Author: Eden Liew

On Saturday 4 July, NCCS collaborated with the Catholic Church to set up a booth on Christianity at the Harmony Fest! 2026 event at *Scape. NCCS worked with AIRDECS (Roman Catholic Archdiocesan Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism Centre of Singapore). This annual event is organised by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) to mark the start of Racial and Religious Harmony Month.  The event was particularly significant as it was officially opened by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam in the presence of religious leaders including NCCS President, Bishop Philip Lim.    The event attracted over 15,000 participants for the day-long celebration of Singapore’s multiculturalism, unity and shared values.

NCCS and AIREDECS were originally allocated separate booths but agreed to present a united front and set up a joint booth.  The joint booth not only introduced the tenets of Christianity and Jesus Christ but also featured Christian artefacts including a display of Greek and Hebrew Bibles as well as the Vulgate and Septuagint texts. There was a display of the Apostle’s Creed with a brief commentary.

Volunteers including NCCS staff and some members of the 12th (I) Boys’ Brigade Company manned the booth and interacted with visitors to answer questions about Christianity. The event ran from 10am to 5.30pm and also featured multicultural displays and performances and a pledge wall to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the National Pledge.   See PHOTOS

[English version]

尊敬的在基督里的弟兄姐妹们，

愿从父上帝和主耶稣基督而来的恩惠与平安，归于你们和你们的家人。

我们已悄然跨入2026年下半年的门槛。在我们匆忙奔向那许多等待我们的活动、计划和责任之前，或许我们可以找一个安静的时刻稍作停留。等候主，在祂面前让我们的灵魂稍作喘息，这其中有一种神圣的美。

教育工作者帕克·帕尔默(Peter Palmer)对我们现代的疲惫提出了一项引人深思的观察。他认为，倦怠很少是因为我们付出到完全耗尽所致。相反，他写道：“它仅仅揭示了我一开始试图付出时的那种空洞。”这是一个深刻的洞见，我们花些时间来反思它，将对我们大有裨益。

倘若我们的日子不再以匆忙和疲惫为特征，而是以完全不同的节奏来定义，那会怎样？一种敞开心扉、与上帝的同在亲密相连的节奏。

在这个时节，让我们刻意地留出安静和独处的空间。愿我们远离喧嚣，哪怕每天只有几分钟，好叫我们能真正听见上帝的声音，并在祂的同在中得到深深的更新。

愿你们在祂里面享有一段安息与更新的时节。

章剑文大主教 ( 博士 )
新加坡基督教会理事会副主席

[信函的中文翻译]

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Grace and peace to you and your families from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We have gently crossed the threshold into the second half of 2026. Before we rush forward into the many activities, plans, and responsibilities that await us, perhaps we might find a quiet moment to pause. There is a holy beauty in waiting upon the Lord, allowing our souls to catch their breath before Him.

Parker Palmer, an educator, offers a compelling observation about our modern fatigue. He suggests that burnout is rarely a matter of giving until we are completely depleted. Rather, he writes, “It merely reveals the nothingness from which I was trying to give in the first place.” This is a profound observation, and it will do us well to spend some time reflecting on it.

What if our days were no longer defined by hurry and exhaustion, but by a different rhythm altogether? A rhythm that opens our hearts to connect intimately with the presence of God.

In this season, let us intentionally carve out space for silence and solitude. May we turn away from the noise, if only for a few moments each day, so that we can truly hear from God and be deeply refreshed by His presence.

Wishing you a season of rest and renewal in Him.

Archbishop Titus Chung
Vice-President
National Council of Churches of Singapore

President Shanmugaratnam and MCCY Ag Minister David Neo with Christian event participants (Front Row L-R: Rev Gabriel Liew, Rev Dr Chiang Ming Shun, Bp Philip Lim, President, Minister, Fr Joseph Zhang and Fr Justin Lim)

[Show slideshow]

[信函的中文翻译]

Navigating Uncertain Times

We are living in unprecedented and unstable times. From the new norm of COVID19, to wars and the advancement of technology and AI, never before has the church had to pivot so quickly and so constantly. As the saying goes, the only certainty is uncertainty, and we are seeing this every single day. Unstable times—personal, communal, or global—test our faith and stretch our hope. Yet the Gospel reminds us that uncertainty is not the end of God’s work but an invitation to deeper trust. Is our trust rooted in a God who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow?

