The May issue of Methodist Message is out!

• A bishop's case for Asian Christianity
Explore Bishop Emeritus Dr Hwa Yung’s faith journey and how it shaped his views on being contextually relevant in Asia while staying faithful to Scripture.

• FEATURES on Dementia
- Can the Church remember its people with dementia | Everyone belongs to the body of Christ, and the Church shows love by caring holistically for those with dementia and their families.
- Caring for those living with dementia | Discover how Yong-en's person-centred approach brings dignity and hope to their clients.
- When memory fades, God remains faithful | A daughter shares her journey with her dementia-stricken mother, and God’s enduring presence.
• Is there a place for church choirs in worship?
Amelia Leo reflects on her choir’s closure and how like-minded choristers affirmed that choirs are God’s idea.

Read the stories here:
www.methodist.org.sg/message/
www.methodist.org.sg/flipbook/

You can also pick up the print edition at your church.

According to a study by Institute of Mental Health, 1 in 11 Singaporeans aged 60 and above in 2023 have dementia.

This May, Bishop Philip Lim reminds us that as a Church, we play a vital role in sustaining dignity, connection and spiritual life for those living with dementia and their caregivers. In his message, he shares with us five ways our churches can grow to embody the promise that spiritual life can continue to flourish even as memories fade.

May we continue to be a lighthouse, to show that God does not forget even those who may struggle to remember Him.

https://www.methodist.org.sg/methodist-message/churches-and-dementia/

From a Colombo Plan scholar to schoolteacher, pastor, seminary lecturer and bishop, Bishop Emeritus Dr Hwa Yung’s journey shaped a lifelong conviction: that Asian Christianity must hold Scripture’s authority while speaking boldly in the cultural language and spiritual reality of its own people.

Read the full article https://www.methodist.org.sg/methodist-message/interview-bishop-emeritus-hwa-yung/ to find out more about BE Hwa, our upcoming speaker at AldersgateSG 2026.

Find out more at aldersgate.methodist.org.sg.

#ALDERSGATESG2026

What better occasion to celebrate your Methodist identity, rediscover your heritage, and connect with fellow Methodists from across all three Annual Conferences?

Bishop Philip Lim, CAC President Dr Lek Yong Teck, ETAC President Rev Saravana Kumar and TRAC President Rev Reuben Ng, warmly invite you to AldersgateSG 2026.

Join us at this annual gathering to renew your faith, reconnect with your Methodist roots, and experience the “strangely warmed” moment for yourself.

See you there!

At Yong-en Care Centre’s Dementia Day Care in Chinatown, staff go beyond clinical care to honour each client’s story, support weary caregivers, and create moments of joy and connection for those living with dementia.

Read the full article here: https://www.methodist.org.sg/methodist-message/yong-en-caring-for-dementia/

When dementia slowly takes a mother away, one daughter discovers that faithful caregiving means seeing beyond behaviour—and trusting that God holds what memory cannot.

Click the link to read the full story: https://www.methodist.org.sg/methodist-message/when-memory-fades/

To all mothers, your love echoes further than you know. This Mother's Day, let us honour and appreciate every woman who has devoted herself to nurture, guide, protect, and love — in whatever form that has taken.

To the woman still waiting, you are not forgotten by God nor are you alone in this journey.

Blessed Mother's Day 💕

See the full post here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DYJ4LsHlObF/

#MothersDay #WomenintheBible.

With dementia becoming a quiet reality for many families, how can our churches come together to practically love and care for members with dementia and their families? In this article, we look at 4 dementia ministries that have responded to dementia.

Read the full article here: https://www.methodist.org.sg/methodist-message/can-the-church-remember-its-people-with-dementia/

This article is adapted from Chapters 7-10 of Yet I Will Not Forget You: Nurturing a Dementia-Inclusive Church. Written by Rev Dr Leow Wen Pin, this dementia ministry guidebook contains contributions from the above four churches as case studies on dementia-inclusive ministries. This book will be launched on 30 May 2026 at the inaugural Dementia Ministry Conference organised by Koinonia Inclusion Network (KIN). If you would like to purchase the book or find out more about disability inclusion in the Church, visit https://kin.org.sg/

What is Aldersgate?

Watch our explainer video as we take you back in time to relive John Wesley’s transformative Aldersgate experience and discover the significance of Aldersgate Day.

Come join us for this year’s AldersgateSG as Bishop Emeritus Dr Hwa Yung shares on the theme–Is the Bible not enough?

For more details: https://aldersgate.methodist.org.sg

Dementia is a disease that, depending on its severity, can strip a person of their autonomy and intellectual prowess.

Dr Roland Chia reminds us, “…the Christian with dementia is part of the fellowship of believers—a community that knows them and cares for them, a community that remembers. Most significantly, the Christian with dementia is remembered by God—who loves them, has redeemed them through Jesus Christ, and is transforming them by his Spirit into the image and likeness of his Son.”

