The Fellowship meets in church on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 2.00pm.

Betty Holmes writes of the Fellowship: The Fellowship in its early days provided an outlet for prayer, fellowship and activities in the days when few married ladies went out to work. Handicrafts were a good example where the ladies gathered to enrich the church with the work of their own hands, and I guess much tea was consumed together with sampling the various home made cakes.

Today’s St Gabriel's Women’s Fellowship has a greater perspective on our local community. We are mainly the retired and far from being solely Anglican (Church of England) we are truly ecumenical with ladies attending from a number of local churches. What attracts them? Well we believe it to be the warmth and friendship of our group which is now in excess of 40 members.
A typical meeting is opened with a hymn, short talk and prayers by Fr Keith and we have visiting speakers. Tea and refreshments follow together with a raffle and the swapping of local chat.

Meetings take place on the fourth Wednesday of each month. The annual subscription is £3. We have outings in the year by coach and our fundraising is donated to two charities as nominated by the members. We also help with the fundraising of St Gabriel's such as the Summer Fair and Christmas Bazaar.

Well it is all very well in trying to describe something – but it is much better to show you what it is like… I and many others look forward to welcoming you!

Report on the last two meetings

JUNE MEETING

At the May meeting of the Fellowship we were to welcome Shirley, once again, to help us make greeting cards. The cards cover any occasion and can be made with the recipients individual interests highlighted. Members spent a very productive afternoon so that friends and relatives can look forward to receiving very artistic and interesting cards. We thank Shirley for giving her time to us

The annual Bingo session was held at the June meeting of the Fellowship. The two members of the Parish with the strongest vocal cords (loudest voices) namely Fr Keith and Isabelle did the calling which helped the smooth running of the games. Fr Keith thanked the members for their efforts at the Church Fair on the previous Saturday which raised over £1,000 and the Fellowship toiletries stall made over £70.

Tea, biscuits and raffle rounded off the afternoon.

Fr Keith will be the speaker at the July 23rd meeting

JULY MEETING

Father Keith opened the meeting with members saying the Fellowship prayer followed by the Lords Prayer. As Muriel Stuckey the Chairman was on holiday, Eva Bushell then read out the birthdays for July and members sang Happy Birthday. She also told the meeting that she had sent a donation to Meadow House in memory of Audrey Ayriss.

Fr Keith then gave a talk on the smallest, most important and original species on earth – namely the BEE. He had at one time, on farmland in Kent, kept bees and was able to explain the life cycle, work load and hierarchy of the bee Queendom. All to supply us with our toast and honey for breakfast. Honey being a product that lasts (almost) forever.

Betty Harrington


 

Date of the next Meeting: Wednesday 24th Septembery 2.00pm in church.
Harvest Thanksgiving with the Upper Room Project

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