Welcome! Voices In Praise exists for the glory of God and in service to others. As the youth choir of Friendship United Methodist Church, the group is open to all youth in grades 6 -12 who have a desire to sing and a willingness to make the commitment to the group. Singers are not required to be a member of the church or to have any background in singing. Our doors are open to everyone!
The choir rehearses on Mondays. Girls rehearse from 6:30pm – 8pm; Guys rehearse from 7pm – 8:30pm.
New singers are welcome any time. Feel free to contact Director Holly Reynolds Lee at 301-728-1748 with questions!
The choir rehearses on Mondays. Girls rehearse from 6:30pm – 8pm; Guys rehearse from 7pm – 8:30pm.New singers are welcome any time. Feel free to contact Director Holly Reynolds Lee at 301-728-1748 with questions!
Heading to Voronezh
VIP is heading to Voronezh on Friday and will probably not have wireless accesss until Monday. We will catch up with you as soon as we can!
Heading to Voronezh
VIP is heading to Voronezh on Friday and will probably not have wireless accesss until Monday. We will catch up with you as soon as we can!
Thursday Report
Yesterday, we did a lot of touring during the day, and had one concert. In the morning, we went into St. Petersburg and took a boat tour through the city, which was very interesting because we got to see some of the most famous sites in St. Petersburg, from a boat! It was very cold and rainy outside, but a lot of us stayed on the top deck of the boat so that we could take lots of pictures, and really get to see everything while our tour guide told us about each important site. After the boat tour, we went to St. Isaac's cathedral, which is one of the largest churches in the world, and had the opportunity to go and look around by ourselves, and just absorb the beauty that St. Isaaac's held. While we were at the cathedral, some of the VIP's and parents climbed about 260 steps to the top of the cathedral, with an amazing view of the city. After we left St. Isaac's, we went to lunch at a local restaurant. Then, we went to a market, where we had the opportunity to shop for souvenirs, which was a lot of fun. After we left the market, we took a tour of Peter and Paul fortress, which we saw as a part of our boat tour, but we got to also see the inside of the fortress, along with the rest of what it ha to offer us. The inside of the fortress was very cool because when we went into the main building, it contained the tombs of previous Russian leaders and their families! After we left the fortress, we went to a very nice restaurant, and had a traditional Russain meal before going back to the university dorms. When we got to the dorms, we held a concert in the assembly hall on the campus for 3 different local Methodist congregations. Partway through our concert, they told us that they had a surprise for us,which turned out to be a Russian folk group who played instruments, sang, and danced to traditional Russian music, which, without any other word to describe it, was amazing! It was so much fun singing and dancing with the group, and then after the concert, we gave the churches toys and puppets for their ministry work with children. We ended the night with devo, and went to pack our suitcases because tomorrow we would be embarking on the next leg of our adventure, Veronezh!
Thursday Report
Yesterday, we did a lot of touring during the day, and had one concert. In the morning, we went into St. Petersburg and took a boat tour through the city, which was very interesting because we got to see some of the most famous sites in St. Petersburg, from a boat! It was very cold and rainy outside, but a lot of us stayed on the top deck of the boat so that we could take lots of pictures, and really get to see everything while our tour guide told us about each important site. After the boat tour, we went to St. Isaac's cathedral, which is one of the largest churches in the world, and had the opportunity to go and look around by ourselves, and just absorb the beauty that St. Isaaac's held. While we were at the cathedral, some of the VIP's and parents climbed about 260 steps to the top of the cathedral, with an amazing view of the city. After we left St. Isaac's, we went to lunch at a local restaurant. Then, we went to a market, where we had the opportunity to shop for souvenirs, which was a lot of fun. After we left the market, we took a tour of Peter and Paul fortress, which we saw as a part of our boat tour, but we got to also see the inside of the fortress, along with the rest of what it ha to offer us. The inside of the fortress was very cool because when we went into the main building, it contained the tombs of previous Russian leaders and their families! After we left the fortress, we went to a very nice restaurant, and had a traditional Russain meal before going back to the university dorms. When we got to the dorms, we held a concert in the assembly hall on the campus for 3 different local Methodist congregations. Partway through our concert, they told us that they had a surprise for us,which turned out to be a Russian folk group who played instruments, sang, and danced to traditional Russian music, which, without any other word to describe it, was amazing! It was so much fun singing and dancing with the group, and then after the concert, we gave the churches toys and puppets for their ministry work with children. We ended the night with devo, and went to pack our suitcases because tomorrow we would be embarking on the next leg of our adventure, Veronezh!
