Christmas at St Mary Cathedral, Brickfields

The Christmas Celebration 2006 of the Federation of All Churches was hosted by the St Mary’s Syrian Orthodox Church of Brickfields on Christmas Day. What a glorious day it was, with the sun shining brightly and a breeze blowing gently over specially erected canopies in the church compound.

It was truly a multi-racial, multi-religious, multi-national and multi-cultural group that graced the occasion, with distinguished guests including many dignitaries, ambassadors and foreign guests.

True to the inter-faith theme of the day, the celebrations started with presentations by the Bangsar Sai Baba Chinese Choir. A quartet presentation by Mr & Mrs See Kim Boon and Mr & Mrs Tan Kar Swee, followed by a duet ‘Holy City’ sung by Bro See KB and Bro Wong KB, got the audience enthralled. A medley of Christmas carols by the Choir followed suit, and got everyone enraptured and tapping to the upbeat tune of the numbers.

The Very Rev Bishop Cor Episcopa Philip Thomas, head of the Hosting Church, in his welcome speech, noted the diversity of faiths in the gathering, and expressed appreciation to the audience who had taken the time to attend the celebration in the spirit of peace, love and understanding. He also updated the group about the work of the Inter-Faith Council and their efforts to foster better understanding and encourage dialogue between the various groups co-existing peacefully in Malaysia.

The YAB Dato’ Dr Ng Yen Yen, Deputy Finance Minister, in her address, also echoed Rev Thomas’ sentiments about the freedom of the individual to practise his/her own religion. While expressing delight in the rendition of the Sai Chinese Choir, which she nicknamed ‘The Sunshine Choir’, YAB Dato reiterated that diversity is our strength, and a population built on harmony, peace and love is the basis of our success as a nation.

The Choir of the St Mary’s Syrian Orthodox Church, the Hosts, with another beautiful presentation of Christmas carols, got the audience clapping and swaying with their infectious enthusiasm. The hosts brought the proceedings to an end, with the choir members coming down the stage to personally greet the members of the audience and invite them to refreshments.

The spirit of the occasion was felt by all.


~~ Irene Yong K.C.~~

Performance at Raub

Makan, makan and more makan

Bentong Waterfalls

Bro Kee, Bro Boon Lian, Sis Poh Lian & husband Bro Ng opened yet another fruit stall for us to eat at no charges. Thank you, Brothers and sisters.

We have Bhajan at the Kemasu BU

Believe it or not, someone suggested and we had bhajan. Despit the heavily loaded stomach, all brothers and sisters sang beautifully. The keyboard player was superb and sound system turned all of us into beautiful singers.



Finally, one group photo before we proceed to another destination.

Kemasu Bhajan Unit (Former Bentong Bhajan Unit)

After a big meal of fruits, and another big meal at the restraurant, we proceed to the new premise of former Bentong Bhajan Unit.

A steep staircase leading us to Swami.
Swami is already waiting for us. Smiling and waving at us..

Still eating....

Sis Susan Lim ... now I know why monkey likes banana... they are real tasty...
Sis Wendy... I prefer Rambutan
Bro Lim H.S..... still thinking of Kuala Kubu Baru...
Sis Lum . very gentle with her banana..
Sis Kim Lian... "So long never tasted the 'coconut meat' rambutan lah." Sis Wong Kb..." 'coconut meat or not coconut meat' is inmaterial, I finished mine first.."

Fruit Feast at the Car Park

Exhuasted ? Do not Worry....
Bro Kee and Bro Tan Boon Lian brought a van load of fruits ...
Bro See



Sis Cai Fong, Bro Lee
sweet and tasty ....

Still At The Hot Springs

We are still at the pool. 只可远观而不可狎玩..... Because we have no BIKINI..

So, we walked across the road, there is a swift stream running along..

And thare is a beautiful suspension bridge. See The pretty ladies walking across the bridge.

Hot Springs at Bentong

Come, Let's take a picture at this beautiful Hot Spring. "Wait for Me...Wait for Me....I am climbing up." Guess Who is that ? The answer is.......

Oh.... See KB
Henry Lai by the pool side

THE BIG FOUR .. Woo Soon Min, Henry, Lee and Wong KB

Bentong Hot Springs

Hot Springs at Bentong

Li Chia And Lay Bee

Wong KB

文冬劳勿之玈

2006年12月17日星期日，绵绵细雨中，巴士载着一群愛好音樂的朋友，穿过山脉连绵间的大道，从吉隆坡来到了文冬的热水湖。
文冬，一个纯朴的小山城，热水湖是它的一个著名景点；其湖面清烟袅袅，湖畔青山连绵，细雨清风中， 清幽景色显得 安宁恬静,长期住在钢骨高楼大厦森林中的我们身在其中，如受大自然拥抱，习惯于喧嚣、嘈杂声的耳朵，顿感听觉清晰，连团友远处谈话笑声都那么清脆悦耳。
湖水上凉下暖，虽不很透彻，却是天公恩赐的理想游泡的地方，可惜的是团友们都没有作如此活动的准备，只能卷起裤脚，略为浸泡，毛毛雨中宛若童真重现。

还有，这里含有浓郁人情味，我们衷心感谢文冬赛兄姐们对我们的妥善安排，热诚招待及鲜果美食。

在結束文冬之旅前，我们受邀访问当地的赛中心，两团赛友挑了其中一些颂歌，在KEYBOARD搭配下，大家一起祈禱及齐唱，肅穆的歌聲直達人心，感觉上如身离塵囂俗務。

文冬是个被山围绕的小镇， 瀑布遍布，其中以情人 瀑布最为著名。我们一行人当然不会错过。巴士一路上蜿蜒曲折，延路溪水细流，带着我们到达 澎湃沸腾雄伟豪壮的万尺瀑布。
瀑布水势强劲，瀑水冲入碧绿水潭后，又溢出流入下方的浅水潭， 溪中间隔巨石，水质清泉激越，我们几个团友不禁自我身陷溪水的冰冻，可能想体验对冰冻的忍受力吧！或想锻炼自己，来磨炼自己的意志，又或者真的在 享受露天泡汤的畅快。天晓得！

基于时间緊驟,我们不得比离开 气势澎湃的情人瀑布了。饿了，想起文冬的美食了。

听说，文冬有香味四溢深具当地特色的佳肴。虽不能得有每样享用过，却对其菜肴只可口美味印象深刻，有机会，我们的美食团再来领教，那是后话。
此次旅程的主要是为了出席 在劳勿舉行的文艺歌曲观赏會而组成的。

那是一場發揚文艺歌曲活動的交流会。
出席的团体有。。
1。文冬马华合唱团
2。孟沙赛巴巴颂歌合唱团
3。八达灵千百家佛教会合唱团
4。劳勿马华合唱团

我团也呈献多首合唱，3部重唱，2部重唱曲目，如下：－
1。送别
2。满江红
3。末莉花
4。慈佑众生
5. I Will Love You
6. 白云轻轻地飘
7. 我所响往的是你的爱


国财政部副部长黄燕燕受邀為 此活動主持開幕儀式。她说此活动不只提供廣泛的聯誼和康樂活動，同時也促進民族文化發展及提高生活素質。
当晚演出获逾百名人出席观赏。各团濟濟一堂， 共同推動劳勿文艺之风，意义深远，希望能因此而为来自各方的文艺团体建立互动互助的合作关系。晚会结束于晚间9.30点，团队即返。

~~黄高皕~~