Ring in the Christmas cheer this season with uplifting events from our Methodist churches and agencies. Let’s celebrate and remember the true meaning of Christmas together!
My wife does not want more children, but I do
My wife and I have a three-year-old son. I was hoping to have another child so that my son may have a companion and someone to share his burdens with, especially when we are in our old age. However, my wife is not keen on it due to various reasons. I am concerned that by the time she might be ready to have a second child, it would be too late as we are both in our late 30s. What should I do in this situation? How should I adjust my thinking to accept that we would only have one child? ~ Concerned Dad
Grandpa’s Greatest Gift
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! JJ learns that his grandfather did not always celebrate Christmas like his family does today. Read this story of how JJ’s grandfather came to know the true meaning of Christmas and how it just may be the greatest gift JJ has ever received.
Presidents’ farewell messages
The three Annual Conference Presidents stepped down in November 2024. These are their farewell messages penned just before the 49th Sessions of their respective Annual Conferences. Rev Dr Gregory Goh, Rev Philip Abraham and Rev Stanley Chua will return to pastoral duties in the new quadrennium.
Double standards of WFO/WFH implementation
I’m one of 12 heads of department (HODs) in a 200-staff organisation. We have a hybrid arrangement and work from home two days per week. However, there are teams not following this corporate rule and which come to the office once or twice a week. The HODs have agreed to enforce this rule but only half are doing so. Meanwhile, the rule abiders are demoralised by the double standards and management’s ineffectiveness. In fact, one of the bosses seem to be condoning the flouting of rules. The senior management is aware but nothing’s been done. I feel conflicted as a believer because I want to show integrity, strong work ethics and values, but I can’t help but identify with the unfairness. What should I do? ~ Conflicted
Toilets, kindness and Christ?
A good and godly Singaporean once told me that he was born on World Toilet Day. I knew he was a November baby, but I didn’t know that 19 November had been designated by the United Nations as World Toilet Day! Nor did I know that this Toilet Day gave the Singapore Government (through the efforts of Jack Sim) its very first successful Resolution adopted by the UN in 2013!
Surviving medical emergencies while caring for elderly parents and schooling children
Five years ago, 64-year-old Mr Chong Moon Yeen was behind the wheel of his taxi when he unexpectedly suffered a stroke. He was rushed to the hospital and spent several days in a coma in the ICU. The stroke had caused a blood clot in his brain, and to relieve the pressure from the swelling, doctors had to perform a delicate surgery, removing part of his skull. Once stabilised, Mr Chong was transferred to MWS Bethany Nursing Home (BNH) – Choa Chu Kang, where he began his long journey of recovery, receiving round-the-clock medical and nursing care, as well as therapy.
Truthful evangelism: Our lives speak more than our words
“Evangelism” is a lofty word and much- vaunted concept, but do we ever think of how it relates to us personally? When I think of how my spiritual heritage sprang from the work of two evangelists who were obedient to God’s call, I feel compelled to pass on this blessing of a spiritual heritage to others and share God’s love with them.
Strategic Christian stewardship
The Covid-19 pandemic is a social and an economic crisis just as much as it is a health one—its repercussions, severe and far-reaching, are being felt across the world. The effects are felt unevenly across societies. The Wellcome Global Monitor 2020: Covid-19 Report, the largest study of its kind, found that the pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on low-income countries and people with low incomes across all countries.
My colleagues take advantage of my helpful nature
I can’t claim to be an ardent follower of Philippians 2:3-4 where it says we should consider others first before self, but I try. My peers at work, however, see this as my weakness and take advantage of it. Working in an NGO where teamwork is emphasised, my colleagues frequently request my help with their admin tasks—work I am not good at or like to do, and certainly not my core area of responsibility. While I am glad to help and grateful to God for his spirit working in me, I am in a dilemma as to how to cope with my real duties and not be appraised as under-performing or unhelpful. How should I manage being a good employee and still reflect Christ in me? ~ itCost2bConsiderate