Wednesday Report
Wednesday Report Written by Allison So far, Russia has been amazing. For the small time we have been here already, we have done and experienced so much. It's still hard for me to wrap my mind around the fact that VIP has flown across the world to Russia and is getting to do things that, without VIP, most would never have the opportunity to. However, in the midst of all the excitement and "doing", it can be easy to forget why we are really here. Why we flew to the opposite side of world to Russia.It wasn't for site seeing, though that is certainly an amazing part of the trip. We came here for God. We came for faith. We came because we believe in extending the hand of God across the world to those who otherwise might never be exposed to suck love and mercy. We came because we care. On Wednesday, in the morning we visited The Hermitage museum which was a once in a lifetime opportunity that VIP was eager to take. In The Hermitage there are several buildings holding millions of historical artifacts. One amazing part of The Hermitage was the restored Winter Palace where Russia's royals would spend there holidays. It was incredible to climb the same stairs that Peter the Great climbed. But, even in the center of all the fun, we still have a purpose. Later that day, VIP visited a Russian orphanage, which is another once in a lifetime opportunity but most people if given the choice, would probably choose to go site seeing rather than take a heart wrenching visit to an orphanage. But, we have a job to do and the passion and faith to make it happen. After VIP was in our rows and the children filed in I realized something. Faith is more than attending church services and reading the Bible. Faith is living in the image of Christ and letting all who you can, know that they are loved by Him and that they have a purpose. When VIP began singing, at first the children were a bit unsure. We didn't speak their language or sing the music they were used to but after a few songs, they really began to enjoy themselves. And so did we. The kids clapped along to Kalinka and smiled through our Russian in Skylark. After the concert, VIP handed out toys and stuffed animals to the children and it was the most amazing feeling in the world to hand a stuffed bunny to a little girl who, maybe, had never owned anything of her own. VIP sang with the kids and played with them a bit but soon, it was time to move on to our joint concert with the men's ensemble, Viva, but no one wanted to leave. No one wanted to leave the kids who needed us. Needed faith. We may not have "gained more followers" or anything with that concert, but we accomplished our goals as messengers of Christ. We shared the enormous mercy and love of our great God with others and that is our true mission in Russia. Thank you all so much for all you love and support of that mission.
Wednesday Report
Wednesday Report
Written by Allison
So far, Russia has been amazing. For the small time we have been here already, we have done and experienced so much. It's still hard for me to wrap my mind around the fact that VIP has flown across the world to Russia and is getting to do things that, without VIP, most would never have the opportunity to. However, in the midst of all the excitement and "doing", it can be easy to forget why we are really here. Why we flew to the opposite side of world to Russia.It wasn't for site seeing, though that is certainly an amazing part of the trip. We came here for God. We came for faith. We came because we believe in extending the hand of God across the world to those who otherwise might never be exposed to suck love and mercy. We came because we care.
On Wednesday, in the morning we visited The Hermitage museum which was a once in a lifetime opportunity that VIP was eager to take. In The Hermitage there are several buildings holding millions of historical artifacts. One amazing part of The Hermitage was the restored Winter Palace where Russia's royals would spend there holidays. It was incredible to climb the same stairs that Peter the Great climbed. But, even in the center of all the fun, we still have a purpose.
Later that day, VIP visited a Russian orphanage, which is another once in a lifetime opportunity but most people if given the choice, would probably choose to go site seeing rather than take a heart wrenching visit to an orphanage. But, we have a job to do and the passion and faith to make it happen.
After VIP was in our rows and the children filed in I realized something. Faith is more than attending church services and reading the Bible. Faith is living in the image of Christ and letting all who you can, know that they are loved by Him and that they have a purpose. When VIP began singing, at first the children were a bit unsure. We didn't speak their language or sing the music they were used to but after a few songs, they really began to enjoy themselves. And so did we. The kids clapped along to Kalinka and smiled through our Russian in Skylark.
After the concert, VIP handed out toys and stuffed animals to the children and it was the most amazing feeling in the world to hand a stuffed bunny to a little girl who, maybe, had never owned anything of her own. VIP sang with the kids and played with them a bit but soon, it was time to move on to our joint concert with the men's ensemble, Viva, but no one wanted to leave. No one wanted to leave the kids who needed us. Needed faith. We may not have "gained more followers" or anything with that concert, but we accomplished our goals as messengers of Christ. We shared the enormous mercy and love of our great God with others and that is our true mission in Russia. Thank you all so much for all you love and support of that mission.
Tuesday Report
Tuesday Report
Written by: Maddie Buckley
So, it's the end of day three, and I'm pretty sure that we are all feeling at least a little bit exhausted, but we are having a great time.
