Tin anniversary for Singing Angels

A new singing group for children will launch at St Peter’s Centre at Pedmore Church on 15 November, 10 years after Singing Angels originally began at St Andrew’s Church on the Straits.

Singing Angels was originally set up by the Revd Claire Cox, who was at that point a Mum in Lower Gornal, after the church supported Claire following the birth of her son, Albert, who is now 14 years old. The group is for school age children who learn to sing a variety of songs from west end musicals, movies, pop music and hymns.

Now the Rector of Wollescote and Pedmore, Claire had to lay down the singing group to follow her vocation to the Priesthood, but the baton is being taken up by her daughter, Amelia who is training to be a teacher, and a new Singing Angels will launch at St Peter’s centre on 15 November at 4pm some 10 years after the original group started.

Claire said: “It’s quite ironic that this new group is launching as Singing Angels celebrates its 10^th anniversary as this anniversary is represented by tin, symbolising durability and flexibility or aluminium which symbolises resilience. We’ve certainly had to be resilient as a family since Albert was born.”

Claire and her family had next to no faith and would never go to church until Albert was born critically ill in 2011, and Claire loves to share the difference faith can have in our lives. Today, Albert is thriving but continues to have health challenges, he receives most of his nutrition through a button into his tummy and is seen by a team of consultants at Birmingham Children’s hospital.

Claire continued: “Those painful moments in my life when our world was upside down, I felt at peace in the presence of God when singing. When I sing it unlocks my heart, opening it to what is good. I go to a place where I feel close to God and fully acknowledge God’s presence in those moments knowing I am part of something greater than myself, much more than just being human. I feel that it strengthens my relationship with God”.

Claire sees setting up Singing Angels as an opportunity to bring the community together. Any place of worship can set up a Singing Angels group and Claire is happy to support them to do that.

She said: “I don’t read music or play an instrument! Anyone wanting to set up a group can just download a backing track and go for it!”

Why not go along to the St Peter’s Centre on Sunday 15 November at 4pm to see what it is all about or for more information contact Amelia on ameliacoxdance@gmail.com