ Brigade, please visit: About Us | Girls’ Brigade Singapore – A place for Every Girl (gb.org.sg)

*The working committee of the first-ever Strangely Warmed Weekend: An Intentional Discipleship Retreat,* *led by Chairperson David Mok (4th from right) and Rev Gladwin Lee (3rd from right)*

The first-ever Strangely Warmed Retreat: An Intentional Discipleship Retreat was organised to allow our church members to encounter God and experience His love. The pastors hope that the Wesley Methodist Church family will experience and share the love and mercy of Jesus in a personal way through personal encounters with the Lord.

“We want to bring our members into encounters with God in a very intimate and personal way,” explained Pastor Gladwin.

Pastor Gladwin and his team had started planning for the retreat in 2017. The pandemic had put a pause on plans till this year.

Under the guidance of Pastor Gladwin, a group of church staff and volunteers organised this retreat to provide a safe space and environment for church members to come together to share life’s challenges. They hoped that hearing personal stories and anecdotes shared by the pastors and participants would give assurance of God’s faithfulness and hope even in the most challenging moments of life and inspire deeper discipleship journeys.

*Pastor Gladwin spearheaded and oversaw the retreat alongside the team*

“In such a time as this, when there are so many uncertainties, bad news and brokenness around us, it is important to come together as a church family. We have to walk alongside each other and hear one another’s stories,” said Pastor Gladwin, who spearheaded this retreat.

“Knowing that we are not alone in our discipleship journeys can help us to love Christ more intimately, grow in Christ more deeply and serve Him faithfully.”

Encountering God at the Strangely Warmed: An Intentional Discipleship Retreat

“The most important one,” answered Jesus,
“is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.
’There is no commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12:20-31

Many Methodists are familiar with the quintessential Methodist term ‘Strangely Warmed’. Most of us have heard of how Methodism founder John Wesley had a powerful encounter with the Lord about his spiritual identity when he listened to the message of Romans based on Martin Luther’s Preface to the Epistle to Romans.

It was an epiphany for John Wesley, whose life was changed and who influenced the lives of millions. Today, John Wesley’s encounter with the Lord two centuries ago continues to shape the discipleship journeys of countless Christians.

From 7 to 9 July 2022, 63 Wesleyans from Wesley Methodist Church gathered at Changi Cove for the inaugural Strangely Warmed: An Intentional Discipleship Retreat. As suggested by its name, the retreat was held for our church family to have a powerful, strangely-warmed experience and a life-changing encounter with God.

This year is also the inaugural year for our Intentional Discipleship Church campaign from 2022 to 2025. One of the goals of the retreat, therefore, is to help our church family gain more profound insights into the relevance of the five faith environments of the Wesley Discipleship Model (WDM) in our lives. The five faith environments — known as CORDS for short — are Significant Circumstances, Scriptural Obedience, Spiritual Relationships, Spiritual Disciplines and Sacrificial Service.

*Opening Sermon: Purity and Priority – The* Heart of the Matter by Rev Raymond Fong

After two years of online worship and fellowship during the pandemic, the retreat venue’s idyllic environment and greenery provided a welcoming respite and unique on-site learning experiences that nourished everyone’s hearts and minds with God’s Word.

In each of the rooms where many participants had their solitude, there was also a wall for doodling, on which the participants could draw or write. “I felt relaxed and contemplative as I filled the wall with doodles,” reflected participant and Small Group facilitator Heather Ong.

*Sharing time: Where and how God works in my life*

*Worship time: Experiencing God’s grace in music and songs*

“I thought this retreat would be like a camp or conference where we come to listen to talks and have small group discussions of the teachings,” said Joy Chan, who was there with her husband, Dr Chan Wai Lup. “I did not know what to expect of the retreat except that it is always good when God’s people gather.”

*Prayer time: Experiencing, petitioning and sensing God together*

Like Joy, many of the participants might not have had the most straightforward idea of what to expect from the retreat. “Very honestly, we had no idea what the retreat would be all about. My wife and I were just looking for a time of solitude and rest from life,” said Andrew Tong, a participant who also volunteers in the Small Group and Discipleship and Nurture ministries in church.

“The retreat was more than what we had imagined or expected,” added Andrew.

Echoing these sentiments, participant Jason Jong said, “I didn’t plan to sign up.”

“But I am glad I went for the retreat — I felt God’s presence working in me.”

