Clent Mothers Union

Leader, Anne Harris, opened the meeting as usual, which began with a short time of worship. Following this our Treasurer, Jan Woolley, gave out several notices.

September 7, outing to Jinney Ring. We shall meet on Parish Hall car park at 11am, lunch at 12 noon at Jinney Ring

October 5 fish and chip lunch, cost £4 each. The meeting will be at 12 noon, lunch will arrive at 1.15pm

Families First Magazine £10.50 for 6 editions per year, which is excellent value. Please let Jan know if you wish to have the magazine.

Anne then called on Wendy Pettitt, speaker, whose subject was the Anglican Church in Bermuda. Wendy’s son is a vicar in Bermuda, so she was able to share wish us some interesting facts. It is a coral island, there is no natural water supply and everyone has a tank to catch rainwater. Water is brought to the island by tanker, but it is very expensive. The island is very small, 1 mile wide x 20 miles long. Therefore, when hurricanes occur, sea water contaminates the saved water.

Every Christian denomination has a church and there are places of worship for many other faiths, making a total of 100 churches serving a population of 56,000. Christianity is the main religion.

Bermuda was uninhabited until 1612, when St Peter’s was the first church to be placed by the Church of England anywhere in the world. The Cathedral is Holy Trinity and the Bishop has a claim to fame – he is the cousin of the film star, Michael Douglas!

The Anglican Church is very active in the community and Wendy gave us details of services and outreach activities. No building is allowed to be built higher than the Cathedral, which is therefore visible from every point on the island.

Wendy’s talk was an interesting travelogue, illustrated with photographs and maps. Anne thanked Wendy on behalf of members and presented her with a plant.

Anne also presented Elizabeth Parsons with a plant to celebrate a ‘special’ birthday. Elizabeth brought a lovely cake to share with members, who all wished her well. Ellen Crawford also brought fruitcake she had baked, so we all had plenty to enjoy.

Members are reminded there is no meeting in August. However, Hagley Mill have their coffee morning on August 17at 10am at St Saviour’s. We trust members will try to support this. There is a Bring and Buy, plants, produce and presents, new and unwrapped.

We wish everyone a relaxing and refreshing summer.