Diocesan Diocese of Singapore • www.anglican.org.sg MCI (P) 057/03/2019 Issue 272 | November 2019 DIGEST
A RENEWED VOICE, A NEW SOUND
UNITING ORTHODOX COMMISSIONING OF COMMUNITY SERVICES 05 ANGLICANS GLOBALLY: 34 ST ANDREW'S CATHEDRAL’S 31 Growth and new beginnings GSA Covenantal Structure ORGAN & BELLS Contents
EDITORIAL TEAM 01 Editorial ADVISOR The Rt Revd 02 From The Bishop’s Heart Rennis S. Ponniah 05 Communion News : GSA Covenantal Structure EDITORS Revd Canon Terry Wong 08 Communion News : The 7th Trumpet Ms Lucilla Teoh Mrs Karen Wong Ms Sasha Michael 10 Provincial News: A New Archbishop for our Province of SEA DESIGNERS Ms Joyce Ho 11 Teaching Article: The One Thing That Is Necessary Mr Daniel Ng 14 Teaching Article: Faith, Tongues and email: Religious Education [email protected] 24 Church in Singapore: Celebration of Hope’s website: www.anglican.org.sg Outreach to Migrant Workers 2019
cover photo: 26 Teaching Article: The Church Calendar Mr Daniel Ng
from our ministry fronts
19 Deaneries and Global Missions
28 Youth and Young Adults
30 Anglican Schools
31 Community Services
34 Singapore Highlights : Commissioning of the Cathedral’s Organ & Bells
36 Parish Spotlight: Church of the Good Shepherd
Printer: 38 Parish Spotlight: Chapel of the Resurrection Hock Cheong Printing Pte Ltd 40 Parish Spotlight: Chapel of Christ the Redeemer Diocesan Digest © The Diocese of Singapore 42 Diocesan News All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or 45 Diocesan Listings transmitted, in any form or by an means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, and recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. EDITORIAL "Not Conformed... but Transformed"
by Revd Canon Terry Wong
was privileged to be part of the delegation that the faith of the Anglican Church. our Church life attended the Seventh Global South Conference together does Unity matters to us. We love the in Cairo, Egypt held on 8 to 11 October. Led by Communion and we treasure our faith heritage. If our provincial archbishop the Most Reverend aspects of our faith, morals or pastoral practices INg Moon Hing, and our diocesan bishop the need changing, then there should be a proper Right Reverend Rennis Ponniah, we were deeply process of listening, discussions, debate and so involved in the Anglican conference. There were on. But if these processes are ignored, then those delegates representing at least 18 provinces who do so have simply chosen to walk apart. who gathered to reflect on the theme “Not Conformed…but transformed” based on Romans The Global South seeks to bring "healing to the 12:1-2. fabric”, rebuild trust, and re-establish relational commitments that can ensure a future of mission There are processes in place to discuss or resolve focus without severe disruptions. The silver-lining issues when dioceses or provinces disagree behind this crisis can be seen in how it has helped on certain fundamentals of the faith or when bring many Anglican Provinces closer together. they explore fresh approaches. However, what Our communion life is richer than ever. processes are there to guide how Provinces relate to each other at the communion level? "Do not be conformed to this Before 2003, the Anglican Communion thought world, but be transformed by we had sufficient processes and mutual trust to manage disagreements. However, the unilateral the renewal of your mind…” decision to consecrate a bishop in a same- sex relationship went ahead in 2003, despite ROMANS 12:1-2 commitments made to a common discipline that were debated and voted on at Lambeth For those of you who are interested, the 1998. When the consecration was announced latest Covenant Structure that the Global beforehand, pleas from Anglican leaders all over South Conference adopted can be found at the world for restraint were ignored. www.globalsouthanglican.org. The Conference’s communique is reproduced on pages 8-10. On the surface, the issue may appear to be about homosexuality. At a deeper level, the problem The Biblical words of Romans 12:1-2 continue includes fundamental issues such as the authority to guide us as we seek to work out our faith in of Scripture, regard for tradition and what holds our modern contexts. And even as we pause our Church together. Also, western hegemony to think about our Anglican Communion, we may have shaped the attitudes of some western remind ourselves that the Christian life is lived Anglican leaders towards their "Third World" by each of us and all of us as a local diocesan counterparts. family. Continually shaped by St Paul’s appeal to "transform, not conform" — it is a communion that The issues are of course complex. But it is a fact we share between us and with other Anglicans that the vast majority of Anglicans - both in the across the world. West and round the world - believe in upholding
1 FROM THE BISHOP'S HEART
A RENEWED VOICE, A NEW SOUND by Bishop Rennis Ponniah
y beloved people, I am very grateful right with God” (Rom 4:24-25; 10:9). That is why for your prayers. At the installation everyone who turns to Jesus can have solid HOPE service of a diocesan bishop, it is not both in this life and the life beyond the grave. We uncommon for Psalm 20 to be read. In have found renewed confidence and courage to Mthis Psalm, the people pray, proclaim this message. At the Stadium rallies, our captured data shows May the name of the God of Jacob protect you! that 6,000 responded to the altar-call. Of these, May He send you help from the sanctuary 2,000 were first-time decisions for Christ with And give you support from Zion! another 1,000 indicating that they were touched PSALM 20:1B-2 and would like to find out more about Jesus. Many of us will The God of Jacob is the Old Testament way not forget the of referring to the covenant-keeping God. At the moving sight of same time, sanctuary and Zion refer to the earthly streams of people locus of God’s throne or dwelling place. Indeed, in descending the this past year I have experienced tremendous help venue steps in from the Lord. And I have no hesitation in looking response to the back and responding to the petition of the people message of God’s by saying, love in Christ Jesus. I believe Some trust in chariots and some in horses, that the ripples Celebration of Hope 2019: the But we trust in the name of the LORD our God. of COH, in terms national-level evangelistic rally They collapse and fall, of the number But we rise and stand upright. of people coming to a saving faith in Christ and PSALM 20:7-8 being discipled to follow Him, will be seen in the years to come. Indeed, 2019 has been a remarkable year for Already, we can be encouraged that the our diocese – all praise and thanks be to God! It Chinese-speaking churches in the land are has been a year where we have found a renewed preparing a series of dialect-speaking outreaches voice to proclaim the gospel and there is a new at year-end. Added to that, several churches are sound ringing forth from our Church. Let me give combining to take the message of God’s love in you an overview of 2019 so we can rejoice in the Christ to the dormitories of our numerous migrant Lord together. (guest) workers in Singapore. Our own Cathedral church is hosting and co-organising with others 1. Proclaiming the Gospel a follow-up event for Filipinos and Myanmarese The Celebration of Hope (COH) national- workers. At the local church level, there is a step- level evangelistic rally in May 2019 has helped up in vigour and urgency to personally lead others Christians in Singapore recover the urgency of to Christ through Alpha courses, evangelistic small personally sharing the good news of Jesus Christ groups, joint activities and the like. The gospel is with others. A humble boldness has been restored being personally shared with others on a regular in our voices as we tell the story of how “Jesus basis by God’s people – the movement has begun died for our sins and was raised to life to put us and must be sustained in the Spirit.
2 FROM THE BISHOP'S HEART
we had a total of 14 persons ordained to the “The Government is deeply appreciative of diaconate, a record number out of which eight the Anglican community’s efforts to serve were from our deaneries. We have also appointed and care for the community.” Revd Rinzi Lama as the first Associate Dean of MR HENG SWEE KEAT, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Nepal and Revd Tit Hieng as the Vicar of the (STRAITS TIMES, 26 OCTOBER 2019) Rural Mission District in Cambodia. The increase in the number of indigenous leaders is due to A RENEWED Wonderfully, the gospel of God’s love is being greater attention to the discipleship process and shared with others against the backdrop of the the setting up of Anglican Training Centres in the practical love and good works done by God’s deanery fields for the ministerial formation and people in our nation. For Anglicans, we rejoice equipping of local leaders. VOICE, A NEW not only in parish-based community services but As we grow our churches in the various in the tremendous work of St Andrew’s Mission countries, we need to pay special attention to how Hospital and Singapore Anglican Community to reach and disciple the young people (children, Services at the national level in the care of the youth and young adults). They are often called “the SOUND elderly, the autistic and those with mental health millennials” and the church will need to learn their issues. Recently, the Deputy Prime Minister mode of thinking and communication in order Mr Heng Swee Keat, encouraged us with these that we might connect with them for the sake of words, “The Government is deeply appreciative the life-giving gospel. I am glad that 2019 marks of the Anglican community’s efforts to serve a renewed attentiveness to the young people in and care for the community.” (Straits Times, 26 our midst. October 2019). The diocesan effort to practically demonstrate the love and truth of God also 3. Uniting Orthodox Christians takes the form of our Anglican schools and pre- In the grace of God, the year 2019 will be schools ministry. Beloved, we have a wonderful remembered not only for the Celebration of Hope backdrop built up over the years of practical love (COH) rallies in Singapore but for the historic and care for others that today allows us to lift our adoption of a Global South (GSA) Covenantal voices to share the gospel with our friends and Structure that binds together orthodox Anglicans acquaintances. Not only that, Celebration of Hope spread out in our global communion. has helped churches to come together and work Canon (Emeritus) Michael Poon and I were part together so that “with one voice” (Rom 15:5-6) we of an international study group to design a Structure can proclaim that “Jesus is Lord!” and witness to for orthodox Anglican provinces and dioceses to the world what life under His reign looks like. The return our mutual accountability to hold fast to a gospel is going forth to our nation and beyond “faith and order” that accords with the Bible and with renewed voice. to galvanise us to work together in ministry and mission to reach a world in need of Christ. The 2. Growing the Churches three-year study group proposed a Covenantal We praise God that 2019 is a year in which our Structure with a clear doctrinal foundation, a set of parishes and deaneries grew both quantitatively concrete relational commitments and a conciliar and qualitatively. structure for governance, mutual accountability For several years, the weekly attendance in our and collective discipline (please see accompanying Anglican churches in Singapore hovered around article, Uniting Orthodox Anglicans Globally on 20,000. But for the first time, we broke through page 5). the 20,000 “barrier” and started 2019 with 21,120 Wonderfully, the proposed Covenantal weekly worshippers. Some of our parishes have Structure for the Global South Fellowship of started new congregations. The statistics are not Anglican Churches was overwhelmingly accepted performance indicators; rather, the increased by the representative assembly at the 7th Global number indicates that more are entering and South Conference in Cairo (8-11 October 2019). experiencing the kingdom of God – and that is This means that orthodox Anglican provinces and reason to celebrate with joy! dioceses can now be part of a global fellowship Our deaneries, too, are growing in total. We within the Communion that is committed to now have about 13,500 weekly worshippers in our guarding “the faith once for all delivered” (Jude planted churches in Indonesia (1,600), Thailand v3); and committed to work together to advance (800), Cambodia (400) and Nepal (10,600), while the kingdom of God in Christ Jesus throughout our Christian ministry in Laos is also growing. We the world. praise God for the tireless work of our field pastors, Membership in the Global South Fellowship of led by our passionate deans. The concrete support Anglican Churches (GSA) will no longer be based of anchor parishes in Singapore has played no on geographical or cultural identity-markers but small part in this growth. be based on subscribing to a biblically-derived What thrills me equally is the growth of doctrinal framework and to a conciliar structure indigenous leaders in our six deaneries. In 2019, for decision-making and governance. The basic
3 FROM THE BISHOP'S HEART ecclesial unit in the new structure is the diocese, of identifying God’s choice of the next diocesan which is in keeping with Anglican ecclesiology. bishop (Num 27:15-17). Pray that we will be guided Where a province applies for membership, then by the Holy Spirit to appoint the man after God’s all dioceses within the province are members. own heart who has been The adopted structure allows a diocese within a prepared, formed and gifted revisionist province to apply for GSA membership by God to lead His church in with due scrutiny and safeguards taken to the next lap. In God’s grace, minimize schisms. In special cases and with careful the Bishop-designate will be processing of applications in place, even networks known by the end of February of Anglican churches in a revisionist diocese 2020 and this will give me six or province can apply for GSA membership months to induct him for his according to the criteria laid out in the Covenantal new role before I step down My late parents when in Structure. at the end of August 2020. their seventies (Ps 128) GSA is not a break-away group from a diversified communion. It is an orthodox grouping within the Communion that sets limits to diversity in faith and "… the word of the Lord practice among its member churches according sounded forth from you…" to the plain teaching of holy Scripture. In this way, it is poised to be a faithful servant-community for 1 THESSALONIANS 1:8 God to use in His church and in His world (Isaiah 49:1-6). My dear friends, the Lord Himself is the head We rejoice in this breakthrough to establish a of the Church. He will lead us all the way, in every covenantal structure among orthodox Anglican generation and for every season. I step down from churches and now we must follow-through with office but I will, with God’s enabling, step forth prayer and zeal that it will become in God’s hands more in field ministry under the auspices of the an effective instrument of witness and mission for new bishop. As one of our Anglican collects puts such a time as this. it: “all praise and thanks to God, whom to serve is perfect freedom.” "GSA is not a break-away group from a diversified communion. It is an orthodox grouping within the Communion..."
All the three positive movements above, viz proclaiming the gospel, growing the Church and uniting orthodox Anglicans globally, cause me to see 2019 as “a year of the right hand of the Most Change-ringers at the Bells Commissioning Service High” (Ps 77:10). That is to say, it is a year in which we as a diocese have experienced wonderful It is not without significance that 2019 also spiritual victories which only the power of God marks the year when our diocesan mother-church, could have wrought. I thank God with all my heart St Andrew’s Cathedral, gets a new and full set of and give Him all the glory. cathedral bells. Not only that, but we now have a I thought I should hasten to add that 2019 new and better way of ringing the bells – namely, was not all upbeat. It is also the year that both my change-ringing where a team of change-ringers aged parents passed on in quick succession to skilfully ring the bells in synchronized movement. be with the Lord in His eternal realm. My brothers For me, it is God’s wonderful way of letting us and I, together with our immediate families, miss know that the message of the gospel rings out their presence immensely. But their deaths are from us (1 Thess 1:8) with “a renewed voice and part of the spiritual victory Jesus Christ has won a new sound”. The Lord is great and greatly to be for all who will trust in Him. My deceased parents praised! could well be rejoicing in glory for the advance of God’s kingdom that our diocese has experienced in 2019. And they would want every succeeding Warmly in Christ’s love, generation in their family tree to go on serving the Lord. I am most grateful to God for them. They have fought the good fight, passed on the faith and been promoted to glory. As 2019 closes, we prepare to move to a new chapter in our diocesan life. We begin the process
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UNITING ORTHODOX ANGLICANS GLOBALLY Covenantal Structure of the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches by Archdeacon Wong Tak Meng
any of us are aware that the Anglican Church sexuality as God’s gift to humanity, “to be expressed is represented all over the world, organized only within the lifelong union of a man and a woman as a Communion of forty autonomous in holy matrimony.”3 Mprovinces each with its own primate who is the chief The Kuala Lumpur Statement was presented at archbishop or presiding bishop. the Lambeth Conference in 1998, leading to the The provinces come together for fellowship, passing of Resolution I.10 which upheld the teaching discussion and prayer during the regular Primates’ of the Holy Scriptures on human sexuality, stating Meetings and the Lambeth Conferences held every that it “cannot advise the legitimizing or blessing of 10 years. Each province is also represented in the same sex union nor ordaining those involved”, and Anglican Consultative Council (ACC). Among other requested the Primates and the ACC to monitor the functions, the ACC provides a platform for sharing issue and share resources within the Communion. information about developments in various provinces In the aftermath of the 2003 crisis, the Primates’ and encourages collaboration in various programme Meeting affirmed that Lambeth 1998 Resolution I.10 initiatives. is the definitive teaching of the Anglican Communion These meetings, together with the Archbishop on human sexuality. They declared that actions of of Canterbury who is “first among equals” with his the Anglican Church of Canada and The Episcopal fellow archbishops, serve the Anglican Communion Church in blatant disregard of this doctrinal standard as the “instruments of Communion”. “jeopardise our sacramental fellowship with each other… [and] will tear the fabric of our Communion Breach in the Communion at the deepest level”. The above “instruments” have by and large served their purposes, until the Communion hit a crisis in 2003 Efforts to Mend the Net when the Anglican Church of Canada conducted its From 2003 to 2016, the Global South expended first same sex marriage1 and The Episcopal Church much energy, time and resources working with the of USA consecrated an openly homosexual priest as instruments of Communion to resolve the crisis. This a bishop.2 included dialogues with the Anglican Church of Long before 2003, the Global South of the Canada and The Episcopal Church, resolutions calling Anglican Communion, consisting of the Anglican for a moratorium of rites for same-sex union and provinces outside Europe and North America, consecration of priests in same-sex relationships, and have been meeting to dialogue on faith and world participating in designing an Anglican Communion missions. At the 2nd Anglican Encounter in the South Covenant to hold provinces accountable to the plain in February 1997, the Kuala Lumpur Statement teaching of Scripture. on Human Sexuality was issued, affirming human Despite all these efforts, more provinces and
1 The Diocese of New Westminster in the Anglican Church of Canada authorized a rite for the blessing of same-sex unions at its 2002 Synod. In May 2003, the first same-sex union took place in Vancouver. 2 In June of the same year, Gene Robinson, an openly non-celibate homosexual priest was elected and consecrated as the Bishop of New Hampshire in the Episcopal Church of the United States of America (ECUSA). The General Convention of ECUSA ratified the decision, against the strong objections of conservative bishops, priests and laity who warned that this would lead to division in both the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. 3 The Kuala Lumpur Statement on Human Sexuality (1997) may be read here: https://tinyurl.com/klstatement2es
5 COMMUNION NEWS dioceses have approved same-sex unions. More unanimously supported by the primates present and priests and bishops in open non-celibate same-sex overwhelmingly accepted by the entire assembly, relationships continued to be ordained to sacred with just two abstentions. The resolution passed ministry. None of these provinces or dioceses were on 11 October 2019 was to adopt in principle the subject to any meaningful disciplinary actions. proposed GSA Covenantal Structure, subject to On the other hand, faithful bishops and priests approval by the respective provinces. in North and South America who objected to This is historic because for the first time, orthodox these deviations have been deposed, and their Anglican provinces and diocese have a structure congregations sued for their properties. They had that holds them accountable for ‘faith and order’ no choice but to seek shelter under Global South and which provides a true basis for fellowship and groupings. The Anglican Church in North America combined mission and ministry. GSA churches are (ACNA) for example was formed from those faithful not breaking away from the Communion. Rather, we congregations in North America, recognised by are embracing a structure that will strengthen the life orthodox primates but not by the formal instruments and witness of the orthodox constituency within the of Communion. Anglican Communion. The Anglican Communion Covenant released in 2009 was deemed too restrictive by some provinces Key Elements of the Structure and not accountable enough by others. To date, only The first section of the Proposal established the eight out of 40 provinces have agreed to be part of Doctrinal Foundation and Fundamental Declarations this Covenant. that bind the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches (GSA) together as a global fellowship A Fresh Initiative by Global South Churches based on theological convictions rather than merely This prolonged failure to resolve these disputes geographical location. over faith and order exposed the reality that there The second section of the Proposal expressed is no accountability structure in place to hold the the Relational Commitments of the GSA, that is, worldwide Anglican Communion together in how the Provinces of the GSA share life, discipleship, biblical faithfulness.4 This fundamental lack of an mission and ministry together. This common life accountability structure became known as the will be facilitated by specific Task Forces that will Communion’s ecclesial deficit. focus on (1) mission and evangelism, (2) worship In recognition of this ecclesial deficit, the Global and liturgy, (3) Christian discipleship and ministerial South at the 6th Encounter in 2016 commissioned formation, and (4) community services and economic the “Study on Enhancing Ecclesial Responsibility”5 to empowerment. design a structure that will hold orthodox provinces/ The third section proposed the Conciliar diocese accountable to the plain teaching of Scripture Structures that provide the GSA with clear processes and galvanize them for gospel mission to the world. for addressing Faith and Order issues, such as those The 7th Global South Conference was convened with which the Communion has been struggling for in Cairo in October 2019 to follow up on this the past 16 years. Through these structures, GSA study. Among the 101 delegates and observers provinces will establish limits of diversity within from 18 Anglican provinces and other parts of the the bounds of Holy Scriptures, hold one another Communion is a delegation led by the Archbishop accountable to a common doctrinal commitment, of the Anglican Church in North America and the and make decisions that carry force in the life of the Archbishop of Sydney.6 GSA as a part of our global Communion. Bishop Rennis Ponniah as Chairman of the Study The core conciliar structure is the Assembly of Group presented its report, “A Proposal on the clergy and laity gathering around the bishops of the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches (GSA) GSA. It will be convened every three to four years to Structure”. 7 serve as the GSA’s comprehensive and authoritative voice. The Assembly shall consider contemporary Historic Adoption of a Covenantal Structure issues of mission and ministry, and call GSA churches After making some changes in response to feedback to work together to fulfill Christ’s Great Commission from the conference delegates, the proposal was and Great Commandment. Its work shall continue
4 Windsor Continuation Group Report (2008), Section D on “An Ecclesial Deficit”: “The way in which the moratoria have been challenged or ignored in the life of the Communion raises a painful and sharp question: how can any decisions or recommendations be given authority or force in the life of the Communion? …a central deficit in the life of the Communion is its inability to uphold structures which can make decisions which carry force in the life of the Churches of the Communion, or even give any definitive guidance to them.” 5 The Sixth Trumpet, Oct 2016 Communique, paragraphs 30-31. The Study Group was chaired by Bishop Rennis Ponniah, with Archbishop Robert Duncan as the Vice-Chairman, the Revd Canon Dr Michael Poon as the Secretary, and Bishop David Onuoha, Bishop Samy Shehata and the Revd Canon Dr Phil Ashey as the Members. 6 The communiqué of the 7th Global South Conference can be read here: https://tinyurl.com/dd7thtrumpet 7 The full text of the adopted Covenantal Structure may be read here: https://tinyurl.com/gsagovstruct
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The Diocese of Singapore team, with Dr Os Guinness (3rd from L) at the 7th Global South Conference in Cairo, Egypt between gatherings through a Board that will work Conclusion with the Primates’ Council and the Task Forces to A follow-up Committee was appointed to administer advance our common life together. the implementation of this Covenantal Structure. The The Primates’ Council, meeting yearly, shall Diocese of Singapore is privileged to serve as the provide overall spiritual leadership to the GSA. It shall Secretariat as requested. exercise collegial responsibility to strengthen mutual The adoption of this Covenantal Structure in 2019 accountability and interdependence between GSA took place 25 years after the first Anglican Encounter churches. It will guide the direction of the common in the South was held under the auspices of the life of the GSA, oversee its faithfulness to God in Anglican Consultative Council in Limuru, Kenya, sound doctrine and obedient mission, and where 1994. It is an expression of love for the Anglican necessary, take steps to restore faith, order and Communion and a desire for it to thrive until Christ’s discipline of GSA churches in accordance with the return, by gathering Anglicans to be faithful to Doctrinal Foundation to which they have subscribed. Christ through concrete doctrinal and relational There will be a Council of Bishops meeting once commitments to His calling. every 8-10 years that serves as the visible sign of The closing paragraph of the Executive Summary the unity of the GSA as a part of the Body of Christ. of the Proposal reads: Consisting of primates and diocesan bishops, it There is a grace-filled sense of urgency to this shall guard the Doctrinal Foundation (section 1) and favoured moment: ‘Do not be afraid, … the Holy oversee the Relational Commitments (section 2) of Spirit will come upon you’; ‘Seek his Kingdom. Do the GSA. not be afraid, little flock’ (Luke 1.30, 35; 12.31-32)… A Faith and Order Commission appointed by the The Anglican Communion, in truth, for the first time Council of Bishops shall be the operational means to since the late twentieth century, is a world reality… address matters of faith, order and discipline raised God calls us, in the fullness of time, to give concrete by GSA churches or upon the request of the Primates expression to a truly one, holy, catholic and apostolic Council. Communion. 8 The Proposal on the Global South Fellowship May it be so, and to God be the glory! of Anglican Churches Structure was adopted unanimously by all delegates present and voting at this 7th Global South Conference.
