Methodist Women, 1918–2024

“The LORD is my strength and my shield. My heart has trusted in him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart greatly rejoices. With my song I will thank him.” (Psalm 28:7, WEBBE) “Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isaiah 41:10, WEBBE) We thank the Lord for his grace and guiding hand throughout the 105-year history of Madras Lane Methodist Women, as recorded in 2023. We are grateful to our advisers, pastors, church workers and pastors' wives for their loving guidance and assistance, and to our office-bearers and fellow believers for their united service, support and encouragement, which have enabled our work to proceed smoothly. We also give thanks for all that earlier generations contributed. Building on this firm foundation, Methodist Women continues to experience God, grow in faith, share the gospel, lead people to the Lord, and care actively for women and families with spiritual and practical needs. May our service glorify God and bless others. Peace to all, and glory to God! Amen. From 1916, women's groups were already serving Chinese churches in Singapore and Malaya, although their activities were confined to individual congregations. Our association was initiated by Miss 格里曼 in 1918 under the name Women's Relief Association. Its president was the wife of Rev. 邱清浩, who worked with women evangelists and several devoted sisters in Christ to provide relief. In 1923, the association was renamed the Dorcas Society, with Ms 林伶俐 as president. She also managed 体仁会, the church's home for elderly people who were poor and without support. The Dorcas Society met annually, beginning with worship led by the pastor. Donated goods and handicrafts made by church members were then sold for charitable purposes, including relief for those who were poor or ill, funeral expenses, and furniture and household items for church workers. Leading office-bearers included 洪琳华, 洪瑞要 and the wife of Rev. 黄懋庭. In 1946, Mrs 李溢恩, the bishop's wife, and Mrs 罗士越 encouraged the active organisation of women's societies within the Chinese Annual Conference in Singapore and Malaya. At the Conference held in Kuala Lumpur in March 1948, women delegates decided to unite the women of all local churches in a Women's Society of Christian Service (WSCS). Our church formally established its WSCS, with every female church member included in its membership. The initiative was championed by 李秀英, the wife of Rev. 方明德, and Dr 虞小棠 was elected president. The society required its officers to meet at least three times a year. During this period, it helped the church establish the Air Itam preaching point, the parsonage, Dorcas Hall for Christian education, and the Jelutong preaching point. Its ministry also included monthly evangelistic visits to the Sungai Ara home for the elderly and children's outreach meetings in Sungai Nibong and Perak Lane. Parents' Day, 5 May 1948 Parents' Day, 9 May 1949 Devotional Committee meeting, 26 October 1949 Parents' Day, 14 May 1950 Office-bearers, 1950 Office-bearers, 1952 Office-bearers, 1954 Ms 王美玉 served as president from 1960 to 1970. The society developed steadily and membership grew rapidly. Meetings were held weekly, with Bible studies twice a month. A women's choir was formed under the guidance of Rev. 黄银溪. The home economics group took turns teaching cooking, while Sister 郭爱华 taught floral arrangement to beautify the sanctuary. Evangelism was a priority: weekend children's meetings were held at 真光 School in Juru New Village, and literacy classes were opened at the Butterworth preaching point. Members regularly distributed gospel tracts, visited hospital patients, shared their faith with non-Christian families and helped new believers dispose of their idols. The account also records the women's choir, home economics classes, weekend children's meetings at 真光 School and literacy classes at Butterworth. Singing Malay hymns at the Annual Conference Women's Night, 8 August 1961 Dramatisation of the Book of Ruth, 8 August 1961 Choir, 23 November 1966 Office-bearers, 4 August 1968