KDN : PP114764/1/2007 Srictly for Private Circulation May - August DAYS

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1 KDN : PP114764/1/2007 Srictly for Private Circulation May - August 2007 MY FIRST 100 DAYS What S INSIDE Farewell to Bishop Lim Page 8 Interview With The Bishop Page 9-11 Diocesan Women s Conference Page 14 F irst of all, I wish to thank all of you for your prayers and love that you have showered upon me. I am really humbled to be chosen as your Bishop. There is a gigantic task ahead for me to tackle. Without your continuous prayers and support, I would not be able to get anything done well. My Consecration Service and Thanksgiving Dinner went superbly under the chairmanship of Mr. Marcus Sundram and the Chief Marshall, Dean Jason Selvaraj. I praise God for the friends of the Diocese both local and foreign. They have added colour and variety to the Consecration Service. Someone remarked to me that even my wedding day was not so grand. I praise God for entrusting to me such a big task. I do wish to speak frankly and honestly about my impression of my first 100 days in office. In one phrase, I can say that I am like a fish out of water. I am so used to running around in the field and am now confined from 9 to 5 in the office. This is awful. Administration is not my cup of tea. I am planning to revamp the whole system so that I can have time to be in the field. We, as a Diocese, have great potential and assets to launch into the deep. Much work needs attention and focus before we can see greater results in the Diocese. The greatest assets we have are the clergy, laity and the properties we have been left with. Meanwhile, all my days in the office have been employed in studies for goal-setting, vision-casting, strategic planning and deployment of resources. I will need everyone in the Diocese, junior or senior, young or old, men or ladies, children or adults, to work, share and serve together. I wish to record a vote of thanks to my predecessors Bishop Roland Koh, Bishop John Savarimuthu, Bishop Lim Cheng Ean, Bishop M. E. Ponniah and many clergy and lay leaders who have toiled, sacrificed and loved the church over these last 37 years of our formation. Motto: THY KINGDOM COME to my life, family, career, contacts, church, community and nation. Bishop Ng Moon Hing

2 Editorial Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you - they are your life- Deut 32:46-47 Editorial The world in which we raise children today is dramatically different to what it was just one or two decades ago. One of the most important contributions we can make as parents is to convince our children that they really matter to God, to us, and to other people. They need to know that they are unique and important; that they are valuable, irreplaceable and worthy of respect. They must be told that their thoughts and feelings, doubts and fears are worthy of careful discussion and that we as parents are interested and want to participate and be part of their plans and dreams. Effective parenting also demands that very early in the childrearing process, we begin to expose our children to a wide range of opportunities. Then we need to observe their reactions, likes, dislikes, successes and failures and as we do so, we begin to identify what really their uniqueness is, and then perhaps to talk about it. As their God-given talents and abilities surface, we need to encourage and affirm them. As parents we also need to do everything in our power to teach our children that the essence of Christianity is a living and dynamic relationship with a living God; that we can talk to God in prayer and expect Him to speak through His Holy Spirit - that they need to feel a sense of divine companionship all throughout the day because they are in a living relationship with God; that Christianity is not just a set of rules but a living dynamic relationship with God. The family can provide a kind of spiritual training that no other institution can and parents have the potential to make deep and long lasting spiritual impressions on children more than any other organization can. When parents are devoted followers of Christ, this turns out to be a blessing that no money can buy and no academic qualification can replace. What are the impressions you are making on your children and what basic truths are you impressing on their lives? Obeying the Lord leads to blessings for our family and for ourselves. The Editorial Board would like to thank all our writers for this issue and especially our Bishop who has given us the opportunity to interview him so that you can get to know him better. We are delighted that he has also taken the trouble to share his thoughts on the theme. The theme for the next issue will be Transformation of Families: The extended family and single persons. Please send in your thoughts and reflections early. Shalom! Editorial Board DVD of Bishop s Consecration on Sale Editorial Board DVDs of the Consecration and Enthronement Service of Bishop Ng Moon Hing at St. Mary s Cathedral and the Thanksgiving Fellowship Dinner at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on 5 May 2007 are available for sale at the Diocesan office. One set of both events is priced at RM30.00 while a DVD of a single event costs RM Orders can be made through the Diocesan Office. Please contact Diana ( ) for details. Adviser : The Rt Rev Ng Moon Hing Members : Gloriosa Rajendran (Editor), Rev Dr Andrew Cheah, James Chee, Prakash Mukherjee The theme for the next issue (September - December 2007) is Transformation of Families: The extended family and single persons. The Editorial Board welcomes articles and photographs that focus on this theme for the coming issue. Please submit your articles to the Editor, Anglican Messenger, Diocesan Office or to anglican@streamyx.com by 15 October The Synod of the Diocese of West Malaysia (Anglican Church) No. 16 Jalan Pudu Lama, Kuala Lumpur, Tel : ,

3 The Importance Of Parenting Twenty-one years as a parent is a long time especially in the process of feeding and nurturing. This is the most arduous part of parenting. At least, finally I can say, I have made it through. Of course, the road is still very long for a parent to go on because once a parent always a parent. I subscribe to the idea that every parent has three stages of parenting: stage one - nurture, stage two - support, and stage three - supervise. NURTURE At the first stage of parenting, the degree and intensity of attention and care decreases with the age of the children. The younger the children, the feeding and watchfulness will be greatest. A baby needs more direct attention and care than a teenager. This is the most critical stage of a person s life. There is a common belief that I have come across and do accept it on face value i.e. 75% of a person s character is determined by his first sixteen years of moulding, education and upbringing. If this is so, then we, all the more, have to put greater emphasis on early childhood education and character building. Unfortunately, we are seeing the reverse in today s society, Christians are not exempted. As society gets more affluent, the role of early childhood education and character building is being seconded to untrained maids, the so-called nurseries and play schools, and Sunday Schools. The role of parents in these homes has been revised to the next two stages where they now play the supportive or supervisory roles. Scripture is clear on the teaching of sowing i.e. `A man reaps what he sows (Gal. 6:7). Therefore, if we sow with care and nurture, we will in turn reap care and nurture from our children. If we sow support then we will reap support. If we sow supervision then we will reap supervision. At the early years of formation of a child, nothing lesser than a parent s total care and nurture can be accepted by God. When God created human kind, He made sure we are not created alone and without care and nurture. He was there with Adam right at the beginning of time. When He created us, he made sure we are born into a family with parents and in most cases siblings too. I find it hard to understand the rationale of both parents working full time and leaving their children to secondary `parents. Given our present situation, except in the case of some extreme cases, the earning of one parent is often sufficient to feed a whole family. Of course, when we include the luxuries and extras, the earning of even five in the family will not be enough to maintain our extravagant living. I strongly feel that one parent, in our case it is usually the mother, should not assume a full time career away from home, which demands long hours until at least the children have finished their high school. Full attention to nurture and care is crucial for a proper upbringing of a child. This, too, includes spiritual upbringing. Let us give our best to our children especially in terms of time, care, nurture, support and supervision. Children are vulnerable, easily influenced, naive, ignorant and active. They need full-time parents to walk, talk, play, cry, laugh, shout and fool around with them as they grow up. The woman referred to in the saying: Behind every successful man is a woman, in most cases, is the mother. Parenting is a calling. It is a divine appointment. Remedial work would not be necessary if we have put the prevention work in place at an early stage. Every child has the right to demand from his parent s full attention, nurture and care. They are not tools for our future stability and security. They are also not idols and toys for our entertainment or comfort. They are children of God who must accomplish God s will for each of their lives. Parents are earmarked by God to usher their children along this pathway of holiness and to fulfill this high calling of God. Spiritual nurturing must be in place as soon as they are conceived in the womb. The second stage of the role of a parent is a supportive one. This happens when a child has come of age and can fend for himself. He is a young adult and needs to earn his own living. But his raw and fresh experience in society can do better with proper parental guidance and support. Parents will need to stand afar, to look and observe rather than have a direct hand-out approach. They should be like the shade rather than the pillar. Young adults should be given all avenues to make their own decisions and choices. Parental guidance and support will only come in when there is a need for it. The dependence strings must be cut at this point. Having said this, I wish to qualify by emphasizing the cutting of the ties of total dependency and not the relationship ties of bonding. It is so true and important, at this stage, for the young person to heed parental advice, as emphasized by a Chinese saying: Failure to heed to the advice of the senior will result in disadvantages and despair. SUPERVISE The third stage is a supervisory one. When the grandchildren are around, the grannies can play an important role in supervision. However, our present family set-up has confused the roles. The grannies are given the role of nurture instead of supervision. The feeling of the grannies is always that the grandchildren are not their own children. Thus, the possibility of spoiling the grandchildren is often greater. Grannies can and are often bold to spank their own children but not their grandchildren. This is because it is actually not their role. God has created in them a supervisory role and it is naturally so in their make-up. They should still be playing the supportive role for their own children and a supervisory role for their grandchildren. When the grandchildren are caught in between two sets of people playing the nurturing role, they initially will be confused and after sometime they will learn how to manipulate the two different sets of rules and expectations. It is not their intention to do so cont d on page 6