The Follow-Through Needed to a Wonderful Start Over the next 12 to 18 months, all Anglican Provinces, Dioceses and other Anglican networks under the authority of a bishop that subscribe to the doctrinal foundation and relational commitments of this Covenantal Structure, regardless of geographical location, will be invited to apply for membership with the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches (GSA). The inaugural Assembly of the GSA in accordance with this Covenantal Structure is envisaged to convene in 2021.
8 A Proposal on the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches Structure, Executive Summary, paragraph 8.
7 COMMUNION NEWS
THE SEVENTH TRUMPET “NOT CONFORMED… BUT TRANSFORMED” Communique from the 7th Global South Conference, 12 October 2019, Cairo, Egypt
1. The Seventh Global South Anglican Conference 6. We received with thanks greetings from the took place in Cairo, Egypt from 8th through 11th Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd and Rt October, 2019. The theme for this encounter Hon Justin Welby, and the Most Revd Dr Josiah was "Not Conformed…but Transformed” based Idowu-Fearon, the Secretary General of the on Romans 12:2. Anglican Communion, which were conveyed by the Rt Revd Dr Graham Kings. 2. 101 delegates and observers from 18 Anglican Provinces and other parts of the Anglican 7. The Conference also welcomed some new Communion were present. Primates: the Most Revd Jonathan BB Hart of West Africa, the Most Revd Samuel Sunil 3. We are thankful for the wonderful hospitality Mankhin of the Province of Bangladesh and the provided for us by Bishop Mouneer Anis and Most Revd Hector Zavala, Primate of the new the people of the Diocese of Egypt. Province of Chile. We also welcomed the Most Revd Miguel Uchoa Cavalcanti of the Anglican 4. We were encouraged by the presence of Church in Brazil as a Mission Partner. ecumenical guests at our opening dinner. Amongst them were the representative of 8. The Global South Primates also elected a new H.E. Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, President of the Arab Steering Committee: the Most Revd Justin Badi Republic of Egypt, the Minister of Antiquities, of South Sudan as Chairman, the Most Revd Khaled Anani, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Tito Zavala of Chile as Vice-Chairman, the Most Affairs, Ambassador Sanad, the representative Revd Samuel Manhkin of Bangladesh as Hon of Pope Tawadros II of the Coptic Orthodox Secretary, the Most Revd Foley Beach (ACNA) Church, Bishop Angelos, the representative of as Treasurer and three Ordinary Members, the the Coptic Catholic Patriarch, Bishop George Most Revd Stephen Than Myint Oo of Myanmar, Shihan, the representative of the Greek the Most Revd Masimango Katanda Zacharie of Orthodox, Father Yusof, the representative of Congo and the Most Revd James Richard Wong Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Dr Nazir Amen and Yin Song of the Indian Ocean. various ambassadors. 9. We also thanked the Primates on the current 5. We are also grateful to the Ministry of Foreign Global South Primates Steering Committee Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs for (GSPSC) who are retiring in 2020: the Rt Revd facilitating this Conference and the Ministry of Dr Mouneer Anis (Chairman), the Most Revd Tourism for arranging the memorable visits to Nicholas Okoh (Vice-Chairman), the Most Revd the places of interest. Stanley Ntagali (Hon Secretary) and the Most Revd Ng Moon Hing (Treasurer). We expressed
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our deepest appreciation to Bishop Mouneer community to ensure fair distribution of water. Anis for his hard work and leadership at this We specially hope and pray that the issue of the Conference and his continuing role as Chairman Renaissance Dam in Ethiopia would be resolved of GSPSC until he retires. in a peaceful way that is satisfactory to countries affected by it, including Egypt. 10. We were inspired by the times of worship and prayer. The Bible Studies on the theme, led 20. We appeal to the factions in South Sudan to by the Most Revd Dr Glenn Davies (Sydney), honour the 2018 peace accords and address the Most Revd James Wong (Indian Ocean) the suffering of her affected residents. and the Most Revd Justin Badi (South Sudan) challenged us to avoid being led by the spirit of 21. We were briefed on the history of the the age, and instead to be transformed by His Global South. It grew out of our roots as an Spirit and to learn to discern and do the will of ecclesial body which gathered with missions God. and fellowship in mind as a “South-South Movement,” which was then under the auspices 11. We were challenged by Dr Os Guinness to be of the Anglican Consultative Council. The first prepared for the challenges which Global South meeting was held in Limuru, Kenya in 1994. We Churches will face with modernity and the shifts noted that God has used us beyond our original that come with it. reasons for coming together, and which now includes the need to guard the faith and order 12. There were lively discussions on the role of for the sake of our Churches and the wider women. The need for a greater role by women Anglican Communion. in the leadership and ministry of the Church were shared by representatives from various 22. We continue to uphold Resolution I.10 of the Provinces, even as concerns were expressed 1998 Lambeth Conference with regards to on how these roles need to fit into the religious human sexuality. We are also happy to see culture of each society. the wider acceptance of the joint-document addressing human sexuality that was issued at 13. Concerns were also expressed on whether the GS Conference in 2016. our Anglican Churches are in touch with the younger generations and connecting well with 23. We noted the Archbishop of Canterbury’s their spiritual needs and aspirations. encouragement to bishops to attend Lambeth 2020. Being aware that provinces and dioceses 14. Issues regarding creation care, refugees, social are responding differently to the invitation, and economic justice and political transition the Conference was reminded of the Global were also raised during this forum on women South Primates Steering Committee’s decision and youth. It is hoped that future conferences in their communiqué in March 2008: "We are will see a higher number of participation from led to understand and appreciate the principled women and youth leaders from our Provinces. reasons for participation in GAFCON (June 2008) and Lambeth Conference (July 2008). 15. We heard encouraging updates, stories and Even if there are different perspectives on challenges facing the ministry from each these, they do not and should not be allowed to Province. disrupt the common vision, unity and trust within the Global South." 16. We noted the importance of the Church’s serving the communities through engagement Proposal on The Global South Fellowship of Anglican with areas like education, health care and Churches (GSA) Covenantal Structure community development. 24. The Conference received the proposal paper on "The Global South Fellowship of 17. We noted the ministry challenges and the Anglican Churches Structure.” This study continual presence of armed violence and was commissioned at the Sixth Global South conflicts in some areas and the critical role Conference in Cairo, October 2016, as the Church is playing in reconciliation, trauma expressed in paras. 30 and 31 of The Sixth counselling and gospel outreach in a context Trumpet October 2016 Communiqué: “…We where faith in divine providence has been recognise the need for our enhanced ecclesial shattered. responsibility. We need to strengthen our doctrinal teaching, our ecclesiastical ordering of 18. We are encouraged by the latest updates on the our collective life as a global fellowship and the humanitarian and relief work of the Anglican flourishing of our gifts in the one another-ness Relief and Development Fund (ARDF). of our mission … The Global South Primates will therefore form a task force to recommend how 19. We became aware of the challenge of the these needs can be effectively addressed.” scarcity of water facing many countries in the world. We appeal to the international
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Structure was presented to the 7th Global South Conference on 11th October 2019 at All Saints’ Cathedral, Cairo (“the GSA Covenantal Structure”).
29. In response to this paper, this 7th Global South Conference resolved: i. To adopt in principle the GSA Covenantal Structure as the basis of membership in the GSA as specified in section 3.1.2, subject to Global South Study Group on Enhancing approval by the respective Provinces. Ecclesial Responsibility ii. To disseminate and inform all the Global South provinces of the adoption of the GSA 25. The Conference appreciated the commendable Covenantal Structure and these Resolutions. work of the Global South Study Group on iii. To mandate the Global South Primates Enhancing Ecclesial Responsibility, which Steering Committee (supported by a GSA comprised the Rt Revd Rennis Ponniah (Chair), Follow-Up Executive Committee and a the Most Revd Robert Duncan (Deputy Chair), Secretariat) to follow up on the administration Canon Dr Michael Poon (Secretary), the Rt Revd and acceptance of membership, and David Onouha, the Rt Revd Samy Shehata and oversee the implementation of the GSA Canon Dr Phil Ashey. Covenantal Structure before 30th June 2021, with liberty to extend this time frame 26. The objectives of the enhanced ecclesial as it deems necessary. structure proposed by the Study Group are fourfold: (The GSA Covenantal Structure, which i. To guard well together the faith that was enables GSA Provinces to be mutually once for all delivered to the saints; accountable and to work together for Gospel ii. To be effective in fulfilling God’s mission to mission, was adopted and can be read at the world; globalsouthanglican.org) iii. To strengthen the Global South (GS) identity, its governance, its relational life Closing and its collective mission and formation 30. We are strengthened, as a renewed Global of disciples to respond with humility and South body, to be transformed by the renewal of robustness to the social challenges and our minds, that by testing we may discern what movements of thoughts in the larger church is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and the world; and perfect. (Romans 12:2) iv. To work for the well-being of our Anglican Communion as we see ourselves as an The collect for the 16th Sunday after Trinity: intrinsic part of the Communion. “O Lord, we beseech you mercifully to hear the prayers of your people who call upon you; and 27. This proposal was discussed, debated and mercifully grant that they may both perceive and revised at this assembly over several sessions know what things they ought to do, and also may as well as at the Primates Council meetings. have the grace and power faithfully to fulfil them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns 28. The final proposal on The Global South with you, in the unity of the Spirit, one God now and Fellowship of Anglican Churches (“the GSA”) forever. Amen.”
PROVINCIAL NEWS
NEW ARCHBISHOP FOR THE PROVINCE OF SOUTH EAST ASIA
he Diocese of Singapore welcomes the Rt Revd Datuk Melter Jiki Tais, Tthe Bishop of Sabah, as the newly elected Archbishop of South East Asia for the next four years. He takes over the role in February 2020 from Archbishop Ng Moon Hing, the Bishop of West Malaysia. Ordained into the priesthood in 1993 and installed as the 6th Bishop of Sabah in 2015, Bishop Tais has served in many parts of Sabah, and is Sabah’s first indigenous bishop.
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THE ONE THING THAT IS NECESSARY by Revd William Chee, Vicar, Yishun Christian Church (Anglican)
38 he account of Martha and Mary in Luke Now as they went on their way, Jesus 10:38-42 is a very familiar passage to most entered a village. And a woman named Christians. However it is also one of most Martha welcomed him into her house. easily misunderstood passages. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who T sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his From a cursory or careful reading of the passage, 40 one can come away with understanding that the teaching. But Martha was distracted one thing that Jesus says is necessary and that with much serving. And she went up Mary has chosen is to sit at his feet to listen to his to him and said, "Lord, do you not care teaching. This is the good portion that will not that my sister has left me to serve alone? be taken away from her. In contrast, Martha has 41 chosen the “bad” or “inferior” portion which is to Tell her then to help me." But the Lord be on her feet busy serving Jesus and his disciples. answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are This is not an incorrect understanding. anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has From this understanding, one can quickly draw the chosen the good portion, which will not conclusion that it is always better to sit at Jesus’ feet to listen to him than to stand on our feet to be taken away from her." serve him. As a result, a false comparison is set luke 10:38-42 up between worshiping and working, restedness and busyness, studying and serving, listening and there are times the psalmist would say, “One day doing, with worshipping, restedness, studying, in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere” listening as always coming up tops, as always the (Ps 84:10) but there are times the prophets would one thing to choose. Well, we know this is not echo, “to obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Sam 15:22) true because we find God at times values activity and spell out the requirement of the Lord which is instead of passivity, work instead of rest, service to “do justice, love mercy and walk humbly” (Mic instead of study, doing instead of always learning. 6:8)! So, what is more important? What is more Look at the life of Jesus. He was always working necessary? Sit at Jesus’ feet to listen or be on our (Mk 1:32) but he does take time to be with the feet to serve him? Not easy to decide! Father (Mk 1:35). He does send his disciples out for mission (Mk 2:14) but he does take them aside Another quick understanding and conclusion from and teach them (Mk 4:10). In the Old Testament, the passage is that the one thing that is necessary
Christ in the House of Martha and Mary is a painting finished in 1655 by the Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer. It depicts Christ’s visit to the sisters’ house, praising Mary’s willingness to sit and listen to his teachings, unlike Martha who was preoccupied with housekeeping.
11 TEACHING ARTICLE is to be not hurried, not anxious, not distracted, elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and not troubled, not critical, not agitated. Well, there killed, and on the third day be raised” (Lk 9:22). is support for this from the passage. Martha was In the context of the synoptic gospels, Matthew distracted, anxious, troubled, agitated and critical. and Mark, this means that this account is located As for Mary’s state of mind and heart, we were not during the period of Jesus’ deliberate movement told. We are to presume that she was blissfully from Galilee to Jerusalem. This is the time when still and at peace at the feet of Jesus listening to Jesus moves towards the cross, when time is short, his teaching. If the one thing that is necessary is when he needs to do many things and teach as to choose to be still in whatever one does, then many important lessons as he can. Furthermore, Martha should choose to be unhurried, to be at during this period, we have the account of the peace, to be calm in her busy servicing, instead transfiguration, where we are told of a voice from of complaining. Now this is very possible. Brother heaven that said, “This is my Son, my chosen one, Lawrence, author of “The Practice of The Presence listen to him!” This sets out the key response of God,” did this while serving in the kitchen. to Jesus for this period: it is to listen to him! So we find in the Gospel of Luke, eight chapters of teaching by Jesus; in Matthew, four chapters of teaching; and in Mark, two chapters of teaching, Mary has chosen the before Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. good portion, which With this context in mind, we can now begin to interpret Luke 10:38-42, which is a passage unique will not be taken away to Luke. From v38 in the passage, we note that Jesus was from her.” welcomed by Martha. Although this was the first time Martha is mentioned in Luke, this does not mean Martha was a stranger to Jesus. From the But there are situations where stillness or calmness Gospel of John, we know she was known and is not a choice. The situation may demand intensity, loved by Jesus, together with her sister Mary and urgency, passion and exertion. Again, look at the her brother Lazarus (Jn 11). So, it is very likely that life of Jesus. In the gospel of Mark, we get the this was not the first time that Jesus was hosted sense he was rushing from one place to another. by them in their home. So, the entry and welcome Immediately… immediately... immediately… he was not unusual. was off somewhere. What about Paul? He strained; he strived; he pressed on; he was hard-pressed. Besides Jesus and Paul’s example, a further reason why the one thing that one should choose is not Sometimes we run about being calm and being still is that Jesus did commend Mary for her choice of sitting at his feet to listen to him as compared to Martha choosing ahead with what we to be on her feet serving in the kitchen. We cannot escape the fact that Mary’s choice was commended think the Lord desires as the good portion. So even if Martha had been calm and still, like Brother Lawrence, it would still be not the good portion that Jesus praises Mary What was unusual was what happens next in v39. for. There we are told, almost immediately, that Mary was at the feet of Jesus listening to his teaching. Note So what is this one thing that is necessary? That the speed from being welcomed to him teaching. should always be chosen? Applies to all situation? Now Mary’s posture may not be literal. It may be To understand this, I suggest it is not just cursory just an expression to indicate that Mary was being reading or careful reading that we need. We need instructed or educated by Jesus. Paul was said in also a contextual reading, that is, to understand Acts 22:3 to be “educated at the feet of Gamaliel.” Luke 10:38-42 in the context of the gospel of Luke So, Mary was being instructed and educated here. and also in the context of the synoptic gospels. And whatever that Jesus was teaching at this point, Let’s look at the passage contextually. in the context of his movement towards the cross, must have been important such that he needed to In the context of the Gospel of Luke, Luke 10:38- teach it immediately, and Mary needed to listen 42 occurred after Peter had confessed Jesus attentively. as “the Christ of God” (Lk 9:20) and after Jesus had revealed that he would “be rejected by the Now as soon as we are introduced to Mary, we are
12 TEACHING ARTICLE redirected back to Martha. From v40 we are told, hearts from being divided and uncertain. If we are she was distracted with much serving. Hence a not sure of what the Lord wants, we will be anxious; contrast between Martha and Mary is set up. Mary we will be troubled; we will be distracted, we will sat at Jesus’ feet to listen to his teaching whereas be agitated. Martha was distracted with much serving. One was listening attentively and devotedly to the master So it is not always sitting at his feet to listen nor but the other was agitated and troubled, busy is it always be on our feet to serve. And it is not trying to get things ready for the master. Martha always unhurriedness nor is it always intensity. The was so agitated that we are told, “And she went one thing that is always necessary is to listen to up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my him and choose what he chooses. “Listen to him!” sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to “My sheep hears my voice.” It could be to sit at his help me."” feet to learn or it could be to serve in the kitchen to bless. If you choose what the Lord desires of you, it will be never taken away from you. And I believe “My sheep you will not be in two minds or be troubled. So, choose what he chooses at each point in time! That is the one thing that is necessary, that is always hears my voice.” necessary!
