These years, we encounter issues within cultures, communities, identities, and genders. The question “What is man?’ of the Psalmist in Psalm 8:4 continues to be relevant to our contemporary culture and society. Exploring it in light of some of the pressing issues mentioned above. This conference titled, “What is Man?”, will examine the significance of the doctrine of the Trinity. The papers that were presented at the conference are published in this volume under the Ethos Engagement Series.
Our speaker in this video, Dr Brian H Tomas, shares his wisdom with our topic focusing on Sex and Gender.
Date: 24 September 2022
Speaker: Dr Brian H Tomas
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ETHOS Institute™ for Public Christianity was formed by the National Council of Churches of Singapore, Trinity Theological College and The Bible Society of Singapore in 2014.vid
As online-related crimes have been a concerning global issue, the Alliance of Guest Workers Outreach (AGWO)—a movement of Hope Initiative Alliance (HIA)—organised Migrant Workers Community Carnival Day on 27 November 2022, a carnival with interactive and engaging game booths with an aim to educate the guest workers on keeping safe and to provide ways on how and where to seek help.
Various partners supported us in this event, such as Assurance Care Engagement Group (ACE) by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Woodlands West Neighbourhood Police Centre under Singapore Police Force (SPF), Kranji Recreation Centre, and other various agencies. Over 600 guest workers participated in this event, and all of them enjoyed this initiative as they received many prizes from the lucky draws.
This carnival brought together organisations and personnel from the people, private and public sectors who are working together for the welfare and safety of the guest workers. The other partners include DBS Bank, Causeway Point, Land Transport Authority, and many more. Through interactive activities and engaging games, the different agencies educated the guest workers about being safe from scams and other types of crime. As MOS Faishal shared, “Fighting scams and other forms of crime is a community effort. Therefore, other than Police’s enforcement efforts, we are also focusing our efforts on educating the public about crime prevention and safety.”
These years, we encounter issues within cultures, communities, identities, and genders. The question “What is man?’ of the Psalmist in Psalm 8:4 continues to be relevant to our contemporary culture and society. Exploring it in light of some of the pressing issues mentioned above. This conference titled, “What is Man?”, will examine the significance of the doctrine of the Trinity. The papers that were presented at the conference are published in this volume under the Ethos Engagement Series. Our speaker in this video, Rev Dr Edmund Fong, shares his wisdom with our topic focusing on Biblical Anthropology.
Date: 24 September 2022 Speaker: Rev Dr Edmund Fong, Trinity Theological College
ETHOS Institute™ for Public Christianity was formed by the National Council of Churches of Singapore, Trinity Theological College and The Bible Society of Singapore in 2014.
These years, we encounter issues within cultures, communities, identities, and genders. The question “What is man?’ of the Psalmist in Psalm 8:4 continues to be relevant to our contemporary culture and society. Exploring it in light of some of the pressing issues mentioned above. This conference titled, “What is Man?”, will examine the significance of the doctrine of the Trinity. The papers that were presented at the conference are published in this volume under the Ethos Engagement Series.
Our speaker in this video, Dr Lim K Tham, shares his wisdom with our topic focusing on Body and Soul.
Date: 24 September 2022
Speaker: Dr Lim K Tham, Discipleship Training Centre
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ETHOS Institute™ for Public Christianity was formed by the National Council of Churches of Singapore, Trinity Theological College and The Bible Society of Singapore in 2014.
These years, we encounter issues within cultures, communities, identities, and genders. The question “What is man?’ of the Psalmist in Psalm 8:4 continues to be relevant to our contemporary culture and society. Exploring it in light of some of the pressing issues mentioned above. This conference titled, “What is Man?”, will examine the significance of the doctrine of the Trinity. The papers that were presented at the conference are published in this volume under the Ethos Engagement Series.
Our speaker in this video, Dr Kris Chong, shares her wisdom with our topic focusing on Individual, Community, and Pop Culture.
Date: 24 September 2022
Speaker: Dr Kris Chong
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ETHOS Institute™ for Public Christianity was formed by the National Council of Churches of Singapore, Trinity Theological College and The Bible Society of Singapore in 2014.
In recent years, the United States has witnessed the politicisation of Christianity (through the growth of the “Religious Right”) and the polarisation of American society (through the “culture wars”). These developments have impacted Singaporean Christians as American evangelical Christianity has a considerable influence here, especially through social media. Yet, Singapore and the US are two very different societies, and it is clear to most believers that many of the things that have happened in America would not be immediately applicable in this country. This talk will examine some of the main characteristics of American evangelicalism over the past four decades to identify lessons that can be learned, both positive and negative.
Date: 27 October 2022
Speaker: Dr Bruce Lockhart
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ETHOS Institute™ for Public Christianity was formed by the National Council of Churches of Singapore, Trinity Theological College and The Bible Society of Singapore in 2014.
