St Andrew`s Autism Centre Opens!

I am a Saint!
Belinda Charles retires
page 7
Spotlight on Parishes
pages 8-9
Building 1 Generation
pages 10-11
Cambodia: The Living Fields
page 12
254
April 2011 • Diocese of Singapore • www.anglican.org.sg
MICA (P) 039/06/2010
From left: Revd Canon Wong Tak Meng, Mr Dennis Ang, Archbishop John Chew, President S R Nathan, Dr Loh Yik Hin, Mr John Ang and Mrs Susie Tay
St Andrew’s Autism Centre Opens!
With bated breaths we have
waited for six years and finally,
the St Andrew’s Autism Centre
was officially opened by His Excellency, Mr S R Nathan, President of Singapore. In his message, President Nathan notes,
“Even as Singapore progresses,
we have to be mindful to leave
no one behind.”
The Opening Ceremony brought together
400 guests from the Government Ministries, the Community and Welfare Services, the Christian community and beneficiaries of SAAC. As they arrived the
St Andrew’s Secondary School Military
Band welcomed them. Yeoman service
was provided by the Boys’ Brigade 7th
Company. The guests were treated to a
hip-hop dance by the children from the
autism school and serenaded by the St
Margaret’s Primary School Choir. Along
the corridors of the Centre, there were
panels exhibiting large colourful oil paintings by the centre’s clients. It was indeed
a celebration of the colours of life, love
and hope.
The $23.7 million centre is the first integrated comprehensive facility in this
region to serve people with autism; children, youth and adults, and their families and caregivers. It focuses on those
whose disabilities range from moderate
to severe. Located at Elliot Road, the historic site of the original St Andrew’s Community Hospital (SACH), the Centre is
carrying on the legacy left behind by the
early pioneers like Dr Charlotte E Ferguson-Davie who started a clinic for women
and children in 1913. Hence setting up
this Centre of hope for the nation was a
mammoth task.
The redevelopment of the Elliot Road
site in the eastern part of Singapore was
made possible with the help of the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports and
the Ministry of Health. The Government
contributed $17 million and the Centre
has raised 90% of the remaining $6.7 million. Spread out over 2.2 ha, the Centre
houses a School and a Day Activity Centre (DAC). The School caters to children
and youth from 7 - 18 years of age, whilst
the DAC help adults receive therapy, edu-
cation and pre-employment training.
Currently there are now 95 children registered with the St Andrew’s Autism School
and 29 adults on the Day Activity Centre.
Clients pay $350 monthly because the
programme is heavily subsidised by the
Government. The Centre will help further
subsidise those who find this amount too
steep.
On the sprawling campus, there are 15
blocks painted the whole spectrum of the
rainbow. Art, music therapy and dance
rooms, a clinic, mock-up flats to teach living skills, a sheltered outdoor hydro-therapy pool, a pet enclosure, a playground
and a chapel, the Chapel of Christ Our
Hope, represent a holistic and integrated
approach to community services. (For
cont’d on page 2
2|
DIOCESAN Digest
cont’d from cover
strengthen us in
our service.” It is
with this strong
sense of calling
and a desire to
serve the nation
of
Singapore,
that St Andrew’s
Mission Hospital
Board began to
plan for the Centre.
The first seeds
were sown in
2005 when the
opening of the SAAC signifies our resolve
as a community of faith to enter into solidarity with the people of autism and our
willingness to enter into the situation of
the caregivers where there is no quick
fix. By trusting in the Holy Spirit to sustain
and empower us along the long journey
ahead, we desire to make our society less
ugly, more beautiful, less discriminatory
and more inclusive, less dehumanising
and more humane.”
The next stage of the journey has just begun. The Centre has the capacity to serve
400; it is currently serving 124. SAAC is
also intentionally and actively providing
ing up social capital, the Centre is also
seeking to educate, nurture and grow its
pool of volunteers; thus helping the wider
community to understand the needs of
people with autism.
Anita Fam, SAAC Management Committee member, shares her observation at
the official opening, "Whilst strolling round
the elliptical green, I caught a glimpse
of our students hard at 'play' in a classroom. Others I spied were exercising to
the rhythmic beat of music and for the
older ones, they had the privilege of demonstrating their potting skills and serving
President Nathan with Milo. How won-
Aerial View of SAAC
Hydro-theraphy pool
more information on the Centre and Autism, log on to www.saac.org.sg).
In his opening prayer, Dennis Ang, Chair
of the SAAC Board, said, “We remember
the commission given to us the Anglican
Church to be a Christian community serving people in Singapore with Autism Spectrum Disorder. We are humbled by your
Grace in providing these premises which
are to be dedicated for the service of our
clients. Keep us faithful to our calling and
St Andrew’s Autism Centre houses a
chapel. Consecrated on Friday, 25 March,
the Chapel of Christ Our Hope serves not
only the clients of SAAC but also the staff
and perhaps in due course its neighbourhood.
In his sermon, Assistant Bishop Rennis
Ponniah recognises that our community
service is inspired by and patterned after
the Cross of Jesus, a cruciform service
(Luke 9:18-27). This service is a call to
holy obedience that requires suffering (v
22) and denial of self (v 24). In providing
a community service to people with Autism, the Diocese is participating in God’s
gracious intervention to alleviate human
suffering in a fallen world. God made the
clear call and gave the grace to obey.
Therefore, our community service is first
an act of holy obedience to God before
it is a service to our fellow-man. We are
serving God, obeying His will for us, as we
National Council of Social
Services initiated a dialogue.
By 2006, the first shoots
emerged with the DAC welcoming a few clients using the
premises of SACH in Simei.
The Speaker of Parliament,
Mr Abdullah Tarmugi officiated at the Ground Breaking
Ceremony for SAAC in 2009.
John Ang, CEO of SAAC,
points out that the complexities of offering multi-layered
services and the desire to
create a centre to provide almost lifelong support not only
to people with autism but also
their families and caregivers.
This requires much time and
careful planning. Hence the President Nathan was presented with a painting by the artists Joseph Ten and Saviour Moses,
students of the Autism School
Centre could only open after
a six year journey. For him, the Opening is support and counselling services to car- derful…for SAAC is a place to learn, to
like organising the wedding of a beloved egivers. It has research and training fa- have fun, to feel safe and to be of value. I
daughter; full of joy and filled with details. cilities, as well as a medical centre. Re- was deeply overcome by how dearly God
search on autism will help Centre staff loves each one of us, including those that
Peter Hsu, COO of the Singapore Angli- continually improve its standard of autism we serve at the Centre, and how faithful
can Community Services felt, “There is care. It is actively seeking partnerships to He has been in our journey to reach this
no true word of hope without action. The enhance and extend its scope. By build- place. To God be the glory.”
care for people in need. Although involving daily and costly sacrifices on our part,
we take up the cross to serve because He
first loved us. The cruciform service anticipates divine glory when we will share
in the glory of Heaven. Therefore it is a
robust service filled with joy. The Chapel
will be a place to nurture and grow traits
needed for this form of service (cf Luke
9:18). Revd Canon Wong Tak Meng is the
Senior Chaplain to the Community Services and Revd David Teo is the chaplain
to the SAAC.
The Consecration Service itself was
through divine providence. Archbishop
John Chew observes,
Against all that the heart dares to hope
for, we were especially blessed and
showered by an almost eleventh hour
substantial gift to enable us to hold
this Consecration Service. It could
not have been timelier as it fell on the
Feast the Annunciation of Our Lord to
the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was that
beginning; the cosmic moment of divine coming to give hope and life. We
therefore consecrated and named it
the Chapel of Jesus Christ Our Hope.
BISHOP'S MESSAGE
DIOCESAN Digest | 3
A Journey on a Road less travelled
The Most Reverend Dr John Chew
(This message is expanded from a speech
presented for the Opening of the St Andrew’s Autism Centre on March 29, 2011)
The St Andrew’s Autism Centre building is
now completed but the real work and ministry to the autistic community and nation
at large has just begun. In fact, the word
‘journey’ may best describe our experience yet to unfold. And it is a ‘journey’ on
a road less travelled.
A road is just a road
until the first step is
taken. Then only does
it become a journey
with a destination.
There will be many
challenges no doubt.
Our first step was taken in 2005, a tipping
point in the midst of a
most challenging year
for the Anglican Family as we restructured
and integrated, the
St Andrew’s Mission
Hospital and the Singapore Anglican Welfare Council into the
Singapore Anglican
Community Services.
The St Andrew’s Community Hospital was moved to Simei, adjacent to the new Changi General Hospital as its step down partner, and admitted
her first patient. Barely two weeks earlier,
the first purpose-designed mental psychiatric rehabilitative centre; the Simei Care
Centre started on 9 April 2005, providentially adjacent to the SACH and CGH. In
the midst of all these clearly “heavy duty”
services, the Board of St Andrew’s Mission Hospital on 5 September took probably one of its most difficult decisions,
to proceed with the setting up of an integrated autism services, particularly the
adult services. Approval was given by the
Ministry of Health two weeks later for the
continued use of the land at Elliot Road.
This decision was made after some very
careful study and understanding, more
than a little nudging by various ministries
concerned and the National Council of
Social Services which all identified autism
care as a key missing gap in services.
When it came to the decision on moving
into providing ministry and services in au-
tism, many questions came to our minds.
How to begin? Can this work be sustained? We did not know much about this
condition then; most of us had little personal knowledge of the challenges of autism. Of course now we know better! It is
clearly on the top end of “heavy duty” services. Substantial energy had to go into
fund-raising efforts to support and sustain
the ministry particularly for the adults. In
addition, the concept and commitment for
an integrated centre and services have
many degrees of complexities and these
had to be reflected in the facilities. Moreover, in our simple innocence, the working members decided to cater to clients
with moderate to severe disabilities. And
in all these, the integration of the Centre
required us to deal with three different
but very supportive ministries in planning
and for funding purposes. It was never a
straightforward matter. That is why it took
but their families, the much burdened
caregivers, as well as for the health of the
society at large. Together with other partners and operators in this area of service,
of which there are far and few in between,
we pray and believe our venture into this
"less travelled ministry and service" would
contribute to a leavening and multiplying
effect. And by the quality of our love and
compassion which we pour into our common space, we will grow our social conscience even as we pursue success all
round.
us six years to complete this stage of the
journey. And today we are here!
One may ask why then did we embark
on such a journey? Through this journey,
what social value or capital, if any, could
be generated? We offer three reasons below.
this, are committed and already intentionally laying down concrete tracks for
three generations of our volunteers to be
involved and to contribute to our nation’s
critical need to build up social capital. In
fact, our youths who are on SERVE, a
three-month vigorous discipleship training programme, were on a two-week attachment with SACS. Many have given
feedback that the experience was an eyeopener and life-impacting.
Firstly, we are a part of this tremendously
gifted and successful nation, a still developing society in the global framework.
Our embarking on this road less travelled
is not just an adventure, but the Christian Community's commitment to Seek
the Welfare of our City, as concerned
citizens. The common space we share as
a nation can only and genuinely be enriched and humanised through compassionate and neighbourly care and service.
In this area of service, there is only a small
and limited pool of professionally trained
staff who are in it for the long term. This
is not a popular or even reasonably wellpaid career path. More people need to be
encouraged and developed. It is not just
about a career but a vocational calling.
And this work is not just for the clients,
Secondly, this venture will contribute to
our nation’s increasing critical concern of
building up the much needed social capital, our ‘soft power’ so to speak. Our main
national asset is our people. And this is
revealed especially in crises. We need
to engage the whole community, from
seniors to the young. The SAMH/SACS
family of community services, knowing
Thirdly, what has been quite unexpected
in this journey is the generating of 'ambassadorial' values. In December last
year, a key delegation led by the Chairman of the Ethnic and Religious Office of
Shanghai visited the SAAC and the sister service arms of SAMH and SACS. A
group led by the Director of the Religious
Affairs Department of Suzhou will be visiting some time next year. There have been
various other teams throughout the years
who have heard about the strategic social
partnership between our Anglican Diocese and the various government agencies in developing and providing much
needed community services amongst and
for special needs in the community. It is
very encouraging to hear from the Chinese after all these visits and contacts,
that they see Singapore’s value to China’s development is not only the Suzhou
Industrial Park but also this partnership in
creating social capital for the nation and
those in need. It appears that this is an
experience which we could offer as Singapore’s “soft value-add capital” to the
societies around us in the region which
are groping and struggling, with workable paradigms and framework for the
management of their own domestic social
challenges. We are humbled and made
all the more conscious of our responsibility as "ambassadors" to contribute toward
the inspiration and encouragement of
other cities and nations.
In summary, we come round to where
we started. The
first step on the
road less travelled
in autism service
has been taken.
Can we also inspire, motivate and
bring more fellow
citizens to come
along this journey?
The varied challenges of needs,
people resource,
finance,
sustainability and consistency of quality services, community
engagement and
partnership, would
no doubt be often
daunting. Do we
have the nerve and
resilience to continue, journey higher
and farther? In times like these, we are
blessed to have our biblical “faith” tradition to anchor and spur us on. We should
always remember that it was said of old
that “On the mountain of the Lord it shall
be provided” (Gen 22:14). What a great
promise! This is good enough to give us
the gracious confidence and hope to journey on come what may; the de-self-centered inner drive — “We serve because
we have been served. We love because
we have been first loved.”
