Churches Unlocked Sparks New Energy in Barry Church and Community Relationship

Merthyr Dyfan church is a stunning medieval building with historic features in a beautiful enclosed green space in the heart of Barry. For many years the congregation has been loyal but small and the church only had the capacity to open for one hour each week on a Sunday morning.

Being selected as a location for the Churches Unlocked Festival 2023 has kick started a new energy to interact with the community in creative ways. The church is located on a popular dog walking route, so the church started the #BlessBarryDogs with a wooden cutout pup as a mascot. There is also a dog station with water bowls and treats to inspire a culture of trust and service.

To cater for the Churches Unlocked Festival, the church arranged a portaloo for the week. Curate in charge, Rev’d Emma Ackland said, “Having a toilet made such a difference to the function of a church. We could have events that lasted all day while providing an essential need. A toilet is just one of the ways we hope to make the church more accessible, welcoming and community friendly.” Merthyr Dyfan is now looking to fundraise for a permanent toilet solution.

In the last year, Rev’d Emma has developed a close relationship with Oak Field Community Primary School and some of the students from years 3 and 4 were integral to the Churches Unlocked events. The children gave tours of the church and new prayer stations, helped visitors plant seeds in pots, and served tea and coffee. Their enthusiasm for the church that they now call their own was infectious and inspiring. One girl said, “When I first came to the church it was a bit scary but now, I love it.”

Each visitor to the festival at Merthyr Dyfan was invited to tie a ribbon onto the newly refurbished gate. By the end of the week the black metal was covered in colourful strips which was a striking symbol of the amount of visitors and the impact the community coming together has on a small church building. The church had over 500 visitors over the festival week including school children.

To mark the end of the celebration and to thank the volunteers, Merthyr Dyfan hosted the Barry Ministry Area service with a brass band. Afterwards everyone enjoyed a glass or two of sparkling wine and had a buffet prepared by the congregation. The celebration service on Sunday 11th fell on the day of Saint Barnabas who is known to be the saint of encouragement.

Now the Churches Unlocked Festival is over for another year, Rev’d Emma, Churchwarden Wendy and the congregation is keen to keep opening up the doors in different ways. On Saturday 17th June at 2pm they will be hosting a pet service outside with the ribboned gate as a backdrop. The service is open to everyone to bring along their furry friends.

The hope is that passing dog walkers, churchgoers or not, will feel welcome to have the church celebrate their pets and make connections. Rev’d Emma said, “We are so hopeful that Merthyr Dyfan Church and the Barry community can continue to find new ways to serve each other. Just as the gate has been changed by the ribbons so can this community be transformed by the love of God and my hope is that the relationship between the church and community can be as colourful, vibrant and diverse as the ribbons. We would like everyone to experience the warm welcome that is always on offer at Merthyr Dyfan Church.”