JCC’s Bicycle and Badminton/Table-Tennis Clubs

Celebrating Christmas: A Prata-Flipping Evening to remember

JCC has a Bicycle Club manned by an enthusiastic group that calls themselves Befrienders of Cyclists. The Befrienders offer free bicycle maintenance service (refurbishment, repair, pumping of tyres, etc.) at Level 1 of the church every Sunday from 3 – 4.30 p.m. to any cyclist who needs it. They are friendly people to meet for chit chats or prayers. If you are more adventurous, you can join the Befrienders for their quarterly cycling expeditions from church to various places on the island.

JCC also has a virbrant Badminton/Table-Tennis Club that welcomes friends and neighbours to come and join their regular players in a game of badminton or ping pong every Monday and Wednesday from 6.30-9.30pm at Level 1 of the church where we have an indoor badminton court and a table-tennis table.

On 4 Dec 2023, the two clubs jointly hosted a roti-prata evening for members, families and friends.  A total of 45 people attended the fellowship event, and everyone had a wonderful time enjoying the early celebration of Merry Christmas.

The event began at 6:00 p.m. when the caterer arrived with food and equipment for the setup.

While waiting for the others to arrive, the early birds had the opportunity to learn how to make prata. They pressed the dough, oiled it, and flipped it back and forth. Despite their best efforts, everyone’s prata failed miserably, resulting in a shared laugh.

When it was time to eat, Rev Anthony offered a prayer for the food, and everyone began to tuck in. Apart from the prata, the spread on the table was fantastic, with biryani rice, curry fish, masala chicken, fried ladies’ fingers, samosas, papadums, cocktail jelly, teh tarik, and lime juice. Everyone savoured the food and enjoyed the opportunity to have friendly chit chats with one another and get to know new friends.

Around 8:15 p.m., a youthful musical ensemble serenaded the audience with Christmas carols. The performance was captivating, and the audience joined in the singing.

Rev Anthony followed with a testimony about his timid youth and how encountering Jesus transformed his life into one filled with joy. He urged everyone to find joy not just on Christmas but every day of their lives.

After Rev Anthony’s testimony, the atmosphere shifted to one of light-hearted fun as three teams (1, 2, and 3) engaged in a friendly competition. The first game involved rolling a tennis ball, with Team 3 emerging victorious. A second game, played with a ping pong ball and table tennis bats, resulted in Team 2 being declared the winner. Prizes were awarded to all team members.

Before the event concluded, there was a blessing draw for everyone. Everyone walked away with a token of appreciation, adding a touch of sweetness to the wish for a Merry Christmas.

Finally, what did those who practised flipping a P.R.A.T.A. get?

They got an A.T.A.R.P. — i.e., a flip-over of P.R.A.T.A. — with an inspiring message:

• A for Admirer of Jesus: Striving to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ to love our neighbours.
• T for Treasured Companion: Being a trusted friend who is always there to offer encouragement and help.
• A for Ambassador of Hope: Spreading positivity, reminding others of God’s love and presence in their lives.
• R for Radiant Beacon: Shining brightly with God’s love and grace, touching the lives of others through kindness and understanding.
• P for Pillar of Strength: Providing unwavering support and encouragement, reminding others of their worth and God’s unwavering love for them.

This interpretation of A.T.A.R.P. as an acronym captures the essence of Christian outreach and friendship, emphasizing the importance of living a life that reflects God’s love and building meaningful connections with others.

Peggy Tan