In the spirit of the season, Melville United Church is welcoming other voices from across Centre Wellington and beyond to join in its second annual Community Carol Sing on Dec. 9 and join in World Choral Day.
“Last Year was a great success with almost 100 singers from the different choirs of churches in our area and almost 200 people attended,” said Melville’s organist Matthias Schmidt.
Adding to the event last year were audiences from across Wellington County who took part in sing-a-longs and enjoyed the choirs too.
“We sang carols for almost two hours and kindled the Christmas spirit past and present,” said Schmidt.
The event will take place in conjunction with World Choral Day (WCD)to extol the values of solidarity, peace and understanding that was initiated by Alberto Grau from the Latin American Vice-Presidency of the International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM) in 1990 in Helsinki.
The theme for 2012 is “Solidarity” and choral events organized for WCD on or around that date will form a collective expression of solidarity with all people who are suffering because of human and natural catastrophes.
Melville Church decided to support a local organization with its free-will offering event.
Schmidt explained organizers chose to support Habitat for Humanity of Centre Wellington with the building project of two homes on Forfar Street, nearing completion.
“We have invited someone from Habitat for Humanity to come and speak to us about their mission in our community,” said Schmidt.
“It will be a lot of fun singing carols in such a large group of like-minded people which will help people in need within our community.”
Invitations have gone out to church congregations in Fergus, Elora, Belwood and Arthur.
Singers from Elora United, St. Andrews Presbyterian in Fergus, Belwood United Church and Centre Wellington Singers are confirmed to be taking part. Melville’s choir and children’s choir will also participate.
Schmidt explained the event will allow people to request their favorite Christmas carols.
“Singing and singing carols in particular lets us connect to emotions we often are not aware of having,” said Schmidt. The Community Carol Sing takes place Dec. 9 at 3pm at Melville United Church, with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall.
Melville United Church is located at 300 St. Andrew Street West. For more information call 519-843-1781.