You may ask, why do we call this place
St Andrew’s? In our faith tradition, he is
someone who has drawn out the best in
others. In one instance, he called on a
young boy and his humble offerings of five
loaves and two fishes and the Lord used it
to multiply to feed the five thousand who
had needs then, and had much leftover
(John 6:8-9). This is what we hope this
work will do. We seek to draw out the best
in every person, in every citizen, to continue to bless and thus our God is much
glorified.
4|
THE PASTORAL MINISTRY SERIES
DIOCESAN Digest
Staying faithful to ministry of the “Five Days”
Revd Canon Terry Wong
“There are five incomparable days in the believer’s life. The day one is born, when life is given. The day one is baptised, and enters
with anticipation into the community of faith. The day one is confirmed; when one chooses to re-affirm one’s baptism…The day
one may choose to enter into a lifelong covenant of fidelity of love. The day one dies, when life is received back into God’s hands.
What do those five days have in common? Who is invited to share them all? They are incomparable, pivotal moments in life. Besides
the family, what persons or professionals are welcomed into the intimate circle of significant participants in all of those days?
Only the clergy.”
The modern urban Singaporean pastor
faces two challenges.
The first is the leadership expected of him
in governance and administrative matters. As local churches share in the same
fabric and norms of our society, many
areas of church life need to stand up to
‘auditing’; whether by governmental authorities or just the standards perceived
as necessary by members. The church
needs to be “well run,” and by definition,
this is not even about members’ expectations on the average, but an aggregate of
views shaped by their own backgrounds.
And in Singapore, these areas rank very
highly.2 The Vicar is expected to ensure
that the church meets the standards.
Weekly bulletins, websites and flyers
(printed or digital) must be designed
well. Accounts must be properly kept
and procedures in decision-making duly
observed. The church calendar must be
planned and effectively communicated in
advance.
Secondly, the pastor is expected to lead
the church to grow. Catch-words like vision, strong leadership and focus are bandied around. Not a week will pass without
his church being compared to another
fast growing one round the corner. In Singapore, there is always one just round the
corner! And in a digital age, the competition has gone global. The Vicar may be
compared to an American or Korean pastor whom he has never met in person, let
alone the member doing the comparison.
Vision statements are emailed to him,
sometimes anonymously. The church
needs to be Alpha-ed, 40-day Purposed,
Cell-ed and of course, Intentionally-Discipled. Underlying all these, parishes are
expected to observe their own ‘family
ethos.’3 Nothing wrong it seems and after
all, whether programmes or ethos,4 these
areas are being implemented and experienced in some measure in many parishes. However, the pressure is on because
inevitably, the church — and her pastor
— is being measured by these external
standards.
No wonder when a member calls me up
to tell me their loved one has just passed
away, she does so apologetically. The
wakes and funeral services have to be
organised. “Sorry, pastor for this unplanned intrusion into your already busy
Thomas Oden1
week.” I am being spoken to as if this is
not my pastoral responsibility. In the next
moment, I will be receiving a call from a
leader and his tone of voice tells me that
I am expected to be present at a coming
business meeting.
These misconceived ideas are further
reinforced as I can send a pastoral staff
to visit a grieving bereaved member but
I cannot do the same when a meeting
needs to be chaired. And no Vicar can
absent himself from a ministry meeting
where the future or vision is being discussed.
What used to be the primary roles of a
pastor have now become secondary; almost something he does only when he
can ‘spare the time.’
And the larger the church is, the more apparent this divide is.
How do we cope with the realities of urban
parish work here, and yet remain faithful
to our ordinal vows? There are numerous
books on this subject, but I believe Singaporean pastors need to think through and
sort it out from their local context. I don’t
think guilt-tripping and constant ‘ordinal
reminders’ will help. The clergy’s roles
and the pressures he faces need to be
understood by those around him. I would
like to propose a way forward. They will
need some teasing out within the context
of each parish.
Sharing our Leadership Space
I have at times wondered why ‘trivial’ issues like food distribution needed to be
brought to the attention of the disciples in
Acts 6 and after that, deacons were appointed based on some high spiritual requirements.5
The fact is the church is a community.
And any issue of import — especially
those which threaten to divide the community — will ultimate be referred to the
“elders.”6 The same can be said of the
parish, where the Vicar is ultimately responsible. In our Anglican tradition, the
Vicar is the focal point of unity in the local
church as he serves the parish on behalf
of his bishop. There is a leadership space
already entrusted to him.
A wise Vicar will learn to share his leadership space as the parish grows. I am
not talking about teamwork here, but
team leadership, where the Vicar inten-
tionally invites
or empowers
other leaders
to share in
his responsibilities. Some
will need to be
professionally
trained when
it comes to
matters of finance or legal
governance.
And as ministries can be
major areas
of work,7 capable ministry
leaders
are
needed. They
need to be
given space to
seek the Lord over the issues and make
decisions without having to refer back to
the Vicar all the time. And I use the term
‘seek the Lord’ as this is one of a few indications whether leadership space is being shared. If a leader has the space to
do so and not dependent on the Vicar to
tell him what to do, this is a good sign of
healthy leadership sharing. I have seen
how some leaders spent weeks praying
and deliberating, only for their plans to
be turned down over a few minutes in the
Vicar’s office.
I use the word ‘healthy’ as there is also
such a thing as abdication and usurping
of responsibility. In the former, the Vicar
is irresponsible and in the latter, he is
sidelined. Neither is about sharing leadership space. In fact, the latter is about
stealing leadership space! Lay leaders,
who bypass their Vicars and self-appoint
themselves to decide on parish matters,
will only diminish the life and order of the
parish in the long run.
When leadership space is shared in the
right way, good leaders can draw alongside and help the Vicar. And when this is
done in the spirit of Christ-like servanthood, it is a beautiful thing. There will be
occasional stresses but it is an erstwhile
journey of discipleship and mutual submission.
Growing their Leadership Space
Over time, good leaders will gain the Vicar’s confidence and trust. They will grow
THE PASTORAL MINISTRY SERIES
and own the vision for their specific area of ministry. And we will
know this when
they are leading
their own leadership teams and
making decisions
for them without
the need to refer
back to the Vicar
all the time.
By this stage, the
trust level is high
and it works both
ways. The Vicar
knows that his
leaders can be
trusted to serve in
a way which edifies and holds his role and that of co-leaders in high regard8 and the leaders know
that their Vicar can be trusted to support
their work.
Doubtless, time is needed to build up
trusted circles of leadership teams. A responsible Vicar will not readily share his
space if trusted leaders cannot be found.
One blessing of creating this shared
space is that the parish in time will have
effective leaders (staff and lay) who are
able to work alongside the Vicar and one
another in a ‘non-dysfunctional’ and ‘noncompetitive’ way. The whole team needs
to be constantly conscious of the Chief
Shepherd.9 We also need to serve in submission to Christ and to one another in
that attitude,10 while recognising that for
parish community to be well managed,
order needs to be observed.
How well does the Anglican parish leadership structure hold up to modern ministry
demands? I will say, very well. There is
a built-in ‘there is nothing new under the
sun’ wisdom in the way our tradition has
All things to all
people
DIOCESAN Digest | 5
also play a role to encourage Vicars to focus on their
primary responsibilities.14
evolved. The Vicar, Wardens and PCC
are a great system to work with. Added to
this has been our own Diocesan development since the mid-80’s of the ministry of
parish workers. Parish staff, if gifted and
available (as they are serving fulltime11)
can share significantly in both the leadership and ministry load of the Vicar.
Paying close attention to
growing our pastoral skills
(e.g. preaching, conversing, listening to someone
‘in prayer’), developing our
pastoral presence (home
visitation, cell group visitation, meeting members
over meals), keeping a
sense of prayerfulness and
mediating the presence of
God (i.e. the need to observe our offices or equivalent prayer times, devotions
and reading) are all time
and ‘social space’ consuming. We need to discipline
ourselves to ‘let go’ and
create the necessary space. And being
disciplined and intentional about this is
needed as the drift of society and church
work is such that you will be driven back to
non-ministry essentials. And we let go of
them by learning to share, not abdicating,
a point which I have already highlighted.
Clergy do need the help of others to focus
Managing our Leadership Space on the work of the “five days.”
Assuming that external factors are under
control to some extent (we wish!), how the
clergy discharges his ministry is largely
dependent on his own personal discipline
and ordering of priorities. It is about selfmanagement.
Clergy should return to their ordinal vows
more regularly.12 Good readings can also
help us to refocus.13 Continual mutual
encouragement (especially amongst the
college of clergy) can all help us ‘to stay
on course.’ Lay leaders can do better to
understand the pressures which the clergy is under and seek to help him in his
role rather than making things more difficult for him. And of course, Bishops can
old friends — what a blessing!
In 1955, when I first arrived in Singapore, I was involved in teaching Scripture in mission schools and churches
and visiting homes, etc. under the direction of a school principal or a pastor. Gradually I was channelled into
welfare. I ended up ‘directing’ first,
an Anglican and then an inter-church
welfare organisation. Both were small
but have grown enormously since I left
some years ago to return to the UK,
after 45 years of service, partly due to
my sister’s health.
These are the words of Felicity FosterCarter. The Diocese of Singapore grew
with the help of selfless workers like Felicity, who was a missionary with the United
Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. She pioneered and established many
volunteer welfare organisations, besides
the St Andrew’s Mission Hospital and Singapore Anglican Community Services.
Felicity has touched many lives, including
that of Deaconess Bessie Lee, currently
on staff at St Andrew’s Cathedral, who
writes, “Felicity Carter was my Scripture
teacher — and a very good one! — when
I was a student in St Margaret’s Primary
School.”
Although I was homesick for England
when I first arrived overseas, I was
perhaps even more homesick for Singapore when I came back to the UK.
So far, I have returned once or twice a
year to Singapore to help out and see
Foster-Carter has now written a book
about her time in Singapore — All Things
to All People; an Exciting Life in Singapore and Malaysia. A Franciscan Tertiary
and missionary, her unfailing obedience
to God is evident in this account of her
What about the second challenge: the visionary leadership expected of the Vicar?
This is another loaded issue and I want to
refrain from erring to either extremes: of
ignoring the need for appropriate leadership in a parish and overstating the case
by focusing on the Vicar’s part exclusively. This issue will be taken up under this
series in future.
This article continues this pastoral ministry series and is a follow-up to the first
article by Asst Bishop Rennis Ponniah in
the last issue of Digest. Revd Canon Terry Wong serves as the Vicar of St James’
Church and holds various responsibilities
in the Diocese, including helping to facilitate the development of new ordinands.
life. She arrived in 1955 to teach Scripture
and do pastoral work in mission schools.
Over the years her work expanded into
welfare until she was appointed to manage firstly an Anglican and then an inter-church welfare organisation. Felicity
helped to pioneer several welfare organisations in Singapore, such as The Turning Point and Christian Outreach to the
Handicapped. In 1975, she was appointed as co-ordinator of the Anglican Welfare
Council (now known as Singapore Anglican Community Services).
Felicity’s life is full of adventurous encounters in Singapore and Sarawak. Her work
supports those on the fringes of society,
and this book includes moving descriptions of her ministering in prisons, helping
girls with drug addictions.
Her book, published by Armour Publishing,
was launched in early April. It is available
at Tecman and SKS bookstores at $8 (before GST).
Thomas Oden, Pastoral Theology, New York:
New York, HarperCollins, 1983, p 85.
2
I have spent some years serving in international
Christian organisations and I realise that the
way we do things here can just about match the
administrative level of most first world nations
or cities.
3
The administration level and resources
expected to run a properly planned liturgical
service or event is sometimes understated.
4
I am oversimplifying and separating these two
concepts but they overlapped heavily. This is
not an academic piece and I hope readers will
read it in its context.
5
It is interesting to note that these qualities can
only be ascertained in the context of close
parish or ‘koinonia’ relationships.
6
This is a good term for community leaders.
7
To name a few examples, Youth, Overseas
Missions, Cell Ministry and Christian Education.
8
“Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to
acknowledge those who work hard among you,
who care for you in the Lord and who admonish
you. Hold them in the highest regard in love
because of their work. Live in peace with each
other.” 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13
9
“To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow
elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who
also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be
shepherds of God’s flock that is under your
care, watching over them — not because you
must, but because you are willing, as God
wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest
gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over
those entrusted to you, but being examples to
the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd
appears, you will receive the crown of glory that
will never fade away.” 1 Peter 5:1-4
10
Read Ephesians 5:21-33 for this beautiful
teaching on how our attitude towards Christ
affects or forms an undergirding guiding attitude
in our familial relationships and roles.
11
Often comparisons are made to churches in
other cities where many volunteers are
serving and thus, lower the staff manpower
cost. In Singapore, the society is younger in
general and working. There is relatively a high
income generation but at the cost of long hours
in the office or overseas travel. The need of a
capable parish staff as a nerve center to
support and organise the ‘dispersed parish’ can
hardly be overstated.
12
Perhaps clergy can renew their vows once in a
while, as is done annually in some dioceses.
13
A good starting point is to revisit the classical
interpretation of the clergy’s role in Michael
Ramsay’s The Christian Priest.
14
As an aside comment, I do not think that
it helps the Vicar if we downplay the realities
of parish growth expectations. However good
support can be given to assist the Vicar across
the board; from centralising and supporting
good governance (leading, resourcing and
equipping, not just monitoring), streamlining
administration and communication and of
course practical steps to help him to focus on
his primary parish work.
