THIS YEAR’S ALDERSGATE CONVENTION will be extra special as it will be held as part of the 125^th Anniversary celebrations of The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS). The theme for the year-long celebrations is “Together in God’s Mission”.

The added features will come in the form of a Parade of Banners by all the Methodist churches, schools and agencies, a Dialogue with the Bishop and the three Annual Conference Presidents, and a Wesleyan Hymn Festival to be led by an acclaimed American hymn festival director.

On May 22, there will be the Combined Aldersgate and 125^th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service at Paya Lebar Methodist Church. The two-hour service will begin at 5 pm with a processional to be led by a colourful parade of banners by 44 Methodist churches, 15 schools and five agencies.

Bishop Dr Robert Solomon will deliver the sermon. Guests should be seated by 4.50 pm.

The procession will consist of two parties. The first party will be led by the bearers of the MCS Banner, then the CAC Banner, ETAC Banner, TRAC Banner, GC-WSCS Banner, the schools, agencies and churches.

The second wave of the processional will see the bearers of the Cross and the Bible leading in the pastors, beginning with the MOTs (Members-on-Trial), with the three Annual Conference Presidents and the Bishop forming the rear of the procession. 

In past conventions, only the Cross, the Bible, the MCS Banner and the Banners of the three Annual Conferences as well as that of the General Conference Women’s Society of Christian Service were used.

The Thanksgiving Service will also see the launch of a booklet, Methodist Milestones, to commemorate the 125^th Anniversary of the MCS. In three editions – English, Chinese and Tamil – it will be given to all Methodists later this month.

The 32-page booklet, in full colour, chronicles the major milestones of the MCS from its inception in February 1885 to the present. It is written by Mr Earnest Lau, the MCS Archivist.

Also at the service, Ms Gwendolyn Tan, a member of Barker Road Methodist Church, will receive the top prize of $500 for her winning design of the 125^th Anniversary logo. Ms Shirley Koh of Bedok Methodist Church and Mr Abel Amir of Jurong Tamil Methodist Church will also be awarded the commendation prizes of $200 each.