On 20 June 2025, Mrs Gnanamany Philip, President of the General Conference (GC) Women’s Society of Christian Service (WSCS) passed away at the age of 61. She leaves behind her husband, Rev Philip Abraham, former President of the Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference, and their two sons, Joshua and Elisha.
In 2021, Mrs Gnanamany Philip told Methodist Message that her goal in life was to be a “Bible Christian, not almost but altogether”.1 From the outpouring of grief and tributes since her sudden passing, it is evident that Mrs Philip walked the talk.
A true blue Methodist
The young Gnanamany grew up in Jalan Sembawang Kechil, where Sembawang Tamil Methodist Church stood before it shifted to Yishun. It was in the Sunday school there that she accepted Jesus as her personal Lord and Saviour.
“To me, being a Methodist is to be the salt of this earth and light to this world by demonstrating faith working by love. This is what I share in the various Bible study sessions that I conduct at Sunday school, with the youth and in WSCS. As a Christian community, we need to strengthen ourselves by standing firm in the word of God; we rally fellow athletes to complete the race by encouraging each other, comforting the injured, and cheering the weak and tired to continually walk steadily on the highway of holiness and the path of righteousness,” Mrs Philip said.2
A secret betrothal
Later on, Gnanamany started attending Ang Mo Kio Tamil Methodist Church (AMKTMC), and it was there that she met her future husband, a young pastor named Philip Abraham. He had been posted to AMKTMC in June 1988 as a Member-on-Trial (MOT) after completing theological studies at Trinity Theological College. At that time, she was serving in the LCEC as Secretary.
Rev Philip’s mother suggested that it was time he found a wife and that he consider a nice girl like Gnanamany.
Before long, Rev Philip showed interest in Gnanamany, getting to know her by serving in ministry together. Just a month later, they got engaged, him securing her commitment with two questions. “I asked her, ‘Do you love me? Do you trust me?’, and she asked me the same questions. Obviously, we both said ‘yes’. And then we began our courtship.”
“As a pastor, I couldn’t date like other people. People would be gossiping, and it’s just not becoming of a pastor. Cannot date so long lah!” Rev Philip laughed.
Revealed only after they had committed to each other, they learnt that their fathers had already agreed on the betrothal of their children when they were both very young but decided to let things unfold naturally. “It was God’s plan for us, it became a reality,” Rev Philip said. In September the same year, they became husband and wife at the age of 28 and 24, respectively.
As a Methodist pastor, Rev Philip was posted to various churches in the Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference (ETAC) over the course of his career, often overseeing two churches at the same time. Eventually, he was elected President of ETAC.
Mrs Philip would follow him “without complaint” and serve in the same churches, often in the Women’s Society of Christian Service (WSCS) and in Sunday school. As a result, she had served at nearly every church under ETAC.
“She had a heart for ministry. She was always ready to help,” Rev Philip said. Mrs Philip served in church tirelessly, despite having a full-time job as a teacher. In her final posting before her passing, she served as a master teacher, the only Master Teacher for Nutrition and Food Science with the Ministry of Education.
An exemplary Proverbs 31 woman
The mainstay of Mrs Philip’s service was in WSCS. Over a span of 30 years, she would serve in ETAC WSCS and GC WSCS, sometimes concurrently.
Dr (Mrs) Teo Li Bee, the immediate past President and current advisor to GC WSCS recalled working together with Mrs Philip since 2012. “She was a lovely person to work with, displaying the fruit of the Spirit as well as having great zeal and passion for the Lord.”
Mrs Philip was elected President of GC WSCS on 4 December 2024. “She never expected to be called to serve as GC WSCS President,” Rev Philip said, and this sentiment was echoed by many among the ETAC WSCS ladies. But through the encouragement of many WSCS ladies, she took up the post with a great sense of purpose and duty.
“At the two Executive Committee meetings she chaired in January and April this year, she displayed much patience and grace, and was attentive to all views expressed. Truly, she was exemplary as a Proverbs 31 woman and will be missed greatly,” Dr Teo said.
Mrs Philip’s creative streak and educator’s heart led her to teach kathakaalajebam to the ETAC WSCS ladies, a traditional art form of storytelling that incorporates music and dramatic performance, still carried out today in ETAC.
She is also remembered for initiating a “Bridal Prayer” for brides-to-be, which is practised by ETAC sisters and has now become a tradition for them.
Mrs Philip’s unexpected passing came as a shock to the Methodist community. “I am not sure why God took her away when he did,” Rev Philip said. “She had so much more to give. But God is sovereign and we must trust him.”
During a mission trip to South Indian in 2007
Tributes
My mum was a purpose-driven woman, determined and full of excellence in everything she did. Whether it was work, as a wife and mother, or service in church, she always gave her all. She was my biggest supporter, my comfort, my strength and my safe space. I miss her warm hugs, joyful nature and the way her sweet voice made everything feel okay.
~ Joshua Philip
Elder son of Mrs Philip
My mother always encouraged me to serve in ministry. She once said, “You must always be like instant noodles. Be ready to serve anytime, anywhere. Even if you’re unfamiliar with the situation, let God equip you and use you for his glory.” Every time someone asks if I’m willing to serve, her words echo in my heart. Though it brings me great sadness that she will not be physically present at my TTC graduation or at the pastoral milestones to come, I take comfort in knowing that the Carer of souls keeps her in perfect peace—and that gives me peace.
~ Elisha Philip
Younger son of Mrs Philip
She served God with a cheerful heart and humble spirit. ETAC and GC have lost a very beautiful soul and a beautiful sister. We want to continue in our ministry whatever she has taught us.
~ Mrs Kanagi Kanakarajan
Seletar Tamil Methodist Church
She was a good worship leader and could sing very well. She would lead kathakaalajebam for Mothers’ Day. It would be so well delivered and lively, even non-believers would give all their attention to her. She would also share the gospel on mission trips and was so good at teaching children. Both young and old, they would listen to her.
~ Mrs Tamilkodi Balakrishnan
Toa Payoh Tamil Methodist Church
She would serve quietly by preparing the altar flowers, Holy Communion sacraments, and so on, often guiding and teaching others how to do it.
~ Mrs Kalairasy George
Pasir Panjang Tamil Methodist Church
We bonded because of our love for God and passion for his Word. Her contributions to every ministry with her versatile skills, commitment to give of her best, meticulous planning and mastery in seamless execution is worth emulating. I dearly miss her exuberant presence.
~ Dr Amutha Premkumar
Ang Mo Kio Tamil Methodist Church
She was more than an advisor to us. She was a loving sister, a warm hug, a radiant smile and a gentle voice of encouragement. Always bubbly, always inspiring. She had the rare gift of speaking her heart in love and she carried the fragrance of Christ wherever she went.
~ Mrs Santhi Paul
Jurong Tamil Methodist Church
Mrs Philip enjoyed making bookmarks and she would give them away as gifts. We reproduce one of her poems used on a bookmark she had made.
A poem by Mrs Gnanamany Philip
Let us serve the lost and least
The ones forgotten.
The overlooked, the cast aside,
In whom God’s love still abide[s].
Let us seek the undervalued heart,
In every soul, a sacred part,
With hands that heal, with words that mend.
Till all can feel God’s love extend.
For we were crafted by His hand,
To walk in ways that He has planned,
Good works prepared for us
In Christ, He makes all things anew.
And when our race is finally run,
May we hear, “Well done, faithful one.”
For in our serving, we have shown,
The love of Christ, through deeds we’ve sown.