Read the full article here: https://www.methodist.org.sg/methodist-message/christian-reflections-on-dementia/

Dr Roland Chia is Chew Hock Hin Professor of Christian Doctrine at Trinity Theological College and Theological and Research Advisor at the Ethos Institute for Public Christianity.

Hey fam, our Bishop has spoken! Registration for the free dinner after the celebration service ends today, so grab your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to come for AldersgateSG this year! Please register by tonight!

See you all at Barker Road Methodist Church on 23rd and 24th May! ⛪️

Just a PSA that parking is limited, so do allocate sufficient time to travel down! 🚗✈️🚀🚕🚚🚝

All #ALDERSGATESG2026 information can be found at aldersgate.methodist.org.sg.

In Northern Thailand, the Term Fun Home began as a place of welfare and care for the marginalised. Today, its former beneficiaries lead worship, serve in administration, and make disciples at Mittaphab Methodist Church.

When the early Methodist movement met practical needs — schools, dispensaries, preaching houses — it was never an end in itself. It was always a bridge to the gospel, to loving the community and to souls being saved.

Rev Erick Tan, Director of Missions Training and Development at MMS, reflects on what it means to invest in cross-border mission today — and how indigenous "helpers", empowered by the Spirit, are multiplying the soul-saving work across MMS fields.

Read the full article here: https://www.methodist.org.sg/methodist-message/a-global-soul-saving-enterprise/

In an era where contemporary worship music has become a staple in most church services, what role is the choir to play?

Amelia found herself struggling to find an answer when the choir at Fairfield Methodist Church began facing declining membership and a painful decision to close a chapter. She shares her reflection on the purpose of choirs in the life of the Church today.

Click the link for the full article: https://www.methodist.org.sg/methodist-message/church-choirs-relevance/

Amelia Leo is the Head of Community Outreach and a Senior Programme Executive (Worship & Church Music) at the Methodist School of Music(MSM). She is a member of Fairfield Methodist Church. / Photos courtesy of Methodist School of Music

Our social media producer is on leave but we have got to continue with the AldersgateSG reminders since it’s this weekend! See you all on 23rd and 24th May at Barker Road Methodist Church!

Check out aldersgate.methodist.org.sg for more details.

With conversations around mental health growing louder, rest culture has emerged.

Chloe Toh from Hakka Methodist Church shares her three takeaways from the Bible about self-care.

Read the post here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DYo2sQFHEGD/?igsh=MWR5bnQ5YjRrY2Z2dQ==

✨Last night, we were blessed by Barker Road Methodist Church’s Music & Worship team who led us in a powerful time of songs and praise before Bishop Emeritus Dr Hwa Yung shared on the theme “Is the Bible Not Enough?”. He delved deeper on the topic of “Is Experience Necessary?”. The lecture also included an engaging Q&A session. Swipe to view photos.✨

See you at 5pm later for the Aldersgate Celebration Service at Barker Road Methodist Church!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DYtkP42EVqp/

AldersgateSG 2026 is a wrap!

Last evening, we held the Celebration Service at Barker Road Methodist Church (BRMC). Bishop Emeritus Dr Hwa Yung shared once again on the theme “Is the Bible Not Enough?”. It was a thought-provoking session that stirred the hearts of many, exploring the topic on “What Did the Church Forget?”. Rev Dr Wendy Watson invited all who attended, both on-site and online, to commit to never say “no” to God, and to pray and ask God to “do it again”.

We’d like to thank the musicians, vocalists, Methodist Festival Choir, Methodist Festival Ensemble, Emmanuel Children’s Praise, Emmanuel Praise Choir and Emmanuel Praise Band for filling the atmosphere with heavenly voices where everyone joined in, lifting our voices in praise and worship together!

Special thanks to BRMC for hosting the event this year!

We hope that your hearts were strangely warmed. See you all again next year!

View the photos here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DYwaklYkd7A/

#AldersgateSG2026

At AldersgateSG 2026, The Methodist Church in Singapore’s annual flagship event, Bishop Emeritus Dr Hwa Yung (BE Hwa) explored the theme “Is the Bible not enough?” as we commemorate 288 years since John Wesley’s Aldersgate experience.

Speaker BE Hwa delivered a lecture titled “Is Experience Necessary?” on 23 May 2026, attended by 330 people on site and over 190 via livestream.

This was followed by the Celebration Service on 24 May 2026, where BE Hwa gave a sermon titled “What did the Church forget?”, which drew 720 attendees on site and more than 160 online.

Read more to understand more on "If Experience is Necessary" and "What Did the Church Forget?": https://www.methodist.org.sg/methodist-message/is-the-bible-not-enough/

John Wesley said, “I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid, lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power.”

Bishop Emeritus Dr Hwa Yung quoted John Wesley in his sermon at the Aldersgate Celebration Service this year, to remind us of “What Did the Church Forget?”

Missed the service? Watch the full service here: https://aldersgate.methodist.org.sg/livestream