When decisions are clouded and the future seems unclear, anchor your heart in prayer and Scripture. Jesus invites us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Prayer centers us not on our fears but on God’s presence, who walks with us through change.

Community matters. The early church bore one another’s burdens and met needs practically (Acts 2:42–47). In challenging seasons, let us recommit to mutual care: checking on neighbours, offering counsel, sharing resources, and praying together. Small acts of kindness become signs of Christ’s kingdom in a world where fear and anxiety is rampant.

Practice steady stewardship of the gifts God has given—time, talents and resources. Wise planning and compassionate generosity together prepare us to serve others, even when tomorrow is uncertain. Teach your children resilience by modeling calm faith and honest conversations about doubts and hope.

Hold fast to God’s promises: “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). This assurance does not remove hardship but gives courage to persevere. Let us cultivate patience, wise counsel, and the courage to adapt without losing our convictions.

May our churches be beacons of hope—places where honesty about fear meets the unshakeable love and comfort of Christ.

Yours in Christ,

Bishop Philip Lim
President
National Council of Churches of Singapore

[English version]

驾驭不确定时代

我们正生活在前所未有、变幻莫测的时代。从新冠疫情的常态化，到战争，再到科技与人工智能的迅猛发展，教会从未像现在这样需要如此迅速且持续地调整和应对。正如俗话所说，唯一确定的就是不确定性，而我们每天都在见证这一点。无论是个人、社群还是全球层面，动荡的时代都在考验我们的信心，也在拉伸我们的盼望。然而，福音提醒我们，不确定性并非上帝工作的终点，而是邀请我们更深地信靠祂。我们的信靠是否建立在那位昨日、今日、直到永远都不改变的上帝？

当决策变得模糊、未来显得不明朗时，请在祷告和圣经中安定你的心。 耶稣邀请我们：“凡劳苦担重担的人，可以到我这里来，我就使你们得安息。”（马太福音 11:28）祷告使我们的心不再专注于惧怕，而是转向上帝的同在；祂在一切变化中与我们同行。

群体的力量至关重要。初期教会彼此担当重担，并切实地满足彼此的需要（使徒行传 2:42–47）。在艰难的季节里，让我们重新立志彼此关怀：关心邻舍、提供帮助、分享资源，并一起祷告。小小的善行能在充满恐惧与焦虑的世界中，成为基督国度的记号。

要忠心地、稳妥地管理上帝所赐的恩赐——时间、才干和资源。智慧的规划和富有怜悯的慷慨，能帮助我们预备好去服侍他人，即使明天充满未知。教导孩子坚韧，就要以平静的信心和坦诚的对话来谈论疑惑与盼望，成为他们的榜样。

紧紧抓住上帝的应许：“我总不撇下你，也不丢弃你。”（希伯来书 13:5）这份确据并不会消除苦难，而是赐给我们坚持下去的勇气。让我们操练忍耐、寻求智慧的建议，并拥有在不失去信仰根基的前提下作出调整的勇气。

愿我们的教会成为希望的灯塔 —— 一个坦诚面对恐，感受基督坚定不移的爱与安慰的地方。

林建隆会督
新加坡基督教全国教会理事会主席

[English version]

新加坡基督教全国教会理事会的成员与伙伴们：

在复活节与五旬节之间：活在基督的“影子”底下？

我们感谢上帝带领我们平安度过2026年的首季。许多人可能在过去四个月里经历了艰难和动荡，在多方面受到冲击，因为我们所熟悉的正常生活节奏已不复存在。有些人或许在想，颠簸的道路何时才是尽头。

