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Good Shepherd Partnership Gathering, More Reflections
July 8, 2012 @ 8:00 am - July 9, 2012 @ 5:00 pm
By Ms Lim Chew Guat, Mariaville Kindergarten
How time flies! I remembered that I attended the Good Shepherd Partnership last year on the 30th April and 1st of May 2011. And here am I again privileged to be invited to join the Good Shepherd Partnership Weekend 2012 on the 2nd and 3rd of June 2012. I must say that sessions like these were really good for us as it helped us to get together with people from different professions and also to be able to share on what we do and to know what others are doing.
As we gathered together from different GS ministries, we got to share our experiences with each other. Very often, we are so engrossed in our own work; we do not really know that there are people out there who need our help, love, care and concern. It is through this partnership gathering that we realized how others are playing a “big part” to help those in need. For me, as I am involved in the Kindergarten, I can only see the children as part of whom I am able to help and hope to impart to them what is good and right. It is through these gatherings that I really get to know from the people who worked in the different ministries how the Good Shepherd Congregation is reaching out to those less fortunate people around us.
What impressed me most in these two days gathering is the sharing on the “three layered tea”. As simple as a cup of tea, it never occurred to me that our mission is just this ‘three layered tea’. With the three aspects: – the Spirit, the Context and the Expression, none of it can be left out. And as for the ice cubes, for me, it represents the difficulties and obstacles in our lives. With God above us and the involvement in the Good Shepherd Congregation we as individuals are always reminded and made aware of how we can be of help to others. Of course, there will be many challenges in our lives; it is through these Gatherings that we are made aware of ourselves, that there is a journey for us to travel together. These sessions constantly remind us that we should at least try to be a “shepherd” to someone in our care.
Another thing that strikes me was when they asked us to find a symbol representing the growth in us in one of the Core Values. I chose a very simple and easy- to-get symbol i.e. a mineral water bottle. For me, the mineral water bottle would have water which is very important and it means compassion for me. Each time, when the bottle is empty, that will mean the compassion within me would be slackened or short-lived, so as to remind me to fill up the bottle at all times. I hope this symbol will keep me showing compassion to everyone at all times.
I am very thankful to the Mission Link Committee members, especially Sr. Dorothy for such a great job done. Everything was well prepared. Everything everywhere was convenient for us to move around. We were practically “spoon fed.” My salute to all of you. Thank you for your hard work in bringing us all together.
Thank you once again and may God bless you and your families too.
By Mr Leong Chee Kong
To begin with, I want to congratulate the Mission Link Organising Committee for doing such a wonderful job. I
was very impressed by the very detailed programme that they had so patiently put together for the participants. Everything was there – from food to Clinics and even to the church! Nothing was left out. Session and activities were well planned and professionally executed. Best of all, Anna Low and gang did it for free!
I was really honoured to be the only male participant, but frankly, I would like to see more men participating in future gatherings. Men see things differently and maybe they can contribute new ideas in carrying out the Good Shepherd Mission. Also, such gatherings should be made compulsory to all Good Shepherd Partners so that they can have a deeper and better understanding of the concept of the Good Shepherd Mission.
The 3 Layered Tea activity was especially clear in explaining the three aspects of the Good Shepherd mission. I am not a Godly person and I have always thought that if I work hard, everything else is not important – until I tasted my cup of 3 Layered Tea! We can get things done the usual way or we can get things done the Good Shepherd way!
Personally, I believe that such gatherings will definitely make a better person out of you and me. We learn from each other and what better way than to share our experiences during the various sessions of the Gathering. Gatherings like these act like a glue that binds us together for better understanding, co-operation and teamwork.
The ending song “Go Light Your World” was most touching and appropriate. It kept reminding us that there are still many people who are helpless. It is our duty as Good Shepherd partners to reach out to these unfortunate souls. Keep that candle burning and go light up someone’s life. God Bless.