THE 12th Anniversary Service of the Methodist School of Music (MSM) was held in the cosy setting of the Barker Road Methodist Church sanctuary.
Although there were people from various backgrounds attending â from church leaders and a visiting conductor from the United Kingdom to the faculty and students of the MSM â there was no ice left unbroken as Mr Geoff Weaver, the conductor, led the congregation in a pre-service sing-along.
Everyone sang and even did the actions with gusto! After the prelude, which consisted of a lovely number by the MSM Ringers on the âHymn to Joyâ and a viola solo by Ms Judy Tay, the guests entered the chapel to an ethnic piece âHI-O-HO-IA-Â ANâ. It was truly a novel and interesting experience watching the guests process down with the traditional tune that was sung by the choir and accompanied by a solo drum.
This started off an eveningâs events that were peppered with short speeches by various leaders of The Methodist Church in Singapore as well as the MSM. Prayers were said for the MSM, prizes were given to teachers and students, and speeches were given documenting the MSMâs growth in the past years.
One especially poignant speech was that given by the MSMâs founding Principal, Ms Mary Gan, who will be leaving the MSM soon. Her departure will mark a stage in the schoolâs life never before experienced, for it has never known any other principal.
As a school, and echoing Bishop Dr Robert Solomon, we thank Ms Gan for all she has done these years and wish her all the best.
Something to take home from the service was the way the hymns were sung by the choir and the congregation. Hymns like âWe Will Rejoiceâ and âWhen In Our Music God Is Glorifiedâ were beautifully sung. While the words of the hymns themselves were beautiful, it was truly heartwarming to witness a congregation singing them in such a way that expressed a sincere belief in those words.
To quote from one of the hymns:
âLet every instrument be tuned for praise! Let all rejoice who has a voice to raise! And may God give us faith to sing always Alleluia!â
â âWhen In Our Music God Is Glorifiedâ, Fred Pratt Green.
That evening â where every instrument, organ, violin, drum and handbells, played solely for God; where everyone present lifted their voices in praise; and most importantly, the expression of faith that in Godâs Hand â will testify that the MSM will continue to grow, prosper and always rejoice and sing praises.
Melissa Goh, a final-year student at the National University of Singapore, is an organ student at the MSM. She worships and serves at Paya Lebar Methodist Church as well as at Barker Road Methodist Church.
Registration open for workshop on suicide grief
THE Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) has reminded our Methodist pastors and leaders that registration for its workshop on âWorking with Survivors on Suicide Griefâ is now open.
Those interested in attending can register with SOS social worker Leow Yong Fatt at tel: 6221-2122 (admin) or 6307-9303 (direct) or email yongfatt@samaritans.org.sg
The SOS is looking for at least 20 participants before it can conduct the three-hour workshop from 9 am to noon at the SOS Training Wing, Block 10, Cantonment Close, #01-01 (multi-storey car park) on Sept 16, 2009. The training fee is $100 per participant (inclusive of handouts and refreshments).
The workshop will impart skills on working with suicide survivors and provide the opportunity to share with participants the feedback the SOS has gathered from survivors.