(Read: Hear what our participants have to say about the Strangely Warmed: An Intentional Discipleship Retreat)

*Solitude time: a time of reflection and rest, away from the usual routine of life*

*Solitude time: away from the busyness and distractions of the world*

The retreat opened on the morning of 7 July 2022 with worship and a sermon on ‘Purity and Priority: The Heart of the Matter’ by Rev Raymond Fong. The retreat comprised uplifting worship sessions, plenary sessions for both the ladies and men, heartfelt testimonies from pastors, facilitators and participants, time for silence and solitude, spiritual companion sessions, and gender-specific small group sessions.

*Worship time with pastors and the incredible worship team*

*Rev Gladwin Lee (right), the pastor overseeing the retreat, and Rev Lim Jen Huat (left), Spiritual Companion at the retreat*

Pastor Gladwin, the pastor overseeing the retreat, had this to say, “Wesley Methodist Church is entering into a new season with the Strangely Warmed Weekend: An Intentional Discipleship Retreat. For many of us, this retreat could be a significant spiritual milestone where we encounter God in a personal, practical and profound manner.”

Furthermore, Pastor Gladwin said there were ground rules at the retreat that provided everyone with a sacred safe space to discuss the struggles in life vulnerably and how to draw near to God in difficult times.

“The participants had to maintain confidentiality, and honour each other’s life stories to preserve the confidentiality of what they had heard,” Pastor Gladwin emphasised. “God works differently in our lives, and we must respect how God prompts and speaks to us. It was important that everyone felt safe and not judged by what they shared during the retreat.”

*Sharing time: sharing life stories vulnerably in a safe space*

At the retreat, the participants learnt that God is there amid all our life’s darkest doubts and moments, even if we cannot see or feel Him. Most importantly, we use our challenges and struggles to draw near to God and be transformed by a more intentional discipleship journey.

Said David Mok, Chairperson of the retreat, “Witnessing our brothers and sisters in Christ being touched by the Holy Spirit is overwhelming. Being part of the organising team, I had my fears that the retreat would not be as impactful as it was intended. The Lord dealt with my lack of faith, and I had to repent. All praise to the Lord for his transforming work at the retreat!”

The retreat provided a cosy environment for the participants to interact with one another and with the pastors of Wesley Methodist Church.

Many participants appreciated the opportunity to mingle and chat with Pastor Raymond, Pastor Gladwin, Pastor Lim Jen Huat and Pastor Clement Ong at the retreat up close. “I usually see the pastors at the pulpit or around in church but have not had many opportunities to speak with them as I have to rush off on Sundays,” said a participant who did not wish to be named. “So I appreciated the chat with the pastors at the retreat over meal times.”

*Small group sharing time: a safe space for everyone to share as an authentic community*

Small group sessions, meal times and tea breaks gave opportunities for the participants to get to know one another better and make new friends. It gave them rest physically and renewed them spiritually.

Many of us came as strangers and left as spiritual friends.

*Bonding time: Experiencing God together*

*The incredible worship team from Wesley: (from L-R) Matthias Ho, Jonathan Huang, Pastor Clement, Xun Liang, Glenn Wong and Pastor Raymond*

The retreat wrapped up on the morning of 9 July 2022, drawing to a close with a beautiful worship session, and a closing sermon on ‘The Heart of the Matter is the Matter of the Heart’ by Pastor Clement, as well as testimonies by participants, concluding small group time, and Holy Communion led by Pastor Jen Huat.

As everyone said their goodbyes, we left with our hearts strangely warmed and the question lingering on our hearts and minds: Are we ready to count the costs of discipleship and take the next step?

Said Pastor Raymond, “The presence of God was palpable and deeply transforming throughout the retreat. On the last night, the altar call saw many stepping forward to express their surrender to God and their love for him. During this retreat, we experienced what an authentic spiritual community can be when God’s love strangely warms hearts. We shared life stories and discipleship and encouraged and prayed for one another. Let me invite you to come away with God at the next retreat for a fresh encounter with him as you take your next step as His faithful disciple!”

(Photo Credit: All photos are taken by Matthias Ho)

(Read: Hear what our participants have to say about the Strangely Warmed: An Intentional Discipleship Retreat; God spoke to me through my Doodle Art; Behind the Scenes; How the phrase “Strangely warmed ” originated )

Have you been Strangely Warmed and shaped by the love of God? Would you like to have spiritual friends to journey with you? Come to the next Strangely Warmed: An Intentional Discipleship Retreat and have a personal encounter with the Lord.
Look out for our next run in December! Registration will begin soon. To register your interest, please email us at strangelywarmed@wesleymc.org
*Due to limited capacity, this is only available to Wesley Methodist Church members.

