I had mixed feelings, of anticipation and slight apprehension, when I was assigned to cover the General Conference Women’s Society of Christian Service (GC WSCS) 13th Session Quadrennial General Meeting (QGM) held at the Double Tree Hilton in Johor Bahru from 30 November to 2 December 2024. I had always been a little intimidated by the WSCS women in our churches. These larger-than-life women who seem to flawlessly manage work, family and ministry successfully were gathered to fellowship, review the work in the past quadrennium and elect office holders at the General Conference level for the 2024 – 2028 term.
The WSCS is affiliated to the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women (WFMUCW) and Singapore belongs to the East Asia Area (EAA). In Singapore, the origins of the WSCS dates back to the middle of the 19th century when women missionaries were sent by the Methodist Church in the USA to start schools and develop education for girls and women in Asia. It was only in 1968, when a woman delegate was elected to each Annual Conference, and the Book of Discipline was amended to include the WSCS President of each Conference as a member of the General Conference Executive Council, that the present WSCS structure took shape.
The GC WSCS comprises the Chinese Annual Conference (CAC) WSCS, Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference (ETAC) WSCS and Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) WSCS and provides a platform for women to be equipped in the areas of leadership and servanthood for the general ministry of the church. The four main pillars of the WSCS Ministries are centred on Discipleship & Nurture, Missions, Outreach & Social Concerns and Witness & Evangelism. There are currently 38 local WSCS chapters across the Methodist churches in Singapore. The purpose of the WSCS is “To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”.
Aside from the GC WSCS delegates, observers from some local chapters were present, bringing the total to 82 in attendance at this meeting. Other QGM guests included two representatives from the East Asia Area of the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women, Mrs Mary Devadason, President, and Mrs Margaret Chan, Secretary, as well as Ms Evelyn Sim, Malaysia’s General Conference Methodist Women (GCMW) President.
The invited speaker, then-Bishop (now Bishop Emeritus) Dr Gordon Wong wove his daily sharing around the theme for the new quadrennium: Changing Times, Unchanging Peace. He exhorted those present to exhibit God’s peace within themselves, their families and the body of Christ, despite the suffering we may have to endure. In so doing, we fulfil God’s call to be peacemakers whose security is built on Him. This was even more relevant considering the current state of the world where wars, natural calamities, violence and unrest plague many nations and peoples.
Some may think of this as another boring church event, but I beg to differ. In reality, the energy and enthusiasm of these sisters-in-Christ opened my eyes to their devotion and ministry. Their reports for each annual conference covered a range of activities including the new chapter established at Living Hope Methodist Church in September 2024, responses to financial appeals on WSCS Sundays and call to Prayer and Self-Denial Week, ongoing leadership development, missions and outreach efforts among others, all of which were glowing testaments to the prayers and efforts of these faithful women. Ms Sim, who is serving her second term as President of GCMW, was impressed by the various collaborations undertaken by the Singapore team. Despite Malaysia being geographically larger and more diversified, she was inspired to leverage the influence of this sisterhood and hopes to be able to collaborate with the GC WSCS The Methodist Church in Singapore in future.
From the listed agenda items of electing new leaders to worship and listening to the devotional messages, the women were disciplined, wise and mindful of their work in the Lord. Yet, when it came to mealtimes and fellowship, they were able to fully enjoy the company of friends and ministry co-workers amidst the convivial atmosphere.
In the closing activities of each day—the Fellowship Night and the Ministry Night— the light from the worshippers’ countenances shone through the praises, as much as the deep sharing of ministry milestones and challenges inspired and encouraged. As outgoing President, Dr (Mrs) Teo Li Bee, remarked, “My journey in WSCS has been a fulfilling one … all the ladies have shaped me as much as God has transformed and refined me.” 2024 marked her 50th year with the WSCS and Dr Teo, who had served her full term of two quadrennia, was succeeded by Mrs Gnanamany Philip.
