Below is an answer to the
question "Who was St. David" written by Alice
Bushong Gomer UCC's Music Committee chairperson
Who Was St. David?
Our Welsh Patron Saint,
also known as Dewi Sant, was born about 520 A.D. His mother was
named Non and his father was a Welsh Clan Chieftain.
Christianity had been brought to Wales about a century before
St. David's birth, but it was the Celtic Church variety of Christianity
about which little was known among non-Celtic people.
Dewi Sant became a Monk and modeled his life on the desert monks
of Egypt. He existed on vegetables along with bread and water.
He immersed himself in cold water for hours on end, and abstained
from wine. Thus he was nicknamed "The Waterman."
When David was born the Welsh people were divided between Christians
and non-Christians. Under his leadership Christianity extended
to all the Welsh people. He founded a dozen monasteries and his
name is associated with over 50 surviving churches.
St. David died on March 1, 600 A.D. thus his "day" is
March 1, marking his death, not is birth. The reliquary in Holy
Trinity Chapel, St. David's Cathedral, is believed to hold the
bones of St. David and his friend, St. Justinian.
As early as 900 A.D. the Welsh people were singing in vocal parts.
The first Welsh hymnals were produced around 1600 A.D.
And so today, as we gather to honor St. David, a patron saint
of Wales, let us all gather together to sing.
Alice Bushong Music Committee Chairperson Gomer, Ohio
Gomer United Church of Christ Celebrates St. David's Day on the first Saturday in March with a steak and chicken dinner followed by an evening service of singing with choirs from other ecumenical churches participating and joining with Gomer's choir. The walls seem reverberate with sound for days after.
For our 2001 St. David's Day celebration area choirs will again participate along with Gomer's choir:
Last Year's Participants
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Lima, Ohio
Director: Mr.James Blanchong
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Trinity United Methodist
Church
Delphos, Ohio
Director: Mrs. Debra Frysinger
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St. Michaels Catholic Church
Kalida, Ohio
Director: Mr. Steve Unverferth
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Mass Choir Numbers:
From Welsh Hymnal
Arglwydd Dyma Fi (Gwahoddiad)
Cwm Rhondda ( Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah)
BELOW IS A TEXT COPY OF 1997's St. David's Day Program at Gomer UCC
To be born Welsh
Is to be born privileged.
Not with a silver spoon
In your mouth,
But music in your blood
And poetry in your soul.
ST. DAVID'S DAY PROGRAM
Saturday, March 1, 1997
Gomer, Ohio
7:00 P.M.
Prelude "Men of Harlech" Dorothy
(Procession of the Guests) & Martha Britt
Opening Anthem "Let There Be Music" Directed by:
David Britt (Gomer Senior
Choir) Invocation Rev. Brian Knoderer
Welcome Alice Bushong, Music Comm. Chrm.
Gomer Carol Choir "Dring I Fyny" Heather Nusbaum, Director
Welsh National Anthem Sung by: Ross Thomas
Guest Choir St. Gerards Catholic Church, Lima, Ohio
Directed by:
Guest Soloists "The Townsmen", Gomer U.C.C.
David Britt, Tenor, Ross Thomas, Lead,
Tim Larimore, Baritone, & Marty Britt, Accompanist
Guest Choir Presbyterian Church, Delphos, Ohio
Directed by:
Gomer Senior Choir Directed by: Jim Dyke
Combined Choirs "Bryn Myrddin" G.H.#23 Directed by:
Jim Dyke
"Cwm Rhonda" G.H. #40
Farewell Song "We'll Keep A Welcome" Sung by: David Britt
Benediction Rev. Brian Knoderer
Parting Song "God Be With You" G.H.#117 Congregation
(One Verse Only)
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