Help our local partners realise their vision of hope for their communities
12 December 2019
By Ivan Corea, HART supporter and Volunteer writes about the HART Christmas Carol Concert
The HART Christmas Carol Concert was held on the 10th of December, at St.Cyprian’s Church, in London, attended by a huge gathering of well wishers and supporters of the charity. The event was a powerful reflection of a journey through life. The dominant theme followed in the footsteps of the Magi, the three wisemen who were guided by the star to a stable in Bethlehem and bowed down before Jesus Christ, a Saviour born to all Mankind. Baroness Caroline Cox, Founder and CEO of HART and the Reverend David Thomas, HART Project Coordinator, painted a vivid picture of a journey of compassion, through Nigeria, the Sudan and Burma, where HART are actively involved in reaching out to the poorest of the poor, the persecuted, the oppressed, the down trodden and defending their human rights.
There were traditional Christmas carols and readings by Andrew Ashdown, HART Trustee Lola Yusuf, HART Fundraising & Communication Manager and contributions from three wonderful choirs – the Palmers Green School Chamber Choir (who fundraised for the HART initiative in Burma), The renowned Saint Martin Singers and the KOMITAS Chamber Choir -named after great Armenian musician Soghomon Soghomonian, who is sometimes referred to as the Armenian Bach due to his heavenly liturgical compositions, he composed over 3,000 folk songs. I was also delighted to meet and talk with the poet Liana Hayrapetyan who (together with Peter Sutton) has published a book of “Poems of Armenian War and Peace.”
The festive spirit was alive and well at Saint Cyprian’s Church – despite a cold, cold night – but we were warmed up by some hot mulled wine and mince pies, served up by those incredible HART volunteers who supported this wonderful cause.
I left the event thinking about the Servant King, the babe of Bethlehem who spoke up for those who could not speak up for themselves and championed the oppressed, the marginalised and the persecuted. This journey of compassion continues 2,000 years later with HART becoming a key voice for the voiceless. This wonderful charity is a shining beacon on top of a hill, led by Caroline Cox, the tireless human rights campaigner in the House of Lords, spearheaded by a committed HART team with beating passionate hearts for the persecuted in our world. Long may this important work continue in 2020 and in the years to come.