The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) will be celebrating its 140th anniversary this year with several events and initiatives. “MCS 140” will be launched on 16 February 2025 as part Wesley Methodist Church’s Anniversary Service. Bishop Philip Lim sent out an official letter to the Methodist community to announce the special events and initiatives in the year, highlighting Methodist Welfare Services’ lead in this endeavour. More information about these activities and others that are in the pipeline will be shared in due course.
We reproduce Bishop’s letter in full here. ~ MM
+++++
7 January 2025
Dear Pastors and Leaders, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As we begin a new year, I am filled with gratitude as we celebrate 140 years of Methodism in Singapore, in conjunction with our nation’s 60th anniversary of independence. As we reflect on God’s faithfulness to The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS), let us remember how our church was built. Our founders established MCS because they loved God and loved the community around them, in accordance with Jesus’ command to “Love God by loving our neighbour” (Mark 12:28-34). This commandment will continue to be our theme for the new quadrennium, with a focus on loving God as the basis of scriptural holiness.
We will officially launch MCS 140 on 16 February 2025 as part of an Anniversary Service at Wesley Methodist Church, and I encourage all Methodists to come together that day to celebrate the occasion.
This year, MCS will also continue to do our part to serve and build our nation through our social concerns arm, Methodist Welfare Services (MWS). We want to rally Methodist church members to contribute 1.4 million hours (about 35 hours a person) to serve the community in any area of social concern in 2025 and beyond. These hours are not limited to MWS centres and local church programmes. MWS will create a digital platform for pledging hours and use Artificial Intelligence to match volunteer opportunities to interests and preferences. Ultimately, this will be a platform for Methodists to come together with friends and family to do good for those in need.
In addition, we aim to raise $1.4 million to bless 1,000 families and individuals, especially distressed families, the chronically sick and homeless, disadvantaged children and youth including those with special needs. As part of fund-raising efforts, we will present “The Healing Nation” Christian Concert on 1 November 2025 at Star Performing Arts Centre, showcasing collaborations between our churches, agencies, schools, beneficiaries and Christian artistes. This concert will be another occasion to commemorate MCS 140 as we come together for a time of worship and celebration.
We will share details of all these events in due course.
I seek your support to rally your church and community as we come together to do good in this significant year for MCS and Singapore. May we demonstrate our love for God by loving our neighbours, just as our founders did 140 years ago.
Together in Christ,
Bishop Philip Lim
The Methodist Church in Singapore
Photos courtesy of Methodist Archives & History Library, MCS