As part of the General Conference initiative “One Church One School,” Trinity Methodist Church Petaling Jaya has been organizing Chinese New Year celebrations with Sekolah Kebangsaan Methodist Petaling Jaya, since 2016. Unfortunately, these festivities were halted for a few years due to the pandemic but resumed in 2022. The vision behind this initiative is to touch and transform the lives of children in this generation and the next. The church has been encouraged to engage with neighborhood schools through noticing, praying, connecting, and visiting them, with a special focus on Methodist Mission Schools. We aim to bless the school in every possible way, particularly by addressing their needs through our organization and local church ministries.
The Methodist Women of TMCPJ are honored to participate in this celebration, as well as in the Hot Meals program. We extend our gratitude to the pastors and church leaders for their support towards the Chinese New Year celebration at the school, which includes contributions towards goody bags containing Mandarin oranges, Milo drinks, and Kit Kat chocolates. The Methodist Women contributed both financially and through the customization of packaging to reflect the festive occasion. This year’s celebration took place on February 7th, 2024, and was attended by representatives from TMCPJ, including Rev. Shaan Sya, Bro. Tan Hock Wah, Dr. Mary Bien, and myself. It was heartwarming to witness students and teachers of various races donning Chinese costumes, adding to the festive spirit of the day. The school has approximately 350 students and 28 teachers, and we prepared 430 goody bags to distribute to all students, teachers, school workers, and security guards.
In a school environment that often emphasizes academics, celebrations like these provide an opportunity for students to engage in non-academic activities, bond with one another, and build relationships with the community and staff, fostering a sense of family. This bond ultimately enhances academic performance and cultivates tolerance among students of different backgrounds.
We recognize the importance of fun in conjunction with festivals and are proud to be part of initiatives that organize meaningful activities. The Methodist Women are passionate not only about women’s affairs but also about children’s well-being. We commend the school for creating a wholesome environment that nurtures a sense of unity and cultural appreciation among the younger generation. In addition to imparting wisdom and knowledge, these celebrations alleviate stress and foster love and affection among friends and the school community. The festivities concluded with a potluck brunch featuring food contributed by parents.
By Theresa Yip
