HAPPY 139TH PENBLWYDD…THAT’S ANNIVERSARY…FROM THE ESK COMMUNITY CHOIR!

 

The congregation may have been sparse on the afternoon of July 17^th but the footprints of generations of the Welsh migrants who were drawn by the prospect of wealth to this tiny part of Queensland one hundred and thirty-nine years ago were many, and indeed felt within those ancient timber walls when Alexis, Margaret and the Esk Community Choir came to lead in song at the heritage listed Blackstone United Welsh Church.

A warm welcome by Chairman Errol George was followed by prayers, readings, and hymns, printed in the first instance in that beautiful but indecipherable language of Wales…words which nobody but the Welsh themselves have the faintest idea whatsoever of their meaning…not a clue!  However, there was no loss in translation when it came to the joy of their singing on this wonderful day of celebration, some choir members even having a good crack at the Welsh pronunciations during some mellifluous singing of the Welsh hymns, led by organist, Eirys Jones.

Officiating on this day, Rev. Robert Howells, from the Leichhardt Baptist Church spoke of the power of prayer and faith; of the origins of this Church and the members who, for as long as they can remember, have celebrated their heritage and their ministry to God within its walls every Sunday.

On this day, the Esk Community Choir was honoured to be invited to perform and partake of this very special 139^th anniversary and so to an appreciative congregation who, being of good Welsh stock love their singing, the sounds of choral singing soared to the wooden rooftop.  Following the service, choir and congregation were invited to partake of a delicious afternoon tea in the vestry.  

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

By: Sue Walker   

Christina and Jo enjoyed the fellowship after the service

Our amazing Margaret sharing afternoon tea.

Nola set to enjoy the Welsh hospitality.

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