4 Consecration and Enthronement of the 4th Bishop of Diocese of West Malaysia The Service It is not very often that Anglican Christians get an opportunity to witness and participate in an auspicious occasion such as the Consecration and Enthronement of a Bishop; inclusive of Thanksgiving Celebrations. the Wardens and the Dean Very Rev Jason Selvaraj who was the Chief Marshall gave their fullest support. The partnership of clergy and laity in God s ministry was depicted in the seating arrangements in the cathedral clergy in rows on the left and laity on the right. The beauty of the colours and designs of the robes and mitres portrayed a picture of ecclesiastical dignity and sanctity, creating an awesome atmosphere of worship. The Message In his sermon, the Archbishop of Canterbury focused on the role of a Bishop and the Church in the commissioning of a person to an apostolic ministry. His passage of reference was John 21. The 5th of May 2007 was one such occasion where Anglicans from various parts of Malaysia and the surrounding regions congregated at St Mary s Cathedral, Kuala Lumpur to honour and praise God and to welcome the 4th Bishop of the Diocese The Rt Rev Ng Moon Hing. Even though this special service was scheduled to commence at 3.30 pm, the Jubilee Hall of the Cathedral was fully packed by 1.30pm! The new multi-purpose Hall, the Lady Chapel and the Courtyard were packed to capacity by 3.00pm, leaving many to stand around in order to get a glimpse of the whole service. One could not help but notice that worshippers and guests had come attired in their best, to honour, praise and worship in the house of the King of Kings. We were fortunate to have in our midst the Archbishop of Canterbury His Grace the Most Rev Rt Hon Dr Rowan Williams who participated and preached the sermon at the Service of Consecration and Enthronement. The Service had in attendance His Grace The Most Rev Dr John Chew the Archbishop of the Province of South East Asia, as President and Chief Consecrator; the Anglican Archbishop of Hong Kong, representatives of the Archbishops of Gloucester (England), Perth (Australia) and the Philippines. There were also about 18 Bishops from Taiwan, Australia, England, the Philippines, Singapore, Sabah, Sarawak and West Malaysia present. The Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church, The Most Rev Dr Murphy Packiam, Bishop Julius Paul (ELCM), Bishop Paul Tan (RC), Bishop Philip Lok (LCM), Cor Episcopa Philip Thomas (Syrian), Rev Dr Thomas Philip (Mar Thoma), Rev Ong Hwai Teck (on behalf of the Methodists) and representatives of other Christian denominations in Malaysia were also present. We also had the honour of two former clergy of the Diocese of Singapore and Malaysia, retired Bishop Rt Rev Anthony Dumper and Rt Rev Peter Tusker. About 1,500 people took part in the 2½-hour service steeped in Anglican tradition. The leaders of the Cathedral including Jesus Calls As much as Jesus called His disciples to be with Him in this passage, we are to acknowledge His calling in prayer and study and challenge others to hear the good news of the Risen Christ. They are to be shown that they are not alone, but loved, valued and summoned to be in His company and fellowship. Jesus Forgives We are to be aware that we are all sinners and need forgiveness. We are to proclaim that there is forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ and we need not be prisoners of guilt. He reminded us that we have a Saviour who died and rose again to give us an understanding that there is grace and hope. Jesus Sends In the apostolic ministry, the people of God are called to witness to the ends of the earth, to proclaim what Jesus has done for us. We are encouraged to possess a clear vision of evangelism and ministry of the love of Christ and to feed the hungry world. Addressing the new Bishop, the Archbishop reminded him of his calling: i) To build a church where people know that they are called by Jesus Christ, forgiven and sent out. ii) To enable the church to be renewed in mission, refreshed and restored by the presence of the Holy Spirit. iii) It is not an easy or popular task but provides the privilege of an exciting commission to call, forgive and send. iv) It is not a role to conquer, subdue or silence but to draw people to the company of Jesus in fellowship, sharing in a mission of joy, transformation and renewal. v) The apostolic ministry can be lonely, requiring time in silence, waiting and praying that the light will shine in the darkness though the scriptures and in the presence of the Holy Spirit.

5 Thanksgiving Banquet A thanksgiving banquet was held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre at 7.30 pm on the same day, attended by over 800 people, including Archbishops, Bishops, clergy, deaconesses, other Christian leaders and laity. Also present were Tan Sri Amar Leo Moggie and Puan Sri, YB Dato Tan Kee Kwong & Datin, and the Director General of Religious Affairs, Cambodia. The dinner began with a procession of VIPs, proceeded by 11 flag bearers each carrying a State flag to a rousing welcome song, followed by the national anthem. Local tradition was depicted in the carrying of bunga manggar. There were three Malaysian cultural items - a Chinese musical and an Asli dance presented by St Peter s Church Ipoh, as well as a lively Bollywood number from the youth of St Mary s Cathedral. Bishop Lim said the opening prayer while Archbishop John Chew spoke on behalf of the Province. He highlighted the need to share resources and experiences of each Diocese in the Province as one family in the Lord. Bishop Moon Hing spoke about his background and his acceptance of Jesus Christ as his Saviour at Monash University, Australia. He Members of the Organising Committee: expressed appreciation for the support given to him by his wife Siew Lan and his three children during his ministry in the last 20 years. He touched on how he shuns away from the limelight and but values the love, encouragement and prayer support of his parishioners, laity and fellow clergy. He recorded a special word of thanks to a good friend and mentor, Mr Jim Dacy. The chairman of the organising committee, Marcus Sundram, thanked all who contributed in one way or another to the success of the consecration service and banquet. He also expressed how he valued the cooperation and support of the members of the Organising Committee, the guidance of Bishop Lim and Bishop Moon Hing. Ir Marcus Sundram Chairman Organising Committee Bishop Ng Moon Hing, Bishop Lim Cheng Ean, Very Rev Jason Selvaraj, Rev Dr Andrew Cheah, Mrs Inbam Solomon, Mrs Yong Lee Wah, Mr James Chee, Mr Lee Wai Kong, Mr Andrew Lai, Mr David Joseph History of The Diocese of West Malaysia The Diocese of West Malaysia was formed on 8 April The first Bishop was a Sabahan The Rt Rev Tan Sri Roland Koh. He was a theologian who sacrificed much to create a Malaysian identity for the Diocese by having an excellent rapport with the government of the day. Bishop Koh went to be with the Lord on 9 September 1972 in the USA, while still in service for the Lord. The second Bishop was The Rt Rev Tan Sri John G Savarimuthu. He took office on 7 March 1973 and served for 21 years. Records indicate that he was one for Expansion, Evangelism and Ecumenism. He was a vibrant and anointed leader who went to be with the Lord on 30 November 1994, also while in service for Him. The third bishop was The Rt Rev Tan Sri Dr Lim Cheng Ean. He took office on 12 June 1995 and built on the vision and programmes of his predecessors. During his tenure, he participated in the formation of the Province of South East Asia. His focus was to grow the Diocese from financial weakness to consolidation, which included the development of the Diocesan land and properties. He was determined to develop the enlarged Diocese from the Maintenance to Mission mode. He introduced two 5-year plans: and the current Transformation plan from He retired on 10 March The New Bishop The Ven Canon Ng Moon Hing B.E. (Hons) (Monash, 1978); B.D. (SEAGST, 1985); M.Div (SEAGST, 1989) Date of birth: 12 November 1955 Ordained Deacon: 23 June 1985 Collated as Canon: 12 June 1996 Appointed Archdeacon of Lower North: 1 February 2001 Consecrated & Enthroned Bishop: 5 May 2007 Bishop Moon Hing is a qualified engineer by profession. He relinquished his secular career and offered himself for full-time ministry in Though his early training was at St Paul s Church, PJ, he served at St Peter s Church Ipoh, for more than two decades. He also served at various committees at the Diocese and Provincial levels. Having pioneered the New Village Ministry in the Diocese, he is determined to see many more churches planted. His vision is a Dynamic Church in Mission, Evangelism and Training. He is married to Siew Lan and is blessed with a son, Joshua Tarnj Jiun, and two daughters, Sarah Jiayi and Charlotte Jia Lerd. Bishop Moon Hing is the first graduate from Seminari Theologi Malaysia to become a Bishop.

