1st SUNDAY SERVICE IN SINGAPORE


A FRIENDLY WELCOME
We are staying at an apartment in the west of Singapore: a place called Holland Village; so of we went to the nearest Anglican church - the parish of St James. We bumped into a few old friends, Khairon and Revd William Chee. After the service a young lady, Denise, walked up to my wife and spoke a little spanish; she worked in Youth With A Mission and has heart for Latin America.

Canon Terry Wong, vicar of the church and his wife Jennifer were very hospitable; they took us for lunch after the service and made us feel at home. Jennifer, medical doctor, is a very friendly person with an uncanny ability to make you feel at home. Canon James Wong, the Archdeacon from the diocese of Mauritius was also at the service. He is a friendly guy who speaks French, Creole and English. He is on sabbatical in Singapore.

TYPE OF SERVICE
The service was a non traditional mattins. Contemporary Praise & Worship coupled with prayers from the prayer book formed the basic format of the service. Most of the services in the diocese of Singapore would more or less resemble the one we experienced at St James. Although the music had no latin rythmns and some of the songs were not familiar, we felt at home. Terry spoke on the Christian In The Public Square. Some of his comments concerning unkown missionaries engaged in education and church development at the turn of the century in Singapore, spoke to me. We sometimes tend to forget that our work here and now would not have been possible if it was not for the extraordinary and sacrificial efforts of early missionaries.

After service we had lunch with Terry, Jennifer and Archdeacon James. The fellowship was priceless as we shared notes on what was going on in our lives; It was great to be back with the brethren in Singapore!!