From the four walls of the church to the community: This is the motto of the Sabbath School action units at the Santos Dumont Adventist Church in Vila Velha, Espírito Santo, Brazil. There, the members have created a social project that teaches music (singing and instruments) to the community around the church.
The Mãos que Tocam ("Hands that Touch"—alternatively, "Hands that Play") project takes place every other Sunday in a space above the church. Participants take choir lessons, learn music theory, and practice on instruments such as the flute and violin. The group includes children, young people, and adults—Adventists and friends from the community.
"Sabbath School is a missionary school. And this project is our church's response to Christ's call: to identify what is needed by the people around us, to go in search of it, to offer it, and to be willing. By doing this, the church grows and makes Christ's name known," explained Dayana dos Santos, leader of the Santos Dumont Sabbath School.
The original version of this story was posted on the South American Division Portuguese-language news site.