A NEW multi-generational singing group is to launch at St Mary’s Church, Oldswinford, this weekend.

The Singing Angels group will launch on Mothering Sunday (March 10).

The group, which sings tracks from west end musicals, pop music and hymns, was started by Lower Gornal mum Claire Cox, a curate at Old Swinford Church.

Claire ran a group at St Andrew’s Church on the Straits for many years, after the church supported her family following the birth of her son, Albert, now 12.

The original group stopped as the pandemic hit just as Claire started training to become a vicar, but Singing Angels has been remastered and will be launched as a multi-generational group in Oldswinford.

Claire said: “Albert was born critically ill in 2011 and the church was so supportive. We started attending regularly and I now love to share the difference faith can have in our lives.

“It was in the most painful moments in my life when our world was upside down, that I felt at peace in the presence of God when singing.

“When I sing it unlocks my heart and I go to a place where I feel close to God and feel part of something much greater than myself. I hope others can find that same sense of peace and joy through Singing Angels.”

Claire and her family had next to no faith and would never go to church until Albert was born. Today, Albert is thriving but continues to have health challenges - managed by a team of consultants at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Claire sees Singing Angels as a chance to bring together people of all ages in the community and she hopes to encourage other places of worship to also set up groups and has already assisted with a new group which has started at St Mary’s Church, Kingswinford.

Singing Angels will run from 4pm to 5pm in Oldswinford on the second Sunday of each month. There is no charge to join (donations will be welcomed).

For more information email st.mary.os.curate@btconnect.com.