SWAAF Day of Fellowship in Barry, Sabbath 29 March 2008
Photos by Theo Gokah
On Sabbath 29 March 2008 the members of the South Wales African Adventist Fellowhip travelled to the Seventh-day Adventist church in Barry for a special day of fellowship and witness. Although there has been an Adventist church in Barry since the 1920s the congregation is now very small and it was felt that the few remaining members would appreciate a visit from their African friends in Cardiff.
Barry, a town with a long history and a number of archaeological monuments serves a population of about 47,000 inhabitants south west of Cardiff. The name Barry was derived from the 6th century Welsh saint, St Baruc, who is believed to have drowned in the Bristol Channel and is buried on Barry Island.
The years before 1884 and immediately after were troubled periods for its inhabitants with constant Viking raids. Barry Island became known as raiders' base in 1087. Until the 1860's Barry Island was still referred to as a place that abounded with rabbits!
The ‘Black Death’ in the 14th century almost finished Barry and it was not until the 17th century that it regained enough momentum ufficiently to be once again termed a village.
What made Barry strong was the growing coal trade which far outstripped nearby facilities at Cardiff docks. This led a group of colliery owners to form the Barry Railway Company and they chose to build the dock at Barry. Barry has since grown into an important town and a popular holiday resort in South Wales.
The theme for the day was: "What makes you strong?" Historical anthropology can point to many things that made Barry strong. The church was a vital force in this development. However, like in many European cities today, the church is less an icon in its socio-religious development. The day of fellowship was therefore to remind Barry of the existence and usefulness of the church in its community.
In his sermon Pastor Newton Kawiliza of Newbold College spoke on the biblical character Samson and reminded the congregation and the people of Barry that they were born to fulfil a special mission and not to become a laughing stock. Sampson did not know that his hair was a mere symbol and that it was God who was in control. By extension, the wealth of Barry, its individual backgrounds and achievements, are all mere symbols. As pilgrims, and as a congregation, we can loose our spiritual sight like Samson lost his eyes and behave like the Philistines who had soon forgotten their experience with the Ark of God.
In the afternoon about twenty people went out to the streets around the church to deliver leaflets reminding local people of the presence of the Barry Adventist church and encouraging them to take up a course of Bible study.