On Sunday, November 10, the New England Deanery Liturgical Music Committee held the inaugural gathering of the New England Deanery Fellowship Choir at Holy Epiphany Church in Boston (Roslindale), Massachusetts. The "Friendsgiving" event brought together 45 singers and choir directors from across the deanery.

Michelle Ganson, who heads the newly formed committee under the auspices of the ROCOR Synodal Liturgical Music Commission, hopes that such events will become a regular fixture in the deanery and will lead to more collaborations, foster youth involvement, and help forge bonds of Christian friendship between the geographically dispersed parish communities of the deanery.

The evening opened with the singing of "O Heavenly King," "Memory Eternal" for the newly reposed Archbishop Peter (Lukianoff), a greeting from parish rector Archpriest Victor Boldewskul, and a tour of the church for those who were making their first visit to Holy Epiphany. In his greeting, Fr. Victor spoke of the importance of church choirs and reflected on how beautiful liturgical singing supports believers in prayer and attracts them to the divine services.

Participants then shared a bountiful Thanksgiving-themed meal, followed by the singing of carols in preparation for the Nativity season, as well as sacred compositions. There was a large youth contingent. Many singers expressed their joy at the opportunity to make new friends from other parishes and to learn new music.

The committee is planning more meetings of the New England Deanery Fellowship Choir in the near future and invites parishes within the deanery to show initiative in hosting events. Those who would like to participate in future meetings of the fellowship choir or would like to host an event should contact Michelle Ganson at ganson_m@hotmail.com.