6 cont d from page 3 but the environment has created a situation where they have to adapt. So, when they grow up, there will be an imbalance in their understanding and behavioural character. The task of correction is almost an impossible one, after having become set in their mind and character. The grannies should allow their own children to set the rules of the game and flow with it. It is a very difficult and humbling experience for a granny to follow someone else s rule if she has been at the helm all the while. I have heard many a time such frightening remarks as: I have brought up my children to such good lives and honoured positions. Do you not think that I can do the same for my grandchildren? The answer is an emphatic NO. I am not underestimating the power of the grannies at all but the chemistry just does not click in this case. Let us be the parents that God wants us to be, and the grandparents that He wants us to assume. Our Diocesan theme TRANSFORMATION OF FAMILIES IN CHRIST is specially designed to re-direct us to the intended role that God has set for us, parents and grandparents. Bishop Ng Moon Hing Press Release from National Christian Consultation on HIV/AIDS 1st National Christian Consultation on HIV/AIDS, 5th 7th March 2007 Full Gospel Assembly, Kuala Lumpur The reality of AIDS in Malaysia is reflected by the statistics that as of June 2006, there is an accumulated total of 73,427 known cases of people who are infected with HIV. It has been a consistently increasing total since the early 1990s. While the majority of known HIV/AIDS cases are drug dependents, transmission through sex is on the rise. Gender wise, the HIV+ women population have increased from 1% in 1991 to about 12% in 2005, of course this means that there are more children who are born with the virus. RESOLUTIONS AIDS is in the Church which is borne by the clients we are serving and helping; some who have experienced negative and unpleasant reaction from the Churches. The Body of Christ is called upon to be love and care, to represent the Just, Compassionate and Healing Christ. Various plenaries and sharings by experts and practitioners from overseas and local were carried out. Nine (9) workshops were held by which the following Resolutions were submitted by the different participants for the attention of all Churches and Christians. 1 It is mandatory that the Church becomes involved with the contemporary issues of HIV/AIDS. 2 Pastors and Church Leaders must provide vision and leadership in pastoral care to people who are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. 3 Church Leaders are to be knowledgeable and show initiative in a positive commitment to the HIIV/AIDS agenda. 4 AIDS Information and Awareness is to be promoted and made available; accompanied by Prayer. 5 The Church is to be equipped to teach, engage and respond to sexuality issues especially amongst the youth. 6 We are to involve the children, youth and families in advocacy; as well as in the decision making processes. 7 Prayer Initiatives could coincide with the AIDS Memorial Day or International AIDS Day. 8 Every Church should have a HIV/AIDS policy which reflects a Biblical mandate. 9 Emphasis in prayers, support and finance should be given to caregivers who are an integral part of AIDS care. 10 The Church must be involved in sharing and contribute resources towards the fight against AIDS; and for the support and care of People Living with HIV/AIDS; which can be done via strategies partnerships with other Churches and organisations involved in the ministry. 11 The Church must accept the reality of People Living with HIV/AIDS in the Church and should have a non-judgmental attitude towards all. 12 The Church must encourage positive actions to facilitate consultation and dialogue amongst leaders and people concerned; promote networking. HIV/AIDS is to be on the Church Agenda. 13 Prevention and Risk Minimisation at its various levels of efficacy will depend on the Churches responsibility towards its at risk communities. Therefore, the Church needs to seek and find the at risk communities to visit, reach out, bring the good news, do prevention and do awareness programmes.

7 GG G GG Purpose Driven Parenting & Purpose Driven Parenting Parenting: Beginnings and Formation of Parents Transformation of Families Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny. We may have heard about the Purpose Driven Life and the Purpose Driven Church. It emphasizes the need for a goal, and intentionality behind our actions so that we achieve the best. Bad parenting brings negative effects on families. Good parenting can change families to be positive agents of transformation in our society. Parents who intentionally and purposefully, give children what is useful after thoroughly thinking through what would be most beneficial to them, practice a purpose driven parenting model. This promotes a transformational lifestyle that transforms families. It is purpose driven! Many people believe that parenting begins with birth. This is not accurate. From the fifth month on, the unborn baby is able to hear, be aware of motion, and exhibit short-term memory. An unborn baby becomes familiar with the parents voices. Scientifically, we can say that parenting actually begins well before birth. The child itself bears the genes of the parents. This child already receives the blueprint of parenting of his parents, which will tremendously affect this child. Scripturally, both Parent and Child are children of our Heavenly Father/Parent. Thus a Parent is also a Child. The Child in turn is a Parent in process. The Parenting role is inclusive. It does not exclude the community of believers. At baptism, parents, godparents and members of the local church community make a covenant. They promise to support the family as they help their child to grow in God s love. This is not just a case of religious education. The holistic development and parenting of any child begins long before he or she is enrolled into a Sunday School or a school. It is not classroom centred. It is not teacher centred. It is not syllabus centred. It is not exam centred. It is God centred and child centred. The child learns by observing the parents and the local community, even before the child can speak or write a single word. The spiritual heritage of the community of Faith shapes the Child. The child learns best in a stable, safe and loving environment. Therefore the primary duty of the parents is to make sure their home has a safe, stable and loving environment. The elders in the house must love, respect and be at peace with each other. Then the child feels safe and loved. If mum and dad are constantly fighting and angry with each other, the child picks up these feelings and it affects the learning capacity of the child. Parenting: A Calling to be Authentic The guys who fear becoming fathers don t understand that fathering is not something perfect men do, but something that perfects the man. The end product of child raising is not the child but the parent. ~Frank Pittman, Man Enough Parenting is a holistic ministry. It combines knowledge of who we are (psychological), with a knowledge of what we believe (theology), and the knowledge of how we learn (process of education). We are parents not because we have learnt to become the perfect parent-educator, but because in participating with our child s education we are becoming a parent-educator. Honesty is an important quality for a parent to educate the child. Parents willingness to take risks in displaying their own ignorance when they do not know something and working patiently to solve problems they face are an important part of teaching children. Positive experiences of the child with the parent in the early stages of life will prepare the child to be more receptive to education. Playing with children and talking to them, even for a short period of time, is an important part of their learning. Trying new things is part of learning to learn. What a person knows is less important than what they do to find out new things. When parents and children explore learning together, the experience of cooperation, family support, and excitement outweigh the problems of being tired, not having enough time, embarrassment. Being authentic is more than being honest. It calls us to put our faith in practice. Some practical ways we can do this is by: Passing on our faith by educating them properly so that when the time comes to make choices they will have some understanding of what they are doing. Praying for our children, as we let them hear us pray. Let them hear us say positive things about them. Dads should set the spiritual tone in the home. It may call for an encounter and closure of our own Parenting experiences with our Parents. Some of those experiences may be painful and even forgettable. If we do not bring these experiences to our Father in Heaven for healing and closure, we will project and act out our own unhappy experiences of Parenting onto our Children. It is precisely because children learn by observing parents and the local community, even before the child can speak or write a single word, that there is a great need for Parents to be authentic and full of integrity. This needs to be kept in focus and therefore the need for Intentional Parenting! The Intentional Parent uses Parenting Leadership to lovingly hold the space so the children experience a joyful learning partnership with their parents to unleash their highest potential by mutual reflection and support in a safe environment. Rev Canon D Steven Abbarow

