Faith in Action is a “higher powered” women’s a cappella group, combining a taste of jazz with a big gospel sound. Founded in March of 1996 in Boston, the ad hoc group sang the same song (Sweet Honey in the Rock’s “We Are”) over several months for church-related events, culminating a performance at New York’s Madison Square Garden in August 1996 for several thousand church members from DC to Maine.

After this appearance, they decided that maybe God had a plan for them, and that it was time to add to their one-song repertoire. So they chose a group name, added another member, and wrote and learned some of their own compositions.

FIA has performed with the Boston a cappella community (at a cappella showcases, clubs, and East Coast A Cappella Summits), gospel concerts, for a variety of benefit events, and on WGBH-TV with Bobby McFerrin. They also placed third at the Boston Regional Harmony Sweepstakes in 1999.

Now to celebrate their ten-year anniversary as a group, they called back some former members to produce their long talked-about CD. On one level, it is a collection of songs about “faith in action,” as we all face life’s storms, as we hold on to eternal promises, and as we pray or praise or meditate. On another level, the CD is a testimony to God’s power to bring together five to ten women at a time, exposing just how different they are in personality, style, temperament and life situation, to forge power in unity and magical synergy.

They are about courage, vision, mercy, love, truth, peace, and faith…in action.

The members of Faith in Action are Janet Appleby, Darlene Burgess, Suzanne Clark, Toni Franklin, Maureen Ghoman, Rebecca Harrold-DaSilva, Julie Kinscheck, Jessica Lewis, Sharon Metzger, and Sarah Morehead.

Here are the songs on the CD:

2 R Better Than One

Courage My Soul

It’ Ain’t Right

Promises

Down to the River to Pray

We Are

Jesus, Since the Day

He Shall Be Like a Tree

Show Me the Way

Bright Glory (If You Miss Me)