Chairperson of Methodist Welfare Services’ Board of Governance and a regular volunteer at its nursing homes, Eugene Toh shares a personal reflection from a recent pastoral care visit.
A testimony: The miracle I saw
In January 2022, I woke up one morning to find the world a blur. When I could not read the small print on my smartphone, I thought my presbyopia must have deteriorated. Then I could not make out any of the labels and price tags at the supermarket. Frustration truly set in when I could not read any of my documents at work clearly until I enlarged their fonts.
Our cue from the benediction
Life is filled with different cues prompting certain actions—the shrill urgency of a bell warning of fire prompts us to run away while the tinkling of a bell signalling the arrival of the ice-cream cart draws us to it. Not unlike the ringing of a bell, the Christian receives a cue every Sunday.
“Love the Lord your God”: Bishop Philip Lim exhorts Methodists as the Church celebrates 140 years of Methodism in Singapore
The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) celebrated the launch of its 140th Anniversary as part of Wesley Methodist Church’s 140th Anniversary Service. The milestone anniversary is marked from the time Wesley Methodist Church was founded by Bishop William Oldham and Rev James Thoburn in 1885. After its early years at the first Methodist Chapel at Coleman Street, a new church building was built at Fort Canning, where it still stands today.
World Vision Singapore: A commitment to support learning needs of children in out-of-home care
Twelve-year-old Alex (not his real name) has faced significant challenges throughout his life. Diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia, he struggled in school, found it difficult to focus in class and was failing English. His difficulties were compounded by very difficult family circumstances.
Do I bring my daughter to visit a friend whose adult child has a live-in partner of the same sex in their home?
A friend has a daughter who is lesbian and has a live-in partner … in my friend’s home. My friend is Christian but her daughter is not. My question is not about my friend’s or her daughter’s choices, but mine, as a parent. Should we bring along my primary-school aged daughter to visit her during Christmas and Chinese New Year, as we used to do? Part of me does not want to expose my daughter to a non-Christian model of family, but yet, to shield her from it seems futile. ~ Awkward
Songwriting for the soul’s sojourn
As Methodists, hymnody is more than musical faith expression—it is theology set to music. Having served in the music ministry since the millennial turn, sacred music has helped deepen our faith. A decade ago, heeding the call to “sing to the Lord a new song”, we started composing pieces that we hoped would reflect timeless Christian truths, faith journeys and spiritual struggles.
My recently widowed father is dating a woman who is younger than me
I am in my 40s and married with teenage children. My mother passed away from illness about six months ago. Recently, I found out that my 75-year-old father is dating a foreign lady who is younger than me. He introduced her to us at a family dinner and privately told us that that he plans to let her move into our family home. He then asked me to clear out my old room so she could move her things in. I was very angry and upset. I also do not feel comfortable with this lady, and I feel suspicious of her. I expressed caution to my father, but he is totally caught up with her. I understand my father is grieving, lonely and seeks companionship, but I want to protect him from being taken advantage of. ~ Suspicious
Is an Advance Medical Directive appropriate for Christians?
Is an Advance Medical Directive (AMD) allowed in a biblical world view, if we acknowledge that God is in control of our lives? I am going for a surgery and want to be prepared so that my family does not have to face difficult decisions or financial burdens as I am already in my senior years. ~ Singaporean senior