Martha does have a point here. It is important to serve the Lord and to serve him well. Probably this was what she has done before. She needs all the help she can get to do this again. And as for sitting to listen to Jesus’ teaching, that can wait, that can come later. What is needed is first things first. Serve the Lord. Minister to the Lord. That is what Martha thinks. But the Lord thinks otherwise. The Lord lovingly corrects her in v41, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things…” And he then goes on to commend Mary in v42, “but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
Mary has indeed chosen the one thing that is necessary, that is always necessary. In its context, it is not just sitting at Jesus’ feet to listen to his teaching per se, but knowing the desires of the Lord, knowing the will of the Lord for that moment in time. This is to sit at his feet to listen. The intention of Jesus is to teach. There is an urgency here. Mary caught that but Martha did not. Maybe she was too engrossed with her own ideas as to what to do and how to please Jesus. Sometimes we run ahead with what we think the Lord desires at a point in time. And we rush off with our thoughts, opinions and agenda. I believe Martha did that. She failed to notice the one thing that is necessary at that point in time.
It is not that hospitality or serving is not important. It is not that stillness and restedness and unhurriedness is more important. They are all equally important. But at this point in time, there is a need, there is an urgency to listen because the Lord is moving towards Jerusalem. The Lord’s desire is to teach. The Lord’s desire is for Martha and Mary to learn. Not to be distracted and troubled by other things. This is the one thing he desires. Focusing on this one thing will keep their
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FAITH, TONGUES AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Inaugural talk by Revd Dr Lim Teck Peng, on the occasion of his induction as the Lee Huai Kwang Professor of Religious Education at Trinity Theological College
Introduction (Acts 2:4, 6, 8, 11). We read from verses 5 and 6: eligious education is always an important “Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing part of the believer’s spiritual journey. Jews from every nation under heaven. When What is religious education? In Europe and they heard this sound, a crowd came together in certain parts of Asia, it is a subject taught in bewilderment, because each one heard their Rin schools. Elsewhere, it has a broader meaning own language being spoken.” What is noteworthy that covers processes and experiences related to is that the Gospel was not preached in Greek or the transmission of beliefs and values in a religious Aramaic but in the different native languages or community. mother tongues of the hearers. As an academic discipline, the purpose of In the Roman Empire, using vernacular “Christian religious education,” or more accurately languages for public speaking was an unusual “the study of Christian religious education,” is act. This went against the established rule of to examine and develop Christian thinking and language use of the day. Greek was the lingua practices with regards to faith formation and franca in the east side of Roman Empire. In fact, in discipleship. It covers a wide range of subjects, the Roman Empire, people of different races used some of which are very concrete and practical, and either Greek or Latin as their common medium of some others fairly abstract. communication in the public realm. The message Tonight, the topic I want to talk about revolves around Christian religious education, language and Singapore’s national language policy. It is THE VERNACULARISATION OF not too abstract, but requires some hard thinking THE GOSPEL IS LINKED TO THE nevertheless. MISSIONAL VOCATION OF THE The Gospel and Tongues CHURCH THAT FINDS IT ROOT IN The content and approach of Christian religious education is grounded by the gospel of Christ. THE OLD TESTAMENT. The Church needs educational concepts and imagination that are rooted in the gospel, of the gospel would have been received and otherwise, we will be bound by experiences, understood by everyone if it had been preached in especially school experiences. I cannot think of a Greek. In Jerusalem, Aramaic, a language spoken more appropriate place to begin from than Acts 2. by Jesus, was the main local language among In this passage, we witness how the Holy the resident Jews. In view of this background of Spirit descended upon the apostles after the language use, the use of vernacular languages in resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. this inaugural moment of the Church is as puzzling The Gospel was then proclaimed by the as the miracle of the apostles speaking in foreign apostles in the native languages of the people tongues. I call it the vernacularisation of the gospel.
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Concerning this extraordinary phenomenon monk who wrote the Ecclesiastical History of the created by the descent of the Holy Spirit, a 16th English People in the 8th century, has called “gifts century Lutheran theologian Johann Spangenberg of a variety of graces”. commented, Why cloven tongues? In order to show In the second part of my lecture, I will shift our that the gospel should be preached throughout attention from first-century Jerusalem to twenty- the entire world in every language and tongue. first century Singapore, to focus on the relationship For just as God in the Old Testament through many between the Church and Singapore’s national languages and tongues scattered throughout the language policy. world the construction of the Tower of Babel, so the Holy Spirit in the New Testament gathers the Church and Shifting Language Landscape construction workers of Christendom from many In 1966, Singapore embarked on its own journey languages and tongues into the unity of faith from of bilingualism as a newly independent state. every part of the world. Before independence, the schools in Singapore The vernacularisation of the gospel is clearly were divided by our four language streams. It was related to the spread of the Good News. The natural for the Christians who went to the Chinese question is: why the use of vernacular? Since a and Tamil-medium schools to become the main common language was available and preferred as force behind vernacular evangelism and religious the medium of public communication, what was education. The Chinese- and Tamil-speaking the purpose of using vernaculars at this inaugural churches in Singapore became unique spaces moment of the church? By bringing into view the where transformative encounters between Christ prophetic vision of Isaiah, I hope to propose that and culture took place outside the lands of origin the vernacularisation of the gospel is linked to the of these cultures. missional vocation of the Church that finds it root in the Old Testament. In Isaiah 2, the prophet describes how in the last days many peoples will go up to the mountain of the Lord and He will teach them His ways:
Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:3)
Reading Acts 2 alongside the prophetic Dr and Mrs Lim Teck Peng (left) with Revd and Mrs vision helps us realise that the descent of the Lee Chong Kau (donor and son of the late Revd Lee Holy Spirit inaugurates the arrival of a new era in Huai Kwang) which people will be able to learn the way of the Lord in their mother tongues! Since the Church was inaugurated with the vernacularisation of When Singapore started bilingual education the gospel, her missional vocation is therefore soon after independence, English became a inseparable from language – specifically from the compulsory subject in the vernacular schools as mother tongue. a second language, and the three other official What can contemporary Christians learn from languages — Chinese, Malay and Tamil — became looking back at the inaugural moment of the compulsory subjects in the English-medium Church? At the personal level, the vernacularisation schools for the Chinese, Malay and Indian students of the gospel implies that Christians should strive respectively. to help others know the gospel in his or her heart It is worth mentioning that Singapore has language, and encounter Christ therein. consistently emphasized the instrumental value In church history, the vernacularisation of of English as the working language and lingua the gospel has been the conviction of many franca among all races, and the various mother Christian missionaries over the centuries. In Asia tongues as an identity marker against excessive and anywhere else in the world, vernacularisation Westernisation. Concerning the role of mother of the Good News has been actualised through tongues, it was stated in the 2010 Mother Tongue Bible translation and by missionaries committed Languages Review (MTLR): to preaching and teaching the Gospel using local languages. Their evangelistic endeavours Learning MTL enables our students to create the unique space where people hear and understand and develop their unique identity encounter the gospel in a heart-felt and liberating through a deeper appreciation of culture, manner. This is what Bede, an English Benedictine traditions, literature and history. This is a
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Dr Lim Teck Peng, accompanied by Mrs Lim, being inducted (by TTC Principal Revd Dr Ngoei Foong Nghian and Methodist Bishop Chong Chin Chung)
critical base to preserve the transmission of Chinese. In this respect, the effect of Singapore’s cultural values and traditions associated with bilingualism is apparent. each MTL in our society. However, if we look at another set of data, the situation is not without concern. In 2015, Our various mother tongues maintain cultural the percentage of children and teenagers aged root and communal identity, whereas English between 5 to 14 years old who come from enables the country to progress in economics and Chinese-speaking homes declined from 61% technology. These have been the roles assigned in 2010 to 46%, whereas English was the most to the languages in Singapore’s bilingualism. frequently spoken language in 37% of the resident However, from the 1960s to the 1980s, population, up from 32.3% in 2010. Singapore, like any other developing country in the world experienced the impact of modernisation. MANY MILLENNIALS ALSO Although parents had the freedom to send their children to any language stream school, CARRY A HIGHER LEVEL OF enrolment in vernacular schools continued OPENNESS, FLUIDITY AND to drop. Eventually, Tamil- and Malay-stream schools stopped admitting students in 1975 and HYBRIDITY THAN THEIR 1982 respectively. Chinese-steam schools, which PARENTS IN TERMS OF originally had the most number of students, also stopped admitting students in 1987. From that THEIR ATTITUDE TOWARDS year onwards, English became the first language in Singapore schools across the board. LANGUAGE. Today, Singapore is the only Asian country that Here, it is likely that we are witnessing a uses English as her first language. At the same changing language landscape. On the one hand, time, she is possibly also the only country in the most of the single youngsters aged between 15 world to use so much of her national resources to and 24 do not consider themselves monolingual. support her three main ethnic groups in mother But among married Singaporeans, English is tongue education. This is the difference between gradually replacing mother tongues to become the Chinese- and Tamil-speaking churches in the dominant language spoken at home. The Singapore and those in other parts of the world. change in home language is caused by multiple The Primary One cohort in 1987 is now 39 years factors, and not surprising, since English is now old. They, and those who were born after them, the language of education. are the Millennium generation. Statistics show that Different individuals or groups will surely the Millennium generation has a greater tendency have different takes on the bilingual policy due to indicate themselves as bilingual in Singapore’s to different personal experiences and situations. population census conducted once every ten Many pastors and church leaders are not products years. In the 2010 census, out of more than 36,000 of the national bilingual education that came to Chinese youth and young adults aged from 15 force in 1987. The majority of them grew up in to 24 years old, 85% (that is more than 30,000) the era when there was a clear division between indicted that they are literate in English and English-stream and Chinese-stream schools. I
16 TEACHING ARTICLE belong to that generation too. However considering geo-political considerations behind the policy, it the recent development of Singapore’s mother signifies, at a deeper level and beyond pragmatic tongue education, and the external developments calculations, a resistance against collective cultural brought about by the rise of China and the socio- amnesia. The academics will continue to debate economic-political changes, the mother tongue over the extent the policy has or has not worked, learning environment we are in now is no longer yet this should not conceal the fact that the policy the same as before. Many Millennials also carry discloses a deeper question that concerns the a higher level of openness, fluidity and hybridity issue of belonging. As stated in the 2010 MTLR, than their parents in terms of their attitude towards one of the aims of mother tongue education language. is to enable Singaporeans “to connect with Facing a generation that is more open, fluid and communities across Asia and the world who speak hybrid in language use, instead of being engrossed that language or share that culture.” How should in predicting the linguistic trend of the society, I Christians respond to such language policy if the am more interested in thinking fundamentally vernacularisation of the Gospel and the vocation about the significance of Singapore’s bilingualism, of the church are to be taken seriously? and in discerning the role of the Church, situated As I mentioned in the beginning, tonight’s between the state and individuals, in matters topic is not too abstract, but still requires some concerning the national language policy. hard thinking. I believe, in the area concerning the Based on the theme of tonight’s lecture, the relationship between the Church and the bilingual two sets of data just presented are sufficient to policy, we need to continue our hard thinking. alert us to the shifting language landscape that To bring this part of my lecture to a close, let me the Church is now in. What I want to dwell on is a briefly share my personal views on how the Church more fundamental question concerning the social dimension of language which the church should THE MOTHER-TONGUE take note. To explicate the issue, let me read you a LANGUAGE (MTL) CHURCH quotation from Hanna F. Pitkin: IS A UNIQUE COMMUNITY …In mastering language, we take on a culture; IN SINGAPORE. our native language becomes a part of ourselves, of the very structure of the self. Thus can engage bilingualism so as to bring blessings language has dual aspects: it is our means for to both the church members and the public. Let self-expression, for articulating our unique me begin with the mother-tongue church before I individuality; yet at the same time it is what we talk about the English-speaking church. have in common with other members of our The mother-tongue language (MTL) church community, what makes us like them and binds is a unique community in Singapore. From the us to them. As a consequence, language lies need of mother-tongue language promotion, MTL at the heart of the problem of membership - churches offer lifelong learning opportunities for in a group, in a culture, in a society, in a polity MTL acquisition. They also possess rich language - central to almost every theoretical issue in resources. Take a Chinese-speaking church as social and political study. an example, there are different generations of members gathered at one place, many of them This passage elucidates to us the social were educated in Chinese-stream schools who character and functions of language: If we want are now committed members in the church. As a to join a community, mastering its language is an unique mother-tongue community, I wonder if MTL important step. Viewed from this perspective, it churches can expand their notion of community is not difficult to feel the heartbeat of this island service by including MTL promotion. In this area, state through its language policy: it wants to be it is worth mentioning that the 2010 MTLR report a member of two worlds: the world of global states that the Ministry of Education supports economy and technology on the one hand, and schools to work the wider community to create that of traditional cultures and values on the other. opportunities for students to use ”MTL and imbue Bilingualism enables Singapore to become the right culture and values.” If that church can a member of modern states while keeping her consider expanding the concept of community Asian identity – using Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien service to include MTL promotion, I believe this Loong’s words: “Knowing MTL helps to centre us will be a blessing to the society. The challenge, as an Asian society and retain our Asian roots and however, is our understanding of the relationship values.” Described as a cornerstone of Singapore’s between the Gospel and mother tongue, and the education policy, it indicates a wavering resolution relationship between the Church and our national to hold together modern achievements and language policy. cultural tradition. Whatever the economic and For the English-speaking churches, I will make
17 TEACHING ARTICLE
the same appeal as I have made to the MTL language policy is no trivial matter. To sort out churches: and that is to engage in the national these matters, there is no better place to start than policy of bilingualism, and to discern the role the one’s own context. Church plays. How can the church teach children The language landscape may be shifting, but to appreciate their own mother tongue and the Singapore is still far from being a post-mother- mother tongue of others? In this respect, I am tongue or even post-dialect society. Despite what thinking about the idea of a “MTL fortnight” in the nation is trying to do in terms of preserving her modernity and Asian identity, some people still think that Singapore will eventually become an HOW CAN THE CHURCH TEACH Anglophone in Asia. Whether from the perspective CHILDREN TO APPRECIATE of national policy or social reality, this may still be a wild guess, at least for now. THEIR OWN MOTHER TONGUE
AND THE MOTHER TONGUE OF Revd Dr Lim Teck Peng is an ordained Baptist OTHERS? minister with theological degrees from the University of Edinburgh and King’s College London. schools. Besides Chinese and Tamil members, He was the TTC Director of the Centre for the there are also members of many other races in Development of Christian Ministry (now EQUIP); the English-speaking church. Is it possible for President of the Baptist Theological Seminary; and the church to consider finding different ways to currently Associate Dean of TTC and member of remember and celebrate the stories of encounter the ATESEA Theological Union (ATU) Senate. His between different ethnic communities and the research interests include developing a Christian Gospel, so that more people will appreciate the view of education from the canonical perspective. relationship between culture and Christ? As a In the light of the rise of civil society in Asia, he Christian community that places great emphasis on is also interested in the significance and efiicacy cross-cultural missions, sorting out the relationship of Christian religious education in nurturing between the Gospel and mother tongue, and the Christian agency. Dr Lim worships with his family at relationship between the Church and our national Queenstown Baptist Church.
Trinity Theological An Invitation College
Trinity Theological An Invitation2020 College OPEN HOUSE2020 OPEN HOUSE
22 Jan 2020, Wed, 8:15am - 2:00pm TTC Campus @ 49022 Jan Upper 2020, Wed,Bukit 8:15am Timah - 2:00pm Road TTC Campus @ 490 Upper Bukit Timah Road Come join us for lectures, worship at the chapel, interact with Come join us for lectures, worship at the chapel, interact with faculty and studentsfaculty during and students community during community lunch, tour lunch, the tour campus, the campus, and have a one-to-oneand have meeting a one-to-one with meeting faculty with if facultyadvice18 if advice is needed. is needed. Register today at http://ttc.edu.sg/english/open-house/oph2020/Register today at http://ttc.edu.sg/english/open-house/oph2020/ DEANERIES & GLOBAL MISSIONS
ACROSS Update by Revd Michael Teh, Chairman of ACROSS
ombok, Indonesia was rocked by two consecutive earthquakes, both of magnitude 6.9, on 5 August and 18 August 2018. Over 560 deaths were recorded and thousands of Lhomes were damaged. ACROSS responded by sending teams on five trips to four affected villages. These teams provided medical aid, and helped with food distribution, Above: Revd Michael Teh with a village leader (centre) and and the construction of new toilets and drains. the village chief (right)
A year after the disaster, ACROSS has embarked Below: Initial stage of concreting the upper tank. Water will on a reconstruction and rehabilitation project to be piped to all the homes via gravity flow; Lower tank next facilitate the building of two large concrete water to a well. Water will be regularly pumped from this lower storage tank up to the upper storage tank. tanks for one of these hillside villages. The lower and upper storage tanks can respectively hold about 114,000 litres and 54,000 litres of water. This community development project is in line with ACROSS’ objective to do outreach and support communities affected by natural disasters.
ACROSS is also supporting a Christian NGO’s efforts to set up a business in Lombok’s capital city of Mantaram as a mission point. This business is expected to be self-sustaining from its onset.
We continue to pray that we may fulfil Jesus’ command to “…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
Laying of flexible water pipes Levelling the reinforced base of the upper tank
The Anglican Crisis Relief, Outreach and Support (ACROSS) helps to mobilise and coordinate support from our parishes to people affected by natural crises and disasters, by providing healthcare, education administration, counselling and other community services.