Do you know how the uniquely Methodist phrase “Strangely Warmed” came about?

The story of John Wesley being strangely warmed happened on 24 May 1738. John Wesley had opened his Bible at about five in the morning and came across these words, “There are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, even that ye should partakers of the divine nature.” He read similar words in other places.

That evening he reluctantly attended a meeting in Aldersgate. Someone read from Luther’s Preface to the Epistle to Romans. At about 8.45 pm, something happened, as John Wesley described: “While he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.”

“My wife and I might not have become members of Wesley if not for Covid-19,” quipped Weng Hon.

Lee Weng Hon and his wife, Ashley See, moved to Singapore in 2017 and spent two years looking for a church to join when the pandemic hit. “It was hard work connecting with new people only to find that it then didn’t feel quite right,” Ashley reflected. “And it was especially confusing for the kids when it was a new set of faces and friends each time. Looking back, we were likely leaning too much on our own strength, but either way, Covid-19 put an end to the search.”

Kids and Life Before Singapore

Weng Hon and Ashley, both professionals in their 30s, had spent much of their working lives in London prior to moving to Singapore. Living in a highly transitory city where people come and go, the couple found themselves moving often — from university to the financial district, then from central London to the suburbs.

“There was no real sense of permanence and there was a pervasive feeling of restlessness — I put that down to the constant change we went through. However, with the benefit of hindsight, I believe it was the Holy Spirit’s constant prompting to find a church and a community to help us reconnect and re-centre on God. Some may call it conscience, but I take it as God’s love — never giving up on us, no matter how far we stray from Him.”

Their penultimate and most significant move was certainly that into the season of parenthood — a move which completely flipped all their priorities. It was the catalyst for Weng Hon and Ashley to leave behind promising careers in Europe and relocate to Singapore, putting their family’s well-being front and centre.

“The relocation was equally meant to be an opportunity for us to reset and refresh our search for a church. We strongly feel it’s our duty to equip our kids to navigate an increasingly uncertain world through providing that stability and connection to their family and the wider Christian community.”

Weng Hon said, “We were aware that we had been neglectful of our own Christian growth, which had left us feeling a little lost and off-centred. We recognised that one day, our kids will strike out on their own and face similar challenges, but as my own parents persevered and raised me in the teachings of the Lord, it was what ultimately anchored me in Him. We need to ensure that this is our legacy — that our children can find Him if they get lost.”

*Weng Hon and Ashley with their children*

Small Group — First Impressions of Wesley

A seemingly random, though likely divine, series of events led Weng Hon and Ashley to Wesley Methodist Church. Attending a wedding at Wesley over a decade ago and, more recently, a couple of posts on social media, planted the seed.

“One of the silver linings of Covid-19 was that all churches were suddenly making their weekly services available online. It was a very low-risk, low-obligation situation for people searching for a new church — people like us,” recalled Ashley. “I saw someone had posted a throwback about Wesley on Facebook, so we tuned into the Sunday Prayer & Praise that weekend and heard about the Open House.”

Following the Open House, Weng Hon contacted the Small Group Ministry (SGM), and the SGM staff Gerhardine reached out.

In the usual course of settling into a new church, joining a Small Group usually comes after a period of regular corporate worship. The pandemic had clearly turned all of that on its head.

“In our first call with Gerhardine, as we shared our background and our desire to get to know the Wesley community, she told us that she already had a group in mind that might be a good fit for us. She made us feel very comfortable and cared for right from the beginning,” said Weng Hon.

“We were very warmly welcomed by Ray, Grace, and members of the Small Group, quickly finding common ground. We’re in similar seasons of our lives with similar backgrounds, so we found it easy to relate to each other and share perspectives. It was our first personal impression of the church, and we felt a very good vibe about Wesley through them.”

“With the Covid-19 restrictions, we really valued the opportunity to connect personally with other Wesleyans, so it felt like a very natural step to join a Small Group even though we hadn’t yet attended a service in person,” Ashley said. “It especially reminded us how important it is to meet with other Christians, to encourage each other and pick each other up when we falter. This group has been a real blessing to us and our spiritual growth.”

