CNY MG Outreach 2023
On 1 Feb 2023, the eleventh day of the Chinese New Year, five Mentoring Groups (MG) together with the Advancement and Academic staff went to the Joo Chiat neighbourhood with goodie bags of groceries and CNY greeting cards as a blessing for the community.
We had opportunities to interact with the residents and shop keepers in our neighbourhood. For our new international students, it was an eye-opening learning experience to be part of this outreach to connect with our neighbours this festive season. This has provided a bonding time to serve together as an MG. Read more
Clare’s EASTperience
A day before my flight to Singapore, I questioned myself again “Is this what God wants me to do? Did I make the right decision to go to Singapore for my theological education?” Just as always, God spoke to me through His word and I am assured that this is His next step and direction for me.
The Origin of 福 (“Blessings”)
During the Chinese New Year season, the Chinese character “福” (pronounced as “fu“) is found on decorations and inscribed on hongbao (“红包”) or red packets. The word signifies blessings and prosperity and is considered most appropriate for the annual lunar new year celebrations (also known as chunjie (“春节“) or Spring Festival). As those of Chinese descent usher in a new year, words of blessings are exchanged among family and friends. 
This is often accompanied by new year goodies, exchanges of mandarin oranges, and giving of red packets of cash (or increasingly digital tokens of money). The character “福” may also be displayed in an upside down manner to symbolize the arrival of blessings (the Chinese word for “upside down” [“倒“] sounds like the word for “arrival” [“到“]).
Why Theology Matters for Christians
“My church is not growing like it used to.”
“I am not seeing the heart-change in those I disciple.”
“How does my ministry of providing for the poor fit into Jesus’s commandment in the Great Commission to make disciples?”
“The students in my youth group have so many questions that I’m not sure how to answer.”
There is no shortage of difficulties that plague those in Christian ministry today. The bigger question is: Where and how do we go about trying to find answers to these and other difficult questions?
Happy, Blessed Christmas!
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government is shall be upon his shoulder and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6 ESV
Happy Blessed Christmas to all as we celebrate Christ’s birth with great joy not just today but daily in our lives!
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