THE METHODIST CHURCH IN SINGAPORE (MCS) has given $20,000 to the victims of the recent natural disasters in the Philippines and Indonesia. e Evangelical Methodist Church in the Philippines received $10,000, the United Methodist Church of the Philippines got $5,000, and the Methodist Church in Indonesia was given $5,000.
In separate letters accompanying three bank drafts to the heads of the three denominations, Bishop Dr Robert Solomon wrote that the gifts were “a token of our solidarity with you and our support of your relief efforts in a needy situation”.
“We read of the plight of your country in the aftermath of the recent disaster and are concerned about the situation there.
“We want to assure you of our prayers for you and the people there at this difficult time. We pray for those who are affected by the disasater that they will find help and comfort.”
All the heads of the three churches – Bishop Nathanael Lazaro of the Evangelical Methodist Church, Bishop Rodolfo Juan of the Philippines United Methodist Church, and Bishop Amat Tumino of the Indonesian Methodist Church – have written to thank Bishop Dr Solomon and the MCS for the gifts.
Mary Gan retires as MSM Principal
MS MARY Y. T. GAN (picture at right), the founding Principal of the Methodist School of Music (MSM), will be retiring this month after 13 years of service.
Ms Gan hails from Malacca. A former student of MGS Malacca, she obtained the undergraduate and Masters’ degrees in Music in the United States. Before moving to Singapore, she taught privately in the Kuala Lumpur/Klang area and part-time at the Selangor Institute of Music.
From 1982 to 1997, she served as Music Lecturer at Trinity eological College here. She is also the founding Director of the Paya Lebar Chinese Methodist Church Junior Choir and the Praise Choristers of Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church.
In 1995, she and a small group of church leaders were convinced of the need to start a music school for the training of church musicians. As the Chairman of the then Council on Worship and Music, she presented the proposal to the General
Conference Executive Council (GCEC) which approved the setting up of the MSM.
In January, 1997, the MSM was established. Under her leadership, the school evolved from its fledgling roots into what it is today – an institution that provides training, resource and platforms for people in the church music ministry, both local and international. She recollects that the path has not always been rosy, and sometimes plagued with issues such as funding, programme development and re-location (from the original Mount Sophia premises to Upper Bukit Timah Road, soon after the school opened).
Her dreams for the church music scene remain bright; her optimism for the future of MSM undaunted.
She looks forward to spending more time with her family and friends, and to pursuing her other areas of passion, such as nurturing children’s choirs, and perhaps, writing a book.
The leaders and staff of the MSM wish every good blessing upon Ms Gan, and are grateful for her years of unwavering dedication to the school.
Mr Robert Goh Say Hong, a long-time leader of Charis Methodist Church, will take over as Principal of the MSM (see story below).
Dr Evelyn S. E. Lim is the Organist/ Lecturer at the Methodist School of Music.
New principal a long-time church leader
MR ROBERT GOH SAY HONG (picture at far right) was appointed Principal of the Methodist School of Music (MSM) from Nov 1, 2009.
He has worked in several major industrial corporations for the last 38 years and retired in February this year as the General Manager of a diversified US company with operations in the US, Europe and Asia. He headed the marketing organisation for South-East Asia and China.
He and his wife Rosalind have a daughter, Ruth, and they worship at Charis Methodist Church. Mrs Rosalind Goh is the Director of the church choir.
Mr Goh has held numerous leadership positions in his home church, the Chinese Annual Conference and the General Conference of e Methodist Church in Singapore.
He had previously served as Chairman of the Judicial Council and Chairman of the Council of Episcopacy, as well as Lay Leader of the Chinese Annual Conference and his own church. He had been a Board member of Anglo-Chinese Primary School and currently sits on the Board of ACS (International).
As a local preacher, he preaches and leads in worship services in his church.