Becoming Wesleyans

When the opportunity arose to register for the Baptism and Membership Class (BMC), they needed little prompting.

“We talked about it, we prayed about it, we questioned whether our journey so far was too good to be true — it just felt too easy, too familiar. Ultimately, what gave us the conviction to commit was an overriding sense of finally being at home — a sense of peace had replaced that constant feeling of restlessness we had during our time in London. We felt that God was saying in no uncertain terms that this is where we could finally put roots down for the family.”

Said Weng Hon, “We had some nerves prior to our first BMC class, but it was such an amazing experience to meet and listen to the pastors in person and get to know other Wesleyans, including our facilitators Faith, Liz and James and their stories. If anything, our experience and learnings throughout BMC have only reinforced our decision of joining Wesley. How often does God swing wide open a door and ask us to step through?”

Next Steps

With the easing of the pandemic restrictions, the couple have since attended their first Sunday service in person and their two boys have finally met their Children’s Ministry teachers and classmates.

Next up, they are looking forward to also getting to know their Small Group members in person, almost a year since their first Zoom call. They hope to be able to share a meal and more perspectives on life, parenting and work, whilst continuing to keep each other accountable in their walk with God.

“Covid-19 forced changes in so many of the things we take for granted, including going to church, but out of all the disruptions, something positive and joyous has happened to our family. Finding Wesley has been the highlight of our faith journey this season, and calls to mind Proverbs 3:5-6 — ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight’.”

Weng Hon and Ashley are from Seasons Small Group.

If you would like to find out more about Wesley Methodist Church Small Group ministry, please reach out to us at smallgroup@wesleymc.org

If you would like to find out more about the Baptism and Membership Class at Wesley Methodist Church, please reach out to us at bmc@wesleymc.org

I always had an interest in ‘saving the environment’.

Back in 2004, I remember the first time I was exposed to the term ‘global warming’. I saw images of polar caps melting and how it affected the polar bears and wildlife. It left an impression on me and unlocked a feeling that I had to do something about it. It was a feeling in me that is hard to describe.

In 2011, when I was studying accounting in school, I saw my friends using one side of the paper and throwing it away after. That very action spurred me to collect the paper from them in a bid to save these resources and use them myself. I was known as ‘the paper girl’.

That was the start of my sustainability journey. It carried on — with me recycling at home, applying to study environmental science (which I didn’t manage to get into), and promising myself that while I was studying accounting at university, I will participate in activities related to sustainability.

I must admit, I grew up in a family that has differing religious beliefs and I had not been attending church since young. My best friend introduced me to our church, and I attended services on and off for about two years.

When I started university studies, with my university being located near our church, I decided to go back to attending service. I also decided to join a Small Group through Alpha to develop a stronger relationship with God.

I still remember that one particular session when we had to do a test to find out our spiritual gifts. When my results showed Creation Care, it was like a mini light bulb went off in my head.

After all these years, I had finally found the word for this unexplainable feeling I have towards the environment — burning. It was a burning in my heart that never went away or got extinguished. I finally saw how everything worked out in God’s plan, and everything that I experienced eventually led me to kick-start my own sustainability start-up.

I am not strong in my biblical foundation, but I am always taking small steps to learn more about the Bible and develop the relationship I have with God. Just a few days ago, I set out to read the Bible again, and it seems like reading Genesis came in time for this sharing of mine.

How perfect is this timing? The following verses stood out to me because they seem to be sharing with us the duty we have when we were made — a timely reminder for me.

Genesis 1:26 — Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

Genesis 1:28 — God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

Genesis 1:29 — Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.

Genesis 1:30 — And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.

In my own interpretation, it seems that we were given this important responsibility to take care of the earth and all creation in it.

It made me wonder — have we truly been taking care of it as God has entrusted us to do?

In your own way, you can practise creation care through sustainability, for example:

Reduce unnecessary personal consumption.

Always evaluate if you truly need an item or is it purely a want.

Bring Your Own.

Reduce personal disposable waste as Singapore’s only landfill is expected to be filled up by 2035

Immerse yourself in nature.

If you do not spend time appreciating creation, how can you truly enjoy its beauty?

Contribute to or volunteer for environmental projects.

Buy second hand if you can, to save resources.

Practise the 5Rs – Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot (Compost)

Take short showers and use a cooler water temperature.

Today, would you take the first step to be a steward of this beautiful earth that He has created? No step is too small, and the above tips are some ways you can care for our creation!

