from Religion Media Centre (Image: Wikimedia Creative Commons)
Memorial services are being held today to mark the 60th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster, when a colliery waste tip engulfed Pantglas Junior School, killing 116 children and 28 adults.
The Methodist minister at the scene in 1966, the Rev Irving Penberthy, is still alive today and has given an interview for the Methodist church website, describing the traumatic events of the day. Now aged 96, he remembers the moments when little bodies were brought into the chapel, covered in blankets. He knew many of the children personally because they attended Sunday School and he cried with parents as they lifted the blanket and found their child had been killed: “We couldn’t say anything, it wasn’t the time for words. I called it ‘the ministry of tears’.”
Salvation Army members have also recalled their work supporting the community. One, Sheila Davies, remembers a bereaved mother saying happiness had been taken away and a father asking: “Where is your God now?”.
Sixty years on, churches are marking the anniversary today with memorial services, including services organised by the Church in Wales and Catholic Church and the Rev Irving Penberthy will return to take part. His son-in-law the Rev Gareth Hill, who is also a Methodist minister, has written a prayer for the people of Aberfan, acknowledging the ongoing pain, loss and anger and the ministry of leaders who have offered pastoral care and encouragement to rebuild lives.