The pavilion at Kelantan was already bustling with people of all ages when Olivia, my eight-year-old, and I stepped in. The scent of buttery popcorn and candy floss filled the air, setting the perfect atmosphere for the carnival. We were excited. Our main mission was to cover the Christmas event for the upcoming Wesley TIDINGS, but we were also eager to participate in the festivities at this established estate. Christmas at Berseh, held on 1 December 2024, is an annual event aimed at spreading the good news throughout the neighbourhood. Flyers were distributed to over 280 households, inviting them to participate in the Christmas carnival activities.
The Wesley Creative Expression Ministry wasted no time and kicked off their performance with evergreen Chinese songs such as 甜蜜蜜 (Sweet Honey) and 阿里山的姑娘 (Maiden of Alishan). These beloved classics immediately won the hearts of the seniors seated in the front rows. Later, Wesleyan volunteers handed out the band’s iconic homemade shaker cans to everyone, encouraging them to join the band in singing popular Christmas tunes such as Feliz Navidad, Joy to the World and We Wish You a Merry Christmas, shaking their homemade maracas to the beat.
Olivia and I noticed that the game stations were raring to go, so we decided to give them a try. We settled on the ball toss game and queued with anticipation alongside other residents. Both young and old were keen to participate, and long lines quickly formed at the various game booths. Soon, it was Olivia’s turn, and I was surprised to see that the game stations were manned by tweens. As I noticed the t-shirts they were wearing, I realised they were from the Wesley BeTween ministry. In my opinion, they were the most enthusiastic game masters I’ve ever encountered at a carnival. The young volunteers cheered for Olivia when she scored and encouraged her when she didn’t. Curious, I approached a group of them and asked why they were volunteering at the event. It was unusual to see so many younger volunteers at a Christian outreach event. Yao Zheng Ting, Jairus Lim and Rachel Koh explained that volunteering at Christmas at Berseh was the final activity of their JAIA Camp, the church’s annual camp for students between 11-14 years old. The trio expressed that it was not only fun but meaningful. What a remarkable example of young people serving the church and the community! Besides the various game booths, there was also a balloon art booth and a face painting station. Needless to say, my daughter thoroughly enjoyed these activities.
The Guest of Honour, Ms Denise Phua Lay Peng, Mayor of Central Singapore District and Advisor to Jalan Besar GRC (Kampong Glam), officiated the event and delivered a bilingual message to the community. She spoke about Singapore’s multi-religious society and the purpose of Wesley’s Christmas event. As Christians, Wesleyans gathered to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. She also emphasised that Christmas is not about the shopping or the presents but about the true reason for the season – Jesus. In conclusion, she introduced Grace Sim from the Wesley Senior Activity Centre and encouraged all residents in the estate to visit their location at Block 25.
The celebration was only just getting started. After Ms Phua’s address, Pastor-in-Charge Rev Raymond Fong drew the first 10 prizes in the lucky draw, and the Kelantan senior choir captivated everyone with their golden melodies. They looked immaculate in their unique red shirts and crisp white pants. Kristos, a creative arts sub ministry, from Wesley Youth Ministry took the celebration to another level by leading a mass dance to a catchy tune. There was even a surprise guest – an inflatable costumed dinosaur who graced the event, much to the delight of the children! Finally, the event concluded with the giveaway of the final 10 lucky draw prizes and dinner bentos distributed to the residents. This celebration has undoubtedly brought much joy to the Jalan Berseh neighborhood. At the same time, it also warmed our hearts as it was the first time Olivia and I were serving together at a church event.
Photos by CJ Goh
Click here to see exciting photos from Christmas@Berseh!
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