1 May 2022 l 9.30am l Cathay Cineleisure Orchard

“You know what’s happening? A church is happening!”

“A church is happening right here in Cineleisure Hall 11!” proclaimed Pastor Clement Ong, as the congregation was invited to stand and give all praise and glory to God for watching over us, in the transition to the new location.

Wesley Methodist Church Prayer & Praise (P&P) held its first service at Cathay Cineleisure Orchard, on 1 May 2022. This would be its home for the next few months while Wesley Hall undergoes refurbishment.

Wesleyans turned up in full support for the first service. There was a sense of familiarity seeing the many bright red T-shirts of the Wesley Usher Team, which acted as a beacon for the worshippers finding their way to the new location — right from the entrance of the building, where worshippers were guided to the lift lobby to access Level 6. After receiving the Holy Communion elements at the entrance of the Cineplex, worshippers were led down the corridor to Hall 11 amid the ushers’ friendly greetings — “Good morning! Welcome!” With the removal of safe distancing restrictions, we were free to sit where we wanted.

*Walking down the theatre corridor to arrive at Hall 11*

Hall 11 on Level 6 of the Cathay Cineplex Cineleisure, at a capacity of 331, presented a more intimate setting for the P&P worship service, compared to the stadium style seating of The Grand Cathay, or the wide span of the Wesley Hall. With no stage, the band musicians, pastors and worship leaders took their places in the front end of the theatre, just a few steps away from the first row of seats, which gave a cosy vibe to the service.

As the worship team, led by Worship Leader Elliot Chiam, engaged the congregation through an energetic worship session, the congregation responded warmly, singing aloud (with masks on), with many lifting their hands in praise.

*Elliot and the P&P worship team leading an energetic worship session*

“Let us fill this place with His praise!” proclaimed Pastor Clement Ong, as the music from the band reverberated within the walls of the darkened theatre.

*Lifting hands to the Lord in praise and worship*

Pastor-in-charge Rev Raymond Fong was on site to deliver the sermon, welcoming all to Cineleisure. “What a journey it has been, just to prepare (for this),” thanking all the volunteers — the media team, sound crew, the Welcome Team, etc. — who had “worked so hard — they have been preparing the place for a month, just so you and I can worship in this space!”, as applause filled the theatre.

“Truly, it is really by God’s grace that we have this space, that we are able to worship right here in the heart of the city,” Pastor Raymond said, highlighting the vision that that place would be a house of the Lord, where God’s presence would dwell. In his sermon titled The Small Group, he spoke about discipleship in our community, exhorting Wesleyans to grow, go deep and be authentic, in our faith, and with one another.

After the Holy Communion, Pastor Clement asked for the leaders of Small Groups and discipleship groups, serving in all capacities, to stand and be shown appreciation and receive encouragement for what they do as shepherds, leaders and mentors, in our community and ministries. “You have taken time to prepare, to host, to journey with and to shepherd our Small Groups — all 200 plus of them,” he said. “Praise the Lord for you!”

As the service closed, Pastor Clement encouraged Wesleyans to bring friends to the service there, sharing that that place is seen as “a church beyond our walls”. Together, we can look forward to what God is going to do in Cineleisure Orchard and the community there, as we build God’s home there, right in the heart of the city.

See you at P&P@Cineleisure Orchard every Sunday, 9.30am & 11.30am!

Venue: Cathay Cineleisure Orchard, Level 6, Hall 11, 8 Grange Road, Singapore 239695

Photos by Goh Cheng Joo and Christopher Leong.

Watch Sermon video, read Sermon notes and reflection questions>> https://tidings.wesleymc.org/sermon-reflection/discipleship-in-community-1-the-small-group-pp/

A New Journey for Prayer and Praise Services

With the pandemic now entering a post-pandemic or endemic mode, Wesley Methodist Church is gearing up to welcome back more members at our on-site worship services!

In addition, for those of us who have been missing attending services at The Cathay, here’s the exciting news: Wesley, the 137-year-old church on the hill, is now the church at the heart of our city, as we bring two services right to the heart of Orchard Road.

After calling The Grand Cathay cinema on level 6 of The Cathay building at Handy Road home from 2017 every Sunday morning, Wesley@Cathay has moved to another location. The Cathay Service has moved nearer to another venue in the centre of town – Cineleisure Orchard.

Moreover, Prayer & Praise (P&P) 11.30am@Wesley Hall has also moved to Cineleisure Orchard as the Wesley Hall undergoes renovation works.

