By Annie Lam
“Death Before Lunch” ( DBL ) – what an intriguing title for a four-part series of talks centering on death and death-related matters! It was more like an Agatha Christie mystery prepared for the seniors of PJEFC!
There was no nail-biting mystery! In fact, Pastor Juat made it manifestly clear to seniors what to expect from each of the following four sessions:-
- 12/3/25 –“ End-of-Life Care” where participants were given a booklet each to indicate one’s choices of health care which we were encouraged to share with family members in the event of one’s mental incapacitation;
- 9/4/25 – “Getting My House in Order: My Will, my Assets and Stuff”. Participants learned the significance of making a will and were encouraged to declutter one’s material possessions as preparation for our journey to our eternal home;
- 16/7/25 – “Getting Myself in Order: Regrets, Relationships, Release”. The talks and sharing underscored the importance of resolving relationship issues before one’s demise; and
- T13/8/25 – “The Conclusion: Facing our Fears”.
All the sessions were impactful. I missed session 2 but from the feedback from those who attended, it was very beneficial. Typically, Chinese avoid the subject of illnesses, hospitalisation, wills, anything and everything to do with death and dying! Why immerse ourselves in the miasma of pain, suffering and deathbeds?
Well, we cannot escape our ineluctable fate, and the DBL sessions forced us to confront our inevitable slide into feebleness and death. In between each session, we had time to ponder, reflect and realign our priorities and choices.
The fourth and final session was a fitting culmination and Dr Lam Chee Loong, a palliative care specialist, was adept at preparing the attendees for what to expect in the process of dying and the ways to alleviate pain and suffering through the administration of drugs. This talk was followed by Elder Chow Chee Yan’s uplifting message on “Hope in Death, Life in Hope”.
This last session, attended by some 280 people, was not morbid at all. Instead, I was encouraged and strengthened in the following ways:-
- To be ready at any time because God can call me home suddenly;
- Reminded that death has lost its sting because there is victory beyond the grave!
- While waiting for God to take me home, I need to count my days aright so that I can get a heart of wisdom to do what pleases God; and
- Pain management with palliative care guidance can and should make a difference in terminal illnesses.
Many of my non-Christian invitees who attended the last session had missed the first three sessions. They had nothing but praises for the fourth session and expressed their desire to attend the other sessions if the church organises them again. As such, I would recommend a repeat of these DBL sessions to benefit more church members and pre-believers.
Get Involved
🧓A senior looking for a community beyond the family? Consider JOY (Just-Older-Youth). Reach out to Pastor Juat to find out more.