1
6|
EDUCATION
DIOCESAN Digest
On Mrs Jenny Lee-Kwek's retirement: A passion that has borne much fruit
In 1964, an
enthusiastic
young
lady
started work
as a teacher
in Ascension
Kindergarten.
47 years later,
Mrs
Jenny
Lee-Kwek’s
passion in her
work remains
as enkindled
as ever. “There
are
always
new heights to
achieve,” she
notes. “Every
day is a challenge;
there
are still many
challenges
ahead.”
Mrs Lee-Kwek
is now the Programme Director at the St
Andrew’s Centre for Early
Childhood Education, where
she helps in
the planning
of accredited
courses for pre-school teachers’ training
and professional development. This is but
the latest stop in a fulfilling and blessed
career in childhood education for Jenny,
who took on the role of being principal,
principal-mentor, and finally consultantprincipal at Ascension Kindergarten, a
post which she relinquished in 2010 when
she retired.
In her time at the helm of Ascension Kindergarten, Jenny oversaw the kindergarten’s move from the Church of Ascension
to its new premises, while growing the
kindergarten’s enrolment threefold from
teachers
under her wing
to mentor, with
some of the
teachers going
on to become
principals
in
their own right.
Jenny herself
was able to
mentor her own
successor
in
Ascension Kindergarten, Mrs
Diane Seet, to
continue
the
rich Ascension
legacy of quality
childhood education.
200 to 600. Ascension Kindergarten is
now known for its leadership in creativity for early childhood education, a place
where children are inspired holistically
and spiritually.
The growth in the kindergarten comes
as no surprise to anyone who observes
Jenny in action at work. Jenny has been
a prominent face in the global networking
scene for early childhood educators, being the president of the Singapore World
Organisation for Early Childhood Education from 1998 to 2004. She also serves
as an adjunct lecturer, teaching courses
in various early childhood training centres
and polytechnics.
“Early childhood education has gained focus and attention from both parents and
the government,” Jenny observes. “There
are now higher expectations thrust upon
us. As the pre-school landscape continues to evolve, we have to ensure that our
young children have access to the highest
quality pre-school education possible.”
Despite
the
kindergarten’s
achievements,
Jenny considers her greatest
blessing was to
be able to touch
the lives that
she has over
the years of her
work. And this
influence has
even spanned
generations: some of her past students
from kindergarten have enrolled their own
children in Ascension Kindergarten. “To
be able to touch lives through generations,” Jenny laughs, “is my pride and joy.”
Her drive as well as her big heart has led
Jenny to be a great influence over child,
parent, teacher and principal alike. As
a principal, she has taken many of the
What is next for this grandmother of four?
Jenny herself confesses that she does not
know. “All I can do is continue to follow my
God in faith, as He opens new windows of
opportunity. I will cling on to the promise
in John 15: if I abide and remain in Him,
I know I can bear much fruit. Therefore I
will simply place my future in the hands of
the Lord.”
Dr Zoe Boon, Principal of Anglican High,
who is taking up a post with the National
Institute of Education.
Mr Ong Kim Soon, Principal of St Hilda’s
Secondary School, who will be with the
Ministry of Education.
Farewell to our four Principals
At the end of 2010, we had to bid a fond
farewell to 4 of our Principals — Mrs Belinda Charles of St Andrew’s Secondary
School who retires after 39 years in the
education service. Mrs Wai Yin Pryke who
leaves St Andrew’s Junior School to head
the newly established English Language
Institute of Singapore.
EDUCATION
I am a Saint!
Authentic — that which is real, worthy of
acceptance, authoritative. When I interviewed Mrs Belinda Charles not long after
her official retirement after 39 years as an
educationist, I felt I was in the presence of
the real thing; a bona fide Principal who
embodied the principles of an educator.
DIOCESAN Digest | 7
or some of the children or a large number
of children needed it.
I learnt that when you need to set goals for
students; set a certain standard and they
can reach it. If you set it higher, they will
aspire to reach it. If you set it lower, they
will reach that. When I was in a secondary school early in my career as Principal,
viewed for the job, the Board never said a
word. Then they told me at the first board
meeting that there was this building programme. I did not know how to and what
to do. It was a big learning curve; I learnt
the difference between an electrical engineer, a quantity surveyor, what a project
manager did and a structural engineer or
a clerk of works…But it was God’s timing.
The second is the move to St Andrew’s
Village and bringing together the St Andrew’s family. The JC started out as a
common Christian JC for Anglicans, Lutherans and Presbyterians and others.
After 14 years, the St Andrew’s Old Boys’
Association suggested bringing SAJC
together with the Secondary and Junior
Schools.
Another is steering SAJC up the rankings.
Initially, you could pass Year One with a
low minimum. I raised the bar and added
a supplementary exam. If the child still
failed to make it, I would meet with the
parents. I would spend a week meeting
every parent whether at 6.30 am or 7 pm,
I was there. This traumatised the child because at 16 or 17, they had to bring their
parents to meet the P. I told them, ‘Then
pass. Come to my office and study. Same
with the boys in SASS.’
Mrs Charles started her career in 1971
and in the last 20 years she has headed
the St Andrew’s Junior College and then
the St Andrew’s Secondary School.
When she retired, some of the SASS
boys serenaded her with the school song.
And her famous last words as a Principal
are ‘You have left such an imprint on my
life that I would like to end by saying I am
a Saint !’
Below are excerpts of the interview with
Mrs Charles:
How did you get into teaching?
It was totally unplanned. Looking back
this is how God leads me. I never wanted
to be a teacher because I wanted to do so
many other things. God showed me that I
had no aptitude for other things. Then the
Principal of my alma mater, Marymount
Convent, asked me to do a spot of relief teaching. When I went into the class
room, I really liked it so much that I just
knew this was what I wanted to do.
That was how I began a lot of the things
in teaching. I never went in very sure of
what I wanted to do. I would take steps
and see where God was leading. Management people are very surprised. They
think I must have had a clear plan as now
we can see the results. Maybe that shall
be my next field — new management theories a la Belinda Charles.
What were your guiding principles?
As I grew to know more and more about
the schools, I was guided by what the child
needed. Then it became the direction the
school should go in. Most of the things I
have done was because either the child,
I was upset with the minimum standards
by which students could get promoted but
I could not change that as that was the official policy. And I was thinking — how do
I change this? I brought these thoughts
to SAJC. And I found the same problem
even though I was dealing with the top
25% of the student population in Singapore. That is what the SAJC teachers,
if they were fond of me, it would be because of this. I set higher standards and
they could then tell the students that was
what was needed. It was set for the whole
college.
I also learnt the importance of communication; needing to set the perspective for
the student and teachers. I had to see
from their perspective of ‘What do I do get
from this?’ and to communicate the big
picture.
What are some career highlights?
One thing I learnt is, how to fund raise and
build a school. At SAJC, when I was inter-
Who are some of your mentors?
Mdm Lau Kan Howe from Henderson
Secondary School is one. She
must have taken one look at me
and said, ‘This is one will mess up
big time, better take her in hand.’ I
knew her through our professional
association which was the precursor of the Academy of Principals.
I had lunch with her every week.
She taught me how to handle
gangs at Bukit Batok Secondary
School. I was very green and did
not know how to identify a gang or
gangster.
My own spiritual renewal began
when I joined SAJC due to Canon
James Wong and also because
of his son Revd Jonathan Wong.
There was an overall sense of
protection because Chapel of the
Resurrection was there and praying for you.
What would you have liked to have
known when you started out?
That you need people! Many more people. When I started out I thought I was
good at my craft and mixed only with MY
TYPE of people. I would say now — Never think you can live with your own kind.
Life is so much richer mixing with all kinds
of people.
How has teaching evolved?
Teaching has moved from process of
transmission (How you teach) to reception (How the student hears or receives
the lesson). In the mid 90s, it became
about how the students are hearing you.
If they haven’t learnt, you haven’t taught.
The biggest obstacle is that not enough
teachers realise that you need to address
the question, ‘How are you scaffolding
your teaching so that the children can
learn?’
What are your observations on Anglican schools?
There was a cohort of senior educationists who had forged a definitive character
for each school. We are now moving into
a new era and we need to replace and
find a new and viable identity. Perhaps it
is an inclusive one as no one is here by
chance, everybody is God given.
8|
SPOTLIGHT ON PARISHES
DIOCESAN Digest
All Saints' Church (ASC)
All Saints’ Church was started in 1967 by
the Chinese congregation of St Andrew’s
Cathedral. They were greatly encouraged
and influenced by the theme of the Anglican Congress held in Toronto, Canada
in 1963, which was "Mutual responsibility and Interdependence in the Body of
Christ." They were keen to share the gospel so that others could enjoy it.
The congregation started planning in
1967 and to pray for the work in 1968.
The leadership identified the vast area
of Changi which had very few churches
then.
With the support of the Diocese of Singapore, Revd Lim Kok Heng was sent to
Anglican
High
School (AHS),
an established
school in Changi, with a population of over
1,000. AHS was
the ideal ground
to pave the way
for starting the
work and also
for building a
church.
Revd
Lim
accepted
this pioneering
assignment and
become the first chaplain of the school.
In 1970, together with several brothers
and sisters, Revd Lim worked hard to
start a Sunday School. By 4 April 1971
they had their first Sunday worship service. These were held in the classrooms
and school hall with over 100 attending
the Sunday School and 40 - 50 attending
the service.
In 1972 it was decided to build a church
within the school’s premises. The process
of getting approval from the various departments took two years. In the meantime prices rose. Despite the escalation in
cost, the members remembered Matt 17,
that anyone with a faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. Based on
this promise, the Chinese congregation
embarked on a fund raising campaign to
raise $600,000.
Hence the parish named “All Saints
Church” was established on the foundation of the faith of its members. Revd
Canon Huang Yang Ying conducted the
groundbreaking ceremony on 5 May 1974
at 4.30 pm with Bishop Chiu Ban It blessing the foundation stone.
The construction was completed in 1975.
Long time member Loh Wah Kay recognises God’s hand in this whole process;
that when the school was first established
in 1956, a piece of land to build a church
was set aside and this vision
came to pass 19 years later.
Youth, Choir, Preaching, Hospitality,
Mentoring, Visitation, Discipleship, Bible
study, Administration, Design, Photography, Finance, Development and Welfare.
By 1985, ASC had more than 190 members on the electoral roll and by the time
they celebrated their 35th anniversary in
2010, ASC has more than 340 members.
As ASC’s Vicar, Archdeacon Low Jee
King points out it is by God’s grace, it was
the combined effort and hardwork of the
pastors, pastoral staff, Parochial Church
Council (PCC) and members that has
built up the church over the decades and
allowed the current generation to enjoy its
fruits.
Indeed this work includes ministry to the
students in AHS which
By the time ASC reached the
has brought much fruit.
tenth year since the church
The chaplain and his
was built and 15 years since
team, faithfully befriend
the first Sunday school was
conducted, they had differthe students and guide
ent programmes running in
them in the areas of
the church and were starting
character development
new ministries. In the early
and spiritual formation
days Revd Lim led the parthrough the weekly Chaish but handed over to Revd
pel, Character DevelopOng Ming King when he left
ment classes and the
for studies in Archdeacon Low Jee King
Girls' Brigade. This is a
Taiwan in 1974.
work that continues to be
On his return, he resumed
his former position. As the critical as it contributes to the moral fibre
work was expanding, the of not just the school but our nation.
Diocese sent Revd John
Chew to assist.
In order to be more effective in reaching out to the
community in the Changi
area and to have holistic
growth, the parish set up 19
ministries; Sunday School,
As Archdeacon Low reminded us recently
at ASC’s anniversary celebration, the
years have flown past quickly for ASC. His
challenge is “How many ‘35-year’ periods
does one have in one's life? Let us use
the time God has given wisely, removing
barriers that might stop the church from
moving forward to serve the Lord well.’’
All Saints' Church English Congregation (ASE)
The English congregation of ASC could
not have had a more different start from
ASC. It was an outreach team of youth
from St Andrew’s Cathedral, led by Roderick Tay, who sowed the seeds back in
1975 for this congregation and which God
eventually gave growth into ASE.
The door-to-door evangelism efforts in
the Beach Road–Golden Mile area was
aptly named the "Golden Harvest" and its
early meetings were held in a one room
flat of a bed-ridden convert in his seventies. Revd Soh Guan Chin recalls an
“open door service in a small living room
at Block 6, which had a bed as the centre
piece, which attracted much attention in
the neighbourhood and so began the harvest of souls.”
A number of ASE’s current members
still remember how they came to receive
Christ because of the perseverance of the
team who knocked on their doors and offered to share the love of God.
The next few years saw the group moving into the Woh Hup Complex and then
in 1979, to Eng Cheong Towers with the
support of the Cathedral. The congregation had to relocate once again in 1980
and they found
themselves worshipping on Sundays at Trinity
Theological College Chapel in
Mount
Sophia.
The "wandering
years" as some
of the older members recall this
period did not
end here, as they
soon moved to a
hall in the Young
Women’s Christian Association (YWCA).
Even when they were ‘on the move’ some
of Golden Harvest members decided to
support the Cathedral’s Young Adults’
mission work known as the Bedok Extension Centre. This centre eventually grew
and established itself as Chapel of Christ
the Redeemer (CCR) in Tampines New
Town.
The Lord eventually led the Golden Harvest to relocate to Changi as part of the
parish of All Saints’ Church. In 1984 Golden Harvest held its inaugural service at
ASC. On 5 January 1986, it officially became the All Saint’s
Church English Congregation under Vicar,
Revd Lim Kok Heng.
