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News feature
Erin, Cormac and Anna The TC
ROYAL ALBERT HALL
THE territory’s annual carol concert, Celebrating Christmas with The Salvation Army, was a wonderful night of music, lights, colour, Scripture, testimony, audience participation and, above all, a celebration of the birth of Jesus, reports Major Mal Davies.
After introductory music items by the International Staff Band and International Staff Songsters – both in superb form, as usual – our emcee for the evening, Secretary for Communications Lieut-Colonel Dean Pallant, welcomed the audience to the event and prayed for all to know the peace that only God can provide.
‘Joy to the World!’ was the first congregational song of the evening and the crowd showed themselves to be in good voice. Their other opportunities to sing through the evening included perennial crowd favourites ‘Hark! the Herald Angels Sing’ and ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’.
Three readers presented Scripture readings: actor, director and writer Tilly Vosburgh; television and theatre star Jenna Russell; and esteemed national treasure Dame Sheila Hancock, who spoke with great affection of her childhood love of The Salvation Army.
The Broxbourne Handbell Ringers, from Hertfordshire, provided a beautiful performance of ‘On a Still and Silent Night’, which combined several well-known Christmas tunes. It was a moment of calm and serenity the audience seemed to greatly appreciate.
Thirteen-year-old chorister and recording artist Cormac Thompson sang a medley of two songs of peace, ‘Deep Peace’ – also known as ‘A Gaelic Blessing’ – and ‘Let There Be Peace on Earth’. It was a confident performance from a talented young man.
One of the highlights was a gospel-style rendition of ‘Blessed Assurance’ sung wonderfully by Dr Naar M’fundisiHolloway. Naar works in the Research and Development Unit at THQ and is a gifted singer and song interpreter. It was a popular act with the audience.
In his introduction, Lieut-Colonel Dean mentioned the war in Ukraine and said that there would be a focus on that during the evening, so the congregation were blessed to hear the testimony of a Ukrainian refugee, Bohdana, currently being supported by Sutton Corps.
She spoke of the trauma of leaving her home and country in March to bring her children to safety in England, while her husband stayed at home to fight in the war. At The Salvation Army, she said, she had found ‘hope, support and community’. ‘We all need something to hope for,’ she added, saying that The Salvation Army ‘offered hope to those who need it most’.
Her testimony was followed by a performance from a Ukrainian group called Zahrava, supported by Artists in Exile, and it included music – featuring the playing of a bandura, a traditional Ukrainian stringed instrument – singing and spoken word messages. It was a heartfelt and powerful performance that the audience appreciated greatly.
Territorial Commander Commissioner Anthony Cotterill provided a short message focusing on how if we are to have peace on Earth, it must begin with each of us individually. He highlighted Luke 2:10 and 11 and how Jesus came ‘as a gift to you’. Each of us had been given the gift of peace, he emphasised, and we were challenged on how we would receive and use it to bring about peace on Earth.
Before the final carol was sung, Anna Sharman and Erin Moir joined with Cormac Thompson to form a vocal trio. Supported by the ISB and ISS, they sang ‘When You Believe’. Their optimism, talent and energy made it an inspiring and fitting final performance for the evening.
Recorded highlights of Christmas with The Salvation Army are available to watch on YouTube at
youtube.com/salvationarmyvideo
Clockwise from top left
Introducing Ukrainian ensemble Zahrava.
Ukrainian refugee Bohdana shares her testimony.
A fanfare opens ‘Joy to the World!’.
The International Staff Songsters.
Zahrava perform ‘A Carol for a New Year’.
The Broxbourne Handbell Ringers present ‘On a Still and Silent Night’.
Dame Sheila Hancock reads Matthew 2:1–16.
View a full selection of photos online at
salvationist.org.uk
