London: Called to Prayer with our neighbours from the Middle East

Abdul Salam Kheir

There will be a beautiful evening of song, poetry and prayer in Arabic, Aramaic, Hebrew and English at Farm Street Church on Saturday 18 October. Poets and singers from a variety of communities will open our hearts and inspire our prayers - the Melkite Church, the Syrian Orthodox, the Maronite Church, and friends from mosque and synagogue.

Oud player and singer Mr Abdul Salam Kheir, an expert in Classical Arab Song will be performing. Fr Aphram and the Syrian Orthodox choir will open the evening with the Our Father in Aramaic. Rabbi Markus Lange of New North London Synagogue hopes to reflect on the poetry and wisdom of Buber, Heschel, Said and Amichai on the theme of spiritual and human friendship.

Fr Dominic Robinson will share his impressions of his recent trip to the region where the Jesuit Refugee Service Aid for Syria are working with Syrian refugees in the Lebanon.

Sarah de Norwall will perform some of her poems inspired by time in the East and sing in Hebrew.

Stella Turner will teach us all to sing her beautiful version of the Lord's My shepherd, inspired by the melodies of the Orient.

The Chaldeans and Maronites will be taking part in the evening.

There will be a Middle Eastern Bring and Share supper afterwards.

Please bring your friends who wish to experience the glories of the cultures of the Middle East and who have a generous heart for the situation that so many of our brothers and sisters there are suffering.

Entrance is FREE so that all can attend and pray, but a call for donations will be made during the evening.

The organisers are hoping to raise £10,000 so please do invite all those who are passionate about offering prayerful and financial assistance. The winter is ahead and many are living in very precarious situations. All profits will go to the aid of JRS Aid for Syria, supporting refugees in and from Syria.

Please note that there is a capacity for up to 350 in the Church but only 100 in the hall.

For more information contact Sarah de Nordwall and friends sarah@sarahdenordwall.com 07849 641 899

The evening takes place at Farm Street Church on Saturday 18 October at 7.30 to 10pm.

To book see: www.eventbrite.com/e/called-to-prayer-tickets-13027510635?aff=es2&rank=1