Revd Gregory Chiang
became ASE’s first
full time pastor, taking
over from Revd Fred
Vergara. Since then,
ASE saw a several
changes in clergy.
Revd Raphael Samuel served from 1988
to 1993 before leaving
SPOTLIGHT ON PARISHES
for Bolivia. Revd Henry Seow covered his duties during the transition
period until Revd Rennis Ponniah,
one of the pioneers of Golden Harvest, took over. In 1994, Revd Soh
Guan Chin, took the helm in 1997.
The leadership changed hands another four times, namely — Revd
Christopher Ponniah, Revd Kingsley Ponniah, Revd Madavan Nambiar and Revd Derek Lim who is
now the longest serving Priest-inCharge.
In January 2011, ASE celebrated
its 25th anniversary. Looking back
it can see the Lord’s hand on the
handful of young believers and established it as a congregation with
more than 100 on its electoral roll.
Revd Derek Lim with Archbishop John Chew
DIOCESAN Digest | 9
Despite its still
modest
size,
ASE
supports
ASC’s Character Building Programme in Anglican High and
takes charge of
the Boys’ Brigade Company.
It has launched
into
overseas
missions
work
in Nepal among
the unreached
Maithili people
in 1998, and in
Tanjong Pinang.
It also started
Kiddy Ark Childcare Development Centre
in 2000. Most significantly, the congregation has seen the Lord raise up many fulltime workers from its midst to serve in the
Diocese and the wider body of Christ. Asst
Bishop Rennis Ponniah reminded ASE of
this in his sermon during ASE’s recent anniversary celebration service, challenging
them to press on to seek and fulfill God’s
assigned task to them as a body.
Revd Derek Lim’s prayer is that the Lord
would form the ASE into a community of
love. He is heartened to see the younger members stepping up to serve and is
thankful for the mentoring of the adults
and Ms Jeanne Yee Ya Hui, the youth
worker from St John’s Chapel. He sees
God shaping all of them to be even more
effective as a body to be a blessing to the
community around them.
Chapel of Christ the Redeemer (CCR)
November 1980 the
first worship service
was held in Mr and
Mrs Arthur Phua’s office! The Golden Harvest and the Cathedral
stepped back but continued to lend support
to the fledgling church.
The journey for Chapel of Christ the Redeemer shows how the Lord establishes
His purposes in His time. It also shows
how inter-related the life of our different
parishes are.
In 1979 Revd Ronald Hu, who was chaplain of the Golden Harvest challenged
his people to reach out to the new estate of Bedok. By 1980, eight members,
with two from St
Andrew’s Cathedral’s Young Adults
group, took the first
steps to pray, be
trained and explore
the area. By July
of that year, they
started visiting the
area. This group
became known as
the Bedok Extension Centre (BEC)
of the Cathedral
and Revd Tan Pek
Hua was appointed
the first Chairman
and Paul Tan its
Vice-Chairman. In
By 1981 the ‘office’
congregation of BEC
had grown to about
30 with evening Bible
studies in the weekdays and the Children’s Ministry held
in the corridors. Revd
Fred Vergara became
the
priest-in-charge
in April with the vision
that BEC would “attain
its objective and be a parish church in the
future.”
Being in a new town, BEC continued to
reach out to the community. They brought
Christmas celebrations to several factories and saw the fruit with two cell groups
being formed. By 1982 BEC’s regular attendance grew to about 60 each week
with the Home Cell ministry developing
and the Youth Fellowship formed.
A major turning point for BEC was a time
of ‘disappointment’ when their proposal
to join ASE was turned down. Instead the
Parochial Church Council of St Andrew’s
From left (clockwise):
Archbishop John Chew, Revd David Wong
and Revd Andrew Raman
Cathedral passed a resolution to source
for suitable sites in the Bedok area but as
its history shows, God had other plans.
Another
new
town was being
developed,
further east, called
Tampines
and
plans were being
made to relocate
St Hilda’s School
there. In 1986,
BEC had a new
priest-in-charge,
Revd Freddy Lim.
By the end of that
year, Revd Lim
shared a vision
that he had of
a crude looking
lamp stand that
was dim and weak amidst great darkness. Gradually the darkness faded away
and the lamp stand became beautiful and
gigantic. Together with other scripture
verses that followed soon after, the members began to prepare themselves for the
move into the chapel of St Hilda’s School.
BEC officially became the extension centre of St Hilda’s Church and by 1988, they
saw a smooth transition into Chapel of
Christ the Redeemer.
Revd Gregory Chiang was inducted as
CCR’s first Vicar in 1989. Six years later,
Revd Then Chee Min was inducted with
Revd Steven Lim being posted there in
November 1997. From 2000 CCR saw
several transitions with Revd Canon John
Benson and Revd Canon Daniel Tong
taking the helm until 2005 when Revd
Andrew Raman was posted there as Curate. He was inducted as Vicar in 2009.
Through the course of all the changes, by
God’s grace, the church has grown to 808
adults and 128 children today.
Revd Andrew Raman believes that “God
has placed CCR strategically” in the midst
of its school community. He highlighted
that “it is a huge challenge to care for the
spiritual needs of two big schools” but it
is both “an exciting opportunity” and a
“responsibility”. CCR is today a thriving
church reaching out to the community
through its school and community ministries; using the Alpha course and cell
evangelism.
It also disciples its members through various foundational Christian and Leadership training programmes and challenging them to be “authentic disciples of
Christ”. From the point of view of a longtime member Albert Seah, CCR is not
just any kind of church but a cell-church
whose members “love and obey God”
and “are Spirit-filled”. CCR is also a sending parish; actively sending out teams,
supporting individual missionaries as well
as church planting work in our neighbouring countries.
songs we sing today are
rather ‘me’-centred. But
some of the Psalms in
the Bible, when King David laments about all his
struggles — they are mecentred as well. So ‘me’centred songs are acceptable! There just has to be
a balance of content and
engagement, which I consider to be like meat and
vegetables. If all you have
is content and meat, you
get constipation — it’s difficult to worship. If all you
have are ‘me’-engaging
songs, then you get diarrhea — your worship ends
up a little weak! So it’s
about finding that balance.
We managed to interview Mike Pilavachi, the guest speaker of the B1G
Conference. He shares his views on a
range of topics regarding youth work.
He is the founder and pastor of the
Soul Survivor church in Watford, and
helps to organize the annual Soul Survivor Festivals to reach out to young
people, as well as Soul in the City in
London and Durban, outreach missions that aim to show the love of God
through practical projects and evangelistic events.
Q: We’ve all known of your work in
Soul Survivor, and the expansions to
Soul in the City in London and Durban.
How has the work there been going,
and are there any directions you feel
God is leading you to take?
A: It’s been great. We had 11,500 kids
attend the Soul Survivor festival in 2010.
When it comes to equipping youth for ministry, it has to involve doing something. I
had a 16 year old teenager lead worship
for a group of 30,000. The principle is to
start very young, and when they reach an
age of about 24, release them to pursue
their own calling.
For our Soul in the City ministries, we
had 760 partnerships for our work Soul in
the City in London, 300 in Durban. We’re
thinking of expanding Soul in the City to
move to Cairo next.
The point of Soul in the City is to support
the local church in impacting and serving
their community better, and to build the
relationship between church and community. Again, we do this with the young people as a form of discipleship. What a lot
of young people get in church nowadays
is entertainment, but not true discipleship.
Q: How do you feel the overall youth
ministry scene in the United Kingdom
is like now?
A: I feel we’ve turned a corner. 30 years
ago, the statistics showed that the Anglican church was losing 300 people
a week. We’re no long haemorrhaging
youth — in fact, now we’re seeing growth
among the youth, while other age groups
in the church are still on a decline.
The big challenge, however, is to disciple
youth in a consumer age. Youth like to go
to big churches and be consumers — of
good worship, an entertaining message.
We need to build the church, and not go
because of convenience!
This is why I feel discipleship is VITAL. To
get the youths to sacrifice, to do mission,
to deny themselves. This is the challenge
of youth ministry all over the world.
This year we started a Bible in One Year
program. 4,000 people go to our website
every day, where a reflection on the day’s
bible passage is posted. Whoever comes
can not only read the reflection but post
his or her own comments as well. And
we’re seeing not just youth groups, but
entire churches signing up.
Q: One of the biggest issues in youth
work and ministry
is worship. There
are criticisms that
the worship songs
embraced by the
youth do not have
the spiritual depth
or even accuracy
of the traditional
hymns. What are
your
thoughts
about this?
I feel our worship
just has to be more
Jesus-based.
Remember the call to
Israel: to worship the
Lord your God with
all your heart, soul,
mind and strength.
So when we worship
we have to engage
the mind, the heart
and the will. And it
should be God and
the Cross-focused,
definitely.
Yeah, some of the
Q: What do you feel is
the greatest challenge
we will face in winning our generation for
Christ?
A: The greatest challenge is being relevant. We have to ask ourselves the hard
question: Do we love tradition more than
the lost? We have to decide. In England
churches were faced with a stark decision. They were down to about six people,
with no more money. It was either mission
or death. And to be missional means going where the people are.
I am an Anglican, and I am fully committed to the Anglican church. But when it
comes to Anglican youth and liturgy, we
have to be practical. Now, I think youths
do have something to learn from the liturgy; it connects them to their history, so
their understanding of Christianity is one
linked to a rich past instead of just a contemporary perspective. However, in winning them for Christ, we cannot bore them
or alienate them. We have to get involved
in their culture.
What’s the point in saying or doing something good — like the liturgy — when
there’s no one there to hear it? Or even to
give young, new believers the entire liturgy? You don’t give a baby fillet steak. We
give these young “baby” Christians steak
and we wonder why they never survive.
It’s not just the traditionalists who have
their blind spots, though. Sometimes the
more charismatic among us may alienate non-believers. Remember what Paul
said to the Corinthians — if a non-believer comes to your church and all he does
is hear you speak in tongues, he won’t
understand what you’re doing. Think of
them! The problem is that Christians indulge in their traditions, whether it be
Anglicans, Baptists, or Pentecostals. To
me, the ministry of the Spirit done without
hype and letting God just do the work is
the most effective evangelism.
“What impacted me most was the workshop on intimacy with God. I learnt to
be more open to Him and His word and
it gave me a greater desire to obey God
and be intimate with Him.”
“It has been a very long time since I
had been so hyped up during worship.
Maybe I had some burden in my heart
before; but in this conference I was
able to cast aside my burdens and was
able to worship God freely.”
“My heartfelt response to the conference was the burning need to impact
the current generation. I want the Lord
to have His way more in my life so that
I can be a catalyst for change.”
“The youth in church now face a crisis
point; the values of consumerism, individualism and a sense of entitlement the
world espouse kill commitment to community. And the church is community.”
plaining how
the
“Wow”
and the “woe”
—
seeing
the glory of
God and the
conviction of
one’s sin —
are the keys
to be used
effectively by
God. On the
These were the remarks Mike Pilavachi, guest speaker, made to the Anglican
youth pastors and leaders at a leadership
forum during the B1G Conference 2010.
B1G stands for Building 1 Generation;
Mike was making it clear that to raise the
next generation of youth for Christ was
not going to be easy. If unity were a measure of progress, however, then the B1G
Conference was definitely an encouraging step in the right direction.
More than 300 youth from 14 parishes
in the diocese attended the B1G Conference, held on the 16th and 17th of December at St John’s-St Margaret’s Church
(SJSM). The conference sought to build
on the success of the combined Diocesan Youth Board Celebration night and
camp in 2009. Mike Pilavachi, the founder
of Soul Survivor in Britain and himself a
youth pastor, was once again invited as
the guest speaker, having blessed the
youth richly with his preaching from the
year before.
In three sessions, Mike captivated and
challenged the youth with three powerful messages. On the first night, he drew
on the example of Paul and urged youth
to serve God with weakness and trembling, instead of striving to be a “superChristian”. His second sharing was from
the well-known passage of Isaiah 6, ex-
final night, Mike took the youth
through a discovery of Jesus in
a compelling journey through
the Old Testament, bringing the
youth back to intimacy and the
worship of God as they saw the
salvation God had planned for
them from the beginning.
Besides the main sessions, various workshops were lined up for
the youth to grow in their spiritual
walk. While the youth pastors and leaders
had the aforementioned leadership forum
with Mike Pilavachi, the youth themselves
learnt either about Cultivating Intimacy
With God, a session on experiencing God
done by Reverend Daniel Wee from Light
of Christ Woodlands Church; or How to
Be a Witness, a workshop on successful
evangelism in schools taken by Garrett
Lee, a leader at the pioneering and dynamic Heart of God Church.
12 | DIOCESAN Digest
"[Cambodians] are not helpless but vulnerable.
They are not incapable, but lacking in confidence and encouragement.
They are not to be pitied but supported and enabled."
Revd Donald Cormack, Killing Fields, Living Fields
Pastor
serves,
Killing Fields, Living Fields could be an
apt summary for a nation that has gone
to the nadir of humanity and is now in the
ascendency. One graphic image of Cambodia from the 80s that has been etched
in my memory is that of a map made of
skulls; skulls of Cambodians killed by the
Khmer Rouge. Over four years, the Khmer
Rouge systematically killed 1.7 million of
their own. Under this horrific regime, all
religions were under attack; killing 90% of
Buddhist monks and most Christians (Operation World, p 137). How does a country live through such a genocide?
