BCCM KK (E) celebrated her 55th Anniversary on 5 November 2017. Exactly 55 years ago on 4 November 1962, Pastor Donald E Nelson led the first Sunday English Worship Service of BCCM KK in the KK Basel Church old Chapel at the Signal Hill. I was only eleven then and was still a Sunday School student of the BCCM KK Hakka Congregation. In fact, I was with the Hakka Congregation all along and only switched to the English Congregation in 1979 after graduation or more specifically after my marriage.
This year, unlike in past occasions, the Pastor-in-Charge was creative and chose the term "Legacy Day" to commemorate the occasion.
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Taken after the Legacy Sunday Worship Service with Joseph CH Wong, Rev. Chong FY and current Pastor, Rev. Renny Khoo.
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The Church published a small magazine which contains key historical events and anecdotes by church members about some of the pioneers. My wife and I were asked to interview one couple, Datuk and Datin KS Fung who were involved in the setting up of BCCM KK (E) during its formative period. Even though in their eighties and with failing memory, they did mange to recollect some of the past events and shared a few thoughts.
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Breakfast in our house with Datuk and Datin Fung,
their 2nd son Yin Kee, Joseph Wong and wife Catherine
just before the interview on 15 October.
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In 1963, BCCM KK English Congregation conducted the baptism for members who attended the first Confirmation Class. Fifty years on, most are now in the late sixties and seventies. The first pastor, Ps. Donald E Nelson had also passed away in January 2016 at age 88.
Anniversary is a milestone and a time to remember the past, to pause to see where we are in the present and to prepare for the future. It is also a time to recognize people past and present who have laboured in advancing God's Kingdom. The Chinese has a saying for such recognition: "前人种树 后人乘凉" which literally means that the old generations plant trees, the future generations enjoy the shade.
I realized that anniversary is also a time for healing and restoration. People come and people go. People may at one time be in leadership but are no longer at present. No matter how insignificant the individual may be perceived at present, he/she would feel gratified if his/her place in history is recognized and appreciated.
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First Baptism Class of BCCM KK English in 1963.
Donald in front row 1st from left. Thomas is next to Donald. |
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Chatting over coffee with Thomas Wong and Donald Soh,
two of the members who attended the first Baptism Class in 1963.
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Together with Paul and Jun Shi, we visited the home village in Sri Gading and had a walk-about at the neighborhood to reminisce the memory lane. My wife just loved to walk along the man-made canal, one of her childhood play sites. The walk finally stopped at the confluence where it meets another canal. These canals were once used to transport smoked rubber sheets by rubber tappers and small holders to the main collector. This was also the favorite spot for local kids to spend their free time - swimming, catching small crabs and fish.