In some, the fire of servitude was rekindled. In others, like myself, it sparked a deeper appreciation of how this sisterhood needs the support of its local church to continue its good work. Ms Naomi James, who volunteered at the QGM as an assistant secretary, is in her early 20s and was among the youngest attendees. “I learnt that many ladies had been serving in the WSCS since the time they were around my age. As they recollected and shared about their early years in the WSCS, their passion and excitement were very evident. It made my short conversations with them very memorable as I admired their joy for serving,” she shared. Ms James was a WSCS-sponsored attendee at this year’s Asian Young Women’s Leadership Development Program (AYWLDP) held in Cambodia. “If the WSCS could partner with the Methodist Youth Fellowship (or equivalent in churches), it would create more opportunities for young girls to learn and experience what it would be like to be a part of WSCS in the future, it could encourage young women to join the WSCS as they transition into young adults,” she added.
As another long-time WSCS member said as we closed the QGM and were preparing to return to Singapore, “This ministry exists because as women, we do share, pray and fellowship in a different way when we are among just women.” And I’d have to agree with the nursery rhyme—girls or women, we are sugar and spice, and everything nice.
Dr (Mrs) Teo Li Bee,
Immediate past President, GC WSCS (2016 – 2024)
Dr Teo started serving in the WSCS in 1974 and 2024 marked her jubilee year in this ministry. She recalls that she first joined the WSCS when she was expecting her son, and she has been active since, including serving as the TRAC WSCS President from 2004 to 2008. Through each season of her ministry in the WSCS, Dr Teo acknowledged the support and grace she has received from her husband and children, from the sisterly love within the WSCS, including the staff, and also God’s providence and guidance throughout this journey.
Mrs Gnanamany Philip
New President, GC WSCS (2024 – 2028)
Mrs Philip first joined the local WCSC in 1990 and quickly took on various roles throughout her WSCS journey at all three conference levels, spanning Governance, Missions, Worship & Music, and even as an Archivist. Within GC WSCS, she was actively involved in different capacities including Discipleship & Nurture Coordinator, Advisor and Vice President. Mrs Philip balances her service in GC WSCS with her work as a Master Teacher with the Ministry of Education. Her spouse is Rev Philip Abraham, the immediate past ETAC President.
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The installation of the newly elected GC WSCS executive committee will take place on 11 January 2025, during the annual GC WSCS Thanksgiving Service at Kum Yan Methodist Church.
General Conference Women’s Society of Christian Service
List of Office bearers 2024 – 2028
President
Mrs Gnanamany Philip
Vice-President
Ms Neo Lay Tin, Ms Lynette Loo
Secretary
Ms Lucy Tan, Ms Emily Ong
Treasurer
Mrs Jessy Moses
Witness & Evangelism Coordinator
Ms Deviki James, Ms Eunice Kng
Discipleship & Nurture Coordinator
Ms Grace Ling Chee Ngok, Mrs Imelda Fyffe
Outreach & Social Concerns Coordinator
Mrs Kohila Govindaraju, Ms Melinda Loh
Missions Coordinator
Ms Teo Suet Ehr, Mrs Joscelyn Foo
Finance Chairperson
Mrs Grace Chiam
Property Management Chairperson
Ms Flora Chew
Constitution Review Chairperson
Mrs Yu Hi Keng
Governance Chairperson
Ms Chan Lai King
Nominations Chairperson
Mrs Lydia Sng
CAC WSCS President
Ms Ong Tham Kwee
ETAC WSCS President
Mrs Sakuntala Jackson
TRAC WSCS President
Ms Nancy Tan
Advisor
Dr (Mrs) Teo Li Bee, Ms Dorothy Lim, Mrs Kanagi Kanakarajan
Ex-Officio
Bishop Philip Lim, Mrs Lydia Lim
Governance Committee Members
Mrs Kalaiarasy George, Mrs Florence Yee, Ms Anne Seow, Mrs Josephine Poore, Mrs Sally Seow
Nominations Committee Members
Mrs Susan Thomas, Ms Katherine Foo, Mrs Daisy Ling, Mrs Shireen Pandian, Mrs Choo Lai Eng, Mrs Laureen Ong