Cambodia has. What it required was
seeds of hope to be planted with prayer
and love. In the 90s, Christians could
worship openly. In 1999, the first Cambodian Anglican priest, Revd Tit Hieng
was ordained. This milestone was possible because of the foundations laid by
Revd Mok Wai Mung and his late wife
Mee Hwa, Revd Canon John Benson and
Revd Donald Cormack, author of Killing
Fields, Living Fields. The foundation was
a solid one which the current work in the
Deanery of Cambodia can build on. And
what a difference 18 years of dedicated
sowing and planting can make. The land
is alive again!
In the 18 years, there are now two thriving Anglican churches in Phnom Penh,
The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ,
Our Peace with Revd Tit Hieng as Vicar
and the Church of the Good Shepherd
with Revd Chan Peng Wah as Priest.
Twelve Singapore Anglican parishes (St
Andrew’s Cathedral, Chapel of Christ the
King, Chapel of the Resurrection, Church
of the Good Shepherd, Church of the True
Light, St Andrew’s Community Chapel, St
George’s Church, St Hilda’s Church, All
Saints' Church, Chapel of the Holy Spirit,
Chapel of Christ the Redeemer and St
Paul’s Church) are actively supporting
the work in five mission districts; Kampong Speu, Svay Rieng, Kandal, Takeo
and Pursat.
The early fruits are beginning to show.
Recently a team of SERVErs went on
a short term mission trip to witness the
ground breaking of a church building in
Kampong Speu and to spend five days
living and ministering in another rural village church. Pastor Henry Yeo, St James’
Church, who led the youth team felt the
presence of the Singapore team provided
encouragement and support to the local
budding church. This trip also provided
the youth with an opportunity to understand the opportunities available in this
living mission field.
Yeo
ob-
medical services, crisis relief, economic
empowerment and education.
During our five days
in the village, we visited the village near
the church. While
there we ran some
children, youth and
adult programmes.
We prayed for them
and the responses
from them were very
heart warming. Despite the language
barrier, we could still communicate God’s
love to them through our hand gestures
and body language. The responses to
the programmes were very good. The
children were so excited that they would
come one to two hours earlier to wait for
the programme to start. We ministered to
35 youths who came throughout the five
days. We were very encouraged by their
love and passion for God. All in all we
ministered to more than 100 villagers.
Firstly the ACC has launched the Four
Rivers English Language Centre in 2010
to reach out to a very young population
keen to upgrade themselves. By offering
a well-rounded education that undergirds
academic excellence with character building, a biblical worldview and faith formation, the ACC can impact this generation
for Christ. To strengthen the team, ACC
is looking for TESOL-qualified teachers
who are self-funded or funded by their
parishes.
(See below for a personal account of that
trip by Hewlet Chew.)
The Anglican Church of Cambodia (ACC)
has a staff strength of 16 Cambodians
and five others from Singapore. There
are three local church workers undergoing Bible School training. The mission
focus has moved toward building the capacity and nurturing the leadership of the
local clergy, staff and leaders. In recent
years, the mission work has broadened;
encompassing water projects, sanitation,
Hewlet Chew, St John’s-St Margaret’s Church
Two groups from SERVE 2011; Salt and Fishermen's Friends were handpicked by God
to go on a mission trip to serve the people
of God in Cambodia from 28 February to 7
March 2011. The team of 22 people was led
by Pastor Henry Yeo (St James’ Church) and
Yogeshwari (Church of the Epiphany) SERVE
administrator.
Upon arriving in Phnom
Penh, the team was
greeted by the staff of
the Church of the Lord
Jesus Christ our Peace
and their Vicar, Revd Tit
Hieng. On the second
day, the SERVE team
put up a performance
item for the ground
breaking ceremony of a
new church in Kampong
Speu, and had a good
time of interaction with
the church members.
This is a church plant
supported by Chapel of
the Resurrection.
Serve Teams in Kg Speu for ground breaking ceremony with
team from Chapel of the Resurrection
On the third day, the team
took a long ride to the vil-
lage in Svay Rieng to begin the main portion
of their ministry. There were many things that
were very different from what was expected.
There were many pleasant surprises — there
were proper toilets and showers at the church
where the team stayed, and there was also
electricity so the team could conduct activities
at night. The people in the village were very
friendly and accommodating, and greeted the
team with hospitality when they did visitations
and prayer walks.
The youth in the church inspired the team in
their faith, and showed us that God truly works
in all places. There were times when the team
felt overwhelmed by the sheer number of villagers who attended the ministry sessions.
Throughout the various ministry times, when
the team prayed and did their best to carry
out the activities to bless the villagers, the
Holy Spirit moved in the hearts of the people,
and many people responded positively to the
ministry time. This trip was a true testimony to
the power of prayer and the sovereignty of our
Lord.
Apart from educationists, the ACC is looking to partner with health care professionals. The statistics are daunting; the
majority of rural homes do not have any
sanitation systems, infant mortality and
HIV incidence is high. Health care professionals are needed to conduct community
health education, visit rural homes, conduct field clinics, train pastors to be community health leaders, just to name a few
areas.
Thirdly, in order for the members of ACC
to be financially independent, it is important for projects to enhance the earning
capacity of its members. There is currently the Project Khmer Hope (Anglican)
Centre, which provides vocational training
in hospitality and building maintenance,
micro-financing of livestock farming and
palm sugar production. ACC is seeking
other income generating activities and
projects.
There are now 14 Anglican congregations
in Khmer, English and Chinese.
DIOCESAN Digest | 13
Cambodia, pray for...
•
Revd Tit Hieng, Revd Chan Peng Wah and
the staff that they would be led and
strengthened by the Lord as they serve to
build up His Church in Cambodia.
•
Joyce Lee the new administrative
assistant who joined CCOP and Joy Tan,
the new teacher cum administrative
assistant who joined the Four Rivers
English Language Centre (FRELC) on
15 Feb 2011.
•
the members to have an undivided heart
for the Lord and that they would daily
experience His grace.
•
God to send the right persons to serve as
priest of the International Congregation of
CCOP and as Director and teachers of
FRELC.
•
the Lord to open markets, to bring along
partners and to create opportunities for
Economic Empowerment so that the
people of Cambodia can also be blessed
materially.
•
open doors for outreach to university
students and for participation in healthcare
and community services.
•
divine guidance for property acquisition
and development, specifically in the search
for the right contractor to redevelop the
church in Kampung Speu, and for a new
piece of property for COGS and for
Rokakoh, a new ministry in the suburbs of
Phnom Penh.
Indonesia, pray for...
•
the New 4th Session of GAI Council
beginning in March 2011 and the
restructuring of key policies and
strategies.
Eleven representative of the Anglican
Church of North America (ACNA) met
with 22 representatives of the Diocese of
Singapore and observers over three days
filled with meetings to discuss ministry
•
implemention of EE, DT & LT in the various
GAI Clusters and congregations to result
in qualitative and quantitative growth.
•
St Andrew's Pre-school Batam,
St Andrew's School Batam and Sonshine
Childcare Centres to make a positive
impact in the community.
•
funds for the operation expenses for GAI
and St Andrew's School Batam.
•
more home-grown Leaders, Pastors and
Clergy to spearhead the pioneering GAI
ministry.
•
networking partnerships with Parishes
from the Diocese of Singapore, the
Province of S.E.A. and beyond.
Laos
•
We give thanks
for the Centre Managers and staff teams of
our three Language Centres, the Skills
Development Centre, and the Hope
Centre.
•
for lives touched by the Good News as
local people see the reality of Christ in the
lives of our staff.
•
for the new property identified for the Skills
Centre, and pray that as it relocates in two
months’ time there will be minimal
disruption to the programme.
Laos, pray for...
Nepal, pray for...
•
the pastors and church leaders as they
continue to lead their flock into 2011; pray
especially for their safety as they travel
about the country to minister.
•
the combined Anglican Church in Nepal
(ACN) activities planned for the year,
i.e. Pastoral Training in March; the ACN
Pastors' Annual Prayer in June and
November; and the ACN Youth June 2011
meeting in Kathmandu.
•
visitors from the Diocese of West Malaysia
who will be going to observe the ministry
there.
•
the country of Nepal and for the President
Dr Ram Baran Yadav. We thank God for
the election of a new Prime Minister Jhala
Nath Khanal and we are praying that he
will be able to lead the country to peace
and economic prosperity, which the
country badly needs.
Thailand, pray for...
•
order and peace as Thailand prepares for
an impending election and seeks a
peaceful and lasting solution to the border
conflict with Cambodia.
•
the government to manage the inflation of
essential goods well and alleviate
hardship of the poor.
•
church leaders in Thailand to exercise
discernment and be vigilant against cults
and strange doctrines so that the flock of
Jesus will not be confused and wrongly
enticed; instead the Church will be built up
into godliness through wholesome faith
and biblical teaching.
•
the Language Centres to continue to
become more self-supporting, and that the
financial needs of the work will be met by
the gifts of God’s people.
•
the formulation and implementation of
discipleship and leadership development
program to prepare more labourers for the
harvest.
•
Pray that many more will believe. Pray that
those being discipled by our staff at all
centres will grow in their faith and
persevere with sharing the gospel with
other local people.
•
God's Spirit to call out people to give
themselves for full time service.
•
God's continuous guidance, resources,
teams for the new church planting move in
Chiangmai and Bangkok.
partnerships. The delegation visited the
Cathedral, St Andrew’s Autism Centre,
and a tour of the lion city.
The North American team comprised
Canon Daryl Fenton, Canon Bill Jerdan,
Archdeacon Archie Pell and Caron Pell,
Dean Reed Ryan, Father John Cruikshank, Dr Judith Taylor, Ms Summer
Twyman, Mr Thom Murrell, Mr and Mrs
Bill and Susan Buckingham.
•
health and protection among the ACT staff
team. Three staff members are facing
health challenges at the moment.
Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh
City, pray for...
•
the application to the local government for
permission to use our meeting place.
•
the group training in core subjects (bible
knowledge, church structure, church
growth or evangelism).
•
the follow-up process for new believers.
Pray for suitable baptism lessons to be
available.
•
the prayer meeting we have started every
Saturday evening at 6.30 pm; that people
will come and have an encouraging prayer
time.
Vietname - Hanoi
•
We give thanks
for the successful planning and execution
of school terms and summer programmes.
Pray for...
•
opportunities to build and strengthen
relationships with schools and the
community.
•
God to send more teachers from
Singapore and elsewhere, who are willing
to stay and teach at the ABBA English
Centre for at least three years.
NEWS
14 | DIOCESAN Digest
CHINESE BOARD
Combined Seniors' Gathering 2011
The Combined Seniors' Gathering was
organised by the Chinese Board on 12
November 2010 at the Joy Garden Restaurant, Jurong Safra Club. It saw a record 1,090 guests. The theme of this
gathering is "Love God wholeheartedly
and Love People fervently."
Before Revd James Lim gave his message, sister Mei Lan shared her testimony
through a self composed song "A Brand
New You". She also sang a Hokkien duet
with the speaker. The song has these
meaningful lines, "The skies may darken,
there seems no way out, come hurry and
draw near to Jesus," which prepared the
hearts of the audience for the message.
There were 28 people who gave their
lives to the Lord during the altar call.
As part of the festivities, there was a cultural programme; a dance performance
by seniors from St Andrew’s Cathedral,
songs and harmonica performance by
Church of the Good Shepherd, Cantonese and Teochew opera segments presented by Church of Our Saviour.
There is Hope, there is always Hope
A diagnosis of mental illness may seem
like a death sentence because so little is
known or understood about this disease.
Shunned, ostracised, ridiculed, many
persons with mental illness find little acceptance or understanding in mainstream
society and even the church. Alas, too
many of us operate using stereotypes of
those who are mentally ill from the knife
wielding serial killer to the kookily dressed
aunty who mutters to herself about alien
abductions. Even in this age of non-stop
information, there is so much disinformation on mental illness.
For the psychiatrically ill and emotionally disturbed, the Singapore Anglican
Community Services (SACS) has four
mental health centres to help clients to
regain their confidence through the provision of counselling, spiritual devotion,
work therapy, vocational training and job
placement. SACS also organises public
seminars and exhibitions to raise public
awareness of the problems faced by the
psychiatrically disabled and of people
who meet crises in their lives. In-house
training is provided for staff and volunteers to provide our best support and services to the needy.
In 2009, a book Down but Not Out was
produced to chronicle the journeys of 12
clients of Simei Care Centre (SCC). To
paraphrase a traditional African proverb, it
really takes a village to help someone on
a journey of recovery from mental illness.
Yes, a person with mental illness can re-
cover and lead a purposeful life. Along
the journey, there will needs be caregivers, psychiatrists, psychologists, medical
social workers, occupational therapists,
employment specialists, nurses, rehab
counsellors, case managers, friends, employers and volunteers...and God. This
book pays tribute to the resilience of the
persons with mental illness and to all who
have been part of their journeys. Everyone can play a part.
In the book, Mrs Vasugey R Krishnan,
a volunteer English teacher, shares her
thoughts on her experiences,
…The greetings and appreciation
shown by my students for teaching
them voluntarily has kept me sustained, even when I have felt I am going nowhere. The joy keeps me challenged to push the students to their
limits, even when I feel that I have
backed into a wall. Nothing beats the
euphoria I feel when my students respond, comprehend and achieve the
results I hope for them. There should
be no doubt in anyone's mind that
there is hope for people with mental
illness. My students past and present
have taught me a thing or two about
caring!
sations and interactions with the residents whom I got to know on a personal basis…
How awkward I was initially but I had
to handle my awkwardness and my
lack of confidence working with mental illness, yet, I have to remind myself that other volunteers and staff are
there to help give ideas and examples
on how to handle them. I want to share
with people who are thinking of working with our special friends, that once
you endure the initial adjustments then
it is very rewarding…I choose to believe that there is hope for people with
mental illness. They can be better.
oping mental health by providing holistic
services so that persons with mental illness have hope, support and expert care.
