Singing to a new initiative in Birmingham

Perhaps one of the reasons us Methodist are all so healthy is that we enjoy a good sing. Apparently singing is good for health - both mental and physical.

Some of my colleagues at our church in Birmingham are trying an entirely new initiative - setting up a community choir. They, we, see it as way of getting people across the threshold of a building that feels it has become detached from much of the local community.

When I first heard of the idea my immediate reaction (as church treasurer) was to wonder how we would pay for the gas bill to heat our very large church hall. My next worry was whether we had the skills within the church to create and maintain such a choir. In other words I went into negative mode.

However my colleagues engaged in a bit of "possibility thinking". Initially they would use a small easily heat able room. Secondly they contacted the local music college and two students came forward to offer their support.

Although I enjoy singing, to be honest, no one else enjoys my output, though before puberty I was a passable alto. So this time I'm deliberately taking a step back. My wife came back happy last night, having enjoyed an hour singing with 12 other people, which isn't bad for an inaugural meeting of any new church activity with a membership base as small as ours.

Next week we will start circulating 1000 leaflets around the neighbourhood to see if we can pick up some further interest. The nice thing is that it will be just for fun and we are asking God to bless it as a form of friendship evangelism.

Meanwhile if you are in Birmingham on a Wednesday afternoon at 4.30 and feel like an hour's relaxation why not pop along? Details on our website