19 DEANERIES & GLOBAL MISSIONS NEPAL
Revd Canon Dr Michael Poon with his class of theological students, at the Catholic retreat centre in the outskirts of Kathmandu, November 2017
THE IMPACT OF THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION ON THE ANGLICAN CHURCH IN NEPAL
by Sujan Tamang (Administrator, Anglican Training Centre)
heological education is the most essential is geographically far away for many students. We component in the establishment of the also face an attrition rate of students who decide Anglican Church in Nepal. It enables local not to be involved in ministry after their training, Tchurch ministers to preach and teach God’s word prioritizing a practical and financial objective (1 Peter 5:1-4) and guard their faith in Christ (Jude instead. Still others face a lack of job opportunities 1:3). after completing their education. At the start of the Anglican Church in Nepal, we For the future, rarely found theological colleges, seminaries and the leadership training centres, but by the grace of God, these plans to continue have since increased in number and there are to encourage now more opportunities for people to get trained individuals to use for Christian ministry. The number of theological their gifts and skills students is increasing by the year. There are to develop the now more than sixty who have completed their Anglican Church seminary education and are in part-time or full-time in Nepal; to send church ministry; and more than eighty theological those with potential students currently enrolled in seminary. Short- to upgrade their term training provided by international teachers education; to and local clergy have also helped pastors and develop our ministry leaders from many parts of Nepal gain resources such as biblical knowledge. a physical library There are some challenges that we face in and e-library; and providing theological education: Most local building a seminary churches are unable to support the cost of training and training centre Graduands their leaders. Also, most of the colleges and of our own. training centres are located in the capital city, which
20 A VILLAGE PASTOR by Shakti (Assistant Pastor of Tajimrang Church)
am 23 years old and a visiting pastor looking after nine Anglican churches located in nine rural villages in Upper Dhading. This job is not Ieasy because the people from these remote areas are not educated and need the Word of God presented to them in their native languages. It THE INAUGURATION OF requires much prayer and effort. All the churches are in villages where there are no roads, so commuting between them takes a lot ANGLICAN YOUTH of time. Many youth and children are growing in their faith but need guidance. Many people have NETWORK NEPAL heard the Gospel but do not know how to live the Christian life. This makes it difficult for them to by Basan Ghatane (Chairman of Anglican Youth share God’s love with others. Many others still have Network Nepal, and Youth Pastor of Church of Christ not heard the Good News of Jesus Christ. Lack the Nazarene) of theological knowledge is the main problem in these areas. Even the pastors in the churches n 2017, believing that youths are first fruits to God, do not know how to read and write well. There Yam Shrestha (youth leader of Golgotha Church), Surie are lots of believers but a lack of leaders. To see Tamang (Living Hope Church), Niran Karki (Golgotha change in Christianity in Nepal, we need to work IChurch) and I, Basan Ghatane (youth pastor of Church of in these villages. Christ the Nazarene), met to brainstorm about starting an All the churches are in the process of Anglican Youth Ministry. Our vision became a reality with development. The work of God is growing day the launch of Anglican Youth Network Nepal. by day. Many people are coming to Christ, which demands good leadership in the churches. If we Our Challenge to Our Youths go on praying and continuing the work, all the The formation of Youth Network has really impacted our villagers will come to Christ and they can help to Anglican youths. It has given them hope and opportunities share the love of God to other villages. to form and work towards a common vision. Since its We need to pray for the growth and spiritual inception, the Network has seen exponential increases development of our church leaders and for all the in youth involvement. We are challenging them to serve churches to fulfill God’s Great Commission. God right where He has placed them. God has called us to be His witnesses, and the best form of witness we can be is within our individual worlds where we work, study, conduct business, or whatever else we are doing. Many youths want to be involved in full-time ministry, which is a very good thing; but we cannot accommodate everyone in the organization or hire them as full-time staff. We do understand their heart for ministry and passion to serve God. Hence, we are taking their desire as an opportunity to challenge them to serve God in everything that they do and glorify God in all things as in 1 Corinthians 10:31.
Future Plans: To develop the next generation of leaders, we will soon do small group and core group bible studies, which will be very systematic and biblical. We will work with the Associate Dean of Nepal, Revd Rinzi Lama, to organize inter-church quizzes. We will also form and develop Anglican music and worship teams and worship leaders. Regarding mission and church planting, we aim to discover new places where the Gospel has not reached and no church planted. We will identify the needs of Pastor Shakti, Assistant Pastor of Tajimrang these areas, and meet these needs through social work Church and other ways to build God’s kingdom.
21 DEANERIES & GLOBAL MISSIONS
The camp that started it all. CTTL & CCOH Participants from 1-Choice 2018. MISSIONS DEPARTMENT TRAINING SUPPORT TO THE DEANERY OF VIETNAM
by James Tan (Head, Missions Department) and Heng Fu Wen (Diocesan Missions Coordinator) VIETNAM
n June 2018, the Diocese’s Missions Department jointly conducted with the Deanery of Vietnam the biennial 1-Choice Camp in Doson, Vietnam. Focusing on Servant Leadership, Vietnamese teens and young adult leaders from Church of the True Light (CTTL) Iin Hanoi, and Church of Christ Our Hope (CCOH) in Ho Chi Minh City learnt first-hand the proper posture and essential skills of being a servant leader. As part of the Missions Department’s efforts to strengthen the next-generation of leaders, the leadership development journey with A CTTL leader presenting her team's analysis both churches continued post-camp. Since August 2018, a customized series of leadership development workshops and four experiential “We learnt two useful and important tools: learning workshops have been conducted with 1) using SWOT analysis and 2) setting of CTTL and CCOH’s leaders. SMART objectives to look at our church with It has been heartening to witness the a positive perspective. Even though it may participants challenge their existing mindsets, be challenging for us to apply what we have apply the skills taught and engage each other in learned, we could see that our church would problem-solving and future-planning. Here are be able to contribute something for Vietnam some of their reflections: to extend God’s kingdom.” REVD JACOB VU
22 “The workshops gave us a deeper look into the purpose of missions and how to apply servant leadership in missions. We learnt to identify key areas of the church that may need targeted resources as well as opportunities or opposing environmental factors that could affect church strategy. Everyone was excitedly involved in each teamwork activity which also helped us view things from different angles.” TRAN LAN ANH The Missions Dept is committed to help churches in Vietnam and in our other deaneries “Unlocking a clue” as part of leadership challenge equip and mobilise its next-generation servant activities during the workshop leaders. May God empower our indigenous churches to strengthen and commit themselves “I am hard to please, so it was difficult for me for the Great Commission! to trust my team members. But I have learnt to change my rigid mindset and the importance of empowering others as leaders. I have realized that the problem was not my team members but my stubbornness in not seeing the potential of others. This series of workshops has encouraged me to contribute further to my church.” GABBIE VO
“The participants really enjoyed the training because the workshop was very practical and helpful. Instead of just theory, games and activities were used to convey ideas. It challenged participants to recognise their potential as leaders in a church context so that they may be more Delighted participants from the July 2019 involved in church ministry.” REVD NGUYEN HONG CHI workshop at CCOH
ANGLICAN PARTNERSHIP AND A NEW ANGLICAN SCHOOL IN INDONESIA ST MARGARET’S SCHOOL, PONTIANAK by Revd Dr Timothy Chong (Dean of Indonesia)
ocated along the equator, Pontianak was founded as a capital and trading port of the Sultanate of Kadriyah in 1771, and is widely Lknown as Kota Khatulistiwa (Equatorial City). Today, it is the provincial capital of West Kalimantan. Like the rest of the West Kalimantan Province, Pontianak‘s population has a high percentage of people of Chinese ancestry. One reason for this INDONESIA can be traced to the establishment of the Lanfang Republic - a tributary state of Qing China - from 1777 until Dutch occupation occurred in 1884. To develop Anglican work in Pontianak, the Deanery of Indonesia (DOI) and the Diocese of Kuching (DOK) partnered to plant St James’-St Margaret’s Church, Pontianak and St Margaret’s This work marks a revitalization of the DOI- School, Pontianak. Spearheaded by Canon Andy DOK partnership that started when our Province of Shie from the Diocese of Kuching, the Anglican South East Asia was formed in 1996. The local work entities in Brunei, namely St Margaret’s Church, St of establishing the school and church is helmed by James’ Church and St Margaret’s School (Brunei), Pastor Kristofel Buyung, nephew of Revd Dr Yopie generously invested SGD 2.2 million in a property Buyung (DOI). that consists of a warehouse, four shophouses The renovated premises will be consecrated on and an additional 1.8 hectares of cemetery land 15 December 2019 by the Bishop of Kuching, the that the previous property owner included as a Rt Revd Danald Jute. donation. 23 CHURCH IN SINGAPORE DOES YOUR HEART BREAK They spent three hours cooking dinner for us on their by Seah Cheng, day off. They used a shirt as oven mitts to carry back a TOO? Staff, Migrant x Me pot of rice from another site. am a 25-year old average Joe who has gone this level of commitment! But nervously, I replied, through Singapore’s education system and was “Fifth floor”. walking down a life-path towards a career in an oil company that paid $3,000-$4,000 per month He was finally a human being to me, I– income that I would have used to save up for a a person made in the image of God. BTO (built-to-order public housing) and marriage. But what is it if I gain the whole world, but have not done anything for the Kingdom? Today I’m a He nodded, thanked me, and sat back down. full-time staff at Migrant x Me, a social enterprise Curious, I asked him, “Brother, why you ask me that addresses the needs of the migrant worker in what floor I stay?”. He explained that he would Singapore. When I meet Christ face-to-face, I really have asked his co-worker to bring the lift down for want to hear those words, “You clothed me and me if I live on a high floor, so I wouldn’t have to fed me when I was naked and hungry. You did it for climb the stairs. Whether this was protocol or from me when you did it for the least of these brothers” the kindness of his own heart, his sincerity and act (Matthew 25:36-40). of charity made me feel so ashamed. I gave him two bottles of Coke, but God wasn’t done with my heart yet. My Story of God Changing My Heart I used to avoid migrant workers. I wouldn’t stand Over the next few months, Amanda kept urging next to them, sit with them, or eat near them if I me to join her and my girlfriend to meet Kamrul could help it. I could give many reasons why I was for dinner together. Even though it was three of us like this: the adults in my life modelled racism; and one of him, I was still afraid. It was only after Singapore was going through a xenophobic the third dinner two months on that I finally saw phase; personal experiences. him as a friend, and not just a “migrant worker”. He Then in May 2019, Amanda, the migrant was finally a human being to me, a person made ministry leader from my girlfriend’s church, in the image of God. I could respect him and call introduced me to Kamrul, an HDB cleaner from him ‘friend’, not ‘worker friend’. This was a huge Bangladesh. In a simple 20-minute conversation, breakthrough for me, I felt my heart was pulled he told me about the steep agent fee ($8000SGD) out of the sinful veil of objectifying human beings. he paid to come to Singapore. Two months later, my heart had grown so much I found out that most workers for the workers and their plight take one to three years to pay off that when the job with Migrant x this debt, before they can begin Me came up, I jumped at it. to send any money home. Even though I started to care, I didn’t God’s Words to Me want to commit. I was afraid of I heard God through this verse, what Amanda would ask of us, "You shall treat the stranger who but she simply said, “I hope from sojourns with you as the native now on you guys will at least among you, and you shall love smile to a worker”. I felt that this him as yourself, for you were was within my comfort zone, and strangers in the land of Egypt: I easy enough to do. Little did I We brought a guitar to fellowship and am the Lord your God." know God had other plans in sing with them. Leviticus 19:34 mind for me. On my way home that same evening, I was They rest on cardboard sheets at given a divine chance to immediately apply what I void decks, I sleep on pillows in learned: A worker was sitting at my lift lobby while his co-worker was fixing the lift. I looked at him, air-conditioned rooms. smiled, and to my shock he stood up and shook my hand. He asked, “Which floor you stay?”. This When I read “the stranger”, I immediately think of was too much for me to handle, I didn’t ask for the migrant workers who built our nation - literally.
24 CHURCH IN SINGAPORE
Their sweat and labour built the concrete roof that shelters me from the elements; installed the THE CELEBRATION OF HOPE lifts that take me up and down, and the pipes that carry water for my shower. When I walk past them MIGRANT WORKERS as they take their lunchtime rest at the void deck, I think about the privacy and comfort I get to enjoy OUTREACH from having my own air-conditioned room. I have by Karen Wong a shelf and an Xbox; they share a room with twelve other workers, their belongings crammed onto half a bunk bed. rom the Celebration of Hope’s inception and God’s heart breaks for the poor and through every stage of its planning, the need oppressed, does your heart break to include Singapore’s migrant workers in our Foutreach efforts was a very clear mandate from God. too? Beyond the five rallies held this May that catered to the Chinese-speaking, English-speaking, Tamil- I was comfortable before, when these people were speaking, Filipinos and children, COH has organised invisible to me, but now that God has opened my special-focused Migrant Workers Outreaches for eyes, how can I look past them any longer? They the second half of this year. This outreach has three are human and made in His image, just like me. principal foci: God loves them, but… do I? There may be some 1. Appreciate and Honour who want to turn away after reading up to this 2. Bring Help point. Please don’t. God’s heart breaks for the 3. Change Hearts poor and oppressed, and if you belong to Him, your heart should shatter like Christ’s. APPRECIATE AND HONOUR Carnival Of Honour Two carnivals headed by St. Andrew’s Cathedral will be held on cathedral grounds in December to honour migrant workers from Myanmar and the Philippines, If you wish to love in particular. It promises to be an afternoon of fun your neighbour, games and delightful Singaporean hawker fare. Thank You Parties @ The Dorms you need to know Anchored by TOUCH International, this initiative your neighbour. will see local churches ‘adopt’ a migrant worker dormitory and co-sponsor an on-site appreciation Migrant x Me is a social buffet banquet to honour the approximate 500 enterprise that aims residents at each dorm. to foster an inclusive society by empowering BRING HELP youth to care, respect Cheng conducting a learning Although there are close to 1.4 million migrant journey for secondary school and treat the migrant students at Farrer Park. workers working in Singapore, there are only 44 worker with human churches and Christian organisations that are serving dignity. They do this through public education them in some way. Various ministries to migrant talks and workshops about migrant issues in workers already exist. These include Healthserve, Singapore, and experiential programmes such as Migrant X Me, Hagar Singapore, Big Red Button, their “learning journeys”. The goal of Migrant x Me Indian Ministries Network, and Alliance of Guest is to empower Singapore’s youth by expanding Workers’ Outreach. Celebration of Hope aims to their awareness and knowledge, and opening create greater awareness and rally sustainable channels for them to help the migrant community. support for these ministries. A participant from a baptist church said, “Attending Migrant x Me left me with an even CHANGE HEARTS greater resolve to strive for positive change, WHO’S BEHIND THAT WALL? starting with myself. They can also help to cultivate Story Book – THE BIG READ WITH the spirit of other-centeredness in your church MUMMY AND DADDY community.” This is a pre-school family education initiative to increase children’s Interested parties and individuals who wish to take awareness of and appreciation for part in their mission and programmes may sign up Singapore’s migrant workers. The on their website migrantxme.com to participate or books were distributed through email [email protected]. childcare and early childhood education centres and networks.
25 TEACHING ARTICLE THE CHURCH CALENDAR ITS RELEVANCE AND USEFULNESS FOR OUR SPIRITUALITY TODAY by Revd Ian Chew, Deacon at Chapel of the Resurrection
ne of the first acts by God after her truly critical mission of proclaiming delivering the Israelites out of God’s mighty acts in Christ in living out a Egypt was to institute through comprehensive set of Christian themes Moses the commemoration through the liturgical calendar: Oof the Passover meal and the Feast of the • Christians died and are buried with Christ Unleavened Bread as a thanksgiving and • Christians are raised with Him to new life worship to God for His redemption of Israel • Christians are filled with His Spirit (Ex 12). It was likely that the Israelites, “while • Christians advance the mission of God working as slaves, were not addicted, or by the power of the Spirit even aware of, calendar watching.”1 Yet • Christians await Christ’s return 4 the institution of a new way of celebrating festivals and keeping time was more than just Further, the spirituality of the Church is enriched an object lesson in itself – it represented and through the awareness of her pilgrimage from actualized the transformation of the Israelites from earth to heaven brought to life by observing the slaves of Egypt to the glorious people of God. By Christian Calendar. Each liturgical season provides memorializing ordered rituals and ceremonies, a Christ-centred context in which the weekly Israel is in effect declaring the lordship and liturgy derives its meaning and significance. The rulership of Yahweh over themselves in a real and Sunday service is thus not just a mindless ritual concrete way (Lev 23:43). repeated week after week but a high-point of commemoration or celebration of that particular Just as the establishment of a calendar was crucial time of the church year in the lectionary. Each to the formation of the ancient covenant people, a weekly liturgy presents a fresh interpretation that new way of marking time is critical to the spiritual brings us deeper into the mystery of Christ. Some health of the church today. It is essential that examples of how this could possibly work out the church, as God’s new covenant community, would be for the worship service to focus on the experiences and expresses the transforming cost of discipleship during the Lenten season or power of the gospel materially and corporately, in the importance of being continually filled with the radical opposition to the culture and principles of Spirit during season of Pentecost. 5 fallen humanity. The Church Calendar thus offers such a platform. From a macro perspective of the rhythm of the festivities (high points) and ordinariness (ebbs) within a liturgical year, different elements of The church calendar helps the Christ-life dynamics are heightened and us experience the power celebrated. For instance, the Church enters into an expectation and celebration of the coming of of the gospel. Christ during the Advent/Christmas/Epiphany cycle, and repentance and rejoicing during the Within the liturgical seasons of the Church, the Lent/Triduum/Easter cycle. These two high points Christian faith is not only conveyed through in the Calendar are interspersed by two periods of the weekly celebration of the resurrection of Ordinary time characterized by a focus on church Jesus on the Lord’s day, but also through the teachings woven within its sense of continued commemoration of God’s history of redemption mission to the world within the active presence of in Christ, anchored in the three principal feasts the Spirit. In all of this, a sense of “the already and – Easter Day, Ascension Day and Pentecost.2 By not yet” kingdom of God within the continuing observing the liturgical year in such a manner, journey of the Church is brought out acutely. “the Church rehearses and actualizes the gospel story, which is the history of the triune God in Established liturgical practices are not our the Church.”3 Instead of being preoccupied with inventions but are the Spirit’s concrete works. current fads in society, the Church articulates Furthermore, the Church as the temple of the Spirit,
1 Victor P. Hamilton, Exodus: An Exegetical Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2011), 179. 2 Constitution of the Sacred Liturgy, no. 102 states, “Within the cycle of a year… [the church] unfolds the whole mystery of Christ, from the incarnation and birth until the ascension, the day of Pentecost, and the expectation of blessed hope and of the coming of the Lord.” 3 Simon Chan, Liturgical Theology: The Church as Worshiping Community (Downers Grove, Il: InterVarsity Press, 2006), 164. 4 Ibid., 164-165. 5 Robert E. Webber, The Worship Phenomenon: A Dynamic New Awakening in Worship is Reviving the Body of Christ (Nashville, TN: Abbott Martyn, 1994), 114. 26 distinguished by certain core practices, reminds us no long-term collective memory, and therefore that established liturgical practices are not our own no self-identity, that will enable it to judge the inventions but are the Spirit’s concrete works. It is the novelties and fleeting fashions of the day in Spirit that makes these distinctive practices possible light of the enduring truth of Scripture which it – practices that form the Church. If we believe that purports to uphold. the Holy Spirit directs the Church in her growth throughout the centuries and the liturgical year an Shepherds can concentrate on bringing out the integral part of her life, then observing the Church Christ-centred motifs within the liturgical season Calendar facilitates the continuing work of the Spirit to feed the flock. Freed from having to adapt to the in forming the Church. ever-changing directions and foci of the church, the congregation can be led to contemplate on Undoubtedly, the liturgical year has been commonly the revelation of Christ through the calendar. presented as if it were an effective lesson plan Such an outworking can definitely involve a more educating about the life of the Church. However, this deliberate and conscious incorporation of our perspective is secondary in importance compared to worship expressions within the larger themes of the reality of its power in transforming our Christian the life of Christ. life. Massey Shepherd states the traditional view with vigour and clarity, The Church as Christ Embodied Ultimately, the question of whether or not to "The Christian year is a mystery through which observe the liturgical year is tied with the larger every moment and all the times and seasons of perspective of one’s understanding of the nature this life are transcended and fulfilled in that reality of the Church. Contrary to popular understanding, which is beyond time. Each single holy day, each the Church should not be conceived as another single gospel periscope in the sequence of the entity within the larger creation but as one prior year, is of itself a sacrament of the whole gospel. to creation. The Church precedes creation in that Each single feast renews the fullness and fulfilment it is what God has in view from all eternity and of the Feast of feasts, our death and resurrection creation, and is the means by which God fulfils with Christ." 6 His eternal purpose in time. Scripture testifies to the logical priority of the Church over creation by Consequently, a real relationship exists between the referring to the Church as the chosen in Christ liturgical celebration and the reality being celebrated, before the creation of the world (Eph 1:4). The such that the participants in the celebration become central implication of such a view is that the participants in the saving reality.7 There is an actual Church, rather than existing as a means for the and efficacious grace for new faith and life through salvation of the world, is the fulfilment of God’s the observance of the calendar. Observing the creation and exists to bring glory to God. church calendar frees us from keeping up with fads to focus on Christ. The implication of the Church as the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27) is that the Church as the What It Means For The Church Today embodied Christ is to be “Christ” for the world. Fads tend to drive the liturgical practices of most The Church by her faith and life and by being true contemporary churches today. While it is good to its calling as Church, makes clear the gospel 8 to incorporate useful practices within the Church, in the world. Such an understanding liberates we need to realize that the Church is more than an the Church from the pressures and expectations organization; it is the Body of Christ that is indwelt of the world, to be faithful to what she was by the Spirit. The insidious danger of plunging created to be. And her received liturgy provides headlong into new methods of gaining membership a powerful affirmation of her identity, as well as and remaining “relevant” to society is that at its counter narrative, to modern societal trends. heart, we substitute the worship of the living God with the glorification of earthly purposes and human Therefore, instead of outliving its usefulness, ambitions. The consequences of such practices are the Church Calendar is still very relevant in our the subversion of Christ’s gospel and the compromise contemporary situation where God’s presence is of the Church’s spirituality. unveiled, encompassing both joy and longing in our hearts. It truly is akin to “a rich feast.” 9 Without anchoring itself within its living and continuing tradition, the modern church will have
6 Massey H. Sheherd, Liturgy and Education (NY: The Seabury Press, 1965), 99. 7 Leonal L. Mitchell, Praying Shapes Believing: A Theological Commentary on The Book of Common Prayer (Harrison, PA: Morehouse Publishing, 2002), 14. 8 Chan, 39-40. 9 Joyce Ann Zimmerman, Liturgy as Living Faith: A Liturgical Spirituality (Scranton: University of Scranton Press, 1993), 126.