And all the Anglican mental health care
centres and services — Hougang Care
Centre, Simei Care Centre, Community
Rehabilitation and Support Service, and
Temasek Care Employment Support Services — need partners to keep providing
the best care possible whether at parish
level or at an individual level to be fellow
sojourners. (Log onto www.sacs.org.
sg/mental_health.htm for more information.)
A volunteer teacher in bookkeeping, David Paul was encouraged by his work with
SCC,
Pastor Daniel Jesudason, Community of
Praise Baptist Church, volunteers with
SCC and he has this to say,
My bookkeeping class in the past one
year had its ups and downs in numbers attending but some have stayed
on. Their interest, the glimmer of understanding on their faces during lessons and their determination to cope
with tough concepts are encouraging
signs that keep me going. There is
hope for those who are going through
disabilities so long as there are people who are willing to stand by them,
showing empathy and helping them
along. Each of us can play a small part
in this journey alongside others.
…Of course, there’re challenges but
the greatest joy is the simple conver-
The Anglican Church in Singapore has
been committed to supporting and devel-
Copies of Down But Not Out in English and
Mandarin, priced at $15, are available at local bookstores, Simei Care Centre and the
Welcome Centre of St Andrew’s Cathedral.
NEWS
DIOCESAN Digest | 15
Rising above the storms
Francis Foo, Ministry Staff, Diocesan Youth Board, Diocese of Singapore
Penang – touted as Malaysia’s food capital and recently listed as one of the top 10
islands in the world “you must see before
you die” by Yahoo was the hosting city of
the 2nd Provincial Gathering held from
22-24 Feb 2011.
This conference brought together over
400 participants from SEA’s Anglican
parishes for a time of fellowship, learning
and sharing together over spiritual food
as well as the many local cuisine available. Chief Minister of Penang, YB Lim
Guan Eng was the Guest of Honour at
the Opening.
Rev Dr Paul Barker led us in Bible Study
through Rev 4-7, while Rev Dr Mark Chan
expounded on the theme “Rising Above
The Storms” through the his exposition
of the gospel – highlighting the pitfalls of
leadership, and encouraging us to focus
on the Christlikeness of
leadership.
Archbishop
John Chew
closed
the
gathering by
sharing on
Psalm
29,
and encouraging all participants that
even though
we face the
storms in our
lives, in our
churches, in
our
minis-
From left: Bishop Albert Vun (Sabah), Archbishop John Chew (Singapore), Bishop Bolly Lapok (Kuching) and Bishop
Ng Moon Hing (West Malaysia)
tries – the Lord sits as King
forever.
Chief Minister of Penang, YB Lim Guan Eng
Annual clergy retreat
10-12 January 2011
Pulai Springs Resort
Personally I was very encouraged – that no matter
what stage we are at in our
lives; there will always be
storms. And in a large spectrum of the body of Christ
as a Province, we all can
weather the storms, rise
above them and overcome
them with the Lord as our
King.
This clergy retreat was special as it will
be the last one with Bishop John Chew
attending as our bishop. With the theme
“Complete our joys together”, he shared
his heart and spoke from some key passages, including one from Philippians 2:2,
“…then make my joy complete by being
like-minded, having the same love, being
one in spirit and of one mind.”
Bishop Chew shared that with age, he
has learned to treasure the idea of the
church as a family even more. And his
heartfelt prayer is that the clergy body
may be one, keeping a spirit of unity and
growing a strong sense of family together.
A family will have her usual share of quarrels and disagreements but may our family identity in Christ and common calling
keep us close together in the midst of a
fast-changing and perplexing world.
NEWS
16 | DIOCESAN Digest
Egypt Supervisory
Clinical Pastoral
Education
ernment through the “25 January Revolution”. Our hearts were moved by the
sight of smiling young people, Christian
and Muslim, repairing and painting the
sidewalks and road dividers from which
paving stones had been ripped and
used as weapons during the revolution.
19-27 Feb 2011
Revd Canon Wong Tak Meng
At the invitation of the Diocese of Egypt,
Canon Wong Tak Meng and Revd Foo
Chee Meng visited Egypt to conduct the
first module of a three-year Egypt Supervisory Clinical Pastoral Education (ESCPE) programme. The Programme aims
to train Egyptian clergy or doctors to conduct Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) for
their own parish clergy, chaplains, seminarians and lay professionals in their hospitals, community services and parishes.
The training group comprised two senior
clergy, two deacons and a doctor-cumhospital director. It was a good opportunity to look at the challenges of pastoral
ministry from professional, pastoral and
theological angles. We were impressed
by the rich diversity of gifts, the passion
to live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and
the unity as a team to make CPE a reality in 18 months’ time. The hospitality of
our Egyptian brothers and sisters made
our trip a very pleasant one. Our prayers
remain with the ESCPE
training group as they
work hard at reading
and writing reflection
reports on their pastoral
ministry until our next
training visit in July.
Egyptians from all walks of life were
actively discussing what the new constitution and the new government
should be. The longing seemed to be
for a secular civilian government that
allowed more freedom of expression
and which worked for the betterment of
their society.
The Gospel reading for the Holy Communion Service at St Mark’s Pro-Cathedral
on 20 February took on a new light. Jesus told his disciples “This kind cannot be
driven out by anything but prayer” (Mark
9:29). The training group took to heart the
exhortation of Archbishop Mouneer Anis
to pray for the future of Egypt, the unity
of the various streams of the Church and
her testimony in the country. At a time
like this, may we value our communion
in Christ all the more, as we uphold one
another and strengthen each other’s faith
and witness through these challenging
times.
This training took place
at a momentous time
in the history of Egypt.
We arrived in Egypt the
day after hundreds of
thousands of Egyptians
gathered peacefully at
Tahrir Square to celebrate the change of gov-
Induction of Vicars
Revd Foo Chee Meng was inducted as Vicar of St Andrew’s Community
Chapel on 16 January 2011. Ordained as a deacon in 1990, Revd Foo has
served at St Andrew’s Cathedral, St John’s-St Margaret’s Church, Chapel of
the Holy Spirit, Chapel of Christ the King and Holy Trinity Church.
Induction of an
Archdeacon &
Collation of Canons
From left: Archdeacon Low Jee King,
Archbishop John Chew and Revd Foo Chee Meng
Revd Steven Seah was inducted as Vicar of Chapel of Christ the King on 9
January 2011. Revd Seah was ordained in 2007 and has served previously
in All Saints’ Church (English).
Revd Canon Wong Tak Meng, the Senior
Chaplain SAMH/SACS, will be Inducted
as an Archdeacon in the Diocese of
Singapore on 29 May 2011 at St Andrew's
Cathedral.
Revd Dr Titus Chung, Revd Ong Chooi
Seng and Revd Philip Sinden will be
collated as Hon Canons of St Andrew’s
Cathedral, Diocese of Singapore. at the
same service.
From left: Revd Steven Seah,
Archbishop John Chew and Revd Derek Lim
NEWS
DIOCESAN Digest | 17
Editorial
Leaving Behind Something Beautiful for God
A
rchbishop John Chew mentioned the
need for social capital in his message
at the Opening of the St Andrew’s Autism
Centre. Social capital is the unseen, unquantifiable wealth of a community. As a
Diocese, we have a large deposit of this,
built up over a hundred years. Deposited
by the sacrificial work of early missionaries, and built on that by the labour of the
local faithful, this wealth should not to be
taken for granted. These reserves can be
depleted if we are not heedful.
How can we build up our social capital?
Surely, the starting place is our hearts.
Malcolm Muggeridge entitled his reflection on Mother Teresa Something Beautiful for God. Indeed for this saint, her life,
work and ministry were all intertwined.
This bears reminding in our modern urban society, where we live compartmentalised lives. Compared to the selfless
saints who worked quietly in their own
corners of the world, temptations abound
for the self-seeking individualist in a media driven society.
Jesus reminds us, “For whoever wants
to save their life will lose it, but whoever
loses their life for me and for the gospel
will save it.” (Mark 8:35) On another occasion, he taught that this cross-bearing
life is a daily affair. The beautiful life must
surely be an everyday affair, where everyday behaviour spills over into public duty.
When St Paul exhorts us to walk in the
Spirit, he did not envision us doing so in
the corridors of power but in homes and
marketplaces. Daily ordinary spaces
where life truly is and where true and lasting greatness is formed.
In our urban context, this arena spills
over into our second homes: our parishes. Here is where “one cannot hide.” In
the nakedness of our Adamic nature, we
walk in the light, as He is the light, and we
have koinonia with one another (1 John
1:7). In these contexts of home and parish, summed up in one word family, we
learn to love, walk in humility, forgive as
we allow God’s grace to work in our true
naked selves.
It is faith, forged out in these contexts
— and one which St James reminds us
is dead if not accompanied by works —
which forms the bulwark for lasting spiritual and social impact. It is a social capital,
which overflows from everyday behaviour
and is at its core, deeply spiritual and
Christ-dependent.
At the consecration of the Chapel of Christ
Our Hope (25 March 2011), aptly named
and placed in the heart of St Andrew’s
Autism Centre, Assistant Bishop Rennis
reminded us of the need for a cruciform
life and service; an act of holy obedience.
Indeed, may these words inspire us in our
life and work, to be something beautiful
for God.
The Editorial Team
In Memorium
The Reverend Canon Roy Henry Bowyer Yin
(7 October 1910 - 14 December 2010)
O holy God, I love thee!
I want to love thee more,
I want to serve the better
Than I have ever done before.
So, for the sake of Jesus,
Who lived and died for me,
Take thou my life and make it
What thou wouldst have it be.
These are the words of the hymn to music written by the Revd Canon Roy Henry
Bowyer Yin in 1975. When sung at his fu-
neral service on 17 December 2010, the
words formed a fitting epithet for the centenarian minister.
Born in 1910 to a medical doctor Yin Suat
Chwan and his wife Lydia Florence Bowyer, Canon Yin was ordained in England
at the age of 23. He returned to Singapore
having served in Sri Lanka for 17 years.
He was Vicar of St Hilda’s (1972-78) and
was collated as Canon in 1980. He was
appointed precentor of St Andrew’s Cathedral in 1982.
In the tribute at the funeral by Mr Andrew Ang, his grandson, Canon Yin’s life
could be summarised by his three great
loves — Music, Mathematics and Ministry — where there was sublime cohesion, unspeakable beauty and dedication
where one gave one’s best to the Lord.
The nave at St Andrew’s Cathedral was
filled with many whose lives were touched
with hope by his unstinting devotion to the
Lord’s work.
Mok Mee Hwa
(14 February 1959 - 4 February 2011)
Mok Mee Hwa returned to the Lord at 5.30 am on Friday, 4 February 2011. She was a missionary in Cambodia with her husband Revd Mok Wai Mung. She has also
served as a parish worker. Two ladies who knew her well have kindly shared their thoughts with us.
was an excellent helpmate to Revd Mok
Wai Mung, serving with him as a partner
in ministry and a fervent intercessor.
Because she loved the Lord, she also
loved the Church. Mee Hwa was very
conscious of the Church as the Body of
Christ and as the Bride of Christ. This was
very evident in the way she prayed and
interceded over what grieved the Lord.
A Testimony to Love
Mee Hwa’s life is a testimony to her love
for the Lord. She loved her Lord, so she
loved and honoured her husband. She
Mee Hwa’s love for the Lord is most evident in the way she handled her battle
against cancer. Because she trusted the
Lord, she lived in total surrender to the
Lord. Thus, you never heard her complain
or murmur at all. Instead, she was able
to mine treasures in her darkest hours.
Last year, she shared with me the nuggets of wisdom which she had written in
an article, “What Christians should do in
the midst of suffering and difficulty”. Here
Mee Hwa encouraged others to pray often, to remember that God is with you,
to expect God to fulfil good purposes
through bad situations, to fight the battle
of emotions, to seek wisdom instead of
answers, to reach out beyond yourself to
others and to recognise spiritual lessons
you can learn. All she shared, she had
lived out in her journey of faith.
Finally, let me quote Mee Hwa’s own
words: “Be thankful whenever your challenges cause you to grow closer to God.
Focus on what matters most in life, knowing that you will be made more mature
into the person God intends you to be.”
Cynthia Tay
A Special Lady
Mee Hwa was a very special lady. She
exuded so much faith and passion. My
late husband, Gerry Khoo and I met
Mee Hwa and Wai Mung more than
20 years ago. We were sent out by the
Diocese to Thailand while Mee Hwa
and Wai Mung went to Cambodia. We
shared the common bond of being pioneers in countries where the spiritual
terrains were totally alien to us.
