Church Life Stories

We truly thank and praise God for the wonderful MPC Planning Team which included the Couple Facilitators. It was through their proactive initiative and bold creativity that this course was conducted via Zoom. I was initially apprehensive because group dynamics were involved. But honestly as the course progressed, the technical awkwardness gave way to warm friendships. It must be God at work and I was sure the rapport solidified through the small group times and personal interaction/texts the facilitators exchanged with their members.

There was indeed more communication during the CB period. Maybe it was also due to the overflowing passion of each Planning Team member for this course. Well, it certainly rubbed on to each other. It was so nice to see how each positively responded to the needs or enquiries from the planning to debrief stages. We celebrated God's grace through the extra miles and opportunities given to us. "It was according to the proper working of each individual part that causes the growth of the body for the building of itself in love (Ephesians 4:16)."

Facilitators

Online via Zoom - a new experience

It was difficult getting the couples warmed to the small group over an online platform, but we had to get used to the communication quickly. Difficult and even cold at first, to get the group to share, especially for such sensitive and intimate issues on marriage.

Perhaps it was difficult for group discussions when all the couples were almost total strangers to each other. Sharing would be kept to a very superficial level, not having met each other.

We initiated discussions by sharing our own experiences and spurred exchange by starting with more controversial topics. For some couples, we found some direct questions helped to encourage more participation.

By the third meeting, most of the couples were more open and warmed to the virtual meetings. We found in such meetings the facilitators become the point where questions and topics were directed to, and not crossed from couple to couple which would have been the desired dynamics. The facilitators’ role becomes more tuned to creating that group atmosphere. Actually without any other non-verbal cues like body language and speech tones to misinterpret, communication can be purer and more straight forward which maybe was a good thing!

Love relationship affected during this period

Participants

Couples had fewer chances to meet up during the CB and this strained the relationship for some. However we found that this generation is more adept in using social media and other non-physical communication than ours. When we were dating, the telephone was the next best tool and we could hardly wait to see each other in person each day. Although the visual part is possible with IT, the emotional and touch part is missing.

Ourselves

The course revealed some areas where we, as a couple over the many years, may have taken for granted and MPC showed us where we could learn to improve, too.

Spending so much time together during CB did put a strain to relationships, with each other’s routine disrupted by the partner’s. I found myself interfering with the household matters when usually I am not even at home. This created much annoyance to Anita to say the least!

Church and Community

We miss church worship and services as a congregation. Thankfully, technology offers a strong alternative. However, we hear of some who cannot accept that platform and for various reasons have dropped out of joining service. We pray that God clears the virus and allows us to come back as a church.

Hebrews 10:25 - Not giving up meeting together… but encouraging one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

= Anita and Anthony

Participants

I felt it was a little difficult, as you could not see any social cues from other people especially during the group discussions. If you wanted to add on your thoughts, sometimes it got lost during Zoom due to connectivity or because the topic had changed.

It was difficult as I could not meet my fiancé for 2 months, because we live apart, but looking back now I felt we talked even more than when we saw each other face-to-face! After getting to meet each other when restrictions were lifted, I felt that I definitely cherished our time together a lot more. – Joann Ong

Jonwei and I signed up for the MPC with the intention to grow in our relationship through the guided programme with PLMC. We were expecting the course to begin earlier in the year but as Covid-19 hits our shores and both of us were involved at the frontlines, we were unsure if we could commit to the schedule of the course.

In spite of our erratic schedules and work hours, we praise and thank God for by His grace we were able to attend all the sessions online. The platform (Zoom) allowed us to login and join in the convenience of our homes and workplaces, and we are grateful for the mentors who went out of the way to deliver the materials to us.

While physical meetups and classes would be ideal, we are thankful that we could still go through the programme and glean from it despite the ongoing pandemic and its restrictions. It was heartening to meet the community of young adults who are exploring marriage and to hear their stories and share our struggles. I’ve gotten to know individuals whom I’ve never met in church before and that was very precious to me. - Kalinda Teo

MPC was a helpful introduction to the key aspects of a relationship that every couple should work on. The materials were relatable and easy to understand. Having couple time also gave us space to discuss what we learnt and how we can apply it to our relationship. Conducting MPC via Zoom was smooth, thanks to the planning team who did numerous test runs beforehand.

Covid-19 has not adversely impacted our relationship. We continue to stay connected with, and be there for each other, through video calls and physical meet-ups in small groups. - Elaine Lim

On the afternoon of 26 July 2020, at a special Farewell & Thanksgiving Service, PLMC bade a tearful goodbye to Rev Wendy Tay who was appointed as Pastor In Charge of Fairfield Methodist Church from 1 August 2020. Ps Wendy had been with PLMC some 6 years, and her main role was as Pastor overseeing the Youth and Young Adult ministries. As many of the young people in church have attested to, these two ministries blossomed under the tender care and leadership of Ps Wendy. Many tributes were made during the service, and as it came to an end, the heavens poured down rain. Some felt it was fitting as the rain reflected the sadness they felt at saying farewell, and yet others interpreted it as showers of blessing from the Lord to show that He will always pour His Holy Spirit into Ps Wendy’s life and ministry. Here are some heartfelt thoughts from youths and young adults whose lives have been deeply touched by Ps Wendy. We will miss you, Ps Wendy.

Dear Ps Wendy, thank you so much for all that you have done in the Youth Ministry in the past few years. Above all, thank you for modelling to us what it means to have childlike faith and to be obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit. As I was praying for you, I got the verses Psalm 91:14-16 (": "Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honour him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” As you enter into this new phase of your ministry, I pray for God's wisdom and protection to be upon you always. May you ever be so bold and courageous in all that Papa God leads you to do. God bless!! (": - Rachel Koh

hello pastor wendy,

Thank you for making an impact in my life and helping me grow deeper in God’s word. I really enjoy your sermons :-))

Even as you venture into a new phase in your life, always remember that God loves you so much and has a plan and purpose for you!! Choose to be peace-filled over fear-filled even as you may face obstacles in your new phase. God sees your heart and all you have to do is to trust him!!

“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” Joshua 1:9.

I hope that you will continue to be a positive light for God and continue to radiate God’s love and joy to those around you!! All the best Pastor Wendy! - Alicia Lim

Hi Pastor Wendy!! Thank you for being such an amazing pastor and just taking such good care of us in Youth Min!! We’re going to miss you so much, but we know that God will bring you places! Continue to seek Him in everything you do and draw close to Him for He is your strength!! Stay safe! - Peniel Ku

hey PWendy! i pray that as you step into this new land that God is leading you into, that He will pave the way for you and be the One who makes all the decisions and choices you will be faced with in the future. as you take your first steps out of PLMC, we want to say thank you for so greatly impacting our lives and helping us build our youth min family, culture & environment. i pray that God will always guide you in establishing a safe space for His church to grow in Him and to feel accepted, to experience a glimpse of the love He has for us! we love you PWendy, and you will be dearly missed :") - Annabelle Chua

2 Corinthians 15:57

"But thanks be to God, who always leads in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in EVERY PLACE"

Dear pastor Wendy,

Thank you for the time you spent and dedicated to PLMC youth. Thank you for teaching us that Pastors are human too and can be super cool.

As heart-breaking as it is to know you are leaving, I know that God is now placing you in a different community to give them the same exciting and refreshing experience that you have given us, and know that is the best feeling in the world. Wherever you may be, whenever you miss PLMC just come back lor HAHA - Gabriel Evan Lim