27 YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS
SET APART DYB WORSHIP NIGHT 2019
by Cherlie Cheong (Diocesan Youth Board Coordinator) Photos by Darrel Goh & Vicson Huang
t was a night to remember for the 450 youths Youth Pastor Alvin Chee from Church of the from across the three language-speaking Good Shepherd, and committee member of DYB Anglican congregations who gathered at St Worship Night, said, “Joseph Chean challenged James’ Church on 27 July for a special time of us to pursue the call God puts in our lives, even encountering God. if we don't have all the pieces. This summarises The night began with a rousing time of my experience in Worship Night. When I was praise and worship, led by the team from St James’ approached to be part of the committee, I had no IChurch and Church of the Good Shepherd. Eugene idea what to expect. But as we worked together, this Toh, Church of Our Saviour, found the worship team from at least three different congregations time really special, “Coming from a Chinese bonded with a heart of worship, and the pieces congregation, I was amazed to experience how started to come together.” worship transcends language! As we sang the He added, “That night, when youths from first song, I told myself that even though the song Anglican churches all over Singapore gathered was unfamiliar to me, I will worship in spirit. As we to worship God with one voice, we saw what God sang, I really felt God’s presence!” had planned all along. We saw how beautiful it is In line with the night’s theme, Set Apart, Samuel when a whole generation across the nation unites August from St Paul’s Church shared his personal in worship and surrender to God. I thank God that journey of coming to faith and the cost of his I could be a part of this.” decision to follow Jesus, which involved the pain Worship team co-leader Calvin Gan from of leaving his home and family. St James' Church said, “One of the highlights After this, Joseph Chean, National Director of tonight was my reunion with old friends from Youth with a Mission (YWAM) shared God’s Word. different parishes. These are friends I made in DYB His sharing included an informal interview with programmes like SERVE, Diocese Youth Camp and Amos Chong from Church of the Good Shepherd, other DYB gatherings from the past. It is wonderful about his decision to serve full-time in YWAM. He to realise that so many of us are now serving full- closed his session by challenging the youth to rise time in ministry. up and serve God. The night ended with the youth He added, “This experience solidified for me praying for one another. the vision of Kingdom building in Singapore. I
28 YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
ROMANS 12:1-2
The worship & PA team from St James Church and Church of the Good Shepherd Speaker Joseph Chean, National Director of YWAM
believe that God seeks to establish His Kingdom through us, in the unique communities He has DIOCESAN YOUTH BOARD placed us in as individuals. Beyond momentary highs, I pray that God stirs in us a passion for His EVENTS FOR 2020 glory, in the daily, so that when we meet again, the natural effects of unity and oneness in vision may SERVE lead us on to greater things as a Diocese.” 2 Jan – 23 January (Core) | 10 March (Extended) The huge turnout was a great encouragement for the staff team. We are immensely thankful for Youth Pastors and Leaders Lunch every youth and young adult who helped make this 13 February evening possible. They served the Body of Christ with the gifts that God gave them, and did so with Diocesan Youth Training Certification I joy and passion. Everyone, even the participants, 25 – 26 March had a role to play and played it so well. It makes us hopeful for greater things to come! Prayer Week 28 June – 5 July
Youth Pastors and Leaders Gathering 27 August
Young Adults Ministry Event 25 September
Diocesan Youth Training Certification II 8 – 9 October
Games Day 21 November
Youths praying for one another 29 Staff of Sonshine Childcare Centre with their SPARK award, with members from Chapel of the Resurrection
ANGLICAN PRESCHOOLS RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF MOMENTOUS CHALLENGES by Dr Esther Tan, Diocesan Secretary for Preschools, Education Board ike other faith-based preschools, Anglican of more than 30 years. The Centre had run into preschools are facing great challenges in deficit for three years due to high operating costs, the fast changing landscape of preschool falling enrolment and manpower issues. Upon education, especially those located at HDB hearing the news that the parish was considering Lvoid decks. Increasingly, they have to compete closing down the Centre, more than 50 concerned with new centres coming up in the neighbourhood parents signed a petition to keep the Centre open. operated by AOP (Anchor Operators) and POP The parents cited the preschool’s emphasis on (Partner Operators). These centres enjoy heavy Christian values, the care shown by the teachers subsidies from the government so they are able and the close-knit community as reasons that drew to pay high salaries to their staff but keep school them to the preschool. Some of the parents, who fees low. Nevertheless, unfazed in the face of such are themselves alumni of the preschool, assured challenges, our Anglican preschools soldier on. the management team that the Centre’s work One example is Sonshine Child Care Centre is still valued in the community and appreciated located at Bukit Batok operated by Chapel of the by the parents. The parents offered to help with Resurrection. With increases in operating cost fund raising and marketing efforts. They even but a drop in pupil enrolment, the Centre went volunteered to pay higher school fees to ease into the red. However, to overcome the odds, the financial burden of the Centre. Touched by the management, with strong support from the the parents’ genuine concern and sincere offer to parish, worked closely with the staff and managed help, the Parochial Church Committee met to re- to turn the situation around within two years. consider their decision to close down the Centre. This was done by using accumulated reserves. After reviewing a practical plan developed by the The management embarked on renovating the management team to strengthen the work of the Centre to give it a complete facelift, revamping Centre, the PCC members voted unanimously to the curriculum and investing in staff training. Their continue the operation of the Centre. This incident undaunted spirit and dedicated teamwork paid illustrates how a crisis can turn into an opportunity off. Pupil enrolment went up, revenue increased for growth and the development of resilience. The and, to top it all, the Centre was blessed with the genuine concern of the parents and their sincerity SPARK certification awarded by Early Childhood in offering help also highlights the importance Development Agency. Congratulations Sonshine and significance of two essential qualities that Child Care Centre, your resilience in the face of distinguish Christian preschools from secular adversity has done us proud! preschools – the teaching of Christian values and Another example is St Andrew’s Cathedral’s caring teachers who exemplify Christ’s love in Child Development Centre which has a history their daily interactions with the children and their parents. These are what really matter in touching hearts and transforming lives, and are the ultimate goals of our preschool ministry. These two preschools show that dealing with adversity head-on creates opportunity for growth. This is what resilience in the face of adversity is all about. Every challenge that our Anglican preschool centres navigate around, strengthens faith, builds confidence and hones our ability to conquer future obstacles. It is my fervent prayer that all our preschools will persevere and press on St Andrew’s Cathedral’s Child Development Centre in the Lord.
30 COMMUNITY SERVICES
BUILDING A NEW CONTINUUM OF CARE IN THE EAST
by the SACS – SAMH Corporate Communications Team
n September 2019, St Andrew’s Mission St. Andrew’s Senior Care Hospital (SAMH) was appointed by the (Bedok North Ministry of Health as the integrated operator and Bedok South) of three eldercare facilities – a nursing home • An Active Ageing Hub (NH) in Tampines North and a pair of Active combines the elements Ageing Hubs in Bedok North and Bedok South. of active ageing with day IWith these three facilities clustered around care, day rehabilitation St. Andrew’s Community Hospital and its acute and home care. SAMH hospital partner, Changi General Hospital, will also be opening 2 there is an opportunity to build a pioneering new Active Ageing Hubs, continuum of care to support eastern residents, St. Andrew’s Senior Care from acute hospital care, to community and (SASC) (Bedok North long-term care. This will enable SAMH to truly and Bedok South). provide holistic care to our patients. • SASC (Bedok South) is projected to begin St. Andrew’s Nursing Home and receiving clients in St. Andrew’s Senior Care at Tampines Street 62 second half of 2021, serving the community with 50 Home Care places and 100 Day Care places. • Meanwhile, SASC (Bedok North) is expected to begin operating in first half of 2022, with 50 Home Care places and 60 Day Care places. • As it is sited next to a childcare centre, St. Andrew’s Senior Care (Bedok North) also plans to work with the childcare centre to implement intergenerational programmes through which the centre’s clients can interact and bond with the children from the childcare centre. • With the addition of the new nursing home and senior care centres, the SAMH-SACS family will be able to serve a total of 1,697 • St. Andrew’s Nursing Home (SANH) is nursing home residents and 625 day care scheduled to open in 2022. The 9-storey clients island-wide by 2022. Home is SAMH’s first nursing home located in the eastern region of Singapore and has a co-located Senior Care Centre. • Situated near St. Andrew’s Community Hospital, the nursing home is planned to provide 277 NH beds, its co-located senior care centre will offer 100 Home Care places and 60 Senior Day Care places.
31 COMMUNITY SERVICES
OF THE COMMUNITY, BY THE COMMUNITY, FOR THE COMMUNITY ST ANDREW’S NURSING HOME (TAMAN JURONG) by the SACS - SAMH Corporate Communications Team
t Andrew’s Nursing Home (Taman Jurong) is “LET US COME BEFORE HIS the fourth nursing home set up by the Anglican Church. It aims to provide long-term nursing and PRESENCE WITH THANKSGIVING, Srehabilitative care for residents, including persons AND MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE with dementia and mental health issues and is the PSALM 95:2 first nursing home operated by Singapore Anglican UNTO HIM WITH PSALMS.” Community Services (SACS). St Andrew’s Mission Providing A Complete Hospital (SAMH) runs the other three. Suite of Services Many families benefit from the services of SANH (Taman Jurong). 91-year old Mdm Ang Swee Huay is an example. She was the sole caregiver for her two adult children, who are both dealing with mental health issues. She shared, “In late 2018, I was diagnosed with early signs of Mdm Ang Swee Huay (centre) and 30 August 2019 was a day of thanksgiving for dementia. Who would her two children, Ms Cheong Mee SANH (Taman Jurong) as it celebrated its official take care of my 57-year Choo and Mr Cheong Poh Fatt, who opening. Bishop Rennis Ponniah, President of SACS old daughter, Mee Choo, have all been living in SANH (Taman and SAMH, presided over a dedication service, where who is recovering from Jurong) since July 2019. With them are Mdm Ang’s daughter and god- he led the management committee and staff in a polio and depression, daughter, Ms Cheong May Leng pledge to commit to “being a light in society, relieving and my 56-year old (in black) and Ms Jenny Mok Yuet suffering and enriching lives with the love of Christ”. son, Poh Fatt, who Fong (in yellow). At the official opening ceremony, Senior Minister is recovering from Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Coordinating Minister for schizophrenia? I sought help for our long term care Social Policies and Advisor to Jurong GRC Grassroots needs. The opening of SANH at Taman Jurong is so Organisations, was the Guest of Honour. timely. I am relieved and assured that my children Highlights of the event included lively and I would be able to receive the nursing home performances by the Jurong Secondary School care we require. Most importantly, we get to stay Symphonic Band, the home’s nursing team, its together as a family in the same home!” volunteers and its residents. The audience was also treated to a song item by Dr Alex Su, Vice Chairman of For enquiries, please contact St Andrew’s Nursing Medical Board and Senior Consultant of the Institute Home (Taman Jurong) at 6411 0510 or email: of Mental Health and guitarist Mr Steady Goh. [email protected]
91-year old SANH (Taman Jurong) resident, Mr David Ong, sang You are My Sunshine while volunteers accompanied on ukuleles. COMMUNITY SERVICES
ANGLICAN SENIOR CENTRE (WOODLANDS) SERVING SENIORS IN THEIR GOLDEN YEARS by the SACS – SAMH Corporate Communications Team
he Anglican Senior Centre (ASC) (Woodlands) is the fourth senior activity centre operated by the Singapore Anglican Community TServices (SACS). Since the start of its operations in 2018, it has been serving as a communal space for seniors living in the neighbourhood to access social and recreational resources. The Centre organises an array of programmes and interest classes to encourage seniors to stay active physically and mentally while integrating them into the community. A dedication service and the Centre’s official opening ceremony took place on Dedication service on 6 July 2019 6 July 2019. “RISE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE AGED, SHOW RESPECT FOR THE ELDERLY AND REVERE YOUR GOD. I AM THE LORD.” LEVITICUS 19:32
At the dedication service conducted by Assistant Bishop Low Jee King, the management committee and staff of ASC (Woodlands) pledged Assistant Bishop Low Jee King (left) and Mr Keith Chua their commitment “to meet the physical, social, (right), presented a token of appreciation to Mr Vikram emotional and spiritual needs of the residents”. Nair for gracing the event. The gift was a set of hand- Mr Vikram Nair, Adviser to Admiralty sewn dolls that represent Singapore’s multiracialism, Grassroots Organisations (GROs) and Member of from the Mother and Child Project, a social enterprise of Parliament for Sembawang Group Representation SACS dedicated to helping disadvantaged women. Constituency (GRC), graced the Centre’s official opening ceremony as the Guest-of-Honour. Christ Church Secondary School Boys’ Brigade to Representatives from government and partner engage the residents. agencies, members of Admiralty GROs and SACS is deeply appreciative of the gracious residents also joined in the celebration. support given to ASC (Woodlands) by its partners, Guests got to take a tour around the Centre and volunteers and residents in the neighbourhood. visited booths that showcased the Centre’s various We endeavour to continue serving the community activities. There were also games stalls set up by with love and be a beacon of light to many.
The seniors at ASC (Woodlands) are actively engaged in a variety of programmes and interest classes. At the Centre’s official opening, they got to showcase their talents in a Cha Cha dance item, and in ukulele and Zumba performances. SINGAPORE HIGHLIGHTS
COMMISSIONING OF ST ANDREW’S CATHEDRAL’S ORGAN & BELLS by June Gwee
t was only 4.30 pm, but most of the seats in the Nave were filled. There was an air of quiet expectancy. Eyes and ears were attentive — occasionally casting glances on the TV monitors to catch glimpses of large bronze bells in the bell town and bell ringers getting ready Bells Ifor the Service, and at times peering at the organ The peal of twelve in the bell tower, each named and organist, waiting for the pipes to speak. It was after an apostle, is a combination of new and 11 August 2019 and a special day for St Andrew’s restored bells. The original peal of eight was Cathedral. The 5.00 pm Evensong Service was also first presented to the Cathedral by the family a Thanksgiving and Commissioning Service for of Captain John Small Henry Fraser, HEICS, in Organ and Bells where the pipe organ at the Nave 1889. In 2018, these eight bells were dismantled, and the bells in the bell tower were dedicated to restored, and new bells were added to the peal. God. When they returned in July 2019, the bells were Organs and bells are part of the Church and installed as a change-ringing peal, the first change Christian life. Inspired by God and crafted by ringing peal of twelve in Southeast Asia. In change man, these instruments were found in the first St ringing, bells are swung in an arc of 360 degrees Andrew’s Church in 1835 and they continue today to produce a cascade of sound. While Anglican to be an integral part of the life of the church church bells are typically rung by change ringing, at St Andrew’s Cathedral. The pipe organ and the Cathedral bells had been rung by striking bells are the Cathedral’s heritage and ministry. them with clappers. For ten days, before the The commissioning of these instruments, both Commissioning Service, bell ringers from the restored and new, is a symbolic outward gesture United Kingdom, Australia and Canada conducted that they are set apart for God — consecrated for intensive training for Cathedral members on the worship, praise and glory of God, to proclaim change ringing in preparation for this special the Gospel, and to touch the hearts of Man. occasion.
Pipe Organ The 2019 Nave organ is a combination of metal and wood pipes made at different time periods, controlled from a 4 manual + pedal console located in the Chancel but digitally connected to speak from speakers and pipes located in the West Gallery and South Vestry. This electronic organ has more than 1000 restored and new pipes. The restoration of pipes started in 2017 to conserve the Cathedral’s musical heritage and improve the grandeur of organ music for worship. The organ has a Choir division which allows pipes from the Chancel to speak and accompany the choir and a Great (with pipes), Swell and Solo divisions that speak from the West Gallery to lead The new expression box is fitted within the arches of the the congregation. South Vestry.
34 Bishop Low Jee King dedicates the Bells at the Organ and Bells Commissioning Service on Sunday 11 August 2019.
Stewards of Organ and Bells Witnessed by more than 700 people, guest organist John Powell Green filled the Nave with a prelude of organ hymns such as O Sacred Head, The Churches One Foundation and Praise my Soul the King of Heaven. The pipes regaled the congregation with the majestic processional hymn All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name.
New and restored organ pipes above the West Porch
Bicentennial year, to have a unique set in this part of the world. “May the bells ring in a new season and a new spirit in our diocese. May the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ be proclaimed with courage and clarity in the countries under our care. May the life of our mother-church be always one of mission, grace Guest organist John Powell Green and beauty, and may our witness to Christ's saving love extend throughout the city. It is a privilege and At the Cathedral’s 150th Festival in 1969, a calling. Therefore, we set apart not only the bells Bishop Chiu Ban It had said, “If we ignore the past, but ourselves for God's use and for God's glory.” we cannot understand the present or forecast As Canon Wong prayed over the organ and the future.” At this Commissioning Service, the Bishop Low Jee King blessed the bells and the bell Cathedral’s current vicar, Revd Canon Terry Wong, tower, these instruments were dedicated to glorify said, “Today, we are stewards over the church’s God and fulfil His purposes. treasures, both temporal and spiritual. Our role The Service closed with the pipes declaring is about passing on the treasures of the Church Lemmens’ jubilant Fanfare followed by bounteous faithfully.” rounds of change ringing, these sounds sealed the He added, “The dignity of worship lies in our promise that the organ and bells of the cathedral minds and hearts. If our lives can produce worship will be instruments of hope and deliverance for as beautiful as the tunes from these two musical the city. instruments, we can be music to the hurting ears in the city… For all these things - the organ, bells, the Nave, Bible - have their meaning in the Gospel… May we be ‘a vessel for honourable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work’ (2 Timothy 2:21).” Bishop Rennis Ponniah said of the occasion, “It is a good Anglican custom that we seek to do everything with prayer and faith. Today is an auspicious day for the cathedral community, and indeed for our whole diocese, as we commission the new set of cathedral bells as well as give thanks to God for the new organ pipes. We thank God for making it possible for us, on Singapore's A bird's eye view of the new and restored bells. PARISH SPOTLIGHT
A FLOCK SHEPHERDED BY THE GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY by Pastor Evangeline Khoo, Parish Worker at COGS
hurch of the Good Shepherd (COGS) commemorated our 60th Anniversary with a Thanksgiving Dinner Celebration on August 24, 2019. In his exhortation, CBishop Rennis began saying, “We want to thank the Lord today and continue to rely on Him.” And He reminded COGS that we are “a flock shepherded by the Good Shepherd”. From the beginning, the Church of the Good Shepherd was so named to remember the members of clergy whose belief in spreading the gospel to the Chinese-speaking population in Singapore contributed to its founding, and their generous donations to the building fund, A photo taken after COGS' first baptism service made possible and the completion of our church on 25 September 1960 building. These “under-shepherds” of Jesus the Good Chin Wah, then Vicar of St Matthew’s Church, who Shepherd include Revd Canon John Lee, who chaired the church building committee. balloted for and obtained our existing site along After the church building was completed, Dundee Road in 1959; Ven Robin Woods, who people gathered at the 8.30 am Chinese Service. secured a loan of $50,000 to erect the church Later, Revd Chris Ellison arrived to preach the building; Revd Canon Guok Koh Moh, Revd Ng Ho gospel to the English-educated children and youth Lay, Revd Canon John Lee, Revd Chin Tuck Ken and in the Queenstown community. By January 1963, other clergymen who donated more than $10,000 this youth ministry developed into the English to offset the increase in the cost of the church Congregation. The English Service was held at 5 building project; and Revd Canon James Leong pm in those days.
