Singing Praise and Reaching Out

A rare sound of singing filled the Plasgeller Care Home in July when residents of many different religious backgrounds were uplifted by a choir from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Latter-day Saints from the Cardiff area had been invited to sing at the care home by Christine Abbas, the representative of the Baha’i faith on the Interfaith Wales council in Cardiff. Eager to follow the example of Jesus Christ in helping and uplifting others, members were happy to accept the invitation. Latter-day Saints have been participating on the council for over two years.

The choir of sixteen sang many different songs to residents in a main common room at the centre, before going upstairs to sing for those unable to leave their beds. They performed a number of different hymns about Christ, some choir pieces, and even (at the request of one resident) a Christmas carol or two. Those listening came from a number of different Christian faiths, and even some non-Christian ones.

It was a wonderful afternoon for all involved. Tears came to the eyes of some of the listeners. Yvonne, one of the residents, described, “It was beautiful. It was wonderful”.

Christine said, “What was wonderful was lots of different faith backgrounds here, but they all connected with the music.

“It was lovely and [the choir was] lovely!”

Plasgeller Care Home is found in Brynmawr, in the South of Wales. Church members hope to be able to participate in other interfaith activities in future, as they seek to strengthen the bonds they have with the community. Music can be a powerful means to connect people from all different walks of life, and the Cardiff choir hopes for many more song-filled days to come.