Five visitors turned up for the Visitors Lunch. We had a good time of conversations around the table. We hope to organise this about once in two months. It gives another opportunity for visitors who are seeking to go deeper in the faith or life of the church to do so. Do look out for the next one. 

We are hoping to start a Tamil Service next year. This will be significant. I am not sure why it has taken us so long but better late than never. As always, we trust the Lord to work out His will in His time. After all, Tamil is one of our national languages and both the language and culture has shaped our national life. This initiative will be led by the Diocesan Indian Board in partnership with the Cathedral. I believe some Cathedral members who can speak this language may be interested to help pioneer this new congregation. 

Note that I am referring more to the language than the issue of race. After all, we already have many Indians worshipping and serving in our English congregations. But expressing the faith in the vernacular or heart language is always important. We recall Revelation 7:9:

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands...   

It happened at Pentecost when the Gospel was released through many Gentilic tongues. There were other moments too in the history of the Church, including the Reformation. Certainly this truth propels our missions work in languages and cultures where the Gospel is not yet established.
Please pray for this Service that it may grow into a strong and mission-minded congregation.

The planning for Christmas@Cathedral (C@C) is happening in earnest. Steven Wong, Francis Tan, Soh Kim Seng and Ee May forms the core planning team. As always, we hope to see as wide a participation as possible by the Cathedral community. Adding to all that has happened in the last two C@C events, we will be adding more food and arts & crafts stalls, with profits going to community services. The amphitheatre will also be used. C@C this year will be more akin to the concept of a Christmas Village. 

On the staff front, many of you will be encouraged to know that Dinah Tan, who is the current Superintendent of the 9am Service Sunday School, will be joining the staff to head the Children Ministry in the Cathedral. This is a role held by Hambali but with his increasing pastoral responsibilities at the eleven:30 Service, it makes sense that we have dedicated staff focus in this area. The work of pastoring and discipling children and the way it overlaps with families is always challenging, yet fruitful and life-changing. Please pray for Dinah.

The Senior Staff will be having two days of Planning Retreat (10-11 Oct). Please pray for spiritual wisdom and “ears to hear” what the Lord is saying and “eyes to see” what our Father is doing.