St Martin’s in the Bullring was the venue for the ‘Crisis’ Carol Service on Tuesday evening. Birmingham Festival Choral Society was pleased to support this worthwhile charity by leading the carol singing in the service.

Our recent connection with Crisis had started two years ago, when they were the chosen charity for our Christmas Carol Concert. We were moved by the stories we heard of the work of the charity, so we were pleased to take up their invitation to lead the singing at their 2017 and 2018 Carol Services.

Last year we heard how Crisis had been set up in 1967 with the aim of ending homelessness, and had no idea that they would still be so badly needed 50 years later. This year, the Chief Executive told us that they have prepared a plan documenting how homelessness could be ended in 10 years, if the politicians have the will to make it happen. The charity will keep lobbying to keep up the pressure.

The rector of St Martin’s, Revd Jeremy Allcock, spoke about how the Christian gospel should lead to an ‘open hand, open heart and open door’. 

The stories told by clients were very moving, and reminded us that the loss of a home can be caused by all sorts of circumstances , and affect people of all ages. We heard how the charity helps people with substance abuse, and provides training to help people get into employment, and learn domestic skills.

We enjoyed singing the familiar Christmas carols, adding descants too. BFCS also sang ‘Away in a Manger’ to the Jacques tune, and a rousing ‘We wish you a merry Christmas’ at the end. Singing “we all want some figgy pudding” led very naturally to refreshments at the back of the church, and a chance for singers to chat to people involved in the charity and give to the collection. The evening had been thought-provoking, and reminded us how fortunate we are to have our own homes to return to.