COGS TRIVIA: COGS CELEBRATES ITS ANNIVERSARY ON AUGUST 24 BECAUSE IT WAS ON THIS DATE IN 1959 THAT THE FOUNDATION STONE FOR THE CHURCH BUILDING WAS LAID BY ASSISTANT BISHOP ROLAND KOH.
Under the leadership of Revd Lau Teik Oon and Revd Norman Chan, COGS attained parish status on 9 March 1963. Since then, the Lord has continued to provide many “under-shepherds” to shepherd us. • Revd Cecil McSparron, who started the Boys’ Church of the Good Shepherd, circa 1960 Brigade 9th Singapore Company on 18 January 1972;
36 • Revd Canon James Wong, who became the priest-in-charge of the English Congregation in October 1972. He began the Extension Centre Project during the period of charismatic renewal in Singapore in the 1970s, which led to the founding of Chapel of the Resurrection and Marine Parade Christian Centre, among others; • Revd Christopher Tan, who started the English Congregation cell ministry and the Youth Explorer English youth ministry in the early From L to R : Revd Jonathan Wong, Bishop Rennis Ponniah and Vicar 1990s; Huang Ao-You blow out COGS' 60th anniversary birthday candles • Revd Canon Siow Chai Pin, who converted the 10.30 am Chinese service into a bilingual care shown to me when I first came to church. I got service in 1995; to know many new friends.” A teenager shared, • Revd Steven Lim, who formed the Boys’ “My fondest memory in COGS is when the youths Brigade 67th Junior Company and the 58th get together for youth camp and usually at the Girls’ Brigade Company in 1999 and 2000 end of youth camp we will sing one song and then respectively; all huddle together. I think that is a very sweet • Revd Soon Soo Kee, who led mission work to moment.” Vietnam and Cambodia from 2001; Several members echoed each other in • Revd Huang Ao-You, who took on chaplaincy appreciating the church community in COGS. A work at St Andrews’ Nursing Home (Henderson) youth member said, “I would like to thank God for with the support of the parish in 2017; and the people in COGS because I’m surrounded by • Revd Jonathan Wong, who planted the 10.30 many kind and caring uncles and aunties and a am English service in Tiong Bahru Plaza on very accepting bunch of youths.” March 10, 2019. Regarding their hopes and dreams for the future, an adult member said, “I would like our church COGS TRIVIA: ST ANDREW’S CATHEDRAL to remain as a family church where everybody is PARISH, ST. GEORGE’S GARRISON CHURCH, AND so family-oriented and we treat each other like HOLY TRINITY’S HOKKIEN CONGREGATION family. I also hope to see new families added to PROVIDED LEADERSHIP AS WELL AS FINANCIAL our church.” A youth said, “I wish for COGS to have AND MATERIAL RESOURCES DURING COGS’ unity, that we may support each other in everything INITIAL YEARS. we do. I think a good example of unity is this past church camp that we had, where we spent a lot Almost 700 people attended the 60th of time bonding.” She cheekily added, “I also wish Anniversary Thanksgiving Dinner celebrations, for in-ear monitors for the musicians!” The parish’s including diocesan representatives and past and beloved facilities manager, who received his long present clergy, parish workers, lay leaders and service award at the Dinner for 11 years of service, members. Looking at those gathered at the dinner, said, “My wish is for COGS members to dare to Bishop Rennis affirmed that COGS is “a flock that dream BIG so that COGS can be a Christ-centred produces many under-shepherds”. He noted community church in Queenstown.” affectionately that COGS Sunday School boys and girls have become pastors leading churches. COGS TRIVIA: OUR TWO-STOREY CHURCH Referring to Revd Canon James Wong and his son, HALL IS NAMED LOKE CHENG KIM CENTRE, IN Revd Jonathan Wong, he marvelled at how a father HONOUR OF MRS LOKE YEW CHENG KIM WHO and son have pastored at COGS. Notwithstanding DONATED TO ITS CONSTRUCTION IN 1972. the different gifts and personalities of the individuals, each one of the under-shepherds At the Dinner, Bishop Rennis challenged COGS from COGS bears the mark of the Good Shepherd to continue to shepherd unbelievers into God’s – they are willing to lay down their life for another. Kingdom. As one of the five Chinese-speaking parishes in the Diocese, it is needful to focus on COGS TRIVIA: DEACONESS LENA LIM WAS A harvesting the Chinese-speaking population in PASTORAL STAFF IN COGS BEFORE SHE BECAME Singapore, just as our founders had set out to do. THE FIRST CHINESE-SPEAKING DEACONESS IN “So, at your 70th anniversary, there will be new OUR DIOCESE IN 1996. churches,” exhorted Bishop Rennis. The next highlight for COGS will be the much- One of the highlights of the evening was the anticipated completion and consecration of its screening of a thanksgiving video where members new church building. May we follow the Good recounted their fondest memories in COGS. A Shepherd and rely on Him to build our church senior member said, “My fondest memory is the from strength to strength. Amen.
37 Revd David Lee ringing the bell at his induction as Vicar of COR
PARISH SPOTLIGHT MANY STORIES, ONE DESTINY CHAPEL OF THE RESURRECTION’S 40TH ANNIVERSARY by Lucilla Teoh
ith Christ in the vessel, we can smile at church camp onboard a cruise ship. In place of a camp the storm… as we go sailing home…” is a speaker, COR member and professional facilitator, Mr popular Sunday School song often sung Noel Tan, with his team of volunteers, led Dialogue 1: with“W great gusto, replete with appropriate gestures. a review and celebration of the past 40 years. The team This song could well have been the theme song for the guided the campers to reflect on their journeys and launch of Chapel of the Resurrection (COR) forty years the growth of the parish, and to record COR’s assets, ago, even as this maritime theme resonates in 2019. The story began when Revd Canon James Wong was still the Vicar of Church of the Good Shepherd (COGS). He had used the analogy of a ship to strongly encourage the congregation to move out and plant a church. The analogy he used was from a vision he had of a ship in dry docks. As water filled the dock and the gates opened, the ship launched out into deep waters. COR is that ship. Florence and Aw Yong Piow took on Canon Wong’s challenge and opened their flat in Holland Drive to host strengths and historical milestones. Dialogue 2 was held a home church. This home church eventually became in September to look towards the future. Holland Extension Centre. With just 12 worshippers when it started in September 1974, it grew and “Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains continued for five years before it joined with another of your habitations be stretched out; home church in Depot Road to form Chapel of the do not hold back; lengthen your cords and Resurrection in September 1979. Its first service was strengthen your stakes.” isaiah 54:2 for about 80 worshippers in the canteen of St Andrew’s Junior College (SAJC) along Malan Road. Assistant These words of the Prophet Isaiah could well sum up Bishop John Tan, who was then Revd John Tan and COR’s past 40 years. Principal of the College, played an instrumental role in Mr Joel Lian, a member of COR’s 40th Anniversary this transition. Steering Committee and the Parochial Church Council, For Christians, the number “40” has great shared that it was important, “to remember our roots, significance. To Revd David Lee, who was inducted as honour our pioneers, give thanks for the young…” and the fifth vicar of COR in January this year, 40 represents that the whole year was also about “affirming our faith, completeness and fullness of time”. He said, “The theme drawing closer as a community, and proclaiming the for our celebration Many Stories, One Destiny reminds Gospel.” us that God has assembled individuals and families One of the ways to do this is by telling the many from different walks of life in this church community over stories of COR. The church is producing two special the last 40 years. Each of us has a story to tell - a story of editions of the COR Magazine, CHORUS, which will God’s grace and mercy; of how God has led us to this feature 34 stories of individuals and families from all church and why we have congregation. Six stories are on social media platforms. called it home; of how this Ms Hannah Tang, who worships at the Saturday Praise family has been a blessing Service, shared her wish for COR in the first special to us and how we now edition of CHORUS which debuted at Easter: hope to bless others.” One of the ways COR As COR turns 40, I pray that God will give us the celebrated this theme grace to fulfil what He wants COR to be in the coming was by having this year’s years. Across generations of faith, we can support one
38 Noel Tan facilitating Dialogue 1 another to grow spiritually and to stand firm in the face of trials. Together as one family, I hope we will be witnesses of God’s love and provision.”
COR always celebrates its anniversary on Easter or Resurrection Sunday. The focus at this year's Easter Service was on rededicating lives for the next 40 years. Reflections on COR's Using litany prepared by Revd Lee, the four generational milestones Chong Family represented the congregants in thanking God for His work in and through COR over the past Pastor of Cornerstone Community Church, currently 40 years. Bishop Rennis then led church members in holds the position. rededicating themselves for the future. The after-service For the past 11 years, the Chinese congregations lunch at SAFRA Toa Payoh was a rowdy celebration that of the three churches in St Andrew’s Village (COA, CHS included clergy and members from the past. During and COR) collaborated to produce a Christmas Concert his message, Bishop Rennis echoed the prescient to reach out to the Potong Pasir community. This year, maritime theme by equating COR to an ocean liner and COR’s English congregation is additionally organizing encouraging the church to launch out into the deep. a Christmas Carnival for the residents “to make Christ known through loving service to the community.” Milestones From 80 members meeting at the school canteen in Church Planting Malan Road in 1979, COR moved to St Andrew’s Village COR is known for its church-planting efforts while under in 2005 and now has 800 across four adult services, the leadership of its first vicar, Canon James Wong. In two youth services and two children services in various 1979, COR formed the Bukit Timah Christian Centre, languages.. The Mandarin service was started in 1984 which became Chapel of Christ the King in 1986. It by Mr Tan Song Huat, David Tham and Tan Kee Han, also started Whampoa Christian Centre which became who felt the burden to reach out to heartlanders. Chapel of the Holy Spirit in 1986. From its inception, COR took on the chaplaincy of Started in 1988, Orchard Christian Centre merged SAJC. The number of church members who are alumni with Hougang Christian Centre in 2005. They joined the of the college reflects the fruit of this chaplaincy work. extension of St Andrew’s Cathedral’s Mandarin Service It also birthed the Mentor Programme which was to become St Andrew’s City Church in 2010. started almost 20 years ago by Pastor Loke Chi Shyan Planted in 1991, Bukit Batok Christian Centre and Revd Joshua Sudharman. It encourages those who merged with Jurong Christian Church in 2000 to have completede their A-levels to return to serve as become Westside Anglican Church. COR also started befrienders to SAJC students. Together with Chapel of Pasir Ris Family Christian Centre in 1991, which was the Holy Spirit and Church of the Ascension, the parish later renamed as Century Christian Fellowship. Under also provides pastoral oversight for St Andrew’s Hall, the leadership of Revd Christopher Chan,, it will soon SAJC’s student hostel. COR’s Youth Pastor, the recently become the English congregation of Church of the ordained Revd Ian Chew, helps to link the parishes with Epiphany. the hall residents, some of whom are ASEAN scholars. Between 1992 to 1995, COR’s Youth Ministry planted four young-adult congregations. Three of these merged to form Light of Christ City Church in 1997. Later, this combined with a diocesan outreach to become Light of Christ Church Woodlands. Beyond Singapore, COR has helped plant two churches in Indonesia and contributed to the building of Church of Christ Our Saviour in Prey K’dei Village in Kampung Speu, Cambodia. COR also sent out its first missionary family in 2018. Church member Mr Bernard Lee represents many in expressing his hope for COR. He wrote in the CHORUS Previous vicars “…May we be a church that manifests Christ’s hope, love of COR and fellowship from our youngest to oldest members, and in so doing, inspire others to come to COR to find Another significant milestone is COR's hosting of hope, comfort, peace, and most of all, eternal life.” the Festival of Praise (FOP) in 1986. This event was the COR has had five vicars in her 40 year history: Revd brainchild of its founding vicar, Revd Canon James Dr Canon James Wong, Revd Canon John Benson, Revd Wong, who was inspired while leading a COR team Daniel Tong, Assistant Bishop Kuan Kim Seng, and now to attend the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. The Revd David Lee. Looking ahead, Revd Lee is mindful Festival of Praise was a highlight for many Christians that God’s call to COR is steadfast and sure. He believes in Singapore for many years. The baton of chairing the that “God is reminding COR of the mission entrusted to committee passed to various pastors in the city after us -- to become a witness to Christ’s love, to save souls Canon Wong retired. Revd Yang Tuck Yoong, the Senior and to seek the welfare of the city.”
39 PARISH SPOTLIGHT IF MY PEOPLE... CHAPEL OF THE REDEEMER’S 30TH ANNIVERSARY
by Lucilla Teoh
hirty years ago, ten young adults from capture the vim and vigour of the past 30 years. St Andrew’s Cathedral were challenged to The magazine has three sections: Learning from pioneer a new work in Beach Road - the the Past, Faithful in the Present, and Hopeful for Golden Harvest Extension Centre. One of the Future. The magazine’s title, If My People… theT brave ten, Mr Lawrence Boo, recalls, “My first 2 Chronicles 7:14, is the theme verse for the experience with pioneering work was exciting. parish’s 30th-anniversary celebration. Canon Lomax and the Cathedral PCC uplifted us with their trust. They allowed us to rent premises Going through its pages feels like flipping and conduct services without ever questioning through a family album filled with joy and us. The clergymen who led us, too, were ever so hope. The Diocesan Digest met with Mr Albert encouraging. None of them frowned on leading a Seah, who heads the Anniversary Celebrations small congregation. Committee. He has served as Vicar’s Warden, People’s Warden, worship leader, cell leader and So when the leadership asked if we would be Synod representative. He said, “CCR is a multi- interested in starting a new work in Bedok New generational family church which has a special Town, I was ready and raring to go. I knew we had place in my life, especially the last 35 years. The the support from Golden Harvest and would not be church has blessed my family. The leaders and doing it alone. The team that formed was quite sad members are always encouraging and praying for to leave Golden Harvest, but we looked towards our new harvest field, the new battleground, and there was no turning back. The Cathedral young adults and youth bolstered our confidence in the initial seed-sowing.” This new work became known as the Bedok Extension Centre (BEC) which eventually birthed Chapel of Christ the Redeemer (CCR).
As part of its anniversary celebrations, CCR produced a commemorative magazine to CCR Youth
40 one another.” He joined BEC with his wife Sophia The Hildan schools and CCR’s chaplaincy team in 1984. Their sons Andrew and Gabriel grew up has forged good working relationships over the in CCR, and now Andrew and his family worship years and receives strong support from parish at CCR. volunteers, the alumni of St Hilda’s Schools, parent support groups and the principals. The Bedok Extension Centre started modestly, worshipping in borrowed premises. Eventually, 30 years and Beyond the group found a home within St Hilda’s schools’ Apart from the commemorative magazine, the Tampines campus. After attaining parish status in church designed an exclusive T-shirt for all the May 1989, CCR was consecrated in July 1989 by members. It held a combined service on 18 Bishop Moses Tay. Today, CCR has 18 home cells August for all three congregations and a 77-table and about 700 adult worshippers attending its celebratory anniversary dinner at Bliss Garden. All English, Cantonese or Mandarin services. It also the former vicars (Revd Gregory Chiang, Revd Then has a children service (Mighty Kids Church) and a Chee Min, Revd Andrew Raman and Archdeacon youth service (Hearts on Fire). Wong Tak Meng (interim)) were present. The Diocesan Bishop, the Rt Revd Rennis Ponniah was the guest of honour.
Randall Goh, a church leader and member for over 20 years, composed A Vision Song to encapsulate the vision that Revd Victor Teo developed with the church in 2018 for this new season. The lyrics can be found in the Anniversary magazine. A pdf copy is available from https://ccr-redeemer.org/ecmagazine/
CCR Staff
Chaplaincy The Hildan family consists of 3,000 students and about 450 staff, with an additional 6,000 to 12,000 family members. In a 2018 Chaplaincy Brochure, Miss Tan Yee Leng, the Vice Principal of St Hilda’s Secondary School, said, “The CCR-Chaplaincy team works alongside the school to inculcate in pupils the school core values…The team also reaches out to the pupils and staff, lending a listening ear, praying for and encouraging them at their studies and work respectively. We are indeed blessed by their work.”
As part of its chaplaincy ministry, CCR runs the schools’ weekly morning devotions and chapel services. The chaplaincy team members also read Bible stories with the younger children, have breakfast with the parents, and hold various prayer meetings for Christian parents and teachers. They Revd Teo said, “My prayer for CCR is that we also provide pastoral counselling and run Christian will have the common intention to chase the vision co-curricular activities in the school, including two together. I pray that the Holy Spirit will empower Girls’ Brigade companies and two Boys’ Brigade and enable us, and give us the means to fulfill this companies. During the school year, the chaplaincy vision. I pray that this vision will not remain mere team also involves itself in key school events like words on a card or piece of paper. I pray that the National Day, Founder’s Day, Graduation services, Holy Spirit will grip our hearts as we run as one for Council Investiture services and Secondary One His Kingdom’s purpose.” orientation tours.