8 Service of Thanksgiving & Farewell Dinner for Bishop Lim The Cathedral Council of St. Mary s Cathedral and the Parochial Church Council of St. Peter s Parish in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur jointly organized a special Service of Thanksgiving for the Episcopal Leadership of Rt. Rev. Tan Sri Dr. Lim Cheng Ean recently. This was held at St. Peter s Church in Bangsar at 6.00 p.m on Saturday, 10 March The day was made doubly special for it was also the 65th birthday of Bishop Lim and the official date of his retirement. About 400 people attended the service followed by a sit-down fusion dinner at the Gnanabai Saroja Memorial Hall. The Bishop preached on 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 and spoke on the need for unity in the Diocese and rendering support for the new leadership. Mr. A Devan, the People s Warden of St. Peter s presented a gift to the Bishop on behalf of the two churches. Tan Sri Dato Dr. James Alfred, the Dean s Warden of the Cathedral garlanded the Bishop whilst a pretty little girl from St. Peter s presented a bouquet to Puan Sri Dss. Amy Lim. Among the invited guests were Most. Rev. Murphy Pakiam, the Roman Catholic Archbishop; Bishop Julius Paul of the Evangelical Lutheran Church; Bishop Philip Lok of the Lutheran Church in Malaysia; Bishop Dr. Dennis C Dutton (retired) and Rev. Dr. Herman Shastri of the Council of Churches in Malaysia. Members of churches in the Central Archdeaconry were also present to grace the occasion. Service of Thanksgiving & Farewell Dinner for Bishop Lim

9 Interview with the Bishop of the Diocese of West Malaysia Thy Kingdom Come A 30 year vision for the Anglican Diocese The Rt Rev Ng Moon Hing took office as the fourth Bishop of the Diocese of West Malaysia on 5 May In an interview with the Anglican Messenger at his office in Kuala Lumpur, he spoke on a wide range of issues including his vision for the Diocese, the challenges facing the church, the need to make the church relevant to the people especially the young, and his passion to go down to the ground to help bring Christ s Kingdom into our midst. The Bishop of West Malaysia Rt Rev Ng Moon Hing has called on all Anglicans in Peninsular Malaysia to share in a 30-year Transformation vision for the Diocese. This vision will be based on the affirmation Thy Kingdom Come, which aims to usher the coming of God s Kingdom into our midst. We must hasten this process of Kingdomisation given the signs of the times that point to the coming soon of Christ, such as the demolition of the Berlin Wall, September 11, the rise of terrorism and the growth of the internet, he says. Citing the scripture from Proverbs 29:18, Where there is no vision, the people perish, Bishop Moon Hing says he believes that God has placed him in this role to lead the diocese to take a quantum leap from maintenance mode to mission mode, from walking pace to running pace, from traditional and uninteresting church to exciting and vibrant church; from one diocese to many dioceses; from clergy led church to clergy-laity jointly led church; from one worship style church to one stop multi-ministry church. I don t believe that I will be implementing drastic changes. Rather, I am adding in things which are not there and reshaping things which are currently not effective into more focused ways, to truly transform ourselves in the next 30 years, he said. What he intends to do also is to map out the deliverables within shorter periods of 20 years, 10 years, 5 years and annually. In this way, Anglicans of all generations will know the direction we are heading and can see for themselves the progress and evaluate their achievements, he added. He hopes that by the 50th or 60th anniversary of the Diocese (now 37 years in existence), we will be able to record major achievements for the glory of God. Underscoring this vision is the overriding need to go back to basics and bring the gospel to people of the world. We must remain focused on God and share the message of His salvation to the community. Outlining the core areas of this vision, Bishop Moon Hing revealed that it will include the following: Creating a few Anglican dioceses within West Malaysia Making the Anglican church a household name in Malaysia Building a diocese that is strong in mission, biblical teaching, dynamic youth, lively children, creative ladies, jovial men and untiring golden circle. Instituting joint clergy-laity church Creating leaders who are true servants of Jesus Christ Producing professional and specialist clergy and lay pastors Creating Christian university and schools. This will involve a multi-pronged approach with the ultimate aim of bringing God s Kingdom to the people of West Malaysia. Among the steps that will be taken will be to tap the opportunities in new growth areas such as the Iskandar Development Region, Northern Corridor Economic Region and Eastern Corridor Economic Region. To this end, I intend to seek the Archbishop s permission for two assistant or suffragan bishops, who are themselves parish priests but given greater responsibilities to play in the arena of mission, he explained. It is also my intention to carve out Melaka and Negeri Sembilan to form their own Lower-Central Archdeaconry. Bishop Ng also noted that for too long, the Anglican Church in West Malaysia was apparently not highly regarded or considered by other Christians and non-christians in the country or outside, both in terms of church growth and leadership. We must reverse this trend by the pursuit of specialisation. Hopefully, one day in the near future, Anglicans will be greatly sought after for our leadership, learning, professionalism, humility, boldness, clarity in expounding scripture, mission work, conference speakers and so on, he said. He also spoke on the need to upgrade the level of clergy training to ensure that the Anglican church continues to excel and remain in the cutting edge of this world. At the same time, he noted that it was important to place the right clergy in the right church to spearhead the changes on the ground. The Anglican church has always been strong in liturgy, but we have not emphasised on the teaching ministry from the pulpit, he acknowledges. This will be another area

10 hinder us. of emphasis and as part of the overall efforts, the Diocese intends to send one clergy a year to do a doctorate degree. He points out that professionalism should not only be confined to the clergy but the laity who can use their talents and become specialists within the church structure. Also on the cards is the creation of a House of Deacons (see side story). We have a lot of strengths within our Diocese such as our stability over the years, thanks to past Bishops, priests and laity who have always worked together to ensure that we remain united over the years, he noted. We also have a significant membership of over 20,000 and that makes the church strong. He added that the Diocese also has a good number of assets and did not have to pay rental for most churches except for new ones that had to be purchased. The important thing now is to work faster and as a team, says Bishop Moon Hing. We may have differences and different theological persuasions, but please don t let that He envisages that the Anglican Church of the future will be well known also for its community work. To this end, Anglican Care will be the main body to connect all caring ministries for cooperation and solidarity under one umbrella in the Diocese. There is a need to create our own mission Agency and I am proposing to introduce a new ministry called Relief Emergency And Crisis Help (REACH) to respond when there is an emergency or crisis, he reveals. He expressed the hope that the mission schools will continue to play an key role within the education system and that there will soon be a Christian university set up in the country as a witness to the church of Christ. Bishop Moon Hing is quick, however, to point out that all plans and vision will be in vain if we missed the important point of servanthood. Our diocese can only progress as far as our understanding of servanthood and our commitment to being a servant of Christ, he warns. In this regard, we should be known as people of prayer before we can achieve that greatest challenge of putting the name Anglican church in everyone s lips and making Thy Kingdom Come a reality in our midst, he says. Church must remain relevant to all in 21st century The Anglican Church must be relevant to all segments of the people in the 21st century in order to bring Christ s kingdom to them. We must be able to move with the times and interpret the signs to different age groups without changing the message of the Gospel, says Bishop Ng Moon Hing. We may need to repackage everything for people of today s world so that they can see the relevance of Christ s kingdom in their lives. Bishop Moon Hing feels that there are ample opportunities to reach out in different ways, especially to the children and youth who are today very much influenced by the pervasive nature of information and communication technology. For example, we need to attract our young people with multimedia, instead of using old fashioned methodologies in Sunday School teaching and nurturing of the young people of today, he says. He also feels that the church may have sometimes been too harsh with the youth, particularly in relation to their songs, music and activities. I always ask myself, If I am a youth, would I want to come to church? Bishop Moon Hing feels that there are many ways in which the Church can reach out to this group. For instance, they are into reality programmes like Explorace and so on, so why can t our camps or youth activities include such programmes that also incorporate Christian teachings and principles? he asks. To this end, Bishop Moon Hing is planning to introduce the KidsGame and TeensGame programmes into the Diocese for the children and youths. He explained that KidsGame started in 1958 in Spain, and extended to the US and many other countries worldwide in the 70s. It is an evangelistic, bible-based programme that is relevant to children and includes character-building modules. The programme contents are available from the Internet at no cost. We used this programme in Ipoh early this year and it was well received, he said. About 180 children from both the English and Chinese speaking segments attended the event. What is also unique is that you must have one leader to every five participants and this leader must also learn everything that the children do, whether it s the memory verses or other activities, he said. There are plans to hold another such event in the Central Region in November this year and later in other regions as well, he says. Sheerah Lee of Ipoh has been appointed the coordinator for this programme throughout the Diocese. Bishop Moon Hing adds that the KidsGame will be extended to TeensGame and FamilyGame in the Diocese, which are all part of the Christian sports ministry movement worldwide. Some of these games are held in conjunction with major sporting events such as the SEA Games and Asian Games and are designed to help ensure that the message of the gospel is communicated in a relevant way in this fast changing globalised world.

