25 Apr 2025, 13:26Adina Lupu | Edited by SM CommunicationsGlasgow City, Scotland, United Kingdom
Glasgow Teens Share Hope and Joy in Easter Outreach
During the recent Easter weekend, young members of Glasgow Church participated in a community outreach, spreading the message of Christ’s resurrection through song and service, including visits to a local care home and Beatson Hospital, where they brought joy, comfort, and hope to elderly residents and cancer patients alike.
During the recent Easter weekend, young members of Glasgow Church were inspired to take part in a community outreach, sharing the message of Christ’s resurrection through song and service. On Sabbath afternoon, a group of over 20 teens from the Glasgow Adventist Melodies Choir and the Pathfinder Club visited a local care home to bring Easter cheer to its elderly residents.
The initiative was led by musical director Allan Zukowski, whose passion lies in involving youth in meaningful, community-focused ministry. Zukowski reflected on the programme, noting that the teens delivered a beautiful message of salvation through songs such as Power in the Blood and When You Believe. Despite the musical challenges, the teens did very well, and the elderly residents of the care home responded enthusiastically, singing along and clapping. The programme was designed to encourage interaction, allowing the residents to join in, answer questions about the music, and reflect on the message of the Cross.
“There was one elderly lady who was crying when we arrived and she seemed quite sad,” he recalled. “But as the music continued, she stopped crying. By the end, she was singing along, clapping and smiling. There is no price for the privilege of seeing the joy in her eyes as we left. This is why we do what we do.”
Zukowski also expressed his gratitude for the support from parents and acknowledged the contributions of his music students and Pathfinder Club members, who helped make the event memorable with their participation and distinctive uniforms.
Young choir member Nathan shared "It meant a lot to sing for the elderly. Some of them seemed lonely, and I felt happy that we could bring them some joy."
Glasgow Pathfinder Club leader Sipho Ncube noted that the visit to the nursing home had been the Pathfinders’ second opportunity to connect with the elderly through songs. He emphasised the importance of regular community outreach and suggested that the Club might “adopt” a nearby nursing home, offering ongoing support and regular visits.
On Easter Sunday, a group of adults and young people returned to the Wellbeing Centre at Beatson Hospital for what has become a regular monthly visit, presenting an Easter-themed programme to cancer patients and their visitors. Although the group was smaller due to limited space in the Centre, the songs had a powerful impact, with both patients and visitors actively engaging with the music and the singers.
Among the performers were four young brothers – Jared (12), Joakim (10), Jaybril (8), and Jemuel (4) – known affectionately in the church as “The J Brothers.” Alongside their mother, Blandine Damtse, they performed three songs that were greatly appreciated by the patients.
Eight-year-old Jaybril expressed his thankfulness for the opportunity to embody Jesus’s love by bringing comfort and joy to cancer patients, describing the disease as 'scary,' making people 'so sad, depressed, and desperate.' Through song, he felt they had helped the patients momentarily forget their pain and find joy – an experience that moved him deeply.
Pastor Claudiu Popescu, who actively supports and encourages community outreach at Glasgow Church, reflected on the significance of the initiatives. Amid a world filled with suffering, conflict, and fear, the Easter message shared by the Glasgow Adventist Gospel and Melodies Choirs highlighted Jesus as the calm centre, with His peace, grace, and mercy surpassing all the turmoil.
During the recent Easter weekend, young members of Glasgow Church participated in a community outreach, spreading the message of Christ’s resurrection through song and service, including visits to a local care home and Beatson Hospital, where they brought joy, comfort, and hope to elderly residents and cancer patients alike.
During the recent Easter weekend, young members of Glasgow Church were inspired to take part in a community outreach, sharing the message of Christ’s resurrection through song and service. On Sabbath afternoon, a group of over 20 teens from the Glasgow Adventist Melodies Choir and the Pathfinder Club visited a local care home to bring Easter cheer to its elderly residents.
The initiative was led by musical director Allan Zukowski, whose passion lies in involving youth in meaningful, community-focused ministry. Zukowski reflected on the programme, noting that the teens delivered a beautiful message of salvation through songs such as Power in the Blood and When You Believe. Despite the musical challenges, the teens did very well, and the elderly residents of the care home responded enthusiastically, singing along and clapping. The programme was designed to encourage interaction, allowing the residents to join in, answer questions about the music, and reflect on the message of the Cross.
“There was one elderly lady who was crying when we arrived and she seemed quite sad,” he recalled. “But as the music continued, she stopped crying. By the end, she was singing along, clapping and smiling. There is no price for the privilege of seeing the joy in her eyes as we left. This is why we do what we do.”
Zukowski also expressed his gratitude for the support from parents and acknowledged the contributions of his music students and Pathfinder Club members, who helped make the event memorable with their participation and distinctive uniforms.
Young choir member Nathan shared "It meant a lot to sing for the elderly. Some of them seemed lonely, and I felt happy that we could bring them some joy."
Glasgow Pathfinder Club leader Sipho Ncube noted that the visit to the nursing home had been the Pathfinders’ second opportunity to connect with the elderly through songs. He emphasised the importance of regular community outreach and suggested that the Club might “adopt” a nearby nursing home, offering ongoing support and regular visits.
On Easter Sunday, a group of adults and young people returned to the Wellbeing Centre at Beatson Hospital for what has become a regular monthly visit, presenting an Easter-themed programme to cancer patients and their visitors. Although the group was smaller due to limited space in the Centre, the songs had a powerful impact, with both patients and visitors actively engaging with the music and the singers.
Among the performers were four young brothers – Jared (12), Joakim (10), Jaybril (8), and Jemuel (4) – known affectionately in the church as “The J Brothers.” Alongside their mother, Blandine Damtse, they performed three songs that were greatly appreciated by the patients.
Eight-year-old Jaybril expressed his thankfulness for the opportunity to embody Jesus’s love by bringing comfort and joy to cancer patients, describing the disease as 'scary,' making people 'so sad, depressed, and desperate.' Through song, he felt they had helped the patients momentarily forget their pain and find joy – an experience that moved him deeply.
Pastor Claudiu Popescu, who actively supports and encourages community outreach at Glasgow Church, reflected on the significance of the initiatives. Amid a world filled with suffering, conflict, and fear, the Easter message shared by the Glasgow Adventist Gospel and Melodies Choirs highlighted Jesus as the calm centre, with His peace, grace, and mercy surpassing all the turmoil.
