Rising Generation UK and Ireland choir
On a spiritual high following a For the Strength of Youth (FSY) session last summer, two counsellors, Robbie Read and Bronwyn Jones, were discussing an idea of potentially getting the youth and young adults involved in an “in-between FSY” sessions choir.
Many of the UK’s most cherished and spiritual events tend to surround music. The musical programme in FSY is often both a highlight and spiritual experience for youth and counsellors alike. So, the idea of having that experience last longer through the year, until the next FSY session, was very exciting and gratefully received.
Europe Area Authority Seventy, Elder Alan Phillips, became involved in the discussion and after a few months and conversations with others who were to be involved, the idea began to become a reality. The completely voluntary efforts of Robbie and Bronwyn, and others that also agreed, helped them pave the way to make this a reality.
It seemed to be a growing miracle that just got bigger and better as time went on. Even when FSY sessions in the summer of 2020 were cancelled, the development of a youth choir spread across the country wasn’t affected; it encouraged opportunity and growth.
Instead of being a solely FSY choir, it involved the Rise and Reach initiative held in July- September. Through invitation, more than 70 young adults got involved and the participation of youth and full-time missionaries soon followed.
The best part of the whole thing was how it gave young adults, youth, and full-time missionaries the opportunity to bear testimony in a different context; by sharing their talents through music. The choir was the first thing to unite young adults and youth since last summer.
What a remarkable gift to our young people in the UK.
Robbie: the backing from the leadership was incredible.
Becca (choir chorister): One of the difficulties with organising any countrywide performance is getting everyone together for rehearsals. This experience has helped us explore the possibility of using Zoom to get more young adults and youth together and involved in the future, which has been a great blessing. I am a firm believer that when people come together and work hard for the Lord, miracles happen; and they really have happened!
Bronwyn: The greatest part of this project for me was seeing how the Lord is willing to support His children in their desires to do good, which happened repeatedly throughout the process of organising the choir. Whatever we were lacking was made infinitely more through the talents of the youth and young adults who got involved; the vision and enthusiasm which they brought to the choir was inspiring!
The goal of the project is for the choir to become a place of spiritual unity and strength where the young people of the UK and Ireland can share their talents and faith in the Saviour, Jesus Christ. We hope this will lead to future productions bringing together the rising generation and perhaps, one day, it might become the UK’s biggest youth choir.