Companions on the Journey Invites Vegreville to Sing Along

The music team Companions on the Journey, from St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church in Vegreville, led a lively community Gospel Sing-Along on Sunday afternoon, April 21. Admission was by donation with all funds supporting an ongoing Anglican presence in the local community.

Companions on the Journey has provided outreach sing-alongs at local seniors’ facilities for many years. More recently, they added sing-alongs at the local hospital as well. Sharing music from various genres: gospel, folk, soft rock, old pop songs, country, movie songs, etc., the residents and patients especially appreciate that they can join in singing. The team provides a music booklet with large print lyrics for audiences to sing along.

Lisa Topilko, team leader, Companions on the Journey, says, “We hope that our audiences experience all the benefits of singing in a group: awareness and appreciation of social bonds, boosting confidence and harmony, enhancing well-being, exercising the muscles in the abdomen, better breathing which improves blood circulation, and other benefits associated with reading and singing aloud. Our audiences have fond memories triggered by singing songs from their younger years, from their school days, from Sunday School classes, or church and youth camps. This is the best part of performing: spending time with people who like to sing and seeing what kind of beautiful sounds and memories we can create together.” Submitted by the Rev. Laureta Blondin, rector,  St. Mary the Virgin, Vegreville

Pictured, l to r: Jim Bragg (guitar); Lisa Topilko (guitar); Janet Rowlands (piano) are Companions on the Journey. Photo: Rosanne Fortier