The Anglican Parish of Broadview and Enfield, encompassing the CSI Malayalam Congregation, St. Philip’s Congregation, and St.Clement’s Congregation, hosted a beautiful and soul-stirring event, Voices of the World: A Multicultural Carol Celebration.
This event, held on December 14, 2024, at 5:30 PM at St. Philip’s Anglican Church, was made possible through the Festive Community Activation Fund 2024 from the City of Prospect.
The Parish is deeply grateful to the Synod of the Diocese of Adelaide, Anglican Church of Australia, for serving as the auspice for this successful funding application.
The Parish Council, with great enthusiasm, chose Nevin Abraham as the convenor of the program. His meticulous planning and leadership ensured that this celebration became a truly memorable evening for all attendees.
The evening began on a vibrant note with a welcome dance performed by the women of the CSI Malayalam Congregation. Their graceful movements and captivating performance set the tone for the evening, blending cultural tradition with the joy of the Christmas season.The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the four diverse choirs that came together to resonate the voices of the world, each bringing their unique cultural and musical expressions to the event:
1. St. Philip’s Anglican Church Choir
Arranged by Carren Walker, Nevin Abraham and Benzilal Devadanam, this choir opened the evening with traditional favorites such as Deck the Halls, Auld Lang Syne, and Christmas Time by Bryan Adams. Their performance also included a heartfelt Malayalam song, blending traditional Western carols with cultural diversity.
2. Marthoma Church Choir
Under the guidance of Santhosh George, this choir presented a medley of stunning Malayalam songs in four-part harmony. Their performance was deeply moving, leaving a lasting impression as their voices harmonized beautifully, touching both hearts and minds.
3. St. Oswald’s Anglican Church Choir
Led by Peter Bleby, this choir brought the richness of English choral music to life. Their exquisite four-part harmonies and classicchorals elevated the evening with their technical brilliance and emotive resonance.
4. Adelaide Choral Ambassadors
The Filipino choir, representing the vibrant Philippine community, brought unparalleled energy and joy to the event. Their repertoire of traditional Filipino Christmas songs was performed with unmatched enthusiasm, showcasing their passion, dedication,and sweet voices that captivated the audience.
In addition to the musical performances, the celebration featured Bible readings in six languages, reflecting the global and inclusive spirit of the evening. Passages were read in English, Malayalam, Tamil, Greek, Italian, and German, symbolizing the unity of diverse culturesunder the message of Christmas.
Rev. Peter Randall delivered an inspiring Christmas message titled Christmas Reflection, emphasizing the deeper meaning of the season—love, hope, and unity. His words resonated with the gathering and added a profound spiritual dimension to the evening.
The celebration concluded with a time of fellowship and joy as dinner was served in the church hall. This provided a perfect opportunity for attendees to connect, reflect on the evening, and extend warm Christmas wishes to one another.
The Voices of the World: A Multicultural Carol Celebration was more than just a musical event—it was a testament to the power of community, faith, and cultural harmony. The Anglican Parish of Broadview and Enfield extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed tothe success of this event, from the performers and organizers to the attendees who made the evening special.
As the last notes of the carols faded and the spirit of Christmas filled the air, it was evident that this cele- bration had truly captured theessence of the season—a time to come together, celebrate our shared humanity, and spread joy to the world.
Report compiled by Dr.Toney Teddy Fernandez, Mr.Nevin Abraham, Dr.Lynn Ward and Rev. Dr.Santhosh Kumar Anglican Parish of Broadview and Enfield.