Dorothy Jason
DIOCESAN LISTINGS AND UPDATES
Parishes
ST. ANDREW’S CATHEDRAL
11 St Andrew’s Rd, Singapore 178959
www.livingstreams.org.sg
Dean & Vicar: Very Revd Kuan Kim Seng
Associate Vicar: Revd Canon Dr Louis Tay
Mandarin Congregation
11 St Andrew’s Rd, Singapore 178959
Priest-in-Charge: Revd Dr Titus Chung Khiam Boon
Extension Centres
Westside Anglican Church Congregation
Mailing Address:
St Andrew’s Cathedral,
11 St Andrew’s Rd, Singapore 178959
Clergy: Revd Timothy Ewing-Chow
ACTS Centre Congregation
Mailing Address:
St Andrew’s Cathedral
11 St Andrew’s Rd, Singapore 178959
Clergy: Revd Ng Koon Sheng
Mandarin Congregation
Priest: Revd Eric Chiam
CHURCH OF THE TRUE LIGHT
25G Perak Rd, Singapore 208142
Vicar: Revd Winston Tan
HOLY TRINITY PARISH
1 Hamilton Rd, Singapore 209175
www.holytrinitychurch.org.sg
Vicar: Revd Foo Chee Meng
LIGHT OF CHRIST CHURCH WOODLANDS
20 Woodlands Dr 17, Singapore 737924
www.lightofchrist.org
Ag Vicar: Revd Tang Wai Lung
MARINE PARADE CHRISTIAN CENTRE
100 Tembeling Rd, Singapore 423597
www.mpccnet.com
Vicar: Revd Philip Soh
Chinese Congregation
Clergy: Revd Chong Seng Chee
Jurong Anglican Church (Mandarin)
West Coast Recreation Centre
12 West Coast Walk, #02-10A-C
Singapore 127157
MY SAVIOUR’S CHURCH
2 Prince Charles Crescent, Singapore 159011
www.mysaviours.org
Vicar: Revd M K Bennett
ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH
600 Upper Changi Rd, Singapore 487012
www.asc.org.sg
Vicar: Ven Low Jee King
English Congregation
www.ase.org.sg
Priest-in-Charge: Revd Derek Lim
ST ANDREW’S CITY CHURCH
250 Tanjong Pagar Rd,
#01-01 St Andrew’s Centre, Singapore 088541
Vicar : Revd George Tay
CHAPEL OF CHRIST THE REDEEMER
2 Tampines Ave 3, Singapore 529706
www.ccr-redeemer.org
Vicar: Revd Andrew Raman
Chinese Congregation
Clergy: Revd David Wong
ST ANDREW’S COMMUNITY CHAPEL
8 Simei St 3, Singapore 529895
www.sacc.org.sg
Vicar: Rev Foo Chee Meng
ST GEORGE’S CHURCH
Minden Rd, Singapore 248816
www.stgeorges.org.sg
Vicar: Revd Philip Sinden
CHAPEL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
65 Potong Pasir Ave 1, Singapore 358390
www.chs.org.sg
Vicar: Revd Michael Teh
ST HILDA’S CHURCH
41 Ceylon Rd, Singapore 429630
www.sthildas.org.sg
Vicar: Revd Canon Soon Soo Kee
CHAPEL OF CHRIST THE KING
99 Wilkie Rd @ St Margaret’s Primary School
Singapore 228091
www.cck.org.sg
Vicar: Revd Steven Seah
ST JAMES’ CHURCH
8D Dempsey Rd, #03-02
Singapore 249672
www.sjc.org.sg
Vicar: Revd Canon Terry Wong
CHAPEL OF THE RESURRECTION
1 Francis Thomas Dr, #02-17
Singapore 359340
www.cor.org.sg
Vicar: Revd Canon Daniel Tong
Chinese Congregation
Priest-in-Charge: Revd Huang Ao-You
Chinese Congregation
Clergy: Revd Lee Kong Kheng
Extension Centre: Century Christian Fellowship
CHRIST CHURCH
1 Dorset Rd, Singapore 219486
www.christchurch.org.sg
Vicar: Rt Revd Moses Ponniah
CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION
13 Francis Thomas Dr, Singapore 359339
www.ascension.org.sg
Vicar: Revd Ong Chooi Seng
CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY
407 Jalan Kayu, Singapore 799512
Vicar: Revd Steven Asirvatham
CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
2 Dundee Rd, Singapore 149454
www.cogsanglican.org
Vicar: Revd Tan Choon Kwan
English Congregation
Clergy: Revd Joseph Goh Thong Hoe
CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR
130 Margaret Dr, Singapore 147300
www.coos.org.sg
Vicar: Revd Canon Derek Hong
ST JOHN’S CHAPEL
111 Farrer Rd, Singapore 259240
www.sjcp.org.sg
Vicar: Revd Barry Leong
ST JOHN’S - ST MARGARET’S CHURCH
30 Dover Ave, Singapore 139790
www.sjsm.org.sg
Vicar: Rt Revd Rennis Ponniah
Chinese Congregation
Clergy: Revd Dr Ivan Ee
ST MATTHEW’S CHURCH
1K Eng Hoon St, Singapore 169796
Vicar: Revd Stephen Lim
ST PAUL’S CHURCH
843 Upper Serangoon Rd, Singapore 534683
www.stpaul-church.org
Vicar: Revd Mok Wai Mung
Schools
ANGLICAN HIGH SCHOOL
600 Upper Changi Rd, Singapore 487012
www.anglicanhigh.moe.edu.sg
CHRIST CHURCH SECONDARY SCHOOL
20 Woodlands Dr 17, Singapore 737924
www.chr.edu.sg
ST ANDREW’S JUNIOR COLLEGE
55 Potong Pasir Ave 1,Singapore 358389
www.standrewsjc.moe.edu.sg
ST ANDREW’S JUNIOR SCHOOL
2 Francis Thomas Dr, Singapore 359337
www.saintandrewsjunior.moe.edu.sg
ST ANDREW’S SECONDARY SCHOOL
15 Francis Thomas Dr, Singapore 359342
www.saintandrewsschool.info
ST HILDA’S PRIMARY SCHOOL
2 Tampines Ave 3, Singapore 529706
www.shps.moe.edu.sg
ST HILDA’S SECONDARY SCHOOL
2 Tampines St 82, Singapore 528986
www.sthildassec.moe.edu.sg
ST MARGARET’S PRIMARY SCHOOL
99 Wilkie Rd, Singapore 228091
www.stmargaretspri.moe.edu.sg
ST MARGARET’S SECONDARY SCHOOL
111 Farrer Rd,Singapore 259240
www.stmargaretssec.moe.edu.sg
ASCENSION KINDERGARTEN
11 Francis Thomas Dr, Singapore 359338
CHRIST CHURCH KINDERGARTEN
1 Dorset Rd, Singapore 219486
QUEENSTOWN GOOD SHEPHERD
KINDERGARTEN
2 Dundee Rd, Singapore 149454
ST HILDA’S KINDERGARTEN
83 Ceylon Rd, Singapore 429740
ST JAMES’ CHURCH KINDERGARTEN
29 Harding Rd, Singapore 249537
ST PAUL’S CHURCH KINDERGARTEN
839 Upper Serangoon Rd, Singapore 534682
ASCENSION KINDERCARE
Blk 105 Potong Pasir Ave 1, #01-436
Singapore 350105
HEARTFRIENDS BASC
Blk 3 Dover Rd, #01-35
Singapore 130003
KIDDY ARK CHILDCARE & DEVELOPMENT
CENTRE
Blk 727 Tampines St 71, #01-11
Singapore 520727
GOODNEWS COMMUNITY SERVICES
1 Francis Thomas Dr, #02-17
Singapore 359340
www.goodnews.org.sg
COMMONWEALTH STUDENT CARE CENTRE
Blk 37B Commonwealth Dr, #01-01 / 02-00
Singapore 142037
www.goodnews.org.sg
ST PETER’S CHURCH
1 Tavistock Ave, Singapore 555 104
Vicar: Revd Paul Tan
PASIR RIS FAMILY CARE CENTRE
Blk 256 Pasir Ris St 21,#01-289
Singapore 510256
www.goodnews.org.sg
YISHUN CHRISTIAN CHURCH (ANGLICAN)
10 Yishun Ave 5, Singapore 768991
www.ycca.org.sg
Vicar: Revd Dr Timothy Chong
SONSHINE CHILDCARE CENTRE
Blk 211 Bukit Batok St 21, #01-252
Singapore 650211
www.goodnews.org.sg
Chinese Congregation
Clergy: Revd Ng Hwee Leong
PRAISELAND CHILDCARE & LEARNING
CENTRE
Blk 662 Yishun Ave 4, #01-235
Singapore 760662
ST ANDREW’S CATHEDRAL CHILD
DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
Blk 511 Jurong West St 52
#01-80 Singapore 640511
Community Services
SINGAPORE ANGLICAN COMMUNITY
SERVICES (SACS)
10 Simei St 3, Singapore 529897
www.sacs.org.sg
ST ANDREW’S MISSION HOSPITAL (SAMH)
8 Simei St 3, Singapore 529895
www.sach.org.sg
Community Services of SAMH
ST ANDREW’S COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
8 Simei St 3, Singapore 529895
www.sach.org.sg
ST ANDREW’S LIFESTREAMS
1 Francis Thomas Dr, #02-06
Singapore 359340
www.sach.org.sg
ST ANDREW’S AUTISM CENTRE
1 Elliot Rd
Singapore 458686
www.sach.org.sg
Community Services of SACS
HOUGANG CARE CENTRE
20 Buangkok View, Singapore 534194
SIMEI CARE CENTRE
10 Simei St 3, Singapore 529897
www.sacsscc.org.sg
THE MISSION TO SEAFARERS
52 Telok Blangah Rd
#01-05 Telok Blangah House,
Singapore 098829
www.flyingangel.org.sg
Deaneries
Cambodia
ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CAMBODIA ( ACC )
Mailing Address:
c/o #57 Street 294, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
or PO Box 1413, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Tel: 855-23-217 429 / Fax: 855-23-362 023
Email: aeccadm@online.com.kh
Bishop and President of the ACC-Council:
Most Revd Dr John Chew
Dean: Revd Canon Wong Tak Meng
Chairman of the ACC Council: Revd Tit Hieng
Home base coordinator: Revd Steven Seah
Associate Home Base coordinator:
Revd Chan Chee Keng
THE CHURCH OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
OUR PEACE
#57 Street 294, Sangkat BKK 1,
Khan Chamcar Mon, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Vicar: Revd Tit Hieng
Email: tithieng@online.com.kh
Priest: Revd Chan Peng Wah
Email: cpengwah@gmail.com
BOEUNG SALANG CARE CENTRE
#8B, Street 344, Toul Kork
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
#73, Street 207, Sangkat Tomnup Teuk
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Tel: 855-23-218 027
Email: cogs01@online.com.kh
MISSION DISTRICTS
Kampong Speu Mission District
Prey K’dei Village, Svay Kravanh Commune,
Chbar Mon District, Kampong Speu Province
Svay Rieng Mission District
Svay Prahoot Village, Koek Pring Commune,
Svay Chrum District, Svay Rieng Province
DIOCESAN LISTINGS AND UPDATES
Kandal Mission District
Prek Thom Village, K’bal Korh Commune,
Kien Svay District, Kandal Province
Takeo Mission District
Preh Kraom Village, Kvav Commune,
Trang District, Takeo Province
Pursat Mission District
Ksaet Borei Village, Santre Commune,
Kravanh District, Pursat Province
Indonesia
THE DEANERY OFFICE
c/o St Andrew’s City Church
250 Tanjong Pagar Road #01-01
St Andrew’s Centre, Singapore 088541
Tel: 6336 7098
Fax: 6336 7097
Bishop & Chairman of GAI Council:
Most Revd Dr John Chew
Dean & Vice Chairman of GAI Council:
Revd George Tay
Associate Dean: Revd Dr Timothy Chong
GEREJA ANGLIKAN INDONESIA
National Office:
Jalan Arief Rahman Hakim 5, Menteng
Jakarta Pusat 10340, Indonesia
Tel: 62-21-3190 8545
Fax: 62-21-3190 9838
ALL SAINTS’ ANGLICAN CHURCH, JAKARTA
Jalan Arief Rahman Hakim 5, Menteng
Jakarta Pusat 10340, Indonesia
Tel: 62-21-3193 5283
Fax: 62-21-3193 2776
Vicar: Revd Ian Hadfield
Associate Vicar: Revd Jonathan Cox
ST ANDREW’S CHURCH, JAKARTA
Temporary Office:
Jalan Semarang, Blok F 316
Mas Naga Jakasampurna, Bekasi Barat
West Java, Indonesia
Tel: 62-21-8226634
Priest-in-Charge: Revd Agustinus Titi
ST PAUL’S CHURCH, BANDUNG
Jalan Baranangsiang No. 8 Komp. ITC
Kosambi Blok D 2 - 3 Bandung
40112 West Java, Indonesia
Tel/Fax: 62-22-422 2120
Priest-in-Charge: Revd Yopie Buyung
OIKOS COMMUNITY CHURCH, SURABAYA
Sentra Niaga Utama K.
