Granby Church Hosting Concert to Benefit Philippines

Watching the heart-wrenching images of Filipino people standing amid the wreckage after a powerful typhoon hit the Philippines Friday, it begs the question – what can we do?

A member of First Congregational Church of Granby brought the question to Rev. Dr. Virginia McDaniel this week, setting in motion the plans for a benefit concert to be held Sunday at the church.

“A member of our congregation called me and said is there something we can do, a way we can bring the community together – surely everybody must be feeling the pain of this terrible tragedy,” McDaniel said. “Watching it on the television news makes it seem so far away. Can we take time to come together and raise a little bit of money, even though it’s only a drop?”

And so the concert came together with seven or eight musicians from First Congregational Church and a few from South Church volunteering to play.

“We will have everything from Renaissance dance tunes to classical pieces to jazz we hope to have a vocal ensemble to the American songbook and I think somebody playing a medley of tunes for the Beatles – there’s definitely something for everyone,” McDaniel said.

The event will include time for reflection and prayer, as well.

“When we see a tragedy like this on the news it makes us feel discontent and helpless and when we come together, even as 50 people in a room together, to focus on that thing, there is a sense that our prayers are stronger.”

The concert is free and those who attend are invited to give whatever they would like. Proceeds will be sent to the International Disaster Fund.