In fact, I have found that not changing needs an intentional effort. Restraint and “waiting” became important as I seek to understand how things are done here. With time, I have found my early impressions off the mark. I am glad that I did not respond to my instincts.
Connecting with so many members is challenging since I am not in the same Service every Sunday. This has allowed each Service Pastor to “own” these Services and it squares with my personal inclination to share my “leadership space.” I am glad that through the weekly Vicar Writes, I can continue to help bring the Cathedral community together and keep them informed on important developments.
It has been a period of making new friends and finding a new community for both Jennifer and I. I am a firm believer in the local church community and for
this season, we will worship and grow together with each of you. I am a Christian in your midst. May we mutually inspire each other in our faith. It has been
very meaningful to get to know some of you better, and it’s also my privilege journeying alongside you as your pastor.
The spiritual and ministry journey
does not get easier with age. This being
my third season of ministry (after some very intense years in St John’s St Margaret’s Church and St James’ Church), a new zeal and passion is needed. Please pray for me, using the lyrics from some simple Christian folksongs, “that I will want to be a Christian in my heart” and “keep falling in love with Him, over and over again.”
I am grateful for a very supportive team of clergy, pastors and staff. We have found our weekly gathering for devotion, breakfast and planning meetings helpful and necessary. I am also grateful for the support of my wardens, Keith Chua and Joseph Thambiah, and the PCC. It has also been a smooth period of working with my colleague, Canon Titus Chung. I am also glad for the regular and encouraging presence of our Bishop and Dean. His sense of prayer and sensitivity to the
Lord is needed and a constant reminder to me.
I am usually cheerful and positive. But like anyone of us, stress can sometimes get the better of me. My heartfelt apologies to those whom I may have hurt or discouraged. Forgiveness sets us free to love and serve together and growing even through the inevitable conflicts. That is a mark of Christian maturity.
Grace is easily offered to someone who is new here like myself, but I trust you will also offer to each other, especially those who have been here for many years. Memories have a strange way of shaping the present. In “loving deeply and holding lightly,” we give each other space and grace to grow while being our authentic selves.
May the Lord be glorified in and through the Cathedral.
