Our welcoming musicians

The annual Carols for Peace service in the City Chambers on 14th December, organised by Glasgow Churches Together (GCT) and hosted by the City Council, also marked the final service for Glasgow 850.  As people gathered for the service, a piper played outside the City Chambers, musicians greeted them on the landing leading to the Banqueting Hall, and the St Mungo Ensemble, the Kilmarnock Salvation Army Band and the St Mungo Singers prepared to lead the music.

In her welcoming remarks, Bailie Margaret Morgan, representing the Lord Provost, spoke of the service as a cherished tradition now which marked community, hope and the spirit of peace and Glasgow’s reputation as a welcoming city.  These values were more important than ever in our world.  Our carols speak of kindness, understanding and solidarity, which we build together through small acts of kindness.  She expressed the Council’s thanks to all those involved – singers, players and organisers, and wished everyone present joy, peace and a merry Christmas.

Cpt. Les Heal, Chair of GCT, then led the congregation in the opening prayer and carols, which concluded with the beautiful a cappella singing of the Choir of the Ukrainian Parish of the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ, based in Glasgow.

After the reading of the story of the Flight into Egypt from St Matthew’s Gospel, the reflection was given, very appropriately, by Br Peter Bray, former Vice-Chancellor of Bethlehem University.  He began by saying that most of us think of Bethlehem in relation to Christmas or to pilgrimages that we may have gone on, but it is a city of people with hopes and dreams, particularly young people.

Brother Peter Bray

40% of the students at the University come from East Jerusalem and each day they are not sure if they will get to the University or will be stopped at the checkpoints. He told the story of one young student whose family home had been destroyed twice but whose attitude was that the Israeli government could take his home but could not take his education.  Br Peter had been honoured to work with such young people.

Truth is central to their story: beyond politics and statistics , what they want is safety, peace, opportunity and the chance to contribute to their community.  He asked us to think of them and the challenge to keep their hope alive.  No matter how things turn out, it is worthwhile to have received an education as it is of value and a source of hope.  He assured us that we who were present were an important part of keeping hope alive for these young people as it assures them that they are not forgotten. In a lovely ending to his reflection, the children from St Charles’ Primary School presented him with a cheque for £1000, to be used for the orphaned children of Bethlehem

As we thought on what we had heard, the choir led those present in the singing of Silent Night for those for whom there was no room at the inn. Then prayers of intercession were said for the city of Glasgow in its Glasgow 850 celebration year, for the comfort and safety of all living in it, for our twin city Bethlehem, for Ukraine and for all places where there is war.

A lighter note was struck when the young musicians of the South Side Fiddlers played for us and then the children of St Mary’s Ukrainian School Glasgow and the Ukrainian Kids Club Coatbridge sang We wish you a Merry Christmas.

The service ended with the taking up of a collection for the Lord Provost’s Fund for Children while the St Mungo Ensemble played, the singing of the old carol In Dulce Jubilo  by the St Mungo Singers, and the church representatives gave the final blessing.  The St Mungo Singers then led the singing of the Glasgow anthem Let Glasgow Flourish  and Hark the Herald Angels Sing.

No event in Glasgow would be complete without hospitality, and the Salvation Army Band played as the congregation and guests moved into the Satinwood Suite for refreshments and the young fiddlers again regaled us with their music to send us out with a smile.