Diocese of Singapore
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The Anglican Diocese of Singapore (圣公会新加坡教区) consists of 26 Anglican parishes in Singapore to date and 6 deaneries throughout the Asia region. It has an established history of church-planting as well as providing educational, medical and social services in Singapore and the neighbouring region. The Diocese of Singapore is in communion with the See of Canterbury but has broken its communion with the Episcopal Church in the United States of America [see Press Statement below]. St Andrew's Cathedral is the Cathedral church of the Diocese of Singapore.
Currently, the Diocese is headed by the Archbishop of the Province of the Anglican Church in South East Asia and Bishop of Singapore,The Most Reverend Dr John Chew Hiang Chea together with Assistant Bishop,The Right Reverend Rennis Ponniah.
Press Statement: Breaking of Communion with the Episcopal Church in United States of America (ECUSA)
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[edit] Diocesan Coat of Arms
The coat of arms of the Diocese of Singapore which belongs to the category of ecclesiastical heraldry, consists of a Mitre surmounted on a St Andrew's Shield. The Mitre symbolises Apostolic Authority and Divine Endorsement to govern the anglican diocese in the region. The Crozier symbolises the Bishop's Episcopate and the Key represents the access to heaven. Emblazoned upon the St Andrew's Shield are four bunches of wheat symbolising the harvest fields which God has entrusted to the Diocese.
[edit] History
On Pentecost Sunday 1856, a most remarkable thing happened.The Chaplain of Singapore, the Revd William Topley Humphrey preached such a Holy Spirit anointed sermon; that out of which was born a missionary society. He preached, "we have many enquiries, whom we have every reason to believe to be sincere in desiring to enter the fold of Christ...The congregation oF St Andrew's must,in spite of itself,become a Missionary congregation, - a centre of diffusing to others the light, and comfort, and peace of the knowledge of Christ and him crucified." By God's grace and the far-sighted courageous vision of early church leaders, the outreach has evolved to what it is today.
In 1881, St. Andrew’s Church was made the Cathedral church of the then newly established Diocese of Singapore, Labuan and Sarawak. A diocese over such a large area was quite unmanageable, and in 1909, Singapore was made a separate diocese, with Bishop Charles J. Ferguson-Davie as the first Bishop of the Diocese.
[edit] Parishes
To date, there are 26 anglican parishes under the Diocese. The parishes cater to the needs of Singapore's multi-lingual society by having English, Mandarin,Dialects and Tamil speaking congregations.
- St Andrew’s Cathedral
- All Saints’ Church
- Chapel of Christ the King
- Chapel of Christ the Redeemer
- Chapel of the Holy Spirit
- Chapel of the Resurrection
- Christ Church
- Church of Our Saviour
- Church of the Ascension
- Church of the Epiphany
- Church of the Good Shepherd
- Church of the True Light
- Holy Trinity Parish
- Light of Christ City Church
- Marine Parade Christian Centre
- My Saviour’s Church
- St Andrew’s Community Chapel
- St George’s Church
- St Hilda’s Church
- St James’ Church
- St John’s Chapel
- St John’s–St Margaret’s Church
- St Matthew’s Church
- St Paul’s Church
- St Peter’s Church
- Yishun Christian Church (Anglican)
[edit] Deaneries
There are 6 Deaneries under the Diocese of Singapore:
- Cambodia
- Indonesia
- Laos
- Nepal
- Thailand
- Vietnam
A dean oversees the mission work in each deanery and regulary reports to the Director of Missions of the Diocese of Singapore. The present Director of Missions is The Reverend Canon Kuan Kim Seng.
From this we can see that the Diocese of Singapore covers beyond its shores and continues to glorify God by its obedience to the Great Commission of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Diocese continues to look forward to the eventual formation of a diocese in each of the deanery.
[edit] Schools
Anglican schools have a proud record of serving the community in Singapore. St Margaret's School was the first girl's school established in 1842. Its main aim was to rescue slave girls and provide them with skills.
Anglican schools in Singapore:
- Anglican High School
- Christ Church Secondary School
- St Hilda's Primary School
- St Hilda's Secondary School
- St Margaret's Primary School
- St Margaret's Secondary School
- St Andrew's Junior School
- St Andrew's Secondary School
- St Andrew's Junior College
St Andrew's Junior, Secondary Schools and Junior College are located at St Andrew's Village, Potong Pasir, Singapore
These schools are continuing the heritage and tradition of providing education to young lives from all walks of life. In addition, there are 6 kindergartens and 6 child development centres where the first seeds of Christ's love are sown.
[edit] Medical Services
The St Andrew’s Mission Hospital (SAMH) is a non-profit voluntary welfare organisation under the Diocese of Singapore. It is the corporate headquarters that oversees its several medical arms such as:
- St.Andrew’s Community Hospital - Located at Simei Street 3; over 100 beds
- St.Andrew’s Mission Hospital Clinic - Situated at SACH, this clinic provides medical out-patient care to those who are 19 years old and younger
- St.Andrew’s Lifestreams - Located at St Andrew’s Village, this Centre provides counselling services especially for Anglican schools.
With the re-location of St. Andrew’s Community Hospital to Simei, SAMH plans to redevelop the Elliot Road site into a centre for helping autistic youth and adults. St. Andrew’s Autism Centre will be an integrated and comprehensive centre providing medical, education, day care, vocational training, job placement and respite care services. SAMH is working closely with the Ministry of Community, Youth and Sports, and the Ministry of Education on the setting up of this centre.
[edit] See also
- Province of the Anglican Church in South East Asia
- Church of England
- Anglicanism
- Bishops of Singapore till 2006
