The Bicentennial Christmas Carol service was held on consecutive nights, on December 12th and December 13th, 2019, at St Andrew’s Cathedral to celebrate Singapore’s Bicentennial with a Christmas Carol Service.
The idea of the special carol service was originally proposed by our President, Dato Paul Supramaniam to Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) at the end of 2018, and after securing buy-in from PMO, he cleared the event with the Inter-Religious Organisation, Singapore, and then secured the blessing and support of Bishop of Singapore Rt. Rev. Rennis Ponniah. Bishop Rennis together with Bishop Terry Kee and Dato Paul Supramaniam were then the key drivers of this once in a lifetime event.
Organized by the Diocese (Anglican Church) of Singapore and the National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS) in partnership with the Oxford and Cambridge Society of Singpaore, the Service celebrated, through music and song, Singapore’s Bicentennial, survival through hard times and prosperity forged through multi-racialism as well as multi-religious cohesiveness. Parliamentarians from both the ruling party, the PAP, and the Workers’ Party (including the leader of the opposition) attended both nights.
The closing address was delivered by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (our patron) on the 13th December, and by Dato Paul Supramaniam on the 12th December. The 800 guests including government leaders, leaders of various faiths, as well as clergy and lay leaders of Christian denominations.
The main programme was anchored by The Choir of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge led by Dr David Skinner, and The Combined Church Choir of Singapore led by Dr Peter Low.
I have been moved by the beautiful service, beautiful music, beautiful singing.
Prime minister lee hsien loong
PM Lee, during his address at the end of the Service, shared that he felt “moved by the beautiful service, beautiful music and beautiful singing”, and further highlighted that Church’s take on the Singapore Bicentennial is “one of the strands of many strands which has come together to make Singapore today, 200 years after Stamford Raffles. It’s what makes Singapore rich, makes our history meaningful, and gives us a sense of purpose to go ahead and do great things for Singapore”.
He took the opportunity to urge all those present to ensure that in 50 or 100 years’ time, a new generation “will once again have many reasons to give thanks for the bountiful blessings of the Lord and for the results which we have been able to bring about together”.
PM Lee delivers his closing address on December 13th.
Left to Right: Past President of the Oxbridge Society, Dr Stanley Lai, Honourable Secretary Ng Yeau Chong, PM Lee Hsien Loong, President of the Oxbridge Society Dato’ Paul Supramaniam, Vice President (Cambridge) Toh Han Li.
L-R: Mrs Joy Toh, Mr Toh Han Li, Committee Member Mr James Cheah, Mrs Greta Georges Cheah, Vice President (Oxford) Dr Melanie Chew, Ng Yeau Chong.
Dato’ Paul Supramaniam with the Christus Cantores children’s choir, led by Joanna Paul, at the reception following December 13th’s service.
December 12th, 2019: Bishop of Singapore, Ambassadors of France and Portugal, MPs from PAP and Workers’ Party, along with Oxbridge Society’s Dato’ Paul Supramaniam and Toh Han Li. 
Oxbridge Society representatives are joined by Bishop of Singapore Rt. Rev. Rennis Ponniah. 
Dr Peter Low leading the combined choir on December 12th. 
The Recessional during December 12th’s Service.
Members of the Oxford and Cambridge Society of Singapore, along with Committee Members and past Presidents attended the Bicentennial Christmas Carol Service on both the 12th and 13th of December, celebrating and giving thanks to all those who have contributed to making Singapore what it is today.
We wish all members a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year 2020.