20 Citra Raya
Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia
Tel/Fax: 62-31-741 0388
Priest-in-Charge: Revd Henok Hariyanto
INSITUT ANGLIKAN INDONESIA
Jalan Baranangsiang No. 8 Komp. ITC
Kosambi Blok D 2 - 3 Bandung
40112 West Java, Indonesia
Tel/ Fax: 62-22-422 2120
Academic Dean: Revd Jonathan Trevor Gunthorpe
CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD (BATAM)
Kompleks Nagoya New Town Blok A
No. 11 - 12 Batam 29431, Indonesia
Tel/Fax: 62-778-421 715
Email: awagunu@indosat.net.id
Priest-in-Charge: Revd Augustinus Wolkh-Wagunu
CHURCH OF CHRIST THE CORNERSTONE
Jl. WR. Supratman RT. 66 No. 72 Blok. N4
Tarakan, Kalimantan Timur 77111
Indonesia
Tel: 62-551- 51836
Email: gaitarakan@yahoo.com
Priest-in-Charge: Revd Clarence
GEREJA KRISTUS RAJA SEGALA RAJA
Jl. Cut Nyak Dien RT. 15 No. 124
Editorial Team
Advisor: The Most Revd Dr John Chew
Editor: Ms Lucilla Teoh
Nunukan Tengah, Kalimantan Timur 77482
Indonesia
Tel : 62-556-2027259
Priest-in-Charge: Revd Samuel Sampe
ST ANDREW’S SCHOOL BATAM
Holding Site:
Ruko Permata Niaga, Sukajadi
Blok E No. 25
Batam Centre
Indonesia
Tel: 62-778 - 733 9463 / 62-778 - 425 830
Email : admin@sasbatam.com
ST ANDREW’S PRESCHOOL BATAM
Holding Site:
Ruko Permata Niaga, Sukajadi
Blok E No. 27
Batam Centre
Indonesia
Tel : 62-778- 733 9463 / 62-778 - 425 830
Email : admin@sasbatam.com
SONSHINE CHILDCARE AND LEARNING
CENTRE, NAGOYA
Nagoya Newtown Blok A No. 11-12
Batam, Indonesia
Tel : 62-778-429578
SONSHINE CHILDCARE CENTRE, BATU AJI
Ruko Sentosa Perdana Blok L No. 9-10
Batu Aji, Batam, Indonesia
Tel: 62-778-7056321
SONSHINE CHILDCARE AND LEARNING
CENTRE, TANJONG PINANG
Jalan Tambak No. 86, RT 02/RW 03
Kelurahan Kemboja, Kecamatan Tanjung Pinang
Barat, Indonesia
Tel 62-771- 21761
Laos
THE DEANERY OFFICE
c/o Diocese of Singapore
1 Francis Thomas Drive #01-01
Singapore 359340
Tel: (65) 6288 8944 ext 214
Fax: (65) 6288 5538
Dean: Revd Philip Sinden
Nepal
THE DEANERY OFFICE
c/o Diocese of Singapore
1 Francis Thomas Drive #01-01
Singapore 359340
Tel: 65-6288 8944 ext 217
Fax: 65-6288 5538
Ag Dean: Very Revd Kuan Kim Seng
Missions Secretary: Mr Chew Boon Ann
Email: chewba@anglican.org.sg
Thailand
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH IN THAILAND (ACT)
11 Convent Road, Bangkok 10500
Thailand
Tel: 662-632-2500 ext 18
Fax: 662-632-0606
Email: dean_act@thaianglican.org
Bishop: Most Revd Dr John Chew
Dean: Revd Yee Ching Wah
Clergy: Revd Andrew Yap
Revd Wong Chee Seong
Revd Pairoj Phiammattawat
Revd Peter Cook
Revd Dickson Chiu
Home Base Co-ordinator: Revd Tang Wai Lung
Community Development Officer: Saw Edward
CHRIST CHURCH BANGKOK (ENGLISH)
11 Convent Road, Bangkok 10500
Thailand
Tel: 662-234-3634, 662-233-8525
Fax: 662-236-6994
Website: www.christchurchbangkok.org
Vicar: Revd Peter Cook
Email: vicar@christchurchbangkok.org
CHRIST CHURCH BANGKOK (THAI)
11 Convent Road, Bangkok 10500
Thailand
Tel: 662-235-4000 x 18
Fax: 662-235-4001
Priest-in-Charge: Revd Yee Ching Wah
Priest: Revd Pairoj Phiammattawat
Email: j_pairoj@hotmail.com
CHRIST CHURCH, BANCHANG
83/61 Sukhumvit Road
Banchang, Rayong 21130
Thailand
Tel/Fax: 66-38-601 273
Email: ccbc_bc@hotmail.com
CHRIST CHURCH SAWANG DAENDIN
522/2-3 Mo 20, Nittayo Road,
Sawang Daendin
Sakol Nakorn 47110, Thailand
Tel: 66-42-737 564
Email: actswang@mail.cscoms.com
KORAT PHISUT LOGOS CENTRE
54/3 Samsip Kanya Road, Ampher Mueng
Nakhorn Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
Tel: 66-44-259 070
Fax: 66-44-259 077
Email: kimyien@csloxinfo.com
Priest-in-Charge: Revd Dickson Chiu
Missionary: Ms Chua Kim Yien
RANGSIT ANGLICAN OUTREACH CENTRE
Lay Pastors: Ms Faustina Foo and Ms Alice Aik
PO KAREN CHURCHES IN OMKOI DISTRICT
c/o 11 Convent Road, Bangkok 10500, Thailand
LISU CHURCHES IN PAI DISTRICT
c/o 11 Convent Road, Bangkok 10500, Thailand
RAINBOWLAND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
CENTRE (BANGKOK)
11 Convent Road, Bangkok 10500, Thailand
Tel/Fax: 662-632-0983
Email: rada_love_god@hotmail.com
Director: Miss Narada Phuttawong
GAZETTE
1. Revd Peter Manimuthu as
Chaplain to the Missions to
Seafarers, Singapore, wef 1/11/10
2. Revd Hwa Chih retired on 31/12/10
3. Canon Wong Tak Meng as Hon
Priest to Chapel of the Holy Spirit,
wef 1/1/11
4. Revd Mervyn Moore as Warden of
St Peter's Hall, wef 24/1/11
5. Revd Daniel Wee as Priest to
Church of Our Saviour, wef 1/2/11
6. Revd Tang Wai Lung as Acting
Vicar to Light of Christ Church
Woodlands, wef 1/2/11
7. Canon Wong Tak Meng will be
inducted as an Archdeacon in the
Diocese on 29/5/11
8.
Revd Dr Titus Chung, Revd Ong
Chooi Seng and Revd Philip
Sinden will be collated as Hon
Canons of St Andrew's Cathedral
on 29/5/11
ACROSS the Nations
Across is a crisis relief ministry of the Diocese of Singapore. It is in the process of
raising funds to assist the Diocese of Japan in its post-earthquakes and post-tsunami restoration efforts. A medical team of
eight doctors, five pharmacists, four nurses
and three logisticians are going to conduct
medical treatment in Pakistan as a follow
up to two previous trips. Another Across
team will be returning to Thailand to carry
out medical and food relief to the affected
Karens in May.
RAINBOWLAND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
CENTRE (BANCHANG)
83/61 Sukhumvit Rd, Banchang, Rayong 21130,
Thailand
Tel/Fax: 66-38-696 046
Email: wi-jira_rcbc@hotmail.com
Principal: Mrs Jiraporn Wijitkumjon
RAINBOWLAND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
CENTRE (SAWANG DAENDIN)
522/2-3,Moo 20, Nittayo Road,
Sawang Daendin
Sakol Nakorn 47110, Thailand
Tel/Fax: 66-42-722 1656
Principal: Ms Aree Chinsombat
THAI ANGLICAN CHURCH FOUNDATION
11 Convent Road, Bangkok 10500, Thailand
Tel: 662-235-4000 ext 63
Fax: 662-235-4001
Email: jarin_rcs@thaianglican.org
Chairman: Dr Chusak Vongsuly
Manager: Mrs Jarin Jindawong
RAINBOWLAND COMMUNITY SERVICES
FOUNDATION
11 Convent Road, Bangkok 10500, Thailand
Tel: 662-235-4000 ext 63
Fax: 662-235-4001
Email: jarin_rcs@thaianglican.org
Chairman: Mrs Mayurin Fordham
Manager: Mrs Jarin Jindawong
ALPHA STUDENT CENTRE, NAKHORRN
RATCHASIMA
54/3 Samsip Kanya Road, Ampher Mueng
Team members:
Revd Canon Terry Wong • Mrs Sasha Michael • Ms Joycelyn Ong • Mrs Gwen Seah • Mr Ivan Chan
Email: diocesandigest@gmail.com • Website: www.anglican.org.sg
Log onto www.across.org.sg for more updated news on their ministry.
Nakhorn Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
Tel: 66-44-259 070
Fax: 66-44-259 077
Priest-in-Charge: Revd Dickson Chiu
Missionary: Ms Chua Kim Yien
Vietnam
THE DEANERY OFFICE
c/o St Hilda’s Church
41 Ceylon Road
Singapore 429 630
Tel: 65 6344 3463
Fax: 65 6344 0851
Dean: Revd Canon Soon Soo Kee
THE ANGLICAN CENTRE
611/16E Dien Bien Phu, P1, Q3. Ho Chi Minh,
Vietnam
ABBA ENGLISH CENTRE, SINGAPORE
So 1 & 3 Do Duc Duc (Duong So 7), Me Tri, Tu
Liem, Hanoi, Vietnam
Printer: Saik Wah Print Media Pte Ltd
SALT Leadership Programme 2011
Organised by the Theological Education Board, Diocese of Singapore
For more information, contact teb@anglican.org.sg or call 6288 8944.
Mid-Life Directions Workshop
A stay-in retreat for those embarking on the
second half of life
This module is a pre-requisite for those applying for a Lay
Reader's licence and is also helpful for those who assist
their Vicars in leading worship in their parish services.
Through 4 weeks, participants will be brought through the following topics:
History of Worship
•
•
Theology of Worship
Liturgical Worship
•
•
History of Anglican Worship
•
Theology of Anglican Worship
9.30 am to 12.30 pm
Saturdays
21 May, 4, 11 & 18 Jun 2011
St Andrew's Village, Diocesan Centre Building
and there is a Practicum on:
•
How to lay the Altar table
How to assist in the chalice
•
•
How to lead Services
How to lead Intercession
•
Team led by Revd Steven Seah
9.30 am to 12.30 pm
Saturdays
3, 10, 17 & 24 Sep 2011
St Andrew's Village, Diocesan Centre Building
What is the Retreat About?
A time set aside to facilitate one’s own birth into the 2nd half of life with its own unique
•
values and goals.
•
A time to ask anew the ultimate question: What is my purpose in life?
•
A time to reflect on one’s past in a creative & healing way
•
A time to discover one’s inner Self and befriend it
A time to learn to contemplate and to meditate
•
•
A time to learn about the life cycle and one’s personality
A time to discover the personalised Script of one’s life
•
Retreat Outline
•
Understanding the Life Cycle
•
Learning about the Jungian Personality Theory and Typology in Mid-Life Growth and
Integration
•
Exploring Shifting Values and Discovering New Meanings
A Deeper Look at Mid-Life Spirituality
•
•
In Search of One’s Dream
•
Cultivating Mid-Life Authenticity
Soaring into the Future with Greater Faith, Hope and Love
•
Facilitators:
Simon Tan & Rinda Teo
Certified Mid-Life Directions Consultants
Leadership in the
Parish
•
•
•
•
To be a person is to be a sexual being
Human sexuality includes all that we are as human beings
Sexual human life is a gracious gift, a sacred trust from God
We demonstrate humanity in personal relationships
Revd Ong Chooi Seng
9.30 am to 12.30 pm
Saturdays
22 & 29 Oct 2011
St Andrew's Village, Diocesan Centre Building
The spiritual quality of a parish turns upon the quality of the leaders,
not just personally but corporately. We need godly, Spirit-filled leaders
who are clear on their God-given roles, deeply committed to one
another and passionately captivated by God and His purposes.
Dates: 27-29 May 2011, Fri-Sun
(Check-in on Fri, 1pm & check-out on Sun, 4pm)
Venue: Montfort Centre, Upper Bukit Timah Rd
FEE : $ 375.00 (Incl of 7% GST)
(Meals & lodgings provided, twin-sharing rooms)
Terms & Conditions
* Registration will only be confirmed upon receipt of the completed registration form and
payment before the training starts. Please call us if you do not receive any reply from us.
* No refund for cancellation / non-attendance, however replacement is allowed. Please write
to us 1 week before the course starts.
Registration: Pls contact Ms Eileen Wong Tel : 6282-1552 Fax : 6282-5132 Email :
admin@lifestreams.org.sg
This course aims to impart a sound Anglican understanding of the
nature of the Church; relating the parish to the Diocese and the wider
body of Christ. How is authority and responsibility to be shared at
the parish level between clergy, pastoral staff and lay leaders? What
are the biblical principles governing "ever member ministry" and the
"priesthood of all believers" in the Anlican context of an ordained
ministry? At least 2 case examples of existing parishes will be
discussed in the search for good models of parish leadership.
Team led by Rt Revd Rennis Ponniah
9.30 am to 12.30 pm
Saturdays
22 & 29 Oct 2011
St Andrew's Village, Diocesan Centre Building
DCBS is built on a 4 year curriculum structured through 5
modules per academic year. The intention of this structure is
that at the end of the course, the "whole" of the Bible can be
covered in terms of key themes, key classifications and key
books of the Bible.
Don't miss our upcoming modules!
OT Introduction 1: The Pentateuch by Revd Edwin Tan
9.30 am to 12.30 pm
Saturdays
2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Jul, 6 & 13 Aug
OT Book Study 1: Deuteronomy by Revd Neil Watkinson
9.30 am to 12.30 pm
Saturdays
17, 24 Sep, 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Oct & 5 Nov
Venue: St Andrew's Village, Diocesan Centre Building