41 DIOCESAN NEWS
INTRODUCING OUR NEWLY ORDAINED CLERGY
REVD GLENN CHAN JIAN WEN DATE OF ORDINATION: 7 July 2019 CURRENT POSTING: Deacon at St James’ Church THEOLOGICAL TRAINING: Trinity Theological College, MARRIED TO: Eliza Leong Master of Divinity (2017). CHILDREN: Rylee (2) PREVIOUS WORKING EXPERIENCE: Commodity Analyst FAVOURITE VERSE "And I am sure of this, that he who began PREVIOUS MINISTRY EXPERIENCE: Parish Worker at a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of St James’ Church Jesus Christ." – Philippians 1:6
REVD IAN CHEW HOUNG MEING DATE OF ORDINATION: 7 July 2019 CURRENT POSTING: Deacon at Chapel of the Resurrection THEOLOGICAL TRAINING: Trinity Theological College, MARRIED TO: Ng Yoong Ern, Esther Master of Divinity (2017). CHILDREN: Elizabeth (17), Emma (16), Isaac (6) PREVIOUS WORKING EXPERIENCE: Ministry of Education FAVOURITE VERSE: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, PREVIOUS MINISTRY EXPERIENCE: because it is the power of God that brings salvation to Youth and Young Adults Ministries everyone who believes" – Romans 1:16
REVD EZRA SIVAKUMAR DATE OF ORDINATION: 7 July 2019 CURRENT POSTING: Deacon at St Paul's Church Tamil THEOLOGICAL TRAINING: Trinity Theological College, Congregation Master of Divinity (2016). MARRIED TO: Diana Ezra PREVIOUS WORKING EXPERIENCE: Ministry of Home CHILDREN: Blessyna Rehma Ezra (9) Affairs (13 years) FAVOURITE VERSE: "You are my witnesses," declares the PREVIOUS MINISTRY EXPERIENCE: Lay leader at Church of Lord, "and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know the Epiphany: Vicar's Warden, Secretary of PCC, Church Youth and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no and Praise & Worship Coordinator and Cell Facilitator; full-time god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.” – Isaiah 43:10 Parish Worker and pastor of the Tamil Congregation at Light of Christ Church Woodlands
REVD IAN DUDLEY DIERDEN DATE OF ORDINATION: 7 July 2019 CURRENT POSTING: Deacon in the Deanery of Laos THEOLOGICAL TRAINING: Trinity Theological College, MARRIED TO: Cecilia Master of Divinity (1999). CHILDREN: Sarah (22), Seth (20), Shanae (15) PREVIOUS WORKING EXPERIENCE: Refrigeration FAVOURITE VERSE: "I come that they may have life and have mechanic, Business franchisee it abundantly." – John 10:10b PREVIOUS MINISTRY EXPERIENCE: Youth pastor, Missionary
REVD LEW KIAT LERN DATE OF ORDINATION: 7 July 2019 CURRENT POSTING: Deacon at St Andrew’s City Church THEOLOGICAL TRAINING: Trinity Theological College, MARRIED TO: Sandra Master of Divinity (2017). CHILDREN: Wei De (20), Kylin(18) and Duncan (16) PREVIOUS WORKING EXPERIENCE: Various management FAVOURITE VERSE: "David had served God’s purpose in his roles in the IT industry own generation.” – Acts 13:36 PREVIOUS MINISTRY EXPERIENCE: Lay leader of English congregation and Chinese congregation at St Andrew’s City Church
REVD CHAN PHY (Deanery of Cambodia) DATE OF ORDINATION: 7 July 2019 MARRIED TO: Sam Chhorvy THEOLOGICAL TRAINING: Cambodian Methodist Bible CHILDREN: Sorn Daniel (7), Sorn Rachel (4), Sorn Joel (9 School, Diploma of Theology (2010). months) PREVIOUS WORKING EXPERIENCE: Security guard and FAVOURITE VERSE: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong Sunday school Teacher and courageous. Do not afraid, do not be discouraged, for the PREVIOUS MINISTRY EXPERIENCE: Bible teacher, LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua preacher, language teacher (Khmer and English), church 1:9 ministry leader CURRENT POSTING: Deacon at Church Of Christ Our Redeemer.
42 DIOCESAN NEWS
REVD MARPHEN GULTOM (Deanery of Indonesia) DATE OF ORDINATION: 7 July 2019 CURRENT POSTING: Deacon at St Matthew’s Church, THEOLOGICAL TRAINING: STT Ebenhaezer, Tanjung Enim, Batam, Indonesia Bachelor of Theology (2003); STT Institut Injil Indonesia, Master MARRIED TO: Erni Kristiana of Art (Pastoral Counselling) (2009). CHILDREN: Samuel Epaphras (10), Gideon Stephen (2) PREVIOUS WORKING EXPERIENCE: High School Teacher, FAVOURITE VERSE: “You did not choose me, but I chose you Seminary Lecturer and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that PREVIOUS MINISTRY EXPERIENCE: Pastor your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” – John 15:16
REVD WELLY JONATHAN MBAU (Deanery of Indonesia) DATE OF ORDINATION: 7 July 2019 CURRENT POSTING: Deacon at Church of Christ the THEOLOGICAL TRAINING: Trinity International School of Redeemer, Indonesia Theology, Bachelor of Theology (2003) MARRIED TO: Wahyu Anggraini PREVIOUS WORKING EXPERIENCE: High School CHILDREN: Wilfred Lawren (12), Warren Hezekiah (4) Guidance Counsellor, Christian Education Teacher FAVOURITE VERSE: “Now faith is the substance of things PREVIOUS MINISTRY EXPERIENCE: Youth ministry teacher, hoped for, and the sign that the things not seen are true.” – discipleship teacher, church planter, counsellor, pastor Hebrews 11:1
REVD JOSEPHA TARIGAN (Deanery of Indonesia) DATE OF ORDINATION: 7 July 2019 CURRENT POSTING: Deacon at New Life Anglican Church, THEOLOGICAL TRAINING: STT Misi Bethany, Bachelor of Indonesia Theology (2012) MARRIED TO: Ribka Agustina Brahmana PREVIOUS WORKING EXPERIENCE: Project Coordinator, CHILDREN: Yorien Calista (8), Rasia Feliza (4), Alia Mireya (1) Finance Manager FAVOURITE VERSE: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no PREVIOUS MINISTRY EXPERIENCE: Youth ministry leader, longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now worship leader, mission team leader life in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20
REVD SAMRENG (Yord) THAKERNGSUK (Deanery of Thailand) DATE OF ORDINATION: 7 July 2019 CURRENT POSTING: Deacon at Lat Krabang Anglican THEOLOGICAL TRAINING: AOG Bible College, Certificate in Church, Thailand Ministry (2001); Sukhothai University, Bachelor in Mass Comm MARRIED TO: Sureerat Thakerngsuk (2004); Bangkok Bible Seminary, Master of Divinity (2008) CHILDREN: Sabtatitarn Thakerngsuk (11) PREVIOUS MINISTRY EXPERIENCE: Pastor and church FAVOURITE VERSE: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning planter, youth pastor of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” – Proverbs 1:7
REVD CHANDRA BAHADUR PUN (Deanery of Nepal) DATE OF ORDINATION: 7 July 2019 CURRENT POSTING: Deacon at Living Hope Church, Nepal THEOLOGICAL TRAINING: Asia Evangelical College & MARRIED TO: Saraswoti Shrestha Seminary, Bachelor of Theology (2017) CHILDREN: Caleb (10), Jonathan (6) PREVIOUS WORKING EXPERIENCE: Factory worker FAVOURITE VERSE: “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where PREVIOUS MINISTRY EXPERIENCE: Children ministry does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who leader, pastor. made heaven and earth.” – Psalm 121:1-2
REVD DHANAKAJI TAMANG (Deanery of Nepal) DATE OF ORDINATION: 7 July 2019 CURRENT POSTING: Deacon at Living Hope Church, Nepal THEOLOGICAL TRAINING: Ebenezer Bible College, MARRIED TO: Karuna Tamang Bachelor of Theology (2017). CHILDREN: Namrata (9), Neriya (4) PREVIOUS WORKING EXPERIENCE: Trekking guide with FAVOURITE VERSE: “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or World Expedition whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians PREVIOUS MINISTRY EXPERIENCE: Youth leader, Sunday 10:31 school Teacher at Tawal Church; Pastor at Living Hope Church
REVD BEG LAMA TAMANG (Deanery of Nepal) DATE OF ORDINATION: 7 July 2019 CURRENT POSTING: Deacon at Living Hope Church, Nepal THEOLOGICAL TRAINING: Nepal Evangelical Holiness MARRIED TO: Rojina Tamang Theological Seminary, Bachelor of Theology (2013); Nepal FAVOURITE VERSE: “The LORD is good, a stronghold in Evangelical College, Master of Divinity (2016). the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.” – PREVIOUS WORKING EXPERIENCE: Porter at Panama Nahum 1:7 Base Camp PREVIOUS MINISTRY EXPERIENCE: Youth leader, Sunday school Teacher at Tawal Church; Assistant Pastor, Pastor at Living Hope Church
43 DIOCESAN NEWS
ORDINATION 2019
Congratulations to the following deacons from the Deanery of Thailand who were ordained as priests on 26 October 2019, at Christ Church Bangkok:
• Revd Noppadon Hattayanont • Revd Phuwasak Kabinsak
GAZETTE
1. Revd Moses Israeli was Victor Teo as Acting Chairman St Andrew’s Cathedral with ordained jointly by Church of the Education Board, while effect from 19 August 2019. of the Province of Myanmar Revd Joshua Sudharman is on 6. Revd Steven Chong Seng and the Diocese of Singapore annual and sabbatical leave Chee’s posting as Priest to as Deacon to St Andrew’s from 1 August to 31 December Church of the Good Shepherd Cathedral with effect from 30 2019. has been deferred to 2020. July 2019. 4. Revd Augustinus Wolkh- 7. Revd Tay Hong Ern’s posting 2. Revd Pairoj Phiammattawat Wagunu (Deanery of as Priest to Chapel of the Holy (Deanery of Thailand) retired Indonesia) retired on 17 Spirit has been deferred to on 30 July 2019. August 2019. 2020. 3. Revd Alvin Toh was appointed 5. Revd Canon Rinji Kwashi Acting Vicar of St John’s – St (Diocese of Jos, Nigeria) is on Margaret’s Church, and Revd attachment as Priest to
PARISH WORKER/PARISH ASSISTANT LICENCES
Parish Worker licence was issued on 17 July 2019 to:
1. Ms Lee Siew Hwee Mabel, Parish Worker at All Saints’ Church (English)
DIOCESAN OFFICE STAFF LISTING
BISHOP’S OFFICE PROPERTY / Senior Executive Officer Sasha Michael FACILITIES DEPARTMENT Senior Administrator Stephanie Ng Property Officer Keith Su Bishop’s PA Nancy Choo CHINESE-SPEAKING WORK GENERAL OFFICE Executive Administrator Pamela Cheong Administrative Officer Hannah Ng Administrative Officer Wu Yingxi Administrative Assistant Phoebe Aw Clerical Officer Lai Kwok Wai MISSIONS DEPARTMENT Head James Tan ARCHIVES DEPARTMENT Missions Executive Heng Fu Wen Records Management Officer Kong Yuen Ling Diocesan Missions Coordinator Glenise Lim Administrative Officer Josephine Tham COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT Administrative Officer Grace Tan Administrative Officer Karen Wong ANGLICAN SCHOOLS / FINANCE DEPARTMENT EDUCATION Accountant Novenjati Koh Executive Administrator Yong Ping Ping Assistant Accountant Caroline Arulkumar Administrative Officer Hannah Chin YOUTH BOARD Administrative Officer Ruth Athen-Christopher DYB Staff Coordinator Cherlie Choong DYB Staff Coordinator Ivan Ong HR DEPARTMENT Senior HR Executive Karen Ow Administrative Officer Divina Lee
Correction: We apologise for misidentifying our retired clergy in our previous issue (page 47). The caption should read: Bishop Low Jee King and Bishop Rennis Ponniah with clergy who retired this year: (from left) Revd Freddy Lim, Revd Derek Lim and Revd Ng Koon Sheng. DIOCESAN LISTINGS
PARISHES
ST ANDREW'S CATHEDRAL CHAPEL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT HOLY TRINITY PARISH ST JAMES' CHURCH 11 St Andrew's Road 3 Sorby Adams Drive 1 Hamilton Road 1 Leedon Road Singapore 178959 Singapore 357690 Singapore 209175 Singapore 267828 Web: cathedral.org.sg Web:chs.org.sg Web: holytrinitychurch.org.sg Web: sjc.org.sg Dean: Rt Revd Rennis Ponniah Vicar: Revd Michael Teh Acting Vicar: Rt Revd Low Jee Vicar: Revd Chua Siang Guan Vicar: Revd Canon Terry Wong Clergy: Revd Gary Chng, Revd King Clergy: Revd Canon Yee Ching Clergy: Revd Peter Cook, Revd Steven Chong Clergy: Revd Michael Chan, Wah (Hon), Revd Tang Wai Michael Lim, Revd Bertram Revd Adrian Chong Lung, Revd Glenn Chan Cheong, Revd Joshua Raj CHAPEL OF THE Mandarin Congregation Sundraraj, Revd Hambali RESURRECTION LIGHT OF CHRIST CHURCH Clergy: Revd Luke Ting Leonardi, Revd Calvin Wee, 1 Francis Thomas Drive #02-17 WOODLANDS Revd Moses Israeli, Revd Canon Singapore 359340 20 Woodlands Drive 17 ST JOHN'S CHAPEL Rinji Kwashi Web: cor.org.sg Singapore 737924 111 Farrer Road Deaconesses: Ds Bessie Lee, Ds Vicar: Revd David Lee Web: lightofchrist.org Singapore 259240 June Tan Clergy: Revd Christopher Chan, Vicar: Revd William Tham Web: sjcp.org.sg Mandarin Congregation Revd Timothy Chong (Hon), Vicar: Revd John Lin 11 St Andrew's Road Revd Jeremy-Joe Tan (on study MARINE PARADE CHRISTIAN Clergy: Revd Bernard Yee Singapore 178959 leave), Revd Ian Chew CENTRE Deaconess: Ds Lena Lim Priest-in-Charge: Revd Canon Mandarin Congregation 100 Tembeling Road Dr Titus Chung Clergy: Revd Lee Kong Kheng Singapore 423597 ST JOHN'S - ST MARGARET'S Clergy: Revd An Yue Jin, Revd Extension Centre of COR: Web: mpccnet.com CHURCH Ang Soo Sung, Revd David CENTURY CHRISTIAN Vicar: Revd Barry Leong 30 Dover Avenue Wong, Revd Lui Choo Huat FELLOWSHIP Mandarin Congregation Singapore 139790 Clergy: Revd Christopher Chan Clergy: Revd Wong Kok Yean Web: sjsm.org.sg Extension Centres of Extension Centre of MPCC: Vicar: Revd Joshua Sudharman St Andrew’s Cathedral: CHRIST CHURCH, PARISH OF CHAPEL OF CHRIST OUR Clergy: Revd Alvin Toh, Revd WESTSIDE ANGLICAN 1 Dorset Road HOPE Andrew Raman, Revd Daniel CHURCH Singapore 219486 Clergy: Revd David Teo (Hon) Teo, Revd Lewis Lew (Hon), 10 Science Centre Road #01-21 WEB: christchurch.org.sg Revd Titus Soo (Hon), Revd Singapore 609079 Vicar: Revd Canon Steven Thong Tang, Hiong, Revd Clergy: Revd Bertram Cheong Asirvatham MY SAVIOUR'S CHURCH Salmon Periyanayakam Clergy: Revd Edison Wilson 2 Prince Charles Crescent Deaconess: Ds Laura Chan JURONG ANGLICAN CHURCH Singapore 159011 (MANDARIN) CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR Web: mysaviours.org ST MATTHEW'S CHURCH 10 Science Centre Road #01-21 130 Margaret Drive Vicar: Revd Charles Tewer 1K Eng Hoon Street Singapore 178959 Singapore 149300 Clergy: Revd Thomas Isaac Singapore 169796 Clergy: Revd Ang Soo Sung Web: coos.org.sg Web: smc1902.org Vicar: Revd Daniel Wee ST ANDREW'S CITY CHURCH Vicar: Revd Koh Hock Soon ACTS CENTRE Clergy: Revd Joseph You, 250 Tanjong Pagar Road, #01- English Congregation Mailing Address: Revd Joseph Goh (Hon), Revd 01 Priest-in-Charge: Revd Chan St Andrew's Cathedral William Mok (Hon) St Andrew's Centre Chee Keng 11 St Andrew's Road Mandarin Congregation Singapore 088541 Singapore 178959 Priest: Revd Eric Chiam Vicar: Revd Edwin Tan ST PAUL'S CHURCH Clergy: Revd Michael Lim 843 Upper Serangoon Road CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION ST ANDREW'S COMMUNITY Singapore 534683 ALL SAINTS' CHURCH 13 Francis Thomas Drive CHAPEL Web: stpaulschurch.org.sg 600 Upper Changi Road Singapore 359339 8 Simei Street 3 Vicar: Revd Jeremy Ponniah Singapore 487012 Web: ascension.org.sg Singapore 529895 Clergy: Revd Chang Lubin, Web: asc.org.sg Vicar: Revd Dr Joel Leow Web: sacc.org.sg Revd Ezra Sivakumar Vicar: Revd Dr Ivan Ee Clergy: Revd Daniel Lim, Revd Vicar: Revd Daniel Tong Clergy: Revd Foo Chee Meng Huang Hui Jen Clergy: Rev Dino Thangamany, (Hon) Revd Yap Chee Han, Revd ST PETER'S CHURCH English Congregation CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY Gilbert Wong (Hon), Revd Eric 1 Tavistock Avenue Web: asc.org.sg Northpoint Bizhub Yong (Hon) Singapore 555104 Priest-in-charge: Revd Darren 2 Yishun Industrial St 1 #06-01 Web: stpeters.org.sg Choo Singapore 768159 ST GEORGE'S CHURCH Vicar: Revd Ong Chooi Seng Acting Vicar: Revd Canon Minden Road CHAPEL OF CHRIST THE KING Steven Asirvatham Singapore 248816 YISHUN CHRISTIAN CHURCH 99 Wilkie Road Clergy: Revd Paul Xavier Web: stgeorges.org.sg (ANGLICAN) @St Margaret's Primary School Vicar: Revd Ian Hadfield 10 Yishun Avenue 5 Singapore 228091 CHURCH OF THE GOOD Clergy: Revd Dr Soh Guan Chin Singapore 768991 Web.cck.org.sg SHEPHERD (Hon) Web: ycca.org.sg Acting Vicar: Revd Timothy 2 Dundee Road Vicar: Revd William Chee Ewing-Chow Singapore 149454 ST HILDA'S CHURCH Clergy: Rev Israel Selvam, Revd Vicar: Revd Huang Ao-you, 41 Ceylon Road King Chiew Kwang (Hon) CHAPEL OF CHRIST THE Revd Tay Hong Ern Singapore 429630 Mandarin Congregation REDEEMER English Congregation Web: sthildas.org.sg Clergy: Revd Ng Hwee Leong 2 Tampines Ave 3 Clergy: Revd Jonathan Wong Vicar: Ven Wong Tak Meng Singapore 529706 Associate Vicar: Revd Martin Web: ccr-redeemer.org CHURCH OF THE TRUE LIGHT Jungnickel, Revd Wong Ngiam Vicar: Revd Victor Teo 25G Perak Road Koy Mandarin Congregation Singapore 208142 Priest-in-Charge: Revd Lim Kek Web: truelight.org.sg Wah Vicar: Revd Winston Tan Clergy: Revd Vincent Hoon, Revd Samuel Kunjumone, Revd Peter Manimuthu (Hon)