11 Anglican Diocese to set up House of Deacons The Diocese of West Malaysia will soon set up a House of Deacons, says Bishop Ng Moon Hing. Traditionally, the Anglican Church has had three orders of Ministry Bishop, Priest and Deacon, he explains. But over the last 100 years of our history, the role of deacon has diminished as all of them went on to become priests. We had women deacons who were at one time not made priests, but this too has changed after they were allowed to become priests, he continued. Bishop Moon Hing says he is trying to recover and re- establish a permanent diaconate by creating lay deacons who will actually be lay pastors. This will be done by using the existing, almost defunct portfolio of the Parish Assistant, and is in line with the Provincial practice currently applied in Singapore and Sabah. He expressed optimism that this diaconate will release more resources among laity into church ministry. My plan is to have three lay pastors to one ordained pastor, he says. The lay pastors can function just as an ordained deacon except in the ABC: Absolution, Blessing & Consecration. Raring to go back to the ground You may take this bishop (physically) out of the mission field but you cannot take the mission field out of him. A thirst to continue being on the ground is what Bishop Ng Moon Hing continues to have despite having assumed the position of the Bishop of the Diocese of West Malaysia since May I feel like a fish out of water, he said of his first few months in office. I was always in the water but now have come out of it and have to undertake my duties as Bishop, many of which are very administrative in nature. Things are set to change though, he says, in the near future. I have been so involved in toiling with my coworkers in the field and I miss it very much, but I have plans to return to the ground in about a year s time. This will be after he has reorganised and streamlined the work in the Diocese and appointed an administrator to handle the routine matters. There are too many meetings and everyone wants my attention and decision, he explained. While there will be some areas in which this will continue, I do believe that there are many other aspects of the diocesan work that can be delegated to able co-workers, which will leave me time to go down to the grassroots. In my 20 years in ministry, I have been so involved in prayer meetings, bible studies, visitations, evangelism and village ministry, he said. I want to continue doing this although for the moment, I am finding that there is limited time to undertake these activities due to my hectic schedule. He feels that it is also important to be with his people and communicate his vision as well as work together with them for the Kingdom of Christ. Fondly remembering the Anglican Village Ministry, which is close to his heart, he says that over the past 20 years, it has to grown to 46 congregations comprising 11 in Ipoh City, 10 in Chinese villages and 25 in Orang Asli villages, thanks to the joint effort of all the co-workers. Bishop Moon Hing says he is also blessed to have the support of his wife Siew Lan who is very involved in ministry as a lay reader of the church as well as advisor to the ladies group, superintendent of the Sunday School and non-paid kindergarten head. They have three children son Joshua is studying Engineering Science at the National University of Singapore while daughters Sarah is in Upper Sixth Form and Charlotte in Form Five, both in Ipoh. His wife and daughters will join him in Kuala Lumpur at the end of this year. This bishop should then be ready to go back to the ground again.

12 Members of Committees in Diocese Of West Malaysia Pynet Delegates - Diocese Of West Malaysia 1. Ms Shireen Visvanathan 2. Ms Chin Kho Nee Proseams Delegates - Diocese Of West Malaysia 1. Rt Rev Ng Moon Hing Archbishop s Advisory Board 1. Mr Andrew Khoo 2. Ven Canon Andrew Phang 3. Rev Dato Dr Yeoh Beng San 4. Rev Canon Steven Abbarow 5. Rev Canon Edward John 6. Tan Sri Dato Dr James Alfred 7. Dato Stanley Isaacs 8. Mr Andrew Lai 9. Mr James Chee Boon Soo Diocesan Properties Committee 1. Rt Rev Ng Moon Hing 2. Tan Sri (Dr) J G Daniel 3. Tan Sri Dato Dr James Alfred 4. Dato Stanley Isaacs 5. Mr D Rajasingam 6. Mr Lee Wai Kong 7. Dr Deva Dasson Solomon 8. Mr James Chee Boon Soo 9. Mr Cleopas Lim 10. Mr David Joseph 11. Mr Kingsley Yuen 12. Mr Alex Foong Seong Chee 13. Mr Marcus Sundram Prince Of Peace Church Building Board 1. Rt Rev Ng Moon Hing 2. Tan Sri Dato Dr James Alfred 3. Mr Edward Cheah Ban Siew 4. Mr David Joseph 5. Mr Kingsley Yuen 6. Mr Cleopas Lim 7. Very Rev Jason Selvaraj 8. Dato Stanley Isaacs 9. Dr Daniel Baskaran Provincial Synod Delegates 1. Rt Rev Ng Moon Hing 2. Ven Canon Dr S Batumalai 3. Dato Stanley Isaacs 4. Mr Andrew Khoo 5. Dr Deva Dasson Solomon 6. Mr David Joseph Diocesan Salaries Commission 1. Rt Rev Ng Moon Hing 2. Mr Marcus Sundram 3. Mdm Jasmine Khoo 4. Mr Andrew Lai 5. Mr William Tan 6. Mr John Thomas 7. Ven Canon Samuel John 8. Very Rev Jason Selvaraj 9. Rev Christopher Tan 10. Rev Jacob Bau 11. Rev David Devapitchai 12. Mr David Joseph 13. Mr Kingsley Yuen Diocesan Education Committee (Mission Schools) 1. Rt Rev Ng Moon Hing 2. Ven Canon Dr S Batumalai 3. Ven Canon Andrew Phang 4. Mr David Joseph 5. Mrs Susila Packianathan 6. Mr Daniel Jackson 7. Mr Tan Koh Lim 8. Mr Larry Wong 9. Ms Goh Hai Bee 10. Mdm Chang Mei Jin 11. Ms Elizabeth Periathamby Diocesan Synod Co-opted Members ( ) 1. Dato Stanley Isaacs 2. Mrs Glo Rajendran 3. Mr Andrew Lai 4. Mr Nanda Goban 5. Mrs Yong Lee Wah Diocesan Synod Bishop s Nominees ( ) 1. Dr Teoh Seng Kee 2. Mr James Chee 3. Mr Marcus Sundram Diocesan Courts 1. Mr Andrew Khoo 2. Mr David Joseph 3. Dato Stanley Isaacs 4. Mr Philip Nainan 5. Mr Andrew Lai 6. Mr Francis Kovilpillai 7. Very Rev Jason Selvaraj 8. Ven Canon Andrew Phang 9. Rev Canon Steven Abbarow 10. Rev Canon Peter Chiang 11. Rev Tan Jin Huat Diocesan Standing Committee ( ) 1. Rt Rev Ng Moon Hing 2. Ven Canon Dr S Batumalai 3. Ven Canon Andrew Phang 4. Ven Canon Charles K Samuel 5. Very Rev Jason Selvaraj 6. Rev Dato Dr Yeoh Beng San 7. Rev Canon Steven Abbarow 8. Rev Canon Edward M John 9. Rev Dr Andrew Cheah 10. Mr David Joseph 11. Mr Andrew Khoo 12. Mr D Raja Singam 13. Mr Kingsley Yuen 14. Tan Sri Dato Dr James Alfred 15. Dato Stanley Isaacs 16. Mrs Gloriosa Rajendran 17. Mr Lee Wai Kong 18. Mr Marcus Sundram 19. Mr Andrew Lai Prince Of Peace Church Building Fund Committee 1. Rt Rev Ng Moon Hing 2. Tan Sri Dato Dr James Alfred 3. Mr Edward Cheah Bian Siew 4. Mr David Joseph 5. Mr Kingsley Yuen 6. Mr Lee Wai Kong 7. Mr Cleopas Lim 8. Dr Deva Dasson Solomon 9. Mr Tan Joon Chee Jalan Tengah Development Committee 1. Rt Rev Ng Moon Hing 2. Mr Kingsley Yuen 3. Tan Sri Dr J G Daniel 4. Mr Lee Wai Kong 5. Mr D Raja Singam 6. Mr David Joseph 7. Mr Andrew Khoo 8. Mr Marcus Sundram 9. Mr Low Khian Seng

