A WEEKEND of celebrations brought past members and friends back together to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Elfed Avenue United Church as a place of worship earlier this month.

An exhibition was held in the church on Saturday, October 11, when exhibits from Christ Church and St David’s (now being Elfed Avenue United Church), weddings, uniformed organisations, church activities, together with a stand indicating the past ministers of the churches, were all displayed for visitors to enjoy.

People from near and far flocked in from 10am to meet up, see the exhibition, have a coffee and reminisce about their time in the church, some not having met up in 40 years.

At 6pm on Saturday more than 80 people arrived for a delicious buffet of cold meats, salads and dessert. Again, the church hall and the church were buzzing with laughter and fellowship as the evening went on, being thoroughly enjoyed by all who came.

Sunday morning, October 12, brought a ‘celebratory service of worship on the site’, the service being led by the current Minister, Revd Sue Fender, and the sermon given by Revd David Smith, one of the past Ministers of the church. Prayers of thanksgiving were said by Mrs June Maxwell, Moderator of the South East Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Wales and prayers of intercession given by Revd Simon Walkling, Moderator of the URC National Synod of Wales.

Mrs Rachel Kjellstadli, community outreach worker for the church, read Psalm 100:5 and spoke about God’s faithfulness to the church over the years and how it still stands strong within the community.

“God so loved the world” from the ‘the Crucifixion’ (J. Stainer) was sung as the anthem and the church band accompanied some of the hymns. Mrs Ruth Yates played the organ and Mr Alex Fender accompanied one of the hymns, composed by himself for the occasion, on the piano.

Revd Fender used a modern form of the Communion Service, with responses by the congregation, and the service concluded very appropriately with the hymn “Lord for the years….” Following the service everyone went over to the church hall for coffee, Bar-a-brith and Welsh Cakes.

Elfed Avenue United Church would like to thank the Penarth Town Mayor, Martin Turner and Town Mayoress Mrs Dorothy Turner for their presence on both days.