Wesley Glowing Years Ministry’s (GYM) Happy Hour on Monday, 8 June 2026 saw Plaza Hall packed to maximum capacity. After the Harmonica Ensemble opened with a time of worship, our much-anticipated distinguished guest speaker, Bishop Emeritus Dr Robert Solomon, addressed the gathering on the topic of Distress and Comfort.
His scripture text for the day was Psalm 120. In the Bible, Psalm 120 is the first in a series of Songs of Ascent. Pilgrims sang these psalms for encouragement while ascending the steep road to the Lord’s temple in Jerusalem.
The psalmist lived in the hostile lands of Meshech and Kedar. The people of these regions had “lying lips” and were “for war”. This caused the psalmist distress, and he called on the Lord.
Dr Robert Solomon explained that the conditions described by the psalmist reflect our own lives. We are distressed by the “rough places” we live in. For example, we may have endured a difficult childhood or be struggling with familial relationships. We are also distressed by our internal state – our fallen human condition. We try to do things in our own strength instead of relying on God.
What comforted the psalmist was that when he called on the Lord, the Lord answered him. God is our righteous judge. He will judge the living and the dead. All we have to do is call out to Him, “Save me, O Lord”. For seniors, who know too well that their years on earth are numbered, this short prayer is simple yet profound.
“God does not change. He is the same, yesterday, today and always.” This truth can be contrasted with the restlessness of our fast-changing world. Dr Robert Solomon pointed out the alluring dangers of artificial intelligence (AI). Everyone can access generative AI on their handphone. ChatGPT and similar tools can provide a seemingly plausible answer to any question or even converse with us. He elicited laughter by singing, “He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way. AI! AI!…” to the tune of He Lives (I Serve a Risen Saviour). However, comfort comes not from AI but from the One who died for us, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Dr Robert Solomon concluded that we should bring our distress to the Lord and find His comfort in our hearts. He then gamely led an impromptu response song, This World Is Not My Home, a hymn he had quoted earlier. Indeed, we are more like the psalmist than we realise. We travel our own pilgrim road through a tumultuous world that is “not our home”, all the while aspiring towards heaven and singing our song of ascent.
After Dr Robert Solomon’s sharing, Happy Hour continued with further activities. We tested our knowledge of Genesis Chapter 22 with a Bible quiz. The questions were surprisingly challenging despite having multiple-choice answers. A regular Happy Hour participant, Janet Thio, shared that she “did her homework”, having read the chapter beforehand and prepared notes. No wonder everyone seemed to know the answer to “Who was Abraham’s brother?” except me!
Next, trainer Jean Ho led participants in a mix of seated and standing exercises to lively Chinese and Bollywood music. She made us laugh with her prompts of “chicken wing” and “clean window” for the different actions. Even when performed seated, these energetic exercises really got our hearts pumping.
Happy Hour also celebrated the June birthdays of Wesley GYM members with a large birthday cake. Seniors could then take part in a sing-along session, learn origami or play Rummikub, a four-player tile game described by one of the aunties as “ang moh mahjong”.
The day concluded with a generous buffet reception at the Wesley rooftop, featuring lemongrass chicken, sea bass, green curry prawns and other delectable dishes. Here, I spoke with two first-time Happy Hour participants. Tracy Lee, who is new to Wesley, joined because “social interaction is important”. She believes that we should not only develop our relationship with God but also with fellow believers.
Also seeking social connection was Eleanor Teo, who attends and serves at Wesley’s 11.30am Traditional Service. She shared that she enjoys volunteering and meeting new people.
For seniors who experience loneliness, perhaps due to limited mobility or when their children grow up, having a community that accepts them with all their quirks and frailties can be invaluable. Happy Hour and other events run by Wesley GYM address this need by providing opportunities for seniors to interact in an uplifting and welcoming environment. I observed that many had dressed up for the occasion, suggesting they had been looking forward to attending.
What was even more heartening was seeing “seniors helping seniors”. A sizeable number of volunteers, recognisable by their green shirts, were seniors themselves. In giving their time and effort, these volunteers remain physically active and mentally alert. Through their service, both volunteers and guests benefit from warm interaction and a personal touch. This personal connection is something all of us sorely need, no matter how self-reliant we claim to be. AI cannot provide this, and Dr Robert Solomon would surely agree.
(Photos courtesy of Henry Lim and Trixie Chin)
Read also: Seniors Bringing Joy to Seniors at MWS Nursing Home – Eunos