13 Climate change: It is time we face the truth about global warming emissions, average temperatures could rise by 3 to 9 degrees by the end of the century. be part of the solution Kenya is my home. Mt. Kenya means mountain of whiteness. We depend on the snow and glaciers of Mt. Kenya and Mt. Kilimanjaro as critical sources of water for growing our food and quenching our thirst. But the snow and glaciers that covered the mountain for generations have almost disappeared. - Dr Jesse Mugambi, University of Nairobi and member of the World Council of Churches Working Group on Climate Change Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is the tallest free-standing mountain rise in the world. Over the past century, the glaciers that covered the top of the mountain have been rapidly disappearing. At the current rate of melt, the ice on top of Africa s tallest peak would be gone between 2015 and In Feb 2007, the United Nation s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a report stating that human activity was the most likely cause of earth s warming in the last 50 years. The threat of global warming is closer to home than we think, as starkly demonstrated by the unprecedented floods in Malaysia and Indonesia recently. More than an issue of environmental preservation, climate change is a profoundly moral, ethical and spiritual issue of justice, equity, solidarity, sufficiency and sustainability. It is time we face the truth about global warming and take a long hard look at our role in this environmental crisis. Responsible Parenting must mean that families: be informed a global warning Global warming is caused by the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other heat trapping gases into earth s atmosphere. The gases trap the sun s heat and cause the planet to warm up. A warmer atmosphere leads to major climate changes. This is problematic to human civilization because it will cause increasingly severe storms and droughts, glaciers to melt, rising seas, changes in weather patterns, and the spread of disease. The biggest sources of emissions are clearing of forests and burning of fossil fuels in automobiles and coal-burning power plants. Over the past 50 years, the average global temperature has increased at the fastest rate in recorded history. The 10 warmest years on record have all been since Energy efficiency, conservation, renewable sources of energy and new policies will all be part of the solution. Unless we curb global warming Want to do something to help stop global warming? Here are some simple things you can do to reduce your personal greenhouse gas emissions. 1. Change a light - replacing six regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs will save 400kg of CO2 a year. 2. Drive less - Walk, bike, carpool or take public transport. You ll save 1.5kg of CO2 for every 5 km you don t drive! 3. Recycle more - You can save 1,000 kg of CO2 per year by recycling just half of your household waste. 4. Check your tyres - Keeping your tyres inflated properly can improve your car s fuel efficiency. Every litre of petrol saved keeps 2.5 kg of CO2 out of the atmosphere! 5. Use less hot water - It takes a lot of energy to heat water. Use less hot water by installing an energy efficient showerhead (3 tonnes of CO2 saved pr year) and washing your clothes in cold or warm water (225 kg saved per year). 6. Avoid products with a lot of packaging You can save 545 kg of CO2 if you cut down your garbage by 10%. 7. Plant a tree A single tree will absorb one tonne of CO2 over its lifetime. 8. Turn off electric devices Simply turning off your television. DVD player, stereo and computer when you re not using them will save you thousands of kilograms of CO2 a year. get connected World Council of Churches statements The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change YTL Climate Change Week An Inconvenient Truth Source: BERITA CCM (Jan - Mar 2007) a global warning

14 Eastern Archdeaconry Family Camp In Kuala Terengganu. The Eastern Archdeaconry organized a family camp in Kuala Terengganu from 9-11 March This camp strengthened the bonds of unity among the Anglican members in the Eastern Archdeaconry. The theme chosen for this event was Transformation of Families in Christ. Sixty-six people participated in this camp, which included children. Separate workshops were conducted for the men, women and children. Many of us are aware that the number of Christians in the East Coast are fewer compared to those in others areas. With the guidance of Archdeacon Charles Samuel, we were motivated to build and to bring many people to the Lord through the local churches. The churches in the East Coast need to be active and grow. It was like a big family when we gathered and stayed at Motel Desa Kuala Terengganu for two nights and three days. We also had guests from other states in Malaysia. The family camp was open to non-christians as well. On Friday, 9 March 2007, during the first day of the camp, we had the opening Holy Communion service after the dinner. Archdeacon Charles Samuel gave an interesting and biblical sermon on the Family. He spoke about Transformation of Families in Christ, which was also our Diocesan theme for this year. He encouraged the Christians in the East Coast to be actively involved in serving the Lord and to be transformed into Christ likeness. According to church records, the Eastern Archdeaconry was having a Family camp after 50 years. In his sermon he mentioned that Christian families need to be following the Biblical teachings and to set a good example for others. Every family member plays an important role in loving one another, praying together and becoming role models for other families. This will bring growth in membership, peace, unity and blessings to all people. We also had interesting workshops and the speakers did a wonderful job. For the men s session, Mr. Stephen Gendang spoke on Being Responsible as Head of a Family. The second speaker Rev. Christopher Dalie spoke about Making a Success of Family Life. Rev. Reuben Daniel had a Bible quiz and Pastor Karma spoke about our prayer life. For the women s session, Ms. Patricia Wee spoke about women in Home, Community and the Church. Mrs. Christina Lee, Mrs. Lim Chin Poh and Mrs. Mathilde Dalie, the three nurses, gave talks about health related issues. Mrs. Susila Packianathan who is the chairperson for our Diocesan Women s Committee gave some words of encouragement and informed the women about the forthcoming activities of the DWC. The women also did some handicrafts. In the evenings, we gathered at the main hall and learned Line Dancing from Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Chiang. Some of the participants were able to dance very well. The children were taken care of by Pastor Lily. She had Bible games for them, taught them new songs, Bible stories and how to pray. On the final day of the Family camp the children did some presentations. This family camp brought unity and greater friendship among us. In John 13: 34-35, it says A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. I am thankful to God, Archdeacon Charles, the organizing committee- Patricia Wee, Alice Samuel and others. Through their love and support this Family Camp went on smoothly and all of us had a wonderful time. At the end of the camp, we decided to have this as a yearly event. For the year 2008, St. Joseph s Church in Kemaman will host the Family camp. All are welcome to join. Rev. Reuben Daniel. St. Martin s Church, Kota Bharu, Kelantan.

