Church celebrates its contribution to Welsh language
The contribution of church people to the Welsh language, its literature and culture will be celebrated in a series of three webinars starting this weekend (March 20).
From the Welsh translation of the Bible and metrical psalms to religious poetry and prose, this first series of webinars, called Caring For Our Vineyard, will chronicle the contribution of some eminent Welsh church people of the 17th and early 18th centuries. Further series of webinars will then build on this first series, examining the contribution of church people down to the present day.
Among the notable people under discussion will be Dr John Davies, the Rector of Mallwyd, who played a key role in the translation of the Bible into Welsh; Rhys Prichard, ‘the Old Vicar’ of Llandovery, and his extremely influential collection of popular devotional and didactic poems, Cannwyll y Cymry (The Candle of the Welsh); and clergyman Ellis Wynne of Lasynys near Harlech, who wrote the Welsh-language prose classic, Visions of the Sleeping Bard, published in 1703.
While the aim of the webinars is to provide popular introductions for a wide audience, the invited speakers are leading experts in their fields.
Professor E. Wyn James, Emeritus Professor in the School of Welsh at Cardiff University, is an academic advisor for the series.
He says, “Because of the strength of Nonconformity in Wales, in the 19th century in particular, the contribution of Anglicans to the Welsh language and its culture has often been underplayed. However, that contribution has been a rich and sustained one over many centuries, and the aim of these webinars is to place a spotlight on this aspect of our national heritage.”
The series is organised by the Revd Dr Ainsley Griffiths, Director of Faith, Order and Unity for the Church in Wales, with the webinars hosted by St Padarn’s Institute.
Dr Griffiths says, “Members of the Anglican Church – ‘yr Hen Fam’ (‘the Old Mother’) – have contributed significantly over the centuries, locally and nationally, to the continuation of the Welsh language and the flourishing of associated cultural life.
“We hope the series will equip us better to appreciate the innate Welshness of the Church in Wales, as well as providing impetus for creative ventures in mission and ministry in the future.
“We have a fantastic line-up of speakers for our first three webinars and are indebted to them for their contribution. We are richly blessed with material, so our aim is to continue the series following this initial collection.”
The Revd Dr Manon James, Dean for Initial Ministerial Training at St Padarn’s, added, “I am really excited about these webinars and for the opportunity to learn about the role that the Church in Wales has historically played in developing Welsh culture and in promoting the Welsh language.
“In my own research into Welsh identity, I was shocked about how little I knew about my own tradition and history. These webinars will ensure that this important history will not be forgotten. They will also help us gain confidence and courage as we share the good news in our own age.”
Caring For Our Vineyard
The webinars are free and will be delivered in Welsh with simultaneous translation into English.
- Saturday, 20 March 2021; 10.00–11.30
Dr Dylan Foster Evans: ‘John Davies, Mallwyd, and Anglican prose of the 17th century’;
Rev. Dr Adrian Morgan: ‘The Metrical Psalms in their context’.
- Saturday, 24 April 2021; 10.00–11.30
Professor E. Wyn James: ‘Carol and Cwndid’ (Religious Carols);
Professor Christine James: ‘Vicar Prichard and The Candle of the Welsh’.
- Saturday, 8 May 2021; 10.00–11.30
Dr A. Cynfael Lake: ‘Ellis Wynne of Lasynys and the Course of the World’;
Professor Huw Pryce: ‘Salvation, Providence and History: Theophilus Evans and The Mirror of the First Ages’.
For more details about the webinars or to register, please contact:
gofaleingwinllan@churchinwales.org.uk .