Scotland: Uplifting music for Syria from Marilla Ness

Marilla Ness

An Ascension Day concert for Syria uplifted people's faith as well as helping refugees fleeing persecution and conflict. Up to 200 people attended the Marilla Ness concert at St Francis Xavier's Church, Carfin which raised more than £700 for Aid to the Church in Need's Syria campaign.

Neville Kyrke-Smith, National Director of Aid to the Church (UK), said: "On Ascension Day in Scotland, our faith was buoyed up by Marilla Ness, who helped us raise our hearts to the Lord."

He added: "She has a really lovely voice, and her singing is very meditative and in the Year of Faith people felt their faith was uplifted by this beautiful concert."

Described as the UK's number one Christian recording artist, Irish-born Marilla Ness performed for almost two hours, singing a selection from her 23 top-selling Christian music albums. Between songs there were brief reflections.

Lorraine McMahon, Aid to the Church's Head of Operations in Scotland, said: "It was really good, because what she does is tell a human story or relate an episode from the Gospels and follows it up with the appropriate song. It was brilliant, she really inspires people."

At the start of the concert Aid to the Church's Neville Kyrke-Smith gave a short talk about the charity's work in the Middle East and pleaded for listeners to stand by the region's Christians as they "flee terror and persecution".He said: "In many parts of the Middle East Christians are being targeted for their faith and the support of Aid to the Church is vital".

He asked for prayers for the two Syrian archbishops Boulos Yazigi and Yohanna Ibrahim who were kidnapped on 22nd April, saying that they were reported to be in good health despite being held captive in Bshaqtin, 12 miles (20 km) north west of Aleppo.

Mr Kyrke-Smith described meeting the Good Shepherd Sisters in Lebanon who were caring for refugees not just from Syria but from Iraq and across the region.

With aid agencies having cut help for Lebanon's Iraqi refugees, Aid to the Church has increased its aid so the centre's work can continue.

One of the sisters told him that a boy in Syria was hung up by his wrists for being a Christian. He died after three days. Mr Kyrke-Smith said: “We are standing with the people trusting in God and we trust in you, in your kindness and compassion.”

At the end of the evening, when Ms McMahon was thanked for organising the event, she stressed that concertgoers had helped send more help to displaced people in Syria.

She said: "They rely on our prayers and compassion and they pray for us as well. We stand in solidarity with Syria's suffering Christians."

Support from Aid to the Church has included an aid package of more than £130,000 to provide food and medicine for families forced to flee their homes.