15 37th Diocesan Women s Conference 4 6 June 2007 Copthorne Orchid Hotel Penang Theme : Transformed into His Likeness.. 2 Corinthians 3 : 18 We arrived on the first day totally surprised by the wonderful atmosphere of the hotel. The registration went on smoothly with batches and batches of church women arriving to get their respective rooms. We had a wonderful Opening Service led by our Bishop, Rt. Rev. Ng Moon Hing. It was a grand service and was held in a beautiful ballroom. In his message, the Bishop stressed on the theme of our conference. He pointed out that Transformed should be changed into Transforming as we are constantly transforming each day into the likeness of our Saviour Jesus Christ. He said that it is an on-going process. He mentioned that we have knowledge of the scripture but still find it difficult to transform our hearts. As an illustration, he used examples of people in the Bible, like Moses and Paul, and how their lives were transformed. The Bishop reminded us that the key ingredient for transformation is an encounter with the Holy Spirit. In concluding, he reminded us that we need to :- a) pledge Speak positive and think positive. In difficulties to see beyond the problem. b) Be disciplined Encouraged us to pray and fast for our friends and fellow Christians. c) carry burdens By caring without complaining or comparing. We had a group photograph and a sumptuous dinner with a variety of food. After dinner, different language groups had their sessions in different function rooms. The sessions began with an ice breaker, followed by Praise and Worship. The meetings went on for three days. Each group had four theme talks. In the English session, 2 Corinthians 3 : 18 was highlighted. The sessions clearly showed us that transformation only takes place when we have a relationship with God. The sessions were indeed very informative, enlightening and inspiring, giving us a brief idea of the difference between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant, the process of transformation from glory to glory and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We continued our sessions with Bible Study, followed by the Business Meeting. In the Bishop s address, he reminded the delegates of the need to think ahead and get involved in Ministries. He encouraged the DWC to have its own identity, such as a dress code. He shared his goals and visions for the ladies in the diocese. It was truly enlightening, listening to his humorous yet informative and interesting speech. We were also given time to go sightseeing and many ladies took the opportunity to see the island. Tour buses were provided and many ladies bought many souvenirs. On the last day, we had a wonderful time sharing testimonies. This conference was indeed a memorable experience. We fellowshipped and we also learnt more about our roles as Christians. It is the prayer of the DWC that the participants share what they have learnt during this wonderful time with their own respective churches. May this conference be a paradigm shift for the churches as well as the Diocesan Women s Conference to improve and work fervently for the extension of God s Kingdom. Mrs. Juliana Dawson St. Mark s Church Butterworth

16 The Singapore-West Malaysia Anglican Chinese Clergy Retreat The Chinese Boards of the Diocese of West Malaysia and the Diocese of Singapore have been organizing the annual combined clergy retreat on the week after Easter for the past fifty years. This is a traditional annual event that links the Chinese Clergy of the two Dioceses. Both Dioceses take turns to organize the event. This is a very meaningful annual event where the Chinese Clergy from the two Dioceses can get together not only for fellowship but also to discuss possible cooperation in mission work. This year, the Chinese Board of the Diocese of Singapore organized the retreat. Forty-two clergy, twenty-seven from Singapore and fifteen from Malaysia, gathered together at the Singapore Garden Hotel from April to participate in this retreat. At the opening ceremony, the Archbishop Dr. John Chew shared with us the many opportunities that lay before us in various countries, where God has opened doors. He encouraged us to reflect on the kind of church that we wanted to build. He also encouraged the clergy from both dioceses to work together by sharing their resources for advancement of the kingdom of God in the Province. There were six teaching sessions in this retreat. The speaker, Rev Shia Chung Chien, who is the director of Chinese Christian Evangelistic Association of Taiwan, gave us a booster from his book entitled Together We Build. It was indeed a blessing for us to have him in our midst to share his thoughts and experiences with us. We were very impressed by his teaching and we decided to invite him as our speaker for a training next year. Besides the teaching sessions, we also had the opportunity to visit the Anglican social work in Singapore. The Diocese of Singapore encourages parallel development in education, medicine and evangelism. We also visited St. Andrew s Village, where they have schools that provide education from nursery to pre-university. In addition, we visited St. Andrew s Mission Hospital, where they work together with General Hospital to provide medical care for the community. It was a fruitful Retreat for all of us. It has touched our heart and motivated us to serve further. Jacob Bau Chian Hui

17 The Loss Of A Good Priest - A Sad Day For Anglicans The Diocese of West Malaysia has lost a good priest. Rev. Pathynathan Andraiah of Emmanuel Church, Tapah, Perak and his son were called home to the Lord on the evening of Sunday, 8 July Rev. Pathynathan (47 years) and his son, Jedidiah (7 years) met with a fatal road accident while traveling from Christ Church, Sungkai to St. Paul s Church, Slim River, for the evening worship service. It was a head-on collision with a car traveling from the opposite direction, and there were fatalities in that car too. The funeral service was held at St. Peter s Church, Bagan Serai, Perak on Monday, 9 July It was a moving service, full of compassion, love and understanding, led by the Bishop of West Malaysia, Rt. Rev. Ng Moon Hing, and assisted by Rev. Canon Charles Fraser and Rev. Canon Steven Abbarow. The late Rev. Pathynathan was a quiet and dedicated priest and was very conscientious with his ministry. He leaves behind his wife, Suzana, who is expecting their fourth child, a daughter, Shekinah aged 9 and a son, Jeshurum, aged 5. All were shocked on hearing this news. The Diocese of West Malaysia expresses its deepest sympathy and condolences to the family in this hour of grief and bereavement. We do not understand God s way but are certain that His Will is higher than ours. Please do pray for the late Rev. Pathynathan s family, especially in this time of grief. May the Perpetual Light shine upon the late Rev. Pathynathan and his son, Jedidiah. Rt Rev Ng Moon Hing Bishop of West Malaysia Special Fund to assist the late Rev. Pathynathan s family The Diocese is creating a special fund to assist the family of the late Rev. Pathynathan meet their future expenses. Those who are interested in contributing towards this fund are kindly requested, to send their cheques in favour of The Diocese of West Malaysia. Please write at the back of the cheque Late Rev. Pathynathan s Family. The cheque should be sent to The Diocesan Treasurer, Diocese of West Malaysia, 16 Jalan Pudu Lama, Kuala Lumpur. You may contact the Diocesan office at , for any further details. Newly Elected Office Bearers Of CCM For At the recently held 12th Triennial General Assembly of CCM, the following were elected: President : Rev. Dr. Thomas Philips Deputy President : Bishop Datuk Voo Thien Fui Vice Presidents : Bishop Bolly Lapok Rev. Ong Hwai Teik Rev. Wong Fong Yang General Secretary : Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri Hon. Treasurer : Bishop Philip Lok Kindly keep the new leadership of CCM in your prayers. Please continue to pray for the CCM Building project as it is in the final stages of approval. Source: CCM Newslink (May 2007)

