Taiwan Church News 3261 Edition August 25 - August 31, 2014 Headline News Kathleen E. M. Moody, A Pioneering Musician For Taiwan Church Musics, Is Commemorated By PCT Reported by Chen Yi-hsuan
Kathleen(Kate) E. M. Moody(1920 - 2014), a British missionary woman, devoting her most energetic 37 years in the education of church musics for Taiwan church, died on August 4 in UK. Though her requiem mass was held at St. Richard's Roman Catholic Church on August 18at Chichester UK, PCT held a musical memorial service for heron August 23at the Chapel of Tainan Theological College and Seminary(TTCS).
During her 37 years service in Taiwan, she not only established the church music department within TTCS but also trained many chorus for East Gate Barclay Memorial Church, Chang Jung Girl High School and Chang Jung High School. Her austerity and self-discipline in the teaching is mostly remembered by her students. Many students of her are kept serving for Taiwan's church musics up to date, including the famous Rev. Dr. I-to Lo, who was illuminated by her to delve into church musics ministry.
Rev. Lo Ren-quei, PCT General Assembly Moderator, reflects Kate's humor when he was a seminary student within TTCS: once I was singing, and Kate joked with me that her ear was hurt every time when my sound reached her. Rev. Yen Hsin-shin, an important member of boarding editors of PCT Hymnal - "Seng-si", praised Kate as a "born musician" possessing strong passion toward life and missionary vision on education. Rev. Hu Chong-min, Chairman of TTCS Board Directors, appreciates Kate's personal encouragement to strengthen his decision to attend college chorus every year and build up his music skill during his study at UK.
According to the reflection of Rev. Raymond Adams:Though Kathleen Moody studied sociology in the college, her inherited talents from the music-loving family and campus gave her a solid training to minister for church music. "During World War II, as Shoki Coe(1st TTCS president afterwards) lived in the house of Dr. David Landsborough IV who was acquainted with Kathleen Moody, she began to learn more stories about Taiwan and felt called to serve there. Later, she was ordained as a missionary by Presbyterian Church f England(now United Reformed Church) and went to study theology in Birmingham".
Kate left for Taiwanby boat in 1948,when she was 28 years old,and retired in 1985. She sacrificed her most energetic and prolific life to God and Taiwan Church. After her return back to Chichester UK, she kept attending church and social activity, devoting herself into her most loved arts & musics, and got accepted into Roman Catholic St Richard's parish. Many friends took care of her, due to her Parkinson illness, until her pass away.
Translated by Peter Wolfe |