然而，尽管生活中充满了意想不到的挑战和令人震惊的、前所未有的事件，尽管这些事很容易让我们的心不安，但我们的主是信实的，他的应许永不动摇。

“你们要称谢耶和华，因他本为善，他的慈爱永远长存。” —— 诗篇136:1

我们要深信，上帝不会撇下我们独自挣扎、自生自灭，或让我们依靠自己的力量想明白一切。事实上，在教会的年历中，五月是一个思想基督生平的月份，它提醒我们，基督仍是我们灵魂的锚。

. 2026年5月14日 — 基督升天节
. 2026年5月24日 — 五旬节

首先，我们并不孤单，因为我们有一位大祭司在为我们祈求：

“既然我们有一位伟大、进入高天的大祭司，就是耶稣—上帝的儿子，我们应当持定所宣认的道。因为我们的大祭司并非不能体恤我们的软弱；他也在各方面受过试探，与我们一样，只是他没有犯罪。所以，我们只管坦然无惧地来到施恩的宝座前，为要得怜恤，蒙恩惠，作及时的帮助。” —— 希伯来书 4:14–16

基督为我们代求，把我们带到父上帝面前。知道基督没有忘记我们，而是持续地将我们带到父面前——即使我们有时感觉不到，这是何等的安慰！

“耶和华是我的亮光，是我的拯救，我还怕谁呢？耶和华是我生命的保障，我还惧谁呢？” —— 诗篇 27:1

我今天真的能相信上帝的应许，让它改变我的生活姿态吗？“我还惧谁呢？”

其次，活出自由和每日感恩的生命。

当耶稣为我们代祷时，我们应当活出感恩的生命，深知他的祷告和宝血足以拯救我们，并释放我们得自由，脱离一切捆绑。我们大祭司的祷告使我们能够以信心在他里面回应挑战，并且站立得稳。的确，属灵的争战并非靠我们一己之力——我们的大祭司与我们同在。

最后，当我们凭信心与基督合一时，我们便获得了从上头来的能力，使到我们在主再来前，即使面对最具挑战的日子，也能够活出超自然的生命，凭超自然的能力行事。

圣灵在五旬节主日降临，他与我们同在，并住在我们里面。今天，我们拥有从上头来的能力，可以每天以不平凡的方式过着平凡的日子。

“你们岂不知你们的身体就是圣灵的殿吗？这圣灵是从神而来，住在你们里头的。而且你们不是属于自己的人。” —— 哥林多前书 6:19

“但圣灵降临在你们身上，你们就必得着能力，并要在耶路撒冷、犹太全地和撒玛利亚，直到地极，作我的见证。” —— 使徒行传 1:8

当我们让圣灵带领和引导我们时，福音的宣讲就变得有效。当我们让圣灵加给我们力量，使我们能以顺服来回应上帝的话语时，我们活出的见证就大有影响力。当我们每日在圣灵的引导下行走时，我们就能以确定而坚定的姿态生活。

“我说，你们要顺着圣灵而行，绝不可放纵肉体的情欲。” —— 加拉太书 5:16

“我们若靠着圣灵而活，就要靠着圣灵行事。” —— 加拉太书 5:25

问题是，今天是谁在引领我们的生活？让我们花点时间反思基督为我们所做的一切，以至于能够：

a) 在挣扎中得安慰——深知耶稣，我们的大祭司，与我们同在，并在天父面前为我们代求。
b) 得鼓励去面对每日的挑战，深知我们并不孤单——圣灵住在我们里面。
c) 愿意在发现自己没有等待上帝就凭已意行事时重新调整生活——当我们顺服时，圣灵就会引导我们。

国家能转向上帝吗？这始于我们因默想基督对世界的爱，能够不平凡地去过每一个平凡的日子。

与您一同服事基督的主仆，

罗嘉俊会督
新加坡基督教会理事会副主席

[信函的中文翻译]

Dear Members and Friends of NCCS,

Between the Resurrection and Pentecost:  Living in  Christ’s “Shadow”?