Upon arriving yesterday afternoon, we checked into our hotel and then went out to enjoy a traditional 4 course Russian dinner. Some of the food was a bit strange to us, but I don't think as single person went hungry.
Today was our first full day enjoying the country after all of our traveling, and it was pretty exciting. We stared off with a visit to "The Peterhof," the restored palace where the royal Russian families used to reside. Everyone had to wear small plastic booties over their shoes while in the museum section, so we looked a little bit funny. Regardless, the decor was amazing, and the gardens were spectacular and full of fountains. The group especially enjoyed the "trick fountains," which were sections of the path that could spray you with water while you walked over them. We had many VIPs (including Miller, carried by his dad) brave the walk, and we had a lot of wet kids when we got back on the bus.
Our next adventure was yet another traditional Russian meal, and then we were off to our workshop with Sergi Yekimov, a Russian choir director. It was slightly challenging, because everything that he told us had to be translated, but he really helped the group improve our two Russian pieces.
Next, we went and got dinner at a Russian Subway (as in the fast food chain we have back home). It was generally the same, except that we had to order a "30 cm" sub instead of a footlong.
To end our long day, we had our first concert of the tour, at the Lutheran Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul. The acoustics were amazing, and even though we had some rambunctious kids in the audience, the performance went pretty well. After we sang, we got to listen to the Women's Choir of St. Petersburg Music College perform some of their music. Although the style was very different than ours, they sounded fantastic.
Overall, we haven't has any major problems at all. W have learned some very interesting things about Russian culture though. For example, did you know that you don't flush toilet paper here? Or that public restrooms don't have any toilet paper, because they think people will steal it? (you have to carry your own)
We've also discovered how strange it is to experience the "White Nights." It's almost never dark! In fact, right now it's past 10:30, but it isn't even dusk yet. It's very disorienting!
Well, it's time for a good nights sleep. We have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow, including a visit to the Hermitage and two concerts -- the first one is at a Children's Home. The second one is another formal concert, this time with a men's group called "Viva."
We will continue updating the blog to stay in touch and will try to upload some photos.
Hope everything is going well back there in Maryland! Love and miss you all!
Written by: Maddie Buckley
So, it's the end of day three, and I'm pretty sure that we are all feeling at least a little bit exhausted, but we are having a great time.
Upon arriving yesterday afternoon, we checked into our hotel and then went out to enjoy a traditional 4 course Russian dinner. Some of the food was a bit strange to us, but I don't think as single person went hungry.
Today was our first full day enjoying the country after all of our traveling, and it was pretty exciting. We stared off with a visit to "The Peterhof," the restored palace where the royal Russian families used to reside. Everyone had to wear small plastic booties over their shoes while in the museum section, so we looked a little bit funny. Regardless, the decor was amazing, and the gardens were spectacular and full of fountains. The group especially enjoyed the "trick fountains," which were sections of the path that could spray you with water while you walked over them. We had many VIPs (including Miller, carried by his dad) brave the walk, and we had a lot of wet kids when we got back on the bus.
Our next adventure was yet another traditional Russian meal, and then we were off to our workshop with Sergi Yekimov, a Russian choir director. It was slightly challenging, because everything that he told us had to be translated, but he really helped the group improve our two Russian pieces.
Next, we went and got dinner at a Russian Subway (as in the fast food chain we have back home). It was generally the same, except that we had to order a "30 cm" sub instead of a footlong.
To end our long day, we had our first concert of the tour, at the Lutheran Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul. The acoustics were amazing, and even though we had some rambunctious kids in the audience, the performance went pretty well. After we sang, we got to listen to the Women's Choir of St. Petersburg Music College perform some of their music. Although the style was very different than ours, they sounded fantastic.
Overall, we haven't has any major problems at all. W have learned some very interesting things about Russian culture though. For example, did you know that you don't flush toilet paper here? Or that public restrooms don't have any toilet paper, because they think people will steal it? (you have to carry your own)
We've also discovered how strange it is to experience the "White Nights." It's almost never dark! In fact, right now it's past 10:30, but it isn't even dusk yet. It's very disorienting!
Well, it's time for a good nights sleep. We have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow, including a visit to the Hermitage and two concerts -- the first one is at a Children's Home. The second one is another formal concert, this time with a men's group called "Viva."
We will continue updating the blog to stay in touch and will try to upload some photos.
Hope everything is going well back there in Maryland! Love and miss you all!
Tuesday Report
Tuesday Report
Written by: Maddie Buckley
So, it's the end of day three, and I'm pretty sure that we are all feeling at least a little bit exhausted, but we are having a great time.
