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Panmure Interfaith Groups Celebrate the Music of Christmas 

On Sunday, 4 December, three interfaith groups from the Panmure area presented a celebration of Christmas through music and spoken words. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined with the St. Heliers Community Presbyterian Church and Baha’i young adults to enhance the spirit of Christmas in the lives of over 300 community members.

         

A combined choir from two Latter-day Saint local units, Panmure and Glen Innes Wards, presented “Silent Night:  A Christmas Cantata.” The choir was led by Stuart Weightman, a member of the St Heliers Community Church and a very accomplished choir master. Accompaniment for the choir was given by Noelene David-Vakalahi at the piano and Marcello Napoli, a professional violinist.

The Bay Singers from the St Heliers Community Church, provided three musical items including “The Lord’s Prayer,” and the Baha’i group presented an inspirational thought and musical items, including “E Te Tama.”

Weightman, a former Director of Music at Dilworth School in Remuera, and Choral Director at St Kentigen’s, commented, “It was a very special evening—an amazing experience to be one with the singers, accompanists and soloists to celebrate the birth of our Saviour.”

Diana Senior, who attended the evening’s musical performances with her husband and three children, commented, “We really enjoyed the cantata and the way it was constructed with readings interspersed with such beautiful music. Even our 11 year old son, who would rarely get to experience something like this, really got in to singing along with the songs, especially the Christmas medley. It was a special experience for our whole family and a wonderful way to start the Christmas season.”

        

The spirit of Christmas was felt in abundance by all who participated in this special evening of music and narration.

Leah Broughton-Couch, who was instrumental in organizing the evening’s interfaith musical celebration, observed, “There are wonderful opportunities for Christian faiths to come together and celebrate the birth of the Saviour through the power of music. This is a journey, and we’ve taken another step along that pathway. My hope is that this will continue to grow as we cultivate and nurture relationships with other faiths.”

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