Will all staff (clergy, pastoral and non-pastoral staff) receive financial support to pursue training and development in relevant fields for their work? Will the amount of financial support differ for the various groups of staff? If so, what might be the reason behind the decision?

What will be the projected budget set aside for this (ie. financial support for staff (clergy, pastoral and non-pastoral staff) to pursue training and development in relevant fields for their work)?

SAC has a training budget, which on a combined basis, is about $5,000. This is separate from the theological studies fund. As of February 2022, the theological studies fund stands at just over $82,000. The theological studies fund is topped up as and when required. When the Parish supports a student for theological training, SAC HR will submit a paper computing the estimated amount of support for the student over the relevant course of study to the SAC Finance and Property Committee (FPC) for consideration. After FPC approves the budget, SAC Finance will transfer the amount from the General Fund to the Theological Studies Fund, and pay the financial support out from the Theological Studies Fund.

Will there be training offs allocated for staff to have protected time to pursue further development?

Yes, the Training Policy provides for the study and examination leave that may be granted to SAC staff who will continue to be employed by the Parish on a full or part-time basis whilst pursuing theological training.

Besides formal courses and training made available, how is the Cathedral looking to cultivate a culture of continuous learning and growth?

We need to shape culture, and this takes time. There can't be any shortcuts in this endeavour. Within the staff team, the need to strive for continual improvement and growth is highlighted from time to time during staff devotion, staff meetings, in our conversations with staff, ministry team meetings and discussions etc. The church leadership team seeks to lead by example, and over time, to create an environment within which such a desire for growth becomes the norm, where it would feel out of place if someone was not committed to continual growth. This cannot be based on top-down instruction, but instead is something that needs to be “caught” and then spreads somewhat organically.

We want to bring this emphasis on continuous learning and growth not only to the staff team but also to the wider church community. We highlight this when setting the church’s direction, through the pulpit ministry, in encouraging members to attend DCBS and CE courses, and also through our cell groups because our cell groups provide an important space for such growth to take place in the community and with mutual accountability.

I would also like to inquire if the church has a formal update on the status of the phase two expansion plan that was raised in 2019. While I understand there was a change in leadership and the unforeseen circumstances, or COVID-19 an update on the decision status of the proposed plan will be still appreciated.

Please be informed that Phase Two has been deferred until further notice. At present, the church leadership is focused on Nave restoration, which is currently ongoing.

Would it be possible to publish the detailed account record pertaining to the additional cost incurred from using plastic cups and tissues, to cope with the required safe management measures from the government so that we can have a detailed account as to what the church had to fund for the past two years?

SAC does not separately track and have a detailed account on a line-by-line basis of what we spend as a result of the COVID-19 for the two-year period. However, we have some broad numbers: in total, we spent approximately $70,000 over the last two years. While plastic cups and tissue were mentioned in the question, these were not significant. The bigger ticket items were really the ART test kits, thermometers and scanners that we purchased, and the development of the booking system. Over the last two years, we also received donations of about $20,000 to defray the costs for some items.

Would it be also appropriate to ask what would happen to our services if the nave restoration is not completed by 31st December 2022?

We should have a clearer picture of the status of the restoration project sometime in June/July 2022, and we will evaluate the course of action if needed. However, our worship services will continue even if there is a delay in the restoration project; we will continue our current arrangements for worship services in the CNS, Pavilion and Prayer Halls.

Could the Welcome Centre be converted back to a Cafe such that the church could earn additional funds from selling food as well as attracting more people from other faiths to visit the Cathedral given the allowance of F&B in religious premises according to the state management measures, dated 29th March 2022?

The Welcome Centre was opened together with the Cathedral New Sanctuary in 2005, and in 2017/2018, the Welcome Centre was developed into a commercial café selling speciality coffees and food. The Cathedral Café operated until 2020 when COVID-19 struck, and it had to be shut for a time. SAC took the opportunity in 2021 to relook the use of the Welcome Centre space, to reconsider if the Welcome Centre was fulfilling its purposes. The Welcome Centre is important as the interface between Cathedral and the community and the Cathedral; it is our window to the world.

A taskforce chaired by A/Prof Joseph Thambiah was set up in Cathedral in 2021, to look into the future direction of the Welcome Centre. The taskforce studied the finances of the Cathedral Café, its staffing requirements and its contribution to the ministry of the church. The taskforce also sought feedback from Cathedral members. After considering the feedback received from Cathedral members, as well as looking at the financial position, the function and ministry aims of the Welcome Centre, the PCC passed a resolution to cease the commercial operations of the Cathedral Café, and for the Welcome Centre to re-focus on evangelism and outreach, counselling and pastoral ministry. While simple food and drinks will continue to be available at the Welcome Centre, SAC will cease the operation of a commercial café.

Due to the ongoing Nave restoration works, the Welcome Centre is needed as workspace for the SAC staff team, as well as meeting and ministry space, until the space in the Nave building becomes available for use. As such, the re-configuration of the Welcome Centre space has been put on hold. We will continue to keep members updated on the plans for the Welcome Centre.

Would it be possible to enhance the online offerings of the church given the permanent change in tastes and preferences for people to stay at home and worship the Lord by sample making provisions for zoom services? For more services such as the Youth service to cater to people who wish to stay at home to worship as they would like to keep healthy in view of the important items such as upcoming exams?

