ST DAVID’S DAY CELEBRATIONS IN BLACKSTONE

One certainly didn’t have to know numbers in order to feel the many footprints of the Welsh migrants and their subsequent generations who for 123 years have been part of the ‘family’ at Blackstone’s United Welsh Church where on Sunday March 5^th, Alexis, Margaret and members of the ESK COMMUNITY CHOIR accepted a kind invitation to lead in song at the celebration of St. David’s Day. 

With St. David being the patron Saint of Wales, even the dripping humidity of a misplaced Queensland Autumn could not detract from the keeping of customs.  Many of the Blackstone ladies looked resplendent in their traditional Welsh outfits while daffodils and leeks adorning clothing and tables were sure to have been plentiful.

A welcome to all by Secretary Kay Mathie which included a worthy tribute to the Bible Society for their 100^th anniversary was followed by hymns, prayers and readings, initially spoken and sung in the beautiful Welsh language which sadly, nobody but the Welsh themselves could either understand or pronounce though there was no loss in translation when it came to its meaning at this wonderful day of celebration.   

 Delightful too in both voice and traditional dress were the men, women and children of the visiting Tongan United Church whose singing filled the church with joy during the Offering and Dedication. 

Then followed a both entertaining and poignant sermon by guest Anglican Minister, Rev. William Lambert, all these interspersed with the glorious sounds of the Esk Choir to the obvious pleasure of the congregation who, being of good Welsh stock, just love their singing. 

A fitting finale to a feast day of David was the delicious afternoon tea supplied by our hosts in the Church’s anteroom and we of the Esk Community Choir wish to sincerely thank the delightful folk of the Blackstone Uniting Welsh Church for their welcoming fellowship and wonderful hospitality.

by: Susan Walker  

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.

HAPPY 129TH ANNIVERSARY FROM THE ESK COMMUNITY CHOIR

The glint in their eyes and the camaraderie amongst the Congregation told of some long standing and loyal members of Blackstone's United Welsh 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 the walls of which speak of the memories of the generations of Welsh families who were drawn by the prospect of wealth to this tiny part of Queensland 129 years ago. 

On Sunday, 15th July, the ESK COMMUNITY CHOIR was honoured to be invited to perform and partake of their 129 year anniversary celebrations, and so amid an appreciative congregation who, being of good Welsh stock love their singing, the sounds of the Esk Choir soared to the wooden rooftop.  They even had a good crack at the Welsh pronunciations during some mellifluous singing of the Welsh hymns led by their organist, Judith Jenkins.  Following the prayers, readings and an entertaining but poignant Sermon by the Guest Minister, Rev. Robert Walker on the flippant misuse of the word "love" in today’s world, everyone gathered for a delicious afternoon tea provided by the Ladies in the Church’s anteroom.

Sometimes great things come in small packages and when something as great as this little United Welsh Church reaches the age of 129 years, by golly every year is worth celebrating and we of the Esk Community Choir sincerely thank the Blackstone United Welsh Church for their welcoming fellowship and wonderful hospitality.

However, for the last word on the subject of the Sermon,   Rev. Bob... It is true to say that when you love, your eyelashes go up and down and lots of little shining stars come seeping out of you and that's what happens when we sing!!  Ergo...We love to sing!!

By Sue Walker

www.eskchoir.webs.com