IN TODAY'S world with so many voices competing
for attention, is it still possible to affirm the centrality of
the Gospel? Can Christians still believe in Jesus Christ? Is
faith even rational?
These concerns will be addressed at the Aldersgate Convention
2003 from May 21-24 when Dr William Abraham speaks on the topic,
"Faith and Reason: Wesleyan Insights". Organised by
the Bishop's Office, the Convention will be held at the new Methodist
Centre and Barker Road Methodist Church.
Dr Abraham, Albert C. Outler Professor of Wesley Studies at Perkins
School of Theology, will speak on three evenings (May 21-23) on
these topics: "Faith and the Promises of God", "Faith
and Personal Experience of God", and "Faith and the
Power of God". All the programmes will be held at the sanctuary
of Barker Road Methodist Church at 7.45 pm.
Marking the 300th anniversary of John Wesley's birth, this year's
Convention promises to be a special event. In addition to the
three evenings of talks, there will be a two-day worship seminar,
a Pastors' Fellowship and the concluding Aldersgate Service, which
will also be the occasion for dedicating the new Methodist Centre.
The Aldersgate Service will be held in the auditorium of ACS Barker
Road.
Two prominent speakers on worship and theology will address the
worship seminar, entitled "Methodist Worship in Context:
Principles, Forms and Freedom", on May 23 and 24. Dr Geoffrey
Wainwright, the Robert Earl Cushman Professor of Christian Theology
at Duke Divinity School, and Dr James F. White, Bard Thompson
Professor of Liturgical Studies at Drew University, will explore
the historical, theological and cultural contexts of Methodist
worship.
The seminar will begin at 9.30 am on both days at the sanctuary
of Barker Road Methodist Church, and end in the afternoon.
All the three speakers have written numerous books, taught at
various leading universities and seminaries, and won several awards
and honours.
Dr Abraham, a member of the Southwest Texas Conference, has been
conducting seminars and workshops across the United States in
the last 15 years.
Dr Wainwright, an ordained minister of the Methodist Church in
Britain, has lectured all over the world, and his work has been
received in many countries and languages.
Dr White, an ordained elder of the California-Nevada Annual Conference,
has written 19 books and is the co-author of another three.
Through lectures, workshops and worship experiences, participants
at the worship seminar will discover ways to lead authentic Christian
worship in the Singapore context. Workshops include such topics
as communion, baptism, Sunday worship, weddings, funerals and
actions in worship.
Pastors, lay leaders, worship leaders and church musicians are
especially encouraged to attend. The registration fee for the
seminar, which includes two lunches and three tea sessions, is
$70.
Both Dr Abraham and Dr Wainwright will also address the Pastors'
Fellowship on May 22 at the Methodist Centre' Sophia Blackmore
Hall from 8.30 am to 12.30 pm.
For more information, contact Ms Goh Li-Ern at tel. 6478-4782.
Registration forms for the worship seminar are available at the
Methodist Centre, local churches and on-line at www.methodist.org.sg
Wesleyan insights
into