Singing Virtually from Home to “Home”
Can you spot an EAST staff singing amidst the 900-strong choir members of the Singapore Virtual Choir Project? Watch the video to find out! (Hint: try from 1:30 onward).
The inaugural virtual choir sang Dick Lee’s “Home,” an all-time favourite often sung on National Day. The choir consisted of people residing in Singapore together with overseas Singaporeans living in 26 countries. Each sang from their home for our home during the COVID-19 circuit breaker month.
“Home” is written by Dick Lee with the choral arrangement by Darius Lim and presented by Voices of Singapore.
How the Virus Stole Easter–Or Not
Ms Kristi Bothur composed the poem, “How the Virus Stole Easter” (with a nod to Dr Seuss, she noted), and published it on her blog site, This Side of Heaven. Here is an excerpt:
Twas late in ‘19 when the virus began
Bringing chaos and fear to all people, each land.
People were sick, hospitals full,
Doctors overwhelmed, no one in school.
As winter gave way to the promise of spring,
The virus raged on, touching peasant and king.
People hid in their homes from the enemy unseen.
They YouTubed and Zoomed, social-distanced, and cleaned.
April approached and churches were closed.
“There won’t be an Easter,” the world supposed.
“There won’t be church services, and egg hunts are out.
No reason for new dresses when we can’t go about.”
Holy Week started, as bleak as the rest.
The world was focused on masks and on tests.
“Easter can’t happen this year,” they proclaimed.
“Online and at home, it just won’t be the same.”
Or is it? For the amazing ending, read the rest of the poem here.
Source: This Side of Heaven blog, 5 April 2020.
Be Still: An Invitation to Prayer in A Time of Crisis
“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
Psalm 46.10 (ESV)
Cru’s Call to Prayer, 10 Apr 2020, 9 am, SGT (9 Apr, 9 pm, EDT)
Join the global Cru community in a time of intercession on Facebook and YouTube. (Click the links to view videos of the event which has ended.)
This special event, BE STILL, kicks off a 40-day, 24-hour prayer chain. This is a time to lift our eyes to Jesus and fervently seek Him together as the COVID–19 pandemic disrupts and damages our lives and our world. We join together from our homes to be still, to consider what the Lord is saying to us personally as well as globally, and to pray individually and in our communities.
Learn more at cru.org/mycampus/bestill/.
Temporary Closure of EAST Premises
Please note the above temporary closure of EAST premises although the school remains operational. This year’s Commencement Service has been held in abeyance too. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
This is in light of the evolving COVID-19 situation and in compliance with government advisory. You may read about EAST’s detailed response here. Please do pray for the month-long “circuit breaker” to be effective in preventing further spread of the coronavirus and leading to an effectual resolution of the viral outbreak in Singapore. Shalom.
EAST Latest Measures to Prevent Spread of COVID-19
(L-R) A/Prof Kenneth Mak, Mr Gan Kim Yong, Mr Lawrence Wong, and Mrs Josephine Teo at a Multi-ministry Task Force press conference on 31 March 2020. Photo: MCI/TNP.
“Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.” (Habakkuk 1:5, ESV) “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (Romans 12:12, ESV)
Following latest government advisories, East Asia School of Theology (EAST) will close its premises from 7 April to 4 May 2020 which includes its Administration Office, Classrooms, and Library. Note that EAST as a graduate school remains open and operational but its premises will be closed. Please be advised of the following valid for the duration of closure.
EAST Library Catalogue
EAST Populi
National Library Board eResources
The Digital Theological Library
