For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works that God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10

Camp Masterpiece was thoughtfully and lovingly put together by our Children’s Ministry, especially for the Upper Primary.  There was an overwhelming  response to this face-to-face camp!

Excitement filled the air as 47 campers and group leaders came together for two days of fun, laughter, teaching, learning, bonding over games, conversations and project work!

Camp speaker, Ms Anne Soh, gave a captivating and timely reminder that we were all God’s Masterpieces created for good works. She shared the 3Rs with us - Repent, Restore and Redeem - that we were to continually apply in our lives.

Anne also shared many precious tips on story writing. She taught us how to create stories that were engaging and transformative.

We also had hands-on practice on drawing anime characters! An extremely talented, self-taught artist, Mr David Chong, was kind and generous in sharing with our campers the use of simple strokes in drawing that made characters come alive!

Our campers also had lots of fun creating their own masterpieces by moulding their own colourful air clay!

The camp ended on a climax when our campers proudly presented their masterpieces on stage after hours of brainstorming, writing, illustrating and team work!

It was truly heartening to witness how God united individual talents in each group in coming up with such unique, wonderful and meaningful story presentations.

Watch a video of the Camp here - https://youtu.be/W42GyYe4s0A

The K2 to Primary 2 children were invited to join this Camp and we had overwhelming response, with 50 children who registered for the Camp held on 4 Dec 20. Initially, our Camp could only have 36 campers, as the maximum number of campers and leaders was 50. As we wanted as many of the children to come to church onsite, we applied for 2 concurrent camps, to be conducted in the Church premise. The Chapel was the first venue, with 27 children and the other venue was at the Haven, with 23 children.

At Friendship Camp, we learnt about how the 4 friends went through all the trouble to let their friend see Jesus, even to the extent of digging a hole in the roof. Looking at the determination of the 4 friends, wouldn’t you be also inspired?

The children learnt about how they could be part of the jigsaw puzzle, so special and unique, to show others about God’s love. They painted the jigsaw puzzle, to remind them that they need God and one another, to form the jigsaw puzzle of life.

They also learnt how to fold a towel, to make a dog craft, for the Women’s Shelter children, as their Christmas gifts. The children learnt to be like Jesus, to care and share like Jesus.

The children had lots of fun and most of all, they took the love of Jesus home, to be God’s shining light. 

Watch a video of the Camp here - https://youtu.be/OU4khQXZkz4

“Good morning! Welcome to Silver Boxes! Take your temperature here.’ As the children streamed in to church, it seemed like there was some sense of normalcy for a brief moment. It was good to see the children come back through the doors of the Jordan Hall and Haven.

Looking back, this camp held on 11 December 2020 would never have happened if we didn’t believe that our God was the God of the impossible. When Aunty Carol first broached the idea of having a day for the younger children, I was excited but also sceptical.

To organise a camp and bring the youngest children aged 4 to 6 years in our ministry back was daunting. Was it possible for every child to be compliant with the many rules in place? Could we ever ensure all the safe distancing guidelines and measures were properly adhered to? And even if we managed to meet the standards, would the children come?

As it turned out, my doubts were unfounded as we received an overwhelming number of responses. Seeing the beaming faces of the children while they reconnected with their leaders and friends made me extremely happy.

The short time they spent with us was jam packed with activities; from games to story time, playing with bubbles and spending time with God, the children enthusiastically participated in each activity, and, I hope, thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Despite how odd and unfamiliar the year went, this camp felt like a great way to close 2020 as we continue to move as the Spirit leads in 2021.

Watch a video of the Camp here - https://youtu.be/EW0H93n46CI 

COVID-19 has changed the way that we live, the way we worship and the way we celebrate. This year as we count down to Christmas, the question in many of our minds will be how can we celebrate? Will there be any signs of normality? Will I be able to gather with my family and friends?

While we dwell on the inconveniences, there are some in our community who do not have that opportunity to spend time with their families this Christmas. Why? There are women who may have to take shelter due to domestic violence or those who have been displaced from their home. These women bring along their children not by choice but out for necessity. In so doing, by escaping into these shelters, there could be a sense of normality for them and their children.

In early November 2020, I discussed with the Children Ministry Director, Carolyn, on possible ways that we could bless the community as a family. She suggested blessing the children who are in the Women’s Shelter with their mothers. I was very excited with the idea as I have a 6-year-old boy and I wanted him to realise that there are children who would not be able to have celebrations or presents like him. As such, as a family, we decided it will be nice to bless these children with a gift for Christmas.

To make the gift a little more personal, I roped in a friend who loves drawing and together we started on this little project.

With a list of the number of children, my boy David and I started on our little shopping trip to Toy R’Us and Smiggles to purchase items for the different age groups.

After the shopping, we spent the next few days packing the gifts for the children.

Indeed, it is a privilege for my family and I to bless the children in the shelter this Christmas. However, it is not by my strength or might but by the blessings of God. Certainly, “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.” Psalm 127 1

Truly, we are blessed to a blessing in this Season.

Matthew 5:16 says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

On Saturday, 26 September, 86 Young Adults and their cell group leaders set out to 272 homes all around Singapore, to bless the children from Silver Boxes with the Children’s Day Gift packs and bring the church to the families. Blessed by an overcast sky, they made their way by car or on foot to deliver the gift packs.

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the delivery was made as contactless as possible. This didn’t dampen the spirit of the children and they were very excited to see the Kor Kor and Jie Jie deliver gifts to them.

With each pack, we pray that the children will be able to connect with God in this Children’s Day season, and wait upon the Lord, and take time to pray and listen to God’s voice. For God promises that His sheep hear His voice.

We are really grateful to Silver Boxes Leadership Team and the Young Adults Ministry for having made this event possible.

