Pastoral Letter   
 
Greetings.

Praise the Lord that SSMC will be able to resume our in-person Sunday Celebration service at our sanctuary from 5 July 2020. We are thankful that the government is allowing churches to reopen for 'in-person' worship with the condition of observing to the Authorities' Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). Failure to comply with these conditions may result in punitive action by the authorities against the Church.
 

Registration required for attending in-person Sunday Celebration 
A key condition imposed is a restricted seating capacity which currently allows only 1/3 of our total capacity. As such, we need the cooperation of everyone to observe all the conditions to facilitate this transitional process of physically attending. Those who wish to attend the in-person Sunday Celebration will be required to register. Please read the important information below before you register. The link for the registration form is found at the end of this bulletin. 

Currently the requirements and guidelines* are as follows (subject to changes & updates):

A: Those who are NOT ALLOWED to attend :
1. Children 12 years old & below and 70 yrs & above.
2. Pre-existing medical conditions eg. diabetes, cancer, hypertension, asthma, cirrhosis etc.
3. Symptoms of fever, cough, sore throat, flu, breathing difficulty, lost of taste or smell etc.
4. Obesity with BMI of 40 and above.
(** A more comprehensive list is attached below)

B: If you do not fall into any of the above categories and wish to attend 'in-person' Sunday Worship Service

1. MUST REGISTER ONLINE BEFOREHAND (google form below), as only a limited number of worshippers are currently allowed. Approval will be on a first-come-first-served basis. We are only allowing a max of 120 REGISTERED WORSHIPPERS for the month of July 2020.
2. Please BRING ALONG YOUR OWN FACE MASK, wear it and observe good personal hygiene at all times
3. Practice SOCIAL DISTANCING of 1.5 meter from each other, avoiding all physical contact.
4. Come early, REGISTERING using the SELangkah QR code via your smartphone including your temperature which will be taken. Those without smartphone, will be assisted in their registration.
5. Follow all DIRECTIONAL SIGNAGES and DESIGNATED SEATS within the Sanctuary. No moving of seats are allowed.
6. HAND SANITISERS will be made available at all entrances and exits. 

Click here or scroll down to watch this video guide for in-person Sunday Worship participation procedures. 

Please Note:
SSMC wish to assure everyone that we have taken all the necessary preventive measures in accordance with guidelines issued by the relevant government authorities. However, notwithstanding our best efforts, we wish to convey that we cannot guarantee that any participant will not be exposed or infected with COVID-19 by attending in-person Sunday service. There  will still be a risk of becoming exposed to and/or infected by COVID-19 as a result of the actions, omissions or negligence of individuals who failed to follow the conditions and guidelines as listed and other factors beyond our direct control. 

Therefore, the decision to attend in-person Sunday Worship Service is a personal decision with a clear understanding of its implications. SSMC would encourage you to make that decision by considering all relevant factors including your personal health condition as well as that of your family members, even as we continue to pray for God's wisdom and protection over us and our loved ones.

Online Meetings Continue...
Online live streaming via Facebook of Sunday Worship Service will continue for the benefit of those who cannot come in person and for many others who have joined us from afar  in these past months. Other church meetings (e.g. Prayer, DG, Youth & Children's Church) will continue to be virtual gatherings until further notice.

God Bless
Ps Dr Ng Swee Ming

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http://tinyurl.com/SSMCSundayService

Watch this video guide for in-person Sunday Worship participation procedures. 

MCO Needs Survey Form

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With so much uncertainty in the air, the Church Leadership have decided to do a “Needs
Survey” among our own SSMC Church Members to try to identify individuals in our midst
who may need assistance either now or possibly later down the road.

This Preliminary
Needs Survey form hopefully will indicate how many may need assistance in the coming
weeks and months and as a Church what and how we can help. The Needs Survey forms will
be in English, Chinese and BM to cover the whole spectrum of our Church Membership.

If you are aware of any SSMC Church Member who may need assistance, please ask them to complete the form and sent back direct to Pastor or to any LT Member.

Please download this form here. 

Updates as of 17 March 2020

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Greetings.
 
In view of the PM’s announcement on 16 March, issuing a “movement control order” countrywide to try to stem the Covid19 infection in our nation, all religious activities have been cancelled effective from Wednesday 18th to Tuesday 31st March 2020.
 
As a responsible institution, the Bishop of the Methodist Church of Malaysia to which SSMC belongs, has released a directive to abide to this directive from the Government and play our role for the good and welfare of our people and nation.
 
What does this mean for SSMC as a local church?

1. PRAYER MEETING on Tuesday 17th March 8.30pm will be ON in Room E2 for the last time before the directive takes effect, as we need to uphold the situation, people and nation in prayer. You are encouraged to come tonight if you are well and have the burden to intercede – but there is No Compulsion, No Comparison, No Condemnation.

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2. Subsequently, All Church Meetings are cancelled with immediate effect including DG meetings, Sunday Services (English, Chinese, Children’s Church, KBM & Cambodian), Prayer Meetings, Youth Meeting, Tadika Methodist incld ASP, Visitation ministry and all PPKSKA activities and programs.

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3. Church Office will be closed from Wednesday 18th March and all staff will continue to work from home.
 
New Normal of Doing Church.

In view of the current situation and the directive from the Government, it is good time to rethink the way we do church as God’s Chosen people whose hope and faith is on the Almighty.
 
All of us know that Church is never the building but people which means that Church goes on even though we cannot gather in a building on a designated day and time. Church is still very much alive.
 
