Lewis Winkler: What is the Significance of Lent?
Blessed Ash Wednesday 2022
In the Christian calendar, Lent is “a period of self-examination, fasting, and penance leading up to our Easter Day celebration” (Daily Devotions for Lent 2022, 1) where we celebrate Christ’s resurrection. Some of us grow up in churches where Lent is observed but many of us are either unaware or think that it is not necessary to practise these church traditions in this modern age.
EAST Resident Faculty on Theological Studies, Rev Dr Lewis Winkler, shares on his take on Lent below.
I grew up in what many call a “low” church tradition. Besides events surrounding Christmas and Easter we did not follow the rhythms of the annual liturgical calendar. I thought that sacred seasons like Lent were only practiced by more “stuffy,” “rigid,” and “ritualistic” denominations. For most of the classmates who attended these churches, Lent was a time to complain about all the things they wanted but couldn’t have because they had to “give it up for Lent.” Consequently, the practice held little attraction for me. I enjoyed the freedom of eating, drinking, and doing whatever I wanted whenever I wanted.
eOpen House Reaches Out
EAST President Rev Dr Chan Chong HIok (right) and Dean of Academics Rev Liong Kwok Wai (left) warmly welcoming participants.
Just two days before the eOpen House was to take place, we only had 35 registrants which included some of our own staff and students. This event had been planned months ahead, and the publicity had also started way earlier than our first eOpen House in March 2021. God nonetheless provided the guests on the actual day, with over 100 from 10 different countries who zoomed in. We are grateful for God’s faithfulness in directing different ones to EAST, even in the midst of the pandemic.
Our EAST President Rev Dr Chan Chong HIok and Dean of Academics Rev Liong Kwok Wai both gave the participants a very warm welcome, along with our lively and interactive emcees, student Daniel Yoncer and ministry staff Agnes Kao. We had three breakout rooms catering to Visiting Students, International Students and Singapore Students hosted respectively by Rev Jonathan Yao & Dr Benson Goh, Rev Jacob Li & Ms Aitee Koh, and Dr Lau Ying Kheng & Ms Wong Ee Yuing. Different students were able to share their experiences at EAST during breakout sessions to give the participants a glimpse of what some termed as a little bit of “heaven on earth” while studying at EAST.
Prayer Pointers – 24 February 2022
“And Jesus said to him, ‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Mark 9:23 -ESV
Nothing is too difficult for God. If only we believe and trust Him, obey His command faithfully and He will bring His promises to pass.
Praise God:
– Through the EAST eOpen house, a substantial number of new candidates seeking to be equipped have connected with us.
Pray for
– Improvement in the global Covid condition so that more international students can come onsite for classes.
– Wisdom and discernment from God for our leaders and faculty to provide relevant learning and teaching to meet the changing demands of missions.
#EASTOpenhouse#EASTLifestyle #PrayerRequest #ThankfulforGod’sfaithfulness
What do we do if my child is COVID positive?
“This e-book is written to provide parents and caregivers of children below 12 yeras old with a reassuring and handy guide to our Ministry of Health’s latest efforts as we learn to live with COVID,” as stated in the blurb. It is noted that the book was based on advisories and information valid as of 18 February 2022.
EAST Library Catalogue
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