18 Redevelopment Of Jalan Tengah Land Kuala Lumpur Report From Mergexcel Property Development Sdn Bhd To The Synod Of The Diocese Of West Malaysia 1. At the last meeting of the Synod in 2006, it was reported that the Synod had executed a Supplemental Sale and Purchase cum Transfer Agreement (SSPA) on 16th May 2006 with Mergexcel Property Development Sdn Bhd (the 50%:50% Joint-Venture Company between the Lion Group and the E&O Group) (JVCo), to develop the Jalan Tengah land. 2. The JVCo has updated the Standing Committee of the Synod from time to time on the progress of the project and on 15 June 2007, the JVCo made a presentation to the Standing Committee on the development details, latest status and actions they have fulfilled under the terms of the SSPA as follows: a. The JVCo had procured the approval of the Foreign Investment Committee (FIC) on 28 August b. A Development Order (DO) together with approval for the change of land use (from institutional to serviced apartments) was procured from Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) on 5 October 2006 for the development on the Old St Mary s Schools Land with a Plot Ratio of 1:6.6. The JVCo then resubmitted for a higher Plot Ratio and procured an amended DO approval on 18 May 2007, for a Plot Ratio of 1:7.07. c. Pursuant to the terms of the SSPA, the JVCo has remitted a further sum of RM 1,5000,000/- on 6 February 2007 being the further advance payable within 9 months from the date of the SSPA. This amount, which is on top of the RM7.0 million paid earlier Province of South East Asia Mission Services (PROSEAMS) To promote, assist and propel countries in the Province of the Church in South East Asia through mission emphases in view of the formation of Dioceses. OBJECTIVES 1. To establish local churches and assist them in mission work. 2. To provide mission workers to build, train and equip locals to lead their own local churches. 3. To assist and implement church structures and organisations to run as dioceses. 4. To assist in the creation of self-financing, self-propagating, self-governing and selfreproducing churches and dioceses. METHODOLOGY 1. Sharing of resources and personnel among the existing Dioceses. 2. Targeting cities and financial centres as bases of operation. 3. Reaching towns and villages whenever opportunities and convenience strike. 4. Generating micro-economic projects of rural and needy people. 5. Using educational, social and medical means as bridges to the masses. 6. Building and creating Training centres. 7. Releasing and using local leadership for ministry and mission. 8. Creating ownership by exposure to the bigger picture such as the Province. 9. Encouraging Mission-Partnerships among parishes in the existing Dioceses and the mission field in the countries concerned. 10. Joint Mission Conferences for awareness and commitments. TARGETS Steps to create a new Diocese: 1. Reach out to locals through mission workers sent from the existing Dioceses. 2. Establish churches and outreach points in villages and towns. 3. Train local leaders and put them incharge. 4. Establish church councils, committees and training centres. 5. Form parishes in various cities and villages. 6. Establish national council with national leaders. 7. Develop self-financing and self-auditing status. 8. Handing over to local leadership for mission and ministry. 9. Formation of Diocese. 10. Sharing resources and personnel with existing Dioceses. Representatives from Diocese of West Malaysia to Proseams are: 1. Rt. Rev. Ng Moon Hing Chairman of Diocesan Mission & Evangelism Unit 2. Dr. Teoh Soong Kee Bishop s Appointment Scope of Mission Work of Proseams: 1. Nepal About 10 churches, mostly in the rural places. Presently training leaders and hopefully making some clergy. 2. Thailand The Anglican Church in Thailand (ACT) is a registered body with the Thai government. 3 churches in the cities and others in the rural places. Hope to start more churches in other cities especially the South and East. 3. Laos No church work except English Language schools which are well accepted and known in Vientiane and other towns. 4. Cambodia The Episcopal Church of Cambodia (ECT) was established in Presently there are 2 Churches in Phnom Penh and a few in the kampongs. There is also a micro-economic project of sugar manufacturing. 5. Vietnam Application has gone to the government to establish churches. Awaiting answer from the government. Presently only English tuition classes are conducted. 6. Indonesia The Gereja Anglikan Indonesia (GAI) is a registered body in Indonesia. There are presently more than 30 churches spread over the whole of Indonesia. The Institut Anglikan Indonesia (IAI) was established 3 years ago to train Anglican pastors and lay leaders. Plans are under way for the establishment of an Anglican school in Batam. 7. Malaysia and Singapore Mission and Ministry to the foreign migrants. Partnerships 1. Dioceses in the Province are encouraged to share resources and personnel in the mission to the 450 million people in our region. 2. Parishes are encouraged to send mission workers and mission teams to help these churches. 3. Mission funding should be coming from the parishes and Dioceses to the Province or to the mission work in each country. 4. The Diocese of Sabah is assigned East Kalimantan. Presently working in Tarakan, Nunukan, Balik Papan etc. 5. The Diocese of Kuching is assigned West Kalimantan. Presently working in Pontianak. 6. The Diocese of West Malaysia is assigned Medan and South Thailand. Presently only mission trips to Medan for the past 5 years. 7. Inter-Diocesan partnership through parish to parish links, ministry to the East Malaysian, mission teams to the Asli kampongs, Chinese New Villages, Sarawak long houses, Sabah Interior churches, theological students, tertiary students and West Malaysian workers in Singapore. 8. Joint Mission Conferences. 9. Sharing in Training Mission Workers. 10. Common Mission Policy.

19 by the JVCo on the signing of the SSPA, are held in the joint stakeholders account maintained jointly by the Synod s lawyers and the JVCo s lawyers. Synod is now earning the interests accruing on the RM 8.5 million. The final advance of RM 1.5 million from the JVCo is due payable by 16 November d. With regards to the Titles to the New School Land in Selayang, Lion Courts Sdn Bhd (LCSB) has procured the issuance of the relevant titles from the Land Office on 31 January LCSB is in the process of obtaining state consent to transfer the said titles to the Synod. 3. Under the approved DO, the development will comprise of 3 blocks of serviced apartments. The approved plans include a dedicated block with a Net Floor Area of no less than 250,000 square feet, which is to be returned to the Synod upon completion. 4. The JVCo has submitted Building Plans and Earthworks/substructure drawings to DBKL and envisage permission to be procured for works to be commenced in October The JVCo has informed that they have procured a Bank Guarantee (BG) facility from a local bank for the sum of RIM 80.0 million, which has to be issued to the Synod under the terms of the SSPA. 6. The JVCo envisage that by end of September 2007, the transfer of the Jalan Tengah land titles to the JVCo can be arranged whereupon: a. LCSB would procure the transfer of the New School Land titles to the Synod, and b. JVCo procures the issuance of the RM 80.0 million BG to the Synod. c. JVCo remits the final advance of RM 1.5 million. Upon the happening of the above events, the total advance of RM10.0 million shall be released by the joint stakeholders to the Synod with the said advance to be refunded by the Synod free of interests after Synod has taken delivery of its entitlement block. 7. In view of the above status, the JVCo is in a position to commence work in October 2007 and to complete and deliver the Synod s block by December 2010 in accordance with the terms of the SSPA. Jalan Tengah Development Committee The Synod of the Diocese of West Malaysia June 2007 BOOK REVIEW What the Bible Says About Parenting -John Mac Arthur. There are many books on child psychology and modern parenting methods but this one is different. John Macarthur is a leading expert on the Bible and an experienced pastor, teacher, father and grandfather, who probes the Bible for guides on vital subjects such as communication, discipline and habitforming in children. He writes with the conviction that if Christian parents understand and apply the simple principles set forth in Scripture, they would be able to cope better with the trends in the modern world and nurture their children in a way that honours Christ and is relevant to any culture and society. Mac Arthur helps parents to understand God s design for children and deals with parenthood as God s gift to us, which is meant to be enjoyed. He begins by discussing the topic of parenting and goes on to emphasize the importance of recognizing the child s true potential and God s purpose and plan in the life of the child. He also stresses the value of teaching the Word of God diligently, so that the child will grow up wise and able to live a meaningful life. The real key to the challenging work of bringing up our children correctly is to create an environment of nurture and loving instruction in which their hearts become fertile grounds for God s truth. It is the child s heart that the parent is to nurture. The book ends with a chapter each on the role of the father and the mother and his words are: Aside from the parents fundamental commitment to Christ, the single most important foundation for successful parenting is a healthy Christ-centered marriage. Cost: RM35.00 It is an excellent guide to godly parenting and would help every parent in this difficult role. Available at : Aenon (M) Sdn Bhd 3-3A-A, Jalan Desa 2/2, Desa Aman Puri, Kepong. Tel

20 A Prayer for Parents Father, we come to you with hearts full of thankfulness for our parents, who have given us their unconditional love, nurtured us, watched over us in our times of sickness and health, shared with us our grief and pain, wiped our tears even in our adulthood and were always there when we needed them. We thank you that they were praying parents, people of sincere faith who interceded for us so that your gifts of wisdom, knowledge and understanding have been poured out on us to enable us to lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty. Father, we ask that you continue to watch over all parents and give them the strength and patience to love the way you love and to be loved in return. Give them the faithful support of each other, family and friends as they care for the spiritual, emotional and physical development of their children. Give them the joy and delight in their children to sustain them in their trials of motherhood. But most of all, Lord, give them the wisdom and confidence to turn to you for help when they need it most, for only you, Lord, can give them the courage in times of fear or pain, understanding in times of uncertainty, and hope in times of trouble and despair. Father we ask that you be also with parents who grieve for children who have died, who are ill, who are estranged from their families, or who are in trouble or danger of any kind. Be also with fathers and mothers who are destitute and who have been abused and rejected by their children. Be with single parents who are burdened by financial and emotional needs. Lord, be their strength and shield, restore and redeem them. Bless all parents today that whatever things they ask in prayer, believing, they will receive. Increase their faith to believe all things you have put in their hearts to pray for, concerning their children, that the transformation of families may become a reality. Esther Richards What good parents have in common Good parents: 1. Encourage their children and build their selfesteem 2. Communicate their love 3. Create a positive home atmosphere (which includes laughter) 4. Nurture spiritual values 5. Practice consistent, balanced discipline. 6. Make their children proud of them. 7. Create community. extended family, neighbourhood and church. 8. Give children the feeling that they are safe and emotionally secure 9. Model a good marriage 10. Take time to spend with their children 11. Teach financial values and skills 12. Give children responsibility 13. Are passionate about teaching values and integrity (Janice Long Harris What Good Parents have in Common )