This will be a good opportunity for families to take time to have devotion and pray together. Wherever possible, fathers should take the lead in bringing the family together in reading the Word, sharing needs and then praying together. This can be a daily “new family normal” since time is less of a constraint for both parents and children.

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On Sundays, the Lord’s Day, encourage each family member to participate in family worship eg each choosing a song to sing. For Word, I have asked Ps Phua to share a short message which we will try to record and share with all the members for this Sunday (22 March). This can then be played as the family gather together to hear God’s Word. You can close with a time of prayer and possibly a song.

We will try to arrange a similar format for the subsequent weeks if possible.

NB: I am using the term ‘families’ to also include all brothers and sisters in Christ.
 
New Normal Doing Discipleship Group (DG).

Whilst we cannot meet physically together as a DG, may I suggest using e-media to meet together in cyberspace. DGs may want to explore using programs like Zoom, Skype, Hangout (just to name a few) as possible means to conduct video DG meeting – able to worship, share and pray together.
 
New Normal Doing Pastoral Visitation.

If during this period, anyone needs Pastoral input or advice, please feel free to Whatsapp any of the Leadership Team members. If necessary we can even schedule online video visitation at a time convenient to both parties.

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Ps Swee Ming  017 3330088        

Ps Kok Moi   012 9153987          

Robin Liew   012 3277200

Henry Wong  016 2233101

KL Lam  012 2229221  

Henry Chong 012 2192318        

Peter Ukong 011 21149686 

Shih Shu 012 2103490

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New Normal Giving Offering/Pledge.

I know that some of you have been doing online giving of offering and pledges but many have not. In this season of New Things & New Beginnings, you may want to consider giving offerings and pledges online. This is only a suggestion and on a purely voluntary basis. Please do not feel pressured to do so.

For the benefit of those who wish to the church bank info is:

Sungai Way-Subang Methodist Church, OCBC  Account No: 707 201 9139.
 
As responsible citizens please be diligent in taking care the health of you and your loved ones. Continue to interceed for the situation upholding in our prayers, those directly in the forefront of the pandemic – all the medical staffs directly and indirectly taking care of those affected by the virus. Pray that God will be loving and merciful, and that He will grant wisdom and insight for our leaders and all parties on how best to address the Covid19 situation as well as those badly affected economically by the effects of the pandemic.
 
Read Psalms 91 today and apply it to our present situation.
 
God Almighty Reigns
 
His servant…

Rev Dr Ng Swee Ming

Pastor 

Sungai Way-Subang Methodist Church

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Updates as of 7 March 2020

Dear SSMC Church Family,

As the chances of contracting the Covid19 virus has escalated recently with incidents of local community spread, we need to be extra vigilant, and take the necessary precautions to safeguard ourselves, our families and our community. At the same time, we should exercise sound judgement so as to not to become overly anxious and fearful. Please refrain from forwarding or viralising unconfirmed news about Covid-19 and inadvertently contributing to a climate of fear and panic.

To help us to be responsible and better prepared, these are some of the pertinent facts and advice we like to share based on the latest developments.  

FAQs:

Q: Should I be quarantined, if I have been to China, South Korea, Iran and Italy or come into contact with anyone from the above countries in the course of my business / work?

📍 If you have been to China, South Korea, Japan, Iran or Italy anytime in the past two weeks, please be advised that is important for you to comply with directive from MOH and impose a self-quarantine at least for 14 days on your return.

📍 If you have come into contact with anyone from China, South Korea, Iran or Italy at a venue / meeting where there is no confirmed cases at such a venue, there is no need for a quarantine or to stay away from church meetings / activities.

📍 However if you feel unwell subsequently after the meeting and develop a fever with or without cough, it is prudent to seek medical attention to exclude the possibility of Covid-19 infection.

📍 However if you come into knowledge that you've been in contact with a confirmed case after your meeting, you should immediately quarantine yourself and inform the relevant health authorities regarding your contact(s) and also to get yourself screened for Covid-19..  

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Q: Should I wear a mask to church / in church?

📍 No need to wear a mask if you are well.

📍 Please wear a mask if you are have a cold especially if you are coughing and sneezing. In case of doubt please consult a Doctor.

📍 If you are having a fever, it will be wise to seek medical advise and if infectious, please rest at home to recuperate and avoid affecting others.

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Q: Should I come to church if I am unwell and have a fever?

📍 Fever suggest infection and infectivity. So if you are having a fever, we advise you to seek Medical treatment and rest at home.

Please Note:

• If you are unwell, we will advise you to inform your Discipleship Group leader and/or Pastor so that as a Church family, we can uphold you in our prayers.

• Hand sanitisers are made available in convenient  locations of the church. Feel free to use them.

• Thermoscans to measure your temperature will be made available in the foyer if anyone is keen to check their body temperature.

• We have stepped up efforts to increase the cleanliness of common public spaces eg toilets by wiping the handles and handrails more often esp on Sundays.

• We ask all our members to maintain good personal hygiene habits, such as washing their hands regularly and avoid touching your face esp eyes and mouth. The use of disposable tissues (to be properly disposed after use) is better than handkerchiefs.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter. We would like to reassure that our church that life goes on as usual and no extra controls are needed at present, other than those precautions listed above.

As the current situation is very fluid and ever changing, these updated guidelines will be revised when the need arises.

May God bless us all, and have mercy on those who are affected from the virus, that they will recover and get well. We look to Him at all times.

Humbly in His Service
Rev Dr Ng Swee Ming
Pastor, SSMC
7th March 2020