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Stacy Evans
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Sunday, September 30, 2007, was the occasion of this gymanfa at the picturesque setting of Nebo Church in the rolling hills of Gallia County near Rio Grande, Ohio. There was a morning session, and intersession lunch outdoors under the picnic shelter, and the afternoon session. This gymanfa was different from any other that I have attended. It was not only a gymanfa ganu but also a gymanfa pregethu. |
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The gymanfa pregethu is a Welsh tradition that brings together preachers for preaching to the gathered assembly. In the morning the Rev. Robert Hughes of Akron, Ohio, preached, while in the afternoon the Rev. Deian Evans of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, preached. There were memorial moments in the morning session led by Mildred Bangert of Oak Hill. Menna Morgan from the National Library of Wales was a guest speaker at the morning session after Rev. Hughes preached.
The gymanfa ganu was led by Mari Morgan, the director of the North American Welsh Choir (Cor Cymry Gogledd America). Mari also sang a solo during the morning session. There was great congregational singing of Welsh hymns known by nearly all those gathered. In the afternoon, Mari divided the congregation into singing parts for a rousing rendition of "Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah." She announced to everyone the tour of the North American Welsh Choir to Patagonia, Argentina, in the fall of 2008.
Rev. Kathryn Loxley of the Nebo Church welcomed everyone in the morning and Evan E. Davis of Oak Hill offered greetings in the afternoon. Devotions in the morning session were presented by Joan Owen Mandry and in the afternoon by Elizabeth Davis.
The event was sponsored by the Central Southeast Ohio Association of Welsh Congregational Churches.
Picture from http://www.galliagenealogy.org/scenes3/index.htm
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An invitation to join our celebration of the 150th anniversary of Jones Road Congregational Church CCCC
With a Gymanfa Ganu on September 21st, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. followed by a Te Bach
The church is located at 8000 Jones Road, Cleveland, OH 44105, approximately 1 mile east of the I -77 North exit at Harvard Avenue. Contact Dorothy Moore at 216-341-2353 for further information
Brief History
A small number of Welsh people emigrated from Wales to Newburgh early in the early 1850's. There were about twenty-five Welsh people in all, who worked in the Cleveland Rolling Mill started by David I. Jones and his brother John. At this time the little band was like the Israelites of old; they were pilgrims and sojourners, yet perfectly conscious of being led by God's hand. Cottage prayer meetings began and continued regularly until the organization of the church in the fall of 1858.
The church was called The South Cleveland Welsh Congregational Church in 1860 when they worshipped in a small building on Wales Street (now East 86th Street). After sixteen years the building was found to be inadequate and unworthy for such a church. In 1876 the trustees purchased land on Jones Street and erected the current building. The church was named The Centennial Welsh Congregational Church as it was dedicated in recognition of the 100th anniversary celebration of our country. The current name was adopted in 1917 upon incorporation by the State of Ohio.
The pastor, Reverend Peter Parry, became the minister in 1978 and has led the small congregation spiritually and in stewardship, community service and missions for thirty years.
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