Conference to tackle issues of families in transition

FAMILY LIFE in the 21^st Century is challenged on many fronts. For example, our global economy and fast-paced society have made it necessary for spouses to take up overseas work assignments or residency. Often, one spouse is left in Singapore to tend to the family.

With the rate of divorce on the rise, it is likely that more individuals are remarrying to form second families, and more single persons are marrying a once-divorced man or woman with children. What is in store for these newly-formed families?

These are but two of today’s headline-making issues. Using our Christian values as the bedrock of our family life, how can we respond to the changes happening around us and yet remain firmly grounded in those values?

A full-day conference on “Living with Families in Transition”, organised by the Methodist Welfare Services (MWS), will address these issues and more on Sept 26 at the YWCA Fort Canning Lodge. Some of the workshop topics include “Living with an Out of Town Spouse”; “Second Families, Second Chances”; “Living with a Less than Ideal Marriage”; “Roadblocks in Parenting and Dealing with Sickness and Death”.

Bishop Dr Robert Solomon will lead a panel discussion on “Christian Values and our Families” with Mr Anthony Yeo, a consultant therapist, and Ms Denise Phua, Member of Parliament for Kampong Glam.

Workshop speakers include Dr Noreen Chan, a well-known hospice care practitioner, Ms Sigi Hetzler, an occupational and work therapist and nutritionist, and the MWS’ team of family therapists, counsellors and social workers.

Methodist Church members who sign up in groups of three pay only for two instead of the normal registration fee of $80 per person. To find out more about the conference and download the registration form, visit www.mws.org.sg. Book your seats now.