Bishop Swenson (third from left), with some members of her team watching what three young
ones are doing in class at the Sembawang Family Service Centre's Student Care Centre. -- Methodist Message picture.
"I am just amazed at the diversity and inclusiveness of The Methodist Church in Singapore," said Bishop Swenson, who is assigned to the Los Angeles Episcopal Area with oversight of the California-Pacific Annual Conference, including the American territories of Guam and Saipan.
She added that she was impressed by the facilities and services offered by the MCS to society.
The team of seven visited Singapore after a week in the Philippines, where they were involved in a short-term mission project to repair Grace United Methodist Church in the town of Dipaculao, which had been destroyed by typhoons.
The team visited Bethany Methodist Nursing Home, Sembawang Family Service Centre, Tamil Methodist Church, Wesley Methodist Church and Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church. The group also paid a courtesy call on Bishop Dr Robert Solomon.
Team members were encouraged by the quality of the work that the MCS is doing, as well as the cooperative relationship with the Government.
"I am impressed by the cooperation of church and state," commented the Rev Keith Hwang, pointing to the Government's help in funding such church-based agencies as the Methodist Welfare Services and the schools.
Such collaboration is very difficult in the US because of the constitutional separation of religion and state, added the Rev Hwang, who is the Executive Director Connectional Ministries of the conference.
The Rev Wayne Walters, Senior Pastor at Glendale First United Methodist Church, also commented on the "intentional care of the Government for the people".
The Rev George Martzen is Minister Attached to The Bishop's Office.