Upon arriving yesterday afternoon, we checked into our hotel and then went out to enjoy a traditional 4 course Russian dinner. Some of the food was a bit strange to us, but I don't think as single person went hungry.
Today was our first full day enjoying the country after all of our traveling, and it was pretty exciting. We stared off with a visit to "The Peterhof," the restored palace where the royal Russian families used to reside. Everyone had to wear small plastic booties over their shoes while in the museum section, so we looked a little bit funny. Regardless, the decor was amazing, and the gardens were spectacular and full of fountains. The group especially enjoyed the "trick fountains," which were sections of the path that could spray you with water while you walked over them. We had many VIPs (including Miller, carried by his dad) brave the walk, and we had a lot of wet kids when we got back on the bus.
Our next adventure was yet another traditional Russian meal, and then we were off to our workshop with Sergi Yekimov, a Russian choir director. It was slightly challenging, because everything that he told us had to be translated, but he really helped the group improve our two Russian pieces.
Next, we went and got dinner at a Russian Subway (as in the fast food chain we have back home). It was generally the same, except that we had to order a "30 cm" sub instead of a footlong.
To end our long day, we had our first concert of the tour, at the Lutheran Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul. The acoustics were amazing, and even though we had some rambunctious kids in the audience, the performance went pretty well. After we sang, we got to listen to the Women's Choir of St. Petersburg Music College perform some of their music. Although the style was very different than ours, they sounded fantastic.
Overall, we haven't has any major problems at all. W have learned some very interesting things about Russian culture though. For example, did you know that you don't flush toilet paper here? Or that public restrooms don't have any toilet paper, because they think people will steal it? (you have to carry your own)
We've also discovered how strange it is to experience the "White Nights." It's almost never dark! In fact, right now it's past 10:30, but it isn't even dusk yet. It's very disorienting!
Well, it's time for a good nights sleep. We have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow, including a visit to the Hermitage and two concerts -- the first one is at a Children's Home. The second one is another formal concert, this time with a men's group called "Viva."
We will continue updating the blog to stay in touch and will try to upload some photos.
Hope everything is going well back there in Maryland! Love and miss you all!
Written by: Maddie Buckley
So, it's the end of day three, and I'm pretty sure that we are all feeling at least a little bit exhausted, but we are having a great time.
Upon arriving yesterday afternoon, we checked into our hotel and then went out to enjoy a traditional 4 course Russian dinner. Some of the food was a bit strange to us, but I don't think as single person went hungry.
Today was our first full day enjoying the country after all of our traveling, and it was pretty exciting. We stared off with a visit to "The Peterhof," the restored palace where the royal Russian families used to reside. Everyone had to wear small plastic booties over their shoes while in the museum section, so we looked a little bit funny. Regardless, the decor was amazing, and the gardens were spectacular and full of fountains. The group especially enjoyed the "trick fountains," which were sections of the path that could spray you with water while you walked over them. We had many VIPs (including Miller, carried by his dad) brave the walk, and we had a lot of wet kids when we got back on the bus.
Our next adventure was yet another traditional Russian meal, and then we were off to our workshop with Sergi Yekimov, a Russian choir director. It was slightly challenging, because everything that he told us had to be translated, but he really helped the group improve our two Russian pieces.
Next, we went and got dinner at a Russian Subway (as in the fast food chain we have back home). It was generally the same, except that we had to order a "30 cm" sub instead of a footlong.
To end our long day, we had our first concert of the tour, at the Lutheran Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul. The acoustics were amazing, and even though we had some rambunctious kids in the audience, the performance went pretty well. After we sang, we got to listen to the Women's Choir of St. Petersburg Music College perform some of their music. Although the style was very different than ours, they sounded fantastic.
Overall, we haven't has any major problems at all. W have learned some very interesting things about Russian culture though. For example, did you know that you don't flush toilet paper here? Or that public restrooms don't have any toilet paper, because they think people will steal it? (you have to carry your own)
We've also discovered how strange it is to experience the "White Nights." It's almost never dark! In fact, right now it's past 10:30, but it isn't even dusk yet. It's very disorienting!
Well, it's time for a good nights sleep. We have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow, including a visit to the Hermitage and two concerts -- the first one is at a Children's Home. The second one is another formal concert, this time with a men's group called "Viva."
We will continue updating the blog to stay in touch and will try to upload some photos.
Hope everything is going well back there in Maryland! Love and miss you all!
How tall is this bus?
How tall is this bus?
Written by: Holly
Written by: Holly
Now that I've finally recovered from the scare, I'm able to tell you -- we nearly missed our international flight. We left church a few minutes late but made up time on the road. We pulled out at about 10:20am and needed to be at JFK airport for check in at 4pm. Our flight departed at 7pm.