Over 20,000 guest workers joined AGWO Deepavali celebrations held at both the community and various Recreation Centres (RCs) after two years since the COVID-19 pandemic, and went to the temple and city tour to the Merlion Park. Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth and Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Mr Alvin Tan, joined the guest workers in a Deepavali lunch gathering at Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on 23 October 2022.
Guest workers in Singapore were excited to celebrate Deepavali at the temple, especially since the pandemic hit in the past few years, making this year’s festival brighter and more meaningful than ever. Understanding the need of the guest workers to observe such joyous occasions, the Alliance of Guest Workers Outreach (AGWO)—a movement of Hope Initiative Alliance (HIA)—together with Hindu Endowments Board (HEB), Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), AGAM Theatre Lab, friends from the Moulmein-Cairnhill Racial and Religious Harmony Circle, and members of Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Taoist, and other communities, organised an outing for more than 200 guest workers on the eve of Deepavali, 23 October 2022, to enjoy a day of pre-festival prayer and lunch gathering at Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple, and a city tour to Merlion park. We were delighted to have the Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth and Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Mr Alvin Tan, supporting us in this celebration as a Guest-of-Honour. During this special occasion, the interfaith community also interacted with Hindu guest workers at the temple, making them feel at home in Singapore.
With an aim to reach out to a total of over 20,000 guest workers this Deepavali, AGWO also collaborated with various churches in conducting Deepavali carnivals at five RCs such as Tuas, Kranji, Cochrane, Terusan, and Penjuru. Involving over 100 volunteers including junior volunteers, they baked sweets and savouries at the comfort of their home and distributed them to the guest workers this Deepavali, and organised Kabaddi (an Indian sport), cooking competition, Bollywood dance and Rangoli competitions, amazing race, and many other exciting activities from 23 to 24 October 2022, initiated by Dorm Mums—a group of female volunteers of AGWO. Not only the guest workers, HIA also celebrated Deepavali with the domestic workers through the events that had been planned out for them, organised by the Alliance of Domestic Employees Outreach (ADEO)—one of HIA’s movement.
The guest workers were also looking forward to celebrating Deepavali after two year-long of COVID-19 restrictions, making this year’s festival so significant to them as they have journeyed through the plight of pandemic, and now slowly coming out of the darkness. Realising the long-term impact of the pandemic on the guest workers, AGWO hoped that the line-up of activities helped to bring cheer and alleviate their loneliness, as they took this opportunity to rest, gather with their friends and of course, to have fun!
On 16 October 2022, 70 people attended ADEO’s Light of the Heart Event in celebration of Deepavali and Mental Wellness Month.
ADEO organised an afternoon of meaningful activities like mental wellness sharing, talent showcases and folding of origami hearts to make a Rangoli.
It was a great opportunity for ADEO to be able to share on the topic of mental wellness to our migrant domestic workers (MDWs), to teach them the importance of having resilience and a strong community that supports one another. ADEO also invited the Founder of Overseas Foreign Worker Kindness Movement (OFWKM), Ms Crisanta Guiqing, to share her testimony on the challenges and difficulties she has overcome and how it has led her to form OFWKM to support other MDWs who might also feel alone during their struggles here in a foreign country.
To demonstrate the importance of having a community that supports one another during difficult times, ADEO taught the MDWs to fold origami hearts that they would then glue onto a large board to form a “Rangoli” artwork at the end of the session. The art collaboration is a symbol of a community coming together to share their emotions, their highs and lows and take care of one another. ADEO is encouraged to see the migrant domestic workers and volunteers folding their origami hearts and coming up one by one to help one another to stick these hearts onto the large board.
ADEO also held the first mini talent showcase. We are very thankful to have so many talented MDWs who are so willing to share their lovely talents with us. As the MDWs clapped and cheered for our fellow talents, ADEO hopes to be the platform that allows them to continue supporting their fellow friends through the good and bad times.
Through this event, ADEO has also welcomed a few more volunteers into the team including Aerilynn (13 y.o.) who is our youngest volunteer yet. ADEO is very thankful to the support from other volunteers who have been with us more than once! ADEO hopes that our volunteer group will continue to grow together, hence we welcome kindred spirits who are also passionate about serving the MDW community.
Through the different activities that promote holistic well-being and community spirit, ADEO hopes to support many more MDWs to walk away knowing that there will always be a community out there who will support them. Together, improving lives.
Join us for Deepavali celebration with the guest workers!
Hope Initiative Alliance and Alliance of Guest Workers Outreach (AGWO) is bringing you 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 on 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟯 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮. Hurry and register now at https://bit.ly/agwodeepavali2022! Registration ends 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟴 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮.
