Thank you for sharing your story with us, Gwyn! Could you share with us a bit about your life and faith journey? Where are you from originally?
I was born and raised in Trecynon, Aberdare. I was a committed member of Noddfa Baptist Church, Trecynon. I was educated at Ysgol Gymraeg Ynyslwyd, Aberdare and Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen. I went to Trinity College, Carmarthen and earned a teacher’s certificate. I then became a teacher at Gilfach Fargoed Primary Schools; Ynyswen, Rhondda Fawr and at Ysgol Gymraeg Ynyslwyd. I’m a children’s author and I’ve published several volumes of poetry.
I had a remarkable upbringing as an only child and the apple of my parents’ eyes. My father suffered greatly from an illness called pneumoconiosis which influenced me greatly. I realised then that life was fragile and short.
My friends who were atheists refined and challenged my belief like anything. I’m so grateful to them! Christianity has been central to my life since then. It was an opportunity for me to deepen my experience and knowledge of God’s eternal love towards me and others.
The words of Ieuan Glan Geirionydd’s simile come to me vividly in his hymn ‘Ar lan Iorddonen Ddofn’ (‘On the Banks of the Jordan Deep’):-
Paham yr ofnaf mwy / Yduw a’i daliodd hwy / A’m harwain innau drwy / Ei dyfroedd dyfnion
Why do I still fear? / The God who held them / Has led me through / Its deep waters.
A number of chapels have come together in Hirwaun and Penderyn to worship twice a month. I am deeply blessed by the fellowship there. We are active in the community through litter picking, local food banks and organising concerts.
What are the most important lessons you feel you have learned over your life and faith journey?
The force of the parables and the truth of the word crystallise the depth of my experience of being a part of society. God’s love begs us to act on his behalf. I struggle to believe in Christ the king coming on clouds, but I resonate with Christ the brother, the co-pilgrim – that’s real to me. He identifies with us in our weaknesses. The Word has to make practical sense to me in terms of how to forgive one another, how to know God through Christ, and the recognition of Christ in us and in others. I believe that scripture is not just something bound to history but that God reveals himself to us today.
As someone who is very found of the humour of Monty Python, The Marx Brothers, Spike Milligan, the Goons etc and takes pleasure in listening to Jazz – I find they tie very different forces together in unity. This is the spirit that whispers that God’s peace and sense of humour is in us still.
Looking ahead, what is your prayer for Aberdare, and for Wales?
My prayer is for the seed of the Word to germinate in the hearts and minds of humanity, and for that to bring forth the fruit of justice, peace, light, gentleness, respect for others, warm friendship, compassion and a spirit of forgiveness – or in other words, Christ in us.