Hence, from 1 May 2022, there are two services every Sunday, at 9.30 am and 11.30 am at Cineleisure Orchard.

“We are really excited about the move and look forward to welcoming our members at Cineleisure Orchard. Many of our members have been with us all these years at the original Cathay. We are also looking forward to welcoming more new friends to our Cathay services,” said Pastor Clement Ong, who oversees the P&P services.

A Throwback to the Cathay Service

Wesley@Cathay first opened its doors to welcome Wesleyans and worshippers new to Wesley, on 7 May 2017.

Wesley@Cathay is a contemporary worship service where people are welcomed, accepted, and valued with the love of Christ. It is Wesley’s venture beyond its four walls at Fort Canning to live out its calling to reach out to be a light in the city.

Charis Lim, Chairperson of the Wesley@Cathay Committee since its inception, recalled the reasons behind its foundation and formation: ”The Wesley@Cathay service was birthed during a season of reaching out and growth that the Lord had blessed us with. Our P&P Sunday morning services were operating at full capacity, and we had to create space for them. But more importantly, Wesley@Cathay was a powerful testimony of us stepping out in faith as Wesleyans, to reach out beyond the walls of Fort Canning to grow God’s Church, to build new communities, and to impact the city for His glory!”

*2018: (L-R) Mr Charis Lim and Rev Benjamin Lee with the worship team*

The Cathay venue at Handy Road was ideal for Wesley because it was near the main church building where many of our members’ children attended Sunday school. It was popular with many of our church members who drive because of the limited parking space around the Fort Canning area. The location was also right smack in the heart of many schools and art institutions, and it was the desire of the pioneering team to reach out to the students in the vicinity.

Wesley@Cathay started with an initial average attendance of 300 congregants to about 450 just before the services had to be suspended due to the pandemic in 2020.

The pastor who had worked very hard to bring this to fruition was Rev Benjamin Lee, now the Pastor-in-Charge at Toa Payoh Methodist Church. He and his dedicated team of leaders, pastoral team members and volunteers had worked tirelessly to get the Wesley@Cathay services project off the ground.

In his message to the team of volunteers after the first day of the service, he said this to thank the team for pulling together to start Wesley@Cathay: “Thank you for all your hard work, and how you have really poured your hearts out to honour the Lord and to love His people.”

A team of over 60 members, comprising pastors, church staff and volunteers, helmed the services on the ground every Sunday, leading worship services, setting up refreshment corners, ushering worshippers from the car parks and elevators, and distributing Sunday service bulletins.

*2018: Pastors, church staff and volunteers at the Wesley@Cathay First Anniversary Service*

One of the volunteers from Day One is Eric Ang. He recalled not knowing what to expect when he first responded to the call for volunteers to serve at Wesley@Cathay. He found it very gratifying to find so many volunteers stepping forward to serve not only as individuals but also as couples and families with children.

Eric described the dedication and hard work of the team: “They were not dissuaded by the early and long hours every Sunday morning. Between 6.30 and 7.30am, about 80 volunteers — from the Technical and Creative teams, worship leaders, greeters, ushers and logistics support staff — would arrive to prepare the ground for the 9.30am service. By the time they pack up and leave, it is around 1pm.”

“Our youngest volunteer was only 10 years old, and we are one happy family in God’s house.”

*2017: The Hospitality Team on the first day of Wesley@Cathay*

Said Eric: “We also tried to give our worshippers and friends a different worship experience whenever we can. For our Christmas services, our Welcome Team added to the Christmas spirit by dressing up as shepherds and three wise men.”

Another volunteer, Esther Gooi, who has been serving at Wesley@Cathay from Day One in 2017 remembers the great teamwork and camaraderie among the volunteers and staff team: “I started as a volunteer on the Creative team and was asked to join the working group in February 2018. We were not a committee yet at that time as we were still considered a special project and not a service.”

“Subsequently, I served as a stage manager every Sunday at Cathay.”

Esther shared how she experienced God through serving in Wesley@Cathay: “God was there with us every step of the way — from not having enough volunteers at the beginning, to having to learn the various aspects of running a Service offsite, and handling technical glitches during services. He has always provided whatever we needed. Serving at Wesley@Cathay with God’s people also helped me experience His love and grace through His community, through the various small acts of kindness and weekly encouragement from the team.”

The Cathay became the team’s second home every Sunday as they used that dedicated space to bring the message of God to the people.

