Singing and Ringing our way to faith
At this time of year, music is a key element drawing people into our churches. Last Sunday was Prophets Sunday and many churches may have sung the hymn ‘Long Ago, Prophets Knew’. The chorus asks who will make Jesus welcome, with the answer: “Ring bells, ring, ring, ring, Sing choirs, sing, sing, sing, we will make him welcome.” Our diocese has a profusion of both bell-ringers and choirs, drawing a new contingent of people to engage with their local church community and, potentially, come to faith.
At St John’s church in Pencombe, in the Bredenbury Benefice, it was the bell-ringers, or ‘pealers’, who initiated a Christmas Tree Festival this year, that attracted 25 entries from all sorts of local groups. Rev’d Elizabeth Sidwell said, “What surprised us was the unexpected outcome of different groups getting in touch with each other, and wanting to find ways to bring the church building back into the centre of the village. A rather tired congregation has generously let some others try things out, and there is an enthusiasm from our bell-ringers which is heartening.”
Choirs and ringers can help raise awareness of local churches by taking their presence out into the community, often raising money for charity at the same time. At St Mary the Virgin in Burghill, a tower bell team and hand-bell ringers have drawn in a younger crowd, who may not always make it to Sunday service but who, nevertheless, are enthusiastic participants in church activities such as this summer's Bell-ringing and Teddy Bear Festival which raised hundreds of pounds for the church. The choir in Wellington and the Pyons benefice has already sung Advent carols for a village hall fete, a church bring and buy and for customers and staff at Wellington Garden Centre.
The parish church of St Mary’s Ross punches well above its weight musically. Music Director Mark Sanderson says: “Music is central to our worship at St Mary’s and congregations are grateful for the work of our musicians. We have an adult choir of 30, a youth choir of 14 and an occasional adult choir, Round Byrd, that draws in singers from a list of around 90 musicians. Music is made by singers ranging in age from 7 to 90, some of whom travel up to 20 miles each week to sing with us. Where choirs are organised well, it can open the door to bring families into the heart of the worshipping community. From those beginnings, some become involved in other aspects of church life, and a few go on to make deeper connections – musically or spiritually. Those who are grateful for our offering of music don’t always realise that many of the movers and shakers of church life at St Mary’s come to sing and stay to serve."
In Much Wenlock, Brendon Quinn is Choir Director and has built up a thriving choir of adult and youth choristers, pictured above. Says Brendon, "I am extremely fortunate to be responsible for the music at Much Wenlock Parish Church. The choral tradition here is valued by the congregation and well supported. We are a mixed choir which welcomes all abilities. Having children and young adults in the choir is a particular joy and in particular encouraging their spiritual growth through to confirmation and beyond. We have several former choristers who have become ordained and others who have gone on to careers as professional musicians. If I can help inspire a love of church music and the Anglican choral tradition, I have succeeded."
Choirs are also thriving in our CofE schools, forging stronger connections between families and local churches, where the choirs sing for special services. Claire McKeown is Head Teacher at St Thomas Cantilupe CofE Primary School in Hereford. Their choir has close ties with the Cathedral: "Music certainly has brought the community and families together and created links for them with the Cathedral and city churches. Our choir has sung Evensong with choristers, led the procession at the DHMAT Advent service, sung carols at All Saints and will be leading the Christmas service at St Peter’s. All services are very well supported by families. One of the most powerful impacts of choir and church links on the school community is the sense of belonging, says Claire. "Performing in a church setting amplifies this sense of community by adding a layer of tradition. Churches, often steeped in history, are places where students can experience a deeper connection to the past while contributing to the present. The church congregation, which may include students' families and other members of the community, is an appreciative audience, reinforcing students’ sense of belonging to a wider network.
"Students not only develop their musical skills but also build life skills that will support their personal and academic futures, including kindness, humility, and leadership, contributing to the holistic development of well-rounded individuals who are prepared to thrive both in school and beyond."
Where to go for help: The Hereford Diocese Guild of Bellringers provides support and encouragement for churches interested in re-establishing a bell-ringing tradition. The Marches Music Ministry has recently sprung up to do something similar for choirs in the diocese.
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