SOME 70 members of the staff at the new Methodist Centre in Barker Road attended their first Chapel service on Jan 27, 2003 at the Sophia Blackmore Hall on the sixth floor.
An initiative of the Bishop’s Office, this monthly Methodist Centre Staff Chapel will be held on the last Monday of the month.
In welcoming the staff, Bishop Dr Robert Solomon said “we are now under one roof. This not only has architectural but also theological and practical significance — it will help strengthen our connectional system”.
Urging the staff to labour together, to be Christ-centred and to be genuinely concerned about each other’s welfare, he said: “This is the place where we work. But we are not the only ones working here. God is at work here too. God is interested not only in working through us, but also in us and among us.”
He concluded: “Are you happy working here? You can make a difference!”
A surprise ended the seriousness of the half-hour service when a cake was brought in. It was to celebrate the birthday of three staff members who were born in the month of January – Mrs Mary Seah, Bishop Dr Solomon’s secretary, and Ms Maria Cho and Mr Tow Ban Cheong of the Methodist Welfare Services.
There was a time of fellowship. Old friends chatted animatedly with one another and news friends were made over canned drinks, cakes and curry puffs.