1999 From Marthas to Marys
Being & Beginnings
WSCS caters to mums and singles too. Ong Han Nah and Doris Wong with her children Gregory and Grace.
My people have different needs and interests. I have been a gathering place, a focal point for most of their lives, as they build this community of faith. To help women grow in the knowledge and experience of God as revealed in Jesus Christ. To challenge them to respond to God's redemptive fellowship. To make Christ known throughout the world and develop a personal responsibility for the whole task of the church. That is what WSCS (Women's Society for Christian Service) aims to achieve.
PLMC sisters in Christ, Mrs Doris Wong, Mrs BG Knoo, Mrs Jeannie Wona and friend.
Think of WSCS and these are the many images that come to mind: women helping to prepare food for church events, helpers preparing the communion elements and washing the little cups afterwards, flower arrangers and home visitation teams and church ushers. The images revolve around service, service and more service. Service seems to be the women's forte, at least in the past.
One of the WSCS members interviewed described themselves as the Marthas of the Church... and rightly so. A lot of planning is undertaken to ensure that the many activities of the Church are done by this band of faithful women. Very often, the duties performed by these women are taken for granted and treated as activities of lesser importance. Afterall, the men seemingly have more important tasks of leadership to perform and any man worth his salt, would shy away from these supposedly menial tasks. Thankfully, as Bob Dylan so described, the times are changing and the roles played by men and women are less stereotypical these days. Some men enjoy cooking and are equally adept at serving food. Even rarer, there are males who are well-versed in the art of flower arrangement.
Before joining WSCS, some of the younger women thought it was a society mainly for housewives, mothers and grandmothers and a rather cliquish one at that. In fact, the role of the WSCS has been largely misperceived and misunderstood as being just do-gooders. Fortunately, this misconception is slowly broken down as increasingly, better educated women from the working class are joining the ranks of the WSCS and taking on leadership positions.
Did you know that all women members of the Church automatically qualify for membership of the WSCS? Despite the potential number of members out there, there are only about 30 regular members. However, It is encouraging to note that there are now about 75 women who are regularly taking part in the Bible studies conducted by the WSCS.
One of the key things that the recent leadership did to better cater to the needs of members was to conduct a survey to establish cell group ministries that will empower the lives of its members and also enrich the lives of their families. As a result, the WSCS launched two Bible Studies; “Experiencing God” by Henry Blackaby and Beth Moore's “A Woman's Heart - God's Dwelling Place”. Both these Bible Studies have been well received by their members.
The WSCS's focus has shifted from one of service only to include devotion and Bible study. Many of the members feel that it is only through the study of Scriptures, encouragement and training in righteousness that the fruit of the Spirit will emerge. Only then, will they be empowered to serve the Church in a more effective manner. They feel strongly that God can use women to make an impact on the lives of their families. (Remember, the hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world!)
One of the women interviewed commented that the focus of WSCS was changing from the social to the spiritual resulting in women growing in their faith. Another felt that only when they are focused on God can they meet the needs of others more effectively: for in serving others, they stop serving themselves.
Looking ahead, the WSCS feel that there is a need to reach out to women in all situations. This would include single women, single mothers, widows, divorcees and those who are separated from their partners in different social stratus in the church and provide the necessary encouragement, moral and physical support. As women are exposed to the same pressures that men face, it would also be important to build up counselling skills to help those in need. Another area of concern for the WSCS has been in outreach and support of those in the mission fields. They have supported missionaries in the Philippines, India and the Sasaks in Lombok.
When asked what they would like to share with the readers of this book, they said: “Women are always ready to serve the Church, in whatever the Church wants to do. The harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few - only in serving others, we discover our spiritual gifts. Encourage all women to join the WSCS, participate in the activities and allow the Lord to touch their lives and lead them in the area of service He wants them to be in." To all the women past and present in the WSCS – thank you for your faithful service. To the many more who will serve in the future - long live the Marthas and the Marys, and more power to the women!