To God be the glory!

Testimonies from the Young Adults who participated:

Just seeing the kids' face lighting up from receiving the gifts was already like a testimony for me! - Matthew John 

We were encouraged when two of the families gave us snacks when we went to deliver the goodie bags. - Rachel Ong

As with most events this year, Teacher’s Day 2020 was a much quieter affair. 

In light of Silver Boxes going digital, some children recorded their thank you messages for their leaders while many others left notes on the Padlet Board on the Silver Boxes Online site. (You can watch the video here - https://youtu.be/vuo9X7zIBJY) Instead of gathering all the children leaders for a time of fellowship and celebration, masks and pastries were delivered to our leaders to thank them for their love for the children.

Every Teacher’s Day, I’m reminded of the dedication and love the leaders have for the children. This year is no different. As we went through a major shift in the way the ministry was run, I was inspired by the enthusiasm and tenacity of the leaders as we quickly adapted to the changing needs of the ministry.

We thank God for blessing the ministry with leaders who would go the distance for the children and who rise to the challenge when presented with problems that hinder the children from receiving God’s word.

We have been encouraging our children to read God’s Word using the R.O.A.D. method. We would like to encourage the other families to build in this habit with their children. We send out TOPZ devotions to the children, for the Kindy and lower primary children; and Keys for Kids for the P3-P6 kids.

Geralyn’s Devotion Thoughts (younger sister wearing pink)

• Read: Mark 12:28-31

• Observe: Love God and neighbour.  (Geralyn asked us who is her neighbour so we explained to her).

• Apply: Love God.  Love my neighbour. 

• Do: Love daddy, mummy, jiejie (her sister), her friends.

Glenice’s Devotion Thoughts (older sister, wearing yellow)

• Read: Ephesians 6:10-18

• Observe: the armour of God, belt of truth, shows of peace, breastplate of righteousness, sword of the spirit. 

• Apply: we must wear the armour of God to stand against Satan.

• Do: pray every day.

And to celebrate National Day, we gave them suction balls. Here we see them having a fun time playing with the colourful balls!

We pray that covid-19 will be eradicated and a cure will be found.

Mondays to Fridays are spent in work clothes while Saturdays are usually spent in random tee shirts and shorts, Sundays are technically the only day of the week I get to wear my 'nice going out clothes', but Sundays are also the days I have to wear my bright blue Silver Boxes shirt with jeans (not quite the fashion statement I would choose to make). Someone once told me that he only remembers me in my Blue SB shirt and I lamented that it was a pity that there was a lack of opportunity for me to wear many of the beautiful clothes in my wardrobe because of my 'Sunday Uniform'.

This 'Sunday Uniform' served as an identity of sorts- each time I put it on, my  'Silver Boxes Leader' mode was switched on. During those times, that was probably a huge part of what it meant to be an SB Leader - being present for the 1.5h each Sunday, showering the children with love and telling them more about God.

Since 2020 started, there haven't been many chances to wear my Sunday uniform. While I was initially delighted to be able to have the fashion show I've wanted in ages, there was a tugging at my heart to do more. With the suspension of all church activities and a few conversations with Aunty Carol, the Silver Boxes Online Ministry started.

We have evolved from having a simple website with a lesson, to a site that has a full suite of resources for a typical lesson on Sunday - including video lessons that feature our SB leaders, worship songs from our children and their families as well as weekly Zoom connect (Silver Boxes Connect) sessions with invited speakers from the Young Adults and Youth Ministry.

Silver Boxes is no longer defined by our outstanding blue outfit but, rather, as a ministry that continues to engage and develop the future leaders of our community and our church. In fact, for Silver Boxes Connect, we encourage our leaders to come dressed in their normal clothes to show the children another aspect of their lives and not just the 'Silver Boxes Leader, blue shirt' aspect.

Silver Boxes Online and Silver Boxes Connect may still be chaotic and messy; it doesn't run like the well-oiled machine parents, children and leaders were used to every Sunday. There is still much room for improvement. But I am also reminded that God's power perfects our weaknesses. Apart from making the site look impeccable and having Silver Boxes Connect sessions run seamlessly, it is more important that the children continue learning about the heart of God and continue building relationships in this community that would ground them in their youth.

While I miss wearing my blue shirt and all the in-betweens that come with serving as an SB Leader, I am also reminded that this ministry is more than starting with the physical act of wearing my Sunday Uniform. 

As we adapt to a shake up in the way we minister to the children, let us not forget our ultimate goal to bring the children to Jesus and to love them. Beyond the blue shirt, as leaders, we are still there for the children and that our ministry goes beyond the 1.5h sessions we have with them each week - whether or not we are in blue, we are still there for them, still praying for them and still loving them.

'But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.' - 2 Corinthians 12:9

"She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue." - Proverbs 31:26

Each year on Mother's Day, our Silver Boxes children take home a special craft meant for Mum. This year, however, a special Mother's Day craft set was sent to each of their homes instead. The children had fun assembling the craft for their mothers as much as the mothers were delighted to receive a handmade gift from their children.

This Mother’s Day, as most of us stay home, let us not forget the sacrifices our mothers make to bring us up and keep our homes running.

Dear Mums, we thank God for each and every one of you. Thank you for loving us, caring for us and protecting us. Thank you for always believing in us and pointing us to God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Let us continue to keep our mothers in prayer that God will bless then and keep them safe.

This is what one of the Mums wrote…

“Hi Carolyn and Silver Boxes committees, thank you for the parcels sent to Gaius Jr for Easter and Mother’s Day. The materials kept him busy at least for a few hours and, most importantly, he knows the occasions he celebrates. After all these years, I finally get my first bouquet from him on Mother’s Day. Once again, thank you for the effort.”