45 DIOCESAN LISTINGS
SCHOOLS ANGLICAN CARE CENTRE (PASIR RIS) ANGLICAN HIGH SCHOOL ST MARGARET’S PRIMARY ST PAUL’S CHURCH Blk 534 Pasir Ris Drive 1 #01- 600 Upper Changi Road SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN 266 Singapore 487012 99 Wilkie Road 839 Upper Serangoon Road Singapore 510534 www.anglicanhigh.moe.edu.sg Singapore 228091 Singapore 534682 www.stmargaretspri.moe. ANGLICAN CARE CENTRE CHRIST CHURCH edu.sg CHILDCARE CENTRES (SIMEI) SECONDARY SCHOOL ASCENSION KINDERCARE 10 Simei Street 3 20 Woodlands Drive 17 ST MARGARET’S SECONDARY Blk 105 Potong Pasir Avenue 1, Singapore 529897 Singapore 737924 SCHOOL #01-436 www.christchurchsec.moe. 111 Farrer Road Singapore 350105 ANGLICAN CARE CENTRE edu.sg Singapore 259240 (YISHUN) www.stmargaretssec.moe. KIDDY ARK CHILDCARE & Blk 707 Yishun Avenue 5 #01-36 ST ANDREW’S JUNIOR edu.sg DEVELOPMENT CENTRE Singapore 760707 COLLEGE Blk 727 Tampines Street 71, 5 Sorby Adams Drive KINDERGARTENS #01-11, Singapore 520727 INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT Singapore 357691 ASCENSION KINDERGARTEN SERVICES www.standrewsjc.moe.edu.sg 11 Francis Thomas Drive PRAISELAND CHILDCARE & 10 Simei Street 3 Singapore 359338 LEARNING CENTRE Singapore 529897 ST ANDREW’S JUNIOR Blk 662 Yishun Avenue 4, #01- SCHOOL QUEENSTOWN GOOD 235 2 Francis Thomas Drive SHEPHERD KINDERGARTEN Singapore 760662 SENIOR SERVICES Singapore 359337 2 Dundee Road ANGLICAN CLUSTER www.saintandrewsjunior.moe. Singapore 149454 SONSHINE CHILDCARE OPERATOR (JURONG EAST) edu.sg CENTRE Blk 374 Jurong East St 32 ST HILDA’S KINDERGARTEN Blk 211 Bukit Batok St 21 #01-486 ST ANDREW’S SECONDARY 83 Ceylon Road #01-252 Singapore 600374 SCHOOL Singapore 429740 Singapore 650211 15 Francis Thomas Drive ANGLICAN SENIOR CENTRE Singapore 359342 ST JAMES’ CHURCH ST ANDREW’S CATHEDRAL (HILLVIEW) www.standrewssec.moe.edu.sg KINDERGARTEN CHILD DEVELOPMENT 4 Hillview Rise #02-22, HillV2 CENTRE Singapore 667979 ST HILDA’S PRIMARY SCHOOL Harding Campus Blk 511 Jurong West St 52, 2 Tampines Avenue 3 29 Harding Road #01-80 ANGLICAN SENIOR CENTRE Singapore 529706 Singapore 249537 Singapore 640511 (JURONG WEST) www.shps.moe.edu.sg Blk 499 Jurong East St 41 Leedon Campus STUDENT CARE CENTRES #01-812 1 Leedon Road ST HILDA’S SECONDARY HEARTFRIENDS BASC Singapore 640499 Singapore 267828 SCHOOL Blk 3 Dover Rd, #01-35, 2 Tampines Street 82 Singapore 130003 ANGLICAN SENIOR CENTRE Singapore 528986 Gilstead Campus (TAMPINES) www.sthildassec.moe.edu.sg 25 Gilstead Road Blk 117 Tampines Street 11 Singapore 309070 #01-516 Singapore 521117 COMMUNITY SERVICES ANGLICAN SENIOR CENTRE (WOODLANDS) ST ANDREW’S MISSION ST. ANDREW’S NURSING SASC Tampines Blk 572A Woodlands Ave 1 HOSPITAL (SAMH) HOME Our Tampines Hub #01-800 8 Simei Street 3 St. Andrew’s Nursing Home Block 5 Tampines Ave 4 #04-33 Singapore 731572 Singapore 529895 (Buangkok) Singapore 529684 60 Buangkok View ANGLICAN SENIOR CENTRE Services of SAMH: Singapore 534012 St. John’s – St Margaret’s Senior (YISHUN) ST ANDREW’S AUTISM CENTRE Care (Upcoming 2021) Blk 426A Yishun Ave 11 #01-74 1 Elliot Road St. Andrew’s Nursing Home 30 Dover Avenue Singapore 761426 Singapore 458686 (Henderson) Singapore 139790 303 Henderson Road PEACE-CONNECT CLUSTER ST. ANDREW’S ADULT HOME Singapore 108925 SINGAPORE ANGLICAN OPERATOR (SENGKANG) COMMUNITY SERVICES (SACS) Blk 5 Beach Road #02-4915 147 Compassvale Bow St. Andrew’s Nursing Home 10 Simei Street 3 Singapore 190005 Singapore 544691 (Queenstown) Singapore 529897 11 Jalan Penjara ST. ANDREW’S NURSING ST ANDREW’S Singapore 149380 Services of SACS: HOME (TAMAN JURONG) COMMUNITY HOSPITAL Psychiatric Services 2 Yung Ho Walk 8 Simei Street 3 St. John’s – St Margaret’s ANGLICAN CARE CENTRE Singapore 618274 Singapore 529895 Nursing Home (Upcoming (BUKIT BATOK) 2020) Blk 267 Bukit Batok East Avenue FAMILY AND CHILDREN ST ANDREW’S MISSION 30 Dover Avenue 4 #01-206 SERVICES HOSPITAL CLINICS Singapore 139790 Singapore 650267 ANGLICAN FAMILY CENTRE 8 Simei Street 3 Hotline: 1800-346 4939 Singapore 529895 ST. ANDREW’S SENIOR CARE ANGLICAN CARE CENTRE SASC JOY Connect (FARRER PARK) CITY COMMUNITY SERVICES ELLIOT ROAD CLINIC Blk 5 Beach Road #01-4919 375 Race Course Road Social Service Hub @Tiong 1 Elliot Road Singapore 190005 Singapore 218644 Bahru St. Andrew’s Autism Centre (Centre's entrance on 298 Tiong Bahru Road #10-03 Singapore 458686 SASC Henderson Tessensohn Road, opposite Central Plaza 303 Henderson Road Civil Service Club) Singapore 168730 Singapore 108925 www.citycomm.org.sg ANGLICAN CARE CENTRE SASC Queenstown (HOUGANG) 11 Jalan Penjara 20 Buangkok View Block 4 Singapore 149380 Singapore 534194 DIOCESAN LISTINGS
DEANERIES CHURCH OF CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR PROVINCE OF WEST JAVA CAMBODIA Prey K'dei Village, St Mark's Church, Bekasi Svay Kravanh Commune, St Paul's Church, Bandung ANGLICAN CHURCH OF Chbar Mon District, Kampong Speu St Peter's Church, Bandung CAMBODIA (ACC) Province St John’s Church, Bandung Mailing Address: Pastoral Staff: Ps Thom Vibol #57 Street 294, PROVINCE OF EAST JAVA Sangkat Boeung Keng Kang 1, Christ Church, Surabaya Khan Chamkarmon CHURCH OF CHRIST OUR REDEEMER Phnom Penh, Cambodia Svay Prahoot Village, or PO Box 1413 Koek Pring Commune, PROVINCE OF NORTH KALIMANTAN Phnom Penh, Cambodia Svay Chrum District, Svay Rieng Province Church of Christ the Cornerstone, Tel: (855) 96-287 9454 Church Workers: Ps Chan Phy, Tarakan Fax: (855) 23-362 023 Mr Nhem Samol Church of Christ the Rock, Tarakan Email: [email protected] Church of the King of Kings, Nunukan HOPE ANGLICAN CENTRE GAI Seimanggaris Bishop and President of the ACC Svay Prahoot Village, GAI Sebakis Provisional Council: Bishop Rennis Koek Pring Commune, GAI Samarinda Ponniah Svay Chrum District, Svay Rieng Province Dean: Revd Steven Seah Superintendent: Ms Constance Ng PROVINCE OF Chairman of the ACC Provisional Council: Email: [email protected] WEST KALIMANTAN Revd Tit Hieng St James – St Margaret’s Church, Home Base Coordinators: Revd Martin CHURCH OF THE TRUE LIGHT Pontianak Jungnickel, Revd Steven Chong Preh Kraom Village, Kvav Commune, Trang District, Takeo Province PROVINCE OF MALUKU THE CHURCH OF THE LORD JESUS Church Worker: Ps Shib Shophat GAI Ambon CHRIST OUR PEACE #57 Street 294, Sangkat CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION PROVINCE OF NORTH SULAWESI Boeung Keng Kang 1 Ksaet Borei Village, Santreae Commune, Providence Anglican Church Khan Chamkarmon Phnom Kravanh District, Pursat Province Phnom Penh, Cambodia Church Workers: Ps Keo Hul, Mr Sai Ton PROVINCE OF CENTRAL SULAWESI Vicar: Revd Steven Seah Prey Smaich Village, Rokat Commune, GAI Palu Email: [email protected] Kravanh District, Pursat Province Church Worker: Ps Yos Malina Church Workers: Ms Sam Si-en PROVINCE OF BALI Priest (Khmer): Revd Jesse Blaine GAI Denpasar Email: [email protected] Church Worker: Ps Pov Morn INDONESIA PROVINCE OF WEST NUSANTARA Email: [email protected] GAI Niki-Niki Priest (International): Revd Gregory THE DEANERY OFFICE GAI Kupang Whitaker Diocese of Singapore Email: [email protected] 1 Francis Thomas Drive #01-01 SCHOOLS Singapore 359340 St Andrew’s School, Batam CHURCH OF THE GOOD Tel: (65) 6288 8944 St Mathew’s School, Batam SHEPHERD Fax: (65) 6288 5538 St Andrew’s School, Tanjung Pinang, #6 Street 280, Sangkat Bishop & Chairman of GAI Council: Bintan Boeung Keng Kang 2 Bishop Rennis Ponniah St Margaret’s School, Pontianak Khan Chamkarmon Dean & Vice Chairman of GAI Council: Phnom Penh, Cambodia Revd Dr Timothy Chong FOUNDATIONS Tel: (855) 23-218 027 GERHATI (Micro-Enterprise) Priest: Revd Chan Peng Wah GEREJA ANGLIKAN INDONESIA YPAI (Education) Email: [email protected] National Office: YPSAI (Social Work) Church Workers: Mr Chan Tep, Jalan Arief Rahman Hakim 5, Menteng Ms Sao Noun Jakarta Pusat 10340, Indonesia Tel: (62) 21-3190 8545 LAOS CHURCH OF CHRIST OUR HOPE Fax: (62) 21-3190 9838 Prek Thom Village, K'bal Korh Commune, COO: Mr Stevanus Mudjianto THE DEANERY OFFICE Kien Svay District, Kandal Province c/o Diocese of Singapore Church Worker: Ps Nass Sowannia PROVINCE OF NORTH SUMATRA 1 Francis Thomas Drive #01-01 GAI Ichthus, Medan Singapore 359340 Church Extension in Rokakos Good News Church Tel: (65) 6288 8944 ext. 211 Group 15, Street 705 Sri Gunting Church, Medan Fax: (65) 6288 553 Rokakos Village Good News Anglican Church, Dean: Revd Ian Hadfield Sangkat Prey Sour Hamparan Perak, Medan Email: [email protected] Khan Dong Kour New Life Anglican Church Phnom Penh, Cambodia Church Worker: Ps Nass Sowannia PROVINCE OF RIAU ISLANDS NEPAL Church of the Good Shepherd, Batam
RURAL MISSION DISTRICT Church of the True Light, Batam THE DEANERY OFFICE c/o The Anglican Church of Cambodia St Matthew's Church, Batam c/o Diocese of Singapore #57 Street 294, Sangkat Revival Anglican Church, 1 Francis Thomas Drive #01-01 Boeung Keng Kang 1 Tanjung Pinang, Bintan Singapore 359340 Khan Chamkarmon Grace Anglican Church, Karimun Tel: (65) 9387 0447 Phnom Penh, Cambodia Fax: (65) 6288 5538 or PO Box 1413 PROVINCE OF BANTEN Dean: Revd Lewis Lew Phnom Penh, Cambodia St John’s Church, Citra Raya Email: [email protected] Vicar: Revd Tit Hieng Email: [email protected] SPECIAL CAPITAL REGION OF JAKARTA Church Worker: Ps Sok Sunly All Saints' Church, Jakarta Church of Christ the King, Jakarta Providence Anglican Church, Jakarta 47 DIOCESAN LISTINGS
DEANERIES
LAT KRABANG ANGLICAN CHURCH THAILAND 1493/2, Lat Krabang Road Bangkok 10520, Thailand THE ANGLICAN CHURCH IN THAILAND (ACT) Contact: 087-679-6006 11 Convent Rd, Silom, Bangrak Priest-in-charge: Revd Andrew Yap Bangkok 10500, Thailand Clergy: Revd Samrerng Thakerngsuk Tel: (66) 2-632-2500 ext. 18 Email: [email protected] Fax: (66) 2-632-0606 Email: [email protected] PO KAREN CHURCHES IN OMKOI DISTRICT c/o 11 Convent Rd, Silom, Bangrak, Bishop: Bishop Rennis Ponniah Bangkok 10500, Thailand Dean: Revd Yee Ching Wah Priest-in-charge: Revd Phuwasak Kabinsak Clergy: Revd Andrew Yap, Revd Norman Jones, Revd Tan Chor Kee, Revd Noppadol Hattayanot, Revd Phuwasak LISU CHURCHES IN PAI DISTRICT Kabinsak, Revd Samrerng Thakerngsuk c/o 11 Convent Rd, Silom, Bangrak, Deconess: Ds Anong Lekmuang Bangkok 10500, Thailand Chief Operations Officer: Pastor: Ps Somchai Yeeepa Ms Wilai Jongbrachawattana Home Base Co-ordinator: Revd Tang Wai Lung THAI ANGLICAN CHURCH FOUNDATION 11 Convent Road, Silom, Bangrak CHRIST CHURCH BANGKOK (ENGLISH) Bangkok 10500, Thailand 11 Convent Rd, Silom, Bangrak Tel: (66) 2-235-4000 ext. 63 Bangkok 10500, Thailand Fax: (66) 2-235-4001 ext. 19 Tel: (66) 2-234-3634, (66) 2-233-8525 Chairman: Mr Surapol Prakinwincha Fax: (66) 2-236-6994 Website: www.christchurchbangkok.org RAINBOWLAND COMMUNITY SERVICES FOUNDATION Vicar: Revd Norman Jones 11 Convent Rd, Silom, Bangrak Email: [email protected] Bangkok 10500, Thailand Tel: (66) 2-235-4000 ext. 63 CHRIST CHURCH Fax: (66) 2-235-4001 ext.19 BANGKOK (THAI) Chairman: Mrs Orawan Rattanachirasuth 11 Convent Rd, Silom, Bangrak Bangkok 10500, Thailand ST ANDREW’S CENTRE CHIANGMAI Tel: (66) 2-235-4000 ext. 18 101 Moo 1, Tambon Nongpakhrang, Ampher Muang, Fax: (66) 2-235-4001 Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand Priest-in-Charge: Revd Andrew Yap Tel: +66 52 003 253 Clergy: Revd Noppadol Hattayanot Fax: +66 52 003 254 Email: [email protected] Centre leader: Ps Somboon Tiasakul Email: [email protected] CHRIST CHURCH, BANCHANG 83/61 Sukhumvit Rd, Banchang Rayong 21130, Thailand VIETNAM Tel/Fax: (66) 38-601 273 Priest-in-Charge: Revd Andrew Yap THE DEANERY OFFICE Deaconess: Ds Anong Lekmuang c/o Diocese of Singapore 1 Francis Thomas Drive #01-01 Email: [email protected] Singapore 359340 Tel: (65) 6468 8425 CHRIST CHURCH Dean: Revd John Lin SAWANG DAEN DIN 522/2-3 Moo 20, Nittayo Rd CHURCH OF CHRIST OUR HOPE Sawang Daen Din 650/13, Dien Bien Phu Street Sakol Nakorn 47110, Thailand Ward 11, District 10 Tel: (66) 42-722 166 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Priest-in-Charge: Revd Andrew Yap Priest-in-Charge: Revd Nguyen Hong Chi Pastor: Ps Kittikhun Rungrueng Email: [email protected] CHURCH OF THE TRUE LIGHT 3rd floor, 19-storey building, Viwaseen Tower KORAT PHISUT #48, To Huu Street LOGOS CENTRE Trung Van Ward, Nam Tu Liem District 54/3 Samsip Kanya Road, Ampher Mueng Hanoi City, Vietnam Nakhorn Ratchasima 30000, Thailand Priest-in-Charge: Revd Jacob Vu Hong Thai Tel: (66) 44-956 297 Pastor: Ps Pranee Samklang ABBA ENGLISH CENTRE Email: [email protected] 3rd floor, 19-storey building, Viwaseen Tower #48, To Huu Street RANGSIT ANGLICAN CHURCH Trung Van Ward, Nam Tu Liem District 67/285 Mueng-Ek Housing Project 8, Hanoi City, Vietnam Soi 4, Tambol Lakhok Principal: Mrs Rebecca Ngoc Ampher Mueng, Pathum Thani 12000, Thailand Priest-in-charge: Revd Tan Chor Kee Email: [email protected]
48 DIOCESAN NEWS
NATIONAL DAY AWARDS The Diocese of Singapore congratulates the following individuals from our Anglican schools and agencies who received the 2019 National Day Awards, and thanks them for their dedication and service:
THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION Ms Ang Siok Phing Ms Yow Soo Mei Elsa MEDAL (BRONZE) Vice-Principal Senior Teacher Mdm Toh Susan St Margaret’s Primary School St Andrew’s Secondary School Vice-Principal St Margaret’s Secondary School Mdm Lim Fook Chiew Mdm Heng Sue Lin, Janice Lead Teacher Principal THE COMMENDATION MEDAL St Margaret’s Secondary School St Hilda’s Secondary School Mr Mok Seow Poh Year Head THE LONG SERVICE MEDAL Mdm Jessie Sim Seok Moi Anglican High School Mdm Koh Piah Teah Senior Teacher Senior Teacher St Hilda’s Secondary School Ms Chung Puay Hong Lena Christ Church Secondary School Administration Manager Mdm Endang Ingriani Bte Shakni Christ Church Secondary School Ms Leow Swee Khim Teacher Senior Teacher St Margaret’s Primary School Mr Yeo Kok San William Christ Church Secondary School Head of Department Mdm Tan Li Ling St Andrew’s Junior College Ms Chan Wai Yee Principal Head of Department St Margaret’s Primary School Mr Yeo Peng Seng St Andrew’s Junior College Year Head Mdm Ang Siew Chin St Andrew’s Junior School Mdm Hwong Choi Foong Catherine Subject Head Assistant Year Head St Margaret’s Secondary School Mr Lim Tuck Hway St Andrew’s Junior School Year Head Mdm Khaw Kee Wan St Andrew’s Secondary School Ms Lee Bin Choo Teacher School Staff Developer St Margaret’s Secondary School Ms Lam Hui Ern, Elaine St Andrew’s Secondary School Head of Department Ms Lim Hui Kheng Linda St Hilda’s Primary School Mr Ng Piang Kong Vice-Principal Senior School Counsellor St Margaret’s Secondary School Mr Seow Whei Jie St Andrew’s Secondary School Head of Department Mdm Azizah Bte Rabunam St Hilda’s Secondary School Mr Soh Wei Teck Desmond Head of Department Head of Department St Margaret’s Secondary School St Andrew’s Secondary School
Congratulations, also, to Anglican members from our parishes who received this year’s National Day Awards.
49 ST ANDREW’S CATHEDRAL, SINGAPORE DIOCESAN CERTIFICATE OF BIBLICAL STUDIES
PROGRAMME FOR 2020
DCBS THURSDAYS, 7.30 PM - 9.30 PM
TERM 1 9 JANUARY - 21 MARCH 2020 TERM 2 26 MARCH - 6 JUNE 2020
Module 1A Overview of the Bible – Old Testament Module 5 The Minor Prophets (The Book of the Twelve) Module 1B Overview of the Bible – New Testament Module 13 Hebrews to Jude Module 4B The Major Prophets (Non-Pauline Epistles) Module 12 Ephesians to Philemon
Register at cathedral.org.sg/dcbs DAY DCBS FRIDAYS, 12.30 PM - 2.00 PM
SEMESTER 1 10 JANUARY - 24 APRIL 2020 SEMESTER 2 10 JULY - 13 NOVEMBER 2020
Module 8 The Gospels Module 3 The Former Prophets Matthew, Mark, Luke, John Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings
Register at cathedral.org.sg/daydcbs
Course fees : $10 per module (inclusive of study materials)
Rooted in Registration opens 1 month before the start of each course and the Word closes by the 3rd week of each Module.