From 2017 to 2020, Wesley@Cathay was a safe space for anyone who wanted to grow in Christian discipleship or simply to explore Christianity.

The regular Sunday services were not the only events that Wesley had brought to The Cathay.

Christmas@Cathay in 2018 and 2019

Apart from holding the Sunday services, the Wesley team would work with the mall management to bring special events to The Cathay on special occasions like Christmas, when they collaborated with Celebrate Christmas in Singapore (CCIS) to bring the Christmas cheer to the Orchard Road belt. CCIS had been spearheading and organising Christmas events and activities that take place along Orchard Road with the wider Christian body in Singapore for many years, and they had looked to extend their reach farther along Orchard Road.

Two such events were the Christmas bazaars in 2018 and 2019, when Wesley brought yuletide cheer to The Cathay by helping to organise and bring in bazaar stalls, carolling and activity workshops like balloon crafting and terrarium building. There was also a stage with performances scheduled.

The objective was primarily to share the real Christmas story through stage performances, workshops, and other free activities.

*2018 Christmas@Cathay: Rev Benjamin Lee dressed as a camel*

*2019: Bazaar stalls at the basement of The Cathay*

Suzanne Yong, then church staff for Wesley@Cathay, said: “We were invited to participate in CCIS in 2018. We partnered with CCIS, Singapore Youth for Christ and The Cathay mall management to start the Celebrate Christmas@The Cathay, following the approach modelled by CCIS, such as staging performances and organising interactive activities to share the Christmas story”.

Suzanne said that Wesley Methodist Church had seen the potential from this first outing, and therefore, “worked on expanding the reach the following year to include a Christmas market and many more activities and workshops. As such, we were joined by more partners such as Overjoyed, an arts and crafts store in The Cathay, and many local and international artistes, designers, and craftsmen.”

In 2018, Wesley staged about seven live performances and offered three activity booths over three days at The Cathay atrium. In 2019, Wesley blessed the local creative community by providing Christian and secular artists, designers, and craftsmen the platform or avenue to showcase, share or sell their work to the event visitors. Wesley had also staged 10 live performances and two art demonstrations by the Wesley creative teams, and both local and international artistes.

At Wesley, we are not only a church on the hill. We are also a church that brings the gospel to the world.

We are in our community.

The New Cathay

After five years, on 1 May 2022, Wesley@Cathay has moved on to another venue.

The Cathay Cineleisure Orchard Hall 11 is now the new home of the Wesley Prayer & Praise services.

Said Mr Nijendra Mahendra, Chairperson of Prayer & Praise Ministry, who is overseeing the project of the move, “By the grace of God, we have been blessed with another wonderful location to bring God to our community.”

“One of the most challenging decisions we faced was the selection and securing of a venue when we heard that we needed to vacate The Cathay. But our God has shown us that when we seek Him, as we wait upon Him and discern together, He always provides and has guided us clearly to the venue of His choice.”

Indeed, prayers have undergirded the team looking after this project.

Pastor Clement said P&P has learned and grown as a ministry and what it means to lean unto God in times of uncertainties, and unto each other in encouragement and with perseverance during the pandemic.

Giving thanks to God for the services and ministry opportunities that they have had in the last five years at The Cathay, he said, “From an extension for our P&P congregation to establishing an outreach mandate through Christmas programmes collaborating with The Cathay management and Blessing projects to pre-believing communities, we are amazed at how God has moved us to be a blessing not just to our congregation but also to our neighbours.”

“Surely by His Spirit, He who is faithful will continue to watch over us through it all, as we build His house of Prayer and Praise.”

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Come join us at the Wesley Prayer & Praise Service every Sunday at 9.30am and 11.30am, at Cathay Cineleisure Orchard Hall 11 on level 6!

At Wesley, we passionately seek to encounter God and are inspired to impart the Word by living out our faith. Wesley on-site and live stream Prayer & Praise Services, a contemporary worship service by Wesley Methodist Church, commence on 1 May 2022 at Cathay Cineleisure Orchard.

For more information about the Services, please contact maureenh@wesleymc.org

Directions to Cathay Cineleisure Orchard by public transport:

By Bus : 7, 14, 16, 36, 65,77, 106, 111,123, 124, 174, 175, 971, 7A, 14A, 36A, 36B, 174, 175

By MRT : Somerset station

Photos by Chris Leong, Samantha Poo and William Lim.