Everything was fine and dandy, and we were nearing JFK when we suddenly found ourselves detouring through NYC neighborhoods. Our driver had to turn off because he saw clearance signs of 10' 8". Our bus was 11' 5". The directions our driver had would work for a regular passenger vehicle but NOT for a bus.
We were lost. And while we knew where JFK was, our driver did not know how to get there. We searched in vain to find the "truck route" to the airport, while the clock just kept ticking. I called the Aeroflot counter at 4:30pm and told them what was happening. They said that check in closed at 6pm and despite the fact that we had 46 seats booked, they could not hold the plane.
Our driver finally put in a call to his colleagues, and got directions. We pulled into JFK at about 5:28pm. The VIPs followed instructions like champs and moved quickly to unload the bus and get to the counter. Aeroflot, much to their credit, had every available agent helping us. Security was kind. And the VIPs stayed focused on the goal: get on the plane.
While a few of us had a wild sprint to the gate, we made it. Hallelujah!
How tall is this bus?
How tall is this bus?
Written by: Holly
Written by: Holly
Now that I've finally recovered from the scare, I'm able to tell you -- we nearly missed our international flight. We left church a few minutes late but made up time on the road. We pulled out at about 10:20am and needed to be at JFK airport for check in at 4pm. Our flight departed at 7pm.
Everything was fine and dandy, and we were nearing JFK when we suddenly found ourselves detouring through NYC neighborhoods. Our driver had to turn off because he saw clearance signs of 10' 8". Our bus was 11' 5". The directions our driver had would work for a regular passenger vehicle but NOT for a bus.
We were lost. And while we knew where JFK was, our driver did not know how to get there. We searched in vain to find the "truck route" to the airport, while the clock just kept ticking. I called the Aeroflot counter at 4:30pm and told them what was happening. They said that check in closed at 6pm and despite the fact that we had 46 seats booked, they could not hold the plane.
Our driver finally put in a call to his colleagues, and got directions. We pulled into JFK at about 5:28pm. The VIPs followed instructions like champs and moved quickly to unload the bus and get to the counter. Aeroflot, much to their credit, had every available agent helping us. Security was kind. And the VIPs stayed focused on the goal: get on the plane.
While a few of us had a wild sprint to the gate, we made it. Hallelujah!
Safe and Sound in Saint Petersburg
A quick note to let you all know that we are safe and sound in Saint Petersburg! Maddie will post an update on our travel adventures, and we'll have more to share tomorrow. It's time for bed here-- even though the sun still hasn't set.
Safe and Sound in Saint Petersburg
A quick note to let you all know that we are safe and sound in Saint Petersburg! Maddie will post an update on our travel adventures, and we'll have more to share tomorrow. It's time for bed here-- even though the sun still hasn't set.
Heading to JFK
Dobra utra! We are on the bus heading to JFK after an exciting morning of bag checking, organizing, and singing, of course. Our performance at the 8:30 service went off without a hitch and with much support from Friendship; we even received a standing ovation! We'll be flying through the night as we travel to St. Petersburg, and it's clear that all the VIPs are eagerly looking forward to all that lies ahead of us. Written by Ashley & Katherine
Heading to JFK
Dobra utra! We are on the bus heading to JFK after an exciting morning of bag checking, organizing, and singing, of course. Our performance at the 8:30 service went off without a hitch and with much support from Friendship; we even received a standing ovation! We'll be flying through the night as we travel to St. Petersburg, and it's clear that all the VIPs are eagerly looking forward to all that lies ahead of us.
Written by Ashley & Katherine
VIP Farewell Concert
Friday, June 22 at 7:30pm
Grace Brethren Church
9870 Old Solomons Island Road, Owings, MD 20736
Please join us at our Russia Farewell Concert! You'll hear the music we'll be singing in Russia and we'll get to say goodbye before our journey across the globe.
We are collecting small toys and stuffed animals to be given to children in orphanages and hospitals where we will be singing. You are invited to bring new or gently used items to the concert.
A free will offering will be collected at the concert to support our work in Russia.
VIP Farewell Concert
Friday, June 22 at 7:30pm
Grace Brethren Church
9870 Old Solomons Island Road, Owings, MD 20736
Please join us at our Russia Farewell Concert! You'll hear the music we'll be singing in Russia and we'll get to say goodbye before our journey across the globe.
We are collecting small toys and stuffed animals to be given to children in orphanages and hospitals where we will be singing. You are invited to bring new or gently used items to the concert.
A free will offering will be collected at the concert to support our work in Russia.
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