We were delighted to welcome members of Grace Bible Church on Christmas Eve for an afternoon of bilingual caroling at South Hill Village in Spokane, WA. Their thoughtful performance brought residents together with familiar holiday melodies and traditional Slavic songs, making the celebration truly special and memorable for everyone.
This wonderfully themed event was inspired by Ashley Shields, our Memory Care Coordinator, who recalled how much residents enjoyed a previous visit from a Slavic church group. Recognizing the positive impact music has on memory care residents, Ashley reached out to Liliia Tomchuck, one of our Memory Care Partners, whose church community includes several Slavic members. We are so grateful that her congregation was excited to share their voices with us.
Over ten members of Grace Bible Church joined us on Christmas Eve, performing in both AB House and CD House for our memory care residents. The attending group blended beloved English carols with traditional Slavic songs, creating a joyful and inclusive atmosphere. Even without a formal choir, their worship group put together a meaningful bilingual set list that made the afternoon extra special for everyone involved.
Songs that Connect Communities Across Cultures
For residents, the caroling offered more than entertainment; it created a shared experience rooted in familiarity, trust, and cultural connection. Seeing Liliia sing alongside members of her church added a personal layer to the event, bridging her role as a caregiver with her life outside the community.
“We’ve had a Slavic church come before, and the residents loved it, so I asked Liliia if her church could come,” said Ashley Shields. “The residents know her, they trust her, and now they get to hear her sing carols in her own language alongside the traditional ones. It was one of those events where everyone felt like they were part of something bigger than just a performance.”
The combination of music, language, and familiar faces created an atmosphere of warmth and inclusion, reinforcing the meaningfulness of partnerships with our senior living community.
At South Hill Village, Experience a Community That Always Celebrates the Season
At South Hill Village, we design holiday programming to create moments of connection that resonate personally with residents. We incorporate music, tradition, and trusted relationships, and events like the Christmas Eve caroling showcase our commitment to meaningful engagement.
Proudly serving Spokane and surrounding neighborhoods, South Hill Village offers memory care, assisted living, and independent living centered on connection, compassion, and shared moments. We invite you to contact us today to see how our community brings people together, both during the holidays and throughout the year.