Bridgetown Church Hosts Annual Hymnspeak Event Celebrating Faith and Unity

Bridgetown, Barbados — Hundreds gathered at St Mary’s Anglican Church on May 27 for the annual “Hymnspeak,” an event that brings together people of all ages to sing hymns that reflect their faith and memories.

The special evening was produced and directed by Rev. Dr. Mikie Roberts, who serves as the World Council of Churches (WCC) programme executive for Spiritual Life. This year’s event coincided with the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea and featured the theme “One Church, One Faith, One Lord,” inspired by the hymn “Thy hand O God has guided” by Edward H. Plumptre.

Roberts noted that the hymns selected this year aligned with the themes of the upcoming WCC 6th World Conference of Faith and Order. “The nine hymns all captured the three pillars of the October conference: faith, mission, and unity,” he stated.

The evening included personal testimonies shared by various local church leaders, each reflecting on different hymns. Attendees were led in song by a combined ecumenical choir of 70 members, supported by organ, piano, a combo, and a brass ensemble with timpani.

This year also marks the 32nd anniversary of the Barbados Gospelfest, while Hymnspeak has been celebrated annually since its introduction in 2006. Participants expressed gratitude for the opportunity to come together in worship and community.