ESK COMMUNITY CHOIR HELPS CELEBRATE ST DAVID'S DAY

It was 1.30pm on the very rainy afternoon of March 3rd when members of the ESK COMMUNITY CHOIR gathered in the small weatherboard Church in Thomas Street for warm-ups before their participation in the 2.30pm service to celebrate St David's Day at Blackstone's historical United Welsh Church.

The fellowship and camaraderie among the small congregation told of some long standing and loyal members of this 129 year old church, members who for as long as they can remember, have celebrated their heritage and their ministry to God every Sunday morning in a little wooden Church whose walls speak of the memories of the generations of Welsh families who were drawn by the prospect of wealth to this tiny part of Queensland all those years ago.

And so amid an appreciative congregation who, being of good Welsh stock, love their singing, the sounds of the Choir soared to the wooden rooftop.  They even had a good crack at the Welsh pronunciations during some rousing singing of the hymns led by the Church's organist, Eirys Jones.  Prayers and readings were delivered in the beautiful Welsh language understood only by the Welsh, but here their meanings were all-encompassing and touched every heart. Following the poignant sermon by the Guest minister, Rev. Trevor Foote,  on 'what defines a Church' and the mellifluous singing by the Choir including the sweets sounds of Emily FitzGerald's solo in Agnus Dei, everyone gathered  for a delicious afternoon tea provided by the ladies in the Church's anteroom.

It is the singing that anchors us all amid any turbulence and only cancellation of the day's Service due to flooding would have prevented the honoring of the kind invitation by Rev. Goodacre to be a part of the St David's Day celebrations.  The Esk Community Choir members would sincerely  like to thank the Blackstone United Welsh Church for their welcoming fellowship and wonderful hospitality.