Christina Mandang, an Indonesian church musician and delegate to the Uniting General Council meeting in June, died after being struck by a car in Grand Rapids, Mich.
The accident happened after the closing day of council meetings that marked the merger of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the Reformed Ecumenical Council to form the World Communion of Reformed Churches (see “A Poignant Moment,” July 2010).
Mandang, 38, was returning to the Calvin College campus following dinner when she stepped into the street to avoid a water sprinkler and was hit by a passing car. She died later in a hospital from her injuries.
Mandang helped lead daily worship services for the ecumenical meeting. Both an organist and pianist, she was also a lecturer in church music and worship at the Reformed Seminary in Jakarta.
WCRC general secretary Rev. Setri Nyomi was at the hospital through the night with several Indonesians who were with Mandang at the time of the accident. “We feel deep sadness at this loss,” Nyomi said. “Christina Mandang’s gifts touched us all. She played organ at all the services. The joy with which she did that touched each of us.”
—Charley Honey
