Although the seeds of CPE in Singapore were sown years earlier, they did not come to fruition until the expansion of St. Andrew’s Hospital from a 60 to 200 bed facility. Our first diplomate from Singapore, The Reverend Tak Meng Wong, knew the spiritual needs of patients could be met more fully with clinical pastoral education at the site. The Most Reverend Dr. John Chew, Bishop of Singapore and Archbishop of Southeast Asia, had received a proposal from The Rev. Dr. Richard Liew, a fellow alumnus at Trinity Theological College, Singapore, to implement CPE in Southeast Asia as early as the 1980’s. Even as Richard laid the groundwork, a generation earlier, The Rev. Dr. John DeVelder’s family had an interesting connection to Singapore. His parents who were missionaries in China, ministered to immigrants of the same Fujian Province from whence one of the newly certified Diplomate’s ancestors originated. And now, the moment has come for the seeds of CPSP’s clinical pastoral education program in Singapore to bear fruit. The newly certified diplomates share their thoughts with us:

The Rev.Wong Tak Meng, facilitator and initiator of the CPE program, is fueled by his passion for contemplation and sets aside time for solitude and prayer. His youthful demeanor does not negate a spiritual presence that is immediately experienced. He revealed his appreciation for the human condition’s process of recovery of soul and journey toward transformation. Tak Meng views his call to CPE as one initiated by Divine Intervention. When asked if he had a word he wished to bring to the larger community, he stated:

I would like to remind the community that the purpose of CPE is first and foremost theological. Seeking God and His perspective may be more elusive, intangible, hard work – but it must be the core of what we do. Doing the work of God does not polarize theology and psychology. We need both right and left hands, with the emphasis on theological guidance.

When asked how he felt upon becoming certified, he simply said,

A milestone has been reached and I am pushed to continue learning to the next level. My feeling is that of excitement. [And that excitement is contagious!]

The Rev. Eric Yong, was invited to enter the CPE journey by Tak Meng, and both diplomates are employed at St. Andrew’s Hospital. Eric has a smile that lights up his face. He wished to share the following comments with the larger community:

I hope CPSP will continue to be an important part of my journey. I look forward to sharing experiences of pastoral theology with the CPSP body and believe supervision is always a learning experience.

I am honored. This opens up for me the opportunity of a greater understanding of the journey. At the end of the day, I hope to be transformed in person and as pastor – more aware of what God is doing both in myself and in others.

The Rev. Foo Chee Meng’s word to the community was related with eyes beaming – eyes that reveal his soul’s passion for the journey:

I wish to be culturally sensitive, taking into consideration a person’s mind set, background and contextual setting as appropriate Dealing with soul is very important and pastoral self- care attracted me to CPE. It is a new chapter in my life. A person transformed is a person more aware of what God is doing through him and in him.

This is a new beginning also for our CPE program. We will start extended units to give students time to first learn the method and then integrate deeper theological reflection and interpersonal skills.

The Rev. Philip Soh, along with his Singapore colleagues have been asked by his Certification Review Committee, to study, process and create psychoanalytic theory from a Chinese cultural perspective. He shares his thoughts on CPSP as follows:

My feeling is that this is a very welcoming community where I can be free to express my thoughts and feelings. For me this has been constant throughout the whole CPE process. It is helping me to be a reflective as well as affective, effective, and active pastor, addressing the concerns and injustices among the hurting.

This is an ongoing process -- certification is just another milestone or phase of an ongoing growing ministry. I want to thank CPSP for the opportunity extended to myself and the pastoral community to be part of this educational ministry.

Last but not least, The Reverend. Dr. Richard Liew, Director of CPE at Episcopal Health Services of Long Island, who envisioned CPSP’s clinical pastoral education program in Singapore in the nineteen eighties, offers his reflection of this momentous occasion (in an email report to the CPSP supervisory CPE trainees in Malaysia who are just a causeway away from Singapore):

I just returned from our national CPSP Plenary (CPSP's annual gathering of the community) that was held at Raleigh, North Carolina. While tired, I am also energized by the sense of accomplishment. As you all know, your Singapore colleagues were here (after 2.5 years in their own training process) to be examined and reviewed for their certification as a Clinical Educator in CPE Supervision ("Diplomate in Supervision" in
the College of Pastoral Supervision & psychotherapy). Helping each of them with their theory papers and clinical materials they had to submit and arranging every detail for the Examination & Review Committee necessitated the devotion of all of my time and attention. I am happy to share with you that they all "made it" (with flying colours)! After receiving their certificates which were presented during the grand assembly gathered for the banquet, Archbishop and Bishop John Chew's letter to CPSP was read aloud, followed by a standing ovation and applause from everyone present. It was indeed a well-deserved proud moment, not just for the Singapore trainees (former) but also for the Diocese of Singapore, we Asians, and, not least, me too (of course I felt like a proud rooster looking at his chickadees "making it" and taking their rightful place on their own merit).

So, a hearty “congratulations” Tak Meng, Eric, Chee Meng and Philip on the enormous milestone each of you have reached in your respective ministerial journeys! You came with wisdom from the East bearing the gifts of self; you return with the respect, gratitude and support of the larger CPSP community. Let us continue, with God’s blessing, to walk together.

Garden City, NY Chapter
March 30, 2007