Barrhead Church celebrates Africa Day
Published on 9 June 2023
Vibrant sights and sounds from Africa thrilled a Renfrewshire church congregation in a special service of celebration.
Worshippers originally from Nigeria, Malawi and Zambia brought the sights and sounds of their homelands to Sunday service at Barrhead St Andrew's in a joint celebration of Pentecost and Africa Day.
Barrhead St Andrew's minister Rev Tim Mineard explained: "We have had a number of African families coming to worship with us over the past few years, and wanted to do something to make them feel more welcome.
"We noticed it was Africa Day on May 25th, so decided to hold an African themed service the following Sunday, with everyone invited to wear as bright clothes as possible. We had a planning meeting with all the Africans in the church and got them all involved."
This included reciting the Lord's Prayer in Yoruba, one of Nigeria's main languages, a song in Bemba from Zambian member Ebby Sijumila, testimony from Olabisi Sobowale from Nigeria, Bible readings and even dancing to Christian music from Africa.
"We were also privileged to have Malison Ndau preaching for us," Mr Mineard added.
"Malison is a former government minister from Malawi who joined our church several years ago, when he had to flee political persecution in his own country. He has since been ordained as an elder in our church and also served as Presbytery rep this past year."
The morning's Africa-themed service was followed by an evening Pentecost service.
"Pentecost is also a great time to be thinking about the rich diversity we have in our church family," Mr Mineard said.
