Singapore envoy to Cambodia among those at their 10th Anniversary celebrations
PHNOM PENH – The Methodist School of Cambodia (MSC) and Toul Kork Methodist Church were transformed into a carnival ground on May 31, 2008. The carnival was organised as part of the 10th Anniversary celebrations of the school and church.
Hundreds of pupils, parents and well-wishers poured into the school and church grounds to try their hand at the different game stalls. Many walked away with prizes of Milo and stuffed toys. There were food and drink stalls to fi ll hungry stomachs as well.
The day started with the Rev Philip Lim, the Methodist Missions Society’s (MMS) Country Coordinator for Cambodia, giving the welcome speech in Khmer and English.
In his speech, he recounted that “10 years ago, the school started with only 18 students and two missionary teachers. But today, we have close to 400 students and more than 30 teachers and staff”. He urged everyone to have a good time to celebrate God’s goodness.
Many special guests had flown in for the occasion. They included the Rev Dr Clarence Lim, the former Director of the MMS, Mr Chou Fang Soong, Vice-Chairman of the MMS, and Mrs Birthday joy for Toul Kork Church, Methodist School of Cambodia Singapore envoy to Cambodia among those at their 10th Anniversary celebrationsLaureen Ong, Chairman of the General Conference Women’s Society of Christian Service (GC-WSCS).
These leaders were accompanied by mission teams from Bedok Methodist Church, Faith Methodist Church, Pentecost Methodist Church, Toa Payoh Methodist Church, GC-WSCS and Evangel Christian Church. A team of 12 from Wesley Methodist Church, Sibu, Sarawak, also came. Its team members organised games and set up a stall selling homemade cakes and pau (Chinese buns) – items unavailable in Phnom Penh.
During the carnival, the Singapore Ambassador to Cambodia, Ms Tan Yee Woan, dropped in for a visit and stayed for about an hour. She toured the compound, saw the students’ work and spoke to the church leaders.
Mrs Ong later invited the Ambassador to visit the COSI and Emmaus Women’s Centre. Just before she left she bought some pau for her staff.
The next day, everyone was out in their Sunday best for the 10th Anniversary Worship Service on June 1. The Rev Lim and the Rev Svay Youthorath, Pastorin- Charge of Toul Kork Methodist Church, were the worship leaders and the Rev Dr Lim was the guest speaker.
His sermon was entitled “Be faithful and fruitful”.
The Rev Dr Lim reminded the congregation of more than 200 worshippers that being faithful means to remain focused. He said that “being focused helps us not to be distracted, discouraged and defeated”. He also challenged all to “remain steadfast and firm”.
Later he made special mention of the late Ms Annabelle Lim who was the first missionary sent from the MMS to Cambodia. Her life was an example of being faithful and fruitful.
During the service, pupils from the Grade 7 and 8 classes rendered the anthem “To God Be the Glory”.
Bishop Paup to lead UMC’s Board of Global Ministries
STAMFORD, Connecticut (US) – United Methodist Bishop Edward Paup has been elected to lead the church’s Board of Global Ministries, which oversees global missions and is the denomination’s largest agency.
He will assume the post of General Secretary on Sept 1. Until then, Bishop Felton May will continue as the interim top executive.
Bishop Paup, 62, is Bishop of the Seattle area, which includes the Pacific Northwest Annual (Regional) Conference and Alaska Missionary Conference, and is President of the Western Jurisdiction College of Bishops. He will tender his resignation from the episcopacy, effective Aug 31.
No stranger to the Board of Global Ministries, he became a director in 2004 and serves as President of the United Methodist Committee on Relief. He chairs the board’s health and relief committee and its audit committee and also serves on its finance and executive panels.
The election of an active bishop to oversee a church agency is unprecedented in the 40-year history of The United Methodist Church. US bishops are elected for life and, while some have resigned for various reasons, none has left for full-time leadership of a church agency. – United Methodist News Service.