 We thank God for leading us through the first quarter of 2026. Many of us may have experienced an unusually difficult and turbulent journey over the past four months, which may have impacted us in many ways, as the normal rhythm of life is no longer something we are familiar with. Some may be wondering when the bumpy road will end.

Yet, despite unforeseen challenges and unprecedented, shocking incidents that can easily unsettle our hearts in everyday life, our Lord is faithful to us, and His promises remain steadfast.

“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His love endures forever.” — Psalm 136:1

Be assured that God does not leave us alone to strive, fend for ourselves, or try to figure everything out on our own.  In fact the month of May in the Christian calendar reminds us of the life of Christ, which continues to be the anchor of our souls.

• May 14, 2026 — The Ascension of our Lord
• May 24, 2026 — The Day of Pentecost

Firstly, we are not alone, because we have a High Priest who is praying for us:

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need — Hebrews 4:14–16

We are being presented before God the Father as Christ intercedes for us. What a comfort it is to know that Christ has not forgotten us, but continues to bring us before the Father—even when we may not feel it at times.

The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?  — Psalm 27:1

Can I truly believe His promise and allow it to change the posture of my life today?

“Whom shall I fear?”

Secondly, living a life of freedom and daily thanksgiving.

As Jesus intercedes and prays for us, we should be living a life of thanksgiving, knowing that His prayers and His blood are sufficient to save us and to set us free from every bondage.

The prayers of our High Priest enable us to respond and to stand confidently in Him. Indeed, the spiritual battle is not ours alone—our High Priest is with us.

Lastly, as we stand confident in our identity in Christ, we are given power from above to live and operate supernaturally, even in the most challenging times before the Lord’s return.

The Holy Spirit came on Pentecost Sunday, and He is with us and dwells within us. Today, we have power from above to live ordinary lives in extraordinary ways each day.

You surely know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God. You do not belong to yourselves  — 1 Corinthians 6:19

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth  — Acts 1:8

The proclamation of the gospel becomes effective when we allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us. Our living testimony becomes impactful when we allow Him to empower us to respond to God’s Word—that is, through obedience. Our posture in life becomes sure and steadfast when we walk daily under the leading of the Holy Spirit.

So, I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh  — Galatians 5:16

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit  — Galatians 5:25

The question is Who is leading our lives today?  Let us take a moment to reflect on what Christ has done for us, so that:

a) We may be comforted in our struggles—knowing Jesus, our High Priest, is with us and interceding for us before the Father.

b) We may be encouraged to face daily challenges, knowing we are not alone—the Holy Spirit lives within us.

c) We may be willing to realign our lives if we have moved ahead of Him—the Holy Spirit is here to guide us when we yield to Him.

Can the nation turn toward God? It begins with ordinary lives lived extraordinarily each day, as we reflect Christ’s love to the world.

Serving Christ with you,

Bishop Anthony Loh
Vice-President
National Council of Churches of Singapore

NCCS presentation on the Christian views on Life, Death and Resurrection, and on Christian Funeral Rites and Practices to PERGAS (Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association).  The 2 presenters are:  NCCS Assoc Gen Sec Rev Dr Chiang Ming Shun and Anglican Priest Rev Dr Jeremy-Joe Tan.

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(L-R) Mr Eden Liew (NCCS), Mr Muhammad Nasir Johari (MUIS), Dr Roland Chia (Ethos), Rev Dr Ngoei Foong Nghian (NCCS), Bishop Philip Lim (NCCS President), Ustaz Dr Nazirudin Mohd Nasir (Mufti of Singapore), Mr Azree Rahim (MUIS), Dr Leow Theng Huat (Ethos), Rev Dr Edmund Fong (Ethos), Rev Dr Jeremy-Joe Tan (Ethos), Ms Shalynn Siow (NCCS).

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