Getting a Syrian family to Lethbridge is becoming more of a reality thanks to a fundraiser in the city last Friday.
People gathered at St. Augustine’s Church downtown on Oct. 30 to partake in musical performances to help raise money to bring a Syrian refugee family to Lethbridge.
The large multi-faith coalition joined forces with other concerned people at the University of Lethbridge to create the group.
Professor Brian Black with the university music department was in charge of arranging the acts for the concert.
“The idea for a concert came about through work done by St. Augustine’s Church and the University of Lethbridge music department,” Black said.
Performers included the LCI Singers from Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, the Incanto Singers from the University of Lethbridge Music Conservatory at Casa, the U of L Singers from the university music department, as well as several alumni performing solo pieces as interludes.
James Robinson, Canon with St. Augustine’s Church, says that the way different groups came together speaks volumes about the community.
“It takes a place like Lethbridge, for the size we are, that somehow allows all these different groups to get together and work together for a common cause,” he said.
The refugee committee at St. Augustine’s formed a little over a month ago sparked by a sermon on the Good Samaritan.
“Out of that, we had this extraordinary committee of 15 people that then found itself part of this wonderful alliance,” Robinson said.
Judith Robinson expanded on how the Anglican group became involved with the larger group as a whole.
“There was a group already functioning through the university,” she said. “There’s also a group of doctors as well as well as two other Anglican churches in Taber and Coaldale, so we chose to unite with these local groups to help bring in 14 people.”
Plans are currently in the works to schedule two more fundraiser concerts by the spring of next year.

The Incanto Singers from the University of Lethbridge Music Conservatory get ready for the start of the From Syria to Lethbridge concert at St. Augustine’s Church on Oct. 30.

Judith Robinson talks chats with people before the From Syria to Lethbridge benefit concert at St. Augustine’s Church on Oct. 30.