As far as the current “reopening” of the church is concerned, we will continue to have our online presence. Beyond reaching our members, we are reaching people globally. We have been blessed, and it is amazing that we can bless others and draw people into the kingdom of God.

However, there is a need for balance between online and onsite. While we continue our online presence, as a community of faith, God has called us to come together to encourage one another and to spur one another on. The human interaction is much needed. There will come a time when we adjust the ratio of what we offer online and how much we have onsite. The leaders will continue to look into this, and to get feedback from members.

As the church reopens and we run our services, we encourage our members to come back onsite to this community where God has called us, so that we can worship God together. Where we come together as a community to adore Him. There is a place for onsite worship, and for the onsite programs that we run. We want to be coming together as a people of God.

Why is the staff using the Welcome Centre as an office space?

Due to the Nave restoration project, the staff team has had to vacate the second level pastoral office. We needed a holding space for the duration of the restoration project, and the Welcome Centre was selected because of its size, and also because it allows us to continually interact and engage with Cathedral members.

With the gradual easing of measures regarding travel, would there be any provisions made for the camps, to be held overseas such as in Malaysia?

This is something on many of our hearts. We are planning for the resumption of church camp, and we are considering overseas options. Let us pray that the current situation remains stable or improves, so that overseas camps may be possible.

May I know what is the sample size of the survey that was used for the task force to ultimately decide at the commercial use of the Cafe will be ceased?

The Taskforce did not use a survey to gain consensus on the future of the Cathedral Café. As there were many issues related to the running of the Cathedral Café which Cathedral members might not have been fully aware of, such as the finances and staffing, we asked the congregation for their thoughts and ideas for use of the Welcome Centre space. After considering the feedback received from Cathedral members, as well as looking at the financial position, the function and ministry aims of the Welcome Centre, the Taskforce then made its recommendations to the PCC.

For the mission budget allocation, is it all for overseas missions or does it include local as well?

The SAC Outreach and Missions Fund (OMF) funds both overseas and local missions which includes contributions to the Deaneries, the Cathedral’s own ministry work as well as supporting various local organizations. In 2021, SAC allocated about $1.7million to the OMF.

Could you please update me on the5 progress of the restoration works? Who can provide more information if a member wants to know about the restoration works?

The Nave restoration works are ongoing: scaffolding has been erected and the workers have been at work. While we currently expect that the works will be completed by the end of 2022, we will continue to monitor the progress of the works. We should be in a position to provide an update on the status of the restoration project sometime in June/ July 2022, and we will update members accordingly. Please continue to pray for the workers, contractors, restoration work committee, and FPC/PCC as the restoration works proceed. We pray for speed, safety and God-honouring co-operation between all workers.

Regular updates on the Nave restoration works are available on the Cathedral website and in the church bulletins. Members may email their queries to nave_restoration@cathedral.org.sg, or write in to secretariat@cathedral.org.sg.

Before closing the Cafe could we engage members of the church to obtain their feedback?

A taskforce chaired by A/ Prof Joseph Thambiah was set up in Cathedral in 2021, to look into the future direction of the Welcome Centre. The taskforce sought feedback from Cathedral members, as well as studied the finances of the Cathedral Café, its staffing requirements and its contribution to the ministry of the church. It was after the taskforce had considered all relevant factors, that the taskforce made its recommendations to the PCC, and the PCC then passed a resolution to cease the commercial operations of the Cathedral Café, and for the Welcome Centre to re-focus on evangelism and outreach, counselling and pastoral ministry.

Vicar, please share your vision for the Welcome Centre, obviously, it was established prior. Interested to hear how you see this in conjunction with SAC as a hospital.

Some Cathedral members have shared visions of SAC as a hospital, not to meet the physical needs, but to the spiritual needs and mental healthcare needs of the community around us. Many of the plans for the Welcome Centre, which will re-focus on evangelism and outreach, counselling and pastoral ministry, have to do with this vision of SAC as a (spiritual) hospital.

Due to the ongoing Nave restoration works, the Welcome Centre is needed as workspace for the SAC staff team, as well as meeting and ministry space, until the space in the Nave building becomes available for use. As such, the re-configuration of the Welcome Centre space has been put on hold. We will continue to keep members updated on the plans for the Welcome Centre.

The COVID-19 pandemic had forced the closure of the Cathedral Café, the recommendations of the taskforce was to cease the commercial operations of the Cathedral Café, and for the Welcome Centre to re-focus on evangelism and outreach, counselling and pastoral ministry. Essentially, the proposal was to keep to the original purpose and spirit of the Welcome Centre. We will continue to seek the leading of the Holy Spirit on the future plans for the Welcome Centre, and we are very excited about the planned enhancements.

In connection with SAC being a spiritual hospital where people could come, A/Prof Joseph has mentioned that the Welcome Centre is Cathedral’s door to the world, and indeed, we have had many non-believers walk into the church because of the last one year. I believe that by the grace of God, the Welcome Centre will continue to serve that purpose to be the door to the world, where we will draw people to His Kingdom. A place where people can seek refuge, a place where people can seek help, a place where people can seek healing.