CROSSROADSRotary Club of Singapore Vol. 48 / 24

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26th

Dec

. 20

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Joke of the week“Priest : You may not know. But every night I pray for youBlonde : Well you don’t have to, I am on the phone”From the book of Humour compiled by Rewa MirpuriHAVE MANY LAUGHS AND HELP THE NEEDYhttp://www.rotary.org.sg/bookofhumour.html

“A Family Christmas” – A Christmas Message”SPEAKER: Rev. Kenneth Huang, Pastor from Faith Methodist ChurchLunch meeting of the 21st December 2011

Find your bulletin on the facebook page of “Rotary Club of Singapore”

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Introductory remarks

Vice President Ashi Sarwal welcomed members to the 3rd meeting of “Family Month” celebrated by Rotary in the month of December. He extended President Tapan’s apologies for being unable to chair the meeting, as he was away. He added that President Tapan had, in fact, called and requested him to extend his Christmas and New Year greetings to all members. VP Ashi also warmly welcomed the Guest Speaker, Rev. Kenneth Huang, Pastor of the Faith Methodist Church.

Banner Exchange

VP Ashi invited visiting PP Ilvi Joe-Cannon from the Rotary Club of Tallinn, Estonia to say a few words about her club. PP Ilvi advised that Estonia was a harbor town, like Singapore, with a commercial background. She added that her club, Tallinn, was formed in order to invite women to be members. PP Ilvi presented the Club with a book on the history of Estonia, and VP Ashi reciprocated by handing to PP Ilvi with a copy of the Book of Humour.

Welcome of visiting Rotarians and guestsRotarian Ronald Wong welcomed our guests and visiting rotarians

- Guests :Ms. Huay JingMs. Monica LimMs. Angie LowMr. Antero MakinenMr. Thomas NouvianMr. Zhang Hong

Visiting Rotarians :President Ugo Perkmann - Meran, ItalyPP Ilvi Joe-Cannon – Tallinn, Estonia

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ToastThe Toastmaster Rtn. Jeremy Han, also a new member, invited President Ugo Perkmann, father of our member, Rtn. Dr. Thomas Perkmann, to address the Club. President Ugo advised that Meran was in the region between Austria and Italy. He added that it was also the location where 12 years ago, the “Iceman”, a 4,000 year old mummified man was discovered under the ice. President Ugo advised that he was in Singapore to celebrate the graduation of his son (Rtn. Thomas), who receives an Executive Master of Administration. Rtn. Jeremy called on members to join him in raising a toast to Rotary Club of Meran coupled with the toast to Rotary International.

Speaker of the week

VP Ashi called upon PP Raymon Huang who introduced the Guest Speaker, none other than his youngest son, Rev. Kenneth Huang. PP Raymon informed that he has two sons who are Ministers of the Church, and as advised by PDG Dr. Ivor Thevathasan – this was such a blessing. PP Raymon added that he advised his sons to be as fervent as expected to be, but never fanatical, which they have heeded. Tongue in cheek, PP Raymon also noted that having two sons who are pastors, also came with drawbacks, such as a loss of identity and they do not listen to him anymore! PP Raymon advised that Rev. Kenneth has been a pastor of 16 years with the Methodist Church in Singapore and prior to serving as a poster, he worked as a lawyer. Rev. Kenneth would be appointed as Pastor-in-Charge of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church from 1st January 2012. In addition to various other responsibilities, Rev. Kenneth helps to oversee the Christian Ministry carried out in the Methodist Schools as the Director, Ministry in Schools. In his presentation, Rev. Kenneth stated that Christmas was a holiday when families (should) come together to catch up with one another. He was pleased to note that Rotary affirmed the

importance of family as seen in the second question of “The Guide to Daily Living” - “Have I spent quality time with my family?” which reinforced the commitment to the family – our intimate Community of Life and Love”. Besides the importance of family, Rev. Kenneth added that Rotary affirmed the importance of selflessness and the empowering of others. He added that this was also what the Christian Faith teaches that Jesus did when he came into our world that first Christmas. Rev. Kenneth spoke about his family and extended some useful advice, which he described as “10 Commandments of Living at Home”. (A copy of Rev. Kenneth’s presentation is available from the Secretariat.) Rtn. David Ong warmly thanked Rev. Kenneth for his Christmas message and reflections on family live. He suggested that perhaps, PP Raymon might be called upon to speak to the Club on how to bring up pastors! Rtn. David also thanked Rev. Kenneth, as a non-Rotarian, for reminding members of the Guide to Daily Living and Rotary’s motto “Service Above Self”.

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Club calendars

Rtn. Joseph Chia advised that Club had given in previous years, two $1,200 scholarships for the Boys’ Town from the Patrick Hernon Trust Fund. He added that the interest received from the funds was low, thus the Trust has held fund-raising events such as golf tournaments to garner sufficient funds for these scholarships, however, due to bad weather, a golf tournament was not held this year. Rtn. Joseph advised that representatives from Boys’ Town would be at the next Rotary meeting on Wednesday, 4th January 2012. He called on members to donate towards a scholarship, so that the funds could be presented to the Boys’ Town representatives at this meeting. VP Ashi also appealed to members to support this long-standing Club project.

Boys’ town collection

PP Dr. Yap Lip Kee announced that the Club’s 2012 calendars were available at $10.00 each, which could be used for fund-raising towards the Committees’ projects. He appealed to members to assist by clearing the calendars in order to garner funds for projects.

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The Guide to Daily LivingBefore doing the things we want to do, consider first, the precept of the guide. Ask ourselves these 4 questions and act upon them:First: Have I spent some time in self-examination?Second: Have I spent quality time with my family?Third: Have I given my best to my work?Fourth: Have I given some time to someone near and far?The Guide, in fact, encompasses the 4 parts of the Object of Rotary.

MARK YOUR DIARYBirthday celebrantsRC wishes Happy Birthday to celebrants: December 27 – Xavier SanjimanJanuary 4 – PP Alfred Wong, IPP P. BalachandranJanuary 5 – Erich VosshageJanuary 6 – Roland JossiJanuary 7 – Laveen DaryaniJanuary 8 – PP Peter Wong & Indi TulsiAnniversary CelebrantsRC sends best wishes to Wedding Anniversary celebrants: December 28 – Keith & Rachel HarrisonJanuary 1– VP Ashi & Amita Sarwal, Louis & Amabel Lim, Robert & Agnes Schlesinger, Dirk Haas & Yan WangJanuary 6 – K.K. Tan & Gwen

This weekDecember 28th 2011

Meeting is cancelled in view of the Holiday Season.

Next week January 4th 2012

Reception Desk duty: Marcel Schobinger, Dr. Thomas PerkmannSunshine Box duty: Goh Bock Seng, Garry Taylor

Speakers: Ms. Sally Low & Mr. Roland Yeow from Boys’ TownTopic: To be advised

COMING ROTARY EVENTS DecemberFamily Month

December 28th Rotary Meeting cancelled in view of the festive season

JanuaryRotary Awareness Month

January 19thClub Assembly

FebruaryWorld Understanding Month

February 23rd World Understanding and Peace Day

The Four-Way TestOf the Things we think, say or do:* Is it the truth?* Is it fair to all concerned?* Will it build goodwill and better friendship?* Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Season’s Greetings

Presidident Tapan and the Board of Directors wish all members a Merry Christmas and

a Happy New Year!

Queries, comments and articles request can be sent to Jean-Philippe Lionnetbulletin@rotary.org.sg