By Mark Abromaitis
THE ERICKSON TRI BUNE

Along with the Cardinal Clubhouse in May, Maris Grove is preparing to open an interfaith chapel for worship at Maris Grove.

And now they have a choir to go along with it. As an active member of the interfaith group at Maris Grove, Toni Kaufman says she received many requests from residents who wanted to include sacred music as part of their campus religious services.

Already a member of the community chorus, Kaufman approached Pastoral Ministries Manager Rev. Richard Sutton and suggested forming a separate “Fellowship Choir” to perform sacred music for the Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, and non-denominational religious services held in the community.

The idea was welcomed with open arms. With Rev. Sutton’s blessing, Kaufman began to advertise on the community’s Channel 21 TV station and by word-of- mouth, and they held the first rehearsal in January. The choir is open to all residents, regardless of musical or vocal ability, and so far, almost 40 residents have joined.

They participated in the first interfaith service in late February. “We invited everyone who loves to celebrate their faith through music to join us and share their gifts,” Kaufman says. “It is a wonderful testimony to the residents of Maris Grove who are so willing to share their talents to enhance the religious services in our community.”

Rev. Sutton is pleased to see the continued growth of the religious groups at Maris Grove. With the formation of the Fellowship Choir, sacred music will be included in all worship services, as well as for special occasions and holidays.

“By their own desire, residents of all faiths have come together to contribute to each others’ spiritual services,” says Rev. Sutton. “Members of the choir are learning the songs that are significant to each of the faiths and sharing their individual gifts to add meaning to the worship and Shabbat services on campus.”