Residents are being invited to a special event organised by Glossop's Catholic churches.

The Sing and Pray for Peace on Peace Sunday, takes place on 15 January. 

To celebrate this date, the parish of Glossop, comprising St Mary Crowned and All Saints churches, is pleased to be hosting two events, to which anyone is welcome, with no need to book in advance. 

The first, from 3-5pm is ‘Sing for Peace’, a singing workshop in St Mary’s Parish Hall, St Mary’s Road. Doors open at 2.45pm. 

This will be followed at 5.15pm by a short service - ‘Pray for Peace!’ - in St Mary Crowned Church, Sumner Street, featuring two of the songs learned in the workshop. 

People are welcome to go to either event or both. 

There is no entry charge, but participants will be invited to donate to Pax Christi, an international movement for peace, founded in Catholic Christianity and open to all who share its values and work.

‘Sing for Peace’ will be led by Penny Wilson, an experienced local singing teacher. 

Penny teaches simple melody lines by ear, so there’s no need to be able to read music. 

“I aim to make the workshop enjoyable for people of any musical ability or none,” said Penny. 

“So if you sing regularly in a choir, or simply indulge in the occasional warble in the bath, please come along and we will create some beautiful sounds together. 

“Children are welcome too, but younger ones must be well supervised.”

Penny said the idea of ‘Sing for Peace’ came about after the invasion of Ukraine last year.

She said: “When Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year, I was shocked, as we all were. 

Workshop

“I wanted to find a way I could help and immediately thought of arranging a workshop to share songs which would help and inspire the general call for peace, as well as raise money for those suffering the consequences of war.

“The idea inspired me and I searched for venues, but nothing was available.

“The months rolled by and I never let go of my initial plan, but wasn’t sure how I would make it happen. 

“Therefore I was absolutely delighted when, after hearing of my idea, Father Martin Sylvester invited me to hold the event as part of Peace Sunday 2023. 

“The songs I share during our singing session will encourage us to find peace within ourselves, then send it out into the world and end with a gentle evening blessing.”

Father Martin is pleased that Penny will be bringing her singing skills to St Mary’s.

He said: “Our plans for Peace Sunday 2023 were still in development when I had that conversation with Penny, and I was delighted by her willingness to make her workshop part of the day’s activities. 

“Not everyone is attracted to a church service, and to pair a creative event with a brief service will widen the scope for people from across the community to unite in expressing our common desire to live in a world of peace.”

The Muslim-Jewish-Christian Prayer for Peace will be used during the Service for Peace in St Mary Crowned Church, and cards with that prayer will be available for people to take home with them or pass on to others.

The afternoon’s events will also remember Maddalena Rayner, a well-known figure to many local people, who passed away peacefully, aged 89. 

Maddalena spent her life dedicated to and working tirelessly for the cause of peace.

For more information you can email singingpenny2009@yahoo.co.uk, or pax@glossopcatholics.org.uk or go to the website www.glossopcatholics.org.uk/invited 

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