Singapore

In October Sascha and I made an Ecumenical Visit to the Presbyterian Churches of Singapore and Hong Kong. Our hope to strengthen relations between these two churches and our own, as the world starts to look towards the East.

Our first stop was Singapore where we were hosted by the Presbyterian Church of Singapore, our host being Elder Wong Pock Yeen (General Secretary equivalent).

At the Synod Office (Central Office) we met with Rev Tim See (The Assistant Clerk – English Presbytery) to discuss the training of ministers as well as his counterpart Pr Kim (Assistant Clerk – Chinese Presbytery). The Synod is split into two Presbyteries English and Chinese (the congregations are grouped into the Presbyteries according to language).

I also met with the Rev. Christopher Chia. Chris is senior minister to a large congregation called Adam Road Presbyterian. It’s a strong, healthy congregation that seeks to train ministers and Christian workers for the future. It caused me to pause and think about whether Trinity or the UPCSA thinks about the future of the Church. Adam road Presbyterian looks forward and sees the Church in need of strong leaders, then it looks for good candidates, offers them an internship (full-time paid), the best are sent overseas for study, and then appointed to congregations in Singapore for more mentorship and ordination.

One of the important questions that we’ve come here to ask is how Singaporean people understand the Gospel of Jesus. The Gospel story played out in the Middle East 2000 years ago, but it was brought by Western Missionaries to South Africa and to Singapore. In the last 20 to 30 years South Africans have been concerned with how the Gospel is understood in an African context we have come to learn how the Gospel is understood in an Eastern context.

So Elder Wong arranged for us to visit the All Saints Memorial Home (a nursing home for the Elderly) and the All Saints Memorial Chapel (a columbarium – for the interment of ashes). We were able to discuss Singaporean Christians caring for the elderly and how Singaporeans understand death and dying. We discovered that Singaporeans live to between 83 and 86 years and how people come into old age care in their mid to late 70′s.

We enjoyed a lunch at the All Saints Memorial Home. After this we returned to the Synod Office for a meeting with the Youth Leaders. Beldin Kee and two other leaders told us about the youth minister of the Presbyterian Church of Singapore. This included a reflection on the world view of young Singaporeans. We spoke about worship and christian education and they told us about their annual events. We were able to share something of the work of our Youth Association.

On Sunday morning we attended worship at Amazing Grace Presbyterian Church. Grace Presbyterian Church consists of two churches – Amazing Grace (English) and Holy Grace (Chinese). The buildings hold two sanctuaries and the services run concurrently.

It was like being at home. The service follows a similar pattern and the songs are what we sing back home. They have two services 9.30am and 11.30am. Both services are followed by Fellowship Lunch in the courtyard. The welcoming committee on “door duty” were so welcoming! We were enthusiastically introduced to two South African families living in Singapore – what a small world!

Elder Wong Pock Yeen, myself, Rev Stephen Gan (Moderator)

Following the service and lunch and farewells we were taken to Changi Airport to prepare for our flight to Hong Kong. From Singapore to Hong Kong is a 3 1/2 hour flight. Thankfully the rain had ceased and the possibility of typhoon warnings had disappeared!